Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Translation of peptidoglycan metabolites into immunotherapeutics

The discovery of defined peptidoglycan metabolites that activate host immunity and their specific receptors has revealed fundamental insights into host–microbe recognition and afforded new opportunities for therapeutic development against infection and cancer. In this review, we summarise the discovery of two key peptidoglycan metabolites, γ‐d‐glutamyl‐meso‐diaminopimelic acid (iE‐DAP) and muramyl dipeptide and their respective receptors, Nod1 and Nod2, and review progress towards translating these findings into therapeutic agents. Notably, synthetic derivatives of peptidoglycan metabolites have already yielded approved drugs for chemotherapy‐induced leukopenia and paediatric osteosarcoma; however, the broad effects of peptidoglycan metabolites on host immunity suggest additional translational opportunities for new therapeutics towards other cancers, microbial infections and inflammatory diseases.
Personalized Trip Planning Considering User Preferences and Environmental Variables with Uncertainty

SUMMARY Personalized trip planning is a challenging problem given that places of interest should be selected according to user preferences and sequentially arranged while satisfying various constraints. In this study, we aimed to model various uncertain aspects that should be considered during trip planning and e ﬃ ciently generate personalized plans that maximize user satisfaction based on preferences and constraints. Speciﬁcally, we pro-pose a probabilistic itinerary evaluation model based on a hybrid temporal Bayesian network that determines suitable itineraries considering preferences, constraints, and uncertain environmental variables. The model re-trieves the sum of time-weighted user satisfaction, and ant colony optimization generates the trip plan that maximizes the objective function. First, the optimization algorithm generates candidate itineraries and evaluates them using the proposed model. Then, we improve candidate itineraries based on the evaluation results of previous itineraries. To validate the proposed trip planning approach, we conducted an extensive user study by asking participants to choose their preferred trip plans from options created by a human planner and our approach. The results show that our approach provides human-like trip plans, as participants selected our generated plans in 57% of the pairs. We also evaluated the e ﬃ ciency of the employed ant colony optimization algorithm for trip planning by performance comparisons with other optimization methods
New over-relaxed monotone fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm for linear inverse problems

The over-relaxed monotone fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm (OMFISTA) needs to satisfy a complex convergence condition with respect to its additional parameters. To simplify the convergence condition, this study proposes a new OMFISTA, termed OMFISTAv2, using a parameter setting strategy which will derive a simple sufficient condition with respect to the additional parameters to guarantee the convergence of OMFISTAv2. Moreover, the authors find experimentally that OMFISTAv2 can accelerate MFISTA in some cases where the system matrix is ill-conditioned or rank-deficient, while OMFISTA cannot.
Desarrollo de líneas de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) tolerante a sequía a partir de cruces inter acervo con genotipos procedentes de diferentes orígenes (Mesoamericano y Andino)

La principal causa de la baja productividad en campo es la sequia, y como la mayoria de metodos para contrarrestarle son costosos e inasequibles para los agricultores de bajos recursos, se ha encontrado que el mejoramiento genetico es la opcion mas economica para incrementar o estabilizar la produccion de frijol comun en condiciones de sequia. Por lo tanto el objetivo principal de esta investigacion fue obtener lineas de frijol provenientes de cruzas inter acervo, con el fin de seleccionar lineas tolerantes a estres hidrico. En la generacion F5:6, se seleccionaron las 54 mejores lineas elites en terminos de rendimiento y caracteristicas agronomicas favorables, de un total de 492 lineas cosechadas. Posteriormente se codificaron como lineas DAB (Drought Andean Bean). Se evaluaron estas 54 lineas elites en ensayos de rendimiento en dos condiciones de sequia, pudiendose elucidar que las lineas DAB 18, DAB 49, DAB 52 y DAB 3, presentaron mayor rendimiento con un rango de 2506.2 a 2682.3 Kg. ha -1 en las dos condiciones de sequia evaluadas; lo cual aporta genotipos con caracteristicas de importancia para ser multiplicados y distribuidos a agricultores, ademas de obtener lineas parentales para generar nuevos programas de mejoramiento con tolerancia a sequia.
Hematopoietic growth factor receptor genes as markers of lineage commitment during in vitro development of hematopoietic cells [see comments]

We have used two in vitro models to identify genes whose expression may serve as markers of lineage commitment during the development of hematopoietic stem cells. One system involves the development in vitro of blastocyst-derived embryonic stem cells into embryoid bodies. The second involves culturing of day 3.5 blastocysts in vitro under conditions that support their development into yolk saclike cysts. In both cases, hematopoietic cells arise in a manner that closely mimics the normal process occurring in the yolk sac of the early mouse embryo. We have focused our analysis on the expression of mRNAs for 15 hematopoietic growth factor receptor genes and other genes expressed in a hematopoietic lineage-specific manner. Although some growth factor receptor genes are apparently expressed constitutively during in vitro development, there are several classes of genes that undergo a highly consistent pattern of induction in both model systems. Genes induced early include those encoding the shared beta subunits of the interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptors; those induced at intermediate times include the c-fms, G-CSF receptor, and CD34 genes; and a gene induced late during in vitro development is the IL-7 receptor gene. The defined temporal order for the expression of these genes suggests that they may be useful as markers for multiple stages in the development of different hematopoietic cell lineages during embryogenesis.
Atividade antimicrobiana de bactérias ácido-lácticas isoladas de queijos de coalho artesanal e industrial frente a microrganismos indicadores (Antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from artisanal and industrial "coalho" cheese against indicator microorganisms)

Four strains of Lactobacillus spp. and two strains of Lactococcus spp. were isolated from artisanal and industrial “coalho” cheese and tested for inhibitory activity. It was observed antagonistic activity of the lactic acid bacteria against themselves and other lactic acid bacteria and pathogens isolated from the same cheese samples, as well as against pathogenic strains from other sources. Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed among the antagonistic activities, except when lactic acid bacteria were used as indicator. From the tested bacteria, Lactobacillus spp. showed the strongest antagonistic activity.
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and Neonatal Outcome: A Prospective Study

Meconium staining of amniotic fluid occurs in 10-15% deliveries and meconium aspiration syndrome occurs in 5% of those deliveries. Aspiration of meconium into the trachea results in various short and long term morbidities and variable mortality. These can be prevented by timely interventions before and after delivery. Aim of this study was to identify the neonatal factors associated with meconium aspiration syndrome and factors associated with mortality in these babies. The study included all babies admitted for meconium staining of amniotic fluid during the period of August 2013 till December 2014. Meconium aspiration syndrome was diagnosed if respiratory distress occurred immediately to within 24 hours after birth in a meconium stained baby, with radiological evidence of aspiration into the lungs and need for supplemental oxygen, after exclusion of other causes of respiratory distress. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 19 and presented as actual numbers and percentages. Associated factors were presented as Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval. Chi-square test was done where applicable and a p-value 4 and abnormal chest x-ray findings. Factors associated with mortality were small for gestational age newborns, 5 minute APGAR score <7, severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, requirement for bag-mask ventilation and chest compression at birth and need for assisted ventilation. Neonatal morbidity and mortality in meconium aspiration syndrome is preventable by proper antenatal care and timely intervention after birth. Meconium-stained babies should be aggressively managed to prevent complications like perinatal asphyxia and respiratory failure which contribute to the mortality. Those babies having risk for adverse outcome should be managed with special focus on respiratory care with use of assisted ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, where available.
Partial replacement of nitrite by antioxidants and its effect on smoked sausage color

The color of meat products is determined by the pigment myoglobin and this physical characteristic is a remarkable factor for consumer acceptability and as suggestive of quality evidence. There is a correlation between the lipid oxidation and this pigment, which influences on the meat color and this issue led to study the antioxidants. This study assessed the performance of phycocyanin, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in preserving the characteristic color of smoked sausage, when they used as partial substitute for nitrite. The sausages were prepared following six treatments (0.005% sodium nitrite + specific antioxidant) and a control (0 A) containing nitrite only. The treatments were: 1 A and 1 B (adding ascorbic acid), 2 A and 2 B (α-tocopherol), 3 A and 3 B (phycocyanin). The color, pH and residual nitrite characteristics were analyzed. The 2 B treatment was mostly effective in maintaining the red color due to α-tocopherol action. The addition of ascorbic acid (1 A treatment) accelerated the metamyoglobin reduction and the nitrite conversion to nitric oxide. The addition of phycocyanin decreased the intensity of red color (3 A treatment) and it increased the yellow color intensity and luminosity.
A network perspective on assessing system architectures: Foundations and challenges

Organizations are increasingly faced with the challenge of architecting complex systems that must operate within a System of Systems context. While network science has offered usefully clear insights into product and system architectures, we seek to extend these approaches to evaluate enterprise system architectures. Here, we explore the application of graph‐theoretic methods to the analysis of two real‐world enterprise architectures (a military communications system and a search and rescue system) and to assess the relative importance of different architecture components. For both architectures, different topological measures of component significance identify differing network vertices as important. From this, we identify several significant challenges a system architect needs to be cognisant of when employing graph‐theoretic approaches to evaluate architectures; finding suitable abstractions of heterogeneous architectural elements and distinguishing between network‐structural properties and system‐functional properties. These challenges are summarized as five guiding principles for utilizing network science concepts for enterprise architecture evaluation.
A High-Altitude Balloon Platform for Space Life Sciences Education

Abstract High-altitude balloons (HABs) present a valuable and cost-effective tool for educators and students to access the conditions that are analogous to space and extraterrestrial environments in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Historically, HABs have been used for meteorological measurements, observation, sampling of aerosols, and exposure of samples to upper atmosphere environments. The Earth’s stratosphere allows researchers access to a unique combination of wideband solar radiation, extreme cold, rarefied air, low humidity, and acute ionizing radiation—conditions that are relevant to space biology research. Here, we describe a reproducible payload for a HAB mission that can be constructed, launched, and retrieved for about $3,000. This general standard operating procedure can be used by educators, community scientists, and research teams working with limited resources.
A Dynamic Area-Efficient Technique to Enhance the Security of ROPUFs against Modeling Attacks

Physical Unclonable Function PUFs are suitable security solutions for silicon technology chips including ASIC and FPGA chips. Despite the prevalence of numerous techniques for fabrications of Silicon PUFs (SPUFs), to the best of our knowledge, a wellestablished dynamic technique that can provide updated secret keys to improve ROPUF security against molding attacks does not exist. For this reason, an area-efficient technique that exploits an appropriate reconfiguration mechanism and dedicated FPGA resources to build a dynamic multi-stage ROPUF (d-ROPUF) structures is introduced. To determine the correlation between each structure and its performance, the normality of the generated RO frequencies is studied. Experiment results show that, a structure with fewer stages has higher performance compared to the one with more stages. To further validate the proposed technique, parameters of ROPUF loop Model are studied at normal operating conditions and compared to ROPUF parameters of earlier designs.
High-pressure minerals

Abstract This article is dedicated to the occurrence, relevance, and structure of minerals whose formation involves high pressure. This includes minerals that occur in the interior of the Earth as well as minerals that are found in shock-metamorphized meteorites and terrestrial impactites. I discuss the chemical and physical reasons that render the definition of high-pressure minerals meaningful, in distinction from minerals that occur under surface-near conditions on Earth or at high temperatures in space or on Earth. Pressure-induced structural transformations in rock-forming minerals define the basic divisions of Earth’s mantle in the upper mantle, transition zone, and lower mantle. Moreover, the solubility of minor chemical components in these minerals and the occurrence of accessory phases are influential in mixing and segregating chemical elements in Earth as an evolving planet. Brief descriptions of the currently known high-pressure minerals are presented. Over the past 10 years more high-pressure minerals have been discovered than during the previous 50 years, based on the list of minerals accepted by the IMA. The previously unexpected richness in distinct high-pressure mineral species allows for assessment of differentiation processes in the deep Earth.
The Politics of Opacity and Translation in Post-Migrant Germany

Abstract My commentary focusses on the anecdote described by Elise v. Bernstorff in her research on transcultural education in rural Germany. I am interested in the potential intersections between v. Bernstorff’s findings and my own work on postcolonial literary theory and translation studies. On a methodological level, I am taking my cue from the ethical theory of the Caribbean philosopher Édouard Glissant on the one hand and postcolonial translation studies (Spivak, Tymoczko, Venuti) on the other.
General features of motor fatigue - a review

Summary Fatigue is an ubiquitous phenomenon that has many definitions, and it is always multidimensional comprising physiological and psychological aspects. It ranges from a chronic symptom in somatic and psychiatric disorders to time-related physiological alterations of primary cortical areas, and to efferent and afferent pathways of the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS, PNS) in healthy exercise physiology. Thus, it is necessary to define the context when referring to fatigue. Fatigue can generally be defined as a difficulty in initiating or sustaining a voluntary activity, the latter also being named fatigability in a more strict sense of nomenclature. Fatigue in a clinical setting is best quantified by means of self-reported questionnaires, for example the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The discrimination of accounts of depression, sleepiness, weakness, exercise intolerance and exhaustion relies however on a focused interview, clinical signs, and on the use of additional para-clinical investigations. Time-related physiological alterations during fatiguing tasks can occur at spinal and supraspinal sites, termed central fatigue, as well as at the neuro-muscular junction and in muscle fibres, termed peripheral fatigue. In exercise physiology, both central and peripheral fatigu ec an be assessed by electrophysiological techniques (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, electromyography), pharmacological intervention, functional magnetic resonance imaging and laboratory tests. In the myriad of neurological disorders that cause fatigue, ranging from chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis to neuro-muscular disorders and myopathy, different sites of pathological alterations are involved, all yielding to a patient complaining about excessive fatigue. This links the different aspects of fatigue, thus always calling for a multidimensional assessment of this intriguing phenomenon.
New insights into Sauropsid Papillomaviridae evolution and epizootiology: discovery of two novel papillomaviruses in native and invasive Island geckos

Abstract Papillomaviruses cause persistent infections in skin and mucosal membranes and, in at least one species, are also be able to infect a tissue of mesenchymal origin. Infections may either be subclinical or induce proliferative lesions. Of the known papillomaviruses, the majority that have been characterized are from humans and other mammals. Currently, only fifteen complete bird and reptile papillomavirus genomes have been described, and they have been found in birds (n = 11), turtles (n = 2), and snakes (n = 2). Using next-generation sequencing technologies and virus-specific PCR, we have identified two novel papillomavirus genomes, Hemidactylus frenatus Papillomavirus 1 and 2 (HfrePV1, HfrePV2), in the widely distributed and highly invasive Asian house gecko (H.frenatus) and mute gecko (Gehyra mutilata) on Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. HfrePV1 was also detected in critically endangered Lister’s geckos (Lepidodactylus listeri) in their captive breeding colony on Christmas Island. Tissue-containing virus included epidermis, oral mucosa, and liver (HfrePV1) and epidermis, liver, and colon (HfrePV2). Concurrent infections were found in both H.frenatus and G.mutilata. Invasive mourning geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris) (n = 4), Sri Lankan house geckos (Hemidactylus parvimaculatus) (n = 3), flat-tailed house geckos (Hemidactylus platyurus) (n = 4) from the Cocos Islands, and blue-tailed skinks (Cryptoblepharus egeriae) (n = 10) from Christmas Island were also screened but were not found to be infected. The novel HfrePV1 and HfrePV2 genomes were 7,378 bp and 7,380 bp in length, respectively, and each contained the early (E1, E2, and E7), and late (L1 and L2) open-reading frames. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated E1, E2, and L1 proteins from both papillomaviruses revealed that they clustered with, but were basal to, the Sauropsida clade containing bird and reptile viruses. This study sheds light on the evolution of papillomaviruses and the distribution of pathogens in a highly invasive species impacting endangered populations of geckos.
December 2 , 2019 DRAFT Work Efficient Schedulers

The scheduling of multithreaded computations has attracted extensive research over past decades. Most of the research focused on design schedulers that are efficient in terms of runtime and space consumption, very often at the cost of performing more work than the computation itself required. This work considers a new class of schedulers, called work-efficient schedulers. Work-efficient schedulers aim to minimize extra work, measured by the total number of instructions executed by all processors due to scheduling, including idle (referred to as spinning in this work) time. Specifically, the total amount of work performed during the scheduling of a computation must be within a small constant factor of the total work of the computation. This work first presents an offline elastic scheduler that achieves the goal by dynamically scaling up or down the processors it utilizes in response to the instantaneous parallelism. We prove a runtime and total work bound for our offline elastic scheduler and show that it achieves linear speedup with respect to the number of processors, while maintaining work efficiency. This work further presents an online elastic work-stealing algorithm that aims at approximating the offline work-efficient schedulers. The elastic workstealing scheduler augments the traditional work-stealing algorithm with a lifeline forest communication structure that allows processors to respond swiftly to varying instantaneous parallelism in a distributed manner. We implemente this algorithm then evaluate its performance and work efficiency by comparing it agaist existing implementations of traditional work-stealing schedulers. Results show that 1) for highly parallel computations, our parsimonious scheduler is comparable to classic work stealing in its speedup; 2) for computations where parallelism is more limited, our parsimonious scheduler performs considerably less work. December 2, 2019 DRAFT
Semiconductor nanowire plasmonic lasers

Abstract Semiconductor nanowires (NW) hold great promise for micro/nanolasers owing to their naturally formed resonant microcavity, tightly confined electromagnetic field, and outstanding capability of integration with planar waveguide for on-chip optoelectronic applications. However, constrained by the optical diffraction limit, the dimension of semiconductor lasers cannot be smaller than half the optical wavelength in free space, typically several hundreds of nanometers. Semiconductor NW plasmonic lasers provide a solution to break this limitation and realize deep sub-wavelength light sources. In this review, we summarize the advances of semiconductor NW plasmonic lasers since their first demonstration in 2009. First of all, we briefly look into the fabrication and physical/chemical properties of semiconductor NWs. Next, we discuss the fundamentals of surface plasmons as well as the recent progress in semiconductor NW plasmonic lasers from the aspects of multicolor realization, threshold reduction, ultrafast modulation, and electrically driven operations, along with their applications in sensing and integrated optics. Finally, we provide insights into bright perspectives and remaining challenges.