Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukins and redox impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: mini-review and pilot study

Abstract Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality, low-grade inflammation being acknowledged as a key contributor to its development and progression. A tailored therapeutic approach, based on sensitive and specific biomarkers, could allow a more accurate analysis of disease susceptibility/prognostic and of the response to treatment. Objectives This mini-review and pilot study had two main goals: (1) reviewing the most recent literature encompassing the use of interleukins as inflammatory markers influenced by the redox imbalances in T2DM and (2) assessing parameters that conjunctly evaluate the redox impairment and inflammatory burden of T2DM patients, taking into consideration smoking status, as such group-specific biomarkers are scarcely reported in literature. Methods Firstly, PubMed database was surveyed to select and review the relevant studies employing interleukins as T2DM biomarkers and to assess if studies using combined inflammatory-redox indices were reported. Then, routine biochemical parameters were assessed in a pilot study -T2DM patients with 3 subgroups: non-smokers, smokers and ex-smokers, were compared to a control group of non-diabetic, apparently healthy non-smokers. Protein (AOPPs, AGEs), lipid/HDL (Amplex Red-based method) oxidative damage and inflammatory status (CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) biomarkers were assessed. Cytokine ratios and 2 oxidative-inflammatory status indices were developed (IH1 and IH2) and evaluated. Results We observed significant differences in terms of serum redox and inflammatory status (AOPPs, AGEs, CRP, CRP/HDL, CRP/IL-6, IL-10/IL-6, IH1) between T2DM patients compared to control and, moreover, between the subgroups formed considering smoking status (CRP, CRP/HDL, IH1). Glycemic control strongly influenced inflammatory status biomarkers: glycemia was positively correlated with the inflammatory parameters (CRP/IL-10) and inversely with the anti-inflammatory ones (IL-10, IL-10/IL-1β ratio). Conclusions Several of the assessed parameters may possess prognostic value for diabetics, especially when comparing subgroups with a different smoking history and could prove useful in clinical practice for assessing disease progress and therapeutic efficacy.
WEARABLE AUTHENTICATION DEVICE WITH BIOMETRICAL INTRUSION PREVENTION SYSTEM

ABSTRACT The biometric technologies have been widely used for authentication purposes. But the current needs for security creates the challenge of avoiding attacks before they take place. This can be achieved by combining the traditional biometric technologies with algorithms/tools capable of managing the existing knowledge about emotion recognition. This area has been developed essentially to support the implementation of robots, and for lies detection, and a lot of sensors are already defined and/or proposed to support it. However, in order to use them for real-time human emotion recognition applications, those sensors must be made ubiquitous, non-intrusive and wireless. Besides, given the private nature of the information involved, such a system requires a safe environment for secure storing and processing the user information, like biometric patterns, what SmartCards with processing capabilities can provide. The development of a system so complex requires the development of the biometric algorithms adapted for this purposes, the development of emotions recognition multimodal algorithms and the integration of the resulting components (hardware and software) in a non-intrusive and easy way. In this paper we present the adaptation of a keystroke dynamics algorithm for use in intrusion prevention and we propose a biometrical intrusion prevention system, integrated in a wearable way through the development of a multifunctional textile structure that can supply power to the required microelectronics, while insuring comfort in use. The multifunctional textile structure, besides being comfortable, breathable and washable, has also an active role in assuring the well being of the user once it uses PCM – Phase Change Materials – to keep the user from feeling either cold or hot. Finally, as a probe of concept, it is described a possible application in a healthcare unit (where information security is critical).
A study on digital marketing opportunities and challenges

This present economy has made the whole world as a small market and removed the entry and exit barriers of marketing. Thus it has created more opportunity to the marketers to market their products and services like new market, market growth, leadership in the market & survival and digital marketing in which location based marketing has emerged as one of the biggest trend in marketing, social media marketing, email marketing, customized customer marketing, integrated marketing etc.
Optimal sizing and design of CMOS analogue amplifier circuits using craziness‐based particle swarm optimization

This paper presents the optimal designs of two analogue complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) amplifier circuits, namely differential amplifier with current mirror load and two‐stage operational amplifier. A modified Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), called Craziness‐based Particle Swarm Optimization (CRPSO) technique is applied to minimize the total MOS area of the designed circuits. CRPSO is a highly modified version of conventional PSO, which adopts a number of random variables and has a better and faster exploration and exploitation capability in the multidimensional search space. Integration of craziness factor in the fundamental velocity term of PSO not only brings diversity in particles but also pledges convergence close to global best solution. The proposed CRPSO‐based circuit optimization technique is reassured to be free from the intrinsic disadvantages of premature convergence and stagnation, unlike Differential Evolution (DE), Harmony Search (HS), Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The simulation results achieved for the two analogue CMOS amplifier circuits establish the efficacy of the proposed CRPSO‐based approach over those of DE, HS, ABC and PSO in terms of convergence haste, design conditions and design goals. The optimally designed analogue CMOS amplifier circuits occupy the least MOS area and show the best performance parameters like gain and power dissipation, in compared with the other reported literature. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Commercialising Breakthrough Technologies: Scenarios and Strategies

In this chapter we focus on different strategies for commercialising breakthrough technologies. After the invention of their technology, pioneers might be confronted with completely different scenarios, each of which requires another strategy. These strategies are studied for the cases of the photocopier, video cassette recorder and microwave oven. Several conclusions are derived from the cases. The main actors involved in the breakthrough technologies change considerably in the course of time, and so do the customer segments and user applications. Usually, niche markets emerge first that diverge considerably from the mass market applications that emerge later. In our cases, pioneers of breakthrough technologies never create a mass market. After the pioneer, multiple entrants adopt a similar strategy but many of them have to leave the market later. Only a small number of them survives, either by consistently adopting a niche market strategy or by creating a mass market
Compromising Charge Generation and Recombination with Asymmetric Molecule for High‐Performance Binary Organic Photovoltaics with Over 18% Certified Efficiency

Balancing the charge generation and recombination constitutes a major challenge to break the current limit of organic photovoltaics (OPVs). To address this issue, an asymmetric non‐fullerene acceptor, namely the AC9, is developed and high‐performance OPV with a champion efficiency of 18.43% (18.1% certified) is demonstrated. This represents the record value among binary OPVs. Comprehensive analysis on exciton dissociation, charge collection, carrier transport, and recombination has been carried out, unveiling that the improved device performance of asymmetric AC9‐based OPVs is originated from a better compromise between charge generation and non‐radiative charge recombination, compared with the corresponding symmetric ones. This work provides a high‐performing molecule and paves the way for high‐performance OPVs through asymmetric molecular design.
State Estimation for Humanoid Robots

Abstract : This thesis focuses on dynamic model based state estimation for hydraulic humanoid robots. The goal is to produce state estimates that are robust and achieve good performance when combined with the controller. Three issues are addressed in this thesis. How to use force sensor and IMU information in state estimation? How to use the full-body dynamics to estimate generalized velocity? How to use state estimation to handle modeling error and detect humanoid falling? Hydraulic humanoid robots are force-controlled. It is natural for a controller to produce force commands to the robot using inverse dynamics. Model based control and state estimation relies on the accuracy of the model. We address the issue: To what complexity do we have to model the dynamics of the robot for state estimation? We discuss the impact of modeling error on the robustness of the state estimators, and introduce a state estimator based on a simple dynamics model, it is used in the DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals for fall detection and prevention. Hydraulic humanoids usually have force sensors on the joints and end effectors, but not joint velocity sensors because there is no high velocity portion of the transmission as there are no gears. A simple approach to estimate joint velocity is to differentiate measured joint position over time and low pass filter the signal to remove noise, but it is difficult to balance between the signal to noise ratio and delay. To address this issue, we will discuss three ways to use the full-body dynamics model and force sensor information to estimate joint velocities. The first method efficiently estimates the full state through decoupling. It estimates the base variables by fusing inertial sensing with forward kinematics, and joint variables using forward dynamics. The second method estimates the generalized velocity using quadratic program. Force sensor information is also taken into account as an optimization variable in this formulation.
A web interface for accessing option pricer implementations based on the Heston model

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Efferent effects on auditory-nerve responses to tones : substantial inhibition even at high sound levels and tail frequencies

The central nervous system modulates auditory sensory transduction in the mammalian cochlea via medial olivocohlear neurons. These efferents project from the brainstem to the cochlea, synapse on outer hair cells, and inhibit responses from auditory-nerve fibers that synapse on inner hair cells. It is now believed that the major mechanism producing this inhibition is an efferent-induced reduction in motion of the basilar membrane, a tuned structure that extends along the length of the cochlea. The experimental data of this thesis indicate that this mechanism is stronger than previously thought, but that it is not the only mechanism. Specifically, by using improved methodological techniques, and by systematically exploring conditions that were little explored in earlier work, we obtained new data on efferent effects on responses of cat auditory-nerve fibers to various sound levels and frequencies. We focused on frequencies to which auditory-nerve fibers are sharply tuned. and on frequencies from the broadly-tuned low-frequency "tail" region of tuning curves. A summary of highlights from the thesis that challenge the previous "common wisdomfollows. First, we show that efferents produce the largest equivalent attenuation at moderate to high sound levels (45-75 dB SPL), not low sound levels as previously thought. In addition. large attenuations, some over 50 dB SPL, and the presence of inhibition even at 100 dB SPL. indicate that medial efferent inhibition is more potent than previously reported. Second. we show that efferent stimulation can inhibit auditory-nerve-fiber responses even to tailfrequency tones. The inhibition can be as large as 20 dB SPL in individual fibers, although it typically averages 5 dB SPL. Third, we show that efferent stimulation can substantially shift the response phase of auditory-nerve fibers to tail-frequency tones with little effect on the phase of the cochlear microphonic. The tail-frequency phase data suggest that efferents can affect cochlear micromechanics without changing basilar-membrane motion. Our results are consistent with previous views that efferents extend the dynamic range of hearing, reduce masking by background noise, and protect the ear from damage due to intense sounds. Thesis Supervisor: John J. Guinan, Jr. Title: Associate Professor of Otology and Laryngology, Harvard Medical School
Perception and Mitigation of Artifacts in a Flat Panel Tiled Display System

Flat panel displays continue to dominate the display market. Larger, higher resolution flat panel displays are now in demand for scientific, business, and entertainment purposes. Manufacturing such large displays is currently difficult and expensive. Alternatively, larger displays can be constructed by tiling smaller flat panel displays. While this approach may prove to be more cost effective, appropriate measures must be taken to achieve visual seamlessness and uniformity. In this project we conducted a set of experiments to study the perception and mitigation of image artifacts in tiled display systems. In the first experiment we used a prototype tiled display to investigate its current viability and to understand what critical perceptible visual artifacts exist in this system. Based on word frequencies of the survey responses, the most disruptive artifacts perceived were ranked. On the basis of these findings, we conducted a second experiment to test the effectiveness of image processing algorithms designed to mitigate some of the most distracting artifacts without changing the physical properties of the display system. Still images were processed using several algorithms and evaluated by observers using magnitude scaling. Participants in the experiment noticed statistically significant improvement in image quality from one of the two algorithms. Similar testing should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the algorithms on video content. While much work still needs to be done, the contributions of this project should enable the development of an image processing pipeline to mitigate perceived artifacts in flat panel display systems and provide the groundwork for extending such a pipeline to real­time applications.
A Reproducible Bioprinted 3D Tumor Model Serves as a Preselection Tool for CAR T Cell Therapy Optimization

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell performance against solid tumors in mouse models and clinical trials is often less effective than predicted by CAR construct selection in two-dimensional (2D) cocultures. Three-dimensional (3D) solid tumor architecture is likely to be crucial for CAR T cell efficacy. We used a three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting approach for large-scale generation of highly reproducible 3D human tumor models for the test case, neuroblastoma, and compared these to 2D cocultures for evaluation of CAR T cells targeting the L1 cell adhesion molecule, L1CAM. CAR T cells infiltrated the model, and both CAR T and tumor cells were viable for long-term experiments and could be isolated as single-cell suspensions for whole-cell assays quantifying CAR T cell activation, effector function and tumor cell cytotoxicity. L1CAM-specific CAR T cell activation by neuroblastoma cells was stronger in the 3D model than in 2D cocultures, but neuroblastoma cell lysis was lower. The bioprinted 3D neuroblastoma model is highly reproducible and allows detection and quantification of CAR T cell tumor infiltration, representing a superior in vitro analysis tool for preclinical CAR T cell characterization likely to better select CAR T cells for in vivo performance than 2D cocultures.
EPICS data archiver at SSRF beamlines

The control system of SSRF(Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility)is based on EPICS(Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System). Operation data storage for synchrotron radiation facility is important for its status monitoring and analysis.At SSRF,operation data used to be index files recorded by traditional EPICS Channel Archiver.Nevertheless,index files are not suitable for long-term maintenance and difficult for data analysis.Now,RDB Channel Archiver and MySQL are used for SSRF beamline operation data archiving,so as to promote the data storage reliability and usability.By applying a new uploading mechanism to RDB Channel Archiver.its writing performance is improved.A web-based GUI(Graphics User Interface)is also developed to make it easier to access database.
Analyzing the influence of short-term rental platforms on housing affordability in global urban destination neighborhoods

In the last decade, global urban destinations have witnessed an unprecedented wave of tourism growth based on the development of short-term rental platforms (STAP) and of a particular platform, Airbnb. Literature has demonstrated this growth’s influence in different contexts, highlighting its impact on housing markets, mostly at the city level and through correlation or regression analyses. This study goes a step further, focusing on the neighborhood level for the case of Barcelona (Spain) and using k-means clustering. Results show how the concentration of Airbnb listings in “highly touristified” and “trendy” neighborhoods has been associated with an increase in rental prices in these areas. Moreover, the subsequent increase in the demand for tourism-related services in these neighborhoods has led to a displacement of residents to peripheral neighborhoods, which has also put pressure on these areas’ housing prices. These processes have been accompanied by an increasing reaction from local anti-tourism movements. Based on these findings, we suggest that global urban destinations managers need to manage STAP and tourism-related service development not only in relation to the tourism industry but also regarding its impact on the conditions of residents and should consider the neighborhood as a primary management unit when designing the necessary regulations.
POTENTIAL USE OF INCINERATOR RESIDUE AS AGGREGATE FOR PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE

An evaluation, as a potential source of aggregate, of the residue that remains after the incineration of municipal refuse is described. The results of American Society of Testing and Materials acceptance tests indicate that incinerator residue can potentially be used as subbase and base-course material and aggregate for asphaltic concrete, portland cement concrete, and masonry units. Concrete strengths of approximately 27.6 MPa (4000 lbf/ sq in.) are possible. Medium-weight concrete blocks that meet ASTM C90 specifications have been manufactured. Alkali-aggregate reactions cause expansion, but it appears that this problem can be controlled. (Author)
Number neurons in the nidopallium of young domestic chicks

Numerical cognition is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom. Domestic chicks are a widely used developmental model for studying numerical cognition. Soon after hatching, chicks can perform sophisticated numerical tasks. Nevertheless, the neural basis of their numerical abilities has remained unknown. Here, we describe for the first time number neurons in the caudal nidopallium (functionally equivalent to the mammalian prefrontal cortex) of young domestic chicks. Number neurons that we found in young chicks showed remarkable similarities to those in the prefrontal cortex and caudal nidopallium of adult animals. Thus, our results suggest that numerosity perception based on the labeled-line code provided by number neurons might be an inborn feature of the vertebrate brain. Significance Numerosity, i.e. the number of items in a set, is a significant aspect in the perception of the environment. Behavioural and in silico experiments suggest that number sense belongs to a core knowledge system and can be present already at birth. However, neurons sensitive to the number of visual items have been so far described only in the brain of adult animals. Therefore, it remained unknown to what extent their selectivity would depend on visual learning and experience. We found number neurons in the caudal nidopallium (a higher associative area with functional similarities to the mammalian prefrontal cortex) of very young, numerically naïve domestic chicks. This result suggests that numerosity perception is possibly an inborn feature of the vertebrate brain.
An efficient machine learning-based COVID-19 identification utilizing chest X-ray images

There is no well-known vaccine for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with 100% efficiency. COVID-19 patients suffer from a lung infection, where lung-related problems can be effectively diagnosed with image techniques. The golden test for COVID-19 diagnosis is the RT-PCR test, which is costly, time-consuming and unavailable for various countries. Thus, machine learning-based tools are a viable solution. Here, we used a labelled chest X-ray of three categories, then performed data cleaning and augmentation to use the data in deep learning-based convolutional neural network (CNN) models. We compared the performance of different models that we gradually built and analyzed their accuracy. For that, we used 2905 chest X-ray scan samples. We were able to develop a model with the best accuracy of 97.44% for identifying COVID-19 using X-ray images. Thus, in this paper, we attested the feasibility of efficiently applying machine learning (ML) based models for medical image classification.
RET activation controlled by MAB21L4-CacyBP interaction drives squamous cell carcinoma

Epithelial squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) most commonly originate in the skin, where they display disruptions in the normally tightly regulated homeostatic balance between keratinocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation. We performed a transcriptome-wide screen for genes of unknown function that possess inverse expression patterns in differentiating keratinocytes compared to cutaneous SCC (cSCC) and identified MAB21L4 (C2ORF54) as an enforcer of terminal differentiation that suppresses carcinogenesis. Loss of MAB21L4 in human cSCC organoids enabled malignant transformation through increased expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase rearranged during transfection (RET). In addition to transcriptional upregulation of RET, MAB21L4 deletion preempted recruitment of the CacyBP-Siah1 E3 ligase complex to RET and reduced its ubiquitylation. Both genetic disruption of RET or selective RET inhibition with BLU-667 (pralsetinib) suppressed tumorigenesis in SCC organoids and in vivo tumors while inducing concomitant differentiation. Our results suggest that targeting RET activation is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating SCC. Statement of Significance Few targeted therapies are available to individuals with cSCC who seek or require non-surgical management. Our study demonstrates that downregulation of RET is required for epithelial differentiation and opposes carcinogenesis in cSCC as well as SCC arising from other epithelial tissues.