Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Sensor-Based Physical Analogue Scale as a Novel Approach for Assessing Frequent and Fleeting Events: Proof of Concept

New technologies (e.g., smartphones) have made it easier to conduct Experience Sampling Method (ESM) studies and thereby collect longitudinal data in situ. However, limiting interruption burden (i.e., the strain of being pulled out of everyday life) remains a challenge, especially when assessments are frequent and/or must be made immediately after an event, such as when capturing the severity of clinical symptoms in everyday life. Here, we describe a wrist-worn microcomputer programmed with a Physical Analogue Scale (PAS) as a novel approach to ESM in everyday life. The PAS uses the position of a participant's forearm between flat and fully upright as a response scale like a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) uses continuous ratings on a horizontal line. We present data from two pilot studies (4-week field study and lab study) and data from a 2-week ESM study on social media ostracism (i.e., when one's social media message is ignored; N = 53 participants and 2,272 event- and time-based assessments) to demonstrate the feasibility of this novel approach for event- and time-based assessments, and highlight advantages of our approach. PAS angles were accurate and reliable, and VAS and PAS values were highly correlated. Furthermore, we replicated past research on cyber ostracism, by finding that being ignored resulted in significantly stronger feelings of being offended, which was more pronounced when ignored by a group compared to a single person. Furthermore, participants did not find it overly difficult to complete the assessments using the wearable and the PAS. We suggest that the PAS is a valid measurement procedure in order to assess fleeting and/or frequent micro-situations in everyday life. The source code and administration application are freely available.
Intelligent Smart Contracts for Innovative Supply Chain Management

We propose blockchains and smart contracts as enabling technologies for an innovative type of supply chain management, with the goal of achieving higher levels of collaboration between the companies participating in the chain, which in turn pays in the form of higher levels of profitability and economic health for the participating enterprises. Our proposal goes far beyond simply using blockchains as decentralized systems to track the origin and delivery of goods, which is what most of the current blockchain projects on supply chains are focused on. In fact, we introduce a type of smart contract aimed to solve two of the main problems that hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of supply chains, namely trust and coordination. Solving the problem of trust amounts to the capability of establishing quickly and cheaply contractual relationships based on convergent business needs among parties that may not know each other, and therefore need to protect themselves from opportunistic or incorrect behavior. Solving the problem of coordination consists in creating, at convenient management costs, a control system capable of directing the objectives of the supply chain as a whole, so as to achieve a greater common good in the medium term, as an alternative to the state of affairs in which each participant pursues, on its own behalf, lower but immediate returns. Our smart contracts for innovative supply chain management replace human coordinators in tackling the problems above, thus eliminating one major obstacle to their effective solution, namely the need to trust the coordinator itself. Furthermore, in this way, by automating the process of coordination, they unburden the supply chain of a considerable management cost. Contracts of this kind not only automate contract execution as in standard smart contracts, but also adjust costs and compensations of the members of a supply chain, effectively taking up the role that was of human coordinators. Thus, we refer to them as “intelligent smart contracts. ” In the course of the paper, we will illustrate an innovative supply chain architecture based on intelligent smart contracts running on blockchain, we will detail the algorithmic methodologies underlying the decision-making process of these contracts and we will outline the wider socio-economic perspectives opened by our approach.
Polymer Adhesin Domains in Gram-Positive Cell Surface Proteins

Surface proteins in Gram-positive bacteria are often involved in biofilm formation, host-cell interactions, and surface attachment. Here we review a protein module found in surface proteins that are often encoded on various mobile genetic elements like conjugative plasmids. This module binds to different types of polymers like DNA, lipoteichoic acid and glucans, and is here termed polymer adhesin domain. We analyze all proteins that contain a polymer adhesin domain and classify the proteins into distinct classes based on phylogenetic and protein domain analysis. Protein function and ligand binding show class specificity, information that will be useful in determining the function of the large number of so far uncharacterized proteins containing a polymer adhesin domain.
Electrochemical Sensors Based on Covalent Organic Frameworks: A Critical Review

The metal-free cousins of metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), are a class of pre-designable crystalline polymers composed of light elements and connected by strong covalent bonds. COFs are being given more and more attention in the electrochemical sensor field due to their fascinating properties, such as highly tunable porosity, intrinsic chemical and thermal stability, structural diversity, large specific surface area, and unique adsorption characteristics. However, there are still some key issues regarding COFs that need to be urgently resolved before they can be effectively applied in electrochemical sensing. In this review, we summarized recent achievements in developing novel electrochemical sensors based on COFs, and discussed the key fundamental and challenging issues that need to be addressed, including the mechanisms underlying charge transport, methods to improve electrical conductivity, immobilization methods on different substrates, synthesis strategies for nanoscale COFs, and the application of COFs in different fields. Finally, the challenges and outlooks in this promising field are tentatively proposed.
Rutaecarpine Ameliorates Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in Mice by Modulating Genes Related to Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

Background: Rutaecarpine (RUT), a major quinazolino carboline alkaloid compound from the dry unripe fruit Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Juss.) T. G. Hartley, has various pharmacological effects. The aim of this present study was to investigate the potential gastroprotective effect of rutaecarpine on ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury in mice and associated molecular mechanisms, such as activating Nrf2 and Bcl-2 via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and inhibiting NF-κB. Methods: Gastric ulcer index and histopathology was carried out to determine the efficacy of RUT in gastric ulceration, and the content of SOD, GSH in serum and CAT, MDA, MPO, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β in tissue were measured by kits. Besides, in order to illustrate the potential inflammatory, oxidative, and apoptotic perturbations, the mRNA levels of NF-κB p65, PI3K, AKT, Nrf2, Nqo1, HO-1, Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed. In addition, the protein expression of NF-κB p65 and Nrf2 in cytoplasm and nucleus, AKT, p-AKT, Bcl-2 Bax and Caspase 3 were analyzed for further verification. Finally, immunofluorescence analysis was performed to further verify nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Results: Current data strongly demonstrated that RUT alleviated the gross gastric damage, ulcer index and the histopathology damage caused by ethanol. RUT inhibited the expression and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and the expression of its downstream signals, such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and MPO. Immunofluorescence analysis also verifies the result. In the context of oxidative stress, RUT improved the antioxidant milieu by remarkably upregulating the expression Nqo1 and HO-1 with activating Nrf2, and could remarkably upregulate antioxidant SOD, GSH, CAT and downregulate levels of MDA. Additionally, RUT activate the expression of Bcl-2 and inhibited the expression of downstream signals Bax and Caspase 3 to promote gastric cellular survival. These were confirmed by RUT activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway manifested by enhanced expression of PI3K and promotion of AKT phosphorylation. Conclusion: Taken together, these results strongly demonstrated that RUT exerted a gastroprotective effect against gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol. The underlying mechanism might be associated with the improvement of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti-apoptosis system.
Nanostructured hybrid solar cells based on PECVD grown SiNWs and organic semiconducting polymers

Solar cells are an exciting alternative energy technology due to the infinite energy source, the Sun. Many types of solar cells based on inorganic or organic materials are currently developed with the objective of higher efficiency and lower cost. In this context, this thesis suggests to study nano-structured hybrid solar cells based on silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and organic active materials to benefit advantages of both materials. SiNWs are grown by PECVD on transparent conducting oxide via Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) mechanism with careful control of their nano-morphology. The organic materials made of polymers or blend polymers are then deposited by spin-coating on top of SiNWs. In these hybrid solar cells the SiNWs are used as light-trapping medium and/or electron acceptor material. For better solar cell performance, the optimization of SiNWs array is carried out by removing residual catalyst and etching parasitic hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Their effects on hybrid solar cells have been fully analyzed and discussed. Furthermore, the electron-acceptor properties of the nano-structured SiNWs have been estimated with Bismuth-doped n-type SiNWs. The results clearly reveal the potential of this type of hybrid solar cells, namely, 1) power conversion efficiency improvement by enhancing external quantum efficiency in longer wavelength regime and 2) variety uses of SiNWs by tuning their electrical property and morphology.
Latent source-specific generative factor learning for monaural speech separation using weighted-factor autoencoder

Much recent progress in monaural speech separation (MSS) has been achieved through a series of deep learning architectures based on autoencoders, which use an encoder to condense the input signal into compressed features and then feed these features into a decoder to construct a specific audio source of interest. However, these approaches can neither learn generative factors of the original input for MSS nor construct each audio source in mixed speech. In this study, we propose a novel weighted-factor autoencoder (WFAE) model for MSS, which introduces a regularization loss in the objective function to isolate one source without containing other sources. By incorporating a latent attention mechanism and a supervised source constructor in the separation layer, WFAE can learn source-specific generative factors and a set of discriminative features for each source, leading to MSS performance improvement. Experiments on benchmark datasets show that our approach outperforms the existing methods. In terms of three important metrics, WFAE has great success on a relatively challenging MSS case, i.e., speaker-independent MSS.
Towards Empathetic Dialogue Generation over Multi-type Knowledge.

Enabling the machines with empathetic abilities to provide context-consistent responses is crucial on both semantic and emotional levels. The task of empathetic dialogue generation is proposed to address this problem. However, lacking external knowledge makes it difficult to perceive implicit emotions from limited dialogue history. To address the above challenges, we propose to leverage multi-type knowledge, i.e, the commonsense knowledge and emotional lexicon, to explicitly understand and express emotions in empathetic dialogue generation. We first enrich the dialogue history by jointly interacting with two-type knowledge and construct an emotional context graph. Then we introduce a multi-type knowledge-aware context encoder to learn emotional context representations and distill emotional signals, which are the prerequisites to predicate emotions expressed in responses. Finally, we propose an emotional cross-attention mechanism to exploit the emotional dependencies between the emotional context graph and the target empathetic response. Conducted on a benchmark dataset, extensive experimental results show that our proposed framework outperforms state-of-the-art baselines in terms of automatic metrics and human evaluations.
IS THERE A PLACE FOR CHOLANGIOSCOPIC EVALUATION OF BILIARY ANASTOMOTIC STRICTURE AFTER DECEASED DONOR LIVER TRANSPLANT?

BACKGROUND Biliary complications remain one of the most important causes of morbidity and graft loss after liver transplant (LT). Endoscopic therapy of biliary complications has proven to be effective over time, leaving surgical treatment restricted to only very few cases. However, we cannot yet predict which patients will have the greatest potential to benefit from endoscopic treatment. OBJECTIVE On this premise we decide to conduct this study to evaluate the role and safety of single operator cholangioscopy (SOC) in the endoscopic treatment of post-LT biliary anastomotic strictures (AS). METHODS Between March/2016 and June/2017, 20 consecutive patients referred for endoscopic treatment for biliary anastomotic stricture were included in this prospective observational cohort study. Inclusion criteria were age over 18 years old, and a deceased LT performed within at least 30 days. Exclusion criteria were non-anastomotic biliary stricture, biliary leakage, cast syndrome, any previous endoscopic therapy, pregnancy and inability to provide informed consent. All patients underwent SOC before endoscopic therapy with fully covered self-expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) and after stent removal. RESULTS At pre-treatment SOC, stricture orifice and fibrotic changes could be visualized in all patients, vascular changes and surgical sutures in 60% and acute inflammatory changes in 30%. SOC was essential for guidewire placement in five cases. FCSEMS was successfully deployed in all patients. Stricture resolution rate was 44.4% (median stent indwelling 372 days). Stricture recurrence was 12.5% (median follow-up of 543 days). Adverse events were distal (66.6%) and proximal (5.5%) stent migration, stent occlusion (16.6%), severe abdominal pain (10%) and mild acute pancreatitis (10%). SOC was repeated after FCSEMS removal. Post-treatment SOC showed fibrotic changes in all but one patient; vascular and acute inflammatory changes were less frequent in comparison to index procedure. The disappearance of suture material was remarkable. None of the cholangioscopic findings were statistically correlated to treatment outcome or stricture recurrence. CONCLUSION Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with SOC is feasible in post-LT patients with AS. Cholangioscopic findings can be classified into fibrotic, vascular and acute inflammatory changes. Cholangioscopy may be helpful to assist guidewire passage, but Its overall role for changing management is post-LT patients was not demonstrated.
Daily and Weekly Variation in Children’s Physical Activity in Norway: A Cross-Sectional Study of The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP)

Background The purpose of the study was to examine differences in objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA min/day) and sedentary time (SED min/day) between different time domains as school hours, leisure time, and weekends. An additional objective addressed causal association between body mass and MVPA. Methods. The study sample consisted of 2015 subjects (51% girls) aged 6–12 years (9.46 ± 1.76) from the Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP) in south-east Norway. Six days of MVPA min/day and SED min/day were measured using accelerometers and presented as daily averages. The differences in physical activity (PA) were investigated between the time domains of school-hours, leisure time and weekends by age and sex. Data were analyzed using one-and two-way ANOVA. Results. The relative contribution of the different time domains in overall PA was found. Daily average of MVPA min/day and SED min/day differed significantly across the three time domains. The average weekend SED was 56 ± 3.45 and 82 ± 4.12 min/day less when compared with school hours and leisure time, respectively. On average children spent 27 ± 2.74 min/day less in MVPA during school hours, compared with leisure time (p < 0.001), and spent by 38 ± 2.10 min/day more during weekends compared to school hours (p < 0.001). Boys were more physically active than girls, and less time was spent in MVPA with age. Conclusion. With the objective of increasing PA in a child population, the findings indicate that PA intervention programs should target children with higher body mass, girls more than boys, older children more than younger, and during school hours and leisure time more than on weekends.
Recent Advances in MXene Nanocomposite-Based Biosensors

The development of advanced biosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity is one of the most demanded concerns in the field of biosensors. To meet this requirement, up until now, numerous nanomaterials have been introduced to develop biosensors for achieving high sensitivity and selectivity. Among the latest nanomaterials attracting attention, MXene is one of the best materials for the development of biosensors because of its various superior properties. MXenes are two-dimensional inorganic compounds with few atomic layers that possess excellent characteristics including high conductivity and superior fluorescent, optical, and plasmonic properties. In this review, advanced biosensors developed on the basis of the MXene nanocomposite are discussed with the selective overview of recently reported studies. For this, introduction of the MXene including the definition, synthesis methods, and its properties are discussed. Next, MXene-based electrochemical biosensors and MXene-based fluorescent/optical biosensors are provided, which are developed on the basis of the exceptional properties of the MXene nanocomposite. This review will suggest the direction for use of the Mxene nanocomposite to develop advanced biosensors with high sensitivity and selectivity.
Integrating music‐based interventions with Gamma‐frequency stimulation: Implications for healthy ageing

In recent years, music‐based interventions (MBIs) have risen in popularity as a non‐invasive, sustainable form of care for treating dementia‐related disorders, such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite their clinical potential, evidence regarding the efficacy of MBIs on patient outcomes is mixed. Recently, a line of related research has begun to investigate the clinical impact of non‐invasive Gamma‐frequency (e.g., 40 Hz) sensory stimulation on dementia. Current work, using non‐human‐animal models of AD, suggests that non‐invasive Gamma‐frequency stimulation can remediate multiple pathophysiologies of dementia at the molecular, cellular and neural‐systems scales, and, importantly, improve cognitive functioning. These findings suggest that the efficacy of MBIs could, in theory, be enhanced by incorporating Gamma‐frequency stimulation into current MBI protocols. In the current review, we propose a novel clinical framework for non‐invasively treating dementia‐related disorders that combines previous MBIs with current approaches employing Gamma‐frequency sensory stimulation. We theorize that combining MBIs with Gamma‐frequency stimulation could increase the therapeutic power of MBIs by simultaneously targeting multiple biomarkers of dementia, restoring neural activity that underlies learning and memory (e.g., Gamma‐frequency neural activity, Theta‐Gamma coupling), and actively engaging auditory and reward networks in the brain to promote behavioural change.
Methods for structural analysis of protein pharmaceuticals

Ultraviolet Absorption Spectroscopy. - Pluorescence Spectroscopy. - Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy. - Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. - Raman Spectroscopy. - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. - Light Scattering. - Liquid Chromatography. - Capillary Electrophoresis. - Analytical Ultracentrifugation. - Field-Flow Fractionation. - Mass Spectrometery: Protein Conformational Analysus and Molecular Recognition. - Mass Spectrometry: Proteomics. - Immunoassays. - Surface Plasmon Resonance. - Microarray-Based Methods. - Calorimetry. - Atomic Force Microscopy. - Molecular Modeling. - Concluding Remarks: Analytical Methods of Protein Formulations.
The Body I Live in. Perceptions and Meanings of Body Dissatisfaction in Young Transgender Adults: A Qualitative Study

Body dissatisfaction in individuals with Gender Incongruence (GI) represents a primary source of suffering. Several studies have highlighted how this suffering has psychological, physical, and biological implications. This work aims to explore experiences related to body dissatisfaction and investigate the issues associated with living in a body perceived as incongruent for individuals with GI. Thirty-six individuals, aged between 18 and 30 years old and at stage T0 of hormone treatment, participated in the study. Body dissatisfaction and experiences related to it were investigated using the Clinical Diagnostic Interview. The Consensual Qualitative Research methodology was applied to the transcripts of the interviews. Several themes emerged: experiences with GI development, experiences with puberty and bodily changes, perception of one’s body, psychological problems and complex behavioral patterns related to body dissatisfaction. Results pointed out the complexity implied in the relationship with one’s body for individuals with GI, highlighting specific aspects of body dissatisfaction among these individuals (e.g., eating disorders, sexual difficulties, social withdrawal). This study underlines the need for a deeper understanding of some aspects of GI to better define guidelines for a correct assessment of it. In this way it will be easier to avoid negative outcomes for the psychological and general health of transgender people.
EXPOSURE TO EXTREMELY LOW-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract To compare extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) exposure in the general population in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with high-income countries (HIC), we carried out a systematic literature search resulting in 1483 potentially eligible articles; however, only 25 studies could be included in the qualitative synthesis. Studies showed large heterogeneity in design, exposure environment and exposure assessment. Exposure assessed by outdoor spot measurements ranged from 0.03 to 4μT. Average exposure by indoor spot measurements in homes ranged from 0.02 to 0. 4μT. Proportions of homes exposed to a threshold of ≥0. 3μT were many times higher in LMICs compared to HIC. Based on the limited data available, exposure to ELF-MF in LMICs appeared higher than in HIC, but a direct comparison is hampered by a lack of representative and systematic monitoring studies. Representative measurement studies on residential exposure to ELF-MF are needed in LMICs together with better standardisation in the reporting.