Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Effects of Normoxic versus Hypoxic Derived Breast Cancer Paracrine Factors on Brain Endothelial Cells

Simple Summary The potential of breast cancer to spread to the brain increases the clinical complications of the disease; breast cancer is considered to have the second-highest capacity to spread to the brain after lung cancer. The brain is protected by highly specialized endothelial cells, forming a barrier against the entry of circulating molecules and cells. The ability of breast cancer cells to penetrate the protective endothelial barrier is still not completely understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of breast cancer cells on the brain’s endothelial cells. We showed that breast cancer cells induce changes in endothelial cells by releasing factors that target the mitochondria, affecting the endothelial cells and their attachment to each other and, therefore, their function as a protective barrier of the brain. Understanding the mechanism that breast cancer cells utilize to affect endothelial cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions contributes to the development of treatments to prevent the metastasis of cancer cells to the brain. Abstract Background: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a central nervous system protective barrier formed primarily of endothelial cells that regulate the entry of substances and cells from entering the brain. However, the BBB integrity is disrupted in disease, including cancer, allowing toxic substances, molecules, and circulating cells to enter the brain. This study aimed to determine the mitochondrial changes in brain endothelial cells co-cultured with cancer cells. Method: Brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3) were co-cultivated with various concentrations of breast cancer (MCF7) conditioned media (CM) generated under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic conditions (5% O2). The mitochondrial activities (including; dehydrogenases activity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and ATP generation) were measured using Polarstar Omega B.M. G-Plate reader. Trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) was evaluated using the EVOM system, followed by quantifying gene expression of the endothelial tight junction (ETJs) using qPCR. Results: bEnd.3 cells had reduced cell viability after 72 h and 96 h exposure to MCF7CM under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. The ΔΨm in bEnd.3 cells were hyperpolarized after exposure to the hypoxic MCF7CM (p < 0.0001). However, the normoxic MCF7CM did not significantly affect the state of ΔΨm in bEnd.3 cells. ATP levels in bEnd.3 co-cultured with hypoxic and normoxic MCF7CM was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The changes in brain endothelial mitochondrial activity were associated with a decrease in TEER of bEnd.3 monolayer co-cultured with MCF7CM under hypoxia (p = 0.001) and normoxia (p < 0.05). The bEnd.3 cells exposed to MCF7CM significantly increased the gene expression level of ETJs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: MCF7CM modulate mitochondrial activity in brain endothelial cells, affecting the brain endothelial barrier function.
An observer-based output tracking controller for electrically driven cooperative multiple manipulators with adaptive Bernstein-type approximator

Abstract Thisarticle presents an observer-based output tracking control method for electrically actuated cooperative multiple manipulators using Bernstein-type operators as a universal approximator. This efficient mathematical tool represents lumped uncertainty, including external perturbations and unmodeled dynamics. Then, adaptive laws are derived through the stability analysis to tune the polynomial coefficients. It is confirmed that all the position and force tracking errors are uniformly ultimately bounded using the Lyapunov stability theorem. The theoretical achievements are validated by applying the proposed observer-based controller to a cooperative robotic system comprised of two manipulators transporting a rigid object. The outcomes of the introduced method are also compared to RBFNN, which is a powerful state-of-the-art approximator. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the introduced adaptive control approach in controlling the system even in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties.
IS Project Success: Evaluating Beyond 'On Time and To Budget'

There is considerable uncertainty about what to evaluate in IS projects and how this might be undertaken. Recent attention to the value that projects add to organisations indicates that evaluation at project closure needs to move beyond simplistic measures of ‘on time and to budget’. This paper argues that formal evaluation is an important aspect of IS project management and describes the evaluation activities undertaken for a project to develop a prototype web-based portal. The paper contributes to IS project management in the following ways: it sets out key dimensions for evaluating IS projects, presents an evaluation framework constructed for the characteristics of the project, and provides details of the application of the evaluation framework.
Some models for understanding the cooperation between the supplier and the buyer

This paper presents some stochastic models of cooperation between the supplier and the buyer. We first recall some of the results that pertain to the case where the buyer and the supplier formulate their inventory policies independently and sequentially. Next, we analyse the case where the buyer and the supplier jointly determine the optimal order quantities. Our analysis shows that only the supplier benefits from such cooperation. In order to motivate the buyer to cooperate, we consider some cooperative strategies. These include the analysis of the impact of (1) price changes, (2) discount policies and (3) partial deliveries. The importance of coordination is brought out from the analysis.
Current Trends in SPR Biosensing of SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitors

The emerging risk of viral diseases has triggered the search for preventive and therapeutic agents. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, greater efforts have been devoted to investigating virus entry mechanisms into host cells. The feasibility of plasmonic sensing technologies for screening interactions of small molecules in real time, while providing the pharmacokinetic drug profiling of potential antiviral compounds, offers an advantageous approach over other biophysical methods. This review summarizes recent advancements in the drug discovery process of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) inhibitors using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensors. A variety of SPR assay formats are discussed according to the binding kinetics and drug efficacies of both natural products and repurposed drugs. Special attention has been given to the targeting of antiviral agents that block the receptor binding domain of the spike protein (RBD-S) and the main protease (3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2. The functionality of plasmonic biosensors for high-throughput screening of entry virus inhibitors was also reviewed taking into account experimental parameters (binding affinities, selectivity, stability), potential limitations and future applications.
DESIGN OF A WIND POWER GENERATION SYSTEM USING A PERMANENT MAGNET SYNCHRONOUS MACHINE, A BOOST REGULATOR AND A TRANSFORMER-LESS STEP DOWN CIRCUIT

This paper presents a wind power system using a Per manent Magnet Synchronous Machine (PMSM). The whole system consists of a wind turbine, a permanent magnet synchronous machin e, a three phase diode rectifier, a boost converter , a transformer-less step down circuit, an H-bridge inverter and a T-LCL filter. T he 3-phase AC output from the PMSM is sent to the 3 -phase diode rectifier for conversion to DC and a boost regulator is used to s tep-up this DC voltage to the desired level. This s tep-upped DC voltage is then converted into AC output by the H-Bridge inverter. The switching technique of the proposed inverter co nsists of a combination of Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) and a squa re wave along with grid synchronization conditions. As the suggested method is entirely transformer-less, it significantly reduces Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) to less than 0. 1% and minimizes its size. The TLCL Immittance Converter not only reduces the harmo nics of the inverter output but also provides a nea rly constant output current thereby stabilizing the system. The system setup an d the simulation results were obtained using the PS IM software.
Physical fitness and body composition profile of young people with mild intellectual impairment: a cross-sectional study among Iranian population

1. Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Sports Medicine Research Center, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. 2 & 3. Health and Sports Medicine Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. 4. Sport and Physical Education, Faculty of Humanities Science, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
Performance Analysis of Diode Clamped Five-Level Inverter integrated PV Grid system using Soft computing based MPPT Scheme

Abstract: This paper focuses on diode clamped five-level inverter for the application of PV system. Carrier based phase disposition method is adopted for control of inverter switches. The five-level diode clamped integrated to grid connected PV system is considered for the performance evaluation. The PI controller is adopted for the regulation of DC voltage. The Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) based MPPT scheme is used to track the maximum power from the PV panel. The performance indices including PV current, DC link voltage and %THD of diode clamped inverter based grid connected PV system is compared with conventional two-level Inverter. The proposed work is carried out in the environment of Matlab/Simulink. Keywords: Diode clamped five-level inverter, FLC MPPT, Two-level voltage source inverter, PWM, THD, PV, Grid.
Calculation model of rock tortuosity considering pore throat heterogeneity

Rock tortuosity is an important parameter to measure the curvature of fluid seepage path in porous media. At present, the calculation model of rock tortuosity (original model) is mainly derived based on the equal diameter capillary bundle model and the principle of equivalent seepage. Because the influence of pore throat heterogeneity is not considered, the calculation result is quite different from the real rock. For this reason, this research focuses on the influence of pore throat heterogeneity, and uses rock multi-scale pore-throat distribution and composition information to establish a new rock tortuosity calculation model (new model). Taking the X oilfield in the Ordos Basin of China as an example, the rock tortuosity calculation was carried out. The results show that the calculated rock tortuosity of the new model is higher than that of the original model, with a relative error of 25.4%, indicating that the heterogeneity of pore throats has an important influence on rock tortuosity. Because the original model underestimated the tortuosity of the rock, the actual seepage path of the fluid particle in the pore throat may be more tortuous than previously known.
Effects of Financial Market Information on Firms’ Productivity Under Operating Pressure and Financial Constraints: Evidence From the Chinese Stock Market

Many studies have examined the impact of economic fundamentals on the financial market, but few have explored how financial market information affects the real economy. In this paper, we examine the effects of stock price informativeness on firms’ total factor productivity (TFP) using panel data of Chinese listed manufacturing firms over the period 2007 to 2017. Specifically, we use stock price nonsynchronicity to measure stock price informativeness, and real economic activity efficiency is proxied by the listed firms’ total factor productivity estimated by the LP and ACF methods. We find that stock price informativeness is positively associated with firms’ productivity in China. More importantly, we propose two possible mechanisms to intensify the consequences of stock price informativeness and find that operating pressure and financial constraints can positively intensify the relationship between stock price informativeness and firms’ TFP. As financial information is crucial for sustainable and steady economic growth, our research not only helps to reveal how the financial market promotes economic growth but also helps to provide new ideas for managers and policy-makers to alleviate operating pressure and financing constraints.
Financial Balance Analysis of Geothermal Companies in Poland Based on Managerial Cash Flows

The use of geothermal energy to produce heat and electricity has become increasingly important in recent years. This is mainly due to environmental issues and the need to ensure energy security. The aim of the article was to analyse and compare the ability to maintain cash balance of selected geothermal companies in Poland. The following were taken for verification: Przedsiębiorstwo Energetyki Cieplnej PEC Geotermia Podhalańska S.A. , Geotermia Poddębice Sp. z o.o. , Geotermia Mazowiecka S.A. , Geotermia Pyrzyce Sp. z o.o. and Geotermia Czarnków Sp. z o.o. The adopted research methodology, combining accrual and cash recognition, allowed the analysis of the ability to create cash flows and maintain cash stability in 2016–2019. The study used financial data from the financial statements of the analysed companies. The analysis shows that the highest cash flows from assets defined as Free Cash Flow to Firm FCFF (over PLN 11,318 thousand) and the highest cash flows for owners Free Cash Flow to Equity FCFE (over PLN 10,005 thousand) are generated by Geotermia Mazowiecka S.A. At the same time, the balance between cash flows meeting the inequality FCFF ≥ FCFE + FCD, where FCD Free Cash Flow to Debt, determines the ability of assets to generate cash covering the current distribution of capital for its donors. Consequently, there is an increase in the value of cash resources identified in investments in the management balance sheet. Such a situation occurred in the case of Geotermia Poddębice Sp. z o.o. and Geotermia Mazowiecka S.A. The reverse situation, i.e., FCFF < FCFE + FCD is characteristic for cash imbalance. In such conditions there is a decrease in cash resources identified in the management balance. This occurred in PEC Geotermia Podhalańska S.A. , Geotermia Pyrzyce Sp. z o.o. and Geotermia Czarnków Sp. z o.o.
Timber-steel-hybrid beams for multi-storey buildings

For modern multi-storey buildings timber-steel-hyb rid elements present a very efficient construction method. The combination of these two materials lead s to economic and ecologic benefits as the construc tion height can be optimized, the earthquake resistance can be impr oved and the assembling can be executed more effici ently. Steel reinforced timber structures are light, fast and cl ean. Based on research activities of the Institute of Architectural Sciences, Structural Design and Timber Engineering, presented at the WCTE 2010, some static tests on h ybrid timber- steel beams have been carried out.
Object manipulation by a humanoid robot via single camera pose estimation

Humanoid robots are designed to be used in daily life as assistance robots for people. They are expected to fill the jobs that require physical labor. These robots are also considered in healthcare sector. The ultimate goal in humanoid robotics is to reach a point where robots can truly communicate with people, and to be a part of labor force. Usual daily environment of a common person contains objects with different geometric and texture features. Such objects should be easily recognized, located and manipulated by a robot when needed. These tasks require high amount of information from environment. The Computer Vision field interests in extraction and use of visual cues for computer systems. Visual data captured with cameras contains the most of the information needed about the environment for high level tasks relative to the other sensors. Most of the high level tasks on humanoid robots require the target object to be segmented in image and located in the 3D environment. Also, the object should be kept in image so that the information about the object can be retrieved continuously. This can be achieved by gaze control schemes by using visual feedback to drive neck motors of the robot. In this thesis an object manipulation algorithm is proposed for a humanoid robot. A white object with red square marker is used as the target object. The object is segmented by color information. Corners of the red marker is found and used for the pose estimation algorithm and gaze control. The pose information is used for navigation to the object and for the grasping action. The described algorithm is implemented on the humanoid experiment platform SURALP (Sabanci University ReseArch Labaratory Platform).
Ensemble and Multi Model approach to Environmental Sound Classification

AI plays an important role in acoustics recognition. Importantly, being able to automatically and accurately identify environmental sounds opens up a broad range of applications. Deep learning techniques can assist in the recognition of sounds which we come across in our day-to-day life. Most of the previous work in environmental sound classification involves training a model on a single set of features. In our work, we extract two sets of features from the audio namely Mel spectrograms and Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient Spectrograms. We propose two CNN-based approaches through the usage of Ensemble of models which are trained on Mel Spectrograms and a multi model network which is trained on both Mel and MFCC Spectrograms. The proposed approaches were trained and tested on the ESC-50 dataset which contains 2000 samples of audio recordings distributed into 50 categories. Performance evaluation revealed that both our proposed approaches achieve an accuracy of 92%.
Communal Violence, Mental Health and Their Correlates: A Cross-Sectional Study in Two Riot Affected Districts of Uttar Pradesh in India

Abstract Communal violence in India has become more frequent due to the unwanted interplay between religion and political manipulation, by which India has been affected many times. Communal violence has also been recognized as a significant social and public health problem, resulting in long-term human and economic costs. The dominant form of communal violence in India has involved the two communities, i.e. Hindus and Muslims. Post-violence studies worldwide have shown a short and long-term higher prevalence of mental health disorders. To the best of our knowledge, no earlier study has investigated the association between communal violence experience and self-rated psychological health in India. Thus, the current study was designed to provide valuable addition to the existing literature on mental stress among riot victims. This paper explores the association between mental health and socio-economic characteristics among riot victims based on a primary survey (N = 300 participants) conducted in two riots-affected districts of Uttar Pradesh in India.
Oceanic bubble population measurements using a buoy-deployed combination frequency technique

This paper presents the results of using a combination frequency acoustic technique to measure the near-surface bubble population in the open sea. The combination frequency technique monitors the appearance of sum-and-difference signals generated by the nonlinear interaction of two sound fields: one, a high-frequency signal, scatters geometrically from the bubble, and the other, of much lower frequency, is used to excite the bubble into resonant pulsation. The text details the calibration of the apparatus necessary to relate the measured heights of the sum-and-difference terms to actual numbers of bubbles and describes the experimental procedure for the collection of the oceanic data. In total, six trials were performed over a one-day period, each comprising ten "snapshots" of the local bubble population at ten discrete radii. This data was augmented with simultaneous video, slide, and dictaphone records of the state of the sea around the measurement position.
Freeform 3D printing of vascularized tissues: Challenges and strategies

In recent years, freeform three-dimensional (3D) printing has led to significant advances in the fabrication of artificial tissues with vascularized structures. This technique utilizes a supporting matrix that holds the extruded printing ink and ensures shape maintenance of the printed 3D constructs within the prescribed spatial precision. Since the printing nozzle can be translated omnidirectionally within the supporting matrix, freeform 3D printing is potentially applicable for the fabrication of complex 3D objects, incorporating curved, and irregular shaped vascular networks. To optimize freeform 3D printing quality and performance, the rheological properties of the printing ink and supporting matrix, and the material matching between them are of paramount importance. In this review, we shall compare conventional 3D printing and freeform 3D printing technologies for the fabrication of vascular constructs, and critically discuss their working principles and their advantages and disadvantages. We also provide the detailed material information of emerging printing inks and supporting matrices in recent freeform 3D printing studies. The accompanying challenges are further discussed, aiming to guide freeform 3D printing by the effective design and selection of the most appropriate materials/processes for the development of full-scale functional vascularized artificial tissues.
Diagnostic Modalities in Critical Care: Point-of-Care Approach

The concept of intensive care units (ICU) has existed for almost 70 years, with outstanding development progress in the last decades. Multidisciplinary care of critically ill patients has become an integral part of every modern health care system, ensuing improved care and reduced mortality. Early recognition of severe medical and surgical illnesses, advanced prehospital care and organized immediate care in trauma centres led to a rise of ICU patients. Due to the underlying disease and its need for complex mechanical support for monitoring and treatment, it is often necessary to facilitate bed-side diagnostics. Immediate diagnostics are essential for a successful treatment of life threatening conditions, early recognition of complications and good quality of care. Management of ICU patients is incomprehensible without continuous and sophisticated monitoring, bedside ultrasonography, diverse radiologic diagnostics, blood gas analysis, coagulation and blood management, laboratory and other point-of-care (POC) diagnostic modalities. Moreover, in the time of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, particular attention is given to the POC diagnostic techniques due to additional concerns related to the risk of infection transmission, patient and healthcare workers safety and potential adverse events due to patient relocation. This review summarizes the most actual information on possible diagnostic modalities in critical care, with a special focus on the importance of point-of-care approach in the laboratory monitoring and imaging procedures.