Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatic Analysis of Prognostic Value of Pyroptosis-Related Genes and Its Effect on Immune Cell Infiltration in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Purpose Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a poor prognosis and chemotherapy has its limitation due to tumor heterogeneity. It is essential to find novel targets involving in tumorigenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Growing evidences indicated that pyroptosis is involved in tumorigenesis of many cancers, but the relationship between pyroptosis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma still remains to be elucidated. Our object is to explore whether pyroptosis-related different expression genes have association with survivals of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients and the mechanism they may participate in. Besides, we also analyzed their effect on immune cell infiltration in tumor microenvironment. Patients and Methods We used the bioinformatic analysis tool including GEPIA, cBioPortal, STRING, GeneMANIA, R software 4.03 and TIMER2.0 to investigate the different expression, prognostic value, protein-protein interaction, gene ontology, pathway and effect of immune cell infiltration of pyroptosis-related genes in PAAD. Results Many pyroptosis-related genes express differently between pancreatic adenocarcinoma and normal tissues and they are associated with survival of PAAD. GABARAP and IL18 may play a key role in tumorigenesis of PAAD, for they are connected with overall survival, disease free survival and pathological stages at the same time. The function of pyroptosis-related genes includes cytokine production, endopeptidase activity, regulation of inflammation and inflammasome complex and pyroptosis-related genes have effect on immune cells infiltration in PAAD microenvironment. Conclusion Lots of pyroptosis-related DEGs may get involved in pathogenesis of PAAD and their high expression have an effect on survival. GABARAP and IL18 could be valuable research targets of PAAD.
Combined TLR-3/TLR-8 Signaling in the Presence of α-Type-1 Cytokines Represents a Novel and Potent Dendritic Cell Type-1, Anti-Cancer Maturation Protocol

During the ex vivo generation of anti-cancer dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines, their maturation still represents one of the most crucial steps of the manufacturing process. A superior DC vaccine should: possess extensive expression of co-stimulatory molecules, have an exceptional type-1 polarization capacity characterized by their ability to produce IL-12p70 upon contact with responding T cells, migrate efficiently toward chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) ligands, and have a superior capacity to activate cytotoxic T cell responses. A major advance has been achieved with the discovery of the next generation maturation protocol involving TLR-3 agonist (poly I:C), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, interferon (IFN)-γ, and IFN-α, and has since been known as α-type-1 maturation cocktail. We demonstrate how this combination can be greatly enhanced by the inclusion of a TLR-8 stimulation (R848), thereby contributing to potentiation between different TLR signaling pathways. For maximum efficiency, TLR-3 stimulation should precede (termed pre I:C) the stimulation with the R848/TNF-α/IL-1β/IFN-α/IFN-γ cocktail. When compared to DCs matured with α-type-1 maturation cocktail (αDCs), DCs matured with pre I:C/R848/TNF-α/IL-1β/IFN-α/IFN-γ (termed zDCs) displayed higher expression of CD80 and CD86 co-stimulatory molecules. Importantly, after CD40-ligand stimulation, which simulates DC-T cell contact, zDCs were much more proficient in IL-12p70 production. In comparison to αDCs, zDCs also displayed a significantly greater migratory capacity toward chemokine ligands (CCL)19 and CCL21, and had a significantly greater allo-stimulatory capacity. Finally, zDCs were also superior in their capacity to induce melanoma-specific CD8+ T cells, CD8+ T cell proliferation, and cytotoxic T cells, which produced approximately two times more IFN-γ and more granzyme B, than those stimulated with αDCs. In conclusion, we present a novel and superior DC maturation cocktail that could be easily implemented into next generation DC vaccine manufacturing protocols in future trials.
Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

South Africa is susceptible to droughts. However, little documentation exists on drought occurrence in South Africa at national, provincial and municipal administrative boundaries. This study profiles hydrological drought in OR Tambo District Municipality from 1998 to 2018, computing frequency, severity and intensity in order to show areas of high vulnerability. Data used were obtained from South African Weather Services. Standardised precipitation index (SPI) was calculated using the Meteorological Drought Monitor (MDM) software. Results showed a wide variation in monthly precipitation throughout the year. Coastal areas receive higher rainfall than inland municipalities. The study revealed that Nyandeni experienced the highest drought frequency of 62%, Mhlontlo (58%), King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality (57%), Ngquza Hill (55%) and Port St Johns Municipality showing the least at 52%. Hydrological drought severity frequency and duration varied between seven days and nine weeks. Drought intensity class exposed the annual average intensity for the five local municipalities represented as follows: KSDM (–0.71), PSJM (–0.99), Ngquza Hill (–0.81), Nyandeni (–0.71) and Mhlontlo (–0.62). The longest drought duration across OR Tambo was experienced in 2014 with durations varying from 3 to 11 weeks across the municipalities. OR Tambo District Municipality is susceptible to hydrological droughts and the extent varies across local municipalities. Results could be used for both adaptation planning and mitigating the impacts of future droughts. In addition, they could assist in guiding allocation of drought relief resources in ways that prioritise drought prone and vulnerable municipality.
Differential impact of subsidised and nonsubsidized policies on the innovation of new energy vehicle enterprises: evidence from China

ABSTRACT There are many controversies about the actual effect of China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) industry policy in promoting the innovation of NEV enterprises. This study classifies China’s NEV industry policies into two categories, subsidised policy and nonsubsidized policy, and divides the innovation behaviour of NEV enterprises into high- and low-quality innovation. We selected the data from 2010 to 2019 to analyze the impacts of the abovementioned policies on the two innovations, the differences during the various development stages of the industry, and the moderating effect of the political connections of NEV enterprises. The results demonstrated that the promoting effect of subsidised policy on innovation increased at first and then decreased, and the policy is more likely to cause enterprises to prefer low-quality innovation. The promoting effect of nonsubsidized policy on innovation gradually increases, and the policy has a greater impact on high-quality innovation. Further analysis revealed that the political connections positively moderate the influence of subsidised policy on low-quality innovation, but negatively moderate the influence of nonsubsidized policy on high-quality innovation.
The Choice of Track Matters: Academic Self-Concept and Sense of Purpose in Vocational and Academic Tracks

ABSTRACT Students’ school success and general well-being can improve when they believe in their academic abilities and are aware of the purpose of their studies. This paper explores the development of Icelandic students’ academic self-concept and sense of purpose in their learning. The focus is directed at the period from the end of compulsory school through the upper secondary level, with an emphasis on students’ track and school-type. Using survey and registered data spanning four years, models of mixed ANCOVA indicate that change in both constructs was the result of the interaction between time and school-type and track. Academic self-concept and sense of purpose decreased among academic students in all-academic schools but increased among vocational students. This suggests that students comparing themselves to their fellow students has a stronger effect on how their attitudes toward themselves and their education develop than the different status of tracks and school-types.
Why Industry 4.0 Adoption is Unavoidable for Sustainable Performance of Organizations?

The purpose of this research is to endorse the importance of the fourth industrial revolution and its adoption in terms of organizational performance. In this study, we have discussed that the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4A) parameters can improve production outcomes and reduce operational wastes. In order to comprehend whether Industry 4.0 parameters are feasible to accomplish, organizations should get valuable guidelines by differentiating the production outcomes vide pre and post-technological implementation. It has been revealed that organizations with industry 4.0 lean and sustainable practices have achieved more substantial upshots in social, economic, operational, and environmental performance i.e. overall Organizational Performance (OP). Likewise, prevailing global trends have indicated that innovative performance and adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies have become ‘unavoidable’ in the business arena, thus providing the sign to companies to start embracing developments related to process optimization in order to sustain or even reinforce the competitiveness. Conclusively, organizations should not only emphasize process automation but also introduce smart and credible systems for better outcomes
Discordance between Clinical and Ultrasound Examinations in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: An Experimental Approach

Clinical examination (CE) and musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) of ten joints (knee, ankle, wrist, elbow, II-MCP) and their extra-articular (EA) compartments (tendons and bursae) were performed on 35 consecutive patients with active juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (active group) to test how the extension of MSUS examinations to EA changes the concordance between MSUS and CE. The overall concordance between CE and MSUS, measured with Cohen’s Kappa (k), was moderate (k = 0.43); the addition of EA MSUS increased the concordance in all joints, with the exclusion of II-MCP (k = 0.49). In the ankle and wrist, the k increase was relevant (k from 0.13 to 0.27 and 0.11 to 0.41). In the active group patients, we observed 44 subclinical synovitis; the number of subclinical synovitis per patient was correlated with JADAS-27 (p = 0.03) and was higher in a control group composed of 15 patients with persistent disease remission (1.3 vs. 0.4 p = 0.03). Our results show that EA compartments should always be evaluated during MSUS. Furthermore, we demonstrate a moderate concordance between CE and MSUS in JIA; the finding of subclinical synovitis is common in patients with active diseases and is related to disease activity.
Variable Turn-OFF Gate Voltage Drive for Voltage Balancing of High-Speed SiC MOSFETs in Series-Connection

Active gate drive with high accurate and self-adaptive closed-loop control is a promising approach to solving the imbalanced voltage problem of series-connected silicon carbide (SiC) mosfets. However, due to the inherent time propagation mismatching between Si- and SiC-based devices, behavior adjustment through Si-based ICs during the switching transient takes at least tens of nanoseconds, which limits the minimum allowable turn-off time of each series unit. In this article, a novel active gate drive with a variable gate voltage regulator (GVR) is proposed. It uses a single P-channel mosfet to determine the connection timing of a precharged capacitor in series with the input capacitance in which way the switching transient of each device in the stack is adjustable. It is more advantageous when applied to the low-power SiC mosfet applications with relatively smaller external gate resistors. Two sampling and voltage balancing control circuits based on different processors are proposed for the GVR to adapt to different switching frequencies and costs. Its operational principle and design guidelines are specified and its performance on voltage balancing control is experimentally verified. Analytical assessment on switching losses and costs, compared with the previous work, is provided.
Thermomechanical Energy Conversion Using Ferroelectric Materials

Author(s): McKinley, Ian Meeker | Advisor(s): Pilon, Laurent G | Abstract: This study is concerned with the direct conversion of thermal and mechanical energy into electricity using ferroelectric materials. These materials possess a spontaneous polarization and can undergo solid-state phase transitions as a result of a change in applied electric field. All ferroelectric materials are pyroelectric, i.e., phase transitions can also be induced by a change in temperature. The Olsen cycle takes advantage of the thermally-induced phase transitions to directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy. It consists of two isoelectric field and two isothermal processes in the electric displacement versus electric field diagram. This study aims to improve the understanding and performance of the Olsen cycle by exploring the use of relaxor ferroelectric lead zirconate niobate-lead titanate (PZN-5.5PT) and lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-28PT) single crystals. These materials were chosen for the fact that their phase transitions take place at low temperatures. The performance of the cycle was improved by varying the operating frequency to maximize changes in polarization due to phase transition taking place during the cycle.Moreover, all pyroelectric materials are also piezoelectric, i.e., phase transitions can occur as a result of a change in applied compressive stress. This study aims to explore new methods to simultaneously convert mechanical and thermal energy directly into electrical energy by combining electric field, compressive stress, and/or thermal cycling to induce phase transitions. Two new energy conversion cycles were conceived and demonstrated on PMN-28PT for its outstanding piezoelectric response over a broad temperature range. First, a thermomechanical cycle converting thermal and mechanical energy into electricity was performed. It proved to be more versatile than the Olsen cycle by generating electrical energy at all temperatures. It also achieved larger power densities thanks to larger operating frequency. In addition, it improved upon the material efficiency of the Olsen cycle by reducing the heat input during the cycle. Second, a thermally-biased mechanical cycle converting mechanical energy into electricity under a thermal bias was performed. It improved upon the power generation and material efficiency of the thermomechanical cycle by substituting the thermal cycling with a thermal bias to approach the desirable phases. In addition, it was capable of generating larger power per unit volume of material than existing direct mechanical to electrical energy conversion methods.
A Passive Wideband Noise-Canceling Mixer-First Architecture With Shared Antenna Interface for Interferer-Tolerant Wake-Up Receivers and Low-Noise Primary Receivers

Wake-up receivers (WuRXs) present an opportunity to reduce the average power consumption of Internet-of-Things (IoT) transceivers; however, achieving sensitivity and interferer tolerance, providing wideband matching, and sharing an antenna interface present a significant challenge for existing architectures. This article presents a primary/WuRX which utilizes a quadrature hybrid coupler-based <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-path mixer first architecture to simultaneously achieve low noise, wideband matching, and a shared antenna interface. The passive-mixer first approach and a two-code modulated multi-tone signaling scheme provide interferer tolerance in the WuRX. This article analyzes gain/power tradeoffs in the proposed architecture in the context of noise impact with multi-tone WuRX signaling. The proposed architecture is implemented in 65-nm CMOS and occupies 2.25 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text {mm}^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The primary RX achieves 3.8-dB NF and 0.75-dBm out-of-band P1dB with 440-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{W}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> power consumption. The WuRX achieves −86-dBm sensitivity for 10-kb/s data rate and up to −40-dB signal-to-interferer ratio (SIR) with 171-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{W}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> power consumption.
Spectral characteristics of leaves diffuse reflection in conditions of soil drought: a study of soft spring wheat cultivars of different drought resistance

Quick and accurate nondestructive methods of water deficiency detection prior to the appearance of visible symptoms of plant deterioration as well as estimation of photosynthesis parameters are needed to effectively control conditions of plant growth, to manage crop productivity and to implement programs of "smart farming". The aim of our investigation was to analyse spectral characteristics of leaves diffuse reflection as evident in soft spring wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) of different drought resistance in optimal conditions and under the impact of soil drought; another objective was to determine the reflection indices that could serve as criteria in the phenotyping of genotypes according to their photosynthetic apparatus capacity and the efficiency of light use as well as in the forecasting of genotypes potential productivity and their drought resistance. Wheat plants of 4 drought-resistant and 4 non-resistant cultivars were grown under controlled conditions in the protected ground. In the vessels with simulated soil drought, the moisture content was 30% of total field capacity, while in the control sample it was 80%. Spectral characteristics of radiation reflected from the leaf surface were recorded with the spectrometer HR2000, and then reflection indices were calculated whose value is closely related to the activeness of the photosynthetic apparatus. The experiments conducted showed that in the system of interaction between the soil, the plant and the effective layer of the atmosphere all analysed diffuse reflection indices changed with the emergence of water deficit. The index of photosynthetic apparatus capacity (ChlRI) is less susceptible to short-term soil drought than the indices of the efficiency of light use in the process of photosynthesis (R800, photochemical reflection index (PRImod) and flavonoid index (FRImod)) which change significantly, so that the degree of their change may be a reliable enough indicator of plant stress caused by water deficiency. It is advisable, however, when estimating and comparing the reaction of various plant cultivars, lines and new forms to the developed water deficiency, to include in the array of plants examined those cultivars whose optical properties and the range of their variation resulting from water deficit are known. This will ensure a more reliable ranking of analysed genotypes according to their drought resistance and will enhance the accuracy of the diagnosis.
A review of entrepreneurship and circular economy research: State of the art and future directions

The circular economy (CE) emerged as an alternative model to the linear system to foster sustainable development. Entrepreneurship represents a key factor in capturing new circular business opportunities. Research on circular entrepreneurship remains at an early phase and is correspondingly somewhat dispersed. Thus, the research objective here is to bring entrepreneurship into the focus of discussions on CE through a systematic literature review. In the absence of any systematic review on this theme, this work aims to map the relevant research and identify the themes discussed in the literature straddling entrepreneurship and the CE currently dispersed across the existing literature. Based on a sample of 102 articles collected from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, this approach identified four thematic groups: growing circular SMEs, born circular firms and start-ups, social entrepreneurship in CE, and support ecosystem for circular entrepreneurship. A greater emphasis on the study of growing circular SMEs to the detriment of other groups is observed. Also, research in the field is mainly focused on European countries. We then propose a future research agenda and a conceptual model for the entrepreneurial process in CE as a point of departure for further developing and deepening the literature on circular entrepreneurship.
Feed Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation Characteristic in Growing Goat Fed on Diets with Urea-Limestone Mixture Supplementation and Different Nitrogen to Non-Fiber Carbohydrate Ratios

The study examined the effect of limestone-urea mixture (LU) supplementation with different nitrogen (N): non fiber carbohydrate (NFC) ratio in the diet on feed digestibility and rumen fermentation characteristic in growing goat. Twelve Jawarandu local male goats with body weight average of 20.83±7.42 kg and aged at 4-6 months old were randomly distributed into four blocks based on their body weight and received three dietary treatments namely C12, LU12, and LU18. The C12 diet with 1:12 of N:NFC ratio and without LU supplementation, the LU12 diet with 1:12 of N:NFC ratio and LU supplementation, the LU18 diet with 1:18 of N:NFC ratio and LU supplementation. The LU was supplemented at 5% of total feed. The feed digestibility test was conducted after 12 weeks of feeding trial period and continued by determination of rumen fermentation characteristics. Intake (g/d) and digestibility of nutrients were unaffected by treatments. The experimental diet did not alter the rumen fermentation characteristics of goats; though, before feeding, the ruminal propionic acid concentration was higher (P<0.05) in LU supplementation groups than that in control group. The before feeding ratio of non-glucogenic to glucogenic volatile fatty acids were lower (P<0.05) in LU supplementation groups than that in control group. The supplementation of LU might increase dietary NFC availability in growing goats. The results of this study indicated that adding LU on diet could improve energy utilization by reducing the ratio of non-glucogenic to glucogenic volatile fatty acids.
Comparison of active and passive recovery using local heat in lactate removal in cyclists

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the comparative effect on lactatemia of active and passive recovery using local heat in male cyclists. Methods: Two recovery protocols applied on 24 cyclists were compared. One protocol consisted of active recovery of 15 min pedaling at 40% of V̇O2max followed by 15 min rest. The other protocol consisted of 30 min of passive recovery with hot packs on thighs for 15 min. Blood lactate was measured at maximal effort and during recovery. Results: Changes in lactatemia over time were not equivalent across the two protocol groups (p = .000). Lactatemia differences averaged across time were significant (p = .000). The mean values of lactatemia decreased over time but more so in the active recovery group. Conclusions: Active recovery exercising at 40% of V̇O2max after an intense effort results in a more effective decrease of blood lactate levels than passive recovery with local heat.