Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Sphingosine-1-Phosphate a Regulator of Tumor Vascular Functionality?

Simple Summary Despite substantial theoretical and experimental support for using vascular normalization as cancer therapy, effectively achieving this strategy in the clinic remains complex. In the present paper, we propose a novel potential approach for the induction of tumor vascular normalization, reduction of hypoxia, and improvement of conventional treatment in cancer patients. This approach consists of the pharmacological modulation of a patient’s plasma S1P levels which through a PDGF signaling can enhance tumor vasculature functionality and reduce hypoxia. This approach is proposed following a clinical observation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients and pre-clinical data in different in vivo tumor models, and is supported by a review of the literature describing the biological role of S1P in vascular functionality regulation. Abstract Increasing evidence indicates that tumor vasculature normalization could be an appropriate strategy to increase therapies’ efficacy in solid tumors by decreasing hypoxia and improving drug delivery. We searched for a novel approach that reduces hypoxia and enhances chemotherapy efficacy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma which is characterized by disrupted blood vasculature associated with poor patient survival. Clinical significance of plasma levels of the angiogenic lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) was assessed at baseline in 175 patients. High plasma S1P concentration was found to be a favorable prognostic/predictive marker in advanced/metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients treated by gemcitabine alone but not in patients receiving a combination gemcitabine and PDGFR-inhibitor. In pancreatic adenocarcinoma PDX models, oral administration of an S1P lyase inhibitor (LX2931) significantly increased plasma S1P levels, decreased tumor expression of the hypoxia marker (CA IX), and enhanced chemotherapy efficacy when combined with gemcitabine treatment. The direct effect of S1P on tumor oxygenation was assessed by administration of S1P onto tumor-grafted CAM model and measuring intra-tumoral pO2 using a tissue oxygen monitor. S1P increased pO2 in a tumor-CAM model. Thus, increasing plasma S1P is a promising strategy to decrease tumor hypoxia and enhance therapy efficacy in solid tumors. S1P may act as a tumor vasculature normalizer.
High-power single-frequency all-fiber oscillator via manipulation of saturable absorption induced optical bistability

Saturable absorption effect of unpumped active fiber can be used as a method of achieving single-frequency operation from an all-fiber oscillator. Here, the effect was studied when the signal was highly absorbed by unpumped thulium-doped fiber and the laser threshold was beyond the available pump power. We proved that the oscillator could be manipulated to the “oscillating state” by injecting auxiliary pump light to the saturable absorber fiber. This allowed using unpumped thulium-doped fiber with higher absorption to enhance the frequency selecting capability. A record single-frequency output power of 2.56 W at 1720 nm was obtained, with a slope efficiency of 44% and a linewidth of 3.3 kHz, the power scaling of which was only limited by the available power of the single-mode 1570 nm pump source. This work offers new insights into how high-power, single-frequency fiber oscillators can be produced.
Leadership challenges and opportunities experienced by international women academics: A case study in Australia

Scholarly articles on international academics have been weighted towards understanding their broad personal and professional challenges related to teaching. Limited research is conducted with international women academics in Australia in, especially, exploring their leadership-related challenges and opportunities. Using an intersectionality lens, this paper addresses this gap by exploring key related challenges and opportunities for international women academics in gaining leadership positions at Australian universities. It draws on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with seven international women academics. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge in exploring two major challenges faced by international women academics in Australia: 1) administrative-related interruption impacting their research performance; and 2) lack of understanding of university policies and processes. International women academics also cited the opportunities provided to them or gained by them for their overall professional growth at Australian universities. The practical implications of these findings for international women academics and higher education institutions are also considered.
Cheiloscopy: A Tool for Personal and Forensic Identification

Skin over the lips is known to have patterns of ridges and furrows, study of which is known as cheiloscopy. Besides the traditional methods of identification like finger printing, sex determination, age determination, anthropometry and DNA analysis, cheiloscopy is gaining popularity among researchers because of a hassle free methodology and reliable results with developments in the fields of Forensic Medicine and Odontology, proving itself as a credible method of identification. To study the significance of studying lip prints in personal identification, a study of lip prints was conducted in Department of Anatomy, in collaboration with Department of Forensic Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha; on 100 undergraduate medical students aged between 17 to 20 years. The lip prints were studied with the help of a magnifying lens using Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification. The study concluded that lip prints are unique for every individual, and cheiloscopy can be practised as a reliable method for personal and Forensic identification.
Multiscale photoacoustic tomography of a genetically encoded near-infrared FRET biosensor

Photoacoustic tomography with genetically encoded near-infrared probes enables visualization of specific cell populations in vivo at high resolution in deep tissues. Here, we report a near-infrared Forster resonance energy transfer biosensor based on a pair of the near-infrared fluorescent proteins, miRFP670-iRFP720, which enables dynamic photoacoustic imaging of active biological processes. Specifically, we detected apoptosis in single cells at a resolution of ~3 µm in a mouse ear and mouse brain tumors (>3 mm in depth) at a spatial resolution of ~150 µm. These results open the way for high-resolution photoacoustic imaging of dynamic biological processes in deep tissues.
Nonparametric Estimation of First Price Auctions Via Density Quantile Function

We propose a nonparametric estimator of bidders’ value function based on a kernel estimator of the density quantile function of bids in ﬁrst price auctions. This estimator provides certain advantage over the conventional approach that relies on the distribu-tion/density ratio of the bids. We use a boundary-adaptive kernel for boundary bias correction and propose a practical method of bandwidth selection. Our numerical experiments demonstrate good performance of the proposed method in the estimation of ﬁrst price auctions with risk neutral and risk averse bidders.
Financial inclusion and women’s bargaining power: evidence from India

ABSTRACT Extant literature links the higher bargaining power of women with favorable outcomes for the health and education of children, lower domestic abuse, and enhanced socioeconomic status. This paper examines the interplay between the financial inclusion of a woman and her intra-household bargaining power. The theoretical model predicts an ambiguous effect, wherein improvements in her well-being depend on her husband’s reaction. Using household-level data from India, we show that a woman’s well-being improves in many ways when she has a bank account. We use two unique instruments to address the issue of simultaneity. Placebo tests also certify our results. Our findings suggest that removing financial barriers for women increases their independence and say in household decision-making.
Cognitive engagement on social media: A study of the effects of visual cueing in educational videos

The popularity of video on social media has been on a steady rise. Yet, given the criticality of engagement in computer‐mediated activities, research on engagement with videos on social media is scarce. Motivated by this research gap, we theorize and test the effects of visual cueing on cognitive engagement with videos on social media. We distinguish between voluntary and involuntary visual cues. Textual and visual signals are voluntary visual cues used deliberately to alter behavior. Involuntary visual cues such as color contrast and visual complexity direct people without their awareness. We conceptualize cognitive engagement at two levels – shallow and deep. Our analyses of YouTube videos show that visual and textual signals affect both shallow and deep cognitive engagement. Color contrast contributes to neither shallow nor deep cognitive engagement, and visual complexity boosts only deep cognitive engagement. This study adds to the theoretical understanding of cognitive engagement and visual cueing and substantiates the empirical knowledge on the effects of visual cueing on cognitive engagement with videos. Furthermore, this study is valuable for video designers and developers to optimize video engagement with the appropriate use of visual cueing.
Energy transfer between photons, carriers, and phonons in hot-carrier solar cells: a theoretical investigation

This paper presents theoretical models which consider various quantum processes of interactions between photons, carriers, and phonons in hot-carrier solar cells. Explicit formulas are developed to calculate carrier interband generation/recombination and intraband heating/cooling rates. The paper will focus particularly on energy relaxation issues regarding optical-phonon lifetime, nonequilibrium optical phonons, acoustic-phonon heat transport, and electron-hole energy transfer via intraband/interband electron-hole scattering and phonon sharing. It will discuss possible energy-selective contacts for facilitating hot-carrier extraction and preventing cool-carrier leakage. Their associated effects of extraction cooling and spectral-hole burning will also be investigated.
YET ANOTHER REASON TO CURB INEQUALITY: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF LONG-TERM CAPITAL SPILLOVERS

Inequality is one of the main issues in economics and policymaking. One of the main policy tools to deal with inequality is the tax system, which may be used to redistribute income. However, if taxes are determined by the collective decision of voters, they will not necessarily maximize welfare. We show that when voters have different capital endowments, and capital has a long-lasting spillover effect, a poverty trap may arise. Poor voters opt for low capital taxes to benefit from the spillover when others invest in capital, but this effect is weakened if agents are impatient and receive at least part of that spillover in the future. Hence the voting equilibrium may exhibit large capital taxes, hurting investment. This reduces the accumulation of capital with a public good nature in poor countries, where low capital stocks typically lead to high interest rates, implying a large discounting of future payoffs.
The effect of bovine leukemia virus on dairy cow longevity

Graphical Abstract Summary: Dairy cows (n = 3,611) from 91 herds in 9 US states were tested for antibodies to bovine leukemia virus (BLV) with an ELISA milk test and subsequently followed for survival in their herds for an average of 29 mo. Controlling for age and herd effects, ELISA-positive cows were 30% more likely (P < 0.00001) than their negative herdmates to die or be culled during the monitoring period. Measures of the total economic impact of this virus on cattle production must include an assessment of any shortened lifespan.
Disturbance observer‐based tracking control with prescribed performance specifications for a class of nonlinear systems subject to mismatched disturbances

This work investigates simultaneous prescribed performance tracking control and mismatched disturbance rejection problems for a class of strict‐feedback nonlinear systems. A novel control scheme combining prescribed performance control, disturbance observer technique, and backstepping method is proposed. The disturbance estimations are introduced into the design of virtual control law design in each step to compensate the mismatched disturbances. To further improve the control performance, a prescribed performance function characterizing the error convergence rate, maximum overshoot, and steady‐state error is used to construct the composite controller. The proposed controller guarantees transient and steady‐state performance specifications of tracking error and provides much better disturbance attenuation ability simultaneously. Rigorous stability analysis for the closed‐loop system is established by direct Lyapunov function method. It is shown that all the states in the resulting closed‐loop system are stable, and the tracking error evolves within the prescribed performance boundaries and asymptotically converges to zero even in the presence of mismatched external disturbances. Finally, theoretical results are illustrated and demonstrated by two simulation examples.
Lost Gardens: From Knowledge to Revitalization and Cultural Valorization of Natural Elements

Gardens constantly change during their lifetime due to the growth and death of plants and to the effects (or lack) of management activities. The loss of garden areas, as well as the building’s collapse, can drastically impact the view and understanding of archaeological areas. The study and reconstruction of ancient lost gardens is a complex topic, and it seems that there is a lack of a general methodological approach for assessing the revitalization and valorization activities of these gardens, especially when considering the floristic features. Here, we discuss the required steps for developing the various intervention components for achieving a deep knowledge and understanding of natural, historical, and philosophical features of the place and its culture, from the past to the current conditions. Considering this knowledge, we propose a revitalization and a cultural valorization approach of the natural elements, and we discuss the limitations and issues arising in lost garden studies.
Remote characterization and delivery of dispersion-compensated ultrashort pulses over dynamic optical fiber links

Ultrashort optical pulses find uses in many areas such as multiphoton microscopy, spectroscopy, and material processing. These pulse sources are complex systems that are resource-intensive. This necessitates methods for the robust delivery of pulses to time-varying satellite locations. Characterization of the power spectrum and the temporal profile of the delivered pulses without the need for specialized equipment at the satellite location is highly desirable. Here, we demonstrate a simple method using a compact measurement apparatus at satellite locations with power detectors at the fundamental and second harmonic wavelengths (Germanium and Silicon detectors, respectively). The module also includes a thin β-Barium Borate crystal for second harmonic generation and a communication link to the source using standard data protocols. A pulse shaper at the source emulates an interferometer by creating pulse pairs with varying time delays. At satellite locations, fundamental and SHG power measurements of the pulse pair provide the field autocorrelation function (Fourier transform of the power spectrum) and the intensity autocorrelation function, respectively. Transform-limited pulses can be delivered by compensating the measured dispersion dynamically using the pulse shaper. We have delivered sub-picosecond pulses from a C-band mode-locked fiber laser with a bandwidth of 20nm over 50 and 100m using existing telecom fiber links. The pulse widths and spectra obtained using the remote measurement matched with those made directly at the satellite location. This provides easy distribution and remote characterization for femtosecond lasers from a central location to various satellite locations.
The European Cancer Information System: exploring linkages between indoor radon concentrations and data on cancer burden

Exposure to radon over time has significant detrimental effects on human health. Approximately 226,000 annual radon-related deaths have been reported from 66 countries (1). Many countries have a radon action plan, in order to reduce the harmful effects of radon exposure on the general public. Maps are routinely used to assist with mitigation strategies and delineate areas of priority regulation. Standard regulations in the European Union include the requirement for workplaces to test and the requirement to have reduction methods in newly built homes. Such laws are assigned systematically to areas that are understood to have high values of indoor radon. This article demonstrates that the boundaries of radon priority areas may vary, depending on the data set and methods used. We propose a table and a decision matrix to assist in choosing the most appropriate visual aid according to the purpose for which the map is to be used. We conclude that no single radon map is suitable to fit all objectives, and some maps are more suitable than others depending on the purpose.
Effect of anode sheet resistance on rise time of black silicon induced junction photodiodes

Black silicon induced junction photodiodes have been shown to have nearly ideal responsivity across a wide range of wavelengths. Another important characteristic of a high-quality photodiode is rise time which can be used to approximate bandwidth of the photodiode. We show experimentally that the rise time of black silicon photodiodes is shorter than in planar photodiodes when alumina layer with similar charge is used to make an induced junction in both. Additionally, we show that the rise time can be rather well approximated using an analytical equation, which combines Elmore delay from equivalent circuit with standard RC-delay arising from series and load resistances.
Numerical prediction of phase equilibrium conditions of gas hydrates up to 200 MPa in the presence of sodium and calcium chloride solutions

Abstract The occurrence of natural gas hydrates has both beneficial and negative practical implications. Nowadays, the most numerical studies in gas hydrates formation field were limited to a pressure of 74 MPa. However, these components are abundantly formed at permafrost and under the seafloor in which the pressure exceeds 100 MPa. In this study, the prediction of equilibrium conditions of gas hydrates was investigated numerically in pure gas and gas mixture up to 200 MPa. The inhibition of hydrates formation was examined by using NaCl and CaCl2 at different molar fractions. The Lee-Kesler-Plocker equation of state was selected as the most adequate, to predict gas hydrate stability limits, compared to other numerical approaches. The modeling results indicate that our model is in good agreement with experimental findings up to 200 MPa, but due to the lack of data in literature the maximum pressure compared was 163.25 MPa for gas mixture in pure water. The salt inhibition investigation also shows a good accuracy of our model at molar fractions less than 0.05 in both pure gas and gas mixture. It can be concluded that this model permits to study the stability limits of hydrates in wide range of gas composition and chloride salt solutions.
Students’ self-reported learning gains in higher engineering education

ABSTRACT In higher engineering education, students’ learning outcomes are typically measured via tests and examinations. In that way, so it is claimed, students have reached the learning goals intended by the teachers. However, students’ learning experiences and perceived learning gains remain unclear. To gain insights into their perceived learning gains, thirteen students from a Dutch technical university were interviewed. This university is in the process of changing its curriculum from teacher-centered to student-centered approaches. The results show that students’ reported learning gains could be grouped into five different strands: (1) the disciplinary conceptual and procedural knowledge strand; (2) the general cognitive learning strand; (3) the affect, thought and learning strand; (4) the teamwork and communication strand; and (5) the entrepreneurial learning strand. Moreover, we nuanced these five strands with the help of the student interviews and the relevant literature. The findings of this study can be valuable and helpful for teachers and curriculum leaders for their course and curriculum design.
Tracking of Uncertain Robotic Manipulators Using Event-Triggered Model Predictive Control With Learning Terminal Cost

This paper presents an event-triggered model predictive control (MPC) strategy with learning terminal cost for robotic manipulators containing model uncertainty and input constraints. In the proposed MPC structure, an adaptive predictive model for the robotic system is established by radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) firstly. Then, a terminal cost adjusted by the global learning mechanism is constructed. Both global steady-state optimization and transient fast convergence are achieved by adding the learning terminal cost to the MPC scheme. After that, a triggering condition of the MPC solving is developed based on the predictive model’s weights and the predictive tracking error. Besides, the condition to avoid Zeno behavior is obtained. The recursive feasibility of the proposed MPC strategy is verified, and the ultimately uniformly boundedness (UUB) of all variables is proved according to the Lyapunov theorem. Finally, experiments based on an xMate7 Pro robot are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented method. Note to Practitioners—The tracking control of robotic manipulators is a common and important problem in industrial applications, such as grasping, loading, unloading, et al. There exist some limitations in existing control methods. For example, general control strategies such as adaptive control, sliding mode control neglect the balance between control costs and expected performance; existing optimal control approaches rarely consider global steady-state optimization and transient fast convergence under the influence of model uncertainty. This paper is motivated by these limitations of robotic control design and inspired by model predictive control and optimal control theory. It develops a novel strategy for tracking control of robotic manipulators, which includes three following items: (1) adopt an approximation model constructed by neural networks as the predictive model for estimating the robotic system; (2) introduce a critic network into the terminal cost of the objective function of MPC for learning global optimal solution; (3) establish an event-triggered mechanism for solving of the optimization problem. The proposed method is verified by experimental results. In our future work, the proposed control strategy will be applied to more industrial processes.