Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applications of Probiotic-Based Multi-Components to Human, Animal and Ecosystem Health: Concepts, Methodologies, and Action Mechanisms

Probiotics and related preparations, including synbiotics and postbiotics, are living and non-living microbial-based multi-components, which are now among the most popular bioactive agents. Such interests mainly arise from the wide range and numerous beneficial effects of their use for various hosts. The current minireview article attempts to provide an overview and discuss in a holistic way the concepts, methodologies, action mechanisms, and applications of probiotic-based multi-components in human, animal, plant, soil, and environment health. Probiotic-based multi-component preparations refer to a mixture of bioactive agents, containing probiotics or postbiotics as main functional ingredients, and prebiotics, protectants, stabilizers, encapsulating agents, and other compounds as additional constituents. Analyzing, characterizing, and monitoring over time the traceability, performance, and stability of such multi-component ingredients require relevant and sensitive analytical tools and methodologies. Two innovative profiling and monitoring methods, the thermophysical fingerprinting thermogravimetry–differential scanning calorimetry technique (TGA-DSC) of the whole multi-component powder preparations, and the Advanced Testing for Genetic Composition (ATGC) strain analysis up to the subspecies level, are presented, illustrated, and discussed in this review to respond to those requirements. Finally, the paper deals with some selected applications of probiotic-based multi-components to human, animal, plant, soil and environment health, while mentioning their possible action mechanisms.
Native Tissue Posterior Compartment Repair for Isolated Posterior Vaginal Prolapse: Anatomical and Functional Outcomes

Background and Objectives: Posterior compartment prolapse is associated with constipation and obstructed defecation syndrome. However, there is still a lack of consensus on the optimal treatment for this condition. We aim to investigate functional, anatomical, and quality-of-life outcomes of native tissue transvaginal repair of isolated symptomatic rectocele. Materials and Methods: We retrospective analyzed patients who underwent transvaginal native tissue repair for stage ≥ II and symptomatic posterior vaginal wall prolapse between January 2018 and June 2021. Anatomical and functional outcomes were evaluated. Wexner constipation score was used to assess bowel symptoms, while the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) score was used to evaluate subjective satisfaction after surgery. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 64.5 years, and half of them underwent a previous hysterectomy for benign reasons. The median follow-up time was 33.5 months. A significant anatomical improvement in the posterior compartment was noticed compared with preoperative assessment (p < 0.001 for Ap and Bp), with only two (7.1%) anatomical recurrences. Additionally, obstructed defecation symptoms decreased significantly compared to baseline (p < 0.001), as well as vaginal bulging, with no new-onset cases of fecal incontinence or de novo dyspareunia. PGI-I resulted in 89.2% of patients being satisfied (PGI-I ≥ 2), with a median score of 1.5. Conclusions: Transvaginal native tissue repair for isolated posterior prolapse is safe and effective in managing bowel symptoms, with excellent anatomical and functional outcomes and satisfactory improvement in patients’ quality of life.
Dual-Scale Doppler Attention for Human Identification

This paper considers a Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) with an attention mechanism referred to as Dual-Scale Doppler Attention (DSDA) for human identification given a micro-Doppler (MD) signature induced as input. The MD signature includes unique gait characteristics by different sized body parts moving, as arms and legs move rapidly, while the torso moves slowly. Each person is identified based on his/her unique gait characteristic in the MD signature. DSDA provides attention at different time-frequency resolutions to cater to different MD components composed of both fast-varying and steady. Through this, DSDA can capture the unique gait characteristic of each person used for human identification. We demonstrate the validity of DSDA on a recently published benchmark dataset, IDRad. The empirical results show that the proposed DSDA outperforms previous methods, using a qualitative analysis interpretability on MD signatures.
CapCAM: A Multilevel Capacitive Content Addressable Memory for High-Accuracy and High-Scalability Search and Compute Applications

As one type of associative memory, content-addressable memory (CAM) has become a critical component in several applications, including caches, routers, and pattern matching. Compared with the conventional CAM that could only deliver a “matched or not-matched” result, emerging multilevel CAM (ML-CAM) is capable of delivering “the degree of match” with multilevel distance calculation. This feature has been desired in applications that need beyond-Boolean matching results. However, existing ML-CAM designs are limited by the bit-cell device discharging current mismatch and vulnerability to the timing of sensing operations for distance calculation. This inherent constraint makes it difficult to further improve the accuracy and scalability toward higher accuracy and higher dimension matching. In this work, we propose CapCAM, a multilevel Capacitive Content Addressable Memory. It could be implemented based on either static random-access memory (SRAM) or emerging technologies, e.g., the ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FeFET). CapCAM could provide linear and stable voltage drop scaled by the match degree and need no strict timing for result sensing, which embraces the high-accuracy and high-scalability search. The inherent enabler of CapCAM is the charge-domain computing mechanism. This article will present the basic concept, operating mechanisms, detailed circuit designs, and circuit-level simulations of CapCAM. Besides, we apply CapCAM to few-shot learning applications and compare CapCAM with the current-domain TCAM designs. Results show 99.2% accuracy for a five-way five-shot classification task with our proposed CapCAM design while considering 1-fF capacitors, 20-domain FeFETs, and 256 columns. In contrast, the prior work based on discharging dynamics requires strict timing controls and suffers from accuracy degradation under the same configuration, which demonstrates CapCAM’s capability of low-power, accurate, and scalable multilevel CAM (ML-CAM) computing.
A 72-dB SNDR 130-MS/s 0.8-mW Pipelined-SAR ADC Using a Distributed Averaging Correlated Level Shifting Ring Amplifier

This article presents a 14-b 130-MS/s two-stage pipelined-SAR analog-to-digital converter (ADC) using a distributed averaging correlated level shifting (DACLS) ring amplifier as its residue amplifier (RA). Compared to the prior CLS and ACLS techniques that reduce the RA gain error due to their finite open-loop gain, the proposed DACLS ring amplifier no longer requires an extra level-shifting capacitor ( $C_{\mathrm {LS}}$ ) at the RA output, such that the RA bandwidth can be improved. Furthermore, instead of a single-level shift in the prior arts, the DACLS ring amplifier provides an option for multiple level shifts and thereby accomplishes a greater RA gain error reduction. In addition, a customized bypass-window scheme is applied, which can skip some power-wasting digital-to-analog converter (DAC) switchings by window detection and thus reduces the power consumption of the ADC. To reduce the bit-cycling time of the SAR conversion, a delay-reduced (DR) SAR logic is introduced to increase the ADC speed. The ADC chip is fabricated in 28-nm CMOS technology and occupies an active area of 0.013 mm2. At 130-MS/s and the Nyquist-rate input frequency, the measured SNDR is 72.5 dB, while the power consumption is only 0.82 mW. Without any calibration, the proposed ADC achieves a Walden and a Schreier figure-of-merit (FoM) of 1.8 fJ/conversion step and 181.5 dB, respectively. Compared to the prior-art ADCs with an input bandwidth ≥ 40 MHz and a SNDR > 68 dB, this work shows the best FoMs.
Factors affecting utilization of healthcare services in Australia

The health care access rate can highly contribute to society’s living quality, and further influence the general labor productivity and economic growth of a country. However, the health expenditure per person in Australia is very high and not able to decrease immediately, which can gradually impact the proportion of people visiting health care services. Thus, it is important to reveal other important factors influencing health care utilization and seek solutions via the results. This study aimed to reveal the factors associated with the healthcare service utilization in Australia. We first hypothesized that insurance coverage will be the factor with the most contribution. The data, collected from the health survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 1978-1978, were analyzed via regression model and exploratory data analysis. Model comparison was also performed to receive a more accurate conclusion. The overall results showed that factors influencing health conditions, such as higher age, diseases affecting daily activities appeared to have the greatest relevance with utilization rate. Insurance is also a significant factor, but has a lower contribution compared to the health-related ones. The results can act as an important indicator in introducing policies in health care system and enhance citizen’s health conditions.
Association between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Anthropometric and Health Variables in College-Aged Males

The present study aimed to verify the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and anthropometric and health variables. Four-hundred-and-ninety-five college-aged males aged 18–25 participated in this cross-sectional research. The KIMED (Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and adolescents) was used to assess the adherence to MD. The following variables were also assessed: body mass (BM), height (HE), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%FAT), lean mass (LEAN), abdominal girth (AG), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), oxygen saturation (SPO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), double product (DP), and fasting blood glucose (GLU). The results showed that adherence to MD presented a strong negative correlation with most of the anthropometric parameters (BM: r = −0.571; BMI: r = −0.614; %FAT: r = −0.558; and AG: r = −0.564), a moderate or weak correlation with most of the health variables (GLU: r = −0.407; SBP: r = −0.238; DBP: r = −0.217, and DP: r = −0.265) and LEAN (r = −0.497), and a very weak correlation with WHR (r = −0.090). Many anthropometric parameters (BM, BMI, %FAT, LEAN, AG, WHR) present significant correlations with health variables (SBP, DBP, DP, and GLU). We conclude that greater adherence to Mediterranean diet is associated with healthier values of the selected anthropometric and health parameters. Since most of the anthropometric and health parameters present significant correlations among themselves, this finding could be useful in medical diagnosis, health monitoring, and risk detection. Based on the level of adherence to Mediterranean diet and the KIDMED found in the present study, and considering the prevalence of obesity in the Middle East, it is imperative to implement nutritional interventions with the target population of this research to prevent nutrition-related diseases and promote public health.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Intellectual Capital in Sports and Leisure: The case of a Golf Club

Golf is becoming an increasingly popular sport, and golf clubs have, therefore, a growing social and environmental impact, with several stakeholders engaged in the activities. While the press and the media have reported countless initiatives conducted by golf clubs worldwide that highlight how environmentally and socially conscious and supportive the golf industry is, little has been said in academia. The paper aims to investigate the topic of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in golf clubs, and how golf clubs’ Intellectual Capital (IC) may foster CSR initiative. The paper employs a case study methodology, analyzing one Golf Club in the United Kingdom, using semi-structured interviews. Results underline the great potential of the relationship between the clubs and their stakeholders, especially the customers, to create an influential cycle of CSR in the local communities. Relational capital stands as a central IC element to foster CSR in golf clubs. Moreover, findings highlight the need to develop new business models that can merge the need to be compliant with a strong CSR philosophy ensuring, at the same time, financial sustainability. The paper is one of the firsts to investigate an increasingly popular sport which CSR can be fostered by relational capital, with a relevant impact on its customers, employees, and communities.
The chromosome-level genome of Gypsophila paniculata reveals the molecular mechanism of floral development and ethylene insensitivity

Abstract Gypsophila paniculata, belonging to the Caryophyllaceae of the Caryophyllales, is one of the most famous worldwide cut flowers. It is commonly used as dried flowers, whereas the underlying mechanism of flower senescence has not yet been addressed. Here, we present a chromosome-scale genome assembly for G. paniculata with a total size of 749.58 Mb. Whole-genome duplication signatures unveil two major duplication events in its evolutionary history: an ancient one occurring before the divergence of Caryophyllaceae and a more recent one shared with Dianthus caryophyllus. The integrative analyses combining genomic and transcriptomic data reveal the mechanisms regulating floral development and ethylene response of G. paniculata. The reduction of AGAMOUS expression probably caused by sequence polymorphism and the mutation in miR172 binding site of PETALOSA are associated with the double flower formation in G. paniculata. The low expression of ETHYLENE RESPONSE SENSOR (ERS) and the reduction of downstream ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (ERF) gene copy number collectively lead to the ethylene insensitivity of G. paniculata, affecting flower senescence and making it capable of making dried flowers. This study provides a cornerstone for understanding the underlying principles governing floral development and flower senescence, which could accelerate the molecular breeding of the Caryophyllaceae species.
A Very High Linearity Twin Phase Interpolator With a Low-Noise and Wideband Delta Quadrature DLL for High-Speed Data Link Clocking

A twin phase-interpolator (PI) architecture cancels most of the deterministic phase nonlinearity and achieves very high linearity across a wide frequency range with only four-phase input clocks. A delta quadrature delay-locked loop (Delta QDLL) is further proposed that generates wideband, low-jitter, and accurate quadrature clocks from the delay difference of two paths with a background analog quadrature tuning loop. A 1.2-V 65-nm CMOS prototype has a Delta QDLL with a quadrature accuracy of 0.9° from 3.5 to 11 GHz across ten chip samples. It consumes 7.8 mW at 7 GHz and has a 48.1-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf {fs}_{\mathbf {rms}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> jitter, yielding an outstanding figure of merit of −257.4 dB. The 7-bit twin PI achieves a less-than-1.45-LSB peak-to-peak integral nonlinearity (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf {INL}_{\mathbf {pp}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) from 3.5 to 11 GHz and the lowest <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf {INL}_{\mathbf {pp}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of 0.72 LSB at 7 GHz. The PI has a 58.5-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbf {fs}_{\mathbf {rms}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> jitter for a fixed PI control code. At 7 GHz with −1429-ppm clock modulation, the integrated fractional spur is as low as −41.7 dBc.
Disruption, Disruptors and Disruptiveness of Scholarly Communication: An Actor-Network Theory Approach

The rise of Open Access, the increasing pace of scientific work, the serial crisis and the need for interdisciplinary research are just some examples of the current disruptions of traditional scholarly communication. As publishing is a significant practice for distributing scientific knowledge and therefor for academic knowledge management, an understanding of the current disruptions in the field is necessary for the future development and maintenance of the system. The paper presents a conceptualization of disruptions drawing from Latour’s Actor-Network-Theory with reference to current understandings of disruption. The aim of the research is the identification and mapping of current disruptions, their disruptors and the disruptiveness in scholarly communication in the field of economic and social sciences by analyzing scientific editorials. Therefore, a short overview about previous analyses of scientific editorials is presented. For the sampling of editorials, a systematic literature search was conducted using Web of Science, followed by an application and comparison of Text Mining operations using R. Afterwards an in-depth investigation of the disruptors as source of disruption and disruptiveness as potential of disruption will be following using qualitative content analysis. The insights of this research will be helpful for anticipating and overcoming the current disruptions as well as for identifying and dealing with future disruptions in the field.
Anaemia, iron and vitamin A status among South African school-aged children living with and without HIV

Background. Data on iron and vitamin A deficiency are scarce in school-aged children living with HIV (HIV+) compared with children without HIV (HIV–). Both deficiencies can contribute to anaemia. Objective. To assess anaemia, iron and vitamin A status in a sample of HIV+ and HIV– school-aged children in South Africa. Methods. In this comparative cross-sectional study, biomarkers for anaemia (haemoglobin), iron (plasma ferritin (PF), soluble transferrin receptor), vitamin A (retinol-binding protein (RBP)) and inflammatory status (C-reactive protein, α-1-acid glycoprotein) were measured in 8 - 13-year-old children from Cape Town living with (n=143) and without HIV (n=148). Measurements of PF and RBP were adjusted for inflammation using a regression-correction approach. Results. HIV+ children had higher prevalences of anaemia (29% v. 14%; odds ratio (OR) = 2.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4 - 4.9; p=0.002), iron-deficient erythropoiesis (20% v. 9%; OR=2.5; 95% CI 1.2 - 5.0; p=0.013) and iron deficiency anaemia (11% v. 4%; OR=2.9; 95% CI 1.1 - 7.7; p=0.035) than HIV– children. Marginal vitamin A deficiency was noted in 52% of HIV+ and 57% of HIV– children (p=0.711). Subclinical inflammation was more prevalent in HIV+ than HIV– children (p=0.012). Conclusion. Anaemia, iron-deficient erythropoiesis and iron deficiency anaemia were more prevalent in HIV+ than HIV– children. Prevalence of marginal vitamin A deficiency was high in both groups. Efforts to improve micronutrient status and mitigate nutritional determinants of anaemia in HIV+ children from resource-limited settings should be prioritised.
ATP5B Is an Essential Factor for Hepatitis B Virus Entry

Elucidation of the factors responsible for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is extremely important in order to understand the viral life cycle and pathogenesis, and thereby explore potential anti-HBV drugs. The recent determination that sodium taurocholate co-transporting peptide (NTCP) is an essential molecule for the HBV entry into cells led to the development of an HBV infection system in vitro using a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line expressing NTCP; however, the precise mechanism of HBV entry is still largely unknown, and thus it may be necessary to elucidate all the molecules involved. Here, we identified ATP5B as another essential factor for HBV entry. ATP5B was expressed on the cell surface of the HCC cell lines and bound with myristoylated but not with non-myristoylated preS1 2-47, which supported the notion that ATP5B is involved in the HBV entry process. Knockdown of ATP5B in NTCP-expressing HepG2 cells, which allowed HBV infection, reduced HBV infectivity with less cccDNA formation. Taken together, these results strongly suggested that ATP5B is an essential factor for HBV entry into the cells.
Blockchain-Based Cloud-Enabled Security Monitoring Using Internet of Things in Smart Agriculture

The Internet of Things (IoT) has rapidly progressed in recent years and immensely influenced many industries in how they operate. Consequently, IoT technology has improved productivity in many sectors, and smart farming has also hugely benefited from the IoT. Smart farming enables precision agriculture, high crop yield, and the efficient utilization of natural resources to sustain for a longer time. Smart farming includes sensing capabilities, communication technologies to transmit the collected data from the sensors, and data analytics to extract meaningful information from the collected data. These modules will enable farmers to make intelligent decisions and gain profits. However, incorporating new technologies includes inheriting security and privacy consequences if they are not implemented in a secure manner, and smart farming is not an exception. Therefore, security monitoring is an essential component to be implemented for smart farming. In this paper, we propose a cloud-enabled smart-farm security monitoring framework to monitor device status and sensor anomalies effectively and mitigate security attacks using behavioral patterns. Additionally, a blockchain-based smart-contract application was implemented to securely store security-anomaly information and proactively mitigate similar attacks targeting other farms in the community. We implemented the security-monitoring-framework prototype for smart farms using Arduino Sensor Kit, ESP32, AWS cloud, and the smart contract on the Ethereum Rinkeby Test Network and evaluated network latency to monitor and respond to security events. The performance evaluation of the proposed framework showed that our solution could detect security anomalies within real-time processing time and update the other farm nodes to be aware of the situation.
One Person Plays Multiple Roles: The Diversified Roles and Functions of Convention Project Hosts by SEM Methods

In a convention project, the relationship between the host and professional conference organizers has an important impact on the convention project promotion. However, as an important stakeholder of the convention, the role of hosts in the project is less concerned and studied. Therefore, based on theories of project governance, this paper combines the role of the convention project hosts from the perspective of the project sponsors and formulates the convention hosts’ role measuring scale with the project sponsor measuring scale. Then, through content validity analysis and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the scale was optimized and nine items were finally determined. The study found that the hosts of the convention project play three roles in the convention project, the customer role, the controller role, and the supporter role, and verified through the SEM that all three roles have a positive effect on the convention project performance.