Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictive Significance of Promoter DNA Methylation of Cysteine Dioxygenase Type 1 (CDO1) in Metachronous Gastric Cancer

Purpose Promoter DNA methylation of various genes has been associated with metachronous gastric cancer (MGC). The cancer-specific methylation gene, cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1), has been implicated in the occurrence of residual gastric cancer. We evaluated whether DNA methylation of CDO1 could be a predictive biomarker of MGC using specimens of MGC developing on scars after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Materials and Methods CDO1 methylation values (TaqMeth values) were compared between 33 patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) with no confirmed metachronous lesions at >3 years after ESD (non-MGC: nMGC group) and 11 patients with MGC developing on scars after ESD (MGCSE groups: EGC at the first ESD [MGCSE-1 group], EGC at the second ESD for treating MGC developing on scars after ESD [MGCSE-2 group]). Each EGC specimen was measured at five locations (at tumor [T] and the 4-point tumor-adjacent noncancerous mucosa [TAM]). Results In the nMGC group, the TaqMeth values for T were significantly higher than that for TAM (P=0.0006). In the MGCSE groups, TAM (MGCSE-1) exhibited significantly higher TaqMeth values than TAM (nMGC) (P<0.0001) and TAM (MGCSE-2) (P=0.0041), suggesting that TAM (MGCSE-1) exhibited CDO1 hypermethylation similar to T (P=0.3638). The area under the curve for discriminating the highest TaqMeth value of TAM (MGCSE-1) from that of TAM (nMGC) was 0.81, and using the cut-off value of 43.4, CDO1 hypermethylation effectively enriched the MGCSE groups (P<0.0001). Conclusions CDO1 hypermethylation has been implicated in the occurrence of MGC, suggesting its potential as a promising MGC predictor.
Enhanced Skin Delivery of Therapeutic Peptides Using Spicule-Based Topical Delivery Systems

This study reports two therapeutic peptides, insulin (INS, as a hydrophilic model peptide) and cyclosporine A (CysA, as a hydrophobic one), that can be administrated through a transdermal or dermal route by using spicule-based topical delivery systems in vitro and in vivo. We obtained a series of spicules with different shapes and sizes from five kinds of marine sponges and found a good correlation between the skin permeability enhancement induced by these spicules and their aspect ratio L/D. In the case of INS, Sponge Haliclona sp. spicules (SHS) dramatically increased the transdermal flux of INS (457.0 ± 32.3 ng/cm2/h) compared to its passive penetration (5.0 ± 2.2 ng/cm2/h) in vitro. Further, SHS treatment slowly and gradually reduced blood glucose to 13.1 ± 6.3% of the initial level in 8 h, while subcutaneous injection resulted in a rapid blood glucose reduction to 15.9 ± 1.4% of the initial level in 4 h, followed by a rise back to 75.1 ± 24.0% of the initial level in 8 h. In the case of CysA, SHS in combination with ethosomes (SpEt) significantly (p < 0.05) increased the accumulation of CysA in viable epidermis compared to other groups. Further, SpEt reduced the epidermis thickness by 41.5 ± 9.4% in 7 days, which was significantly more effective than all other groups. Spicule-based topical delivery systems offer promising strategies for delivering therapeutic peptides via a transdermal or dermal route.
A dynamic resistance nonuniformity compensation circuit for uncooled microbolometer detector arrays

This paper presents a new approach for compensating resistance nonuniformity of uncooled microbolometers by adjusting the bias currents of both detector and reference pixels. Contrary to conventional nonuniformity compensation circuits, this approach eliminates the need for digital-to-analog converters (DACs), which usually occupy a large area, dissipate high power, and require complicated external circuitry with high frequency data transfer to the microbolometer chip. The proposed circuit uses a feedback structure that dynamically changes the bias currents of the reference and detector pixels and does not need complicated external circuitry. A special feature of the circuit is that it provides continuous compensation for the detector and reference resistances due to temperature changes over time. The circuit is implemented in a 0. 6μm 5V CMOS process and occupies an area of only 160μm × 630μm. Test results of the prototype circuit show that the circuit reduces the offset current due to resistance nonuniformity about 2.35% of its uncompensated value, i.e., an improvement of about 42.5 times is achieved, independent of the nonuniformity amount. The circuit achieves this compensation in 12μsec. Considering its simplicity and low cost, this approach is suitable for large array commercial infrared imaging systems.
CyberChain: Cybertwin Empowered Blockchain for Lightweight and Privacy-preserving Authentication in Internet of Vehicles

Internet of Vehicles (IoVs) presents promising opportunities for vehicle to everything (V2X) applications, wherein authentication acts as the cornerstone to realize trustworthy vehicular context and to support advanced applications. However, existing authentication schemes mainly depend on centralized servers with both security and privacy issues. In this paper, we propose a CyberTwin (CT) empowered blockchain framework for authentication, namely CyberChain, to reduce both the communication and storage cost while maintaining vehicular privacy. By designing a blockchain system in the cyberspace, we decouple the consensus process from the physical world, so that the operation cost of blockchain can be reduced. A Privacy-Preserving Parallel Pedersen Commitment (P4C) algorithm is designed to protect the privacy of vehicles and accelerate the authentication process. To further enhance the operation efficiency of CyberChain, we propose a Diffused Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (DPBFT) mechanism to reach consensus in the cyberspace that can reduce consensus latency. The proposed cyberchain framework and the associated mechanisms are evaluated by qualitative analysis and simulations. The evaluation results demonstrated that the proposed cyberchain based framework significantly improves the authentication performance in terms of authentication latency, privacy, communication overhead and storage cost.
Solution of facility layout problems with pickup/drop-off locations using random search techniques

Due to non-polynomial hardness, the facility layout problem (FLP) becomes more critical when pickup/drop-off (P/D) locations are considered in the design of an open field layout under a manufacturing environment. This paper proposes an indigenous model of the facility layout problem based on random search techniques and its solution methodology using a genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA) and a hybrid algorithm (HA). The paper illustrates the performance of different random search operating parameters in solving the facility layout problem considering P/D locations along the periphery of rectangular machine blocks. The preliminary experiments were carried out on three facility layout test problems having six, eight and ten machines in order to fix the different operating parameters such as crossover operator, crossover rate, initial temperature, temperature reduction factor, number of generations, population size, etc. The results of extensive preliminary experimentation were utilized to solve facility layout problems having 12 and 18 machines and, finally, were compared with the existing procedures in the literature. The experimental tables and related analysis performed via the solution methods by applying GA, SA and HA revealed that random-search-based modeling of FLP considering P/D and its solution as suggested in this paper is worth pursuing.
Sustainable transformation of construction waste : An approach for CSR enhancement

Construction industries globally account for 40% of green house gas emissions with a potential to reverse the current growth trend in developed and developing nations, if measures are not initiated towards curbing them. India is producing nearly 14.5 million tonnes of construction waste per year. 70% of waste comes from cement and steel alone, that has a large carbon footprint at production stage. The component of materials cost comprises nearly 40%–60% of the project cost. Therefore material waste generation from construction activity is also huge in monetary terms. This paper deals with an innovative service that provides a sustainable solution to construction site for waste mitigation, through transformation of their waste output as a resource into another end product and disbursing the basic products for building affordable and rapid housing as a free service to the deprived sections of society. This process re-engineering will benefit construction projects in terms of certified emissions ratings and carbon credits.
Fault‐tolerant finite‐time adaptive higher order sliding mode control with optimized parameters for attitude stabilization of spacecraft

This article considers the problem of attitude regulation of rigid spacecraft under the effect of inertial ambiguity, exogenous disturbances, input saturation, and actuator uncertainties. In this regard, an adaptive second‐order sliding mode control (ASOSMC) is designed to provide robustness against the lumped disturbances (the combination of uncertainties and faults). The ASOSMC presents a two‐fold advantage over conventional SMC. The use of adaptive law eliminates the assumption of a priori knowledge on the upper bounds of the disturbances. Further, the SOSMC methodology alleviates the high‐frequency chattering in the input without compromising robustness. The theoretical analysis under the proposed strategy guarantees the convergence of sliding surface and system states to the origin in a finite‐time. Besides, this work also resolves the inbuilt problem of unwinding in the quaternion‐based attitude representation. Further, the nominal parameters of the proposed control law are optimized offline using an ant lion optimization method. The numerical simulation validates the effectiveness of the proposed controller by comparing its performance with the other existing controllers.
Potential for Fuel Reduction through Electric Taxiing

In this study the potential for fuel savings through electric taxiing is investigated. Therefore simple models are used to investigate the difference of fuel consumption during the ground phase and the flight phase of a gate-to-gate mission. By using these models the fuel savings can be estimated, which are the sum of the fuel saved during ground operations and the additional fuel required during the flight phase due to an increased Operating Empty Weight. The models are applied to actual data of flights conducted by domestic carriers within the United States National Airspace System. Results show that electric taxiing offers the potential for fuel savings depending on the flight mission, i.e. the ratio of time an aircraft spends on ground and the flight distance. A parametric analysis is conducted to investigate the sensitivity of the results for different constraints. The study concludes with a comparison of the concept compared to other operational or technological measures aiming to reduce fuel consumption on ground.
High Efficiency Read Diode Amplifier

Impedance characteristics of Read-profile IMPATT diodes are evaluated and amplifiers operating in the stable reflective mode have been designed based on the measured diode impedance. Power output of up to 4.5 Watts was obtained in a one stage single diode amplifier with a gain of 4.5 dB and an efficiency of 22 percent.
Comparing Four Competing Models in E-Learning System Acceptance

E-Learning system is special in its capability for co-operative and collaborative learning activities through asynchronous and synchronous communications to enhance learning effectiveness. It is also about meeting instructor and peer learners in the virtual community, solving problems together, and expecting feedbacks and interactions. It is wondered which theoretical framework in technology acceptance would be the most appropriate for such technology. In a literature review of prior IS studies on technology acceptance, four competing models were found with extensive empirical support. This study aims at empirically testing these four competing models applying to an e-learning system. At last, their predicting and explanatory power is compared. Discussions, implications and limitations were given in the last section.
Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on approaches to innovation in the consulting industry: a grounded theory pilot study

PurposeThere is a significant pressure on consulting businesses to produce innovative solutions and to assist their clients in producing innovative solutions for their organizational problems as well. In addition to that challenging need to innovate for survival and competition, as other contemporary firms, consultancies must face the global changes brought by the outbreak of the coronavirus infection since 2019. This qualitative pilot study aimed at exploring the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the approaches to innovation in the consulting industry.Design/methodology/approachTriggered from the literature gap on approaches to innovation in consultancies during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, a grounded theory approach was used to generate a theoretical explanation of how the COVID-19 is affecting the strategies and approaches of businesses in harnessing innovation opportunities from the perspectives of four professionals from an information technology (IT) consultancy in the USA.FindingsThe findings of this pilot study showed that organizational leaders' increased responsiveness, a Job-To-Be-Done strategy, organizational support and team adaption are the keys to harvesting dynamic capabilities for better competition, even during global environmental changes.Practical implicationsThis implies that managers remain the main actors in a firm's efforts to harvest dynamic capabilities. Innovation strategists, business leaders and policymakers can confidently work together to implement novel and flexible work settings that integrate both social and economic advancements.Originality/valueTheoretical implications support the sustainable innovation strategy concepts and the Job-To-Be-Done theory. Finally, the substantive theory from this pilot study lays the ground for future research on approaches to innovation in the consulting industry.
Estimating abundance of a recovering transboundary brown bear population with capture-recapture models

Estimating the size of small populations of large mammals can be achieved via censuses, or complete counts, of recognizable individuals detected over a time period: minimum detected (population) size (MDS). However, as a population grows larger and its spatial distribution expands, the risk of under-estimating population size using MDS rapidly increases because the assumption of perfect detection of all individuals in the population is violated. The need to report uncertainty around population size estimates consequently becomes crucial. We explored these biases using the monitoring framework of the critically endangered Pyrenean brown bear that was close to extinction in the mid-1990s, with only five individuals remaining, but was subsequently bolstered by the introduction of 11 bears from Slovenia. Each year since 1996, the abundance of the population has been assessed using MDS and minimum retained (population) size (MRS), which corresponded to a reassessment of the MDS in the light of the new information collected in subsequent years (e.g., adding bears which were not detected the previous years but detected the current year). We used Pollock’s closed robust design (PCRD) capture-recapture models applied to the cross-border non-invasive sampling data from France, Spain and Andorra to provide the first published annual abundance and temporal trend estimates of the Pyrenean brown bear population since 2008. Annual population size increased fivefold between 2008 and 2020, going from 13 to 66 individuals. PCRD estimates were globally close to MRS counts and had reasonably narrow associated 95% Credibility Intervals. Even in cases where sampling effort is large compared to population size, the PCRD estimates of population size can diverge from the MDS counts. We report individual heterogeneity in detection that might stem from intraspecific home range size variation that result in individuals that move the most being most likely to be detected. We also found that cubs had a higher mortality rate than adults and subadults, because of infanticide by males, predation, maternal death, or abandonment. Overall, the PCRD capture-recapture modelling approach provides estimates of abundance and demographic rates of the Pyrenean brown bear population, together with associated uncertainty, while minimizing bias due to inter-individual heterogeneity in detection probabilities. We strongly encourage wildlife ecologists and managers to use robust approaches when researching large mammal populations. Such information is vital for informing management decision-making and assessing population conservation status.
Kansei and colour harmony models for townscape evaluation

Abstract Townscape colours have been a main factor in urban development. For townscape colours, keeping colour harmony within the environment is a common goal. Expressing characteristics and impressions of the town in townscape colours are other meaningful goals. The colour planning support system proposed here is intended to improve townscapes. The system offers some colour combination proposals based on three elements: colour harmony, impressions of the townscape, and cost for the change of colours. The objective of the present paper is to construct the colour harmony and Kansei evaluation models that evaluate colour combinations in the colour planning support system. The colour harmony equations by Moon and Spencer are employed for the construction of the colour harmony model. The Kansei model, which quantifies the impressions of the townscape, is constructed from the approach of Kansei engineering with neural networks. After the construction, evaluation experiments are conducted for 20 subjects to test the performance of both models. The results of the tests show sufficient correlation between model output and subject response for each model.
Membrane Technology in Bioprocess Science

Membrane technology plays more and more a crucial role in the purification of biotechnological products. Integration of membrane based unit operations becomes a trend for ongoing process designs. By this, in addition to the well-established membrane unit operations like microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, new membranes, modules and systems were developed in the last years. Herein, the efforts in the area of membrane chromatography should be mentioned as a major research topic. This paper focuses on the state of the art in membrane technology, especially in the field of biotechnology, and on innovative developments in the field of membrane chromatography as well as on process design methods, which are necessary to fulfill the challenges for competitive technologies for the future. To minimize the risk that is inherent in the design of any new process, it is essential to use unit operation models that describe the process behavior accurately. Modeling efforts, which were originally developed for other membrane unit operations, show a great potential for the adaption to new developed membrane technologies.
Generalised model of a photovoltaic panel

The modelling of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels requires electrical parameters which are dependent on the manufacturing materials and their physical properties. Manufacturers typically do not disclose detailed physical properties of the PV module, except for some electrical quantities such as open circuit voltage (V oc), short-circuit current (I sc), maximum power point voltage (V m), maximum power point current (I m) and maximum power (P M). However, to model the PV panels comprehensively, it is necessary to determine other physical parameters, e.g., series resistance of PV cell (R s), shunt resistance of PV cell (R Sh) and diode ideality factor (n). This paper presents a generalised mathematical model of a PV panel utilising only the quantities provided in manufacturer's datasheet. The proposed modelling technique determines all the PV panel parameters without any explicit repetitive iteration. Although the developed model is general and can be implemented on any software platform, its implementation is demonstrated on a commercial electromagnetic transients simulation software electro magnetic transient including direct current power systems computer aided design. The electrical parameters obtained from the proposed PV panel model are validated for six different commercially available PV panels from their datasheet values and also from measurements provided by National Institute of Standards and Technology for solar irradiation and temperature at nonstandard test conditions.
Manipulating the microbiome alters regenerative outcomes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles via lipopolysaccharide signalling

Xenopus laevis tadpoles can regenerate functional tails, containing spinal cord, notochord, muscle, fin, blood vessels and nerves, except for a brief refractory period at around one week of age. At this stage, amputation of the tadpole’s tail may either result in scarless wound healing, or the activation of a regeneration programme, which replaces the lost tissues. We recently demonstrated a link between bacterial lipopolysaccharides and successful tail regeneration in refractory stage tadpoles, and proposed that this could result from lipopolysaccharides binding to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Here, we have used 16S rRNA sequencing to show that the tadpole skin microbiome is highly variable between sibships and that the community can be altered by raising embryos in the antibiotic gentamicin. Six gram-negative genera, including Delftia and Chryseobacterium, were over-represented in tadpoles that underwent tail regeneration. Lipopolysaccharides purified from a commensal Chryseobacterium spp. XDS4, an exogenous Delftia spp. or Escherichia coli could significantly increase the number of antibiotic-raised tadpoles that attempted regeneration. Conversely, the quality of regeneration was impaired in native-raised tadpoles exposed to the antagonistic lipopolysaccharide of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Editing TLR4 using CRISPR/Cas9 also reduced regeneration quality, but not quantity, at the level of the cohort. However, we found that the editing level of individual tadpoles was a poor predictor of regenerative outcome. In conclusion, our results suggest that variable regeneration in refractory stage tadpoles depends at least in part on the skin microbiome and lipopolysaccharide signalling, but that signalling via TLR4 cannot account for all of this effect.