Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Directed Brain Connectivity Identifies Widespread Functional Network Abnormalities in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by topological abnormalities in large-scale functional brain networks, which are commonly analyzed using undirected correlations in the activation signals between brain regions. This approach assumes simultaneous activation of brain regions, despite previous evidence showing that brain activation entails causality, with signals being typically generated in one region and then propagated to other ones. To address this limitation, here, we developed a new method to assess whole-brain directed functional connectivity in participants with PD and healthy controls using antisymmetric delayed correlations, which capture better this underlying causality. Our results show that whole-brain directed connectivity, computed on functional magnetic resonance imaging data, identifies widespread differences in the functional networks of PD participants compared with controls, in contrast to undirected methods. These differences are characterized by increased global efficiency, clustering, and transitivity combined with lower modularity. Moreover, directed connectivity patterns in the precuneus, thalamus, and cerebellum were associated with motor, executive, and memory deficits in PD participants. Altogether, these findings suggest that directional brain connectivity is more sensitive to functional network differences occurring in PD compared with standard methods, opening new opportunities for brain connectivity analysis and development of new markers to track PD progression.
A functional mammalian display screen identifies rare antibodies that stimulate NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity

Significance We have developed a method to screen for antibodies that can induce natural killer (NK) cell–mediated cytotoxicity. NK cells have the innate ability to identify and kill target cells. Antibodies that bind to NK cell surface proteins are anchored to the cell surface of a target cell line and probed for their abilities to stimulate NK cytotoxicity. Target cells displaying antibodies that induce NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity are depleted from the antibody pool. Because the antibodies are based on the same scaffold, antibodies on surviving target cells can be identified through next generation sequencing of complementarity determining region H3. This method facilitates the identification of antibodies that can stimulate immune cell activation and may be used to desig immunotherapies. Therapies that boost the antitumor immune response have shown a great deal of success. Although most of these therapies have focused on enhancing T cell functions, there is a growing interest in developing therapies that can target other immune cell subsets. Like T cells, natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic effector cells that play a key role in the antitumor response. To advance the development of NK-based therapies, we developed a functional screen to rapidly identify antibodies that can activate NK cells. We displayed antibodies on a mammalian target cell line and probed their ability to stimulate NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity. From this screen, we identified five antibodies that bound with high affinity to NK cells and stimulated NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion. We demonstrate that these antibodies can be further developed into bispecific antibodies to redirect NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity toward CD20+ B cell lymphoma cells and HER2+ breast cancer cells. While antibodies to two of the receptors, CD16 and NCR1, have previously been targeted as bispecific antibodies to redirect NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity, we demonstrate that bispecific antibodies targeting NCR3 can also potently activate NK cells. These results show that this screen can be used to directly identify antibodies that can enhance antitumor immune responses.
Morphofunctional programming of microglia requires distinct roles of type II myosins

The ramified morphology of microglia and the dynamics of their membrane protrusions are essential for their functions in central nervous system development, homeostasis, and disease. Although their ability to change and control shape critically depends on the actin and actomyosin cytoskeleton, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we systematically analyzed the actomyosin cytoskeleton and regulators downstream of the small GTPase RhoA in the control of microglia shape and function. Our results reveal that (i) Myh9 controls cortical tension levels and affects microglia protrusion formation, (ii) cofilin‐mediated maintenance of actin turnover regulates microglia protrusion extension, and (iii) Myh10 influences microglia inflammatory activation. Overall we uncover molecular pathways that regulate microglia morphology and identify type‐II myosins as important regulators of microglia biology with differential roles in the control of cell shape (Myh9) and functions (Myh10).
Epiglottitis in Patients With Preexisting Autoimmune Diseases: A Nationwide Case–Control Study in Taiwan

Objectives: The role of autoimmune diseases on the risk for acute epiglottitis remains uncertain. This study aimed to delineate the association between epiglottitis and autoimmune diseases using population database. Methods: A population-based retrospective study was conducted to analyze claims data from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database collected over January, 2000, to December, 2013. Results: In total, 2339 patients with epiglottitis were matched with 9356 controls without epiglottitis by sex, age, socioeconomic status, and urbanization level. The correlation between autoimmune diseases and epiglottitis was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Compared with controls, patients with epiglottitis were much more likely to have preexisting Sjögren syndrome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.14-4.91; P = .021). In addition, polyautoimmunity was associated with increased risk of epiglottitis (aOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.14-3.80; P = .018), particularly in those aged >50 years (aOR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.21-5.66; P = .015). Conclusions: Among autoimmune diseases, we verify the association between epiglottitis and Sjögren syndrome in Taiwan. Furthermore, we present the novel discovery that patients with epiglottitis have an increased risk of polyautoimmunity, particularly those aged >50 years.
Intermetallic FePt@PtBi Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysis.

The development of active and stable platinum (Pt)-based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts with good resistance to poisoning is a prerequisite for widespread practical application of fuel cells. One effective strategy for enhancing the electrocatalytic performance is to tune or control the physicochemical state of the Pt surface. Here, we demonstrate a general surface-engineering approach to prepare a range of nanostructured Pt alloys by coating chemically ordered intermetallic phases with alloy PtBi shells. FePt@PtBi core-shell nanoparticles showed the best ORR performance with a mass activity of 0.96 A mg Pt -1 and a specific activity of 2.06 mA cm -2 , respectively 7 times and 11 times those of the corresponding values for benchmark Pt/C. Moreover, FePt@PtBi shows much better tolerance to methanol and carbon monoxide than conventional Pt-based electrocatalysts. The observed comprehensive enhancement in ORR performance of FePt@PtBi can be attributed to the increased compressive strain of the Pt surface due to in-plane shearing resulting from the presence of the large Bi atoms in the surface-structured PtBi overlayers, as well as charge displacement via Pt-Bi bonding which mitigates crossover issues.
Tuning the Hyperparameters of Anytime Planning: A Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach

Many anytime algorithms have adjustable hyperparameters that affect their speed and accuracy. However, while existing work on metareasoning has focused on deciding when to interrupt an anytime algorithm and act on the current solution, there has not been much work on tuning the hyperparameters of an anytime algorithm at runtime. This paper introduces a decision-theoretic metareasoning approach that can optimize both the hyperparameters and the stopping point of adjustable algorithms with deep reinforcement learning. First, we pro-pose a generalization of an anytime algorithm called an adjustable algorithm that has hyperparameters that can be tuned at runtime. Next, we offer a meta-level control technique that monitors and controls an adjustable algorithm by using deep reinforcement learning. Finally, we demonstrate that an application of our approach to anytime weighted A* is effective on a range of common benchmark problems.
The Bus Touring Problem: Cluster — First, Route — Second Heuristic

The Bus Touring Problem (BTP) objective is to maximize the total attractiveness of the tour by selecting a subset of sites to be visited and scenic routes to be travelled – both having associated non-negative attractiveness values – given the geographical frame considerations, constraints on touring time, cost and/or total distance. Real-life large-scale BTPs can be modelled, but practically they are not solvable, being NP-complete. Thus effective heuristic methods have been developed, aimed at generating a fast near-optimal BTP solution. Unfortunately, there are specific cases in which these existing heuristics may either consume a considerable amount of time or produce poor results when solving large-sized touring problems. This paper presents a radically new approach to cope practically with real-life large-scale Bus Touring Problems: a new heuristic based on clustering first, then routing. The results of a real-life touring problem are presented.
Determinants of Competitive Advantage: A Case of Malaysian Bumiputera Contractors

In this paper, the authors attempt to discuss the competitive advantage among the contractors in Malaysia through the relationship between the variables; human resource management, finance, government assistance, suppliers, technology, and new market entrance with competitive advantage (product differentiation, cost leadership, and focus strategy). The paper further explored the profile of the contractors in the State of Terengganu, as well as examining the ability of each class of contractors in maintaining the competitive advantage. From the total population list, 349 samples were taken for the analysis. The population of the study was taken based on the sampling frame generated by Contractor Services Centre (PKK). The researchers used stratified sampling as a sampling technique in order to get the most efficient representation of the population. The questionnaire was personally distributed to the contractors with the assistance of enumerators. The instrument consists of five (5) sections measured by using Likert Scale. Based on the findings, it demonstrated that only five (5) out of six (6) independent variables (human resource management, finance, technology, suppliers, and new market entrance) had a significant relationship with competitive advantage. Moreover, the five (5) independent variables were able to explain 72.2% of the variance in the competitive advantage among contractors in Terengganu.
Global strong solutions and optimal L decay to the compressible FENE dumbbell model

In this paper, we are concerned with the global well-posedness and L decay rate for the strong solutions of the compressible finite extensible nonlinear elastic (FENE) dumbbell model. For d ≥ 2, we prove that the compressible FENE dumbbell model admits a unique global strong solution provided the initial data are close to equilibrium state. Moreover, by the Littlewood-Paley decomposition theory and the Fourier splitting method, we show optimal L decay rate of global strong solutions for d ≥ 3. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 35Q30, 76B03, 76D05, 76D99.
Statistical Analysis for Assessing the Built Environment Walkability of an Urban Area

In the past era, in the transport planning process walkability was at the least priority as it was considered as a minor mode of transport. Though, it has its importance towards social life, economy, empirical quality and health. Consequently, the focus of the researchers across the world is now on walkability analysis. Therefore, to assess the walkability of an urban transport network in India, 15 different locations (i.e. institutional, educational, commercial, terminals and residential) were selected from three different cities. In the present study, different statistical techniques (i.e. factor analysis stepwise regression method) were used to identify a suitable number of data set based on their correlation analysis. Thereafter, land use-based and combined models were developed with the help of a questionnaire survey. Finally, different clustering analysis technique was used to assess the walkability thresholds which will make the job easier for sidewalk planners (i.e. in walkability analysis).
SYNTHESIS OF AMINOMETHYL DERIVATIVES OF 2‐HYDROXY‐5‐TERT‐ALKYLTHIOPHENOLS AND THEIR CLEAVAGE BY THIOLS

Die Hydroxythiophenole (I) reagieren in wasriger Losung bei 20 -25°C mit Formaldehyd und Diathylamin (analog auch Dimethyl-, Dibutylamin, Piperidin, Morpholin) unter Bildung der Aminomethyl- Derivate (II).
Extraction and Purification of Phenolic Compounds from Lignocellulosic Biomass Assisted by Ionic Liquid, Polymeric Resins, and Supercritical CO2

A sustainable process of valorization of lignocellulosic biomass exploring the extraction and separation of high value phenolic compounds was developed. A scale-up pretreatment and fractionation process of biomass assisted by 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([emim][OAc]) ionic liquid (IL) was carried out at first. Thereafter, recovered IL formed a sample rich in phenolic compounds, which separation and purification was the main objective of the present work. The phenolic extraction from the recycled IL was studied employing adsorption methodology with specific polymeric resins. Amberlite XAD-7 and Silica C18 resins showed the highest extraction efficiency of phenolic compounds, while PVPP presented high selectivity toward tricin and a specific lignin fragment. Among the examined resins, Amberlite XAD-7 demonstrated the highest ratio of phenolic compounds extraction in comparison to IL. A residual quantity of IL was observed to remain in the extracted samples and this was overcome by applying supercrit.
Mathematical Modeling and Kinematic analysis of 3-RRR Planar Parallel Manipulator

Parallel mechanisms are found as positioning platforms in several robot manipulator applications tool manufacturing applications. Today, various types of these mechanisms are classified based on the structure, type of joints, and degree of freedom. An important and basic planar mechanism providing three degrees of freedom at the end-effector (movable platform) is a 3-RRR linkage. The forward kinematics in parallel mechanisms is a multi-solution problem and involves cumbersome calculations compared to inverse kinematics. With forward kinematics, the input kinematic parameters for any manipulator are known, and the end effector coordinate must be determined. The kinematic equations are generated with mechanics principles, and Jacobian matrices are formulated, With the Jacobian matrix, the regular workspace and dexterous workspace analysis calculated. The main objective is to fabricate a model of this planar manipulation mechanism with calculated dimensions and observe the practical workspace and dexterous workspace available at the end effector. The practical workspace and calculated workspace is presented in this paper. This final output data is useful for manipulator designers to design manipulators for different applications. In addition to this, the stress analysis is performed with Ansys software’s help to estimate the moving platform’s failure zone . permits unlimited use, distribution, and in any
Don’t worry, be gappy! On the unproblematic gappiness of alleged fallacies

The history of fallacy theory is long, distinguished and, admittedly, checkered. I offer a bird eye view on it, with the aim of contrasting the standard conception of fallacies as attractive and universal errors that are hard to eradicate (section 1) with the contemporary preoccupation with “non-fallacious fallacies”, that is, arguments that fit the bill of one of the traditional fallacies but are actually respectable enough to be used in appropriate contexts (section 2). Godden and Zenker have recently argued that reinterpreting alleged fallacies as non-fallacious arguments requires supplementing the textual material with something else, e.g., probability distributions, pragmatic considerations, dialogical context. Thus fallacies remain gappy on all accounts, and this is the hallmark of their failure. However, I argue that such gappiness is typically unproblematic, and thus no more flawed than enthymematic argumentation in general (section 3). This, in turn, calls into question the usefulness of the very notion of fallacy.
Dynamics of Fiber Fraction in Generative Stage of M10-BMR Sorghum Mutant Lines

Sorghum is a potential food crop as forage fodder because of high biomass production, and some lines have high nutritional content and palatabel. The research aimed to investigate the effect of different M10-brown midrib sorghum mutant lines (BMR) and generative phases on dynamics of fiber fraction content of leaves, stems and panicles. The research was conducted at SEAMEO-BIOTROP Bogor, Indonesia, using completely randomized factorial design (3x3) in 3 replicates, followed by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) if significant effect of the treatment is found. The first factor was BMR sorghum lines (Patir 3.1/non BMR as control, Patir 3.2 and Patir 3.7), and the second factor was the generative phases (flowering, soft dough and hard dough phases). -----------------------------------------------------------------------* Corresponding author.
Comparison of Isometric Endurance of Abdominal and Back Extensor Muscles in Manual and Sedentary Males in the Age Group of 20-40 Years

Background: Stabilization of trunk flexors and extensors are essential for normal lumbo-pelvic function. These muscles, known as “core muscles”, have a basic role in balance and coordination in sitting. The core is the lumbopelvic- hip complex which includes lumbar spine, pelvis, hips, and their respective musculature. Pattern of core activity changes in sitting and dysfunction of core muscles increased the risk of damage of the upper and lower extremities segments. Powerful core muscles support stabilizes the vertebra and pelvis, prevents balance disorder and decreases the rate of LBP which is one of the most prevalent occupational disorders. Endurance of trunk muscles depends on the life style and working condition of individuals. Imbalance in the trunk muscle endurance secondarily leads to back pain, which disables the person and reduces the functional capacity of individuals. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the difference in isometric endurance between abdominal and back extensor muscle in manual and sedentary workers and guide them about the importance of endurance training in preventing the back pain in the future. Materials and methods: This study includes 40 simple randomly sampled normal male subjects according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the age group of 20-40 years, recruited on voluntary basis and allotted to Group A (N=20, Manual workers) and Group B (N=20, Sedentary workers). Modified Kraus weber’s test for abdominal muscles and Modified Sorensen’s test for back extensor muscles were performed by both Group A and Group B in two successive trials for each test with a rest break of 3-5 minutes in between the trials and the best of trials in seconds is recorded with a stop watch and the data is analyzed using SPSS statistics software version 19. Results: The isometric abdominal muscles endurance is more in manual workers than the sedentary workers, at a significance level of p<0.005. The isometric endurance of back extensor muscles is more than isometric abdominal muscles in both the groups, at a significance level of p<0.005. The isometric back extensor muscles endurance is more in manual workers than in sedentary workers, at a significance level of p<0.005. Conclusion: The isometric abdominal muscles endurance is less in both the groups as compared to isometric back extensor muscles endurance. So, abdominal muscles should be concentrated during endurance training. The objective of any fitness regime, maintenance of good health and posture and treatment of back pain is identifying dangerous causes that require immediate attention and attempt to prevent chronic low back pain problems. The modified Sorensen’s and Kraus Weber’s test can be used to asses and train the trunk muscles endurance as they are simple, easy, reliable and replace the costly and time consuming machine methods for evaluating and training endurance.
Impact of advertisement on consumer buying behaviour in Telangana

In the modern era, the advertisement is supposed to use for creating awareness of the product, brand image and promoting products. But it is very controversial how much impact of advertisement on the consuming the products by the consumers, how much they are gained the satisfaction (utility) from the products and changing the behavior of the consumer. In this context, the paper main objective is to find out the effect of the advertisement on the consumer behavior towards products. For this purpose, the study is based on primary data and secondary data. By using 5 point Likert scale with cross sectional data, 150 questionnaires were distributed in three districts of Telangana (Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Warangal), as a sample, and received all 150 complete questionnaires from respondents after field survey. With the help of Kirkpatrick model that contain one dependent and five independent variables, a conceptual framework was developed. The data was analyzed by using different statistical techniques such as descriptive statistic, Correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Results of our study are robust because the evidence shows that advertisements have significant impact on consumers’ buying behavior in the purchasing of the different products and their choices.
Molecular Simulations Shed Light on Supersoft Elasticity in Polydomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCE)—polymer networks constructed with liquid crystal units—are functional materials characterized by a pronounced coupling between elastic strain and liquid crystalline orientational ordering. When prepared by polymerization and cross-linking in the isotropic phase, and then cooled (“isotropic genesis”), a polydomain LCE presents an extraordinary “supersoft” elastic behavior under unidirectional pulling, with a plateau-like low elastic modulus region in the stress–strain curve, before turning into a monodomain LCE where a standard elastic resistance is recovered. The physical mechanism of this behavior is of great interest, but still mysterious. This work investigates its origin, reproducing the experiment and succeeding to observe the plateau-like stress–strain behavior by means of large-scale molecular iso-stress Monte Carlo simulations. The results not only show that the basic molecular mechanism behind supersoft elasticity hinges on local domain rotation and growth but also.