Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Approach to Predict Impact of Demand Acceptance on Air Taxi Operations AIAA 7th Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Forum

The notion of an on-demand air transportation service, or air taxi, is of much current interest. For an air taxi service to succeed, it must set the ticket price high enough to cover operating expenses and low enough to attract a significant number of passengers. Keeping operation costs low will be a crucial contributor to the potential success of an air taxi service. An on-demand air taxi may not have a pre-determined route structure; passengers may request to be picked up at an airport nearest their trip origin and flown to an airport nearest their final destination. If the air taxi service does not station aircraft at a passenger’s origin airport or if other customers do not request revenue service that ends at another passenger’s origin, then the air taxi must perform a non-revenue, repositioning flight to pick up the passenger. Meeting all requested passenger-demanded trips may be an important aspect of an air taxi’s business model to foster repeat customers; however, meeting all passengerdemanded trips may require a prohibitively expensive number of non-revenue, repositioning flights and large number of aircraft. Using Integer Programming assignment problems to determine trips that a notional air taxi service must fly, this paper evaluates the impact of accepting different percentages of passenger-demanded trips and number of owned aircraft on the potential profitability of the air taxi service.
Astaxanthin ameliorates damage to the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellar cortex caused by methotrexate

ABSTRACT We investigated the ameliorating effects of astaxanthin (AXA) on methotrexate (MTX) induced damage to the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellar cortex and blood. We used 24 female Wistar albino rats divided into three groups of eight as follows: sham/control group, single dose of saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) and 7 days orally; MTX group, single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX (i.p.); MTX + AXA group, single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX i.p.+ 100 mg/kg AXA orally for 7 days. For all groups we measured total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and blood. Histological sections of cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellar cortex were inspected microscopically. Caspase-3 (cas-3), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF), growth related oncogene (GRO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and myelin basic protein (MBP) were estimated immunohistochemically in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellar cortex. In the MTX group, TAS was decreased significantly in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and blood, while TOS was significantly increased. AXA significantly ameliorated oxidative stress parameters in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Histopathological examination revealed degeneration, edema and hyperemia in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellar cortex in the MTX group. AXA treatment ameliorated histopathological changes. MTX decreased MBP expression in cerebral cortex. Although MBP expression was decreased in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellar cortex stimulated with MTX, the expressions of cas-3, GCSF, GRO and iNOS were significantly increased. AXA ameliorated the expression of cas-3, GCSF, GRO, iNOS and MBP. AXA exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects on MTX induced toxicity in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellar cortex by increasing MBP expression, regulating inflammatory cytokine release and reducing oxidative stress.
The influence of disease activity on fatigue in patients with ulcerative colitis – a longitudinal study

Abstract Objective The relationship between the disease activity of ulcerative colitis and fatigue is unclear. We investigated how reaching deep remission versus remaining in active disease influenced the severity of fatigue. Materials and methods We included 149 consecutive patients in a longitudinal study. Patients were re-examined after 3 months of conventional treatment and dichotomized into A: Active disease or B: Deep remission. The Partial Mayo Score (PMS) was recorded in all patients. Fatigue was rated using the fatigue visual analog scale (fVAS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Short Form-36 Vitality Subscale (SF-36vs). A control group of 22 age and sex-matched healthy subjects were included as controls for patients reaching deep remission. Results After 3 months there were no significant differences in fVAS, FSS and SF-36vs scores in patients with active disease compared to patients reaching deep remission, when adjusting for baseline fatigue scores. Patients in remission based on MES-UC scores had no significant reduction in fatigue scores, whereas patients in remission based on PMS had all three fatigue scores reduced. However, patients reaching deep remission still had higher fVAS and lower SF-36vs scores compared to healthy control subjects. Conclusions After 3 months of conventional treatment there were no differences in fatigue severity in patients reaching deep remission compared with patients still having active disease. Fatigue was more pronounced in patients in deep remission than in healthy subjects, and was associated with subjective and not objective measures of disease activity. This indicates that other potent factors than inflammation influence fatigue in UC.
Factors influencing intent to receive COVID-19 vaccination among Black and White adults in the southeastern United States, October – December 2020

ABSTRACT Vaccination intent is foundational for effective COVID-19 vaccine campaigns. To understand factors and attitudes influencing COVID-19 vaccination intent in Black and White adults in the US south, we conducted a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey of 4512 adults enrolled in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), an ongoing study of racial and economic health disparities. Vaccination intent was measured as “If a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 became available to you, how likely are you to choose to get the COVID-19 vaccination? ” with options of “very unlikely,” “somewhat unlikely,” “neither unlikely nor likely,” “somewhat likely,” and “very likely. ” Reasons for intent, socio-demographic factors, preventive behaviors, and other factors were collected. 46% of participants had uncertain or low intent. Lower intent was associated with female gender, younger age, Black race, more spiritual/religious, lower perceived COVID-19 susceptibility, living in a greater deprivation area, lower reading ability, and lack of confidence in childhood vaccine safety or COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness or safety (p < .05 for all). Most factors were present in all racial/gender groups. Contextual influences, vaccine/vaccination specific issues, and personal/group influences were identified as reasons for low intent. Reasons for higher intent included preventing serious illness, life returning to normal, and recommendation of trusted messengers. Hesitancy was complex, suggesting tailored interventions may be required to address low intent.
Challenges and opportunities in network-based solutions for biological questions

Abstract Network biology is useful for modeling complex biological phenomena; it has attracted attention with the advent of novel graph-based machine learning methods. However, biological applications of network methods often suffer from inadequate follow-up. In this perspective, we discuss obstacles for contemporary network approaches—particularly focusing on challenges representing biological concepts, applying machine learning methods, and interpreting and validating computational findings about biology—in an effort to catalyze actionable biological discovery.
Complete Genome Sequencing of a Novel Gloeobacter Species from a Waterfall Cave in Mexico

Abstract Only two complete genomes of the cyanobacterial genus Gloeobacter from two very different regions of the world currently exist. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of a third member of the genus isolated from a waterfall cave in Mexico. Analysis of the average nucleotide identities (ANIs) between published Gloeobacter genomes revealed that the complete genome of this new member is only 92.7% similar to Gloeobacter violaceus and therefore we determined it to be a new species. We propose to name this new species Gloeobacter morelensis after the location in Mexico where it was isolated. The complete genome consists of one circular chromosome (4,921,229 bp), one linear plasmid (172,328 bp), and one circular plasmid (8,839 bp). Its genome is the largest of all completely sequenced genomes of Gloeobacter species. Pangenomic comparisons revealed that G. morelensis encodes 759 genes not shared with other Gloeobacter species. Despite being more closely related to G. violaceus, it features an extremely divergent psbA gene encoding an atypical D1 core subunit of Photosystem II previously only found within the genome of Gloeobacter kilaueensis. In addition, we detected evidence of concerted evolution of psbA genes encoding identical D1 in all three Gloeobacter genomes, a characteristic that seems widespread in cyanobacteria and may therefore be traced back to their last common ancestor.
Study of multilayer microstrip antennas with radiating elements of various geometry

A study of multilayer microstrip antennas fed by coaxial probe or microstrip line is presented. The method developed is applicable to structures with stacked or offset radiating elements of various shapes including rectangles, discs and triangles. Theoretical and experimental results of input impedance are given for the different structures. Radiation information is presented and the relative merits of different structures are discussed.
Comparison of random forest and multiple linear regression to model the mass balance of biosolids from a complex biosolids management area

The use of biosolids as a soil amendment provides an important alternative to disposal and can improve soil health; however, distribution for water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) in the United States can be challenging due to decreasing cropland, increased precipitation, variable plant operations, and financial constraints. Although statistical modeling is commonly used in the water sector, machine learning is still an emerging tool and can provide insights to optimize operations. Random forest (RF), a machine learning model, and multiple linear regression (MLR) were used in this study to model the mass balance of biosolids from a complex biosolids management area. The RF model outperformed (R2 = 0.89) the MLR model (R2 = 0.49) and showed that rainfall was a major factor impacting distribution. Storage for dried biosolids would help decouple drying operations from wet weather and increase distribution. This study demonstrated how machine learning can assist in decision‐making processes for long‐term planning at WRRFs.
Low-voltage highly-linear class AB current mirror with dynamic cascode biasing

A class AB CMOS current mirror with dynamic cascode biasing is presented. Measurement results show a wider input range and a linearity improvement of more than 23 dB with respect to the use of conventional biasing. The proposed current mirror, fabricated in a 0.5 μm CMOS technology, is able to operate with a supply voltage of 1.2 V and a quiescent power consumption of only 36 W.
Structural and Functional Analysis of SsaV Cytoplasmic Domain and Variable Linker States in the Context of the InvA-SsaV Chimeric Protein

Type III secretion system (T3SS) is a multicomponent nanomachine and a critical virulence factor for a wide range of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. It can deliver numbers of effectors into the host cell to facilitate the bacterial host infection. ABSTRACT The type III secretion (T3S) injectisome is a syringe-like protein-delivery nanomachine widely utilized by Gram-negative bacteria. It can deliver effector proteins directly from bacteria into eukaryotic host cells, which is crucial for the bacterial–host interaction. Intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium encodes two sets of T3S injectisomes from Salmonella pathogenicity islands 1 and 2 (SPI-1 and SPI-2), which are critical for its host invasion and intracellular survival, respectively. The inner membrane export gate protein, SctV (InvA in SPI-1 and SsaV in SPI-2), is the largest component of the injectisome and is essential for assembly and function of T3SS. Here, we report the 2.11 Å cryo-EM structure of the SsaV cytoplasmic domain (SsaVC) in the context of a full-length SctV chimera consisting of the transmembrane region of InvA, the linker of SsaV (SsaVL) and SsaVC. The structural analysis shows that SsaVC exists in a semi-open state and SsaVL exhibits two major orientations, implying a highly dynamic process of SsaV for the substrate selection and secretion in a full-length context. A biochemical assay indicates that SsaVL plays an essential role in maintaining the nonameric state of SsaV. This study offers near atomic-level insights into how SsaVC and SsaVL facilitate the assembly and function of SsaV and may lead to the development of potential anti-virulence therapeutics against T3SS-mediated bacterial infection. IMPORTANCE Type III secretion system (T3SS) is a multicomponent nanomachine and a critical virulence factor for a wide range of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. It can deliver numbers of effectors into the host cell to facilitate the bacterial host infection. Export gate protein SctV, as one of the engines of T3SS, is at the center of T3SS assembly and function. In this study, we show the high-resolution atomic structure of the cytosolic domain of SctV in the nonameric state with variable linker conformations. Our first observation of conformational changes of the linker region of SctV and the semi-open state of the cytosolic domain of SctV in the full-length context further support that the substrate selection and secretion process of SctV is highly dynamic. These findings have important implications for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting SctV to combat T3SS-mediated bacterial infection.
Aerobic exercise as a promising nonpharmacological therapy for the treatment of substance use disorders

Despite the prevalence and public health impact of substance use disorders (SUDs), effective long‐term treatments remain elusive. Aerobic exercise is a promising, nonpharmacological treatment currently under investigation as a strategy for preventing drug relapse. Aerobic exercise could be incorporated into the comprehensive treatment regimens for people with substance abuse disorders. Preclinical studies of SUD with animal models have shown that aerobic exercise diminishes drug‐seeking behavior, which leads to relapse, in both male and female rats. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the effects of substance abuse‐induced cellular and physiological adaptations believed to be responsible for drug‐seeking behavior. Accordingly, the overall goal of this review is to provide a summary and an assessment of findings to date, highlighting evidence of the molecular and neurological effects of exercise on adaptations associated with SUD.
Three-section sampled-grating DBR lasers: modelling and measurements

The authors consider tunable semiconductor lasers with a tuning range of 29.4 nm suitable for a range of applications including wavelength-division multiplexing and wavelength routing. The structure considered has three-sections for gain, phase adjustment and grating feedback, respectively, and has a new and novel mode of operation. The grating is sampled periodically to give multiple peaks in the reflectivity spectrum; although this causes mode hops to occur, it allows a wider tuning range than a continuous grating. Time-domain modelling has been employed to analyse large signal dynamic behaviour of the lasers, and good agreement with observed behaviour is obtained. The complex structure of the devices makes this model slow, and static tuning characteristics identical to those from the time-domain model have been obtained more rapidly using transfer matrix calculations. Devices have shown 14.7 nm of tuning with complete coverage and 29.4 nm of tuning with partial coverage with at least 30 dB side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR).
Effect of steps and gaps on aerothermodynamics for the IXV hypersonic vehicle

The general aerothermodynamics environment of hypersonic vehicles is usually performed considering a smooth simplified geometry. However, in the case of the intermediate experimental vehicle (IXV), the thermal protection system includes a mono-block ceramic matrix composite nose and an assembly of shingles between which steps and gaps are generated. From an aerothermodynamic point of view, such a distributed roughness layout cannot be ignored in terms of modification of the interaction between the flow and the body and possible induced transition along the windward side. To assess these effects, dedicated wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations have been performed. This paper presents the general logic of the work, with emphasis on the wind tunnel model design, tests involving infrared thermal measurements as well as the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) rebuilding of the flow in the wind tunnel and the extrapolation from ground to flight.
A Nucleic Acid-Based Orthopoxvirus Vaccine Targeting the Vaccinia Virus L1, A27, B5, and A33 Proteins Protects Rabbits against Lethal Rabbitpox Virus Aerosol Challenge

The eradication of smallpox and subsequent cessation of vaccination have left a majority of the population susceptible to variola virus or other emerging poxviruses. This is exemplified by human monkeypox, as evidenced by the increase in reported endemic and imported cases over the past decades. ABSTRACT In the age of COVID, nucleic acid vaccines have garnered much attention, at least in part, because of the simplicity of construction, production, and flexibility to adjust and adapt to an evolving outbreak. Orthopoxviruses remain a threat on multiple fronts, especially as emerging zoonoses. In response, we developed a DNA vaccine, termed 4pox, that protected nonhuman primates against monkeypox virus (MPXV)-induced severe disease. Here, we examined the protective efficacy of the 4pox DNA vaccine delivered by intramuscular (i.m.) electroporation (EP) in rabbits challenged with aerosolized rabbitpox virus (RPXV), a model that recapitulates the respiratory route of exposure and low dose associated with natural smallpox exposure in humans. We found that 4pox-vaccinated rabbits developed immunogen-specific antibodies, including neutralizing antibodies, and did not develop any clinical disease, indicating protection against aerosolized RPXV. In contrast, unvaccinated animals developed significant signs of disease, including lesions, and were euthanized. These findings demonstrate that an unformulated, nonadjuvanted DNA vaccine delivered i.m. can protect against an aerosol exposure. IMPORTANCE The eradication of smallpox and subsequent cessation of vaccination have left a majority of the population susceptible to variola virus or other emerging poxviruses. This is exemplified by human monkeypox, as evidenced by the increase in reported endemic and imported cases over the past decades. Therefore, a malleable vaccine technology that can be mass produced and does not require complex conditions for distribution and storage is sought. Herein, we show that a DNA vaccine, in the absence of a specialized formulation or adjuvant, can protect against a lethal aerosol insult of rabbitpox virus.
HiC1Dmetrics: framework to extract various one-dimensional features from chromosome structure data

Abstract Eukaryotic genomes are organized in a three-dimensional spatial structure. In this regard, the development of chromosome conformation capture methods has enabled studies of chromosome organization on a genomic scale. Hi-C, the high-throughput chromosome conformation capture method, can reveal a population-averaged, hierarchical chromatin structure. The typical Hi-C analysis uses a two-dimensional (2D) contact matrix that indicates contact frequencies between all possible genomic position pairs. Oftentimes, however, such a 2D matrix is not amenable to handling quantitative comparisons, visualizations and integrations across multiple datasets. Although several one-dimensional (1D) metrics have been proposed to depict structural information in Hi-C data, their effectiveness is still underappreciated. Here, we first review the currently available 1D metrics for individual Hi-C samples or two-sample comparisons and then discuss their validity and suitable analysis scenarios. We also propose several new 1D metrics to identify additional unique features of chromosome structures. We highlight that the 1D metrics are reproducible and robust for comparing and visualizing multiple Hi-C samples. Moreover, we show that 1D metrics can be easily combined with epigenome tracks to annotate chromatin states in greater details. We develop a new framework, called HiC1Dmetrics, to summarize all 1D metrics discussed in this study. HiC1Dmetrics is open-source (github.com/wangjk321/HiC1Dmetrics) and can be accessed from both command-line and web-based interfaces. Our tool constitutes a useful resource for the community of chromosome-organization researchers.
Prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of hypoxic hepatitis in critically ill patients

Abstract Background Hypoxic hepatitis (HH) is an important clinical entity in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aims of the study were to assess the etiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of HH in the ICU of a tertiary hospital. Secondary aim was to analyze the effects of concomitant ischemia in other organs than the liver. Methods All patients with HH, 2011–2018, in a university hospital ICU were included. Data were collected on etiology, relevant clinical data and outcome. HH was defined by an increase in aminotransferases ≥10 times the upper limit of normal within 48 h from a clinical event of cardiac, circulatory or respiratory failure. Other causes of liver cell necrosis were excluded. Results Of 9,931 patients hospitalized in the ICU, 159 (1.6%) fulfilled criteria for HH. In-hospital mortality occurred in 85 (53%) and 60 (38%) survived one year. Median ICU stay was five days (interquartile range (IQR) 3–10) and median hospital stay 16 days (IQR 7–32). Shock (48%), cardiac arrest (25%) and hypoxia (13%) were the most common causes of HH. Acute kidney injury (81%), rhabdomyolysis (50%), intestinal ischemia (6%) and ischemic pancreatitis (3%) occurred concomitantly. Age (odds ratio (OR) 1.05 (95% CI 1.02–1.09)), serum lactate (OR 2.61 (95% CI 1.23–5.50)) and lactate dehydrogenase (OR 1.14 (95% CI 1.02–1.27)) were predictors of mortality. Conclusions Hypoxic hepatitis was related to shock in approximately 50% of cases and associated with high in-hospital mortality. HH was commonly associated with ischemia in other organs. In-hospital mortality was associated with age, lactate and LD.