Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Analysis of Hub Genes Associated With Competing Endogenous RNA Networks in Stroke Using Bioinformatics Analysis

Background: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis of AIS and closely participate in the mechanism of stroke onset. However, studies focusing on lncRNAs functioning as microRNA (miRNA) sponges to regulate the mRNA expression are rare and superficial. Methods: In this study, we systematically analyzed the expression profiles of lncRNA, mRNA (GSE58294), and miRNA (GSE110993) from the GEO database. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed to reveal the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and we used weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to investigate the relationships between clinical features and expression profiles and the co-expression of miRNA and lncRNA. Finally, we constructed a lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network with selected DEGs using bioinformatics methods and obtained ROC curves to assess the diagnostic efficacy of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) in our network. The GSE22255 dataset was used to confirm the diagnostic value of candidate genes. Results: In total, 199 DElncRNAs, 2068 DEmRNAs, and 96 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected. The GO analysis revealed that DEmRNAs primarily participate in neutrophil activation, neutrophil degranulation, vacuolar transport, and lysosomal transport. WGCNA screened out 16 lncRNAs and 195 mRNAs from DEGs, and only eight DElncRNAs maintained an area under the curve higher than 0.9. By investigating the relationships between lncRNAs and mRNAs, a ceRNA network containing three lncRNAs, three miRNAs, and seven mRNAs was constructed. GSE22255 confirmed that RP1-193H18.2 is more advantageous for diagnosing stroke, whereas no mRNA showed realistic diagnostic efficacy. Conclusion: The ceRNA network may broaden our understanding of AIS pathology, and the candidate lncRNA from the ceRNA network is assumed to be a promising therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker for AIS.
The Association of Dietary Intake with Arterial Stiffness and Vascular Ageing in a Population with Intermediate Cardiovascular Risk—A MARK Study

The aim of this study was to analyse the association of diet with arterial stiffness and vascular ageing in a Caucasian population with intermediate cardiovascular risk. We recruited 2475 individuals aged 35–75 years with intermediate cardiovascular risk. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured using a VaSera VS-1500® device. Vascular ageing was defined in two steps. Step 1: The 20 individuals who presented kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, or heart failure were classified as early vascular ageing (EVA). Step 2: The individuals with percentiles by age and sex above the 90th percentile of baPWV among the participants of this study were classified as EVA, and the rest of the individuals were classified as non-EVA. The diet of the participants was analysed with two questionnaires: (1) the diet quality index (DQI) questionnaire and (2) the Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence questionnaire. The mean age of the sample was 61.34 ± 7.70 years, and 61.60% were men. Adherence to the MD was 53.30%. The DQI was 54.90%. Of the entire sample, 10.70% (11.15% of the men and 9.95% of the women) were EVA. In the multiple linear regression analysis, for each additional point in the DQI questionnaire, there was a decrease of −0.081 (95%CI (confidence intervals) −0.105–−0.028) in baPWV; in the MD adherence questionnaire, there was a decrease of −0.052 (95%CI −0141–−0.008). When performing the analysis, separated by sex, the association remained significant in men but not in women. In the logistic regression analysis, there was an increase in MD adherence and a decrease in the probability of presenting EVA, both with the DQI questionnaire (OR (odds ratio) = 0.65; 95%CI 0.50–0.84) and with the MD adherence questionnaire (OR = 0.75; 95%CI 0.58–0.97). In the analysis by sex, the association was only maintained in men (with DQI, OR = 0.54; 95%CI 0.37–0.56) (with MD, OR = 0.72; 95%CI 0.52–0.99). The results of this study suggest that a greater score in the DQI and MD adherence questionnaires is associated with lower arterial stiffness and a lower probability of presenting EVA. In the analysis by sex, this association is only observed in men.
DNA Based Vaccine Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike-CD40L Fusion Protein Confers Protection Against Challenge in a Syrian Hamster Model

SARS-CoV-2 infections present a tremendous threat to public health. Safe and efficacious vaccines are the most effective means in preventing the infections. A variety of vaccines have demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety around the globe. Yet, development of alternative forms of vaccines remains beneficial, particularly those with simpler production processes, less stringent storage conditions, and the capability of being used in heterologous prime/boost regimens which have shown improved efficacy against many diseases. Here we reported a novel DNA vaccine comprised of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fused with CD40 ligand (CD40L) serving as both a targeting ligand and molecular adjuvant. A single intramuscular injection in Syrian hamsters induced significant neutralizing antibodies 3-weeks after vaccination, with a boost substantially improving immune responses. Moreover, the vaccine also reduced weight loss and suppressed viral replication in the lungs and nasal turbinates of challenged animals. Finally, the incorporation of CD40L into the DNA vaccine was shown to reduce lung pathology more effectively than the DNA vaccine devoid of CD40L. These results collectively indicate that this DNA vaccine candidate could be further explored because of its efficacy and known safety profile.
Kinetics and Performance of Biological Activated Carbon Reactor for Advanced Treatment of Textile Dye Wastewater

The kinetics and performance of a biological activated carbon (BAC) reactor were evaluated to validate the proposed kinetic model. The Freundlich adsorption capacity (Ka) and adsorption intensity constants (n) obtained from the batch experiments were 1.023 ± 0.134 (mg/g) (L/mg)1/n and 2.036 ± 0.785, respectively. The effective diffusivity (Ds) of the substrate within the activated carbon was determined by comparing the adsorption model value with the experimental data to find the best fit value (4.3 × 10–4 cm2/d). The batch tests revealed that the yield coefficient (Y) was 0.18 mg VSS/mg COD. Monod and Haldane kinetics were applied to fit the experimental data and determine the biokinetic constants, such as the maximum specific utilization rate (k), half-saturation constant (KS), inhibition constant (Ki), and biomass death rate coefficient (kd). The results revealed that the Haldane kinetics fit the experimental data better than the Monod kinetics. The values of k, KS, Ki, and kd were 3.52 mg COD/mg VSS-d, 71.7 mg COD/L, 81.63 mg COD/L, and 4.9 × 10−3 1/d, respectively. The BAC reactor had a high COD removal efficiency of 94.45% at a steady state. The average influent color was found to be 62 ± 22 ADMI color units, and the color removal efficiency was 73–100% (average 92.3 ± 10.2%). The removal efficiency for ammonium was 73.9 ± 24.4%, while the residual concentration of ammonium in the effluent was 1.91 ± 2.04 mg/L. The effluent quality from the BAC reactor could meet the discharge standard and satisfy the reuse requirements of textile dye wastewater.
Bi-Directional Isolated EV Charger with Reduced Switch Count and DC-link Capacitance

Conventional isolated EV battery charger comprises of AC-DC converter and dual-active bridge (DAB) with a bulky DC-link capacitor. The 12-switches used in conventional isolated EV battery charger, serve the purpose of maintaining input power quality and delivering controlled power to EV battery, where as the bulky DC-link capacitors buffer the pulsating power. In this work, a single-stage DAB (8-switches) is presented which achieves both UPF operation and delivers fixed amount of power to EV battery with reduced DC-link capacitance. In single stage DAB based EV charger, energy transfer occurs at both low and high frequencies which are explained in this paper using equivalent circuit model. With uni-polar modulation strategy for the both H-bridges, six different working cases arise depending on phase shift ratio and duty-cycle. Moreover, ZVS analysis of single stage DAB is discussed in detail and the performance of the converter in both charging and discharging mode are verified with MATLAB simulations.
Importance of anthropogenic winter roosts for endangered hibernating bats

Abstract. We aimed to assess the importance of anthropogenic roosts for bats hibernating in the Roztocze National Park (south-east Poland), based on data collected from 2009 to 2021. We recorded 310 bats from nine species hibernating in 27 artificial underground roosts (root cellars and basements of buildings). The most abundant and constantly recorded species were Plecotus auritus (60.2%), Barbastella barbastellus (20.6%) and Myotis nattereri (14.2%), while the remaining species can be considered of secondary importance; Plecotus austriacus (1.3%), Myotis myotis (1.9%), Myotis bechsteinii (1.3%), M. daubentonii (0.3%), Myotis mystacinus sensu lato (0.3%) and Eptesicus serotinus (1.3%). An estimate of the Shannon diversity index gave a mean H = 0.947 (SD = 0.247, range 0.377-1.352), while the Buzas and Gibson´s evenness index gave values of E = 0.695 (SD = 0.125, range 0.551-0.940). The Shannon index was positively correlated with the number of recorded bats and varied substantially among years.
New Validation of COVID-19's effects on Micro, small and Medium Enterprise and Its Survival

MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises) are the backbone of many economies worldwide, providing income and jobs to many people. The global and Sri Lankan economies have been seriously impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. MSMEs are the primary victims of the COVID-19 epidemic, which faces numerous obstacles that impede their growth and survival. The analysis aimed to see how COVID-19 afected MSMEs in Sri Lanka. The extent of impacts of the sector was measured using descriptive statistics and SWOT analysis techniques with a Likert scale. From July to September 2020, the study used a mixed method approach, with primary data collected from 200 randomly selected entrepreneurs through a well-designed organized questionnaire survey in the Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka. According to the fndings, 62 percent of entrepreneurs have extremely high job experience power, while 52 percent have extremely low technical adaptation strength during this pandemic era. In terms of weakness, 61 percent and 60 percent of respondents, respectively, revealed a high degree of weakness in their companies, such as a lack of technical skills and expertise. According to the opportunity survey, 87 percent and 86 percent of respondents, respectively, had exceptionally low opportunities in subsidy facilities and social media use. Furthermore, during COVID-19, 59 percent, 68 percent, and 34 percent of respondents experienced extremely high threats due to curfew, increased input prices, and marketing facilities, respectively. To resolve critical situations like the COVID-19 outbreak and improve MSMEs in the region, the study recommended that NGOs, local government bodies, and policymakers develop awareness and support for entrepreneurs through confdence building, planning of workshops, seminars, and exhibitions.
A Low-Profile Wideband Dual-Resonance Tri-Port MIMO Antenna

A low-profile wideband tri-polarized multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna is proposed in this communication. Based on characteristic mode analysis (CMA) of a circular patch, four slots are etched symmetrically on the patch to transform the high-order monopole-like modes into broadside modes with lower resonant frequencies. Four sets of shorting pins are also applied to simultaneously adjust the resonant frequencies of the monopole-like modes and broadside fundamental modes of the patch. The effects of the slots and the shorting pins on these modes are analyzed in detail. Three dual-resonance ports with high isolation are achieved by exciting three pairs of orthogonal modes of the patch. The proposed antenna is wideband with respect to its profile (bandwidth/height = 216), as facilitated by the dual-resonance property of each port. Experimental results show that the proposed antenna features high port isolation (>35 dB) and high gain (>5.58 dB). The proposed low-profile wideband tri-port antenna can be applied in highly integrated MIMO systems.
Inverse control optimization of voltage and temperature parameters of electric vehicle fuel cell based on genetic algorithm

Fuel cell vehicle generally includes two power sources with different characteristics, fuel cell and auxiliary battery, which belong to series hybrid drive structure. The whole vehicle control strategy of fuel cell vehicle includes energy distribution strategy, brake feedback strategy and shift control strategy. A multi-input single-output fuzzy controller based on GA (Genetic Algorithm) is designed to solve the inverse control optimization problem of voltage and temperature parameters of electric vehicle fuel cell. The initial weights and thresholds of the neural network are optimized by using the strong global searching ability of GA, and then the best weights and thresholds are obtained by using the fast local searching speed of BPNN(BP neural network) algorithm. The simulation results show that the inverse control method can quickly and accurately decouple the voltage and temperature in the fuel cell, and ensure the performance requirements of the electric vehicle for the fuel cell.
Double-Layer Fatty Acid Nanoparticles as a Multiplatform for Diagnostics and Therapy

Today, public health is one of the most important challenges in society. Cancer is the leading cause of death, so early diagnosis and localized treatments that minimize side effects are a priority. Magnetic nanoparticles have shown great potential as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents, detection tags for in vitro biosensing, and mediators of heating in magnetic hyperthermia. One of the critical characteristics of nanoparticles to adjust to the biomedical needs of each application is their polymeric coating. Fatty acid coatings are known to contribute to colloidal stability and good surface crystalline quality. While monolayer coatings make the particles hydrophobic, a fatty acid double-layer renders them hydrophilic, and therefore suitable for use in body fluids. In addition, they provide the particles with functional chemical groups that allow their bioconjugation. This work analyzes three types of self-assembled bilayer fatty acid coatings of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: oleic, lauric, and myristic acids. We characterize the particles magnetically and structurally and study their potential for resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, and labeling for biosensing in lateral flow immunoassays. We found that the myristic acid sample reported a large r2 relaxivity, superior to existing iron-based commercial agents. For magnetic hyperthermia, a significant specific absorption rate value was obtained for the oleic sample. Finally, the lauric acid sample showed promising results for nanolabeling.
Low Dose CT Noise Artifact Reduction Based on Multi-scale Weighted Convolutional Coding Network

Low dose computed tomography becomes increasingly important to alleviate X-ray radiation damage. However, low tube current or short exposure time scanning protocols often lead to degraded CT images with increased amplified spot noise and radial streak artifacts. In this paper, we aims to obtain high-quality images from LDCT image using a multi-scale weighted convolutional coding network (MW-CCN). Referenced by the iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithms (ISTA), we transformed the traditional convolutional sparse coding to its reweighted convolutional representation and learning update form. Further, to extract multi-scale image features we use a series of dilated convolution layers, which promote our model to capture the hierarchy features of different scales. To automatically correct the weights of the feature maps code, the channel attention mechanism is adopted. At last, our method combined the multi-scale image features extraction and weighted convolutional coding with a learning-based deep CNN. The whole network architecture yields better interpretation. Compared with the recent state-of-the-art methods, our network's processing effect is more significant in the experiments.
An Analysis of Lightweight Convolutional Neural Networks for Parking Space Occupancy Detection

Commercial parking space occupancy detection systems used to be mostly sensor-based. Very recently, we have seen great success in computer vision techniques which allow us to utilize the CCTV camera feed in real-time. In this paper, we review multiple existing convolutional neural network models of various sizes to analyze the benefits of using each model for parking space occupancy detection. We measure the accuracy, required floating point operations, and parameter counts of each model. We then compare model performance over different conditions such as camera perspectives, weather types, different parking lots, and lighting conditions. Based on our observations and experience, we introduce three novel architectures, two based on the DenseNet architecture - Mini DenseNet and Simple DenseNet, and CoarseNet - a multi-layer perceptron. We compare our proposed models to other models of various sizes. Performance results show that these three models have advantages over existing models in parameter counts, accuracy, and resilience to new camera perspectives.
Application of cohesive model to dynamic ductile fracture tests

The work deals with the development of a one-dimensional model based on a cohesive zone, able to study ductile fracture propagation in pipe steels. The essential work of fracture (wf) is used to characterise the model from an energetic point of view and the CTOA is assumed as fracture parameter during the fully ductile rupture. The model is implemented in PICPRO finite element program, which is based on an explicit integration scheme. Dynamic analysis of a SEN-B specimen, broken in a TPB impact test, is performed to show the consistency of the model. Simulation is carried out by applying the condition of steady fracture propagation with constant CTOA equal to the critical CTOAc determined from laboratory test. Results are shown in terms of the evolution of impact load, cinematic quantities and the geometric estimate of CTOA. It is demonstrated that the geometric definition of such parameter can be inadequate when the net ligament or the initial crack length are too short with respect to the width of the cohesive zone. This shortcoming does not appear if a wide plate simulation is performed. High computational efficiency is preserved together with mesh insensitivity; therefore, the model is of practical usefulness in the explicit FE analysis of huge structures, like line pipes employing coarse elements.
Non-opioid analgesics and post-operative pain following transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer

Abstract Objective To investigate associations between multimodal analgesia and post-operative pain among patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods Records of patients who underwent surgery from 5 September 2012 to 30 November 2016 were abstracted. Associations were assessed using multivariable analysis. Results A total of 216 patients (mean age of 59.1 years, 89.4 per cent male) underwent transoral robotic surgery (92.6 per cent were human papilloma virus positive, 87.5 per cent had stage T1–T2 tumours, and 82.9 per cent had stage N0–N1 nodes). Gabapentin (n = 86) was not associated with a reduction in severe pain. Ibuprofen (n = 72) was administered less often in patients with severe pain. Gabapentin was not associated with increased post-operative sedation (p = 0.624) and ibuprofen was not associated with increased bleeding (p = 0.221). Post-operative opioid usage was not associated with surgical duration, pharyngotomy, bilateral neck dissections, tumour stage, tumour size, subsite or gabapentin. Conclusion Scheduled low-dose gabapentin was not associated with improved pain control or increased respiratory depression. Ibuprofen was not associated with an increased risk of bleeding and may be under-utilised.
Enabling Volumetric Flow Measurement in the Indus Basin Irrigation Scheme: Perceptions and Conflict Reduction

Globally water use in agriculture is inefficient, with problems more pronounced in the global south. Pakistan's Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) is a noteworthy case, withdrawing over 95% of the surface water resource. The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) is a vast gravity irrigation system with next to no volumetric measurement and low, area‐based water charges; the lack of flow information makes accountability difficult and reduces the marginal cost of water use to zero for farmers. The path toward a functional agricultural water system with volumetric fees and the potential for intra and inter‐sectoral trading begins with measurement, but this is a challenge for the IBIS, where tampering with equipment as well as fouling by sediment‐laden water are major impediments. We present results from a pilot study that overcomes this challenge, develops a reliable measurement program for the IBIS, and illustrates how information alone (let alone its application to governance and trade) can make a difference in system behavior. Importantly, the method of ultrasonic depth measurement used in our system performs well under flow conditions present at or above the canal outlet level, emphasizing the importance of water user associations at the watercourse scale as actors in IBIS‐level water governance.
Influence of Green Recruitment and Selection on Sustainability of Selected Tea Factories in Kericho Highlands Region, Kenya

The focus of this study was to assess the influence of green recruitment and selection on the sustainability of selected tea factories in Kericho Highlands region, Kenya. The study was anchored on human capital theory. It adopted a correlational research design, with a targeted population of 915 respondents drawn from tea factories in the Kericho highlands region. A sample size of 278 respondents was determined scientifically using the Yamane taro formula. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The validity of the research was checked together with the supervisors and subject experts, while instrument reliability was determined through Cronbach's alpha coefficient, where a coefficient of 0.7987 was obtained. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis was used to analyse data. The findings established a significant positive relationship between green recruitment and selection and the sustainability of the tea factories. The study concluded that green recruitment and selection influenced the sustainability of the factories.