Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maximizing the Benefits of Participatory Design for Human–Robot Interaction Research With Older Adults

Objective We reviewed human–robot interaction (HRI) participatory design (PD) research with older adults. The goal was to identify methods used, determine their value for design of robots with older adults, and provide guidance for best practices. Background Assistive robots may promote aging-in-place and quality of life for older adults. However, the robots must be designed to meet older adults’ specific needs and preferences. PD and other user-centered methods may be used to engage older adults in the robot development process to accommodate their needs and preferences and to assure usability of emergent assistive robots. Method This targeted review of HRI PD studies with older adults draws on a detailed review of 26 articles. Our assessment focused on the HRI methods and their utility for use with older adults who have a range of needs and capabilities. Results Our review highlighted the importance of using mixed methods and including multiple stakeholders throughout the design process. These approaches can encourage mutual learning (to improve design by developers and to increase acceptance by users). We identified key phases used in HRI PD workshops (e.g., initial interview phase, series of focus groups phase, and presentation phase). These approaches can provide inspiration for future efforts. Conclusion HRI PD strategies can support designers in developing assistive robots that meet older adults’ needs, capabilities, and preferences to promote acceptance. More HRI research is needed to understand potential implications for aging-in-place. PD methods provide a promising approach.
OneFlow: One-Class Flow for Anomaly Detection Based on a Minimal Volume Region

We propose OneFlow – a flow-based one-class classifier for anomaly (outlier) detection that finds a minimal volume bounding region. Contrary to density-based methods, OneFlow is constructed in such a way that its result typically does not depend on the structure of outliers. This is caused by the fact that during training the gradient of the cost function is propagated only over the points located near to the decision boundary (behavior similar to the support vectors in SVM). The combination of flow models and a Bernstein quantile estimator allows OneFlow to find a parametric form of bounding region, which can be useful in various applications including describing shapes from 3D point clouds. Experiments show that the proposed model outperforms related methods on real-world anomaly detection problems.
Real-time MLton: A Standard ML runtime for real-time functional programs

Abstract There is a growing interest in leveraging functional programming languages in real-time and embedded contexts. Functional languages are appealing as many are strictly typed, amenable to formal methods, have limited mutation, and have simple but powerful concurrency control mechanisms. Although there have been many recent proposals for specialized domain-specific languages for embedded and real-time systems, there has been relatively little progress on adapting more general purpose functional languages for programming embedded and real-time systems. In this paper, we present our current work on leveraging Standard ML (SML) in the embedded and real-time domains. Specifically, we detail our experiences in modifying MLton, a whole-program optimizing compiler for SML, for use in such contexts. We focus primarily on the language runtime, reworking the threading subsystem, object model, and garbage collector. We provide preliminary results over a radar-based aircraft collision detector ported to SML.
Small IncQ1 Plasmid Encoding KPC-2 Expands to Invasive Nontyphoidal Salmonella

The pandemic status of KPC-type carbapenemases has been linked especially to IncF, IncN, IncX, IncA/C, IncP, IncL/M, and IncR plasmids associated with the mobile element Tn4401, which have rapidly disseminated among international clones of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella complex (1, 2). ….
Structural, spectroscopic, in silico, in vitro and DNA binding evaluations of tyrosyl-lysyl-threonine

Abstract The main objective of the present study is to investigate the molecular structure and DNA binding interaction of the tyrosyl-lysyl-threonine (YKT) tripeptide, which has anticancer, antioxidant and analgesic properties, using various in silico (MD, QM, molecular docking), spectroscopic (UV, FT-IR, FTIR-ATR, Raman, gel electrophoresis) and in vitro (MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines and BEAS-2B cell line) methods. The optimized geometry, vibrational wavenumbers, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), natural bond orbital (NBO) and HOMO-LUMO (highest occupied molecular orbital- lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) calculations were carried out with Density Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) basis set to indicate conformational, vibrational and intramolecular charge transfer characteristics. The assignment of all fundamental theoretical vibration wavenumbers was performed using potential energy distribution analysis (PED). DNA is a significant pharmacological target of drugs in several diseases such as cancer. For this reason, molecular docking calculation was used to elucidate the binding and interaction between YKT tripeptide and DNA at the atomic level. Also, the dynamic behaviors of YKT and DNA was examined using MD simulations. Besides, the interaction of YKT with DNA was experimentally examined by UV titration method and agarose gel electrophoresis method. Experimental results showed that YKT was intercalatively and electrostatically bound to CT-DNA (Calf thymus DNA) and cleavage pBR322 DNA in the presence of H2O2. The pharmacokinetic profile of YKT was also obtained. Cytotoxic effect of YKT was evaluated on MCF-7, HeLa and BEAS-2B cell lines. Hence, these studies about YKT tripeptide may pave the way for the development of various cancer drugs. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma Graphical Abstract
Using Chlorophyll Fluorescence to Determine the Fate of Photons Absorbed by Phytoplankton in the World's Oceans.

Approximately 45% of the photosynthetically fixed carbon on Earth occurs in the oceans in phytoplankton, which account for less than 1% of the world's photosynthetic biomass. This amazing empirical observation implies a very high photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency, but how efficiently is the solar energy actually used? The photon energy budget of photosynthesis can be divided into three terms: the quantum yields of photochemistry, fluorescence, and heat. Measuring two of these three processes closes the energy budget. The development of ultrasensitive, seagoing chlorophyll variable fluorescence and picosecond fluorescence lifetime instruments has allowed independent closure on the first two terms. With this closure, we can understand how phytoplankton respond to nutrient supplies on timescales of hours to months and, over longer timescales, to changes in climate. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Marine Science, Volume 14 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
Applying and testing a novel method to estimate animal density from motion‐triggered cameras

Estimating animal abundance and density are fundamental goals of many wildlife monitoring programs. Camera trapping has become an increasingly popular tool to achieve these monitoring goals due to recent advances in modeling approaches and the capacity to simultaneously collect data on multiple species. However, estimating the density of unmarked populations continues to be problematic due to the difficulty in implementing complex modeling approaches, low precision of estimates, and absence of rigor in testing of model assumptions and their influence on results. Here, we describe a novel approach that uses still image camera traps to estimate animal density without the need for individual identification, based on the Time spent In Front of the Camera (TIFC). Using results from a large-scale multi-species monitoring program with nearly 3,000 cameras deployed over six years in Alberta, Canada, we provide a reproducible methodology to estimate parameters and we test key assumptions of the TIFC model. We compare moose (Alces alces) density estimates from aerial surveys and TIFC, including incorporating correction factors for known TIFC assumption violations. The resulting corrected TIFC density estimates are comparable to aerial density estimates. We discuss the limitations of the TIFC method and areas needing further investigation, including the need for long-term monitoring of assumption violations and the number of cameras necessary to provide precise estimates. Despite the challenges of assumption violations and high measurement error, cameras and the TIFC method can provide useful alternative or complementary animal density estimates for multi-species monitoring when compared to traditional monitoring methods.
A Systematic Review of Black American Same-Sex Couples Research: Laying the Groundwork for Culturally-Specific Research and Interventions

ABSTRACT This article presents the findings of a systematic review of the empirical literature related to Black American same-sex couples (BASCs). We found 16 articles that met inclusion criteria. Most articles were published in journals that focused on interdisciplinary studies, HIV/AIDS, and couples and families’ studies. Approximately 63% of the articles reported external funding support. However, only one of these grants was awarded to a Black investigator. Articles predominately focused on BASCs composed of Black sexual minority men residing in major U.S. cities. Only 25% of the articles focused on couples where both partners were Black. Most studies were cross-sectional, used convenience samples, and were reported without mention of a theoretical framework that explicated the philosophical assumptions that guided the research. The articles focused on a range of topics such as resilience, relationship dynamics, couple-level social support, rituals with extended families, and partner-health associations. The implications of these findings for advancing culturally-specific behavioral and social science health research and interventions with BASCs are presented.
Suppression of Cone-Beam Artefacts with Direct Iterative Reconstruction Computed Tomography Trajectories (DIRECTT)

The reconstruction of cone-beam computed tomography data using filtered back-projection algorithms unavoidably results in severe artefacts. We describe how the Direct Iterative Reconstruction of Computed Tomography Trajectories (DIRECTT) algorithm can be combined with a model of the artefacts for the reconstruction of such data. The implementation of DIRECTT results in reconstructed volumes of superior quality compared to the conventional algorithms.
Conformational Dynamics in the Endonuclease Domain of Colicin E

The endonuclease domain of colicin E9 binds Zn2+ in a multi-step process with a substantial increase in stability that has been suggested to result partly from changes in the dynamic properties of the protein as detected by tryptophan fluorescence. We have used NMR and molecular dynamics to investigate the effect of zinc binding on the structure and dynamics of the backbone of the colicin E9 DNase through 15N chemical shift and relaxation parameter analyses. Significant differences in the experimental chemical shifts between the metal-free and Zn2+-containing forms were limited to the region of the metal binding site, with the largest difference of 12.7 ppm seen for Val 98. Analysis of the relaxation data was carried out using the Lipari-Szabo model-free formalism. The effective rotational correlation time of 10.8 ns for the Zn2+ bound E9 DNase is similar to that of the metal-free form, 11.0 ns. The local dynamics of both the metal-free and Zn2+ bound E9 DNase, were indicative of a rigid protein. Average order parameters for the metalfree and Zn2+ bound E9 DNase are uniformly high, averaging in excess of 0.9 for all the helices and for the E9 DNase as a whole. No significant differences were seen in S2 values for residues at the metal binding site. No significant differences could be seen in the Cα backbone rmsd fluctuations between the metal bound and metal free structures and no evidence for increased deviations between calculated and experimental order parameters. We conclude that the binding of zinc only leads to changes in the protein around the binding site and that the conformation and dynamics of the rest of the E9 DNase are little affected by the presence of zinc. The dramatic effect of zinc on the stability of the protein can be understood in terms of the enthalpy changes associated with metal binding.
Nasal alum-adjuvanted vaccine promotes IL-33 release from alveolar epithelial cells that elicits IgA production via type 2 immune responses

Aluminum hydroxide salts (alum) have been added to inactivated vaccines as safe and effective adjuvants to increase the effectiveness of vaccination. However, the exact cell types and immunological factors that initiate mucosal immune responses to alum adjuvants are unclear. In this study, the mechanism of action of alum adjuvant in nasal vaccination was investigated. Alum has been shown to act as a powerful and unique adjuvant when added to a nasal influenza split vaccine in mice. Alum is cytotoxic in the alveoli and stimulates the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, such as dsDNA, interleukin (IL)-1α, and IL-33. We found that Ag-specific IgA antibody (Ab) production was markedly reduced in IL-33-deficient mice. However, no decrease was observed in Ag-specific IgA Ab production with DNase I treatment, and no decrease was observed in IL-1α/β or IL-6 production in IL-33-deficient mice. From the experimental results of primary cultured cells and immunofluorescence staining, although IL-1α was secreted by alveolar macrophage necroptosis, IL-33 release was observed in alveolar epithelial cell necroptosis but not in alveolar macrophages. Alum- or IL-33-dependent Ag uptake enhancement and elevation of OX40L expression were not observed. By stimulating the release of IL-33, alum induced Th2 immunity via IL-5 and IL-13 production in group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and increased MHC class II expression in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the lung. Our results suggest that IL-33 secretion by epithelial cell necroptosis initiates APC- and ILC2-mediated T cell activation, which is important for the enhancement of Ag-specific IgA Ab production by alum.
Bioethanol production from rice hull and evaluation of the final solid residue

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to produce bioethanol from rice hulls and to evaluate the recovery and potential use of the residue resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis step before fermentation. Acid pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis were studied for saccharification of polysaccharides. Fermentation was conducted for up to 24 h with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. After process optimization, it was possible to produce >7.0 mg mL−1 of ethanol after only 2 h of reaction. Characterization of the solid residues from the hydrolyzed rice husk and the in natura rice husk showed that these solids have different characteristics and present different adsorption potentials because the residue has higher silica content. The product has potential use in industrial or laboratorial adsorption processes. The results from this study offer support for the potential use of rice husks for bioethanol generation and use the solid residue from hydrolysis for adsorption.
Whole-transcriptome analysis of rat cavernosum and identification of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks to investigate nerve injury erectile dysfunction pathogenesis

ABSTRACT There is growing evidence that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a vital role in many kinds of diseases, including erectile dysfunction (ED). Nevertheless, the role of circRNAs in cavernous nerve-damaging ED (CNI-ED) is unknown. Here, we aimed to discover novel circRNAs, probed their potential role in the CNI-ED, and construct a ceRNA network of circRNAs. Twelve male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups by us: bilateral cavernous nerve crush (BCNC) and control groups. Four weeks after surgery, the spongy smooth muscle tissue of the rat penis was sequenced using high-throughput full transcriptome sequencing. We analyzed the expression of circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in the two groups. Twenty circRNAs with significantly different expressions were selected for RT-qPCR. CeRNA network of circRNAs was established using Cytoscape. GO and KEGG analysis was done by R package. Sequencing showed that 4,587 circRNAs, 762 miRNAs, and 21,661 mRNAs were dysregulated in the BCNC group. The top 20 differentially expressed circRNAs were further verified via RT-qPCR. The ceRNA network contained ten circRNAs, six miRNAs, and 227 mRNAs, including 23 circRNA-miRNA pairs and 227 miRNA-mRNA pairs. GO and KEGG analysis suggested that these ten circRNAs could main regulate energy metabolism processes. A protein‐protein interaction network was constructed with the mRNAs in ceRNA network, and five hub genes were identified. Our study revealed a potential link between circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in CNI-ED, suggesting that circRNAs may contribute to the occurrence of ED by regulating the cellular energy metabolism in CNI-ED.
Seasonal and Temporal Patterns of Homicides and Suicides in Cali and Manizales, Colombia: A Times-Series Analysis 2008–2015

Abstract Objective To identify seasonal and temporal variations in daily incidence of homicides and suicides in Cali and Manizales, Colombia during 2008–2015. Materials and methods An ecological time series study was performed using negative binomial regression models for daily incidence of homicides and suicides; analyses were controlled for yearly trends and temporal autocorrelations. Results Saturdays, Sundays, December holidays as well as New Year and New Year’s Eve were associated with an increased risk of homicides in both cities. Suicide risk increased during December holidays and New Year in both cities. In addition, the suicide risk increased on paydays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays in Cali, and it decreased during the Holy Week holidays in Manizales. December patterns of suicides and homicides are the opposite in each city, and between cities. Conclusions The incidences of homicides and suicides are not homogeneous over time. These patterns can be explained partially by alcohol consumption and changes in people’s routine activities which may modify exposure to violent circumstances.
Study on Orthogonal Fuzzy Rough Set Model

According to orthogonal fuzzy information classification and knowledge discovery problem, an orthogonal fuzzy rough set model based on orthogonal fuzzy knowledge was proposed by studying the equivalence relation of orthogonal fuzzy sets. On this basis, the structure and mathematical characteristics of the model are deeply studied and some useful conclusions were obtained. Finally, rough entropy is used to measure its uncertainty, and the practicality of the model is verified through examples.
Incorporating Biocultural Approaches in Forest Management: Insights from a Case Study of Indigenous Plant Stewardship in Maine, USA and New Brunswick, Canada

Abstract Biocultural approaches promote consideration of diverse values and cultural practices into resource management. However, cultural inclusion in North American forest management is limited. Drawing on a case study of Wolastoqiyik and Mi’kmaq communities in Maine, USA and New Brunswick, Canada, we examine the practice of plant gathering, including associated values and cultural norms. Through interviews and participant observation, we find that gatherers value and care for plants and habitats that are not priorities for forest managers. Gatherers do not describe their actions in terms of management, with its connotations of dominance and control. Rather, they are guided by community-driven values and responsibilities. Our analysis suggests that their plant gathering activities align with a stewardship paradigm, which may be one useful way to characterize, legitimize and communicate approaches to caring for forests. We offer five suggestions for managers wishing to use biocultural approaches.
Training and Practice of Instructional Librarians: Cross-Population and Longitudinal Perspectives

ABSTRACT This study examines the perspectives of instructional librarians, academic library administrators, and library school educators regarding the training and practice of instructional librarians. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with n = 37 participants from the three populations within the US and Canada. Inter-group responses were compared to explore similarities and differences between the groups. Responses were also compared to those from a similar study conducted in 1993. Findings indicate that training and practice related to instructional librarianship have changed over time. Compared to observations from 1993, librarians, administrators, and educators today observe that the demand for instruction has increased in the academic library workplace, fewer librarians enter the workplace with previous teaching experience, and library schools do a better job at providing instructional training than before. However, all respondent groups today placed increased responsibility on library schools to provided instructional training. Participants from all three populations today believe that library schools should continue to train students in instructional skills, although alternative modes of training were also recommended.
Competitive Interaction between Two Ant Species Facilitates Egg Hatching in Yellow-Spotted Amazon River Turtles (Podocnemis unifilis)

Abstract. Competition and facilitation are opposite sides of the species-interaction continuum. However, competitive interactions between species could result in facilitation for a third species. We evaluated the patterns of infestation and competitive exclusion between crazy-ants (Nylanderia sp.1) and fire-ants (Solenopsis geminata) and their effect on yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle (Podocnemis unifilis) nests in central Amazonia. We found that Nylanderia sp.1 colonizes P. unifilis nests at the start of their incubation period, whereas S. geminata was more abundant in nests during the final third of the incubation period. After colonization, the ant colonies remained in the nest through the breeding season. We did not observe differences in hatching success between nests with or without Nylanderia sp.1; however, in all nests colonized by S. geminata the entire P. unifilis clutch was lost. Our results suggest that during the incubation period, P. unifilis clutches benefit from Nylanderia sp.1 colonization, which prevents nest colonization by S. geminata. During the most defenseless stage in the life history of turtles, indirect facilitation by Nylanderia sp.1 appears to support the coexistence between prey, P. unifilis clutches, and their main predator, S. geminata, during the incubation period.