Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lipid Specific Membrane Interaction of Aptamers and Cytotoxicity

We aim to discover diagnostic tools to detect phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization on apoptotic cell surface using PS binding aptamers, AAAGAC and TAAAGA, and hence to understand chemotherapy drug efficacy when inducing apoptosis into cancer cells. The entropic fragment-based approach designed aptamers have been investigated to inspect three aspects: lipid specificity in aptamers’ membrane binding and bilayer physical properties-induced regulation of binding mechanisms, the apoptosis-induced cancer cell surface binding of aptamers, and the aptamer-induced cytotoxicity. The liposome binding assays show preferred membrane binding of aptamers due to presence of PS in predominantly phosphatidylcholine-contained liposomes. Two membrane stiffness reducing amphiphiles triton X-100 and capsaicin were found to enhance membrane’s aptamer adsorption suggesting that bilayer physical properties influence membrane’s adsorption of drugs. Microscopic images of fluorescence-tagged aptamer treated LoVo cells show strong fluorescence intensity only if apoptosis is induced. Aptamers find enhanced PS molecules to bind with on the surface of apoptotic over nonapoptotic cells. In cytotoxicity experiments, TAAAGA (over poor PS binding aptamer CAGAAAAAAAC) was found cytotoxic towards RBL cells due to perhaps binding with nonapoptotic externalized PS randomly and thus slowly breaching plasma membrane integrity. In these three experimental investigations, we found aptamers to act on membranes at comparable concentrations and specifically with PS binding manner. Earlier, we reported the origins of actions through molecular mechanism studies—aptamers interact with lipids using mainly charge-based interactions. Lipids and aptamers hold distinguishable charge properties, and hence, lipid–aptamer association follows distinguishable energetics due to electrostatic and van der Waals interactions. We discover that our PS binding aptamers, due to lipid-specific interactions, appear as diagnostic tools capable of detecting drug-induced apoptosis in cancer cells.
The Frequency Response of a Cavitating Hydrofoil

The frequency response of a hydrofoil such as the rudder and propeller is important for ship equipment design. In the present study the cavitation reaction on a hydrofoil vibrating in a viscous fluid is constructed by superposition of a potential flow solution. An analytic expression for the fluid pressure as a function of cavitation number, ship velocity, and the incidence angle is considered in solid-fluid interaction when solving the equation of motion of the hydrofoil. The first three natural frequencies of the hydrofoil are calculated as a function of the incidence angle, the aspect ratio, the cavitation index, and the free stream velocity. The results show by the increase of the incidence angle and the aspect ratio, and the decrease of the cavitation index, and the free stream velocity, the natural frequencies increased.
Multi-core to 7 single-core-fibers fan-out device with multi-core fiber pigtail connector

Multi-core to 7 single-core-fibers fan-out device with multi-core fiber pigtail connector is demonstrated to apply various types of multi-core fiber based sensor. Fused taper type fan-out device and SC type multi-core fiber connector are separately fabricated on each process. The fan-out device and the pigtail multi-core fiber are spliced each other by a specialty fiber fusion splicer. Comparatively low average insertion loss of 0.95 dB and sufficiently low reflectivity of less than -60 dB are achieved.
Dry EEG measurement of P3 to evaluate cognitive load during sitting, standing, and walking

Combining brain imaging with dual-task paradigms provides a quantitative, direct metric of cognitive load that is agnostic to the motor task. This work aimed to quantitatively assess cognitive load during activities of daily living–sitting, standing, and walking–using a commercial dry encephalography headset. We recorded participants’ brain activity while engaging in a stimulus paradigm that elicited event-related potentials. The stimulus paradigm consisted of an auditory oddball task in which participants had to report the number of oddball tones that were heard during each motor task. We extracted the P3 event-related potential, which is inversely proportional to cognitive load, from EEG signals in each condition. Our main findings showed that P3 was significantly lower during walking compared to sitting (p = .039), suggesting that cognitive load was higher during walking compared to the other activities. There were no significant differences in P3 between sitting and standing. Head motion did not have a significant impact on the measurement of cognitive load. This work validates the use of a commercial dry-EEG headset for measuring cognitive load across different motor tasks. The ability to accurately measure cognitive load in dynamic activities opens new avenues for exploring cognitive-motor interactions in individuals with and without motor impairments. This work highlights the potential of dry EEG for measuring cognitive load in naturalistic settings.
Gallium-Indium-Tin Eutectic as a Self-Healing Room-Temperature Liquid Metal Anode for High-Capacity Lithium-Ion Batteries

Owing to their intrinsic properties, such as deformability, high electrical conductivity, and superior electrochemical performance, room-temperature liquid metals and liquid metal alloys have attracted the attention of researchers for a wide variety of applications, including portable and large-scale energy storage applications. In this study, novel gallium-indium-tin eutectic (EGaInSn) room-temperature liquid metal nanoparticles synthesized using a facile and scalable probe-ultrasonication method were used as anode material in lithium-ion batteries. The morphology, geometry, and self-healing properties of the synthesized room-temperature liquid metal nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS and TEM/EDS). The synthesized room-temperature liquid metal nanoparticles delivered a specific capacity of 474 mAh g–1 and retained 77% of the stable reversible capacity after 500 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles at a constant current density of 0.1 A g–1. The high theoretical specific capacity, combined with its self-healing and fluidic features, make EGaInSn room-temperature liquid metal nanoparticles a potential anode material for large-scale energy storage applications.
Modified LLC Resonant Converter With LC Antiresonant Circuit in Parallel Branch for Wide Voltage Range Application

In this article, a modified LLC resonant converter with LC antiresonant circuit in parallel branch is proposed. The proposed converter is derived by placing LC antiresonant circuit on parallel branch. In comparison with LLC resonant converter, the equivalent inductance of parallel branch of the proposed converter decreases along with switching frequency within regulating frequency range. This advantageous property contributes for that the turn-off current and circulating conduction loss in the primary side can be reduced at unity voltage conversion ratio due to large impedance of LC antiresonant circuit. Moreover, by optimizing resonant parameters design of parallel branch based on time-domain analysis, the magnetizing current is in close proximity to a sine wave and the conduction loss in the secondary side will be reduced, especially in the light load. A higher voltage conversion ratio can be achieved at low switching frequency due to decreased impedance in parallel branch. In addition, a design flowchart and a design practical case are given to help to implement an efficiency optimization algorithm to decide five resonant design parameters. Finally, a 2 kW 250 V—400 V-input and 48 V-output prototype is built, and the main experimental results are provided to verify the feasibility of the proposed converter and compare with LLC resonant converter. Comparative state-plane trajectories are depicted to compare their characteristics and to verify the model-domain analysis.
Co-Occurrence Matrix-Based Statistical Model for Texture Analysis from Images

Texture surface analysis is very important for machine vision system. We explore Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix-based 2nd order statistical features to understand image texture surface. We employed several features on our ground-truth dataset to understand its nature; and later employed it in a building dataset. Based on our experimental results, we can conclude that these image features can be useful for texture analysis and related fields.
COVID-19-Related Lifestyle Changes among Community-Dwelling Older Adult Day-Care Users: A Qualitative Study

In Japan, the community-based comprehensive care system is an important initiative. The purpose of this study was to understand COVID-19-related lifestyle changes experienced by older adults who lived in communities and used day-care services. Using a qualitative inductive research method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 older adults who used day-care services in Kyoto City, which assessed lifestyle changes before and after the spread of COVID-19 during March–April 2021. The extracted lifestyle change codes were classified into six categories and 16 subcategories. The data revealed that older adults felt socially isolated and experienced multiple changes in their lives, including limited leisure activities, changes in roles, decreased interpersonal interaction with family and acquaintances, poor diet and sleep quality, and reduced attention to personal appearance and grooming. The findings suggest that during COVID-19, older adults had difficulty adapting to the various changes in their lives and showed a decline in physical and mental functioning. Thus, it is important for day-care facilities to create sustainable spaces in response to the various care needs of community-dwelling older adults whose lifestyles have changed as a result of the COVID-19 situation.
A practical routing protocol for vehicle-formed mobile ad hoc networks on the roads

An IVC (Inter-vehicle communication) network is a type of mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) in which high-speed vehicles send, receive, and forward packets via other vehicles on the roads. An IVC network can provide useful applications in future Intelligent Transportation Systems. However, due to frequent network topology changes, a routing path in an IVC network breaks easily. As such, a routing protocol proposed for general MANET (e.g., AODV) performs poorly in IVC networks. To address this problem, we designed and implemented an intelligent flooding-based routing protocol and conducted several field trials to evaluate its performance on the roads. Results obtained from field trials show that (1) our protocol outperforms AODV significantly on IVC networks, and (2) our protocol can make many useful services such as email, ftp, web, video conferencing, and video broadcasting applicable on IVC networks for vehicle users.
Fasting Blood Glucose Level Progression And Its Associated Factors Among Diabetic Patients Attending Treatment In North Shewa Hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia

Background: Diabetes describes a group of metabolic disorders characterized and identified by hyperglycemia without treatment. It includes defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both, and disturbances of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. The study aimed to assess fasting blood glucose level progression and its associated factors among diabetic patients attending insulin and metformin follow-up in fiche and Chancho hospitals.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to obtain secondary data among diabetic patients attending treatment from September 2016 to August 2018 in the hospital. The linear- mixed effects model for longitudinal data was employed to measure the changes in fasting blood glucose level.Result: The result of the study revealed that age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, marital status, regime, and education level were significantly associated factors for the progression of fasting blood glucose levels among diabetic patients. Conclusion: The study recommended that the progression of blood glucose level was higher among diabetic patients, and the health professionals, health sectors, and government should be paid an intervention on patients who had high systolic and diastolic blood pressure, who had high BMI, and older age patients.
Indigenous Knowledge in Visual Merchandising of Textile Products

The purpose of this observational study was to document the indigenous knowledge behind visual merchandising practices used for selling textile products in Mexican craft markets. Data were collected in eight diverse markets of the Oaxaca Valley region. From the emergent design of our project evolved a model illustrating the factors that appear to impact visual merchandising decisions and a series of themes describing the visual merchandising practices evidenced. Themes generated included (a) grouping of similar products, (b) linearity of displays, (c) overlapping of products, (d) use of fixtures, (e) high levels of product density, (f) on-site production of products sold, and (g) wearing of products sold. The findings provide a useful framework for future work related to the marketing of indigenous craft items.
Influence of force and torque feedback on operator performance in a VR-based suturing task

The introduction of Minimally Invasive Surgery MIS has revolutionised surgical care, considerably improving the quality of many surgical procedures. Technological advances, particularly in robotic surgery systems, have reduced the complexity of such an approach, paving the way for even less invasive surgical trends. However, the fact that haptic feedback has been progressively lost through this transition is an issue that to date has not been solved. Whereas traditional open surgery provides full haptic feedback, the introduction of MIS has eliminated the possibility of direct palpation and tactile exploration. Nevertheless, these procedures still provide a certain amount of force feedback through the rigid laparoscopic tool. Many of the current telemanipulated robotic surgical systems in return do not provide full haptic feedback, which to a certain extent can be explained by the requirement of force sensors integrated into the tools of the slave robot and actuators in the surgeon's master console. In view of the increased complexity and cost, the benefit of haptic feedback is open to dispute. Nevertheless, studies have shown the importance of haptic feedback, especially when visual feedback is unreliable or absent. In order to explore the importance of haptic feedback for the surgeon's master console of a novel teleoperated robotic surgical system, we have identified a typical surgical task where performance could potentially be improved by haptic feedback, and investigate performance with and without this feedback. Two rounds of experiments are performed with 10 subjects, six of them with a medical background. Results show that feedback conditions, including force feedback, significantly improve task performance independently of the operator's suturing experience. There is, however, no further significant improvement when torque feedback is added. Consequently, it is deduced that force feedback in translations improves subject's dexterity, while torque feedback might not further benefit such a task.
Soil reinforcement practice for fills over soft ground in Japan

This paper summarizes the theory and practice of geosynthetic reinforcement of fills over extremely soft ground in Japan. Emphasis is placed on artificially reclaimed soft ground composed of marine soils which are characterized by high water contents and low shear strengths. The use of geosynthetics facilitates the movement of construction equipment and the placement of fill. The bearing capacity of the ground is improved by using high strength geosynthetics. Classical bearing capacity theory, cable theory combined with modulus of subgrade reaction theory, and plate theory are found to be useful in designing embankments on soft ground. The empirical parameters used in these theories are available for most projects. The unique geotechnical conditions of the soft ground typically inhibit the construction procedures specified in the design. The experience gained from past geosynthetic reinforced fill projects, one of which is highlighted in the paper, facilitates the improvement of fill placement and spreadi.
Nutrient and Solids Controls in Virginia's Chesapeake Bay Tributaries

A model package including a watershed model, an atmospheric loading model, a hydrodynamic model, and a eutrophication model are used to evaluate the benefit of nutrient and solids load controls on the Virginia tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay. Quantities examined include nutrients, solids, chlorophyll, anoxic volume, mesozooplankton, benthos, light attenuation, and submerged aquatic vegetation. Nutrient load controls are beneficial in reducing chlorophyll concentration and anoxic volume but produce no major benefits for zooplankton and benthos. Load controls benefit aquatic vegetation biomass, but more extensive solids controls are required to restore widespread SAV distribution.
Economic Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Lung Cancer Between 2000 and 2015 in Saskatchewan: Study Protocol

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are both detrimental diseases that present great burdens on society. Years of life lost (YLL), premature years of life lost (PYLL), working years lost (WYL), and productivity loss are all effective measures in identifying economic burden of disease. Objective We propose a population-based study to analyze comprehensive provincial cohorts of Saskatchewan residents with COPD, lung cancer, and combined COPD and lung cancer in order to identify the burden these diseases present. Methods Saskatchewan residents over the age of 35 years who had COPD, lung cancer, or both, between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2015, will be identified and used in this study. Data for analysis including age, gender, and date of death, alongside Statistics Canada income estimates, will be used to estimate productivity loss and WYL. Statistics Canada life tables will be used to calculate YLL and PYLL by subtracting the patients’ ages at death by their life expectancies, adjusted using sex and age at death. We will link the Saskatchewan cancer registry with Saskatchewan health administrative databases to create three cohorts: (1) COPD; (2) lung cancer; and (3) COPD and lung cancer. Individuals with lung cancer will be identified using ICDO-T (International Classification of Diseases for Oncology-Topography) codes, and those with COPD will be defined and identified as individuals who had at least 1 visit to a physician with a diagnosis of COPD or 1 hospital separation with a diagnosis of COPD. Those without a valid health care coverage for a consecutive 12 months prior to the first diagnostic code will be excluded from the study. Those with a combined diagnosis of COPD and lung cancer will be identified as individuals who were diagnosed with COPD in the 12 months following their lung cancer diagnosis or anytime preceding their lung cancer diagnosis. Results As of April 2021, we have had access to all relevant data for this study, have received funding (January 2020), and have begun the preliminary analysis of our data set. Conclusions It is well documented that COPD and lung cancer are both destructive diseases in terms of YLL, PYLL, WYL, and productivity loss; however, no studies have been conducted to analyze a cohort with combined COPD and lung cancer. Understanding the economic burden associated with each of our 3 cohorts is necessary in understanding and thus reducing the societal impact of COPD and lung cancer. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR1-10.2196/31350
Limited Clinical Significance of Splenectomy and Splenic Hilar Lymph Node Dissection for Type 4 Gastric Cancer

Purpose Type 4 gastric cancer (GC) has a very poor prognosis even after curative resection, and the survival benefit of splenectomy for splenic hilar lymph node (LN; #10) dissection in type 4 GC remains equivocal. This study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of splenectomy for #10 dissection in patients with type 4 GC. Materials and Methods The data of a total of 56 patients with type 4 GC who underwent total gastrectomy with splenectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative morbidity, state of LN metastasis, survival outcomes, and therapeutic value index (TVI) of each LN station were evaluated. TVI was calculated by multiplying the incidence of LN metastasis at each nodal station and the 5-year overall survival (OS) of patients who had metastasis to each node. Results Overall, the postoperative morbidity rate was 28.6%, and the incidence of #10 metastasis in the patients was 28.6%. The 5-year OS rate for all patients was 29.9%, and most patients developed peritoneal recurrence. Moreover, the 5-year OS rates with and without #10 metastasis were 6.7% and 39.1% (median survival time, 20.4 vs. 46.0 months; P=0.006). The TVI of #10 was as low as 1.92. Conclusions The clinical significance of splenectomy in the dissection of #10 for type 4 GC is limited and splenectomy for splenic hilar dissection alone should be omitted.
After the Virus: Disaster Capitalism, Digital Inequity, and Transformative Education for the Future of Schooling

The 2020 COVID-19 disaster triggered an educational crisis in the United States, deeply exacerbating the inequities present in education as schools went online. This primary impact may not be the only one, however: literature describes a secondary impact of such disasters through “disaster capitalism,” in which the private sector captures the public resources of disaster-struck communities for profit. In response to these warnings, we ask how schools, families, and communities can counteract disaster capitalism for educational equity. To address this question, we first synthesize a critical framework for analyzing digital inequity in education. We then dissect the strategies disaster capitalism uses to attack the school-family-community relationship and exacerbate digital inequity in “normal” times as well as during crises. Employing the notion of community funds of knowledge, we next examine the resources schools, families, and communities can mobilize against disaster capitalism and digital inequity. Finally, guided by the concepts of generative change and transformative learning, we consider actionable practices of countering disaster capitalism for a transformative education.
Investigation into the estimation of the critical clearing time of a grid connected wind power based embedded generator

Transient stability assessment of a wind power based embedded generator (WPBEG) play an important role in power system security and operation. The transient stability of a WPBEG measures its robustness to withstand large disturbance and is determined by its corresponding critical clearing time (CCT). Conventionally, determination of a wind farm's CCT involved a large number of trials and error that requires repetitive runs of related time-domain simulation programs. As the value of the CCT of a WPBEG is affected by system parameters, the process of the trials and error has to be repeated every time system condition changes if the CCT is required to be determined. This approach is tedious and time consuming. The work that reported in this paper described an attempt to solve the CCT estimation problem using nonconventional approach that avoids running related simulation program several times. A detailed description of the proposed method, its implementation and its validity are discussed. Results from a simulated distribution network with integrated WPBEG are also presented and discussed.