Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Infrastructure as Code: Managing Servers in the Cloud

Virtualization, cloud, containers, server automation, and software-defined networking are meant to simplify IT operations. But many organizations adopting these technologies have found that it only leads to a faster-growing sprawl of unmanageable systems. This is where infrastructure as code can help. With this practical guide, author Kief Morris of Thought Works shows you how to effectively use principles, practices, and patterns pioneered through the DevOps movement to manage cloud age infrastructure. Ideal for system administrators, infrastructure engineers, team leads, and architects, this book demonstrates various tools, techniques, and patterns you can use to implement infrastructure as code. In three parts, youll learn about the platforms and tooling involved in creating and configuring infrastructure elements, patterns for using these tools, and practices for making infrastructure as code work in your environment. Examine the pitfalls that organizations fall into when adopting the new generation of infrastructure technologies Understand the capabilities and service models of dynamic infrastructure platforms Learn about tools that provide, provision, and configure core infrastructure resources Explore services and tools for managing a dynamic infrastructureLearn specific patterns and practices for provisioning servers, building server templates, and updating running servers
Northward Expansion of Desert Climate in Central Asia in Recent Decades

Climate variation in Central Asia is examined using changes of climate classification to obtain geographically specific information of the variation across the region. Major results show the northward expansion of desert climate by over 100 km in mid‐latitudes of the region since the 1980s. In the meantime, all types of climates in the region have increased temperatures. In mountainous areas, previous cold climate is replaced by warmer and also wetter climate. These changes could have largely resulted in the fast retreat of glaciers and the temporary rise of groundwater and the water levels of lakes in the drainage areas in recent decades. Because different climate types are associated with specific flora and fauna, the shifts of the climate types in locations have elevated the potential to initiate new feedbacks of the ecological systems to the climate and complicate its variation.
Macrophage-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Promising Tool for Personalized Cancer Therapy

The incidence of cancer is increasing dramatically, affecting all ages of the population and reaching an ever higher worldwide mortality rate. The lack of therapies’ efficacy is due to several factors such as a delay in diagnosis, tumor regrowth after surgical resection and the occurrence of multidrug resistance (MDR). Tumor-associated immune cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) deeply affect the tumor’s progression, leading to several physicochemical changes compared to physiological conditions. In this scenario, macrophages play a crucial role, participating both in tumor suppression or progression based on the polarization of onco-suppressive M1 or pro-oncogenic M2 phenotypes. Moreover, much evidence supports the pivotal role of macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators in TME, because of their ability to shuttle the cell–cell and organ–cell communications, by delivering nucleic acids and proteins. EVs are lipid-based nanosystems with a broad size range distribution, which reflect a similar composition of native parent cells, thus providing a natural selectivity towards target sites. In this review, we discuss the impact of macrophage-derived EVs in the cancer’s fate as well as their potential implications for the development of personalized anticancer nanomedicine.
Making Space for Garbage Cans: How emergent groups organize social media spaces to orchestrate widescale helping in a crisis

During the Covid-19 pandemic, citizens self-organized at an unprecedented scale to support vulnerable people in neighbourhoods, towns and cities. Drawing on an in-depth study of an online volunteering group that emerged at the beginning of the pandemic and helped thousands of people in a city in the United Kingdom, we unpack how citizens co-construct social media spaces to orchestrate helping activity during a crisis. Conceptualizing a novel synthesis of classical garbage can theory and virtual space, we reveal how emergent groups use ‘spatial partitioning’ and ‘spatial mapping’ to create a multi-layered spatial architecture that distributes decision-making and invites impromptu choice occasions: spontaneous matchmaking, proximal chance connects and speculative attraction. Our insights extend the study of emergent organizing and decision-making in crises. Furthermore, we advance a new line of theorizing which exploits garbage can theory, beyond its existing application in classical decision sciences, to posit a spatial view of organizing that paves the way for its novel applications in organization studies.
Pre- and post-pandemic travel behaviour and intentions: Clustering Portuguese Generations

ABSTRACT The paper examines generational travel behaviour and intentions of Portuguese tourists before and after the pandemic. The comparisons established a framework to understand what really has changed. The sample includes 490 Portuguese tourists. Our analysis revealed three clusters which are distinct in terms of generation belonging and distance travelled, among other variables. The results suggest that the willingness to travel is higher than previously, working as a kind of revenge to mitigate the isolation times. Strategical implications for practitioners are outlined.
An electroencephalography-based human-machine interface combined with contralateral C7 transfer in the treatment of brachial plexus injury

Transferring the contralateral C7 nerve root to the median or radial nerve has become an important means of repairing brachial plexus nerve injury. However, outcomes have been disappointing. Electroencephalography (EEG)-based human-machine interfaces have achieved promising results in promoting neurological recovery by controlling a distal exoskeleton to perform functional limb exercises early after nerve injury, which maintains target muscle activity and promotes the neurological rehabilitation effect. This review summarizes the progress of research in EEG-based human-machine interface combined with contralateral C7 transfer repair of brachial plexus nerve injury. Nerve transfer may result in loss of nerve function in the donor area, so only nerves with minimal impact on the donor area, such as the C7 nerve, should be selected as the donor. Single tendon transfer does not fully restore optimal joint function, so multiple functions often need to be reestablished simultaneously. Compared with traditional manual rehabilitation, EEG-based human-machine interfaces have the potential to maximize patient initiative and promote nerve regeneration and cortical remodeling, which facilitates neurological recovery. In the early stages of brachial plexus injury treatment, the use of an EEG-based human-machine interface combined with contralateral C7 transfer can facilitate postoperative neurological recovery by making full use of the brain’s computational capabilities and actively controlling functional exercise with the aid of external machinery. It can also prevent disuse atrophy of muscles and target organs and maintain neuromuscular junction effectiveness. Promoting cortical remodeling is also particularly important for neurological recovery after contralateral C7 transfer. Future studies are needed to investigate the mechanism by which early movement delays neuromuscular junction damage and promotes cortical remodeling. Understanding this mechanism should help guide the development of neurological rehabilitation strategies for patients with brachial plexus injury.
Auditors’ perceptions on work adaptability in remote audit: a COVID-19 perspective

In the context of COVID-19, adoption of teleworking challenges companies' culture and social interaction to foster a creative and innovative workplace. The article aims to identify the auditors' perception of different factors that influence work adaptability in remote audit activity. The research method is based on multivariate data analysis that consist of correspondence analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and generalised linear ordinal regression. On one hand, findings emphasise that auditors' perception on the work efficiency of auditors in remote audits is significantly influenced by the digitalization degree of audit activities. On the other hand, the research outlines the main threats and opportunities of remote auditing in the context of the current pandemic restrictions. Where auditors perceive the benefits of remote audit, they appreciate positively the degree of adaptability and work efficiency as regards teleworking. Opportunities perceived lead to enhanced audit activity outcome if audit companies embrace emergent technologies in the new digital workplace. Nevertheless, as transition to remote audit determines increased auditors' liability and audit risks, auditors are more cautious and sometimes reluctant about future scenarios of remote audit, if innovative emerging audit technologies and integrated GRCs are not used or are not properly implemented. Whatever the future holds for the new digital audit workplace, it is obvious that auditors working from home face specific challenges, because what they earn in efficiency, they lose in benefits that are harder to quantify, such as innovative thinking and creativity. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
A Novel Algorithm Based on Voltage and Current Perturbation to Track Global Peak Under Partial Shading Conditions

Under partial shading conditions, photovoltaic (PV) systems exhibit multiple peaks in their power-voltage ($\mathbf{P-V}$) characteristics. It is essential to extract maximum energy from the PV system. The global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) algorithms presented in the literature, track the global peak using different methods. It is imperative to have minimal convergence time for GMPPT process. This paper proposes a novel algorithm to track the global peak using voltage and current perturbation. The new GMPPT algorithm operates in a current perturbation or voltage perturbation mode, based on the value of a control variable. In either mode, the proposed technique generates reference current or reference voltage, for navigating the operating point to GMPP location. The proposed algorithm is compared with two GMPPT algorithms, namely, modified maximum power trapezium (M-MPT) and high-performance GMPPT algorithms. The simulation studies are performed in MATLAB and is validated using a laboratory prototype, with dSPACE 1202 MicroLabBox controller for implementing GMPPT methods. Simulation and experimental results show that the new technique exhibits superior performance in terms of tracking time. Also, the energy efficiency is improved by 40% while using the proposed GMPPT algorithm for the irradiance profiles considered in this paper compared to the other two techniques.
Isolation of SARS CoV-2 and evaluation of human-animal cases

: Complete genome analyses of SARS CoV-2 isolated from three Turkish patients are compared with other complete genome sequences in the world. In this study, especially the sequence data from animals were also involved in the evaluation. When the genetic data collected from animal and human COVID-19 cases were analyzed, it was evaluated that some recent nucleotide changes in human cases were similar to those of some animal COVID-19 cases. It is recommended that nucleotide or protein changes in human cases in SARS CoV-2 be followed and compared with large-scale studies in animals.
Growth resilience of conifer species decreases with early, long‐lasting and intense droughts but cannot be explained by hydraulic traits

Drought events may reduce growth and survival of conifer trees. The effects of the intensity and timing of drought on the growth resilience, including growth reductions during drought and recovery of growth after drought, remain, however, highly uncertain. Growth resilience of 20 conifer species to 11 dry years was compared in a common garden experiment. We assessed (a) the relationships among growth resistance, recovery and resilience, (b) the impacts of different drought dimensions (intensity, onset and length) on resistance and (c) the underlying mechanisms in terms of growth potential and hydraulic traits. Droughts led to 22% reduction in stem growth for 85% of species, but most species (85%) were resilient due to high recovery. Growth resistance decreased with an early onset of drought (significant for 55% of species), and longer‐lasting (35%) and intense droughts (60%). While fast‐growing species and slow‐growing species were similar in resistance and recovery, fast‐growing species were more resilient. Unexpectedly, resilience could not be explained by hydraulic traits, possibly because the species grew on poor sandy soils and were acclimated to drought with large hydraulic safety margins. Synthesis. Our study shows that in a mild maritime climate almost all conifer species are resilient to drought, and that putative hydraulic traits may be less important here for growth resilience. It also highlights the importance of addressing multiple dimensions of drought, that is, timing, duration and severity, to predict species responses to climate change.
Effect of L-arginine and L-Lysine HCl ratio on growth performance and ileum morphology of native chickens aged 2-14 weeks

Background and Aim: Micronutrients such as essential amino acids in chicken feed must be balanced to promote optimal development. The balance of the amino acids arginine and lysine in chicken feed is particularly important. This study aimed to examine the effect of the ratio of L-arginine to L-Lysine HCl on growth performance and ileum morphology of native chickens aged 2-14 weeks-old. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty 2-week-old native chickens which initial weight 78.10±4.97 g were classified into six treatments and five repetitions using a completely randomized design. Treatments were based on the ratio of arginine to lysine in the feed: T1 (0.50% L-arginine: 0.85% L-lysine HCl); T2 (0.75% L-arginine: 0.85% L-lysine HCl); T3 (1.00% L-arginine: 0.85% L-lysine HCl); T4 (0.50% L-arginine: 1.00% L-lysine HCl); T5 (0.75% L-arginine: 1.00% L-lysine HCl); and T6 (1.00% L-arginine: 1.00% L-lysine HCl). Results: Groups T3 and T6 had the highest feed consumption (42.06±0.29 and 42.78±0.72 g/bird/day, respectively), while Group T6 had the highest body weight and body weight gain rate (1505.60±103.20 kg/bird and 16.99±1.24 g/bird/day, respectively). Groups T3 and T6 also had the highest carcass weight (916.16±46.99 and 947.18±62.32 g/bird, respectively). The best feed conversion was seen for Groups T3, T5, and T6 (2.55±0.14, 2.50±0.20, and 2.53±0.19, respectively). For ileum morphometry, the highest villus height occurred in Groups T2, T3, T5, and T6 (962.80±23.31, 982.80±10.03, 972.80±18.99, and 989.80±10.69 μm, respectively); and Group T6 had the highest crypt depth and villus width (340.80±11.52 and 302.00±4.00 μm, respectively). Statistical analysis indicated significant differences among the treatment groups for all variables examined (p<0.05). Conclusion: The highest ratio of arginine-lysine was associated with the largest increase in native chicken feed consumption, body weight gain, feed conversion, and carcass weight, as well as villus height and width, and crypt depth in the ileum. Overall, an arginine-lysine ratio of 0.8-1.20 promoted optimal growth of native chickens aged 2-14 weeks. In the future, it is important to increase the arginine-lysine ratio with low feed protein levels in native chickens.
AN INNOVATIVE SHOE-MOUNTED PEDESTRIAN NAVIGATION SYSTEM

The recent development of compact, inexpensive sensors makes it possible to apply self-contained sensor-only navigation techniques for pedestrian motion. Previous research efforts have employed gyroscopes and magnetic compasses to determine system orientation, and have used accelerometers for step detection and stride length estimation. To simplify the problem of determining the orientation of the Sensor Frame with respect to the User Frame, previous systems have fixed the sensors to the user’s torso. In this paper, the performance of a novel shoe-mounted sensor solution is compared to solutions from GPS and torso-mounted sensors. The proposed deadreckoning navigation system applies an array of accelerometers and magneto-resistive sensors worn on the subject’s shoe. Measurement of the foot's acceleration allows the precise identification of separate stride segments, thus providing improved stride length estimation. The system relies on identifying the stance phase to resolve the sensor attitude and determine the step heading. Performance metrics include accuracy of step detection, foot angle, foot velocity, stride length estimation and heading with respect to a high accuracy reference trajectory.
Evaluation of the combined effect of naringin and imatinib in philadelphia positive chronic myeloid leukemia

The combined effect of Naringin (NAR) and Imatinib mesylate (IMT) in Philadelphia positive chronic myeloid leukaemia was studied in vitro and in silico in this study. The chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative hematopoietic cancer caused by a chromosomal translocation t (9;22). (q34; q11). IMT, a Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor that targets the BCR-ABL oncoprotein, is a first-line treatment for CML. IMT is related with the development of resistance due to mutation of Abl kinase domain. Natural compounds generated from plants have been linked to enhanced therapeutic efficacy and fewer adverse effects in cancer patients. Flavonoids, for example, are physiologically active substances with anti-cancer capabilities that influence a number of cellular signalling pathways suppressing a variety of malignancies. The primary goal of combining synthetic medications with phytochemicals is to achieve a therapeutic activity with the greatest pharmacological efficacy. Targeting AKT with flavonoid (NAR) compounds in conjunction with IMT treatment could be extremely beneficial in CML through additive processes. The combined effect of IMT and NAR in the treatment of CML was assessed using a silico molecular docking and long-term in vitro cytotoxicity assay on K562 cells.
Properties of Multilayered CrN/VN Films Prepared Using a Hybrid System of High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering and Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering

Nanomultilayered chromium nitride (CrN)/ vanadium nitride (VN) films with different layer thicknesses were synthesized on Si substrates using a hybrid system of reactive high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) and pulsed magnetron sputtering. The microstructure and properties of the nanomultilayered CrN/VN films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the nanoindentation method, and the friction wear test. The XRD results showed that the multilayered films exhibited nanocrystallite structure with a (200) preferred orientation, and the estimated crystallite size was not highly dependent on the CrN and VN layer thicknesses. Inserting the VN layers decreased the compressive stress slightly compared to that of the CrN monolayer film and increased the hardness by 4–5 GPa compared to that of the CrN and VN monolayer films. The friction coefficient of the multilayered films strongly depended on the CrN layer thickness rather than on the VN layer thickness.
Oncogenic KRAS-Induced Protein Signature in the Tumor Secretome Identifies Laminin-C2 and Pentraxin-3 as Useful Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer

Simple Summary Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive neoplasia that responds poorly to treatments and is frequently recognized at advanced stages. Early diagnosis and the possibility to undergo resective surgery would increase the rate of patient survival and the chance of a definitive cure. In search of candidate biomarkers to improve laboratory tests for early diagnosis, we have characterized the proteins secreted by pancreatic cells expressing the oncogene KRASG12V. Of several upregulated proteins, the expression of seven proteins was quantified in tumors of surgically resected patients. For two of these proteins, Laminin-C2 and Pentraxin-3, the plasma levels were significantly higher in patients than in healthy donors, and their good laboratory performance makes them two promising biomarkers of pancreatic cancer. Abstract KRAS mutations characterize pancreatic cell transformation from the earliest stages of carcinogenesis, and are present in >95% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cases. In search of novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of PDAC, we identified the proteins secreted by the normal human pancreatic cell line (HPDE) recently transformed by inducing the overexpression of the KRASG12V oncogene. We report a proteomic signature of KRAS-induced secreted proteins, which was confirmed in surgical tumor samples from resected PDAC patients. The putative diagnostic performance of three candidates, Laminin-C2 (LAMC2), Tenascin-C (TNC) and Pentraxin-3 (PTX3), was investigated by ELISA quantification in two cohorts of PDAC patients (n = 200) eligible for surgery. Circulating levels of LAMC2, TNC and PTX3 were significantly higher in PDAC patients compared to the healthy individuals (p < 0.0001). The Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve showed good sensitivity (1) and specificity (0.63 and 0.85) for LAMC2 and PTX3, respectively, but not for TNC, and patients with high levels of LAMC2 had significantly shorter overall survival (p = 0.0007). High levels of LAMC2 and PTX3 were detected at early stages (I–IIB) and in CA19-9-low PDAC patients. In conclusion, pancreatic tumors release LAMC2 and PTX3, which can be quantified in the systemic circulation, and may be useful in selecting patients for further diagnostic imaging.
Sat U-net: a fusion based method for forensic splicing localization in satellite images

Satellite images are widely available to the public. These satellite images are used in various fields including natural disaster analysis, meteorology and agriculture. As with any type of images, satellite images can be altered using image manipulation tools. A common manipulation is splicing, i.e., pasting on top of an image a region coming from a different source image. Most manipulation detection methods designed for images captured by “consumer cameras" tend to fail when used with satellite images. In this paper we propose a machine learning approach, Sat U-Net, to fuse the results of two exiting forensic splicing localization methods to increase their overall accuracy and robustness. Sat U-Net is a U-Net based architecture exploiting several Transformers to enhance the performance. Sat U-Net fuses the outputs of two unsupervised splicing detection methods, Gated PixelCNN Ensemble and Vision Transformer, to produce a heatmap highlighting the manipulated image region. We show that our fusion approach trained on images from one satellite can be lightly retrained on few images from another satellite to detect spliced regions. We compare our approach to well-known splicing detection methods (i.e., Noiseprint) and segmentation techniques (i.e., U-Net and Nested Attention U-Net). We conducted our experiments on two large datasets: one dataset contains images from Sentinel 2 satellites and the other one contains images from Worldview 3 satellite. Our experiments show that our proposed fusion method performs well when compared to other techniques in localizing spliced areas using Jaccard Index and Dice Score as metrics on both datasets.