Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metal-Free Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization with Hydrazonium Initiators.

The ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclopropenes using hydrazonium initiators is described. The initiators, which are formed by the condensation of 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2. 2]octane and an aldehyde, polymerize cyclopropene monomers by a sequence of [3+2] cycloaddition and cycloreversion reactions. This process generates short chain polyolefins (Mn ≤ 9.4 kg/mol) with relatively low dispersities (Đ ≤ 1.4). The optimized conditions showed efficiency comparable to that achieved with Grubbs' 2nd generation catalyst for the polymerization of 3-methyl-3-phenylcyclopropene. A positive correlation between monomer to initiator ratio and degree of polymerization was revealed through NMR spectroscopy.
Cloning and Functional Analysis of the Soybean GmRIQ2 Promoter

The RIQ gene can optimize the structure of light-harvesting complex II by regulating the degree of granum stacking, and ultimately participates in plant light stress responses. The GmRIQ2 gene contributes to plant photoprotection and may be involved in negative regulation of yield. To understand the regulatory mechanisms of GmRIQ2 expression, we isolated the GmRIQ2 promoter (PGmRIQ2) from the KenFeng 16 soybean genome. Sequence analysis showed that several cis-acting elements were involved in hormone responsiveness, seed-specific regulation, anaerobic induction and light responsiveness. PGmRIQ2 was expressed in soybean roots. GUS activity was detected in Arabidopsis thaliana rosette leaves, stems and roots, indicating that PGmRIQ2 tended to drive expression in rosette leaf vascular tissue and had spatiotemporal expression characteristics at the early growth stage. Three promoter deletion fragments of 450 bp, 284 bp and 194 bp were obtained by 5′ deletion. These three fragments all drove GUS gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana rosette leaves, stems and roots. GUS gene expression decreased with deletion fragment truncation. In addition, the PGmRIQ2 auxin (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) response elements were located at base pairs −1661~−450, −450~−284 and −284~−194, respectively, and the promoter was induced by IAA, ABA, MeJA and light.
The protective effects of Aster yomena (Kitam.) Honda on high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Aster yomena (Kitam.) Honda (AY) has remarkable bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer activities. On the other hand, the effects of AY against obesity-induced insulin resistance have not been reported. Therefore, this study examined the potential of AY against obesity-associated insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. MATERIALS/METHODS An obesity model was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a 60% HFD for 16 weeks. The C57BL6/When ethyl acetate fraction from AY (EFAY) at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day was administered orally to mice fed a HFD for the last 4 weeks. Normal and control groups were administered water orally. The body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured every week. Dietary intake was measured every other day. After dissection, blood and tissues were collected from the mice. RESULTS The administration of EFAY reduced body and organ weights significantly compared to HFD-fed control mice. The EFAY-administered groups also improved the serum lipid profile by decreasing the triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein compared to the control group. In addition, EFAY ameliorated the insulin resistance-related metabolic dysfunctions, including the fasting blood glucose and serum insulin level, compared to the HFD-fed control mice. The EFAY inhibited lipid synthesis and insulin resistance by down-regulation of hepatic fatty acid synthase and up-regulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway. EFAY also reduced lipid peroxidation in the liver, indicating that EFAY protected hepatic injury induced by obesity. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that EFAY improved obesity-associated insulin resistance by regulating the lipid and glucose metabolism, suggesting that AY could be used as a functional food to prevent obesity and insulin resistance.
A lightweight shoulder prosthesis with antagonistic impact-absorbing hybrid actuation for bimanual activities of daily living

In developing a shoulder prosthesis, in addition to appropriate payload and range of motion under the constraints of weight and shape, impact absorption is very important for safe use. Hybridization of two different actuators (pneumatic elastic actuators with the features of lightness and intrinsic visco-elasticity, and servo motors that have stable torque and a large range of motion in combination with an antagonistic mechanism) was employed to achieve the development of the shoulder prosthesis. A two-link, two-degree-of-freedom arm was used to test the different hybridization configurations in order to investigate the impact absorption. A dynamic simulation platform based on four bimanual activities of daily living was established to obtain the required range of motion and torque for joints of a two-link, four-degree-of-freedom arm. The number of pneumatic elastic actuators required and the dimension of the antagonistic mechanism mechanical structures were optimized using the dynamic simulation platform. The best configuration of the two types of actuators was determined using the dynamic simulation based on the impact absorption results and other criteria. Moreover, a simplified prototype driven by hybrid actuation was made. It was shown that the pneumatic elastic actuator joint could improve impact absorption, and the actuator configuration of shoulder prostheses is activity of daily living dependent. The prototype could reproduce a certain activity of daily living motion, indicating its feasibility in daily living.
Design of Commercial Building Complex Based on 3D Landscape Interaction

The needs of visualization of multidimensional information of the earth, 3D virtual construction, and engineering design are driving research into some technologies of 3D landscape interactive design. The function and availability of the 3D landscape interactive system are largely determined by an efficient interactive algorithm, which is an essential part of the interactive design system of commercial architecture landscape. This paper investigates and evaluates the current state of 3D landscape intersection in landscape design, compares and evaluates existing 3D landscape modeling methods, and proposes some recommendations for the feasibility of a 3D commercial building performance scheme that will serve as a model for future large-scale urban commercial building landscape modeling. When the landscape is represented by objective substances like visual images, people are more likely to actively engage with nature and make automatic decisions based on physiological responses. The introduction of 3D technology has given people’s lives a new lease on life, and it is critical to optimize urban planning and management.
Discrimination of the Activity of Low-Affinity Wild-Type and High-Affinity Mutant Recombinant BoNT/B by a SIMA Cell-Based Reporter Release Assay

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is used for the treatment of a number of ailments. The activity of the toxin that is isolated from bacterial cultures is frequently tested in the mouse lethality assay. Apart from the ethical concerns inherent to this assay, species-specific differences in the affinity for different BoNT serotypes give rise to activity results that differ from the activity in humans. Thus, BoNT/B is more active in mice than in humans. The current study shows that the stimulus-dependent release of a luciferase from a differentiated human neuroblastoma–based reporter cell line (SIMA-hPOMC1-26-Gluc) was inhibited by clostridial and recombinant BoNT/A to the same extent, whereas both clostridial and recombinant BoNT/B inhibited the release to a lesser extent and only at much higher concentrations, reflecting the low activity of BoNT/B in humans. By contrast, the genetically modified BoNT/B-MY, which has increased affinity for human synaptotagmin, and the BoNT/B protein receptor inhibited luciferase release effectively and with an EC50 comparable to recombinant BoNT/A. This was due to an enhanced uptake into the reporter cells of BoNT/B-MY in comparison to the recombinant wild-type toxin. Thus, the SIMA-hPOMC1-26-Gluc cell assay is a versatile tool to determine the activity of different BoNT serotypes providing human-relevant dose-response data.
Research on Lead Time Model in Supply Chain Distribution

The importance of reducing lead time on quick response is addressed. The optimal lead time models under centralized and decentralized decision making are respectively studied in a distribution system with a manufacturer and a retailer. The paper also considers the cooperation between the parties under decentralized control, and proposes a coordination strategy for distribution based on lead time discount.
Parameters Optimization in Cutting of High-strength Mould Steel Based on NSGA-II

An orthogonal experiment for high-strength mould steel NAK80was designed with cutting speed, feed rate and cutting depth as relevant parameters.According to the experimental results,statistical models of cutting force and surface roughness were built up using a linear regression method.Superadded the theoretical formula of material removal rate,a multi-objective optimal model with three objective functions was built up and optimized by applying non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II(NSGA-II),to study the optimization of parameters in milling process for high-strength mould steel.Several cutting parameter combinations conforming to the requirements were acquired.The results show the proposed method can get the optimal cutting parameter combinations and guided the actual production.
GGE Biplot analysis for appraisal of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under transplanted and direct seeded condition

The present investigation was planned to identify the stable and adaptable Basmati rice genotypes by using GGE biplot method. Thirty-six genotypes were tested in Randomized Block Design at two locations (Kaul and Uchani) for two growing seasons’ viz., kharif 2016 and 2017.The pooled analysis of variance indicated that genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interaction differed significantly for the studied parameters. Based on the GGE biplot analysis, Pusa Sugandh 5 (G31), HKR 11-509 (G6), PAU 6295-2 (G25),SJR-70-3-2(G33) and Pusa Sugandh 3 (G30) were identified as stable genotypes for number of tillers per plant, biological yield per plant and grain yield per plant across the environments. Pusa 1734-8-3-85 (G21) and CSR30 (G2), SJR-70-3-2 (G33) and HKR 98-476 (G14), Pusa 1734-8-3-85 (G21) and UPR-386-9-1-1 (G36) under direct seeded condition and Pusa Basmati 1121 (G27) and HKR 11-447 (G13), HKR 06-434 (G9) and HKR -11-509 (G6), Pusa Sugandh 5 (G31) and Pusa Basmati 1 (G26) for transplanted condition showed specific adaptation for number of tillers per plant, biological yield plant and grain yield per plant, respectively.
Designing Patient-Driven, Tissue-Engineered Models of Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer

The rising survival rate for early-stage breast cancer in the United States has created an expanding population of women in remission at risk for distant recurrence, with metastatic spread to the brain demonstrating an especially poor prognosis. The current standard of care for breast cancer brain metastases is not well defined or differentiated from the treatment of brain metastases from other primary sites. Here, we present tissue-engineered models of the primary and brain metastatic breast cancer microenvironments informed by analysis of patient tumor resections. We find that metastatic resections demonstrate distinct cellular and matrix components compared with primary resections or non-cancerous controls. Using our model systems, we find that the observed deposition of collagen I after metastasis to the brain may enhance breast cancer invasion. Future optimization of these models will present a novel platform to examine tumor-stroma interactions and screen therapeutics for the management of metastatic breast cancer.
Virtual Body Model’s Modeling and Simulation Based on Exoskeleton

The lower extremity exoskeleton is a wearable intelligent device that integrates human body with exoskeleton, so as to improve the soldier’s ability of load-carrying. By combining the human intelligent with exoskeleton power, the advantages of human and exoskeleton complement each other, not only can avoid the difficulties that brought by using mechanism imitate the human intelligent, but also can extend the wearer’s ability of load-carrying. So Firstly, based on the biological characteristic of the human walking, then using the stability theories of ZERO Moment Point, the characteristic of the dynamic stability of the human body was analyzed. Finally, the virtual prototype model in the ADAMS was built, and the walking model was simulated. By comparing the result, it was validated that the model’s ZMP was stable. The feasibility of the virtual model’s modeling and simulation in the ADAMS was illustrated.
Reducing false discoveries in resting-state functional connectivity using short channel correction: an fNIRS study

Abstract. Significance: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging tool that can measure resting-state functional connectivity; however, non-neuronal components present in fNIRS signals introduce false discoveries in connectivity, which can impact interpretation of functional networks. Aim: We investigated the effect of short channel correction on resting-state connectivity by removing non-neuronal signals from fNIRS long channel data. We hypothesized that false discoveries in connectivity can be reduced, hence improving the discriminability of functional networks of known, different connectivity strengths. Approach: A principal component analysis-based short channel correction technique was applied to resting-state data of 10 healthy adult subjects. Connectivity was analyzed using magnitude-squared coherence of channel pairs in connectivity groups of homologous and control brain regions, which are known to differ in connectivity. Results: By removing non-neuronal components using short channel correction, significant reduction of coherence was observed for oxy-hemoglobin concentration changes in frequency bands associated with resting-state connectivity that overlap with the Mayer wave frequencies. The results showed that short channel correction reduced spurious correlations in connectivity measures and improved the discriminability between homologous and control groups. Conclusions: Resting-state functional connectivity analysis with short channel correction performs better than without correction in its ability to distinguish functional networks with distinct connectivity characteristics.
Drug Targeting and Nanomedicine: Lessons Learned from Liver Targeting and Opportunities for Drug Innovation

Drug targeting and nanomedicine are different strategies for improving the delivery of drugs to their target. Several antibodies, immuno-drug conjugates and nanomedicines are already approved and used in clinics, demonstrating the potential of such approaches, including the recent examples of the DNA- and RNA-based vaccines against COVID-19 infections. Nevertheless, targeting remains a major challenge in drug delivery and different aspects of how these objects are processed at organism and cell level still remain unclear, hampering the further development of efficient targeted drugs. In this review, we compare properties and advantages of smaller targeted drug constructs on the one hand, and larger nanomedicines carrying higher drug payload on the other hand. With examples from ongoing research in our Department and experiences from drug delivery to liver fibrosis, we illustrate opportunities in drug targeting and nanomedicine and current challenges that the field needs to address in order to further improve their success.
URL Phishing Analysis using Random Forest

 Abstract —Phishing is quite a popular form of cyber-attacks these days in which the user is made to visit illegitimate websites. In these websites, the user can be tricked into revealing his sensitive information such as username, passwords, bank details, card details, etc. Thus, it has been used quite a lot by phishers to obtain a user’s credentials. The phishing URLs look almost similar to the legitimate ones but actually differ in some respect. In our method, we make use of only the information about the URL of a website to determine whether the website is a phishing website or not. Thus, there is no need of actually visiting a website to determine whether it is phishing or not. This also allows the user to not visit the phishing websites and expose themselves to malicious codes that it may carry. Also, we discuss how meta data of the URLs can be used to determine whether the URL is phishing or not. Random forest and SVM algorithms can then be applied to a dataset having such features that contain the meta data of the URLs. Random forest algorithm offers the advantage of not overfitting the data as well.
Mitochondrial CO1 gene sequence variation and the taxonomic status of three Macrobrachium species in Nigeria

Macrobrachium species are ubiquitous being found all over the world except in Europe. They are the most speciose of the decapods showing very great variations in response to the prevailing environmental conditions. This has led to serious difficulties with their classification based on morphology. In Nigerian sympatric occurrences of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, Macrobrachium dux and Macrobrachium macrobrachion have been reported in many water bodies. So far no record of a review of the morphological classification based on molecular markers have been reported. Sampling from four major water bodies namely Warri, Badagry, Calabar and Asejire Dam all in Southern Nigeria was done and mitochondria DNA marker CO1 genes were sequenced to determine the congruence of morphological and molecular classifications. A 556bp sequence was phylogenetically analyzed using the major methods. All the trees produced similar results. Instead the three species classification based on morphology, molecular phylogeny revealed consistently a two species grouping with M. vollenhovenii clearly mapping as a valid species. M. dux and M. macrobrachion were grouped together into one clade indicating a single species or at best morphotypes of a species. Genetic diversity within and between the species is low indicating a recent colonization process. The value of the bootstrap supporting the grouping was also low. Several primer combinations failed to amplify the CO1 gene of the Warri specimens. This is a quantitative measure of being distinct. The Nigerian Macrobrachium species maps closer to the Southern American species M. brasiliense, M. carcinus and M. olfersi. The Asian species M. asperulum and M. rosenbergii are the most distant from the Nigerian Macrobrachium species. Further studies to reveal deeper phylogenetic structuring using species specific primers may be needed to resolve fully the phylogenetic controversies. Determining the development patterns whether abbreviated or extended is also necessary. The sequencing of the complete mitogenome is also an important further research requirement.
Creative Learning in STEM: towards the design of an approach between theory and reflective practice

The paper presents and discusses the Research and Development and related reflective practice process for the design of an approach to STEM school education. It focuses on Future Inventors, an education project of the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci which aims to design, develop, test, and define an approach for teaching and learning in STEM at junior high school. Through this case study, the authors argue for the need to design for learning activities in which children can learn creatively building on their own potential and, for educators, to develop and maintain a STEM teaching mind-set that recognizes a series of qualities, bodily engagement, emotions, self-expression and openended, creative exploration, as having a legitimate place in the science classroom This is an attempt to move beyond the de-contextualised use of technology in learning towards a learning flow that fosters engagement with digital experiences a way to develop children’s thinking, their voice and identity, making them feel able to share and contribute actively.
EMERGING OPTICAL CDMA TECHNIQUES AND APPLICATIONS (INVITED PAPER)

-In this paper we present an in-depth review on the trends and the directions taken by the researchers worldwide in Optical Code Division Multiple Access (OCDMA) systems. We highlight those trends and features that are believed to be essential to the successful introduction of various OCDMA techniques in communication systems and data networks in near future. In particular we begin by giving a comprehensive review on the constructions of optical orthogonal codes (OOC). In our system study we first focus and discuss on various OCDMA techniques such as 1-D, 2-D and spectrally-encoded ultrashort light pulse CDMA, and discuss their pros and cons. A comprehensive discussion takes place on all important aspects of each OCDMA technique. In particular, we elaborate on enabling technologies that are needed prior to full scale consideration of OCDMA in communication systems. We extend our discussion to various data networks, including fiber-based and wireless to indicate the directions and the applications that OCDMA systems are considered for. It is believed that OCDMA once fully developed and matured will be an inseparable part of advanced optical communication systems and networks due to its various desirable features and functionalities, in not so distant future.
Reliability analysis of stability of durgawati earthen dam considering steady state and transient state seepage condition using mars

This paper presents reliability analysis of slope failure of Durgawati earthen dam by using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). The reliability index  is calculated using MARS under steady and transient state seepage condition. The Durgawati dam is situated in Kaimur district of Bihar, India. The FOS values of Durgawati earthen dam is calculated for using modified Bishop’s method. The seepage and slope failure analysis of Durgawati earthen dam is performed using SEEP-W and SLOPE-W modules of Geo Studio-2007 software. The FOS values are calculated for these conditions for different realizations of the material parameters i.e. cohesion ( c ), angle of internal friction    and soil unit weight (  ). After that, MARS has been applied to estimate the reliability index    for estimated FOS values for different realizations over the body of the dam. The computed reliability index  under different situations indicates that the performance of the dam is satisfactory.