Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Question generation for language café interaction between robot and human

- Conversational robots can be used in several contexts, one of them being language cafés. This setting demands that the robot in question can converse on many different subjects and move between them smoothly. For this to be possible one needs to generate many questions on a range of subjects and ﬁnd a way of moving from one subject to another. This work aims to do this by generating questions using a template framework and navigating between them using clustering, a scalable solution which is adapted to language café settings. The general value of language cafés and their role in a language learning process is also discussed
Radiosensitization of EGFR/HER2 positive pancreatic cancer is mediated by inhibition of Akt independent of Ras mutational status

Purpose— Epidermal growth factor receptor family members (e.g., EGFR, HER2, HER3, and HER4) are commonly overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. We investigated the effects of inhibition of EGFR/HER2 signaling on pancreatic cancer to elucidate the role(s) of EGFR/HER2 in radiosensitization and to provide evidence in support of further clinical investigations. Experimental Design— Expression of EGFR family members in pancreatic cancer lines was assessed by qRT-PCR. Cell growth inhibition was determined by MTS assay. The effects of inhibition of EGFR family receptors and downstream signaling pathways on in vitro radiosensitivity were evaluated using clonogenic assays. Growth delay was used to evaluate the effects of nelfinavir on in vivo tumor radiosensitivity. Results— Lapatinib inhibited cell growth in four pancreatic cancer cell lines, but radiosensitized only wild-type K- ras -expressing T3M4 cells. Akt activation was blocked in a wild-type K- ras cell line, whereas constitutive phosphorylation of Akt and ERK was seen in lines expressing mutant Kras . Overexpression of constitutively-active K- ras (G12V) In this article we provide two important pieces of evidence to guide future cancer care. First, constitutive activation of K- ras results in resistance to radiosensitization by inhibition of EGFR and HER2. This result suggests that use of EGFR/HER2 inhibitors as radiosensitizers of pancreatic cancer may not be efficacious given the high K- ras mutation prevalence in pancreatic cancer. Second, we provide the first evidence documenting the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of nelfinavir as a radiosensitizer of pancreatic cancer and further evidence supporting its role as a radiosensitizer. These results provide a rationale for future clinical investigation of the tolerability and therapeutic efficacy of nelfinavir in combination with radiotherapy in pancreatic cancer.
Catheter-Related Infections in Intensive Care Units: An Overview with Special Emphasis on Prevention

Catheter-related infection remains a leading cause of nosocomial infections, particularly in intensive care units. It includes colonization of the device, skin exit-site infection, and device- or catheter-related bloodstream infection. The last-mentioned represents the most frequent life-threatening associated complication of central venous catheter (CVC) use and is associated with significant patient morbidity, mortality, and extra hospital costs. The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection ranges from 2–14 episodes per 1000 catheter-days. On average, microbiologically documented device-related bloodstream infections complicate 3–5 per 100 CVC uses; however, they represent merely the tip of the iceberg, and most cases of clinical sepsis are nowadays considered to be catheter-related. This article will briefly review the pathophysiology of these infections, highlighting the importance of the skin insertion site and the intravenous line hub as principal sources of colonization. A short review of the principles of therapy is also provided. The latest preventive approaches are presented in more detail, including the possible benefit of recently developed impregnated catheters and the positive impact of educational programs and/or a global preventive strategy based on strict application of preventive measures and on careful control of all factors associated with catheter-related infection. This may help clinicians to determine the eventual necessity to incorporate them in their own practice.
Dental laboratory waste management in respect of reusing and recycling in KwaZulu-Natal

This qualitative study explored the management of waste in commercial and training dental laboratories in order to determine the practices and attitudes of dental technology practitioners and academics towards reusing and recycling dental laboratory waste products, and alert them to the benefits of waste management on the environment. The research objectives were to establish and report on the extent of waste management that entails waste reduction through reusing and recycling, to uncover alternative uses for dental laboratory waste and the possible economic benefits thereof and to influence dental technology industry on environmental sustainability. The research project was conducted in the interpretive paradigm. In the course of this study dental laboratory owners, dental technicians/technologists and academics from the dental technology programme at a training institution were interviewed. Waste handling in dental laboratories was observed in order to gain greater insight as to current practices in laboratories. Thematic content analysis was employed to analyse the qualitative data. This study found that waste management was poorly understood and practiced amongst the dental laboratory owners, dental technicians/technologists and academics. The study adopted a waste management hierarchy conceptual framework which was influenced by the Waste Act (Act No. 59 of 2008). The negative attitudes towards responsible waste management practices and the poor understanding of waste management by dental laboratory owners, dental technicians/technologists were found to be as a result of the poor understanding of the possible impact that waste from dental laboratories can impose on the environment. The perceived lack of participation in constructive waste management legislation by the South African Dental Technicians Council was also seen to be a contributing factor to the negative attitudes towards responsible waste management practices within the industry. This finding reinforced the finding that the dental industry has no knowledge, understanding and desire to understand waste management and, more importantly, to understand that one does not practice things solely for legislative reasons but that there are economic as well as environmental reasons to practice constructive waste management. On the other hand, this study found that the industry was not averse to engaging in environmental friendly practices provided there is financial gain. This was established after the benefits of waste management practices were explained to the industry.
Preferred Regime Transition Routes and Evidence for an Unstable Periodic Orbit in a Baroclinic Model

The phase space structure of the attractor of a baroclinic quasigeostrophic model is analyzed in terms of mean tendencies in dominant EOF space. The dominant EOFs as well as the probability density functions in the planes spanned by the dominant EOFs are similar to corresponding features of the NCAR general circulation model, the Community Climate Model (CCM0). It is found that the mean motion is characterized by a cyclic motion involving the Northern Hemisphere annular mode (NAM), the Paciﬁc–North American (PNA) pattern, and a third pattern. States with positive (negative) projection onto this third pattern are characterized by a mean tendency toward increasing (decreasing) NAM and PNA amplitudes. The time scale of the cycle is about 20 days, and it compares well with an observed westward-propagating wave. Three regimes are identiﬁed in the space of the dominant EOFs. Preferred transition routes between these regimes exist and correspond to particular phases of the cycle. The authors hypothesize that the cycle corresponds to an unstable periodic orbit that is a remnant of a heteroclinic connection between the stationary points underlying the regimes.
Certified Soundness of Simplest Known Formulation of First-Order Logic

In 1965, Donald Monk published a paper about an axiomatic system for ﬁrst-order predicate logic that he described as “the simplest known formulation of ordinary logic”. In this paper we show work in progress on certifying soundness of this system in the interactive proof assistant Isabelle. Through this work we demonstrate the usefulness of using proof assistants for validating mathematical results. This work also establishes an outline for future work such as a certiﬁed completeness proof of the axiomatic system in Isabelle.
Robust stability analysis for Markovian jumping stochastic neural networks with mode-dependent time-varying interval delay and multiplicative noise

This paper is concerned with the problem of robust stability for a class of Markovian jumping stochastic neural networks (MJSNNs) subject to mode-dependent time-varying interval delay and state-multiplicative noise. Based on the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and a stochastic analysis approach, some new delay-dependent sufficient conditions are obtained in the linear matrix inequality (LMI) format such that delayed MJSNNs are globally asymptotically stable in the mean-square sense for all admissible uncertainties. An important feature of the results is that the stability criteria are dependent on not only the lower bound and upper bound of delay for all modes but also the covariance matrix consisting of the correlation coefficient. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness.
Effects of Fertilizer Types and Plant Spacings on Plant Morphology, Biomass Yield and Chemical Composition of Brachiaria Hybrid Mulato II Grass Grown in Lowlands of Northwest Ethiopia

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fertilizer types and plant spacings on plant morphology, biomass yield and chemical composition of brachiaria hybrid mulato II grass grown using irrigation in lowlands of northwest Ethiopia. The experimental design used was a 3×3 factorial layout in a randomized complete block design with three replications which had a total of 27 plots, each measuring 2×2 m 2 . The plant spacings were 15, 30 and 45cm between plants and fertilizer types were commercial fertilizer (NPS), cattle manure and control (without fertilizer). Morphological parameters such as plant height (PH), leaf length per plant (LLPP), number of leaves per plant (NLPP), number of tillers per plant (NTPP), leaf to stem ratio (LSR), number of roots per plant (NRPP),root length per plant (RLPP), root circumference(RC), leaf area index (LAI), biomass yield and chemical composition were collected. All the data were subjected to GLM ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) following the procedures of SAS (Statistical Analysis System). The result showed that most of the morphological parameters were significantly (P<0.05) affected by fertilizer and plant spacings. Similarly, significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in most of chemical composition of the grass by fertilizer type; but not by plant spacing except for DM (Dry matter) and CP (Crude protein). In the current study it can be concluded that fertilizer types had significant contribution on the brachiaria grass morphology and chemical composition grown in the lowland area of Ethiopia. The commercial fertilizer (NPS) fertilizer is recommendable for brachiaria hybrid grass production if it is accessible by smallholder farmers; otherwise, the use of manure could be the next option in the study area and in similar environments. Regarding plant spacing, for better biomass production intermediate plant spacing (30 cm x 50 cm) is recommended.
Smart Grid Testing Management Platform (SGTMP)

The Smart Grid (SG) is nowadays an essential part of modern society, providing two-way energy flow and smart services between providers and customers. The main drawback is the SG complexity, with an SG composed of multiple layers, with devices and components that have to communicate, integrate, and cooperate as a unified system. Such complexity brings challenges for ensuring proper reliability, resilience, availability, integration, and security of the overall infrastructure. In this paper, we introduce a new smart grid testing management platform (herein called SGTMP) for executing real-time hardware-in-the-loop SG tests and experiments that can simplify the testing process in the context of interconnected SG devices. We discuss the context of usage, the system architecture, the interactive web-based interface, the provided API, and the integration with co-simulations frameworks to provide virtualized environments for testing. Furthermore, we present one main scenario about the stress-testing of SG devices that can showcase the applicability of the platform.
A Review of the Bitcoin Digital Payment System with Emphasis on its Security

Bitcoin is a fast growing cryptographic currency payment system. Although all transactions carried out using this service are publicly available, Bitcoin oﬀers privacy and anonymity to users behind these transactions. This system has faced a lot of criticisms owing to uncertainties regarding the true value of a Bitcoin, and also with regards to the security and privacy provisions of the Bitcoin system. This paper reviews the functionalities of Bitcoin, and discusses the eﬀectiveness of the measures put in place to ensure the security of the overall network. It also highlights the issue of user privacy and anonymity in Bitcoin, and possible ways to address them.
Overlapping roles of Iroquois Homeobox Genes 3 and 4 in the Compaction of the Ventricular Myocardium

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a primary congenital cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent trabeculation and intra-trabecular recesses in the ventricular wall. Its genetic basis and pathologic mechanism remain largely unknown. Here it is shown that Irx3;Irx4 double knockout (DKO) mouse mutants represent a novel model of LVNC. Irx3 and Irx4 belong to the family of Iroquois homeobox (Irx) genes, encoding transcription factors important for cardiac function. Mice lacking either Irx3 or Irx4 do not have gross cardiac malformations. In contrast, Irx3;Irx4DKO mice exhibit postnatal lethality and thinner ventricular walls as early as E14.5. By P14, DKO mice have prominent noncompacted trabeculation and abnormal muscular growth that resemble human LVNC. Furthermore, Irx3;Irx4DKO hearts exhibit increased expression of heart failure marker genes, elevated Bmp10 pathway activity, and altered pattern of cardiomyocyte proliferation, each of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of LVNC. Taken together, these studies suggest that Irx3 and Irx4 possess overlapping functions, which are essential to myocardial compaction.
Recommendations to Enhance Usability and Privacy of Smart Toys

The collection of personal information by smart toys causes various privacy concerns. The use of personal information has also been subject to regulatory acts by different governments. For these reasons, smart toy manufacturers need to develop effective privacy controls. However, designing usable privacy controls remains a challenge. In this paper, we sought to identify the main security vulnerabilities involved with smart toys that are related to usability and may impact users' privacy. To this end, we performed a security analysis and usability heuristic evaluations. After identifying current vulnerabilities, we create a list of design recommendations aiming at enhancing both the usability and privacy of smart toy privacy controls. We also suggest a revised severity scale to help to prioritize the design solutions.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Alternatively activated macrophages promotes necrosis resolution following acute liver injury

Background & Aim: Acute liver injury (ALI) can occur if a significant acetaminophen (APAP) overdose presents too late for n-acetylcysteine treatment, which risks deterioration into acute liver failure, systemic inflammation, and death. Macrophages influence the progression and resolution of ALI due to their innate immunological function and paracrine activity. Syngeneic primary bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) were tested as a cell-based therapy in a mouse model of APAP-ALI. Methods: Several phenotypically-distinct BMDM populations were delivered intravenously to APAP-ALI mice when hepatic necrosis was established, and then evaluated based on their effects on injury, inflammation, immunity, and regeneration. In vivo phagocytosis assays were used to interrogate the phenotype and function of alternatively-activated BMDMs (AAMs) post-injection. Finally, primary human AAMs sourced from healthy volunteers were evaluated in immunocompetent APAP-ALI mice. Results: BMDMs rapidly localised in liver and spleen within four hours of administration. Injection of AAMs specifically reduced hepatocellular necrosis, HMGB1 translocation, and infiltrating neutrophils following APAP-ALI. AAM delivery also stimulated proliferation in hepatocytes and endothelium, and reduced levels of several circulating proinflammatory cytokines within 24 hours. AAMs displayed a high phagocytic activity both in vitro and in injured liver tissue post-injection. Crosstalk with the host innate immune system was evidenced by reduced infiltrating host Ly6C hi macrophages in AAM-treated mice. Importantly, therapeutic efficacy was partially recapitulated using clinical-grade primary human AAMs in immunocompetent APAP-ALI mice underscoring translational potential. Conclusion: We identify that AAMs have value as a cell-based therapy in an experimental model of APAP-ALI. Human AAMs warrant further evaluation as a potential cell-based therapy for APAP overdose patients with established liver injury. GMP-compliant Peripheral blood mononuclear cells centrifuged and collected from healthy volunteer buffy coats using Ficoll-paque 1.077 (GE CD14+ cells were isolated from PBMCs using CliniMACS CD14 MicroBeads (Miltenyi-Biotec) on LS separation columns Biotec). CD14+ cells were cultured % CO in supplemented GMP-grade CSF-1 ng/mL, Bio-Techne) with feed at to generate Clinical-grade hAAMs were generated from using human recombinant cytokines (R&D Bio-Techne) as Successful hMDM differentiation was confirmed using flow cytometry to demonstrate a minimum five-fold MFI increase on 25F9 and CD206 compared to initial CD14+ cells.
Security Issues, Threats And Respective Mitigation In Cloud Computing – A Systematic Review

: Cloud computing is one of those emerging technologies that has occupied vital importance in today‘s age. The proficiency of lessening expenses of computing, growing scalability and flexibility for storage related computer processes has made it to attain prime place in emerging trends. In cloud computing, entire data exist over a set of interconnected resources and is accessed through virtual machines over the network. It provides promising platform that allows efficient usage of numerous applications such as storage resources and computing infrastructure. In spite of all these benefits, there are various challenges to secure the cloud environment from vulnerabilities. Therefore, this state of the art study is conducted to highlight security related issues that arise at different levels of computations using cloud services. Moreover, taxonomy has been formulated by categorizing identified challenges in security issues and security attacks respectively. To identify the security challenges; A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) has also been conducted from the existing literature. Results show that major security issues are related to the client side, network side and at the backend. Furthermore, this study shed some light on the security issues that are encountered in cloud computing at different levels by designing architecture and offering cloud users the elucidations for safeguarding cloud data.
A New Design of Custom Optimized Cnn-Lstm Assists to Detect Network Anomaly Using Categorical Data

For traditional intrusion detection model, the system effectiveness is fully based on training dataset and feature selection. During feature selection, it needs more labour charge and trusted mainly on expert’s knowledge. Moreover, the training dataset contains more imbalanced data which in terms model tends to be biased. Here, an automatic approach is introduced to correct deficiency in the system. In this paper, the author proposes novel network anomaly detection (NID) build using categorical data. A model has to be designed with modified form of deep neural network primarily utilized for detecting anomaly within the network. Custom CNN-LSTM with Harris Hawks Optimization (named as custom optimized CNN-LSTM) is designed as a new classifier majorly used to detect the anomaly from word cloud to distinguish the data with effective performance. The experimental result shows that the proposed method achieves a promising output for network anomaly detection.
Differential Gene Expression Analysis of Hypertrophic and Dilated Cardiomyopathy Signature Genes

: Cardiomyopathy is a heterogeneous disease caused due to the inability in contraction of muscle cells, leading to heart failure and death. Despite understanding of the mechanism behind its pathology, the prognostic and therapeutic strategies become inefficient. Hence we aimed in finding the common genetic signatures among the most prevalent form of cardiomyopathy, namely hypertrophic and dilated by the analysis of gene expression data. We found 54 significant genes to be common among the hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathic samples. Further network analysis and functional annotation of the significant genes revealed the importance of these genes and their involvement in the pathogenicity of the disease. The genes OMD, OGN, POSTN, S100A8, CCL2 and SERPINA3 were found to be important by our analysis.
Temporal and Spatial Expression of a Polygalacturonase during Leaf and Flower Abscission in Oilseed Rape and Arabidopsis 1

During leaf abscission in oilseed rape ( Brassica napus ), cell wall degradation is brought about by the action of several hydrolytic enzymes. One of these is thought to be polygalacturonase (PG). Degenerate primers were used to isolate a PG cDNA fragment by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction from RNA extracted from ethylene-promoted leaf abscission zones (AZs), and in turn a full-length clone (CAW471) from an oilseed rape AZ cDNA library. The highest homology of this cDNA (82%) was to an Arabidopsis sequence that was predicted to encode a PG protein. Analysis of expression revealed that CAW471 mRNA accumulated in the AZ of leaves and reached a peak 24 h after ethylene treatment. Ethylene-promoted leaf abscission in oilseed rape was not apparent until 42 h after exposure to the gas, reaching 50% at 48 h and 100% by 56 h. In floral organ abscission, expression of CAW471 correlated with cell separation. Genomic libraries from oilseed rape and Arabidopsis were screened with CAW471 and the respective genomic clones PGAZBRAN and PGAZAT isolated. Characterization of these PG genes revealed that they had substantial homology within both the coding regions and in the 5 (cid:1) -upstream sequences. Fusion of a 1,476-bp 5 (cid:1) -upstream sequence of PGAZAT to (cid:1) -glucuronidase or green fluorescent protein and transformation of Arabidopsis revealed that this fragment was sufficient to drive expression of these reporter genes in the AZs at the base of the anther filaments, petals, and sepals.