Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant Probiotics of Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32, L. johnsonii MH-68, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CP-9 Attenuate Glycemic Levels and Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells. Previous study has discovered that probiotic strains residing in the gut play essential roles in host immune regulation. However, few clinical results demonstrated probiotic would actually benefit in attenuating glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) along with inflammatory cytokine levels of the T1DM patients and analyzed their gut microbiota profile at the same time. In this clinical trial, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of probiotics on HbA1c along with inflammatory cytokine levels of T1DM patients to determine an alternative administration mode for T1DM medication. The probiotics changed T1DM gut microbiota profile will be measured by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Research Design and Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed at China Medical University Hospital. T1DM patients between 6 and 18 years of age were enrolled. 27 patients were administered regular insulin therapy plus capsules containing probiotic strains Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32, L. johnsonii MH-68, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CP-9 daily for 6 months, and 29 patients were administered insulin therapy without extra probiotic supplement as placebo group. The variations of fasting blood glucose and HbA1c in these patients were analyzed. In addition, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokine were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients’ stool microbiota were all subjects to NGS analysis. Results NGS data showed elevated populations of Bifidobacterium animalis, Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus salivarius in the gut of patients with T1DM who were taking probiotics. Patients with T1DM who were administered probiotics showed significantly reduced fasting blood glucose levels compared with the before-intervention levels. The HbA1c levels of the patients also improved after administration of probiotics. The concentrations of IL-8, IL-17, MIP-1β, RANTES, and TNF-α were significantly reduced and were associated with an increased TGF-β1 expression after probiotic intervention. The persistence effect of glycemic control and immunomodulation were observed even 3 months after discontinuation of the probiotics. Conclusions Here, we found that conventional insulin therapy plus probiotics supplementation attenuated T1DM symptoms than receiving insulin treatment only. Probiotics supplementation with insulin treatment changed gut microbiota and revealed better outcome in stabilizing glycemic levels and reducing HbA1c levels in patients with T1DM through beneficial regulation of immune cytokines. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03880760.
Automatic Classification and Severity Estimation of Ataxia From Finger Tapping Videos

Digital assessments enable objective measurements of ataxia severity and provide informative features that expand upon the information obtained during a clinical examination. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of using finger tapping videos to distinguish participants with Ataxia (N = 169) from participants with parkinsonism (N = 78) and from controls (N = 58), and predict their upper extremity and overall disease severity. Features were extracted from the time series representing the distance between the index and thumb and its derivatives. Classification models in ataxia archived areas under the receiver-operating curve of around 0.91, and regression models estimating disease severity obtained correlation coefficients around r = 0.64. Classification and prediction model coefficients were examined and they not only were in accordance, but were in line with clinical observations of ataxia phenotypes where rate and rhythm are altered during upper extremity motor movement.
Methods for Uncovering Discourses That Shape the Urban Imaginary in Helsinki's Smart City

In modern urban environments the technologies that are basic to everyday life have become further embedded in that life. Smart cities are one example of the acceleration of technological change in order to engage with urban sustainability challenges, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools as one mode of engagement. However, the discourses through which cities engage with smart city growth and management can have long-term consequences for diverse knowledge held within the imaginaries of situated smart urbanism. As the city of Helsinki increasingly focuses on sustainable smart city initiatives, concurrent research suggests that smart urbanism is at a crossroads, where developers must decide how smart cities choose to engage with its residents' knowledge. This research sets out to ask, how are top-down smart city interventions communicated on Twitter (de)legitimizing diverse knowledge in situated smart urbanism? We draw from Foucaudian theory to identify which discourses are elevated, through statements posted on the social media platform Twitter. By answering this question, our goal in this paper is to examine how Foucault's methods can be used to highlight unseen assumptions about smart urbanism in Helsinki. Our objective is to identify overarching narratives and potential contested conceptualizations of smart urbanism in Helsinki. With our methods, we contribute a novel angle to surfacing power relations that are becoming evident in the development of AI-governed smart cities.
No Differences Between 12 Weeks of Block- vs. Traditional-Periodized Training in Performance Adaptations in Trained Cyclists

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 12 weeks load-matched block periodization (BP, n = 14), using weekly concentration of high- (HIT), moderate- (MIT), and low- (LIT) intensity training, with traditional periodization (TP, n = 16) using a weekly, cyclic progressive increase in training load of HIT-, MIT-, and LIT-sessions in trained cyclists (peak oxygen uptake: 58 ± 8 ml·kg−1·min−1). Red blood cell volume increased 10 ± 16% (p = 0.029) more in BP compared to TP, while capillaries around type I fibers increased 20 ± 12% (p = 0.002) more in TP compared to BP from Pre to Post12. No other group differences were found in time-trial (TT) performances or muscular-, or hematological adaptations. However, both groups improved 5 and 40-min TT power by 9 ± 9% (p < 0.001) and 8 ± 9% (p < 0.001), maximal aerobic power (Wmax) and power output (PO) at 4 mmol·L−1 blood lactate (W4mmol), by 6 ± 7 (p = 0.001) and 10 ± 12% (p = 0.001), and gross efficiency (GE) in a semi-fatigued state by 0.5 ± 1.1%-points (p = 0.026). In contrast, GE in fresh state and VO2peak were unaltered in both groups. The muscle protein content of β-hydroxyacyl (HAD) increased by 55 ± 58% in TP only, while both TP and BP increased the content of cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COXIV) by 72 ± 34%. Muscle enzyme activities of citrate synthase (CS) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) were unaltered. TP increased capillary-to-fiber ratio and capillary around fiber (CAF) type I by 36 ± 15% (p < 0.001) and 17 ± 8% (p = 0.025), respectively, while BP increased capillary density (CD) by 28 ± 24% (p = 0.048) from Pre to Post12. The present study shows no difference in performance between BP and “best practice”-TP of endurance training intensities using a cyclic, progressively increasing training load in trained cyclists. However, hematological and muscle capillary adaptations may differ.
The Variation of Duck RIG-I-Mediated Innate Immune Response Induced by Different Virulence Avian Influenza Viruses

In recent years, the emerging highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N8) virus has been reported with features of widely spread, an expanding host range, and cross-species transmission, attracting wide attention. The domestic duck plays a major role in the epidemiological cycle of the HPAI H5N8 virus, but little is known concerning innate immune responses during influenza infection in duck species. In this study, we used two wild-bird-origin viruses, H5N8 and H4N6, to conduct duck infection experiments, and detect the load of the two viruses, and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and interferon β (IFN-β) in the host’s natural immune response. Through comparison, it is found that the expression levels of RIG-I and IFN-β are both fluctuating. The innate immunity starts rapidly within 6 h after infection and is inhibited by the virus to varying degrees. The expression of RIG-I and IFN-β decreased on 1–2 days post-infection (dpi). The HPAI H5N8 virus has a stronger inhibitory effect on RIG-I than the low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H4N6 virus and is the strongest in the lungs. After infection with HPAI H5N8 virus, 2 dpi, viral RNA replicates in large amounts in the lungs. It has been proven that RIG-I and IFN-β play an important role in the innate immune response of ducks to HPAI H5N8 virus infection, especially in the lungs. The main battlefield of RIG-I and IFN-β after infection with the LPAI H4N6 virus is in the rectum. Both viruses have been effectively controlled after 7 dpi. These results will help to understand the transmission mechanisms of avian influenza virus in wild ducks and help effectively prevent and control avian influenza.
Machine Learning for Electrocardiographic Features to Identify Left Atrial Enlargement in Young Adults: CHIEF Heart Study

Background Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is associated with cardiovascular events. Machine learning for ECG parameters to predict LAE has been performed in middle- and old-aged individuals but has not been performed in young adults. Methods In a sample of 2,206 male adults aged 17–43 years, three machine learning classifiers, multilayer perceptron (MLP), logistic regression (LR), and support vector machine (SVM) for 26 ECG features with or without 6 biological features (age, body height, body weight, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were compared with the P wave duration of lead II, the traditional ECG criterion for LAE. The definition of LAE is based on an echocardiographic left atrial dimension > 4 cm in the parasternal long axis window. Results The greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is present in machine learning of the SVM for ECG only (77.87%) and of the MLP for all biological and ECG features (81.01%), both of which are superior to the P wave duration (62.19%). If the sensitivity is fixed to 70–75%, the specificity of the SVM for ECG only is up to 72.4%, and that of the MLP for all biological and ECG features is increased to 81.1%, both of which are higher than 48.8% by the P wave duration. Conclusions This study suggests that machine learning is a reliable method for ECG and biological features to predict LAE in young adults. The proposed MLP, LR, and SVM methods provide early detection of LAE in young adults and are helpful to take preventive action on cardiovascular diseases.
Hearing Loss Increases Inhibitory Effects of Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation on Sound Evoked Activity in Medial Geniculate Nucleus

Sensory gating is the process whereby irrelevant sensory stimuli are inhibited on their way to higher cortical areas, allowing for focus on salient information. Sensory gating circuitry includes the thalamus as well as several cortical regions including the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Defective sensory gating has been implicated in a range of neurological disorders, including tinnitus, a phantom auditory perception strongly associated with cochlear trauma. Recently, we have shown in rats that functional connectivity between PFC and auditory thalamus, i.e., the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN), changes following cochlear trauma, showing an increased inhibitory effect from PFC activation on the spontaneous firing rate of MGN neurons. In this study, we further investigated this phenomenon using a guinea pig model, in order to demonstrate the validity of our finding beyond a single species and extend data to include data on sound evoked responses. Effects of PFC electrical stimulation on spontaneous and sound-evoked activity of single neurons in MGN were recorded in anaesthetised guinea pigs with normal hearing or hearing loss 2 weeks after acoustic trauma. No effect, inhibition and excitation were observed following PFC stimulation. The proportions of these effects were not different in animals with normal hearing and hearing loss but the magnitude of effect was. Indeed, hearing loss significantly increased the magnitude of inhibition for sound evoked responses, but not for spontaneous activity. The findings support previous observations that PFC can modulate MGN activity and that functional changes occur within this pathway after cochlear trauma. These data suggest hearing loss can alter sensory gating which may be a contributing factor toward tinnitus development.
Research on the Calculation Method of Equivalent Parameters of the Core Wire for the High-Voltage GIL Metal Shell Grounded Through the Copper Bar

The calculation method of the equivalent impedance and admittance parameters of the Gas Insulated Line (the Gas Insulated Line is abbreviated as GIL in this paper) grounded by the copper bar is studied and proposed. In consideration of the electrical coupling among the metal shell, the core wire, and the grounding copper bar, the matrix forms and characteristics of GIL impedance and admittance parameters are analyzed. The method of eliminating the coupling among the conductor layers, the grounding copper bar, and the core wire is studied in accordance with the current and voltage boundary conditions. Eventually, the calculation method of equivalent impedance and admittance parameters of the GIL core wire is proposed. The correctness of the calculation method of GIL core wire equivalent parameters is verified by simulation comparisons in PSCAD. This method can obtain the equivalent parameters of the GIL core wire by eliminating the coupling effect of external conductors and simplifies the seventh-order parameter matrix of the multi-layer GIL line to a third-order matrix that only considers the core wire parameters. The calculation speed can be significantly improved for short-circuit current calculation and related analysis of high-voltage AC systems containing GIL by using the equivalent parameters.
Lactobacillus Suppresses Tumorigenesis of Oropharyngeal Cancer via Enhancing Anti-Tumor Immune Response

Deficiency in T cell-mediated adaptive immunity, such as low CD8+ T cell infiltration, inhibits the immune surveillance, promotes malignant transformation, and facilitates tumor growth. Microbiota dysbiosis diminishes the immune system and contributes to the occurrence of cancer. However, the impact of oral dysbiosis on the occurrence and molecular mechanisms of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) remains largely unknown. In the current study, we used 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) to mimic tobacco-related carcinogenesis to generate a murine OPC model and determine the role of microbiota changes in OPC tumorigenesis. Our results showed that the oral flora composition of mice was deregulated during the tumorigenesis of OPC. The abundance of Streptococcus, Veillonella, Muribacter, Rodentibacter, and Gemella was increased, whereas the dominant genus Lactobacillus was gradually decreased with disease progression. We further demonstrated that infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes was markedly reduced due to the reduction of Lactobacillus. Supplementation of Lactobacillus increased the infiltration of CD8+ T cells, promoted the expression of IFN-γ and granzyme B, and lessened the OPC progression. Analyzing the metabolites of the Lactobacillus, we demonstrated that Lactobacillus enhanced the anti-tumor immune response by producing acetate in OPC development. Administration of acetate to mice could increase the expression of IFN-γ and IFN-γ-inducible chemokines in tumor tissues by activating GPR43 to promote the infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes and substantially delay the development of OPC. Together, our data suggest that dysbiosis of oral microbiota promotes the tumorigenesis of OPC through downregulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Lactobacillus and its metabolite acetate improve the tumor microenvironment, which could be applied in the treatment of OPC.
Differences in the Effects of Reading and Aerobic Exercise Interventions on Inhibitory Control of College Students With Mobile Phone Addiction

Although many previous studies have shown that short-time moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can improve one's inhibitory control, some researchers suggested that its effect on inhibitory control is small. Meanwhile, some studies have shown that reading has a positive effect on inhibitory control. Since many studies examining the effect of exercise on inhibitory control used reading as a filler task, it is important to compare their effects. The present study used the antisaccade task as a tool to examine the differences in the effects of aerobic exercise and reading on inhibitory control of college students with mobile phone addiction. Thirty healthy college students with mobile phone addiction (range: 17–20 years, mean: 19.2 years) took part in the experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to an aerobic exercise group and a reading group. For the aerobic exercise group, participants were asked to perform moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 15 min. For the reading group, participants were asked to sit quietly and read articles from newspapers for 15 min. Each participant's inhibitory control was examined pre- and post-intervention using the antisaccade task. In the antisaccade task, they have to direct their gaze toward the mirror image location of the target appearing parafoveally as quickly and as accurately as possible. The results showed significant main effects of Time (pre-test vs. post-test) on antisaccade latency and error rate. More importantly, a significant interaction of Time (pre-test vs. post-test) and Group (aerobic exercise vs. reading) was found on antisaccade latency. Specifically, the antisaccade latencies in the post-test were significantly shorter than those in the pre-test for the reading group, but the antisaccade latencies in the post-test and pre-test were comparable for the aerobic exercise group. The results of the present study imply that although both exercise and reading have effects on inhibitory control of college students with mobile phone addiction, the effect of reading may be somehow superior to exercise. Moreover, the current results also imply that researchers should be cautious when using reading as a filler task in future studies regarding the effect of aerobic exercise. The limitations of the present study were discussed.
NURA

Multi-application execution in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), a promising way to utilize GPU resources, is still challenging. Some pieces of prior work (e.g., spatial multitasking) have limited opportunity to improve resource utilization, while other works, e.g., simultaneous multi-kernel, provide fine-grained resource sharing at the price of unfair execution. This paper proposes a new multi-application paradigm for GPUs, called NURA, that provides high potential to improve resource utilization and ensures fairness and Quality-of-Service (QoS). The key idea is that each streaming multiprocessor (SM) executes Cooperative Thread Arrays (CTAs) belong to only one application (similar to the spatial multi-tasking) and shares its unused resources with the SMs running other applications demanding more resources. NURA handles resource sharing process mainly using a software approach to provide simplicity, low hardware cost, and flexibility. We also perform some hardware modifications as an architectural support for our software-based proposal. We conservatively analyze the hardware cost of our proposal, and observe less than 1.07% area overhead with respect to the whole GPU die. Our experimental results over various mixes of GPU workloads show that NURA improves GPU system throughput by 26% compared to state-of-the-art spatial multi-tasking, on average, while meeting the QoS target. In terms of fairness, NURA has almost similar results to spatial multitasking, while it outperforms simultaneous multi-kernel by an average of 76%.
E MERGING T ECHNOLOGIES Design principles and architecture of a second language learning chatbot

The purpose of this article is to set out the design principles and architecture of a second language (L2) learning voice chatbot. Building on L2 acquisition theories and chatbot research, in this article, we report on a South Korean government-funded longitudinal project in which we designed and developed a chatbot called “Ellie”. Chatbot Ellie has three chat modes, “General Chat,” “Task Chat,” and “Skills”. In the General Chat mode, L2 users can have short talks about personal information, whereas in the Task Chat mode, they can engage in a wide range of problem-solving L2 tasks to achieve task goals by exchanging meanings with Ellie. The Skills mode offers form-focused language practice. Ellie was piloted among 137 Korean high school students, who used Ellie individually or in a group, for seven weeks in their English classes. The quality of the chatbot was investigated in terms of the appropriateness of language level, continuity of conversation, and success in task performance. Based on the results of the pilot, Ellie appears to have considerable potential to become an effective language learning companion for L2 learners, and has implications for the design and developments of future L2 chatbots.
A New Fifth-Order Finite Volume Central WENO Scheme for Hyperbolic Conservation Laws on Staggered Meshes

In this paper, a new fifth-order finite volume central weighted essentially non-oscillatory (CWENO) scheme is proposed for solving hyperbolic conservation laws on staggered meshes. The high-order spatial reconstruction procedure using a convex combination of a fourth degree polynomial with two linear polynomials (in one dimension) or four linear polynomials (in two dimensions) in a traditional WENO fashion and a time discretization method using the natural continuous extension (NCE) of the Runge-Kutta method are applied to design this new fifth-order CWENO scheme. This new finite volume CWENO scheme uses the information defined on the same largest spatial stencil as that of the same order classical CWENO schemes [37, 46] with the application of smaller number of unequal-sized spatial stencils. Since the new nonlinear weights are adopted, the new finite volume CWENO scheme could obtain the same order of accuracy and get smaller truncation errors in L1 and L∞ norms in smooth regions, and control the spurious oscillations near strong shocks or contact discontinuities. The new CWENO scheme has advantages over the classical CWENO schemes [37, 46] on staggered meshes in its simplicity and easy extension to multi-dimensions. Some one-dimensional and two-dimensional benchmark numerical examples are provided to illustrate the good performance of this new fifthorder finite volume CWENO scheme. AMS subject classifications: 65M60, 35L65