Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Independent Component Extraction from the Incomplete Coordinate Time Series of Regional GNSS Networks

Independent component analysis (ICA) is one of the most effective approaches in extracting independent signals from a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) regional station network. However, ICA requires the involved time series to be complete, thereby the missing data of incomplete time series should be interpolated beforehand. In this contribution, a modified ICA is proposed, by which the missing data are first recovered based on the reversible property between the original time series and decomposed principal components, then the complete time series are further processed with FastICA. To evaluate the performance of the modified ICA for extracting independent components, 24 regional GNSS network stations located in North China from 2011 to 2019 were selected. After the trend, annual and semiannual terms were removed from the GNSS time series, the first two independent components captured 17.42, 18.44 and 17.38% of the total energy for the North, East and Up coordinate components, more than those derived by the iterative ICA that accounted for 16.21%, 17.72% and 16.93%, respectively. Therefore, modified ICA can extract more independent signals than iterative ICA. Subsequently, selecting the 7 stations with less missing data from the network, we repeatedly process the time series after randomly deleting parts of the data and compute the root mean square error (RMSE) from the differences of reconstructed signals before and after deleting data. All RMSEs of modified ICA are smaller than those of iterative ICA, indicating that modified ICA can extract more exact signals than iterative ICA.
Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Skin Regeneration and Rejuvenation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells derived from adult stem cells. Primary MSCs can be obtained from diverse sources, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord blood. Recently, MSCs have been recognized as therapeutic agents for skin regeneration and rejuvenation. The skin can be damaged by wounds, caused by cutting or breaking of the tissue, and burns. Moreover, skin aging is a process that occurs naturally but can be worsened by environmental pollution, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and undernourishment. MSCs have healing capacities that can be applied in damaged and aged skin. In skin regeneration, MSCs increase cell proliferation and neovascularization, and decrease inflammation in skin injury lesions. In skin rejuvenation, MSCs lead to production of collagen and elastic fibers, inhibition of metalloproteinase activation, and promote protection from ultraviolet radiation-induced senescence. In this review, we focus on how MSCs and MSC-derived molecules improve diseased and aged skin. Additionally, we emphasize that induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived MSCs are potentially advanced MSCs, which are suitable for cell therapy.
Changes in dietary fat intake and associations with mental health in a UK public sample during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background Consumption of unhealthy foods may have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored how dietary fat intake was impacted in a sample of the UK public who were social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Data were collected from a UK COVID-19 online survey. Fat intake was measured using the Dietary Instrument for Nutrition Education questionnaire. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using Becks’ Anxiety and Depression Inventories, while the short-form Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale assessed mental well-being. Differences between individuals who increased versus decreased fat intake were explored using chi-square or independent sample t-tests. Association between fat intake and mental health was explored using adjusted linear regression models. Results Eight hundred and eighty-seven adults were included. Approximately, 34% recorded medium-to-high levels of fat consumption during social distancing. Around 48% reported decreased fat intake during social distancing compared to usual levels, while 41.3% documented increased fat intake. Fat intake was not significantly associated (P > 0.05) with any measures of mental health. Conclusions A higher proportion of a sample of UK adults social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic recorded decreased fat intake when compared to levels prior to social distancing. There appeared to be no associations between fat intake and mental health.
Humanized Mice as a Tool to Study Sepsis—More Than Meets the Eye

(1) Background. Repetitive animal studies that have disappointed upon translation into clinical therapies have led to an increased appreciation of humanized mice as a remedy to the shortcomings of rodent-based models. However, their limitations have to be understood in depth. (2) Methods. This is a narrative, comprehensive review of humanized mice and sepsis literature to understand the model’s benefits and shortcomings. (3) Results: Studies involving humanized models of sepsis include bacterial, viral, and protozoan etiology. Humanized mice provided several unique insights into the etiology and natural history of sepsis and are particularly useful in studying Ebola, and certain viral and protozoan infections. However, studies are relatively sparse and based on several different models of sepsis and humanized animals. (4) Conclusions. The utilization of humanized mice as a model for sepsis presents complex limitations that, once surpassed, hold some potential for the advancement of sepsis etiology and treatment.
The Functional Role of Loops and Flanking Sequences of G-Quadruplex Aptamer to the Hemagglutinin of Influenza a Virus

Nucleic acid aptamers are generally accepted as promising elements for the specific and high-affinity binding of various biomolecules. It has been shown for a number of aptamers that the complexes with several related proteins may possess a similar affinity. An outstanding example is the G-quadruplex DNA aptamer RHA0385, which binds to the hemagglutinins of various influenza A virus strains. These hemagglutinins have homologous tertiary structures but moderate-to-low amino acid sequence identities. Here, the experiment was inverted, targeting the same protein using a set of related, parallel G-quadruplexes. The 5′- and 3′-flanking sequences of RHA0385 were truncated to yield parallel G-quadruplex with three propeller loops that were 7, 1, and 1 nucleotides in length. Next, a set of minimal, parallel G-quadruplexes with three single-nucleotide loops was tested. These G-quadruplexes were characterized both structurally and functionally. All parallel G-quadruplexes had affinities for both recombinant hemagglutinin and influenza virions. In summary, the parallel G-quadruplex represents a minimal core structure with functional activity that binds influenza A hemagglutinin. The flanking sequences and loops represent additional features that can be used to modulate the affinity. Thus, the RHA0385–hemagglutinin complex serves as an excellent example of the hypothesis of a core structure that is decorated with additional recognizing elements capable of improving the binding properties of the aptamer.
N-(1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-yl)Benzamides as Antibacterial Agents against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes Neisseria gonorrhoeae as an urgent-threat Gram-negative bacterial pathogen. Additionally, resistance to frontline treatment (dual therapy with azithromycin and ceftriaxone) has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae, which has caused a global health crisis. The drug pipeline for N. gonorrhoeae has been severely lacking as new antibacterial agents have not been approved by the FDA in the last twenty years. Thus, there is a need for new chemical entities active against drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Trifluoromethylsulfonyl (SO2CF3), trifluoromethylthio (SCF3), and pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5) containing N-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzamides are novel compounds with potent activities against Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. Here, we report the discovery of new N-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzamides (HSGN-237 and -238) with highly potent activity against N. gonorrhoeae. Additionally, these new compounds were shown to have activity against clinically important Gram-positive bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and Listeria monocytogenes (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 0.25 µg/mL). Both compounds were highly tolerable to human cell lines. Moreover, HSGN-238 showed an outstanding ability to permeate across the gastrointestinal tract, indicating it would have a high systemic absorption if used as an anti-gonococcal therapeutic.
Navigation of a Freely Walking Fruit Fly in Infinite Space Using a Transparent Omnidirectional Locomotion Compensator (TOLC)

Animal behavior is an essential element in behavioral neuroscience study. However, most behavior studies in small animals such as fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) have been performed in a limited spatial chamber or by tethering the fly’s body on a fixture, which restricts its natural behavior. In this paper, we developed the Transparent Omnidirectional Locomotion Compensator (TOLC) for a freely walking fruit fly without tethering, which enables its navigation in infinite space. The TOLC maintains a position of a fruit fly by compensating its motion using the transparent sphere. The TOLC is capable of maintaining the position error < 1 mm for 90.3% of the time and the heading error < 5° for 80.2% of the time. The inverted imaging system with a transparent sphere secures the space for an additional experimental apparatus. Because the proposed TOLC allows us to observe a freely walking fly without physical tethering, there is no potential injury during the experiment. Thus, the TOLC will offer a unique opportunity to investigate longitudinal studies of a wide range of behavior in an unrestricted walking Drosophila.
Use of Support Vector Machine in Pattern Classification: Application to QSAR Studies

The Support Vector Machine (SVM) approach for classification and regression problems was originally developed by Vapnik and co-workers [1]. For the last few years it has been gaining acceptance in the machine learning community [2]. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate SVM performance in the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) domain for classification applications and to compare the performance of one particular implementation of an SVM [3] to one particular implementation of an artificial neural network (ANN) [4]. For this purpose, we used artificial data simulating various response surfaces, and biological data derived from the literature covering various pharmacological domains. The results obtained on biological data are also compared to previous work using other modeling techniques. We also discuss the usage of SVM in building QSAR models for biological activity of drugs.
The circulation analysis of substandard foods in China based on GIS and social network analysis

In China, the majority of food enterprises are small-sized and medium-sized. While the supervision costs are high, food safety issues are still emerging. Food circulation is an indispensable part in the entire food chain. At present, there are few studies on the regional spread of food safety risks in the circulation field from a macro perspective. This study combines GIS and social network analysis methods to deeply explore the regional circulation characteristics of substandard foods. First, we crawl the dataset of Food Safety Sampling Inspection Result Query System. Then we obtain the geographical locations of the manufacturers and distributors by GIS. Finally, we construct the province-level and city-level substandard foods’ circulation networks, and employ social network analysis to target key cities and paths. The experimental results show that the circulations of substandard foods are characterized by dense province-level network and sparse city-level network, and they are mostly local and short-distance trafficking. 361 cities are divided into 13 city clusters considering the network connection characteristics. Chongqing, Beijing, Zhengzhou, and Changsha are identified as key cities by all measurement indicators, and at least four indicators can identify Shanghai and Wuhan. These cities have the highest priority for combating substandard foods’ circulation networks.
Efficiently Updating ECG-Based Biometric Authentication Based on Incremental Learning

Recently, the interest in biometric authentication based on electrocardiograms (ECGs) has increased. Nevertheless, the ECG signal of a person may vary according to factors such as the emotional or physical state, thus hindering authentication. We propose an adaptive ECG-based authentication method that performs incremental learning to identify ECG signals from a subject under a variety of measurement conditions. An incremental support vector machine (SVM) is adopted for authentication implementing incremental learning. We collected ECG signals from 11 subjects during 10 min over six days and used the data from days 1 to 5 for incremental learning, and those from day 6 for testing. The authentication results show that the proposed system consistently reduces the false acceptance rate from 6.49% to 4.39% and increases the true acceptance rate from 61.32% to 87.61% per single ECG wave after incremental learning using data from the five days. In addition, the authentication results tested using data obtained a day after the latest training show the false acceptance rate being within reliable range (3.5–5.33%) and improvement of the true acceptance rate (70.05–87.61%) over five days.
Traditional Bulgarian Dairy Products: Ethnic Foods with Health Benefits

The reported health effects of fermented dairy foods, which are traditionally manufactured in Bulgaria, are connected with their microbial biodiversity. The screening and development of probiotic starters for dairy products with unique properties are based exclusively on the isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacterial (LAB) strains. This study aims to systematically describe the LAB microbial content of artisanal products such as Bulgarian-type yoghurt, white brined cheese, kashkaval, koumiss, kefir, katak, and the Rhodope’s brano mliako. The original technologies for their preparation preserve the valuable microbial content and improve their nutritional and probiotic qualities. This review emphasises the features of LAB starters and the autochthonous microflora, the biochemistry of dairy food production, and the approaches for achieving the fortification of the foods with prebiotics, bioactive peptides (ACE2-inhibitors, bacteriocins, cyclic peptides with antimicrobial activity), immunomodulatory exopolysaccharides, and other metabolites (indol-3-propionic acid, free amino acids, antioxidants, prebiotics) with reported beneficial effects on human health. The link between the microbial content of dairy foods and the healthy human microbiome is highlighted.
Summary of Eighth Meeting on Hot Subdwarfs and Related Objects

Abstract Subjects discussed during the Eighth Meeting on Hot Subdwarfs and Related Objects are summarised. In particular, a succinct presentation is given of challenges to stellar evolution arising from recent observations. Mention is also made of topics not covered in the meeting such as the need for small revisions to stellar envelope opacities currently in use. I conclude with a brief discussion of current developments which will influence future hot subdwarf research and necessary initiatives that need to be taken.
Solution properties of sodium alginate

Sodium alginate fractions derived from three different sources—Laminaria hyperboria (75% guluronate), Fucus vesicularus (95% mannuronate), and Azotobacter vinelandii (85% mannuronate)—were investigated in aqueous solution over a wide range of ionic strength and pH using the techniques of light scattering, viscometry, and osmometry. Light‐scattering data extrapolated to infinite ionic strength yielded b0 = 4.7 ± 0.3 and 3.0 ± 0.2 nm for the unperturbed effective bond lengths of the guluronate‐ and mannuronate‐rich samples, respectively. These values are in the same ratio as predicted by conformational analysis, although lower by a factor of 0.7, probably due, in part at least, to the fact that measurements cannot be made on pure homopolymers. A comparison of the light‐scattering and the viscosity data indicated that Φ in the Flory‐Fox equation is lower than for more flexible polymers and increases with molecular weight, probably due to decreasing hydrodynamic permeability. Mark‐Houwink exponents obtained from data extrapolated to infinite ionic strength were found to be considerably greater than 0.5, and we attribute this entirely to a variation in Φ. Comparison of the results obtained for the two mannuronate‐rich samples indicated that the value of Φ and its variation with molecular weight can, in the case of alginates, differ markedly for chains, which, although having chemical differences, have similar chain statistics.
Learning to Treat Hypotensive Episodes in Sepsis Patients Using a Counterfactual Reasoning Framework

The optimal treatment strategy for volume resuscitation and vasopressor dosing to combat hypotensive episodes in septic patients remains a subject of ongoing controversy and can vary from clinician to clinician. We develop a machine learning approach to guide a fluid and vasopressor dosing strategy that adapts to patient-specific clinical states to improve the survival of septic patients. We adopt a model-free reinforcement learning (RL) framework in a continuous action space with a clinically significant reward function, and use a Switching Generalized Linear Model (SGLM) to characterize patient-specific clinical states. We use retrospective data from the MIMIC III database to train this model to learn volume resuscitation and vasopressor dosing strategies among the 5,366 patients (totalling 352,328 unique hourly measurements) with ICU-onset sepsis or septic shock, as diagnosed by the Sepsis-3 definition. The RL agent receives short- and long-term rewards associated with optimizing in-hospital survival and avoiding end-organ damage to learn volume resuscitation and vasopressor dosing strategies. On average, the RL agent learns to resuscitate patients earlier than clinicians with a fluid bolus (one hour vs. four hours after the diagnosis of sepsis), and improves the expected survival by ~3%. Our preliminary results indicate that adherence to RL-based individualized fluid and vasopressor dosing recommendations is associated with a significant mortality reduction in septic patients, even after adjusting for severity of illness.
Comparing the evidential strength for psychotropic drugs: a Bayesian meta-analysis

Abstract Approval and prescription of psychotropic drugs should be informed by the strength of evidence for efficacy. Using a Bayesian framework, we examined (1) whether psychotropic drugs are supported by substantial evidence (at the time of approval by the Food and Drug Administration), and (2) whether there are systematic differences across drug groups. Data from short-term, placebo-controlled phase II/III clinical trials for 15 antipsychotics, 16 antidepressants for depression, nine antidepressants for anxiety, and 20 drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were extracted from FDA reviews. Bayesian model-averaged meta-analysis was performed and strength of evidence was quantified (i.e. BFBMA). Strength of evidence and trialling varied between drugs. Median evidential strength was extreme for ADHD medication (BFBMA = 1820.4), moderate for antipsychotics (BFBMA = 365.4), and considerably lower and more frequently classified as weak or moderate for antidepressants for depression (BFBMA = 94.2) and anxiety (BFBMA = 49.8). Varying median effect sizes (ESschizophrenia = 0.45, ESdepression = 0.30, ESanxiety = 0.37, ESADHD = 0.72), sample sizes (Nschizophrenia = 324, Ndepression = 218, Nanxiety = 254, NADHD = 189.5), and numbers of trials (kschizophrenia = 3, kdepression = 5.5, kanxiety = 3, kADHD = 2) might account for differences. Although most drugs were supported by strong evidence at the time of approval, some only had moderate or ambiguous evidence. These results show the need for more systematic quantification and classification of statistical evidence for psychotropic drugs. Evidential strength should be communicated transparently and clearly towards clinical decision makers.
The Specifics of Accounting Policy Formation in Russian IT companies

The article discusses the issues of accounting policies development in one of the priority sectors of the digital economy: the IT industry (on the example of the Russian Federation). The purpose of the research is to identify the most significant accounting policy elements of IT companies based on statistical methods and develop recommendations for their use in practice. To do this, we have selected 10 organizations of different sizes based on the level of revenue they received in the reporting year 2018. Then a correlation and regression analysis was performed in Stata app. Accounting net profit is taken as the resulting indicator that reflects the efficiency of accounting in the company. The relationship of this indicator with internal absolute and relative performance indicators of organizations was examined (revenue, cost, the residual value of intangible assets, R & D expenses, management expenses, other expenses, corporate income tax, autonomy coefficient, investment coverage coefficient), as well as an external factor, which is the level of inflation. It is proved that significant indicators for the analyzed industry are the cost of sales, the residual value of intangible assets, and the amount of corporate income tax. And among them, the greatest impact on accounting net profit is the cost indicator of intangible assets. This conclusion made it possible to outline alternative ways of accounting for intangible assets in relation to IT organizations taking into account the current Russian legislation; to offer brief recommendations on their reflection in accounting policies. Alternatives were also considered in respect of the method of depreciation, the changes in estimates of useful life, and the amortization method for an intangible asset revaluation. The article presents the issue of adopting one or another accounting policy option as an open question for further discussion.