Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron spike mediated immune escape, infectivity and cell-cell fusion

The Omicron variant emerged in southern Africa in late 2021 and is characterised by multiple spike mutations across all spike domains. Here we show that the Omicron spike confers very significant evasion of vaccine elicited neutralising antibodies that is more pronounced for ChAdOx-1 adenovirus vectored vaccine versus BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Indeed neutralisation of Omicron was not detectable for the majority of individuals who had received two doses of ChAdOx-1. Third dose mRNA vaccination rescues neutralisation in the short term. Despite three mutations predicted to favour spike S1/S2 cleavage, observed cleavage efficiency is lower than for wild type Wuhan-1 D614G and Delta. We demonstrate significantly lower infectivity of lung organoids and Calu-3 lung cells expressing endogenous levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 but similar infection as compared to Delta when using H1299 lung epithelial cells. Importantly, fusogenicity of the Omicron spike is impaired, leading to marked reduction in syncitia formation. These observations indicate that Omicron has gained immune evasion properties whilst possibly modulating properties associated with replication and pathogenicity.
Emotions related to identifiable/anonymous peer feedback: A case study with Turkish pre-service English teachers

Although peer-feedback has been extensively studied in the field of foreign language pedagogy, research related to how students are involved in the process emotionally is limited. The purpose of the present study was to investigate emotions experienced by undergraduate students enrolled in ELT (English language teaching) at a state university as peer-feedback givers, while providing identifiable and anonymous peer-feedback. A qualitative case study method was adopted, with participants interviewed twice, once after providing peer-feedback on an identifiable paper, and again after providing peerfeedback on an anonymous paper. Both positive and negative emotions were reported by the participants, and to analyse the qualitative data, thematic analysis was employed. While they had various emotions related to the self and the peer, they reported mainly negative emotions related to identifiable peer-feedback. Lastly, they experienced positive emotions related to anonymous peer feedback.
NIKEL: Electronics and data acquisition for kilopixels kinetic inductance camera

A prototype of digital frequency multiplexing electronics allowing the real time monitoring of microwave kinetic inductance detector (MKIDs) arrays for mm-wave astronomy has been developed. Thanks to the frequency multiplexing, it can monitor simultaneously 400 pixels over a 500 MHz bandwidth and requires only two coaxial cables for instrumenting such a large array. The chosen solution and the achieved performances are presented in this paper.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF LARGE-FORMAT , FREEFORM 3 D PRINTING FOR ON-ORBIT ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Large scale, on-orbit additive manufacturing (AM) and assembly is being considered as a modular and resource saving approach to facilitate permanent human presence in space. To realise this, a novel AM approach to freeform fabricate large, functional structures in space has been developed. Combining the reach of a free-flying CubeSat with a collaborative robotic arm and a 3D printer, large support-free thermoplastic structures can be manufactured beyond the size of the setup itself. The feasibility of the proposed fabrication approach was established using the Experimental Lab for Proximity Operations and Space Situational Awareness (ELISSA) system, where a modified fused filament fabrication setup was mounted on a free-flyer to 3D print free-standing structures. Using a continuous navigation path incorporating an infinite fabrication loop, over 70 centimetre long, support-free trusses were produced to well demonstrate the potential of the proposed method in boundless direct printing of complex structures, independent of gravity or printing orientation. Nomenclature and Abbreviations AM Additive Manufacturing DOF Degrees of Freedom ELISSA Experimental Lab for Proximity Operations and Space Situational Awareness FFF Fused Filament Fabrication GNC Guidance, Naviation and Control ISM In Space Manufacturing ISS International Space Station JWST James Webb Space Telescope OBC On-Board Computer PEEK Polyether Ether Ketone PID Proportional-Integral-Derivative (Controller) PLA Polylactic Acid ROS Robot Operating System SMC Sliding Mode Controller 1508 Solid Freeform Fabrication 2021: Proceedings of the 32nd Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium – An Additive Manufacturing Conference Reviewed Paper
SDN-based MANETs Using Existing OpenFlow Protocol

—There is a continuous business need for network technologies to increase in functionality, performance and complexity. However, the present network paradigms show a lack of adaptability and are limited to single domain management. Thus, management of the network places a burden on the network’s users. In addition, the high number and variety of stationary or dynamic devices make the network massive and intractable, with a complexity that leads to scalability challenges. Modern requirements cannot be supported by the current decentralized mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) standard models. Additionally, MANETs suffer from packets/network overheads due to topology changes with the distributed and (decentralized) routing in each node. In a typical architecture, the mobile node is responsible for dynamically detecting other nodes in the network. The node can communicate directly or via an intermediate node, and to specify a route to other nodes. Thus, the node takes a decision with only a limited view of the network’s topology. To this end, the deployment of the Software Deﬁned Networking (SDN) paradigm has the potential to enable the redesign of these models. SDN provides a global view of network topology and a programmable network with centralized management. In this paper, we propose a new architecture for SDN-based MANETs, which is adding an Open Virtual Switch (OVS) per node to ﬁnd the effect of OVS on the MANETs performance. We present a practical implementation for the new architecture using existing OpenFlow protocol. The tests have been carried out in an emulation environment based on Linux Containers (LXC V 2.0.11), Open Network Operating System (ONOS V 2.5.0) as a remote controller, NS3 and Open virtual Switch (OVS V 2.5).
Orthostatic intolerance in adults with long COVID was not associated with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

In this observational cross-sectional study, we investigated predictors of orthostatic intolerance (OI) in adults with long COVID. Participants underwent a 3-minute active stand (AS) with Finapres NOVA, followed by a 10-minute unmedicated 70-degree head-up tilt test. 85 participants were included (mean age 46 years, range 25-78; 74% women), of which 56 (66%) reported OI during AS (OIAS). OIAS seemed associated with female sex, more fatigue and depressive symptoms, and greater inability to perform activities of daily living (ADL), as well as a higher heart rate (HR) at the lowest systolic blood pressure (SBP) point before the 1st minute post-stand (mean HRnadir: 88 vs 75 bpm, P=0.004). In a regression model also including age, sex, fatigue, depression, ADL inability, and peak HR after the nadir SBP, HRnadir was the only OIAS predictor (OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18, P=0.027). 22 participants had initial (iOH) and 5 classical (cOH) orthostatic hypotension, but neither correlated with OIAS. 71 participants proceeded to tilt, of which 28 had OI during tilt (OItilt). Of the 53 who had a 10-minute tilt, 7 (13%) fulfilled hemodynamic postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) criteria, but 6 did not report OItilt. OIAS was associated with a higher initial HR on AS, which after 1 minute equalized with the non-OIAS group. Despite these initial orthostatic HR differences, POTS was infrequent and largely asymptomatic. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05027724 (retrospectively registered on August 30, 2021).
Bounding the levels of transmissibility & immune evasion of the Omicron variant in South Africa

A new SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, Omicron (B.1.1.529), has been identified based on genomic sequencing and epidemiological data in South Africa. Presumptive Omicron cases in South Africa have grown extremely rapidly, despite high prior exposure and moderate vaccination coverage. The available evidence suggests that Omicron spread is at least in part due to evasion of this immune protection, though it may also exhibit higher intrinsic transmissibility. Using detailed laboratory and epidemiological data from South Africa, we estimate the constraints on these two characteristics of the new variant and their relationship. Our estimates and associated uncertainties provide essential information to inform projection and scenario modeling analyses, which are crucial planning tools for governments around the world.
Wide-Band Balanced Line Microwave Hybrids

Wide-band balanced line microwave hybrids each consisting of lossless two-ports and a "reversed-phase hybrid ring" are presented. The two-ports can be designed for wide-band match and the new device is shown to have the same frequency independent properties as the basic hybrid ring. Two special two-ports are treated: one consists of open-circuited series stubs and short-circuited shunt stubs while the other consists of transmission-line cascades. The hybrid ring with matching stubs has been described previously, but is difficult to realize. The hybrid ring matched with transmission-line cascades is a new development which simplifies the practical realization. A complete synthesis procedure is presented and design data for 3-, 6-, 10-, and 15-dB coupling are tabulated.
A proposed AI-enhanced serious game for cybersecurity ethics training

In the current information age, cybersecurity is essential for handling and protecting data in an ethical manner. Implementing appropriate cybersecurity policies and practices that will encourage people to exercise good ethical behaviour is therefore essential. Video games are a promising medium for allowing individuals to explore their behaviours in an ethically safe way. Our project will draw together a novel combination of theories and technologies from cybersecurity, moral psychology, artificially intelligent agent societies, knowledge-based systems, and serious game design to create and validate its ethical simulation. By using AI to implement societies of intelligent ethical agents in a serious video game, we will create a simulation environment with scope for deep and complex ethical engagement. Following the principles of moral psychology, this simulation will be used to design a sophisticated ethical training tool in a cybersecurity context.
SYSTEMAND METHODS FOR RECOGNIZING SOUND AND MUSIC SIGNALS IN HIGH NOISE AND DISTORTION

A method for recognizing an audio sample locates an audio file that most closely matches the audio sample from a data base indexing a large set of original recordings. Each indexed audio file is represented in the database index by a set of landmark timepoints and associated fingerprints. Landmarks occur at reproducible locations within the file, while finger prints represent features of the signal at or near the landmark timepoints. To perform recognition, landmarks and finger prints are computed for the unknown sample and used to retrieve matching fingerprints from the database. For each file containing matching fingerprints, the landmarks are com pared with landmarks of the sample at which the same fin gerprints were computed. If a large number of corresponding landmarks are linearly related, i.e., if equivalent fingerprints of the sample and retrieved file have the same time evolution, then the file is identified with the sample. The method can be used for any type of Sound or music, and is particularly effective for audio signals Subject to linear and nonlinear distortion Such as background noise, compression artifacts, or transmission dropouts. The sample can be identified in a time proportional to the logarithm of the number of entries in the database; given Sufficient computational power, recognition can be performed in nearly real time as the sound is being sampled.
Sağlık Çalışanlarının COVID-19 Pandemi Sürecindeki Psikososyal Uyumları: Asistan Doktorlar, Hemşireler ve Hasta Bakıcıların Ekstra İlgiye İhtiyacı Var

Cite as: Akyüz Karacan F, Yılmaz S, Kırpınar İ. Psychosocial Adjustment of Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resident Doctors, Nurses, and Caregivers Need Extra Attention. Med J Bakirkoy 2021;17:375-385 Received: 13.09. 2021 Accepted: 25.10. 2021 Address for Correspondence: Fatma Akyüz Karacan, Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey Phone: +90 212 453 17 00 E-mail: ftmakyuz@yahoo.com. tr ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6166-9355 Sağlık Çalışanlarının COVID-19 Pandemi Sürecindeki Psikososyal Uyumları: Asistan Doktorlar, Hemşireler ve Hasta Bakıcıların Ekstra İlgiye İhtiyacı Var
Identification of harmonic sources of power systems using state estimation

With three test systems, the paper demonstrates the ability of system-wide harmonic state estimation (HSE) to identify remote harmonic sources and estimate load admittance of a power system, from a few synchronised, partial and asymmetric measurements. Implemented off-line or on-line, it turns multipoint measurements to system-wide measurements in a very economical way. System-wide HSE provides an efficient power quality tool for assessing the impact of hidden harmonic sources on the overall performance of power systems.
Eculizumab in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring continuous positive airway pressure ventilator support: Retrospective cohort study

Background Complement activation contributes to lung dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assessed whether C5 blockade with eculizumab could improve disease outcome. Methods In this single-centre, academic, unblinded study two 900 mg eculizumab doses were added-on standard therapy in ten COVID-19 patients admitted from February 2020 to April 2020 and receiving Continuous-Positive-Airway-Pressure (CPAP) ventilator support from ≤24 hours. We compared their outcomes with those of 65 contemporary similar controls. Primary outcome was respiratory rate at one week of ventilator support. Secondary outcomes included the combined endpoint of mortality and discharge with chronic complications. Results Baseline characteristics of eculizumab-treated patients and controls were similar. At baseline, sC5b-9 levels, ex vivo C5b-9 and thrombi deposition were increased. Ex vivo tests normalised in eculizumab-treated patients, but not in controls. In eculizumab-treated patients respiratory rate decreased from 26.8±7.3 breaths/min at baseline to 20.3±3.8 and 18.0±4.8 breaths/min at one and two weeks, respectively (p<0.05 for both), but did not change in controls. Between-group changes differed significantly at both time-points (p<0.01). Changes in respiratory rate correlated with concomitant changes in ex vivo C5b-9 deposits at one (rs = 0.706, p = 0.010) and two (rs = 0.751, p = 0.032) weeks. Over a median (IQR) period of 47.0 (14.0–121.0) days, four eculizumab-treated patients died or had chronic complications versus 52 controls [HRCrude (95% CI): 0.26 (0.09–0.72), p = 0.010]. Between-group difference was significant even after adjustment for age, sex and baseline serum creatinine [HRAdjusted (95% CI): 0.30 (0.10–0.84), p = 0.023]. Six patients and 13 controls were discharged without complications [HRCrude (95% CI): 2.88 (1.08–7.70), p = 0.035]. Eculizumab was tolerated well. The main study limitations were the relatively small sample size and the non-randomised design. Conclusions In patients with severe COVID-19, eculizumab safely improved respiratory dysfunction and decreased the combined endpoint of mortality and discharge with chronic complications. Findings need confirmation in randomised controlled trials.
Genetic risk factors associated with gestational diabetes in a multi-ethnic population

Aims Genome-wide association studies have shown an increased risk of type-2-diabetes (T2DM) in patients who carry single nucleotide polymorphisms in several genes. We investigated whether the same gene loci confer a risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in women from Hawaii, and in particular, Pacific Islander and Filipino populations. Methods Blood was collected from 291 women with GDM and 734 matched non-diabetic controls (Pacific Islanders: 71 GDM, 197 non-diabetic controls; Filipinos: 162 GDM, 395 controls; Japanese: 58 GDM, 142 controls). Maternal DNA was used to genotype and show allele frequencies of 25 different SNPs mapped to 18 different loci. Results After adjusting for age, BMI, parity and gravidity by multivariable logistic regression, several SNPs showed significant associations with GDM and were ethnicity specific. In particular, SNPs rs1113132 (EXT2), rs1111875 (HHEX), rs2237892 (KCNQ1), rs2237895 (KCNQ1), rs10830963 (MTNR1B) and rs13266634 (SLC30A8) showed significant associations with GDM in Filipinos. For Japanese, SNPs rs4402960 (IGFBP2) and rs2237892 (KCNQ1) were significantly associated with GDM. For Pacific Islanders, SNPs rs10830963 (MTNR1B) and rs13266634 (SLC30A8) showed significant associations with GDM. Individually, none of the SNPs showed a consistent association with GDM across all three investigated ethnicities. Conclusion Several SNPs associated with T2DM are found to confer increased risk for GDM in a multiethnic cohort in Hawaii.
Factors Driving the Popularity and Virality of COVID-19 Vaccine Discourse on Twitter: Text Mining and Data Visualization Study

Background COVID-19 vaccination is considered a critical prevention measure to help end the pandemic. Social media platforms such as Twitter have played an important role in the public discussion about COVID-19 vaccines. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate message-level drivers of the popularity and virality of tweets about COVID-19 vaccines using machine-based text-mining techniques. We further aimed to examine the topic communities of the most liked and most retweeted tweets using network analysis and visualization. Methods We collected US-based English-language public tweets about COVID-19 vaccines from January 1, 2020, to April 30, 2021 (N=501,531). Topic modeling and sentiment analysis were used to identify latent topics and valence, which together with autoextracted information about media presence, linguistic features, and account verification were used in regression models to predict likes and retweets. Among the 2500 most liked tweets and 2500 most retweeted tweets, network analysis and visualization were used to detect topic communities and present the relationship between the topics and the tweets. Results Topic modeling yielded 12 topics. The regression analyses showed that 8 topics positively predicted likes and 7 topics positively predicted retweets, among which the topic of vaccine development and people’s views and that of vaccine efficacy and rollout had relatively larger effects. Network analysis and visualization revealed that the 2500 most liked and most retweeted retweets clustered around the topics of vaccine access, vaccine efficacy and rollout, vaccine development and people’s views, and vaccination status. The overall valence of the tweets was positive. Positive valence increased likes, but valence did not affect retweets. Media (photo, video, gif) presence and account verification increased likes and retweets. Linguistic features had mixed effects on likes and retweets. Conclusions This study suggests the public interest in and demand for information about vaccine development and people’s views, and about vaccine efficacy and rollout. These topics, along with the use of media and verified accounts, have enhanced the popularity and virality of tweets. These topics could be addressed in vaccine campaigns to help the diffusion of content on Twitter.
Microstrip wideband bandstop filter with open stubs for UWB applications

This article describes the development of an optimized microstrip wideband bandstop filter (BSF) with open stubs for ultrawideband applications. Simulated results agree with the measured results, demonstrating in the experimental results a 10 dB bandwidth from 4.6 to 7.6 GHz, insertion loss (S21) of −33.9 dB, and minimum return loss (S11) of −0.40 dB at 6.1 GHz. Additionally, an equivalent circuit of the wideband BSF is built to estimate the electromagnetic simulation results for practical realization. The features of the design have a reduced size, wideband rejection, higher insertion loss, and tunable bandwidth, which can be performed by adjusting the L‐shaped stubs (0.41λg and 0.29λg) toward the 50 Ω input and output ports. The designed BSF occupied the size of 0. 35λg × 0. 29λg. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:1003–1006, 2015
Non-coding RNA regulates phage sensitivity in Listeria monocytogenes

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have gained increasing attention as their diverse roles in virulence and environmental stress in Listeria monocytogenes have become clearer. The ncRNA rliB is an atypical member of the CRISPR family, conserved at the same genomic locus in all analyzed L. monocytogenes genomes and also in other Listeria species. In this study, rliB defective mutants (Lm3-22-ΔrliB) were constructed by homologous recombination. The growth cycle of Lm3-22-ΔrliB mutants was slower than that of wild-type Lm3-22. The sensitivity of Lm3-22-ΔrliB to the Listeria phage vB-LmoM-SH3-3 was significantly increased, and the efficiency of plaque formation was enhanced by 128 fold. Compared with wild type, the adhesion and invasion of Lm3-22-ΔrliB decreased significantly (9.3% and 1.33%, respectively). After 4 hours of infection, the proliferation of Lm3-22-ΔrliB in RAW264.7 cells also decreased significantly. Transcription level of invasion-related surface proteins showed that the internalin genes lmo0610 and lm0514, and the peptidoglycan binding protein gene lmo1799 in Lm3-22-ΔrliB were significantly increased. In addition, after interaction with phage, the transcription levels of inlA, lmo0610, lmo1799, lmo2085, and lmo0514 in Lm3-22-ΔrliB cells were significantly upregulated, while inlB was downregulated, compared with Lm3-22 control group with phage treatment. Therefore, rliB deletion effectively regulated the interaction between Listeria and phage, weaken its invasion ability, and provided a new theoretical basis for biocontrol of phage.