Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Screening of Autoantibodies in Serum of Renal Cancer Patients Based on Human Proteome Microarray

Background: The autoantibody in the patient's serum can be used as a marker for the diagnosis of cancer, and the differences of autoantibodies are closely related to the changes of their target proteins. The human proteome microarray platform can be used for the screening of autoantibodies.Methods: In this study, 16 renal cancer (RC) patients were taken as a disease group, and the same number of healthy people was selected as a healthy control (HC) group. The protein microarray containing 16,152 proteins was used to detect the possible differences of autoantibodies IgG and IgM in the sera between the RC group and HC group. The screening criteria for autoantibodies and their target proteins are: fold change > 1.2, p-value < 0.05, positive ratio of RC > 30% and positive ratio of HC < 10%. Then the screened target proteins were used for cluster analysis of functions and pathways by PANTHER, DAVID and STRING. Results: Through the comparative analysis of the microarray results, there were 139 types of IgG and 43 types of IgM autoantibody significantly higher in RC than in the HC, and the highly responsive autoantibodies can be candidate biomarkers, such as anti-BCAS4-IgG and anti-RCN1-IgM. There were 159 IgG and 261 IgM autoantibodies that were significantly changed between the RC and the HC. The target proteins BCAS4 and RCN1 may be RC-related antigen and proteins such as GAP43 and CCT8 may be RC-related or RC-specific antigen. The functional clustering results showed those target proteins were mainly directed against the MAPK signaling pathway, Antigen processing: ubiquitination & proteasome degradation, Cargo recognition for clathrin-mediated endocytosis, etc. Conclustions: The high-content human proteome microarray platform can effectively screen autoantibodies in serum as candidate markers for renal cancer, and their corresponding target proteins can lay the foundation for the study of renal cancer.
An R Package for Data Mining Chili Pepper Fruit Transcriptomes

Background: Open data sharing is instrumental for the advance of biological sciences. Gene expression is the primary molecular phenotype, usually estimated through RNA-Seq experiments. Large scope interpretation of RNA-Seq results is complicated by the extensive gene expression range, as well as by the diversity of biological sources and experimental treatments. Here we present “Salsa”, an auto-contained R package for extracting useful knowledge about gene expression during the development of chili pepper fruit. Methods and Results: Data from 168 RNA-Seq libraries, comprising more than 3.4 billion reads, were analyzed and curated to represent standardized expression profiles (SEPs) for all genes expressed during fruit development in 12 chili pepper accessions. Accessions have representatives of domesticated varieties, wild ancestors and crosses, covering a broad spectrum of genotypes. Data are organized in a relational way, and functions allow data mining from the level of single genes up to whole genomes, grouping profiles by different criteria. Those include any combination of expression model, accession, protein description and gene ontology (GO) term, among others. Also, GO enrichment analysis can be performed over any set of genes. Conclusions: “Salsa” opens endless possibilities for mining the transcriptome of chili pepper during fruit development.
Thermal and quantum phase slips in niobium-nitride nanowires based on suspended carbon nanotubes

Superconducting nanowires have attracted considerable attention due to their unique quantum-mechanical properties, as well as their potential as next-generation quantum nanodevices, such as single-photon detectors, phase-slip (PS) qubits, and other hybrid structures. In this study, we present the results of one-dimensional (1D) superconductivity in nanowires fabricated by coating suspended carbon nanotubes with a superconducting thin niobium nitride (NbN) film. In the resistance-temperature characteristic curves, hallmarks of 1D superconductivity with PS events are observed with unconventional negative magnetoresistance. We also confirm that a crossover occurs between thermal and quantum PSs as the temperature is lowered.
Clinical research of lower extremity exoskeleton robot In post-stroke hemiplegic patients

Background In recent years, the number of people suffering from stroke-induced motor function lost increased considerably. Recovery of motility is essential in improving their quality of life. However, the existing rehabilitation methods cannot fulfill patients’ training requirements. As a new rehabilitation technology, exoskeleton robot provides a new treatment scheme for post-stroke hemiplegic patients. Objective To explore the safety and effectiveness of exoskeleton-assisted gait training for post-stroke hemiplegic patients. Methods A lower extremity hip joint exoskeleton robot was designed by the cooperation team, and 9 post-stroke hemiplegic patients were included for exoskeleton-assisted gait training. The three-dimensional gait parameters, plantar pressure and surface electromyography were used to validate the effectiveness of the exoskeleton robot in post-stroke hemiplegic patients. Results Exoskeleton-assisted ambulation training for post-stroke hemiplegic patients can correct the asymmetry of gait and abnormal phase of gait cycle, increase the toe-ground clearance and the angle of hip joint, reduce the pressure of non-paretic plantar and the impulse of bilateral feet, which help balance the plantar pressure distribution. It can also improve the integral electromyography value of specific muscle, which means that corresponding muscles are stimulated to generate activities. Conclusions The exoskeleton robot designed by our team can correct the hemiplegic gait and foot drop phenomenon of post-stroke patients, protecting them from damage caused by long-term abnormal gait, which contributes to the recovery of lower extremity motor function in hemiplegic patients. The results also provide important information for the design of lower extremity exoskeleton robot. In the future, we should further explore the rehabilitation function of exoskeleton robot in post-stroke hemiplegic patients, as well as the ambulation and rehabilitation function in other lower extremity motor dysfunction patients.
From SARS to COVID-19: A Bibliometric study on Emerging Infectious Diseases with Natural Language Processing technologies

[Background] On January 7, 2020, the novel coronavirus named "COVID-19" aroused worldwide concern was identified by Chinese scientists. Many related research works were developed for the emerging, rapidly evolving situation of this epidemic. This study aimed to analyze the research literatures on SARS, MERS and COVID-19 to retrieve important information for virologists, epidemiologist and policy decision makers. [Methods] In this study, we collected data from multi data sources and compared bibliometrics indices among COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) up to March 25, 2020. In purpose to extract data in corresponding quantity and scale, the volume of search results will be balance with the limitation of publication years. For further analysis, we extracted 1,480 documents from 1,671 candidates with Natural Language Processing technologies. [Results] In total, 13,945 research literatures of 7 datasets were selected for analysis. Unlike other topics, research passion on epidemic may reach its peak at the first year the outbreak happens. The document type distribution of SARS, MERS and COVID-19 are nearly the same (less than 6 point difference for each type), however, there were notable growth in the research qualities during these three epidemics (3.68, 6.63 and 11.35 for Field-Weighted Citation Impact scores). Asian countries has less international collaboration (less than 35.1\%) than the Occident (more than 49.5\%), which should be noticed as same as research itself. [Conclusions] We found that research passion on epidemics may always reach its peak at the first year after outburst, however, the peak of research on MERS appeared at the third year because of its outburst of reproduction in 2015. For the research quality, although we did better in research qualities than before especially on COVID-19, research on epidemics not started from our own country should not be looked down. Another important effective strategy for enhancing epidemic prevention for China and other Asian countries is to continue strengthening international collaboration.
IMPACT OF POOR QUANTITY SURVEYING PRACTICES ON SMALL SCALE CONTRACTORS IN SRI LANKA

Construction industry is one of the devoting force of any country's economy. Around the world, Small Scale Contractors (SSC) has been found to play a significant role in creating jobs, infiltrating new markets and growing the economy in an inspired and inventive way. However, performance of SSCs in developing and minor developed countries is still not in adequate level due to various factors. Poor QS practices is one of the significant factor which affect to the current performance of the SSCs. Hence, this research aims to implement better QS practices to mitigate adverse impact to the small scale contractors due to plenty of poor QS practices. Particularly qualitative research approach was used for this study and accordingly data was collected from semi- structured interviews and analyzed using manual content analysis. Project delays, cost overruns of projects, cash flow problems, unable to win tenders, poor construction quality, delays in payments and contractual disputes were identified as major issues caused by the poor QS practices. This research suggests government to impose laws and regulations, offer tax relieves to contractors and impose legal requirements to participate in CPD sessions to minimize poor QS practices. Further clients and consultants can make timely payments to contractors and key suggestions to contractors are hire experienced and qualified professionals, provide well-coordinated training, adopt new technologies, keep clear and completed drawings and specifications, use cost and time controlling techniques and maintain good record keeping system.
Explicitly correlated local coupled‐cluster methods using pair natural orbitals

Recently developed explicitly correlated local coupled‐cluster methods [PNO‐LCCSD(T)‐F12] are reviewed. Extensive benchmarks for reaction energies and intermolecular interaction energies are presented, in which the convergence of the results with respect to all local approximations is studied. The explicit correlation treatment (F12) is shown to be essential to minimize basis set incompleteness errors, as well as errors caused by domain approximations. Generally, the errors of relative energies due to local approximations can be reduced to below 1 kcal/mol. The methods are well parallelized, and using small computer clusters with 100–200 computing cores, calculations for systems with 100–200 atoms using augmented triple‐ζ basis sets can be carried out within a few hours of elapsed time. Recommendations are made on how such calculations should be carried out, how the accuracy can be tested, and which computational resources are required.
ADAMTS13 gene; a novel splicing site mutation in a case with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

A plasma protease, ADAMTS13, cleaves the von Willebrand factor (VWF) and its deficiency is associated with the pathogenesis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). According to the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD), about 150 mutations have been identified in the ADAMTS13 gene. A 23-year-old man, with hematuria and gingival bleeding was admitted to our University Hospital. Four years ago he was diagnosed with a TTP history. During these years, he was under intermittent plasma exchange. A blood sample was taken for genetic study. He effectively responded to one session of fresh frozen plasma replacement and plasma exchange. Genetic study indicated that this case carries two heterozygous mutations in ADAMTS13 gene; a novel splicing variant (c.2610+5G>A) and a nonsense p.Arg910X mutation that previously is reported to relate to TTP. The novel variant predicted to result in an aberrant ADAMTS13 transcript processing.
Development of an Electro-Thermal Model for Electric Vehicles Using a Design of Experiments Approach

An accurate and computationally efficient lithium-ion battery model is beneficial when developing state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) algorithms for battery management systems (BMS). These models allow for software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, where the battery pack is simulated in software. However, development of these battery models can be time-consuming, especially when trying to model the effects of temperature and SOC on the equivalent circuit model (ECM) parameters. Estimation of this relationship is often accomplished by carrying out many experiments, which can be costly and time consuming for BMS manufacturers. To address these issues, this paper makes two contributions to literature. First, a comprehensive battery model is developed, where the ECM parameter surface is generated using a design of experiments (DOE) approach. Second, replication runs are conducted to accurately estimate the measurement noise and determine which model parameters are significant. The technique is then compared with existing approaches from the literature, and it is shown that, by using the proposed method, the same degree of accuracy can be obtained while requiring significantly fewer experimental runs. This can be advantageous for BMS manufacturers that require a high-fidelity model but cannot afford to carry out many experiments.
When Labor Enforcement and Immigration Enforcement Collide: Deterring Worker Complaints Worsens Workplace Safety

Regulatory agencies overseeing the labor market often rely on worker complaints to target their enforcement resources. This system might be counterproductive if the workers at risk of poor working conditions also face high barriers to complain. We examine the implications of complaint-based enforcement in the context of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We provide descriptive evidence that Hispanic workers face higher barriers to complain: workplaces with large shares of Hispanic workers have higher injury rates but issue fewer complaints to OSHA. We show that workers' willingness to complain causally affects the job hazards they face. At workplaces with large shares of Hispanic workers, counties’ participation in an immigration enforcement program reduced complaints to OSHA, but increased injuries. Our results highlight that using complaints to direct regulatory enforcement can exacerbate existing inequalities when workers face differential barriers to complain.
Redispersion of Nanoparticle-Loaded Orodispersible Films: Preservation of Particle Fineness

The application of orodispersible films (ODFs) as carrier for drug nanoparticles was discovered a few years ago. Poorly water-soluble drugs are milled to nanosuspensions to improve their bioavailability. During the manufacturing process they are embedded into a polymer matrix or loaded on the surface of drug-free ODF templates. The particle size of the particles released from the ODF was measured when redispersed in water. A preservation of the drug particle sizes could be achieved for both investigated ODF types when an adequate amount of matrix material is added to prevent agglomeration during the drying process.
Hyaluronic Acid - 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Conjugate Act as a Promising Targeted Drug Delivery Option for the Treatment of COVID-19

In the present study, we propose Hyaluronic acid - 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (HA-2DG) conjugate as a novel drug for the treatment of COVID-19. In silico molecular docking studies HA-2DG and 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2DG) against four different SARS-CoV-2 viral protein (Mpro, RdRp, PLpro and S protein) revealed that HA-2DG conjugate showed better binding affinity (-6.2, -7.2, -7.0 and 6.4 Kcal/mol) with all four screened SASR-CoV-2 viral targets than the antimetabolite drug 2DG alone (-4.8, -4.9, -4.6 and 4.7 Kcal/mol) respectively. ADMET analysis of 2DG and HA-2DG revealed that HA-2DG possessed reduced toxicity than 2DG alone. The study also revealed that the HA-2DG conjugate has multiple advantages of efficient drug delivery to its CD44 variant isoform receptors of the lower respiratory tract, highest interactive binding affinity with SARS-CoV-2 protein targets. Moreover, the HA-2DG drug conjugate possesses added advantages of good biodegradability, biocompatibility, no toxicity and non-immunogenicity. In conclusion, our study suggested that further in-vitro and in-vivo examination of HA-2DG drug conjugate will be useful to establish a promising early-stage antiviral drug for the novel treatment of COVID-19.
Three Questions Regarding Impulse Responses and their Interpretation Found from Sign Restrictions

When sign restrictions are used in SVARs impulse responses are only set identified. If sign restrictions are just given for a single shock the shocks may not be separated, and so the resulting structural equations can be unacceptable. Thus, in a supply demand model, if only signs are given for the impulse responses to a demand shock this may result in two supply curves being in the SVAR. One needs to find the identified set so that this effect is excluded. Granziera el al’s (2018) frequentist approach to inference potentially suffers from this issue. One also has to recognize that the identified set should be adjusted so that it produces responses to the same size shock. Finally, because researchers are often unwilling to set out sign restrictions to separate all shocks, we describe how this can be done with a SVAR/VAR system rather than a straight SVAR.
Construction and Validation of Educational, Social and Psychological Consequences Questionnaires of EPT as a High-Stakes Test

Individuals are controlled by tests in every advanced society when they want to be admitted in educational courses, to proceed from one stage to the next, or to be given a certificate (Shohamy, 2001b). Accordingly, the present study was carried out to construct and validate educational, social, and psychological consequences questionnaires of English Language Proficiency (EPT) as a high-stakes test in Iran. To achieve the goals, after initial piloting of the item pool, a total number of 252 non-English PhD students completed the final researcher-made questionnaires developed using a comprehensive review of the related literature, experts’ opinions, documents, and interviews. A number of statistical procedures were taken to validate the current questionnaires including Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). EFA was utilized to determine the underlying factors of the scale that affect the variables in a data structure without setting any predefined structure to the outcome and to verify the number of factors; subsequently, these results were confirmed in the CFA phase. Ultimately, the results were discussed and implications of the questionnaires were presented as follows.
Hot extremes have become drier in the US Southwest

The impacts of summer heat extremes are mediated by the moisture content of the atmosphere. Increases in temperatures due to human-caused climate change are generally expected to increase specific humidity; however, it remains unclear how humidity extremes may change, especially in climatologically dry regions. Here, using in situ measurements and reanalyses, we show that specific humidity on low humidity days in the American Southwest has decreased over the past seven decades, and that the greatest decreases co-occur with the hottest temperatures. Hot, dry summers have anomalously low evapotranspiration that is linked to low summer soil moisture. The recent decrease in summer soil moisture is explained by declines in pre-summer soil moisture, whereas the interannual variability is controlled by summer precipitation. Climate models project continued declines in pre-summer soil moisture but increases in summer precipitation, leading to uncertainty as to how summer soil moisture and hot, dry days will change in the future.
A Review of Knowledge Graph Technology in the field of Automatic Question Answering

The automatic question answering (QA) system is a typical natural language processing task. How to make the automatic question answering system more intelligent is a popular research direction in the field of natural language processing. In this era of information explosion, the multisource of data itself makes it difficult to integrate and manage. To solve such problems, it is particularly important to construct and present a complete knowledge system. The knowledge graph (KG) shows real-world knowledge through highly structured graphs. Based on the concept of KG, this paper introduces the classification and research status of KG, focuses on the application of knowledge graph in the field of automatic QA, explains the key technologies in the process of constructing knowledge graph, and finally shows the application of knowledge graph in other fields.
Anti-inflammatory property of Parkia speciosa empty pod extract in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Parkia speciosa Hassk, locally known as petai papan, is a common medicinal plant found in Southeast Asia. Its empty pods were reported to contain high concentrations of polyphenols, particularly quercetin. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of P. speciosa empty pod extract in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The empty pods were extracted by sequential fractionation with absolute ethanol and ethyl acetate. HUVECs were divided into four groups. HUVECs were exposed to tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a, 10 ng/mL) in the presence (25 µg/mL) or absence of Parkia speciosa extract. Quercetin (125 µM) served as the positive control, while another group that was not exposed to TNF-a acted as the negative control. The protein expressions of the inflammatory mediators, which were NF-eB p65, iNOS, COX-2 and VCAM-1, were significantly decreased in the P. speciosa and quercetin groups exposed to TNF-a. P. speciosa extract and quercetin also significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide levels as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity caused by TNF-a in HUVECs. In conclusion, P. speciosa empty pod extract exhibited potential anti-inflammatory properties against TNF-a-induced inflammation, possibly
Emergency Remote Learning in Higher Education during COVID-19 Era: Students and Professors’ Experiences

Due to the current massive pandemic situation, global educational systems have, by necessity, shifted from in-person to virtual learning. As a result, this newfangled educational paradigm has changed the conception of teaching and learning from a rigid process to a novel environment where new rules and objectives are set. In the present context, this research paper is intended to discuss the contemporary educational prototype as an alternative to traditional face-to-face instruction in order to accomplish quality learning and rescue the academic year from a doomed failure. In this regard, this study relies on a quantitative and qualitative research analysis, based on questionnaires designated to teachers and students of the National School of Applied Sciences of Tétouan (ENSATE) at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University to reflect upon their experiences, insights, and perceptions of distance education with respect to teaching materials, content, and syllabus delivery. The aim, therefore, is to disclose the variant challenges that are being encountered by the aforementioned students and teachers, including their attitudes toward e-learning course content and pedagogy. It is equally important to pinpoint the different possible strategies and policies that ought to be adopted by education policy makers to perfectly meet the novice learning/teaching needs and aspirations.