Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Drug Synergism between Peptides and Antineoplastic Drugs Paclitaxel, 5-Fluorouracil, and Doxorubicin Using In Silico Approaches

Chemotherapy is the main treatment for most early-stage cancers; nevertheless, its efficacy is usually limited by drug resistance, toxicity, and tumor heterogeneity. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are small peptide sequences that can be used to increase the delivery rate of chemotherapeutic drugs to the tumor site, therefore contributing to overcoming these problems and enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy. The drug combination is another promising strategy to overcome the aforementioned problems since the combined drugs can synergize through interconnected biological processes and target different pathways simultaneously. Here, we hypothesized that different peptides (P1–P4) could be used to enhance the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents into three different cancer cells (HT-29, MCF-7, and PC-3). In silico studies were performed to simulate the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of each peptide and antineoplastic agent to help predict synergistic interactions in vitro. These simulations predicted peptides P2–P4 to have higher bioavailability and lower Tmax, as well as the chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to have enhanced permeability properties over other antineoplastic agents, with P3 having prominent accumulation in the colon. In vitro studies were then performed to evaluate the combination of each peptide with the chemotherapeutic agents as well as to assess the nature of drug interactions through the quantification of the Combination Index (CI). Our findings in MCF-7 and PC-3 cancer cells demonstrated that the combination of these peptides with paclitaxel (PTX) and doxorubicin (DOXO), respectively, is not advantageous over a single treatment with the chemotherapeutic agent. In the case of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, the combination of P2–P4 with 5-FU resulted in synergistic cytotoxic effects, as predicted by the in silico simulations. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that these CPP6-conjugates can be used as adjuvant agents to increase the delivery of 5-FU into HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, these results support the use of in silico approaches for the prediction of the interaction between drugs in combination therapy for cancer.
How Awe Shaped Us: An Evolutionary Perspective

Research shows the experience of awe is associated with a variety of benefits ranging from increased well-being and prosocial behavior to enhanced cognition. The adaptive purpose of awe, however, is elusive. In this article, we aim to show that the current framework used to conceptualize awe points towards higher-order cognition as the key adaptive function. This goes against past evolutionary positions that posit social benefits or unidimensional behavioral adaptations. In the second half of the article, we highlight a distinct cognitive advantage of awe. The literature connecting awe and cognition is surveyed and used to develop a view that situates awe as a critical component in the cognitive success of the human species.
Gravity Matching Algorithm Based on Correlation Filter

The gravity-matching algorithm is one of the key technologies in the gravity-aided inertial navigation system (GAINS). The matching accuracy determines the correction accuracy of the inertial navigation system (INS). However, the initial position error of the INS and gravity measurement error lead to a decrease in matching accuracy. In this article, the characteristics of gravity measurement error and inertial navigation information are made full use of to reduce the impact on matching. A gravity-matching algorithm based on a correlation filter (CF) is proposed, which includes preprocessing, CF, and mismatch detection. Meanwhile, the shape of the INS trajectory is used as a constraint to reduce the mismatch caused by the measurement error to improve the matching accuracy. Moreover, two matching strategies are given, including normal matching and sliding window matching. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the matching accuracy under initial position error and gravity measurement error.
Conditions for Robustness and Nonrobustness of theStability of Feedback Systems with Respect to Small Delays inthe Feedback Loop

It has been observed that for many stable feedback control systems, the introduction of arbitrarily small time delays into the loop causes instability. In this paper we present a systematic frequency domain treatment of this phenomenon for distributed parameter systems. We consider the class of all matrix-valued transfer functions which are bounded on some right half-plane and which have a limit at $+\spinfty$ along the real axis. Such transfer functions are called regular. Under the assumption that a regular transfer function is stabilized by unity output feedback, we give sufficient conditions for the robustness and for the nonrobustness of the stability with respect to small time delays in the loop. These conditions are given in terms of the high-frequency behavior of the open-loop system. Moreover, we discuss robustness of stability with respect to small delays for feedback systems with dynamic compensators. In particular, we show that if a plant with infinitely many poles in the closed right half-plane is stabilized by a controller, then the stability is not robust with respect to delays. We show that the instability created by small delays is itself robust to small delays. Three examples are given to illustrate these results.
Thermal performance of hybrid fibers reinforced epoxy based intumescent coating for fire resistance of steel structures

ABSTRACT This work is focused on the development of single and hybrid fibers reinforced intumescent fire-resistant coating for steel protection. The methodologies were developed to measure the heat transfer, thermal stability, char expansion rate, chemical bonding and composition of char, residual mass percentage as well as morphology of an intumescent coating. By incorporating 2 wt. % of single basalt fibers in the intumescent coating, the substrate temperature remained stable at 184 oC after 60 minutes of fire test. On the other hand, the hybridization of E glass with the basalt fiber IFRC-BE55-12 in intumescent coating resulted in higher substrate temperature . Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) confirmed IFRC-B2.5–12 formulation had a compact and dense char . The thermogravimetric analyses results also revealed that thermal stability of the fibers reinforced intumescent formulations was improved and the highest residual mass of 38.7% percentage was obtained for IFRC-B2.5–12.
A Race-Specific, DNA Methylation Analysis of Aging in Normal Rectum: Implications for the Biology of Aging and Its Relationship to Rectal Cancer

Simple Summary Racial disparities exist within colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality, with African Americans (AA) exhibiting a greater risk of developing and dying from the disease than European Americans (EA). This disparity is mirrored in scientific research, where an inadequate number of omic-based studies have sought to recruit AA populations, severely limiting the scope of subsequent findings. Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of CRC, with global and region-specific differences being attributed to disease subtype, pathogenesis and survival. However, studies on cancerous tissue are limited in their ability to infer risk mechanisms occurring in healthy cells. Here, we explore the effects of aging, a well-known CRC risk factor, on DNA methylation in normal rectum of AA and EA subjects. Our findings highlight an interplay between race and age that impacts DNA methylation and, potentially, rectal cancer risk. Abstract Approximately 90% of colorectal cancer (CRC) develop over the age of 50, highlighting the important role of aging in CRC risk. African Americans (AAs) shoulder a greater CRC burden than European Americans (EA) and are more likely to develop CRC at a younger age. The effects of aging in AA and EA normal rectal tissue have yet to be defined. Here, we performed epigenome-wide DNA methylation analysis in the first, large-scale biracial cohort of normal rectum (n = 140 samples). We identified increased epigenetic age acceleration in EA than AA rectum (p = 3.91 × 10−4) using linear regression. We also identified differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with chronological aging in AA and EA, separately using DMRcate. Next, a consensus set of regions associated with cancer was identified through DMR analysis of two rectal cancer cohorts. The vast majority of AA DMRs were present in our analysis of aging in rectum of EA subjects, though rates of epigenetic drift were significantly greater in AA (p = 1.94 × 10−45). However, 3.66-fold more DMRs were associated with aging in rectum of EA subjects, many of which were also associated with rectal cancer. Our findings reveal a novel relationship between race, age, DNA methylation and rectal cancer risk that warrants further investigation.
ESTIMATION AND TESTING OF SIMPLEX MODELS

Various statistical models for simplex structures are formulated in terms of the well-known Wiener and Markov stochastic processes. A distinction is made between a perfect simplex and a quasi simplex. For each model the problems of Identification and estimation of the parameters and that of testing the goodness of fit of the model are considered. All models may be estimated by a general method for covariance structures developed by Joreskog (1970), but in some cases simpler methods may be used, in which case these are presented.
Initiation at AUGUG and GUGUG sequences can lead to translation of overlapping reading frames in E. coli

Abstract During initiation, the ribosome is tasked to efficiently recognize open reading frames (ORFs) for accurate and fast translation of mRNAs. A critical step is start codon recognition, which is modulated by initiation factors, mRNA structure, a Shine Dalgarno (SD) sequence and the start codon itself. Within the Escherichia coli genome, we identified more than 50 annotated initiation sites harboring AUGUG or GUGUG sequence motifs that provide two canonical start codons, AUG and GUG, in immediate proximity. As these sites may challenge start codon recognition, we studied if and how the ribosome is accurately guided to the designated ORF, with a special focus on the SD sequence as well as adenine at the fourth coding sequence position (A4). By in vitro and in vivo experiments, we characterized key requirements for unambiguous start codon recognition, but also discovered initiation sites that lead to the translation of both overlapping reading frames. Our findings corroborate the existence of an ambiguous translation initiation mechanism, implicating a multitude of so far unrecognized ORFs and translation products in bacteria.
The Antimicrobial and Toxicity Influence of Six Carrier Oils on Essential Oil Compounds

Essential oil compounds have been identified as alternative antimicrobials; however, their use is limited due to their toxicity on human lymphocytes, skin, and reproduction. Carrier oils can reduce the toxicity of essential oils, which raises the question as to whether such activity would extend to the essential oil compounds. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and toxicity activity of essential oil compounds in combination with carrier oils. The antimicrobial properties of the essential oil compounds, alone and in combination with carrier oils, were determined using the broth microdilution assay. The toxicity was determined using the brine shrimp lethality assay. Antimicrobial synergy (ΣFIC ≤ 0.50) occurred in 3% of the samples when tested against the ESKAPE pathogens. The compound thymoquinone in combination with the carrier oil Prunus armeniaca demonstrated broad-spectrum synergistic activity and a selectivity index above four, highlighting this combination as the most favorable. The carrier oils reduced the toxicity of several compounds, with Calendula officinalis and P. armeniaca carrier oils being responsible for the majority of the reduced toxicity observed. This study provides insight into the interactions that may occur when adding a carrier oil to essential oil compounds.
Integrated optical circuits in fiber cladding by tightly focused femtosecond laser writing

Femtosecond laser direct writing in glass materials represents a simple single-step approach to generate threedimensional (3D) optical circuits that cannot be constructed with traditional fabrication techniques. In this paper, we present an attractive extension of such femtosecond laser processing to the writing of optical circuits directly inside the cladding of single-mode optical fiber. To enable the formation of strongly guided and undistorted waveguide modes within the small cylindrical fused silica volume (125 μm diameter), frequency-doubled (λ = 522 nm) Ytterbium fiber-amplified femtosecond laser light at high repetition rate (500 kHz) was tightly focused with a high 1.25 numerical aperture (NA) oil immersion lens. In this way, low-loss waveguides could be arbitrarily located in various cladding positions without generating ablation damage. Basic components such as directional couplers were demonstrated that present a new means for dense integration of optical elements that couple with the nearby fiber core. Such 3D all-fiber optical circuits represent practical tools to bypass tedious assembly and packaging steps such as fiber pigtailing with planar lightwave components. This formation of optical circuits directly within the cladding of optical fiber opens new prospects for manufacturing compact and functional optical and optofluidic microsystems for Telecom, sensing and lab-on-a fiber applications.
STATE-OF-THE-ART ANALYSIS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE APPROACHES IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY

The beginning of 2020 finds Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in the forefront of digital transformation. The maritime industry is embracing them wholeheartedly due to their true potential to meet the ever-increasing and complex traffic and shipping demand for safety, performance, energy efficiency, automation, and environmental impact. The implementation of AI approaches in maritime stems from the need to effectively process and analyse the extremely large amounts of data that are being generated by maritime vessels. The key to addressing these challenges lies in research and innovation, especially in novel algorithms, tools, and platforms within the areas of AI and Big Data to unlock the new possibilities of a diverse range of current maritime applications. Under this context, the current publication aims at showcasing AI approaches and research initiatives in the maritime industry by performing an indicative landscape analysis of research publications in the aforementioned domains, between the period 2016-2022. The various AI initiatives uncovered from the research are grouped and presented in three representative categories to provide a clear picture of the research effort of integrating AI in maritime processes.
Current Pharmacological Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder = العلاج الدوائي الحالي لاضطراب الوسواس القهري

bsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has moved from an anxiety disorder to a new distinct group of mental disorders. The pharmacological basis for management of OCD is now better understood, and the guidelines for use of medication have proliferated in the past few years. This article reviews the current recommendations and the basis for the use of medication for the treatment of OCD.
Near-Infrared High-Resolution Spectroscopy of the Obscured AGN IRAS 01250+2832

We provide a new physical insight on the hot molecular clouds near the nucleus of the heavily obscured AGN IRAS 01250+2832, based on the results of near-infrared high-resolution spectroscopy of gaseous CO ro-vibrational absorption lines with Subaru/IRCS. The detected CO absorption lines up to highly excited rotational levels reveal that hot dense molecular clouds exist around the AGN under the peculiar physical conditions.
Correlation between the In-Plane Critical Behavior and Out-of-Plane Interaction of Ternary Lipid Membranes

Liquid-liquid phase-separating lipid membranes belong to the 2-D Ising universality class. While their in-plane critical behaviors are well studied, how the behaviors modulate out-of-plane interactions is rarely explored, despite its profound implications for biomembranes and 2-D ferromagnets. Here, we examine how the interlayer interaction, manifested as membrane fusion, is affected by the membranes’ critical fluctuations. Remarkably, the critical fluctuations suppress membrane fusion, suggesting a correlation between critical behaviors and interlayer interactions for 2-D Ising systems.
Triple differential cross sections of coplanar symmetric (e,2e) processes on calcium at low energies

Recent low energy (e,2e) experimental results on calcium in doubly symmetric kinematics are analyzed by using distorted-wave Born approximation theory. The final state electron-electron correlation is included through angle-dependent effective charges and exchange distortion in semiclassical local approximation. It is found that the present results are able to qualitatively reproduce most features of the recently reported experimental data.
Leak Identification Method of Water Supply Pipeline Based on Compressed Sensing and Least Squares Twin Support Vector Machine

As the scale of water supply pipelines continues to expand, pipeline leakage monitoring is entering the era of big data. Aiming at the problems of large data volume and information redundancy in traditional data collection methods, this article proposes a water supply pipeline leak identification method based on the combination of compressed sensing (CS) theory and least squares twin support vector machine (LSTSVM), which is called CS-LSTSVM. First, using the observation matrix to preserve the integrity of the information, the collected leakage signals are compressed and observed to obtain the observation dataset, thereby reducing the redundant information and volume of the data. Then, the corresponding feature information is extracted from the observation dataset to form a feature dataset. Finally, the feature dataset is sent into the LSTSVM recognition model to identify and classify the feature data through its excellent classification performance. The experimental results show that the proposed CS-LSTSVM method can greatly shorten the model training and testing time while maintaining a high leak identification accuracy, and the method has good robustness in pipeline leak detection. Among them, when the compression ratio (CR) is 50% and the observation matrix is a partial Fourier matrix, the recognition accuracy of the model reaches 98.56%, and the time consumption is reduced by 81.8%, which effectively improves the efficiency of water supply pipeline leak identification.
Genomic Characterization of KPC-31 and OXA-181 Klebsiella pneumoniae Resistant to New Generation of β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations

Background: Carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (cr-Kp) causes serious infections associated with a high mortality rate. The clinical efficacy of ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA), meropenem/vaborbactam (M/V), and imipenem/relebactam (I/R) against cr-Kp is challenged by the emergence of resistant strains, making the investigation and monitoring of the main resistance mechanisms crucial. In this study, we reported the genome characterization of a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain isolated from a critically ill patient and characterized by a multidrug resistant (MDR) profile, including resistance to CZA, M/V, and I/R. Methods: An antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was performed by an automated system and E-test and results were interpreted following the EUCAST guidelines. Genomic DNA was extracted using a genomic DNA extraction kit and it was sequenced using the Illumina Nova Seq 6000 platform. Final assembly was manually curated and carefully verified for detection of antimicrobial resistance genes, porins modifications, and virulence factors. Results: The K. pneumoniae isolate belonged to sequence type ST512 and harbored 23 resistance genes, conferring resistance to all antibiotic classes, including blaKPC-31 and blaOXA-181, leading to carbapenems resistance. The truncation of OmpK35 and mutation OmpK36GD were also observed. Conclusions: The genomic characterization demonstrated the high resistant profile of new cr-Kp coharboring class A and D carbapenemases. The presence of KPC-31, as well as the detection of OXA-181 and porin modifications, further limit the therapeutic options, including the novel combinations of β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor antibiotics in patients with severe pneumonia caused by cr-Kp.
Protective effect of Corn silk (Zea mays L.) on kidney and liver functions of rats

orn silk has traditionally been seen as a waste material, but in numerous areas around the world, it is used as a traditional medicine. The main objective of this study was to study the effects of corn silk (Zea mays L.) powder, ethanolic extract, and corn silk tea on protecting rats from kidney failure and liver injury and their action on pathogenic bacteria. Corn silk ethanolic extract had the highest total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. Seventeen kinds of phenolic were detected; Ferulic acid has the highest amount of phenolic content. The corn silk extracts showed excellent phytochemical and antioxidant activity. Additionally, they have strong antimicrobial properties. The biological experiment was carried out on thirty male rats weighing (200 ± 5 g) for six weeks and divided into five groups, one of which was a negative control (Basel diet) 2, 3, 4, and 5 groups were given gentamicin by injection to induce liver and kidney toxicity, (group2) was a Positive control and the 3, 4and5 groups were treated with different corn silk treatments. The result demonstrated that corn silk and its extract enhanced antioxidant enzymes using superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Lipid peroxidation was evaluated as Malondialdehyde (MDA), liver functions, kidney functions, and histopathology of the kidneys when compared with the positive group. Finally, this study found that corn silk has antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms as well as renoprotective and hepatoprotective effects against gentamycin-induced hepato-nephrotoxicity.
Transform domain image restoration methods: review, comparison, and interpretation

Two families of transform domain signal restoration (denoising and deblurring) and enhancement methods well suited to processing non-stationary signals are reviewed and comprehensively compared in their different modifications in terms of their signal restoration capability and computational complexity: sliding window transform domain (SWTD) filters and wavelet (WL) based algorithms. SWTD filters work in sliding window in the domain of an orthogonal transform and, in each position of the window, nonlinearly transform window transform coefficients to generate an estimate of the central pixel of the window. As a transform, DCT has been found to be one of the most efficient in most applications. WL methods act globally and apply element-wise nonlinear transformation similar to those used in SWTD methods to the wavelet transform coefficients to generate an estimate of the output signal. The paper provides results of extensive experimental comparisons of image restoration capabilities of the methods and demonstrates that they can naturally be interpreted in a unified way as different implementations of signal sub-band decomposition with uniform (in SWTD filters) or logarithmic (for WL-methods) arrangement of signal sub-bands and element-wise processing decomposed components. As a bridge, a hybrid wavelet/sliding window processing that combines advantages of both methods is described.