Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy Efficient Algorithms for $k$ -Sink Minimum Movement Target Coverage Problem in Mobile Sensor Network

Energy consumption is a fundamental and critical issue in wireless sensor networks. Mobile sensors consume much more energy during the movement than that during the communication or sensing process. Thus how to schedule mobile sensors and minimize their moving distance, while keeping the coverage requirement has great significance to researchers. In this paper, we study the target coverage problem in mobile sensor networks where all the targets need to be covered by sensors continuously. Our goal is to minimize the moving distance of sensors to cover all targets in the surveillance region, which is in Euclidean space. Here initially all the sensors are located at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$ </tex-math></inline-formula> base stations. Thus, we define this problem as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$ </tex-math></inline-formula><italic>-Sink Minimum Movement Target Coverage</italic>. To solve this problem, we propose a polynomial-time approximation scheme, named <italic>Energy Effective Movement Algorithm</italic> (EEMA). We prove that the approximation ratio of EEMA is <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1+\varepsilon $ </tex-math></inline-formula> and the time complexity is <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n^{O(1/\varepsilon ^{2})}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. We also propose a distributed version of EEMA (D-EEMA) for large-scale networks where EEMA is not efficient enough in practice. Finally, we conduct experiments to validate the efficiency and effectiveness of EEMA and D-EEMA.
Structural basis underlying complex assembly and conformational transition of the type I R-M system

Significance Type I restriction-modification (R-M) enzymes are large molecular machines found in the majority of bacterial species. They can add methylation modifications to the self-DNA and degrade the invading unmodified DNA. The lack of high-resolution structures of type I R-M complexes impairs our understanding of the mechanism of subunit assembly and conformational transition. Here we report the first high-resolution structure of the type I MTase complex in its “open” conformation, including one DNA-recognition subunit, two DNA-modification subunits, one bound DNA, and two S-adenosyl methionine cofactors. We propose an updated model for the complex assembly and conformational transition. The structural and biochemical characterization of the type I R-M system reported in this study provides guidelines for future applications in molecular biology. Type I restriction-modification (R-M) systems are multisubunit enzymes with separate DNA-recognition (S), methylation (M), and restriction (R) subunits. Despite extensive studies spanning five decades, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying subunit assembly and conformational transition are still unclear due to the lack of high-resolution structural information. Here, we report the atomic structure of a type I MTase complex (2M+1S) bound to DNA and cofactor S-adenosyl methionine in the “open” form. The intermolecular interactions between M and S subunits are mediated by a four-helix bundle motif, which also determines the specificity of the interaction. Structural comparison between open and previously reported low-resolution “closed” structures identifies the huge conformational changes within the MTase complex. Furthermore, biochemical results show that R subunits prefer to load onto the closed form MTase. Based on our results, we proposed an updated model for the complex assembly. The work reported here provides guidelines for future applications in molecular biology.
Cannabidiol exerts antiepileptic effects by restoring hippocampal interneuron functions in a temporal lobe epilepsy model

A non‐psychoactive phytocannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), shows promising results as an effective potential antiepileptic drug in some forms of refractory epilepsy. To elucidate the mechanisms by which CBD exerts its anti‐seizure effects, we investigated its effects at synaptic connections and on the intrinsic membrane properties of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells and two major inhibitory interneurons: fast spiking, parvalbumin (PV)‐expressing and adapting, cholecystokinin (CCK)‐expressing interneurons. We also investigated whether in vivo treatment with CBD altered the fate of CCK and PV interneurons using immunohistochemistry.
Engineering Hyaluronic Acid Carbon Nanotube Nanofibers: A Peripheral Nerve Interface To Electrically Stimulate Regeneration

ENGINEERING HYALURONIC ACID-CARBON NANOTUBE NANOFIBERS: A PERIPHERAL NERVE INTERFACE TO ELECTRICALLY STIMULATE REGENERATION by ELISABETH MARIE STEEL August 2018 Advisor: Dr. Harini G. Sundararaghavan Major: Biomedical Engineering Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Traumatic peripheral nerve injuries affect 50,000 patients annually with USD 7 billion in healthcare costs. Current treatments like the gold standard autograft and commercially available nerve guide conduits (NGC) are insufficient to repair long gap peripheral nerve injuries. Autografts have a severe size mismatch limitation resulting in incomplete functional recovery further confounded by harvest site co-morbidities. NGCs can aid recovery but lack key microenvironment cues that promote nerve regeneration over long gap injuries. We hypothesized that providing topographical, mechanical, and electrical guidance cues into a nanofibrous composite biopolymer would result in improve neuron growth metrics in an in vitro model. We embedded hydrophilic carbon nanotubes (CNT) within hyaluronic acid (HA) nanofibers by electrospinning. The aims of this study were (1) to define the topographical, nanomechanical, and electrochemical material properties of HA-CNT nanofibers and (2) to determine the electrical stimulus parameters required to elicit increased neurite outgrowth on our nanofibrous scaffold. HA-CNT toppography was visualized as smooth nanofibers, nanoscale in diamter, with CNTs contained within the nanofiber core, as characterized by scanning electron microscopy and tunneling electron microscopy. Mechanical properties were evaluated under physiological conditions by hydrating nanofibers to equilibrium, then testing samples fully immersed in electrolyte buffer. A reduced elastic modulus was obtained by fitting
An Algorithm for Constructing a Minimal Register with Non-linear Update Generating a Given Sequence

Registers with Non-Linear Update (RNLUs) are a generalization of Non-Linear Feedback Shift Registers (NLFSRs) in which both, feedback and feedforward, connections are allowed and no chain connection between the stages is required. An RNLU can be used to generate any given 2p-ary sequence, p ≥ 1. In this paper, a new algorithm for constructing RNLUs is presented. Expected size of RNLUs constructed by the presented algorithm is proved to be asymptotically smaller than the expected size of RNLUs constructed by previous algorithms generating the same sequence. The presented algorithm can potentially be useful for applications such as testing, wireless communications, and cryptography.
A Proactive Smoking Cessation Intervention for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Smokers: The Role of Smoking-Related Stigma

Introduction Smoking denormalization has been paralleled by reduced smoking prevalence, but smoking rates among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations remain high. The social unacceptability of smoking has also led to increased perceptions of smoking-related stigma. By examining how smoking stigma influences cessation intervention effectiveness, we can better tailor interventions to socioeconomically disadvantaged smokers. Aims and Methods Data are from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a proactive cessation intervention on abstinence. Current smokers enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs were randomized to proactive outreach (n = 1200) or usual care (n = 1206). The intervention included mailings, telephone outreach, counseling, and access to free cessation treatments. Using baseline measurements, groups with lower (n = 1227) and higher (n = 1093) perceived stigma were formed. Intervention, stigma, and their interaction term were added to a logistic regression modeling abstinence at 12 months. Results Lower perceived smoking-related stigma was associated with less support for quitting, lower rates of physician quitting advice, and less motivation for quitting. A logistic regression modeling abstinence found a significant intervention × stigma interaction. The proactive intervention was more effective among smokers with lower perceived smoking-related stigma (odds ratio 1.94, 95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 2.92) than those with higher perceived smoking-related stigma (odds ratio 1.04, 95% confidence interval, 0.70 to 1.55). Discussion Smokers with lower perceived smoking-related stigma had social environments that were conducive to smoking, received less physician advice to quit, and were less motivated to quit than higher stigma smokers. Despite these barriers, the intervention was more effective for lower stigma smokers, suggesting that proactive outreach is an efficient treatment for these hard-to-reach smokers. Implications Smoking denormalization has led to increased perceptions of smoking-related stigma among many smokers; however, little is known about how this stigma influences the cessation process. In the present study, smokers with lower levels of perceived smoking-related stigma lived in social environments that were more conducive to smoking and were less motivated to quit than higher stigma smokers. Despite these barriers, our proactive outreach cessation intervention was more effective for lower stigma smokers, suggesting that interventions which utilize proactive outreach to stimulate interest in quitting and offer facilitated access to free cessation treatments are an effective treatment approach for these hard-to-reach smokers. These strategies may be particularly effective for motivating smokers enrolled in government-subsidized health insurance programs to take advantage of cessation resources.
Hypomethylating agent combination strategies in myelodysplastic syndromes: hopes and shortcomings

Abstract The hypomethylating agents (HMA) azacitidine and decitabine are both approved by the FDA for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Although heralded as a significant advancement, HMA lead to responses in less than half of patients and for those that respond most will relapse. As such, there is a crucial need to improve frontline therapy approaches. One promising strategy involves combining azacitidine or decitabine with investigational or existing therapies with the goal of achieving synergistic activity and better patient outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the efficacy and safety of reported HMA-based combination regimens in patients with higher-risk MDS.
Chemical engineering and reactor design of a fluidised bed gasifier

The design, modelling and optimisation of biofuel thermochemical processes are mainly based on the knowledge of reliable chemical kinetics. The determination of reaction kinetics of biomass at high heating rate still highly depends on the extrapolation of results from kinetic data determined at a comparatively low heating rate. To provide more comprehensive kinetic data for gas-solid reactions under isothermal conditions, a thermogravimetric fluidized bed reactor (TGFBR) was designed. Using this novel fluidised bed, gravimetric measurements and high heating rate, the thermal conversion of biomass was investigated. Using a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) as a fixed bed and the TGFBR as a fluidized bed, the pyrolysis kinetics of olive kernels was studied. The pyrolysis in the TGFBR was analysed using the isothermal kinetic approach and it was theorised that the pyrolysis decomposition reaction occurred by two mechansims. Dependent on the temperature, the resultant activation energy was 67.4 kJ/mole at 500 °C. For comparsion, the TGA gave a higher activation energy of 74.4 kJ/mole due to external particle diffusion. To study the impact of torrefaction on gasification performance, gasification experiments were performed on “as received olive kernels” (AROK) and “as received torrefied olive kernels” (ARTOK) in the TGFBR. The effect of equivalence ratio (ER) (0.15-0.35) and bed temperature (550-750°C) on gasification performance was investigated. Based on thermogravimetric measurements using a mass balance model, the activation energy of AROK was found to be 84 kJ/mole, whereas ARTOK was found to be 106 kJ/mole. The results suggest that diffusion controls the reaction of AROK, while oxidation controls the reaction of torrefied biomass. The pyrolysis of date palm stones was also studied in the TGFBR, and the kinetic expression was determined using a model fitting method. The most probable reaction mechanism for the thermal decomposition of palm stones was three-dimensional diffusion. The activation energy for experiments between 350°C and 600°C for date palm stones was 27.67 kJ/mole. Furthermore, the gasification of date palm stones was investigated at ER (0.15-0.35) and a temperature range of 600-750°C in 50°C increments. Based on the energy yield (7 MJ/kg), the results suggest that the optimum conditions were at T=750°C and ER=0.2. Overall, the result reveals that the TGFBR, in comparison with TGA, would be a viable reactor that enables kinetic analysis of gas-solid reactions under isothermal conditions, benefiting from its features. The parameters obtained from the kinetic study of TGFBR are essential in the scale-up design of useful conversion technologies such as gasification. Also, the pre-treatment of biomass via torrefaction is a promising route to improve gas production in a bubbling fluidised bed gasifier.
Degradation of poly(L-lactide) under femtosecond laser treatment

In this paper, for the first time, we present an analysis of changes of physicochemical properties of poly(L-lactide) induced by the femtosecond laser. Introduced changes were characterized using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Gel Permeation Chromatography, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. We have noted that even for these process parameters for which no thermal ablation effects occurred, we observed some changes in material properties. In GPC image we recorded an increase in polydispersity index and some reduction of the molecular weight. The FTIR spectra show a reduction in the number of both C=O and C−O−C bonds in the polymer as well as the appearance of new bands. By using the XPS it was determined that processing with femtosecond laser cause a small oxidation of the surface layer. Decay of the spectra indicates the possibility of carboxyl (−COOH) and hydroxyl (−OH) groups present in the modified polymer. Although the observed changes are relatively small compared to long pulse duration lasers or UV lasers, they cannot be neglected in biopolymer applications for tissue engineering.
PITX2 deficiency and associated human disease: insights from the zebrafish model

Abstract The PITX2 (paired-like homeodomain 2) gene encodes a bicoid-like homeodomain transcription factor linked with several human disorders. The main associated congenital phenotype is Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, type 1, an autosomal dominant condition characterized by variable defects in the anterior segment of the eye, an increased risk of glaucoma, craniofacial dysmorphism and dental and umbilical anomalies; in addition to this, one report implicated PITX2 in ring dermoid of the cornea and a few others described cardiac phenotypes. We report three novel PITX2 mutations—c.271C > T, p.(Arg91Trp); c.259T > C, p.(Phe87Leu); and c.356delA, p.(Gln119Argfs*36)—identified in independent families with typical Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome characteristics and some unusual features such as corneal guttata, Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, and hyperextensibility. To gain further insight into the diverse roles of PITX2/pitx2 in vertebrate development, we generated various genetic lesions in the pitx2 gene via TALEN-mediated genome editing. Affected homozygous zebrafish demonstrated congenital defects consistent with the range of PITX2-associated human phenotypes: abnormal development of the cornea, iris and iridocorneal angle; corneal dermoids; and craniofacial dysmorphism. In addition, via comparison of pitx2M64* and wild-type embryonic ocular transcriptomes we defined molecular changes associated with pitx2 deficiency, thereby implicating processes potentially underlying disease pathology. This analysis identified numerous affected factors including several members of the Wnt pathway and collagen types I and V gene families. These data further support the link between PITX2 and the WNT pathway and suggest a new role in regulation of collagen gene expression during development.
A Hybrid Deep Learning Architecture for Privacy-Preserving Mobile Analytics

Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and applications are being deployed in our homes and workplaces. These devices often rely on continuous data collection to feed machine learning models. However, this approach introduces several privacy and efficiency challenges, as the service operator can perform unwanted inferences on the available data. Recently, advances in edge processing have paved the way for more efficient, and private, data processing at the source for simple tasks and lighter models, though they remain a challenge for larger and more complicated models. In this article, we present a hybrid approach for breaking down large, complex deep neural networks for cooperative, and privacy-preserving analytics. To this end, instead of performing the whole operation on the cloud, we let an IoT device to run the initial layers of the neural network, and then send the output to the cloud to feed the remaining layers and produce the final result. In order to ensure that the user’s device contains no extra information except what is necessary for the main task and preventing any secondary inference on the data, we introduce Siamese fine-tuning. We evaluate the privacy benefits of this approach based on the information exposed to the cloud service. We also assess the local inference cost of different layers on a modern handset. Our evaluations show that by using Siamese fine-tuning and at a small processing cost, we can greatly reduce the level of unnecessary, potentially sensitive information in the personal data, thus achieving the desired tradeoff between utility, privacy, and performance.
Akt Activation Mediates Acquired Resistance to Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor BGJ398

Activation of FGFR signaling through mutations, amplifications, or fusions involving FGFR1, 2, 3, or 4 is seen in multiple tumors, including lung, bladder, and cholangiocarcinoma. Currently, several clinical trials are evaluating the role of novel FGFR inhibitors in solid tumors. As we move forward with FGFR inhibitors clinically, we anticipate the emergence of resistance with treatment. Consequently, we sought to study the mechanism(s) of acquired resistance to FGFR inhibitors using annotated cancer cell lines. We identified cancer cell lines that have activating mutations in FGFR1, 2, or 3 and treated them chronically with the selective FGFR inhibitor, BGJ398. We observed resistance to chronic BGJ398 exposure in DMS114 (small-cell lung cancer, FGFR1 amplification) and RT112 (urothelial carcinoma, FGFR3 fusion/amplification) cell lines based on viability assays. Reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) analysis showed increased phosphorylation of Akt (T308 and S473) and its downstream target GSK3 (S9 and S21) in both the resistant cell lines when compared with matching controls. Results of RPPA were confirmed using immunoblots. Consequently, the addition of an Akt inhibitor (GSK2141795) or siRNA was able to restore sensitivity to BGJ398 in resistant cell lines. These data suggest a role for Akt pathway in mediating acquired resistance to FGFR inhibition. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(4); 614–24. ©2017 AACR.
Effects of chocolate, cocoa, and flavan-3-ols on cardiovascular health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND There is substantial interest in chocolate and flavan-3-ols for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). OBJECTIVE The objective was to systematically review the effects of chocolate, cocoa, and flavan-3-ols on major CVD risk factors. DESIGN We searched Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of chocolate, cocoa, or flavan-3-ols. We contacted authors for additional data and conducted duplicate assessment of study inclusion, data extraction, validity, and random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS We included 42 acute or short-term chronic (≤18 wk) RCTs that comprised 1297 participants. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR: -0.67; 95% CI: -0.98, -0.36) was improved by chocolate or cocoa due to significant reductions in serum insulin. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) improved after chronic (1.34%; 95% CI: 1.00%, 1.68%) and acute (3.19%; 95% CI: 2.04%, 4.33%) intakes. Effects on HOMA-IR and FMD remained stable to sensitivity analyses. We observed reductions in diastolic blood pressure (BP; -1.60 mm Hg; 95% CI: -2.77, -0.43 mm Hg) and mean arterial pressure (-1.64 mm Hg; 95% CI: -3.27, -0.01 mm Hg) and marginally significant effects on LDL (-0.07 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.13, 0.00 mmol/L) and HDL (0.03 mmol/L; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06 mmol/L) cholesterol. Chocolate or cocoa improved FMD regardless of the dose consumed, whereas doses >50 mg epicatechin/d resulted in greater effects on systolic and diastolic BP. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation, a tool to assess quality of evidence and strength of recommendations) suggested low- to moderate-quality evidence of beneficial effects, with no suggestion of negative effects. The strength of evidence was lowered due to unclear reporting for allocation concealment, dropouts, missing data on outcomes, and heterogeneity in biomarker results in some studies. CONCLUSIONS We found consistent acute and chronic benefits of chocolate or cocoa on FMD and previously unreported promising effects on insulin and HOMA-IR. Larger, longer-duration, and independently funded trials are required to confirm the potential cardiovascular benefits of cocoa flavan-3-ols.
Addressing multilevel barriers to cervical cancer screening in Korean American women: A randomized trial of a community‐based intervention

Korean American women have among the lowest rates of cervical cancer screening in the United States. The authors evaluated a multicomponent intervention combining community education with navigation services to reduce access barriers and increase screening rates in this underserved population. It was hypothesized that cervical cancer screening rates would be higher among women who received the intervention program compared with those in the control program.