Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of virtual group EcoMeditation on psychological conditions and flow states

Background A plethora of literature has delineated the therapeutic benefits of meditation practice on psychological functioning. A novel meditative practice, EcoMeditation, includes elements of four evidence-based techniques: The Quick Coherence Technique for regulating heart rate variability (HRV), Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), mindfulness, and neurofeedback. Objectives Changes in psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, pain, and happiness were measured following a one-day virtual EcoMeditation training workshop. The current study extended on previous literature by adding measures of transcendent experiences and flow states. Methods Participants were drawn from a convenience sample of 151 participants (130 female, 21 male) aged between 26 to 71 years (M = 45.1, SD = 9.19) attending a one-day virtual EcoMeditation workshop. They were assessed pre-workshop, post-workshop, and at 3-months follow-up. Results Post-workshop results (N = 111) indicated a significant reduction in anxiety (−42.3%, p < 0.001), depression (−37.5%, p < 0.001), posttraumatic stress (−13.0%, p < 0.001), and pain (−63.2%, p < 0.001) Likert mean scores when compared to pre-workshop. There was also a significant increase in happiness (+111.1%, p < 0.001), flow states (+17.4%, p < 0.001), and transcendent experiences (+18.5%, p < 0.001). At 3-months follow-up, a one-way repeated measures ANOVA (N = 72) found significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and pain symptoms between pre-test and post-test, as well between pre-test and follow-up. Flow, happiness, and transcendent experiences increased significantly between pre-test and post-test, as well as between pre-test and follow-up, with over 71% of participants experiencing clinically significant improvements. Significant reductions in posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms between pre-test and follow-up were also noted. Conclusion EcoMeditation is associated with significant improvements in psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, pain, and posttraumatic stress. EcoMeditation was also shown to enhance flow states and transcendent experiences. The benefits identified were similar to those found in the existing literature and provide support for the use of EcoMeditation as an effective stress reduction method that improves psychological symptoms and enhances transcendent states.
Exploring the mechanism of Alisma orientale for the treatment of pregnancy induced hypertension and potential hepato-nephrotoxicity by using network pharmacology, network toxicology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

Background: Pregnancy-induced Hypertension (PIH) is a disease that causes serious maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Alisma Orientale (AO) has a long history of use as traditional Chinese medicine therapy for PIH. This study explores its potential mechanism and biosafety based on network pharmacology, network toxicology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Methods: Compounds of AO were screened in TCMSP, TCM-ID, TCM@Taiwan, BATMAN, TOXNET and CTD database; PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, DisGeNET and OMIM databases were used to predict the targets of AO anti-PIH. The protein-protein interaction analysis and the KEGG/GO enrichment analysis were applied by STRING and Metascape databases, respectively. Then, we constructed the “herb-compound-target-pathway-disease” map in Cytoscape software to show the core regulatory network. Finally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were applied to analyze binding affinity and reliability. The same procedure was conducted for network toxicology to illustrate the mechanisms of AO hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Results: 29 compounds with 78 potential targets associated with the therapeutic effect of AO on PIH, 10 compounds with 117 and 111 targets associated with AO induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were obtained, respectively. The PPI network analysis showed that core therapeutic targets were IGF, MAPK1, AKT1 and EGFR, while PPARG and TNF were toxicity-related targets. Besides, GO/KEGG enrichment analysis showed that AO might modulate the PI3K-AKT and MAPK pathways in treating PIH and mainly interfere with the lipid and atherosclerosis pathways to induce liver and kidney injury. The “herb-compound-target-pathway-disease” network showed that triterpenoids were the main therapeutic compounds, such as Alisol B 23-Acetate and Alisol C, while emodin was the main toxic compounds. The results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation also showed good binding affinity between core compounds and targets. Conclusion: This research illustrated the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of AO against PIH and AO induced hepato-nephrotoxicity. However, further experimental verification is warranted for optimal use of AO during clinical practice.
Nutritional anti-nutritional chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the leaves of the sea cliff dwelling species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) Kuntze

This work explored the nutritional and antioxidant properties of the leaves of the halophytic species Limonium spathulatum (Desf.) Kuntze from Tunisian sea cliffs. Furthermore, the analysis of the total phenolics and flavonoids contents and their individual compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) were also studied. L. spathulatum leaves had high levels of moisture, ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, but low concentrations of crude protein, crude fat and acid detergent lignin. It contained low carbohydrates levels, and low energetic values. The most abundant macroelements were Cl, Na and Ca while the microelements detected in the highest levels were Fe and Zn. No relevant α-amylase inhibition was observed, and no toxic metals (Pb and Cd) and phytic acid were detected. The ethanol and the hydroethanolic extracts had the highest capacity to scavenge free radicals, to chelate iron and copper and to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The same samples were also the most active towards oxidative haemolysis. These extracts contained high total phenolic and flavonoid contents. HPLC analysis, performed on ethanolic extracts identified 58 individual compounds known for their high antioxidant actvitiy including hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic, syringic acids), hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, coumaric, ferulic acids) and flavonoids (catechin, epigallocatechin gallate and naringin). In conclusion, the leaves of Tunisian accession of L. spathulatum were good source of minerals and fibers useful in the human diet for attaining nutritional sufficiency. The high in vitro and ex vitro antioxidant activities associated with high favonoids contents and compounds suggest the possibility to use the extracts of L. spathulatum in herbal products with the aim of improving general health and well-being, and/or as food additives for preventing lipid oxidation of lipid-rich foods.
Genetic diversity pattern reveals the primary determinant of burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.) invasion in Korea

Biological invasion is a complex process associated with propagule pressure, dispersal ability, environmental constraints, and human interventions, which leave genetic signatures. The population genetics of an invasive species thus provides invaluable insights into the patterns of invasion. Burcucumber, one of the most detrimental weeds for soybean production in US, has recently colonized Korea and rapidly spread posing a great threat to the natural ecosystem. We aim to infer the determinants of the rapid burcucumber invasion by examining the genetic diversity, demography, and spread pattern with advanced genomic tools. We employed 2,696 genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms to assess the level of diversity and the spatial pattern associated with the landscape factors and to infer the demographic changes of 24 populations (364 genotypes) across four major river basins with the east coastal streams in South Korea. Through the approximate Bayesian computation, we inferred the likely invasion scenario of burcucumber in Korea. The landscape genetics approach adopting the circuit theory and MaxEnt model was applied to determine the landscape contributors. Our data suggested that most populations have experienced population bottlenecks, which led to lowered within-population genetic diversity and inflated population divergences. Burcucumber colonization in Korea has strongly been affected by demographic bottlenecks and multiple introductions, whereas environmental factors were not the primary determinant of the invasion. Our work highlighted the significance of preventing secondary introductions, particularly for aggressive weedy plants such as the burcucumber.
Outcome of keratolimbal allograft transplantation with deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency

Objectives To evaluate and compare the outcome of keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) transplantation with or without deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for bilateral severe limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Methods This retrospective review included 49 eyes of 46 patients who underwent KLAL transplantation at the Department of Ophthalmology of Chinese PLA general hospital, 2009–2020, for bilateral severe LSCD were examined for corneal clarity and corneal scarring to determine whether to combine DALK with KLAL transplantation. Preoperative information, surgical decision tree, surgical procedures, and postoperative data were collected for each eye. Results All patients had preoperative severe or total LSCD. Twenty-four eyes underwent KLAL transplantation only, 25 KLAL transplantation plus DALK. The mean follow-up was 46.80 ± 31.22 months (18–158 months). Overall KLAL survival (with or without DALK) was 71.43% at the final follow-up (KLAL-only 66.67%, KLAL-DALK 76%). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the 3-year survival probability of all grafts was 70.53 ± 10.89% (KLAL-only 64.86 ± 10.11%, KLAL-DALK 75.79 ± 8.62%). The proportion of BCVA ≥ 20/200 eyes among all KLAL transplantations increased from 11 eyes (22.45%) preoperatively to 25 eyes (51.02%) after 1 year and 24 eyes (48.98%) at the last follow-up (P = 0.01). The proportion of BCVA ≥ 20/200 eyes in the KLAL-DALK group increased significantly (P = 0.04), from 16.0% at baseline to 48.0% after 1 year to 44.0% at the last follow-up. Seventeen eyes (34.69%) had postoperative complications. Conclusion KLAL-DALK is an effective option to restore a stable ocular surface and visual acuity rapidly in patients with bilateral, late-stage, severe LSCD.
Can participation in cooperatives promote the adoption of green production techniques by Chinese apple growers: Counterfactual estimation based on propensity score matching

As one of the key links of agricultural green sustainable development, it is an effective path to popularize green production technology and promote farmers’ adoption of green production technology by using cooperatives as an organizational vehicle. Based on the survey of 314 apple farmers in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, the degree of adoption of green production technology was measured by the coefficient of variation method. At the same time, in view of the selection bias of farmers’ participation in cooperatives, the propensity score matching method was used to evaluate the influence of farmers’ participation in cooperatives on the adoption of green production techniques. The results showed that participation in cooperatives increases the probability of farmers adopting green production techniques from 25.29% to 30.29%, indicating that cooperatives increase the degree to which farmers adopt green production techniques. In addition, increased cognition of green production, which increases the price and net profit of products sold and reduces expectations of green production risks, is the primary channel through which cooperatives lead farmers to adopt green production technologies. Participation in cooperatives, though, increased input costs for apple production. In order to strengthen the active role of cooperatives in the popularization of green production technologies, more support should be given to cooperatives, and emphasis should be placed on strengthening their institutional development so that they can be standardized and developed at a high quality.
Line Search Methods for Convex-Composite Optimization

We consider descent methods for solving infinite-valued nonsmooth convex-composite optimization problems that employ search directions derived from Gauss-Newton subproblems. The descent algorithms are based on either a weak Wolfe or a backtracking line search using a continuous approximation to the directional derivative that exploits the structure associated with convex-composite problems.
Developing evaluation capacities in integrated care projects: Lessons from a scientific support mission implemented in Belgium

The capacity of self-assessment, to learn from experience, to make information-based decisions, and to adapt over time are essential drivers of success for any project aiming at healthcare system change. Yet, many of those projects are managed by healthcare providers' teams with little evaluation capacity. In this article, we describe the support mission delivered by an interdisciplinary scientific team to 12 integrated care pilot projects in Belgium, mobilizing a set of tools and methods: a dashboard gathering population health indicators, a significant event reporting method, an annual report, and the development of a sustainable “learning community. ” The article provides a reflexive return on the design and implementation of such interventions aimed at building organizational evaluation capacity. Some lessons were drawn from our experience, in comparison with the broader evaluation literature: The provided support should be adapted to the various needs and contexts of the beneficiary organizations, and it has to foster experience-based learning and requires all stakeholders to adopt a learning posture. A long-time, secure perspective should be provided for organizations, and the availability of data and other resources is an essential precondition for successful work.
Task switching involves working memory: Evidence from neural representation

It is generally assumed that task switching involves working memory, yet some behavioral studies question the relationship between working memory and task switching ability. This debate can be resolved by directly comparing the brain activity pattern in task switching and working memory processes. If the task switching involves working memory, the neural activity patterns evoked by such two tasks would exhibit higher similarity. Here, we employed the task switching task and working memory to investigate the characteristic of the neural representation in such two cognitive processes. A conjunction analysis showed that the bilateral superior parietal lobule (SPL), bilateral insula, bilateral middle frontal gyrus (MFG), bilateral dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) were commonly and significantly activated in both task switching and working memory task. Critically, we found that task switching and working memory processing elicited similar activity patterns in bilateral SPL, right insula, left MFG, left DLPFC and pre-SMA, consistent with common neural processes for both tasks. These results not only suggest that the task switching process involves working memory from the perspective of neural representation, but also provide major new insights into the neurocognitive links between task switching and working memory.
Crystallographic and enzyme kinetics studies of multidrug resistant HIV-1 protease mutants PR20 and PRS17

HIV/AIDS continues to be a public health threat, with about 1 million people newly infected each year and nearly 40 million deaths from HIV/AIDS since 1980. HIV-1 protease (PR) is an important drug target for HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART). PR catalyzes the final step in the HIV-1 life cycle and is necessary for HIV to become infectious. Nine inhibitors of PR have been FDA approved for use in ART since 1995, but resistance to PR inhibitors is a growing problem. Several drug resistant mutants of PR have previously been studied to determine mechanisms of resistance and inform design of novel PR inhibitors. This research investigates two highly drug resistant mutants of PR, PR20 and PRS17, that are resistant to all clinical PR inhibitors but have different drug resistance mechanisms. PR20 evades PR inhibitors via a cluster of mutations in the active site that alter inhibitor binding. PRS17 has two mutations in the active site (V82S and G48V) and a unique curled flap conformation that starts at V48 and continues through G52. A revertant mutant of PRS17 (V48G) was characterized to examine the contribution of the G48V mutation to drug resistance. Novel antiviral inhibitors GRL-0489A and GRL-0739A show similar inhibition to darunavir. Analysis of active site hydrogen bonding in PR20 structures showed no major differences versus PR20/DRV. Enzymes kinetic assays showed PR inhibitors were more effective for revertant mutant PRS17V48G than for PRS17. Crystal structures were solved for the revertant with and without inhibitor. The curled flap conformation seen in PRS17 was reversed in PRS17V48G. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of open flap inhibitor-less PRS17V48G revealed the flaps were less dynamic than in PRS17. Structural analysis, MD simulations and enzyme kinetics assays show that PRS17V48G is more stable and more susceptible to inhibitors than PRS17. These data can be used to inform design of novel protease inhibitors to target PR mutants that are not resistant due to active site mutations. INDEX WORDS: Human immunodeficiency virus, HIV-1, HIV-1 protease, Protease inhibitors, Drug resistance, X-ray crystallography, Crystal structure, Enzyme kinetics, Protease mutant, PRS17, PR20, Amprenavir CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC AND ENZYME KINETICS STUDIES OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANT HIV-1 PROTEASE MUTANTS PR20 AND PRS17
ARM: Any-Time Super-Resolution Method (Supplementary Material)

Recall that in Eq. (5), η is a manually set hyper-parameter used to balance the numerical difference between the calculated cost and the PSNR estimate in the inference stage. A larger η leads to a preference to the subnet with a larger estimated PSNR p̄ k̂ . To better illustrate the process of subnet selection in Eq. (5), we plot the Edge-to-PSNR lookup tables of different subnets as well as the interpolation branch (denoted as NW [0:0]) using different η in Fig. 1.
Channel Correlation Diversity in MU-MIMO Systems – Analysis and Measurements

In multiuser multiple–input multiple–output (MU–MIMO) systems, channel correlation is detrimental to system performance. We demonstrate that widely used, yet overly simplified, correlation models that generate identical correlation profiles for each terminal tend to severely underestimate the system performance. In sharp contrast, more physically motivated models that capture variations in the power angular spectra across multiple terminals, generate diverse correlation patterns. This has a significant impact on the system performance. Assuming correlated Rayleigh fading and downlink zero–forcing precoding, tight closed–form approximations for the average signal– to–noise–ratio, and ergodic sum spectral efficiency are derived. Our expressions provide clear insights into the impact of diverse correlation patterns on the above performance metrics. Unlike previous works, the correlation models are parameterized with measured data from a recent 2.53 GHz urban macrocellular campaign in Cologne, Germany. Overall, results from this paper can be treated as a timely re–calibration of performance expectations from practical MU–MIMO systems.
Development of a mathematical model of reliable structures of information-control systems

A mathematical model of the information system (IS) for monitoring the state of objects that may be exposed to extreme influences has been built. The system consists of n devices that work independently of each other. To construct the specified information system, which has the minimum permissible reliability of event recognition, a class of structures of the type «k with n» is considered. Formulas for determining the probabilistic characteristics of n parallel reserved sensors for structures of the «k with n» type were derived; the probability of these events was calculated; and plots of their distribution were constructed. The peculiarity of the derived formulas is that they can be implemented on logical elements with which one can build a physical decision support device. The number of sensors and their corresponding probabilities of correct detection of fire at the given majority values of fire probability were also determined; the cost indicators of the information system were defined. A method for improving the reliability of IS has been developed, based on the use of the optimal number of information sensor. The ratio of finding probabilistic states of IS for structures of the «k with n» type was obtained. Algorithms for calculating the probabilities of IS states, as well as an algorithm for determining the number of information sensors and the corresponding probabilities of fire detection, have been developed. The feature of these algorithms is that they make it possible to determine the optimal number of information sensors. An estimate of the effectiveness of IS indicators of the considered types of structures was found: the probability of correct detection, the probability of non-detection, and false alarm. The reported results can be used to select the optimal structure for recognizing dangerous flight situations: choosing the number of sensors corresponding to the high probability of correct detection and the minimum probabilities of non-detection and false alarms, taking into consideration the cost of sensors.
PAINT: Path Aware Iterative Network Tomography for Link Metric Inference

Understanding link-level performance is key to assuring the quality of cloud-based and OTT services, optimal path selection, robust network operations and beyond. However, direct measurement of each link not only incurs high overhead at the Internet-scale but also is infeasible due to lack of access to network measurement information beyond AS boundaries and functional limitations at relay nodes. Although network tomography is well suited, existing approaches are insufficient due to their unrealistic assumptions with respect to stability, controllability, and visibility. Motivated by this, we propose PAINT, an online iterative algorithm that estimates and refines link-level performance metrics based on path-level measurement. In PAINT, the link metrics are iteratively estimated by minimizing their least square error (LSE) and calibrated based on the comparison of weight between the estimated shortest paths (SPs) and best-known paths from end-to-end path measurements. The key insight is that when there is inconsistency between these paths, then weights of links on the estimated SP are likely mis-estimated, triggering a further round of estimation to refine the estimated link metrics. Evaluation of PAINT, focusing on link delay estimation, using four different real network topologies and two real-world measurement datasets (including one we collected) shows that relative to existing approaches, it yields up to 3x gain in absolute link delay estimation accuracy and improves decisions dependent on link delay estimation by up to 5x in relative error.