Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Throughput Analysis of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Levels in Subtypes of People with Type 1 Diabetes

Simple Summary The involvement of the innate immune system in autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, is becoming more and more apparent. Perhaps the most overlooked innate immune cell type, the neutrophil, is one of the culprits for hyperactive immune responses (against oneself) in these diseases. However, the heterogeneous nature, both within and between these diseases, and the lack of standardized methods to study neutrophil function has hampered advancement in this research area. Our study used a live-cell imaging technique that allows for an unbiased and automated analysis of neutrophil function in children and adults with type 1 diabetes. Overall, neutrophils of people at different developmental stages of type 1 diabetes, irrespective of age, behaved similarly to those of healthy donors, despite some minor changes in peripheral neutrophil measures. Abstract Neutrophils might play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D), by contributing to immune dysregulation via a highly inflammatory program called neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation or NETosis, involving the extrusion of chromatin entangled with anti-microbial proteins. However, numerous studies reported contradictory data on NET formation in T1D. This might in part be due to the inherent heterogeneity of the disease and the influence of the disease developmental stage on neutrophil behavior. Moreover, there is a lack of a standardized method to measure NETosis in an unbiased and robust manner. In this study, we employed the Incucyte® ZOOM live-cell imaging platform to study NETosis levels in various subtypes of adult and pediatric T1D donors compared to healthy controls (HC) at baseline and in response to phorbol–myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin. Firstly, we determined that the technique allows for an operator-independent and automated quantification of NET formation across multiple time points, which showed that PMA and ionomycin induced NETosis with distinct kinetic characteristics, confirmed by high-resolution microscopy. NETosis levels also showed a clear dose-response curve to increasing concentrations of both stimuli. Overall, using Incucyte® ZOOM, no aberrant NET formation was observed over time in the different subtypes of T1D populations, irrespective of age, compared to HC. These data were corroborated by the levels of peripheral NET markers in all study participants. The current study showed that live-cell imaging allows for a robust and unbiased analysis and quantification of NET formation in real-time. Peripheral neutrophil measures should be complemented with dynamic quantification of NETing neutrophils to make robust conclusions on NET formation in health and disease.
Exploiting Tunable Q-Factor Wavelet Transform Domain Sparsity to Denoise Wrist PPG Signals

Wearable health-monitoring devices based on photoplethysmogram (PPG) can estimate valuable physiological parameters and are often regarded as a touchstone for indicating the cardiovascular status of a person. Severe motion artifacts are generally observed in the acquired PPG signals from the biosensors in the wearables when the PPG acquisition is performed during different physical activities. Classical filters can remove thermal noise and electromagnetic interference from the raw PPG signals, but they fail to handle the motion artifacts that cover a wider range of signal frequencies. This work introduces a new motion artifact removal scheme that exploits the sparsity of PPG signals in the tunable- $Q$ factor wavelet transform (TQWT) domain using the basis pursuit denoising (BPDN) scheme. The proposed scheme deftly removes noise while preserving the original morphology of the PPG signal without using any reference accelerometer sensor data. In particular, a regularized SALSA-based BPDN algorithm is employed for sparse recovery, which utilizes a soft thresholding approach to denoise the noisy PPG signals. TQWT can be tuned according to the oscillatory behavior of the raw PPG signal. At the same time, BPDN exploits the sparsity of the wavelet coefficients to yield an artifact-free reconstruction of PPG. Further, heart rate estimation is performed using the denoised PPG signal with support vector regression (SVR) to demonstrate the clinical information preservation during the proposed denoising process. The proposed denoising scheme is evaluated on two publicly available databases, and an overall minimum mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.03 and 0.76 beats per minute (bpm) is achieved. The suggested denoising approach has demonstrated better performance with the lowest MAE compared to the previously reported methods.
Bacteriophage endolysins and their role in eradication of bacterial biofilms

Biofilm is the protective coating that the bacteria use to thrive in their environment without being damaged by radiation or the effects of antibiotics. Nosocomial infections that are often caused by biofilms have been demonstrated to be very challenging to cure because of their complicated molecular structure and resistance to antibiotics. Biofilms of bacteria that form on the medical equipment pose a risk to patients and facilitate the transmission of infection. Progress has been made in eliminating bacterial biofilms by combining bacteriophage with antibiotics for a synergistic impact and employing the phage-lysin efficiently. The aim of this study was to explore the potential efficacy of phages and lysins alone and/ or in conjunction with antibiotics to combating biofilm conformation and eradication. This review article is broadly divided into two parts; the first section focused on molecular mechanism of biofilm formation and risk of bacterial biofilms in the hospital settings. The second part of the review is giving an insight on bacteriophage derived lytic protein-endolysin, which has emerged as a potential alternative to eliminate bacterial biofilms, and should be explored to combat infections caused by them.
Uncovering the effects of COVID-19 on in-hospital cardiac arrest - a living systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a global pandemic and had a negative impact on the entire health care system. To understand the effect of COVID-19 on outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA), a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies was designed to compare the pre- and intra-pandemic periods of adult patients who suffered cardiac arrest, and additionally by performing a sub-analysis related to COVID-19 positive vs. negative patients in the same group of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on IHCA outcomes a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Pubmed (MEDLINE), Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane database were searched for articles published from 1 January 2020 - 8 April 2023. RESULTS Return of spontaneous circulation events among IHCA patients in pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 pandemic periods varied and amounted to 64.0% vs. 60.0%, respectively (OR=1.23; 95%CI: 1.19 to 1.26; p<0.001). Re-arrest occurrence was 4.5% vs. 4.9%, respectively (OR=1.24; 95%CI: 1.00 to 1.53; p=0.05). Survival to hospital discharge (SHD) was 25.1% compared to 20.9% for COVID-19 period (OR = 1.17; 95%CI: 0.96 to 1.41; p=0.12). During the COVID-19 period, SHD in COVID-19 positive patients was 14.0% compared to 25.9% for patients without COVID-19 (OR=0.72; 95%CI: 0.28 to 1.86; p=0.50). 30-day survival rate among COVID-19 positive vs. negative patients was 62.6% vs. 58.3%, respectively (OR =0.99; 95%CI: 0.23 to 4.24; p=0.99). CONCLUSIONS Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection had reduced rates of ROSC and SDH, as well as poorer neurologic outcomes and increased in hospital re-arrests during the COVID-19 period. However, the 30-day survival rate was similar in SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients.
Autonomous Sound Synthesizing Network in Vehicles for Critical Event Notification

Critical event notification systems typically use either generic sounds or generic lights to inform the operator of the determination of an event. In these systems, a monitoring system is used to first identify the existence of the event by observing pre-specified criteria. This triggers a notification to the operator of the system. In the case of a critical event, the response time of the operator is often the most important outcome. The faster the operator responds, the more time the operator has to avoid the critical event. In this research, we present an extensive study on the efficacy of natural sound over existing alarming cues to notify drivers about critical surroundings. We propose a cloud-based integrated system design including an autonomous visual-to-sound synthesizer, the "SoundWise AI" module that holds the potential to reduce the driver’s response time to an alarming situation through representative natural sound notification.
Effect of Geometric Conservation Law on Improving Spatial Accuracy for Finite Difference Schemes on Two-Dimensional Nonsmooth Grids

It is well known that grid discontinuities have significant impact on the performance of finite difference schemes (FDSs). The geometric conservation law (GCL) is very important for FDSs on reducing numerical oscillations and ensuring free-stream preservation in curvilinear coordinate system. It is not quite clear how GCL works in finite difference method and how GCL errors affect spatial discretization errors especially in nonsmooth grids. In this paper, a method is developed to analyze the impact of grid discontinuities on the GCL errors and spatial discretization errors. A violation of GCL cause GCL errors which depend on grid smoothness, grid metrics method and finite difference operators. As a result there are more source terms in spatial discretization errors. The analysis shows that the spatial discretization accuracy on non-sufficiently smooth grids is determined by the discontinuity order of grids and can approach one higher order by following GCL. For sufficiently smooth grids, the spatial discretization accuracy is determined by the order of FDSs and FDSs satisfying the GCL can obtain smaller spatial discretization errors. Numerical tests have been done by the second-order and fourth-order FDSs to verify the theoretical results.
Optimizing Cellular Manufacturing Facility Layout Design through Digital Twin Simulation: A Case Study

Cellular manufacturing is a lean manufacturing approach that involves grouping machines, processes, and workstations into self-contained cells to reduce material handling, waiting times, and inventory. The layout design of cellular manufacturing facilities has a significant impact on their efficiency, productivity, and throughput. However, traditional trial-and-error methods for facility layout design can be time-consuming, costly, and risky. Digital twin simulation offers a powerful alternative by allowing designers to create virtual models of the facility and test different layout configurations before physically implementing them. Our study shows that digital twin simulation can help identify the optimal layout design that maximizes productivity, minimizes waste, and ensures the smooth flow of materials and products. Additionally, it enables us to evaluate the impact of changes in the production system on the facility's performance, helping decision-makers make informed decisions. Overall, this paper highlights the potential of digital twin simulations as a powerful tool for optimizing cellular manufacturing facility layout design and improving operational performance.
Information Analysis of High-Dimensional Data and Applications

1School of Science and Technology, Middlesex University London, London NW4 4BT, UK 2Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, High Educational Town, SIP, Suzhou 215123, China 3Centre for Smart Grid and Information Convergence, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, High Educational Town, SIP, Suzhou 215123, China 4Department of Electronic Engineering, Inha University, Inha-ro 100, Incheon, Republic of Korea 5Institute for Information and Electronics Research, Inha University, Inha-ro 100, Incheon, Republic of Korea 6Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand 7Biomedical Engineering Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Alexithymic characteristics and interoceptive abilities are associated with disease severity and levels of C-reactive protein and cytokines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background Alexithymia and atypical gut-brain signaling have been linked to the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We herein assessed IBD patients’ alexithymia levels and interoceptive abilities, and detected potential correlations with psychological distress, symptom severity and disease activity, and inflammation indices. Methods Adult IBD outpatients and healthy controls were recruited. Alexithymia was assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, interoceptive accuracy using the Heartbeat Counting Test (cardiac interoception) and the Water Load Test-II (gastric interoception), and interoceptive sensibility using the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). Results Forty-one patients with Crohn’s disease (CD), 16 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 50 healthy controls were included. In CD patients, the level of externally oriented thinking and total alexithymia score were correlated with disease activity (P=0.027 and P=0.047, respectively), while in UC patients difficulties in identifying emotions were linked to disease activity (P=0.007). In CD patients, the Noticing, Not-Worrying and Emotional Awareness MAIA subscale score were correlated with C-reactive protein levels (P=0.005, P=0.048 and P=0.005), the Noticing subscale score with interleukin (IL)-1β levels (r=-0.350, P=0.039), the Not-Distracting subscale score with IL-6 levels (r=-0.402, P=0.017), and the Emotional Awareness subscale score with IL-1β (r=-0.367, P=0.030) and IL-6 (r=-0.379, P=0.025) levels. Finally, in UC patients, the Not-Worrying subscale score was significantly associated with IL-6 levels (r=-0.532, P=0.049), while difficulties in identifying emotions were linked to IL-8 levels (r=0.604, P=0.022). Conclusion Emotional and interoceptive processing is associated with IBD disease activity, suggesting a potential implication for IBD pathophysiology.
Does a change in the ‘global net zero’ language matter?

Non-technical summary Changes in language used in long term climate policy can undermine their credibility and discourage climate action. Previous IPCC reports have promoted an idea of reaching ‘global net zero’ (GNZ) emissions by 2050 in order to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. In the latest IPCC Report, this language has been changed. To understand the impact of this change, we survey COP 26 participants to test their willingness to accept a shift in long term policy goals. We find a low tolerance for a change and, indeed, there is substantial finance, business and political effort behind the idea of reaching GNZ by 2050. This suggests that GNZ by 2050 will remain central to climate action. Technical summary Consistency in language in long term policy goals is central to building a (political) constituency in support of the Paris Agreement. Changes in language can undermine policy credibility, and stall effective mitigation action. Recent changes in IPCC language to describe ‘global net zero’ (GNZ) as being reached in the ‘early or mid 2050s’ (AR6 WG1) could risk undermining the substantial cultural, political and financial momentum that has developed behind the interpretation – first developed by the IPCC SR 1.5 °C Report – that GNZ must be reached by 2050. We survey COP 26 participants to test their willingness to accept a shift in policy goals and find a strong preference for a ‘stable’ long term policy target, widely interpreted as reaching ‘GNZ by 2050’, and a rejection of flexibility in long term policy targets, even as new scientific information becomes available. ‘GNZ by 2050’ is no longer a science based target, but has transitioned to a cultural and political metaphor actively used by stakeholders to guide their climate decision making. This makes ‘GNZ by 2050’ no less valid than the original scientific concept. This may stimulate further ‘political calibration’ or between the policy and modelling communities. Social media summary Sig. momentum is behind global net zero by 2050.Will changes in IPCC mitigation language de-rail global climate action?
Monocular vision-based relative position and attitude measurement algorithm between spacecrafts

The optical measurement problem of the relative position and attitude between spacecrafts is investigated,and a novel monocular vision-based relative position and attitude measurement algorithm named as the Similar Iteration algorithm is presented.This algorithm mainly characterizes a new depth iterative mechanism from the principle of the triangular similitude,and thus the 2D-3D pose estimation problem is translated into iteratively solving the 3D-3D problem.Simulation results show that the Similar Iteration algorithm outtperforms two other existing algorithms in the accuracy,the resistance against image noise and exhibits good real-time performance.The proposed approach is applicable for measuring the relative position and attitude between spacecrafts.
Inhibition of Heterogeneous Nucleation in Water by Hydrogel Coating

Heterogeneous nucleation plays a critical role in the phase transition of water, which can cause damage in various systems. Here, we report that heterogeneous nucleation can be inhibited by utilizing hydrogel coatings to isolate solid surfaces and water. Hydrogels, which contain over 90% water when fully swelled, exhibit a high degree of similarity to water. Due to this similarity, there is a great energy barrier for heterogeneous nucleation along the water–hydrogel interface. Additionally, hydrogel coatings, which possess polymer networks, exhibit higher fracture energy and more robust adhesion to solid surfaces compared to water. This high fracture and adhesion energy acts as a deterrent for fracture nucleation within the hydrogel or along the hydrogel–solid interface. With a hydrogel layer approximately 100 μm thick, the boiling temperature of water under atmospheric pressure can be raised from 100 to 108 °C. Notably, hydrogel coatings also result in remarkable reductions in cavitation pressure on multiple solid surfaces. We have demonstrated the efficacy of hydrogel coatings in preventing damages resulting from acceleration-induced cavitation. Hydrogel coatings have the potential to alter the energy landscape of heterogeneous nucleation on the water–solid interface, making them an exciting avenue for innovation in heat transfer and fluidic systems.
EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTALGIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF CRATAEGUS AZAROLUS.

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential effects of a Crataegus azarolus extract on antioxidant, antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, a phytochemical analysis was conducted to identify the chemical constituents of the extract. The antioxidant potential was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, and β-carotene assays, while the antibacterial activity was evaluated against five different microorganisms by measuring the diameter of inhibition zones. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were examined by inducing paw edema with carrageenan and intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid, respectively. The results indicated that the extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity, and the highest antibacterial activity was observed against Bacillus subtilis, with an inhibition zone diameter of 18 mm. Additionally, administering 400 mg/kg of the extract resulted in a strong inhibition of paw edema, showing a percentage reduction of 42.28% compared to the control group. Similarly, the methanolic extract (600 mg/kg) of Crataegus azarolus showed inhibition of pain caused by acetic acid in mice. The findings of the study propose that the extract has the potential to provide bioactive compounds, and that its individual constituents may act together in a synergistic manner. Therefore, Crataegus azarolus extract could be used as an alternative to synthetic anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds in the pharmaceutical industries in the future.
Observability of Probabilistic Boolean Networks via Matrix Approach

In this article, the observability of probabilistic Boolean networks (PBNs) is investigated. First, the distinguishable state pairs are obtained by constructing a matrix sequence, based on which a novel criterion for examining the observability of PBNs is given. Then, an algorithm is proposed to verify the observability of PBNs. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the proposed method.
Synchronization for Linear Networked Systems Subject to Input and Communication Delays

This letter investigates the synchronization problem for generic linear multi-agent systems with known or unknown heterogeneous input and communication delays. We propose two protocols that consist of consensus-based internal controller states and decentralized controllers. This kind of distributed dynamic control methodology is able to circumvent the interactive nature of two delays by translating the synchronization problem of agents into the stability of a set of delay differential equations. We examine the synchronization problem for two distinct cases, namely, known delays and unknown delays. When the delays are known, the stability criteria are satisfied by the feasibility of an input-delay-dependent linear matrix inequality and a communication-delay-dependent coupling strength bound. The margin on the communication delay is dependent not only on the network topology but also on the system matrix, which does not have any eigenvalues with positive real parts. We also develop a distributed dynamic control protocol that can handle unknown input and communication delays, and the stability criteria are realized by using the feasibility of a linear matrix inequality and a positive coupling strength. Synchronization is guaranteed even if the unknown communication delays are arbitrarily large but bounded and the upper bound on the heterogeneous input delays is known. The proposed control methodology guarantees that inaccurate measurements of the actual states of a particular agent will not lead to an irretrievable failure of the mission.