Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Because the machine can discriminate: How machine learning serves and transforms biological explanations of human difference

Research on scientific/intellectual movements, and social movements generally, tends to focus on resources and conditions outside the substance of the movements, such as funding and publication opportunities or the prestige and networks of movement actors. Drawing on Pinch’s theory of technologies as institutions, I argue that research methods can also serve as resources for scientific movements by institutionalizing their ideas in research practice. I demonstrate the argument with the case of neuroscience, where the adoption of machine learning changed how scientists think about measurement and modeling of group difference. This provided an opportunity for members of the sex difference movement by offering a ‘truly categorical’ quantitative methodology that aligned more closely with their understanding of male and female brains and bodies as categorically distinct. The result was a flurry of publications and symbiotic relationships with other researchers that rescued a scientific movement which had been growing increasingly untenable under the prior methodological regime of univariate, frequentist analyses. I call for increased sociological attention to the inner workings of technologies that we typically black box in light of their potential consequences for the social world. I also suggest that machine learning in particular might have wide-reaching implications for how we conceive of human groups beyond sex, including race, sexuality, criminality, and political position, where scientists are just beginning to adopt its methods.
Evidence of Use of Whole-Body Vibration in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: Metabolic syndrome (MSy) is defined by a constellation of interconnected physiological, biochemical, clinical, and metabolic factors that directly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) in metabolic syndrome (MSy) individuals. (2) Methods: An electronic search in Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PEDro, and CINAHL databases in December 2022 was performed. Data regarding the included studies were extracted. The level of evidence, the methodological quality, and the risk of bias of each selected publication were individually evaluated. (3) Results: Eight studies were included in the systematic review and four studies in the meta-analysis, with a mean methodological quality score on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro scale) of 5.6, considered “fair” quality. The qualitative results suggested positive effects of the systemic vibration therapy in relevant outcomes, such as quality of life, functionality, pain level, trunk flexibility, cardiovascular responses (blood pressure and heart rate), neuromuscular activation, range of motion of the knees, rating of perceived exertion, and body composition. The quantitative results, with weighted mean differences, standard mean differences, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated. Conclusions: WBVE may be an alternative capable of interfering with physical—mainly for flexibility with weighted mean differences (1.70; 95% CI 0.15, 3.25; n = 39)—functional, psychosocial, neuromuscular, emotional parameters, and consequently contribute to improvements in metabolic health and reduce the cardiovascular risk factor in MSy individuals. Nevertheless, further additional studies are required to understand the long-term effects of WBVE on MSy and its complications in a better way. Protocol study registration was as follows: PROSPERO (CRD 42020187319).
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Correlates of Interrupted and Aborted Suicide Attempts Among U.S. Active Duty Service Members Seeking Treatment for Suicidal Symptoms

This study examined suicide attempts (SAs), interrupted SAs, and aborted SAs and their cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with suicide-related correlates among high-risk active duty service members. Service members receiving suicide-related treatment completed measures at baseline (N = 1,044) and a 3-month follow-up (n = 758). Multivariate analysis of variance and regression models were used to evaluate differences between SA groups (SAs, interrupted and/or aborted SAs, no SAs) in baseline suicide-related correlates (suicidal thoughts, thwarted belongingness, anxiety sensitivity, insomnia symptoms, alcohol use, hopelessness, and posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] symptoms) and severity of suicidal thoughts and presence of SAs at follow-up. Results revealed that service members with interrupted and/or aborted SAs (and no prior SAs) reported significantly more severe baseline PTSD hyperarousal symptoms and were more likely to report an SA at follow-up, compared with service members who had prior SAs. Study findings highlight the importance of considering interrupted and aborted SAs when evaluating suicide risk among high-risk service members.
The Chromospheric Age Dependence of the Birthrate, Composition, Motions, and Rotation of Late F and G Dwarfs within 25 Parsecs of the Sun

The chromospheric ages of 115 late F and G dwarfs within 25 parsecs of the sun are calculated. Rotational velocities are plotted against chromospheric age to reveal the rotational spin-down trajectories of solar-type stars of various masses. Also, plots of metal abundance and peculiar velocity versus chromospheric age are used to determine trends with age. 25 references.
Banded Convective Activity and Ducted Gravity Waves

Abstract Convective activity is frequently organized into band-like structures with space and time scales appropriate to internal gravity waves. When the convective activity involves cumulonimbus, then latent heat release can form a significant energy source for the waves which in turn may organize the convection [as described, for example, by wave-CISK (Lindzen, 1974; Raymond, 1975)]. However, in other cases strong forcing is absent and the existence of the waves requires the existence of a duct from which very little wave energy leaks. We show that the energy cannot be contained by an inversion. Instead, we find that a stable duct adjacent to the surface must be capped by an unstable layer wherein the mean flow at some level either equals or comes close to the phase speed of the ducted waves. We also find that the wind amplitudes associated with the observed pressure amplitudes in these waves are consistent with observed squall winds. Finally, we find that the horizontal scales of mesoscale waves are cl.
VeriActor: Dynamic Generation of Challenge-Response Questions for Enhanced Email Sender Verification

Challenge-response mechanisms have become widely adopted as a means of user verification. In this process, users are required to provide a set of challenge questions, with their actual answers serving as a means to authenticate the user’s identity. Despite the widespread usability of challenge-response as an authentication mechanism, it remains vulnerable to evasion by attackers who can employ social engineering tactics or gather information to guess or steal the necessary credentials. To address this inherent challenge, this paper presents a novel technique for dynamically generating challenge-response questions based on authentic historical interactions, such as daily communication via email or messaging platforms. We developed deep learning models, utilizing language models such as BERT, and employed semantic analysis to extract and validate highly usable challenge-response questions. These questions are designed to be easily answerable by legitimate users while presenting an unpredictable challenge to potential attackers. As an effective use case demonstration for our proposed system, we developed an email sender verification system capable of real-time identification of suspicious email senders. This system prompts the senders with carefully crafted challenge questions based on previous email exchanges with authentic users, enabling the identification of advanced spear-phishing emails that would otherwise remain undetected. We evaluated the effectiveness of our system, named VeriActor, through the use of annotated datasets and a user study. The experimental results exhibited promising outcomes, with a verification accuracy of 87.8% and a protection accuracy of 83.33%.
P-Type Conduction in Mg-Doped GaN Treated with Low-Energy Electron Beam Irradiation (LEEBI)

Distinct p-type conduction is realized with Mg-doped GaN by the low-energy electron-beam irradiation (LEEBI) treatment, and the properties of the GaN p-n junction LED are reported for the first time. It was found that the LEEBI treatment drastically lowers the resistivity and remarkably enhances the PL efficiency of MOVPE-grown Mg-doped GaN. The Hall effect measurement of this Mg-doped GaN treated with LEEBI at room temperature showed that the hole concentration is ∼2·1016cm-3, the hole mobility is ∼8 cm2/V·s and the resistivity is ∼35 Ω·cm. The p-n junction LED using Mg-doped GaN treated with LEEBI as the p-type material showed strong near-band-edge emission due to the hole injection from the p-layer to the n-layer at room temperature.
The Relationships among Chinese University EFL Learners’ Feedback-Seeking Behavior, Achievement Goals, and Mindsets

This study investigated the characteristics of feedback-seeking behavior and the underlying motivational antecedents including the mindsets and achievement goals of Chinese EFL learners. Questionnaire data were collected from 677 learners taking English classes at different levels in China for (1) their beliefs about English learning (a fixed or growth mindset), (2) goal orientation in achievement-related situations (development or demonstration goals), and (3) FSB (whether to seek feedback, by what strategies, and from whom). Results indicated that Chinese EFL learners with a growth mindset or demonstration-approach goals proactively seek feedback through variant strategies (i.e., feedback direct inquiry, indirect inquiry, and monitoring) while those with development-approach goals or a fixed mindset seek feedback by monitoring only due to learners’ different perceptions of the cost and value attached to different strategies. Furthermore, a demonstration approach partially mediated the predictive role of a growth mindset on three FSBs, while the relationships between feedback monitoring and the two mindsets were partially or fully mediated by a development approach.
Fast convergent integral equation solution of strip gratings on dielectric substrate

A fast convergent integral equation solution to the scattering problem of a transverse electric/transverse magnetic (TE/TM) plane wave by a one-dimensional periodic array of thin metal strips on a dielectric substrate is described. The formulation of the integral equation is similar to that derived by Montgomery for a two-dimensional periodic array of thin conductors on a dielectric substrate. However, the basis functions which satisfy the appropriate edge conditions are incorporated here for the unknown current expansion on the strips. Following the standard Galerkin's procedure, one may readily determine the induced currents on the strips and thus the reflected and transmitted fields. Sample numerical results are given and good agreement with previously published data is obtained. It is found that the convergence rate of this method is improved by an order of magnitude. Also it is shown that the dielectric substrate has a strong effect on the scattering from the large spacing strip grating.
A model for investment decisions with switching costs

We address the problem of determining in an optimal way the sequence of times at which a firm can enter or exit an economic activity. In particular, we consider an investment model which involves production scheduling as well as a sequence of entry and exit decisions. The pricing of an investment conforming with this model gives rise to a stochastic impulse control problem that we explicitly solve. Our solution takes qualitatively different forms, depending on the problem’s data.
Control of the Organization of 4,4′-bis(carbazole)-1,1′-biphenyl (CBP) Molecular Materials through Siloxane Functionalization

We show that through the introduction of short dimethylsiloxane chains, it was possible to suppress the crystalline state of CBP in favor of various types of organization, transitioning from a soft crystal to a fluid liquid crystal mesophase, then to a liquid state. Characterized by X-ray scattering, all organizations reveal a similar layered configuration in which layers of edge-on lying CBP cores alternate with siloxane. The difference between all CBP organizations essentially lay on the regularity of the molecular packing that modulates the interactions of neighboring conjugated cores. As a result, the materials show quite different thin film absorption and emission properties, which could be correlated to the features of the chemical architectures and the molecular organizations.
Collagen X Is Dispensable for Hypertrophic Differentiation and Endochondral Ossification of Human iPSC‐Derived Chondrocytes

Collagen X is a non‐fibril collagen produced by hypertrophic chondrocytes and was believed to associate with the calcification process of growth plate cartilage. The homozygous loss of Col10a1 gene in mice, however, demonstrated no remarkable effects on growth plate formation or skeletal development. To investigate the role of collagen X in human chondrocytes, we established human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with heterozygous (COL10A1+/−) or homozygous (COL10A1−/−) deletions of COL10A1 gene using the dual sgRNA CRISPR/Cas9 system. Several mutant clones were established and differentiated into hypertrophic chondrocytes by a previously reported 3D induction method. No remarkable differences were observed during the differentiation process between parental and mutant cell lines, which differentiated into cells with features of hypertrophic chondrocytes, indicating that collagen X is dispensable for the hypertrophic differentiation of human chondrocytes in vitro. To investigate the effects of collagen X deficiency in vivo, chondrocyte pellets at the proliferating or prehypertrophic stage were transplanted into immunodeficient mice. Proliferating pellet‐derived tissues demonstrated the zonal distribution of chondrocytes with the transition to bone tissues mimicking growth plates, and the proportion of bone tended to be larger in COL10A1−/− tissues. Prehypertrophic pellet‐derived tissues produced trabecular bone structures with features of endochondral ossification, and there was no clear difference between parental‐ and mutant‐derived tissues. A transcriptome analysis of chondrocyte pellets at the hypertrophic phase showed a lower expression of proliferating‐phase genes and a higher expression of calcification‐phase genes in COL10A1−/− pellets compared with parental cell pellets. These in vitro and in vivo data suggested that collagen X is dispensable for the hypertrophic differentiation and endochondral ossification of human iPSC‐derived chondrocytes, though it may facilitate the differentiation process. Thus, COL10A1−/− iPSC lines are useful for investigating the physiological role of collagen X in chondrocyte differentiation. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Experiments of Axial Compression of Flux-Core Spheromak

The axial compression of flux-core spheromaks is successfully made in the TS-3 facility. Magnetic measurements show that oblate and singlet magnetic configurations are obtained by the axial compression. The closed poloidal magnetic flux surrounding the magnetic axis increases up to 6 mWb, that is three or four times larger than the closed poloidal magnetic flux obtained without the axial compression. During the early and middle phases of the compression, no global instabilities are observed, but, in the late phase, sudden collapses of the flux-core spheromak are observed. This may limit the maximum compression ratio. Fitting to an equilibrium model suggests that, by the axial compression, the ratio µ of the current density to the magnetic field, increases toward the value of the conventional spheromak without core flux.
Markers of aging: Unsupervised integrated analyses of the human plasma proteome

Aging associates with an increased susceptibility for disease and decreased quality of life. To date, processes underlying aging are still not well understood, leading to limited interventions with unknown mechanisms to promote healthy aging. Previous research suggests that changes in the blood proteome are reflective of age-associated phenotypes such as frailty. Moreover, experimentally induced changes in the blood proteome composition can accelerate or decelerate underlying aging processes. The aim of this study is to identify a set of proteins in the human plasma associated with aging by integration of the data of four independent, large-scaled datasets using the aptamer-based SomaScan platform on the human aging plasma proteome. Using this approach, we identified a set of 273 plasma proteins significantly associated with aging (aging proteins, APs) across these cohorts consisting of healthy individuals and individuals with comorbidities and highlight their biological functions. We validated the age-associated effects in an independent study using a centenarian population, showing highly concordant effects. Our results suggest that APs are more associated to diseases than other plasma proteins. Plasma levels of APs can predict chronological age, and a reduced selection of 15 APs can still predict individuals’ age accurately, highlighting their potential as biomarkers of aging processes. Furthermore, we show that individuals presenting accelerated or decelerated aging based on their plasma proteome, respectively have a more aged or younger systemic environment. These results provide novel insights in the understanding of the aging process and its underlying mechanisms and highlight potential modulators contributing to healthy aging.
Impact of magnetron configuration on plasma and film properties of sputtered aluminum nitride thin films

We have investigated the growth of the c-axis oriented aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films on (100) silicon by reactive dc magnetron sputtering at low temperature, considering the effect of the magnet configuration on plasma and film properties. It appears that a magnet modification can significantly modify both the plasma characteristics and the film properties. Electrical and optical characterizations of the plasma phase highlight that depending on the magnet configuration, two very different types of deposition process can be involved in the same deposition chamber. On the one hand, with a balanced magnetron (type 1), the deposition process enhances the production of AlN dimers in the plasma phase and enables to synthesize AlN films with different preferential orientations (100, 002, and even 101). On the other hand, a strongly unbalanced magnetron (type 2) provides a limited production of AlN species in the plasma phase and a strong increase in the ratio of ions to metal atom flux on the growing films.
The Antitumor Effect of Topotecan Loaded Thiolated Chitosan-Dextran Nanoparticles for Intravitreal Chemotherapy: A Xenograft Retinoblastoma Model

Abstract Purpose This research intended to fabricate the thiolated chitosan-dextran nanoparticles (NPs) containing topotecan (TPH-CMD-TCS-NPs) to assess the ability of NPs in improving the efficacy of intravitreal chemotherapy of retinoblastoma in a rabbit xenograft model. Methods The coacervation process was used to produce the NPs. The cellular uptake of Cyanine-3 (CY3)-labeled NPs were investigated in human retinoblastoma Y79 cells using confocal microscopy. Also, the prepared TPH-CMD-TCS-NPs were tested in vitro by the tetrazolium dyes II (XTT) and flow cytometry in order to assess their cytotoxicity. In addition, a rabbit xenograft model of retinoblastoma was developed to test the antitumor effectiveness of TPH-CMD-TCS-NPs through intravitreal administration. Results NPs had a mean diameter, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of 30 ± 4 nm, 0.24 ± 0.03 and +10 ± 3 mV, respectively. NPs (IC50s 40.40 compared to 126.20 nM, P = 0.022) were more effective than free topotecan as a dose-based feature. The tumor reaction to intravitreal chemotherapy with NPs was measured by evaluating the percentage of necrosis in the tumor tissue (91 ± 2%) and vitreous seeds (89 ± 9%) through hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. In comparison with the control group, the TPH-CMD-TCs-NPs treated group showed a significant decrease in tumor volume seven days after the intravitreal injection (P = 0.039). No significant changes were found in the ERG parameters after the intravitreal injection of TPH-CMD-TCs-NPs or TPH (P > 0.05). Conclusion This investigation revealed definitive antitumor efficacy of TPH-CMD-TCS-NPs by intravitreal administration in the rabbit xenograft retinoblastoma model.
Transformation of a Metal Chelate into a “Catch and Anchor” Inhibitor of Botulinum A Protease

Targeting the botulinum neurotoxin light chain (LC) metalloprotease using small-molecule metal chelate inhibitors is a promising approach to counter the effects of the lethal toxin. However, to overcome the pitfalls associated with simple reversible metal chelate inhibitors, it is crucial to investigate alternative scaffolds/strategies. In conjunction with Atomwise Inc., in silico and in vitro screenings were conducted, yielding a number of leads, including a novel 9-hydroxy-4H-pyrido [1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one (PPO) scaffold. From this structure, an additional series of 43 derivatives were synthesized and tested, resulting in a lead candidate with a Ki of 150 nM in a BoNT/A LC enzyme assay and 17 µM in a motor neuron cell-based assay. These data combined with structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis and docking led to a bifunctional design strategy, which we termed “catch and anchor” for the covalent inhibition of BoNT/A LC. Kinetic evaluation was conducted on structures prepared from this catch and anchor campaign, providing kinact/Ki values, and rationale for inhibition seen. Covalent modification was validated through additional assays, including an FRET endpoint assay, mass spectrometry, and exhaustive enzyme dialysis. The data presented support the PPO scaffold as a novel candidate for targeted covalent inhibition of BoNT/A LC.
Nonlinear Terminal-Free MPC on Multitype Bend Tracking With Discontinuous Reference Paths for Autonomous Vehicles

In this article, multitype bend tracking with discontinuous reference paths is researched by a nonlinear terminal-free model predictive control (MPC) with an artificial reference path for an autonomous vehicle. The MPC strategy without terminal penalty and terminal state constraints is proposed to deal with the discontinuous reference paths, which improves solvability on an optimization problem effectively. The artificial reference path is designed to realize replanning and smoothing for multitype bend paths. Both recursive feasibility and stability are discussed for the autonomous vehicle by a lower bound of prediction horizon and a controlled forward invariance set. Effectiveness of the nonlinear terminal-free MPC strategy is shown by experimental results on multitype bend path for the autonomous vehicle.