Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Working towards dengue as a vaccine-preventable disease: challenges and opportunities

ABSTRACT Introduction: Dengue is an emerging viral disease that affects the human population around the globe. Recent advancements in dengue virus research have opened new avenues for the development of vaccines against dengue. The development of a vaccine against dengue is a challenging task because any of the four serotypes of dengue viruses can cause disease. The development of a dengue vaccine aims to provide balanced protection against all the serotypes. Several dengue vaccine candidates are in the developmental stages such as inactivated, live attenuated, recombinant subunit, and plasmid DNA vaccines. Area covered: The authors provide an overview of the progress made in the development of much needed dengue vaccines. The authors include their expert opinion and their perspectives for future developments. Expert opinion: Human trials of a live attenuated tetravalent chimeric vaccine have clearly demonstrated its potential as a dengue vaccine. Other vaccine candidate molecules such as DENVax, a recombinant chimeric vaccine andTetraVax, are at different stages of development at this time. The authors believe that the novel strategies for testing and improving the immune response of vaccine candidates in humans will eventually lead to the development of a successful dengue vaccine in future.
Microscopic Examination of SiO2/4H-SiC Interfaces

SiO2/4H-SiC interfaces are examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). HRTEM and HAADF-STEM images of SiO2/4H-SiC interfaces reveal that abrupt interfaces are formed irrespective of the fabrication conditions. Transition regions around the interfaces reported by Zheleva et al. were not observed. Using EELS, profiles of the C/Si and O/Si ratios across an interface were measured. Our measurements did not reveal a C-rich region on the SiC side of the interface, which was reported by Zheleva et al.
Using binary decision diagrams for combinatorial test design

Combinatorial test design (CTD) is an effective test planning technique that reveals faulty feature interaction in a given system. The test space is modeled by a set of parameters, their respective values, and restrictions on the value combinations. A subset of the test space is then automatically constructed so that it covers all valid value combinations of every t parameters, where t is a user input. Various combinatorial testing tools exist, implementing different approaches to finding a set of tests that satisfies t-wise coverage. However, little consideration has been given to the process of defining the test space for CTD, which is usually a manual, labor-intensive, and error-prone effort. Potential errors include missing parameters and their values, wrong identification of parameters and of valid value combinations, and errors in the definition of restrictions that cause them not to capture the intended combinations. From our experience, lack of support for the test space definition process is one of the main obstacles in applying CTD to a wide range of testing domains. In this work, we present a Cartesian product based methodology and technology that assist in defining a complete and consistent test space for CTD. We then show how using binary decision diagrams (BDDs) to represent and build the test space dramatically increases the scalability of our approach, making it applicable to large and complex real-life test design tasks, for which explicit representation of the test space is infeasible. Finally, we show how BDDs can be used also to solve the CTD problem itself. We present a new and highly effective BDD-based approach for solving CTD, which finds a set of tests that satisfies t-wise coverage by subset selection. Our approach supports also advanced requirements such as requirements on the distribution of values in the selected tests. We apply our algorithm to real-life testing problems of varying complexity, and show its superior performance.
Simultaneous structural identification of diacylglyceryl-N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS) and diacylglycerylhydroxymethyl-N,N,N-trimethyl-β-alanine (DGTA) in microalgae using dual Li+ /H+ adduct ion mode by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE Diacylgycerol-N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS) and diacylglycerylhydroxymethyl-N,N,N-trimethyl-β-alanine (DGTA) are structural isomers that are the most commonly described betaine lipids in microalgae. The structural differentiation and precise identification of DGTS and DGTA in microalgae need to be established during mass spectrometry analysis. METHODS Total lipid was extracted from Amphora spp. with CHCl3 /CH3 OH (1:1, v/v). The qualitative analysis of DGTS and DGTA in Amphora spp. was carried out using Li+ /H+ dual mode by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry operating in MSE mode (UPLC/QTOF MSE ). RESULTS Characteristic fragment ions [C10 H22 O5 N]+ at m/z 236.15 and [C7 H14 O2 N]+ at m/z 144.10 from the [M + H]+ precursor ion can be used for the qualitative analysis of both DGTA and DGTS, whereas the loss of m/z 87 and 74 from the [M + Li]+ precursor ion are specific for DGTS, and the loss of m/z 103 from the [M + Li]+ precursor ion is only for DGTA. As a result, 9 DGTSs and 16 DGTAs with different fatty acids were identified simultaneously in Amphora spp. Semi-quantitative analysis of DGTS and DGTA in Amphora spp. showed that the contents of DGTS ranged from 0.003 to 0.438 nmol mg-1 dw, and that of DGTA from 0.004 to 0.414 nmol mg-1 dw. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report to achieve the ambiguous structural identification of DGTS and DGTA by UPLC/QTOF MSE using dual Li+ /H+ adduct ion mode, which has remained a challenge in the past. It could provide new insights into their phylogeny and be helpful to characterize the natural phytoplankton communities as intact polar lipid biomarkers. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introduction to Synthesized Transmission Lines

In modern communication systems, the rapid evolution of integrated circuit (IC) and packaging technologies have driven more and more function blocks to be integrated into a single chip/ module. In the second decade of the twenty‐first century, highly‐integrated front‐end modules such as microwave/millimeter‐wave radar and image systems, [1–4], phased arrays [5, 6], and so on have hit the commercial markets. In general, the RF modules require a large number of transmission‐line‐based elements for vector signal processing in the analog domain. The transmission line elements, however, inevitably occupy a large circuit area. In the cost‐driven market, area is the cost. It therefore leads to an enormous amount of research work focusing on developing various kinds of synthesized transmission lines for reducing the required circuit size. A synthesized transmission line is a lumped or quasi‐lumped network that may function identically to a uniform transmission line within a given bandwidth. Synthesized transmission lines can be developed with or without periodicity. In a broad sense, it could be either right‐handed or left‐handed depending on the forming blocks. To describe the general concept, in this chapter we will start from Maxwell’s equations and discuss the analog between plane wave propagation in a material media and the TEM mode in a parallel‐plate waveguide. The parameters associated with the wave propagation and their corresponding circuit parameters in a transmission line are linked herein. Based on the fundamental principle, design formulae for periodic and non‐periodic synthesized transmission lines are summarized. Classical design approaches are reviewed to demonstrate how synthesized transmission lines are realized practically. A brief review of left‐handed synthesized lines, or metamaterial structures, is provided at the end of the chapter. 1
Neurodevelopmental Genetic Diseases Associated With Microdeletions and Microduplications of Chromosome 17p13.3

Chromosome 17p13.3 is a region of genomic instability that is linked to different rare neurodevelopmental genetic diseases, depending on whether a deletion or duplication of the region has occurred. Chromosome microdeletions within 17p13.3 can result in either isolated lissencephaly sequence (ILS) or Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS). Both conditions are associated with a smooth cerebral cortex, or lissencephaly, which leads to developmental delay, intellectual disability, and seizures. However, patients with MDS have larger deletions than patients with ILS, resulting in additional symptoms such as poor muscle tone, congenital anomalies, abnormal spasticity, and craniofacial dysmorphisms. In contrast to microdeletions in 17p13.3, recent studies have attracted considerable attention to a condition known as a 17p13.3 microduplication syndrome. Depending on the genes involved in their microduplication, patients with 17p13.3 microduplication syndrome may be categorized into either class I or class II. Individuals in class I have microduplications of the YWHAE gene encoding 14-3-3ε, as well as other genes in the region. However, the PAFAH1B1 gene encoding LIS1 is never duplicated in these patients. Class I microduplications generally result in learning disabilities, autism, and developmental delays, among other disorders. Individuals in class II always have microduplications of the PAFAH1B1 gene, which may include YWHAE and other genetic microduplications. Class II microduplications generally result in smaller body size, developmental delays, microcephaly, and other brain malformations. Here, we review the phenotypes associated with copy number variations (CNVs) of chromosome 17p13.3 and detail their developmental connection to particular microdeletions or microduplications. We also focus on existing single and double knockout mouse models that have been used to study human phenotypes, since the highly limited number of patients makes a study of these conditions difficult in humans. These models are also crucial for the study of brain development at a mechanistic level since this cannot be accomplished in humans. Finally, we emphasize the usefulness of the CRISPR/Cas9 system and next generation sequencing in the study of neurodevelopmental diseases.
Tuning the electronic structure of graphene nanoribbons through chemical edge modification : a theoretical study

We report combined first-principle and tight-binding (TB) calculations to simulate the effects of chemical edge modifications on structural and electronic properties. The C-C bond lengths and bond angles near the graphene nanoribbon (GNR) edge have considerable changes when edge carbon atoms are bounded to different atoms. By introducing a phenomenological hopping parameter ${t}_{1}$ for nearest-neighbor hopping to represent various chemical edge modifications, we investigated the electronic structural changes of nanoribbons with different widths based on the tight-binding scheme. Theoretical results show that addends can change the band structures of armchair GNRs and even result in observable metal-to-insulator transition.
Analyzing the Effect of Tagging by Combining Automatic and Manual Annotation Processes

A key research question in multimedia is how to provide mechanisms for adding semantic annotations to given media assets. Content analysis focuses on automatic tools, social networks can help in describing the media, and professionals might provide high-quality annotations. In general, tagging is a very critical process, and all these solutions have benefits and drawbacks based on parameters such as required effort, quality, validity, and usefulness of the annotations. In the literature, the tagging process is normally situated in one of the following extremes:
Racial Discrimination Experiences Among Black Youth

This study examines whether subgroups of Black youth exist based on the presence or absence of racial discrimination experiences in the school context and whether these groups varied by gender and household income. Latent transition analyses were performed on racial discrimination indicators derived when youth were in the 8th and 11th grades. Three distinct subgroups of youth emerged. Youth in the Teacher-Peer Perceived Racial Discrimination (PRD) group had a high probability of experiencing racial discrimination from both teachers and peers. Those in the Teacher PRD group had high probabilities of experiencing racial discrimination from teachers and a low probability of experiencing racial discrimination from their peers. Finally, youth in the No PRD group had low probabilities across all racial discrimination indicators. Males were more likely to be in the Teacher-Peer and Teacher PRD groups compared with females. Findings demonstrate the heterogeneity of Black youth’s experiences as it relates to race-related stress and several avenues for future research are identified.
Partition and Inclusion Hierarchies of Images: A Comprehensive Survey

The theory of hierarchical image representations has been well-established in Mathematical Morphology, and provides a suitable framework to handle images through objects or regions taking into account their scale. Such approaches have increased in popularity and been favourably compared to treating individual image elements in various domains and applications. This survey paper presents the development of hierarchical image representations over the last 20 years using the framework of component trees. We introduce two classes of component trees, partitioning and inclusion trees, and describe their general characteristics and differences. Examples of hierarchies for each of the classes are compared, with the resulting study aiming to serve as a guideline when choosing a hierarchical image representation for any application and image domain.
An Error-Adaptive, Non-Rigid Registration Method for the Analysis of Springback in Sheet Metal Forming

Springback effects, as occuring in sheet metal forming processes, pose a challenge to manufacturingplanning: the as-built part may deviate from the desired shape rendering it unusable forits intended purpose. A compensation can be achieved by modifying the forming tools to counteractthe shape deviations. A prerequisite to compensation is the knowledge of correspondences (ui; vj),between points ui on the desired and vj on the actual shape. FEM-based simulation software providesmeans to both virtually predict springback and directly obtain correspondences. In case of experimentalprototyping and validation, however, finding correspondences requires solving a registrationproblem: given a test shape Q (scan points of the as-built geometry) and a reference shape R (CADdata of the desired geometry), a transformation S has to be found to fit both objects. Correspondencesbetween S(Q) and R may then be computed based on a metric.If S is restricted to Euclidean transformations, then S(Q) results in a rigid transformation, whereevery point of Q is subject to the same translation and rotation. Local geometric deviations due tospringback are not considered, often resulting in invalid correspondences. In this contribution, a nonrigidregistration method for the efficient analysis of springback is therefore presented. The test shape Q is iteratively partitioned into segments with respect to an error metric. The segments are locally registeredusing rigid registration subject to regulatory conditions. Resulting discontinuities are addressedby minimization of the deformation energy. The error metric uses information about the deviationscomputed based on the correspondences of the previous iteration, e.g. maximum errors or changes ofthe sign. This adaptive per-segment registration allows appropriate correspondences to be determinedeven under local geometric deviations.
Hipi, as Alternative for Satellite Images Processing

These days, in different fields of both industry and academia, large amounts of data is generated. The use of several frameworks with different techniques is essential , for processing and extraction of data. In the remote sensing field, large volumes of data are generated (satellite images) over short periods of time. Information systems for processing these kind of images were not designed with scalable features. In this paper, we present an extension of the HIPI framework (Hadoop Image Processing Interface) for processing satellite image formats.
Flexible Interlinking and Coordinated Power Control of Multiple DC Microgrids Clusters

Multiple distributed dc microgrids (MGs) in a close vicinity can be connected to each other to form a dc MG cluster. Especially with isolated bidirectional dc–dc converters (IBDCs) as the active interconnected devices, flexible power control and electrical isolation among the dc MGs can be realized. A novel coordinated power control framework for such a cluster has been proposed in this paper, in which the dc MGs adopt the standard droop control, and a unified control is proposed for the IBDCs. In normal operation, autonomous flexible interlinking power control among the distributed dc MGs can be achieved through the unified control of IBDCs, making the demand of the power terminals to be proportionally shared among the slack terminals in the dc cluster. Furthermore, with the unified control, if one of the dc MGs loses dc voltage control capability due to the outage of its slack terminal, the interlinked IBDCs can transfer to dc MG support control mode automatically and seamlessly without control scheme switching and operation mode detection. In addition, when there is a dc bus fault in one of the subsystems, the interconnected IBDC can lockout its control signals and isolate the dc fault, to ensure stable operation of the rest of the dc MGs within the cluster. Finally, PSCAD/EMTDC based simulation verifications and experimental results obtained from a hardware prototype have been provided.
Transcervical uniportal pulmonary lobectomy.

Background The aim of the study is a description of surgical technique of uniportal transcervical video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for pulmonary lobectomy. Methods We used a collar neck incision (transcervical) of an average length 5-8 centimeters. The manubrium of the sternum is elevated with a hook connected to the Zakopane II frame (Aesculap-Chifa, B. Braun, Nowy Tomyśl, Poland). The first step is a transcervical extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy (TEMLA), for improved staging and possible improved survival. The nodes removed during TEMLA undergo intraoperative imprint cytology examination. In case of no metastasis a uniportal VATS lobectomy through the neck follows. Ventilation of the operated lung is disconnected and the pleural cavity is entered by opening of the mediastinal pleura. Pleural adhesions, if present are managed with electrocautery. The branches of the pulmonary artery and vein are sequentially dissected and managed with endostaplers or vascular clips. The lobar bronchus and the fissures are divided with endostaplers and the resected lobe is removed in an endobag. Results There were 16 patients operated on in the period 1.2. 2016-30.7. 2016. There were two conversions-in one patient with left lower lobe tumor we had to convert to uniportal VATS left lower lobectomy due to extensive adhesions. In the other patient undergoing right lower lobectomy there was a conversion to right thoracotomy because of the bleeding from the pulmonary artery. There was no mortality and complications occurred in three patients. The mean operative time was 245.6 min (range, 145-385 min) for the whole TEMLA procedure with imprint cytology and lobectomy and 175.6 min (range, 75-295 min) for a lobectomy solely. Conclusions A uniportal transcervical VATS approach for pulmonary lobectomy combined with transcervical extended mediastinal lobectomy (TEMLA) provides an opportunity for radical pulmonary resection and superradical extensive mediastinal lymphadenectomy.
Hypoglycemic Effect of 24-Methylencycloartan-3-one Isolated from Prosopis juliflora Pods in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by an increased concentration of blood glucose due to disorder in carbohydrates metabolism and failure secretion of insulin. These metabolic disturbances result in acute and long-term diabetic complications, which are responsible for premature death and disability [1]. Wild et al. (2009) reported that in the year 2000, there were about 171 million diabetes mellitus cases worldwide in patients ages 20 years or more, 17 million of these cases were found in the United States of America, making the US the third highest country in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus after India and China [2]. In 2010, International Diabetes Federation reported a diabetes prevalence of 12.3% in the USA ABSTRACT
Multi-Input Switched-Capacitor Multilevel Inverter for High-Frequency AC Power Distribution

This paper proposes a switched-capacitor multilevel inverter for high-frequency ac power distribution systems. The proposed topology produces a staircase waveform with higher number of output levels employing fewer components compared to several existing switched-capacitor multilevel inverters in the literature. This topology is beneficial where asymmetric dc voltage sources are available, e.g., in case of renewable energy farms based ac microgrids and modern electric vehicles. Utilizing the available dc sources as inputs for a single inverter solves the major problem of connecting several inverters in parallel. Additionally, the need to stack voltage sources, like batteries or supercapacitors, in series which demand charge equalization algorithms, are eliminated as the voltage sources employed share a common ground. The inverter inherently solves the problem of capacitor voltage balancing as each capacitor is charged to the value equal to one of the input voltage every cycle. State analysis, losses, and the selection of capacitance are examined. Simulation and experimental results at different distribution frequencies, power levels, and output harmonic content are provided to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed multilevel inverter topology.
Pre-Operative Screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infection: A Review of the Clinical-Effectiveness and Guidelines.

Canada. HTIS responses are based on a limited literature search and are not comprehensive, systematic reviews. The intent is to provide a list of sources and a summary of the best evidence on the topic that CADTH could identify using all reasonable efforts within the time allowed. HTIS responses should be considered along with other types of information and health care considerations. The information included in this response is not intended to replace professional medical advice, nor should it be construed as a recommendation for or against the use of a particular health technology. Readers are also cautioned that a lack of good quality evidence does not necessarily mean a lack of effectiveness particularly in the case of new and emerging health technologies, for which little information can be found, but which may in future prove to be effective. While CADTH has taken care in the preparation of the report to ensure that its contents are accurate, complete and up to date, CADTH does not make any guarantee to that effect. CADTH is not liable for any loss or damages resulting from use of the information in the report.