Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acquisition of Immune Privilege in GBM Tumors: Role of Prostaglandins and Bile Salts

Based on the postulate that glioblastoma (GBM) tumors generate anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and bile salts to gain immune privilege, we analyzed 712 tumors in-silico from three GBM transcriptome databases for prostaglandin and bile synthesis/signaling enzyme-transcript markers. A pan-database correlation analysis was performed to identify cell-specific signal generation and downstream effects. The tumors were stratified by their ability to generate prostaglandins, their competency in bile salt synthesis, and the presence of bile acid receptors nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, member 4 (NR1H4) and G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1). The survival analysis indicates that tumors capable of prostaglandin and/or bile salt synthesis are linked to poor outcomes. Tumor prostaglandin D2 and F2 syntheses are derived from infiltrating microglia, whereas prostaglandin E2 synthesis is derived from neutrophils. GBMs drive the microglial synthesis of PGD2/F2 by releasing/activating complement system component C3a. GBM expression of sperm-associated heat-shock proteins appears to stimulate neutrophilic PGE2 synthesis. The tumors that generate bile and express high levels of bile receptor NR1H4 have a fetal liver phenotype and a RORC-Treg infiltration signature. The bile-generating tumors that express high levels of GPBAR1 are infiltrated with immunosuppressive microglia/macrophage/myeloid-derived suppressor cells. These findings provide insight into how GBMs generate immune privilege and may explain the failure of checkpoint inhibitor therapy and provide novel targets for treatment.
A test for parameter change in general causal time series models

We consider a process $ X=(X_t)_{t\in\Z}$ belonging to a large class of causal models. We assume that the model depends on a parameter $\theta_0$ and consider the problem of test for change of the parameter. The test statistic is based on the quasi-maximum likelihood estimator (QLME) of the parameter. Given a significance level $\alpha\in (0,1)$, it is shown that the asymptotic size of the test less than $\alpha$. Under the local alternative that there is one change, we show that the test statistic converges almost surely to $\infty$. Some simulation results for AR(1), ARCH(1) and GARCH(1,1) models are reported.
Unbiased estimators for mean time to failure and percentiles in a Weibull regression model

Purpose – To present the bootstrap procedure to correct biases in maximum likelihood estimator of mean time to failure (MTTF) and percentiles in a Weibull regression model.Design/methodology/approach – A reliability model is described by a Weibull regression model with parameters being estimated by maximum likelihood method and they will be used estimate other quantities of interest as MTTF or percentiles. When a small sample is employed it is known that the estimates of these quantities are biased. A simulation study varying sample size, censored mechanisms, allocation mechanisms and levels of censored data are designed to quantify these biases.Findings – The bootstrap procedure corrects the biased maximum likelihood estimates of MTTF and percentiles.Practical implications – A minor sample may be required if the bootstrap procedure is required to produce estimator of the quantities as MTTF and percentiles.Originality/value – The employment of bootstrap procedure to quantify the biases since analytical ex.
Large acceptance angle retarding‐potential analyzers

Electrostatic retarding‐potential gridded analyzers have been used to measure the current and the axial energy distributions of ions escaping along magnetic field lines in the 2XIIB magnetic fusion experiment at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Two analyzers are discussed: a large scanning analyzer with a movable entrance aperture that can measure ion losses from a different segment of the plasma diameter on each shot, and a smaller analyzer that mounts in 5‐cm‐diam. ports. Careful electromagnetic shielding and grounding were necessary in order to reduce spurious signals. Accurate measurements of ion current require grids that attenuate the plasma flow and isolate it from the analyzer grid potentials, several techniques to suppress secondary and primary electrons, and consideration of the space‐charge limits as well as techniques to increase these limits. Accurate measurements of ion energy require, in addition, confining large‐angle ion orbits within the analyzer by an axial magnetic field,.
Analysis and Design of Two-Switch Enhanced Gain SEPIC Converter

A two-switch, enhanced gain single-ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) is proposed with key benefits of enhanced voltage gain, reduced voltage stress and better efficiency, as it is suitable for low voltage green energy applications. Further, reduced voltage stress between the intermediate capacitors is a notable attribute of this converter. The converter components are designed with proper design procedure and a steady-state analysis is performed to study its operation. A small-signal analysis of the proposed converter is also presented to examine the pole-zero positions. Also, this paper includes the performance comparison with other similar converters. Simulation and experimental results of the proposed converter with a rating of 100 W/50 kHz and input and output voltages of 20 V and 200 V, respectively are provided. Efficiency as well as power loss distribution are also investigated in this study.
Adaptive non‐singular fast terminal sliding mode based on prescribed performance for robot manipulators

A fast convergent non‐singular terminal sliding mode adaptive control law based on prescribed performance is formulated to solve the uncertainties and external disturbances of robot manipulators. First, the tracking error of robot manipulators is transformed by using the prescribed performance function, which improves the transient behaviors and steady‐state accuracy of robot manipulators. Then, a novel fast convergent non‐singular terminal sliding mode surface is brought up according to the transformed error, and the control law is derived to meet the stability requirements of robot manipulators. In practice, the upper boundary of the lumped disturbances cannot be accurately obtained. Therefore, an adaptive prescribed performance control (PPC) controller to lumped disturbances is brought up to ensure the stability and finite‐time convergence of robot manipulators. Finally, the system stability of robot manipulators is proved by the Lyapunov theorem. Simulation results and comparative analysis demonstrate the superiority and robustness of the raised strategy.
Fluxgate Sensor with Bifactor Excitation Mode

The paper considers non-destructive testing (NTDs) as a means to solve the flaw detection problems of magnetic products. It proposes a new probe-coil magnetic-field NDT, not requiring the pre-magnetization of the test object material, which is mandatory for all conventional magnetic flaw detection techniques. A new bifactor excitation of the fluxgate sensor’s sensitive element, based on double μ-transformation through the simultaneous activation of magnetic-modulating and electromagnetic-acoustic effects, is theoretically justified. The physical processes underlying the proposed technique are considered in detail, and a scheme for its practical implementation is described. The authors provide a variant of the new fluxgate’s original design, implementing the proposed excitation technique. The specifics of implementing the fluxgate operating modes are analyzed, testifying to the possibility of detecting a given class of flaws with the required coverage as well as ensuring the required diagnostic resolution during flaw detection, which, in fact, indicates a more reliable identification of both the flaw type and location. Herewith, the new fluxgate type features the advantages of improved functionality and lower cost due to its simple design. The paper also considers a method to experimentally study the capabilities of the proposed fluxgate sensor with a new bifactor excitation in detail. The results of the experimental study into its key specifications are provided, confirming its high resolution, narrower zone of uncertainty, and the possibility of detecting smaller flaws at greater depths compared to available analogs.
Interim Finance in Creditor-Oriented Bankruptcy Codes: A Study in the Context of Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, India

This study examines interim financing with specific reference to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) in India. Interim financing is recognized as relevant to the successful outcome of the bankruptcy process. Internationally, bankruptcy regimes are considered robust if they contain enabling provisions allowing interim financing. IBC, hailed as creditor-friendly legislation, authorizes the insolvency professional (IP) to raise interim finance during bankruptcy. However, despite enabling legislation, the segment remains challenging. This study, through a qualitative methodology, examines the issues of mobilizing interim finance under the IBC. First, through a theoretical lens, this article discusses the importance of recognizing the distinct dimensions of interim financing under creditor-oriented regimes, like IBC, relative to the more established debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing model in the US (a debtor-friendly bankruptcy regime). This article argues that interim financing under creditor-oriented bankruptcy regimes faces certain inherent limitations (like lower lender motivation due to a lack of relationship banking or control/governance opportunities) relative to DIP financing, which primarily stems from who controls the firm during bankruptcy (IP or the corporate debtor). Through an interview method, this article then examines some specific issues in raising interim finance under the IBC. This research finds a lack of repayment visibility (quantum & timelines), narrow perception of interim finance and subtle differences between the objectives of the IP and lenders (resolution vs. recovery) are some practical impediments. From a normative perspective, this article suggests that improvements in IBC efficiency would improve takeout visibility to lenders. Greater stakeholder engagement will help alleviate conflicts and broaden the perspectives on the ultimate objectives of interim finance. Additionally, this article suggests learnings from the DIP model include a more early (ex-ante) consideration of interim finance (including potential sources). This article also calls for regulatory clarification on the inclusion of funding from the CoC in the technical definition of interim finance.
One-Year Post-Vaccination Longitudinal Follow-Up of Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 Anti-Spike Total Antibodies in Health Care Professionals and Evaluation of Correlation with Surrogate Neutralization Test

Numerous vaccines have been generated to decrease the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. This study aims to evaluate the immunogenicity of the heterologous boosts by BioNTech against homologous boosts by CoronaVac at three-month intervals in two health care worker (HCW) cohorts, with or without prior COVID-19, for one year post-vaccination. This is a prospective cohort study in which the humoral responses of 386 HCWs were followed-up longitudinally in six main groups according to their previous COVID-19 exposure and vaccination status. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-RBD total antibody levels were measured and SARS-CoV-2 neutralization antibody (NAbs) responses against the ancestral Wuhan and the Omicron variant were evaluated comparatively using international standard serum for Wuhan and Omicron, as well as with the aid of a conversion tool. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike-RBD total Ab and Nab difference between with and without prior COVID-19, three months after two-dose primary vaccination with CoronaVac, was statistically significant (p = 0.001). In the subsequent follow-ups, this difference was not observed between the groups. Those previously infected (PI) and non-previously infected (NPI) groups receiving BioNTech as the third dose had higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike total Ab levels (14.2-fold and 17.4-fold, respectively, p = 0.001) and Nab responses (against Wuhan and Omicron) than those receiving CoronaVac. Ab responses after booster vaccination decreased significantly in all groups at the ninth-month follow-up (p < 0.05); however, Abs were still higher in all booster received groups than that in the primary vaccination. Abs were above the protective level at the twelfth-month measurement in the entire of the second BioNTech received group as the fourth dose of vaccination. In the one-year follow-up period, the increased incidence of COVID-19 in the groups vaccinated with two or three doses of CoronaVac compared with the groups vaccinated with BioNTech as a booster suggested that continuing the heterologous CoronaVac/BioNTech vaccination, revised according to current SARS-CoV-2 variants and with at least a six-month interval booster would be an effective and safe strategy for protection against COVID-19, particularly in health care workers.
A Review on Polyphenols in Salicornia ramosissima with Special Emphasis on Their Beneficial Effects on Brain Ischemia

There has been an increasing interest in the consumption of halophytes as a healthy food in the last few years. Salicornia ramosissima is a seasonal Mediterranean halophyte with an interesting profile of bioactive compounds, including more than 60 identified polyphenols with a broad range of biological activities. Accumulating evidence supports the role of dietary polyphenols in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke. Stroke is the second cause of death worldwide and it is estimated that a substantial proportion of stroke incidence and recurrence may be prevented by healthier dietary patterns. Here, we have grouped the phenolic acids and flavonoids identified in S. ramosissima and reviewed their potential protective effect on brain ischemia, which are mostly related to the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation, the inhibition of cell death pathways and their role in the preservation of the vascular function. Despite the fact that most of these compounds have been reported to be neuroprotective through multiple mechanisms, human studies are still scarce. Given the safe profile of polyphenols identified in S. ramosissima, this halophyte plant could be considered as a source of bioactive compounds for the nutraceutical industry.
Investigation of the Pathogenic Mechanism of Ciprofloxacin in Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection by an Integrated Proteomics and Network Pharmacology Strategy

Aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening disease worldwide. Recently, fluoroquinolones have been reported to significantly increase the risk of AAD. This study aimed to investigate the potential functional mechanism and molecular targets of fluoroquinolones in relation to AAD by an integrated proteomic and network pharmacology strategy. A total of 1351 differentially expressed proteins were identified in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) after ciprofloxacin (CIP) stimulation. The functional analysis emphasized the important roles of metabolism, extracellular matrix homeostasis, mitochondrial damage, focal adhesion, and apoptosis in CIP-stimulated VSMCs. CIP targets were predicted with online databases and verified by molecular docking. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis and module construction of the 34 potential CIP targets and 37 selected hub molecules after CIP stimulation identified four critical target proteins in the module: PARP1, RAC1, IGF1R and MKI67. Functional analysis of the PPI module showed that the MAPK signalling pathway, focal adhesion, apoptosis, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and PI3K-Akt signalling pathway were significantly enriched. Our results will provide novel insights into the pathogenic mechanism of fluoroquinolones in aortic diseases.
Construction and validation of a fatty acid metabolism-related gene signature for predicting prognosis and therapeutic response in patients with prostate cancer

Background Reprogramming of fatty acid metabolism is a newly-identified hallmark of malignancy. However, no studies have systematically investigated the fatty acid metabolism related-gene set in prostate cancer (PCa). Methods A cohort of 381 patients with gene expression and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas was used as the training set, while another cohort of 90 patients with PCa from GEO (GSE70769) was used as the validation set. Differentially expressed fatty acid metabolism-related genes were subjected to least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression to establish a fatty acid metabolism-related risk score. Associations between the risk score and clinical characteristics, immune cell infiltration, tumor mutation burden (TMB), tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) score, and response to chemotherapy were analyzed. Finally, the expression level of genes included in the model was validated using real-time PCR. Results A prognostic risk model based on five fatty acid metabolism related genes (ALDH1A1, CPT1B, CA2, CROT, and NUDT19) were constructed. Tumors with higher risk score were associated with larger tumor size, lymph node involvement, higher Gleason score, and poorer biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival. Furthermore, the high- and low-risk tumors exhibited distinct immune cell infiltration features and immune-related pathway activation. High-risk tumors were associated with favorable response to immunotherapy as indicated by high TMB and low TIDE score, but poor response to bicalutamide and docetaxel chemotherapy. Conclusion This study established a fatty acid metabolism-related gene signature which was predictive of BCR and response to chemotherapy and immunotherapy, providing a novel therapeutic biomarker for PCa.
Modular forms vanishing at the reducible points of the Siegel upper-half space.

The outline of the paper is s follows: In Sect. l we recall the addition and the transformation formulas of theta functions, which are studied in [3], [4]. We shall in Sect. 2 give a criterion (Th. 1) of irreducibility for a point of Sr Using this criterion, our main theorem (Th. 2) stated above will be proved in Sect. 3. In the last section 4, we shall give a remark on the projective embedding of Kummer varieties s another application of the criterion of irreducibility.
Adaptive consensus with a virtual leader of multiple agents governed by locally Lipschitz nonlinearity

This paper is concerned with the second‐order consensus problem of multi‐agent systems with a virtual leader, where all agents and the virtual leader share the same intrinsic dynamics with a locally Lipschitz condition. It is assumed that only a small fraction of agents in the group are informed about the position and velocity of the virtual leader. A connectivity‐preserving adaptive controller is proposed to ensure the consensus of multi‐agent systems, wherein no information about the nonlinear dynamics is needed. Moreover, it is proved that the consensus can be reached globally with the proposed control strategy if the degree of the nonlinear dynamics is smaller than some analytical value. Numerical simulations are further provided to illustrate the theoretical results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Exploration of the Experiences of Substitute Teachers: A Systematic Review

This article reports on a systematic review of literature on the experiences of substitute teachers, also known as casual or relief teachers. This occupational group are an essential part of school improvement efforts, allowing release time for other teachers to participate in professional learning, complete administrative duties, and attend to personal matters. Although a ubiquitous component of the teaching workforce, little is known about their work conditions, motivations, experiences, and support. This study involved a mixed-methods research synthesis approach. Peer-reviewed studies and dissertations that examined the experiences and needs of substitute teachers in primary/elementary, middle, and secondary/high schools were examined. The study found that, although substitute teachers are a heterogeneous group, their conditions and experiences are less than satisfactory, exacerbated by a lack of targeted support. Education systems need to consider professionalizing this occupational group further. In addition, systems need to develop policies and practices that improve substitute teachers’ work.
Stahel-Donoho estimators with cellwise weights

The Stahel–Donoho estimator is defined as a weighted mean and covariance, where each observation receives a weight which depends on a measure of its outlyingness. Therefore, all variables are treated in the same way whether they are responsible for the outlyingness or not. We present an adaptation of the Stahel–Donoho estimator, where we allow separate weights for each variable. By using cellwise weights, we aim to only downweight the contaminated variables such that we avoid losing the information contained in the other variables. The goal is to increase the precision and possibly the robustness, of the estimator. We compare several variants of our proposal and show to what extent they succeed in identifying and downweighting precisely those variables which are contaminated. We further demonstrate that in many situations the mean-squared error of the adapted estimators is lower than that of the original Stahel–Donoho estimator and that this results in better outlier detection capabilities. We also consider some real data examples.
Design and implementation of a virtual on-line lab on optical communications

ABSTRACT The paper describes the design and implementation of a virtual lab for on-line lab training on optical communications, part of the ‘Optical Communications’ course offered at the Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Educators, School of Pedagogical & Technological Education (ASPETE), Athens, Greece. The virtual lab is based on the OptiSystem 16 software tool while the on-line component was implemented by using the MS-Teams tool of MS-Office. The lab includes a synchronous and an asynchronous part. Since the virtual lab was offered for the first time, students’ response was evaluated on the basis of the submitted lab reports to allow for proper corrective actions during the subsequent academic year. Results were encouraging in that 79% of the students achieved a passing grade, however, 60% of students either failed or attained a low passing grade, which leaves room for improvement. Further analysis revealed a lack of a proper background in mathematics, physics and essential signal quantities. Future actions will include an investigation of the optimum combination between the physical and the simulation lab, development of short notes and multiple-choice questions, a closer association between the lab work and relevant small tasks/projects and a more systematic feedback process.
FORECASTING THE NUMBER OF DEATH DUE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN MEDAN CITY USING EXPONENTIAL SMOOTHING METHOD

This study aims to determine the prediction of the number of deaths due to traffic accidents in the city of Medan in 2009 - 2018. This study was conducted with quantitative forecasting, namely forecasting based on quantitative data in the past. The data of this study is data on the number of deaths due to traffic accidents in the city of Medan in 2009 - 2018 with a total of 10 years. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel with Exponential Smoothing method. The number of deaths due to traffic accidents in Medan City in 2019 was 244 people, in 2020 it was 219 people, and in 2021 it was 197 people with a MAPE of 0.1536659 or 15.36% with an alpha constant (α = 0.1). This shows that the level of accuracy at MAPE <20, meaning that the forecasting ability is good using the Exponential Smoothing method while the MAD value is 41.02 and the MSE value is 2677.54