Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Promising Novel Therapies in the Treatment of Aortic and Visceral Aneurysms

Aortic and visceral aneurysms affect large arterial vessels, including the thoracic and abdominal aorta, as well as visceral arterial branches, such as the splenic, hepatic, and mesenteric arteries, respectively. Although these clinical entities have not been equally researched, it seems that they might share certain common pathophysiological changes and molecular mechanisms. The yet limited published data, with regard to newly designed, novel therapies, could serve as a nidus for the evaluation and potential implementation of such treatments in large artery aneurysms. In both animal models and clinical trials, various novel treatments have been employed in an attempt to not only reduce the complications of the already implemented modalities, through manufacturing of more durable materials, but also to regenerate or replace affected tissues themselves. Cellular populations like stem and differentiated vascular cell types, large diameter tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs), and various molecules and biological factors that might target aspects of the pathophysiological process, including cell-adhesion stabilizers, metalloproteinase inhibitors, and miRNAs, could potentially contribute significantly to the treatment of these types of aneurysms. In this narrative review, we sought to collect and present relevant evidence in the literature, in an effort to unveil promising biological therapies, possibly applicable to the treatment of aortic aneurysms, both thoracic and abdominal, as well as visceral aneurysms.
Chotpitayasunondh, Varoth and Douglas, Karen (2018) Measuring Phone Snubbing Behavior: Development and Validation of the Generic Scale of Phubbing (GSP) and the Generic Scale of Being Phubbed (GSBP). Computers

Ignoring and being ignored by others in favor of a smartphone is a common feature of everyday communication. However, little research has examined this phenomenon known as phubbing and even less research has determined how to measure it. This paper reports the results of six studies designed to develop and validate the Generic Scale of Phubbing (GSP) to assess phubbing behavior, and the Generic Scale of Being Phubbed (GSBP) to assess the experience of being phubbed. After reducing and refining items with the assistance of expert panels, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to further reduce the number of items and finalize the scales. Finally, the psychometric properties of both scales were examined. Data from 1,836 respondents from the general public were recruited from six online surveys (N = 352, 333, and 224 for the GSP; N = 358, 341, and 228 for the GSBP). The four-factor 15-item GSP and the three-factor 22-item GSBP were developed and revealed good construct validities, criterion validities, convergent validities, discriminant validities, internal consistency reliabilities, and test-retest reliabilities.
A Novel miRNA Detection Method Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

A novel ligation-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification has been developed for miRNA detection. Two stem-loop structure DNA linker A/B probes which hybridized with miRNA were designed to establish a rapid and ultrasensitive miRNA-LAMP system for miRNA detection. Target miR-200a was used to template the ligation of Linker A/B probes with SplintR Ligase and used as a dumbbell-shaped amplicon. By adding BIP/FIP and Bst 2.0 DNA polymerase, the LAMP reaction was carried out, which brought greatly improved amplification efficiency. The double-stranded DNA fluorescent dye EvaGreen was added for the detection of amplification product to achieve the quantification of the target miRNA. This method can detect miRNA in a linear range of seven orders of magnitude, with a detection limit of 100 fM. Therefore, this ultrasensitive miRNA-LAMP assay provides a new path for the highly sensitive quantitative analysis of miRNA, thereby bringing convenience to clinical diagnosis and prognostic research.
A parallel optimization and transfer learning approach for summarization in electrical power systems

Transfer learning approaches in natural language processing have been explored and evolved as a potential solution for solving many problems in recent days. The current research on aspect-based summarization shows unsatisfactory accuracy and low-quality generated summaries. Additionally, the potential advantages of combining language models with parallel processing have not been explored in the existing literature. This paper aims to address the problem of aspect-based extractive text summarization using a transfer learning approach and an optimization method based on map reduce. The proposed approach utilizes transfer learning with language models to extract significant aspects from the text. Subsequently, an optimization process using map reduce is employed. This optimization framework includes an in-node mapper and reducer algorithm to generate summaries for important aspects identified by the language model. This enhances the quality of the summary, leading to improved accuracy, particularly when applied to electrical power system documents. By leveraging the strengths of natural language models and parallel data processing techniques, this model presents an opportunity to achieve better text summary generation. The performance metric used is accuracy, measured with the ROUGE tool, incorporating precision, recall and f-measure. The proposed model demonstrates a 6% improvement in scores compared to state-of-the-art techniques.
Simulation-based seismic hazard assessment for Queensland: Progress and directions

Assessment of the seismic hazard for regional areas of Australia is severely hampered by sparse and incomplete seismic records. Three key inputs for probabilistic hazard assessment (recurrence statistics, source zones and attenuation relations) are poorly constrained by available data. To compound matters, international research has demonstrated that regional seismicity varies spatially and temporally due to nonlinear interactions between faults. Estimates of recurrence statistics and source zones based upon a relatively short seismic catalogue, may deviate considerably from the longer-term averages thus biasing seismic hazard estimates. On the bright side, numerical modelling of earthquake sources has demonstrable predictive value, offering the possibility to accurately forecast the location and size of damaging earthquakes. Wave propagation models may be used to delineate regions prone to local site amplification and quantify the site response. In recent years, there has been considerable advancement in technology for the simulation of the entire seismic cycle including tectonic loading, earthquake nucleation and rupture, wave propagation, and crustal relaxation. Pilot projects have demonstrated the feasibility of performing simulations to better constrain the earthquake statistics for a given region. For simulation-based seismic hazard assessment to be effective, a multilateral approach is required that encompasses geologically constrained model construction, both static and dynamic stress transfer simulations, and comprehensive parameter sensitivity studies. A project has commenced to construct a computational model for South-East Queensland with the initial aim of studying the intermediateto long-term recurrence statistics of earthquakes occuring along major faults in the region. This paper outlines current progress towards construction of the computational model and highlights some of the technical challenges encountered thus far. Utilizing Mohr-Coulomb Failure Analysis, we relate the fault orientations, friction coefficients and principal stresses, providing constraints upon the permissible boundary conditions for the fault system simulations.
Influence of fire on peat organic matter from Indonesian tropical peatlands

Effects of fire on peatlands globally are reasonably well documented, however studies of fire effects on tropical peatlands are limited. Specifically, the influence of fire on the biogeochemistry of tropical peat organic matter (OM) is not well understood and this study is the first to investigate this topic. Peat samples from undrained and degraded (drained and burnt) peatland in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia were analysed using novel chemical techniques. Short-term (one month post-fire) effects on peat OM composition were determined using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS), allowing for detailed molecular investigation. Results revealed significant compositional differences between burnt and unburnt peat pyrolysates including, dominance of recalcitrant aromatic- and aliphatic-derived compounds in pyrolysates from burnt peat, while those from unburnt/undrained peat contained greater contributions of labile compounds including derivatives of lignin and polysaccharides. At one month-post fire, pyrolysates from the upper 5 cm of peat showed that almost all polysaccharides (0.1±0.1%) and lignin-derived compounds (0.8±1.2%) were depleted, although these compound classes were relatively concentrated in subsurface peat (5-50 cm). Charcoal was a significant fraction of the upper 5 cm up to one month post-fire, but none was detected in significant quantities deeper in the peat column (5–50 cm). One-month post-fire, the burnt peat was hydrophilic in the upper 5 cm but retained its inherent hydrophobic character at greater depth. Similar to fire, peat drainage also reduced OM diversity i.e. the number of identified pyrolysis products. Peat pyrolysates from a drained unburnt site were dominated by aliphatic components (41.5-70.8% in the upper 50 cm). Thus both fire and drainage result in alteration of peat OM composition. The effects of fire were, however, short-lived (persisting up to 1.5 years post-fire), implying that peat OM composition can exhibit some recovery over a relatively short time period. Fire frequency had no significant influence on peat OM composition; thermal alteration occurred during the initial fire with no further modification during subsequent fires. The implications of these results for peatland carbon cycling and post-fire ecosystem recovery are discussed.
Image Processing Method of a Visual Communication System Based on Convolutional Neural Network

Unmanned motion platforms are being used in a wide range of industries. Unmanned motion platforms must have an autonomous and intelligent navigation procedure in order to carry out their system functions. Traditional inertial navigation and radio navigation have poor accuracy and autonomy when not dependent on satellite circumstances. The accuracy of image recognition algorithms must meet strict standards. This study and exploration of the high-precision scene image recognition system is based on convolutional neural network structure optimization. To demonstrate the viability of the approach, simulation experiments are carried out on the NUC dataset using the recognition technique based on a convolutional neural network that is proposed. The fundamental network architecture of a convolutional neural network is optimized using the L2 regularization technique. The experimental findings demonstrate that the NUC dataset now has better recognition accuracy. In terms of recognition accuracy, the suggested method satisfies the predetermined requirements.
Asset Pricing with Distorted Beliefs : Are Equity Returns Too Good to be True ? 1

We study a Lucas asset pricing model that is standard in all respects, except that the representative agent’s subjective beliefs about endowment growth are distorted. Using constant-relative-risk-aversion utility, with relative risk aversion coefficient below ten, and fluctuating beliefs that exhibit pessimism over expansions and optimism over contractions, our model is able to match the first and second moments of the equity premium and risk–free rate, as well as the persistence and predictability of excess returns found in the data. The Ohio State University and N.B.E.R; The Ohio State University; and The Ohio State University, respectively. We have benefitted from comments from seminar participants at the University of Canterbury, Erasmus University, Georgetown University, Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Wisconsin. We thank Peter Bossaerts, John Campbell, Martin D.D. Evans, J. Huston McCulloch, James Nason, and two anonymous referees for useful comments on earlier drafts. Some of this work was conducted while Cecchetti was visiting the Department of Economics at the University of Melbourne, and while Mark was visiting the Tinbergen Institute, Rotterdam.
Using concepts related to research design while writing thesis and dissertation at universities: questioning the status quo

Different Master's and Ph.D. advisors or supervisors request their students to use different concepts in a research design chapter. The concepts are research methodology, research design, and research method. The supervisors inform their students to use these concepts in combination as research design and research methodology or research design and method or research methodology or research method as a chapter main heading as per their university or department guidelines or their own experience. However, I argue that the concepts must be used consistently worldwide by understanding their differences and similarities. Therefore, this short paper tries to conceptualize the concepts in line with different research methodology books and articles and suggest concepts to be used as a heading of the research design chapter in a thesis and dissertation.
ATWR-SMR: An Area-Constrained Truthful-Worker Recruitment-Based Sensing Map Recovery Scheme for Sparse MCS in Extreme-Environment Internet of Things

Sparse mobile crowdsensing (SMCS) is a prospective solution for large-scale data sensing through mobile devices of Internet of Things (IoT) systems where IoT systems cannot obtain the sensing data of the area under extreme environments. The unsensed area data can be obtained by the data inference algorithm trained by the sensed data of recruited workers. However, recruited workers may upload false data in exchange for payment, and the platform is unable to distinguish between true and false data. In this article, our goal is to maximize the SMCS platform’s total profit, where the platform cannot verify the authenticity of the sensed data, and the requester’s payment is based on the sensing task’s data quality. To meet the objective, we propose the area-constrained truthful worker recruitment-based sensing map recovery (ATWR-SMR) scheme, which includes the area constraint, the area-constrained truthful worker recruitment, and the sensing map recovery. 1) The area constraint establishes the importance of areas by history data differences in the sliding window. 2) The truthful worker recruitment identifies trustworthy workers by the truthful upper confidence bound algorithm and recruits low-cost trustworthy workers to sense high-importance areas. 3) The sensing map recovery infers the unsensed data by the deep matrix factorization algorithm trained by the history truthful data set. Finally, we verify the effectiveness of the ATWR-SMR scheme in improving the total profit of the platform through extensive comparison experiments based on the China air quality data set.
Expanding the Microcolonial Black Fungi Aeminiaceae Family: Saxispiralis lemnorum gen. et sp. nov. (Mycosphaerellales), Isolated from Deteriorated Limestone in the Lemos Pantheon, Portugal

With an impressive ability to survive in harsh environments, black fungi are an ecological group of melanized fungi that are widely recognized as a major contributor to the biodeterioration of stone cultural heritage materials. As part of the ongoing efforts to study the fungal diversity thriving in a deteriorated limestone funerary art piece at the Lemos Pantheon, a national monument located in Águeda, Portugal, two isolates of an unknown microcolonial black fungus were retrieved. These isolates were thoroughly studied through a comprehensive analysis based on a multi-locus phylogeny of a combined dataset of ITS rDNA, LSU, and rpb2, along with morphological, physiological, and ecological characteristics. Based on the data obtained from this integrative analysis, we propose a new genus, Saxispiralis gen. nov., and a new species, Saxispiralis lemnorum sp. nov., in the recently described Aeminiaceae family (order Mycosphaerellales). Prior to this discovery, this family only had one known genus and species, Aeminium ludgeri, also isolated from deteriorated limestone. Additionally, considering the isolation source of the fungus and to better understand its potential contribution to the overall stone monument biodeterioration, its in vitro biodeteriorative potential was also evaluated. This work represents a significant contribution to the understanding of the fungal diversity involved in the biodeterioration of limestone heritage.
Sad Puppies and SJWs: Symbolic Revolution and Challenges to Field Orthodoxy in the Struggle for Control of Science Fiction’s Hugo Awards

ABSTRACT In 2013 a group of science fiction authors launched a campaign to reform the Hugos, one of science fiction’s most prestigious awards. Dubbing themselves “Sad Puppies,” these activists sought to correct what they viewed as a political imbalance. Science fiction, they argued, had moved away from entertaining story telling in favor of heavy-handed message fiction meant to spread pernicious liberal values. This article draws on an analysis of internet posts by actors involved in the movement to examine the Puppies’ efforts to reform the science fiction field, reclaiming it as a space for conservative authors and fans. I argue that the leaders of the movement were able to build small fan communities into a larger social movement by framing the movement in such a way as to link their efforts to exogenous political and cultural debates occurring in proximate social fields. This analysis demonstrates the processes by which tournament rituals in popular culture can come to serve as contests of values, arenas within which larger political and cultural conflicts are waged.
Influence of Complexation with β- and γ-Cyclodextrin on Bioactivity of Whey and Colostrum Peptides

Dairy protein hydrolysates possess a broad spectrum of bioactivity and hypoallergenic properties, as well as pronounced bitter taste. The bitterness is reduced by complexing the proteolysis products with cyclodextrins (CDs), and it is also important to study the bioactivity of the peptides in inclusion complexes. Hydrolysates of whey and colostrum proteins with extensive hydrolysis degree and their complexes with β/γ-CD were obtained in the present study, and comprehensive comparative analysis of the experimental samples was performed. The interaction of CD with peptides was confirmed via different methods. Bioactivity of the initial hydrolysates and their complexes were evaluated. Antioxidant activity (AOA) was determined by fluorescence reduction of fluorescein in the Fenton system. Antigenic properties were studied by competitive enzyme immunoassay. Antimutagenic effect was estimated in the Ames test. According to the experimental data, a 2.17/2.78-fold and 1.45/2.14-fold increase in the AOA was found in the β/γ-CD interaction with whey and colostrum hydrolysates, respectively. A 5.6/5.3-fold decrease in the antigenicity of whey peptides in complex with β/γ-CD was detected, while the antimutagenic effect in the host–guest systems was comparable to the initial hydrolysates. Thus, bioactive CD complexes with dairy peptides were obtained. Complexes are applicable as a component of specialized foods (sports, diet).
Corrected: Referral for Cardiac Amyloidosis in Patients Who Underwent Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Results of the Quality Outcome Project

Background Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR) is an important comorbidity present in severe aortic stenosis (AS). The purpose of this study was to raise awareness of ATTR in patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe AS among healthcare providers and patients. Methodology We reviewed 197 consecutive TAVR cases performed from 2019 to 2020. Adapting predefined high-risk features for ATTR based on prior literature, we contacted the patients to discuss our clinical suspicion of ATTR and offered a referral to a cardiac amyloid specialist.
Alternatives to privatization : public options for essential services in the Global South

1. Introduction: In Search of Alternatives to Privatization David A. McDonald and Greg Ruiters 2. Weighing the Options: Methodological Considerations David A. McDonald and Greg Ruiters Part 1: Actors, Issues and Ideologies 3. Terrains of Neoliberalism: Constraints and Opportunities for Alternative Models of Service Delivery Ben Fine and David Hall 4. Transformative Resistance: The Role of Labour and Trade Unions in Alternatives to Privatization Hilary Wainwright 5. Gendering Justice, Building Alternative Futures Chandra Talpade Mohanty and Sarah Miraglia 6. Social Movement Struggles for Public Services Susan Spronk and Philipp Terhorst 7. Careful What You Ask For: State-Led Alternatives to Privatization David A. McDonald and Greg Ruiters Part 2: Sectoral and Regional Reviews. Asia: Regional Overview Jenina Joy Chavez 8. Creating, Reclaiming, Defending: Non-Commercialized Alternatives in the Health Sector in Asia Amit Sengupta 9. Springs of Hope: Alternatives to Commercialization of Water Recourses and Services in Asia Buenaventura Dragantes, Cheryl Batistel and Mary Ann Manahan 10. The Public in Asia Power Nepomuceno Malaluan Africa: Regional Overview Greg Ruiters 11. African Triage: Assessing Alternatives to Health Care Privatization South of the Sahara Yoswa M. Dambisya and Hyacinth Eme Ichoku 12. Where Have All the Alternatives Gone? : The Shrinking of African Water Policy Options Kate Bayliss and Al-hassan Adam 13. Electrifying Africa: Turning a Continental Challenge into a People's Opportunity Terri Hathaway Latin America and the Caribbean: Regional Overview Susan Spronk 14. Progressive Alternatives in Primary Health Care in Latin America Luis Ortiz Hernandez, Iliana Camacho Cuapio, Catalina Eibenschutz Hartman and Silvia Tamez Gonzalez 15. Struggles for Water Justice in Latin America: Public and 'Social-Public' Alternatives Susan Spronk, Carlos Crespo and Marcela Olivera 16. Alternatives in the Electricity Sector in Latin America Daniel Chavez Part 3: Looking Ahead 17. Conclusion: Ways Forward for Alternatives in Health, Water and Electricity David A. McDonald and Greg Ruiters