Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy-Aware DNN Graph Optimization

Unlike existing work in deep neural network (DNN) graphs optimization for inference performance, we explore DNN graph optimization for energy awareness and savings for power- and resource-constrained machine learning devices. We present a method that allows users to optimize energy consumption or balance between energy and inference performance for DNN graphs. This method efficiently searches through the space of equivalent graphs, and identifies a graph and the corresponding algorithms that incur the least cost in execution. We implement the method and evaluate it with multiple DNN models on a GPU-based machine. Results show that our method achieves significant energy savings, i.e., 24% with negligible performance impact.
Second largest eigenpair statistics for sparse graphs

We develop a formalism to compute the statistics of the second largest eigenpair of weighted sparse graphs with N ≫ 1 nodes, finite mean connectivity and bounded maximal degree, in cases where the top eigenpair statistics is known. The problem can be cast in terms of optimisation of a quadratic form on the sphere with a fictitious temperature, after a suitable deflation of the original matrix model. We use the cavity and replica methods to find the solution in terms of self-consistent equations for auxiliary probability density functions, which can be solved by an improved population dynamics algorithm enforcing eigenvector orthogonality on-the-fly. The analytical results are in perfect agreement with numerical diagonalisation of large (weighted) adjacency matrices, focussing on the cases of random regular and Erdős–Rényi (ER) graphs. We further analyse the case of sparse Markov transition matrices for unbiased random walks, whose second largest eigenpair describes the non-equilibrium mode with the largest relaxation time. We also show that the population dynamics algorithm with population size N P does not actually capture the thermodynamic limit N → ∞ as commonly assumed: the accuracy of the population dynamics algorithm has a strongly non-monotonic behaviour as a function of N P, thus implying that an optimal size NP⋆=NP⋆(N) must be chosen to best reproduce the results from numerical diagonalisation of graphs of finite size N.
Control of lipid oxidation in cooked ground beef with water and salts

The effects of exogenous water and salts on lipid oxidation in ground beef were determined. Deionized water, salts, or both, were added to treatment samples. Salts used were sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium sulphate, all at 3% concentration. The Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test was used to assess lipid oxidation. Addition of water at a 10% or 20% level had no effect on rancidity. Sodium chloride and potassium chloride reduced TBA numbers. Adding water to those samples containing potassium chloride and sodium sulphate raised moisture content.
4D spinless topological insulator in a periodic electric circuit

Abstract According to the mathematical classification of topological band structures, there exist a number of fascinating topological states in dimensions larger than three with exotic boundary phenomena and interesting topological responses. While these topological states are not accessible in condensed matter systems, recent works have shown that synthetic systems, such as photonic crystals or electric circuits, can realize higher-dimensional band structures. Here, we argue that, because of its symmetry properties, the 4D spinless topological insulator is particularly well suited for implementation in these synthetic systems. We explicitly construct a 2D electric circuit lattice, whose resonance frequency spectrum simulates the 4D spinless topological insulator. We perform detailed numerical calculations of the circuit lattice and show that the resonance frequency spectrum exhibits pairs of 3D Weyl boundary states, a hallmark of the nontrivial topology. These pairs of 3D Weyl states with the same chirality are protected by classical time-reversal symmetry that squares to +1, which is inherent in the proposed circuit lattice. We also discuss how the simulated 4D topological band structure can be observed in experiments.
Piptadenia stipulacea (Benth.) Ducke Seed Germination in Response to Temperature, Light and Water Stress

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of the temperature, light, and water stress on Piptadenia stipulacea seed germination. It assessed germination percentage, speed and average germination time, root and stem length as well as the dry weight of seedlings subjected to the constant temperatures of 20°C, 25°C and 30°C and alternating temperatures from 20°C to 30°C. A 12-hour photoperiod was established in addition to the following light conditions: white, darkness, red and far red. The experimental design was completely randomized and four replicates of 25 seeds were performed for each treatment. Regarding water stress, seeds were subjected to osmotic potentials of 0, -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, -1.0, and -1.2 MPa, at 30°C and 12 h light/12 h darkness photoperiods. After they were mixed, 100 seeds were randomly selected for biometric measurement and they were found to be uneven with respect to size and weight. P. stipulacea seeds germinated under all tested temperature and light conditions. Germination under water stress occurred up to -0.8 MPa. The conclusion is that there was no germination from -1.0 MPa. The seeds are light-indifferent and germinate at the constant temperatures of 20°C, 25°C and 30°C and alternating temperatures from 20°C to 30°C.
Functional diversity in arbuscular mycorrhizas: exploitation of soil patches with different phosphate enrichment differs among fungal species

Most terrestrial plant species form associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that transfer soil P to the plant via their external hyphae. The distribution of nutrients in soils is typically patchy (heterogeneous) but little is known about the ability of AMF to exploit P patches in soil. This was studied by growing symbioses of Linum usitatissimum and three AMF (Glomus intraradices, G. mosseae and Gigaspora margarita) in pots with two side-arms, which were accessible to hyphae, but not to roots. Soil in one side-arm was either unamended (P0) or enriched with P; simultaneous labelling of this soil with 32 P revealed that G. intraradices responded to P enrichment both in terms of hyphal proliferation and P uptake, whereas the other AMF did not. Labelling with 33 P of P0 soil in the other side arm revealed that the increased P uptake by G. intraradices from the P-enriched patch was paralleled by decreased P uptake by other parts of the mycelium. This is the first demonstration of variation in growth and nutrient uptake by an AMF as influenced by a localized P enrichment of the soil. The results are discussed in the context of functional diversity of AMF.
Opioid antagonist peptides derived from κ-casein

Summary Opioid antagonists were sought in the fragments of κ-casein which were obtained by chemical synthesis and enzymic digestion. A synthetic bovine κ-casein peptide (35–41), Tyr-Pro-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Asn (casoxin A) showed opioid antagonist activity at 200 μM in the guinea pig ileum assay. A synthetic peptide Tyr-Pro-Tyr-Tyr (casoxin B) which is found in bovine and human κ-casein, also showed opioid antagonist activity at 100 μM. Another opioid antagonist peptide (casoxin C) was isolated from tryptic digests of bovine κ-casein by reverse-phase HPLC. The structure of the peptide was Tyr-Ile-Pro-Ile-Gln-Tyr-Val-Leu-Ser-Arg, which corresponded to κ-casein (25–34). Casoxin C was active at 5 μM in the guinea pig ileum assay. Thus, bovine κ-casein contains three potential opioid antagonist sequences.
Particle size distribution and solubility of dietary fibre in swede- (Brassica napus) based and wheat-bran-based diets during gastrointestinal transit in the pig

Changes in fibre solubility, particle size and distribution and microbial activity during gut transit in pigs fed either a swede-based or wheat-bran-based diet were monitored. Digesta samples recovered from the stomach, ileum and caecum, together with feed and faecal samples, were examined for changes in the chemical and physical properties of the fibre fraction. Solubility of swede fibre was increased in the upper gut where a fourfold reduction in particle size and change in particle size distribution also occurred. This was associated with a loss of pectic polysaccharide. Little change in bran properties was noted in the foregut although the shape of bran particles was modified in the large intestine. Overall loss of the fibre fraction during gut transit was 41-5% for bran and 87-8% for swede. Microbial colonisation of the upper gut was significant on both diets. Chemical conditions during transit were thought to predispose pectic polysaccharides to solubilisation, and to encourage tissue maceration and hence particle size reduction. Lack of pectic polysaccharides in wheat bran and/or lignification maintained particle integrity in this diet. These properties may be important in influencing the physiological response to fibre in the diet.
The evolution and biological significance of seeds

No evolutionary event in the colonization of the land by vascular plants is of greater significance than the appearance of the seed habit. What apparently began as an adaptation enhancing sexual reproduction in the absence of external free water has assumed a far broader importance in terms of survival and dispersal. The essential features of the seed habit are identified in relation to heterospory, megaspore retention, and endosporic gametophyte development and approaches to the seed habit by nonseed plants are reviewed. Seeds first appear in the fossil record of the Late Devonian Period and, in diverse forms and sizes, constitute a significant component of Carboniferous fossil floras. The rise to dominance of plants of gymnospermous affinity in the early Mesozoic and the appearance and rapid adaptive radiation of the angiosperms are discussed in relation to the significance of the seed habit. The structure and development of modern gymnosperm and angiosperm seeds are compared, and the contrasting patter.
Interferon-α restores HIV-induced alteration of natural killer cell perforin expression in vivo

Objective: The percentage and the activity of natural killer (NK) cells are known to be decreased in HIV-infected patients. However, the mechanisms responsible for this NK deficiency are poorly understood. Because of the role of NK cells in the host defence against microbial infections, this defect contributes to the virus-induced immune deficiency. The aim of the present study was to better understand this defect in order to be able to restore NK function in HIV infection. Design and methods: The expression of the cytolytic mediators perforin and granzyme A was analysed by flow cytometry, the lytic activity of peripheral blood NK cells of HIV-infected patients was analysed by cytotoxic assay, and the expression of perforin was followed during administration of interferon (IFN)α attached to polyethylene glycol (PEG)-IFNα. Results: The lytic activity and the expression of perforin and granzyme A was low in NK cells of infected individuals in comparison with normal control volunteers. In both groups NK cytotoxic capacity was linked to perforin expression. The low perforin expression in HIV-infected subjects negatively correlated with HIV RNA plasma level. In vivo administration of PEG-IFNα restored perforin expression even in patients whose viral load was not reduced by this treatment. Conclusions: These results suggest that HIV-induced NK deficiency could be partly mediated by a defect in perforin and granzyme A expression, and that PEG-IFNα could be used in infected subjects to directly improve their natural immunity in addition to eventually reducing their viraemia.
Highlight of Immune Pathogenic Response and Hematopathologic Effect in SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-Cov-2 Infection

A sudden outbreak of COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, in Wuhan, China in December 2019 quickly grew into a global pandemic, putting at risk not only the global healthcare system, but also the world economy. As the disease continues to spread rapidly, the development of prophylactic and therapeutic approaches is urgently required. Although some progress has been made in understanding the viral structure and invasion mechanism of coronaviruses that may cause severe cases of the syndrome, due to the limited understanding of the immune effects caused by SARS-CoV-2, it is difficult for us to prevent patients from developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF), the major complications of coronavirus infection. Therefore, any potential treatments should focus not only on direct killing of coronaviruses and prevention strategies by vaccine development, but also on keeping in check the acute immune/inflammatory responses, resulting in ARDS and PF. In addition, potential treatments currently under clinical trials focusing on killing coronaviruses or on developing vaccines preventing coronavirus infection largely ignore the host immune response. However, taking care of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with ARDS and PF is considered to be the major difficulty. Therefore, further understanding of the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is extremely important for clinical resolution and saving medication cost. In addition to a breif overview of the structure, infection mechanism, and possible therapeutic approaches, we summarized and compared the hematopathologic effect and immune responses to SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. We also discussed the indirect immune response caused by SARS and direct infection, replication, and destroying of immune cells by MERS-CoV. The molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV infection-induced lymphopenia or cytokine storm may provide some hint toward fight against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus. This may provide guidance over using immune therapy as a combined treatment to prevent patients developing severe respiratory syndrome and largely reduce complications.
Phosphorus Dynamics in a Eutrophic Lagoon: Uptake and Utilization of Nutrient Pulses by Phytoplankton

Coastal ecosystems are subject to human impacts both through adjacent lands and by run-off from the broader catchment area. Nutrient inputs, like phosphorus, were often lowered decades ago, but many aquatic ecosystems have not recovered accordingly. Therefore, restoration and future protection measures need to be founded upon insights on the nutrient demands of phytoplankton in order to limit their growth and negative impacts upon coastal water bodies. This study investigated phosphatase activity, phosphate uptake, and growth of phytoplankton in a model lagoon system at the southern Baltic Sea coast. This lagoon system is perennially dominated by Cyanobium, a clade of picocyanobacteria which lack nitrogen fixation but which are common in brackish waters. Dissolved phosphate and total nutrient ratios from long-term monitoring point to an overall P-limitation of the system. Apparent phosphatase activities confirmed P-starvation. However, experimental phosphate-fertilizations repeated over an annual cycle increased chlorophyll concentration only when either dissolved nitrogen, or N-fixing cyanobacteria were present. In contrast to chlorophyll, particulate matter increased within a week most of the time at the observed stations, even in unfertilized samples. The difference between chlorophyll and particulate responses could be explained by chlorosis after phosphorus fertilization, as nitrogen was co-limiting. Similar findings have been described for other water bodies. This study indicates that nitrogen is co-limiting in the lagoon system, and that phosphorus input has not yet declined sufficiently.
Isolation and Characterization of a New Phage Infecting Elizabethkingia anophelis and Evaluation of Its Therapeutic Efficacy in vitro and in vivo

Elizabethkingia spp. are a group of non-fermentative, Gram-negative, catalase-positive, and non-motile bacilli. They can cause meningitis in neonates and immunosuppressed patients, and lead to high mortality. Considering the rising trend of drug resistance among bacteria pathogens, bacteriophage (phage) therapy is a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. However, so far, no phages specific for Elizabethkingia spp. have been reported. Using a clinically isolated Elizabethkingia anophelis as the host, the phage TCUEAP1 was isolated from wastewater of Hualien Tzu Chi hospital. The phage particle of TCUEAP1 under electron microscopy was revealed to belong to the siphoviridae family, with a head size of 47 nm, and a tail dimension 12 nm in diameter and 172 nm in length. The one-step growth analysis showed that the latent period of TCUEAP1 was about 40 min with a rise period lasting about 20 min, yielding a burst size of approximately 10 PFU/cell. The adsorption rate of TCUEAP1 reached about 70% in 20 min. Using 20 isolates of Elizabethkingia spp. to test the host range of TCUEAP1, it displayed narrow spectrum infecting three strains of E. anophelis, but forming spot lysis on 16 strains. The sequence result showed that the genome of TCUEAP1 is a double-stranded DNA of 49,816 bp, containing 73 predicted open reading frames. Further genomic analysis showed TCUEAP1 to be a new phage with no resemblance to publicly available phage genomes. Finally, in a mouse intraperitoneal infection model, at 6 h after the bacterial injection, TCUEAP1 decreased the bacterial load by fivefold in blood. Also, TCUEAP1 rescued 80% of mice heavily infected with E. anophelis from lethal bacteremia. We hope that the isolation and characterization of TCUEAP1, the first phage infecting Elizabethkingia spp. , can promote more studies of the phages targeting this newly emerging bacterial pathogen.
Preoperative Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Early-T-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer by Machine Learning Algorithms

Background: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is difficult to precisely predict before surgery in patients with early-T-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to develop machine learning (ML)-based predictive models for LNM. Methods: Clinical characteristics and imaging features were retrospectively collected from 1,102 NSCLC ≤ 2 cm patients. A total of 23 variables were included to develop predictive models for LNM by multiple ML algorithms. The models were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for predictive performance and decision curve analysis (DCA) for clinical values. A feature selection approach was used to identify optimal predictive factors. Results: The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) of the 8 models ranged from 0.784 to 0.899. Some ML-based models performed better than models using conventional statistical methods in both ROC curves and decision curves. The random forest classifier (RFC) model with 9 variables introduced was identified as the best predictive model. The feature selection indicated the top five predictors were tumor size, imaging density, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and age. Conclusions: By incorporating clinical characteristics and radiographical features, it is feasible to develop ML-based models for the preoperative prediction of LNM in early-T-stage NSCLC, and the RFC model performed best.
Prevalence of obesity among hypertensive patients in Primary Care Clinic, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2017–2018: A prospective cross-sectional study

Background: Saudi Arabians suffer from overweight and obesity which contribute significantly to the poor control of hypertension (HTN). Aim: To compare the percentage of HTN between obese and nonobese hypertensive patients who visit Primary Care Center in Security Forces Hospital (SFH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between (December-February) 2017–2018 and to calculate and compare the percentage of a number of antihypertensive medication usage in groups with different body mass index (BMI). Methods: This study was a prospective cross-sectional study which included all hypertensive patients on medication or patients with (BP >140/90) who attended the Primary Care Center in Security Forces Hospital (SFH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between (December-February) 2017–2018. Data were extracted from the computerized medical records database at the hospital. According to the practice followed at the hospital, the diagnosis of obesity was achieved based on a calculation of body mass ≥30. Results: About 56.1% of participants were females and 43.9% were males, the most prevalent age group of obese students (55.2%) was above 55 years. We also found that 2.1% of students were normal in weight whereas 1.3% of patients were underweight. A significant correlation with weight (89.02 ± 19.765) and BMI (34.742 ± 6.3818) was also noted (P value <0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed that most of the HTN patients in the SFH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, suffer from overweight and obesity that could contribute significantly to the incidence of HTN.
The taxonomic status of Hylopsis platycephalus Werner, 1894 and Centrolenella Noble, 1920 (Amphibia: Anura)

On the assumption that the holotype of the South American frog Hylopsis platycephalus, described by Franz Werner in 1894, had been lost, Lynch (1981) designated a neotype, but in so doing incorrectly associated a centrolenid species with that name. As a result of the neotype designation, the genus Centrolenella Noble, 1920 (Centrolenidae) became a junior subjective synonym of Hylopsis Werner, 1894. The holotype of Hylopsis platycephalus, which has never been lost, was obtained from the Institut fur Zoologie der Universitat Wien and on examination was found to be a species of Sphaenorhynchus Tschudi, 1838 (Hylidae) distinct from other known members of the genus. Centrolenella Noble is thus validated and Hylopsis (ayn. nov.) becomes a junior subjective synonym of Sphaenorhynchus. The rules of nomenclature relating to the neotype are discussed and Sphaenorhynchus platycephalus comb. nov. is redescribed. The centrolenid species which Lynch (1981) assigned to Hylopsis platycephalus is named Centrolenella savagei sp. nov.
Vision-Related Quality of Life after Corneal Transplantation

Purpose: To determine the vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) and its dimensions in corneal transplant recipients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, satisfaction questionnaire, and Persian version of the 39-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 39). Results: The composite score of VR-QoL in corneal transplant recipients was 54.39 ± 9.22 (32.9–71.01). The highest mean score among subscales was related to color vision (74.75 ± 27.63) and the lowest related to dependency (31.06 ± 31.02). The results showed that there is a reverse correlation between VR-QoL with both age (r = −0.364;P < 0.001) and the numbers of years after the transplantation (r = −0.362;P < 0.001). However, there was a correlation between satisfaction and VR-QoL (r = 0.679;P < 0.001). Furthermore, the results showed that there is a significant difference in VR-QoL between men and women (P < 0.001) and also a significant difference in VR-QoL between unilateral and bilateral graft recipients (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The corneal transplant has the highest impact on color vision and the lowest on dependency. Moreover, the results of this study provide a comprehensive picture for the state of vision and overall health status of patients for health-care providers to enhance the patient care.