Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stop tracking me Bro! Differential Tracking of User Demographics on Hyper-Partisan Websites

Websites with hyper-partisan, left or right-leaning focus offer content that is typically biased towards the expectations of their target audience. Such content often polarizes users, who are repeatedly primed to specific (extreme) content, usually reflecting hard party lines on political and socio-economic topics. Though this polarization has been extensively studied with respect to content, it is still unknown how it associates with the online tracking experienced by browsing users, especially when they exhibit certain demographic characteristics. For example, it is unclear how such websites enable the ad-ecosystem to track users based on their gender or age. In this paper, we take a first step to shed light and measure such potential differences in tracking imposed on users when visiting specific party-line’s websites. For this, we design and deploy a methodology to systematically probe such websites and measure differences in user tracking. This methodology allows us to create user personas with specific attributes like gender and age and automate their browsing behavior in a consistent and repeatable manner. Thus, we systematically study how personas are being tracked by these websites and their third parties, especially if they exhibit particular demographic properties. Overall, we test 9 personas on 556 hyper-partisan websites and find that right-leaning websites tend to track users more intensely than left-leaning, depending on user demographics, using both cookies and cookie synchronization methods and leading to more costly delivered ads.
Dissipative adiabatic measurements: Beating the quantum Cramér-Rao bound

It is challenged only recently that the precision attainable in any measurement of a physical parameter is fundamentally limited by the quantum Cramer-Rao Bound (QCRB). Here, targeting at measuring parameters in strongly dissipative systems, we propose an innovative measurement scheme called {\it dissipative adiabatic measurement} and theoretically show that it can beat the QCRB. Unlike projective measurements, our measurement scheme, though consuming more time, does not collapse the measured state and, more importantly, yields the expectation value of an observable as its measurement outcome, which is directly connected to the parameter of interest. Such a direct connection {allows to extract} the value of the parameter from the measurement outcomes in a straightforward manner, with no fundamental limitation on precision in principle. Our findings not only provide a marked insight into quantum metrology but also are highly useful in dissipative quantum information processing.
PEL-BERT: A Joint Model for Protocol Entity Linking

Pre-trained models such as BERT are widely used in NLP tasks and are fine-tuned to improve the performance of various NLP tasks consistently. Nevertheless, the fine-tuned BERT model trained on our protocol corpus still has a weak performance on the Entity Linking (EL) task. In this paper, we propose a model that joints a fine-tuned language model with an RFC Domain Model. Firstly, we design a Protocol Knowledge Base as the guideline for protocol EL. Secondly, we propose a novel model, PEL-BERT, to link named entities in protocols to categories in Protocol Knowledge Base. Finally, we conduct a comprehensive study on the performance of pre-trained language models on descriptive texts and abstract concepts. Experimental results demonstrate that our model achieves state-of-the-art performance in EL on our annotated dataset, outperforming all the baselines.
Unimodular Billingsley and Frostman Lemmas

The notions of unimodular Minkowski and Hausdorff dimensions are defined in [arXiv:1807.02980] for unimodular random discrete metric spaces. The present paper is focused on the connections between these notions and the polynomial growth rate of the underlying space. It is shown that bounding the dimension is closely related to finding suitable equivariant weight functions (i.e., measures) on the underlying discrete space. The main results are unimodular versions of the mass distribution principle, Billingsley's lemma and Frostman's lemma, which allow one to derive upper bounds on the unimodular Hausdorff dimension from the growth rate of suitable equivariant weight functions. These results allow one to compute or bound both types of unimodular dimensions in a large set of examples in the theory of point processes, unimodular random graphs, and self-similarity. Further results of independent interest are also presented, like a version of the max-flow min-cut theorem for unimodular one-ended trees and a weak form of pointwise ergodic theorems for all unimodular discrete spaces.
A SWOT-Thematic Analysis of Blended Learning Practices at Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia

Blended learning is the recommended approach to conduct face-to-face (F2F) and non-face-to-face (NF2F) interaction for part-time holiday courses known as Program Diploma Perguruan Malaysia (PDPM) and Program Diploma Pascasiswazah Pendidikan (PDPP) School Teachers at Teacher Education Institute in Malaysia. However, some problems and challenges have been identified for the implementation of Blended Learning in the context of Malaysia. A research to study blended learning practices to optimize lecturers’ teaching was conducted. A SWOT-Thematic qualitative method was used to collect and analyze qualitative data. Data analysis showed that ICT Competency could be a strength as well as threat for lecturers. On the other hand, it was found that blended learning had actually brought more opportunities for learning when compared to threats that came with it. Some theoretical and practical implications were discussed based on the findings.
An exploratory study on traditional practices of families during the perinatal period among traditional birth attendants in Uttarakhand

Introduction: India has a current maternal mortality rate of 130 which contributes to 20% of the total mortality rate in the world and more than a quarter of neonatal deaths; nearly 0.75 million neonates have died in India. The present study aimed to explore the cultural practices during the perinatal period including newborn care in Uttarakhand. Materials and Methods: A qualitative descriptive design to explore self-experience for significant years in the field of maternal care and deliveries among 990 traditional birth attendants from 13 districts of Uttarakhand. Focused one-to-one in-depth interviews were done to collect the data. The data was expressed by participants in the form of narrations, picturizations, songs, and role-plays to show the techniques which were translated from the language of interviews to English before analysis of the data. Results: Wide variety of cultural practices have been identified during various stages of the perinatal period. Most of the participants (80%) expressed that families believe that the pregnant women should not eat green vegetables, yam, pulses, red grams, papaya, and mangoes and that she should eat less during pregnancy. The routine activity should be done regularly to make labor process easier. Most of the mothers (90%) delivered on the floor of the cowshed demarcated with cow dung. Participants expressed that the mother had to walk for 2 km for taking bath after delivery before she touches the baby. Sprinkling cow's urine is also a common practice after delivery in and around the house and on the mother. It was also found that they don't breastfeed the baby for 3 days since colostrum is not considered good for the baby. Conclusion: The practices which are proven to be beneficial to the mother and baby should be advocated to keep our cultural practices alive, at the same time it is important to discourage communities from harmful practices concerning the mother and the baby.
B cell counterpart of Treg cells: As a new target for autoimmune disease therapy

B cells have been considered a positive immune regulator by producing antibodies and presenting antigens to T cells. Recently, it has been shown that B cells comprise rare but potent subset capable of inhibiting immune responses via diverse regulatory mechanisms. This subset of B cells, known as regulatory B cells (Bregs), negatively regulates immune responses and contributes to immune tolerance. Among several regulatory B cell subsets, interleukin 10 (IL-10)-producing regulatory B cells are intensively investigated. Studies in experimental animal models, as well as in patients with autoimmune diseases, have identified Breg subsets exhibiting a powerful therapeutic tool for severe immune disorders. Now, human regulatory B cells are becoming an active area of research. Clear criteria to identify these cell subsets and the key molecular mechanisms underlying their physiological features are required for understanding the complete picture of regulatory B cells. This review highlights the current knowledge on regulatory B cells, mainly IL-10-producing regulatory B cells.
Optimization and purification of cellulase produced by Penicillium decumbens and its application

Background and objectives Cellulases are an enzyme group based on catalytic action. They include endocellulase, exocellulase, beta glucosidase, cellulose phosphorylases, and oxidative cellulases. This work was aimed at the production of cellulase by fungal strains from Penicillium sp. Selection of the best organism that gives the highest productivity of the enzyme, examination of the cellulase production under the optimum conditions, purification of cellulase, identification by high-performance liquid chromatography, and its application in clarification and yield increase of apple juice were also studied. Materials and methods Three strains of Penicillium sp. were examined using the method of Congo red for cellulase production. The factors affecting cellulase production by fungus Penicillium decumbens were identified. Cellulase produced by P. decumbens was purified using ammonium sulfate precipitate (80% saturation) followed by ion exchange chromatography by Sephadex G-200. High-performance liquid chromatography technique was used to measure the purity of cellulase produced from P. decumbens. The cellulase enzyme was used to increase the yield of apple juice and apple juice clarification, as examples of its application in the food industry. Results and conclusion The P. decumbens colony proved to have the largest decolorization zone, and the cellulase produced was a large amount (21.5 U/ml). The highest activity of cellulase was seen in the media containing 50% carboxymethylcellulose and 50% dates molasses waste (Dibs) as carbon source after incubation for 6 days, and the optimum pH and temperature for the production cellulase were pH 4.0 at 30°C. Utilization of 80% ammonium sulfate gave pure enzyme cellulase (38.25 U/ml) and has a high degree of specific activity (25.5 U/mg protein). Cellulase activity of 42 U/ml and the degree of specific activity of 46.6 U/mg protein, with a 4.3-fold purification of cellulase, with 42% recovery from the crude cellulase, was obtained with Sephadex G-200. The results revealed an increase in the quantity of produced apple juice treated by cellulase enzyme.
Fatal diphtheria due to understated coryneform bacteria - Corynebacterium argentoratense – in vaccine era

Coryneform bacteria inhabit skin and/or mucous membrane of humans and animals. They have been isolated from the throat of tonsillitis patients. We report here a case of pharyngeal and laryngeal diphtheria with airway compromise, respiratory failure, extensive pneumonia, empyema, myocarditis, and fatal arrhythmia due to Corynebacterium argentoratense.
Unfolding Role of Erector Spinae Plane Block for the Management of Chronic Cancer Pain in the Palliative Care Unit

Pain adversely affects the quality of life in cancer patients. Although conventional oral analgesics and co-analgesics manage 80%–90% of pain, interventional pain management techniques may be useful in the management of cancer pain refractory to opioid analgesia or in patients unable to tolerate systemic opioids. Herein, we report three cases depicting the successful role of erector spinae plane block in our palliative care unit for the management of different chronic cancer pain.
Real-World Retrospective Consecutive Study of Ab Interno XEN 45 Gel Stent Implant with Mitomycin C in Black and Afro-Latino Patients with Glaucoma: 40% Required Secondary Glaucoma Surgery at 1 Year

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the postoperative course after the ab interno XEN45 Gel Stent implantation in Black and Afro-Latino, patients with glaucoma. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study. All patients with glaucoma who underwent ab interno XEN implantation were included in the study. All of the patients were Black and Afro-Latino making up the demographics of the local community. Investigated parameters were intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of medications, visual acuity, IOP-follow-up, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and additionally performed surgeries. RESULTS: Of 20 eyes that had undergone the procedure with 1-year follow-up, eight failed before 12 months requiring additional glaucoma surgery. Of the 12 that were successful at 1 year, 9 (75%) eyes underwent XEN + cataract surgery and 3 (25%) had XEN surgery alone. Of the eyes that completed 12-month follow-up, the mean medicated IOP was 15.3 ± 6.2 mmHg at baseline, and 12.9 ± 4.5 mmHg at 12 months, a 16% IOP reduction. Mean medications dropped from 3.58 ± 0.7 preoperatively to 1.75 ± 1.5 at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The ab interno XEN gel implant as a standalone procedure or combined with cataract surgery demonstrated a safe and sustained IOP reduction for only 60% of patients after 12 months. In Black and Afro-Latino patients receiving the ab interno XEN implant, 40% of patients needed additional surgery within 12 months.
Genetic Association of FERMT2, HLA-DRB1, CD2AP, and PTK2B Polymorphisms With Alzheimer’s Disease Risk in the Southern Chinese Population

Objectives This study aimed to explore the relationship between 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) within the southern Chinese population. Methods A total of 420 participants, consisting of 215 AD patients and 205 sex- and age-matched controls, were recruited. The SNaPshot technique and polymer chain reaction (PCR) were used to detect the 18 SNPs. Combined with the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele and age at onset, we performed an association analysis between these SNPs and AD susceptibility. Furthermore, we analyzed SNP-associated gene expression using the expression quantitative trait loci analysis. Results Our study found that rs17125924 of FERMT2 was associated with the risk of developing AD in the dominant (P = 0.022, odds ratio [OR] = 1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–2.32) and overdominant (P = 0.005, OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.18–2.61) models. Moreover, compared with APOE ε4 non-carriers, the frequency of the G-allele at rs17125924 was significantly higher among AD patients in APOE ε4 allele carriers (P = 0.029). The rs9271058 of HLA-DRB1 (dominant, overdominant, and additive models), rs9473117 of CD2AP (dominant and additive models), and rs73223431 of PTK2B (dominant, overdominant, and additive models) were associated with early onset AD (EOAD). Using the genotype-tissue expression (GTEx) and Braineac database, we found a significant association between rs9271058 genotypes and HLA-DRB1 expression levels, while the CC genotype at rs9473117 and the TT genotype of rs73223431 increased CD2AP and PTK2B gene expression, respectively. Conclusion Our study identifies the G-allele at rs17125924 as a risk factor for developing AD, especially in APOE ε4 carriers. In addition, we found that rs9271058 of HLA-DRB1, rs9473117 of CD2AP, and rs73223431 of PTK2B were associated with EOAD. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm our results.
Emerging Threats to Animals in the United Kingdom by Arthropod-Borne Diseases

Worldwide, arthropod-borne disease transmission represents one of the greatest threats to public and animal health. For the British Isles, an island group on the north-western coast of continental Europe consisting of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland, physical separation offers a barrier to the introduction of many of the pathogens that affect animals on the rest of the continent. Added to this are strict biosecurity rules at ports of entry and the depauperate vector biodiversity found on the islands. Nevertheless, there are some indigenous arthropod-borne pathogens that cause sporadic outbreaks, such as the tick-borne louping ill virus, found almost exclusively in the British Isles, and a range of piroplasmid infections that are poorly characterized. These provide an ongoing source of infection whose emergence can be unpredictable. In addition, the risk remains for future introductions of both exotic vectors and the pathogens they harbor, and can transmit. Current factors that are driving the increases of both disease transmission and the risk of emergence include marked changes to the climate in the British Isles that have increased summer and winter temperatures, and extended the period over which arthropods are active. There have also been dramatic increases in the distribution of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile and Usutu viruses in mainland Europe that are making the introduction of these pathogens through bird migration increasingly feasible. In addition, the establishment of midge-borne bluetongue virus in the near continent has increased the risk of wind-borne introduction of infected midges and the inadvertent importation of infected cattle. Arguably the greatest risk is associated with the continual increase in the movement of people, pets and trade into the UK. This, in particular, is driving the introduction of invasive arthropod species that either bring disease-causing pathogens, or are known competent vectors, that increase the risk of disease transmission if introduced. The following review documents the current pathogen threats to animals transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks and midges. This includes both indigenous and exotic pathogens to the UK. In the case of exotic pathogens, the pathway and risk of introduction are also discussed.
Audiovisual Integration During Joint Action: No Effects for Motion Discrimination and Temporal Order Judgment Tasks

In daily life, humans constantly process information from multiple sensory modalities (e.g., visual and auditory). Information across sensory modalities may (or may not) be combined to form the perception of a single event via the process of multisensory integration. Recent research has suggested that performing a spatial crossmodal congruency task jointly with a partner affects multisensory integration. To date, it has not been investigated whether multisensory integration in other crossmodal tasks is also affected by performing a task jointly. To address this point, we investigated whether joint task performance also affects perceptual judgments in a crossmodal motion discrimination task and a temporal order judgment task. In both tasks, pairs of participants were presented with auditory and visual stimuli that might or might not be perceived as belonging to a single event. Each participant in a pair was required to respond to stimuli from one sensory modality only (e.g., visual stimuli only). Participants performed both individual and joint conditions. Replicating earlier multisensory integration effects, we found that participants' perceptual judgments were significantly affected by stimuli in the other modality for both tasks. However, we did not find that performing a task jointly modulated these crossmodal effects. Taking this together with earlier findings, we suggest that joint task performance affects crossmodal results in a manner dependent on how these effects are quantified (i.e., via responses time or accuracy) and the specific task demands (i.e., whether tasks require processing stimuli in terms of location, motion, or timing).
Coordinating Proliferation, Polarity, and Cell Fate in the Drosophila Female Germline

Gametes are highly specialized cell types produced by a complex differentiation process. Production of viable oocytes requires a series of precise and coordinated molecular events. Early in their development, germ cells are an interconnected group of mitotically dividing cells. Key regulatory events lead to the specification of mature oocytes and initiate a switch to the meiotic cell cycle program. Though the chromosomal events of meiosis have been extensively studied, it is unclear how other aspects of oocyte specification are temporally coordinated. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has long been at the forefront as a model system for genetics and cell biology research. The adult Drosophila ovary continuously produces germ cells throughout the organism’s lifetime, and many of the cellular processes that occur to establish oocyte fate are conserved with mammalian gamete development. Here, we review recent discoveries from Drosophila that advance our understanding of how early germ cells balance mitotic exit with meiotic initiation. We discuss cell cycle control and establishment of cell polarity as major themes in oocyte specification. We also highlight a germline-specific organelle, the fusome, as integral to the coordination of cell division, cell polarity, and cell fate in ovarian germ cells. Finally, we discuss how the molecular controls of the cell cycle might be integrated with cell polarity and cell fate to maintain oocyte production.
Copper and Melanin Play a Role in Myxococcus xanthus Predation on Sinorhizobium meliloti

Myxococcus xanthus is a soil myxobacterium that exhibits a complex lifecycle with two multicellular stages: cooperative predation and development. During predation, myxobacterial cells produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites and hydrolytic enzymes to kill and consume the prey. It is known that eukaryotic predators, such as ameba and macrophages, introduce copper and other metals into the phagosomes to kill their prey by oxidative stress. However, the role of metals in bacterial predation has not yet been established. In this work, we have addressed the role of copper during predation of M. xanthus on Sinorhizobium meliloti. The use of biosensors, variable pressure scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X ray analysis has revealed that copper accumulates in the region where predator and prey collide. This accumulation of metal up-regulates the expression of several mechanisms involved in copper detoxification in the predator (the P1B-ATPase CopA, the multicopper oxidase CuoA and the tripartite pump Cus2), and the production by the prey of copper-inducible melanin, which is a polymer with the ability to protect cells from oxidative stress. We have identified two genes in S. meliloti (encoding a tyrosinase and a multicopper oxidase) that participate in the biosynthesis of melanin. Analysis of prey survivability in the co-culture of M. xanthus and a mutant of S. meliloti in which the two genes involved in melanin biosynthesis have been deleted has revealed that this mutant is more sensitive to predation than the wild-type strain. These results indicate that copper plays a role in bacterial predation and that melanin is used by the prey to defend itself from the predator. Taking into consideration that S. meliloti is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium in symbiosis with legumes that coexists in soils with M. xanthus and that copper is a common metal found in this habitat as a consequence of several human activities, these results provide clear evidence that the accumulation of this metal in the soil may influence the microbial ecosystems by affecting bacterial predatory activities.