Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Instructors' Perspectives and Use of ICT in Two Teacher Education Programs

ICT have penetrated every corner of 21^st century life. This paper presents findings from a study conducted at two teacher education programs, one in Canada and the other in Australia. The two universities at the center of this research offer a range of programs for teacher preparation and similarly emphasize ICT integration in their teacher education programs, which include specific courses in ICT as well as integrated courses in other subject areas that use ICT as part of the pedagogy of the course. A questionnaire and interviews were used in data collection and findings indicate that most instructors tended to perceive ICT as something important for teacher education programs, although to various degrees. Reasons for not making full use of ICT in their own teaching included lack of knowledge on how to effectively integrate ICT in their teaching, lack of training in ICT use and a busy working schedule that kept them from learning how to use new tools and techniques. Implications for programming in teacher education are discussed.
Multi-articular passive exoskeleton for reducing the metabolic cost during human walking

Ankle passive exoskeleton has been demonstrated to enhance walking economy and reduce the metabolic cost during walking. How to develop multi-articular passive exoskeleton to further reduce the metabolic cost during human walking still remains a challenge. In this paper, we develop a hip-knee passive exoskeleton that uses springs to assist both hip extension and knee flexion. Springs in the exoskeleton are firstly stretched to store some of the negative mechanical power of knee joint during the late swing phase, then the stored energy in the springs is released to assist hip extension during the early stance phase. The whole process is controlled by a mechanical clutch. The experiment results show that the metabolic cost was reduced by 7.6% compared to walking without the exoskeleton. To our knowledge, this is the first multi-articular passive exoskeleton that can reduce the metabolic cost of walking. This paper also discusses the possibility for the passive exoskeleton to exploit heel-strike energy for further reducing the metabolic cost of walking.
Comparison of Voltage Charging Techniques to Increase the Life of Lead Acid Batteries

Batteries are an integral part of stationary applications either as primary source or back-up. Lead acid batteries are predominantly used for this. The main function of secondary batteries is charging and discharging. Sulphation is the main problem of lead acid batteries. The voltage charging techniques are proving to be effective for reduction of sulphation and increasing the life of lead acid batteries. This paper compares the two types of voltage charging: constant voltage and pulse voltage. The pulse voltage charging is shown to charge faster and reduce sulpahtion in lead acid batteries.
Recommending Similar Bug Reports: A Novel Approach Using Document Embedding Model

In the software development, it is not uncommon to find that several bug reports are related to many common code files, i.e., similar bugs. Similar bug recommendation is a meaningful task which can assist developers in bug triaging and fixing. As the state of the art, Yang et al.'s work presented an approach that combines TF-IDF method with word embedding model and achieved a good result. To further improve the performance of their approach, in this paper, we propose a novel approach using Document Embedding model. In our preliminary evaluation, we conduct the experiment on 13,090 bug reports from the Eclipse platform and the results show that our approach outperforms Yang et al.'s, with 7.89-8.96% of improvement.
A Model to Promote Productivity for Knowledge Acquisition in Organizations

Knowledge acquisition is considered to be one of the important processes of knowledge management in organizations. In order to achieve the best knowledge acquisition productivity, it is essential that the resources of the organization be devoted in such a way that it will bring the organization most efficiency. Therefore, in order to select the necessary and necessary knowledge of the organization, first, it needs to be measured, and then these kinds of knowledge must be prioritized. Taking into account the opportunities and threats faced by the organization, the sources of funding for the most prioritized knowledge are chosen. For this purpose, using the SWOT matrix and AHP method, a model is proposed that allows the effective use of resources for knowledge acquisition in the organization. Meanwhile, the results of the implementation of this model in the pottery industry have been investigated.
Current Filament Dynamics Under ESD Stress in High Voltage (Bidirectional) SCRs and It's Implications on Power Law Behavior

Physical Insights into the early formation of current filaments in High Voltage SCR is presented. Repeated current filamentation and subsequent filament spreading, which in turn results in filament motion, is detected using 3D TCAD. Impact of different load lines on ESD robustness and filament dynamics with ESD stress duration has been studied using experiments and 3D TCAD simulations. Finally, impact of silicide blocking in mitigating filament strength has been studied, which in turn improves the ESD robustness.
A hybrid active vision system for real time application running object recognition

Computer vision is developing fast and be applied to robotics. Active vision system has been researched recently to address problems with saccade movement and real-time realization. The paper proposed the use of a hybrid system consisting of an object recognition model built with MobileNet SSD and an object tracker running Median Flow. This system has proven to work well in real-time application, with an average 15 frames per second and angular speed of 75 degree per second. The system remains stable and robust throughout all experiments. The final design is implemented to control movement of a transhumeral prosthesis through determining object of interest, calibrating wrist according to object position and choosing grip patterns with respective to object characteristics.
The Impact of Environmental Transmission and Epidemiological Features on the Geographical Translocation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus

The factors affecting the transmission and geographic translocation of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) within wild migratory bird populations remain inadequately understood. In a previous study, we found that environmental transmission had little impact on AIV translocation in a model of a single migratory bird population. In order to simulate virus transmission and translocation more realistically, here we expanded this model system to include two migratory bird flocks. We simulated AIV transmission and translocation while varying four core properties: 1) Contact transmission rate; 2) infection recovery rate; 3) infection-induced mortality rate; and 4) migration recovery rate; and three environmental transmission properties: 1) Virion persistence; 2) exposure rate; and 3) re-scaled environmental infectiousness; as well as the time lag in the migration schedule of the two flocks. We found that environmental exposure rate had a significant impact on virus translocation in the two-flock model. Further, certain epidemiological features (i.e., low infection recovery rate, low mortality rate, and high migration transmission rate) in both flocks strongly affected the likelihood of virus translocation. Our results further identified the pathobiological features supporting AIV intercontinental dissemination risk.
Deficient TNF-α and IFN-γ Production Correlates With Nondetectable Donor-Specific Cytotoxicity After Clinical Kidney Transplantation

Background. We previously reported that no cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursor frequencies (CTLpf) were found in 60% of patients on azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil+Pred long after kidney transplantation. We questioned whether the absence of donor-specific CTLpf was associated with low levels of stimulatory Th1 (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interferon [IFN]-γ) or high levels of regulatory Th2 (interleukin [IL]-4, IL-6, IL-10) cytokines. Methods. In this study, peripheral blood monocyte cells (PBMC) were stimulated with irradiated donor cells. After 7 days, cytokine production was determined by cytokine bead array, and CTLpf by limiting dilution assay. Results. Patients with detectable CTLpf (≥10/106 PBMC) had significantly higher levels of TNF-α (P=0.04) and IFN-γ (P=0.02) than patients with nondetectable CTLpf (<10/106 PBMC). Donor-reactive IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 production was comparable in both patient groups. Additionally, CTLpf was positively correlated with TNF-α (rs=0.54, P=0.0003) and IFN-γ (rs=0.64, P<0.0001) production. Conclusion. The absence of donor-specific CTLp after transplantation correlates with low levels of stimulatory cytokines, not with elevated levels of regulatory cytokines.
Identification of Novel Anti-Liver Cancer Small Molecules with Better Therapeutic Index Than Sorafenib via Zebrafish Drug Screening Platform

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Sorafenib was the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug for treating advanced HCC until recently, so development of new target therapy is urgently needed. In this study, we established a zebrafish drug screening platform and compared the therapeutic effects of two multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors, 419S1 and 420S1, with Sorafenib. All three compounds exhibited anti-angiogenesis abilities in immersed fli1:EGFP transgenic embryos and the half inhibition concentration (IC50) was determined. 419S1 exhibited lower hepatoxicity and embryonic toxicity than 420S1 and Sorafenib, and the half lethal concentration (LC50) was determined. The therapeutic index (LC50/IC50) for 419S1 was much higher than for Sorafenib and 420S1. The compounds were either injected retro-orbitally or by oral gavage to adult transgenic zebrafish with HCC. The compounds not only rescued the pathological feature, but also reversed the expression levels of cell-cycle-related genes and protein levels of a proliferation marker. Using a patient-derived-xenograft assay, we found that the effectiveness of 419S1 and 420S1 in preventing liver cancer proliferation is better than that of Sorafenib. With integrated efforts and the advantage of the zebrafish platform, we can find more effective and safe drugs for HCC treatment and screen for personalized medicine.
Characterization of Phenolic Compounds and Their Contribution to Sensory Properties of Olive Oil

Olive oil is not only known for its pungent, bitter, and fruity taste, but also for its health potential, which is often hypothesized to depend on its phenolic compounds. One hundred extra virgin olive oil samples (monocultivaric as well as blends of varieties) were assessed with regard to their sensory properties and phenolic compound composition. Nineteen phenolic compounds have been determined and correlated with sensory data. In all olive oil samples, oleocanthal and oleacein were the most abundant phenolic compounds, with average amounts of 77.9 mg/kg and 41.8 mg/kg, respectively. The highest correlation coefficient between a sensory descriptor and the phenolic compounds was found for the bitter taste sensation and the total phenolic content with r = 0.72 and in particular, for 3,4-DHPEA-EA, with r = 0.57. Intensity plots were assessed for the three main sensory descriptors fruitiness, bitterness, pungency, and for the quality factor harmony, which is associated with the degree of ripeness aroma of olive oil. Positive correlations for the aroma descriptors freshly cut grass, leaves, and nuts, and the phenolic compounds were especially observed for oleoside 11-methylester and vanillic acid. The present study provides a comprehensive database of phenolic compounds in olive oils from six different varieties and seven countries.
Cis- and Trans-chromosomal Interactions Define Pericentric Boundaries in the Absence of Conventional Heterochromatin

The molecular cues for CENPA positioning in epigenetically regulated centromeres is elusive. Candida albicans has small regional non-repetitive centromeres that do not harbor conventional heterochromatin. Deletion of native centromere leads to activation of a neocentromere. The diploid budding yeast Candida albicans harbors unique CENPA-rich 3- to 5-kb regions that form the centromere (CEN) core on each of its eight chromosomes. The epigenetic nature of these CENs does not permit the stabilization of a functional kinetochore on an exogenously introduced CEN plasmid. The flexible nature of such centromeric chromatin is exemplified by the reversible silencing of a transgene upon its integration into the CENPA-bound region. The lack of a conventional heterochromatin machinery and the absence of defined boundaries of CENPA chromatin makes the process of CEN specification in this organism elusive. Additionally, upon native CEN deletion, C. albicans can efficiently activate neocentromeres proximal to the native CEN locus, hinting at the importance of CEN-proximal regions. In this study, we examine this CEN-proximity effect and identify factors for CEN specification in C. albicans. We exploit a counterselection assay to isolate cells that can silence a transgene when integrated into the CEN-flanking regions. We show that the frequency of reversible silencing of the transgene decreases from the central core of CEN7 to its peripheral regions. Using publicly available C. albicans high-throughput chromosome conformation capture data, we identify a 25-kb region centering on the CENPA-bound core that acts as CEN-flanking compact chromatin (CFCC). Cis- and trans-chromosomal interactions associated with the CFCC spatially segregates it from bulk chromatin. We further show that neocentromere activation on chromosome 7 occurs within this specified region. Hence, this study identifies a specialized CEN-proximal domain that specifies and restricts the centromeric activity to a unique region.
Pseudopeptide Designed to Inhibit Oligomerization and Redox Chemistry in Alzheimer's Disease.

Aggregation of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) and inflammatory processes associated with the generation of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals are responsible for neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease. The latter are a result of the redox activity of copper-bound Aβ complexes with molecular oxygen. A ligand (PI1), previously designed to compete with Aβ for copper, and a pseudopeptide (SGC1) with a property of breaking the self-aggregation of Aβ, are attached to each other to form a new pseudopeptide (TGC1) in this study. Using a combination of density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations, we show that TGC1 should have the ability to inhibit self-aggregation of Aβ, prevent the binding of copper to Aβ, and quench the redox activity of the copper. This trifunctional ligand is a good candidate for development into an anti-Alzheimer drug.
The exocyst functions in niche cells to promote germline stem cell differentiation by directly controlling EGFR membrane trafficking

ABSTRACT The niche controls stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in animal tissues. Although the exocyst is known to be important for protein membrane trafficking and secretion, its role in stem cells and niches has never been reported. Here, this study shows that the exocyst functions in the niche to promote germline stem cell (GSC) progeny differentiation in the Drosophila ovary by directly regulating EGFR membrane trafficking and signaling. Inactivation of exocyst components in inner germarial sheath cells, which form the differentiation niche, causes a severe GSC differentiation defect. The exocyst is required for maintaining niche cells and preventing BMP signaling in GSC progeny by promoting EGFR membrane targeting and signaling through direct association with EGFR. Finally, it is also required for EGFR membrane targeting, recycling and signaling in human cells. Therefore, this study reveals a novel function of the exocyst in niche cells to promote stem cell progeny differentiation by directly controlling EGFR membrane trafficking and signaling in vivo, and also provides important insight into how the niche controls stem cell progeny differentiation at the molecular level. Summary: The exocyst directly controls EGFR membrane trafficking, recycling and activation in Drosophila and human cells, and is required in the niche to promote germline stem cell differentiation by regulating EGFR signaling.
Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Glycoprotein H Is Indispensable for Infection of Epithelial, Endothelial, and Fibroblast Cell Types

All homologues of herpesvirus gH studied to date have been implicated in playing an essential role in viral infection of diverse permissive cell types. However, the role of gH in the mechanism of KSHV infection remains largely unresolved. In this study, we generated a gH-null mutant KSHV and provided evidence that deficiency of gH expression did not affect viral particle assembly or egress. Using the gH-null mutant, we showed that gH was indispensable for KSHV infection of epithelial, endothelial, and fibroblast cells in vitro. This suggests that gH is an important target for the development of a KSHV prophylactic vaccine to prevent initial viral infection. ABSTRACT Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an emerging pathogen and is the causative infectious agent of Kaposi sarcoma and two malignancies of B cell origin. To date, there is no licensed KSHV vaccine. Development of an effective vaccine against KSHV continues to be limited by a poor understanding of how the virus initiates acute primary infection in vivo in diverse human cell types. The role of glycoprotein H (gH) in herpesvirus entry mechanisms remains largely unresolved. To characterize the requirement for KSHV gH in the viral life cycle and in determination of cell tropism, we generated and characterized a mutant KSHV in which expression of gH was abrogated. Using a bacterial artificial chromosome containing a complete recombinant KSHV genome and recombinant DNA technology, we inserted stop codons into the gH coding region. We used electron microscopy to reveal that the gH-null mutant virus assembled and exited from cells normally, compared to wild-type virus. Using purified virions, we assessed infectivity of the gH-null mutant in diverse mammalian cell types in vitro. Unlike wild-type virus or a gH-containing revertant, the gH-null mutant was unable to infect any of the epithelial, endothelial, or fibroblast cell types tested. However, its ability to infect B cells was equivocal and remains to be investigated in vivo due to generally poor infectivity in vitro. Together, these results suggest that gH is critical for KSHV infection of highly permissive cell types, including epithelial, endothelial, and fibroblast cells. IMPORTANCE All homologues of herpesvirus gH studied to date have been implicated in playing an essential role in viral infection of diverse permissive cell types. However, the role of gH in the mechanism of KSHV infection remains largely unresolved. In this study, we generated a gH-null mutant KSHV and provided evidence that deficiency of gH expression did not affect viral particle assembly or egress. Using the gH-null mutant, we showed that gH was indispensable for KSHV infection of epithelial, endothelial, and fibroblast cells in vitro. This suggests that gH is an important target for the development of a KSHV prophylactic vaccine to prevent initial viral infection.
Environmental heterogeneity influences the reliability of secondary sexual traits as condition indicators

Numerous studies have shown positive associations between ornaments and condition, as predicted by indicator models of sexual selection. However, this idea is continuously challenged by opposite results, which reveal our lack of full understanding of how sexual selection works. Environmental heterogeneity may explain such inconsistencies, but valid field tests of this idea are currently lacking. We first analysed the relationship between condition and ornament expression from nine populations over 7 years in a wild bird, the red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus. We then manipulated male aggressiveness at the population level by means of testosterone implants in a replicated field experiment. We found that the relationship between condition and ornamentation varied greatly between environments and became stronger when environmental conditions (ECs) were worse or when aggressiveness in the population was experimentally increased. Some ornaments may therefore reliably advertise a better condition only in adverse ECs. Considering environmental heterogeneity can help reconcile conflicting findings regarding the reliability of ornaments as indicators of condition and will help our understanding of sexual selection processes.
Dietary Inflammatory Index and Odds of Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps in a Case-Control Study from Iran

Background: Chronic inflammation is implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its precursor; colorectal adenomatous polyps (CAP). Some dietary factors are important triggers for systemic inflammation. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII®) and the risk of CRC and CAP in an Iranian case-control study. Methods: 134 newly diagnosed CRC patients, 130 newly diagnosed CAP patients, and 240 hospitalized controls were recruited using convenience sampling. Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores were computed based on dietary intake assessed using a reproducible and valid 148-item food frequency questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) after adjusting for confounders. Results: The E-DII score ranged between −4.23 (the most anti-inflammatory score) to +3.89 (the most pro-inflammatory score). The multivariable-adjusted ORs for participants in the 3rd tertile compared to the 1st tertile was 5.08 (95%CI: 2.70–9.56; P-trend < 0.0001) for CRC and 2.33 (95% CI: 1.30–4.02; P-trend = 0.005) for CAP. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that more pro-inflammatory diets, indicated by higher E-DII scores, might increase the risk of both CRC and CAP. Future steps should include testing these associations in a prospective setting in Iran.