Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Data-Gathering, Dynamic Duty-Cycling MAC Protocol for Large-Scale Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper presents a Data-gathering, Dynamic Duty-cycling (D3) protocol for wireless sensor networks. With a proposed duty-cycling MAC of high energy efficiency in D3, a routing scheme is naturally embedded to reduce protocol overhead. A packet can be forwarded in a pipelined fashion by staggering the sleep-wakeup schedules between two communicating nodes, which can significantly reduce end-to-end delay to meet real-time transmission requirements. To construct and maintain schedules, a grade and schedule establishment mechanism with a lightweight schedule error correction scheme is designed. In addition, based on the intrinsic characteristics of the network, an adaptive schedule maintenance scheme is proposed to dynamically adjust the node duty cycle to the network traffic load. The results based on the extensive OPNET simulations show that D3 can largely improve packet delivery ratio, energy efficiency and throughput, and reduce packet delivery latency.
Environmental awareness of University Students in Ankara, Turkey

This study aims to present environmental sensitivity and awareness of university students. The first and fourth year students of landscape architecture, town and regional planning and environmental engineering undergraduate programs at universities throughout Ankara, Turkey were selected as participants since these programs’ curricula focus on environment. A questionnaire survey was applied to 212 students face to face. Research findings show that even though students take many courses on the environmental issues, their environmental awareness and environmentally responsible behaviors are lower than the expected and students’ grades show no significance on the results. It is concluded that environmental knowledge do not always influence awareness and behavioral intentions, a national strategy is needed for environmental education in higher education, and current curricula should be reconsidered in terms of effectiveness. Key words: Environmental awareness, environmental sensitivity, environmental education, higher education.
Caveolin‐1 upregulates Fut8 expression by activating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway to enhance HCC cell proliferative and invasive ability

Caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1), a critical structural protein of caveolae, plays an oncogenic role by participating in abnormal protein glycosylation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism by which Cav‐1 regulates glycosylation and glycosyltransferase expression has yet to be fully defined. Here, we show that Cav‐1 promotes the expression of α‐1,6‐fucosyltransferase (Fut8), which catalyzes the transfer of GDP‐fucose to the core structure of the N‐sugar chain. In this study, we show that the mouse HCC cell line, Hepa1‐6, which has low Fut8 transcriptional and protein levels, also lacks Cav‐1 expression, whereas the mouse HCC cell line, Hca‐F, has strong Fut8 expression and high transcriptional and protein levels of Cav‐1. Subsequently, Cav‐1 overexpression in Hepa1‐6 was found to activate Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, which leads to downstream binding of the T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor to the Fut8 promoter region for activation of its transcription. In contrast, knockdown of Cav‐1 expression in Hca‐F caused the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway to be significantly inhibited, which attenuates the expression of Fut8. We further show that Cav‐1‐induced upregulation of Fut8 expression enhanced proliferation and invasion by mouse HCC cells in vitro. Our current findings provide molecular evidence that Cav‐1 plays an important role in regulating glycosyltransferase expression and may participate in abnormal glycosylation, which mediates the proliferation and invasion of HCC.
History and current perspectives on the biological effects of high-dose spatial fractionation and high dose-rate approaches:GRID,Microbeam& FLASH radiotherapy.

The effects of various forms of ionizing radiation are known to be mediated by interactions with cellular and molecular targets in irradiated and in some cases non-targeted tissue volumes. Despite major advances in advanced conformal delivery techniques, the probability of normal tissue complication (NTCP) remains the major dose-limiting factor in escalating total dose delivered during treatment. Potential strategies that have shown promise as novel delivery methods in achieving effective tumour control whilst sparing organs at risk involve the modulation of critical dose delivery parameters. This has led to the development of techniques using high dose spatial fractionation (GRID) and ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) which have translated to the clinic. The current review discusses the historical development and biological basis of GRID, microbeam and FLASH radiotherapy as advanced delivery modalities that have major potential for widespread implementation in the clinic in future years.
The bottom fauna of china clay waste deposits in Mevagissey Bay

The mining of china clay in Cornwall is an industry dating from the middle of the eighteenth century, and one which has grown to major prominence in the south-western peninsula, as illustrated by the historical accounts of Barton (1966) and Hudson (1969). Present-day mining processes give rise to two main types of particulate waste. The coarser waste, or tip-sand, is deposited on land to form the massive white tips which characterize the scenery of the Cornish china clay mining areas, although small amounts may be used locally as a building aggregate. The finer-grained waste, known as micaceous residue, is produced in lesser quantities and is disposed of in a different manner.
Korean Nursing Students’ First Experiences of Clinical Practice in Psychiatric Nursing: A Phenomenological Study

Nursing students have a more negative attitude toward psychiatric practice than other practices. In particular, Korean nursing students experience increased pressure during clinical practice in psychiatric nursing due to sociocultural and institutional influences, such as prejudices, fear, and anxiety towards mental illnesses. This study aimed to conduct an investigation on students’ first experiences of clinical practice in psychiatric nursing. Participants were 12 fourth year nursing students in South Korea. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews, and data analysis was done using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. The students’ experiences of clinical practice in psychiatric nursing could be categorized into emotional fluctuation, burnout, transformation, and growth. The results of this study show that nursing students experienced emotional fluctuation and burnout at the beginning of their clinical practice in psychiatric nursing. At the end of the clinical practice, they experienced transformation and growth. The study suggests that nursing instructors and on-site staff need to interact with nursing students to understand the nature of these first experiences and support them through teaching and field guidance.
Assessing Molecular Docking Tools to Guide Targeted Drug Discovery of CD38 Inhibitors

A promising protein target for computational drug development, the human cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38), plays a crucial role in many physiological and pathological processes, primarily through the upstream regulation of factors that control cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations. Recently, a small-molecule inhibitor of CD38 was shown to slow down pathways relating to aging and DNA damage. We examined the performance of seven docking programs for their ability to model protein-ligand interactions with CD38. A test set of twelve CD38 crystal structures, containing crystallized biologically relevant substrates, were used to assess pose prediction. The rankings for each program based on the median RMSD between the native and predicted were Vina, AD4 > PLANTS, Gold, Glide, Molegro > rDock. Forty-two compounds with known affinities were docked to assess the accuracy of the programs at affinity/ranking predictions. The rankings based on scoring power were: Vina, PLANTS > Glide, Gold > Molegro >> AutoDock 4 >> rDock. Out of the top four performing programs, Glide had the only scoring function that did not appear to show bias towards overpredicting the affinity of the ligand-based on its size. Factors that affect the reliability of pose prediction and scoring are discussed. General limitations and known biases of scoring functions are examined, aided in part by using molecular fingerprints and Random Forest classifiers. This machine learning approach may be used to systematically diagnose molecular features that are correlated with poor scoring accuracy.
The Quest for the Best: How TCR Affinity, Avidity, and Functional Avidity Affect TCR-Engineered T-Cell Antitumor Responses

Over the past decades, adoptive transfer of T cells has revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. In particular, T-cell receptor (TCR) engineering of T cells has marked important milestones in developing more precise and personalized cancer immunotherapies. However, to get the most benefit out of this approach, understanding the role that TCR affinity, avidity, and functional avidity play on how TCRs and T cells function in the context of tumor-associated antigen (TAA) recognition is vital to keep generating improved adoptive T-cell therapies. Aside from TCR-related parameters, other critical factors that govern T-cell activation are the effect of TCR co-receptors on TCR–peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) stabilization and TCR signaling, tumor epitope density, and TCR expression levels in TCR-engineered T cells. In this review, we describe the key aspects governing TCR specificity, T-cell activation, and how these concepts can be applied to cancer-specific TCR redirection of T cells.
Automated Algorithm for Removing Clutter Objects in MMS Point Cloud for 3D Road Mapping

Road information high definition maps (HD map) contain information about the facilities around the roads and are often constructed through a mobile mapping system (MMS). Although constructing an HD map is essential for road maintenance and the application of autonomous driving in the future, it is problematic to acquire the data of objects other than the facilities in an unstructured form while operating the MMS. In this study, the researchers define this object data as clutter objects and present a method of automatic removal using characteristics of the MMS and image segmentation techniques. By applying the method to 10 KITTI (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago) datasets, clutter objects were removed with an average overall accuracy of 91% with 0% (0.448%) error of commission for the complete point cloud map.
Epigenome Wide Association and Stochastic Epigenetic Mutation Analysis on Cord Blood of Preterm Birth

Preterm birth (PTB) can be defined as the endpoint of a complex process that could be influenced by maternal and environmental factors. Epigenetics recently emerged as an interesting field of investigation since it represents an important mechanism of regulation. This study evaluates epigenetic impact of preterm birth on DNA methylation. Genome-wide DNAm was measured using the Illumina 450K array in cord blood samples obtained from 72 full term and 18 preterm newborns. Lymphocyte composition was calculated based on specific epigenetic markers that are present on the 450k array. Differential methylation analysis was performed both at site and region level; moreover, stochastic epigenetic mutations (SEMs) were also evaluated. The study showed significant differences in blood cell composition between the two groups. Moreover, after multiple testing correction, statistically significant differences in DNA methylation levels emerged between the two groups both at site and region levels. Results obtained were compared to those reported by previous EWAS, leading to a list of more consistent genes associated with PTB. Finally, the SEMs analysis revealed that the burden of SEMs resulted significantly higher in the preterm group. In conclusion, PTB resulted associated to specific epigenetic signatures that involve immune system. Moreover, SEMs analysis revealed an increased epigenetic drift at birth in the preterm group.
Comparison of soybean oil with an animal/vegetable blend at four energy levels in broiler rations from hatch to market.

Soybean oil and an animal/vegetable blend were fed on an equal metabolizable energy basis to Cobb broilers over a seven week period in a commercial style, litter floored, curtain sided building in order to determine if there were any differences between the two fat sources when comparing feed intake, gain and feed:gain. All of the birds were fed a diet that consisted primarily of corn, soybean meal and animal by- product meal. There were three dietary phases with each phase having four increasing ME levels through increased fat content. Each phase had eight diets that were fed to 30 birds per pen with six replicates each. Birds and feed were weighed on days 21, 35 and 49 with processing for yield on day 50. The data shows that as the dietary fat increased, in some cases the birds consumed less feed and showed improved feed:gain. Body weight gain was not significantly different, however.
Single primer designed for detection of Shigella species

In infectious disease diagnosis prior to treatment, identification of the causative agent plays a crucial role. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has paved a molecular way for specific species identification. In this study, we have attempted to design a single common primer to identify the causative agent for shigellosis - Shigella spp. Bioinformatic tools like CLUSTALX for multiple sequence alignment, Primer3 for primer designing, NetPrimer for primer analysis, in silico PCR amplification tool for amplification were used.In silico PCR amplification gave the desired amplicon with the same sequence that had been used for primer designing. A single primer was thus designed for the genus Shigellaand is predicted to be a prototype sequence for easy and rapid detection of Shigella spp. Key words: Virulence factor data base (VFDB), CLUSTALX, Primer3, NetPrimer, in silicopolymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification.
Relationship between the Number of Noncommunicable Diseases and Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey

China has the largest population of older adults, most of whom suffer from one or more noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The harm of the number of NCDs on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older adults should be taken seriously. A sample of 5166 adults, aged 60 years and older, was included in this study. The Chinese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Old (WHOQOL-OLD) instrument was used to assess the HRQOL. Multiple linear regression models were established to determine the relationship between the number of NCDs and the total score and scores of each dimension of the WHOQOL-OLD scale. After adjusting for confounding factors, suffering from one NCD (B = −0.87, 95% CI = −1.67 to −0.08, p < 0.05), two NCDs (B = −2.89, 95% CI = −3.87 to −1.90, p < 0.001), and three or more NCDs (B = −4.20, 95% CI = −5.36 to −3.05, p < 0.001), all had negative impacts on the HRQOL of older adults. NCDs had significant negative impacts on the HRQOL of older adults, and as the number of NCDs increased, the HRQOL of older adults deteriorated. Therefore, we should pay attention to the prevention and management of NCDs of older adults to prevent the occurrence of multiple NCDs.
Inner Ear Gene Therapies Take Off: Current Promises and Future Challenges

Hearing impairment is the most frequent sensory deficit in humans of all age groups, from children (1/500) to the elderly (more than 50% of the over-75 s). Over 50% of congenital deafness are hereditary in nature. The other major causes of deafness, which also may have genetic predisposition, are aging, acoustic trauma, ototoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides, and noise exposure. Over the last two decades, the study of inherited deafness forms and related animal models has been instrumental in deciphering the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms of disease. However, there is still no curative treatment for sensorineural deafness. Hearing loss is currently palliated by rehabilitation methods: conventional hearing aids, and for more severe forms, cochlear implants. Efforts are continuing to improve these devices to help users to understand speech in noisy environments and to appreciate music. However, neither approach can mediate a full recovery of hearing sensitivity and/or restoration of the native inner ear sensory epithelia. New therapeutic approaches based on gene transfer and gene editing tools are being developed in animal models. In this review, we focus on the successful restoration of auditory and vestibular functions in certain inner ear conditions, paving the way for future clinical applications.
Myconet Volume 14. Part One. Outline of Ascomycota—2009. Part Two. Notes on Ascomycete Systematics. Nos. 4751–5113

Abstract Part One presents the current classification that includes all accepted genera and higher taxa above the generic level in the phylum Ascomycota. It is based on the changes listed in Myconet notes 4751–5113. In the current outline, three subphyla (Pezizomycotina, Saccharomycotina, Taphrinomycotina) are accepted. Taphrinomycotina includes four classes (Neolectomycetes, Pneumocystidomycetes, Schizosaccharomyces, Taphrinomycetes). Saccharomycotina consists of one class and Pezizomycotina includes eleven classes (Arthoniomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Eurotiomycetes, Geoglossomycetes, Laboulbeniomycetes, Lecanoromycetes, Leotiomycetes, Lichinomycetes, Orbiliomycetes, Pezizomycetes, Sordariomycetes). Part Two presents 363 notes on the taxonomy and nomenclature of ascomycetes (Ascomycota) at the generic and higher levels. Numerous changes in higher levels resulted from multi-authored phylogenetic papers resulting from the AFTOL and Deep Hyphae projects, especially a publication on a revised fungal classification spearheaded by David Hibbett in 2007 and a 2009 volume of Studies in Mycology edited by Conrad Schoch and others dedicated to the phylogeny of the Dothideomycetes. The new name Alectoria gowardii Lumbsch is proposed for Gowardia arctica P. Halonen, L. Myllys, S. Velmala & H. Hyvärinen (non Alectoria arctica Elenkin & Savicz).
REGULATION OF SERUM CORTISOL BY SOMATOSTATIN: EVIDENCE OFNEUROENDOCRINECONTROLOFADRENALGLANDINAMPHIBIA

The role of somatostatin in plasma cortisol level in Rana tigrina (amphibia,anura) has been investigated. An inhibitory impact on both, intact (16.32%) as well as pharmacologically annuled frogs(23.27%) has been recorded. It is concluded that in both the conditions, it act as a preventive agent to counteract any excess secretion of cortisol due to the failure of classical regulatory mechanism.
The Relationship between the Expression of Fatty Acyl Desaturase 2 (fads2) Gene in Peripheral Blood Cells (PBCs) and Liver in Gilthead Seabream, Sparus aurata Broodstock Fed a Low n-3 LC-PUFA Diet

The principle aim of this study is to elucidate the relationship between the fatty acid desaturase 2 gene (fads2) expression pattern in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) and liver of gilthead seabream (GSB), Sparus aurata broodstock in order to determine the possible use of fads2 expression as a potential biomarker for the selection of broodstock. This selection could be utilized for breeding programs aiming to improve reproduction, health, and nutritional status. Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT)-tagged GSB broodstock (Male-1.22 ± 0.20 kg; 44.8 ± 2 cm and female-2.36 ± 0.64 kg; 55.1 cm) were fed a diet containing low levels of fish meal and fish oil (EPA 2.5; DHA 1.7 and n-3 LC-PUFA 4.6% TFA) for one month. After the feeding period, fads2 expression in PBCs and liver of both male and female broodstock were highly significantly correlated (r = 0.89; p < 0.001). Additionally, in male broodstock, liver fads2 expression was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) to liver contents in 16:0 (r = 0.95; p = 0.04) and total saturates (r = 0.97; p = 0.03) as well as to 20:3n–6/20:2n–6 (r = 0.98; p = 0.02) a Fads2 product/precursor ratio. Overall, we found a positive and significant correlation between fads2 expression levels in the PBCs and liver of GSB broodstock. PBCs fads2 expression levels indicate a strong potential for utilization as a non-invasive method to select animals having increased fatty acid bioconversion capability, better able to deal with diets free of fish meal and fish oil.
Nutrigenomic analysis of mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) strains using polymerase chain reaction-simple sequence repeats (PCR-SSR).

The DNA marker use in assisting selection are safe method in breeding process and it is an important tool for authentication of new gene cascade in genome. In mulberry silkworm, the major economic and nutrigenomic traits are polygenic in nature. In the present study, we have utilized ten PCR-SSR microsatellite markers to gain better understanding on genotyping of certain nutrigenomic gene loci in nutritionally efficient silkworm breeds / hybrids. Results showed that a single yet varying size amplified band in all four parental silkworm strains (RMG4, RMW2, RBD1 and RBO2) and two clear amplified bands in the hybrids (RMG4 × RBD1 and RMW2 × RBO2) with different molecular weight from three PCR-SSR primers loci viz., F11139, F10429 and F10705. The PCR-SSR results demonstrated that homozygosity in newly evaluated nutritionally efficient parental silkworm strains and heterozygosity in hybrid. These investigations authentically confirmed the previous findings of heterotic nutritionally efficient silkworm hybrids with superior nutrigenomic traits. The developed molecular analysis in silkworm could be utilized for the benefit of the farmers in sericulture industry. In conclusion, these results would be useful in identification of nutrigenomic cascade of genes in silkworm and also emphasize the future prospects of silkworm functional mechanism in nutrigenomic studies. Key words: Silkworm, breed, hybrid, nutrigenomics, PCR-SSR marker, homozygosity, heterozygosity, cascade of genes.
The Impact of the Extent of Surgery on the Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Low-Risk Differentiated Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Meta-Analysis

Recently, the management of patients with low-risk differentiated non-medullary thyroid cancer (DTC), including papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma subtypes, has been critically appraised, questioning whether these patients might be overtreated without a clear clinical benefit. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) guideline suggests that thyroid lobectomy (TL) could be a safe alternative for total thyroidectomy (TT) in patients with DTC up to 4 cm limited to the thyroid, without metastases. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the clinical outcomes in patients with low-risk DTC based on the extent of surgery. The risk ratio (RR) of recurrence rate, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and disease specific survival (DSS) were estimated. In total 16 studies with 175,430 patients met the inclusion criteria. Overall, low recurrence rates were observed for both TL and TT groups (7 vs. 7%, RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.61–1.96, I2 = 72%), and no statistically significant differences for OS (TL 94.1 vs. TT 94.4%, RR 0.99, CI 0.99–1.00, I2 = 53%), DFS (TL 87 vs. TT 91%, RR 0.96, CI 0.89–1.03, I2 = 85%), and DSS (TL 97.2 vs. TT 95.4%, RR 1.01, CI 1.00–1.01, I2 = 74%). The high degree of heterogeneity of the studies is a notable limitation. Conservative management and appropriate follow-up instead of bilateral surgery would be justifiable in selected patients. These findings highlight the importance of shared-decision making in the management of patients with small, low-risk DTC.