Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calculation of the heat power consumption in the heat exchanger using artificial neural network

In this paper a new method for calculation of heat power consumption in a heat exchanger is described. The method is based on the analysis of phenomena occurring between the heat exchanger and the ambient. The calculation of heat power consumption represents an inverse heat transfer problem [1, 2]. In this work the experimental and simulation investigations were conducted. An artificial neural network, trained with data obtained from infrared thermography measurements [3-6] is used to calculate the heat power consumption in steady state. In this work the results of simulations under the assumption of different variants of input data selection were presented. The experiments were carried out using measuring stand with open chamber [7]. The solution of coefficient inverse heat conduction problems was presented e.g. in [8, 9]. In this paper, an artificial neural network is used to calculate the heat power consumption of a radiator (e.g. in a central heating system). The input data for training networks were obtained from differential thermograms of considered radiator surface. These thermograms were created on the basis of the thermal images acquired with an infrared camera, and the measurements of the ambient temperature. The output data (measured heat power consumption) were obtained using the measuring stand with an open chamber equipped with a PC and suitable measurement devices. In this work it was assumed, that the heat from the radiator is emitted by convection and radiation. The convective component of the heat flux can be approximated with the following formula: ) ( amb R T T Q = α
Encoder–decoder neural networks for predicting future FTIR spectra – application to enzymatic protein hydrolysis

In the process of converting food‐processing by‐products to value‐added ingredients, fine grained control of the raw materials, enzymes and process conditions ensures the best possible yield and economic return. However, when raw material batches lack good characterization and contain high batch variation, online or at‐line monitoring of the enzymatic reactions would be beneficial. We investigate the potential of deep neural networks in predicting the future state of enzymatic hydrolysis as described by Fourier‐transform infrared spectra of the hydrolysates. Combined with predictions of average molecular weight, this provides a flexible and transparent tool for process monitoring and control, enabling proactive adaption of process parameters.
Discrimination and mental health in the minority sexual population: Cross-sectional analysis of the first peruvian virtual survey

Objective This study sought to evaluate the association between discrimination and having mental health problems in the past 12 months in the sexual minority population in Peru. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a secondary database corresponding to the first LGBTI survey in Peru in 2017. We included adults who self-identified their sexual orientation as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual/others. Both the exposure and dependent variables were self-reported by the participants. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to determine the association by calculating adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results Out of 9760 respondents, more than two-thirds of the participants reported having been discriminated against or having experienced violence at some time in their lives (70.3%) and one-fourth reported having mental health problems (23.8%). In the multivariable regression model, the prevalence of mental health problems in the last 12 months was 72% higher for the group of individuals who experienced discrimination when compared with the group that did not experience discrimination (APR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.57–1.88). The association was stronger among who self-identified lesbians (APR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.65–2.64). Conclusion The prevalence of mental health problems and discrimination was high in this population. In addition, we found a statistically significant association between discrimination and the occurrence of mental health problems in the last 12 months.
Inside the Mind of the Millennial Shopper: Designing Retail Spaces for a New Generation

Challenges facing retailing abound. Retailers and brands are struggling to find new ways to appeal to shoppers. Yet, research has shown that the store's physical design plays a crucial role in whether a shopper enters a store and engages with a brand. The latest generation of shoppers, the millennials, are a powerful cohort representing 75.4 million individuals in 2016 and accounting for $200 billion in annual consumer spending. Although this generation is well known for online shopping, research has shown that the majority (75%) of their retail dollars are still being spent in brick–and–mortar stores. This has generated awareness in viewing the retail store as a tool for brand–building, motivating brands to reevaluate their store designs. This exploratory study seeks to understand the elements of the retail environment that catch the attention of the millennial shopper and their response to them. The methodology employed photo elicitation for data collection using personal smartphones that allowed the millennial participants to combine photography with captions, creating an annotated image bank of retail environments. This image bank revealed tangible and intangible dimensions of the retail experience that offer insights into the mind of the millennial shopper. The identified themes have design implications for both education and practice that can inform the process of creating dynamic, engaging retail environments for this generation.
Microphysiological system for studying contractile differences in young, active, and old, sedentary adult derived skeletal muscle cells

Microphysiological systems (MPS), also referred to as tissue chips, incorporating 3D skeletal myobundles are a novel approach for physiological and pharmacological studies to uncover new medical treatments for sarcopenia. We characterize a MPS in which engineered skeletal muscle myobundles derived from donor‐specific satellite cells that model aged phenotypes are encapsulated in a perfused tissue chip platform containing platinum electrodes. Our myobundles were derived from CD56+ myogenic cells obtained via percutaneous biopsy of the vastus lateralis from adults phenotyped by age and physical activity. Following 17 days differentiation including 5 days of a 3 V, 2 Hz electrical stimulation regime, the myobundles exhibited fused myotube alignment and upregulation of myogenic, myofiber assembly, signaling and contractile genes as demonstrated by gene array profiling and localization of key components of the sarcomere. Our results demonstrate that myobundles derived from the young, active (YA) group showed high intensity immunofluorescent staining of α‐actinin proteins and responded to electrical stimuli with a ~1 μm displacement magnitude compared with non‐stimulated myobundles. Myobundles derived from older sedentary group (OS) did not display a synchronous contraction response. Hypertrophic potential is increased in YA‐derived myobundles in response to stimulation as shown by upregulation of insulin growth factor (IGF‐1), α‐actinin (ACTN3, ACTA1) and fast twitch troponin protein (TNNI2) compared with OS‐derived myobundles. Our MPS mimics disease states of muscle decline and thus provides an aged system and experimental platform to investigate electrical stimulation mimicking exercise regimes and may be adapted to long duration studies of compound efficacy and toxicity for therapeutic evaluation against sarcopenia.
Mutation of KRAS in colorectal adenocarcinoma in Greenland

KRAS mutation is one of the most frequent driver mutations in colorectal cancer (CRC) and is also a prognostic biomarker. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of KRAS mutations over time in the Greenlandic population diagnosed with CRC. In total, 578 patients with the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma between 1988 and 2017 were identified. The status of KRAS and the mutational subtypes of KRAS mutations were determined in 102 representative samples by the Idylla™ platform in the time periods 1988–1990, 2002–2004, and 2015–2017. The results showed that the frequency of the KRAS mutations increased significantly, from 27% in 1988–1990 to 43% in 2015–2017 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the most frequent subtypes of KRAS mutations in Greenland were G12D (c.35G > A) with 14%, G12V (c.35G > T) with 7%, and G13D (c.38G > A) with 6%. In conclusion, this study showed that the frequency of KRAS mutations in CRC has been increasing in recent decades in the specific population of Greenland. The results of this study may be used in initiatives related to targeted therapy of CRC in specific ethnicities and in investigations focusing on the environmental factors of cancer‐related somatic mutations.
An XGBoost-Based Fitted Q Iteration for Finding the Optimal STI Strategies for HIV Patients

The computational algorithm proposed in this article is an important step toward the development of computational tools that could help guide clinicians to personalize the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In this article, an XGBoost-based fitted Q iteration algorithm is proposed for finding the optimal structured treatment interruption (STI) strategies for HIV patients. Using the XGBoost-based fitted Q iteration algorithm, we can obtain acceptable and optimal STI strategies with fewer training data, when compared with the extra-tree-based fitted Q iteration algorithm, deep Q-networks (DQNs), and proximal policy optimization (PPO) algorithm. In addition, the XGBoost-based fitted Q iteration algorithm is computationally more efficient than the extra-tree-based fitted Q iteration algorithm.
Noncanonical prokaryotic X family DNA polymerases lack polymerase activity and act as exonucleases

Abstract The X family polymerases (PolXs) are specialized DNA polymerases that are found in all domains of life. While the main representatives of eukaryotic PolXs, which have dedicated functions in DNA repair, were studied in much detail, the functions and diversity of prokaryotic PolXs have remained largely unexplored. Here, by combining a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of prokaryotic PolXs and biochemical experiments involving selected recombinant enzymes, we reveal a previously unrecognized group of PolXs that seem to be lacking DNA polymerase activity. The noncanonical PolXs contain substitutions of the key catalytic residues and deletions in their polymerase and dNTP binding sites in the palm and fingers domains, but contain functional nuclease domains, similar to canonical PolXs. We demonstrate that representative noncanonical PolXs from the Deinococcus genus are indeed inactive as DNA polymerases but are highly efficient as 3′-5′ exonucleases. We show that both canonical and noncanonical PolXs are often encoded together with the components of the non-homologous end joining pathway and may therefore participate in double-strand break repair, suggesting an evolutionary conservation of this PolX function. This is a remarkable example of polymerases that have lost their main polymerase activity, but retain accessory functions in DNA processing and repair.
First trimester screening of serum advanced glycation end products levels of pregnant women who have risk factors for gestational diabetes and their obstetric outcomes: a preliminary case-control study

Abstract Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) are complex compounds formed by nonenzymatic glycosylation of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids with glucose in the blood. We aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in first-trimester serum AGE levels of pregnant women with and without risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their obstetric outcomes. There were 44 women in study group who have risk factors for GDM and 44 as controls. Demographic features, serum AGE levels, adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes were compared between groups. Five patients (11.4%) in the study group and one patient (2.3%) in the control group were diagnosed as GDM (p = .2). The serum AGE values were not statistically different between the study and control groups. There were no statistical differences between groups in terms of adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes. However, in the group with adverse perinatal outcome (n = 25), AGE values were higher than the control group. The results of our preliminary study suggested that high-risk women for GDM did not have increased serum levels of AGE in the first trimester. Nevertheless, a high first-trimester serum AGE level was found to be associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Advanced glycation end products (AGE) are markers that are associated with diabetes and its complications. For pregnant women, a high third trimester serum AGEs levels were found in women who had gestational diabetes. What do the results of this study add? The results of our study revealed that first trimester screening of serum AGE levels of women who had risk factors for gestational diabetes was not discriminate. Nevertheless, a high first trimester serum AGE levels was associated with adverse perinatal outcome. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Whether reducing exogenous sources of AGE (western-style diet, smoking) before pregnancy will be associated with better pregnancy outcomes should be investigated in future studies.
High-performance InP-based HEMT's with a graded pseudomorphic channel

This paper reports effects of the composition grading of the channel on device characteristics of Al/sub 0.48/In/sub 0.52/As/Ga/sub 1-x/In/sub x/As pseudomorphic HEMT's. Systematic studies reveal that the modification of the quantum-well channel by grading the composition considerably changes the channel breakdown (BV/sub ds/) and output conductance (g/sub 0/) characteristics. HEMT's with graded Ga/sub 1-x/In/sub x/As channel (x=0.7 to 0.6) exhibited improved BV/sub ds/, (11 V) and g/sub 0/ (40 mS/mm) compared with HEMT's with uniform composition (x=0.7) in the channel (BV/sub ds/=4 V and g/sub 0/=80 mS/mm). <<ETX>>
Morphologies in‐between: The impact of the first steps on the human talus

The development of bipedalism is a very complex activity that contributes to shaping the anatomy of the foot. The talus, which starts ossifying in utero, may account for the developing stages from the late gestational phase onwards. Here, we explore the early development of the talus in both its internal and external morphology to broaden the knowledge of the anatomical changes that occur during early development.
The importance of verifying the novelty of a finding and the value of combining results

We have read with great interest the article by Guadagnin et al, “Transcriptome analysis of collagen VI-related muscular dystrophy muscle biopsies. ” The paper is outstanding being its strengths the number of samples included, complementarity of the methodologies (microarray and RNA-seq), and the functional analyses. It is compelling that despite differences in methodologies and in the origin of the samples (different disease stage), Guadagnin and co-authors findings are largely coincident with our previous transcriptomics results also on muscle biopsies from patients with Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (COL6-RD). The expression data have been deposited in GEO, but they will not be released until August 2023. Therefore, we do not have access to the complete list of differentially expressed genes. However, if we look at the data available in the manuscript, we find that 50% of the Top 20 upregulated and downregulated genes reported by Guadagnin and co-authors (figure 3) are in common with our dataset and almost one-third of the genes in the list in figure 4 were also found differentially expressed in our study (same direction of change and similar fold change). The authors claim that a novel finding of their study was the upregulation of CILP and MGP genes. This statement is not correct since in our 2013 publication we described the upregulation of these two genes in the same disease and type of sample using microarrays. These genes are listed in supplementary table 4 in Paco et al, 2013 which can be accessed from the publication and on the GEO database (Ref GSE43698). Therefore, there is no novelty regarding the upregulation of CILP and MGP genes in muscle from patients with COL6-RD, but rather this result is confirmatory. Although this is only a specific finding, we think it is important to raise it because it is the responsibility of the authors to check thoroughly previously published work and correctly reflect the state of the art. The authors could have also drawn conclusions from previous transcriptomic studies on fibroblasts from COL6-RD patients which share common gene expression changes with those performed in muscle (e.g., upregulation of THBS4). Overall, the study by Guadagnin et al, together with previous transcriptomic studies reveals a common signature centered around the extracellular matrix that must reflect the driving mechanisms of collagen VI-related diseases. Perhaps, a collaborative meta-analysis could be carried out at this stage.
Determination of full piezoelectric complex parameters using gradient-based optimization algorithm

At present, numerical techniques allow the precise simulation of mechanical structures, but the results are limited by the knowledge of the material properties. In the case of piezoelectric ceramics, the full model determination in the linear range involves five elastic, three piezoelectric, and two dielectric complex parameters. A successful solution to obtaining piezoceramic properties consists of comparing the experimental measurement of the impedance curve and the results of a numerical model by using the finite element method (FEM). In the present work, a new systematic optimization method is proposed to adjust the full piezoelectric complex parameters in the FEM model. Once implemented, the method only requires the experimental data (impedance modulus and phase data acquired by an impedometer), material density, geometry, and initial values for the properties. This method combines a FEM routine implemented using an 8-noded axisymmetric element with a gradient-based optimization routine based on the method of moving asymptotes (MMA). The main objective of the optimization procedure is minimizing the quadratic difference between the experimental and numerical electrical conductance and resistance curves (to consider resonance and antiresonance frequencies). To assure the convergence of the optimization procedure, this work proposes restarting the optimization loop whenever the procedure ends in an undesired or an unfeasible solution. Two experimental examples using PZ27 and APC850 samples are presented to test the precision of the method and to check the dependency of the frequency range used, respectively.
A lifelong struggle for a lighter tomorrow: A qualitative study on experiences of obesity in primary healthcare patients

Abstract Aim To describe experiences of living with obesity before the start of a group‐based lifestyle intervention. Background Obesity is a chronic disease that affects a person's physical and psychological health. Increased knowledge of experiences of living with obesity is required. Design A qualitative study with a descriptive design. Methods Semi‐structured individual interviews with 17 participants living with obesity (Body Mass Index 32–49) were conducted between October and November 2019. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The COREQ checklist was followed. Results The analysis resulted in one main theme: Struggling for a lighter tomorrow and three subthemes: Suffering, Resilience and Need for support in making changes. For the majority of the participants, living with obesity was a lifelong struggle involving suffering on different levels. Yet despite this, the participants had not given up and hoped for a better life. They showed a degree of resilience and motivation, and a perceived ability to achieve lifestyle changes. However, there was a pronounced need for support to help them achieve this. Conclusion Living with obesity is complex and carries a risk of medical complications as well as psychosocial suffering. Healthy lifestyle habits to achieve better health and to lose weight should be encouraged, taking patient resources into account. Patients also need help in handling weight stigmatisation, and both healthcare professionals and society must engage with this. Relevance to clinical practice Obesity is a chronic disease, and patients need ongoing support. Therefore, care for patients with obesity in primary health care must be further developed. Patient resources and strengths have to be acknowledged and encouraged in the process of helping them adopt healthy lifestyle habits. The findings of this study can contribute to ending weight stigmatisation by increasing the knowledge of living with obesity.
Panel‐based next‐generation sequencing identifies novel mutations in Bulgarian patients with inherited retinal dystrophies

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based method is being used broadly for genetic testing especially for clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders, such as inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) but still not routinely used for molecular diagnostics in Bulgaria. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a molecular diagnostic approach, based on targeted NGS for the identification of the disease‐causing mutations in 16 Bulgarian patients with different IRDs.
Commentary Article: Strategic Planning for Addiction Programs within Academic Medical Centers: Examples from the Yale Program in Addiction Medicine

Background Addiction programs at academic medical centers must navigate complex, multidisciplinary environments as they work to advance the field and improve substance use treatment access and outcomes. Programs can employ strategic planning processes to identify goals and strategies for success. Methods: The Yale Program in Addiction Medicine began a series of strategic planning activities in February 2020 with the primary aims of (1) conducting a point-in-time needs assessment for the Program and (2) identifying goals for Program improvement and expansion. Drawing upon a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis framework and the Delphi method for group decision-making, these strategic planning activities were implemented in four steps involving multimodal engagement and iterative feedback amongst Program faculty and selected stakeholders. Results: Primary deliverables included four overarching programmatic goals, associated action items, strategies for success, a proposed implementation timeline, and a revised Mission, Vision, and Values statement for the Program. Conclusion: Methodologic considerations and environmental factors offer insight into the strengths, limitations, and adaptive potential of this approach as well as others described in the literature. Key outputs highlight the benefits and timeliness of strategic planning for addiction programs, as heightened interest and investment in substance use treatment, prevention, and harm reduction paves the way for opportunity and innovation.