Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, PASS, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamic Simulations & Pharmacokinetic Predictions of Some Methyl β-D-Galactopyranoside Analogs

A series of methyl β-D-galactopyranoside (MGP, 1) analogs were selectively acylated with cinnamoyl chloride in anhydrous N,N-dimethylformamide/triethylamine to yield 6-O-substitution products, which was subsequently converted into 2,3,4-tri-O-acyl analogs with different acyl halides. Analysis of the physicochemical, elemental, and spectroscopic data of these analogs revealed their chemical structures. In vitro antimicrobial testing against five bacteria and two fungi and the prediction of activity spectra for substances (PASS) showed promising antifungal functionality comparing to their antibacterial activities. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests were conducted for four compounds (4, 5, 6, and 9) based on their activity. MTT assay showed low antiproliferative activity of compound 9 against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells with an IC50 value of 2961.06 µg/mL. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the thermodynamic and physicochemical properties whereas molecular docking identified potential inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (6Y84). A 150-ns molecular dynamics simulation study revealed the stable conformation and binding patterns in a stimulating environment. In-silico ADMET study suggested all the designed molecules to be non-carcinogenic, with low aquatic and non-aquatic toxicity. In summary, all these antimicrobial, anticancer and in silico studies revealed that newly synthesized MGP analogs possess promising antiviral activity, to serve as a therapeutic target for COVID-19.
Airborne Radar Based Collision Detection and Avoidance System for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in a Varying Environment

This paper presents an airborne-radar-based collision detection and avoidance system for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) which aims to detect flying aircrafts with constant velocity within the collision avoidance threshold and to generate the desired trajectory as resolution advisory for a pilot and UAS control commands. For collision detection, coordinate system transformation with quaternions is applied to process and display the obstacles detected by the airborne radar in the world frame as well as constructing a simulated airborne radar for the system simulation. For collision avoidance, a deterministic reactive collision cone approach is presented, which computes the desired trajectory for collision avoidance. In particular, software-in-the-loop simulation with test vectors from Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) for Detect and Avoid (DAA) Systems are used for system performance analysis.
Defend a System against Keyloggers with a Privilege-Limited Account

Nowadays keystroke logging is one of the most widespread threats used for password theft. In this paper, rather than detecting existing malware or creating a trusted tunnel in the kernel, we present a method called Broker to protect the password that a user provides for a web page to login to a web service. Installing such solutions in a host only requires limited privileges of related computers. The Broker method uses a second device and the Broker server to safely transfer users’ account-related information. Comparing with previous work, the Broker method successfully separates user names and passwords so that even a second device and the Broker server are compromised, users still will not leak their private information to attackers. Finally, the Broker method can be applied to all websites without any modification of them.
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN : WHAT IS ITS IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE?

Recent empirical studies of quality management have led to mixed findings regarding a significant positive relationship with performance. By combining nonlinear (DEA) and linear (regression) analyses, we demonstrate that TQM practices are related to performance. We establish this relationshp using objective (not self-reported) quality performance data. We believe that this is the first study to use objective quality data collected by a third party. Our findings should encourage manufacturers to continue promoting TQM practices throughout the supply chain; certain practices do lead to better performance.
Discrete Movement Control of a Bio-Inspired Multi-Legged Robot

Bio-inspired robots have been widely used in different scenarios and applications such as disaster environments, mining industry, environmental monitoring, among others. In this sense, the locomotion control is a paramount operation for efficient and safe navigation of bio-inspired robots. Several locomotion controllers have been proposed to address the referred problem. Most of the techniques in literature represent the locomotion control through continuous systems. However, for a well-known set of events, like the movement control adjustment in different conditions, a discrete event-based approach can result in accurate and robust locomotion control. In this paper, we propose a discrete-event representation for multi-legged robot movements through finite state machines, regarding three different locomotion gaits and rotating operations. We demonstrate with indoor real-world experiments that, the proposed discrete-event representation can successfully supports multi-legged locomotion in different gait movements.
SPOPB: Reducing solid state drive write traffic for flash‐based key‐value caching

Flash‐based key‐value (KV) caching has received increasing attention in recent years with the advantages of flash‐based solid state drives (SSDs) in capacity and cost. By caching most data in SSD, the caching system can eliminate lots of time‐consuming requests to back‐end data stores to provide low‐latency services. To adapt to the unique technical constraints of flash memory, flash‐based KV caching adopts a slab‐based log‐structured management scheme in which the slab is the basic storage unit, and uses a small memory space as a write buffer to eliminate small random writes to SSD for consistent performance and increased lifetime of SSD. However, we have observed that under update‐intensive workloads with strong temporal locality, the slab‐based management in flash‐based KV caching introduces substantial SSD write traffic because of indistinguishable SSD flushing of hot items in slabs, which shortens the SSD lifetime and degrades the performance with increased erase operations. In this article, we first analyze the SSD write traffic in the flash‐based KV caching, and then propose a novel slab popularity‐based storage management scheme‐SPOPB, to extend SSD lifetime and improve performance. Our scheme identifies hot items using a self‐adaptive threshold to reorganize and classify slabs with both the hotness and size of items. Then SPOPB filters and retains the popular slabs containing hot items in the write buffer with redesigned replacement policy to reduce the SSD write traffic. Our experiments show that our design can effectively reduce the SSD write traffic by 63.6%, the erase counts by 55.6%, and improve the performance by 42%.
A Patient With Multiple Carbapenemase Producers Including an Unusual Citrobacter sedlakii Hosting an IncC blaNDM-1- and armA-carrying Plasmid

Background. Patients colonized with multiple species of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are increasingly observed. This phenomenon can be due to the high local prevalence of these pathogens, the presence of important host risk factors, and the great genetic promiscuity of some carbapenemase genes. Methods. We analyzed 4 CPE (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Providencia stuartii, Citrobacter sedlakii), 1 extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant K. pneumoniae (ESC-R-Kp), and 1 carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii simultaneously isolated from a patient transferred from Macedonia. Susceptibility tests were performed using a microdilution MIC system. The complete genome sequences were obtained by using both short-read and long-read whole-genome sequencing technologies. Results. All CPE presented high-level resistance to all aminoglycosides due to the expression of the armA 16S rRNA methylase. In C. sedlakii and E. coli (ST69), both the carbapenemase blaNDM-1 and armA genes were located on an identical IncC plasmid of type 1a. The K. pneumoniae (ST268) and P. stuartii carried chromosomal blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-48, respectively, while the ESC-R-Kp (ST395) harbored a plasmid-located blaCTX-M-15. In the latter 3 isolates, armA-harboring IncC plasmids similar to plasmids found in C. sedlakii and E. coli were also detected. The A. baumannii strain possessed the blaOXA-40 carbapenemase gene. Conclusions. The characterization of the genetic organization of IncC-type plasmids harbored by 3 different species from the same patient offered insights into the evolution of these broad-host-range plasmids. Moreover, we characterized here the first complete genome sequence of a carbapenemase-producing C. sedlakii strain, providing a reference for future studies on this rarely reported species.
Hepatitis-D Virus Infection Is Not Impaired by Innate Immunity but Increases Cytotoxic T-Cell Activity

Approximately 70 million humans worldwide are affected by chronic hepatitis D, which rapidly leads to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma due to chronic inflammation. The triggers and consequences of this chronic inflammation, induced by co-infection with the hepatitis D virus (HDV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV), are poorly understood. Using CRISPR technology, we characterized the recognition of HDV mono- and co-infection by intracellular innate immunity and determined its influence on the viral life cycle and effector T-cell responses using different HBV and HDV permissive hepatoma cell lines. We showed that HDV infection is detected by MDA5 and -after a lag phase -induces a profound type I interferon response in the infected cells. The type I interferon response, however, was not able to suppress HDV replication or spread, thus providing a persistent trigger. Using engineered T-cells directed against the envelope proteins commonly used by HBV and HDV, we found that HDV immune recognition enhanced T-cell cytotoxicity. Interestingly, the T-cell effector function was enhanced independently of antigen presentation. These findings help to explain immune mediated tissue damage in chronic hepatitis D patients and indicate that combining innate triggers with T-cell activating therapies might allow for a curative approach.
Low‐Pressure Events: Variation in State Regulations and Utility Practices

Distribution system operation and maintenance is an integral component of the multiple‐barrier approach to providing safe drinking water. Low‐pressure events have the potential to affect public health by allowing contaminants to enter the distribution system. Existing waterworks standards, state guidelines, and state regulations describe minimum pressure standards and best practices to reduce contamination risk when low‐pressure events occur, but no federal regulation directly addresses low‐pressure events. A study was conducted to survey state minimum pressure standards as well as utility practices related to low‐pressure events. While most states have a minimum pressure standard of 20 psi, policies for when to report events to state primacy agencies and when to issue boil‐water advisories vary. Federal guidance could potentially make handling of low‐pressure events more consistent, but more research is needed to quantify to what extent more consistent practices could improve public health.
FUZZY-LOGICAL EXPERT SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING THE FINANCIAL SECURITY OF ENTERPRISES

The purpose of this study is to build a fuzzy expert system for assessing the financial component of the economic security of telecommunications enterprises. The methodological basis of the research is founded on scientific works of domestic and foreign scientists and leading experts in the field of financial analysis and modeling of economic processes, as well as statistical and financial reporting data that are publicly available. To construct an integral indicator of the financial security of an enterprise, a fuzzy conclusion is used. Three financial indicators are used as input variables. The first indicator X1 is the Current Ratio (CR). The second indicator X2 is Equity Ratio (ER). The third indicator is Return on Assets (ROA). The output variable is defined as an indicator of the financial security of an enterprise Y123 (FS). Both the input variables and the output variable are converted to fuzziness by constructing membership functions. The type and parameters of the affiliation function are justified, and the bell-shaped affiliation function is chosen to describe the uncertainty of values that fall under the normal distribution. The quantity of fuzzy sets at every input is considered as z=3 and the quantity of input variables is considered as ω=3. To achieve completeness of the model, the quantity of logic rules is considered as r=33=9. To calculate a degree of market concentration, Mamdani fuzzy conclusion is applied. Defuzzification is engaged to calculate the value of the output variable Y123(FS) for an indicator that determines the degree of financial security of an enterprise and, as a result, the degree of its economic security. To assess the level of the financial security indicator of an enterprise, a fuzzy expert system is constructed. The fuzzy expert system allows you to use various indicators thanks to the fuzzy logic methodology, which takes into account the fuzziness of input variables and output variables as much as possible. For the three telecommunications companies whose core business is wireline communication, ratios are calculated based on financial reports. Financial coefficients are used to determine the integral indicator of financial security of enterprises. This indicator can be characterized by both numerical values and linguistic terms.
Exogenous Estradiol and Oxytocin Modulate Sex Differences in Hippocampal Reactivity and Episodic Memory

Considerable evidence supports sex differences in episodic memory, which may translate to heightened vulnerability to stress- and trauma-related disorders in women. The hormones estradiol and oxytocin both affect episodic memory, but possible underlying hormonal interactions have not been systemically tested in humans. To this end, healthy women (n = 111) and men (n = 115) received estradiol gel (2 mg) or placebo before the administration of intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo in a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study. In the fMRI session, participants viewed positive, neutral, and negative scenes. A surprise recognition task was conducted three days later. Under placebo, women showed a significantly better recognition memory and increased hippocampal responses to subsequently remembered items independent of the emotional valence compared to men. The separate treatments with either hormone significantly diminished this mnemonic and hippocampal sex difference, whereas the combined treatments produced no significant effect. Collectively, the results suggest that both hormones play a crucial role in modulating sex differences in episodic memory. Furthermore, possible antagonistic interactions between estradiol and oxytocin could explain previously observed opposing hormonal effects in women and men.
Microtubule-Based Mitochondrial Dynamics as a Valuable Therapeutic Target in Cancer

Simple Summary Mitochondria are well known for being the powerhouses of the cell—whether the cell is normal or cancerous. Moreover, they can move, split, fuse themselves, or be eliminated via mitophagy with the help of the interplay between motor proteins and the cell scaffold—especially microtubules. The relationship between mitochondria, microtubules, and motor proteins is altered in cancer, and targeting this molecular machinery can offer a novel weapon in its treatment. In this paper, we review and summarize the state of the art of this approach. Abstract Mitochondria constitute an ever-reorganizing dynamic network that plays a key role in several fundamental cellular functions, including the regulation of metabolism, energy production, calcium homeostasis, production of reactive oxygen species, and programmed cell death. Each of these activities can be found to be impaired in cancer cells. It has been reported that mitochondrial dynamics are actively involved in both tumorigenesis and metabolic plasticity, allowing cancer cells to adapt to unfavorable environmental conditions and, thus, contributing to tumor progression. The mitochondrial dynamics include fusion, fragmentation, intracellular trafficking responsible for redistributing the organelle within the cell, biogenesis, and mitophagy. Although the mitochondrial dynamics are driven by the cytoskeleton—particularly by the microtubules and the microtubule-associated motor proteins dynein and kinesin—the molecular mechanisms regulating these complex processes are not yet fully understood. More recently, an exchange of mitochondria between stromal and cancer cells has also been described. The advantage of mitochondrial transfer in tumor cells results in benefits to cell survival, proliferation, and spreading. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial trafficking can potentially be important for identifying new molecular targets in cancer therapy to interfere specifically with tumor dissemination processes.
Reproducibility of cerebrovascular reactivity measurements: A systematic review of neuroimaging techniques*

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), the capacity of the brain to increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) to meet changes in physiological demand, is an important biomarker to evaluate brain health. Typically, this brain “stress test” is performed by using a medical imaging modality to measure the CBF change between two states: at baseline and after vasodilation. However, since there are many imaging modalities and many ways to augment CBF, a wide range of CVR values have been reported. An understanding of CVR reproducibility is critical to determine the most reliable methods to measure CVR as a clinical biomarker. This review focuses on CVR reproducibility studies using neuroimaging techniques in 32 articles comprising 427 total subjects. The literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. The review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We identified 5 factors of the experimental subjects (such as sex, blood characteristics, and smoking) and 9 factors of the measuring technique (such as the imaging modality, the type of the vasodilator, and the quantification method) that have strong effects on CVR reproducibility. Based on this review, we recommend several best practices to improve the reproducibility of CVR quantification in neuroimaging studies.
Diode pumped monolithic single frequency solid state lasers for coherent detection applications

Laser diode pumped single frequency, narrow-linewidth solid state lasers have important applications in coherent detection systems. This paper reports two kinds of diode pumped single frequency solid state lasers with wavelengths of 1319nm and 2μm, respectively. The LD pumped monolithic non-planar ring resonators (NPRO) are designed to generate the single frequency operation. High efficiency single frequency lasers were obtained in the 1319nm NPRO Nd:YAG laser and the 2μm NPRO Tm:YAG laser.
Automated Control of Aircraft in Formation Flight

Abstract : In this study, an automated formation control system for an aircraft formation comprised of one lead and multiple wing aircraft is analyzed. Second- order models of the C-130 aircraft are developed in order to accurately model the flying qualities of large aircraft. This automated formation control system is capable of controlling the C-130 aircraft in maneuvering formation flight, thus reducing the wing's pilot workload. During formation flight, the wing aircraft continuously measures the lead aircraft's relative position with an ideal on-board position sensor. This information, in addition to Proportional Plus Integral feedback control, is used to maintain the aircraft in formation. The control of each wing aircraft is assumed to be independent of other wing aircraft. Other than for nominal formation separation commands, no continuous communication is assumed between the formation aircraft. An analytical analysis of the formation control problem reveals that integral control is needed to achieve zero steady state error in the separation distances (after a formation maneuver is executed). This conclusion is confirmed using computer simulations. An analytical method of selecting the Proportional Plus Integral parameters is developed by identifying the dominant system dynamics and residues of the step response. In an attempt to reduce the fuel consumption of the wing aircraft during formation heading change maneuvers, an alternate control system is designed to conserve the energy of the wing. The resulting automated formation control system effectively maintains the formation of aircraft through a combination of velocity, heading, and altitude changes. These is zero steady state error for all maneuvers and separation distance change responses.Flight control, Automated, Formation, C-130.
An Efficient Key Management Protocol for Multi-Microgrid Distribution System

This paper studies network security of the multi-microgrid distribution system (MMDS) composing of a large number of distributed power-islands. First, a hierarchical communication model for MMDS is designed . Then we analyze the security vulnerabilities. Finally, proposes an efficient secure key management protocol by combining Iolus framework and logical key hierarchy (LKH).
Design of Adaptive and Controllable Compliant Systems With Embedded Actuators and Sensors

We present a framework for the design of a compliant system, i.e., the concurrent design of a compliant mechanism with embedded actuators and sensors. Our methods simultaneously synthesize optimal structural topology and component placement for maximum energy efficiency and adaptive performance, while satisfying various weight and performance constraints. The goal of this research is to lay an algorithmic framework for distributed actuation and sensing within a compliant active structure. Key features of the methodology include (1) the simultaneous optimization of the location, orientation, and size of actuators (and sensors) concurrent with the compliant transmission topology, and (2) the implementation of controllability and observability concepts (both arising from consideration of control) in compliant systems design. The methods used include genetic algorithms, graph searches for connectivity, and multiple load cases implemented with linear finite element analysis. Actuators, modeled as both force generators and structural compliant elements, are included as topology variables in the optimization. The results from the controllability problem are used to motivate and describe the analogous extension to observability for sensing. Results are provided for several studies, including (1) concurrent actuator placement and topology design for a compliant amplifier, (2) a shape-morphing aircraft wing demonstration with three controlled output nodes, and (3) a load-distribution sensing wing structure with internal sensors. Central to this method is the concept of structure/component orthogonality, which refers to the unique system response for each component (actuator or sensor) it contains.