Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of in‐service residential nutating disc water meter performance

This article reports the experimental evaluation of registry error of in‐service residential water meters and the effects of service time (ST) and volumetric throughput (TP). Nutating disc (ND) meters (413 total, consisting of two models) from a single water system were tested ex situ following AWWA‐recommended test flow rates (TQs). The meters sampled encompassed a range of ST (2–53 years) and TP (0.01–7.65 mil gal). Mean registration error (RE) at TQ ≤ 0.5 gpm was significantly greater for ST > 25 years, independent of TP. Mean RE at TQ = 0.25 gpm was −46.5% and −35.0% for meters with 25 < ST ≤ 33 years and ST ≥ 34 years, respectively. Severe underregistration (RE < −90%) at TQ = 0.25 gpm was observed in 41% and 24% of meters with 25 < ST ≤ 33 years and ST ≥ 34 years, respectively.
Prospective evaluation of sexual health following radical cystectomy due to bladder cancer

Abstract Background There is a lack of data concerning sexual health following open radical cystectomy (RC), especially in elderly patients and women. Aim To describe sexual health and its impact on general health as well as survival in patients undergoing standard open RC for the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). Due to limited data, subgroup analysis for elderly patients and women was performed. Methods A prospective noninterventional clinical study was performed evaluating sexual health in RC with any kind of urinary diversion due to BC with a follow-up of 12 months after RC. The study was approved by the local ethics review board (A 2021-0175) and was registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00026255). Assessment of sexual health was done with the following validated questionnaires: EORTC QLQ-C30 (for quality of life; European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer), EORTC SH22 (for sexual health), and IIEF-5 (5-item International Index of Erectile Function). Outcomes The standard measurements of EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC SH22, and IIEF-5 as well as overall survival. Results Thirty-two patients participated in the study with a mean age of 71.5 years (SD, 9.7): 25 (78.1%) were male and 7 (21.9%) were female. Overall there is a heterogenic picture for sexual health in the study population, but sexual satisfaction is significantly higher prior to surgery while the importance of a sex life stays high and stable. Interestingly, the general health score is significantly correlated to sexual satisfaction (Pearson’s correlation; r = 0.522, P = .002) preoperatively but not following surgery: r = 0.103 (P = .665) after 3 months, r = 0.478 (P = .052) after 6 months, r = 0.276 (P = .302) after 9 months, and r = 0.337 (P = .202) after 12 months. The importance of a sex life is still essential for the patients, especially when recovering from RC; nearly the same can be reported for elderly patients. Unfortunately, the data for women are too limited to report robust results. Clinical Implications Evaluation, advice, and monitoring of sexual health must be integrated into clinical practice, particularly in women. Strengths and Limitations At least to our knowledge, this is the first systematic prospective evaluation of sexual health in patients with BC receiving RC. Due to the small sample size, there is a risk of selection bias. Conclusion Sexual health is important for patients with BC receiving RC, and it is an essential part of quality of life, especially in elderly patients.
A remote sensing algorithm for vertically resolved cloud condensation nuclei number concentrations from airborne and spaceborne lidar observations

Abstract. Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are mediators of aerosol–cloud interactions (ACIs), contributing to the largest uncertainties in the understandings of global climate change. We present a novel remote-sensing-based algorithm that quantifies the vertically resolved CCN number concentrations (NCCN) using aerosol optical properties measured by a multiwavelength lidar. The algorithm considers five distinct aerosol subtypes with bimodal size distributions. The inversion used the lookup tables developed in this study, based on the observations from the Aerosol Robotic Network, to efficiently retrieve optimal particle size distributions from lidar measurements. The method derives dry aerosol optical properties by implementing hygroscopic enhancement factors in lidar measurements. The retrieved optically equivalent particle size distributions and aerosol-type-dependent particle composition are utilized to calculate critical diameters using κ-Köhler theory and NCCN at six supersaturations ranging from 0.07 % to 1.0 %. Sensitivity analyses indicate that uncertainties in extinction coefficients and relative humidity greatly influence the retrieval error in NCCN. The potential of this algorithm is further evaluated by retrieving NCCN using airborne lidar from the NASA ObseRvations of Aerosols above CLouds and their intEractionS (ORACLES) campaign and is validated against simultaneous measurements from the CCN counter. The independent validation with robust correlation demonstrates promising results. Furthermore, the NCCN has been retrieved for the first time using a proposed algorithm from spaceborne lidar – Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) – measurements. The application of this new capability demonstrates the potential for constructing a 3D CCN climatology at a global scale, which helps to better quantify ACI effects and thus reduce the uncertainty in aerosol climate forcing.
Study on the Implementation of Multimodal Continuous Authentication in Smartphones: A Systematic Review

—Profound societal shifts result from the inception of the 4.0 age of the Industrial Revolution and rapid technological advancements. The widespread adoption of e-services has resulted in substantial reliance on smartphones to access diverse offerings. Even so, account breaches and data leaks are risks that users take when they rely so heavily on their smartphones. Authentication is an essential method of safeguarding personal information. The purpose of this study is to undertake a thorough review of the literature on the deployment and trends of multimodal biometric authentication on smartphones. The studies will look at several biometric modalities, such as behavioral and physiological characteristics, and the algorithms for pattern recognition used in continuous authentication systems. The results show various biometric authenticators and emphasize the importance of behavioral features in smartphone authentication. In addition, the research underlines the significance of machine learning algorithms in pattern identification for rapid and accurate analysis. This study helps to understand the present authentication technique landscape and gives ideas for future advances in safe and user-friendly smartphone authentication systems.
Dynamic modulation of the non-canonical NF-κB signaling pathway for HIV shock and kill

HIV cure still remains an elusive target. The “Shock and Kill” strategy which aims to reactivate HIV from latently infected cells and subsequently kill them through virally induced apoptosis or immune mediated clearance, is the subject of widespread investigation. NF-κB is a ubiquitous transcription factor which serves as a point of confluence for a number of intracellular signaling pathways and is also a crucial regulator of HIV transcription. Due to its relatively lower side effect profile and proven role in HIV transcription, the non-canonical NF-κB pathway has emerged as an attractive target for HIV reactivation, as a first step towards eradication. A comprehensive review examining this pathway in the setting of HIV and its potential utility to cure efforts is currently lacking. This review aims to summarize non-canonical NF-κB signaling and the importance of this pathway in HIV shock-and-kill efforts.
Ediacaran Obduction of a Fore‐Arc Ophiolite in SW Iberia: A Turning Point in the Evolving Geodynamic Setting of Peri‐Gondwana

The Calzadilla Ophiolite is an ensemble of mafic and ultramafic rocks that represents the transition between lower crust and upper mantle of a Cadomian (peri‐Gondwanan) fore arc. Mapping and structural analysis of the ophiolite demonstrates that it was obducted in latest Ediacaran times, because the Ediacaran‐Early Cambrian sedimentary series (Malcocinado Formation) discordantly covers it. The ophiolite and emplacement‐related structures are affected by Variscan deformation (Devonian‐Carboniferous), which includes SW verging overturned folds (D1) and thrusts (D2), upright folds (D3), extensional faults (D4), and later faults (D5). These phases of deformation are explained in the context of Variscan tectonics as the result of the progressive collision between Gondwana and Laurussia. Qualitative unstraining of Variscan deformation reveals the primary geometry of Ediacaran‐Cambrian structures and uncovers the generation of east verging thrusts as responsible for the primary obduction of the Calzadilla Ophiolite. Restoration of planar and linear structures associated with this event indicates an Ediacaran, east directed obduction of the ophiolite, that is, emplacement of the Cadomian fore arc onto inner sections of the northern margin of Gondwana. According to regional data, the obduction separates two extension‐dominated stages in the tectonic evolution of the African margin of northern Gondwana preserved in southern Europe. Preobduction extension brought about the onset and widening of fore‐arc and back‐arc basins in the external part of the continent, while postobduction extension facilitated the formation of extensional migmatitic domes, an oceanward migration of back‐arc spreading centers across peri‐Gondwana, and the eventual opening of a major basin such as the Rheic Ocean.
Segmentation-free Recognition Algorithm Based on Deep Learning for Handwritten Text Image

Segmentation-based offline handwritten character recognition algorithms suffered from the segmenting difficulty of interleaving and touching in handwritten manuscripts. To tackle the problem, a segmentation-free recognition algorithm based on deep learning network is proposed in this paper. The network consists of four neural layers, including input layer for image preprocessing, CNNs layer for feature extraction, BDLSTM layer for sequence prediction, and connectionist temporal classification layer for text sequence alignment and classification. Besides, a novel data processing method is performed for data length equalization. Based on this, groups of experiments, based on six typical databases, involved in evaluation indicators of character correct rate, training time cost, storage space cost and testing time cost are carried out. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has better performances in accuracy and efficiency than other classical algorithms.
An Examination of the Effects of Propolis and Quercetin in a Rat Model of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The purpose of this study was to reveal the combined effects of propolis (P) and quercetin (Q) against diabetic peripheral neuropathy developing with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Sixty-four adult male rats were divided into eight equal groups: control, P (100 mg/kg/day), Q (100 mg/kg/day), P + Q (100 mg/day for both), diabetes mellitus (DM) (single-dose 60 mg/kg streptozotocin), DM + P, DM + Q, and DM + P + Q. The rats were sacrificed, and blood and sciatic nerve tissues were collected. Blood glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased, while IL-6 and total antioxidant status decreased in the DM group (p = 0.016 and p = 0.047, respectively). Ultrastructural findings showed degeneration of the axon and myelin sheath. The apoptotic index (AI %), TNF-α, and IL-1β immunopositivity increased significantly in the DM group (p < 0.001). Morphological structures approaching those of the controls were observed in the DM + P, DM + Q, and DM + P + Q groups. Morphometric measurements increased markedly in all treatment groups (p < 0.001), while blood glucose and MDA levels, AI (%), TNF-α, and IL-1β immunopositivity decreased. In conclusion, the combined effects of propolis and quercetin in diabetic neuropathy may provide optimal morphological protection with neuroprotective effects by reducing hyperglycemia, and these may represent a key alternative supplement in regenerative medicine.
New layers of regulation of the general stress response sigma factor RpoS

The general stress response (GSR) sigma factor RpoS from Escherichia coli has emerged as one of the key paradigms for study of how numerous signal inputs are accepted at multiple levels into a single pathway for regulation of gene expression output. While many studies have elucidated the key pathways controlling the production and activity of this sigma factor, recent discoveries have uncovered still more regulatory mechanisms which feed into the network. Moreover, while the regulon of this sigma factor comprises a large proportion of the E. coli genome, the downstream expression levels of all the RpoS target genes are not identically affected by RpoS upregulation but respond heterogeneously, both within and between cells. This minireview highlights the most recent developments in our understanding of RpoS regulation and expression, in particular those which influence the regulatory network at different levels from previously well-studied pathways.
The Role of Social Connectedness and Social Assurance in Prosocial Consumption: The Mediating Importance of Attitudes Toward Charity

This research addresses the underexplored nexus between social connectedness, belongingness, and prosocial consumption, focusing on their collective impact on individuals’ intentions to engage in products that support charitable causes. Recognizing people’s innate preference for interpersonal closeness, we investigate the pivotal roles of social connectedness and social assurance as indicators of belongingness in driving consumer choices that contribute to charitable objectives. A total of 242 participants completed a survey designed to assess their sense of belongingness, purchase intentions, and attitudes toward charitable activities. Our findings underscore the mediating effect of attitudes toward charity in predicting the inclination to participate in prosocial consumption. This mediation elucidates the mechanism through which social connectedness and the assurance of belongingness influence individuals to align their purchasing decisions with products that benefit charities, thereby aiding these organizations in achieving their social support targets. Our study contributes to the understanding of the psychological underpinnings of consumer behavior in the context of philanthropy. By elucidating the intricate interplay between social connectedness, belongingness, and charitable attitudes, we provide valuable insights for both scholars and practitioners seeking to comprehend and leverage the factors that drive consumers to make choices aligned with social responsibility. This research offers a clear and solid foundation for the relevance of our study and constructs, emphasizing their significance in shaping the landscape of consumer purchases involving philanthropy.
HOXC9 characterizes a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment and integration with multiple immune biomarkers predicts response to PD-1 blockade plus chemotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma

Background: The quest for dependable biomarkers to predict responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer remains unfulfilled. HOXC9, known for its role in oncogenesis and creating a suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), shows promise in enhancing predictive precision when included as a TME biomarker. This study explores the predictive significance of HOXC9 for ICI plus chemotherapy efficacy in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: Following the bioinformatic findings, assays were performed to ascertain the effects of Hoxc9 on oncogenesis and response to programmed death 1 (PD-1) blockade. Furthermore, a cohort of LUAD patients were prospectively enrolled to receive anti-PD-1 plus chemotherapy. Based on the expression levels, baseline characteristics, and clinical outcomes, the predictive potential of HOXC9, PD-L1, CD4, CD8, CD68, and FOXP3 was integrally analyzed. HOXC9 not only mediated oncogenesis, but also corelated with suppressive TME. CMT167 and LLC cell lines unveiled the impacts of Hoxc9 on proliferation, invasion, and migration. Subsequently, tumor-bearing murine models were established to validate the inverse relationship between Hoxc9 expression and effective CD8+ T cells. Results: Inhibition of Hoxc9 significantly curtailed tumor growth (P<0.05), independent of PD-1 blockade. In patient studies, while individual markers fell short in prognosticating survival, a notable elevation in CD8-positive expression was observed in responders (P=0.042). Yet, the amalgamation of HOXC9 with other markers provided a more distinct differentiation between responders and non-responders. Notably, patients displaying PD-L1+/HOXC9- and CD8+/HOXC9- phenotypes exhibited significantly prolonged progression-free survival. Conclusions: The expression of HOXC9 may serve as a biomarker to amplifying predictive efficacy for ICIs plus chemotherapy, which is also a viable oncogene and therapeutic target for immunotherapy in LUAD.
Effects and Consequences of Authoritarian Urbanism: Large-Scale Waterfront Redevelopments in Belgrade, Zagreb, and Novi Sad

This article highlights the (post) transitioning urban context as an emerging market for powerful international real-estate development companies, supported by an authoritarian planning trend aiming to secure foreign investments. Such a pattern is particularly noticeable in the implementation of the large-scale redevelopment project Belgrade Waterfront in the Serbian capital city, causing many controversies due to state-led regulatory interventions, investor-friendly decision-making, and a general lack of transparency. Although proactive but fragile civil society organizations in Serbia failed to influence the implementation dynamics of this megaproject, it inspired contestation by professional and civic organizations elsewhere, which finally led to significant disputes over similar developments. This study highlights similarities of this project to the initiatives emerging in other cities of the ex-Yugoslav countries: Zagreb Manhattan, announced to settle on the waterfronts of the Croatian capital, and more recently the Novi Sad Waterfront in the second largest Serbian city. The article concludes with a general overview of the effects and consequences characterizing the emerging trend in the production of space and highlights the rising role of the civil sector in more inclusive and democratic urban planning in ex-Yugoslav cities.
Proficient Secret Key Generation using Derivates of the Transform Function for the Internet of Things

Secured data transfer over the internet of things enables communication devices is a very challenging task. Due to the limitation of computational resources, classical cryptography algorithms are vulnerable to cyber threats and loss of integrity and information. Recently, physical layer secret key generation has played a vital role in secured communication on the internet of things. The physical layer key generation approach provides an alternate means of information security using the signal reciprocity of wireless communication. This paper proposed proficient dynamic secret key generation using derivates of transform functions. The derivates of transform functions such as DCT, DWT, DWPT, and many more light transform functions the physical layer key generation employs RSSI channel parameters in conjunction with the discrete wavelet transform to generate low computational secret keys for the authentication of IoT-enabled communication devices. The proposed algorithm is very efficient and reduces the bit disagreement of the key. We use MATLAB software defined radios to conduct the experiment, and we then evaluate the effectiveness of our post-processing techniques. Our approach is helpful for safeguarding future IoT devices since it enhances the ability of targeted nodes to establish matching secret keys while reducing the risk of an eavesdropper. The experimental results of key generation methods suggest that the proposed algorithm is very efficient instead of DCT and DWT.
Internet of Things Technology and Open Data: Application of Indoor Air Control

Home is a place for people to relax and to feel secure. However, there are some external factors, such as temperature and humidity, making living conditions uncomfortable. With the development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the research issue of smart home becomes more important. The purpose of this study is to explore the application of IoT technology in indoor air monitoring and control, combined with the analysis of outdoor air quality data. This study develops a prototype system and tests and evaluates the performance of the system through user trial reports. The results show that (1) Air comparison of indoor and outdoor are practical for users, (2) Through the transmission of Bluetooth, restrictions on the practicality should be achieved through the WiFi remote monitoring effect, (3) It can receive multiple sensors at the same time, to achieve multiple indoor space monitoring effects, (4) It can be combined with other home appliances, if the integration of home appliances control will be more practical, (5) The current database is only a record, has not developed other applications, and in the future can develop predictive applications. We hope that through this study, we will provide some suggestions for the application of innovative technology in smart home.