Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emergent Peptides of the Antifibrotic Arsenal: Taking Aim at Myofibroblast Promoting Pathways

Myofibroblasts are the principal effector cells driving fibrosis, and their accumulation in tissues is a fundamental feature of fibrosis. Essential pathways have been identified as being central to promoting myofibroblast differentiation, revealing multiple targets for intervention. Compared with large proteins and antibodies, peptide-based therapies have transpired to serve as biocompatible and cost-effective solutions to exert biomimicry, agonistic, and antagonistic activities with a high degree of targeting specificity and selectivity. In this review, we summarize emergent antifibrotic peptides and their utilization for the targeted prevention of myofibroblasts. We then highlight recent studies on peptide inhibitors of upstream pathogenic processes that drive the formation of profibrotic cell phenotypes. We also briefly discuss peptides from non-mammalian origins that show promise as antifibrotic therapeutics. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives of peptide design and development in targeting myofibroblasts to mitigate fibrosis.
Multiple Projector Camera Calibration by Fiducial Marker Detection

Projection mapping has been used for various purposes in everyday situations. A key step in projection mapping is to project images and videos without distortion through calibration, which is typically performed manually. Calibration becomes more challenging when multiple projectors are involved. To address this issue, a fully automated calibration method for a multi-projector-camera system is proposed in this paper. The projectors and cameras are assumed to be un-calibrated, and an arbitrary geometric shape of the projection surface is considered. Without using checkboards or user-provided parameters, the proposed method can automatically estimate calibration parameters for the cameras and projectors and generate compensated content for projection without distortion within a reasonable amount of time. The proposed method utilizes AprilTag markers and modified YOLOv8 with deformable convolution for robust marker detection and correspondence estimation between the projectors and cameras, providing an automatic process for completing calibration and distortion correction. Various experiments have demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms existing methods using checkerboards in terms of calibration accuracy and processing time across various camera-projector configurations. The proposed method can minimize the difficulty of projection mapping, allowing it to be used in everyday situations without requiring a certain level of knowledge about projection mapping theory and related hardware.
Team-based Introductory Research Experiences in Mathematics

Abstract As part of Middle Tennessee State University’s (MTSU’s) initiative to improve retention of at-risk STEM majors, they recruit first-time, full-time freshman STEM majors with mathematics ACT scores of 19 to 23 to participate in MTSU’s “Mathematics as a FirstSTEP to Success in STEM” project (FirstSTEP). This article overviews MTSU’s FirstSTEP research approach and demonstrates that introductory, early research experiences can be successful for mathematics projects. At the end of their freshman year, mathematics students can develop a foundation to conduct mathematical research, increase depth of content knowledge, and build confidence in their technical abilities.
Back to the basics: Rethinking partial correlation network methodology.

The Gaussian graphical model (GGM) is an increasingly popular technique used in psychology to characterize relationships among observed variables. These relationships are represented as elements in the precision matrix. Standardizing the precision matrix and reversing the sign yields corresponding partial correlations that imply pairwise dependencies in which the effects of all other variables have been controlled for. The graphical lasso (glasso) has emerged as the default estimation method, which uses ℓ1 -based regularization. The glasso was developed and optimized for high-dimensional settings where the number of variables (p) exceeds the number of observations (n), which is uncommon in psychological applications. Here we propose to go 'back to the basics', wherein the precision matrix is first estimated with non-regularized maximum likelihood and then Fisher Z transformed confidence intervals are used to determine non-zero relationships. We first show the exact correspondence between the confidence level and specificity, which is due to 1 minus specificity denoting the false positive rate (i.e., α). With simulations in low-dimensional settings (p ≪ n), we then demonstrate superior performance compared to the glasso for detecting the non-zero effects. Further, our results indicate that the glasso is inconsistent for the purpose of model selection and does not control the false discovery rate, whereas the proposed method converges on the true model and directly controls error rates. We end by discussing implications for estimating GGMs in psychology.
Introduction to Phase Transitions and Critical Phenomena

H E Stanley Oxford: University Press 1971 pp xx + 308 price ? 5 In the past fifteen years or so there has been a lot of experimental and theoretical work on the nature of critical phenomena in the neighbourhood of second order phase transitions. It has not been easy to get a good overall view of this work without digging through the rather complex original literature, although there are some good review articles covering particular aspects of the work.
Strong order 1/2 convergence of full truncation Euler approximations to the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross process

We study convergence properties of the full truncation Euler scheme for the Cox–Ingersoll–Ross (CIR) process in the regime where the boundary point zero is inaccessible. Under some conditions on the model parameters (precisely, when the so-called Feller ratio is greater than three) we establish the strong order 1/2 convergence in $L^{p}$ of the scheme to the exact solution. For the global error criterion studied in this paper this is consistent with the optimal rate of strong convergence for approximations to the CIR process based on sequential evaluations of the driving Brownian motion.
In utero position matters for littermate cell transfer in mice: an additional and confounding source with maternal microchimerism

Introduction Feto-maternal cell transfer during pregnancy is called microchimerism (Mc). Its persistence in respective hosts is increasingly studied as to its potential role in immune tolerance, autoimmunity, cancer, and degenerative diseases. Murine models with transgenic reporter genes, heterozygously carried by the mother, allow maternal Mc tracking in wild-type (WT) offspring. However, as gestation in mice is multi-embryonic, an exchange of cells between fetuses carrying the same reporter gene as their mother and negative WT littermate, named littermate Mc (LMc), can occur and be confounded with the maternal source. We propose here to evaluate LMc contribution in mice. Methods To avoid the maternal confounding source of Mc, transgenic males, heterozygous for a reporter gene, here, the human leukocyte antigen DRB1*04 (DR4+/−), were crossed with WT females (DR4−/−). DR4+/− LMc was specifically quantified by HLA-DR4 quantitative PCR, i) in utero in main organs from 15 DR4−/− fetuses from three litters of 11, nine, and five; and ii) after birth in two litters of eight pups: in two DR4−/− stillborns and four DR4−/− adult mice. Results At embryonic stages, DR4−/− fetuses having one or two nearby DR4+/− littermates in the same uterine horn were almost seven times more frequently positive for DR4− microchimerism in their organs (p = 0.01) and had quantitatively more LMc (p = 0.009) than those without nearby DR4+/− littermates. Furthermore, LMc persists at birth and into adulthood with interindividual heterogeneity. Conclusions This study identifies heterogeneity for LMc acquisition according to in utero position and different interpretation of previously published results on maternal Mc in mice.
Coupling effect of twin boundary and void on the mechanical properties of bulk nanotwinned copper: an atomistic simulation

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to analyze the uniaxial tensile deformation behaviors of nanotwinned copper bulk containing pre-existing multiple spherical/ellipsoidal voids. The effects of twin-boundary spacing, initial void size, void fraction, void shape, void orientation angle and loading orientation on the mechanical properties are examined by considering the stress-strain response and dislocation activity. Results illuminate that the coherent twin boundary can significantly enhance the strength of bulk copper. The critical stress for dislocation emission in the copper specimen depends mainly on the size of voids, which can influence the yield stress of nanotwinned copper. Less stress is required to emit dislocations from larger voids than smaller ones. In general, the larger initial void porosity is accompanied by smaller elastic modulus and critical stress. Furthermore, it is found that different dislocation patterns can be triggered under different loading orientations.
Process Yield and Device Stability in Sol-Gel Alumina Passivation Layer-Based GFETs

The stability of graphene FET (GFET) devices is a significant problem and needs a good passivation layer to protect from ambient-based degradation. Low-cost and low-temperature sol-gel alumina passivation layer-based GFETs are studied here with the goal not only to improve the stability of the GFET device but also to achieve high process yield. The process yield and device stability are explored for two different molarities (0.1 and 0.05 M) of sol-gel Alumina. The blanket film study [ellipsometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)] and transistor studies (optical and electrical characterizations) were carried out to compare the two sol-gel Alumina molarities in terms of process yield and device Stability and hence identify the most suitable sol-gel Alumina molarities. The results indicate that 0.1 M sol-gel Alumina deposited GFETs have problems: 1) process yield due to crack formation in the channel region post-annealing, where close to half of the devices are working; and 2) working devices are not stable and degrading very fast within a week’s time. This degradation can be attributed due to insufficient solvent removal and higher concentration of oxygen vacancies present. On the other hand, the 0.05 M sol-gel Alumina-based GFETs exhibit 100% process yield with all working devices and stable behavior for more than two months. Hence, this work proposes an optimized process recipe for a sol-gel Alumina-based passivation layer to achieve the best possible process yield and device stability for GFETs.
Subclinical Dysfunction of Left Atrial Compliance after Cryoballoon versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

It has been suggested that cryoballoon (CB) ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) may lead to more extensive left atrial (LA) injury than radiofrequency (RF) ablation; however, results are conflicting. We sought to address this issue using modern echocardiographic techniques estimating the LA function after successful CB and RF ablation for PAF. A total of 90 patients (66% males, mean age 57 ± 10 years) successfully treated (no AF recurrences confirmed in serial 4–7 day ECG Holter monitoring) with RF (51%) or CB (49%) ablation for PAF were retrospectively studied. Echocardiography with speckle tracking (STE) was performed before and 12 months after the procedure. The peak longitudinal LA strain (LAS) and strain rate (LASR) during the reservoir (r), conduit (cd), and contraction (ct) phases were measured in sinus rhythm. Analysis of covariance was applied to compare changes in the echocardiographic parameters over time with the baseline measurements as covariance and the type of ablation as the factor. The parallelism of the slopes of the covariance was tested. The LA diameter decreased (38.3 ± 4.1 mm vs. 36.8 ± 3.6 mm, p < 0.001) in the whole study group at 12 months after ablation. The LASRr and LASRcd increased (1.1 ± 0.3 s−¹ vs. 1.3 ± 0.3 s−¹, p < 0.001 and 1.1 ± 0.3 s−¹ vs. 1.2 ± 0.3 s−¹, p < 0.001, respectively) whereas other LA strain parameters remained unchanged in the whole study group at 12 months after ablation. In the analysis of LA function at 12 months after the procedure regarding the mode of ablation, the worsening of parameters reflecting LA compliance was observed in patients with better pre-served baseline values in the CB ablation subgroup. For baseline LAScd >28%, the difference ΔCB − ΔRF was −7.6 (11.7; −3.4), p < 0.001, and for baseline LAScd >16%, ΔCB − ΔRF was −1.8 (−3.2; −0.4), p = 0.014. The traditional Doppler-derived parameter e′ showed the same trend—for baseline e′ ≥12 cm/s, ΔCB − ΔRF was −1.7 (−2.8; −0.6), p = 0.003. We conclude that worsening of parameters reflecting LA compliance was observed 12 months after CB ablation compared to RF ablation for PAF in patients who underwent a successful procedure and had better-preserved baseline LA function. This might suggest subclinical dysfunction of LA after the CB ablation procedure. The clinical significance of these findings warrants further investigations.
NFκB1 inhibits memory formation and supports effector function of ILC2s in memory-driven asthma

Background ILC2s are capable of generating memory. The mechanism of memory induction and memory-driven effector function (trained immunity) in ILC2s is unknown. Objective NFκB1 is preferentially expressed at a high level in ILC2s. We examined the role of NFkB1 in memory induction and memory-driven effector function in a mouse model of asthma. Methods Intranasal administration of Alternaria, flexivent, ELISA, histology, real-time PCR, western blot, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Results NFκB1 was essential for the effector phase of memory-driven asthma. NFκB1 was critical for IL33 production, ILC2 generation, and production of type-2 cytokines, which resulted in eosinophilic inflammation and other features of asthma. NFκB1 induction of type-2 cytokines in ILC2s was independent of GATA3. NFκB1 was important for allergen induction of ILC3s and FoxP3+ Tregs. NFκB1 did not affect Th2 cells or their cytokine production. In contrast to its protagonistic role in the effector phase, NFκB1 had an antagonistic role in the memory phase. NFκB1 inhibited allergen-induced upregulation of memory-associated repressor and preparedness genes in ILC2s. NFκB1 upregulated RUNX1. NFκB1 formed a heterodimer with RUNX1 in ILC2s. Conclusions NFκB1 positively regulated the effector phase but inhibited the induction phase of memory. The foregoing pointed to an interdependent antagonism between the memory induction and the memory effector processes. The NFκB1-RUNX1 heterodimer represented a non-canonical transcriptional activator of type-2 cytokines in ILC2s.
Seismic signal sparse time-frequency analysis by Lp-quasinorm constraint

Time-frequency analysis has been applied successfully in many fields. However, the traditional methods, like short time Fourier transform and Cohen distribution, suffer from the low resolution or the interference of the cross terms. To solve these issues, we put forward a new sparse time-frequency analysis model by using the Lp-quasinorm constraint, which is capable of fitting the sparsity prior knowledge in the frequency domain. In the proposed model, we regard the short time truncated data as the measurement of compressed sensing and design a measurement matrix, which builds up the relationship between the short time measurement and the sparse spectrum. Based on the relationship and the Lp-quasinorm feasible domain, the proposed model is established. The alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is adopted to solve the proposed model. Experiments are then conducted on several theoretical signals and applied to the seismic signal spectrum decomposition, indicating that the proposed method is able to obtain a higher time-frequency distribution than state-of-the-art time-frequency methods. Thus, the proposed method is of great importance to reservoir exploration.
Experimental Wireless Link and SAR Assessments of an Implantable PIFA for Biotelemetry in the 2.45 GHz Band

An experimental wireless link and specific absorption rate (SAR) assessment is presented in this work. A compact planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) is designed and evaluated for biotelemetry application as an antenna at 2.45 GHz band. The proposed antenna provided a satisfactory bandwidth per unit volume using a two-layered stacked structure consisting of a high-frequency laminate and a low loss ceramic layer. The antenna was first co-designed inside several different types of phantom boxes to optimize its performance, considering computational resources. Next, a semisolid intestinal phantom model used in simulations were chosen to be fabricated for experimental evaluations. Evaluation results indicated a satisfactory antenna's operation from 2.13 to 2.81 GHz (bandwidth of 27.8%), with realized gains of −26.49 dBi when implanted at 45 mm inside the phantom. Next, measurements were performed on the antenna's communication link with a wearable antenna to study the effects its depth (from 10 to 45mm), indicating transmission coefficients of between −40 and −60 dB at 2.45 GHz. Finally, its SAR levels are evaluated experimentally using a commercial measurement system when implanted within the human tissue. Results indicated satisfactory level of 0.685 W/kg (averaged over 10 g of tissues) and is suitable for biotelemetry application.
Responsabilidade Social Corporativa: Uma Análise das Grandes Empresas do Setor de Agronegócio no Brasil

Objetivo: analisar as ações de responsabilidade social das grandes empresas setor de agronegócio no Brasil a fim de compreender de que maneira estão lidando com questões de sustentabilidade Método: esta pesquisa é classificada como documental e exploratória com abordagem qualitativa, utilizando a técnica de análise de conteúdo para o tratamento dos dados. Principais resultados: os resultados analisam e comparam políticas voltadas para a gestão do meio ambiente, bem-estar animal, gestão social e governança corporativa da JBS, Raízen Energia, Cosan, Ambev, e Marfrig Global Foods. Relevância/originalidade: o estudo tem caráter inédito e apresenta uma análise das políticas de sustentabilidade em um dos segmentos mais relevantes para a economia brasileira. Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: o estudo contribui para discussões sobre as políticas sustentáveis elaboradas por grandes empresas de agronegócio no Brasil, interpretando a maneira como elas são colocadas em prática e como as empresas se beneficiam disso.
Synthesis and antibacterial activities of Ag-TiO2/ZIF-8

In recent years, massive bacterial infections have led to human illness and death, reminding us of the urgent need to develop effective and long-lasting antimicrobial materials. In this paper, Ag-TiO2/ZIF-8 with good environmental friendliness and biological antibacterial activity was prepared by solvothermal method. The structure and morphology of the synthesized materials were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, SEM-EDS, TEM, XPS, and BET. To investigate the antibacterial activity of the synthesized samples, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis were used as target bacteria for experimental studies of zone of inhibition, bacterial growth curves, minimum bactericidal concentration and antibacterial durability. The results demonstrated that 20 wt. %Ag-TiO2/ZIF-8 had the best bacteriostatic effect on E. coli and B. subtilis under dark and UV conditions compared to TiO2 and ZIF-8. Under the same conditions, the diameter of the inhibition circle of 20 wt% Ag-TiO2/ZIF-8 is 8.5–11.5 mm larger than that of its constituent material 4 wt% Ag-TiO2, with more obvious antibacterial effect and better antibacterial performance. It is also proposed that the excellent antibacterial activity of Ag-TiO2/ZIF-8 is due to the synergistic effect of Ag-TiO2 and ZIF-8 under UV light. In addition, the prepared material has good stability and durability with effective antimicrobial activity for more than 5 months.
Return to work following traumatic brain injury: An exploration of using the Brannagan Executive Functions Assessment to increase self-awareness in practice

Aim and Background: The Brannagan Executive Functions Assessment is an occupation-based approach for increasing self-awareness. This study explores the application of the Brannagan Executive Functions Assessment in traumatic brain injury return to work intervention. It describes changes in self-awareness, goal achievement and perspectives of occupational therapy and people with brain injury. Methods: Case study design using a mixed-methods approach: with pre-post evaluation of outcomes and semi-structured interviews. Participants with traumatic brain injury completed the assessment with two occupational tasks related to return to work. Primary outcomes were self-awareness (Self-awareness Deficits Interview and Awareness Questionnaire) and Goal performance/satisfaction using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Mood was a secondary outcome. Analysis was descriptive for quantitative data, thematic for qualitative data. Results: Two participants with brain injury, two support people and one occupational therapist were recruited. One participant with brain injury had an increase in self-awareness scores. Brain injury participants and the occupational therapist identified benefits including an increased awareness of needing to incorporate planning to meet goals. Conclusion: The Brannagan Executive Functions Assessment offers benefits to practice in brain injury rehabilitation, facilitating a structured occupational approach to self-awareness and participation in meaningful return to work tasks.
Using Deduction Modulo in Set Theory

We present some improvements of Zenon Modulo and the application of this tool to sets of problems coming from set theory. Zenon Modulo is an extension of the tableau-based first order automated theorem prover Zenon to deduction modulo. Deduction modulo is an ex-tension of predicate calculus, which allows us to rewrite terms as well as propositions, and which is well-suited for proof-search in axiomatic theories, as it turns axioms into rewrite rules. The improvements dis-cussed here consist in a better heuristic to automatically build rewrite systems given a set of axioms, and some optimizations in the rewrit-ing process used during the proof search. We also present some updated results obtained on benchmarks provided by the TPTP library for set theory categories. Finally, we discuss some recent work about the appli-cation of our tool to the B method set theory, in particular the way we treat equality and the comprehension scheme.