Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How to fight production incidents?: an empirical study on a large-scale cloud service

Production incidents in today's large-scale cloud services can be extremely expensive in terms of customer impacts and engineering resources required to mitigate them. Despite continuous reliability efforts, cloud services still experience severe incidents due to various root-causes. Worse, many of these incidents last for a long period as existing techniques and practices fail to quickly detect and mitigate them. To better understand the problems, we carefully study hundreds of recent high severity incidents and their postmortems in Microsoft-Teams, a large-scale distributed cloud based service used by hundreds of millions of users. We answer: (a) why the incidents occurred and how they were resolved, (b) what the gaps were in current processes which caused delayed response, and (c) what automation could help make the services resilient. Finally, we uncover interesting insights by a novel multi-dimensional analysis that correlates different troubleshooting stages (detection, root-causing and mitigation), and provide guidance on how to tackle complex incidents through automation or testing at different granularity.
Canonical decomposition of irreducible linear differential operators with symplectic or orthogonal differential Galois groups

We first revisit an order-six linear differential operator, already introduced in a previous paper, having a solution which is a diagonal of a rational function of three variables. This linear differential operator is such that its exterior square has a rational solution, indicating that it has a selected differential Galois group, and is actually homomorphic to its adjoint. We obtain the two corresponding intertwiners giving this homomorphism to the adjoint. We show that these intertwiners are also homomorphic to their adjoint and have a simple decomposition, already underlined in a previous paper, in terms of order-two self-adjoint operators. From these results, we deduce a new form of decomposition of operators for this selected order-six linear differential operator in terms of three order-two self-adjoint operators. We generalize this decomposition to decomposition in terms of three self-adjoint operators of arbitrary orders, provided the three orders have the same parity. We then generalize the previous decomposition to decompositions in terms of an arbitrary number of self-adjoint operators of the same parity order. This yields an infinite family of linear differential operators homomorphic to their adjoint, and, thus, with a selected differential Galois group. We show that the equivalence of such operators, with selected differential Galois groups, is compatible with these canonical decompositions. The rational solutions of the symmetric, or exterior, squares of these selected operators are, noticeably, seen to depend only on the rightmost self-adjoint operator in the decomposition. These results, and tools, are applied on operators of large orders. For instance, it is seen that a large set of (quite massive) operators, associated with reflexive 4-polytopes defining Calabi–Yau three-folds, obtained recently by Lairez, correspond to a particular form of the decomposition detailed in this paper. All the results of this paper can be seen as providing an algebraic characterization of linear differential operators with selected symplectic or orthogonal differential Galois groups.
Investigating the Impact of Digital Game Immersion on Post-Work Recovery

Digital games have been demonstrated to promote recovery from daily work strain. However, prior research has not examined the role that player experience (PX) plays in post-work recovery despite the fact that theories in this area rely implicitly on PX concepts. Hence, this research seeks to understand how the experience of immersion shapes the recovery potential of digital games. An overview of the planned program of research, alongside the results of an initial mixed-methods survey study, are outlined here. The results suggest that immersion is broadly beneficial for recovery, though this is contingent on contextual factors, and that players actively optimise their immersion levels to maximise recovery. These findings, and those of future studies, will extend previous research by empirically testing the PX-based mechanisms by which games are assumed to promote recovery, as well as offering design implications for creators of serious games for recovery purposes.
Fear Inducing Play in an AR Escape Room with Human and Robotic NPCs

While the horror genre has been a staple in computer games on consoles and personal computers, there are surprisingly few examples of Augmented Reality (AR) horror games. Considering that AR experiences are valued for taking advantage of the physical environment to situate the experience and increase the sense of realism and immersion, there are surprisingly few examples of research that have examined factors that contribute to player experiences in horror games. We developed an AR horror experience in which players need to enter an escape room, solve puzzles and retrieve a teddy bear under the threat of being captured by an enemy NPC. We conducted a study in which players completed the task twice, once facing the enemy NPC in the form of a human-like janitor and another with a robot. Most players rated the human-like enemy as more intimidating than the robot. Players provided various explanations for game elements that contributed to their sense of fear and intimidation including the sound, relatability of the enemy, and scary atmosphere.
Designing Food Delivery Gig-platforms for Courier Needs: the Case of Batched Orders

The food delivery gig-platforms such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo increasingly batch orders, i.e., couriers deliver multiple orders in one trip to optimize order delivery. Prior studies investigate the topic of batching orders from a theoretical perspective, i.e., optimization, without taking contextual elements and worker preferences into account. In our paper, we elaborate on the couriers’ perspectives and needs in batched order delivery based on a qualitative study. We identify several criteria used by couriers to accept and reject the batched orders. We propose an alternative order batching solution that supports courier needs.
Towards an Educational Computing Career Exploration Game

Professionals with programming abilities are in high demand, but despite this urgent need, there is a lack of student interest. Researchers argue that in order to increase interest in computing, students require more opportunities for early familiarization, an understanding of how computing can make contributions to society, greater exposure to programming, online self-learning, internships, more visible role models and exemplars, and greater connections to the real world. This project aims to create a game that allows players to perform tasks from three computing jobs (web development, game development, and data science). Using the game as a testbed, the first study will develop an understanding of how different game design decisions affect the career game’s effectiveness at engendering career-related and player-related outcomes. The second study will develop an understanding of how the career game as a whole influence career-related and player-related outcomes. The career game will be an informal learning environment that can be accessed by anyone with a desktop computer.
Maxwell perturbations on asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetimes: Generic boundary conditions and a new branch of quasinormal modes

Perturbations of asymptotically Anti-de-Sitter (AdS) spacetimes are often considered by imposing field vanishing boundary conditions (BCs) at the AdS boundary. Such BCs, of Dirichlet-type, imply a vanishing energy flux at the boundary, but the converse is, generically, not true. Regarding AdS as a gravitational box, we consider vanishing energy flux (VEF) BCs as a more fundamental physical requirement and we show that these BCs can lead to a new branch of modes. As a concrete example, we consider Maxwell perturbations on Kerr-AdS black holes in the Teukolsky formalism, but our formulation applies also for other spin fields. Imposing VEF BCs, we find a set of two Robin BCs, even for Schwarzschild-AdS black holes. The Robin BCs on the Teukolsky variables can be used to study quasinormal modes, superradiant instabilities and vector clouds. As a first application, we consider here the quasinormal modes of Schwarzschild-AdS black holes. We find that one of the Robin BCs yields the quasinormal spectrum reported in the literature, while the other one unveils a new branch for the quasinormal spectrum.
Contrasting drugs from decoys

Protein language models (PLMs) have recently been proposed to advance drugtarget interaction (DTI) prediction, and have shown state-of-the-art performance on several standard benchmarks. However, a remaining challenge for all DTI prediction models (including PLM-based ones) is distinguishing true drugs from highly-similar decoys. Leveraging techniques from self-supervised contrastive learning, we introduce a second-generation PLM-based DTI model trained on triplets of proteins, drugs, and decoys (small drug-like molecules that do not bind to the protein). We show that our approach, CON-Plex, improves specificity while maintaining high prediction accuracy and generalizability to new drug classes. CON-Plex maps proteins and drugs to a shared latent space which can be interpreted to identify mutually-compatible classes of proteins and drugs. Data and code are available at https://zenodo.org/record/7127229.
EukRibo: a manually curated eukaryotic 18S rDNA reference database to facilitate identification of new diversity

EukRibo is a manually curated, public reference database of small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) sequences of eukaryotes, specifically aimed at taxonomic annotation of high-throughput metabarcoding datasets. Unlike other reference databases of ribosomal genes, it is not meant to exhaustively capture all publicly available 18S rDNA sequences from the INSDC repositories, but to represent a subset of highly trustable sequences covering the whole known diversity of eukaryotes. EukRibo strives to include only sequences with verified, up-to-date taxonomic identifications, with a strong focus on protists, and relatively low genetic redundancy, to keep the database compact yet comprehensive. Environmental clone sequences representing previously identified novel diversity are accepted as reference sequences only if they have a precise lineage designation, useful for taxonomic annotation. EukRibo is part of a suite of public resources generated by the UniEuk project, which all follow a common taxonomic framework for maximal interoperability. The high level of taxonomic accuracy of EukRibo allows higher confidence in the taxonomic annotation of environmental metabarcodes, and should facilitate identification of new eukaryotic diversity at various taxonomic levels. The database is currently in version 2, and all versions are permanently stored and made available via the FAIR open platform Zenodo. It is our hope that EukRibo will help ongoing curation efforts of other 18S rDNA reference databases, and we welcome suggestions of corrections and new features to be included in subsequent versions.
Random Interval Graphs

In this thesis, which is supervised by Dr. David Penman, we examine random interval graphs. Recall that such a graph is defined by letting $X_{1},\ldots X_{n},Y_{1},\ldots Y_{n}$ be $2n$ independent random variables, with uniform distribution on $[0,1]$. We then say that the $i$th of the $n$ vertices is the interval $[X_{i},Y_{i}]$ if $X_{i}<Y_{i}$ and the interval $[Y_{i},X_{i}]$ if $Y_{i}<X_{i}$. We then say that two vertices are adjacent if and only if the corresponding intervals intersect. We recall from our MA902 essay that fact that in such a graph, each edge arises with probability $2/3$, and use this fact to obtain estimates of the number of edges. Next, we turn to how these edges are spread out, seeing that (for example) the range of degrees for the vertices is much larger than classically, by use of an interesting geometrical lemma. We further investigate the maximum degree, showing it is always very close to the maximum possible value $(n-1)$, and the striking result that it is equal to $(n-1)$ with probability exactly $2/3$. We also recall a result on the minimum degree, and contrast all these results with the much narrower range of values obtained in the alternative \lq comparable\rq\, model $G(n,2/3)$ (defined later). We then study clique numbers, chromatic numbers and independence numbers in the Random Interval Graphs, presenting (for example) a result on independence numbers which is proved by considering the largest chain in the associated interval order. Last, we make some brief remarks about other ways to define random interval graphs, and extensions of random interval graphs, including random dot product graphs and other ways to define random interval graphs. We also discuss some areas these ideas should be usable in. We close with a summary and some comments.
Towards the chemical tuning of entanglement in molecular nanomagnets

Antiferromagnetic spin rings represent prototypical realizations of highly correlated, low-dimensional systems. Here we theoretically show how the introduction of magnetic defects by controlled chemical substitutions results in a strong spatial modulation of spin-pair entanglement within each ring. Entanglement between local degrees of freedom (individual spins) and collective ones (total ring spins) are shown to coexist in exchange-coupled ring dimers, as can be deduced from general symmetry arguments. We verify the persistence of these features at finite temperatures, and discuss them in terms of experimentally accessible observables.
Mesenchymal stromal cells as treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome. Case Reports following hematopoietic cell transplantation and a review

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening lung disease. It may occur during the pancytopenia phase following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). ARDS is rare following HCT. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have strong anti-inflammatory effect and first home to the lung following intravenous infusion. MSCs are safe to infuse and have almost no side effects. During the Covid-19 pandemic many patients died from ARDS. Subsequently MSCs were evaluated as a therapy for Covid-19 induced ARDS. We report three patients, who were treated with MSCs for ARDS following HCT. Two were treated with MSCs derived from the bone marrow (BM). The third patient was treated with MSCs obtained from the placenta, so-called decidua stromal cells (DSCs). In the first patient, the pulmonary infiltrates cleared after infusion of BM-MSCs, but he died from multiorgan failure. The second patient treated with BM-MSCs died of aspergillus infection. The patient treated with DSCs had a dramatic response and survived. He is alive after 7 years with a Karnofsky score of 100%. We also reviewed experimental and clinical studies using MSCs or DSCs for ARDS. Several positive reports are using MSCs for sepsis and ARDS in experimental animals. In man, two prospective randomized placebo-controlled studies used adipose and BM-MSCs, respectively. No difference in outcome was seen compared to placebo. Some pilot studies used MSCs for Covid-19 ARDS. Positive results were achieved using umbilical cord and DSCs however, optimal source of MSCs remains to be elucidated using randomized trials.
Decomposition rate and biochemical fate of carbon from natural polymers and microplastics in boreal lakes

Microbial mineralization of organic compounds is essential for carbon recycling in food webs. Microbes can decompose terrestrial recalcitrant and semi-recalcitrant polymers such as lignin and cellulose, which are precursors for humus formation. In addition to naturally occurring recalcitrant substrates, microplastics have been found in various aquatic environments. However, microbial utilization of lignin, hemicellulose, and microplastics as carbon sources in freshwaters and their biochemical fate and mineralization rate in freshwaters is poorly understood. To fill this knowledge gap, we investigated the biochemical fate and mineralization rates of several natural and synthetic polymer-derived carbon in clear and humic lake waters. We used stable isotope analysis to unravel the decomposition processes of different 13C-labeled substrates [polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, lignin/hemicellulose, and leaves (Fagus sylvatica)]. We also used compound-specific isotope analysis and molecular biology to identify microbes associated with used substrates. Leaves and hemicellulose were rapidly decomposed compared to microplastics which were degraded slowly or below detection level. Furthermore, aromatic polystyrene was decomposed faster than aliphatic polyethylene and polypropylene. The major biochemical fate of decomposed substrate carbon was in microbial biomass. Bacteria were the main decomposers of all studied substrates, whereas fungal contribution was poor. Bacteria from the family Burkholderiaceae were identified as potential leaf and polystyrene decomposers, whereas polypropylene and polyethylene were not decomposed.
Seminal and vagino-uterine microbiome and their individual and interactive effects on cattle fertility

Reproductive failure is a major economical drain on cow-calf operations across the globe. It can occur in both males and females and stem from prenatal and postnatal influences. Therefore, the cattle industry has been making efforts to improve fertility and the pregnancy rate in cattle herds as an attempt to maintain sustainability and profitability of cattle production. Despite the advancements made in genetic selection, nutrition, and the implementation of various reproductive technologies, fertility rates have not significantly improved in the past 50 years. This signifies a missing factor or factors in current reproductive management practices that influence successful fertilization and pregnancy. Emerging lines of evidence derived from human and other animals including cattle suggest that the microbial continuum along the male and female reproductive tracts are associated with male and female fertility—that is, fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy success—highlighting the potential for harnessing the male and female reproductive microbiome to improve fertility in cattle. The objective of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the recent studies on the bovine seminal and vagino-uterine microbiome and discuss individual and interactive roles of these microbial communities in defining cattle fertility.
Global research trends in in-stent neoatherosclerosis: A CiteSpace-based visual analysis

Background Recent studies have shown that in-stent neoatherosclerosis (ISNA/NA) is an important cause of late stent failure. A comprehensive understanding of the current state of research in this field will facilitate the analysis of its development trends and hot frontiers. However, no bibliometric correlation has been reported yet. Here, we analyze the relevant literature since the emergence of the concept and provide valuable insights. Methods Publications were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and PubMed. Microsoft Excel, SPSS and CiteSpace were used to analyze and present the data. Results A total of 498 articles were collected, with Japan and Cardiovasc Res Fdn being the main publishing forces in all country/region and institutions. J AM COLL CARDIOL is the journal with the most published and co-cited articles. According to co-citation analysis, optical coherence tomography, thrombosis, implantation, restenosis, drug-eluting stent, and bare metal stent have become more and more popular recently. Conclusion ISNA is a niche and emerging field. How to reduce the incidence of ISNA and improve the late patency rate of coronary stents may remain a hot spot for future research. The pathogenesis of ISNA also needs to be explored in more depth.
A DIFFERENTIAL INTEGRABILITY CONDITION FOR TWO-DIMENSIONAL HAMILTONIAN SYSTEMS

We review, restate, and prove a result due to Kaushal and Korsch [Phys. Lett. A 276, 47 (2000)] on the complete integrability of two-dimensional Hamiltonian systems whose Hamiltonian satisfies a set of four linear second order partial differential equations. In particular, we show that a two-dimensional Hamiltonian system is completely integrable, if the Hamiltonian has the form H = T + V where V and T are respectively harmonic functions of the generalized coordinates and the associated momenta.
Detecting a subclass of torsion-generated groups

We classify the groups quasi-isometric to a group generated by finite-order elements within the class of one-ended hyperbolic groups which are not Fuchsian and whose JSJ decomposition over two-ended subgroups does not contain rigid vertex groups. To do this, we characterize which JSJ trees of a group in this class admit a cocompact group action with quotient a tree. The conditions are stated in terms of two graphs we associate to the degree refinement of a group in this class. We prove there is a group in this class which is quasi-isometric to a Coxeter group but is not abstractly commensurable to a group generated by finite-order elements. Consequently, the subclass of groups in this class generated by finite-order elements is not quasi-isometrically rigid. We provide necessary conditions for two groups in this class to be abstractly commensurable. We use these conditions to prove there are infinitely many abstract commensurability classes within each quasi-isometry class within this class that contains a group generated by finite-order elements.
Editorial: Hallmark of cancer: Resisting cell death

COPYRIGHT © 2022 Zhu, Yang, Law, Khan, Yip and Sun. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. TYPE Editorial PUBLISHED 07 November 2022 DOI 10.3389/fonc.2022. 1069947
Identification of hub genes regulating the cell activity and function of adipose-derived stem cells under oxygen-glucose deprivation

While oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) has been widely utilized in many cell lines to mimic certain biological changes, it has yet to be validated in mesenchymal stem cells. We performed RNA sequencing on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) under hypoxic and glucose-free conditions after 4 h and 8 h. A total of 335 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the two OGD groups compared with the normal control group, consisting of 292 upregulated and 43 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that DEGs are mainly involved in metabolic processes, programmed cell death, and DNA-binding transcription activator activity. Protein‒protein interaction and hub gene analysis revealed various potential hub genes, in which response to oxygen levels, the IL-17-related biological function and the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway have been of vital importance. In summary, changes in transcription factor activity may play pivotal roles in oxygen-glucose deprivation. Through RNA sequencing, we have a deeper understanding of the changes in ADSCs after OGD treatment, providing more precise insight into predicting and regulating the stemness of ADSCs.