Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New Approaches to Assess Mechanisms of Action of Selective Vitamin D Analogues

Recent studies of transcription have revealed an advanced set of overarching principles that govern vitamin D action on a genome-wide scale. These tenets of vitamin D transcription have emerged as a result of the application of now well-established techniques of chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled to next-generation DNA sequencing that have now been linked directly to CRISPR-Cas9 genomic editing in culture cells and in mouse tissues in vivo. Accordingly, these techniques have established that the vitamin D hormone modulates sets of cell-type specific genes via an initial action that involves rapid binding of the VDR–ligand complex to multiple enhancer elements at open chromatin sites that drive the expression of individual genes. Importantly, a sequential set of downstream events follows this initial binding that results in rapid histone acetylation at these sites, the recruitment of additional histone modifiers across the gene locus, and in many cases, the appearance of H3K36me3 and RNA polymerase II across gene bodies. The measured recruitment of these factors and/or activities and their presence at specific regions in the gene locus correlate with the emerging presence of cognate transcripts, thereby highlighting sequential molecular events that occur during activation of most genes both in vitro and in vivo. These features provide a novel approach to the study of vitamin D analogs and their actions in vivo and suggest that they can be used for synthetic compound evaluation and to select for novel tissue- and gene-specific features. This may be particularly useful for ligand activation of nuclear receptors given the targeting of these factors directly to genetic sites in the nucleus.
Analysis and optimal design of transverse flux linear motor with PM excitation for railway traction

The design optimisation of geometrical dimensions and parameters of the magnetically excited transverse flux linear motor (TFM-LM) used in railway traction systems is presented. The optimisation is achieved using the 3D-FE field program. Optimisation of the design begins with the basic configuration of the TFM-LM using geometrical dimensions and electrical parameters determined by analytical expressions. The analytical relations used in the basic design are obtained from the magnetic equivalent circuit for the TFM-LM model with short primary for railway traction. The aim of this optimisation process is to improve the traction force per primary weight and to obtain an ideal proportion between the normal force and the traction force. To verify the design optimisation, the computed forces are compared with the experimentally measured forces detected on the experimental setup of the TFM-LM.
Identification and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Uropathogenic Bacteria from Sexually Active Women with Bacterial Vaginosis

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) continue to pose tremendous health concerns and require appropriate use of antibiotics for effective case management. This study determined the prevalence, etiology and antibiotic resistance profile of uropathogenic bacteria isolated from sexually active women with BV in Lagos Nigeria. Method: A total of 258 sexually active women presenting with gynaecological complaints at the maternal and child unit of twenty Primary Health Care Centres in Lagos Nigeria from May 2017 to March 2018 were consecutively enrolled with consent. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed based on Amsel criteria. Midstream urine samples were collected aseptically, analyzed for bacterial pathogens and antibiotic susceptibility using standard microbiological observed among 97.8% of the bacteria isolated. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate high occurrence of UTI caused by MDR pathogens among sexually active women with BV with emerging evidence of poor clinical utility of nitrofurantoin and other commonly used first-line antibiotics against UTI. Further studies on non-bacterial aetiology of BV, molecular characterization of S. saprophyticus and Gram Negative Bacteria UTI are recommended.
A rapid fire, compulsator-driven railgun system

It is becoming clear that compensated pulsed alternators (compulsators) are the preferred power supply for rapid-fire railgun systems. High efficiencies, inherently high repetition rates, and the elimination of high current opening switches are the primary advantages of compulsator-driven systems. The benefits and capabilities of these systems will be demonstrated in a project which is currently in the final stages of fabrication. The goals of this project are to accelerate a burst of ten, 80-g projectiles to 2 km/s at a 60 Hz rate of fire. Details of the compulsator design, the design, fabrication, and testing of system components, and proposed operation are presented.
Mathematical Model and Control System Design for a Three-phase AC/DC Voltage Source Converter

This paper presents the design of a three-phase AC/DC voltage source converter for a 20kW wind turbine generator. This converter gives rise to little power loss in the generator due to its sinusoidal current. The mathematical model of the whole system is set up in the synchronous reference frame, which is used to define feedforward signals in the current regulators to eliminate the cross coupling between the d and q frames. Base on this model, the voltage and current controllers are designed to main DC voltage constant for a battery load application. As an example, the whole control system has been designed for the 20kW wind generator (MK3.1). The simulation results in Simulink show that it has good performance at steady state and transient, the unity, lagging even leading power factor can be achieved, therefore, the active and reactive powers can be controlled separately.
A Layered View on Focal Adhesions

Simple Summary The cytoskeleton is a network of protein fibres within cells that provide structure and support intracellular transport. Focal adhesions are protein complexes associated with the outer cell membrane that are found at the ends of specialised actin fibres of this cytoskeleton. They mediate cell adhesion by connecting the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix, a protein and sugar network that surrounds cells in tissues. Focal adhesions also translate forces on actin fibres into forces contributing to cell migration. Cell adhesion and migration are crucial to diverse biological processes such as embryonic development, proper functioning of the immune system or the metastasis of cancer cells. Advances in fluorescence microscopy and data analysis methods provided a more detailed understanding of the dynamic ways in which proteins bind and dissociate from focal adhesions and how they are organised within these protein complexes. In this review, we provide an overview of the advances in the current scientific understanding of focal adhesions and summarize relevant imaging techniques. One of the key insights is that focal adhesion proteins are organised into three layers parallel to the cell membrane. We discuss the relevance of this layered nature for the functioning of focal adhesion. Abstract The cytoskeleton provides structure to cells and supports intracellular transport. Actin fibres are crucial to both functions. Focal Adhesions (FAs) are large macromolecular multiprotein assemblies at the ends of specialised actin fibres linking these to the extracellular matrix. FAs translate forces on actin fibres into forces contributing to cell migration. This review will discuss recent insights into FA protein dynamics and their organisation within FAs, made possible by advances in fluorescence imaging techniques and data analysis methods. Over the last decade, evidence has accumulated that FAs are composed of three layers parallel to the plasma membrane. We focus on some of the most frequently investigated proteins, two from each layer, paxillin and FAK (bottom, integrin signalling layer), vinculin and talin (middle, force transduction layer) and zyxin and VASP (top, actin regulatory layer). Finally, we discuss the potential impact of this layered nature on different aspects of FA behaviour.
Multi-Source Knowledge Reasoning for Data-Driven IoT Security

Nowadays, there are different kinds of public knowledge bases for cyber security vulnerability and threat intelligence which can be used for IoT security threat analysis. However, the heterogeneity of these knowledge bases and the complexity of the IoT environments make network security situation awareness and threat assessment difficult. In this paper, we integrate vulnerabilities, weaknesses, affected platforms, tactics, attack techniques, and attack patterns into a coherent set of links. In addition, we propose an IoT security ontology model, namely, the IoT Security Threat Ontology (IoTSTO), to describe the elements of IoT security threats and design inference rules for threat analysis. This IoTSTO expands the current knowledge domain of cyber security ontology modeling. In the IoTSTO model, the proposed multi-source knowledge reasoning method can perform the following tasks: assess the threats of the IoT environment, automatically infer mitigations, and separate IoT nodes that are subject to specific threats. The method above provides support to security managers in their deployment of security solutions. This paper completes the association of current public knowledge bases for IoT security and solves the semantic heterogeneity of multi-source knowledge. In this paper, we reveal the scope of public knowledge bases and their interrelationships through the multi-source knowledge reasoning method for IoT security. In conclusion, the paper provides a unified, extensible, and reusable method for IoT security analysis and decision making.
Curcumin Administered in Combination with Glu-GNPs Induces Radiosensitivity in Transplanted Tumor MDA-MB-231-luc Cells in Nude Mice

Curcumin is a type of plant polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa L. rhizome, which demonstrates antitumor activity in breast cancer cells in vitro. To investigate the combined effect and possible mechanism of curcumin and glucose-gold nanoparticles (Glu-GNPs), the radiosensitivity of breast carcinoma xenografts was assessed in nude mice. MDA-MB-231 cells labeled with firefly luciferase were inoculated into the mammary fatty pads of nude mice to establish a transplantation tumor model of human breast cancer. The tumor-bearing mice were treated with different drugs (curcumin, Glu-GNPs, and cisplatin) for 3 weeks prior to radiotherapy. The body weights and tumor volumes of the mice were measured in regular intervals. Tumor bioluminescence intensity was determined in real-time using an in vivo bioluminescence imaging system to monitor tumor growth. Transplanted tumor tissue samples were taken for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and the expression of VEGF, HSP90, HIF-1α, and MMP9 was evaluated via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR or immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that the breast tumor-bearing nude mouse model was successfully established, as evidenced by a stable expression of luciferase. Curcumin inhibited the growth of tumors without causing significant weight loss in mice. Furthermore, additive inhibition was demonstrated when curcumin was administered in combination with Glu-GNPs and irradiation. Tumor bioluminescence intensity was decreased in the model group following curcumin, Glu-GNPs, and irradiation treatment. HE staining demonstrated that transplanted tumors were malignant, with necrotic tissue exhibited centrally. It was concluded that curcumin administered in combination with Glu-GNPs and X-ray irradiation could reduce the protein expression of VEGF, HSP90, HIF-1α, and MMP9 in tumor tissue when compared with the model group. Curcumin and Glu-GNPs administered with X-ray irradiation significantly inhibited tumor growth and induced radiosensitivity, which may be associated with the inhibition of angiogenesis in tumor tissue.
Dynamically Stable Solitons in Optical Fibers

The existence of a dynamically stable soliton in optical fibers is established by virtue of the multiple-scale perturbation technique applied in a new way to the perturbed nonlinear Schrodinger's equation. We show that, by introducing a proper definition of the phase of the soliton, one can obtain the corrections to the pulse where the standard soliton perturbation approach fails.
Cell Cycle, Telomeres, and Telomerase in Leishmania spp.: What Do We Know So Far?

Leishmaniases belong to the inglorious group of neglected tropical diseases, presenting different degrees of manifestations severity. It is caused by the transmission of more than 20 species of parasites of the Leishmania genus. Nevertheless, the disease remains on the priority list for developing new treatments, since it affects millions in a vast geographical area, especially low-income people. Molecular biology studies are pioneers in parasitic research with the aim of discovering potential targets for drug development. Among them are the telomeres, DNA–protein structures that play an important role in the long term in cell cycle/survival. Telomeres are the physical ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. Due to their multiple interactions with different proteins that confer a likewise complex dynamic, they have emerged as objects of interest in many medical studies, including studies on leishmaniases. This review aims to gather information and elucidate what we know about the phenomena behind Leishmania spp. telomere maintenance and how it impacts the parasite’s cell cycle.
Effect of Pretreatment and Drying Methods on the Quality of Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica (Lam.)) Flour

Reduction of postharvest losses through improved technique is studied in this work. Pretreatment and drying, in particular, are important methods for using various tuber-based food items to produce intermediate products that increase economic benefit and availability with a longer shelf life in the production and consumption communities. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pretreatment and drying methods on the proximate composition and physical and functional properties of flour developed from anchote. The treated anchote flour was prepared using hot distilled water for blanching and potassium metabisulphite solution and drying methods (sun, solar, and oven). The obtained data were statistically analyzed using SAS software at P < 0.05 . Accordingly, the untreated and sun-dried anchote had greater moisture content (10.34%) than the chemically treated and oven-dried anchote (8.71%). The samples treated with potassium metabisulphite and the solar-drying methods have higher protein content (4.02%) than the blanched and sun-dried samples (3.14%). Samples treated with blanching and solar drying have lower ash content (3.96%) than samples treated with potassium metabisulphite and dried (4.89%). The highest fiber content was recorded for samples treated with blanching and oven-drying methods, with a rating of 4.71%. Sun-dried samples had an increased fat content (1.14%) compared to blanch with all drying methods (0.72%). The untreated and sun-dried flour had lower carbohydrate content (80.95%) than blanched and oven-dried (83.03%). The potassium-metabisulphite-treated and oven-dried samples rated 2.66% with the highest water absorption value. The blanched and oven-dried samples had the lowest oil absorption capacity of 1.71%, a significantly different value from the highest value of 1.98% for the potassium-metabisulphite-treated and solar-dried samples. Oven-dried samples had higher swelling power than solar- and sun-drying methods. The anchote samples treated by blanching methods and dried in the oven had the highest solubility rating of 43.84% and the lowest value of 38.8% for control and sun-dried samples. The sun-dried anchote flour had the highest dispersibility value, which is significantly different from both the oven-dried and solar-dried versions. Along with that, the untreated samples had significantly lower dispersibility values than the potassium-metabisulphite-treated and blanched flour samples. The proximate values of anchote flour were significantly affected by pretreatment and drying methods. Additionally, the main and interactive effect of pretreatment and drying methods influenced the water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, swelling power, solubility, and dispersibility significantly. Further research is required to improve flour properties and characterize pasting properties to assess the suitability of the starch for different industrial inputs.
Effect of board design and assembly process on leakage currents of ceramic chip capacitors

An experiment designed to study the effects of mounting pad configurations on the tendency toward thermal cracking and/or leakage currents of 1206 and 0805-size SMCs (surface-mounted ceramic chip capacitors) was conducted. The results show that, with the maximum delta temperature of 135 degrees C, vias, traces, long pads, and heat sinks do not cause thermal cracking. No significant differences were found between SMCs mounted on FR-4 boards and FR-2 boards. The differences in capacitor dielectrics were insignificant, except that one particular capacitor designed with a thinner dielectric layer suffered more failures. <<ETX>>
The transition from final-year high-school Physics and Mathematics to first-year Electrical Engineering: A work in progress

The electrical engineering course ELECTENG 101, compulsory for all first-year engineering students at the University of Auckland, is perceived as "difficult". Pass rates have not been as high as in other year-one courses, particularly for under-represented groups such as Maori and Pacifica and women students. There is a perception that the modular teaching and assessment of the national high-school qualification has not prepared students well for study in this course. This research study aims to identify the level of preparedness the year-one cohort brings to ELECTENG 101, to determine key factors that lead to success in this course, to measure the effectiveness of remedial and support mechanisms, and to audit the content and assessment of the course itself. A two-cycle action-research methodology is proposed. This paper presents results obtained from the delivery of a diagnostic assessment in the first week of the 2007 class and subsequent interviews with class members.
Designing a Coreless High-Speed Axial-Flux PM Generator for Microturbines

Compactness and lightness make high-speed axial-flux machines eligible for distributed generation application with microturbine. In a high-speed generator driven by micro-turbines, the rotor speed is normally above 30,000 rpm and may even exceed 100,000 rpm. The frequency for flux variation is more than 1 kHz. Therefore, designing such a highspeed generator is quite different, in mechanical and electromagnetic respects, from designing conventional generators with low speed and low frequency. Important considerations in designing high-speed axial-flux generators (HSAFG) for microturbine are discussed in this paper. Results of the efficiency sensitivity versus air gap of the machine are also presented.
ACADEMIC MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE QFD APPROACH

The utmost importance of education in the world today is universally acknowledged. Educational institutions in general and universities in particular are required to provide the quality education that fulfills the needs and expectations of students by enabling them to serve the nation and strengthen its economy. This study aims at unveiling the importance of QFD to the design and improvement of quality of the Management Sciences (MS) program by identifying the vital factors that need to be implemented and enhanced in a university to match the requirements or needs of students. The methodology used is the QFD matrix developed from the voice of enrolled/non-enrolled students in ten universities of Rawalpindi, Islamabad.
Femoral lengthening in young patients: An evidence-based comparison between motorized lengthening nails and external fixation

BACKGROUND Femoral lengthening is a procedure of great importance in the treatment of congenital and acquired limb deficiencies. Technological advances have led to the latest designs of fully implantable motorized intramedullary lengthening nails. The use of these nails has increased over the last few years. AIM To review and critically appraise the literature comparing the outcome of femoral lengthening in children using intramedullary motorized lengthening nails to external fixation. METHODS Electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane) were systematically searched in November 2019 for studies comparing the outcome of femoral lengthening in children using magnetic lengthening nails and external fixation. The outcomes included amount of gained length, healing index, complications and patient reported outcomes. RESULTS Of the 452 identified studies, only two (retrospective and non-randomized) met the inclusion criteria. A total of 91 femora were included. In both studies, the age of patients treated with nails ranged from 15 to 21 years compared to 9 to 15 years for patients in the external fixation group. Both devices achieved the target length. Prevalence of adverse events was less in the nail (60%-73%) than in the external fixation (81%-100%) group. None of the studies presented patient reported outcomes. CONCLUSION The clinical effectiveness of motorized nails is equivalent or superior to external fixation for femoral lengthening in young patients. The available literature is limited and does not provide evidence on patient quality of life or cost effectiveness of the interventions.
Single-event effects test results of 512MB SDRAMs

Single-event effect test results of new 512MB SDRAMs are reported in this paper. Effects characterized during testing include single-event upset, single-event latchup, and single-event functional interrupt. Upset cross-sections are compared with radiation test results of earlier generation SDRAMs as a feasibility assessment for use of these new technologies.
Novel Maximum-Power-Point Tracking Algorithm For Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

This paper presents a novel maximum-power-point (MPP) tracking algorithm for photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion systems. The algorithm is based on utilizing the relation between the PV array MPP current and the solar insolation level at different atmospheric conditions. Also, a single-stage grid-connected PV system is proposed to track the MPP of the PV array, using the new algorithm, and to produce a sinusoidal output current in phase with the utility voltage (i.e., to obtain a unity power factor). The power stage of the proposed system includes, mainly, a direct current–alternate current inverter, whereas the control stage is based on utilizing both the Proportional Integral (PI) and the P resonant controllers. The obtained results satisfy the desired performance for the proposed system.
Synthesis of digital ladder filters from LC filters

Digital ladder filter networks may be realized by applying simple transformations to the flow-graph network representation of continuous domain resistively terminated LC two ports. It is shown that such methods have the disadvantage that there does not exist a transformation with the three requirements that the entire imaginary s -plane axis map to the z -plane unit circle, that the resultant discrete network is stable and finally that the resultant discrete network be computationally realizable due to Its freedom from delay free loops. A synthesis technique is proposed for low sensitivity digital ladders. The conventional transformation that is applied to the LC filter prototype does lead to a stable structure with the required mapping property; the delay free loops are eliminated by straightforward flow-graph manipulation. The coefficient sensitivity of the magnitude transfer function |H(e^{f{\omega}T}| is low valued throughout the passband.