Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity of the GFP fitness landscape and data-driven protein design

Studies of protein fitness landscapes reveal biophysical constraints guiding protein evolution and empower prediction of functional proteins. However, generalisation of these findings is limited due to scarceness of systematic data on fitness landscapes of proteins with a defined evolutionary relationship. We characterized the fitness peaks of four orthologous fluorescent proteins with a broad range of sequence divergence. While two of the four studied fitness peaks were sharp, the other two were considerably flatter, being almost entirely free of epistatic interactions. Counterintuitively, mutationally robust proteins, characterized by a flat fitness peak, were not optimal templates for machine-learning-driven protein design – instead, predictions were more accurate for fragile proteins with epistatic landscapes. Our work paves insights for practical application of fitness landscape heterogeneity in protein engineering.
Attempts to Establish a Risk by Analogy

In this paper, we argue that risk in a new situation can be calculated by comparison with the most closely analogous previous situation that we can find. In many cases, such as automobile accidents, we argue that this year is analogous to preceding years. With toxic chemicals the analogy is less directâ€”we compare with other toxic chemicals or with chemicals shown to be toxic in other species. Because the unreliability or uncertainty of the analogy can be high, it is necessary to use less sensitive, but more reliable, methods of estimating risk to prevent continued use of a hazardous material, and subsequent tragedy if the hazard should turn out to be unexpectedly large. This suggests more robust techniques to reduce the regret, or societal cost of being wrong, because increased sensitivity is sometimes attained at the expense of sampling error.
Balance of Autonomic Nervous Activity, Exercise, and Sleep Status in Older Adults: A Review of the Literature

While older people are frequently known to experience sleep disturbances, there are also many older people who have a good quality of sleep. However, little is known about the balance of autonomic nervous activity, exercise habits, and sleep status in healthy older adults. This study reviews the literature regarding balance of the autonomic nervous activity, exercise, and sleep in healthy older adults. Relevant articles were searched from electronic databases using the combination of the following keywords: “Autonomic nervous activity”, “sleep status”, “sleep”, “healthy older adults”, “aging”, “heart rate variability (HRV)” and “exercise”. Articles were included if they met inclusion criteria: (1) Published in English, (2) Article types: research and review articles, (3) Main outcome was related to the autonomic nervous activity, lifestyle, sleep, and/or healthy aging, and (4) Fully accessed. From 877 articles that were identified, 16 articles were included for review. Results showed that the autonomic nervous activity changes with increasing age, particularly a constant decline in cardiac vagal modulation due to the significant decrease in the nocturnal parasympathetic activity. In addition, the autonomic nervous activity was also related to sleep status and lifestyle, particularly the capability to exercise. In preparing older people toward a healthy aging, maintaining good sleep quality and exercise is suggested.
Distributed fault detection and isolation for power system

In this article, a novel distributed fault detection and isolation method is proposed for large‐scale power system affected by additive type of faults and energy bounded disturbances. First, in order to design the local residual generators, a bank of Luenberger observers are designed to estimate the local states of the system, and the parameters of each local residual generator are determined by solving the corresponding H∞ optimization problem, which guarantees that the residual generator is sensitive to faults while robust to energy bounded disturbances. When the local residual exceeds the corresponding threshold, the occurrence of a fault in each agent is recognized. Then, for the case that power system with both process noises and measurement noises, the specific fault detection thresholds are designed with the aid of the Chebyshev inequality. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is validated via illustrative example.
A Low-Carbon Fuel Standard for California, Part 2: Policy Analysis

The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) can play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating improvements in transportation fuel technologies so that California can meet its climate policy goals. In Part 1 of this study we evaluated the technical feasibility of achieving a 10 percent reduction in the carbon intensity (measured in gCO2e/MJ) of transportation fuels in California by 2020. We identified six scenarios based on a variety of different technologies that could meet or exceed this goal, and concluded that the goal was ambitious but attainable. In Part 2, we examine many of the specific policy issues needed to achieve this ambitious target. Our recommendations are based on the best information we were able to gather in the time available, including consultation with many different stakeholders. The recommendations are intended to assist the California Air Resources Board, Energy Commission, and Public Utility Commission, as well as private organizations and individuals, in addressing the many complex issues involved in designing a low carbon fuel standard. Choices about specific policies and calculation of numeric values for use in regulation must, of course, be made by these regulatory agencies. The analysis we present here is only illustrative.
Dynamic impulse conduction in ZnO arresters

In this paper, new fast-impulse test data obtained on ZnO surge arresters with a special coaxial test cell are presented. The time-to-peak of the discharge current was observed to become shorter as the magnitude was increased. An explanation for this phenomenon is suggested based on changing current paths within the material. To account for this dynamic behaviour, the authors propose an equivalent circuit which uses parallel paths with associated inductances and resistances to model the conduction process in the intergranular layer.
Effect of different arc furnace models on voltage distortion

In this paper, different arc furnace methods are reviewed for the purpose of harmonic analysis. In general, these models may be classified into time domain method and frequency domain method. The difference between these two methods is discussed and evaluated. In this paper, six typical arc furnace models from the time domain and frequency domain methods are selected to study their effects on harmonic analysis. Simulation results are also provided. Comparisons between these results show the effects of different arc furnace models on voltage waveform and percentage of harmonic components distribution, which provides a discussion of the differences between time domain and frequency domain methods. Finally, recommendations are made for the application of some of these models.
Hafnium isotopes in zircons track the changing sources for the Late Cretaceous magmatism in Eastern Srednogorie, Bulgaria

We present new Hf isotopic data of magmatic zircons from the Eastern Srednogorie zone. The data outline two clear temporal trends: rising initial εHf from the initiation of the magmatism at ~95 Ma to 81 Ma, followed by a rapid decline in the initial εHf in the 81–78 Ma time period. The first trend highlights the increasing participation of mantle melts in the formation of magmatic products in the East Balkan and Strandzha regions, which is likely dictated by the southward retreat of the subducting slab. This trend is also evident in published Hf isotopic data on zircons from Central Srednogorie zone. The second trend of rapidly decreasing initial εHf of zircons is interpreted to reflect increased proportion of lower crustal melts in an intra-arc rift extensional environment (the Yambol-Burgas region) between 81 and 78 Ma; this trend is not observed in the Central Srednogorie zone.
Push and pull systems in a dynamic environment

We examine push and pull production control systems under a make-to-order policy with safety stock. We compute the distribution of the waiting time until a demand is satisfied, as well as how time distributions and service levels for both systems. Work-in-process levels are determined as well. The analysis is carried out under Markovian assumptions and the explicit results on flow times depend on non-overtake conditions that are satisfied for single machine stations. <<ETX>>
Synthesis of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Material with a Synergistic Interface as a Release Agent for Free Acid β-Hydroxy-β-Methyl Butyrate

We report the preparation and characterization of a new organic-inorganic hybrid system composed of type-I collagen and ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles loaded with β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate (HMB) by coprecipitation reaction. X-ray diffraction (peaks well agree with those reported in the literature), infrared spectroscopy (stretching bonds for both organic-inorganic compounds), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the hybrid system retained HMB in the carboxylate form, and a small fraction turned to the acid form. In both cases, the HMB molecules are assembled to the LDH surface. The hybrid compound results in improved thermal stability for HMB and collagen, as shown by thermal analysis. Scanning electron microscopy data reflects different arrangements from LDH sheets with interesting physicochemical properties since LDH and collagen protect free HMB and make it more bioavailable and functional. In vitro studies as part of high-throughput screening strategies indicated that LDH hybrids reduced cell viability around 75-90%, which is an acceptable viability value because of the L6 cell line susceptibility. However, all new nanomaterials must be carefully analyzed by different toxicity tests because a single test does not evaluate complete physiological compartments.
Cross-cultural adaptation of Delphi definitions of low back pain prevalence in French (Delphi DOLBaPP-F)

Aim: The high heterogeneity in the definitions of low back pain encountered in the literature has led to the development of standardized definitions of this condition called “Delphi definitions of low back pain prevalence (Delphi DOLBaPP)” by a group of international researchers. In order to be widely used, these definitions need to be adapted according to the cultural and linguistic context. The aim of this work was to perform the cross-cultural adaptation of the Delphi DOLBaPP definitions in Quebecc French and to pre-test them among French-speaking adults. Methods: In order to enable practical use of the Delphi DOLBaPP definitions in different contexts, their presentation was adapted in the form of a questionnaire (referred to as the “Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaire”). The process of cross-cultural adaptation of the Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaire in French was conducted according to the most recognized recommendations for the cultural adaptation of measuring instruments. The resulting questionnaire and an evaluation form were then submitted to a sample of 82 adults. Results: A total of 41 participants (50.0%) reported low back pain. A high proportion of participants (89.0%) stated that it took them less than 5 minutes to complete the questionnaire. More than 62.0% of them did not find any question poorly worded or confusing. Nearly 80.0% of the participants found the questionnaire easy to understand. The cross-cultural adaptation process suggested minor modifications to the original Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaire. Conclusions: This study has produced a cross-cultural adaptation of the Delphi DOLBaPP questionnaire in Quebec French that will enable French-speaking populations to share the benefits of using standardized definitions of low back pain in epidemiological studies.
INVESTIGATIONOFDIELECTRICCOATED PERSONAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS(PCS)ANTENNASTO MEET MODERN CLAIMSOFELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY(EMC)

A newdesign ofPear-Shaped Monopole Antenna (PSMA)forPersonal Communication Systems (PCS)isproposed together withauser-friendly program package. Antennas withdielectric coatings arenu- merically andexperimentally studied. Theproposed antenna utilizes theadvantages ofthesimple design to matchantenna structure withfeeding cable andfree space. PSMAcontains apear-shaped metallic corecov- eredbyathin dielectric layer. A spacial shape ofmetallic part provides matching withfeeding cable anddi- electric layer keeps antenna size small. Twotypes ofPSMAareconsidered: 1)axisymmetric PSMAthat pro- vides uniform radiation and2)directional PSMA.Investigated theuserbodyInteraction withtheAntenna radiated field. TheMethodofAuxiliary Sources (MAS)isusedtostudy bothtypes ofPSMA.Experimental data isprovided forseveral PSMAconfigurations tovalidate theMAS results.
Preoperative Assessment of Language Dominance through Combined Resting-State and Task-Based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Brain lesions in language-related cortical areas remain a challenge in the clinical routine. In recent years, the resting-state fMRI (RS-fMRI) was shown to be a feasible method for preoperative language assessment. The aim of this study was to examine whether language-related resting-state components, which have been obtained using a data-driven independent-component-based identification algorithm, can be supportive in determining language dominance in the left or right hemisphere. Twenty patients suffering from brain lesions close to supposed language-relevant cortical areas were included. RS-fMRI and task-based (TB-fMRI) were performed for the purpose of preoperative language assessment. TB-fMRI included a verb generation task with an appropriate control condition (a syllable switching task) to decompose language-critical and language-supportive processes. Subsequently, the best fitting ICA component for the resting-state language network (RSLN) referential to general linear models (GLMs) of the TB-fMRI (including models with and without linguistic control conditions) was identified using an algorithm based on the Dice index. Thereby, the RSLNs associated with GLMs using a linguistic control condition led to significantly higher laterality indices than GLM baseline contrasts. LIs derived from GLM contrasts with and without control conditions alone did not differ significantly. In general, the results suggest that determining language dominance in the human brain is feasible both with TB-fMRI and RS-fMRI, and in particular, the combination of both approaches yields a higher specificity in preoperative language assessment. Moreover, we can conclude that the choice of the language mapping paradigm is crucial for the mentioned benefits.
Optimization of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application with Climate-Smart Agriculture in the North China Plain

Long−term excessive nitrogen fertilizer input has resulted in several environmental problems, including an increase in N2O emissions and the aggravation of nitrate leaching; monitoring nitrogen fertilizer is crucial for maize with high yield. This study aimed to optimize the amount of nitrogen applied to maize by Climate−Smart Agriculture (CSA) so as to continuously improve agricultural productivity and reduce or eliminate N2O emissions as much as possible. Field experiments with a completely randomized design were conducted to examine the effects of six nitrogen treatments (N application levels of 0, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 kg·ha−1, respectively) on N2O emissions, residual concentration of nitrate and ammonium nitrogen, maize yield, and nitrogen utilization efficiency in 2018 and 2019. The results indicated that the residual concentration of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-−N) in the two seasons significantly increased; N2O emissions significantly increased, and the nitrogen fertilizer agronomic efficiency and partial productivity of maize fell dramatically as the nitrogen application rate increased. The maize grain yield rose when the N application amount was raised (N application amount <300 kg·ha−1) but decreased when the N application amount > 300 kg·ha−1. An increase in the nitrogen application rate can decrease nitrogen use efficiency, increase soil NO3-−N residual, and N2O emissions. Reasonable nitrogen application can increase maize yield and reduce N2O emissions and be conducive to improving nitrogen use efficiency. By considering summer maize yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and farmland ecological environment, 173.94~178.34 kg N kg·ha−1 could be utilized as the nitrogen threshold for summer maize in the North China Plain.
Design of Low Pass FIR Filter using Artificial Bee Colony Optimization Technique and its Comparison with Particle Swarm Optimization

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is one of the most powerful technologies that are shaping science and engineering in the twenty-first century. Revolutionary changes have already been made in a broad range of fields: communications, medical imaging, radar and sonar, and high fidelity music reproduction, to name just a few. Each of these areas has developed a comprehensive DSP technology, with its own algorithms, mathematics, and specialized techniques. Analog (electronic) filters can be used for these tasks, as these are cheap, fast, and have a large dynamic range in both amplitude and frequency; however, digital filters are vastly superior in the level of performance. Digital filters are an essential part of DSP. The purpose of the filters is to allow some frequencies to pass unaltered, while completely blocking others. The digital filters are mainly used for two purposes: separation of signals that have been combined, and restoration of signals that have been distorted in some way. In this present work, Digital FIR filter is designed using Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization technique and its comparison is done with particle swarm optimization.
Early Pregnancy Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution among Late-Onset Preeclamptic Cases Is Associated with Placental DNA Hypomethylation of Specific Genes and Slower Placental Maturation

Exposure to ambient air pollution during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (PE). Some suggested mechanisms behind this association are changes in placental DNA methylation and gene expression. The objective of this study was to identify how early pregnancy exposure to ambient nitrogen oxides (NOx) among PE cases and normotensive controls influence DNA methylation (EPIC array) and gene expression (RNA-seq). The study included placentas from 111 women (29 PE cases/82 controls) in Scania, Sweden. First-trimester NOx exposure was assessed at the participants’ residence using a dispersion model and categorized via median split into high or low NOx. Placental gestational epigenetic age was derived from the DNA methylation data. We identified six differentially methylated positions (DMPs, q < 0.05) comparing controls with low NOx vs. cases with high NOx and 14 DMPs comparing cases and controls with high NOx. Placentas with female fetuses showed more DMPs (N = 309) than male-derived placentas (N = 1). Placentas from PE cases with high NOx demonstrated gestational age deceleration compared to controls with low NOx (p = 0.034). No differentially expressed genes (DEGs, q < 0.05) were found. In conclusion, early pregnancy exposure to NOx affected placental DNA methylation in PE, resulting in placental immaturity and showing sexual dimorphism.
Decrease in Regulatory T-cells and Increase in T Helper 17 Cells in Women With Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

BackgroundAppearance of improper immune responses against the fetus and/or inadequate immunoregulatory mechanisms during pregnancy may lead to recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). TH17 cells play a significant role in inducing inflammation, autoimmune disease, and acute transplant rejection, while regulatory T (Treg) cells moderate the function of immune system in order to retain homeostasis.MethodsThis case-control study was designed to evaluate TH17 as well as Treg cells in 25 women with RSA and 25 age-matched healthy non-pregnant women. Flow cytometric assay was performed using monoclonal antibodies to detect CD4+CD25+ Treg cells (CD25dim and CD25bright). FoxP3 and RORγt expressions were compared using real-time PCR, and pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kits. Independent-samples T test was employed for statistical analysis. ResultsThe ratio of CD4+CD25bright T cells was remarkably lower in women with RSA (P<0.05), and CD4+CD25dim T cells did not show any significant difference among the groups (P>0.05). RORγt was up-regulated, and FoxP3 was down-regulated significantly in case group (P<0.05). The significant increase of IL-6 and IL-17 as well as the decrease of TGF-β was indicated in RSA group (P<0.05). Also, IL-10 did not vary among the groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThese remarks prove that the decrease in regulatory factors such as CD4+CD25bright T-cells, TGF-β and FoxP3 expression may disrupt immune tolerance and homeostasis during pregnancy. Also, the environment rich in RORγt, IL-6, and IL-17 suggests the detrimental role of TH17 cells, which may lead to fetal rejection.
La smartificación de la administración pública: apostilla críticas a partir del caso europeo

La Inteligencia Artificial (IA) y las tecnologías derivadas están generando una gran cantidad de cambios en nuestro mundo. Estudios y publicaciones especializados muestran hasta qué punto las tecnologías de Inteligencia Artificial tendrán numerosas implicaciones que cambiarán de manera profunda y disruptiva nuestra sociedad. En el caso concreto de la Unión Europea, en el año 2018, 24 países miembros de la UE (más Noruega) firmaron la Declaración de Cooperación sobre Inteligencia Artificial en la cual se comprometían a trabajar juntos con la finalidad de estimular la adopción de la IA en Europa. En este artículo aludimos a algunos ejemplos europeos relacionados con el potencial de la IA en la gestión pública y presentamos argumentos acerca de por qué la IA para uso público es un campo de investigación teórico sin capacidad para ejercer, en la actualidad, el necesario impacto en los futuros diseños de la Administración pública.
Relevance of the thermoelastohydrodynamic model in the analysis of a plain journal bearing subjected to severe operating conditions

Abstract Bearings, which were initially designed to support loads, are nowadays being used more and more in machines and most of them are subjected to severe operating conditions as far as temperature or minimum film thickness are concerned. This can be considered as the result of the increases in speed and load, which increase the dissipated power in the lubricant, and also the temperature, thus significantly modifying the lubricant characteristics and bearing performance. This leads, on the one hand, to a decrease in the lubricant viscosity, and therefore the load capacity, and, on the other hand, to mechanical and thermal deformations of the contact surfaces which can, under severe operating conditions, be greater than the minimum film thickness. The present study investigates the relevance of taking into account the deformations and how they can influence bearing performance prediction. The operating conditions are variable, with the radial load ranging up to 150kN and the rotational speed ranging up to 15000r/min. The thermoelastohydrodynamic (TEHD) model is compared to an existing thermohydrodynamic (THD) model in order to find the point at which it is necessary to take into account deformations in the numerical simulation and thus ensure good prediction of bearing behaviour. Under severe conditions, the THD model was found not to give good results for bearing performance and geometry; i.e. the hydrodynamic pressure can be dangerously overestimated, the minimum film thickness can be underestimated and the bearing operating radial clearance can be increased by over 10 per cent.