Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MODIFIED ARTIFICIAL IMMUNE SYSTEM FOR SINGLE ROW FACILITY LAYOUT PROBLEM

One of the main optimization algorithms currently available in the research field is an Artificial Immune System where abundant applications are using this algorithm for clustering and patter recognition processes. These algorithms are providing more effective optimized results in multi-model optimization problems than Genetic Algorithm. The necessity of optimization is more considerable in SRFL-[Single Row Facility system] used to optimize the cost and time. In this paper, MAIS – [Modified Artificial Immune System] algorithm introduced newly to overcome from existing AIS. MAIS use very small size of local search on the antibodies which can improve the algorithm efficiently. The creditability of the proposed approach is evaluated by simulations, and the results show the proposed approach provides better result compared with the standard AIS.
The role of perceived discrimination in linking religious practices and well‐being: A study among Muslim Afghan refugees in the Netherlands

Minorities facing adverse intergroup contact can experience both increased identification with their ethnic group and decreased identification with a host majority group. First, we argue it is important to understand what is associated with adversity, particularly in previously overlooked samples. Muslim refugee samples are often treated differently and experience more adversity than other immigrants. Second, we combine insights on the role of religiosity in acculturation with the observation that religiosity may not have positive effects in societies that do not value (a specific) religion (religiosity‐as‐social‐value hypothesis) as well as insights from rejection (dis)identification models, to understand which domains of being a Muslim are associated with discrimination, (dis‐)identification and well‐being. We hypothesized that Muslim religious practices, but not beliefs, coping or values, are associated with increased perceived discrimination, and suggest that this is because practices are highly visible. Data from Muslim Afghan refugees in the Netherlands (N = 183) revealed that indeed only religious practices were related positively to perceived discrimination. Perceived discrimination in turn mediated the relationship between religious practices and dis‐identification with the majority group, as well as the relationship between religious practices and well‐being. We suggest that the visibility of one's religious behaviour is relevant for acculturation outcomes.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Survey of Invasive Haemophilus influenzae in the United States in 2016

Antibiotics play an important role for the treatment and prevention of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease. Antimicrobial resistance survey of invasive H. influenzae isolates collected in 2016 showed that the US H. influenzae population remained susceptible to clinically relevant antibiotics, except for ampicillin. ABSTRACT Antibiotics are important for the treatment and prevention of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease. Reduced susceptibility to clinically relevant drugs, except ampicillin, has been uncommon in the United States. Susceptibility of 700 invasive H. influenzae isolates, collected through population-based surveillance during 2016, was assessed for 15 antibiotics using broth microdilution, according to the CLSI guidelines; a subset of 104 isolates were also assessed for rifampin susceptibility using Etest. Genomes were sequenced to identify genes and mutations known to be associated with reduced susceptibility to clinically relevant drugs. A total of 508 (72.6%) had reduced susceptibility to at least one antibiotic and more than half of the isolates exhibited reduced susceptibility to only one (33.6%) or two (21.6%) antibiotic classes. All tested isolates were susceptible to rifampin, a chemoprophylaxis agent, and <1% (n = 3) of isolates had reduced susceptibility to third generation cephalosporins, which are recommended for invasive disease treatment. In contrast, ampicillin resistance was more common (28.1%) and predominantly associated with the detection of a β-lactamase gene; 26.2% of isolates in the collection contained either a TEM-1 or ROB-1 β-lactamase gene, including 88.8% of ampicillin-resistant isolates. β-lactamase negative ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) isolates were less common and associated with ftsI mutations; resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate was detected in <2% (n = 13) of isolates. The proportion of reduced susceptibility observed was higher among nontypeable H. influenzae and serotype e than other serotypes. US invasive H. influenzae isolates remain predominantly susceptible to clinically relevant antibiotics except ampicillin, and BLNAR isolates remain uncommon. IMPORTANCE Antibiotics play an important role for the treatment and prevention of invasive Haemophilus influenzae disease. Antimicrobial resistance survey of invasive H. influenzae isolates collected in 2016 showed that the US H. influenzae population remained susceptible to clinically relevant antibiotics, except for ampicillin. Detection of approximately a quarter ampicillin-resistant and β-lactamase containing strains demonstrates that resistance mechanisms can be acquired and sustained within the H. influenzae population, highlighting the continued importance of antimicrobial resistance surveillance for H. influenzae to monitor susceptibility trends and mechanisms of resistance.
Daily and average associations of physical activity, social media use, and sleep among adolescent girls during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Adolescents’ daily lives have been disrupted during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. It remains unclear how changes in adolescents’ daily physical and social behaviours affect their sleep. The present study examined the daily and average effects of physical activity and social media use (i.e., video chatting, texting, and social networking sites) on adolescent girls’ sleep during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Adolescent girls aged 12–17 years (N = 93; 69% White) from a larger longitudinal study completed a 10‐day daily diary protocol during state‐mandated stay‐at‐home orders. Girls reported on daily sleep (duration, timing, quality), physical activity, and social media use during COVID‐19. Multilevel modelling was used to examine the within‐ and between‐person effects of physical activity and social media on sleep duration, timing, and quality during the 10‐day period. Between‐person associations indicate that youth with greater social media use (texting, video chatting, and social networking) and less physical activity had later sleep timing across the 10‐day study period. Only video chatting was associated with shorter sleep duration. There were no within‐person effects of physical activity or social media activities on sleep outcomes. Findings indicate that physical activity and social media use may impact later adolescent sleep timing during the COVID‐19 pandemic. It will be critical for research to examine the potential long‐term costs of delayed sleep timing, and whether targeting specific youth behaviours associated with sleep and circadian disruption improve mental and physical health during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond.
6-dof Eye-vergence visual servoing by 1-step GA pose tracking

Visual servoing to moving target with hand-eye cameras fixed at hand is inevitably affected by hand dynamical oscillations, then it is hard to keep target at the centre of camera’s image, since nonlinear dynamical effects of whole manipulator stand against tracking abilities of robots. In order to solve this problem, we come up with a system where the visual servoing controller of the hand and eye-vergence is separated independently, so that the cameras can observe the target object at the center of the camera images through eye-vergence functions. The eye with light masses make the cameras’ eye-sight direction rotate quickly than the hand’s, so the track ability of the eye-vergence motion is superior to the one of hand’s. In this report, merits of eye-vengence visual servoing for pose tracking have been confirmed through frequency response experiments on condition of full 6-dof pose being estimated in real time.
Chronic Hypoxia in Ovine Pregnancy Recapitulates Physiological and Molecular Markers of Preeclampsia in the Mother, Placenta, and Offspring

Background: Preeclampsia continues to be a prevalent pregnancy complication and underlying mechanisms remain controversial. A common feature of preeclampsia is utero-placenta hypoxia. In contrast to the impact of hypoxia on the placenta and fetus, comparatively little is known about the maternal physiology. Methods: We adopted an integrative approach to investigate the inter-relationship between chronic hypoxia during pregnancy with maternal, placental, and fetal outcomes, common in preeclampsia. We exploited a novel technique using isobaric hypoxic chambers and in vivo continuous cardiovascular recording technology for measurement of blood pressure in sheep and studied the placental stress in response to hypoxia at cellular and subcellular levels. Results: Chronic hypoxia in ovine pregnancy promoted fetal growth restriction (FGR) with evidence of fetal brain-sparing, increased placental hypoxia-mediated oxidative damage, and activated placental stress response pathways. These changes were linked with dilation of the placental endoplasmic reticulum (ER) cisternae and increased placental expression of the antiangiogenic factors sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1) and sEng (soluble endoglin), combined with a shift towards an angiogenic imbalance in the maternal circulation. Chronic hypoxia further led to an increase in uteroplacental vascular resistance and the fall in maternal blood pressure with advancing gestation measured in normoxic pregnancy did not occur in hypoxic pregnancy. Conclusions: Therefore, we show in an ovine model of sea-level adverse pregnancy that chronic hypoxia recapitulates physiological and molecular features of preeclampsia in the mother, placenta, and offspring.
Laser-based Rapid Prototyping Techniques for Liquid Metal Circuits

Stretchable electronics has been a rapidly developing technology which allows devices to be deformed dramatically. Compared with conventional technologies, with which devices are made of rigid materials, stretchable electronics enables devices to be stretched, twisted, and bent robustly. Such features contribute to a greater functionality and make the devices suitable for applications such as wearable devices that need to adapt to complicated geometries. Additionally, compared to conventional electronics, a wearable device that consists of stretchable electronics is safer for users. The existing materials and fabrication methods, however, lack the capability of creating practical and precise stretchable electronics rapidly at a reasonable cost. In this work, liquid metals (EGaIn, Galinstan), along with conductive polymers (cPDMS, etc), are patterned with an innovative prototyping method based on two different laser systems (CO2 and UV). With the methods developed, stretchable circuits are successfully fabricated in minutes. Experiments have been performed to show the excellent electrical properties of the laser-patterned circuits. Besides rapid prototyping, an innovative interfacing method between liquid metal and solid-state circuit components is also developed. This method is based on magnetic conductive particles embedded in polymer. The particles are aligned in a magnetic field so the composite is only conductive through its thickness. Compared with existing techniques, this method significantly enhanced the reliability of the interface between liquid metal and solid-state components and can be potentially applied on stretchable integrated circuits. A series of applications, including tactile and strain sensors, are presented to validate the developed methods.
Human Metapneumovirus Phosphoprotein Independently Drives Phase Separation and Recruits Nucleoprotein to Liquid-Like Bodies

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of respiratory disease among children, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. Currently, no vaccines or antivirals are available for the treatment of HMPV infections. ABSTRACT Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) inclusion bodies (IBs) are dynamic structures required for efficient viral replication and transcription. The minimum components needed to form IB-like structures in cells are the nucleoprotein (N) and the tetrameric phosphoprotein (P). HMPV P binds to the following two versions of the N protein in infected cells: N-terminal P residues interact with monomeric N (N0) to maintain a pool of protein to encapsidate new RNA and C-terminal P residues interact with oligomeric, RNA-bound N (N-RNA). Recent work on other negative-strand viruses has suggested that IBs are, at least in part, liquid-like phase-separated membraneless organelles. Here, HMPV IBs in infected or transfected cells were shown to possess liquid organelle properties, such as fusion and fission. Recombinant versions of HMPV N and P proteins were purified to analyze the interactions required to drive phase separation in vitro. Purified HMPV P was shown to form liquid droplets in isolation. This observation is distinct from other viral systems that also form IBs. Partial removal of nucleic acid from purified P altered phase-separation dynamics, suggesting that nucleic acid interactions play a role in IB formation. HMPV P also recruits monomeric N (N0-P) and N-RNA to droplets in vitro. These findings suggest that HMPV P may also act as a scaffold protein to mediate multivalent interactions with monomeric and oligomeric N, as well as RNA, to promote phase separation of IBs. Together, these findings highlight an additional layer of regulation in HMPV replication by the viral P and N proteins. IMPORTANCE Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of respiratory disease among children, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. Currently, no vaccines or antivirals are available for the treatment of HMPV infections. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs), where HMPV replication and transcription occur, represent a promising target for the development of novel antivirals. The HMPV nucleoprotein (N) and phosphoprotein (P) are the minimal components needed for IB formation in eukaryotic cells. However, interactions that regulate the formation of these dynamic structures are poorly understood. Here, we showed that HMPV IBs possess the properties of liquid organelles and that purified HMPV P phase separates independently in vitro. Our work suggests that HMPV P phase-separation dynamics are altered by nucleic acid. We provide strong evidence that, unlike results reported from other viral systems, HMPV P alone can serve as a scaffold for multivalent interactions with monomeric (N0) and oligomeric (N-RNA) HMPV N for IB formation.
Genes and evolutionary fates of the amanitin biosynthesis pathway in poisonous mushrooms

Significance Why do unrelated poisonous mushrooms (Amanita, Galerina, and Lepiota) make the same deadly toxin, α-amanitin? One of the most effective and fast strategies for organisms to acquire new abilities is through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). With the help of genome sequencing and the finding of two genes for the amanitin biosynthetic pathway, we demonstrate that the pathway distribution resulted from HGT probably through an unknown ancestral fungal donor. In Amanita mushrooms, the pathway evolved, through a series of gene manipulations, to produce very high levels of toxins, generating “the deadliest mushroom known to mankind. ”
Making an Impact on Engineering Education Communities: Learning from the Past and Looking Forward

Ken Yasuhara is a research scientist at the Center for Engineering Learning & Teaching (CELT), a campus lead for the Consortium to Promote Reflection in Engineering Education (CPREE), and an instructional consultant in the Office for the Advancement of Engineering Teaching & Learning (ET&L) at the University of Washington. He completed an A.B. in computer science at Dartmouth College and a Ph.D. in computer science and engineering at the University of Washington. When he finds the time, he plays with bicycles and knitting needles.
Ginsenoside Rh2 mitigates doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting apoptotic and inflammatory damage and weakening pathological remodelling in breast cancer‐bearing mice

There are presently a few viable ways to reduce cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (Dox). The combination of chemotherapy agents with natural compounds delivers greater efficacy and reduces adverse effects in recent researches for cancer treatment. Here, we examined the potential effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on a Dox‐based regimen in chemotherapy treatment.
What will it take to increase breastfeeding?

Abstract The introduction for the Supplement in Maternal & Child Nutrition: What will it take to increase breastfeeding? describes the contribution of each of the articles included in this Supplement to the current evidence about the major structural challenges in place to overcome to improve breastfeeding practices, as well as the evidence‐based policies and interventions that can be effective at advancing breastfeeding on a large scale to promote, protect and support breastfeeding.
Astilbin improves pregnancy outcome in rats with recurrent spontaneous abortion by regulating Th1/Th2 balance

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of astilbin on pregnancy outcome in rats with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Methods A total of 40 pregnant female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control, model, astilbin, and prednisone groups. An RSA rat model was established by gavage with hydroxyurea and mifepristone. The number of surviving and reabsorbed embryos was counted on day 9 of gestation in each group. The rat serum was collected to detect the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 in the decidual and placental tissues of the rats were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results The absorptivity of embryos was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group. The levels of serum IFN-γ and IL-2 were significantly lower in the astilbin group than in the model group, while the levels of serum IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly higher. Astilbin treatment significantly increased GATA-3 expression, while it significantly reduced T-bet expression and the T-bet/GATA-3 ratio. Conclusions Astilbin has a therapeutic effect on RSA in rats by regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 in maternal circulation and likely in decidual tissue.
Evaluation of freely available data profiling tools for health data research application: a functional evaluation review

Objectives To objectively evaluate freely available data profiling software tools using healthcare data. Design Data profiling tools were evaluated for their capabilities using publicly available information and data sheets. From initial assessment, several underwent further detailed evaluation for application on healthcare data using a synthetic dataset of 1000 patients and associated data using a common health data model, and tools scored based on their functionality with this dataset. Setting Improving the quality of healthcare data for research use is a priority. Profiling tools can assist by evaluating datasets across a range of quality dimensions. Several freely available software packages with profiling capabilities are available but healthcare organisations often have limited data engineering capability and expertise. Participants 28 profiling tools, 8 undergoing evaluation on synthetic dataset of 1000 patients. Results Of 28 potential profiling tools initially identified, 8 showed high potential for applicability with healthcare datasets based on available documentation, of which two performed consistently well for these purposes across multiple tasks including determination of completeness, consistency, uniqueness, validity, accuracy and provision of distribution metrics. Conclusions Numerous freely available profiling tools are serviceable for potential use with health datasets, of which at least two demonstrated high performance across a range of technical data quality dimensions based on testing with synthetic health dataset and common data model. The appropriate tool choice depends on factors including underlying organisational infrastructure, level of data engineering and coding expertise, but there are freely available tools helping profile health datasets for research use and inform curation activity.
Integrating unsupervised and reinforcement learning in human categorical perception: A computational model

Categorical perception identifies a tuning of human perceptual systems that can occur during the execution of a categorisation task. Despite the fact that experimental studies and computational models suggest that this tuning is influenced by task-independent effects (e.g., based on Hebbian and unsupervised learning, UL) and task-dependent effects (e.g., based on reward signals and reinforcement learning, RL), no model studies the UL/RL interaction during the emergence of categorical perception. Here we have investigated the effects of this interaction, proposing a system-level neuro-inspired computational architecture in which a perceptual component integrates UL and RL processes. The model has been tested with a categorisation task and the results show that a balanced mix of unsupervised and reinforcement learning leads to the emergence of a suitable categorical perception and the best performance in the task. Indeed, an excessive unsupervised learning contribution tends to not identify task-relevant features while an excessive reinforcement learning contribution tends to initially learn slowly and then to reach sub-optimal performance. These results are consistent with the experimental evidence regarding categorical activations of extrastriate cortices in healthy conditions. Finally, the results produced by the two extreme cases of our model can explain the existence of several factors that may lead to sensory alterations in autistic people.
Dual-channel closed loop supply chains: forward channel competition, power structures and coordination

This paper examines the effect of forward channel competition and power structure on dual-channel closed loop supply chains (CLSC), which consists of a manufacturer, a retailer and a collector. The manufacturer can either wholesale products to the retailer or directly sell them to the market, the collector undertakes the collection activity of used products. Under different channel power structures, a centralised and three decentralised models are explored under symmetric and asymmetric relative status between direct and retail channels. Through a comprehensive comparison among these models, the result shows that each channel member has an incentive to play the channel leader’s role. Meanwhile, from the total channel system’s perspective, we find that the manufacturer-led or retailer-led model can either be the most effective CLSC under symmetric relative channel status, which depends on the channel substitution rate between two channels. While under asymmetric relative channel status, the numerical result shows that the whole CLSC should select collector-led, manufacturer-led and retailer-led CLSC model in turn with the retail channel’s relative status becoming stronger. Finally, with the benchmark of the centralised decision-making system, we design modified two-part tariff contracts to coordinate dual-channel CLSCs under different channel power structures.