Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resilience in Ethiopia and Somaliland: Impact evaluation of the reconstruction project ‘Development of Enabling Conditions for Pastoralist and Agro-Pastoralist Communities’

This evaluation is presented as part of the Effectiveness Review Series 2015/16, selected for review under the resilience thematic area. This report documents the findings of a quasi-experimental impact evaluation carried out in November 2015 that sought to assess the impact of the activities of the 'Contributing to the Development of Enabling Conditions for Human Security for Vulnerable Pastoralist and Agro-Pastoralist Communities' project. The project under review was implemented in the Somali region of Ethiopia and the Galbeed and Togdheer regions of Somaliland between July 2012 and June 2016. The project was carried out by Oxfam in partnership with several organisations, including Ogden Welfare and Development Association (OWDA), Community Development Service Association (CDSA), Somaliland Pastoral Forum (SOLPAF), Candlelight, Himilo Relief and Development Association (HIRDA), and The Horn of Africa Voluntary Youth Committee (HAVOYOCO). The project had three specific objectives: (1) make pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities more resilient to drought and conflict; (2) increase voice and representation of civil society, especially women's organisations and youth, in decision-making forums; and (3) raise cross-border issues affecting Ethiopia and Somaliland pastoralists and agro-pastoralists at regional and national forums. Read more about Oxfam's Effectiveness Reviews .
mRNA vaccines encoding computationally optimized hemagglutinin elicit protective antibodies against future antigenically drifted H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses isolated between 2018-2020

Background The implementation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has successfully validated the safety and efficacy of the platform, while at the same time revealing the potential for their applications against other infectious diseases. Traditional seasonal influenza vaccines often induce strain specific antibody responses that offer limited protection against antigenically drifted viruses, leading to reduced vaccine efficacy. Modern advances in viral surveillance and sequencing have led to the development of in-silico methodologies for generating computationally optimized broadly reactive antigens (COBRAs) to improve seasonal influenza vaccines. Methods In this study, immunologically naïve mice were intramuscularly vaccinated with mRNA encoding H1 and H3 COBRA hemagglutinins (HA) or wild-type (WT) influenza HAs encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Results Mice vaccinated with H1 and H3 COBRA HA-encoding mRNA vaccines generated robust neutralizing serum antibody responses against more antigenically distinct contemporary and future drifted H1N1 and H3N2 influenza strains than those vaccinated with WT H1 and H3 HA-encoding mRNA vaccines. The H1 and H3 COBRA HA-encoding mRNA vaccines also prevented influenza illness, including severe disease in the mouse model against H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. Conclusions This study highlights the potential benefits of combining universal influenza antigen design technology with modern vaccine delivery platforms and exhibits how these vaccines can be advantageous over traditional WT vaccine antigens at eliciting superior protective antibody responses against a broader number of influenza virus isolates.
Propiedades y caracterización estructural de vidrios del sistema CaO-Ti02-Al203-Si02

Se han preparado tres vidrios del sistema cuaternario CaO-Ti02-Al203-Si02 y se han caracterizado determinando su densidad, indice de refraccion, coeficiente de dilatacion, microdureza, tenacidad y resistencia alcalina. La estructura y microestructura de las muestras se estudio por espectroscopia de absorcion infrarroja y por microscopia electronica de transmision, respectivamente. Se ha podido comprobar que el TIO2 ^^ incorpora en posiciones de modificador de red y que aparece un fenomeno de separacion de fases, tambien favorecido por la alumina. La introduccion de TIO2 aumenta el indice de refraccion de los vidrios y, conjuntamente con la alumina, mejora notablemente sus propiedades mecanicas. Por otro lado, la incorporacion de TIO2 solo permite rebajar moderadamente los coeficientes de dilatacion y, al igual que la alumina, reduce la atacabilidad alcalina de los vidrios estudiados.
Prescribed cattle grazing as a tool for native prairie management: Lessons from the Tualatin River basin, Oregon

Prairie and oak (Quercus spp.) savanna are important disturbance-dependent habitats in the Willamette Valley–Puget Trough–Georgia Basin ecoregion (WPG). Estimates of previous extent and current cover of prairie habitat suggest that between 2% and 10% of presettlement prairie remains (Dunwiddie and Bakker 2011; Vesely and Rosenberg 2010; Intertwine Alliance 2013). Previous to Euro-American settlement, Native Americans burned prairies to discourage encroachment of trees and shrubs, maintain habitat for grazing ungulates, and increase productivity and diversity of herbaceous plant species. Due to conversion to agriculture, land development, invasion by nonnative vegetation, reduction in elk (Cervus canadensis) numbers, and fire exclusion, native prairie and savanna have declined dramatically in this ecoregion. Several state and regional species of concern are reliant on prairie and savanna habitats (ODFW 2016; Altman 2011), and restoration of prairies remains a top priority for agencies and organizations with a conservation mission. The focus on prairie and savanna conservation in the WPG ecoregion over the past several decades has led to the development of many prairie-oak focused partnerships, emerging science and management practices, and increased protection and restoration of these habitats (Dunwiddie and Bakker 2011; Stanley et al. 2011; Intertwine Alliance 2013). Land managers of these properties are tasked with…
Hierarchical Stabilization and Tracking Control of a Flexible-Joint Bipedal Robot Based on Anti-Windup and Adaptive Approximation Control

Bipedal robotic mechanisms are unstable due to the unilateral contact passive joint between the sole and the ground. Hierarchical control layers are crucial for creating walking patterns, stabilizing locomotion, and ensuring correct angular trajectories for bipedal joints due to the system’s various degrees of freedom. This work provides a hierarchical control scheme for a bipedal robot that focuses on balance (stabilization) and low-level tracking control while considering flexible joints. The stabilization control method uses the Newton–Euler formulation to establish a mathematical relationship between the zero-moment point (ZMP) and the center of mass (COM), resulting in highly nonlinear and coupled dynamic equations. Adaptive approximation-based feedback linearization control (so-called adaptive computed torque control) combined with an anti-windup compensator is designed to track the desired COM produced by the high-level command. Along the length of the support sole, the ZMP with physical restrictions serves as the control input signal. The viability of the suggested controller is established using Lyapunov’s theory. The low-level control tracks the intended joint movements for a bipedal mechanism with flexible joints. We use two control strategies: position-based adaptive approximation control and cascaded position-torque adaptive approximation control (cascaded PTAAC). The interesting point is that the cascaded PTAAC can be extended to deal with variable impedance robotic joints by using the required velocity concept, including the desired velocity and terms related to control errors such as position, force, torque, or impedance errors if needed. A 6-link bipedal robot is used in simulation and validation experiments to demonstrate the viability of the suggested control structure.
Large-scale forcing of coastal communities

Two contrasting areas of pelagic primary productivity (PPP) were noted in western Scotland, the Clyde (high PPP) and the west coast (low PPP). It was hypothesised that increased PPP would have a direct bottom-up influence on intertidal community structure with the Clyde expected to be dominated by filter feeders with potentially greater larval recruitment, increased density, faster growth and larger maximum sizes. The study was divided into five sections examining community structure, growth rates, predation and grazing pressures, effects of wave exposure, and stable isotope analysis. Individual species tended to vary between sites within lochs rather than between the two regions. Growth rates of the predator Nucella were found to follow peaks in Semibalanus size, rather than Mytilus, with increased growth on the west coast. An increased density of the grazer, Littorina, at a site had an increased effect on their growth rate although dense localised patches within sites were observed where growth rates were lowest. Mussel size classes were found to have different growth rates, most probably due to differing factors such as predation, food availability, and reproduction. Predation and grazing effects differed between regions. Barnacle cover was shown to be affected by both Nucella and Littorina although the latter may have been an indirect affect due to the biofilm cover which was greater in the Clyde. Predation rates of mussels were found to be greater on the west coast which was most probably due to a change in diet from barnacles to mussels. Mussel shell length and biomass declined with increasing wave exposure throughout western Scotland with the potential for factors varying on small scales to be more important in structuring mussel populations. This was evident when testing for differences in stable isotopes of mussels which suggested site specific variation due to increased freshwater input. The results of this study showed that small scale, local factors are as important, if not more, as regional differences in structuring communities. PPP is important, but only for a subset of the community.
Perceived Helpfulness of Phatic Expressions in Online Help-Giving Interactions

: In this survey study, we assessed how students rated the helpfulness of replies to online requests for help with and without phatic expressions, or comments serving a purely social purpose. We found that students perceived help-giving replies with neutral and self-oriented phatic comments to be less helpful than those discussing course content alone. In contrast, students perceived help-giving replies with greetings, salutations, and other-oriented comments to be equally helpful to those discussing course content alone.
Deep Learning-Assisted Security and Privacy Provisioning in the Internet of Medical Things Systems: A Survey on Recent Advances

Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) are a kind of Internet of Things (IoT) systems which are used in the healthcare domain. Nowadays, there are an abundance of wearable smart devices, either commercial or clinical, which can be used to collect vital signs and transmit the collected data to remote servers for further analysis. Remote patient monitoring, smart diagnostics, and autonomous control of chronic diseases are examples of different healthcare services that can be provided by these systems at a lower cost and higher efficiency compared to traditional healthcare settings. However, as data related to patients’ health status and treatment history, transmitted in these systems, are highly confidential and private, security and privacy concerns in their widespread adoption may arise. Deap Learning (DL) algorithms, with their ability in extracting knowledge from big data generated in these systems, can be leveraged to design smart security mechanisms. In this survey study, the recent literature on the DL-assisted security and privacy provisioning frameworks in IoMT systems are categorized and summarized with respect to their main contributions. Finally, some possible future directions are introduced to assist interested researchers to continue research in this domain.
The Cycle of Stress: From Individuals to the World and Back

Stress is a feeling of being worried, scared, or overwhelmed, caused by challenging situations or big life changes. Not all stress is bad, and some kinds of stress, like exercise, can even be good for us. However, when stress is severe or lasts a long time, it can harm our health. Severe stress causes inflammation, which is the body’s way of protecting itself. Inflammation helps the body heal, but long-lasting inflammation can lead to health problems. Stress can also affect the brain, making it hard to think clearly or make good decisions. In our work, we linked all these stress-related factors together (using math) to explain our hypothesis that stress can spread from person to person through our actions, words, and body language—and even over social media—until it affects whole societies and eventually the entire planet! This is a dangerous cycle that can lead to even more stress and inflammation, making problems worse. To break the cycle, we each need to focus on reducing stress in our own lives.
Comparative Study of Four TiO2-Based Photocatalysts to Degrade 2,4-D in a Semi-Passive System

In this study, the relative efficiency of four forms of supported titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a photocatalyst to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in Killex®, a commercially available herbicide was studied. Coated glass spheres, anodized plate, anodized mesh, and electro-photocatalysis using the anodized mesh were evaluated under an ultraviolet – light-emitting diode (UV-LED) light source at λ = 365 nm in a semi-passive mode. Energy consumption of the system was used to compare the efficiency of the photocatalysts. The results showed both photospheres and mesh consumed approximately 80 J/cm3 energy followed by electro-photocatalysis (112.2 J/cm3), and the anodized plate (114.5 J/cm3). Although electro-photocatalysis showed the fastest degradation rate (K = 5.04 mg L−1 h−1), its energy consumption was at the same level as the anodized plate with a lower degradation rate constant of 3.07 mg L−1 h−1. The results demonstrated that three-dimensional nanotubes of TiO2 surrounding the mesh provide superior degradation compared to one-dimensional arrays on the planar surface of the anodized plate. With limited broad-scale comparative studies between varieties of different TiO2 supports, this study provides a comparative analysis of relative degradation efficiencies between the four photocatalytic configurations.
Assimilation of Different SST Datasets to a Coastal Ocean Modeling System in the Yellow and East China Sea

ABSTRACT Kwon, K. ; Choi, B. -J., and Lee, S. -H. , 2018. Assimilation of Different SST Datasets to a Coastal Ocean Modeling System in the Yellow and East China Sea. In: Shim, J.-S. ; Chun, I. , and Lim, H.S. (eds.), Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2018 (Busan, Republic of Korea). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 85, pp. 1041–1045. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Global gridded gap-free sea surface temperature (SST) datasets were quantitatively evaluated using independent insitu datasets in the Yellow and East China Sea from September 2011 to February 2012. The assimilation effect of the four different SST datasets on a regional ocean modeling system was examined. The SST from the gridded SST datasets was compared with two ocean buoy SST data and bi-monthly routine hydrographic observation data in the Yellow Sea (YS). The root-mean-square differences (RMSDs) of the OISST, MGDSST, OSTIA, and MWIR SST datasets relative to the in-situ SST were 0.64, 0.53, 0.62, and 0.91°C, respectively. The RMSDs of SST were higher than 1°C for all datasets in the southeastern corner of the YS. Ocean circulation was simulated with a regional ocean model, and the SST data from the four SST datasets were assimilated. Assimilation of the SST to the ocean model improved the ocean current as well as temperature distribution. The daily mean simulated temperature was compared to the observed SST and vertical profiles of the temperature at the ocean buoys and hydrographic observation stations. After the assimilation of OISST, MGDSST, OSTIA and MWIR datasets, RMSDs of the simulated SST were 0.78, 0.92, 0.66 and 0.86°C, respectively, at the buoy stations. The RMSDs of the simulated subsurface temperature were 1.60, 1.67, 1.56 and 1.70°C, respectively, at the hydrographic observation stations. The simulated SSTs from the model with assimilation of the OSTIA and OISST datasets had relatively smaller RMSDs.
Peptide-Decorated Microneedles for the Detection of Microplastics

The escalating utilization of plastics in daily life has resulted in pervasive environmental pollution and consequent health hazards. The challenge of detecting and capturing microplastics, which are imperceptible to the naked eye, is exacerbated by their diminutive size, hydrophobic surface properties, and capacity to absorb organic compounds. This study focuses on the application of peptides, constituted of specific amino acid sequences, and microneedles for the rapid and selective identification of microplastics. Peptides, due to their smaller size and greater environmental stability compared with antibodies, emerge as a potent solution to overcome the limitations inherent in existing detection methodologies. To immobilize peptides onto microneedles, this study employed microneedles embedded with gold nanorods, augmenting them with sulfhydryl (SH) groups at the peptides’ termini. The sensor developed through this methodology exhibited efficient peptide binding to the microneedle tips, thereby facilitating the capture of microplastics. Raman spectroscopy was employed for the detection of microplastics, with the results demonstrating successful attachment to the microneedles. This novel approach not only facilitates localized analysis but also presents a viable strategy for the detection of microplastics across diverse environmental settings.
AC Breakdown Strength of Parallel Cylindrical Conductor Arrangements in LN2

In a first theoretical study, a compact 123 kV/50 Hz three-phase superconducting cable with a calculated smallest possible maximum peak field strength of 10.5 kV/mm was developed. The compact cable design uses three parallel-cylindrical high temperature superconductors. A special feature is that only the liquid nitrogen (LN2), surrounding the parallel conductors for cooling purposes, is used as electrical insulation system. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the maximum electrical 50 Hz AC peak breakdown strength of parallel-cylindrical conductor arrangements in LN2. The highest electrical strength values for LN2 at 77.15 K and 1,013 mbar are obtained at the smallest spacing of 1 mm and smallest diameter of 8 mm with a peak breakdown field strength of 34.2 ± 4.2 kV/mm. The influence of the volume effect is mainly evident when comparing the conductor diameters with the same small spacing. If the diameter increase, the decisively highly stressed insulating volume increases and the electrical strength decreases. The curves per diameter show that with increasing distance, i.e., decreasing utilization factor, the influence of the decisive stressed volume decreases and the electrical strength no longer decreases proportionally to the distance.
Forest Age Drives the Resource Utilization Indicators of Trees in Planted and Natural Forests in China

Specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) are key leaf functional traits commonly used to reflect tree resource utilization strategies and predict forest ecosystem responses to environmental changes. Previous research on tree resource utilization strategies (SLA and LDMC) primarily focused on the species level within limited spatial scales, making it crucial to quantify the spatial variability and driving factors of these strategies. Whether there are discrepancies in resource utilization strategies between trees in planted and natural forests, and the dominant factors and mechanisms influencing them, remain unclear. This study, based on field surveys and the literature from 2008 to 2020 covering 263 planted and 434 natural forests in China, using generalized additive models (GAMs) and structural equation models (SEMs), analyzes the spatial differences and dominant factors in tree resource utilization strategies between planted and natural forests. The results show that the SLA of planted forests is significantly higher than that of natural forests (p < 0.01), and LDMC is significantly lower (p < 0.0001), indicating a “faster investment–return” resource utilization strategy. As the mean annual high temperature (MAHT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) steadily rise, trees have adapted their resource utilization strategies, transitioning from a “conservative” survival tactic to a “rapid investment–return” model. Compared to natural forests, planted forest trees exhibit stronger environmental plasticity and greater variability with forest age in their resource utilization strategies. Overall, forest age is the dominant factor influencing resource utilization strategies in both planted and natural forests, having a far greater direct impact than climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, and sunlight) and soil nutrient factors. Additionally, as forest age increases, both planted and natural forests show an increase in SLA and a decrease in LDMC, indicating a gradual shift towards more efficient resource utilization strategies.
Navigating the Nexus: HIV and Breast Cancer—A Critical Review

Despite significant advances in the management of antiretroviral therapy (ART), leading to improved life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLWH), the incidence of non-AIDS-defining cancers, including breast cancer, has emerged as a critical concern. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology of breast cancer among HIV-infected individuals, highlighting the potential for an altered risk profile, earlier onset, and more advanced disease at diagnosis. It delves into the molecular considerations underpinning the relationship between HIV and breast cancer, including the role of immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, and gene expression alterations. Additionally, it examines the complexities of managing breast cancer in the context of HIV, particularly the challenges posed by ART and anticancer agents’ cross-toxicities and drug–drug interactions. The review also addresses survival disparities, underscoring the need for improved cancer care in this population. By identifying gaps in knowledge and areas requiring further research, this review aims to illuminate the complexities of HIV-associated breast cancer, fostering a deeper understanding of its epidemiology, molecular basis, and clinical management challenges, thereby contributing to better outcomes for individuals at the intersection of these two conditions. This narrative review systematically explores the intersection of HIV infection and breast cancer, focusing on the impact of HIV on breast cancer risk, outcomes, and treatment challenges.
Design, Fabrication and Evaluation of a Stretchable High-Density Electromyography Array

The adoption of high-density electrode systems for human–machine interfaces in real-life applications has been impeded by practical and technical challenges, including noise interference, motion artefacts and the lack of compact electrode interfaces. To overcome some of these challenges, we introduce a wearable and stretchable electromyography (EMG) array, and present its design, fabrication methodology, characterisation, and comprehensive evaluation. Our proposed solution comprises dry-electrodes on flexible printed circuit board (PCB) substrates, eliminating the need for time-consuming skin preparation. The proposed fabrication method allows the manufacturing of stretchable sleeves, with consistent and standardised coverage across subjects. We thoroughly tested our developed prototype, evaluating its potential for application in both research and real-world environments. The results of our study showed that the developed stretchable array matches or outperforms traditional EMG grids and holds promise in furthering the real-world translation of high-density EMG for human–machine interfaces.