Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Separating and Identifying the Four Stereoisomers of Methyl Jasmonate by RP-HPLC and using Cyclodextrins in a Novel Way.

INTRODUCTION Several authors have reported on the different bioactivities of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) stereoisomers. However, no simple, precise and cheap method for separating and identifying them using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) has been developed. OBJECTIVE (1) To create a simple, precise and cheap method for separating and identifying the four stereoisomers present in commercial racemic mixtures of MeJA and (2) to identify the four stereoisomers using molecular docking techniques and coinjection. Materials and Methods - RP-HPLC using a 250 mm C18 column and different proportions of cyclodextrins (CDs) and organic solvents was applied to a commercial sample of racemic MeJA. RESULTS The results show that the best conditions for separating the MeJA stereoisomers are: 20% methanol in the mobile phase, a temperature of 45 °C and a 16 mM concentration of methyl-β-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD). A simple C18 250 mm column and a flow rate of 1.25 mL/min were used. The reduction in the retention time of MeJA observed when M-β-CD is added to the mobile phases was used to determine the complexation constants of the guest/CD complex and compared with the obtained when other CDs were used. The KF for M-β-CD (117.49 ± 5.9 1/M) was obtained with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The four stereoisomers were identified by molecular docking techniques and coinjection of a commercially available rosemary essential oil. CONCLUSION The new method identified and classified the four stereoisomers of MeJA in the following ordination: (-)epiMeJA, (-)MeJA; (+)MeJA and (+)epiMeJA. These results could be used to improve the elicitation of cell cultures with only the best isomer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multichannel EEG-Based Emotion Recognition via Group Sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis

In this paper, a novel group sparse canonical correlation analysis (GSCCA) method is proposed for simultaneous electroencephalogram (EEG) channel selection and emotion recognition. GSCCA is a group sparse extension of the conventional CCA method to model the linear correlationship between emotional EEG class label vectors and the corresponding EEG feature vectors. In contrast to conventional CCA method or previous GSCCA methods, a major advantage of our GSCCA method is the ability of handling the group feature selection problem from raw EEG features, which makes it very suitable for simultaneously coping with both EEG emotion recognition and automatic channel selection issues where each EEG channel is associated with a group of raw EEG features. To deal with EEG emotion recognition problem, we adopt the popularly used frequency feature to describe the EEG signal by dividing the full EEG frequency band into five parts, i.e., <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {\delta }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {\theta }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {\alpha }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {\beta }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\boldsymbol {\gamma }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> frequency bands, and then extract the frequency band features from each band for GSCCA model learning and emotion recognition. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments on EEG-based emotion recognition based on the SJTU emotion EEG dataset and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed GSCCA method would outperform the state-of-the-art EEG-based emotion recognition approaches.
Modeling Transportation Routines using Hybrid Dynamic Mixed Networks

This paper describes a general framework called Hybrid Dynamic Mixed Networks (HDMNs) which are Hybrid Dynamic Bayesian Networks that allow representation of discrete deterministic information in the form of constraints. We propose approximate inference algorithms that integrate and adjust well known algorithmic principles such as Generalized Belief Propagation, Rao-Blackwellised Particle Filtering and Constraint Propagation to address the complexity of modeling and reasoning in HDMNs. We use this framework to model a person's travel activity over time and to predict destination and routes given the current location. We present a preliminary empirical evaluation demonstrating the effectiveness of our modeling framework and algorithms using several variants of the activity model.
Voice puppetry

We introduce a method for predicting a control signal from another related signal, and apply it to voice puppetry : Generating full facial animation from expressive information in an audio track. The voice puppet learns a facial control model from computer vision of real facial behavior, automatically incorporating vocal and facial dynamics such as co-articulation. Animation is produced by using audio to drive the model, which induces a probability distribution over the manifold of possible facial motions. We present a linear-time closed-form solution for the most probable trajectory over this manifold. The output is a series of facial control parameters, suitable for driving many different kinds of animation ranging from video-realistic image warps to 3 D cartoon characters.
Role of fluoride varnish in preventing early childhood caries: A systematic review

Background: Early childhood caries is a public health problem that continues to affect babies and preschool children worldwide. This untreated caries process results in progressive destruction of the crowns of the teeth, often accompanied by severe pain and suffering, affecting the quality of life. Fluoride varnish which is one of the most important materials to prevent ECC is easy to apply and well tolerated by children. This study aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence regardingthe role of fluoride varnish in preventing early childhood caries. Materials and Methods: Records were searched from various databases such as PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE. Articles published over the past 36 years (1979-2015) were identified using the key search terms. A total of 190 records were identified by title/abstracts/full text articles and were retrieved. Potentially relevant reports identified from the reference lists of relevant studies, review articles and chapters were hand-searched, which yielded an additional 10 articles. The main outcome of our investigation was prevention of early childhood caries following application of fluoride varnish and unavoidable fluoride exposure. Out of 190 articles originally identified, 30 records were considered potentially eligible and sought for further assessment. 17 articles met the inclusion criteria and these studies were assessed independently for methodology and performance. Results: Analysis of literature revealed that basically two concentrations of fluoride varnishes have been used: 1% and 5%, with a caries preventive fraction ranges of 6.4-30% and 5-63%, respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that fluoride varnishes have been used at concentrations of 1% and 5% in the prevention of ECC. The preventive fraction was influenced by the frequency of application, the duration of study and sample size. The evidence level of the studies was of moderate to limited value.
Design principles of policy languages for path vector protocols

BGP is unique among IP-routing protocols in that routing is determined using semantically rich routing policies. However, this expressiveness has come with hidden risks. The interaction of locally defined routing policies can lead to unexpected global routing anomalies, which can be very difficult to identify and correct in the decentralized and competitive Internet environment. These risks increase as the complexity of local policies increase, which is precisely the current trend. BGP policy languages have evolved in a rather organic fashion with little effort to avoid policy-interaction problems. We believe that researchers should start to consider how to emphdesign policy languages for path-vector protocols that avoid such risks and yet retain other desirable features. We take a few steps in this direction by identifying the important dimensions of this design space and characterizing some of the inherent design trade-offs. We attempt to do this in a general way that is not constrained by the details of BGP.
Genetic polymorphisms of drug‐metabolizing phase I enzymes CYP2E1, CYP2A6 and CYP3A5 in South Indian population

CYP2E1, CYP2A6 and CYP3A5 enzymes belong to phase I group of drug‐metabolizing enzymes, which are involved in the metabolism of various compounds and xenobiotics. Presence of polymorphisms in the genes coding for these enzymes results in interindividual variations in drug metabolism, therapeutic response and susceptibility towards various diseases. The frequencies of these variants in genes differ considerably between ethnic groups. This study was carried out to estimate the allele and genotype frequencies of common variants in CYP2E1, CYP2A6 and CYP3A5 in South Indian population. Six hundred and fifty‐two unrelated healthy volunteers of South Indian origin (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) were included in this study. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism, allele‐specific PCR, real‐time PCR, SNaPshot and gene sequencing methods were used for the identification of gene polymorphisms. The frequencies of CYP2E1*1B, CYP2E1*5B and CYP2E1*6 alleles in South Indian population were 14.3, 1.3 and 22.4%, respectively. The frequencies of CYP2A6*2, CYP2A6*4A and CYP2A6*5 alleles were found to be 1, 8.9 and 0.7%, respectively. The distribution of CYP3A5*3 allele was 63.5%. There were no variant alleles of CYP3A5*2, CYP3A5*4 and CYP3A5*6 in South Indian population. The frequencies of CYP2E1, CYP2A6 and CYP3A5 in the South Indian population are distinct from Caucasians, Chinese, Japanese, African Americans and other compared populations. This is the first study conducted in the South Indian population with a larger sample size. The findings of our study provide the basic genetic information for further pharmacogenomic investigations in the population.
BER Performance of SFBC OFDM System Over TWDP Fading Channel

In this letter, the performance of uncoded and space frequency block coding (SFBC) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system over two-wave with diffuse power (TWDP) fading environment is analyzed. A general closed-form expressions of average bit error rate for both M-ary phase shift keying and M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation are derived using moment generating function of TWDP fading distribution. Results are verified with the benchmark results available in the literature (i.e., Rayleigh and Rician). Numerical results with various TWDP fading channel parameter (K and A) and with different modulation orders for uncoded and SFBC OFDM systems show excellent agreement with simulation results.
Adaptive Walking in Alzheimer's Disease

The aim of this study is to analyze dual-task effects on free and adaptive gait in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Nineteen elders with AD participated in the study. A veteran neuropsychiatrist established the degree of AD in the sample. To determine dual-task effects on free and adaptive gait, patients performed five trials for each experimental condition: free and adaptive gait with and without a dual-task (regressive countdown). Spatial and temporal parameters were collected through an optoelectronic tridimensional system. The central stride was analyzed in free gait, and the steps immediately before (approaching phase) and during the obstacle crossing were analyzed in adaptive gait. Results indicated that AD patients walked more slowly during adaptive gait and free gait, using conservative strategies when confronted either with an obstacle or a secondary task. Furthermore, patients sought for stability to perform the tasks, particularly for adaptive gait with dual task, who used anticipatory and online adjustments to perform the task. Therefore, the increase of task complexity enhances cognitive load and risk of falls for AD patients.
Measurement bias and fluctuating asymmetry estimates

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), that is, small, random deviation from symmetry in bilateral characters (Van Valen 1962; Palmer & Strobeck 1986), is an increasingly popular measure of developmental instability. As such, it is used for many purposes in relation to the evaluation of environmental or genetic variation in population or individual quality (Markow 1995; Møller & Swaddle 1998). It may also be involved in mate choice, as an honest signal of individual quality (Watson & Thornhill 1994). A number of theoretical studies has shown that measurement error (i.e. random variation arising from inaccuracy of measurement devices) can lead to overestimation of FA (Palmer & Strobeck 1986; Palmer 1994; Swaddle et al. 1994; Merilä & Björklund 1995; Björklund & Merilä 1997). Standard methods based on replicate measures are now available to avoid this pitfall and produce FA estimates as free from measurement error as possible (Palmer & Strobeck 1986). These methods usually assume that the right and left sides of an individual are measured independently and are therefore subject to uncorrelated measurement errors (Merilä & Björklund 1995; Björklund & Merilä 1997; and implicit in Palmer & Strobeck 1986). However, in many cases, practical constraints may lead researchers to measure the left and right sides of a given individual successively or during the same session (when sample size is too big to measure all individuals at once). Therefore, the data are in the form of pairs of left and right values that share potential session bias, such as the calibration of an optical system, the light and position in which objects are observed and the state of mind of the experimenter. The influence of such biases has never been modelled, although they have been mentioned by Møller & Swaddle (1998, page 29). Here we describe the statistical consequences of such biases and show: (1) that they are not fatal to the estimation of FA; (2) that there are some simple ways to account for them when estimating either individual asymmetry or population FA; and (3) that the best strategy is always to take left and right values of an individual during the same session rather than in different sessions. We assume that several replicate measures of the same individual are taken on different sessions, although left and right values for that individual are measured during the same session. Replicate k of the trait value for side i of individual j is determined as follows
Relationship of Early Pregnancy Waist-to-Hip Ratio versus Body Mass Index with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Insulin Resistance

Abstract Objective To determine the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and insulin resistance (IR) in obesity defined by body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), or both combined. Methods Secondary analysis of a randomized multicenter trial of antioxidant supplementation versus placebo in nulliparous low-risk women to prevent pregnancy associated hypertension. Women between 9 and 16 weeks with data for WHR and BMI were analyzed for GDM (n = 2,300). Those with fasting glucose and insulin between 22 and 26 weeks (n = 717) were analyzed for IR by homeostatic model assessment of IR (normal, ≤ 75th percentile). WHR and BMI were categorized as normal (WHR, < 0.80; BMI, < 25 kg/m2); overweight (WHR, 0.8–0.84; BMI, 25–29.9 kg/m2); and obese (WHR, ≥ 0.85; BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression models were used. Results Compared with normal, the risks of GDM or IR were higher in obese by BMI or WHR. The subgroup with obesity by WHR but not by BMI had no increased risk of GDM. BMI was a better predictor of IR (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.71 [BMI], 0.65 [WHR], p = 0.03) but similar to WHR for GDM (AUC: 0.68 [BMI], 0.63 [WHR], p = 0.18). Conclusion Increased WHR and BMI in early pregnancy are associated with IR and GDM. BMI is a better predictor of IR compared with WHR. Adding WHR to BMI does not improve its ability to detect GDM or IR.
Development and Validation of a Classification System to Identify High-Grade Dysplasia and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in Barrett's Esophagus Using Narrow-Band Imaging.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Although several classification systems have been proposed for characterization of Barrett's esophagus (BE) surface patterns based on narrow-band imaging (NBI), none have been widely accepted. The Barrett's International NBI Group (BING) aimed to develop and validate an NBI classification system for identification of dysplasia and cancer in patients with BE. METHODS The BING working group, composed of NBI experts from the United States, Europe, and Japan, met to develop a validated, consensus-driven NBI classification system for identifying dysplasia and cancer in BE. The group reviewed 60 NBI images of nondysplastic BE, high-grade dysplasia, and esophageal adenocarcinoma to characterize mucosal and vascular patterns visible by NBI; these features were used to develop the BING criteria. We then recruited adult patients undergoing surveillance or endoscopic treatment for BE at 4 institutions in the United States and Europe, obtaining high-quality NBI images and performing histologic analysis of biopsies. Experts individually reviewed 50 NBI images to validate the BING criteria, and then evaluated 120 additional NBI images (not previously viewed) to determine whether the criteria accurately predicted the histology results. RESULTS The BING criteria identified patients with dysplasia with 85% overall accuracy, 80% sensitivity, 88% specificity, 81% positive predictive value, and 88% negative predictive value. When dysplasia was identified with a high level of confidence, these values were 92%, 91%, 93%, 89%, and 95%, respectively. The overall strength of inter-observer agreement was substantial (κ = 0.681). CONCLUSIONS The BING working group developed a simple, internally validated system to identify dysplasia and EAC in patients with BE based on NBI results. When images are assessed with a high degree of confidence, the system can classify BE with >90% accuracy and a high level of inter-observer agreement.
Computer-Aided Design and 3-Dimensional Printing for Costal Cartilage Simulation of Airway Graft Carving

Autologous cartilage grafting during open airway reconstruction is a complex skill instrumental to the success of the operation. Most trainees lack adequate opportunities to develop proficiency in this skill. We hypothesized that 3-dimensional (3D) printing and computer-aided design can be used to create a high-fidelity simulator for developing skills carving costal cartilage grafts for airway reconstruction. The rapid manufacturing and low cost of the simulator allow deployment in locations lacking expert instructors or cadaveric dissection, such as medical missions and Third World countries. In this blinded, prospective observational study, resident trainees completed a physical simulator exercise using a 3D-printed costal cartilage grafting tool. Participant assessment was performed using a Likert scale questionnaire, and airway grafts were assessed by a blinded expert surgeon. Most participants found this to be a very relevant training tool and highly rated the level of realism of the simulation tool.
Tree demography dominates long‐term growth trends inferred from tree rings

Understanding responses of forests to increasing CO2 and temperature is an important challenge, but no easy task. Tree rings are increasingly used to study such responses. In a recent study, van der Sleen et al. (2014) Nature Geoscience, 8, 4 used tree rings from 12 tropical tree species and find that despite increases in intrinsic water use efficiency, no growth stimulation is observed. This challenges the idea that increasing CO2 would stimulate growth. Unfortunately, tree ring analysis can be plagued by biases, resulting in spurious growth trends. While their study evaluated several biases, it does not account for all. In particular, one bias may have seriously affected their results. Several of the species have recruitment patterns, which are not uniform, but clustered around one specific year. This results in spurious negative growth trends if growth rates are calculated in fixed size classes, as ‘fast‐growing’ trees reach the sampling diameter earlier compared to slow growers and thus fast growth rates tend to have earlier calendar dates. We assessed the effect of this ‘nonuniform age bias’ on observed growth trends and find that van der Sleen's conclusions of a lack of growth stimulation do not hold. Growth trends are – at least partially – driven by underlying recruitment or age distributions. Species with more clustered age distributions show more negative growth trends, and simulations to estimate the effect of species’ age distributions show growth trends close to those observed. Re‐evaluation of the growth data and correction for the bias result in significant positive growth trends of 1–2% per decade for the full period, and 3–7% since 1950. These observations, however, should be taken cautiously as multiple biases affect these trend estimates. In all, our results highlight that tree ring studies of long‐term growth trends can be strongly influenced by biases if demographic processes are not carefully accounted for.
Transient performance of a CSMA system under temporary overload conditions

Effects of impulsive arrivals of packets on the performance of carrier-sense multiple-access (CSMA) protocols are studied. A deterministic dynamic system is proposed to approximate the imbedded Markovian chain model of the CSMA system. Based on this approximation, the probability of overloading of the CSMA system due to impulsive input can be estimated, and the trajectory of the system states can be calculated. For engineering application purposes, a relaxation time is defined. Simulations are carried out which support the above-mentioned approaches. <<ETX>>
Strain-Mediated Substrate Effect on the Dielectric and Ferroelectric Response of Potassium Sodium Niobate Thin Films

If piezoelectric thin films sensors based on K0.5Na0. 5NbO3 (KNN) are to achieve commercialization, it is critical to optimize the film performance using low-cost scalable processing and substrates. Here, sol–gel derived KNN thin films are deposited using a solution with 5% of potassium excess on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si and Pt/SrTiO3 substrates, and rapid thermal annealed at 750 °C for 5 min. Despite an identical film morphology and thickness of ~335 nm, an in-plane stress/strain state is found to be tensile for KNN films on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si, and compressive for those on Pt/SrTiO3 substrates, being related to thermal expansion mismatch between the substrate and the film. Correspondingly, KNN films under in-plane compressive stress possess superior dielectric permittivity and polarization in the parallel-plate-capacitor geometry.