Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constructing a No-Reference H.264/AVC Bitstream-Based Video Quality Metric Using Genetic Programming-Based Symbolic Regression

In order to ensure optimal quality of experience toward end users during video streaming, automatic video quality assessment becomes an important field-of-interest to video service providers. Objective video quality metrics try to estimate perceived quality with high accuracy and in an automated manner. In traditional approaches, these metrics model the complex properties of the human visual system. More recently, however, it has been shown that machine learning approaches can also yield competitive results. In this paper, we present a novel no-reference bitstream-based objective video quality metric that is constructed by genetic programming-based symbolic regression. A key benefit of this approach is that it calculates reliable white-box models that allow us to determine the importance of the parameters. Additionally, these models can provide human insight into the underlying principles of subjective video quality assessment. Numerical results show that perceived quality can be modeled with high accuracy using only parameters extracted from the received video bitstream.
Informatics as Tool for Quality Improvement: Rapid Implementation of Guidance for the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in England as an Exemplar

Objectives Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important cause of excess cardiovascular mortality and morbidity; as well as being associated with progression to end stage renal disease. This condition was largely unheard of in English primary care prior to the introduction of pay-for-performance targets for management in 2006. A realist review of how informatics has been a mechanism for national implementation of guidance for the improved management of CKD. Methods Realist review of context, the English National Health Service with a drive to implement explicit national quality standards; mechanism, the informatics infrastructure and its alignment with policy objectives; and outcomes are describe at the micro-data and messaging, meso-patient care and quality improvement initiatives, and marco-national policy levels. Results At the micro-level computerised medical records can be used to reliably identify people with CKD; though differences in creatinine assays, fluctuation in renal function, and errors in diabetes coding were less well understood. At the meso-level more aggressive management of blood pressure (BP) in individual patients appears to slow or reverse decline in renal function; technology can support case finding and quality improvement at the general practice level. At the macro-level informaticians can help ensure that leverage from informatics is incorporated in policy, and ecological investigations inform if there is any association with improved health outcomes. Conclusions In the right policy context informatics appears to be an enabler of rapid quality improvement. However, a causal relationship or generalisability of these findings has not been demonstrated.
Antibody response against a Leishmania donovani amastigote-stage-specific protein in patients with visceral leishmaniasis

The antibody response against an amastigote-specific protein (A2) from Leishmania donovani was investigated. Sera from patients with trypanosomiasis and various forms of leishmaniasis were screened for anti-A2 antibodies. Sera from patients infected only with L. donovani or Leishmania mexicana specifically recognized the A2 recombinant protein. These results were consistent with karyotype analyses which revealed that the A2 gene is conserved in L. donovani and L. mexicana strains. The potential of this antigen in diagnosis was further explored by screening a series of sera obtained from patients in regions of the Sudan and India where L. donovani is endemic. The prevalence of anti-A2 antibodies was determined by Western blotting for all samples. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an immunoprecipitation assay were also performed on some of the samples. Anti-A2 antibodies were detected by ELISA in 82 and 60% of the samples from individuals with active visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) from the Sudan and India, respectively, while the immunoprecipitation assay detected the antibodies in 92% of the samples from India. These data suggest that the A2 protein may be a useful diagnostic antigen for visceral leishmaniasis.
Establishing the Proteome of Normal Human Cerebrospinal Fluid

Background Knowledge of the entire protein content, the proteome, of normal human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would enable insights into neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Until now technologic hurdles and access to true normal samples hindered attaining this goal. Methods and Principal Findings We applied immunoaffinity separation and high sensitivity and resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to examine CSF from healthy normal individuals. 2630 proteins in CSF from normal subjects were identified, of which 56% were CSF-specific, not found in the much larger set of 3654 proteins we have identified in plasma. We also examined CSF from groups of subjects previously examined by others as surrogates for normals where neurologic symptoms warranted a lumbar puncture but where clinical laboratory were reported as normal. We found statistically significant differences between their CSF proteins and our non-neurological normals. We also examined CSF from 10 volunteer subjects who had lumbar punctures at least 4 weeks apart and found that there was little variability in CSF proteins in an individual as compared to subject to subject. Conclusions Our results represent the most comprehensive characterization of true normal CSF to date. This normal CSF proteome establishes a comparative standard and basis for investigations into a variety of diseases with neurological and psychiatric features.
BER performance evaluation for CPFSK phase and polarization diversity coherent optical receivers

The following methods of continuous phase frequency shift keying (CPFSK) signal demodulation are compared for phase and polarization diversity receivers: single filter, dual filter, delay and multiply. Bit error rate (BER) values are obtained in each case showing that for negligible laser linewidths the delay demodulation method outperforms the dual-filter method by approximately 3 dB, and the single-filter method by 6 dB. Since the noise bandwidth for minimum-shift keying (MSK) and delay demodulation is approximately twice as small as for the other methods, one should add another 3 dB to get the gain for that modulation/demodulation method. The influences of nonzero laser linewidth, noise correlation, and the nonGaussian character of the probability density functions of the noise at the sampler are taken into account. >
Comparison of Contemporary In Situ, Model, and Satellite Remote Sensing Soil Moisture With a Focus on Drought Monitoring

Soil moisture is a key drought indicator; however, current in situ soil moisture infrastructure is inadequate for large‐scale drought monitoring. One initiative of the ongoing National Soil Moisture Network program is the development of a near real‐time drought monitoring product that integrates in situ, model, and satellite remote sensing data. Data integration from diverse sources requires large‐scale validation prior to integration. This study develops a framework for assessing the fidelity of in situ, model, and satellite soil moisture data sets. Here we evaluate data from over 100 in situ monitoring stations that are part of nine monitoring networks; North American Land Data Assimilation System Phase 2 and Climate Prediction Center land surface models; and Soil Moisture Active‐Passive, Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity, and European Space Agency‐Climate Change Initiative (ESA‐CCI) satellite products. The results indicate the majority of in situ stations exhibit low error variance and are spatially representative; however, some networks and individual stations exhibit anomalously high error variance or are sited in a way that make them not spatially representative of a larger area. Overall, North American Land Data Assimilation System Phase 2 is the modeled product that consistently performed best, and Soil Moisture Active‐Passive L3 is the remotely sensed product that consistently performed the best. They were able to both capture in situ soil moisture variability and provide an accurate depiction of drought conditions. The methods and verification framework applied in this study can be used to evaluate any soil moisture data set in any region of the world.
ASYMPTOTIC EQUIVALENCE OF CERTAIN CLOSED LOOP SUBSPACE IDENTIFICATION METHODS

Abstract Subspace identification for closed loop systems has been recently studied by several authors. Even though results are available which allows to compute the asymptotic variance of the estimated parameters for several algorithms, less clear is the situation as to relative performance is concerned. In this paper we partly answer this last question showing that the SSARX algorithm introduced by Jansson, which requires preliminary ARX modeling, and its “geometric version„ called PBSID in the literature, which does not require any preliminary estimation step, are asymptotically equivalent. The question as to which is to be preferred in practice when working with finite data size remains open.
Integrin α10, a Novel Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma, Regulates Cell Migration, Proliferation, and Survival

New, effective treatment strategies for glioblastomas (GBMs), the most malignant and invasive brain tumors in adults, are highly needed. In this study, we investigated the potential of integrin α10β1 as a therapeutic target in GBMs. Expression levels and the role of integrin α10β1 were studied in patient-derived GBM tissues and cell lines. The effect of an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC), an integrin α10 antibody conjugated to saporin, on GBM cells and in a xenograft mouse model was studied. We found that integrin α10β1 was strongly expressed in both GBM tissues and cells, whereas morphologically unaffected brain tissues showed only minor expression. Partial or no overlap was seen with integrins α3, α6, and α7, known to be expressed in GBM. Further analysis of a subpopulation of GBM cells selected for high integrin α10 expression demonstrated increased proliferation and sphere formation. Additionally, siRNA-mediated knockdown of integrin α10 in GBM cells led to decreased migration and increased cell death. Furthermore, the ADC reduced viability and sphere formation of GBM cells and induced cell death both in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that integrin α10β1 has a functional role in GBM cells and is a novel, potential therapeutic target for the treatment of GBM.
Differences between dentitions with palatally and labially located maxillary canines observed in incisor width, dental morphology and space conditions.

AIM To analyze the interrelationship between incisor width, deviations in the dentition and available space in the dental arch in palatally and labially located maxillary ectopic canine cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Size: On dental casts from 69 patients (mean age 13 years 6 months) the mesiodistal widths of each premolar, canine and incisor were measured and compared with normal standards. Dental deviations: Based on panoramic radiographs from the same patients the dentitions were grouped accordingly: Group I: normal morphology; Group IIa: deviations in the dentition within the maxillary incisors only; Group IIb: deviations in the dentition in general. Descriptive statistics for the tooth sizes and dental deviations were presented by the mean and 95% confidence limits for the mean and the p-value for the T-statistic. Space: Space was expresses by subtracting the total tooth sizes of incisors, canines and premolars from the length of the arch segments. RESULTS Size of lateral maxillary incisor: The widths of the lateral incisors were significantly different in groups I, IIa and IIb (p=0.016) and in cases with labially located ectopic canines on average 0.65 (95% CI:0.25-1.05, p=0.0019) broader than lateral incisors in cases with palatally located ectopic canines. Space: Least available space was observed in cases with labially located canines. The linear model did show a difference between palatally and labially located ectopic canines (p=0.03). Space related to deviations in the dentition: When space in the dental arch was related to dental deviations (groups I, IIa and IIb), the cases in group IIb with palatally located canines had significantly more space compared with I and IIa. CONCLUSION Two subgroups of palatally located ectopic maxillary canine cases based on registration of space, incisor width and deviations in the morphology of the dentition were identified.
Targeting Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP) Anandamide Transporters – A Novel Strategy for Development of Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Drugs

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), in particular FABP5 and FABP7, have recently been identified by us as intracellular transporters for the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA). Furthermore, animal studies by others have shown that elevated levels of endocannabinoids resulted in beneficial pharmacological effects on stress, pain and inflammation and also ameliorate the effects of drug withdrawal. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that FABP5 and FABP7 would provide excellent pharmacological targets. Thus, we performed a virtual screening of over one million compounds using DOCK and employed a novel footprint similarity scoring function to identify lead compounds with binding profiles similar to oleic acid, a natural FABP substrate. Forty-eight compounds were purchased based on their footprint similarity scores (FPS) and assayed for biological activity against purified human FABP5 employing a fluorescent displacement-binding assay. Four compounds were found to exhibit approximately 50% inhibition or greater at 10 µM, as good as or better inhibitors of FABP5 than BMS309403, a commercially available inhibitor. The most potent inhibitor, γ-truxillic acid 1-naphthyl ester (ChemDiv 8009-2334), was determined to have Ki value of 1.19±0.01 µM. Accordingly a novel α-truxillic acid 1-naphthyl mono-ester (SB-FI-26) was synthesized and assayed for its inhibitory activity against FABP5, wherein SB-FI-26 exhibited strong binding (Ki 0.93±0.08 µM). Additionally, we found SB-FI-26 to act as a potent anti-nociceptive agent with mild anti-inflammatory activity in mice, which strongly supports our hypothesis that the inhibition of FABPs and subsequent elevation of anandamide is a promising new approach to drug discovery. Truxillic acids and their derivatives were also shown by others to have anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects in mice and to be the active component of Chinese a herbal medicine (Incarvillea sinensis) used to treat rheumatism and pain in humans. Our results provide a likely mechanism by which these compounds exert their effects.
Energy storage design considerations for an MVDC power system

ABSTRACT The U.S. Navy is investing in the development of new technologies that broaden warship capabilities and maintain U.S. naval superiority. Specifically, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is supporting the development of power systems technologies that enable the Navy to realise an all-electric warship. A challenge to fielding an all-electric power system architecture includes minimising the size of energy storage systems (ESS) while maintaining the response times necessary to support potential pulsed loads. This work explores the trade-off between energy storage size requirements (i.e. mass) and performance (i.e. peak power, energy storage, and control bandwidth) in the context of a power system architecture that meets the needs of the U.S. Navy. In this work, the simulated time domain responses of a representative power system were evaluated under different loading conditions and control parameters, and the results were considered in conjunction with sizing constraints of and estimated specific power and energy densities of various storage technologies. The simulation scenarios were based on representative operational vignettes, and a Ragone plot was used to illustrate the intersection of potential energy storage sizing with the energy and power density requirements of the system. Furthermore, the energy storage control bandwidth requirements were evaluated by simulation for different loading scenarios. Two approaches were taken to design an ESS: one based only on time domain power and energy requirements from simulation and another based on bandwidth (specific frequency) limitations of various technologies.
Cluster Analysis in Patients with GOLD 1 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background We hypothesized that heterogeneity exists within the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 1 spirometric category and that different subgroups could be identified within this GOLD category. Methods Pre-randomization study participants from two clinical trials were symptomatic/asymptomatic GOLD 1 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and healthy controls. A hierarchical cluster analysis used pre-randomization demographics, symptom scores, lung function, peak exercise response and daily physical activity levels to derive population subgroups. Results Considerable heterogeneity existed for clinical variables among patients with GOLD 1 COPD. All parameters, except forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), had considerable overlap between GOLD 1 COPD and controls. Three-clusters were identified: cluster I (18 [15%] COPD patients; 105 [85%] controls); cluster II (45 [80%] COPD patients; 11 [20%] controls); and cluster III (22 [92%] COPD patients; 2 [8%] controls). Apart from reduced diffusion capacity and lower baseline dyspnea index versus controls, cluster I COPD patients had otherwise preserved lung volumes, exercise capacity and physical activity levels. Cluster II COPD patients had a higher smoking history and greater hyperinflation versus cluster I COPD patients. Cluster III COPD patients had reduced physical activity versus controls and clusters I and II COPD patients, and lower FEV1/FVC versus clusters I and II COPD patients. Conclusions The results emphasize heterogeneity within GOLD 1 COPD, supporting an individualized therapeutic approach to patients. Trial registration www.clinicaltrials. gov. NCT01360788 and NCT01072396.
Evaluating the Relationship between Well-Being and Living with a Dog for People with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study

Chronic low back pain is a significant societal and personal burden that negatively impacts quality of life. Dog ownership has been associated with health benefits. This study evaluated the feasibility of surveying people with chronic low back pain to assess the relationship between dog ownership and well-being. A mail-out survey was sent to 210 adult patients with chronic low back pain. Measures of quality of life, pain, physical activity, emotional health, social ties and dog ownership were included. Feasibility was assessed by examining survey response rate, responses to established and newly developed measures, and the potential relationships between dog ownership and a number of key well-being variables in this patient population. There were 56 completed surveys returned (n = 36 non-dog owners and n = 20 dog owners). Established, adapted and newly developed scales revealed promising results. Dog owners reported fewer depression and anxiety symptoms, and more social ties than non-dog owners. Living with a dog may be associated with improved well-being for people with chronic pain. The findings from this feasibility study will inform a general population survey, to be conducted with a larger, more representative sample of people living with chronic pain.
The PHD Finger Protein MMD1/DUET Ensures the Progression of Male Meiotic Chromosome Condensation and Directly Regulates the Expression of the Condensin Gene CAP-D3[OPEN]

MMD1, a reader of histone modifications, is required for progressive compaction of meiotic chromosomes during prophase I in a manner partially dependent on expression of the condensin gene CAP-D3. Chromosome condensation, a process mediated by the condensin complex, is essential for proper chromosome segregation during cell division. Unlike rapid mitotic chromosome condensation, meiotic chromosome condensation occurs over a relatively long prophase I and is unusually complex due to the coordination with chromosome axis formation and homolog interaction. The molecular mechanisms that regulate meiotic chromosome condensation progression from prophase I to metaphase I are unclear. Here, we show that the Arabidopsis thaliana meiotic PHD-finger protein MMD1/DUET is required for progressive compaction of prophase I chromosomes to metaphase I bivalents. The MMD1 PHD domain is required for its function in chromosome condensation and binds to methylated histone tails. Transcriptome analysis and qRT-PCR showed that several condensin genes exhibit significantly reduced expression in mmd1 meiocytes. Furthermore, MMD1 specifically binds to the promoter region of the condensin subunit gene CAP-D3 to enhance its expression. Moreover, cap-d3 mutants exhibit similar chromosome condensation defects, revealing an MMD1-dependent mechanism for regulating meiotic chromosome condensation, which functions in part by promoting condensin gene expression. Together, these discoveries provide strong evidence that the histone reader MMD1/DUET defines an important step for regulating the progression of meiotic prophase I chromosome condensation.
Integrated time-lapse and single-cell transcription studies highlight the variable and dynamic nature of human hematopoietic cell fate commitment

Individual cells take lineage commitment decisions in a way that is not necessarily uniform. We address this issue by characterizing transcriptional changes in cord blood derived CD34+ cells at the single-cell level and integrating data with cell division history and morphological changes determined by time-lapse microscopy. We show, that major transcriptional changes leading to a multilineage-primed gene expression state occur very rapidly during the first cell cycle. One of the two stable lineage-primed patterns emerges gradually in each cell with variable timing. Some cells reach a stable morphology and molecular phenotype by the end of the first cell cycle and transmit it clonally. Others fluctuate between the two phenotypes over several cell cycles. Our analysis highlights the dynamic nature and variable timing of cell fate commitment in hematopoietic cells, links the gene expression pattern to cell morphology and identifies a new category of cells with fluctuating phenotypic characteristics, demonstrating the complexity of the fate decision process, away from a simple binary switch between two options as it is usually envisioned.