Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender-dependent Protein Expression in White Adipose Tissues of Lean and Obese Rats Fed a High Fat Diet

Background: Proper understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying gender dimorphism in obesity for better nutritional recommendation is still in early stages. As white adipose tissues (WAT) is most important tissue in obesity metabolism, comparative proteomic analysis of all three WAT deposits at the same time to yield immensely important protein markers was the primary goal of this study. Methods: We performed differential expression analysis of protein profiles of three different WAT viz. subcutaneous, inguinal, and abdominal fat deposits of both genders in lean and obese rats fed a high fat diet (HFD) using a combination of 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS. Results: The proteomics analysis enabled us to detect 25, 29, and 46 proteins showing gender differences in three WAT deposits, respectively, to gain insight into cause of higher body weight gain in male in response to HFD. Conclusion: The gender dimorphism found in this proteomic study implies that female rats have a lower tendency to undergo metabolic syndrome manifestation, which is associated with lower reliance on lipid as an energy fuel, lower lipogenesis, as well as increased mitochondrial oxidative capacity. In conclusion, most of the candidate proteins identified herein by differential proteomics were previously unrecognized in gender dimorphism of adipose tissue.
Representability of algebraic topology for biomolecules in machine learning based scoring and virtual screening

This work introduces a number of algebraic topology approaches, including multi-component persistent homology, multi-level persistent homology, and electrostatic persistence for the representation, characterization, and description of small molecules and biomolecular complexes. In contrast to the conventional persistent homology, multi-component persistent homology retains critical chemical and biological information during the topological simplification of biomolecular geometric complexity. Multi-level persistent homology enables a tailored topological description of inter- and/or intra-molecular interactions of interest. Electrostatic persistence incorporates partial charge information into topological invariants. These topological methods are paired with Wasserstein distance to characterize similarities between molecules and are further integrated with a variety of machine learning algorithms, including k-nearest neighbors, ensemble of trees, and deep convolutional neural networks, to manifest their descriptive and predictive powers for protein-ligand binding analysis and virtual screening of small molecules. Extensive numerical experiments involving 4,414 protein-ligand complexes from the PDBBind database and 128,374 ligand-target and decoy-target pairs in the DUD database are performed to test respectively the scoring power and the discriminatory power of the proposed topological learning strategies. It is demonstrated that the present topological learning outperforms other existing methods in protein-ligand binding affinity prediction and ligand-decoy discrimination.
Visual-based fingertip detection for hand rehabilitation

This paper presents a visual detection of fingertips by using a classification technique based on the bag-of-words method. In this work, the fingertips are specifically of people who are are holding a therapy ball, as it is intended to be used in a hand rehabilitation project. Speeded Up Robust Features (SURF) descriptors are used to generate feature vectors and then the bag-of-feature model is constructed by K-mean clustering which reduces the number of features. Finally, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) is trained to produce a classifier that distinguishes whether the feature vector belongs to a fingertip or not. A total of 4200 images, 2100 fingertip images and 2100 non-fingertip images, were used in the experiment. Our results show that the success rates for the fingertip detection are higher than 94% which demonstrates that the proposed method produces a promising result for fingertip detection for therapy-ball-holding hands.
Supervisor Security Provision: Correlates and Related Mechanisms

Attachment security in relationships is associated with several positive outcomes. Recently, researchers have applied attachment theory to employee-supervisor relationships. Two studies examined associations of supervisors' provision of attachment-related security with work-related outcomes and related underlying mechanisms. Participants completed measures of their supervisors' security provisions and of their own job satisfaction, organizational commitment, burnout, and performance. Supervisors' security provisions were associated with positive work-related outcomes, which were mediated by closeness behaviors (Study 1; N = 150, M age = 33.3 yr., SD = 9.6). These associations were also mediated by employees' sense of meaning at work when the supervisor was of the same sex (Study 2; N = 120, M age = 26.5 yr., SD = 5.0). Findings supported attachment-related dynamics in employee-supervisor relationships and suggested psychological mechanisms underlying these effects.
Ductility of Concrete Beams Reinforced with FRP Bars and Steel Fibers

A total of 18 concrete beams were tested to study the influence of adding steel fibers (SF) to concrete mix on the ductility of concrete beams reinforced with fiber reinforced plastics bars (FRP beams). The main variables in the study were the type and volume fraction of the steel fiber. The study also investigated the accuracy of an available model, developed originally to predict the flexural strength of concrete beams reinforced with SF and steel bars (SF-steel beams), after modification in estimating the flexural capacity of the fibrous FRP beams (SF-FRP beams). The results indicate that the ductility of FRP beams is less than 50% of that of the respective steel beams. The results also reveal that the ductility of SF-FRP beams is directly related to the fiber content. In addition, the test results show that inclusion of 1% of hooked SF can improve the ductility of FRP beams to be the same as that of the steel beams. Furthermore, comparison between the predicted and measured flexural capacity of SF-FRP beams shows that the modified model can predict the measured results within a reasonable accuracy.
Modelling dynamics in decision support systems

Decision support systems (DSS) play an important role in supporting scheduling tasks in industrial settings. In this article, a special aspect of DSS for scheduling, namely their development, implementation and usage in relation to user participation, is examined. The outlined research model proposes that different forms of user participation lead to different levels of model complexity. This complexity influences in turn such outcome variables like system performance and user satisfaction. The research model integrates several existing concepts from technology acceptance, planned behaviour, involvement and participation research as well as control theory. These theories are expanded by the dynamics of the modelling process. For the empirical analysis, multiple case studies examining different cases of DSS development and implementation processes in different settings were conducted.
Random sampling techniques for space efficient online computation of order statistics of large datasets

In a recent paper [MRL98], we had described a general framework for single pass approximate quantile finding algorithms. This framework included several known algorithms as special cases. We had identified a new algorithm, within the framework, which had a significantly smaller requirement for main memory than other known algorithms. In this paper, we address two issues left open in our earlier paper. First, all known and space efficient algorithms for approximate quantile finding require advance knowledge of the length of the input sequence. Many important database applications employing quantiles cannot provide this information. In this paper, we present a novel non-uniform random sampling scheme and an extension of our framework. Together, they form the basis of a new algorithm which computes approximate quantiles without knowing the input sequence length. Second, if the desired quantile is an extreme value (e.g., within the top 1% of the elements), the space requirements of currently known algorithms are overly pessimistic. We provide a simple algorithm which estimates extreme values using less space than required by the earlier more general technique for computing all quantiles. Our principal observation here is that random sampling is quantifiably better when estimating extreme values than is the case with the median.
Correlated microtiming deviations in jazz and rock music

Musical rhythms performed by humans typically show temporal fluctuations. While they have been characterized in simple rhythmic tasks, it is an open question what is the nature of temporal fluctuations, when several musicians perform music jointly in all its natural complexity. To study such fluctuations in over 100 original jazz and rock/pop recordings played with and without metronome we developed a semi-automated workflow allowing the extraction of cymbal beat onsets with millisecond precision. Analyzing the inter-beat interval (IBI) time series revealed evidence for two long-range correlated processes characterized by power laws in the IBI power spectral densities. One process dominates on short timescales (t < 8 beats) and reflects microtiming variability in the generation of single beats. The other dominates on longer timescales and reflects slow tempo variations. Whereas the latter did not show differences between musical genres (jazz vs. rock/pop), the process on short timescales showed higher variability for jazz recordings, indicating that jazz makes stronger use of microtiming fluctuations within a measure than rock/pop. Our results elucidate principles of rhythmic performance and can inspire algorithms for artificial music generation. By studying microtiming fluctuations in original music recordings, we bridge the gap between minimalistic tapping paradigms and expressive rhythmic performances.
Attentional Control in Anterior Cingulate Cortex Based on Probabilistic Cueing

In Stroop-like tasks, conflict effects in behavioral measures and ACC activity are smaller on trials following an incongruent trial than following a congruent one. Researchers have found no agreement on whether these sequential effects in ACC can be driven by experienced incongruency only or also by expectations about target types. In the present fMRI experiment, we specifically manipulated the expectancies by using symbolic cues predicting with 75% or 50% certainty the incongruent or congruent targets in a Stroop-like task. Both behavioral and dorsal ACC data replicated previous sequential effects, with conflict effects being smallest for targets following the cues that predicted with 75% certainty the incongruent targets. However, these effects were not driven by experienced conflict but by symbolic cues. These results demonstrate differential attentional control activity in ACC after probabilistic cueing, providing evidence for control adjustments driven by changes in expectation.
An Unusual Chimeric Diterpene Synthase from Emericella variecolor and Its Functional Conversion into a Sesterterpene Synthase by Domain Swapping.

Di- and sesterterpene synthases produce C20 and C25 isoprenoid scaffolds from geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) and geranylfarnesyl pyrophosphate (GFPP), respectively. By genome mining of the fungus Emericella variecolor, we identified a multitasking chimeric terpene synthase, EvVS, which has terpene cyclase (TC) and prenyltransferase (PT) domains. Heterologous gene expression in Aspergillus oryzae led to the isolation of variediene (1), a novel tricyclic diterpene hydrocarbon. Intriguingly, in vitro reaction with the enzyme afforded the new macrocyclic sesterterpene 2 as a minor product from dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) and isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP). The TC domain thus produces the diterpene 1 and the sesterterpene 2 from GGPP and GFPP, respectively. Notably, a domain swap of the PT domain of EvVS with that of another chimeric sesterterpene synthase, EvSS, successfully resulted in the production of 2 in vivo as well. Cyclization mechanisms for the production of these two compounds are proposed.
The role of mass media campaigns in reducing high-risk drinking among college students.

OBJECTIVE This article categorizes and describes current media campaigns to reduce college student drinking, reviews key principles of campaign design and outlines recommendations for future campaigns. METHOD The article describes three types of media campaigns on student drinking: information, social norms marketing, and advocacy. Key principles of campaign design are derived from work in commercial marketing, advertising, and public relations and from evaluations of past public health campaigns. RESULTS Information campaigns on the dangers of high-risk drinking are common, but none has been rigorously evaluated. Quasi-experimental studies suggest that social norms marketing campaigns, which correct misperceptions of campus drinking norms, may be effective, but more rigorous research is needed. As of this writing, only one major media campaign has focused on policy advocacy to reduce college student drinking, but it is still being evaluated. Lessons for campaign design are organized as a series of steps for campaign development, implementation and assessment: launch a strategic planning process, select a strategic objective, select the target audience, develop a staged approach, define the key promise, avoid fear appeals, select the right message source, select a mix of media channels, maximize media exposure, conduct formative research, and conduct process and outcome evaluations. CONCLUSIONS Future campaigns should integrate information, social norms marketing, and advocacy approaches to create a climate of support for institutional, community and policy changes that will alter the environment in which students make decisions about their alcohol consumption.
Near Field Scanning Optical Microscopy(NSOM) of nano devices

Abstract : This thesis aims to investigate the optical properties of nano-devices using the technique of Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM). A unique set-up to perform Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and NSOM simultaneously in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to collect spatially resolved luminescence and image transport on nano-scale structures, particularly nanowires, will allow direct determination of transport parameters, such as minority carrier mobility and diffusion length that are vital to the performance of optoelectronic devices. The work involves the development of a unique nano-scale imaging technique applicable to a wide range of structures. The main structures of interest in this thesis will be GaN nanowires. Instead of using a laser for generating charge for imaging, the e-beam from the SEM was used to generate localized charge for an NSOM probe to monitor the motion of the excess charge due to diffusion and/or drift via electron-hole recombination process. For the first time in this research, the author addressed numerous challenges such as the intricate NSOM technique to resolve subwavelength dimension measurements of the elements and determine optimized experimental parameters to compensate for the relatively low efficiency of NSOM optical collection. Of significance, transport imaging of 1-10 m long GaN nanowires resulted in minority carrier diffusion lengths ranging from 1-2 m. An initial experimental exploration was also conducted to determine the theoretical prediction of the unique transmission enhancement of Au nanobowties fabricated on luminescent GaAs heterostructure. The author will report the working principles, experimental procedures, optimal process parameters and the respective imaging results for assessing the properties of the nano-devices studied in this thesis work. Recommendations for future work pertaining to the augmentation of related NSOM work will also be made to ensure continued progress in this area of work.
Using Relative Distance and Hausdorff Distance to Mine Trajectory Clusters

Along with development of location service and GPS technology, mining information from trajectory datasets becomes one of hottest research topic in data mining. How to efficiently mine the clusters from trajectories attract more and more researchers. In this paper, a new framework of trajectory clustering, called Tra jectory Clust ering based Improved M inimum H ausdorff D istance under T ranslation ( TraClustMHD ) is proposed. In this framework, the distance between two trajectory segments based on local and relative distance is defined. And then, traditional clusters algorithm is employed to mine the clusters of trajectory segment. In additional, R-Tree is employed to improve the efficiency. The experimental results showed that our algorithm better than existing others which are based on Hausdorff distance and based on line Hausdorff distance. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i1. 1877
Role of testosterone and Y chromosome genes for the masculinization of the human brain

Women with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) have a male (46,XY) karyotype but no functional androgen receptors. Their condition, therefore, offers a unique model for studying testosterone effects on cerebral sex dimorphism. We present MRI data from 16 women with CAIS and 32 male (46,XY) and 32 female (46,XX) controls. Methods: FreeSurfer software was employed to measure cortical thickness and subcortical structural volumes. Axonal connections, indexed by fractional anisotropy, (FA) were measured with diffusion tensor imaging, and functional connectivity with resting state fMRI. Results: Compared to men, CAIS women displayed a “female” pattern by having thicker parietal and occipital cortices, lower FA values in the right corticospinal, superior and inferior longitudinal tracts, and corpus callosum. Their functional connectivity from the amygdala to the medial prefrontal cortex, was stronger and amygdala‐connections to the motor cortex weaker than in control men. CAIS and control women also showed stronger posterior cingulate and precuneus connections in the default mode network. Thickness of the motor cortex, the caudate volume, and the FA in the callosal body followed, however, a “male” pattern. Conclusion: Altogether, these data suggest that testosterone modulates the microstructure of somatosensory and visual cortices and their axonal connections to the frontal cortex. Testosterone also influenced functional connections from the amygdala, whereas the motor cortex could, in agreement with our previous reports, be moderated by processes linked to X‐chromosome gene dosage. These data raise the question about other genetic factors masculinizing the human brain than the SRY gene and testosterone. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1801–1814, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Suicidal Inmate: A Comparison of Inmates Who Attempt Versus Complete Suicide

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors distinguishing inmates who attempt suicide from inmates who complete suicide. Compared with attempters, completers tended to be older, male, more educated, and married or separated/divorced; pretrial, committed for a violent crime, incarcerated in jail, housed in an inpatient mental health unit or protective custody setting, living in a single cell, not on suicide precautions, not previously under close observation; and more likely to act during overnight hours and die by hanging/self-strangulation. Targeted assessment of a broad range of risk factors is necessary to inform suicide prevention efforts in correctional facilities.
Mucosal Immunization with PsaA Protein, Using Chitosan as a Delivery System, Increases Protection Against Acute Otitis Media and Invasive Infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae

As infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae (mainly via the mucosal route) is a leading cause of acute otitis media, sinus and bacterial pneumonia, the mucosal immunity plays an important role in the prevention of pneumococcal diseases. Therefore, intranasal vaccination may be an effective immunization strategy, but requires appropriate mucosal vaccine delivery systems. In this work, chitosan was used as a mucosal delivery system to form chitosan–PsaA nanoparticles based on ionotropic gelation methods and used to immunize BALB/c mice intranasally. Compared to mice immunized with naked PsaA, levels of IFN‐γ, IL‐17A and IL‐4 in spleen lymphocytes, the systemic (IgG in serum) and mucosal (IgA in mucosal lavage) specific antibodies were enhanced significantly in mice inoculated with chitosan–PsaA. Furthermore, increased protection against acute otitis media following middle ear challenge with pneumococcus serotype 14, and improved survival following intraperitoneal challenge with pneumococcus serotype 3 or serotype 14, was found in the mice immunized with chitosan–PsaA nanoparticles. Thus, intranasal immunization with chitosan–PsaA can successfully induce mucosal and systemic immune responses and increase protection against pneumococcal acute otitis media and invasive infections. Hence, intranasal immunization with PsaA protein, based on chitosan as a delivery system, is an efficient immunization strategy for preventing pneumococcal infections.
Rehydrated Air-Dried Pap Smears as an Alternative to Wet-Fixed Smears

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of rehydration on air-dried Pap smears and to compare them with conventional, wet-fixed smears. STUDY DESIGN Paired cervical smears were obtained from 419 women. One set was labelled "Routine" (fixed immediately in 95% ethanol) and the other, "Rehydrated" (air-dried, rehydrated and then fixed). The latter were further subdivided into groups A-F depending on the duration of air drying. The staining quality of the smears was assessed, after adequate blinding to remove bias, and graded. The chi 2 test was performed to compare parameters in the two sets of smears. RESULTS Of the 397 pairs found to have adequate cellularity, 6% of the Routine group and 4% of the Rehydrated were "unsatisfactory due to poor fixation. " Smears rehydrated within two hours of air drying as well as those refrigerated within two hours and rehydrated after 48 hours produced a staining quality as good as that of the conventional, wet-fixed smears. Rehydration caused lysis of red blood cells in the background. CONCLUSION Rehydration of air-dried Pap smears within two hours of preparation produces staining quality equal or superior to that of conventional, wet fixed ones. It has the added advantage of being less cumbersome for the clinical personnel involved in smear making.