Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perception Coordination Network: A Neuro Framework for Multimodal Concept Acquisition and Binding

To simulate the concept acquisition and binding of different senses in the brain, a biologically inspired neural network model named perception coordination network (PCN) is proposed. It is a hierarchical structure, which is functionally divided into the primary sensory area (PSA), the primary sensory association area (SAA), and the higher order association area (HAA). The PSA contains feature neurons which respond to many elementary features, e.g., colors, shapes, syllables, and basic flavors. The SAA contains primary concept neurons which combine the elementary features in the PSA to represent unimodal concept of objects, e.g., the image of an apple, the Chinese word “[píng guǒ]” which names the apple, and the taste of the apple. The HAA contains associated neurons which connect the primary concept neurons of several PSA, e.g., connects the image, the taste, and the name of an apple. It means that the associated neurons have a multimodal response mode. Therefore, this area executes multisensory integration. PCN is an online incremental learning system, it is able to continuously acquire and bind multimodality concepts in an online way. The experimental results suggest that PCN is able to handle the multimodal concept acquisition and binding effectively.
Inhibitory Effect of Astaxanthin on Oxidative Stress-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction-A Mini-Review

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of various human diseases as well as to the aging process. Mitochondria, as the center of cellular metabolism and major regulators of redox balance, play a critical role in disease development and progression. Mitochondrial dysfunction involving structural and metabolic impairment is prominent in oxidative stress-related diseases. Increased oxidative stress can damage mitochondria, and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction generates excesses of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species that cause cellular damage. Mitochondrial dysfunction also activates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, resulting in cellular death. Astaxanthin, a red-colored xanthophyll carotenoid, exerts an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect on various cell lines. In this manner astaxanthin maintains mitochondrial integrity under various pathological conditions. In this review, the inhibitory effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and related disease development are discussed.
Comparative evaluation of two ELISA kits for detecting antibodies to a nonstructural protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus using serum samples collected from naturally and experimentally infected cows

When foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurs and a “vaccination-to-live” policy is adopted in a country, the country must perform serological surveillance of a nonstructural protein (NSP) of FMD virus. The NCPanaftosa kit is the only kit for detecting antibodies to NSPs that is officially recognized as the reference regent by the World Organization for Animal Health; however, it is only used in South American countries. In this study, the specificity and sensitivity of the NCPanaftosa kit were compared with those of the PrioCHECK kit sold by an international company. Results in this study suggest that the PrioCHECK kit performs similarly to the NCPanaftosa kit in detecting antibodies to the NSP in the cattle population.
Dissolution Enhancement in Cocoa Extract, Combining Hydrophilic Polymers through Hot-Melt Extrusion

The aim of this study was to improve the physicochemical properties of cocoa extract (CE) using hot-melt extrusion (HME) for pharmaceutical proposes. A mixture design was applied using three distinct hydrophilic polymeric matrices (Soluplus, Plasdone S630, and Eudragit E). Systems obtained by HME were evaluated using morphologic, chromatographic, thermic, spectroscopic, and diffractometric assays. The flow, wettability, and dissolution rate of HME powders were also assessed. Both CE and its marker theobromine proved to be stable under heating according to thermal analysis and Arrhenius plot under isothermal conditions. Physicochemical analysis confirmed the stability of CE HME preparations and provided evidence of drug–polymer interactions. Improvements in the functional characteristics of CE were observed after the extrusion process, particularly in dissolution and flow properties. In addition, the use of a mixture design allowed the identification of synergic effects by excipient combination. The optimized combination of polymers obtained considering four different aspects showed that a mixture of the Soluplus, Plasdone S630, and Eudragit E in equal proportions produced the best results (flowability index 88%; contact angle 47°; dispersibility 7.5%; and dissolution efficiency 87%), therefore making the pharmaceutical use of CE more feasible.
Tailoring Blue-Green Double Emissions in Carbon Quantum Dots via Co-Doping Engineering by Competition Mechanism between Chlorine-Related States and Conjugated π-Domains

Representing single-layer to tens of layers of graphene in a size less than 30 nm, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) is becoming an advanced multifunctional material for its unique optical, electronic, spin and photoelectric properties induced by the quantum confinement effect and edge effect. In present work, upon co-doping engineering, nitrogen and chlorine co-doped CQDs with uniquely strong blue-green double emissions are developed via a facile and one-pot hydrothermal method. The crystalline and optical properties of CQDs have been well manipulated by tuning the mole ratio of nitrogen/chlorine and the reaction time. The characteristic green emission centered at 512 nm has been verified, originating from the chlorine-related states, the other blue emissions centered at 460 nm are attributed to the conjugated π-domain. Increasing the proportion of 1,2,4-benzentriamine dihydrochloride can effectively adjust the bandgap of CQDs, mainly caused by the synergy and competition of chlorine-related states and the conjugated π-domain. Prolonging the reaction time promotes more nitrogen and chlorine dopants incorporate into CQDs, which inhibits the growth of CQDs to reduce the average size of CQDs down to 1.5 nm, so that the quantum confinement effect dominates into play. This work not only provides a candidate with excellent optical properties for heteroatoms-doped carbon materials but also benefits to stimulate the intensive studies for co-doped carbon with chlorine as one of new dopants paradigm.
Neural Architecture Optimization

Automatic neural architecture design has shown its potential in discovering powerful neural network architectures. Existing methods, no matter based on reinforcement learning or evolutionary algorithms (EA), conduct architecture search in a discrete space, which is highly inefficient. In this paper, we propose a simple and efficient method to automatic neural architecture design based on continuous optimization. We call this new approach neural architecture optimization (NAO). There are three key components in our proposed approach: (1) An encoder embeds/maps neural network architectures into a continuous space. (2) A predictor takes the continuous representation of a network as input and predicts its accuracy. (3) A decoder maps a continuous representation of a network back to its architecture. The performance predictor and the encoder enable us to perform gradient based optimization in the continuous space to find the embedding of a new architecture with potentially better accuracy. Such a better embedding is then decoded to a network by the decoder. Experiments show that the architecture discovered by our method is very competitive for image classification task on CIFAR-10 and language modeling task on PTB, outperforming or on par with the best results of previous architecture search methods with a significantly reduction of computational resources. Specifically we obtain $2.11\%$ test set error rate for CIFAR-10 image classification task and $56.0$ test set perplexity of PTB language modeling task. The best discovered architectures on both tasks are successfully transferred to other tasks such as CIFAR-100 and WikiText-2. Furthermore, combined with the recent proposed weight sharing mechanism, we discover powerful architecture on CIFAR-10 (with error rate $3.53\%$) and on PTB (with test set perplexity $56.6$), with very limited computational resources (less than $10$ GPU hours) for both tasks.
Histopathological Features of Inflammatory Bowel Disease are Associated With Different CD4+ T Cell Subsets in Colonic Mucosal Lamina Propria

Background Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] results particularly from an aberrance of CD4+ helper and regulatory T cells and comprises histopathologically chronic active enterocolitis with features reflecting both activity and chronicity of mucosal inflammation. The exact immunological-histological correlation in IBD is not understood. Methods We studied the correlation between colonic mucosal CD4+ T cell subsets [Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22 and Treg] and mucosal histological changes in ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn's disease [CD]. CD4+ T cell subtyping and enumeration were achieved by flow cytometry. Histological features were categorized and assessed semi-quantitatively using three validated histological scoring schemes [ECAP, RHI and D'Haens]. Correlations between prevalence [%] of CD4+ T cell subsets and histological scores were analysed. Results Treg cells were correlated with ECAP category A [activity] as well as RHI scores. Treg cell were increased particularly in mucosa with severe neutrophilic infiltration in the cryptal/surface epithelium and in lamina propria, and with basal plasmacytosis. Th17 cells were also increased in cases with extensive neutrophil infiltrate in lamina propria, whereas RORc+ cells were increased in cases with severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in lamina propria. In both UC and CD, mucosa with marked crypt architectural alteration had increased IL-22+ and Th22 cells. UC with Paneth cell metaplasia had higher Th17 cells. CD with granuloma had increased IL-22+ and IL-22+IFN-γ+ cells. Conclusions The Treg subset appears to be associated with the overall severity of IBD histopathology, particularly with active inflammation. Th17 is also associated with activity. By contrast, IL-22+ cells are associated with chronicity and granuloma formation in CD.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Dementia: An Update.

A significant portion of the clinical phenotype observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) occurs through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Degeneration of cholinergic neurons, combined with aberrant nAChR expression and activation partially through amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ)-nAChR leads to upregulation of pro-inflammatory pathways and subsequently the progressive cognitive decline of AD. Interestingly, the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is also mediated through nAChR particularly α7 nAChR. Thus, agonists of these receptors will likely exert pro-cognitive benefits through multiple mechanisms including stimulating the cholinergic pathway, modulating inflammation, and buffering the effects of amyloid. Despite this promising theoretical use, trials thus far have been complicated by adverse effects or minimal improvement. This review will provide an update on several pharmacological nAChR agonists tested in clinical trials and reasons that further investigation of nAChR agonists is merited. IMPLICATIONS nAChRs have consistently presented a promising theoretical use in the treatment of AD; however, trials thus far have been complicated by adverse effects or minimal improvement. This review will provide an update on several pharmacological nAChR agonists trialed and reasons that further investigation of nAChR agonists is merited.
Does assessing urethral function allow the selection of the optimal therapy for recurrent SUI? Report from the ICI‐RS 2017

The management of recurrent stress urinary incontinence following failed previous continence surgery remains challenging. Whilst the role of urodynamic investigations has been questioned in the management of primary stress incontinence there is a widely held view that women with recurrent symptoms require further investigation although there is no agreement regarding which tests are required. We sought to understand what testing is recommended prior to managing this difficult cohort of patients.
Influence of nonthermal argon plasma on the shear bond strength between zirconia and different adhesives and luting composites after artificial aging

PURPOSE Plasma activation of hydrophobic zirconia surfaces might be suitable to improve the bond strength of luting materials. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of nonthermal argon-plasma on the shear bond strength (SBS) between zirconia and different combinations of 10-MDP adhesive systems and luting composites after artificial aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred forty Y-TZP specimens were ground automatically with 165 µm grit and water cooling. Half of the specimens received surface activation with nonthermal argon-plasma. The specimens were evenly distributed into three groups according to the adhesive systems ([Futurabond U, Futurabond M, Futurabond M + DCA], VOCO GmbH, Germany, Cuxhaven) and into further two subgroups according to the luting materials ([Bifix SE, Bifix QM], VOCO GmbH). Each specimen underwent artificial aging by thermocycling and water storage. SBS was measured in a universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Scheffè procedure with the level of significance set to 0.05. RESULTS Surface activation with nonthermal plasma did not improve the bond strength between zirconia and the tested combinations of adhesive systems and luting materials. The plasma-activation trended to reveal higher bond strength if the self-etch luting material (Bifix SE) was used, irrespective of the adhesive system. CONCLUSION Plasma-activation seems to be suitable to improve bond strength between zirconia and self-etch resin materials. However, further research is necessary to identify the influence of varying plasma-parameters.
Self-reported Smoking Status, TAS2R38 Variants, and Propylthiouracil Phenotype: An Exploratory Crowdsourced Cohort Study

TAS2R38 gene variants, which confer sensitivity to specific bitter tastants (e.g., 6-n-propylthiouracil), have been repeatedly associated with lower alcohol use via greater bitterness perception, but research exploring TAS2R38 variation in relation to smoking shows mixed results. In both, the working hypothesis is that 1 or more copies of the functional allele increases bitterness and may provide a barrier to early use. Such a barrier to initiation may, conceivably, manifest as differential rates of current use across diplotypes. Here, an age-diverse convenience sample (n = 886) of Denver Museum of Nature and Science guests was used to explore cross-sectional relationships between TAS2R38 diplotype, self-reported tobacco use (current, former, never smokers), and a rapid measure of 6-n-propylthiouracil phenotype (bitterness of filter paper discs). TAS2R38 diplotypes were determined by Sanger sequencing. After excluding rare diplotypes, data from 814 participants were analyzed. A mix of current (~10%), former (25%), and never smokers (65%) were included. As expected, there was a relationship between TAS2R38 diplotype and 6-n-propylthiouracil bitterness. However, contrary to our hypothesis, there was no evidence of a relationship between diplotype and smoker status among participants with common TAS2R38 diplotypes. Notably, we observed a relationship between of 6-n-propylthiouracil bitterness and smoking status, but the effect was opposite of what was expected: current smokers perceived higher (not lower) bitterness than never smokers. When all the various factors (diplotype, age, sex, and smoking status) were included in ANOVA, all remained predictive of 6-n-propylthiouracil bitterness. Reasons for greater phenotypic bitterness among current smokers are unknown and merit further study.
Dynamic Network State Learning Model for Mobility Based WMSN Routing Protocol

The rising demand of wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs) has motivated academia-industries to develop energy efficient, Quality of Service (QoS) and delay sensitive communication systems to meet major real-world demands like multimedia broadcast, security and surveillance systems, intelligent transport system, etc. Typically, energy efficiency, QoS and delay sensitive transmission are the inevitable requirements of WMSNs. Majority of the existing approaches either use physical layer or system level schemes that individually can’t assure optimal transmission decision to meet the demand. The cumulative efficiency of physical layer power control, adaptive modulation and coding and system level dynamic power management (DPM) are found significant to achieve these demands. With this motivation, in this paper a unified model is derived using enhanced reinforcement learning and stochastic optimization method. Exploiting physical as well as system level network state information, our proposed dynamic network state learning model (NSLM) applies stochastic optimization to learn network state-activity that derives an optimal DPM policy and PHY switching scheduling. NSLM applies known as well as unknown network state variables to derive transmission and PHY switching policy, where it considers DPM as constrained Markov decision process (MDP) problem. Here,the use of Hidden Markov Model and Lagrangian relaxation has made NSLM convergence swift that assures delay-sensitive, QoS enriched, and bandwidth and energy efficient transmission for WMSN under uncertain network conditions. Our proposed NSLM DPM model has outperformed traditional Q-Learning based DPM in terms of buffer cost, holding cost, overflow, energy consumption and bandwidth utilization.
Effect of cavity preparation design and ceramic type on the stress distribution, strain and fracture resistance of CAD/CAM onlays in molars

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the cavity preparation and ceramic type on the stress distribution, tooth strain, fracture resistance and fracture mode of human molar teeth restored with onlays. Material and Methods Forty-eight molars were divided into four groups (n=12) with assorted combinations of two study factors: BL- conventional onlay preparation with boxes made from leucite ceramic (IPS-Empress CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent); NBL- conservative onlay preparation without boxes made from leucite ceramic; BD- conventional onlay preparation with boxes made from lithium disilicate glass ceramic (IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent); NBL- conservative onlay preparation with boxes made from lithium disilicate glass ceramic cuspal deformation (µS) was measured at 100 N and at maximum fracture load using strain gauge. Fracture resistance (N) was measured using a compression test, and the fracture mode was recorded. Finite element analysis was used to evaluate the stress distribution by modified von Mises stress criteria. The tooth strain and fracture resistance data were analyzed using the Tukey test and two-way ANOVA, and the fracture mode was analyzed by the chi-square test (α=0.05). Results The leucite ceramic resulted in higher tooth deformation at 100 N and lower tooth deformation at the maximum fracture load than the lithium disilicate ceramic (P<0.001). The lithium disilicate ceramic exhibited higher fracture resistance than the leucite ceramic (P<0.001). The conservative onlay resulted in higher fracture strength for lithium disilicate ceramic. Finite element analysis results showed the conventional cavity preparation resulted in higher stress concentration in the ceramic restoration and remaining tooth than the conservative onlay preparation. The conservative onlays exhibited increased fracture resistance, reduced stress concentration and more favorable fracture modes. Conclusion Molars restored with lithium disilicate CAD-CAM ceramic onlays exhibited higher fracture resistance than molars restored with leucite CAD-CAM ceramic onlays.
Using Inertial Measurement Units and Electromyography to Quantify Movement during Action Research Arm Test Execution

In patients after stroke, ability of the upper limb is commonly assessed with standardised clinical tests that provide a complete upper limb assessment. This paper presents quantification of upper limb movement during the execution of Action research arm test (ARAT) using a wearable system of inertial measurement units (IMU) for kinematic quantification and electromyography (EMG) sensors for muscle activity analysis. The test was executed with each arm by a group of healthy subjects and a group of patients after stroke allocated into subgroups based on their clinical scores. Tasks were segmented into movement and manipulation phases. Each movement phase was quantified with a set of five parameters: movement time, movement smoothness, hand trajectory similarity, trunk stability, and muscle activity for grasping. Parameters vary between subject groups, between tasks, and between task phases. Statistically significant differences were observed between patient groups that obtained different clinical scores, between healthy subjects and patients, and between the unaffected and the affected arm unless the affected arm shows normal performance. Movement quantification enables differentiation between different subject groups within movement phases as well as for the complete task. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient shows strong correlations between patient’s ARAT scores and movement time as well as movement smoothness. Weak to moderate correlations were observed for parameters that describe hand trajectory similarity and trunk stability. Muscle activity correlates well with grasping activity and the level of grasping force in all groups.
Biological Active Ecuadorian Mango ‘Tommy Atkins’ Ingredients—An Opportunity to Reduce Agrowaste

Mango is a commercially important tropical fruit. During its processing, peel and seed kernel are discarded as waste but they could be recovered as an excellent and cost-effective source of health-promoting ingredients. This study aimed to characterize some of them, including carotenoids like the provitamin A β-carotene and lutein, with an interest beyond its role in eye health. Other health-promoting compounds like tocopherols and polyphenols were also evaluated, as well as the in vitro antioxidant capacity of mango by-products. Regarding isoprenoids, α-tocopherol was mainly found in the peels and carotenoids concentration was higher in the pulps. β-carotene was the most abundant carotene in pulp and seed kernel, whereas peel was the only source of lutein, with violaxanthin the most abundant xanthophyll in the different mango organs tested. With regard to polyphenols, peels exhibited greater variability in its phenolic composition, being the total content up to 85 and 10 times higher than the pulp and seed kernels, respectively. On the other hand, peels also stood out for being a very rich source of mangiferin. Seed kernels and peels showed higher antioxidant capacity values than the pulps. These results contribute to the valorization of mango by-products as new natural ingredients for the pharma and food industries.