Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data Discernment for Affordable Training in Medical Image Segmentation

Collecting sufficient high-quality training data for deep neural networks is often expensive or even unaffordable in medical image segmentation tasks. We thus propose to train the network by using external data that can be collected in a cheaper way, e.g., crowd-sourcing. We show that by data discernment, the network is able to mine valuable knowledge from external data, even though the data distribution is very different from that of the original (internal) data. We discern the external data by learning an importance weight for each of them, with the goal to enhance the contribution of informative external data to network updating, while suppressing the data that are ‘useless’ or even ‘harmful’. An iterative algorithm that alternatively estimates the importance weight and updates the network is developed by formulating the data discernment as a constrained nonlinear programming problem. It estimates the importance weight according to the distribution discrepancy between the external data and the internal dataset, and imposes a constraint to drive the network to learn more effectively, compared with the network without using the external data. We evaluate the proposed algorithm on two tasks: abdominal CT image and cervical smear image segmentation, using totally 6 publicly available datasets. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by extensive experiments. Source codes are available at: https://github.com/YouyiSong/Data-Discernment.
Advancing Through Terrains

We study terrain visibility graphs, a well-known graph class closely related to polygon visibility graphs in computational geometry, for which a precise graph-theoretical characterization is still unknown. Over the last decade, terrain visibility graphs attracted attention in the context of time series analysis with various practical applications in areas such as physics, geography and medical sciences. We make progress in understanding terrain visibility graphs by providing several graph-theoretic results. For example, we show that they cannot contain antiholes of size larger than five. Moreover, we obtain two algorithmic results. We devise a fast output-sensitive shortest path algorithm on terrain-like graphs and a polynomial-time algorithm for \textsc{Dominating Set} on special terrain visibility graphs (called funnel visibility graphs).
On the formation and expansion of H II regions

The evolution of H II regions in spherical clouds with small, constant-density cores and power-law density distributions r exp -w outside the core is described analytically. It is found that there is a critical exponent above which the cloud becomes completely ionized. Its value in the formation phase depends on the initial conditions, but it has a well-defined value w(crit) = 3/2 during the expansion phase. For w less than w(crit), the radius of the H II region grows at a given rate, while neutral mass accumulates in the interphase between the ionization and shock fronts. For w = w(crit), the fronts move together without mass accumulation. Cases with w greater than w(crit) lead to the champagne phase: once the cloud is fully ionized, the expansion becomes supersonic. For self-gravitating disks without magnetic fields, the main features include a new variable-size stage. The initial shape of the H II region has a critical point beyond which the disk becomes completely ionized. 40 refs.
The Principle of Existence: Towards a Science of Consciousness

In the beginning there was Consciousness by itself materially empty but restless. And it began to imagine through primordial self-referential spin such that it created the external object to be observed and internal object as observed, separated them into external world and internal world, caused them to interact through self-referential Matrix Law and thus gave birth to the Universe which it has since passionately loved, sustained and made to evolve. In short, this is our hypothesis of a scientific genesis (principle of existence). In this work, we shall lay out the ontological and mathematical foundations of a Consciousness centered quantum reality which shall include gravity and even spirituality. We will then discuss its implications and applications and make predictions etc.
Evaluation of Technological Knowledge Transfer between Silicon Fen Firms and University of Cambridge Based on Patents Analysis

Silicon Fen (SF) is a cluster of high-tech firms located around the University of Cambridge (UoC) in the UK. This article, for the first time, investigates the technological bonds between SF firms and UoC based on patent analysis covering the period of 1999–2021. We provide a short history of SF, highlighting its early formation and growth, and the role of spin-off firms on its evolution. We employ joint patents generated by UoC and various business sectors of SF to calculate the values of technological collaboration strength (TCS). It is found that the majority of joint patents (61%) are generated by the Pharma/Biotech sector of SF with the highest value of TCS (16.45 × 10−3). Moreover, the patent’s economic values across various business disciplines in SF are calculated based on the total counts of citations. Our observations suggest that senior university academics making spin-off firms in a business cluster around their university can effectively facilitate university–firm technological collaboration. Furthermore, the relatively strong technological bond between UoC and the Pharma/Biotech sector of SF is confirmed to be influenced by the collaboration of the university with its own spin-off firms rather than large independent firms in SF. The outcomes of this research contribute to the knowledge of the collaboration between a main research university and a cluster of firms located in its geographical proximity.
Current status and new insights about the capacitively coupled electronegative plasma source: injection of energetic beam-like electrons to electrode

High-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas (HF-CCPs) have been widely investigated physically, electrically, optically, and numerically. Such research has focused on the sustaining mechanism and the interaction of the ion sheath with the material surface. Most of the reactive feed gas molecules produce a pair consisting of a negative ion and a neutral by the dissociative electron attachment. The low-temperature electronegative plasma with high electronegativity has an interesting and specific sustaining mechanism caused by the negative ions in HF-CCPs. One of the functions is a production of high energy electrons in front of the instantaneous anode under the presence of a static double layer with field reversal. Current understanding of electronegative plasmas has been advanced through the knowledge about the fundamental collision, transport processes, and related effects of negative ion and long-lived neutral on the plasma structure and function. We present new insights into the injection of energetic beam-like electrons to a biased wafer in a pulsed two-frequency mode in electronegative HF-CCP, based on a series of our previous works in CF4/Ar. Here, the criteria, consisting of plasma internal and external parameters, for the injection provide the design rule for a charging free plasma process. The magnitude of the electronegativity as a key parameter to inject negative charges is elucidated in the bulk plasma as a function of gas density times electrode distance in HF-CCP in O2 as an example. Both sides of the electronegativity correspond to the different types of the transport and the sustainability of the bulk plasma.
Three Kinds of Self-Respect in Rawls

Rawls’s remarks on self-respect have been described as cryptic or ambiguous. The discussion on the meaning of respect and, specifically, Rawlsian self-respect has been considerably influenced by Darwall’s distinction between recognition respect and appraisal respect. Since Rawls identifies self-respect as an essential element of his theory of justice, clarifying the meaning of this concept is essential. This paper defends that Darwall’s dichotomic understanding of respect does not clarify Rawlsian conception of self-respect. Rawls uses the term self-respect to refer both to recognition self-respect and appraisal self-respect. However, he presents a third kind of self-respect which could be termed “value-confidence”. This third kind of self-respect concerns one’s confidence in the value of the particular conception of the good one has chosen. This value-confidence cannot be identified with recognition self-respect, since the latter has the fact of moral personality as its object, not the particular conception one happens to choose.
Post-Marketing Surveillance of Statins—A Descriptive Analysis of Psychiatric Adverse Reactions in EudraVigilance

Statins are included in the category of high-frequency prescription drugs, and their use is on an upward trend worldwide. In 2012, the FDA issued a warning about possible cognitive adverse drug reactions (ADRs) related to statins, some of which are listed in the Summary of Product Characteristics, but there are still concerns about their potential risk of psychiatric events. The aim of this research was to investigate spontaneous reports containing psychiatric ADRs associated with statins by analyzing the EudraVigilance (EV) database. From January 2004 to July 2021, a total of 8965 ADRs were reported for the Systems Organ Class (SOC) “psychiatric disorders”, of which 88.64% were registered for atorvastatin (3659), simvastatin (2326) and rosuvastatin (1962). Out of a total of 7947 individual case safety reports (ICSRs) of the 3 statins mentioned above, in 36.3% (2885) of them, statins were considered the only suspected drug, and in 42% (3338), no other co-administered drugs were mentioned. Moreover, insomnia has been reported in 19.3% (1536) of cases, being the most frequent adverse reaction. A disproportionality analysis of psychiatric ADRs was performed. The Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for simvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin compared with antiplatelets and antihypertensive drugs. The reporting probability for most ADRs of these statins compared to antiplatelets was higher. The reporting probability for insomnia, nightmares and depression produced by statins compared to antihypertensive drugs was also higher. The results of this analysis augment the existing data about a possible correlation between the administration of statins and the occurrence of psychiatric side effects.
Analysis of determinant factors in influencing stock return: Panel data analysis approach

The goal of this study was to examine the influence of trading volume, market value added, dividend payment ratio and systematic risk on stock return of businesses listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the construction and building sub-sector. Purposive sampling was used, with 35 samples drawn from financial reports covering the years 2011-2017. The analytical approach used was panel data regression analysis. trading volume and market value added have a substantial impact on stock returns. Meanwhile, dividend payment ratio and systematic risk have no effect on stock returns. Construction and building industry sub-sector businesses were chosen as a sample in this study. Furthermore, there are few comparable studies that employ samples from industrial construction and building sub-sector businesses. The sample was chosen because it is seen as a constant contributor to the country's economic success. This is evident in the long-term development of government infrastructure, such as toll roads, airports, public housing, and other public amenities. According to Central Statistics Agency (BPS) study, the construction sector is one of the three key contributors to Indonesia's economic development. This is what makes this study interesting. Researchers should find the research useful in broadening their knowledge and skills on the subject issue, debating the research item, and applying principles learnt in lectures. Companies are required to provide information that would assist them in developing strategic plans and making decisions that will improve their performance. a limited number of samples and a short time period (just 2011 to 2017), which is most likely leading the data computation findings to be less than optimal Furthermore, not all firms provide dividends on a yearly basis.
Population-Based Questionnaire Survey on Health Effects of Aircraft Noise on Residents Living around U.S. Airfields in the RYUKYUS—PART i: AN Analysis of 12 Scale Scores

Abstract A questionnaire survey was made of health effects of aircraft noise on residents living around Kadena and Futenma airfields using the Todai Health Index. Aircraft noise exposure expressed by Ldnranged from under 55 to over 70 in the surveyed area. The number of valid answers was 7095, including 848 among the control group. Twelve scale scores were converted to dichotomous variables based on scale scores of the 90 percentile value or the 10 percentile value in the control group. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done taking 12 scale scores converted into the dependent variable andLdn , age (six levels), sex, occupation (four categories) and the interaction of age and sex as the independent variables. Significant dose–response relationships were found in the scale scores for vague complaints, respiratory, digestive, mental instability, depression and nervousness. The results suggest that the residents living around Kadena and Futenma airfields may suffer both physical and mental effects as a result of exposure to military aircraft noise and that such responses increase with the level of noise exposure (Ldn).
Uniaxial-stress effects on the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes

Using a semiempirical tight-binding approach modified through introduction of a deformation potential, we have calculated the effects of uniaxial stress on the electronic density of states of carbon tubules. For zigzag tubules (n,0) the gap varies linearly with stress and independently of diameter: |${\mathrm{dE}}_{\mathrm{gap}}$/d\ensuremath{\sigma}|=10.7 meV/GPa for |\ensuremath{\sigma}| \ensuremath{\prec}10 GPa, and a semiconductor to metal transition is predicted. The behavior is strongly dependent on whether n=3q,3q-1,3q+1. The armchair tubules remain metallic under all conditions studied.
A model of interface defect formation in silicon wafer bonding

A model of the defect formation at the bonding interface upon annealing in silicon wafer bonding is proposed in this paper. It is shown that the formation of the bonding defects depends on the thickness of the silicon oxide at the bonding interface. A mechanism of thermal voids formation is suggested based on the hydrogen solubility in amorphous silicon oxide. The interface gas quantity for various thicknesses of the buried oxide is predicted and good correlation with the experimental data is obtained.
Molecular Modeling of Cardiac Sodium Channel with Mexiletine

A sodium channel blocker mexiletine (MEX) is used to treat chronic pain, myotonia and some arrhythmias. Mutations in the pore domain (PD) of voltage-gated sodium channels differently affect tonic block (TB) and use-dependent block (UDB) by MEX. Previous studies identified several MEX-sensing residues in the hNav1.5 channel and demonstrated that the channel block by MEX increases with activation of the voltage-sensing domain III (VSDIII), whereas MEX stabilizes the activated state of VSDIII. Structural rationales for these observations are unclear. Here, Monte Carlo (MC) energy minimizations were used to dock MEX and its more potent analog, Thio-Me2, into the hNav1.5 cryo-EM structure with activated VSDs and presumably inactivated PD. Computations yielded two ensembles of ligand binding poses in close contacts with known MEX-sensing residues in helices S6III, S6IV and P1IV. In both ensembles, the ligand NH3 group approached the cation-attractive site between backbone carbonyls at the outer-pore bottom, while the aromatic ring protruded ether into the inner pore (putative UDB pose) or into the III/IV fenestration (putative TB pose). In silico deactivation of VSDIII shifted helices S4–S5III, S5III, S6III and S6IV and tightened the TB site. In a model with activated VSDIII and three resting VSDs, MC-minimized energy profile of MEX pulled from the TB site towards lipids shows a deep local minimum due to interactions with 11 residues in S5III, P1III, S6III and S6IV. The minimum may correspond to an interim binding site for MEX in the hydrophobic path to the TB site along the lipid-exposed sides of repeats III and IV where 15 polar and aromatic residues would attract cationic blockers. The study explains numerous experimental data and suggests the mechanism of allosteric modification of the MEX binding site by VSDIII.
#EndSARS Protest

This paper “#EndSARS Protest: A Discourse on Impact of Digital Media on 21st Century Activism” examines the role of digital media in a new generation of activism with a critical assessment of the protest in Nigeria. Specifically, the paper expands on the meaning of social media activism, finds out ways digital media was deployed in mobilisation and management of the protest and also delves into how social media pose as challenge to activism within the context of series of anti-police brutality protests that took place in Nigeria. Specifically, the study looked at how, despite the failure of mainstream media in the country to give the movement prominence, technology (through social media) helped to encourage transnational activism and global solidarity with respect to #EndSARS. The paper relied on existing literature through the use of library research technique. It utilised the technological determinism theory – that served as its theoretical base or foundation. The paper found, among others, that digital media especially social media played significant roles in mobilisation and management of the protest. It also revealed that due to the power that digital platforms wield, authority may be tempted to introduce some form of regulations that may hinder their use. The paper concludes that, indeed, digital media have tremendous impact on 21st century activism in Nigeria. Therefore, the paper, among others, recommends that government must now realise the powers of communication and technology and therefore embark on constant communication with the people while also addressing pre-existing social ills in the country.
Reproducible fabrication of metallic silver nanostructures on a Si(111)-(7×7) surface by tip–material transfer of a scanning tunneling microscope

A technique for reproducible fabrication of nanometer-scale silver dots, wires, characters, and figures on a Si(111) surface in ultrahigh vacuum using scanning tunneling microscopy and their electronic properties are presented. This method allows patterns to be formed at will by the computer-controlled application of voltage pulses between a silver-coated tip and the surface. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy shows unambiguous metallic behavior on the nanodots and depletion layer formation in the neighboring region. The dominant mechanism of nanodot formation can be attributed to the spontaneous formation of a point contact due to field-enhanced diffusion of silver atoms to the tip apex.
Adaptive Modifications of Hypotheses After an Interim Analysis

It is investigated how one can modify hypotheses in a trial after an interim analysis such that the type I error rate is controlled. If only a global statement is desired, a solution was given by Bauer (1989). For a general multiple testing problem, Kieser, Bauer and Lehmacher (1999) and Bauer and Kieser (1999) gave solutions, by means of which the initial set of hypotheses can be reduced after the interim analysis. The same techniques can be applied to obtain more flexible strategies, as changing weights of hypotheses, changing an a priori order, or even including new hypotheses. It is emphasized that the application of these methods requires very careful planning of a trial as well as a critical discussion of the scientific aims in order to avoid every manipulation.
Chemical profile, anti-hepatoma activity, anti-acetylcholinesterase and antioxidant activity of aerial part of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx

Abstract Five extracts of the aerial parts of Aconitum carmichaeli were obtained by different solvent extraction or macroporous adsorption resin purification: ethyl acetate layer extract (EAE), n-butanol layer extract (BuE), water layer extract (WE), extract eluted by 10% ethanol from macroporous resin (10%EE), extract eluted by 80% ethanol from macroporous resin (80%EE). Antioxidant activities of the five extracts were determined by ABTS, DPPH, FRAP assays, anti-AChE activities by modified Ellman’s method, in vitro anti-hepatoma activities by CCK-8 assay, and chemical constituents of 80%EE were identified by UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS. The results demonstrated that the 80%EE showed the best in vitro anti-hepatoma activity on Huh-7 cell line with an IC 50 of 103.91 ± 11.02 μg/mL. 10%EE and 80%EE gave the highest antioxidant activity. Furthermore, current findings demonstrated that the aerial part of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. has high medicinal value and may be a good natural medicine. Graphical abstract
Integrated Transcriptome and Microbiota Reveal the Regulatory Effect of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Supplementation in Antler Growth of Sika Deer

Simple Summary The antler is an important product of deer, which involves in the fast growth of bone. Previous study demonstrated that the production efficiency of 1,25(OH)2D is associated with the growth of antler. 25(OH)D is a 1,25(OH)2D precursor that is closely associated with bone development in mammals. However, the direct effects on antler growth and transcription, and the responses of the gut microbiota and metabolism of 25(OH)D supplementation in deer remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that 25(OH)D supplementation directly increased the growth and affected the gene expression profiles of sika deer antler. The bacteria community composition and metabolites in rumen were also changed following 25(OH)D supplementation, suggesting the enhanced metabolism of branch-amino acids. Our results confirmed the positive effect of 25(OH)D on antler growth and revealed the regulation of 25(OH)D supplementation on the host and microbes in sika deer. Abstract The level of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is associated with the growth of the antler, a fast-growing bone organ of Cervidae. However, the benefits of 25(OH)D supplementation on antler growth and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, the antler growth profile and transcriptome, plasma parameters, rumen bacteria, and metabolites (volatile fatty acids and amino acids) were determined in sika deer in a 25(OH)D supplementation group (25(OH)D, n = 8) and a control group (Ctrl, n = 8). 25(OH)D supplementation significantly increased the antler weight and growth rate. The levels of IGF-1,25(OH)D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were significantly higher in the 25(OH)D group than in the Ctrl group, while the levels of LDL-C were lower. The levels of valerate and branched-chain amino acids in the rumen fluid were significantly different between the 25(OH)D and Ctrl groups. The bacterial diversity indices were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the relative abundances of the butyrate-producing bacteria (families Lachnospiraceae and Succinivibrionaceae) and the pyruvate metabolism pathway were higher in the 25(OH)D group. The transcriptomic profile of the antler was significantly different between the 25(OH)D and Ctrl groups, with 356 up- and 668 down-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 25(OH)D group. The up-regulated DEGs were enriched in the proteinaceous extracellular matrix and collagen, while the down-regulated DEGs were enriched in the immune system and lipid metabolism pathways. Overall, these results provide novel insights into the effects of 25(OH)D supplementation on the host metabolism, rumen microbiota, and antler transcriptome of sika deer.