Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noise robust estimation of number of endmembers in a hyperspectral image by Eigenvalue based gap index

Estimation of number of endmembers in a hyperspectral image is the first stage in spectral unmixing of hyperspectral image. Spectral unmixing method is a blind source separation method that tries to estimate the spectra of the endmembers present in the image along with its fractional abundance. Eigenvalues of Covariance matrix of the data gives an estimation number of significant signal sources present in a linear mixture. This paper proposes a nonparametric Eigenvalue based index called GAP Index for estimating the number of endmembers present in a hyperspectral image. Experiments done in a large number of synthetic and real hyperspectral images. The proposed method is a noise robust, computationally efficient, accurate and nonparametric method. Experiments done in a large number of synthetic and real images in different noise levels show the accuracy and noise robustness of the proposed method.
Interaction between the Conserved Region in the C-terminal Domain of GRK2 and Rhodopsin Is Necessary for GRK2 to Catalyze Receptor Phosphorylation*

The C-terminal domain of G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) consists of a conserved region and a variable region, and the variable region has been shown to direct the membrane translocation of cytosolic enzymes. The present work has revealed that the C-terminal domain may also be involved in kinase-receptor interaction that is primarily mediated by the conserved region. Truncation of the C-terminal domain or deletion of the conserved region in this domain of GRK2 resulted in a complete loss of its ability to phosphorylate rhodopsin and in an obvious decrease in its sensitivity to receptor-mediated phosphorylation of a peptide substrate. On the contrary, deletion of the βγ subunit binding region in the C-terminal domain of GRK2 did not significantly alter the ability of the enzyme to phosphorylate rhodopsin. In addition, the recombinant proteins that represent the C-terminal domain and the conserved region of GRK2 could inhibit GRK2-mediated phosphorylation of rhodopsin and receptor-mediated activation of GRK2 but not GRK2-mediated phosphorylation of the peptide substrate. Furthermore, the conserved region as well as the C-terminal domain could directly bind rhodopsinin vitro. These results indicate that the C-terminal domain, or more precisely, the conserved region of this domain, is important for enzyme-receptor interaction and that this interaction is required for GRK2 to catalyze receptor phosphorylation.
The resolution of acute inflammation induced by cyclic AMP is dependent on annexin A1

Annexin A1 (AnxA1) is a glucocorticoid-regulated protein known for its anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving effects. We have shown previously that the cAMP-enhancing compounds rolipram (ROL; a PDE4 inhibitor) and Bt2cAMP (a cAMP mimetic) drive caspase-dependent resolution of neutrophilic inflammation. In this follow-up study, we investigated whether AnxA1 could be involved in the pro-resolving properties of these compounds using a model of LPS-induced inflammation in BALB/c mice. The treatment with ROL or Bt2cAMP at the peak of inflammation shortened resolution intervals, improved resolution indices, and increased AnxA1 expression. In vitro studies showed that ROL and Bt2cAMP induced AnxA1 expression and phosphorylation, and this effect was prevented by PKA inhibitors, suggesting the involvement of PKA in ROL-induced AnxA1 expression. Akin to these in vitro findings, H89 prevented ROL- and Bt2cAMP-induced resolution of inflammation, and it was associated with decreased levels of intact AnxA1. Moreover, two different strategies to block the AnxA1 pathway (by using N-t-Boc-Met-Leu-Phe, a nonselective AnxA1 receptor antagonist, or by using an anti-AnxA1 neutralizing antiserum) prevented ROL- and Bt2cAMP-induced resolution and neutrophil apoptosis. Likewise, the ability of ROL or Bt2cAMP to induce neutrophil apoptosis was impaired in AnxA-knock-out mice. Finally, in in vitro settings, ROL and Bt2cAMP overrode the survival-inducing effect of LPS in human neutrophils in an AnxA1-dependent manner. Our results show that AnxA1 is at least one of the endogenous determinants mediating the pro-resolving properties of cAMP-elevating agents and cAMP-mimetic drugs.
rRNA Genes Are Not Fully Activated in Mouse Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Embryos*

Background: The nucleolus always shows delayed development and malfunction in somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. Results: NT embryos showed low rDNA activity and developmental competence when donor cells with low rDNA activity were used. Conclusion: rDNA reprogramming efficiency in NT embryos was determined by the rDNA activity in donor cells from which they derived. Significance: Developmental potential of NT embryos with rDNA activity in the donor cells was correlated. The well known and most important function of nucleoli is ribosome biogenesis. However, the nucleolus showed delayed development and malfunction in somatic cell nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. Previous studies indicated that nearly half rRNA genes (rDNA) in somatic cells were inactive and not transcribed. We compared the rDNA methylation level, active nucleolar organizer region (NORs) numbers, nucleolar proteins (upstream binding factor (UBF), nucleophosmin (B23)) distribution, and nucleolar-related gene expression in three different donor cells and NT embryos. The results showed embryonic stem cells (ESCs) had the most active NORs and lowest rDNA methylation level (7.66 and 6.76%), whereas mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were the opposite (4.70 and 22.57%). After the donor cells were injected into enucleated MII oocytes, cumulus cells and MEFs nuclei lost B23 and UBF signals in 20 min, whereas in ESC-NT embryos, B23 and UBF signals could still be detected at 60 min post-NT. The embryos derived from ESCs, cumulus cells, and MEFs showed the same trend in active NORs numbers (7.19 versus 6.68 versus 5.77, p < 0.05) and rDNA methylation levels (6.36 versus 9.67% versus 15.52%) at the 4-cell stage as that in donor cells. However, the MEF-NT embryos displayed low rRNA synthesis/processing potential at morula stage and had an obvious decrease in blastocyst developmental rate. The results presented clear evidences that the rDNA reprogramming efficiency in NT embryos was determined by the rDNA activity in donor cells from which they derived.
Estrogens and Estrogen‐Like Non‐Feminizing Compounds: Their Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract: The present position paper is intended to provide evidence that estrogen deprivation contributes to the occurrence and course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that currently available estrogen preparations may be useful in the prevention and treatment of AD in women. Additionally, there is now substantial preclinical evidence to support the development of novel non‐feminizing estrogens for use in male and female subjects for the protection of neurons from damage and death that underlies the neuropathology of AD. Estrogens and non‐feminizing estrogen‐like compounds may exert their beneficial effects in AD through a variety of mechanisms, directly through their neuroprotective actions and indirectly through their neurotrophic effects. Inasmuch as estrogens are comparatively free of both acute and chronic toxicities, and non‐feminizing estrogens are expected to be even safer, their use for years to decades for the prevention or treatment of AD is possible.
Variation in survival after diagnosis of breast cancer in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND Survival after diagnosis of cancer is a key criterion for cancer control. Major survival differences between time periods and countries have been reported by the EUROCARE studies. We investigated whether similar differences by period and region existed in Switzerland. METHODS Survival of 11,376 cases of primary invasive female breast cancer diagnosed between 1988 and 1997 and registered in seven Swiss cancer registries covering a population of 3.5 million was analysed. RESULTS Comparing the two periods 1988-1992 and 1993-1997, age-standardized 5 year relative survival improved globally from 77% to 81%. Furthermore, multivariate analysis adjusting for age, tumour size and nodal involvement identified regional survival differences. Survival was lowest in the rural parts of German-speaking eastern Switzerland and highest in urbanised regions of the Latin- and German-speaking northwestern parts of the country. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that survival differences are present even in a small and affluent, but culturally diverse, country like Switzerland, raising the issue of heterogeneity in access to care and quality of treatment.
Parameter Space Exploration in Dispersion Engineering of Multilayer Silicon Waveguides from Near-Infrared to Mid-Infrared

Dispersion engineering is important in integrated photonics with a high index contrast. We present an exploration of the parameter space in dispersion-engineered silicon multilayer waveguides, based on a strip/slot hybrid waveguide structure. The relationship between low-dispersion bandwidth and dispersion variation is extensively investigated under different index contrasts between silicon and slot material and various structural parameter sets. Our results show that with a refractive index ranging from 1.4 to 2.9, any real material can be used in combination with silicon for dispersion flattening in principle, as long as device fabrication technologies allow. This paper provides a general guideline for future designs of dispersion-flattened silicon waveguides. Ultrawide low dispersion with a dispersion variation of around ±35 ps/(nm·km) can be obtained over a 2000-nm wavelength range, from the near-infrared to the mid-infrared.
Sickle cell disease, pathophysiology and clinical complications

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Macaque Models of Human Infectious Disease

Abstract Macaques have served as models for more than 70 human infectious diseases of diverse etiologies, including a multitude of agents—bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, prions. The remarkable diversity of human infectious diseases that have been modeled in the macaque includes global, childhood, and tropical diseases as well as newly emergent, sexually transmitted, oncogenic, degenerative neurologic, potential bioterrorism, and miscellaneous other diseases. Historically, macaques played a major role in establishing the etiology of yellow fever, polio, and prion diseases. With rare exceptions (Chagas disease, bartonellosis), all of the infectious diseases in this review are of Old World origin. Perhaps most surprising is the large number of tropical (16), newly emergent (7), and bioterrorism diseases (9) that have been modeled in macaques. Many of these human diseases (e.g., AIDS, hepatitis E, bartonellosis) are a consequence of zoonotic infection. However, infectious agents of certain diseases, including measles and tuberculosis, can sometimes go both ways, and thus several human pathogens are threats to nonhuman primates including macaques. Through experimental studies in macaques, researchers have gained insight into pathogenic mechanisms and novel treatment and vaccine approaches for many human infectious diseases, most notably acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Other infectious agents for which macaques have been a uniquely valuable resource for biomedical research, and particularly vaccinology, include influenza virus, paramyxoviruses, flaviviruses, arenaviruses, hepatitis E virus, papillomavirus, smallpox virus, Mycobacteria, Bacillus anthracis, Helicobacter pylori, Yersinia pestis, and Plasmodium species. This review summarizes the extensive past and present research on macaque models of human infectious disease.
On control and operating strategies for maximizing the controllability of the DFIG wind turbine during grid disturbance

This paper presents the control and operating strategies for maximizing the controllability of the DFIG wind turbine during grid disturbance. Here we develop an advanced control strategy for improving the LVRT capability of DFIG wind turbines during grid disturbances. The strategy is designed to operate GSC as a STATCOM when the crowbar is activated, and to operate both the RSC and GSC when the crowbar is released for the first time between fault initiation and clearance. This has been realized by changing the dynamic reactive power of RSC and GSC to the PCC voltage control mode from typical unity power factor mode. Also, a practical algorithm has been developed to control the rotor inrush current during severe voltage sags, which allow RSC to be reconnected back during the fault and thus permit the injection of the power to the grid. The rigorous simulation studies demonstrate that the PCC voltage is well maintained during the periods of network imbalance to comply with proposed Tanzania grid-code.
Cytochrome oxidase staining in the rat smI barrel cortex

Patterns of cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity were examined histochemically in the rat SmI cortex. Discrete regions of high enzymatic activity were centered upon the granule cell aggregates (barrels) in layer IV. Those barrels which correspond to the mystacial vibrissae and make up the posteromedial barrel subfield (PMBSF) were especially interesting in that CO staining revealed distinct metabolic subdivisions which do not have an easily demonstrable cytoarchitectonic counterpart. By analogy with the barrels in mouse PMBSF and with the cytoarchitectonically distinct barrels representing the smaller sinus hairs in the rat we propose that regions of high CO activity denote the “hollow” of the rat PMBSF barrels.
Self-restoring PVT aware independently-controlled Gate FinFET based 10T SRAM cell

As the technology is moving toward nano-scaled device dimensions the Process Voltage and Temperature (PVT) variations have become the dominant agent of increased SRAM failure probability and loss of manufacturing yield. In this paper, we proposed two novel PVT variation aware, independently controlled double-Gate FinFET 10T SRAMcells. Back-gate biasing is exploited to enhanceWrite Margin (WM) and Read Noise Margin (RNM), while built-in feedback mechanism is employed to achieve variation tolerance design during read and standby operations. Proposed cell improve stability by offering stable read and write operations while chip may have different process corners. Three sigma deviations in Static Noise Margin (SNM), RNM and WM due to intrinsic fluctuations alone are projected to demonstrate the stability of cell using 5000 points Monte-Carlo simulations. Compared with the conventional tied-gate 6T cell, the proposed 10T SRAM cells decorate SNM, RNM and WM by 1.9×, 4.7× and 1.6×, respectively. Also, with respect to existing tied-gate 10T SRAM cell, we achieve 6.5% and 20% improvements in RNM and WM, respectively.
The Emerging Importance of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in Asian Americans

OBJECTIVES:To study the demographics, epidemiology, and natural history of chronic hepatitis C in Asian Americans.METHODS:This retrospective survey describes 260 Asian Americans with chronic hepatitis C referred to one tertiary center.RESULTS:Ninety-two percent of patients were born in Asia. Fifty-one percent reported a history of unsafe therapeutic injections, which was a risk factor only in those with exposure outside the United States (p < 0.0001). A history of transfusion was reported in 41% of patients and was more frequent in those with exposure within the Unites States (p < 0.0001). Only 3.8% reported a history of intravenous drug abuse, which was more frequent in those with exposure within the United States (p < 0.0001). Hepatitis C genotype 1 was detected in 64.2% of patients, genotype 2 in 18.3%, and genotype 6 in 11.3%. Genotype 1 had a significantly lower sustained virologic response rate (32.8%) to interferon treatment, compared with genotype 2 (77.8%) or 6 (69.2%). During a mean follow-up of 6 yr, 26 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Logistic regression model revealed fibrosis stage 4 (odds ratio [OR] 8.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.97–26.48, p < 0.0001), age at presentation (55 vs 35 yr—OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.22–9.75, p = 0.0194), and baseline albumin level (3.0 vs 4.0 mg/dL—OR 3.47, 95% CI 1.02–11.76, p = 0.0464) were independent predictive factors for HCC development.CONCLUSIONS:Asian Americans with a history of unsafe therapeutic injections must be screened for chronic hepatitis C. Antiviral treatment should be initiated prior to development of cirrhosis. Surveillance for HCC must be routinely performed in cirrhosis patients.
A Fast-Charging Switching-Based Charger With Adaptive Hybrid Duty Cycle Control for Multiple Batteries

To reduce circuit complexity and better control the charging current for parallel charging, a switching-based charger with an adaptive hybrid duty cycle control (AHDCC) for multiple batteries is presented. Depending on the voltage difference of the batteries, the AHDCC mechanism automatically delivers a different amount of energy to each battery to realize battery voltage balance and reduce power losses. Since an intermittent charging method is adopted in the constant current (CC) mode, the effect of voltage drop across the battery's parasitic resistor can be removed, and thus the charging time in CC mode is prolonged. AHDCC adjusts the charging current, prolongs the charging period in CC mode, and entirely turns on the auxiliary switches in the constant voltage mode. As a result, the functionalities of fast charging and battery voltage balance can be realized concurrently. The experimental results demonstrate that the peak efficiency of the charger is up to 89.4% and the total charging time of two batteries is slightly smaller than that of a single battery.
Treatments for microcystic adnexal carcinoma – A review

Abstract Introduction: Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare malignant cutaneous neoplasm presenting as a slow-growing, indurated nodule, papule or plaque. Clinically, the lesion can blend into the surrounding skin, obscuring borders and consequently delaying diagnosis histologically. Surgical and histologic techniques that emphasize examination of all margins may optimize management through early diagnosis and prevention of recurrences. Objective: This review aims to assess the current surgical and histology techniques that result in lower rates of tumor recurrence and, consequently, better clinical outcomes. Methods: A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify studies examining wide local excision (WLE), Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy in the treatment of MAC. Results: WLE had a high likelihood of positive margins and local recurrence. MMS was found to have the lowest recurrence rates. Definitive RT could be considered for elderly patients or those who are poor surgical candidates, as large surgical defects may be required to obtain free margins with either WLE or MMS. Chemotherapy was found to be ineffective. Conclusion: Complete margin evaluation with MMS permits complete tumor removal with subsequently low recurrence rate.
Absorption, distribution, elimination of tea polyphenols in rats.

Tea polyphenols-including (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and (-)-epicatechin (EC)-are believed to be responsible for the beneficial effects of tea. This study was conducted to investigate the absorption, distribution, and elimination of EGCG, EGC, and EC in rats after administration of decaffeinated green tea (DGT). For comparison, pure EGCG was also studied. The plasma and tissue levels of EGCG, EGC, and EC were quantified by HPLC, and the results were analyzed by the PCNONLIN program. Following intravenous injection of DGT (25 mg/kg), the plasma concentration-time curves of EGCG, EGC, and EC were fitted in a two-compartment model. The beta-elimination half-lives (t1/2beta) were 212, 45, and 41 min for EGCG, EGC, and EC, respectively; the clearances were 2.0, 7.0, and 13.9 ml x min/kg, and the apparent distribution volumes (V(d)) were 1.5, 2.1, and 3.6 dl/kg. When pure EGCG (10 mg/kg) was given, however, a shorter t1/2beta (135 min), a larger clearance (72.5 ml x min/kg), and a larger V(d) (22.5 dl/kg) for EGCG were observed, suggesting that other components in DGT could affect the plasma concentration and elimination of EGCG. After intragastric administration of DGT (200 mg/kg), approximately 13.7% of EGC and 31.2% of EC were shown in the plasma, but only 0.1% of EGCG was bioavailable as judged by the ratio of AUC(i.g.)/AUC(i.v.). After intravenous administration of DGT (25 mg/kg), the level of EGCG was found to be the highest in the intestine samples, and the intestinal EGCG level declined with a t1/2 of 173 min. The highest levels of EGC and EC were observed in the kidney, and the levels declined rapidly with t1/2 of 29 and 28 min, respectively. The AUC of EGCG in the intestine was 4-fold higher than that in the kidney, but the AUCs of EGC and EC in the intestine were similar to those in the kidney. The liver and lung levels of EGCG, EGC, and EC were generally lower than those in the intestine and the kidney. The distribution results suggest that EGCG is mainly excreted through bile, and that EGC and EC are excreted through both the bile and urine.