Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic High-Q Circular Substrate-Integrated Waveguide (SIW) Cavity for Radio Frequency (RF) Chemical Liquid Sensing

In this study, a high-Q circular substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity resonator is proposed as a non-contact and non-invasive radio frequency (RF) sensor for chemical sensing applications. The design of the structure utilizes SIW technology along with a circular shape to achieve a high unloaded Q factor, which is one of the important requirements for RF sensors. The resonant frequency of the proposed circular SIW cavity sensor changes when a liquid material or a chemical (microliters) is inserted in the sensitive area of the structure. The sensing of liquid materials with different permittivities is accomplished via the perturbation of the electric fields in the SIW configuration. When a microwell that is 4 mm in radius is installed vertically through the center of the bare circular SIW cavity, the operating frequency varies from 5.26 to 5.34 GHz. Similarly, when the microwell contains ethanol, the frequency shifts from 5.26 to 5.18 GHz, and the amplitude of reflection coefficient is shifted from −29 dB to −17 dB; when the microwell contains mixing deionized (DI)-water, the frequency moves from 5.26 to 4.98 GHz (which is also 0% Ethanol in our study), and the amplitude of reflection coefficient is shifted from −29 dB to −8 dB. A high unloaded Q factor is maintained throughout all experimental results. To demonstrate our idea, different concentrations of ethanol are tested and recorded. The experimental validation yields a close agreement between the simulations and the measurements.
Low Dimensional Representation of Fisher Vectors for Microscopy Image Classification

Microscopy image classification is important in various biomedical applications, such as cancer subtype identification, and protein localization for high content screening. To achieve automated and effective microscopy image classification, the representative and discriminative capability of image feature descriptors is essential. To this end, in this paper, we propose a new feature representation algorithm to facilitate automated microscopy image classification. In particular, we incorporate Fisher vector (FV) encoding with multiple types of local features that are handcrafted or learned, and we design a separation-guided dimension reduction method to reduce the descriptor dimension while increasing its discriminative capability. Our method is evaluated on four publicly available microscopy image data sets of different imaging types and applications, including the UCSB breast cancer data set, MICCAI 2015 CBTC challenge data set, and IICBU malignant lymphoma, and RNAi data sets. Our experimental results demonstrate the advantage of the proposed low-dimensional FV representation, showing consistent performance improvement over the existing state of the art and the commonly used dimension reduction techniques.
An efficient local method for stereo matching using daisy features

In this paper, a local method is proposed to estimate the visibility and disparity of pixels from a stereo pair using the DAISY feature. The problem is formulated as a joint optimization over disparity and visibility of individual pixels. The constraints on the range of disparities and the binary visibility variables are enforced by incorporating penalty terms into the cost function. Finally, the unconstrained optimization problem is solved using a Newton scheme with appropriate approximations to the Hessian matrices and gradients. The computation time of the proposed optimization method is around one minute to run for 768 × 512 stereo pairs using the DAISY feature descriptor in a C++ implementation.
Distinguishing malignant and benign renal masses with composite models and nomograms: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinically localized renal masses suspicious for malignancy

Solid renal masses and cystic lesions with solid components are suspicious for renal cell carcinoma. Without an effective screening test, composite models and nomograms rely on patient and tumor characteristics to stratify the risk of benign disease versus malignant disease. To guide decisions about the use of renal mass sampling or excision, a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the ability of composite models to predict the likelihood of malignancy on the basis of preoperative clinical variables was performed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 1, 1997, through May 1, 2015, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses statement. Composite models necessarily included imaging results and at least 1 element from the following to be compared with surgical pathology: demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and blood or urine tests. Two independent reviewers screened citations and extracted data. Quality Assessment Tool for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 was used to assess the risk of bias. The strength of evidence was graded with the scheme recommended by Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. Twenty studies (12,149 patients) were included in this review. The only significant predictors of malignancy in the composite models were tumor size (effect size, 1.33‐fold increased risk per centimeter; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22‐1.43) and male sex (effect size, 2.71; 95% CI, 2.39‐3.02). The results were inconclusive or not significant for tumor characteristics, age, body mass index, and incidental presentation. In conclusion, composite models currently have a limited ability to distinguish malignant renal masses from benign renal masses, with increased tumor size and male sex associated with malignancy. Cancer 2016;122:3267–3276. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Resting-State Seed-Based Analysis: An Alternative to Task-Based Language fMRI and Its Laterality Index

Eighteen healthy right-handed volunteers were prospectively evaluated with resting-state fMRI and task-based fMRI to assess language networks. The laterality indices of Broca and Wernicke areas were calculated by using task-based fMRI via a voxel-value approach. The authors performed seed-based resting-state fMRI connectivity analysis together with parameters such as amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF). fALFF can be used as an alternative to task-based fMRI for assessing language laterality. There was a strong positive correlation between the fALFF of the Broca area of resting-state fMRI with the laterality index of task-based fMRI. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Language is a cardinal function that makes human unique. Preservation of language function poses a great challenge for surgeons during resection. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of resting-state fMRI in the lateralization of language function in healthy subjects to permit its further testing in patients who are unable to perform task-based fMRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen healthy right-handed volunteers were prospectively evaluated with resting-state fMRI and task-based fMRI to assess language networks. The laterality indices of Broca and Wernicke areas were calculated by using task-based fMRI via a voxel-value approach. We adopted seed-based resting-state fMRI connectivity analysis together with parameters such as amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF). Resting-state fMRI connectivity maps for language networks were obtained from Broca and Wernicke areas in both hemispheres. We performed correlation analysis between the laterality index and the z scores of functional connectivity, amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, and fALFF. RESULTS: Pearson correlation analysis between signals obtained from the z score of fALFF and the laterality index yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.849 (P < .05). Regression analysis of the fALFF with the laterality index yielded an R2 value of 0.721, indicating that 72.1% of the variance in the laterality index of task-based fMRI could be predicted from the fALFF of resting-state fMRI. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that fALFF can be used as an alternative to task-based fMRI for assessing language laterality. There was a strong positive correlation between the fALFF of the Broca area of resting-state fMRI with the laterality index of task-based fMRI. Furthermore, we demonstrated the efficacy of fALFF for predicting the laterality of task-based fMRI.
Impact of Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolites produced during fermentation on bread quality parameters: A review

ABSTRACT Although bread making with the use of Baker's yeast has a long tradition in human history, little attention has been paid to the connection between yeast addition and the final bread quality. Nowadays, bakers mainly use different flour additives such as enzymes (amylases, hemicellulases, and proteases) to change and improve dough properties and/or bread quality. Another strategy is the use of modified industrial Baker's yeast. To date, there is no yeast strain used in the baking industry, which is genetically modified, despite some studies demonstrating that the application of recombinant DNA technology is a possibility for improved strains suitable for baking. However, due to the fact that the majority of consumers in Europe highly reject the use of genetically modified microorganisms in the production of food, other strategies to improve bread quality must be investigated. Such a strategy would be a reconsideration of the selection of yeast strains used for the baking process. Next to the common criteria, the requirement for adequate gas production, more attention should be paid on how yeast impacts flavor, shelf life, color, and the nutritional value of baked products, in a similar way to which yeast strains are selected in the wine and brewing industries.
Roles of Staphylococcus aureus Mnh1 and Mnh2 Antiporters in Salt Tolerance, Alkali Tolerance, and Pathogenesis

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus has three types of cation/proton antiporters. The type 3 family includes two multisubunit Na+/H+ (Mnh) antiporters, Mnh1 and Mnh2. These antiporters are clusters of seven hydrophobic membrane-bound protein subunits. Mnh antiporters play important roles in maintaining cytoplasmic pH in prokaryotes, enabling their survival under extreme environmental stress. In this study, we investigated the physiological roles and catalytic properties of Mnh1 and Mnh2 in S. aureus. Both Mnh1 and Mnh2 were cloned separately into a pGEM3Z+ vector in the antiporter-deficient KNabc Escherichia coli strain. The catalytic properties of the antiporters were measured in everted (inside out) vesicles. The Mnh1 antiporter exhibited a significant exchange of Na+/H+ cations at pH 7.5. Mnh2 showed a significant exchange of both Na+/H+ and K+/H+ cations, especially at pH 8.5. Under elevated salt conditions, deletion of the mnhA1 gene resulted in a significant reduction in the growth rate of S. aureus in the range of pH 7.5 to 9. Deletion of mnhA2 had similar effects but mainly in the range of pH 8.5 to 9.5. Double deletion of mnhA1 and mnhA2 led to a severe reduction in the S. aureus growth rate mainly at pH values above 8.5. The effects of functional losses of both antiporters in S. aureus were also assessed via their support of virulence in a mouse in vivo infection model. Deletion of the mnhA1 gene led to a major loss of S. aureus virulence in mice, while deletion of mnh2 led to no change in virulence. IMPORTANCE This study focuses on the catalytic properties and physiological roles of Mnh1 and Mnh2 cation/proton antiporters in S. aureus and their contributions under different stress conditions. The Mnh1 antiporter was found to have catalytic activity for Na+/H+ antiport, and it plays a significant role in maintaining halotolerance at pH 7.5 while the Mnh2 antiporter has catalytic antiporter activities for Na+/H+ and K+/H+ that have roles in both osmotolerance and halotolerance in S. aureus. Study of S. aureus with a single deletion of either mnhA1 or mnhA2 was assessed in an infection model of mice. The result shows that mnhA1, but not mnhA2, plays a major role in S. aureus virulence.
Semi-Supervised Spectral Clustering With Structured Sparsity Regularization

Spectral clustering (SC) is one of the most widely used clustering methods. In this letter, we extend the traditional SC with a semi-supervised manner. Specifically, with the guidance of small amount of supervisory information, we build a matrix with anti-block-diagonal appearance, which is further utilized to regularize the product of the low-dimensional embedding and its transpose. Technically, we formulate the proposed model as a constrained optimization problem. Then, we relax it as a convex problem, which can be efficiently solved with the global convergence guaranteed via the inexact augmented Lagrangian multiplier method. Experimental results over four real-world datasets demonstrate that higher accuracy and normalized mutual information are achieved when compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Biodegradation of phenol in batch and continuous flow microbial fuel cells with rod and granular graphite electrodes

ABSTRACT Phenol biodegradation was evaluated in batch and continuous flow microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In batch-operated MFCs, biodegradation of 100–1000 mg L−1 phenol was four to six times faster when graphite granules were used instead of rods (3.5–4.8 mg L−1 h−1 vs 0.5–0.9 mg L−1 h−1). Similarly maximum phenol biodegradation rates in continuous MFCs with granular and single-rod electrodes were 11.5 and 0.8 mg L−1 h−1, respectively. This superior performance was also evident in terms of electrochemical outputs, whereby continuous flow MFCs with granular graphite electrodes achieved maximum current and power densities (3444.4 mA m−3 and 777.8 mW m−3) that were markedly higher than those with single-rod electrodes (37.3 mA m−3 and 0.8 mW m−3). Addition of neutral red enhanced the electrochemical outputs to 5714.3 mA m−3 and 1428.6 mW m−3. Using the data generated in the continuous flow MFC, biokinetic parameters including μm, KS, Y and Ke were determined as 0.03 h−1, 24.2 mg L−1, 0.25 mg cell (mg phenol)−1 and 3.7 × 10−4 h−1, respectively. Access to detailed kinetic information generated in MFC environmental conditions is critical in the design, operation and control of large-scale treatment systems utilizing MFC technology.
The missing voices of Indigenous Australians with autism in research

The purpose of this Letter to the Editor is to raise awareness among those who read Autism about the limited amount of peer-reviewed literature on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living on the autism spectrum. This letter summarises the results of our search on Pubmed and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed literature on this subject. It then concludes by explaining why more research should be conducted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living on the autism spectrum.
Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activities of Exopolysaccharide by Submerged Culture of Inocutus Hispidus

This work was to investigate the hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of the exopolysaccharides produced in a stirred-tank bioreactor by Inocutus hispidus. The exopolysaccharides showed significant antioxidant activities, up to 70.7±2.5% inhibition of hydroxyl radicals, 50% inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, and a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of 3.3 mM. The exopolysaccharide also showed notable hypoglycemic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, reducing the plasma glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations by 18.2±1.5, 20.9±0.8 and 14.4±0.4, respectively. The results demonstrated the potential of this EPS for human health protection against oxidative damage and hyperglycemia.
Mineralization and Expression of Col1a1-3.6GFP Transgene in Primary Dental Pulp Culture

We have examined and compared the effects of various differentiation-inducing media on mineralization, cell morphology and expression of pOBCol3.6GFP (3.6-GFP) in primary dental pulp cultures derived from 3.6-GFP transgenic mice. Our results show that media containing ascorbic acid only could not induce mineralization in primary dental pulp cultures. On the other hand, media containing ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate induced formation of mineralized matrix-containing dentin. The amount of mineralized matrix was increased by addition of dexamethasone. Cells treated with ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate were fibroblast like and cells treated with dexamethasone were cuboidal. In all culture conditions, high levels of 3.6-GFP were expressed in areas of mineralization
Intelligent Information Processing - Chances of Crowdsourcing (NII Shonan Meeting 2013-15)

The number of organizations adopting crowdsourcing strategies is growing at an amazing speed. While the term crowdsourcing is being increasingly used in diﬀerent contexts, it is still ambiguous and lacks a clear deﬁnition. Crowdsourcing implicitely includes a social di-mension. Social computing was coined in 1994 by Doug Schuler, and its current meaning was come along around the middle of 2000 due to the wisdom of crowds by James Surowiecki, referring to systems that support the gathering, representation, processing, use, and dissemination of information that is distributed across social collectivities. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between crowdsourcing and social computing and its potential social impact. We deﬁne the main components of a crowdsourcing platform and we provide a classiﬁcation of challenges that can be solved through crowdsourcing.
BUQS: Battery- and user-aware QoS scaling for interactive mobile devices

Battery life has become one of major concerns for mobile user experience. Existing approaches for balancing device quality-of-service (QoS) and energy often over- or under-provision available battery capacity, or do not properly account for the non-obvious impact of QoS and battery state on actual user experience. In this paper, we propose BUQS, Battery- and User-aware QoS Scaling to maximize user experience under desired battery lifetime goals by leveraging insights about mobile device users. BUQS continually evaluates optimal QoS based on battery status and varying user expectations, and it dynamically adjusts the device service level to maximize user experience and simultaneously meet the battery lifetime requirements. BUQS recognizes dependence of user experience on both device use and battery life using an extended battery-aware quality-of-experience (QoE) model. Furthermore, BUQS learns user's behavior to predict energy demands in time and proactively rebalance energy to improve user experience. Experimental results show that our approach delivers about 30% higher QoE than the state-of-the-art QoS and energy balancing approach.
Activation of an alternative NF‐ΚB pathway in skeletal muscle during disuse atrophy

Although cytokine‐induced nuclear factor KB (NF‐ΚB) pathways are involved in muscle wasting subsequent to disease, their potential role in disuse muscle atrophy has not been characterized. Seven days of hind limb unloading led to a 10‐fold activation of an NF‐κB‐dependent reporter in rat soleus muscle but not the atrophy‐resistant extensor digitorum longus muscle. Nuclear levels of p50 were markedly up‐regulated, c‐Rel was moderately up‐regulated, Rel Β was down‐regulated, and p52 and p65 were unchanged in unloaded solei. The nuclear IΚB protein Bcl‐3 was increased. There was increased binding to an NF‐ΚB consensus oligonucleotide, and this complex bound antibodies to p50, c‐Rel, and Bcl‐3 but not other NF‐ΚB family members. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and TNF receptor‐associated factor 2 protein were moderately down‐regulated. There was no difference in p38, c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase or Akt activity, nor were activator protein 1 or nuclear factor of activated T cell‐dependent reporters activated. Thus, whereas several NF‐ΚB family members are up‐regulated, the prototypical markers of cytokine‐induced activation of NF‐ΚB seen with disease‐related wasting are not evident during disuse atrophy. Levels of an anti‐apoptotic NF‐ΚB target, Bcl‐2, were increased fourfold whereas proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak decreased. The evidence presented here suggests that disuse muscle atrophy is associated with activation of an alternative NF‐ΚB pathway that involves the activation of p50 but not p65. —Hunter, R. B. , Stevenson, E. J., Koncarevic, A. , Mitchell‐Felton, H. , Essig, D. A. , Kandarian, S. C. Activation of an alternative NF‐ΚB pathway in skeletal muscle during disuse atrophy. FASEB J. 16, 529–538 (2002)
Combining albumin‐bilirubin score with future liver remnant predicts post‐hepatectomy liver failure in HBV‐associated HCC patients

Accurate assessment of liver functional reserve pre‐operatively is vital for safe hepatic resection. The ALBI score is a new model for assessing liver function. This study aimed to evaluate the value of combining ALBI score with sFLR in predicting post‐operative morbidity and PHLF in HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy.
Model selection versus model averaging in dose finding studies

A key objective of Phase II dose finding studies in clinical drug development is to adequately characterize the dose response relationship of a new drug. An important decision is then on the choice of a suitable dose response function to support dose selection for the subsequent Phase III studies. In this paper, we compare different approaches for model selection and model averaging using mathematical properties as well as simulations. We review and illustrate asymptotic properties of model selection criteria and investigate their behavior when changing the sample size but keeping the effect size constant. In a simulation study, we investigate how the various approaches perform in realistically chosen settings. Finally, the different methods are illustrated with a recently conducted Phase II dose finding study in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.