Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Studies of the Thermal Degradation of the BioCo3 Polymer Binder

The basic research included a thermal analysis of the BioCo3 polymer binder in the form of a water-based poly(sodium acrylate)/dextrin composition to determine the temperature range in which this binder does not degrade and hence does not lose its binding properties in the binder/matrix system. The thermal decomposition was proven to be complex and to occur in multiple stages. It was found that as the temperature rises, physical and chemical changes take place in the binder as a result of the solvent water (20-100 °C) and then of the structural water evaporating, and finally of intermolecular dehydration reactions (100-220 °C) Mainly reversible processes occur within this temperature range. Within the temperature range of 220-300 °C, polymer chains decompose, which includes the disintegration of side groups and glycoside bonds. Between 300 and 500 °C, the polymer composition decomposes producing with gaseous destruction products, including mainly small-molecule inorganic compounds (CO2, H2O, CO) and organic ones (hydrocarbons). The part of the mass which has not decomposed at the temperature of about 550°C may contain carbonised carbon.
Nonlinear Unknown Input and State Estimation Algorithm in Mobile Robots

This technical report provides the description and the derivation of a novel nonlinear unknown input and state estimation algorithm (NUISE) for mobile robots. The algorithm is designed for real-world robots with nonlinear dynamic models and subject to stochastic noises on sensing and actuation. Leveraging sensor readings and planned control commands, the algorithm detects and quantifies anomalies on both sensors and actuators. Later, we elaborate the dynamic models of two distinctive mobile robots for the purpose of demonstrating the application of NUISE. This report serves as a supplementary document for [1].
Disorders he impact of symptom dimensions on outcome for exposure and itual prevention therapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Objective: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe condition with varied symptom presentations. The behavioral treatment with the most empirical support is exposure and ritual prevention (EX/RP). This study examined the impact of symptom dimensions on EX/RP outcomes in OCD patients. Method: The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was used to determine primary symptoms for each participant. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of 238 patients identified five dimensions: contamination/cleaning, doubts about harm/checking, hoarding, symmetry/ordering, and unacceptable/taboo thoughts (including religious/moral and somatic obsessions among others). A linear regression was conducted on those who had received EX/RP (n = 87) to examine whether scores on the five symptom dimensions predicted post-treatment Y-BOCS scores, accounting for pre-treatment Y-BOCS scores. Results: The average reduction in Y-BOCS score was 43.0%, however the regression indicated that unacceptable/taboo thoughts (ˇ = .27, p = .02) and hoarding dimensions (ˇ = .23, p = .04) were associated with significantly poorer EX/RP treatment outcomes. Specifically, patients endorsing religious/moral obsessions, somatic concerns, and hoarding obsessions showed significantly smaller reductions in Y-BOCS severity scores. Conclusions: EX/RP was effective for all symptom dimensions, however it was less effective for unacceptable/taboo thoughts and hoarding than for other dimensions. Clinical implications and directions for research are discussed.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Establishing a robust, tertiary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation referral center in South Florida

The age of mechanical support for failing organs is part of our routine medical care, and technology has allowed us to provide support for kidney, lung, heart, and even liver function. While this technology is still imperfect, progress is being made. This is highlighted in the realm of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Over the last year, we have worked diligently to establish the adult ECMO program at Jackson Health System (JHS) in conjunction with the Miami Transplant Institute (MTI) and the University of Miami. This collaboration of institutions is known as the Miami Atlantic Southeast CArdiopulmonary REscue Network (MAS-CARE Network). Here, we describe some of the key components that established the MAS-CARE network as a robust, tertiary referral center.
Emotion and personal space: Neural correlates of approach‐avoidance tendencies to different facial expressions as a function of coldhearted psychopathic traits

In social interactions, humans are expected to regulate interpersonal distance in response to the emotion displayed by others. Yet, the neural mechanisms implicated in approach‐avoidance tendencies to distinct emotional expressions have not been fully described. Here, we investigated the neural systems implicated in regulating the distance to different emotions, and how they vary as a function of empathy. Twenty‐three healthy participants assessed for psychopathic traits underwent fMRI scanning while they viewed approaching and withdrawing angry, fearful, happy, sad and neutral faces. Participants were also asked to set the distance to those faces on a computer screen, and to adjust the physical distance from the experimenter outside the scanner. Participants kept the greatest distances from angry faces, and shortest from happy expressions. This was accompanied by increased activation in the dorsomedial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, inferior frontal gyrus, and temporoparietal junction for angry and happy expressions relative to the other emotions. Irrespective of emotion, longer distances were kept from approaching faces, which was associated with increased activation in the amygdala and insula, as well as parietal and prefrontal regions. Amygdala activation was positively correlated with greater preferred distances to angry, fearful and sad expressions. Moreover, participants scoring higher on coldhearted psychopathic traits (lower empathy) showed reduced amygdala activation to sad expressions. These findings elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying social approach‐avoidance, and how they are related to variations in empathy. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1492–1506, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The immunocytokine L19-IL2: An interplay between radiotherapy and long-lasting systemic anti-tumour immune responses

ABSTRACT Recently, we have shown that the administration of the tumour-targeted antibody-based immunocytokine L19-IL2 after radiotherapy (RT) resulted in synergistic anti-tumour effect. Here we show that RT and L19-IL2 can activate a curative abscopal effect, with a long-lasting immunological memory. Ionizing radiation (single dose of 15Gy, 5 × 2Gy or 5 × 5Gy) was delivered to primary C51 colon tumour-bearing immunocompetent mice in combination with L19-IL2 and response of secondary non-irradiated C51 or CT26 colon tumours was evaluated. 15Gy + L19-IL2 triggered a curative (20%) abscopal effect, which was T cell dependent. Moreover, 10Gy + L19-IL2 treated and cured mice were re-injected after 150 days with C51 tumour cells and tumour uptake was assessed. Age-matched controls (matrigel injected mice treated with 10Gy + L19-IL2, mice cured after treatment with surgery + L19-IL2 and mice cured after high dose RT 40Gy + vehicle) were included. Several immunological parameters in blood, tumours, lymph nodes and spleens were investigated. Treatment with 10Gy + L19-IL2 resulted in long-lasting immunological memory, associated with CD44+CD127+ expression on circulating T cells. This combination treatment can induce long-lasting curative abscopal responses, and therefore it has also great potential for treatment of metastatic disease. Preclinical findings have led to the initiation of a phase I clinical trial (NCT02086721) in our institute investigating stereotactic ablative radiotherapy with L19-IL2 in patients with oligometastatic solid tumours.
A systematic review of the effect of reproductive intention screening in primary care settings on reproductive health outcomes

Abstract Purpose No recommendations exist for routine reproductive intention screening in primary care. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the effect of reproductive intention screening in primary care on reproductive health outcomes (PROSPERO CRD42015019726). Methods We performed a systematic search in Ovid Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, CDR/DARE databases, Web of Science, ISRCTN registry, Clinicaltrials.gov and Cochrane Library. Studies published in English between 2000 and 2017 and whose population was patients of reproductive age (15–49) were included. Studies without a comparison group were excluded. Two independent reviewers assessed eligibility, study quality and abstracted data. Results Of 24 780 titles and/or abstracts reviewed, nine studies met inclusion criteria: four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and five observational studies. Two RCTs and one quasi-experimental cohort study showed a statistically significant increase in knowledge related to healthier pregnancy, such as the benefits of folic acid supplementation, and increased risk profiles for those with chronic conditions. Among studies measuring contraceptive use, only one cohort study showed any increase while the RCT and retrospective cohort did not show a statistically significant effect. Neither of the two RCTs that assessed the provision of contraception by primary care providers for those not desiring pregnancy found increased access to contraception, although one found increased documentation of contraception in electronic medical records. Acceptability of reproductive intention screening was measured in seven studies, and participant satisfaction was high in all seven studies. Conclusions More research is needed to determine whether routine inclusion of reproductive intention screening in primary care is warranted.
First record of the solitary ascidian Ciona savignyi Herdman, 1882 in the Southern Hemisphere.

This report documents the first recording of the solitary ascidian Ciona savignyi in the Southern Hemisphere. Adult tunicate specimens were collected from the Nelson city marina (South Island, New Zealand) in April 2010. Both mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequences and morphological characters were used to identify the tunicates as C. savignyi – the first report of this species in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere. This study highlights the power of molecular methods for invasive species identification and New Zealand’s need for an extensive, systematic molecular inventory of its existing marine invertebrate biodiversity.
The Relative Influence of Inter-Generational Co-Residence on Healthcare Market and Labor Market Outcomes in Post Affordable-Care-Act USA: Evidence from the 2015–2016 National Health Interview Surveys

This paper investigates the effects of Inter-generational co-residence on health care market, and labor market outcomes, to see whether or not living under the same roof with at least one parent matters in health care market, and labor market behaviors in post-Affordable-Care Act (ACA) USA. The adopted analytical strategy involves not only looking at the gender differences in co-residence, and its effects on outcomes in the two markets, but also accounting for co-residence endogeneity following the recent literature. Unlike the recent literature that relies on instrumental variables methods, this study adopts a switching regression approach, defining inter-generational co-residence as an endogenous selection process using a binary probit equation, and modeled jointly with the extensive margins and intensive margins in the two markets. This novel approach results in a recursive trivariate probit model for each market, and estimated using penalized maximum likelihood methods. The results suggest that ACA by reorganizing the US health care market, seems to have reduced significantly disparities in health care access among males and females based on race, region of residence, place of birth, and citizenship. However not only do we observe significant differences in inter-generational co-residence status between males and females, we also find significant inequalities in the effects of coresidence on health care market, and labor market outcomes. In fact, co-residence is found to increase health care expenditure by 56.7% among females, while this figure increases to 74.2% among males. In addition co-residing individuals, while spending 69.7% more on health care annually are 1.22 times more likely to access health care, but 31% less likely to use health care intensively during the year. In the labor market, co-residence is found to reduce significantly hours of weekly labor supplied by 41% for females, and 55.6% for males. Furthermore co-residing individuals, while not significantly different in their likelihood of labor force participation, are 1.52 times less likely to work full time once they decide to participate, and also spend about 55.4% less time working in the labor market in post-ACA USA.
Minimizing total harmonic distortion in a multi-level based WPT system

Wireless power transfer (WPT) systems are controlled using phase-shift modulation to reduce switching losses that incur due to high frequency operation. In high power WPT systems, multi-level converters are employed to further reduce switching and conduction losses as well as device ratings, caused by harmonics. However, the level of harmonic distortion of such systems will depend largely on the depth of phase modulation of each level, and the optimum depth of each phase-shift at which the harmonic distortion becomes minimum for a given amount of power is yet to be found. This paper therefore proposes a methodology to obtain an explicit analytical expression for total harmonic distortion in multi-level WPT systems in terms of phase-shifts. Using the proposed methodology, harmonic distortion of a bi-directional hybrid multi-level WPT system is analysed, and results are presented, bench marking against conventional techniques, to demonstrate how the harmonic distortion can be minimized through appropriate selection of phase-shifts.
Interaction of a dinoflagellate neurotoxin with voltage-activated ion channels in a marine diatom

Background The potent neurotoxins produced by the harmful algal bloom species Karenia brevis are activators of sodium voltage-gated channels (VGC) in animals, resulting in altered channel kinetics and membrane hyperexcitability. Recent biophysical and genomic evidence supports widespread presence of homologous sodium (Na+) and calcium (Ca2+) permeable VGCs in unicellular algae, including marine phytoplankton. We therefore hypothesized that VGCs of these phytoplankton may be an allelopathic target for waterborne neurotoxins produced by K. brevis blooms that could lead to ion channel dysfunction and disruption of signaling in a similar manner to animal Na+ VGCs. Methods We examined the interaction of brevetoxin-3 (PbTx-3), a K. brevis neurotoxin, with the Na+/Ca2+ VGC of the non-toxic diatom Odontella sinensis using electrophysiology. Single electrode current- and voltage- clamp recordings from O. sinensis in the presence of PbTx-3 were used to examine the toxin’s effect on voltage gated Na+/Ca2+ currents. In silico analysis was used to identify the putative PbTx binding site in the diatoms. We identified Na+/Ca2+ VCG homologs from the transcriptomes and genomes of 12 diatoms, including three transcripts from O. sinensis and aligned them with site-5 of Na+ VGCs, previously identified as the PbTx binding site in animals. Results Up to 1 µM PbTx had no effect on diatom resting membrane potential or membrane excitability. The kinetics of fast inward Na+/Ca2+ currents that underlie diatom action potentials were also unaffected. However, the peak inward current was inhibited by 33%, delayed outward current was inhibited by 25%, and reversal potential of the currents shifted positive, indicating a change in permeability of the underlying channels. Sequence analysis showed a lack of conservation of the PbTx binding site in diatom VGC homologs, many of which share molecular features more similar to single-domain bacterial Na+/Ca2+ VGCs than the 4-domain eukaryote channels. Discussion Although membrane excitability and the kinetics of action potential currents were unaffected, the permeation of the channels underlying the diatom action potential was significantly altered in the presence of PbTx-3. However, at environmentally relevant concentrations the effects of PbTx- on diatom voltage activated currents and interference of cell signaling through this pathway may be limited. The relative insensitivity of phytoplankton VGCs may be due to divergence of site-5 (the putative PbTx binding site), and in some cases, such as O. sinensis, resistance to toxin effects may be because of evolutionary loss of the 4-domain eukaryote channel, while retaining a single domain bacterial-like VGC that can substitute in the generation of fast action potentials.
Blazingly Fast Video Object Segmentation with Pixel-Wise Metric Learning

This paper tackles the problem of video object segmentation, given some user annotation which indicates the object of interest. The problem is formulated as pixel-wise retrieval in a learned embedding space: we embed pixels of the same object instance into the vicinity of each other, using a fully convolutional network trained by a modified triplet loss as the embedding model. Then the annotated pixels are set as reference and the rest of the pixels are classified using a nearest-neighbor approach. The proposed method supports different kinds of user input such as segmentation mask in the first frame (semi-supervised scenario), or a sparse set of clicked points (interactive scenario). In the semi-supervised scenario, we achieve results competitive with the state of the art but at a fraction of computation cost (275 milliseconds per frame). In the interactive scenario where the user is able to refine their input iteratively, the proposed method provides instant response to each input, and reaches comparable quality to competing methods with much less interaction.
Active Constraints Using Vector Field Inequalities for Surgical Robots

Robotic assistance allows surgeons to perform dexterous and tremor-free procedures, but is still underrepresented in deep brain neurosurgery and endonasal surgery where the workspace is constrained. In these conditions, the vision of surgeons is restricted to areas near the surgical tool tips, which increases the risk of unexpected collisions between the shafts of the instruments and their surroundings, in particular in areas outside the surgical field-of-view. Active constraints can be used to prevent the tools from entering restricted zones and thus avoid collisions. In this paper, a vector field inequality is proposed that guarantees that tools do not enter restricted zones. Moreover, in contrast with early techniques, the proposed method limits the tool approach velocity in the direction of the forbidden zone boundary, guaranteeing a smooth behavior and that tangential velocities will not be disturbed. The proposed method is evaluated in simulations featuring two eight degrees-of-freedom manipulators that were custom-designed for deep neurosurgery. The results show that both manipulator-manipulator and manipulator-boundary collisions can be avoided using the vector field inequalities.
The New Concept of Using the Superconducting Transformers in Low- and Medium-Voltage Distribution Network

The new 2G HTS tapes with high critical current and high resistivity in the normal state allow building low-cost transformers with high short-circuit strength for the low and medium power distribution substations. The authors consider that currently the best chance of the commercial applications have transformers, which rated currents of their windings do not exceed or slightly exceed the critical current of used superconducting tapes. Such units could be the low- or medium-voltage transformers with a power less than 10 MVA, where the high-voltage winding can be made with a single HTS tape while the low-voltage winding can also be made with a single HTS tape or two–three tapes connected in a parallel. This eliminates the need of a tape transposition or an application of Roebel's cable. Superconducting transformers could stabilize the low or medium power network and increase the connectivity of renewable and dispersed energy sources. This paper presents an analysis of the possibility of using the low- and medium-voltage superconducting transformers. Such units could be, e.g., transformers working with renewable energy sources.
Edge-based LBP description of surfaces with colorimetric patterns

In this paper we target the problem of the retrieval of colour patterns over surfaces. We generalize to surface tessellations the well known Local Binary Pattern (LBP) descriptor for images. The key concept of the LBP is to code the variability of the colour values around each pixel. In the case of a surface tessellation we adopt rings around vertices that are obtained with a sphere-mesh intersection driven by the edges of the mesh; for this reason, we name our method edgeLBP. Experimental results are provided to show how this description performs well for pattern retrieval, also when patterns come from degraded and corrupted archaeological fragments.
Assembly of alizarin red S/boric acid ultrathin films based on layered double hydroxide for fluorescence turn on detection of tiopronin

In this study, new facile, economical and fluorescent ultrathin films (UTFs) for detection of tiopronin are developed. The UTFs have been fabricated by combining the alizarin red S–boric acid adduct (ARS–H3BO3) with MgAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles through the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique. UV-vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and AFM have been adopted to monitor the assembly process. The UTFs display a uniform morphology and a periodic layered structure. Using ARS as a probe, which does not emit fluorescence by itself but displays fluorescence when complexed with boron, the assembled ARS–H3BO3/LDH UTFs display a high luminescence response to tiopronin. In the presence of Cu2+, the fluorescence of UTFs was quenched, which is attributed to the complexation between Cu2+ and ARS. Upon adding tiopronin to the UTF–Cu system, tiopronin would form a complex with Cu2+ preferentially, leading to the increased fluorescence of UTFs. Based on the above mechanism, a turn-on fluorescent ensemble for tiopronin is developed. A linear response was obtained in the range of 0–80 ng mL−1, with a detection limit of 0.47 ng mL−1. Compared with ARS and other analytes, the tighter binding of tiopronin to Cu2+ led to an assay with high specificity. Therefore, this work provides a facile LBL strategy for the fabrication of a solid state sensor based on ARS dye for detection of tiopronin.
Secretion of staphylococcal nuclease by Bacillus subtilis

The staphylococcal nuclease (nuc) gene from Staphylococcus aureus has been cloned and expressed in Bacillus subtilis. The nuclease protein was expressed either from its own promoter and translation start signals, or from a combination of a B. subtilis promoter, ribosome binding site, and a signal peptide sequence. Greater than 80% of the active gene product was secreted into the medium, whereas, when a signal peptide sequence was absent, as little as 4% of the nuclease activity was found in the culture medium. Intracellular (or cell-bound) nuclease, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting, was shown to have the molecular weight of the predicted precursor protein with the signal peptide. Levels of nuclease reached 50 mg per liter in the culture medium, depending on the growth medium and the strain used. These findings indicate the prospective use of nuclease as a model system for studying secretion of heterologous proteins in B. subtilis.