Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radio Frequency Ultrasound Time Series Signal Analysis to Evaluate High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Lesion Formation Status in Tissue

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a novel treatment modality used by scientists and clinicians in the recent decades. This modality has had a great and significant success as a noninvasive surgery technique applicable in tissue ablation therapy and cancer treatment. In this study, radio frequency (RF) ultrasound signals were acquired and registered in three stages of before, during, and after HIFU exposures. Different features of RF time series signals including the sum of amplitude spectrum in the four quarters of the frequency range, the slope, and intercept of the best-fit line to the entire power spectrum and the Shannon entropy were utilized to distinguish between the HIFU-induced thermal lesion and the normal tissue. We also examined the RF data, frame by frame to identify exposure effects on the formation and characteristics of a HIFU thermal lesion at different time steps throughout the treatment. The results obtained showed that the spectrum frequency quarters and the slope and intercept of the best fit line to the entire power spectrum both increased two times during the HIFU exposures. The Shannon entropy, however, decreased after the exposures. In conclusion, different characteristics of RF time series signal possess promising features that can be used to characterize ablated and nonablated tissues and to distinguish them from each other in a quasi-quantitative fashion.
A microfabricated device with integrated nanoelectrospray source for capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

In this study, a new method is described for integrating an electrospray ionization interface to a mass spectrometer with a capillary electrophoresis channel. We have fabricated the ESI-MS device composed of the metal emitter tip, allowing the generation of an efficient nanospray for protein detection, and CE separation channel monolithically in a glass microchip. A triangular-shaped gold emitter tip was formed by electroplating at the end of the separation channel. As an ESI source, this emitter structure aided the formation of a stable Taylor cone. It is easily fabricated by MEMS technology and more robust than that of silica or polymer recently reported. Moreover, this approach is less involved than applying a conductive coating to the exit end to establish electrical contact. As such, the interface is less dependent upon the longevity or durability of such coating, factors that have been consideration in the sheathless interfaces. The spraying stability was evaluated and the ESI-MS experiment was performed by spraying standard peptides for mass spectrometric analysis. The spraying was stable, with a relative standard deviation of 2.9%. The CE/ESI-MS analysis was performed by separating and spraying standard peptide mixture of Bradykinin 1-5, Bradykinin 1-8, and Angiotensin I. Each peptide was separated successfully and singly-charged peaks and doubly-charged peaks of each peptide were detected, respectively. Direct comparisons with conventional ESI-MS system using glass or fused silica emitters showed very similar performance with respect to signal intensity and stability.
Synthesis and mutagenicity of A-ring reduced analogues of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

The synthesis and mutagenicity of two derivatives of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA; 1), i.e., 1,2-H2DMBA (4) and 1,2,3,4-H4DMBA (5), are reported. These analogues (4 and 5) represent dihydro and tetrahydro A-ring reduced forms of DMBA, a region in the parent hydrocarbon (1) proposed to be involved in metabolism to the ultimate carcinogen. The synthesis for 4 without isolation of intermediates from the tosylhydrazone of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenz[a]anthracene-4,7,12-trione (10) by successive reaction with 8 molar equiv of CH3Li, HI, and NaBH4 represents a novel approach to this hydrocarbon now available in sufficient quantity for biological studies. Interestingly, both of these reduced analogues 4 and 5 exhibited mutagenic activity in the Ames assay in the presence or absence of microsomal activation for strains TA98 and TA100. In these strains, DMBA was active only in the presence of S-9 fraction. In the plasmid-deficient strain TA1537, only tetrahydro analogue 5 exhibited mutagenic activity both in the absence and presence of S-9 fraction.
Neural-network-based sensorless maximum wind energy capture with compensated power coefficient

This paper describes a small wind generation system where neural network principles are applied for wind speed estimation and robust control of maximum wind power extraction against potential drift of wind turbine power coefficient curve. The new control system will deliver maximum electric power to a customer with light weight, high efficiency, and high reliability without mechanical sensors. The concept has been developed and analyzed using a turbine directly driven permanent-magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). In addition, the proposed method is applied to a 15-kW variable-speed cage induction machine wind generation (CIWG) system. The simulation studies of a PMSG small wind generation system and experimental results of a CIWG are provided to verify the validity of the method.
Digital color image sharpening using fractional differentiation and discrete cosine transform

In this paper, a color image sharpening method based on fractional differentiation and discrete cosine transform (DCT) is presented. First, the definition of fractional differentiation is reviewed briefly. Then, the DCT, fractional differentiation and Mach band effect are used to construct the color image sharpening algorithm. Next, the extension work of the proposed method is discussed. Finally, some numerical examples are demonstrated to show the effectiveness of the proposed digital color image sharpening method.
Multi-class classification strategies for Fisher scores of gesture and sign sequences

In this work, we propose a multi-class classification strategy based on Fisher kernels. Fisher kernels combine the powers of discriminative and generative classifiers by mapping variable-length sequences to a new fixed length feature space. The mapping is based on a single generative model and the classifier is intrinsically binary. We apply a multi-class classification, instead of a binary classification, on each Fisher score space and combine the decisions of multi-class classifiers. We show, through experiments on gesture and sign sequences, that the Fisher scores extracted from the HMM of one class provide discriminative information for other classes as well. Comparisons with other strategies show that the proposed method enhances the performance of the base classifier the most.
Performance Recovery of Feedback-Linearization-Based Designs

We consider a tracking problem for a partially feedback linearizable nonlinear system with stable zero dynamics. The system is uncertain and only the output is measured. We use an extended high-gain observer of dimension n+1, where n is the relative degree. The observer estimates n derivatives of the tracking error, of which the first (n-1) derivatives are states of the plant in the normal form and the nth derivative estimates the perturbation due to model uncertainty and disturbance. The controller cancels the perturbation estimate and implements a feedback control law, designed for the nominal linear model that would have been obtained by feedback linearization had all the nonlinearities been known and the signals been available. We prove that the closed-loop system under the observer-based controller recovers the performance of the nominal linear model as the observer gain becomes sufficiently high. Moreover, we prove that the controller has an integral action property in that it ensures regulation of the tracking error to zero in the presence of constant nonvanishing perturbation.
Hospitalizations associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States, 1993-2008.

BACKGROUND Age-specific comparisons of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hospitalization rates can inform prevention efforts, including vaccine development plans. Previous US studies have not estimated jointly the burden of these viruses using similar data sources and over many seasons. METHODS We estimated influenza and RSV hospitalizations in 5 age categories (<1, 1-4, 5-49, 50-64, and ≥65 years) with data for 13 states from 1993-1994 through 2007-2008. For each state and age group, we estimated the contribution of influenza and RSV to hospitalizations for respiratory and circulatory disease by using negative binomial regression models that incorporated weekly influenza and RSV surveillance data as covariates. RESULTS Mean rates of influenza and RSV hospitalizations were 63.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.5-237) and 55.3 (95% CI, 44.4-107) per 100000 person-years, respectively. The highest hospitalization rates for influenza were among persons aged ≥65 years (309/100000; 95% CI, 186-1100) and those aged <1 year (151/100000; 95% CI, 151-660). For RSV, children aged <1 year had the highest hospitalization rate (2350/100000; 95% CI, 2220-2520) followed by those aged 1-4 years (178/100000; 95% CI, 155-230). Age-standardized annual rates per 100000 person-years varied substantially for influenza (33-100) but less for RSV (42-77). CONCLUSIONS Overall US hospitalization rates for influenza and RSV are similar; however, their age-specific burdens differ dramatically. Our estimates are consistent with those from previous studies focusing either on influenza or RSV. Our approach provides robust national comparisons of hospitalizations associated with these 2 viral respiratory pathogens by age group and over time.
Signal processing on kernel-based random graphs

We present the theory of sequences of random graphs and their convergence to limit objects. Sequences of random dense graphs are shown to converge to their limit objects in both their structural properties and their spectra. The limit objects are bounded symmetric functions on [0,1]2. The kernel functions define an equivalence class and thus identify collections of large random graphs who are spectrally and structurally equivalent. As the spectrum of the graph shift operator defines the graph Fourier transform (GFT), the behavior of the spectrum of the underlying graph has a great impact on the design and implementation of graph signal processing operators such as filters. The spectra of several graph limits are derived analytically and verified with numerical examples.
Galactoseβ1‐4fucose: A unique disaccharide unit found in N‐glycans of invertebrates including nematodes

Galactoseβ1‐4fucose (Galβ1‐4Fuc), a unique disaccharide unit found only on the N‐glycans of Protostomia, has been intensively studied, particularly in Nematoda. Galβ1‐4Fuc attached to the 6‐OH of the innermost GlcNAc of N‐glycans has been identified as an endogenous target recognized by Caenorhabditis elegans galectin LEC‐6 and might function as an endogenous ligand for other galectins as well. Interactions between galectins and N‐glycans might be subject to fine‐tuning through modifications of the penultimate GlcNAc and the Galβ1‐4Fuc unit. Similar fine‐tuning is also observable in vertebrate galectins, although their major recognition unit is a Galβ1‐4GlcNAc. In Protostomia, it can be postulated that glycan‐binding proteins and their ligands have coevolved; however, epitopes such as Galβ1‐4Fuc were then hijacked as targets by other organisms. Fungal (Coprinopsis cinerea) galectin 2, CGL2, binds the Galβ1‐4Fuc on C. elegans glycans to exert its nematotoxicity. Some human and mouse galectins bind to synthesized Galβ1‐4Fuc; as some parasitic nematodes express this motif, its recognition by mammalian galectins could hypothetically be involved in host defense, similar to fungal CGL2. In this review, we discuss the Galβ1‐4Fuc unit in Protostomia as a possible equivalent for the Galβ1‐4GlcNAc unit in vertebrates and a potential non‐self glycomarker useful for pathogen recognition.
Brain enhancement through cognitive training: a new insight from brain connectome

Owing to the recent advances in neurotechnology and the progress in understanding of brain cognitive functions, improvements of cognitive performance or acceleration of learning process with brain enhancement systems is not out of our reach anymore, on the contrary, it is a tangible target of contemporary research. Although a variety of approaches have been proposed, we will mainly focus on cognitive training interventions, in which learners repeatedly perform cognitive tasks to improve their cognitive abilities. In this review article, we propose that the learning process during the cognitive training can be facilitated by an assistive system monitoring cognitive workloads using electroencephalography (EEG) biomarkers, and the brain connectome approach can provide additional valuable biomarkers for facilitating leaners’ learning processes. For the purpose, we will introduce studies on the cognitive training interventions, EEG biomarkers for cognitive workload, and human brain connectome. As cognitive overload and mental fatigue would reduce or even eliminate gains of cognitive training interventions, a real-time monitoring of cognitive workload can facilitate the learning process by flexibly adjusting difficulty levels of the training task. Moreover, cognitive training interventions should have effects on brain sub-networks, not on a single brain region, and graph theoretical network metrics quantifying topological architecture of the brain network can differentiate with respect to individual cognitive states as well as to different individuals’ cognitive abilities, suggesting that the connectome is a valuable approach for tracking the learning progress. Although only a few studies have exploited the connectome approach for studying alterations of the brain network induced by cognitive training interventions so far, we believe that it would be a useful technique for capturing improvements of cognitive functions.
Seizing the Treasure: Transferring Knowledge in Invoice Analysis

This paper deals with the transfer of knowledge on invoice document layout and extraction strategies, collected by users of the invoice recognition software smartFIX over several years of productive use, to other user's systems. The results of a project analyzing this 'treasure' of knowledge and putting it to use in the smartFIX system are presented. The evaluation shows that this transfer of knowledge using state-of-the-art techniques in transfer learning achieves significantly higher initial recognition rates than the unaugmented system, delivering instant economic advantages by reducing accountant personnel workload.
A climate-change risk assessment for carbon sequestration of terrestrial ecosystem: A case of farming-pastoral ecotone of northern China

We presented an assessment of the risks of anthropogenic climate change on the ecosystem service in China for a protected climate change from 1991 to 2080. IPCC reports were used to substitute the views of stakeholders to determine the risk assessment endpoint. Then, the approach of critical climate change was implied to evaluate the risk, according to the capacity of carbon sequestration simulated by the Atmosphere Vegetation Integrated Model, the risk of carbon sequestration under B2 climate scenario in 21st century was investigated. The results show that the risk scope is likely to expand with the increasing warming trend. Under B2 climate scenario, about 58.98%∼61.31% of ecosystems will face the risk in study area. Risk will increase with the increasing warming. Northeast China and northwest of study area will be dangerous under SERS-B2 climate scenario. Moreover, the most vulnerable ecosystem to climate change will be forest. The marginal region will show more intensive risk than that of core region. Therefore, effective climate mitigation and impact adaptation strategies should be implemented soon, especially in the dangerous regions and ecosystems. At last, the uncertainties of this research were also discussed.
Adult murine neurons: their chromatin and chromosome changes and failure to support embryonic development as revealed by nuclear transfer

Fully differentiated neurons in adult mammalian brains do not divide; consequently, their metaphase chromosomes have never been examined. Here we report metaphase chromosome constitutions of cortical neurons in adult mice visualized by a nuclear transfer technique. We found that although some reconstructed oocytes cloned from neuronal nuclei have an apparently normal karyotype, the majority do not. Regardless of chromosome morphology, nuclei of adult neurons totally lack the ability to support embryonic development. These findings support the hypothesis that fully differentiated neurons in adult mammalian brains are genomically altered.
Dynamic management of multiple mobile routers

Network mobility (NEMO) support is used to maintain the Internet connectivity of a group of terminals located into a network that changes its point of attachment to the Internet. The Internet access is made through a number of interfaces on a mobile router acting as a gateway of the mobile network. The overall bandwidth can be increased and redundancy can be provided by serving the mobile network through multiple mobile routers. However, this raises a number of issues related to multihoming. We therefore propose a multiple mobile router management (MMRM) system which allows nodes in the mobile network to be connected transparently to the Internet through multiple mobile routers. Mobile routers can dynamically join and leave the mobile network. They cooperate in order to share their Internet access within the entire mobile network. The proposed system is implemented and evaluated. Evaluation results show that the overhead of our system is negligible while redundancy and the overall bandwidth for the nodes in the mobile network are increased.
How far do speakers back up in repairs? a quantitatve model

Speakers frequently retrace one or more words when continuing after a break in fluency. Syntactic principles constrain the points from which speakers retrace; however syntactic principles do not provide predictions about the relative usage of different allowable retrace points. Such predictions are useful for automatic processing of repairs in speech technology, particularly if they use information readily available to a speech recognizer. We propose a quantitative model that predicts the overall distribution of retrace lengths in a large corpus of spontaneous speech, based only on word position. The model has two components: (1) a constant, position-independent probability for extending a retrace by one more word; and (2) a position-dependent probability to “skip” to the beginning of the sentence. Results have implications for modeling repairs in speech applications and constrain explanatory models in psycholinguistics.
Helicobacter pylori Infection Is Associated With an Increased Rate of Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Chronic infections could be contributing to the socioeconomic gradient in chronic diseases. Although chronic infections have been associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and cardiovascular disease, there is limited evidence on how infections affect risk of diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We examined the association between serological evidence of chronic viral and bacterial infections and incident diabetes in a prospective cohort of Latino elderly. We analyzed data on 782 individuals aged >60 years and diabetes-free in 1998–1999, whose blood was tested for antibodies to herpes simplex virus 1, varicella virus, cytomegalovirus, Helicobacter pylori, and Toxoplasma gondii and who were followed until June 2008. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the relative incidence rate of diabetes by serostatus, with adjustment for age, sex, education, cardiovascular disease, smoking, and cholesterol levels. RESULTS Individuals seropositive for herpes simplex virus 1, varicella virus, cytomegalovirus, and T. gondii did not show an increased rate of diabetes, whereas those who were seropositive for H. pylori at enrollment were 2.7 times more likely at any given time to develop diabetes than seronegative individuals (hazard ratio 2.69 [95% CI 1.10–6.60]). Controlling for insulin resistance, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 did not attenuate the effect of H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated for the first time that H. pylori infection leads to an increased rate of incident diabetes in a prospective cohort study. Our findings implicate a potential role for antibiotic and gastrointestinal treatment in preventing diabetes.
Complementation of reduced survival, hypotension, and renal abnormalities in angiotensinogen-deficient mice by the human renin and human angiotensinogen genes.

The aim of this study was to determine whether elements of the human renin-angiotensin system (RAS) could functionally replace elements of the mouse RAS by complementing the reduced survival and renal abnormalities observed in mice carrying a gene-targeted deletion of the mouse angiotensinogen gene (mAgt). Double transgenic mice containing the human renin (HREN) and human angiotensinogen (HAGT) genes were bred to mice heterozygous for the mAgt deletion and the compound heterozygotes were identified and intercrossed. The resulting progeny (n = 139) were genotyped at each locus and the population was stratified into two groups: the first containing both human transgenes (RA+) and the second containing zero or one, but not both human transgenes (RA-). Despite appropriate Mendelian ratios of RA- mice that were wildtype (+/+), heterozygous (+/-), and homozygous (-/-) for the deletion of mAgt at birth, there was reduced survival of RA- mAgt-/- mice to adulthood (P < 0.001 by chi2). In contrast, we observed appropriate Mendelian ratios of RA+ mAgt+/+, RA+ mAgt+/-, and RA+ mAgt-/- mice at birth and in adults (P > 0.05 by chi2). These results demonstrate that the presence of both human transgenes rescues the postnatal lethality in mAgt-/- mice. The renal histopathology exhibited by RA- mAgt-/- mice, including thickened arterial walls, severe fibrosis, lymphocytic infiltration, and atrophied parenchyma, was also rescued in the RA+ mAgt-/- mice. Direct arterial blood pressure recordings in conscious freely moving mice revealed that BP (in mmHg) varied proportionally to mAgt gene copy number in RA+ mice (approximately 20 mmHg per mAgt gene copy, P < 0.001). BP in RA+ mAgt-/- mice (132+/-3, n = 14) was intermediate between wild-type (RA- mAgt+/+, 105+/-2, n = 9) and RA+ mAgt+/+ (174+/-3, n = 10) mice. These studies establish that the human renin and angiotensinogen genes can functionally replace the mouse angiotensinogen gene, and provides proof in principle that we can examine the regulation of elements of the human RAS and test the significance of human RAS gene variants by a combined transgenic and gene targeting approach.