Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do People Taking Flu Vaccines Need Them the Most?

Background A well targeted flu vaccine strategy can ensure that vaccines go to those who are at the highest risk of getting infected if unvaccinated. However, prior research has not explicitly examined the association between the risk of flu infection and vaccination rates. Purpose This study examines the relationship between the risk of flu infection and the probability of getting vaccinated. Methods Nationally representative data from the US and multivariate regression models were used to estimate what individual characteristics are associated with (1) the risk of flu infection when unvaccinated and (2) flu vaccination rates. These results were used to estimate the correlation between the probability of infection and the probability of getting vaccinated. Separate analyses were performed for the general population and the high priority population that is at increased risk of flu related complications. Results We find that the high priority population was more likely to get vaccinated compared to the general population. However, within both the high priority and general populations the risk of flu infection when unvaccinated was negatively correlated with vaccination rates (r = −0.067, p<0.01). This negative association between the risk of infection when unvaccinated and the probability of vaccination was stronger for the high priority population (r = −0.361, p<0.01). Conclusions There is a poor match between those who get flu vaccines and those who have a high risk of flu infection within both the high priority and general populations. Targeting vaccination to people with low socioeconomic status, people who are engaged in unhealthy behaviors, working people, and families with kids will likely improve effectiveness of flu vaccine policy.
On the effects of pilot-aided channel estimation on the capacity of QoS-aware heterogeneous OFDMA networks

The deployment of heterogeneous networks (Het-Nets) is a way to increase the capacity of future mobile networks. However, the use of pilot symbols for channel estimation, which is needed to perform demodulation at the receiver, reduces spectral and power efficiency, and the presence of channel estimation error degrades the capacity of each link. In this paper we study the effects of pilot-aided channel estimation on the capacity of a two-tier HetNet with QoS-aware centralized admission control (AC) and radio resource allocation (RRA) algorithms that control the effects of cross-interference and optimize a service provider revenue. With this aim, we design and implement an AC algorithm that takes into account link-rate degradation due to channel estimation error and pilot-symbols overhead. The results for both uplink and downlink show that the impact of channel estimation error is not negligible and is especially relevant for downlink cellular users. However, the results also show that this degradation can be partially mitigated by allocating more power over pilot symbols.
Surface Polysaccharide Mutants Reveal that Absence of O Antigen Reduces Biofilm Formation of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

ABSTRACT Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium belonging to the Pasteurellaceae family and the causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, a highly contagious lung disease causing important economic losses. Surface polysaccharides, including lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and capsular polysaccharides (CPS), are implicated in the adhesion and virulence of A. pleuropneumoniae, but their role in biofilm formation is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the requirement for these surface polysaccharides in biofilm formation by A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1. Well-characterized mutants were used: an O-antigen LPS mutant, a truncated core LPS mutant with an intact O antigen, a capsule mutant, and a poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PGA) mutant. We compared the amount of biofilm produced by the parental strain and the isogenic mutants using static and dynamic systems. Compared to the findings for the biofilm of the parental or other strains, the biofilm of the O antigen and the PGA mutants was dramatically reduced, and it had less cell-associated PGA. Real-time PCR analyses revealed a significant reduction in the level of pgaA, cpxR, and cpxA mRNA in the biofilm cells of the O-antigen mutant compared to that in the biofilm cells of the parental strain. Specific binding between PGA and LPS was consistently detected by surface plasmon resonance, but the lack of O antigen did not abolish these interactions. In conclusion, the absence of the O antigen reduces the ability of A. pleuropneumoniae to form a biofilm, and this is associated with the reduced expression and production of PGA.
Adaptive Cross-Network Cross-Layer Design in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

A cross-network cross-layer design method is proposed to exploit the trunking, diversity, and best service assignment gains available in a heterogeneous wireless network (HWN), consisting of orthogonal radio access networks (RANs) and interference-limited RANs. Accounting for traffic-level dynamics and channel fading, we jointly design the distribution strategy for elastic and inelastic traffic, and the radio resource management strategy for RANs, in a network-separable control architecture. Optimal and quantified near-optimal radio allocation schemes are proposed for each type of RAN, which are combined into an on-line design framework that over time provides asymptotically optimal performance, maximizing the sum throughput utility for elastic traffic while guaranteeing the throughput requirements of inelastic traffic. Extensive simulation results demonstrate substantial performance improvement against suboptimal alternatives.
Further Support to the Uncoupling-to-Survive Theory: The Genetic Variation of Human UCP Genes Is Associated with Longevity

In humans Uncoupling Proteins (UCPs) are a group of five mitochondrial inner membrane transporters with variable tissue expression, which seem to function as regulators of energy homeostasis and antioxidants. In particular, these proteins uncouple respiration from ATP production, allowing stored energy to be released as heat. Data from experimental models have previously suggested that UCPs may play an important role on aging rate and lifespan. We analyzed the genetic variability of human UCPs in cohorts of subjects ranging between 64 and 105 years of age (for a total of 598 subjects), to determine whether specific UCP variability affects human longevity. Indeed, we found that the genetic variability of UCP2, UCP3 and UCP4 do affect the individual's chances of surviving up to a very old age. This confirms the importance of energy storage, energy use and modulation of ROS production in the aging process. In addition, given the different localization of these UCPs (UCP2 is expressed in various tissues including brain, hearth and adipose tissue, while UCP3 is expressed in muscles and Brown Adipose Tissue and UCP4 is expressed in neuronal cells), our results may suggest that the uncoupling process plays an important role in modulating aging especially in muscular and nervous tissues, which are indeed very responsive to metabolic alterations and are very important in estimating health status and survival in the elderly.
Quantitative Analysis of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism for Rapid Detection of TR34/L98H- and TR46/Y121F/T289A-Positive Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates Obtained from Patients in Iran from 2010 to 2014

ABSTRACT We employed an endpoint genotyping method to update the prevalence rate of positivity for the TR34/L98H mutation (a 34-bp tandem repeat mutation in the promoter region of the cyp51A gene in combination with a substitution at codon L98) and the TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation (a 46-bp tandem repeat mutation in the promoter region of the cyp51A gene in combination with substitutions at codons Y121 and T289) among clinical Aspergillus fumigatus isolates obtained from different regions of Iran over a recent 5-year period (2010 to 2014). The antifungal activities of itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole against 172 clinical A. fumigatus isolates were investigated using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) broth microdilution method. For the isolates with an azole resistance phenotype, the cyp51A gene and its promoter were amplified and sequenced. In addition, using a LightCycler 480 real-time PCR system, a novel endpoint genotyping analysis method targeting single-nucleotide polymorphisms was evaluated to detect the L98H and Y121F mutations in the cyp51A gene of all isolates. Of the 172 A. fumigatus isolates tested, the MIC values of itraconazole (≥16 mg/liter) and voriconazole (>4 mg/liter) were high for 6 (3.5%). Quantitative analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms showed the TR34/L98H mutation in the cyp51A genes of six isolates. No isolates harboring the TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation were detected. DNA sequencing of the cyp51A gene confirmed the results of the novel endpoint genotyping method. By microsatellite typing, all of the azole-resistant isolates had genotypes different from those previously recovered from Iran and from the Dutch TR34/L98H controls. In conclusion, there was not a significant increase in the prevalence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates harboring the TR34/L98H resistance mechanism among isolates recovered over a recent 5-year period (2010 to 2014) in Iran. A quantitative assay detecting a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the cyp51A gene of A. fumigatus is a reliable tool for the rapid screening and monitoring of TR34/L98H- and TR46/Y121F/T289A-positive isolates and can easily be incorporated into clinical mycology algorithms.
Demographic cognitive patterns revealed from human genome

Here, we provide some examples of extracting demographic cognitive patterns from human genome data through applying traditional and recently developed statistical and bioinformatics tools. These methods were used to make inferences on the demographic history of Armenians (as a template population) based on uniparentally (through paternally inherited Y chromosome and maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA) and biparentally (through autosomes) transmitted genetic information.
Robust entropy harvester for analogue noise sources in TRNG

Random numbers are important in diverse areas of science and technology. The requirements of randomness, however, are more stringent in cryptographic applications, where so-called true randomness is required. In particular, statistical randomness is not enough, and a degree of unpredictability stemmed in physical phenomenon is used to build a true random number generator (TRNG). A critical part in TRNG design is the entropy harvester, which extracts entropy from multiple entropy sources. Unfortunately, none of such sources provide true randomness in pure form, and the desired signal is heavily contaminated due to electrical coupling, electromagnetic interference, and other pseudo-random signals present in physical environment. Process variation and ageing affect the performance of noise sources. In this paper we propose an entropy extraction and estimation mechanism, which operates directly on raw randomness exhibited by analogue noise sources. The main strength of our design is its dynamic nature, i.e., it adapts as per the current state of source, and provides a robust mechanism to detect entropy failure. Our design can easily be implemented on commodity hardware in a cost effective manner.
A Transient Expression of Prospero Promotes Cell Cycle Exit of Drosophila Postembryonic Neurons through the Regulation of Dacapo

Cell proliferation, specification and terminal differentiation must be precisely coordinated during brain development to ensure the correct production of different neuronal populations. Most Drosophila neuroblasts (NBs) divide asymmetrically to generate a new NB and an intermediate progenitor called ganglion mother cell (GMC) which divides only once to generate two postmitotic cells called ganglion cells (GCs) that subsequently differentiate into neurons. During the asymmetric division of NBs, the homeodomain transcription factor PROSPERO is segregated into the GMC where it plays a key role as cell fate determinant. Previous work on embryonic neurogenesis has shown that PROSPERO is not expressed in postmitotic neuronal progeny. Thus, PROSPERO is thought to function in the GMC by repressing genes required for cell-cycle progression and activating genes involved in terminal differentiation. Here we focus on postembryonic neurogenesis and show that the expression of PROSPERO is transiently upregulated in the newly born neuronal progeny generated by most of the larval NBs of the OL and CB. Moreover, we provide evidence that this expression of PROSPERO in GCs inhibits their cell cycle progression by activating the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) DACAPO. These findings imply that PROSPERO, in addition to its known role as cell fate determinant in GMCs, provides a transient signal to ensure a precise timing for cell cycle exit of prospective neurons, and hence may link the mechanisms that regulate neurogenesis and those that control cell cycle progression in postembryonic brain development.
Deformation strain is the main physical driver for skeletal precursors to undergo osteogenesis in earlier stages of osteogenic cell maturation

Mesenchymal stem cells play a major role during bone remodelling and are thus of high interest for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. Mechanical stimuli, that is, deformation strain and interstitial fluid‐flow‐induced shear stress, promote osteogenic lineage commitment. However, the predominant physical stimulus that drives early osteogenic cell maturation is not clearly identified. The evaluation of each stimulus is challenging, as deformation and fluid‐flow‐induced shear stress interdepend. In this study, we developed a bioreactor that was used to culture mesenchymal stem cells harbouring a strain‐responsive AP‐1 luciferase reporter construct, on porous scaffolds. In addition to the reporter, mineralization and vitality of the cells was investigated by alizarin red staining and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Quantification of the expression of genes associated to bone regeneration and bone remodelling was used to confirm alizarin red measurements. Controlled perfusion and deformation of the 3‐dimensional scaffold facilitated the alteration of the expression of osteogenic markers, luciferase activity, and calcification. To isolate the specific impact of scaffold deformation, a computational model was developed to derive a perfusion flow profile that results in dynamic shear stress conditions present in periodically loaded scaffolds. In comparison to actually deformed scaffolds, a lower expression of all measured readout parameters indicated that deformation strain is the predominant stimulus for skeletal precursors to undergo osteogenesis in earlier stages of osteogenic cell maturation.
[A modified Onizuka cheiloplasty for repairing the unilateral cleft lip].

OBJECTIVE To explore the surgical technique of a modified Onizuka cheiloplasty for repairing the unilateral cleft lip. METHODS 24 patients with unilateral cleft lip were repaired by modified Onizuka cheiloplasty. The rotation flap ended at the midpoint of nasal columella crease. A small triangle skin flap was formed above the vermilion border of the advancement flap. The small triangle flap was inserted to the medial side after the Cupid's bow was built. The skin of the flap C was denuded along the nasal columella crease and the muscle was sutured to the alar base for augmentation of nostril floor on the cleft side. The tip of the advancement flap was sutured at the midpoint of nasal columella crease and the skin of nasal floor was trimmed to hide the incision line around the nasal columella base. RESULTS It was found that the Cupid's bow was rebuilt in a natural form and the configuration of the upper lip was reconstructed symmetrically. The long term follow up studies showed that the philtrum column was not disturbed by the small triangle flap and the nasal floor was rebuilt without obvious scars. CONCLUSION The modified Onizuka cheiloplasty is an easy learning technique and efficient for repairing the unilateral cleft lip. This technique can satisfy the patients by reducing the length of scar as well as rebuilding a natural form of upper lip and nostril floor.
Coordinated Transport by Multiple Biomimetic Robotic Fish in Underwater Environment

This paper presents a coordination method for multiple biomimetic robotic fish in underwater transport task. Based on our robotic fish prototype, we further investigate the coordination problems of multiple robotic fish. Considering the kinematic constraints of the robotic fish, and the unstructured and dynamic characteristics of the water environment, we utilize the limit cycle approach to control the posture of the fish and realize collision avoidance. To control the transport orientation in the particular underwater environment, the fuzzy logic method is adopted. Experimental results of transportation performed by three robotic fish validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Enterography in Crohn's Disease: Assessment of Radiologic Criteria and Endpoints for Clinical Practice and Trials

Abstract:Early recognition of Crohn's disease with initiation of disease-modifying therapy has emerged as a prominent inflammatory bowel disease management strategy. Clinical practice and trials have often focused on patient symptoms, and more recently, serologic tests, stool inflammatory markers, and/or endoscopic inflammatory features for study entry criteria, treatment targets, disease activity monitoring, and to assess therapeutic response. Unfortunately, patient symptoms do not correlate well with biological disease activity, and endoscopy potentially misses or underestimates disease extent and severity in small bowel Crohn's disease. Computed tomography enterography and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) are potential tools to identify and quantify transmural structural damage and disease activity in the small bowel. In this review, we discuss the role of computed tomography enterography and MRE in disease management algorithms in clinical practice. We also compare the currently developed MRE-based scoring systems, their strengths and pitfalls, as well as the role for MRE in clinical trials for Crohn's disease.
Data Classification in Water Pipeline Based on Wireless Sensors Networks

Pipelines constitute one of the most important ways to transport large amounts of water through long distance. However, existing damage detection methods do not well in monitoring pipelines due to the harsh environmental condition. for this reason, current systems need to be more automated, efficient and accurate for continuous supervising about damage. For this purpose, Wireless Sensors Networks (WSN) have been brought into the research community in the context of monitoring water pipeline. In this paper, we have discussed the task amounts to provide low-cost and real-time damage detection technique. Our proposed technique is based on Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA) coupled with Support Vector Machine (SVM). We aim to recognize data as normal or outlier to identify specific events based on WSN implemented in a water pipeline. Moreover, we have compared our adopted approach with other four classifiers including Bayesian Network, Neural Network, K-Nearest Neighbors and Decision Tree. Thus, the suggested technique is validated in terms of accuracy and training time.
Arabic Video Text Recognition Based on Multi-dimensional Recurrent Neural Networks

In this paper we propose a novel method based on Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) for text recognition in Arabic news video frames. In fact, embedded texts in videos represent a rich source of information for indexing and automatic processing of multimedia documents. However, text recognition in video is not trivial due to many challenges like background complexity (e.g., presence of text-like objects), unknown text size/font with various colours and degraded text quality. The proposed system presents a segmentation-free recognition technique (i.e. no prior required segmentation of words into characters) using a RNN architecture. This technique relies specifically on a Multi-Dimensional Long Short Term Memory (MDLSTM) with a Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) output layer. Our system has been evaluated on the public AcTiV-R dataset. The obtained results are very promising.
A DC stabilized log‐domain nth‐order multifunction filter based on the decomposition of nth‐order HP filter function to FLF topology

The design of high‐order log‐domain filters can be easily accomplished by transposing already known linear‐domain Gm‐C filter topologies to their counterparts in the log‐domain through the employment of a set of complementary operators. To achieve the Gm‐C filter topologies, the multiple feedback approach is widely used due to its accrued advantages. In this paper a synthesis approach for the development of an nth‐order multifunction log‐domain filter comprising lowpass (LP), highpass (HP) and bandpass (BP) filter functions is proposed. The approach is based on the decomposition of nth‐order HP filter function to follow‐the‐leader‐feedback (FLF) topology. The design is simple and simultaneously achieves nearly all of the chief advantages. The design offers superior performance factors vis‐à‐vis the ones recently reported. To verify the high‐order behavior of the topology, a 5th‐order multifunction filter was designed and the achieved simulated results verify the theory. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Learning decision rules from incomplete biochemical risk factor indicators to predict cardiovascular risk level for adult patients

This study aims to learn decision rules from input dataset using decision tree learning as a supervised classification method to predict cardiovascular risk level for adult patients (above 30-year-old). Dataset for this study is provided by a blood chemical lab from a private hospital in Southern Jakarta and used under permission. The experiment results using CART algorithm found an optimum decision tree to represent decision rule made previously by a Physician in predicting Cardiovascular risk level. The with a 9 tree-depth of 13 features that achieved 97.3 % training accuracy and 96.8 % testing accuracy respectively. Further decision tree simplification discovers a set of rules to predict level of Cardiovascular risk despite incomplete predictors as input.