Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Significance of perceptually relevant image decolorization for scene classification

Abstract. Color images contain luminance and chrominance components representing the intensity and color information, respectively. The objective of this paper is to show the significance of incorporating chrominance information to the task of scene classification. An improved color-to-grayscale image conversion algorithm that effectively incorporates chrominance information is proposed using the color-to-gray structure similarity index and singular value decomposition to improve the perceptual quality of the converted grayscale images. The experimental results based on an image quality assessment for image decolorization and its success rate (using the Cadik and COLOR250 datasets) show that the proposed image decolorization technique performs better than eight existing benchmark algorithms for image decolorization. In the second part of the paper, the effectiveness of incorporating the chrominance component for scene classification tasks is demonstrated using a deep belief network-based image classification system developed using dense scale-invariant feature transforms. The amount of chrominance information incorporated into the proposed image decolorization technique is confirmed with the improvement to the overall scene classification accuracy. Moreover, the overall scene classification performance improved by combining the models obtained using the proposed method and conventional decolorization methods.
Antituberculosis compounds from a deep-sea-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. SCSIO Ind09F01

Abstract Eleven diketopiperazine and fumiquinazoline alkaloids (1–11) together with a tetracyclic triterpenoid helvolic acid (12) were obtained from the cultures of a deep-sea derived fungus Aspergillus sp. SCSIO Ind09F01. The structures of these compounds (1–12) were determined mainly by the extensive NMR, ESIMS spectra data and by comparison with previously described compounds. Besides, anti-tuberculosis, cytotoxic, antibacterial, COX-2 inhibitory and antiviral activities of these compounds were evaluated. Gliotoxin (3), 12,13-dihydroxy-fumitremorgin C (11) and helvolic acid (12) exhibited very strong anti-tuberculosis activity towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis with the prominent MIC50 values of <0.03, 2.41 and 0.894 μM, respectively, which was here reported for the first time. Meanwhile gliotoxin also displayed significant selective cytotoxicities against K562, A549 and Huh-7 cell lines with the IC50 values of 0.191, 0.015 and 95.4 μM, respectively.
Young Adults with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy Improve Subjectively on Pallidal Stimulation, but not in Formal Dystonia, Gait, Speech and Swallowing Testing

Background: Pharmacological treatment of dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP) is often ineffective. Data about outcome of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in these patients remains scarce. Methods: Eight patients with dyskinetic CP and DBS of the Globus Pallidus internus were investigated. Using pre- and postoperative videos the severity of dystonia and changes thereof during standardized settings (‘on') and after the stimulator had been switched off (‘off') were assessed using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS). Furthermore, subjective impression (SI) of the extent of postoperative change as well as gait (Leonardo Mechanograph® Gangway), speech (Frenchay Dysarthria) and swallowing performances (fiberoptic laryngoscopy) were assessed during ‘on' and ‘off'. Results: When comparing pre- and postoperative as well as ‘on' and ‘off', the BFMDRS and most of the gait, speech, and swallowing parameters did not differ significantly. In contrast, patients reported significant improvement of their SI postoperatively (3.1 on a 10-point-scale). Conclusion: Data show that our CP-patients did not benefit from GPi-DBS when tested formally for dystonia, gait, speech and swallowing. In stark contrast, these patients reported significant subjective improvement. Taken together, and in light of current unsatisfactory medical treatment options, our data suggest that further assessment of the effects of GPi-DBS in dyskinetic CP is warranted.
Cognitive Reserve and Brain Reserve in Prodromal Huntington's Disease

Abstract Huntington disease (HD) is associated with decline in cognition and progressive morphological changes in brain structures. Cognitive reserve may represent a mechanism by which disease-related decline may be delayed or slowed. The current study examined the relationship between cognitive reserve and longitudinal change in cognitive functioning and brain volumes among prodromal (gene expansion-positive) HD individuals. Participants were genetically confirmed individuals with prodromal HD enrolled in the PREDICT-HD study. Cognitive reserve was computed as the composite of performance on a lexical task estimating premorbid intellectual level, occupational status, and years of education. Linear mixed effects regression (LMER) was used to examine longitudinal changes on four cognitive measures and three brain volumes over approximately 6 years. Higher cognitive reserve was significantly associated with a slower rate of change on one cognitive measure (Trail Making Test, Part B) and slower rate of volume loss in two brain structures (caudate, putamen) for those estimated to be closest to motor disease onset. This relationship was not observed among those estimated to be further from motor disease onset. Our findings demonstrate a relationship between cognitive reserve and both a measure of executive functioning and integrity of certain brain structures in prodromal HD individuals. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–12).
$\hbox{Ni}(\hbox{Ge}_{1 - x}\hbox{Sn}_{x})$  Ohmic Contact Formation on N-Type $\hbox{Ge}_{1 - x}\hbox{Sn}_{x}$  Using Selenium or Sulfur Implant and Segregation

The physics of ohmic contact formation for nickel stanogermanide [ Ni(Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub>)] on n-type germanium-tin (n-Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub>) was investigated. Low-resistivity Ni(Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub>) was formed on Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub> using a 350 °C 30-s anneal. Ion implantation of selenium (Se) or sulfur (S) into n-Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub> followed by nickel stanogermanidation led to the segregation of Se or S at the Ni(Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub>)/n-Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub> interface. Low effective electron Schottky barrier height (Φ<i>Bn</i>) of 0.12 and 0.11 eV was achieved for Ni(Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub>)/n-Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub> contacts with Se and S segregation, respectively. A simulation study was also performed to explain the experimental observations. Se and S atoms could be modeled as donor-like traps near the Ni(Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub>)/n-Ge<sub>1-x</sub>Sn<sub>x</sub> interface, modifying the potential profile near the contact and giving rise to trap-assisted tunneling to increase the reverse leakage current for ohmic contact formation.
Environmental factors and childhood acute leukemias and lymphomas

This review considers recent studies regarding the role of environmental factors in the etiology of childhood leukemia and lymphoma. Potential environmental risk factors identified for childhood leukemia include exposure to magnetic fields of more than 0.4 micro Tessla, exposure to pesticides, solvents, benzene and other hydrocarbons, maternal alcohol consumption (but only for certain genotypes), contaminated drinking water, infections, and high birth weight. The finding of space-time clustering and seasonal variation also supports a role for infections. There is little evidence linking childhood leukemia with lifetime exposure to ionizing radiation although fetal exposures to X-rays are associated with increased risk. Breast-feeding, consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables and having allergies all appear to be protective. Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is confined to areas of the world where malaria is endemic, with the additional involvement of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as a co-factor. Environmental risk factors suggested for other types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) include exposure to ionizing radiation (both lifetime and antenatal), pesticides, and, in utero exposure to cigarette smoke, benzene and nitrogen dioxide (via the mother). Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is especially associated with higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation, but breast-feeding seems to confer lower risk. This is consistent with an infection or immune-response mediated etiology for HL.
Blocking Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Glycoprotein E Immune Evasion as an Approach To Enhance Efficacy of a Trivalent Subunit Antigen Vaccine for Genital Herpes

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) subunit antigen vaccines targeting virus entry molecules have failed to prevent genital herpes in human trials. Our approach is to include a virus entry molecule and add antigens that block HSV-2 immune evasion. HSV-2 glycoprotein C (gC2) is an immune evasion molecule that inhibits complement. We previously reported that adding gC2 to gD2 improved vaccine efficacy compared to the efficacy of either antigen alone in mice and guinea pigs. Here we demonstrate that HSV-2 glycoprotein E (gE2) functions as an immune evasion molecule by binding the IgG Fc domain. HSV-2 gE2 is synergistic with gC2 in protecting the virus from antibody and complement neutralization. Antibodies produced by immunization with gE2 blocked gE2-mediated IgG Fc binding and cell-to-cell spread. Mice immunized with gE2 were only partially protected against HSV-2 vaginal challenge in mice; however, when gE2 was added to gC2/gD2 to form a trivalent vaccine, neutralizing antibody titers with and without complement were significantly higher than those produced by gD2 alone. Importantly, the trivalent vaccine protected the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of 32/33 (97%) mice between days 2 and 7 postchallenge, compared with 27/33 (82%) in the gD2 group. The HSV-2 DNA copy number was significantly lower in mice immunized with the trivalent vaccine than in those immunized with gD2 alone. The extent of DRG protection using the trivalent vaccine was better than what we previously reported for gC2/gD2 immunization. Therefore, gE2 is a candidate antigen for inclusion in a multivalent subunit vaccine that attempts to block HSV-2 immune evasion. IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus is the most common cause of genital ulcer disease worldwide. Infection results in emotional distress for infected individuals and their partners, is life threatening for infants exposed to herpes during childbirth, and greatly increases the risk of individuals acquiring and transmitting HIV infection. A vaccine that prevents genital herpes infection will have major public health benefits. Our vaccine approach includes strategies to prevent the virus from evading immune attack. Mice were immunized with a trivalent vaccine containing an antigen that induces antibodies to block virus entry and two antigens that induce antibodies that block immune evasion from antibody and complement. Immunized mice demonstrated no genital disease, and 32/33 (97%) animals had no evidence of infection of dorsal root ganglia, suggesting that the vaccine may prevent the establishment of latency and recurrent infections.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of the Human Protein Kinase D2

We have isolated the full-length cDNA of a novel human serine threonine protein kinase gene. The deduced protein sequence contains two cysteine-rich motifs at the N terminus, a pleckstrin homology domain, and a catalytic domain containing all the characteristic sequence motifs of serine protein kinases. It exhibits the strongest homology to the serine threonine protein kinases PKD/PKCμ and PKCν, particularly in the duplex zinc finger-like cysteine-rich motif, in the pleckstrin homology domain and in the protein kinase domain. In contrast, it shows only a low degree of sequence similarity to other members of the PKC family. Therefore, the new protein has been termed protein kinase D2 (PKD2). The mRNA of PKD2 is widely expressed in human and murine tissues. It encodes a protein with a molecular mass of 105 kDa in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which is expressed in various human cell lines, including HL60 cells, which do not express PKCμ. In vivophorbol ester binding studies demonstrated a concentration-dependent binding of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate to PKD2. The addition of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate in the presence of dioleoylphosphatidylserine stimulated the autophosphorylation of PKD2 in a synergistic fashion. Phorbol esters also stimulated autophosphorylation of PKD2 in intact cells. PKD2 activated by phorbol esters efficiently phosphorylated the exogenous substrate histone H1. In addition, we could identify the C-terminal Ser876 residue as an in vivo phosphorylation site within PKD2. Phosphorylation of Ser876 of PKD2 correlated with the activation status of the kinase. Finally, gastrin was found to be a physiological activator of PKD2 in human AGS-B cells stably transfected with the CCKB/gastrin receptor. Thus, PKD2 is a novel phorbol ester- and growth factor-stimulated protein kinase.
Patient‐maintained propofol sedation using reaction time monitoring: a volunteer safety study *

Previous volunteer studies of an effect‐site controlled, patient‐maintained sedation system using propofol have demonstrated a risk of over‐sedation. We have incorporated a reaction‐time monitor into the handset of the patient‐maintained sedation system to add an individualised patient‐feedback mechanism. This study assessed if such reaction‐time feedback modification would reduce the risk of over‐sedation in 20 healthy volunteers deliberately attempting to over‐administer themselves propofol. All the volunteers successfully sedated themselves without reaching any unsafe endpoints. All volunteers maintained verbal contact throughout, in accordance with the definition of conscious sedation. The mean (SD) lowest SpO2 was 97 (1.7) % when breathing room air and no volunteer required supplementary oxygen. The mean (SD) maximum effect‐site propofol concentration reached was 1.7 (0.4) μg. ml−1. The present system was found to be safer than its predecessors, allowing conscious sedation, but preventing over‐sedation.
Increased accuracy in analytical molecular distance estimation.

Analytical molecular distance estimates can be inaccurate and biased estimates of the total number of substitutions not only when the model of evolution they are based on is incorrect, but also when the method of estimating the total is too simple. This comes about because when there are different types of substitutions occurring simultaneously, it can become extremely difficult to estimate the number of the more quickly evolving type, and the variance of this larger number can overwhelm the total estimate. In this paper, in an extension of earlier work with a simple two-parameter model of evolution, more accurate analytical distances are derived for models appropriate to a variety of known DNA types using generalized least squares principles of noise reduction. It is shown that the new estimates can be applied to achieve more accurate results for site-to-site rate variation, regions with biased nucleotide frequencies, and synonymous sites in protein-coding regions. This study also includes a methodology to obtain accurate distance estimates for large numbers of sequence regions evolving in different manners.
A phase‐variable capsule is involved in virulence of Campylobacter jejuni 81‐176

Campylobacter jejuni strain 81‐176 (HS36, 23) synthesizes two distinct glycan structures, as visualized by immunoblotting of proteinase K‐digested whole‐cell preparations. A site‐specific insertional mutant in the kpsM gene results in loss of expression of a high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) glycan (apparent Mr 26 kDa to > 85 kDa) and increased resolution of a second ladder‐like glycan (apparent Mr 26–50 kDa). The kpsM mutant of 81‐176 is no longer typeable in either HS23 or HS36 antisera, indicating that the HMW glycan structure is the serodeterminant of HS23 and HS36. Both the kpsM‐dependent HMW glycan and the kpsM‐independent ladder‐like structure appear to be capsular in nature, as both are attached to phospholipid rather than lipid A. Additionally, the 81‐176 kpsM gene can complement a deletion in Escherichia coli kpsM, allowing the expression of an α2,8 polysialic acid capsule in E. coli. Loss of the HMW glycan in 81‐176 kpsM also increases the surface hydrophobicity and serum sensitivity of the bacterium. The kpsM mutant is also significantly reduced in invasion of INT407 cells and reduced in virulence in a ferret diarrhoeal disease model. The expression of the kpsM‐dependent capsule undergoes phase variation at a high frequency.
A miniaturized dual-frequency Wilkinson power divider using planar artificial transmission lines

In this paper, an arbitrary dual-frequency Wilkinson power divider using planar artificial transmission lines has been designed, fabricated, and measured. The results demonstrate that after such a method has been used the size of dual-frequency Wilkinson power divider can be reduced to be only 50% of the traditional power divider. Both simulations and measurements show that such a dual-frequency Wilkinson power divider has good performance of S-Parameters, which include an equal power split, impedance matching at all ports, and a good isolation between the two output ports at two arbitrary frequencies simultaneously.
Taxometric analysis: introduction and overview.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to provide an introduction to taxometric procedures, and a set of mathematical tools utilized to examine the latent structure of constructs as they occur in nature (i.e., categorical versus dimensional). METHOD Taxometric procedures have the potential to inform the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) conceptualization of eating disorders, and provide unique information about the construct validity of the current diagnostic scheme. Existing empirical studies which utilize taxometric procedures are reviewed, and the current DSM diagnostic categories are evaluated in terms of how well they square with empirical findings. CONCLUSION Finally, the implications of the taxometrics literature for future DSM classification of eating disorders, as well as guidelines for future areas of research, are discussed.
Bioinspired production of magnetic laccase‐biotitania particles for the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals

Microbial laccases are powerful enzymes capable of degrading lignin and other recalcitrant compounds including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Efficient EDC removal on an industrial scale requires robust, stable, easy to handle and cost‐effective immobilized biocatalysts. In this direction, magnetic biocatalysts are attractive due to their easy separation through an external magnetic field. Recently, a bioinspired immobilization technique that mimics the natural biomineralization reactions in diatoms has emerged as a fast and versatile tool for generating robust, cheap, and highly stable (nano) biocatalysts. In this work, bioinspired formation of a biotitania matrix is triggered on the surface of magnetic particles in the presence of laccase in order to produce laccase‐biotitania (lac‐bioTiO2) biocatalysts suitable for environmental applications using a novel, fast and versatile enzyme entrapment technique. Highly active lac‐bioTiO2 particles have been produced and the effect of different parameters (enzyme loading, titania precursor concentration, pH, duration of the biotitania formation, and laccase adsorption steps) on the apparent activity yield of these biocatalysts were evaluated, the concentration of the titania precursor being the most influential. The lac‐bioTiO2 particles were able to catalyze the removal of bisphenol A, 17α‐ethinylestradiol and diclofenac in a mixture of six model EDCs and retained 90% of activity after five reaction cycles and 60% after 10 cycles. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1986–1996. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Independent component analysis for human epileptic spikes extraction

In recent years, blind source separation (BSS) by independent component analysis (ICA) has been drawing much attention because of its potential applications in signal processing such as in speech recognition systems, telecommunication and medical signal processing. In this paper, two algorithms of independent component analysis (fixed-point ICA and natural gradient-flexible ICA) were adopted to extract human epileptic spikes from interferential signals. Experiment results show that epileptic spikes can be extracted from noise successfully. The kurtosis of the epileptic component signal separated is much better than that of other noisy signals. It shows that ICA is an effective tool to extract epileptic spikes from patients' electroencephalogram and shows promising application to assist physicians to diagnose epilepsy and estimate the epileptogenic region in clinic.
Nkx2.5 is essential to establish normal heart rate variability in the zebrafish embryo.

Heart rate variability (HRV) has become an important clinical marker of cardiovascular health and a research measure for the study of the cardiac conduction system and its autonomic controls. While the zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an ideal vertebrate model for understanding heart development, HRV has only recently been investigated in this system. We have previously demonstrated that nkx2.5 and nkx2.7, two homologues of Nkx2-5 expressed in zebrafish cardiomyocytes, play vital roles in maintaining cardiac chamber-specific characteristics. Given observed defects in ventricular and atrial chamber identities in nkx2.5-/- embryos coupled with conduction system abnormalities in murine models of Nkx2.5 insufficiency, we postulated that reduced HRV would serve as a marker of poor cardiac health in nkx2.5 mutants and in other zebrafish models of human congenital heart disease. Using live video image acquisition, we derived beat-to-beat intervals to compare HRV in wild-type and nkx2.5-/- embryos. Our data illustrate that the nkx2.5 loss-of-function model exhibits increased heart rate and decreased HRV when compared with wild type during embryogenesis. These findings validate HRV analysis as a useful quantitative tool for assessment of cardiac health in zebrafish and underscore the importance of nkx2.5 in maintaining normal heart rate and HRV during early conduction system development.
Evidence for novel mechanisms of polychlorinated biphenyl metabolism in Alcaligenes eutrophus H850

Previous studies indicated that Alcaligenes eutrophus H850 attacks a different spectrum of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners than do most PCB-degrading bacteria and that novel mechanisms of PCB degradation might be involved. To delineate this, we have investigated the differences in congener selectivity and metabolite production between H850 and Corynebacterium sp. strain MB1, an organism that apparently degrades PCBs via a 2,3-dioxygenase. H850 exhibited a superior ability to degrade congeners via attack on 2-, 2,4-, 2,5-, or 2,4,5-chlorophenyl rings in PCBs but an inferior ability to degrade congeners via attack on a 4-chlorophenyl ring. Reactivity preferences were also reflected in the products formed from unsymmetrical PCBs; thus MB1 attacked the 2,3-chlorophenyl ring of 2,3,2',5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl to yield 2,5-dichlorobenzoic acid, while H850 attacked the 2,5-chlorophenyl ring to yield 2,3-dichlorobenzoic acid and a novel metabolite, 2',3'-dichloroacetophenone. Furthermore, H850 oxidized 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexachlorobiphenyl, a congener with no adjacent unsubstituted carbons, to 2',4',5'-trichloroacetophenone. The atypical congener selectivity pattern and novel metabolites produced suggest that A. eutrophus H850 may degrade certain PCB congeners by a new route beginning with attack by some enzyme other than the usual 2,3-dioxygenase.