Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proof of concept: Molecular prediction of schizophrenia risk

Key Points Question To what extent do global polygenic risk scores (PRS), molecular pathway-specific PRS, complement component (C4) gene expression, MHC loci, sex, and ancestry jointly contribute to risk for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (SZ)? Findings Global polygenic risk for schizophrenia, sex, and their interaction most robustly predict risk in a classification and regression tree model, with highest risk groups having 50/50 chance of SZ. Meaning Psychometric risk indicators, such as prodromal symptom assessments, may be enhanced by the examination of genetic risk metrics. Preliminary results suggest that of genetic risk metrics, global polygenic information has the most potential to significantly aide in the prediction of SZ. Abstract Importance Schizophrenia (SZ) has a complex, heterogeneous symptom presentation with limited established associations between biological markers and illness onset. Many (gene) molecular pathways (MPs) are enriched for SZ signal, but it is still unclear how these MPs, global PRS, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) complement component (C4) gene expression, and MHC loci might jointly contribute to SZ and its clinical presentation. It is also unclear whether sex or ancestry interacts with these metrics to increase risk in certain individuals. Objective To examine multiple genetic metrics, sex, and their interactions as possible predictors of SZ risk. Genetic information could aid in the clinical prediction of risk, but it is still unclear which genetic metrics are most promising, and how sex interacts with genetic risk metrics. Design, Setting, and Participants To examine molecular risk in a proof-of-concept study, we used the Wellcome Trust case-control cohort and classified cases as a function of 1) polygenic risk score (PRS) for both whole genome and for 345 implicated molecular pathways, 2) predicted C4 expression, 3) SZ-relevant MHC loci, 4) sex, and 5) ancestry. Main Outcomes and Measures PRSs, C4 expression, SZ-relevant MHC loci, sex, and ancestry as joint risk factors for SZ. Results Recursive partitioning yielded 15 molecular risk classes and retained as significant psychosis classifiers only sex, genome-wide SZ polygenic risk, and one MP PRS. Sex was the most robust classifier in a stepwise regression, and there was a significant interaction of sex with SZ PRS on case status, suggesting males have a lower polygenic risk threshold. By down-sampling case proportion to 1% and 1.4% population base rates in males and females, respectively, high-risk subtypes defined by this model had roughly a 52% odds of developing SZ (individuals with SZ PRS elevated by 2.6 SDs; incidence = 51.8%). Conclusions and Relevance This proof-of-concept suggests that global SZ PRS, sex, and their interaction are robust predictors of risk and that males have a lower PRS threshold for onset. Implications for the integration of these metrics with psychometrically-identified risk are discussed.
MIMO Block Spread CDMA Systems for Broadband Wireless Communications

This paper studies two MIMO architectures for single-carrier CDMA system employing block spreading, namely Layered Space-Time Block Spread CDMA (LST BS-CDMA) and Space-Time Coded Block Spread CDMA (STC BS-CDMA). It is shown that under low mobility conditions, the proposed systems are virtually free from Multiple User Interference (MUI) and the block processing technique used leads to considerable reduction in the overall processing complexity. Extensive simulation was performed to study the impact of the spreading factor and Doppler frequency on the proposed systems. A new parameter called channel coherence ratio (CCR) is introduced as a key parameter in determining the performance of MIMO BS-CDMA.
Ultrawideband Communications—An Idea Whose Time has Still Yet to Come? [Wireless Corner]

This paper presents a critical analysis of ultrawideband (UWB) and considers the turbulent journey it has had from the Federal Communications Commission's bandwidth allocation in 2002 to today. It analyzes the standards, the standoffs, and the stalemate in standardization activities and investigates the past and present research and commercial activities in realizing the UWB dream. In this paper, statistical evidence is presented to depict UWB's changing fortunes and is utilized as an indicator of future prominence. This paper reviews some of the opinions and remarks from commentators and analyzes predictions that were made. Finally, it presents possible ways forward to reignite the high-data-rate UWB standardization pursuit.
Compact CPW-Fed Combline Filter in Substrate Integrated Waveguide Technology

In this letter, the design and experimental results of compact low loss combline filters, based on the extension of the classical coaxial waveguide resonator to Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) technology, are succesfully demonstrated. A three-pole 5% FBW Chebyshev filter has been designed, fabricated and measured. The fabricated device shows an excellent agreement with simulated results. These structures keep the low-cost fabrication scheme of single-layer PCB processing, while requiring less than half the area compared to a conventional SIW design.
Definition of Differentiated Services Per Domain Behaviors and Rules for their Specification

The differentiated services framework enables quality-of-service provisioning within a network domain by applying rules at the edges to create traffic aggregates and coupling each of these with a specific forwarding path treatment in the domain through use of a codepoint in the IP header. The diffserv WG has defined the general architecture for differentiated services and has focused on the forwarding path behavior required in routers, known as "per-hop forwarding behaviors" (or PHBs). The WG has also discussed functionality required at diffserv (DS) domain edges to select (classifiers) and condition (e.g., policing and shaping) traffic according to the rules. Short-term changes in the QoS goals for a DS domain are implemented by changing only the configuration of these edge behaviors without necessarily reconfiguring the behavior of interior network nodes.
Orotracheal manganese‐enhanced MRI (MEMRI): An effective approach for lung tumor detection

Lung cancer is a primary cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Timely detection of this pathology is necessary to delay or interrupt lung cancer progression, ultimately resulting in a possible better prognosis for the patient. In this context, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is especially promising. Ultra‐short echo time (UTE) MRI sequences, in combination with gadolinium‐based contrast agents, have indeed shown to be especially adapted to the detection of lung neoplastic lesions at submillimeter precision. Manganese‐enhanced MRI (MEMRI) increasingly appears to be a possible effective alternative to gadolinium‐enhanced MRI. In this work, we investigated whether low‐dose MEMRI can effectively target non‐small‐cell lung cancer in rodents, whilst minimizing the potential toxic effect of manganese. Both systemic and orotracheal administration modalities allowed the identification of tumors of submillimeter size, as confirmed by bioluminescence imaging and histology. Equivalent tumor signal enhancements and contrast‐to‐noise ratios were observed with orotracheal administration using 20 times lower doses compared with the more conventional systemic route. This finding is of crucial importance as it supports the observation that higher performances of contrast agents can be obtained using an orotracheal administration route when targeting lung diseases. As a consequence, lower concentrations of contrast media can be employed, reducing the dose and potential safety issues. The non‐detectable accumulation of ionic manganese in the brain and liver following orotracheal administration observed in vivo is extremely encouraging with regard to the safety of the orotracheal protocol with low‐dose Mn2+ administration. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a study has clearly allowed the high‐precision detection of lung tumor and its contours via the synergic employment of a strongly T1‐weighted MRI UTE sequence and ionic manganese, an inexpensive contrast agent. Overall, these results support the growing interest in drug and contrast agent delivery via the airways to target and diagnose several diseases of the lungs.
Smart suit for body area network

This paper presents “Smart suit” for body area network. Body communication network need to be prepared for firefighters, astronauts and soldiers to transmit vital data, location and other information to a base and to receive instructions. Corrected data by on/in body sensors are transmitted to an antenna through cables in conventional suits. For easy sensor location and no physical connection with cables, this paper presents a sheet-like waveguide and a transmission line with non-contact antenna feed. It consists of conductive fabric or paper to easily embed in the suit. This transmission line is a series of microstrip band path filter which provides non-contact electromagnetic coupling with any antennas placed above. This paper describes this novel transmission line and how to embed in the smart suit.
Caenorhabditis elegans NPR-1–mediated behaviors are suppressed in the presence of mucoid bacteria

Caenorhabditis elegans exhibits a diverse range of behaviors in response to bacteria. The presence of bacterial food influences C. elegans aerotaxis, aggregation, locomotion, and pathogen avoidance behaviors through the activity of the NPR-1 neuropeptide receptor. Here, we show that mucoid strains of bacteria that produce an exopolysaccharide matrix do not induce NPR-1–dependent behaviors. In the presence of mucoid strains of bacteria, the C. elegans laboratory wild-type (WT) strain N2 exhibits behaviors characteristic of wild isolates and mutants with reduced NPR-1 activity. Specifically, N2 exhibits lawn bordering and roaming behavior on mucoid nonpathogenic bacteria and loss of pathogen avoidance on mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Alginate biosynthesis by laboratory and clinical isolates of mucoid P. aeruginosa is necessary and sufficient to attenuate NPR-1–mediated behavior and it suppresses C. elegans pathogen avoidance behavior. Our data suggest that the specific interaction with nonmucoid bacteria induces NPR-1–dependent behaviors of C. elegans. These observations provide an example of how exopolysaccharide matrix biosynthesis by a community of bacteria may inhibit specific host responses to microbes.
A Mutation in the Thrombomodulin Gene, 127G to A Coding for Ala25Thr, and the Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Men

Summary Thrombomodulin is an endothelial cell surface receptor that transforms the procoagulant thrombin into an anticoagulant. A mutation in the thrombomodulin gene is a potential risk factor for venous and arterial thrombosis. We screened a region within the coding sequence of the thrombomodulin gene by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) in a pilot study of 104 patients with myocardial infarction and 104 age, sex and race matched controls. We identified a 127G to A mutation in the gene, which predicts an Ala25Thr substitution, in 2 out of 104 patients (1 man and 1 woman) with myocardial infarction but in no controls. We assessed the risk of myocardial infarction associated with the mutation in a larger “Study of Myocardial Infarctions Leiden” (SMILE). Among 560 men with a first myocardial infarction before the age of 70, 12 were carriers of the Ala25Thr substitution. In a control group of 646 men, frequency-matched for age, seven were carriers of the Ala25Thr substitution. The allelic frequencies were 1.07% among patients and 0.54% among controls suggesting risk associated with the mutation [odds ratio (OR) 2.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-5.1]. In patients aged below 50, the predicted risk was almost seven times increased (OR 6.5, CI 0.8-54.2). In the presence of additional risk factors, such as smoking and a metabolic risk factor, the predicted risk increased to 9-fold (OR 8.8, CI 1.8-42.2) and 4-fold (OR 4.4, CI 0.9-21.3), respectively. While not conclusive, these results strongly suggest that the Ala25Thr substitution is a risk factor for myocardial infarction, especially in young men, and when in the presence of additional risk factors.
Enhanced Multiple Local Ray-spaces Method for Walk-through View Synthesis

In this paper, we propose geometry based image-based rendering method for sparse multicamera system using multiple local ray-space representation and 3D model generation. In this system, the quality of walk-through view experience is impaired by inaccurate camera parameters and 3D model. In order to eliminate these affects, we enhance the reconstructed local ray-spaces using stereo matching approach. Hence, free viewpoint rendering quality is improved significantly for walk-through image synthesis. Experimental results for several multiview sequences verify the effectiveness of our approach.
Inhibition of Tau Polymerization with a Cyanine Dye in Two Distinct Model Systems*

In a host of neurodegenerative diseases Tau, a microtubule-associated protein, aggregates into insoluble lesions within neurons. Previous studies have utilized cyanine dyes as Tau aggregation inhibitors in vitro. Herein we utilize cyanine dye 3,3′-diethyl-9-methyl-thiacarbocyanine iodide (C11) to modulate Tau polymerization in two model systems, an organotypic slice culture model derived from Tau transgenic mice and a split green fluorescent protein complementation assay in Tau-expressing cells. In slice cultures, submicromolar concentrations (0.001 μm) of C11 produced a significant reduction of aggregated Tau and a corresponding increase in unpolymerized Tau. In contrast, treatment with a 1 μm dose promoted aggregation of Tau. These results were recapitulated in the complementation assay where administration of 1 μm C11 produced a significant increase in polymerized Tau relative to control, whereas treatment of cells with 0.01 μm C11 resulted in a marked reduction of aggregated Tau. In the organotypic slice cultures, modulation of Tau aggregation was independent of changes in phosphorylation at disease and microtubule binding relevant epitopes for both dosing regimes. Furthermore, treatment with 0.001 μm C11 resulted in a decrease in both total filament mass and number. There was no evidence of apoptosis or loss of synaptic integrity at either dose, however, whereas submicromolar concentrations of C11 did not interfere with microtubule binding, higher doses resulted in a decrease in the levels of microtubule-bound Tau. Overall, a cyanine dye can dissociate aggregated Tau in an ex vivo model of tauopathy with little toxicity and exploration of the use of these type of dyes as therapeutic agents is warranted.
On-Load Field Component Separation in Surface-Mounted Permanent-Magnet Motors Using an Improved Conformal Mapping Method

This paper introduces an improved conformal mapping (ICM) method for the separation of the on-load air-gap magnetic field components in surface-mounted permanent-magnet (SPM) motors under loading conditions. The ICM method can model the magnetic induction inside a permanent magnet (PM) due to the armature reaction and the relative recoil permeability. The ICM method can also consider the simultaneous influences of the armature reaction, the slotting effect, the magnetic saturation, and the relative recoil permeability in the determination of operating points of the PM in its different parts. Therefore, this proposed method can be useful for an on-load performance analysis of SPM motors. Three conformal mappings are used to reach the main canonical domain: two logarithmic complex functions and the Schwarz-Christoffel (SC) mapping. The field solution in the slotless domain is then mapped back into the slotted domain using the complex air-gap permeance. The field solution in the slotted domain is used to calculate the on-load air-gap field components due to the PMs and the armature reaction. These on-load field components allow the calculation of the on-load PM flux linkage, the on-load PM back-EMF, and the on-load torque components. The influences of electric loading on the on-load torque components and the on-load PM back-EMF are studied using the ICM method. The on-load cogging torque periodicity is confirmed to change due to the magnetic saturation, and the harmonic content of torque components and the PM back-EMF is also altered due to the electric loading. The accuracy of this developed model is verified by comparing the results obtained through the ICM method with the respective results obtained through the finite-element analysis and the frozen permeability method.
HMGB1 gene polymorphism is associated with hypertension in Han Chinese population

Abstract Background: High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) acts as a proinflammatory cytokine by activating pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the receptor of AGE (AGER) with oxidative injury. Animal study proved that HMGB1 contributed to the pathogenesis of experimental pulmonary hypertension (HT) via activation of TLR4. The aim of this study is to test whether HMGB1 harbor genetic susceptibility to HT in a Chinese population. Methods: A case–control study comprising 2012 HT cases and 2210 controls was used to evaluate the association of three tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (tagSNPs) in HMGB1 gene with HT and blood pressure. Logistic regression model was used to adjust confounding factor for HT and general linear model (GLM) was applied to compare blood pressure levels between genotypes in cases and controls. Results: Single locus analysis showed that there was no statistical association of three tagSNPs with HT after adjustment for the covariates. Further stratification analysis found that rs2249825 was significantly associated with HT in ≥55 years groups, ORs (95% CI) of additive model and dominant model were 1.208 (1.029–1.417) and 1.212 (1.020–1.441), and p values were 0.021 and 0.029, respectively. Quantitative trait analysis indicated that DBP had a linear decrease with the variations of rs2249825 in both untreated HT group (p = 0.002) and control group (p = 0.034) respectively. Conclusions: Our finding suggests that rs2249825 of HMGB1 genetic polymorphisms are significantly associated with HT and diastolic blood pressure, and the genetic effect on HT is modulated by age.
Durational Properties of Initial Geminate Consonants in Kelantan Malay

This paper presents the first acoustic phonetic analysis of initial geminate consonants in Kelantan Malay with a focus on their durational properties. Results of a production experiment show that there is a clear durational contrast between initial geminate consonants and their singleton counterparts. The durational ratios of each singleton-geminate contrast are more than double despite the differences in duration values across different manners of articulation. Closure duration is found to be a significant acoustic correlate for the singleton-geminate contrast in Kelantan Malay. The effects of gender and vowel height are also tested.
User experience study of concurrent virtual environments with 2D tab and 3D portal UIs

3D virtual environments have long been proposed as a means for collaborative work and communication. Many current implementations usually require that a user has one presence in one virtual world, which has an effect of limiting the possible actions a user has in some areas such as education and business. In this paper, we support a users' presence in multiple concurrent virtual environments and provide a user interface which makes it easier for them to move from one world to another. We evaluate the work by conducting a user experience study to obtain users' feedback on our solution. Our current implementation supports four concurrent client server connections. User feedback states that using multiple concurrent connections is visually pleasant, entertaining, fun, easy and fast to use.
Social-Interaction Knowledge Translation for In-Home Management of Urinary Incontinence and Chronic Care*

RÉSUMÉ Bien que l’incontinence urinaire peut être géré d’une manière conservatrice, c’est une cause principale de la dégradation des soins de famille dans la maison. Cette étude a examiné les processus d’interaction sociale et de l’application des connaissances (AC) se rapportant à la façon dont la gestion de l’incontinence urinaire (IU) peut être traduit dans les soins à domicile. Les données provenant des entretiens approfondis ont été receuillies auprès d’un échantillon théorique des 23 aidants familiaux, des beneficiaires âgés et des prestataires de soins à domicile. Les comparaisons constantes et les critères d’analyse de Glaser ont été utilisés pour arriver à traduire les connaissances à travers une théorie de fond. Dix sous-themes sont inclus: comment vivre avec le problème; le renforcement de connaissances expérientielles; le développement du confort; l’assouplissement dans une relation de travail; la mutualité nourricière; facilitant l’échange de connaissances; le renforcement de la confiance; l’affinage de connaissances; mettant tous ensemble, et la gestion de soins à domicile. Les résultats sont instructifs pour l’AC au sujet d’IU à la fois dans la théorie et la pratique des soins à domicile, grâce à avoir éclairé comment l’intersubjectivité et les interactions bi-directionelles sont indispensables à l’application des connaissances des soins à domicile chroniques, ce qui sont largement tacites et empiriques. ABSTRACT Although urinary incontinence (UI) can be managed conservatively, it is a principal reason for the breakdown of in-home family care. This study explored the social interaction processes of knowledge translation (KT) related to how UI management knowledge might be translated within in-home care. In-depth interview data were collected from a theoretical sample of 23 family caregivers, older home care recipients, and home care providers. Constant comparison and Glaser’s analysis criteria were used to create translating knowledge through relating, a substantive theory with 10 subthemes: living with the problem; building experiential knowledge; developing comfort; easing into a working relationship; nurturing mutuality; facilitating knowledge exchange; building confidence; fine-tuning knowledge; putting it all together; and managing in-home care. Findings inform both theory and practice of in-home UI KT, illuminating how intersubjectivity and bi-directional relational interactions are essential to translating in-home chronic care knowledge, which is largely tacit and experiential in nature.
Influence of Acetylene on Growth of Sulfate-Respiring Bacteria

At a concentration of 20% of the atmosphere of the culture flasks, acetylene inhibited growth and carbon dioxide production by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and Desulfovibrio gigas. The bacteria did not reduce acetylene to ethylene, and neither acetylene dicarboxylic acid nor ethylene was inhibitory. At 10%, acetylene was partially inhibitory for the desulfovibrios. At 5%, acetylene impeded the rate but did not limit the extent of growth and catabolism of the desulfovibrios. Desulfotomaculum ruminis was affected only negligibly, if at all, by acetylene and ethylene at any of these concentrations.
Prediction of near field EMI interference in power converters via the induced EMF method

In this paper an approach to predict the electromagnetic interference generated by a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) on a victim circuit is presented. The electromagnetic field coupling between the main sources of electromagnetic interference of the SMPS and the victim is represented by mutual impedances which are calculated using the induced EMF method. The noise voltage on a circular loop representing a magnetic field probe used for electromagnetic interference troubleshooting is then predicted. Measurements on two switched-mode power supply converters with different layouts are carried out to assess the prediction capability of the approach.