Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integration of a Gold-Specific Whole E. coli Cell Sensing and Adsorption Based on BioBrick

Detection and recovery of heavy metals from environmental sources is a major task in environmental protection and governance. Based on previous research into cell-based visual detection and biological adsorption, we have developed a novel system combining these two functions by the BioBrick technique. The gold-specific sensory gol regulon was assembled on the gold-chaperone GolB (Gold-specific binding protein), which is responsible for selectively absorbing gold ions, and this led to an integration system with increased probe tolerance for gold. After being incorporated into E. coli, this system featured high-selective detection and recycling of gold ions among multi-metal ions from the environment. It serves as an efficient method for biological detection and recovery of various heavy metals. We have developed modular methods for cell-based detection and adsorption of heavy metals, and these offer a quick and convenient tool for development in this area.
Redundant arm kinematic control based on parameterization

A method for achieving redundant arm kinematic control based on parameterization is presented. The method, referred to as the parameterization method, parameterizes properly chosen redundant joints, and obtains a close form of parameterized inverse kinematic solution to accomplish position-based kinematic control. The parameterization of redundant joints is based on: (1) selecting a point in the solution manifold of redundant joints that is closest to one of the reference points, where the reference points represent desirable arm configuration in the parameter space; and (2) adjusting the selected parameter values in the parameter space for the optimization of performance specified by a potential field over the joint space. The proposed method provides the computational efficiency and numerical stability, as well as the capability of trajectory planning in the joint space for redundant arm kinematic control. The case study demonstrates that the parameterization method can be successfully applied to the position-based kinematic control of the eight-degree-of-freedom redundant arm. <<ETX>>
UNSCARF-a color vision system for the detection of unstructured roads

The problem of navigating a robot vehicle on unstructured roads that have no lane markings, may have degraded surfaces and edges, and may be partially obscured by strong shadows is addressed. These conditions cause many road following systems to fail. The authors have build a system, UNSCARF, which is based on pattern recognition techniques, for successfully navigating on a variety of unstructured roads. UNSCARF does not need a road location prediction to find the location of the road; therefore, UNSCARF can be used as a bootstrapping system. It uses a clustering technique to group pixels with similar colors and locations. It then matches models of road shape to locate the roads in the image. These methods are more robust in noisy conditions than other road interpretation techniques. UNSCARF has been integrated into a navigation system that has successfully driven a test vehicle in may types of weather conditions. <<ETX>>
Survey of Photonic and Plasmonic Interconnect Technologies for Intra-Datacenter and High-Performance Computing Communications

Large scale data centers (DC) and high performance computing (HPC) systems require more and more computing power at higher energy efficiency. They are already consuming megawatts of power, and a linear extrapolation of trends reveals that they may eventually lead to unrealistic power consumption scenarios in order to satisfy future requirements (e.g., Exascale computing). Conventional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-based electronic interconnects are not expected to keep up with the envisioned future board-to-board and chip-to-chip (within multi-chip-modules) interconnect requirements because of bandwidth-density and power-consumption limitations. However, low-power and high-speed optics-based interconnects are emerging as alternatives for DC and HPC communications; they offer unique opportunities for continued energy-efficiency and bandwidth-density improvements, although cost is a challenge at the shortest length scales. Plasmonics-based interconnects on the other hand, due to their extremely small size, offer another interesting solution for further scaling operational speed and energy efficiency. At the device-level, CMOS compatibility is also an important issue, since ultimately photonics or plasmonics will have to be co-integrated with electronics. In this paper, we survey the available literature and compare the aforementioned interconnect technologies, with respect to their suitability for high-speed and energy-efficient on-chip and off-chip communications. This paper refers to relatively short links with potential applications in the following interconnect distance hierarchy: local group of racks, board to board, module to module, chip to chip, and on chip connections. We compare different interconnect device modules, including low-energy output devices (such as lasers, modulators, and LEDs), photodetectors, passive devices (i.e., waveguides and couplers) and electrical circuitry (such as laserdiode drivers, modulator drivers, transimpedance, and limiting amplifiers). We show that photonic technologies have the potential to meet the requirements for selected HPC and DC applications in a shorter term. We also present that plasmonic interconnect modules could offer ultra-compact active areas, leading to high integration bandwidth densities, and low device capacitances allowing for ultra-high bandwidth operation that would satisfy the application requirements further into the future.
Temporal Haemodynamic Measures of Mood and Work Load Effects on Working Memory Performance

Neuroimaging studies show that mood affects working memory performance (WMP) through changes in haemodynamic activity (HA) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, it is unknown how WMP and HA is modulated by increasing working memory load (WML) under different mood states. We investigate the interactive effects of mood state (psychological factor) and WML (difficulty factor) on WMP and HA with N-back task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging of the PFC in 31 healthy subjects (HS). Our study reveals distinct mood-dependent modulations of HA with increasing WML which correlate with decreasing WMP. The influence of mood on performance is greatest at high WML.
Impact of quality improvement strategies on the quality of life of individuals post-stroke: a systematic review

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize and appraise the evidence regarding the impact of quality improvement strategies on quality of life as well as physical and psychological well-being of individuals with stroke. Materials and methods: Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (OVID interface, 2000 onwards), CINAHL (EBSCO interface, 2000 onwards), EMBASE (OVID interface, 2000 to present), and PsycINFO (OVID interface, 2000 onwards). The Effective Practice and Organization of Care Risk of Bias Tool was applied. Extracted data from the publications included: study characteristics, participant characteristics, the strategy characteristics, the outcomes, and quality appraisal. Results: Our review identified 12 trials that utilized only 4 of the 10 quality improvement strategies included in this review. The most common quality improvement strategy was self-management. Other studies included patient education, team changes, and case management. Only 5 of the 12 studies reported statistically significant improvements in some component of quality of life. Conclusions: There is a lack of evidence to demonstrate efficacy/effectiveness of patient education, self-management, team changes, and case management approaches on improving the quality of life of stroke survivors. Identifying the essential features of effective and ineffective strategies, especially in the area of self-management strategies would be beneficial. Implications for rehabilitation There is a lack of evidence to demonstrate efficacy/effectiveness of patient education, self-management, team changes, and case management approaches on improving the quality of life of stroke survivors. To improve these outcomes, there may be a need to co-create/tailor quality improvement interventions with patients, their caregivers, and providers. The impact of a broader range of quality improvement interventions, including clinician education and patient reminder systems, on quality of life post-stroke should be considered.
Accurate manual guided robot programming and trajectory correction using 3D vision by laser triangulation

— Normal utilization of robot manipulators of anthropomorphic type does not reach beyond reiteration of pre-programmed trajectories. While static robot programs may be sufficient for high volume manufacturers, they are not adequate in one-off or small-batch manufacturing. The objective of the research presented in this paper is to facilitate robot programming by combining hand guided end-effector rough movement planning and 3D visual servoing based accurate trajectory following.
Revisited Design of Short-pulse Power Gated Approach of Subthreshold Leakage Reduction Technique in Combinational Circuits

Low power consumption is the ultimate goal of the circuit designers of any application and specifically, the life time of event-driven nature of low duty cycle applications like Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) relies on the design of power-stringent battery-operated devices. At all the hierarchical level of the sensor nodes, low duty cycling is the practicing solution in saving the unwanted power consumption. However, the rapid power squanderer at the sleep state of the circuit is the subthreshold leakage. The exact saving of the leakage can be done by suppressing the short-channel effects of the transistors only at the circuit-level and the two techniques Modified Power Gating (MPG) and Short-pulse POwer Gated Approach (SPOGA, hereafter called as SPOGA_old) are proposed and implemented in the combinational circuits in the previous works of the research. In spite of good subthreshold leakage reduction, the limitations of the proposed techniques are loading effect, state-retention and leakage estimation method. In order to provide an efficient sleep state subthreshold leakage reduction in combinational circuits of low duty cycle application, the limitations are addressed with a revisited design of SPOGA_old, called as SPOGA technique. The illustration of the proposed SPOGA technique with CMOS inverter is done using Cadence GPDK090. From the simulation results, it is clearly seen that the Subthreshold Leakage Reduction Ratio (SLRR) is high and proved the efficacy of the SPOGA technique in subthreshold leakage reduction.
Automated Pain Detection from Facial Expressions using FACS: A Review

Facial pain expression is an important modality for assessing pain, especially when the patient's verbal ability to communicate is impaired. The facial muscle-based action units (AUs), which are defined by the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), have been widely studied and are highly reliable as a method for detecting facial expressions (FE) including valid detection of pain. Unfortunately, FACS coding by humans is a very time-consuming task that makes its clinical use prohibitive. Significant progress on automated facial expression recognition (AFER) has led to its numerous successful applications in FACS-based affective computing problems. However, only a handful of studies have been reported on automated pain detection (APD), and its application in clinical settings is still far from a reality. In this paper, we review the progress in research that has contributed to automated pain detection, with focus on 1) the framework-level similarity between spontaneous AFER and APD problems; 2) the evolution of system design including the recent development of deep learning methods; 3) the strategies and considerations in developing a FACS-based pain detection framework from existing research; and 4) introduction of the most relevant databases that are available for AFER and APD studies. We attempt to present key considerations in extending a general AFER framework to an APD framework in clinical settings. In addition, the performance metrics are also highlighted in evaluating an AFER or an APD system.
Influence of Gift-Giving in Social Network Games on Social Capital: Relationship Types, Gift-Giving Types, and the Big Five Factors of Personality

ABSTRACT Recently, Social network games (SNGs) are gaining popularity. As various types of SNGs are expected to spread, empirical research on the usability of SNGs is necessary. This study investigates whether the influences of gift-giving types on social capital are significant depending on the relation types between users. In addition, the influences of social capital on the continuous usage intention were observed. The relationships are divided into “friends” and “neighbors. ” The types of gift-giving are divided into “in-game gift-giving,” in which gifts are exchanged within the game, and “out-of-game gift-giving,” in which gifts are delivered outside the game, for example, through SNS personal messages. We conducted a survey targeting SNG users and found out that most of the social capital was significantly influenced by the gift-giving attitude. To supplement the results from the quantitative research, we conducted interviews to observe whether the results of the survey agreed with respondents’ actual perceptions.
Biome: evolution of a crucial ecological and biogeographical concept

Summary A biome is a key community ecological and biogeographical concept and, as such, has profited from the overall progress of community ecology, punctuated by two major innovations: shifting the focus from pure pattern description to understanding functionality, and changing the approach from observational to explanatory and, most importantly, from descriptive to predictive. The functional focus enabled development of mechanistic and function‐focused predictive and retrodictive modelling; it also shaped the current understanding of the concept of a biome as a dynamic biological entity having many aspects, with deep roots in the evolutionary past, and which is undergoing change. The evolution of the biome concept was punctuated by three synthetic steps: the first synthesis formulated a solid body of theory explaining the ecological and biogeographical meaning of zonality and collated our knowledge on drivers of vegetation patterns at large spatial scales; the second translated this knowledge into effective mechanistic modelling tools, developing further the link between ecosystem functionality and biogeography; and the third (still in progress) is seeking common ground between large‐scale ecological and biogeographic phenomena, using macroecology and macroevolutionary research tools.
Kinetics of selected serum markers of fibrosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and different grades of diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle.

BACKGROUND Fibrosis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is common and compromises both systolic and diastolic function. The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetics of ECM fibrosis markers over a 12 month follow-up in patients with DCM based on the severity of diastolic dysfunction (DD). METHODS Seventy consecutive DCM patients (48 ± 12.1 years, ejection fraction 24.4 ± 7.4%) were included in the study. The grade of DD was determined using the ASE/EACVI algorithm. Markers of ECM fibrosis were measured at baseline and at 3 and 12 month follow-ups: collagen type I and III (PICP, PINP, PIIICP, PIIINP), tumor growth factor beta-1 (TGF1-β), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and galectin-3 were measured. RESULTS Patients were divided into three groups according to DD severity: 30 patients with grade I, 18 with grade II and 22 with grade III of DD. Levels of PICP, PINP were increased over a 12-month period, while PIIINP decreased and PIIICP unchanged. Levels of TGF1-β decreased from the 3 to the 12-month points in grade I and II DD, and in grade III they remained unchanged. Levels of CTGF decreased over 12 months in grade III DD but were unchanged in grades I and II. Galectin-3 levels remained the same over all observation periods, irrespective of DD grade. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of the DD grade, markers of collagen type I synthesis increased, markers of collagen type III decreased. Levels of TGF and CTGF had a tendency to decrease. Galectin-3 was revealed not to be a marker discriminating the severity of DD.
Notes on the integument of the glacier-dwelling tardigrade Hypsibius klebelsbergi MIHELCIC, 1959 (Tardigrada)*

The integument and muscle attachments of the heavily pigmented glacier tardigrade Hypsibius klebelsbergi MIHELCIC, 1959 were studied by electron microscopy. The transparent cuticle consists of the outer and inner epicuticle, the trilaminar layer, and the procuticle. The latter may be occasionally differentiated in a more electron dense distal and a less dense proximal portion. Muscle attachments correspond to those known from other Tardigrada. Epidermal cells are characterized by an extraordinary number of ·pigment organelles (granules) that may be interpreted as protection against harmful UV-radiation. Only a few epidermal cells lack the pigmentation, e.g., those at the muscle attachment sites. These pigment-free areas, some kind of "windows" that may allow penetration of UV-radiation, are markedly reduced by adjacent pigmented epidermal cells which often extend under the pigment-free cell and surround the distal part of the muscle cell.
Failed Attempts to Improve the Reliability of the Alcohol Visual Probe Task Following Empirical Recommendations

The visual probe task (VPT) is a computerized task used to measure attentional bias to substance-related stimuli. Little research has examined the psychometric properties of the VPT, despite concerns it demonstrates poor test–retest reliability and internal consistency. These issues can reduce confidence in inferences based on VPT performance. As such, we attempted to identify parameters under which the reliability of the alcohol VPT might be improved by applying recent empirical recommendations for outlier handling, bias calculation, and task design from the anxiety literature. We reanalyzed data from 3 previously published studies in our laboratory and 2 newly collected data sets. We compared tasks which presented images on the left/right of the screen to above/below, whether participants responded to the location or content of the probe, and whether general alcohol-related images or images personalized to the individual were used. In each VPT we also applied a priori outlier removal (2 and 3 standard deviations and median absolute difference) and data-driven outlier removal (winsorizing), in addition to calculating trial-level bias scores. Across all studies and tasks internal consistency and test–retest reliability of attentional bias measures were inadequate. There was no consistent improvement in internal consistency or test–retest reliability as a function of outlier removal methods. We were unable to demonstrate adequate reliability of the alcohol VPT, which further supports observations that these tasks may not yield reliable measures. Future research should focus on improving the reliability of these tasks or abandoning them in favor of more reliable alternatives.
Socioeconomic Differences and Lung Cancer Survival—Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The impact of socioeconomic differences on cancer survival has been investigated for several cancer types showing lower cancer survival in patients from lower socioeconomic groups. However, little is known about the relation between the strength of association and the level of adjustment and level of aggregation of the socioeconomic status measure. Here, we conduct the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the association of individual and area-based measures of socioeconomic status with lung cancer survival. Methods: In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we searched for studies on socioeconomic differences in lung cancer survival in four electronic databases. A study was included if it reported a measure of survival in relation to education, income, occupation, or composite measures (indices). If possible, meta-analyses were conducted for studies reporting on individual and area-based socioeconomic measures. Results: We included 94 studies in the review, of which 23 measured socioeconomic status on an individual level and 71 on an area-based level. Seventeen studies were eligible to be included in the meta-analyses. The meta-analyses revealed a poorer prognosis for patients with low individual income (pooled hazard ratio: 1.13, 95 % confidence interval: 1.08–1.19, reference: high income), but not for individual education. Group comparisons for hazard ratios of area-based studies indicated a poorer prognosis for lower socioeconomic groups, irrespective of the socioeconomic measure. In most studies, reported 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates across socioeconomic status groups showed decreasing rates with decreasing socioeconomic status for both individual and area-based measures. We cannot confirm a consistent relationship between level of aggregation and effect size, however, comparability across studies was hampered by heterogeneous reporting of socioeconomic status and survival measures. Only eight studies considered smoking status in the analysis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a weak positive association between individual income and lung cancer survival. Studies reporting on socioeconomic differences in lung cancer survival should consider including smoking status of the patients in their analysis and to stratify by relevant prognostic factors to further explore the reasons for socioeconomic differences. A common definition for socioeconomic status measures is desirable to further enhance comparisons between nations and across different levels of aggregation.
Aspects of Selecting Outcome Measures to Demonstrate the Effectiveness of Comprehensive Rehabilitation

To enable clinicians to make an informed choice when selecting outcome measures to demonstrate the effectiveness of comprehensive rehabilitation, what objective criteria should be examined? This article considers the importance of the purpose, content, psychometric properties and ease of administration in selecting measures. Several outcome instruments evaluating self-care and mobility, mental health interventions and comprehensive rehabilitation approaches are examined with reference to these selection criteria. Measures that evaluate physical, psychological and social functioning, taking into account the desired outcome of the patient and his/her carers, are highlighted.
22q11 microdeletion syndrome and ultra‐high risk for psychosis: The role of neurological soft signs as an independent marker of vulnerability for psychosis

22q11 microdeletion syndrome has an increased risk for psychosis, similar to subjects at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. Neurological soft signs are considered an endophenotype of psychotic disorders and a marker of vulnerability to Schizophrenia, consisting of overflow movements, dysrhythmia and speed of timed activities. To date, there are no studies that have evaluated the presence of the neurological soft signs in subjects with 22q11 microdeletion syndrome and there are a few studies that have analysed this issue in subjects at ultra‐high risk.