Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tunable Perfect THz Absorber Based on a Stretchable Ultrathin Carbon-Polymer Bilayer

By exploring the Salisbury screen approach, we propose and demonstrate a thin film absorber of terahertz (THz) radiation. The absorber is comprised of a less than 100 nm thick layer of pyrolytic carbon deposited on a stretchable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film followed by the metal film. We demonstrate that being overall less than 200 microns thick, such a sandwich structure absorbs resonantly up to 99.9%of the incident THz radiation, and that the absorption resonance is determined by the polymer thickness, which can be adjusted by stretching.
Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) on an Invasive Edge: Abundance, Spatial Distribution, and Habitat Usage of Larvae and Pupae Across Urban and Socioeconomic Environmental Gradients

Abstract The Asian tiger mosquito [Aedes albopictus (Skuse)] is an invasive species of public health importance that is currently expanding its range in the Northeast United States. Effective Ae. albopictus control depends on a thorough understanding of factors influencing their abundance, spatial distribution, and habitat preference. We conducted a series of container surveys for Ae. albopictus larvae/pupae over 2 yr across nine sites in neighborhoods along its invasive range in southern New York. Selected sites represented a gradient of percent impervious surface and median household income. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) Ae. albopictus larval/pupal abundance increases and spatial distribution becomes less clustered as site-level median income decreases and percent impervious surface increases because of increased larval habitat quality and availability; and 2) container-level characteristics are predictive of Ae. albopictus larval/pupal infestation across a range of sites. In 2016, neither median household income nor impervious surface predicted Ae. albopictus abundance. In 2017, sites with greater impervious surface were more heavily infested by some measures. In both years, Ae. albopictus larval/pupal spatial distribution as measured by K-function was more clustered in with greater median household income. Most container characteristics were either not predictive of Ae. albopictus or varied between years. Based on the variability of predictive container characteristics, we conclude that identification of key containers is not useful in this region. However, Ae. albopictus can be nonhomogenously distributed or abundant based on income level and impervious surface. Improved control of immatures should consider these regional predictors of Ae. albopictus populations.
A plant-derived VLP influenza vaccine elicits a balanced immune response even in very old mice with co-morbidities

Background The elderly are at high risk from influenza, in part because immunity wanes with age and through the accumulation of comorbidities. A novel plant-derived virus-like-particle (VLP) vaccine bearing influenza hemagglutinin can induce a balanced humoral and cellular response in old mice (16–18 months) while split virion vaccines elicit mostly antibodies. Because mice also collect comorbidities and lose immune competence as they age, we wished to determine how the plant-derived VLP vaccine would perform in animals approaching the end of their life-span. Materials and methods Old (24–26 months) female BALB/c mice received two intramuscular doses of H1-VLP vaccine, an inactivated H1N1 vaccine (IIV) (both based on A/H1N1/California/07/09) (3μg each) or PBS. Serum was collected on day 42 and humoral responses were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), microneutralization (MN) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays. Influenza-specific splenocyte CD4+ & CD8+ T cell responses were measured by flow cytometry. Full body computed tomography (CT) and structured necropsies were performed on day 42. Comorbidities including reduced lung volume (kyphosis), masses, abscesses, etc. were assessed using a standard scoring system (1–21) and mice with scores ≥5 were considered to have important comorbidities. Results Overall, 53.3% of the animals had significant comorbidities. Three weeks post-boost, HI and MN titres were mostly undetectable but ELISA titres were significantly higher in the H1-VLP animals compared to the IIV group (GMT (95% CI): 961 (427, 2163) vs 425 (200, 903): p = 0.03). Both CD4+(TNFα, IFNγ) and CD8+ (IFNγ) T cell responses were also greater in the H1-VLP group than the IIV. Conclusions Even in very old mice with comorbidities, the plant-made H1-VLP vaccine elicited a stronger and more balanced immune response than IIV. Animals with fewer comorbidities tended to have the better composite (humoral and cellular) responses. These novel vaccines have the potential to address some of the limitations of current vaccines in the elderly.
Parkinson’s pain is more aching and interfering with social life in Caucasians compared to Indians

Abstract Objectives: Although there have been numerous studies conducted to better understand Parkinson’s disease (PD), the epidemiology of its debilitating non-motor symptoms across different ethnicities remains understudied. Herein we explore the relationship between depression, anxiety and pain in PD patients of Caucasian or Indian ethnicity (PD Caucasians and PD Indians). Patients and Methods: All patients and healthy age and gender matched controls were assessed via semi-structured interviews for anxiety, pain and depression using structured questionnaires. Results: PD Indians did not differ from PD Caucasians on anxiety or depression. However, PD Caucasians were more likely to report aching pain by 80 times and dull pain by 108 times compared to PD Indians. PD Indians were 82% less likely to have pain interfering with social activities, and 90% less likely to have pain interfering with relations with others compared to PD Caucasians. Conclusion: Although an Indo-Caucasian difference may not be detected from mood dysfunction, important differences may exist from the influence of pain interfering with several dimensions of life.
PERPADUAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN AKTIF KONVENSIONAL (CERAMAH) DENGAN COOPERATIF (MAKE – A MATCH) UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR PENDIDIKAN KEWARGANEGARAAN

Penerapan model pembelajaran modern baik kontektual maupun kooperatif di sekolah yang berada diwilayah pedesaan tidak semudah jika dibandingkan dengan sekolah yang berada diwilayak kota. Pemahaman dan pengetahuan serta pengalaman belajar sangat jauh berbeda, termasuk faktor lingkungan masyarakat, sekolah serta ketersediaan sarana dan prasarana penunjang pendidikan. Metode konvensional tidak mudah begitu saja ditinggalkan, maka dari itu penelitian ini dilakukan dengan kolaborasi antara model konvensional dengan model kooperatif. Hail penelitian menujukkan bahwa nilai rata-rata mengalami kenaikan sebesar dari 66,04 menjadi 72,32 atau naik sebesar 9,52% pada siklus pertama. Sedangkan pada siklus kedua yaitu sebesar 66,54 menjadi 75,75 atau naik sebesar 13,85%. Jadi kolaborasi model pembelajaran konvensional-ceramah dengan model kooperatif- Make – A Match mampu meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa.
WASP: Wiki-based Automated Sequence Processor for Epigenomics and Genomics Applications

w7-2 The advent of massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology has lead to the development of assays which facilitate the study of epigenomics and genomics at the genome-wide level. However, the computational burden resulting from the need to store and process the gigbytes of data streaming from sequencing machines, in addition to collecting metadata and returning data to users, is becoming a major issue for both sequencing cores and users alike. We present WASP, a LIMS system designed to automate MPS data pre-processing and analysis. WASP integrates a user-friendly MediaWiki front end, a network file system (NFS) and MySQL database for recording experimental data and metadata, plus a multi-node cluster for data processing. The workflow includes capture of sample submission information to the database using web forms on the wiki, recording of core facility operations on samples and linking of samples to flowcells in the database followed by automatic processing of sequence data and running of data analysis pipelines following the sequence run. WASP currently supports MPS using the Illumina GaIIx. For epigenomics applications we provide a pipeline for our novel HpaII-tiny fragment enrichment by ligation-mediated PCR (HELP)-tag method which enables us to quantify the methylation status of ∼1.8 million CpGs located in 70% of the HpaII sites (CCGG) in the human genome. We also provide ChIP-seq analysis using MACS, which is also applicable for methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) assays, in addition to miRNA and mRNA analyses using custom pipelines. Output from the analysis pipelines is automatically linked to a users wiki-space and the data generated can be immediately viewed as tracks in a local mirror of the UCSC genome browser. WASP also provides capabilities for automated billing and keeping track of facility costs. We believe WASP represents a suitable model on which to develop LIMS systems for supporting MPS applications.
Detection of Brucella abortus by a platform functionalized with protein A and specific antibodies IgG

Oriented immobilization of antibodies on a sensor surface is critical for enhancing both the antigen‐binding capacity and the sensitivity of immunosensors. In this study, we describe a strategy to adsorb immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti‐Brucella antibodies onto a silicon surface, oriented by protein A obtained from Staphylococcus aureus (SpA). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize topographically, morphologically, and chemical changes of the sensor functionalization. The activity of the biosensor was assessed by confocal microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, and bacteria capture assays (BCA). According to the BCA, the efficiency of Brucella abortus detection with the SpA‐IgG anti Brucella biosensor was three‐fold higher than that of the random orientated IgG anti Brucella biosensor. The limit of detection was 1 × 106 CFU/ml. These data show that the orientation of antibodies immobilization is crucial to developing immunosensors for bacterial antigen detection as Brucella spp and improve its sensibility level. Functionalization with protein A increases Brucella detection by an antibody‐coated surface. Functionalized silicon surface for Brucella detection was characterized by atomic force microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and confocal microscopy.
Circulating cell‐free DNA release in vitro: kinetics, size profiling, and cancer‐related gene methylation

Circulating cell‐free DNA (ccfDNA) is a biological entity of great interest due to its potential as liquid biopsy biomaterial carrying clinically valuable information. To better understand its nature, we studied ccfDNA in vitro in two human cancer cell lines MCF‐7 and HeLa. Normalized indexes of ccfDNA per cell population decreased over time of culture but were significantly elevated after exposure to IC50 doses of the demethylating/apoptotic agent 5‐azacytidine (5‐AZA‐CR). Fragment‐size profiling was indicative of active release, whereas exposure to 5‐AZA‐CR induced the release of additional shorter fragments, indicative of apoptosis. Finally, the methylation profile of a panel of cancer‐specific genes as assessed by quantitative methylation analysis in ccfDNA was identical to the corresponding genomic DNA and followed accurately changes caused by 5‐AZA‐CR. Overall, our in vitro findings support that ccfDNA can be a reliable biosource of clinically relevant information that can be further studied in these cell culture models.
Vibrational Approach to the Dynamics and Structure of Protein Amyloids

Amyloid diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, are linked to a poorly understood progression of protein misfolding and aggregation events that culminate in tissue-selective deposition and human pathology. Elucidation of the mechanistic details of protein aggregation and the structural features of the aggregates is critical for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of protein oligomerization and fibrillization. Vibrational spectroscopies, such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman, are powerful tools that are sensitive to the secondary structure of proteins and have been widely used to investigate protein misfolding and aggregation. We address the application of the vibrational approaches in recent studies of conformational dynamics and structural characteristics of protein oligomers and amyloid fibrils. In particular, introduction of isotope labelled carbonyl into a peptide backbone, and incorporation of the extrinsic unnatural amino acids with vibrational moieties on the side chain, have greatly expanded the ability of vibrational spectroscopy to obtain site-specific structural and dynamic information. The applications of these methods in recent studies of protein aggregation are also reviewed.
An Detection Algorithm for Abandoned and Moved Objects Used in Intelligent Surveillance Video

An detection algorithm for abandoned an moved objects used in intelligent surveillance video is presented in paper.It based on Gaussian mixture model,using different update rate cumulative mask update background model to establish dual background model.Use edge matching algorithm to identify and extract foreground object,give the space location of abandoned or moved objects and alarm.The experimental results show that this algorithm significantly reduces the computational complexity,the abandoned or moved objects detection with high detection accuracy and robustness,reduce the false alarm rate.
Precision medicine in childhood asthma

Purpose of review Childhood asthma is a heterogeneous disease and many children have uncontrolled disease. Therefore an individualized approach is needed to improve asthma outcomes in children. Precision medicine using clinical characteristics, biomarkers, and the rapidly involving field of genomics and pharmacogenomics aims to achieve asthma control and reduce future risks with less side-effects in individual children with asthma. Recent findings It is not yet possible to select treatment options on clinical characteristics. Novel monoclonal antibodies are efficacious in patients with severe, eosinophilic asthma. Reduced lung function growth and early decline is a prevalent finding in children with persistent asthma. Pharmacogenetic studies have identified children at risk for cortisol suppression when using inhaled corticosteroids. Summary Clinical characteristics and simple biomarkers like eosinophils, IgE, and the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide may be used in clinical practice for a basic precision medicine approach, deciding which children will have the best chance to respond to inhaled corticosteroids and to the biologicals omalizumab and mepolizumab. Further application of pharmacogenomics and breathomics needs additional studies before they can be applied as tools for precision medicine in individual children with asthma.
An integrative analysis revealing POLD2 as a tumor suppressive immune protein and prognostic biomarker in pan-cancer

Introduction: POLD2 is an indispensable subunit of DNA polymerase δ, which is responsible for the synthesis of the backward accompanying strand in eukaryotic organisms. Current studies have found an association between POLD2 and the development of a variety of cancers. However, its value in cancer immunotherapy has not been fully established. Methods: POLD2 expression was analyzed using RNA expression and clinical data from TCGA and GTEx databases. The prognostic impact of POLD2 on tumor patients was analyzed using clinical survival data from TCGA. Gene enrichment analysis was performed using the R package “cluster analyzer” to explore the role of POLD2. We used the TIMER2 database to analyze the relationship between immune cell infiltration and POLD2 expression in TCGA. We downloaded relevant data from TCGA and analyzed the relationship between POLD2 and immune checkpoints, immunosuppressive genes, immune activating genes, chemokines and chemokine receptors. Results: POLD2 was significantly overexpressed in most tumors compared to normal tissue. High POLD2 expression was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, significantly shorter overall survival and progression-free survival. Also, we found that POLD2 expression correlated strongly with immunomodulatory genes, and significantly negatively with most immune checkpoints (PD-L1, CTLA4, TIM3, and CD28). Pathway enrichment analysis suggests that low expression of POLD2 promotes immune regulation-related pathways and high expression promotes metabolic and DNA repair-related pathways. Furthermore, tumor microenvironment analysis suggests that high POLD2 expression inhibits infiltration of CD8+ T cells and CD4+ memory T cells. Discussion: In conclusion, POLD2 may be a molecular biomarker for pan-cancer prognosis and immunotherapy. It may serve as a potential target for new insights in human tumor prognosis prediction and immunotherapy assessment.
The brain of the tree pangolin (Manis tricuspis). IV. The hippocampal formation

Employing a range of standard and immunohistochemical stains we provide a description of the hippocampal formation in the brain of the tree pangolin. For the most part, the architecture, chemical neuroanatomy, and topological relationships of the component parts of the hippocampal formation of the tree pangolin were consistent with that observed in other mammalian species. Within the hippocampus proper fields CA1, 3, and 4 could be identified with certainty, while CA2 was tentatively identified as a small transitional zone between the CA1 and CA3 fields. Within the dentate gyrus evidence for adult hippocampal neurogenesis at a rate comparable to other mammals was observed. The subicular complex and entorhinal cortex also exhibited divisions typically observed in other mammalian species. In contrast to many other mammals, an architecturally and neurochemically distinct CA4 field was observed, supporting Lorente de Nó's proposed CA4 field, at least in some mammalian species. In addition, up to seven laminae were evident in the dentate gyrus. Calretinin immunostaining revealed the three sublamina of the molecular layer, while immunostaining for vesicular glutamate transporter 2 and neurofilament H indicate that the granule cell layer was composed of two sublamina. The similarities and differences observed in the tree pangolin indicate that the hippocampal formation is an anatomically and neurochemically conserved neural unit in mammalian evolution, but minor changes may relate to specific life history features and habits of species.
Surrogate study endpoints in the era of cancer immunotherapy.

The choice of a primary endpoint is a matter of ongoing debate in the design of clinical oncology trials testing new treatment regimens. Overall survival (OS) time of patients serves as a gold-standard endpoint in phase III clinical trials testing first-line chemotherapy for cancers, because this outcome variable ultimately represents survival benefits from chemotherapy regimens and has minimal measurement errors.
Developing Quantitative Metrics to Predict Users' Perceptions of Interface Design

Users' perceptions of an interface play an important role in influencing their acceptance of a product. Currently, however, designers lack an objective method to predict users' perceptions and to guide decisions during the design process. We propose a statistical image analysis method that takes the user interface as an input and computes image features that can be used to inform design. Based on these metrics, we then implemented a supervised learning algorithm to predict users' perceptions. We tested this method with a case study involving car infotainment systems. The results showed that the algorithm can capture users' perceptual ratings quite well, in particular for the perceptions of clutter vs. organized, and aggressive vs. calm. We discuss the implications of this computational method for UI design.
Performance of the ABC Scores for Assessing the Risk of Stroke or Systemic Embolism and Bleeding in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48

Background: The ABC (age, biomarker, clinical history)-stroke and ABC-bleeding risk scores incorporate clinical variables and cardiovascular biomarkers to estimate risk of stroke or systemic embolic events and bleeding, respectively, in patients with atrial fibrillation. These scores have been proposed for routine clinical use, but their performance in external cohorts remains uncertain. Methods: ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 (Effective Anticoagulation With Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation—Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48) was a multinational randomized trial of the oral factor Xa inhibitor edoxaban in patients with atrial fibrillation and a CHADS2 score ≥2. We performed a nested prospective biomarker study in 8705 patients, analyzing baseline high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), NT-proBNP (N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide), and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), as well as in serial samples after 12 months. The ABC-stroke (age, prior stroke/transient ischemic attack, hsTnT, NT-proBNP) and ABC-bleeding (age, prior bleeding, hemoglobin, hsTnT, and GDF-15) scores were tested. Hazard ratios were adjusted for estimated glomerular filtration rate and the components of the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, respectively. Discrimination and reclassification were compared with these established scores. Results: Median baseline hsTnT, NT-proBNP, and GDF-15 levels were 13.7 ng/L (25th–75th percentiles, 9.6–20.4 ng/L), 811 pg/mL (386–1436 pg/mL), and 1661 pg/mL (1179–2427 pg/mL), respectively. Elevated hsTnT, NT-proBNP, and GDF-15 were independently associated with higher rates of stroke or systemic embolic events, and elevated hsTnT and GDF-15 were independently associated with higher rates of major bleeding (P<0.001 for each). The ABC-stroke and ABC-bleeding scores were well calibrated and yielded higher c indexes than the CHA2DS2-VASc score for stroke or systemic embolic events (0.67 [95% CI, 0.65–0.70] versus 0.59 [95% CI, 0.57–0.62]; P<0.001) and HAS-BLED score for major bleeding (0.69 [95% CI, 0.66–0.71] versus 0.62 [95% CI, 0.60–0.64]; P<0.001), respectively. The ABC-stroke and ABC-bleeding scores stratified patients within CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED risk categories (P<0.001 for both). Patients with ABC-bleeding scores predicting a high 1-year risk of bleeding (>2%) derived greater benefit from treatment with edoxaban compared with warfarin. Conclusions: The ABC-stroke and ABC-bleeding scores evaluated in this anticoagulated clinical trial cohort were well calibrated and outperformed the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, respectively. These scores may help identify patients most likely to derive a benefit from treatment with non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants. Clinical Trial Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00781391.