Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Robotic Arm Control using Static Hand Gestures: An Approach towards the Natural Human Machine Interaction

The main objective of this paper is to explore the utility of a human hand gesture for natural Human Machine Interaction. Hand gestures are a powerful communication channel and can be used as an interface device to achieve a natural and immersive Human Machine Interaction. In this paper, we have proposed a vision based system for controlling a robotic arm, in which system is able to recognize a set of fourteen specific static hand gestures and use them to control a 5 degree of freedom robotic arm. In the proposed method hand gesture images are acquired using HD web-camera and then passed through three stages; Image pre-processing, feature extraction, and recognition. For gesture recognition multi-layer feed-forward neural network classifier with back-propagation learning algorithm is used. Once a hand gesture is recognized, an appropriate command is sent to a robotic arm to perform a pre-defined task. The proposed system has been extensively tested with success. The proposed recognition technique for static hand gestures has been implemented in MATLAB. The average performance of the system to recognize hand gestures is more than 98% and the robotic arm is able to do jobs by using hand gesture commands as its input.
Glycyrrhetinic acid remodels the tumor microenvironment and synergizes with doxorubicin for breast cancer treatment in a murine model

We aimed to combine glycyrrhetinic acid with doxorubicin to prepare, characterize and evaluate a drug delivery nano-system with REDOX sensitivity for the treatment of breast cancer. M-DOX-GA NPs prepared by nano sedimentation were spherical, with a particle size of 181 nm. And the maximum encapsulation efficiency and drug loading in M-DOX-GA NPs were 89.28% and 18.22%, respectively. Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake experiments of nanoparticles to KC cells, Cal-27 cells and 4T1 cells were studied by the CCK-8 method. The result indicated that M-DOX-GA NPs could accurately release the drug into the tumor cells, thus achieving the targeted release of the drug. Comparing the survival rate of the above three cells, it was found that M-DOX-GA NPs had a good tumor selectivity and had a more significant therapeutic effect on breast cancer. A 4T1-bearing mouse model was established, and the tumor inhibition rate was 77.37% after injection of nanoparticle solution for 14 d. Normal tissue H&E stained sections and TUNEL assay were verified M-DOX-GA NPs have excellent tumor suppressive effect, and can efficiently reduce the toxic side effects on normal organisms, and effectively avoided 4T1 cells metastasis. Immunofluorescence detection and Western-blot analysis figured a decline in both CUGBP1 and α-SMA, which verifying the TME remodeling induced by glycyrrhetinic acid. Collectively, the combination of doxorubicin and glycyrrhetinic acid is an effective and safe strategy for remodeling fibrotic TME by improving the therapeutic outcome for breast cancer.
Bayesian Approaches for Confirmatory Trials in Rare Diseases: Opportunities and Challenges

The aim of this narrative review is to introduce the reader to Bayesian methods that, in our opinion, appear to be the most important in the context of rare diseases. A disease is defined as rare depending on the prevalence of the affected patients in the considered population, for example, about 1 in 1500 people in U.S.; about 1 in 2500 people in Japan; and fewer than 1 in 2000 people in Europe. There are between 6000 and 8000 rare diseases and the main issue in drug development is linked to the challenge of achieving robust evidence from clinical trials in small populations. A better use of all available information can help the development process and Bayesian statistics can provide a solid framework at the design stage, during the conduct of the trial, and at the analysis stage. The focus of this manuscript is to provide a review of Bayesian methods for sample size computation or reassessment during phase II or phase III trial, for response adaptive randomization and of for meta-analysis in rare disease. Challenges regarding prior distribution choice, computational burden and dissemination are also discussed.
Experts' perceptions of and suggestions for cigar warning label messages and pictorials.

INTRODUCTION Warning labels can be effective tools to inform the public about tobacco risks. However, tobacco warning research has been largely cigarette centric. This formative study explores potential directions for improving the current warnings for cigars. METHODS Between June and August 2019, we conducted interviews with ten experts about the current cigar warning statements and requirements, the inclusion of pictorials in cigar warnings, and legal issues. Additionally, experts viewed and discussed concept images to pair with existing warning statements, including realistic photographic images and symbolic images (e.g., icons, caution symbols). RESULTS Experts agreed that cigar warnings should be strengthened (e.g., by increasing their size and use of pictorials) to better leverage their potential impact and maintain warning parity with cigarettes. However, perceived challenges exist given the wide variety of cigar products, product terminology, and use patterns. Experts agreed that photographic pictorials of health effects are likely to be more salient, informative and effective for behavior change than symbolic ones, but may be vulnerable to legal challenges. Symbolic images used in warnings may obtain attention in a less "controversial" way, but may be considered less serious and "factually accurate", increasing legal risks. Experts indicate that cigar educational campaigns can complement warnings and address additional themes, especially aimed at youth, including exposure to chemicals and flavorings and misperceptions that cigars are "natural". CONCLUSIONS Additional consumer research is needed to examine the potential public health impact of improving cigar warnings and to support regulatory efforts. IMPLICATIONS This study provides feedback from tobacco control experts about the importance of cigar warning labels and directions for future research and improvements. Experts support increasing the size of cigar warnings and adopting pictorials to improve cigar warning impact and maintain warning parity with cigarettes. Experts agreed that photographic pictorials of health effects are likely to be more salient and effective for behavior change than symbolic ones. Given legal challenges, experts discussed potentially prioritizing warning improvements for those cigars used most frequently as cigarette alternatives and by youth. Overall, more cigar warning research is needed to support regulatory efforts.
SPADE-E2VID: Spatially-Adaptive Denormalization for Event-Based Video Reconstruction

Event-based cameras have several advantages over traditional cameras that shoot videos in frames. Event cameras have a high temporal resolution, high dynamic range, and almost non-existence of blurriness. The data that is produced by event sensors forms a chain of events when a change in brightness is reported in each pixel. This feature makes it difficult to directly apply existing algorithms and take advantage of the event camera data. Due to the developments in neural networks, important advances were made in event-based image reconstruction. Even though these neural networks achieve precise reconstructions while preserving most of the properties of the event cameras, there is still an initialization time that needs to have the highest possible quality in the reconstructed frames. In this work, we present the SPADE-E2VID neural network model that improves the quality of early frames in an event-based reconstructed video, as well as the overall contrast. The SPADE-E2VID model improves the quality of the first reconstructed frames by 15.87% for MSE error, 4.15% for SSIM, and 2.5% in LPIPS. In addition, the SPADE layer in our model allows training our model to reconstruct videos without a temporal loss function. Another advantage of our model is that it has a faster training time. In a many-to-one training style, we avoid running the loss function at each step, executing the loss function at the end of each loop only once. In the present work, we also carried out experiments with event cameras that do not have polarity data. Our model produces quality video reconstructions with non-polarity events in HD resolution (1200 $\times $ 800). The Video, the code, and the datasets will be available at: https://github.com/RodrigoGantier/SPADE_E2VID.
Rapid Solid-Phase Extraction Method for the Detection of Volatile Nitrosamines in Food

A rapid solid phase extraction (SPE) method was developed to analyze volatile N-nitrosamines (NAm) in foods. The currently used vacuum distillation technique is time and solvent consuming and is cumbersome for multiple analyses. Our objective was to develop a robust analytical method to measure the eight most common volatile NAm found in foods. The extraction procedure was based on two consecutive extraction/concentration steps using Extrelut and Florisil SPE. The amounts of food sample and solvent required were reduced compared to the conventional vacuum distillation method without affecting the sensitivity which was at a 0.3 ppb detection limit. A greater confidence in the analyte detection was obtained by the use of a capillary GC column, instead of the conventionally used open packed column, prior to thermal energy analyzer (TEA) detection. Another advantage of our method is the use of commercial cartridges, which ensures reproducibility and standardization of the method for multiple analyses. An appl.
Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles as new adsorption materials for arsenic removal from polluted waters

BACKGROUND One of the most harmful pollutants to human health present in natural water is arsenic. In this work magnetic silica/magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with aminopropyl groups incorporating Fe3+ (S1-F3) were investigated for their suitability as materials to adsorb As5+ and As3+ from polluted groundwater. RESULTS Magnetite nanoparticles obtained by a co-precipitation method were coated with a mesoporous silica layer generated by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate. The resultant material was grafted with amino derivatives coordinated with Fe3+. The synthesis was confirmed by FT-IR, TGA and BET analyses. After analysis of the affinity of solids with different degrees of functionalization towards arsenate and arsenite species, the material S1-F3 resulted in maximum arsenic adsorption capacities (14.7 ± 0.3 mg As3+g-1 and 121 ± 4.1 mg As5+g-1). The adsorption equilibrium was satisfactorily described by the Langmuir model and exhibited low sensitivity to temperatures in the range 288–308K. Kinetic data were correlated with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model based on solid capacity that considers the rate of the surface reaction as the rate-limiting step. CONCLUSION The promising results confirm that the material S1-F3 is an effective adsorbent for the removal of arsenate from polluted water. More research is being conducted to analyse the influence of competing anions and sorbent regeneration. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.
Dimensions of Thermal Inequity: Neighborhood Social Demographics and Urban Heat in the Southwestern U.S.

Exposure to heat is a growing public health concern as climate change accelerates worldwide. Different socioeconomic and racial groups often face unequal exposure to heat as well as increased heat-related sickness, mortality, and energy costs. We provide new insight into thermal inequities by analyzing 20 Southwestern U.S. metropolitan regions at the census block group scale for three temperature scenarios (average summer heat, extreme summer heat, and average summer nighttime heat). We first compared average temperatures for top and bottom decile block groups according to demographic variables. Then we used spatial regression models to investigate the extent to which exposure to heat (measured by land surface temperature) varies according to income and race. Large thermal inequities exist within all the regions studied. On average, the poorest 10% of neighborhoods in an urban region were 2.2 °C (4 °F) hotter than the wealthiest 10% on both extreme heat days and average summer days. The difference was as high as 3.3–3.7 °C (6–7 °F) in California metro areas such as Palm Springs and the Inland Empire. A similar pattern held for Latinx neighborhoods. Temperature disparities at night were much smaller (usually ~1 °F). Disparities for Black neighborhoods were also lower, perhaps because Black populations are small in most of these cities. California urban regions show stronger thermal disparities than those in other Southwestern states, perhaps because inexpensive water has led to more extensive vegetation in affluent neighborhoods. Our findings provide new details about urban thermal inequities and reinforce the need for programs to reduce the disproportionate heat experienced by disadvantaged communities.
Elevated Monocyte to High-density Lipoprotein Ratios as an Inflammation Markers for Schizophrenia Patients

Objective Monocyte to high density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is a new instrument for giving notice inflammation, which plays a main role in schizophrenia. Thus, in this study, our goal was to investigate the possible association between MHR and schizophrenia. Methods The participants of this study consisted of 75 schizophrenia patients and 74 healthy individuals (control group). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used to collect data from the patient group. Complete blood count parameters and lipid profile were analyzed in all study participants. Results The patients with schizophrenia had higher MHR values (15.04 ± 3.31 in schizophrenia patients and 12.62 ± 2.99 in controls; p = 0.001). Monocyte counts and MHR of the schizophrenia patients were significantly higher than the control group. There was a significant and positive correlation between age, body mass index, severity of disease and MHR. Conclusion To our knowledge, this study was the first to demonstrate inflammatory markers such as MHR levels in schizophrenia patients. Both monocyte counts and MHR values in schizophrenia patients were higher than the control group. MHR might be an available and useful inflammatory marker to evaluate inflammation in schizophrenia patients.
Computer manipulation of (macro)molecules with the method of local change

In computer manipulation of macromolecules bond lengths and bond angles as well as some dihedral angles frequently are held fixed at ideal values observed in small model compounds. Changes of the conformation are then made by internal rotation about chemical bonds. The result of each rotation is the relative motion of large parts of the molecule; this will therefore be referred to as the global method of changing the conformation. The effect of this method is similar to manipulation of a stick model of the molecule. A method is described for manipulating the conformation in which only one atom is moved at a time; hence the name, local method. Each movement is made in order to improve the immediate environment of the atom by decreasing the differences between bond lengths, bond angles and fixed dihedral angles near this atom and their ideal values. Small displacements are calculated and applied for each atom in turn, and this is repeated a number of times for the entire molecule. At the same time, one may require that the position of each atom is not moved too far away from the starting position, so as to give idealization of the starting conformation or model building. Alternatively, inclusion of a term tending to lower the contributions to the intramolecular energy (van der Waals attractive energy, repulsive energy, electrostatic energy) gives energy minimization. A description is given of the progress of the model-building calculation with a fifteen-residue segment of the protein rubredoxin as a test case. The resulting conformation is found to be very close to the best global fit obtainable. This best global fit is obtained by constructing a global fit to the locally fit model and further adjusting this intermediate conformation to improve the agreement with the starting coordinates. A global fit constructed to the original data is found to be inferior. It corresponds to a higher relative minimum of the sum of the squares of the distances between the model coordinates and those to be fitted; the conformation of two side chains is qualitatively different in the two global fits. An example shows how the method is suitable for building trial conformations of chain segments. Finally, advantages of the local method are pointed out which, it is believed, make its use preferable for model building in an interactive computing environment.
SYNCRETISM DISTRIBUTION MODELING: ACCIDENTAL HOMOPHONY AS A RANDOM EVENT

The morphological analysis of paradigms generally proposes a distinction between accidental and systematic homophony. No specific assumptions are usually made about the distribution of accidental homophony, though. Therefore current assumptions cannot prove satisfactorily what should be regarded as systematic in morphology. We propose that accidental homophony should be assumed to be a random event in the statistical sense with a constant probability across languages and across paradigms. This approach allows us to assign a likelihood to any actual typological distribution of syncretism given a morphological analysis. And by computing such likelihoods for a range of analyses, we can then apply maximum likelihood analysis to determine the best analyses. Hence, the statistical foundation allows us to empirically test morphological analyses that include accidental syncretism. In this paper, we primarily introduce the conceptual and mathematical foundations of a statistical modeling technique, Syncretism Distribution Modeling, and show how it overcomes the problem of accidental homophony. In addition, we apply the technique to show that person paradigms must involve both accidental homophony and systematic syncretism.
High-efficiency polymer photovoltaic devices from regioregular-poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester processed with oleic acid surfactant

Bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells, comprised of regioregular-poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) and[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) in the presence of the surfactant, oleic acid (OA), have been studied. The device with OA after thermal annealing has a power conversion efficiency (ηe) of 4.3%, while the devices without OA after thermal annealing have ηe=3.1%. Based on atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction investigation found that with OA, the P3HT-PCBM films have better molecular local ordering after thermal annealing resulting in larger donor and acceptor interfaces and higher mobility, thereby higher performance of the photovoltaic cell.
Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome and ventilatory responses during cardiopulmonary exercise testing

Previous studies have shown evidence of hypoxemia and hypercapnia during cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) evaluation in children with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). However, there are no longitudinal studies which compared CPET findings to polysomnogram (PSG) or PHOX2B mutation, to date.
Sirtuin 1 ameliorates defenestration in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells during liver fibrosis via inhibiting stress‐induced premature senescence

Premature senescence is related to progerin and involves in endothelial dysfunction and liver diseases. Activating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) ameliorates liver fibrosis. However, the mechanisms of premature senescence in defenestration of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSECs) and how SIRT1 affects HSECs fenestrae remain elusive.
Solubility prediction of some disperse Azo dyes in supercritical carbon dioxide using equation of states (EOSs)

The solubility of three disperse azo dyes, 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-4’-itroazobenzene (D 1 ), 4-(N,N-diethylamino)-4’-nitroazobenzene (D 2 ) and Parared (D 3 ) in supercritical carbon dioxide have been correlated with two equation of state. All critical properties have been estimated with a group contribution method (GCM). As far we know, solubility data for these dyes never has been correlated using an equation of state (EOS). Therefore, it is worthwhile to model the solubility of these disperse Azo dyes. In this work, the aim is correlating reported data with a new EOS and comparing obtained results with the results of Peng-Robinson EOS (PR-EOS) together with two adjustable parameter van der Waals mixing and combining rules . The calculated results showed that new EOS is more accurate than PR-EOS. It can be employed to speed up the process of SCF applications in industry.
Neutrophil-Derived Oncostatin M Triggers Diverse Signaling Pathways during Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a major public health concern, causing significant morbidity and mortality annually despite the broad use of antimicrobial agents. Underlying many of the severe sequelae of acute lung infections is dysfunction of the immune response, which remains incompletely understood yet is an attractive target of adjunct therapy in pneumonia. ABSTRACT Pneumonia is a major public health concern, causing significant morbidity and mortality annually despite the broad use of antimicrobial agents. Underlying many of the severe sequelae of acute lung infections is dysfunction of the immune response, which remains incompletely understood yet is an attractive target of adjunct therapy in pneumonia. Here, we investigate the role of oncostatin M (OSM), a pleiotropic cytokine of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) family, and how its signaling modulates multiple innate immune pathways during pneumonia. Previously, we showed that OSM is necessary for neutrophil recruitment to the lungs during pneumonia by stimulating STAT3-driven CXCL5 expression. In this study, transcriptional profiling of whole-lung pneumonia with OSM neutralization revealed 241 differentially expressed genes following only 6 h of infection. Many downregulated genes are associated with STAT1, STAT3, and interferon signaling, suggesting these pathways are induced by OSM early in pneumonia. Interestingly, STAT1 and STAT3 activation was subsequently upregulated with OSM neutralization by 24 h, suggesting that OSM interruption dysregulates these central signaling pathways. When we investigated the source of OSM in pneumonia, neutrophils and, to a lesser extent, macrophages appear to be primary sources, suggesting a positive feedback loop of OSM production by neutrophils. From these studies, we conclude that OSM produced by recruited neutrophils tunes early innate immune signaling pathways, improving pneumonia outcomes.
Chronic Fatigue After Thyroidectomy: A Patient-Centered Survey

Background Fatigue after thyroidectomy is common, but there is a paucity of data regarding its prevalence and duration. We hypothesized that total thyroidectomy (TT) patients would have more long-term fatigue than thyroid lobectomy (TL) patients. Methods Statewide survey of thyroidectomy patients (2004-2017) was carried out. Results 281 patients completed the survey. 216 respondents (77%) had TT and 65 (23%) had TL. Within one year of surgery, 172 (61%) respondents recalled being troubled by new fatigue all, most, or some of the time. Total thyroidectomy patients were more likely to report new fatigue (69% vs. 44%, aOR 2.72, 95% CI 1.44 to 5.18). Of patients (n = 172) reporting new fatigue, 67 (39%) reported at least moderate improvement. Nineteen (28%) saw improvement within 1 year, 35 (52%) saw improvement in 1-2 years, and 11 (16%) saw improvement after 2 years. Conclusion Long-term fatigue after TT can be debilitating, long-lasting, and less prevalent after TL.