Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Latex film formation

Introduction. Polymer latexes comprise colloidal dispersions of submicroscopic polymer spheres in water. These latexes have a dual character: colloidal because the latex is a colloidal sol and polymeric because each colloidal particle has the same properties as the bulk polymer. Some latexes dry to form tough, transparent, continuous films, while others form friable, opaque, discontinuous films, according to the composition of the polymer and the conditions of drying. The latex film formation process which comprises the transformation of the colloidal dispersion into the continuous polymer film is the subject of this article.
A Frequency Synthesizer Based Microwave Permittivity Sensor Using CMRC Structure

In this paper, a high-sensitive microwave dielectric sensor targeted for material permittivity characterization is proposed. A reflective voltage controlled oscillator is devised by virtue of the compact microstrip resonant cell (CMRC) and embedded into a fractional- $N$ phase-locked loop frequency synthesizer. The CMRC structure, covered with material under test, changes its resonating characteristics and, hence, the initial oscillating frequency. Due to the presence of the frequency synthesizer, this frequency shift is finally translated into the controlling voltage variation. In this paper, the material permittivity is extracted by measuring the voltage deviation. Several different samples with known permittivity values are tested to verify the effectiveness of the design sensing platform.
Insertion Polymorphisms of Mobile Genetic Elements in Sexual and Asexual Populations of Daphnia pulex

Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a substantial portion of many eukaryotic genomes, and can in principle contribute to evolutionary innovation as well as genomic deterioration. Daphnia pulex serves as a useful model for studying TE dynamics as a potential cause and/or consequence of asexuality. We analyzed insertion polymorphisms of TEs in 20 sexual and 20 asexual isolates of D. pulex across North American from their available whole-genome sequencing data. Our results show that the total fraction of the derived sequences of TEs is not substantially different between asexual and sexual D. pulex isolates. However, in general, sexual clones contain fewer fixed TE insertions but more total insertion polymorphisms than asexual clones, supporting the hypothesis that sexual reproduction facilitates the spread and elimination of TEs. We identified nine asexual-specific fixed TE insertions, eight long terminal repeat retrotransposons, and one DNA transposon. By comparison, no sexual-specific fixed TE insertions were observed in our analysis. Furthermore, except one TE insertion located on a contig from chromosome 7, the other eight asexual-specific insertion sites are located on contigs from chromosome 9 that is known to be associated with obligate asexuality in D. pulex. We found that all nine asexual-specific fixed TE insertions can also be detected in some Daphnia pulicaria isolates, indicating that a substantial number of TE insertions in asexual D. pulex have been directly inherited from D. pulicaria during the origin of obligate asexuals.
Event‐based global stabilization of linear systems via a saturated linear controller

This paper investigates the problem of event‐based linear control of systems subject to input saturation. First, for discrete‐time systems with neutrally stable or double‐integrator dynamics, novel event‐triggered control algorithms with non‐quadratic event‐triggering conditions are proposed to achieve global stabilization. Compared with the quadratic event‐triggering conditions, the non‐quadratic ones can further reduce unnecessary control updates for the input‐saturated systems. Furthermore, for continuous‐time systems with neutrally stable or double‐integrator dynamics, because an inherent lower bound of the inter‐event time does not exist for systems subject to input saturation, novel event‐triggered control algorithms with an appropriately selected minimum inter‐event time are proposed to achieve global stabilization. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate the theoretical results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Employing an orthotopic model to study the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer metastasis

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in the progression of bladder cancer. To study its contribution to bladder cancer metastasis, we established new xenograft models derived from human bladder cancer cell lines utilizing an orthotopic “recycling” technique that allowed us to isolate and examine the primary tumor and its corresponding circulating tumor cells (CTC’s) and metastatic lesions. Using whole genome mRNA expression profiling, we found that a reversible epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characterized by TGFβ pathway activation and SNAIL expression was associated with the accumulation of CTCs. Finally, we observed that conditional silencing of SNAIL completely blocked CTC production and regional/distant metastasis. Using this unique bladder cancer xenograft model, we conclude that metastasis is dependent on a reversible EMT mediated by SNAIL.
Use of Unannounced Telephone Pill Counts to Measure Medication Adherence Among Adolescents and Young Adults Living With Perinatal HIV Infection

Objective To examine unannounced telephone pill counts as a measure of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents and young adults living with perinatal HIV infection. Methods Participants were recruited from an ongoing longitudinal study to complete four monthly, unannounced telephone pill counts. Detailed notes concerning participants' medication habits surrounding adherence were recorded. Results Two-thirds of 102 eligible participants aged 18-27 years participated; 57% were female, 69% were Black. Blacks and participants with viral loads >40 and >1,000 copies/ml were less likely to participate. Average adherence across calls was 77%. Those who completed all calls averaged significantly higher adherence scores than those who did not. Calls revealed adherence barriers at individual (e.g., medication disorganization), social (e.g., limited support), and system (e.g., pharmacy problems) levels. Conclusions Despite challenges, this procedure can be implemented with this population and can help identify adherence barriers important for interventions that address medication-taking behaviors.
Modified multilevel topology for grid integration of high power solar PV system

Optimizing power loss, cost and space are major concerns when it comes to interfacing of solar PV system to grid. For injection to grid, the harmonics generated by the power electronic interface have to be well within the standards. The harmonic filters required to achieve this are bulky and lossy for a normal 3 level inverter. To overcome this issue, a modified multilevel reduced switch topology for grid integration of renewable source for high power level is presented in this paper. Configuration of solar PV interface to proposed inverter have been discuss using an example of 1MW/11kV, solar power plant. The modular structure of the topology reduces stress on H-bridge switches. Enhanced phase lock loop for synchronization with grid and hysteresis current control (HCC) for controlling the power flow has been discussed. The above configuration is simulated in MATLAB Simulink and verified experimentally using TI-Launchpad F28377D as processor for 7-level single phase modified topology operating at unit power factor in grid support and grid injection mode.
Treatment simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine versus maintenance of atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs in virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected patients: 48 week results from a randomized trial (ATLAS-M)

Background Combination ART (cART)-related toxicities and costs have prompted the need for treatment simplification. The ATLAS-M trial explored 48 week non-inferior efficacy of simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine versus maintaining three-drug atazanavir/ritonavir-based cART in virologically suppressed patients. Methods We performed an open-label, multicentre, randomized, non-inferiority study, enrolling HIV-infected adults on atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs, with stable HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL and CD4 + >200 cells/mm 3 . Main exclusion criteria were hepatitis B virus coinfection, past virological failure on or resistance to study drugs, recent AIDS and pregnancy. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to either switch to 300 mg of atazanavir/100 mg of ritonavir once daily and 300 mg of lamivudine once daily (atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine arm) or to continue the previous regimen (atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs arm). The primary study outcome was the maintenance of HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL at week 48 of the ITT-exposed (ITT-e) analysis with switch = failure. The non-inferiority margin was 12%. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01599364. Results Between July 2011 and June 2014, 266 patients were randomized (133 to each arm). After 48 weeks, the primary study outcome was met by 119 of 133 patients (89.5%) in the atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine arm and 106 of 133 patients (79.7%) in the atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs arm [difference atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine versus atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs arm: +9.8% (95% CI + 1.2 to + 18.4)], demonstrating non-inferiority and superior efficacy of the atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine arm. Virological failure occurred in two (1.5%) patients in the atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine arm and six (4.5%) patients in the atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs arm, without resistance selection. A similar proportion of adverse events occurred in both arms. Conclusions Treatment simplification to atazanavir/ritonavir + lamivudine showed non-inferior efficacy (superiority on post-hoc analysis) and a comparable safety profile over continuing atazanavir/ritonavir + two NRTIs in virologically suppressed patients.
A Rate Dependent Stress-Strain Relationship Model for Normal, High and Ultra-High Strength Concrete

High and ultra-high strength concrete are becoming popular for many applications, including critical infrastructure subjected to high strain rate loading such as blast and impact. A strain rate dependent material model that is applicable to a range of strengths, varying from normal strength to ultra-high strength concrete, is presented in this paper. The results from a comprehensive experimental study conducted to investigate the strength and deformation capacity of concrete cylinders under high-velocity impact loading using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) test setup is reported. Unconfined 50 mm diameter concrete cylinders with compressive strengths varying from 32 MPa (4640 psi) to 160 MPa (23 200 psi) were tested to derive the dynamic properties of concrete at strain rates up to 300 s−1. The SHPB test data were analysed to obtain the stress-strain relationships and strength dynamic increase factors (DIFs) for these concrete specimens under dynamic axial compression.
Association of serum albumin levels with kidney function decline and incident chronic kidney disease in elders

Background Previous studies in HIV-infected individuals have demonstrated serum albumin to be strongly associated with kidney function decline, independent of urine albumin and inflammatory markers. Lower serum albumin concentrations may be an under-appreciated risk factor for kidney function decline in elders. Methods We performed a cohort analysis in the Health Aging and Body Composition Study, a cohort of well-functioning, bi-racial, community-dwelling elders between the age of 70 and 79 years. We examined the associations of serum albumin concentration with longitudinal kidney function decline by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Outcomes included linear eGFR decline, rapid kidney function decline defined as >30% decrease in eGFR, defined as a final eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in those with an eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline. Cystatin C-based eGFR was calculated at baseline, Year 3 and Year 10. Results Mean age was 74 years, and mean eGFR was 73 mL/min/1.73 m2 at baseline. The mean rate of eGFR change was 1.81 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. After multivariate adjustment, lower serum albumin concentrations were strongly and independently associated with kidney function decline (-0.11 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year for each standard deviation decrease serum albumin; -0.01 to - 0.20) with no attenuation after adjustment for urine albumin and inflammatory markers (-0.12, -0.03 to - 0.22). When divided into quartiles, serum albumin levels ≤3.80 g/dL were associated with increased odds of rapid kidney function decline (odds ratio 1.59; 1.12-2.26) and increased risk of incident chronic kidney disease (incident rate ratio 1.29; 1.03-1.62) relative to levels >4.21g/dL. Urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) was also significantly and independently associated with kidney function decline (-0.08 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year for urine ACR >30 mg/g; -0.82 to - 0.13). Conclusions Lower serum albumin levels are strongly and independently associated with kidney function decline in elders, independent of clinical risk factors, urine albumin and measured inflammatory markers.
Compressed-domain Video Synopsis via 3D Graph Cut and Blank Frame Deletion

With the wide adoption in surveillance video analysis, some pixel-domain analysis methods are not only used in academia but are also garnering the attention of industry. However, because of the increasing data volume of video, how to analyze and browse surveillance videos in a fast and effective way has continued to present an intractable problem in practical applications. Therefore, a synopsis analysis method based on blank frame deletion in the compressed domain is proposed in this paper to achieve fast synopsis analysis and video browsing. Our main contributions are: 1) An algorithm of compressed-domain 3D graph cut is introduced to support the fast object tubes segmentation and synopsis analysis in the compressed domain. 2) A concept, referred to as virtual blank frame, is introduced and applied into synopsis analysis. This proposed video synopsis method can further synopsize the video in the spatio-temporal domain through deleting the virtual blank frames after real blank frame deletion. 3) A comprehensive solution, synopsis analyzing based on blank frame deletion in the compressed domain and fast browsing synopsis video in the pixel domain, is provided for video synopsis, which is effective and efficient for video surveillance. Experimental results show that our approach maintains a stable performance in fast synopsis analysis in the H.264 compressed domain.
Design and implementation of a digitally controlled single‐inductor dual‐output (SIDO) buck converter

This paper describes design and implementation of a digitally controlled single‐inductor dual‐output (SIDO) buck converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode. This converter adopts time‐multiplexing control in providing two independent output voltages using only an inductor. The design issues of the digital controller are discussed, including static and dynamic characteristics. Implementation of the controller, a modified hybrid digital pulse width modulator and a single look‐up table are developed. The digital controller was implemented on a field‐programmable gate array‐based control board. Experimental results demonstrating system validity are presented for a SIDO buck converter with nominal 3.6 V input voltage, and the outputs are regulated at 1.8 and 2.2 V. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explore Interregional EEG Correlations Changed by Sport Training Using Feature Selection

This paper investigated the interregional correlation changed by sport training through electroencephalography (EEG) signals using the techniques of classification and feature selection. The EEG data are obtained from students with long-time professional sport training and normal students without sport training as baseline. Every channel of the 19-channel EEG signals is considered as a node in the brain network and Pearson Correlation Coefficients are calculated between every two nodes as the new features of EEG signals. Then, the Partial Least Square (PLS) is used to select the top 10 most varied features and Pearson Correlation Coefficients of selected features are compared to show the difference of two groups. Result shows that the classification accuracy of two groups is improved from 88.13% by the method using measurement of EEG overall energy to 97.19% by the method using EEG correlation measurement. Furthermore, the features selected reveal that the most important interregional EEG correlation changed by training is the correlation between left inferior frontal and left middle temporal with a decreased value.
Multi‐label classifier based on histogram of gradients for predicting the anatomical therapeutic chemical class/classes of a given compound

Motivation: Given an unknown compound, is it possible to predict its Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical class/classes? This is a challenging yet important problem since such a prediction could be used to deduce not only a compound's possible active ingredients but also its therapeutic, pharmacological and chemical properties, thereby substantially expediting the pace of drug development. The problem is challenging because some drugs and compounds belong to two or more ATC classes, making machine learning extremely difficult. Results: In this article a multi‐label classifier system is proposed that incorporates information about a compound's chemical‐chemical interaction and its structural and fingerprint similarities to other compounds belonging to the different ATC classes. The proposed system reshapes a 1D feature vector to obtain a 2D matrix representation of the compound. This matrix is then described by a histogram of gradients that is fed into a Multi‐Label Learning with Label‐Specific Features classifier. Rigorous cross‐validations demonstrate the superior prediction quality of this method compared with other state‐of‐the‐art approaches developed for this problem, a superiority that is reflected particularly in the absolute true rate, the most important and harshest metric for assessing multi‐label systems. Availability and implementation: The MATLAB code for replicating the experiments presented in this article is available at https://www.dropbox. com/s/7v1mey48tl9bfgz/ToolPaperATC.rar? dl=0. Contact: loris.nanni@unipd.it Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in gynecologic cancers

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) reflects changes in proton mobility caused by pathological alterations of tissue cellularity, cellular membrane integrity, extracellular space perfusion, and fluid viscosity. Functional imaging is becoming increasingly important in the evaluation of cancer patients because of the limitations of morphologic imaging. DWI is being applied to the detection and characterization of tumors and the evaluation of treatment response in patients with cancer. The advantages of DWI include its cost-effectiveness and brevity of execution, its complete noninvasiveness, its lack of ionizing radiation, and the fact that it does not require injection of contrast material, thus enabling its use in patients with renal dysfunction. In this article, we describe the clinical application of DWI to gynecological disorders and its diagnostic efficacy therein.
LEGO-MM: LEarning Structured Model by Probabilistic loGic Ontology Tree for MultiMedia

Recent advances in multimedia ontology have resulted in a number of concept models, e.g., large-scale concept for multimedia and Mediamill 101, which are accessible and public to other researchers. However, most current research effort still focuses on building new concepts from scratch, very few work explores the appropriate method to construct new concepts upon the existing models already in the warehouse. To address this issue, we propose a new framework in this paper, termed LEarning Structured Model by Probabilistic loGic Ontology Tree for MultiM edia (LEGO 1 -MM), which can seamlessly integrate both the new target training examples and the existing primitive concept models to infer the more complex concept models. LEGO-MM treats the primitive concept models as the lego toy to potentially construct an unlimited vocabulary of new concepts. Specifically, we first formulate the logic operations to be the lego connectors to combine the existing concept models hierarchically in probabilistic logic ontology trees. Then, we incorporate new target training information simultaneously to efficiently disambiguate the underlying logic tree and correct the error propagation. Extensive experiments are conducted on a large vehicle domain data set from ImageNet. The results demonstrate that LEGO-MM has significantly superior performance over the existing state-of-the-art methods, which build new concept models from scratch.
Arthroscopy of the normal cadaveric ovine femorotibial joint: a systematic approach to the cranial and caudal compartments

Summary Objectives: Preclinical studies using large animal models play an intergral part in translational research. For this study, our objectives were: to develop and validate arthroscopic approaches to four compartments of the stifle joint as determined via the gross and arthroscopic anatomy of the cranial and caudal aspects of the joint. Methods: Cadaveric hindlimbs (n = 39) were harvested from mature ewes. The anatomy was examined by tissue dissection (n = 6), transverse sections (n = 4), and computed tomography (n = 4). The joint was arthroscopically explored in 25 hindlimbs. Results: A cranio-medial portal was created medial to the patellar ligament. The craniolateral portal was made medial to the extensor digitorum longus tendon. The medial femoral condyle was visible, as well as the cranial cruciate ligament, caudal cruciate ligament and both menisci with the inter-meniscal ligament. Valgus stress improved visibility of the caudal horn of the medial meniscus and tibial plateau. To explore the caudal compartments, a portal was created 1 cm proximal to the most caudal aspect of the tibial condyle. Both femoral condyles, menisci, caudal cruciate ligament, the popliteal tendon and the menisco-femoral ligament were visible. The common peroneal nerve and popliteal artery and vein are vulnerable structures to injury during arthroscopy. Clinical significance: The arthroscopic approach developed in this research is ideal to evaluate the ovine stifle joint.
What explains patterns of biodiversity across the Tree of Life?

A major challenge in biology is to explain why some groups have thousands or millions of species whereas others have few. Here, I review the causes of this variation. New studies reveal that higher species numbers in many major groups are explained by higher diversification rates (and traits that accelerate these rates). These traits span most of biology (e.g. genomics, ecology, morphology). Rather than simply testing individual traits, research should now focus on comparing how much variation in diversification rates is explained by different types of traits. For example, is local‐scale ecology (e.g. microhabitat, diet) more important than large‐scale climate (e.g. occurring in tropical vs. temperate regions)? Are traits based on particular values (e.g. smaller body sizes) more important than those based on rates of change (e.g. faster size evolution)? I review recent results on the relative importance of different traits for driving diversification, and present a framework for future research.