Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 17.6-Bit 800-SPS Energy-Efficient Read-Out IC With Input Impedance Boosting

A 17.6-bit, 800-sample-per-second (SPS) read-out integrated circuit (IC) has been implemented for a bridge sensor. The read-out IC has a capacitively coupled instrumentation amplifier (CCIA) with a sensor offset voltage compensation circuit, an amplifier offset voltage compensation circuit, and an input impedance boosting loop (IBL). Followed by the CCIA, a programmable-gain third-order discrete-time incremental delta–sigma (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta \Sigma)$ </tex-math></inline-formula> analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with an output data rate (ODR) of 12.8 kHz shortens the sensing time to reduce the static power consumption of the resistive bridge sensor and the read-out IC. To boost the input impedance of the CCIA, the system-level input and output choppers operate at a frequency of 12.8 kHz. The <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta \Sigma $ </tex-math></inline-formula> modulator converts the modulated signal to digital with a sampling clock of 4 MHz. The system-level chopping reduces the residual offset and the low-frequency noise with an on-chip cascade of integrators (CoIs) filter. Implemented in a 0.13-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> CMOS process, the read-out circuit achieves an input impedance of 22 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{M}\Omega $ </tex-math></inline-formula> at a data rate of 800 SPS, a sensor offset compensation range of ±350 mV, a maximum effective resolution of 17.6 bits, and an input-referred noise of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.72 \mu \text{V}_{\text {RMS}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> at a gain of 128. It draws an average current of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$106.3 \mu \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> from a 3-V supply and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1.3 \mu \text{A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> from a 1.5-V supply.
Visual Diagnostics of Dental Caries through Deep Learning of Non-Standardised Photographs Using a Hybrid YOLO Ensemble and Transfer Learning Model

Background: Access to oral healthcare is not uniform globally, particularly in rural areas with limited resources, which limits the potential of automated diagnostics and advanced tele-dentistry applications. The use of digital caries detection and progression monitoring through photographic communication, is influenced by multiple variables that are difficult to standardize in such settings. The objective of this study was to develop a novel and cost-effective virtual computer vision AI system to predict dental cavitations from non-standardised photographs with reasonable clinical accuracy. Methods: A set of 1703 augmented images was obtained from 233 de-identified teeth specimens. Images were acquired using a consumer smartphone, without any standardised apparatus applied. The study utilised state-of-the-art ensemble modeling, test-time augmentation, and transfer learning processes. The “you only look once” algorithm (YOLO) derivatives, v5s, v5m, v5l, and v5x, were independently evaluated, and an ensemble of the best results was augmented, and transfer learned with ResNet50, ResNet101, VGG16, AlexNet, and DenseNet. The outcomes were evaluated using precision, recall, and mean average precision (mAP). Results: The YOLO model ensemble achieved a mean average precision (mAP) of 0.732, an accuracy of 0.789, and a recall of 0.701. When transferred to VGG16, the final model demonstrated a diagnostic accuracy of 86.96%, precision of 0.89, and recall of 0.88. This surpassed all other base methods of object detection from free-hand non-standardised smartphone photographs. Conclusion: A virtual computer vision AI system, blending a model ensemble, test-time augmentation, and transferred deep learning processes, was developed to predict dental cavitations from non-standardised photographs with reasonable clinical accuracy. This model can improve access to oral healthcare in rural areas with limited resources, and has the potential to aid in automated diagnostics and advanced tele-dentistry applications.
The role of collective effects and secular mass migration on galactic transformation

Abstract During the lifetime of a galaxy, secular radial mass redistribution is expected to gradually build up a bulge and transform the Hubble type from late to early. The dominant dynamical process responsible for this transformation is a collective instability mediated by density-wave collisionless shocks (Zhang 1996, 1998, 1999). The ability of this new mechanism to secularly redistribute the STELLAR mass provides a general pathway for the formation and evolution of the majority of Hubble types, ranging from late type disk galaxiess to disky ellipticals. ATLAS3D results (Cappellari et al. 2013) showed that spirals and S0s and disky ellipticals form a continuous trend of evolution which also coincides with the aging of the stellar population of galactic disks. The importance of stellar accretion is also revealed in the results of the COSMOS team which showed that the evolution of the black-hole-mass/bulge-mass correlation since z = 1 was mainly due to the mass redistribution on pre-existing STELLAR disks which were already in place by z = 1 (Cisternas et al. 2011). The weaker correlation between the masses of late-type bulges and AGNs observed at any given epoch in our view is a result of the quicker initial onset of accretion events in AGN disks compared to that in galactic disks, since the dynamical timescale is shorter for smaller AGN accretion disks. The same secular dynamical process can produce and maintain the well-known scaling relations and universal rotation curves of observed galaxies during their Hubble-type transformation (Zhang 2008), as well as reproduce many other observed structural and kinematic properties of galaxies such as the size-line-width relation of the interstellar medium and the age-velocity dispersion relation of solar neighborhood stars in our own Galaxy. A by-product of this analysis is a powerful new method for locating the multiple corotation resonances in galaxies (Zhang & Buta 2007; Buta & Zhang 2009). The current work also highlights the connection between collective effects in galactic dynamics and nonequilibrium phase transition processes in other branches of physics such as fluid turbulence and spontaneous breaking of gauge symmetry in high-energy physics. The continuous build-up of the Hubble sequence of galaxies through secular mass accretion also hints at the baryonic nature of galactic dark matter and poses challenges to the existing LCDM paradigm, since the well-known adiabatic compression process during baryonic mass inflow produced by secular evolution would lead to a concentration of the cold dark matter to the central region of early-type galaxies, which is not observed.
Improved Quality Management of the Indian Meal Moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) for Enhanced Efficacy of the Sterile Insect Technique

Simple Summary The Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella, is an important pest of stored products across the globe. The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been widely used for controlling insect pests, but there are few reports on the use of the SIT against stored product insects. In this study, we tested parameters that can be used with success for the implementation of the SIT for the control of P. interpuntella. The current work indicated that the utilization of SIT for this purpose is feasible, and its efficacy is highly influenced by the irradiation dose, the life stage of the target species and the temperature level. Furthermore, the present findings also showed that the simultaneous release of sub-sterile male and sterile female moths might improve the efficacy of SIT, increasing the overall pest population suppression. Abstract The sterile insect technique (SIT) is considered an environmentally friendly, autocidal control tactic to manage insect pests. This work dealt with the improvement of quality management of the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) for enhanced efficacy of the SIT. The results indicated that egg hatching of irradiated mature eggs of P. interpunctella was higher than that of younger eggs, indicating that mature eggs were significantly more tolerant than younger eggs. Moreover, our data revealed that a dose of 500 Gy completely prevented pupal formation in irradiated young and mature larvae. Crosses between irradiated and non-irradiated adults resulted in considerable variations in fecundity. The mating competitiveness index (CI) value was higher for a ratio of 5:1:1 (sterile male, fertile male, and fertile female, respectively) as compared with the ratio 1:1:1 for the irradiated individuals of all life stages. Low temperature (5 °C) maintenance of irradiated pupae significantly affected adult emergence. Using cylinders to assess flight ability, we found that the flight performance of adults that were developed from cold treated irradiated pupae was influenced by cylinder diameter, cylinder height and the number of hours the insects were in the cylinders. The percentage of DNA damage of the reproductive organs of adults developed from cold treated pupae that were irradiated with 100 and 150 Gy varied significantly. The results of this study should be used to implement pilot-scale field tests aiming at a sterile- to-fertile male ratio of 5 to 1.
Impact of State-Level Changes to School-Based Autism Identification Criteria

Abstract School and medical settings often use different identification criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disability affecting social-communication, behavioral patterns, and sensory experiences. Further, individual states may use varied definitions for special education eligibility. On January 1, 2019, the State of Oregon began implementing overhauled statewide criteria and evaluation requirements for ASD special education eligibility that directly align with current medical system criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Immediately following these changes, and then again 1 year later in January of 2020 (prior to the COVID-19 pandemic), we surveyed school-based practitioners across the state about their ASD evaluation practices as well as their knowledge, training, and beliefs regarding the newly revised standards. Our results indicated that practitioners felt more familiar with and had received better training on the new standards after a full year of implementation and that 58% of practitioners had changed their evaluation procedures in some way. However, 74% of practitioners reported that despite these changes, there was no difference in the number of students being found eligible for an ASD diagnosis, indicating that the real-world impact of the statewide policy change might be more limited than initially believed. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Green Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Gold Nanoparticles of a Controlled Size and Shape Obtained Using Shock Wave Extracts from Amphipterygium adstringens

In this study, green chemistry was used as a tool to obtain gold nanoparticles using Amphipterygium adstringens extracts as a synthesis medium. Green ethanolic and aqueous extracts were obtained using ultrasound and shock wave-assisted extraction. Gold nanoparticles with sizes ranging between 100 and 150 nm were obtained with ultrasound aqueous extract. Interestingly, homogeneous quasi-spherical gold nanoparticles with sizes between 50 and 100 nm were achieved with shock wave aqueous-ethanolic extracts. Furthermore, 10 nm gold nanoparticles were obtained by the traditional methanolic macerate extraction method. The physicochemical characteristics, morphology, size, stability, and Z potential of the nanoparticles were determined using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The viability assay in leukemia cells (Jurkat) was performed using two different sets of gold nanoparticles, with final IC50 values of 87 µM and 94.7 µM, reaching a maximum cell viability decrease of 80% The results do not indicate a significant difference between the cytotoxic effects produced by the gold nanoparticles synthesized in this study and vincristine on normal lymphoblasts (CRL-1991).
Challenges and recommendations to improve institutional review boards’ review of community-engaged research proposals: A scoping review

Abstract Academic and community investigators conducting community-engaged research (CEnR) are often met with challenges when seeking Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. This scoping review aims to identify challenges and recommendations for CEnR investigators and community partners working with IRBs. Peer-reviewed articles that reported on CEnR, specified study-related challenges, and lessons learned for working with IRBs and conducted in the United States were included for review. Fifteen studies met the criteria and were extracted for this review. Four challenges identified (1) Community partners not being recognized as research partners (2) Cultural competence, language of consent forms, and literacy level of partners; (3) IRBs apply formulaic approaches to CEnR; & (4) Extensive delays in IRB preparation and approval potentially stifle the relationships with community partners. Recommendations included (1) Training IRBs to understand CEnR principles to streamline and increase the flexibility of the IRB review process; (2) Identifying influential community stakeholders who can provide support for the study; and (3) Disseminating human subjects research training that is accessible to all community investigator to satisfy IRB concerns. Findings from our study suggest that IRBs can benefit from more training in CEnR requirements and methodologies
Magnetic field analysis of quick response type superconducting generator

The calculation of magnetic flux distribution in a superconducting generator is the basis of design procedures. In this paper, a method is introduced to analyze the fields by means of the finite element method based on Fourier series expansion and the T-/spl Omega/ method. The proposed method is applied to the 70 MW superconducting generator design, and the flux distributions due to the field and armature currents are evaluated. Also, the magnetic thrust force due to the rotor position is discussed. >
High-Multiplex Aptamer-Based Serum Proteomics to Identify Candidate Serum Biomarkers of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary Oral cancer is a life-threatening disease and among the ten most common cancer types. Specific protein biomarkers in the blood of these patients may allow early tumor detection, earlier intervention and help to individualize therapy resulting in improved patient survival. This exploratory study analyzed the serum proteome with a highly reliable technology to define novel, non-invasive biomarkers of oral cancer. Our results showed important differences of the serum levels of 63 proteins in oral cancer patients vs. controls and of 121 proteins discriminating between patients before and after curative surgery. Our study proves the feasibility of this approach to establish novel serum biomarkers that help to improve the treatment of patients with oral cancer. Abstract Improved serological biomarkers are needed for the early detection, risk stratification and treatment surveillance of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We performed an exploratory study using advanced, highly specific, DNA-aptamer-based serum proteomics (SOMAscan, 1305-plex) to identify distinct proteomic changes in patients with OSCC pre- vs. post-resection and compared to healthy controls. A total of 63 significantly differentially expressed serum proteins (each p < 0.05) were found that could discriminate between OSCC and healthy controls with 100% accuracy. Furthermore, 121 proteins were detected that were significantly altered between pre- and post-resection sera, and 12 OSCC-associated proteins reversed to levels equivalent to healthy controls after resection. Of these, 6 were increased and 6 were decreased relative to healthy controls, highlighting the potential relevance of these proteins as OSCC tumor markers. Pathway analyses revealed potential pathophysiological mechanisms associated with OSCC. Hence, quantitative proteome analysis using SOMAscan technology is promising and may aid in the development of defined serum marker assays to predict tumor occurrence, progression and recurrence in OSCC, and to guide personalized therapies.
Novel biocompatible and resorbable UV-transparent phosphate glass based optical fiber

In this paper the first glass based resorbable optical fiber is manufactured and characterized, showing values of attenuation loss from one to two orders of magnitude lower than the polymeric based bioresorbable devices reported in literature. The fiber behaves as a single-mode waveguide at the lower limit of the first biological window (1300 nm) and as a multi-mode waveguide in the visible region (630 nm). Highly transparent calcium-phosphate glasses (PGs) are proposed as a new class of materials for biomedical optics, managing to combine for the first time in a vitreous material solubility in aqueous media, transparency in the near UV region, low intrinsic attenuation loss and thermal stability during fiber drawing. In-vitro tests in physiological conditions show dissolution kinetics of glass fibers in about a month.
Provision of remote methods for estimating soil salinity on meliorated lands

The proposed methodological recommendation on the ground support of remote methods for assessing salinization of soil in reclaimed lands is devoted to the operational monitoring of salinity of reclaimed lands. The assessment and forecasting of cotton yield in the Hungry Steppe and the lower reaches of the Amu Darya, by direct signs of determining salinity at farms, a separate irrigated plot, based on remote information (aerial and space photography - APS and KFS). The task of the under investigations study is visual assessment of soil salinity level by indirect signs: condition of crops, fall of plants, salt bloom, etc. The results of the established check are recorded in the field journal. Salinity map with salinity contours; slightly saline, moderately saline and strongly saline soils are created based on the studied research materials. Number and location of the main sites for determination of soil salinity features are determined on the basis of analysis of the research materials determined with involvement of other available materials on the soil cover characteristics. Classification of soils according to the degree of salinity is carried out according to the formula WP = PVU + VJp; WP = 51.42 - 96.28 Jp ± 1.12 g ha-1. It is presented in Table 2 for Amu-Darya lower reaches (Khorezm province and the Republic of Karakalpakstan), where + Y - yield calculation; PVU - maximum yield. This program is designed for use in the educational process during practical lessons on agricultural reclamation directions.
Highly efficient quantum dot-based photoconductive THz materials and devices

We demonstrate Terahertz (THz) signal sources based on photoconductive (PC) antenna devices comprising active layers of InAs semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) on GaAs. Antenna structures comprised of multiple active layers of InAs:GaAs PC materials are optically pumped using ultrashort pulses generated by a Ti:Sapphire laser and CW dualwavelength laser diodes. We also characterised THz output signals using a two-antenna coherent detection system. We discuss preliminary performance data from such InAs:GaAs THz devices which exhibit efficient emission of both pulsed and continuous wave (CW) THz signals and significant optical-to-THz conversion at both absorption wavelength ranges, ≤850 nm and ≤1300 nm.
Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation: Considerations for Improving Clinical Practice

The provision of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) devices to enhance cough efficacy is increasing. Typically, MI-E devices are used to augment cough in patients with neuromuscular disorders but also in patients who are weak in an acute care setting. Despite a growing evidence base for the use of these devices, there are barriers to the provision of MI-E, including clinician lack of knowledge and confidence. Enhancing clinician education and confidence is key. Individualized or protocolized approaches can be used to initiate MI-E. Evaluation of MI-E efficacy is critical. One method to evaluate effectiveness of MI-E is the MI-E-assisted cough peak flow (CPF). However, this should always be considered alongside other factors discussed in this review. The purpose of this review is to increase the theoretical understanding of the provision and evaluation of MI-E and provide insight into how this knowledge can be applied into clinical practice. Approaches to initiation and titration can be selected based on the clinical situation, patient diagnosis (including and beyond neuromuscular disorders), and clinician’s confidence.
The Bradley-Terry Probability Model and Preference Tasting

Broadly speaking, two methods of appraising sensory differences may be distinguished: scoring and ranking. There are also two sources of sensory difference: that among the intensities of several stimuli identical in kind, and that among preferences in a group of stimuli that may or may not be of the same kind. This paper is concerned with the applicability of the simplest form of ranking, namely, pair comparisons, to testing in general and taste preferences in particular. In organoleptic work it is usually rewarding to postulate a sensory continuum whose points, S, are monotonically related to the concentration, C, of a given stimulus in a given medium. Some controversy has centred on the meaningfulness of this notion, and on its right to come within the ambit of metrology at all; here, without discussion, the view will be adopted that the concept is operationally valid, and that the practical problem is to refine the measuring technique. A common further assumption is that the relation approximates to the Fechnerian form S = a + ES log (C/CO), where a and ES are constants and CO is the threshold detectable concentration, over a certain critical range. We shall not at the moment perpend this relation, but may observe that, whatever the true equation, its parameters are likely to be biological variants over the universe of tasters. A preference continuum is a more nebulous concept. In simplest form, it may be thought of as a series of points forming an ordinate of preference, P, to an abscissa of concentration, C, of a given stimulus; and it is not difficult to visualize a curve that maximizes P at some particular concentration. But a preference continuum must also be applicable to a series of stimuli that are at least partially different in kind. This necessitates a more complex model in which P is a function of an n-dimensional vector quantity. Can such a continuum be validated? In other words, can a subject's preference statements, in suitably selected and controlled situations, concerning a set of flavors, be