Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On implementation of the Gibbs sampler for estimating the accuracy of multiple diagnostic tests

Implementation of the Gibbs sampler for estimating the accuracy of multiple binary diagnostic tests in one population has been investigated. This method, proposed by Joseph, Gyorkos and Coupal, makes use of a Bayesian approach and is used in the absence of a gold standard to estimate the prevalence, the sensitivity and specificity of medical diagnostic tests. The expressions that allow this method to be implemented for an arbitrary number of tests are given. By using the convergence diagnostics procedure of Raftery and Lewis, the relation between the number of iterations of Gibbs sampling and the precision of the estimated quantiles of the posterior distributions is derived. An example concerning a data set of gastro-esophageal reflux disease patients collected to evaluate the accuracy of the water siphon test compared with 24 h pH-monitoring, endoscopy and histology tests is presented. The main message that emerges from our analysis is that implementation of the Gibbs sampler to estimate the parameters of multiple binary diagnostic tests can be critical and convergence diagnostic is advised for this method. The factors which affect the convergence of the chains to the posterior distributions and those that influence the precision of their quantiles are analyzed.
COVID-19 Patients in the COVID-19 Recovery and Engagement (CORE) Clinics in the Bronx

Background: Early in the pandemic, we established COVID-19 Recovery and Engagement (CORE) Clinics in the Bronx and implemented a detailed evaluation protocol to assess physical, emotional, and cognitive function, pulmonary function tests, and imaging for COVID-19 survivors. Here, we report our findings up to five months post-acute COVID-19. Methods: Main outcomes and measures included pulmonary function tests, imaging tests, and a battery of symptom, physical, emotional, and cognitive assessments 5 months post-acute COVID-19. Findings: Dyspnea, fatigue, decreased exercise tolerance, brain fog, and shortness of breath were the most common symptoms but there were generally no significant differences between hospitalized and non-hospitalized cohorts (p > 0.05). Many patients had abnormal physical, emotional, and cognitive scores, but most functioned independently; there were no significant differences between hospitalized and non-hospitalized cohorts (p > 0.05). Six-minute walk tests, lung ultrasound, and diaphragm excursion were abnormal but only in the hospitalized cohort. Pulmonary function tests showed moderately restrictive pulmonary function only in the hospitalized cohort but no obstructive pulmonary function. Newly detected major neurological events, microvascular disease, atrophy, and white-matter changes were rare, but lung opacity and fibrosis-like findings were common after acute COVID-19. Interpretation: Many COVID-19 survivors experienced moderately restrictive pulmonary function, and significant symptoms across the physical, emotional, and cognitive health domains. Newly detected brain imaging abnormalities were rare, but lung imaging abnormalities were common. This study provides insights into post-acute sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 infection in neurological and pulmonary systems which may be used to support at-risk patients and develop effective screening methods and interventions.
A Bolometric Millimeter-wave System for Observations of Anisotropy in the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation on Medium Angular Scales

We report the performance of a bolometric system designed to measure the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation on angular scales from 0 deg 3 min to 3 deg. The system represents a collaborative effort combining a low-background 1 m diameter balloon-borne telescope with new multimode feed optics, a beam modulation mechanism with high stability, and a four-channel bolometric receiver with passbands centered near frequencies of 3 (90), 6 (180), 9 (270), and 12 (360) cm(exp -1) (GHz). The telescope was flown three times with the bolometric receiver and has demonstrated detector noise limited performance capable of reaching sensitivity levels of Delta(T)/T(sub CMB) is approximately equal to 10(exp -5) with detectors operated at T = 0.3 K.
Evaluation of Cell-Free Synthesized Human Channel Proteins for In Vitro Channel Research

Despite channel proteins being important drug targets, studies on channel proteins remain limited, as the proteins are difficult to express and require correct complex formation within membranes. Although several in vitro synthesized recombinant channels have been reported, considering the vast diversity of the structures and functions of channel proteins, it remains unclear which classes of channels cell-free synthesis can be applied to. In this study, we synthesized 250 clones of human channels, including ion channel pore-forming subunits, gap junction proteins, porins, and regulatory subunits, using a wheat cell-free membrane protein production system, and evaluated their synthetic efficiency and function. Western blotting confirmed that 95% of the channels were successfully synthesized, including very large channels with molecular weights of over 200 kDa. A subset of 47 voltage-gated potassium ion channels was further analyzed using a planar lipid bilayer assay, out of which 80% displayed a voltage-dependent opening in the assay. We co-synthesized KCNB1 and KCNS3, a known heteromeric complex pair, and demonstrated that these channels interact on a liposome. These results indicate that cell-free protein synthesis provides a promising solution for channel studies to overcome the bottleneck of in vitro protein production.
The Minimum Mass Ratio for Contact Close Binary Systems of W Ursae Majoris-type

Extreme mass ratio close binaries of W UMa-type represent an interesting class of objects in which ∼1M⊙ main-sequence star is in contact with a significantly less massive companion (M2 ∼ 0.1M⊙). Earlier theoretical investigations of these systems found that there is a minimum mass ratio q = M2/M1 ≈ 0.085 - 0.095 (obtained for n = 3 polytrope–fully radiative primary) above which these systems are stable. If the mass ratio is lower than minimum, a tidal instability develops (Darwin’s instability). This instability, which is secular, growing on a viscous dissipation timescale, eventually forces the stars to merge into a single, rapidly rotating object (such as FK Com-type stars or blue stragglers), implying that such systems would not be observed. There appear to be, however, some W UMa-type binaries with empirically obtained q values below the theoretical limit for stability. The aim of this dissertation was to try to resolve the discrepancy between theory and observations by considering rotating polytropes. Other candidate systems for stellar mergers such as AM CVn-type stars have also been discussed in the dissertation.
Acrylamide, acrylic acid, or 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid induced cytotoxic in Photobacterium phosphoreum, PC12, and SK‐N‐SH cells

In enhancing oil recovery, more and more new water‐soluble polymers are developed to replace the high toxicity and low stability acrylamide (ACR) monomer. The common replacement monomer is acrylic acid (AA) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPS), which are considered safe and efficient. In this study, AA, ACR and AMPS caused remarkable cytotoxicity in Photobacterium phosphoreum, the rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) and the Human neuroblastoma cells (SK‐N‐SH). ACR is much more lethal than AA and AMPS in PC12 and SK‐N‐SH cells, meanwhile, the toxicity of AA and AMPS decreases with the decrease of acid. Furthermore, similar to ACR, AA, and AMPS can induce severe DNA double‐strand breakage in PC12 and SK‐N‐SH cells. Both AA and ACR can cause cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase in PC12 and SK‐N‐SH cells. In addition, like ACR, AA, and AMPS can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis in both PC12 and SK‐N‐SH cells. The acute toxicity of AA and AMPS is lower than ACR, however, the decline in acute toxicity in monomers does not mean toxic‐free. We should focus on the toxicity of AA and ACR and reduce occupational contact to protect employee occupational health.
Endoglin Is an Important Mediator in the Final Common Pathway of Chronic Kidney Disease to End-Stage Renal Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a slow-developing, progressive deterioration of renal function. The final common pathway in the pathophysiology of CKD involves glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) stimulates the differentiation of fibroblasts towards myofibroblasts and the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and thereby interstitial fibrosis. It has been shown that endoglin (ENG, CD105), primarily expressed in endothelial cells and fibroblasts, can function as a co-receptor of TGF signaling. In several human organs, endoglin tends to be upregulated when chronic damage and fibrosis is present. We hypothesize that endoglin is upregulated in renal interstitial fibrosis and plays a role in the progression of CKD. We first measured renal endoglin expression in biopsy samples obtained from patients with different types of CKD, i.e., IgA nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and patients with chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD). We showed that endoglin is upregulated in CAD patients (p < 0.001) and patients with DN (p < 0.05), compared to control kidneys. Furthermore, the amount of interstitial endoglin expression correlated with eGFR (p < 0.001) and the amount of interstitial fibrosis (p < 0.001), independent of the diagnosis of the biopsies. Finally, we investigated in vitro the effect of endoglin overexpression in TGF-β stimulated human kidney fibroblasts. Overexpression of endoglin resulted in an enhanced ACTA2, CCN2 and SERPINE1 mRNA response (p < 0.05). It also increased the mRNA and protein upregulation of the ECM components collagen type I (COL1A1) and fibronectin (FN1) (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that endoglin is an important mediator in the final common pathway of CKD and could be used as a possible new therapeutic target to counteract the progression towards end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Femtosecond laser polymerization of hybrid/integrated micro-optical elements and their characterization

The femtosecond laser-induced multi-photon polymerization of a zirconium–silicon based sol–gel photopolymer was employed for the fabrication of a series of micro-optical elements with single and combined optical functions: convex and Fresnel lenses, gratings, solid immersion lenses on a glass slide and on the tip of an optical fiber. The microlenses were produced as polymer caps of varying radii from 10 to 90 µm. The matching of refractive indices between the polymer and substrate was exploited for the creation of composite glass-resist structures which functioned as single lenses. Using this principle, solid immersion lenses were fabricated and their performance demonstrated. The magnification of the composite solid immersion lenses corresponded to the calculated values. The surface roughness of the lenses was below ∼ 30 nm, acceptable for optical applications in the visible range. In addition, the integration of micro-optical elements onto the tip of an optical fiber was demonstrated. To increase the efficiency of the 3D laser polymerization, the lenses were formed by scanning only the outer shell and polymerizing the interior by exposure to UV light.
Asymmetric Training in RealnessGAN

Generative adversarial networks (GANs) have demonstrated superior performances in image generation. In recent years, various improvements of network structure and learning theory related to GANs have undergone numerous advancement. Among these improvement techniques, the asymmetric training on the generator and discriminator networks has been widely adopted. For example, the batch normalization is used in generator while the spectral normalization is used in discriminator, or using different learning rates for the generator and discriminator. However, the asymmetric training on the real and generated samples has not been taken into consideration till now. In this paper, we proposed a novel asymmetric training-based RealnessGAN (ATRGAN) which applies the idea of asymmetric training on both samples and networks. Specifically, the asymmetric training on samples refers to performing the differential learning on the real and generated samples by controlling the information entropies of real and fake anchor distributions. The asymmetric training on networks is realized via the sampling transmission $G2D$, which abandons the commonly used independent random sampling. With the help of $G2D$, the discriminator can obtain a dominant training position than the generator, so as to ensure that the discriminator can guide the generator more effectively during training. In addition, we proposed the floating anchor distribution technique and constructed the objective function of generator for ATRGAN. Through comparative experiments, we demonstrated ATRGAN's ability of achieving better generation performance than various SOTA GANs on CIFAR-10, CAT, and CelebA-HQ datasets.
Computation of state realizations for control systems described by a class of linear differential-algebraic equations

Control systems described in terms of a class of linear differential-algebraic equations are introduced. Under appropriate relative degree assumptions, a computational procedure for obtaining an equivalent state realization is developed using a singular value decomposition. Properties such as stability, controllability, observability, etc, for the differential-algebraic system may be studied directly from the state realization. For linear constrained hamiltonian systems, it is shown that the procedure provides a state realization in which the hamiltonian structure is preserved. Similar results are obtained for constrained gradient systems. Control of systems described by this class of differential-algebraic equations, using a transformation to obtain a state realization, completely avoids the need for any new control theoretic machinery.
Adult education: A critical analysis of initial assessment procedures in community learning in the United Kingdom

This article aims to examine and make recommendations to the initial assessment procedures in Adult Education context in the United Kingdom. Teachers and learners are constantly making opinions about their development, and formative assessment is one of the tools used to recognise it. In Adult Education, in addition to formative assessment, learners are expected to undergo initial assessment, testing their level of knowledge/abilities in Language, Literacy or Numeracy. Within the Adult Education context, there are several initial assessment methods available. However, it is the providers who decide which methods are most appropriate for their learners, as different methods may be appropriate in different areas. This research project focuses on an Adult Education provider based in the Midlands, United Kingdom, and offers findings that test and sometimes refute the current theory about initial assessment. Two research methods were employed to achieve the aim and objectives. Firstly, secondary data was researched. Secondly, the qualitative primary data was collected using in-depth focus groups. The research included both practitioners and learners who either conducted or experienced needs analysis processes in the adult learning context. The findings and recommendations of this article propose the use of a more ethical and reliable way of conducting initial assessment in the Adult and Community Learning context.
MicroRNA‑143‑3p levels are reduced in the peripheral blood of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and influences pancreatic β‑cell function and viability

Pancreatic β-cell dysfunction has been demonstrated to mediate key roles in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Accumulating evidence has supported the functional involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in various types of diabetes, including GDM. However, the detailed biological effect of miRNAs in pancreatic β-cell dysfunction remains poorly understood. In the present study, microarray data of miRNAs in the blood plasma of patients with GDM were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus dataset under the accession number GSE98043. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to measure the expression levels of miR-143-3p in the blood plasma isolated from 30 female patients with GDM women and 30 healthy female individuals. Subsequently, murine pancreatic β-cell line, MIN6 cells were treated with high glucose (HG) to construct in vitro cell models of GDM. miR-143-3p in HG-treated MIN6 cells was overexpressed or knocked down using miR-143-3p mimics and miR-143-3p inhibitor. Cell viability, insulin secretion and proinflammatory cytokine production were examined using CCK-8 and ELISA, respectively Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry assay. The protein expression levels of proteins involved in the TAK1/NF-κB pathway were also assessed using western blot. The levels of miR-143-3p were found to be markedly lower in samples from patients with GDM, which were in turn negatively correlated with blood glucose levels. Overexpression of miR-143-3p in MIN6 cells significantly reversed HG-induced cell apoptosis and impairments in cell viability and insulin secretion. In addition, miR-143-3p overexpression attenuated HG-induced proinflammatory cytokine production by MIN6 cells. Subsequently, TGFβ-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), an upstream regulator of the NF-κB pathway, was found to be a direct target of miR-143-3p in pancreatic β cells through luciferase assays and western blot. Overexpression of TAK1 was revealed to abolish the curative effects of miR-143-3p on insulin secretion, cell viability and inflammatory response in HG-treated MIN6 cells. In addition, miR-143-3p could inactivate the NF-κB pathway by inhibiting TAK1 expression. Collectively, these results suggest that miR-143-3p levels are downregulated in the peripheral blood of patients with GDM. Therefore, miR-143-3p overexpression may serve as a method for preventing pancreatic β cell dysfunction by inhibiting the TAK1/NF-κB pathway.
Narrow-Width Effects in 28-nm FD-SOI Transistors Operating at Cryogenic Temperatures

In this paper, we present on the cryogenic characterization of short channel 28-nm FD-SOI nMOS and pMOS transistors having widths of the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1 ~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.08 ~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> at temperatures ranging from T = 300 K down to T = 10 K. We report, for the first time, the alarming concerns that the narrow-width effect imposes on the overall performance of highly scaled FD-SOI technologies, at temperatures below T = 77 K. The performance comparison between nMOS and pMOS devices is based on their drain current, threshold voltage, transconductance, subthreshold slope, low field mobility and total resistance. Our results show that the sensitivity of narrow width effects towards drain current, threshold voltage and total resistance is smaller in pMOS as compared to nMOS. The effective improvement in transconductance is also significantly larger in narrow width pMOS in comparison to their nMOS counterparts. A substantial degradation of subthreshold swing, total resistance and low field mobility is also observed in narrow nMOS devices, which questions the width scaling benefits of these technologies at cryogenic temperatures.
DISTORTIONAL BUCKLING OF COLD-FORMED STEEL SECTIONS SUBJECTED TO UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED TRANSVERSE LOADING

This paper presents an investigation on the influence of stress gradient on the elastic critical stress of distortional buckling of cold-formed steel sections supporting wall sheeting or roof cladding in buildings. The critical stress of distortional buckling of cold-formed steel section beams subjected to a uniformly distributed transverse loading is calculated using the model proposed recently by Li and Chen. The sections investigated in the paper include channel, zed, and sigma sections. Numerical examples are provided that highlight the influence of stress gradient, section dimensions, and sheeting lateral restraints on the critical stress of distortional buckling.
Transition from multiportal video-assisted thoracic surgery to uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery… and evolution to uniportal robotic-assisted thoracic surgery?

The greatest disruptive innovation in lung cancer surgery in modern times has been the switch from open thoracotomy to video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). More recently, the transition from multiportal VATS (MVATS) to uniportal VATS (UVATS) has represented another mini-advance in reducing surgical access trauma. In the search for the next breakthrough in lung cancer surgery, a number of promising candidates have emerged, including screening, sublobar resections, 3D technology, enhanced peri-operative care pathways, ablative therapy and multi-modality management. However, could the way forwards be simply a further minimization of surgical access trauma, and could this be achieved by uniportal robotic surgery? Emergence of a ‘winning’ candidate will depend on a systematic evaluation of the evidence for the benefits and costs of each.
Hybrid bounding volume hierarchies for fast proximity queries

A collision query determines the intersection between given objects, and is used in computer-aided design and manufacturing, animation and simulation systems, and physically-based modeling. Bounding volume hierarchies are one of the simplest and most widely used data structures for performing collision detection on complex models. This paper presented hierarchy of oriented rounded bounding volume for fast proximity queries. Designing hierarchies of new bounding volumes was use to combine multiple bounding volume types in a single hierarchy. The new bounding volume corresponds to geometric shape composed of a core primitive shape grown outward by some offset such as the Minkowski sum of rectangular box and a sphere shape. In the experiment of parallel close proximity, a number of benchmarks to measure the performance of the new bounding box and compare to that of other bounding volumes.
Investigation of different lighting (LED, HPS and FLO) in aquaponics systems for joint production of different plants (Lettuce, Parsley and Cress) and koi carp

We investigated the effects of growth performance of three plant species parsley (Petroselinum crispum), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and cress (Lepidium sativum) under the three different lighting sources, Light-Emitting Diode lamp (LED; 200w), High-Pressure Sodium lamp (HPS; 200w) and Fluorescent lamp (FLO; 200w) in an aquaponic system. A total number of 43 koi fish (Cyprinus carpio var. koi) with 3628 g total biomass (84.4 g per individual) were used. The fish used in the experiment recorded 36% growth and reached an average individual weight of 132.7 g at the end of the experiment. The parsley plant was measured as 8.76 ±7.32 g; 7.45 ±4.13 g; 2.04 ±1.96 g weight after 45 days, the lettuce plant was 54.09 ± 25.60 g; 60.83 ±19.39 g; 17.81 ±6.40 g weight after 54 days, cress plant was 1.03 ±0.58 g; 1.15 ±0.46 g; 1.31 ±0.58 g weight after 42 days, under the HPS, LED, and FLO light sources, respectively. HPS and LED light sources in lettuce and parsley showed better plant development than the FLO, while no significant difference occurred in cress plants under three light conditions. We conclude that using HPS or LED lights in indoor aquaponics has the potential to produce good quality and adequate amounts of plants.