Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subjective cognitive concerns are associated with objective memory performance in Caucasian but not African-American persons

Objective subjective cognitive concerns (SCC) have been proposed as a means of identifying individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the utility of SCCs has not been well-explored for African-Americans, who are twice as likely to develop AD dementia as Caucasians. We investigated whether race affects the association between SCCs and objective memory performance. Methods we used a composite of three SCC questionnaires, and three challenging episodic memory tests. We studied 289 (61% female; African-American n = 47) clinically normal older individuals. Two hierarchical linear regressions assessed the modifying role of race on the association between SCC and objective memory performance. The first regression was conducted on the full sample, while the second matched the racial groups on age, estimated verbal IQ and socioeconomic status. Results in the full sample, both groups reported similar levels of SCCs, P = 0.10, although African-Americans performed worse on the memory tasks, P < 0.001. No group differences were observed in the matched sample. The SCC × race interaction term was nonsignificant in the full sample, β = 0.109, P = 0.09, but was significant in the matched sample, β = 0.422, P = 0.037. While a significant correlation was observed between SCCs and memory among Caucasians, r = -0.401, the correlation was not found among African-Americans, r = -0.052. Conclusions results suggest that the dissociation between SCCs and memory performance in African-Americans may indicate qualitative differences in how diverse groups endorse cognitive concerns, even after considering socioeconomic and educational factors.
Pulsed Electric Fields for Food Processing Technology

Pulsed electric fields PEF is a non-thermal method of food preservation that uses short pulses of electricity for microbial inactivation and causes minimal detrimental effect on food quality attributes. PEF technology aims to offer consumers high-quality foods. For food quality attributes, PEF technology is considered superior to traditional thermal processing methods because it avoids or greatly reduces detrimental changes in the sensory and physical properties of foods. PEF technology aims to offer consumers high-quality foods. For food quality attributes, PEF technology is considered superior to traditional thermal processing methods because it avoids or greatly reduces detrimental changes in the sensory and physical properties of foods (Quass, 1997).
Trends in incidence of oesophageal and gastric cancer according to morphology and anatomical location, in Switzerland 1982-2011.

QUESTION UNDER STUDY/PRINCIPLES This study aimed to evaluate trends in the incidence of oesophageal and gastric cancer by anatomical location and histology using nationally representative Swiss data. METHODS We included all oesophageal and gastric cancers recorded in 10 Swiss population-based cancer registries 1982-2011. We calculated age-standardised incidence rates (ASIRs) per 100 000 person-years (PY) (European standard) for both cancer sites stratified by sex, language region (German, French-Italian), morphology and anatomical location. To assess time trends, we estimated annual percentage changes (APCs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS ASIR of oesophageal adenocarcinoma increased in both sexes and language regions (p <0.001). The steepest increase occurred in males of the German-speaking region (APC 6.8%, 95% CI 5.8-7.8) with ASIRs of 0.8 per 100,000 PY in 1982-1987 and 3.9 per 100.000 PY in 2007-2011. Incidence of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma decreased significantly in males of both language regions by around -1.5% per year. In contrast, a slight but significant increase (APC 1.4%, 95% CI 0.3-2.4]) of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma was observed in females of the German-speaking region. We observed stable rates for cancer of the gastric cardia. The incidence of noncardia gastric cancer decreased substantially in both sexes and language regions (p <0.001). CONCLUSION In Switzerland, the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma has risen whereas incidence of noncardia gastric cancer has decreased substantially as observed in other developed countries.
Ultimate Negative bending-moment Capacity of outer-plated steel-concrete Continuous Composite Beams

Static load tests and bearing capacity analyses are carried out for two outer-plated steel-concrete continuous composite beams. The load-deflection curve and the load-strain curve of specimens are obtained and analyzed. The test results indicate that effective cooperation can be achieved by the shear-resistant connection between the reinforcement in the negative moment area and the outer-plated steel beam, and the overall working performance of the composite beams is favorable. At the load-bearing limiting state, the plastic strain on the maximum negative and positive moment section becomes fully developed so as to form relatively ideal plastic hinges. With the increase in the reinforcement ratio, the moment-carrying capacity of the composite beams improves significantly, but the ductility of the beams and the rotation ability of the plastic hinges decrease. The formulae for calculating the limit bending capacity in the negative moment area of outer-plated steel-concrete composite beams are proposed based on the test data. The calculated results agree well with the test results.
Damage characterization on human femur bone by means of ultrasonics and acoustic emission

Human bone tissue is characterized as a material with high brittleness. Due to this nature, visible signs of cracking are not easy to be detected before final failure. The main objective of this work is to investigate if the acoustic emission (AE) technique can offer valuable insight to the fracture process of human femur specimens as in other engineering materials characterization. This study describes the AE activity during fracture of whole femur bones under flexural load. Before fracture, broadband AE sensors were used in order to measure parameters like wave velocity dispersion and attenuation. Waveform parameters like the duration, rise time and average frequency, were also examined relatively to the propagation distance as a preparation for the AE monitoring during fracture. After the ultrasonic study, the samples were partly cast in concrete and fixed as cantilevers. A point load was applied on the femur head, which due to the test geometry resulted in a combination of two different patterns of fracture, bending and torsion. Two AE broadband sensors were placed in different points of the sample, one near the fixing end and the other near the femur head. Preliminary analysis shows that parameters like the number of acquired AE signals and their amplitude are well correlated with the load history. Furthermore, the parameters of rise time and frequency can differentiate the two fracture patterns. Additionally, AE allows the detection of the load at the onset of fracture from the micro-cracking events that occur at the early loading stages, allowing monitoring of the whole fracture process. Parameters that have been used extensively for monitoring and characterization of fracture modes of engineering materials seem to poses characterization power in the case of bone tissue monitoring as well.
Word Segmentation in Indo-China Languages for Digital Libraries

This chapter introduces word segmentation methods for Indo-China languages. It describes six different word segmentation methods developed for the Thai, Vietnamese, and Myanmar languages and compare different approaches in terms of their algorithms and results achieved. The discussion and comparison of these word segmentation methods will provide underlying views about how word segmentation can be achieved and employed in Indo-China languages to support search functionality in digital libraries.
TinyLIME: bridging mobile and sensor networks through middleware

In the rapidly developing field of sensor networks, bridging the gap between the applications and the hardware presents a major challenge. Although middleware is one solution, it must be specialized to the qualities of sensor networks, especially energy consumption. The work presented here provides two contributions: a new operational setting for sensor networks and a middleware for easing software development in this setting. The operational setting we target removes the usual assumption of a central collection point for sensor data. Instead the sensors are sparsely distributed in an environment, not necessarily able to communicate among themselves, and a set of clients move through space accessing the data of sensors nearby, yielding a system which naturally provides context relevant information to client applications. We further assume the clients are wirelessly networked and share locally accessed data. This scenario is relevant, for example, when relief workers access the information in their zone and share this information with other workers. Our second contribution, the middleware itself is an extension of LlME, our earlier work on middleware for mobile ad hoc networks. The model makes sensor data available through a tuple space interface, providing the illusion of shared memory between applications and sensors. This paper presents both the model and the implementation of our middleware incorporated with the Crossbow Mote sensor platform.
Conduction in non-crystalline systems: VII. Non-ohmic behaviour and switching

A summary is given of mechanisms which may be responsible for non-ohmic conduction due to strong fields in thin films of non-crystalline semi-conductors. This is used for a discussion of the mechanism of threshold switching in thin films of chalcogenide semicondutors. The predictions of the thermal mechanism are outlined, as is also the author's earlier electronic (double injection) model for the on-state. It is suggested that both a thermal on-state and an electronic on-state are possible, and that both have been observed. The on-state in the switches described by Ovshinsky (1968) we believe to be electronic; the thermal model makes predictions quite different from those observed, particularly with respect to the transition to a memory state. On the other hand the process leading up to switching into an electronic state normally involves heating and perhaps a thermal instability; and as a consequence the dependence on temperature and film thickness of the voltages leading to electronic and therm.
Bilayer metasurface for directional launching of cross-polarization component

In this paper, we propose a bilayer metasurface which is capable of launching helicity-inverted wave only in the forward direction. In order to obtain directional scattering characteristics of individual cells, we employed two layers of thin metasurfaces that are separated by a dielectric spacer. Multiple scattering analysis is used to derive design conditions for single metasurface reflectances for each polarization and it was shown that such target reflectances are realizable with split-ring aperture. The unit cell structure optimized for forward-only scattering of cross-polarization component is shown to have power extinction ratio as high as 32. The proposed structure can potentially form a supercell with reflective cells so that geometric phases of transmitted light and reflected light can be independently controlled. The proposed scheme is expected to pave a way to new types of metasurfaces with multiplexed optical functions.
Super-resolution imaging in optical scanning holography using structured illumination

As a specific digital holographic microscopy system, optical scanning holography (OSH) is an appealing technique that makes use of the advantages of holography in the application of optical microscopy. In OSH system, a three-dimensional object is scanned with a Fresnel zone plate in a raster fashion, and the electrical signals are demodulated into a complex hologram by heterodyne detection. Then the recorded light wavefront information contained in the hologram allows one to digitally reconstruct the specimen for multiple purposes such as optical sectioning, extended focused imaging as well as three-dimensional imaging. According to Abbe criterion, however, akin to those conventional microscopic imaging systems, OSH suffers from limited resolving power due to the finite sizes of the objective lens and the aperture, i.e., low numerical aperture. To bypass the diffraction barrier in light microscopy, various super-resolution imaging techniques have been proposed. Among those methods, structured illumination is an ensemble imaging concept that modulates the spatial frequency by projecting additional well-defined patterns with different orientation and phase shift onto the specimen. Computational algorithms are then applied to remove the effect of the structure and to reconstruct a super-resolved image beyond the diffraction-limit. In this paper, we introduce this technique in OSH system to scale down the spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit. The performance of the proposed method is validated by simulation and experimental results.
Activation and Induction of Antigen-Specific T Follicular Helper Cells Play a Critical Role in Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccine-Induced Human Mucosal Anti-influenza Antibody Response

ABSTRACT There is increasing interest recently in developing intranasal vaccines against respiratory tract infections. The antibody response is critical for vaccine-induced protection, and T follicular helper cells (TFH) are considered important for mediating the antibody response. Most data supporting the role for TFH in the antibody response are from animal studies, and direct evidence from humans is limited, apart from the presence of TFH-like cells in blood. We studied the activation and induction of TFH and their role in the anti-influenza antibody response induced by a live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) in human nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). TFH activation in adenotonsillar tissues was analyzed by flow cytometry, and anti-hemagglutinin (anti-HA) antibodies were examined following LAIV stimulation of tonsillar mononuclear cells (MNC). Induction of antigen-specific TFH by LAIV was studied by flow cytometry analysis of induced TFH and CD154 expression. LAIV induced TFH proliferation, which correlated with anti-HA antibody production, and TFH were shown to be critical for the antibody response. Induction of TFH from naive T cells by LAIV was shown in newly induced TFH expressing BCL6 and CD21, followed by the detection of anti-HA antibodies. Antigen specificity of LAIV-induced TFH was demonstrated by expression of the antigen-specific T cell activation marker CD154 upon challenge by H1N1 virus antigen or HA. LAIV-induced TFH differentiation was inhibited by BCL6, interleukin-21 (IL-21), ICOS, and CD40 signaling blocking, and that diminished anti-HA antibody production. In conclusion, we demonstrated the induction by LAIV of antigen-specific TFH in human NALT that provide critical support for the anti-influenza antibody response. Promoting antigen-specific TFH in NALT by use of intranasal vaccines may provide an effective vaccination strategy against respiratory infections in humans. IMPORTANCE Airway infections, such as influenza, are common in humans. Intranasal vaccination has been considered a biologically relevant and effective way of immunization against airway infection. The vaccine-induced antibody response is crucial for protection against infection. Recent data from animal studies suggest that one type of T cells, TFH, are important for the antibody response. However, data on whether TFH-mediated help for antibody production operates in humans are limited due to the lack of access to human immune tissue containing TFH. In this study, we demonstrate the induction of TFH in human immune tissue, providing critical support for the anti-influenza antibody response, by use of an intranasal influenza vaccine. Our findings provide direct evidence that TFH play a critical role in vaccine-induced immunity in humans and suggest a novel strategy for promoting such cells by use of intranasal vaccines against respiratory infections.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HYDROXYPROPYLMETHYLCELLULOSE BASED MATRIX SYSTEMS AS ORAL SUSTAINED RELEASE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR CIPROFLOXACIN HYDROCHLORIDE

The purpose of the study was to formulate matrix systems for oral sustained release drug delivery systems using diverse grades of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Methocel K100LV, K4M, K15M, and K100M CR), in order to investigate the effect of various grades of these polymer on release mechanism from matrix tablets. Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride was used as a model drug to evaluate its release characteristics from different matrices. HPMC matrix tablets of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride using various HPMC grades, lactose were prepared by direct compression process. The USP paddle method was selected to perform the dissolution profiles carried out by USP apparatus 2 (paddle) at 50 rpm in 900 ml 0.1 N HCl, and distilled water. Drug release was analyzed according to their kinetic models. A One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to interpret the result. Statistically significant differences were found among the drug release profile from different matrices. At a fixed polymer level, drug release from the higher viscosity grades (K100M) was slower as compared to the lower viscosity grades (K100LV). The best-fit release kinetics was achieved with the Higuchi plot, followed by the zero-order, Korsmeyer and Hixson Crowell equations. The data obtained proved that the formulations are useful for a sustained release of Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride. From these formulations corresponded controlling of the drug release by the higher viscosity grade of HPMC. The release of the model drug from these HPMC matrix tablets was faster in case of lower viscosity grade, useful for poor soluble drugs. Prepared sustained release Ciprofloxacin HCl could be better than conventional dosage form.
Homocysteine Increases Tau Phosphorylation, Truncation and Oligomerization

Increased plasma homocysteinemia is considered a risk factor of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia. However, the reason elevated plasma homocysteinemia increases the risk of dementia remains unknown. A pathological hallmark of AD is neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that consist of pathologically phosphorylated tau proteins. The effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on tau aggregation was explored using human neuroblastoma M1C cells that constitutively express human wild-type tau (4R0N) under the control of a tetracycline off system, primary mouse cultured neurons, and by inducing hyperhomocysteinemia in a mouse model of tauopathy (HHCy mice). A wide range of Hcy concentrations (10–1000 µM) increased total tau and phosphorylated tau protein levels. Hcy activated glycogen synthase kinase 3, and cyclin dependent kinase 5, major tau phosphokinases, and inactivated protein phosphatase 2A, a main tau phosphatase. Hcy exhibited cytotoxic effects associated with enhanced activation of caspase. Truncation of tau in the C-terminus, the cleavage site of caspase 3 (i.e., D421, detected by the TauC3 antibody) was also increased. Total tau, phosphorylated tau, as well as C-terminal cleaved tau were increased in the sarkosyl insoluble tau fraction. Hcy also increased the level of tau oligomers, as indicated by the tau oligomer complex 1 (TOC1) antibody that specifically identifies oligomeric tau species, in the tris insoluble, sarkosyl soluble fraction. The levels of TOC1-positive oligomeric tau were increased in brain lysates from HHCy mice, and treating HHCy mice with S-adenosylmethionine, an intermediate of Hcy, reduced the levels of oligomeric tau to control levels. These observations suggest that Hcy increases the levels of phosphorylated tau as well as truncated tau species via caspase 3 activation, and enhanced tau oligomerization and aggregation.
Patterning via self-organization and self-folding: Beyond conventional lithography

Conventional photolithography is an effective patterning technique that has enabled modern electronics and advanced micro- and nanoscale devices. However, it has limitations, including high cost, limited resolution, and poor compatibility with unconventional materials that may be soft, nonplanar, or difficult to process. There is active research ongoing to develop unconventional patterning methods such as self-organization and self-folding. Self-organization harnesses various driving forces to produce patterns without external intervention and includes methods such as self-assembly of block copolymers, capillary-driven assembly of micro-/nanoscale structures, and thin-film instabilities. Self-folding (origami)—and its cousin, kirigami—harnesses patterning and materials strategies to convert planar substrates into three-dimensional shapes in response to external stimuli. These multidisciplinary approaches open many engineering opportunities by providing new and versatile material functionalities. This article overviews the field and the topics covered in the articles in this issue of MRS Bulletin , highlighting recent progress in patterning approaches based on self-organization and self-folding.
Introduction to CNNs and LSTMs for NLP

I put together these notes as part of my TA work for the Graph and Text Mining grad course of Prof. Michalis Vazirgiannis in the Spring of 2017. They accompanied a programming lab session about Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short Term Memory networks (LSTMs) for document classification, using Python and Keras1. Keras is a very popular Python library for deep learning. It is a wrapper for TensorFlow, Theano, and CNTK. To write this handout, I curated information mainly from: the original 2D CNN paper [11] and Stanford’s CS231n CNN course notes, Zhang and Wallace practitioners’ guide to CNNs in NLP [18], the seminal papers on CNN for text classification [8, 9]; Denny Britz’ tutorial on RNNs, and Chris Colah’s post on understanding LSTMs. Last but not least, Yoav Golderg’s primer on neural networks for NLP [5] proved very useful in understanding both CNNs and RNNs. The CNN part of the code can be found on my GitHub here.
Effects of Material Properties and Thickness of Die Attach on Package Delamination of IC Packages

Finite element method is carried out to calculate the fracture mechanics parameter of interfacial cracking of TSOP (Thin Small Outline Package). Fracture mechanics approach together with finite element results are used to study the impacts of material properties and thickness of die attach on the energy release rate at crack tip of interfacial delamination between die pad and die attach. The results show that larger Young’s modulus, smaller CTE as well thinner thickness of die attach can reduce ERR at crack tip during reflow.
Overcrowding in emergency departments: A review of strategies to decrease future challenges

Emergency departments (EDs) are the most challenging ward with respect to patient delay. The goal of this study is to present strategies that have proven to reduce delay and overcrowding in EDs. In this review article, initial electronic database search resulted in a total of 1006 articles. Thirty articles were included after reviewing full texts. Inclusion criteria were assessments of real patient flows and implementing strategies inside the hospitals. In this study, we discussed strategies of team triage, point-of-care testing, ideal ED patient journey models, streaming, and fast track. Patients might be directed to different streaming channels depending on clinical status and required practitioners. The most comprehensive strategy is ideal ED patient journey models, in which ten interrelated substrategies are provided. ED leaders should apply strategies that provide a continuous care process without deeply depending on external services.