Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A plasma 3-marker microRNA biosignature distinguishes spinal tuberculosis from other spinal destructive diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis

Accurate spinal tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is of utmost importance for adequately treating and managing the disease. Given the need for additional diagnostic tools, this study aimed to investigate the utility of host serum miRNA biomarkers for diagnosing and distinguishing spinal tuberculosis (STB) from pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and other spinal diseases of different origins (SDD). For a case-controlled investigation, a total of 423 subjects were voluntarily recruited, with 157 cases of STB, 83 cases of SDD, 30 cases of active PTB, and 153 cases of healthy controls (CONT) in 4 clinical centers. To discover the STB-specific miRNA biosignature, a high-throughput miRNA profiling study was performed in the pilot study with 12 cases of STB and 8 cases of CONT using the Exiqon miRNA PCR array platform. A bioinformatics study identified that the 3-plasma miRNA combination (hsa-miR-506-3p, hsa-miR-543, hsa-miR-195-5p) might serve as a candidate biomarker for STB. The subsequent training study developed the diagnostic model using multivariate logistic regression in training data sets, including CONT(n=100) and STB (n=100). Youden’s J index determined the optimal classification threshold. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signatures have an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.87, sensitivity = 80.5%, and specificity = 80.0%. To explore the possible potential to distinguish spinal TB from PDB and other SDD, the diagnostic model with the same classification threshold was applied to the analysis of the independent validation data set, including CONT(n=45), STB(n=45), brucellosis spondylitis (BS, n=30), PTB (n=30), spinal tumor (ST, n=30) and pyogenic spondylitis (PS, n=23). The results showed diagnostic model based on three miRNA signatures could discriminate the STB from other SDD groups with sensitivity=80%, specificity=96%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV)=84%, Negative Predictive Value (NPV)=94%, the total accuracy rate of 92%. These results indicate that this 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signature could effectively discriminate the STB from other spinal destructive diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis. The present study shows that the diagnostic model based on 3-plasma miRNA biomarker signature (hsa-miR-506-3p, hsa-miR-543, hsa-miR-195-5p) may be used for medical guidance to discriminate the STB from other spinal destructive disease and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Theoretical and experimental investigations on the process of high-pressure discharge development

The voltage breakdown behavior of a plane-parallel gap of 0.48-mm length filled with helium was examined at atmospheric pressure with admixtures of dry air at relative pressures of 0, 10/sup -4/, 3*10/sup -4/, and 10/sup -3/. The initial stages of the breakdown were investigated by means of a quantitative model consisting of the electron, ion, and excited-particle conservation equations and the Poisson equation. The system of equations was solved for an applied voltage of 180 V, at one single partial pressure of the impurities. Two numerical routines were used for the solution: a commercial IMSL subroutine TWODEPEP, and a newly developed method of solution in several fractional steps. The results were compared and found to be in reasonable agreement although the new method indicated a somewhat slower rate of rise, particularly concerning electron density. The new method permits extension of the calculation up to electron densities equal to almost two orders of magnitude above the earlier limit. >
Association between sarcopenia and kidney stones in United States adult population between 2011 and 2018

Purpose To investigate the relationship between kidney stones and sarcopenia in United States adult population between 2011 and 2018. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-section study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) including 39,156 individuals. Sarcopenia was assessed by the sarcopenia index. Association between kidney stones and sarcopenia verified by multiple logistic regression analysis and dose–response curves analysis using restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression. Meanwhile, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to exclude the effect of confounding variables. Results There were 9,472 participants in the study by our accurate enrollment screening process. The odds of kidney stones decreased significantly with the increase of sarcopenia index. Logistic regression analysis showed that sarcopenia expressed significant differences in the participants which suffered kidney stone before PSM (p < 0.001). In model 4, adjusting all relevant covariates shown that adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of the 95% confidence intervals for kidney stones in all participants, age <39 years and age ≥40 years, were, respectively, 1.286 (1.006–1,643), 1.697 (1.065–2.702), and 0.965 (0.700–1.330) for sarcopenia, and p values were 0.044, 0.026, and 0.827. After performing PSM, the aOR of the 95% in modal 4 for kidney stones in all participants and age <40 year were 2.365 (1.598–3.500) and 6.793 (2.619–17.6180), respectively (p < 0.01), and especially the aOR in participants (age ≥40) was 1.771(1.138–2.757) with p value being 0.011. Conclusion Sarcopenia was positively related to the potential risk of kidney stones in the United States adult population.
Discs of planetary-mass objects in $\mathsf{\sigma}$ Orionis

Aims.We searched for infrared flux excesses of planetary-mass candidates in the σ Orionis cluster (~3 Myr, ~350 pc). Methods: Using IJHKs data from the literature and the [3.6], [4.5], [5.8], and [8.0] IRAC images of the σ Orionis cluster from the Spitzer Space Telescope public archives, we constructed colour-colour diagrams and spectral energy distributions from 0.8 to 8.0 μm of cluster candidates fainter than J = 18.0 mag, i.e. the planetary-mass borderline for σ Orionis. Results: Infrared flux excesses are detected longward of 5 μm in seven objects (S Ori 54, 55, 56, 58, 60, S Ori J053956.8-025315 and S Ori J053858.6-025228) with masses estimated in the range 7-14 M_Jup. Emission at shorter wavelengths (4.5 μm) in excess of the photosphere is probably observed in S Ori 56 and S Ori J053858.6-025228. The faintest and least massive object, S Ori 60, exhibits flux excess only at 8 μm. We ascribe these infrared excesses to the presence of circumsubstellar warm discs, providing additional confirmation for the objects' membership of σ Orionis. The observed incidence of inner discs around planetary-mass objects is ≥50%, which is consistent with the measured inner disc frequency among cluster brown dwarfs and low-mass stars, suggesting that these objects share a common origin. However, there is a trend for the inner disc rate to increase with decreasing mass (from 10 Mȯ through the substellar domain), which may be due to a mass-dependent timescale for the dissipation of the interior discs.
Formate and hydrogen in hydrothermal vents and their use by extremely thermophilic methanogens and heterotrophs

Extremely thermophilic methanogens in the Methanococci and heterotrophs in the Thermococci are common in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. All Methanococci use H2 as an electron donor, and a few species can also use formate. Most Methanococci have a coenzyme F420-reducing formate dehydrogenase. All Thermococci reduce S0 but have hydrogenases and produce H2 in the absence of S0. Some Thermococci have formate hydrogenlyase (Fhl) that reversibly converts H2 and CO2 to formate or an NAD(P)+-reducing formate dehydrogenase (Nfd). Questions remain if Methanococci or Thermococci use or produce formate in nature, why only certain species can grow on or produce formate, and what the physiological role of formate is? Formate forms abiotically in hydrothermal fluids through chemical equilibrium with primarily H2, CO2, and CO and is strongly dependent upon H2 concentration, pH, and temperature. Formate concentrations are highest in hydrothermal fluids where H2 concentrations are also high, such as in ultramafic systems where serpentinization reactions occur. In nature, Methanococci are likely to use formate as an electron donor when H2 is limiting. Thermococci with Fhl likely convert H2 and CO2 to formate when H2 concentrations become inhibitory for growth. They are unlikely to grow on formate in nature unless formate is more abundant than H2 in the environment. Nearly all Methanococci and Thermococci have a gene for at least one formate dehydrogenase catalytic subunit, which may be used to provide free formate for de novo purine biosynthesis. However, only species with a membrane-bound formate transporter can grow on or secrete formate. Interspecies H2 transfer occurs between Thermococci and Methanococci. This and putative interspecies formate transfer may support Methanococci in low H2 environments, which in turn may prevent growth inhibition of Thermococci by its own H2. Future research directions include understanding when, where, and how formate is used and produced by these organisms in nature, and how transcription of Thermococci genes encoding formate-related enzymes are regulated.
The Role of Histone Modification in DNA Replication-Coupled Nucleosome Assembly and Cancer

Histone modification regulates replication-coupled nucleosome assembly, DNA damage repair, and gene transcription. Changes or mutations in factors involved in nucleosome assembly are closely related to the development and pathogenesis of cancer and other human diseases and are essential for maintaining genomic stability and epigenetic information transmission. In this review, we discuss the role of different types of histone posttranslational modifications in DNA replication-coupled nucleosome assembly and disease. In recent years, histone modification has been found to affect the deposition of newly synthesized histones and the repair of DNA damage, further affecting the assembly process of DNA replication-coupled nucleosomes. We summarize the role of histone modification in the nucleosome assembly process. At the same time, we review the mechanism of histone modification in cancer development and briefly describe the application of histone modification small molecule inhibitors in cancer therapy.
Electromagnetic inertio-gravity waves in the ionospheric E-layer

The effect of the Ampére force on inertio-gravity (IG) waves in the partially ionized ionospheric E-layer is considered. Electromagnetic IG waves are then studied. It is shown that the free energy necessary for linear instability of electromagnetic IG waves arises from the field-aligned current. Furthermore, it is found that atmospheric vortex motions can induce substantial variations in the geomagnetic field and field-aligned currents.
Finite-Time Rapid Global Sliding-Mode Control for Quadrotor Trajectory Tracking

To enhance the position and attitude-control of quadrotor for trajectory tracking, we propose a fast decay function utilizing exponential property to improve the performance of global sliding-mode control, allowing the initial value to quickly reach equilibrium. The main research is focused on deriving the finite settling time using the proposed decay function and presenting a detailed calculation process, instead of making a simple modification to a monotonic exponential-decay function. Moreover, we adopt an adaptive control law to ensure the robustness of the quadrotor, even without knowing the upper bound for disturbances. In addition, we perform time-varying mass simulations because the quadrotor’s load mass may change during maneuvering. Furthermore, using the Lyapunov function, the stability of the entire closed-loop system is ensured by the step-by-step stabilization of each subsystem. The simulation results show that the rapid global sliding-mode control (RGSMC) we designed is more effective than the conventional global sliding-mode control and adaptive sliding mode control with respect to stabilization and tracking against external disturbances. Hence, the fast decay property of the proposed global function is verified.
Anisotropy in the Microwave Sky: Results from the First Flight of the Balloon-borne Anisotropy Measurement (BAM)

Results are reported from the first flight of a new balloon-borne instrument, BAM (Balloon-borne Anisotropy Measurement), designed to search for cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy. The instrument uses a cryogenic differential Fourier transform spectrometer to obtain data in five spectral channels whose central frequencies lie in the range 3.7-8.5 cm-1. The spectrometer is coupled to an off-axis prime focus telescope; the combination yields difference spectra of two regions on the sky defined by 0. °7 FWHM beams separated by 3. °6. Single differences obtained at 10 sky positions show statistically significant fluctuations. Assuming Gaussian correlated anisotropy, for the band average 3.1-9.2 cm-1, one finds ΔT/T = 3.1−1.1+3.1 × 10-5 (90% confidence interval) for a correlation angle of 1. °2. This corresponds to Qflat = 35.9−6.3+17.7 μK (1 σ).
The infra-red dual imaging and spectrograph for SPHERE: design and performance

The SPHERE (Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet Research) planet finder instrument for ESO's VLT telescope, scheduled for first light in 2011, aims to detect giant extra-solar planets in the vicinity of bright stars by the aid of an extreme-AO turbulence compensation system and to characterize the objects found through spectroscopic and polarimetric observations. Dual imaging observations within the Y, J, H and Ks atmospheric windows (~0.95 - 2.32μm) will be done by the aid of the IRDIS cryogenic camera. We describe briefly the science goals of IRDIS and present its system architecture. Current status of the instrument design is presented, and expected performance is described in terms of end-to-end simulations.
Visual Odometry With Point and Line Features Based on Underground Tunnel Environment

Compared with the interior environment, there exists a lot of noise and dust in an underground tunnel, and the light is unstable, which is difficult to track by the direct method. Moreover, errors in line segment projection and line feature drift under the influence of light can lead to significant deviations in the odometry. Consequently, to improve the accuracy and robustness of visual odometry, a point-line feature stereo visual odometry system is proposed in this paper. The system combines ORB features and LSD line features; using the angle relationship of line projection, we propose a new method for calculating the reprojection error of line features, reconstruct the reprojection model based on line features, and construct a new reprojection error model based on point-line features, which adds an angle constraint to the reprojection of line features and solves the instability caused by line projection error. It is shown in our experiments on the KITTI, New College dataset, that the translation error of our system is reduced by about 40% on average compared to PLVO, with a reduction in relative positioning error. Experiments in the hallway and underground tunnel environments have shown that the maximum positioning error of our system has been reduced by 75% in hallways and by 56.7% in an underground tunnel. Therefore, our algorithm effectively improves the localization accuracy and is more advantageous in low-texture environments.
Stochastic modeling of unsaturated flow in heterogeneous media with water uptake by plant roots: Tests of the parallel columns model under two‐dimensional flow conditions

In the first paper of this series (Rubin and Or, 1993) we developed a stochastic model predicting spatial moments of soil water matric potential ψ and saturation S under conditions of unsaturated steady state flow as function of the spatial moments of log saturated hydraulic conductivity Y, capillarity index α, and plant rooting depth δ. In this study, we investigate the ability of the proposed parallel columns model to reconstruct two-dimensional flow solutions, and apply the model to spatial estimation using the geostatistical formalism. A finite difference numerical scheme was developed to solve the two-dimensional Richards equation in heterogeneous flow domain and obtain detailed images of the spatial distribution of ψ and S and their moments. Two-dimensionally-based images representing “true” distributions of ψ and S in a vertical cross section (x-z plane) of laterally heterogeneous soil were used in a synthetic spatial estimation problem for comparison with the one-dimensionally-based solution and with kriging estimates. The results show that (1) the means of ψ and S were practically identical for the one- and two-dimensional solutions; (2) ψ variance obtained from the two-dimensional solution was smaller than the one-dimensional, whereas S variance was larger in the two-dimensional case; (3) a smoothing of ψ under two-dimensional flow regime resulted in spatial covariance function of a Bessel type, whereas two-dimensional spatial covariance of S exhibited a steep decay near its origin denoting spatial discontinuity; (4) the least smoothing of ψ was observed near the surface where nearly one-dimensional conditions exist; (5) during transient flow, spatial covariances assume their steady state form quite rapidly; (6) spatial covariances predicted by the parallel columns model provided good estimates at unmeasured locations with conservative confidence regions for ψ estimation and less conservative for S estimation; and (7) analytically predicted spatial covariances provide a means for network design.
`Split radix' FFT algorithm

A new N = 2n fast Fourier transform algorithm is presented, which has fewer multiplications and additions than radix 2n, n = 1, 2, 3 algorithms, has the same number of multiplications as the Raderi-Brenner algorithm, but much fewer additions, and is numerically better conditioned, and is performed ‘in place’ by a repetitive use of a ‘butterfly’-type structure.
Development and Validation of an Explainable Deep Learning Model to Predict Adverse Event During Hospital Admission in Patients with Sepsis

Sepsis is among the most common conditions requiring emergency hospitalization. The early and accurate identification of sepsis patients with a high risk of in-hospital adverse events can aid physicians in making optimal clinical decisions. This study aimed to develop an explainable neural network model to predict adverse events during hospital admission in patients with suspected sepsis. Patient data were collected from a single medical center in Taiwan for the period of 2018–2020. The adverse events considered during hospital admission were cardiac arrest, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, and transfer to intensive care unit during admission. This study included 9398 patients in the analysis, with 6794 and 2603 patients in the development and validation sets, respectively. The proposed model could predict adverse events with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.88 and 0.85 in the development and validation sets, respectively. Of the 2603 patients in the test set, 523 (20.1%) were classified as having adverse events during hospital admission. Of these patients, 104 eventually experienced adverse events. Thus, the model can predict adverse events with good performance and therefore, can be regarded as a gatekeeper before patients with sepsis are admitted to the general ward.
Study on ESD Protection Circuit by TCAD Simulation and TLP Experiment

The anti-ESD characteristic of the electronic system is paid more and more attention. Moreover, the on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) is necessary for integrated circuits to prevent ESD failures. In this paper, the mixed TCAD model of the ESD protection circuit is built and simulated, and the negative transmission line pulse (TLP) injection damage experiment is carried out on the CD4069UBC chip. The circuit model consists of three-dimensional shallow trench isolation (STI) diode TCAD models and a three-dimensional multi-gate Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) inverter TCAD model. Moreover, the TCAD modeling is based on a 0.25 μm technology node. Through the transient simulation of the electrothermal coupling, the electrical signal of the input and output nodes of the circuit and the distribution of the electrothermal parameters in the device are obtained. Moreover, by analyzing the simulation results, the physical phenomena and the mechanisms of interference and damage mechanism during TLP injection are explained. The location and type of diode damage in the TLP injection simulation results of the circuit model are consistent with the TLP experiment damage results. The proposed ESD protection circuit model and analysis method are beneficial to ESD robustness prediction and ESD soft damage analysis of IC.
Development and Challenges of Reliability Modeling From Transistors to Circuits

The integration density of electronic systems is limited by the reliability of the integrated circuits. To guarantee the overall performance, the integrated circuit reliability must be modeled and analyzed at the early design stage. This paper reviews some of the most important intrinsic aging mechanisms of MOSFETs and elaborates the physical mechanism of the coupling between aging effects. Then the progress in reliability modeling under static and dynamic operational voltages is reviewed. It is found that although these models can accurately predict the degradation in short term, they are with large errors for the long-term degradation prediction. Besides, for the circuit-level reliability modeling and simulation approach, there are still problems to be solved. This article aims to provide guidance for researchers and practitioners in integrated circuit field, and highlight the challenges for reliability research. It is of great significance to the optimization of the reliability of integrated circuits.
Multiple Imputation After 18+ Years

Abstract Multiple imputation was designed to handle the problem of missing data in public-use data bases where the data-base constructor and the ultimate user are distinct entities. The objective is valid frequency inference for ultimate users who in general have access only to complete-data software and possess limited knowledge of specific reasons and models for nonresponse. For this situation and objective, I believe that multiple imputation by the data-base constructor is the method of choice. This article first provides a description of the assumed context and objectives, and second, reviews the multiple imputation framework and its standard results. These preliminary discussions are especially important because some recent commentaries on multiple imputation have reflected either misunderstandings of the practical objectives of multiple imputation or misunderstandings of fundamental theoretical results. Then, criticisms of multiple imputation are considered, and, finally, comparisons are made to alt.
Adaptive Disturbance Rejection Controller for Visual Tracking of a Maneuvering Target

This paper presents an adaptive disturbance rejection control architecture for a flying vehicle to track a maneuvering target using a monocular camera as a visual sensor. Viewing the target’s velocity as a time-varying disturbance, the change in magnitude of which has a bounded integral, a guidance law is derived that guarantees asymptotic tracking of the target in the presence of measurement noise and an intelligent excitation signal in the reference input. Implementation of the guidance law is done via conventional adaptive block backstepping. Simulations illustrate the benefits of the method.