Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased collagen within the transverse tubules in human heart failure

Aims In heart failure transverse-tubule (t-tubule) remodelling disrupts calcium release, and contraction. T-tubules in human failing hearts exhibit increased labelling by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a lectin that binds to the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex. We hypothesized changes in this complex may explain the increased WGA labelling and contribute to t-tubule remodelling in the failing human heart. In this study we sought to identify the molecules responsible for this increased WGA labelling. Methods and results Confocal and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and proteomic analyses were used to quantify left ventricle samples from healthy donors and patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). Confocal microscopy demonstrated both WGA and dystrophin were located at t-tubules. Super-resolution microscopy revealed that WGA labelling of t-tubules is largely located within the lumen while dystrophin was restricted to near the sarcolemma. Western blots probed with WGA reveal a 5.7-fold increase in a 140 kDa band in IDCM. Mass spectrometry identified this band as type VI collagen (Col-VI) comprised of α1(VI), α2(VI), and α3(VI) chains. Pertinently, mutations in Col-VI cause muscular dystrophy. Western blotting identified a 2.4-fold increased expression and 3.2-fold increased WGA binding of Col-VI in IDCM. Confocal images showed that Col-VI is located in the t-tubules and that their diameter increased in the IDCM samples. Super-resolution imaging revealed Col-VI was restricted to the t-tubule lumen where increases were associated with displacement in the sarcolemma as identified from dystrophin labelling. Samples were also labelled for type I, III, and IV collagen. Both confocal and super-resolution imaging identified that these collagens were also present within t-tubule lumen. Conclusion Increased expression and labelling of collagen in IDCM samples indicates fibrosis may contribute to t-tubule remodelling in human heart failure.
Striated muscle activator of Rho signalling (STARS) is reduced in ageing human skeletal muscle and targeted by miR‐628‐5p

The striated muscle activator of Rho signalling (STARS) is a muscle‐specific actin‐binding protein. The STARS signalling pathway is activated by resistance exercise and is anticipated to play a role in signal mechanotransduction. Animal studies have reported a negative regulation of STARS signalling with age, but such regulation has not been investigated in humans.
Model-based sliding mode control technique for the stewart platform mechanism

In this study; design, analysis and real time trajectory tracking control of a six-degree of freedom revolute spherical-spherical (RSS) type parallel manipulator, actuated by six electrical motors, has been studied. A nonlinear sliding mode controller method has been utilized to take dynamic approximation model of the manipulator into account and to improve tracking performance of the manipulator. Real-time experimental results for the control technique have been verified. Finally, according to the results, the nonlinear sliding mode controller method has improved the tracking performance of the designed manipulator.
Impact of Health Insurance Status on Prostate Cancer Treatment Modality Selection in the United States

Objectives: A variety of treatment modalities are available for the management of clinically localized prostate cancer in the United States. In addition to clinical factors, treatment modality choice may be influenced by a patient’s insurance status. Using a national data set, we investigated the relationship between insurance status and prostate cancer treatment modality selection among nonelderly men in the United States. Methods: Nonelderly men age 18 to 64 years treated for localized prostate cancer from 2010 to 2014 were identified within the National Cancer Database. Patients with no insurance, Medicaid, or private insurance were included. The &khgr;2 and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association of insurance status, other demographic and facility factors, and D’Amico risk classification with treatment modality. Results: We identified 135,937 patients with either no insurance (2.8%), Medicaid (4.2%), or private insurance (92.9%) treated for prostate cancer who underwent cancer-directed treatment or active surveillance between 2010 and 2014. Patients with private insurance were more likely to receive minimally invasive surgery (61.4% vs. 35.4%, respectively; P<0.001) and less likely to receive external beam radiotherapy (10.9% vs. 26.9%, respectively; P<0.001) than patients with no insurance. On multivariable analysis, among patients with no insurance and private insurance, private insurance was the strongest predictor of receipt of minimally invasive surgery (adjusted odds ratio, 2.61; 95% confidence interval, 2.44-2.79; P<0.001). Conclusion: Insurance status is a strong predictor of prostate cancer treatment modality among nonelderly men in the United States.
Feature Augmentation for Learning Confidence Measure in Stereo Matching

Confidence estimation is essential for refining stereo matching results through a post-processing step. This problem has recently been studied using a learning-based approach, which demonstrates a substantial improvement on conventional simple non-learning based methods. However, the formulation of learning-based methods that individually estimates the confidence of each pixel disregards spatial coherency that might exist in the confidence map, thus providing a limited performance under challenging conditions. Our key observation is that the confidence features and resulting confidence maps are smoothly varying in the spatial domain, and highly correlated within the local regions of an image. We present a new approach that imposes spatial consistency on the confidence estimation. Specifically, a set of robust confidence features is extracted from each superpixel decomposed using the Gaussian mixture model, and then these features are concatenated with pixel-level confidence features. The features are then enhanced through adaptive filtering in the feature domain. In addition, the resulting confidence map, estimated using the confidence features with a random regression forest, is further improved through K-nearest neighbor based aggregation scheme on both pixel- and superpixel-level. To validate the proposed confidence estimation scheme, we employ cost modulation or ground control points based optimization in stereo matching. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art approaches on various benchmarks including challenging outdoor scenes.
Improving transient performance of VSG based microgrids by virtual FACTS' functions

This report presents a transient proportional controller which is augmented on virtual inertia's topology. The concept of virtual synchronous generator (VSG) is inspired by the behavior of the synchronous generators and researchers map this behavior on microgrids to mimic the power system's dynamics on microgrids. The added characteristic is based on FACTS' functions such as: STATCOM swing damping capability for large-signal disturbance damping at transient times, for VSG based microgrids. This capability is added to the VSG structure by a bang-bang controller. The proposed bang-bang controller is used to improve transient response of VSG based microgrids just in large signal disturbances, including: islanding, three-phase faults, and huge variation of loads. Simplicity and capability to improve the transient response are the main features of the added configuration. Simulation results verify the improvement of the introduced manner by the represented augmented VSG control strategy.
Automatic differentiation in machine learning: a survey

Derivatives, mostly in the form of gradients and Hessians, are ubiquitous in machine learning. Automatic differentiation (AD), also called algorithmic differentiation or simply “auto-diff”, is a family of techniques similar to but more general than backpropagation for efficiently and accurately evaluating derivatives of numeric functions expressed as computer programs. AD is a small but established field with applications in areas including computational fluid dynamics, atmospheric sciences, and engineering design optimization. Until very recently, the fields of machine learning and AD have largely been unaware of each other and, in some cases, have independently discovered each other’s results. Despite its relevance, general-purpose AD has been missing from the machine learning toolbox, a situation slowly changing with its ongoing adoption under the names “dynamic computational graphs” and “differentiable programming”. We survey the intersection of AD and machine learning, cover applications where AD has direct relevance, and address the main imple- mentation techniques. By precisely defining the main differentiation techniques and their interrelationships, we aim to bring clarity to the usage of the terms “autodiff”, “automatic differentiation”, and “symbolic differentiation” as these are encountered more and more in machine learning settings.
Paternity in wild ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta): Implications for male mating strategies

In group‐living species with male dominance hierarchies where receptive periods of females do not overlap, high male reproductive skew would be predicted. However, the existence of female multiple mating and alternative male mating strategies can call into question single‐male monopolization of paternity in groups. Ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are seasonally breeding primates that live in multi‐male, multi‐female groups. Although established groups show male dominance hierarchies, male dominance relationships can break down during mating periods. In addition, females are the dominant sex and mate with multiple males during estrus, including group residents, and extra‐group males—posing the question of whether there is high or low male paternity skew in groups. In this study, we analyzed paternity in a population of wild L. catta from the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve in southwestern Madagascar. Paternity was determined with 80–95% confidence for 39 offspring born to nine different groups. We calculated male reproductive skew indices for six groups, and our results showed a range of values corresponding to both high and low reproductive skew. Between 21% and 33% of offspring (3 of 14 or three of nine, counting paternity assignments at the 80% or 95% confidence levels, respectively) were sired by extra‐troop males. Males siring offspring within the same group during the same year appear to be unrelated. Our study provides evidence of varying male reproductive skew in different L. catta groups. A single male may monopolize paternity across one or more years, while in other groups, >1 male can sire offspring within the same group, even within a single year. Extra‐group mating is a viable strategy that can result in extra‐group paternity for L. catta males.
Early-Season Stand Count Determination in Corn via Integration of Imagery from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Supervised Learning Techniques

Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the most sensitive crops to planting pattern and early-season uniformity. The most common method to determine number of plants is by visual inspection on the ground but this field activity becomes time-consuming, labor-intensive, biased, and may lead to less profitable decisions by farmers. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable, timely, and unbiased method for counting corn plants based on ultra-high-resolution imagery acquired from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to automatically scout fields and applied to real field conditions. A ground sampling distance of 2.4 mm was targeted to extract information at a plant-level basis. First, an excess greenness (ExG) index was used to individualized green pixels from the background, then rows and inter-row contours were identified and extracted. A scalable training procedure was implemented using geometric descriptors as inputs of the classifier. Second, a decision tree was implemented and tested using two training modes in each site to expose the workflow to different ground conditions at the time of the aerial data acquisition. Differences in performance were due to training modes and spatial resolutions in the two sites. For an object classification task, an overall accuracy of 0.96, based on the proportion of corrected assessment of corn and non-corn objects, was obtained for local (per-site) classification, and an accuracy of 0.93 was obtained for the combined training modes. For successful model implementation, plants should have between two to three leaves when images are collected (avoiding overlapping between plants). Best workflow performance was reached at 2.4 mm resolution corresponding to 10 m of altitude (lower altitude); higher altitudes were gradually penalized. The latter was coincident with the larger number of detected green objects in the images and the effectiveness of geometry as descriptor for corn plant detection.
Identifying Dominators and Followers in Group Decision Making based on The Personality Traits

Human factors, such as emotions, personality traits and trust network, have been proved to play an important role in the decision making process. The impact by personality in individual and group decision making is still under investigation, especially in the area of educational learning. In this paper, we propose two approaches to distinguish the “dominator” and “follower” in group decision making by using an educational data. Our experiments also show that the characteristics of these two user roles can further be utilized in group recommender systems to produce better item recommendations.
Viscoelastometric-guided early fibrinogen concentrate replacement during postpartum haemorrhage: OBS2, a double-blind randomized controlled trial

Background Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) can be exacerbated by haemostatic failure. We hypothesized that early fibrinogen replacement, guided by viscoelastometric testing, reduces blood product usage and bleed size. Methods Women with PPH 1000-1500 ml were enrolled. If Fibtem A5 was ≤15 mm and bleeding continued, subjects were randomized to fibrinogen concentrate or placebo. The primary outcome compared the number of units of red blood cells, plasma, cryoprecipitate and platelets transfused. Results Of 663 women enrolled 55 were randomized. The adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) (95% CI) for the number of allogeneic units transfused in the fibrinogen group compared with placebo was 0.72 (0.3-1.7), P =0.45. In pre-specified subgroup analyses, subjects who had a Fibtem A5 ≤12 mm at the time of randomization and who received fibrinogen concentrate received a median (25th-75th centile) of 1 (0-4.5) unit of allogeneic blood products and had an additional 300 (100-350) ml blood loss whereas those who received placebo also received 3 (0-6) units of allogeneic blood products and had 700 (200-1550) ml additional blood loss; these differences were not statistically significantly different. There was one thrombotic event in each group. Conclusions Infusion of fibrinogen concentrate triggered by Fibtem A5 ≤15 mm did not improve outcomes in PPH. Pre-specified subgroup analyses suggest that fibrinogen replacement is not required if the Fibtem A5 is > 12 mm or Clauss fibrinogen >2 g litre -1 , but an effect below these levels cannot be excluded. The raised fibrinogen at term appears to be a physiological buffer rather than required for haemostasis. Trial registration ISRCTN46295339 ( http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN46295339 , last accessed 5 July 2017), EudraCT 2012-005511-11 ( https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search? query=2012-005511-11 , last accessed 5 July 2017).
Pass-Through of a Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages at the Philadelphia International Airport

Pass-Through of a Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages at the Philadelphia International Airport Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) have been proposed as a possible approach to prevent obesity and improve diets.1,2 These taxes have recently been implemented in Berkeley, California, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A goal of the taxes is to increase prices and dissuade consumption, but the taxes are levied on beverage distributors, and it is unclear how much of the tax is passed through to consumers as higher retail prices vs being paid by distributors or manufacturers. This study estimated the extent to which the tax of 1.5 cents per ounce on SSBs in Philadelphia (implemented on January 1, 2017) raised retail prices.
Chameleon Hashing for Secure and Privacy-Preserving Vehicular Communications

Many services and applications in vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) require preserving and secure data communications. To improve driving safety and comfort, the traffic-related status information will be broadcasted regularly and shared among drivers. Without the security and privacy guarantees, attackers could track their interested vehicles by collecting and analyzing their traffic messages. Hence, anonymous message authentication is an essential requirement of VANETs. On the other hand, when a vehicle is involved in a dispute event of warning message, the certificate authority should be able to recover the real identity of this vehicle. To deal with this issue, we propose a new privacy-preserving authentication protocol with authority traceability using elliptic curve based chameleon hashing. Compared with existing schemes, our approach possesses the following features: 1) mutual and anonymous authentication for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside communications, 2) vehicle unlinkability, 3) authority tracking capability, and 4) high computational efficiency. We also demonstrate the merits of our proposed scheme through security analysis and extensive performance evaluation.
Hyperspectral and Physiological Analyses of Coral-Algal Interactions

Space limitation leads to competition between benthic, sessile organisms on coral reefs. As a primary example, reef-building corals are in direct contact with each other and many different species and functional groups of algae. Here we characterize interactions between three coral genera and three algal functional groups using a combination of hyperspectral imaging and oxygen microprofiling. We also performed in situ interaction transects to quantify the relative occurrence of these interaction on coral reefs. These studies were conducted in the Southern Line Islands, home to some of the most remote and near-pristine reefs in the world. Our goal was to determine if different types of coral-coral and coral-algal interactions were characterized by unique fine-scale physiological signatures. This is the first report using hyperspectral imaging for characterization of marine benthic organisms at the micron scale and proved to be a valuable tool for discriminating among different photosynthetic organisms. Consistent patterns emerged in physiology across different types of competitive interactions. In cases where corals were in direct contact with turf or macroalgae, there was a zone of hypoxia and altered pigmentation on the coral. In contrast, interaction zones between corals and crustose coralline algae (CCA) were not hypoxic and the coral tissue was consistent across the colony. Our results suggest that at least two main characteristic coral interaction phenotypes exist: 1) hypoxia and coral tissue disruption, seen with interactions between corals and fleshy turf and/or some species of macroalgae, and 2) no hypoxia or tissue disruption, seen with interactions between corals and some species of CCA. Hyperspectral imaging in combination with oxygen profiling provided useful information on competitive interactions between benthic reef organisms, and demonstrated that some turf and fleshy macroalgae can be a constant source of stress for corals, while CCA are not.
Acceleration of small bowel motility after oral administration of dai-kenchu-to (TJ-100) assessed by cine magnetic resonance imaging

Dai-kenchu-to (TJ-100) is an herbal medicine used to shorten the duration of intestinal transit by accelerating intestinal movement. However, intestinal movement in itself has not been evaluated in healthy volunteers using radiography, fluoroscopy, and radioisotopes because of exposure to ionizing radiation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of TJ-100 on intestinal motility using cinematic magnetic resonance imaging (cine MRI) with a steady-state free precession sequence. Ten healthy male volunteers received 5 g of either TJ-100 or lactose without disclosure of the identity of the substance. Each volunteer underwent two MRI examinations after taking the substances (TJ-100 and lactose) on separate days. They drank 1200 mL of tap water and underwent cine MRI after 10 min. A steady-state free precession sequence was used for imaging, which was performed thrice at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 min. The bowel contraction frequency and distention score were assessed. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used, and differences were considered significant at a P-value <0.05. The bowel contraction frequency tended to be greater in the TJ-100 group and was significantly different in the ileum at 20 (TJ-100, 8.95 ± 2.88; lactose, 4.80 ± 2.92; P < 0.05) and 50 min (TJ-100, 9.45 ± 4.49; lactose, 4.45 ± 2.65; P < 0.05) between the groups. No significant differences were observed in the bowel distention scores. Cine MRI demonstrated that TJ-100 activated intestinal motility without dependence on ileum distention.
Cilostazol enhances atorvastatin-induced vasodilation of female rat aorta during aging.

Statins have cholesterol-independent effects including an increased vascular nitric oxide activity and are commonly used by patients with cardiovascular disease. Such patients frequently have cardiovascular diseases, which may be treated with cilostazol, a platelet aggregation inhibitor. This study was designed to investigate whether combined use of cilostazol would increase the inhibitory effect of statin on vascular smooth muscle and how maturation would affect these responses. Female Wistar rats, aged 3-4 months (young) and 14-15 months (adult), were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the thoracic aorta was dissected and cut into 3- to 4-mm-long rings. The rings were mounted under a resting tension of 1 g in a 20-ml organ bath filled with Krebs-Henseleit solution. Rings were precontracted with phenylephrine (10-6 M), and the presence of endothelium was confirmed with acetylcholine (10-6 M). Then, the concentration-response curves were obtained for atorvastatin alone (10-10 to 3 × 10-4 M; control) and in the presence of cilostazol (10-6 M) in young and adult rat aortas. This experimental protocol was also carried out in aorta rings, which had been pretreated with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10-4 M). Atorvastatin induced concentration-dependent relaxations in young and adult rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted with phenylephrine. The pIC50 value of atorvastatin was significantly decreased in adult rat aortas. In addition, pretreatment of aortas with cilostazol enhanced the potency of atorvastatin in both young and adult aortas. Incubation with l-NAME did not completely eliminate the relaxations to atorvastatin in the presence of cilostazol. These results suggest that combined application of cilostazol with atorvastatin was significantly more potent than atorvastatin alone. Combined drug therapy may be efficacious in delaying the occurrence of cardiovascular events.