Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning-Free Deep Features for Multispectral Palm-Print Classification

The feature extraction step is a major and crucial step in analyzing and understanding raw data as it has a considerable impact on the system accuracy. Unfortunately, despite the very acceptable results obtained by many handcrafted methods, they can have difficulty representing the features in the case of large databases or with strongly correlated samples. In this context, we proposed a new, simple and lightweight method for deep feature extraction. Our method can be configured to produce four different deep features, each controlled to tune the system accuracy. We have evaluated the performance of our method using a multispectral palmprint based biometric system and the experimental results, using the CASIA database, have shown that our method has high accuracy compared to many current handcrafted feature extraction methods and many well known deep learning based methods.
The Role of Olfactomedin 2 in the Adipose Tissue–Liver Axis and Its Implication in Obesity-Associated Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

This study’s objective was to assess the involvement of olfactomedin 2 (OLFM2), a secreted glycoprotein related to lipid metabolism regulation, in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) mediated by the adipose-tissue–liver axis. OLFM2 mRNA expression was analyzed in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue by RT–qPCR. The cohort included women with normal weight (n = 16) or morbid obesity (MO, n = 60) who were subclassified into normal liver (n = 20), simple steatosis (n = 21), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n = 19) groups. The results showed that OLFM2 expression in SAT was enhanced in MO individuals and in the presence of NAFLD. Specifically, OLFM2 expression in SAT was increased in mild and moderate degrees of steatosis in comparison to the absence of it. Moreover, OLFM2 expression in SAT was negatively correlated with interleukin-6 levels. On the other hand, OLFM2 expression in VAT decreased in the presence of NASH and exhibited a positive correlation with adiponectin levels. In conclusion, OLFM2 in SAT seems to be implicated in hepatic lipid accumulation. Additionally, since we previously suggested the possible implication of hepatic OLFM2 in NAFLD progression, now we propose a possible interaction between the liver and SAT, reinforcing the potential implication of this tissue in NAFLD development.
Electro-optic electric-field sensors utilizing Ti∶LiNbO3 1×2 directional coupler with dipole antennas

Abstract. We have demonstrated a Ti∶LiNbO3 electro-optic electric-field sensor based on 1×2 directional optical waveguide coupler. The symmetric geometry of the 1×2 directional coupler provided the sensor with unique characteristics of intrinsic 3-dB operating point and two complementary outputs. A DC switching voltage of ∼12 V and an extinction ratio of ∼8.1 dB were observed with the coupler at a wavelength of 1.3 μm. The minimum detectable electric fields are ∼0.99 and ∼1.67 V/m corresponding to a dynamic range of ∼29.5 and ∼25 dB at frequencies of 20 and 50 MHz, respectively. The sensors exhibit almost linear response for the applied electric-field intensity from 0.29 to 29.8 V/m.
Six-input lookup table circuit with 62% fewer transistors using nonvolatile logic-in-memory architecture with series/parallel-connected magnetic tunnel junctions

A compact 6-input lookup table (LUT) circuit using nonvolatile logic-in-memory (LIM) architecture with series/parallel-connected magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices is proposed for a standby-power-free field-programmable gate array. Series/parallel connections of MTJ devices make it possible not only to reduce the effect of resistance variation, but also to enhance the programmability of resistance values, which achieves a sufficient sensing margin even when process variation is serious in the recent nanometer-scaled VLSI. Moreover, the additional MTJ devices do not increase the effective chip area because the configuration circuit using MTJ devices is simplified and these devices are stacked over the CMOS plane. As a result, the transistor counts of the proposed circuit are reduced by 62% in comparison with those of a conventional nonvolatile LUT circuit where CMOS-only-based volatile static random access memory cell circuits are replaced by MTJ-based nonvolatile ones.
Effect of Squealer Geometry Arrangement on a Gas Turbine Blade Tip Heat Transfer

This study investigates the effect of a squealer tip geometry arrangement on heat transfer coefficient and static pressure distributions on a gas turbine blade tip in a five-bladed stationary linear cascade. A transient liquid crystal technique is used to obtain detailed heat transfer coefficient distribution. The test blade is a linear model of a tip section of the GE E 3 high-pressure turbine first stage rotor blade. Six tip geometry cases are studied: (1) squealer on pressure side, (2) squealer on mid camber line, (3) squealer on suction side, (4) squealer on pressure and suction sides, (5) squealer on pressure side plus mid camber line, and (6) squealer on suction side plus mid camber line. The flow condition during the blowdown tests corresponds to an overall pressure ratio of 1.32 and exit Reynolds number based on axial chord of 1.1×10 6
Fatty acid transport protein inhibition sensitizes breast and ovarian cancers to oncolytic virus therapy via lipid modulation of the tumor microenvironment

Introduction Adipocytes in the tumour microenvironment are highly dynamic cells that have an established role in tumour progression, but their impact on anti-cancer therapy resistance is becoming increasingly difficult to overlook. Methods We investigated the role of adipose tissue and adipocytes in response to oncolytic virus (OV) therapy in adipose-rich tumours such as breast and ovarian neoplasms. Results We show that secreted products in adipocyte-conditioned medium significantly impairs productive virus infection and OV-driven cell death. This effect was not due to the direct neutralization of virions or inhibition of OV entry into host cells. Instead, further investigation of adipocyte secreted factors demonstrated that adipocyte-mediated OV resistance is primarily a lipid-driven phenomenon. When lipid moieties are depleted from the adipocyte-conditioned medium, cancer cells are re-sensitized to OV-mediated destruction. We further demonstrated that blocking fatty acid uptake by cancer cells, in a combinatorial strategy with virotherapy, has clinical translational potential to overcome adipocyte-mediated OV resistance. Discussion Our findings indicate that while adipocyte secreted factors can impede OV infection, the impairment of OV treatment efficacy can be overcome by modulating lipid flux in the tumour milieu.
Effects of a nurse-led structured home visiting program on quality of life and adherence to treatment in hemodialysis patients

Purpose This study aimed to determine the effects of a nurse-led structured home visit program on quality of life and adherence to treatment in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods The study was quasi-experimental research in which 62 hemodialysis patients referred to Bu Ali hospital in Ardabil participated in two groups: Intervention (n = 31) and control (n = 31). The intervention included a structured and planned home visit program that was performed in five stages over 3 months. Data collection tools were a demographic information form, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL–SF™) and End Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD_AQ) which were completed by patients before, at the end of the first, second, and third month of intervention. SPSS v20 software and descriptive and analytical tests (Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA and repeated measure) were used for data analysis. Findings Examining demographic characteristics showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between age and quality of life scores (P = 0.004), that is, with increasing age, the quality of life score decreases, but other demographic characteristics did not have a significant relationship with quality of life scores and adherence to treatment (P > 0.05). Also, the results showed that in the intervention and control groups, during the study, the scores of quality of life and adherence to treatment increased significantly, and this increase was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The scores of quality of life and adherence to treatment increased significantly both during the study in each group separately and between groups during the study (P < 0.001). Conclusions According to the significant improvement in quality of life and adherence to treatment in patients following a home-visiting program during 3 months, these interventions can be utilized to improve quality of life and adherence to treatment of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Practice implications Home visiting programs significantly improve the level of knowledge of patients undergoing hemodialysis and their family members, through their involvement in the care process. Having said that, it seems plausible to implement home visits in the standard care plans of hemodialysis patients.
Dielectric Properties of Healthy Ex Vivo Ovine Lung Tissue at Microwave Frequencies

Knowledge of dielectric properties of lung tissue is fundamental for the improvement of lung disease diagnostics and therapeutic solutions [e.g., microwave imaging (MWI) and microwave thermal ablation (MWA) treatment]. Although lung disease rates are increasing, lung tissue remains one of the least characterized tissues due to its heterogeneity, variability in air content, and handling difficulties. In this work, the dielectric properties of ex vivo ovine lung tissue samples were measured in the frequency range 500 MHz–8 GHz, together with measurements of sample density (air content). Different Cole–Cole models were applied to the measured dielectric properties values. The best fitting model was chosen, and results were compared with available literature. Furthermore, the dielectric property measurements were correlated with the air content of the samples. Updated Cole–Cole models for the lung tissue of different densities are provided in the 500 MHz–8 GHz range. The existence of air content threshold in lung is shown. Below this limit, the properties begin to change drastically with the change in density.
Non-Contact Human Vital Signs Extraction Algorithms Using IR-UWB Radar: A Review

The knowledge of heart and respiratory rates (HRs and RRs) is essential in assessing human body static. This has been associated with many applications, such as survivor rescue in ruins, lie detection, and human emotion detection. Thus, the vital signal extraction from radar echoes after pre-treatments, which have been applied using various methods by many researchers, has exceedingly become a necessary part of its further usage. In this review, we describe the variety of techniques used for vital signal extraction and verify their accuracy and efficiency. Emerging approaches such as wavelet analysis and mode decomposition offer great opportunities to measure vital signals. These developments would promote advancements in industries such as medical and social security by replacing the current electrocardiograms (ECGs), emotion detection for survivor status assessment, polygraphs, etc.
Tisochrysis lutea as a Substrate for Lactic Acid Fermentation: Biochemical Composition, Digestibility, and Functional Properties

Microalgae, because of their high nutritional value and bioactive molecule content, are interesting candidates for functional foods, including fermented foods, in which the beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria combine with those of biomolecules lying in microalgal biomass. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of Tisochrysis lutea F&M-M36 as a substrate for Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 and to verify fermentation effects on functionality. Bacterium selection among three lactobacilli was based on growth and resistance to in vitro digestion. Microalgal raw biomass and its digested residue were fermented in two matrixes, water and diluted organic medium, and analysed for biochemical composition and antioxidant activity along with their unfermented counterparts. Bacterial survivability to digestion and raw biomass digestibility after fermentation were also evaluated. Fucoxanthin was strongly reduced (>90%) in post-digestion residue, suggesting high bioavailability. Raw biomass in diluted organic medium gave the highest bacterial growth (8.5 logCFU mL−1) and organic acid production (5 mg L−1), while bacterial survivability to digestion (<3%) did not improve. After fermentation, the antioxidant activity of lipophilic extracts increased (>90%). Fermentation appears an interesting process to obtain T. lutea-based functional foods, although further investigations are needed to optimize bacterial growth and fully evaluate its effects on functionality and organoleptic features.
The roles of extracellular vesicles in major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious mental disease characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest and suicidal ideation. Its rising prevalence has rendered MDD one of the largest contributors to the global disease burden. However, its pathophysiological mechanism is still unclear, and reliable biomarkers are lacking. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are widely considered important mediators of intercellular communication, playing an important role in many physiological and pathological processes. Most preclinical studies focus on the related proteins and microRNAs in EVs, which can regulate energy metabolism, neurogenesis, neuro-inflammation and other pathophysiological processes in the development of MDD. The purpose of this review is to describe the current research progress of EVs in MDD and highlight their potential roles as biomarkers, therapeutic indicators and drug delivery carriers for the treatment of MDD.
Nocturnal Wind Structure and Plume Growth Rates Due to Inertial Oscillations

Abstract Theoretical plume growth rates depend upon the atmospheric spatial energy spectrum. Current grid-based numerical models generally resolve large-scale (synoptic) energy, while planetary boundary layer turbulence is parameterized. Energy at intermediate scales is often neglected. In this study, boundary layer radar profilers are used to examine the temporal energy spectrum, which can provide information about the atmospheric structure affecting plume growth rates. A boundary layer model (BLM) into which the radar information has been assimilated is used to drive a Lagrangian particle model (LPM) that is subsequently employed to examine plume growth rates. Profiler and aircraft data taken during the 1995 Southern Oxidants Study in Nashville, Tennessee, are used in the model study for assimilation and evaluation. The results show that the BLM without assimilation significantly underestimates the strength of the diurnal–inertial spectral peak, which in turn causes an underestimate of plume spread. Com.
Changes in fatty acids during storage of artisanal‐processed freshwater sardines (Rastrineobola argentea)

Abstract For ages, indigenous small fish species have been important in food and nutritional security of poor communities in low income countries. Freshwater fish, in particular fatty fish species are attracting a great attention because they are good sources of health promoting long chain omega‐3 fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n‐3), Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, C22:5n‐3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n‐3) are the main omega‐3 PUFAs known to confer health benefits in humans if consumed in required amounts. While nutritionally valued, omega‐3 PUFAs in fish are susceptible to oxidative damage during processing, transportation and subsequent storage. Lake Victoria sardines (Rastrineobola argentea), are rich source of chemically unstable omega‐3 fatty acids DHA, DPA and EPA. Traditionally, sardines are preserved by sun drying, deep frying and smoking. Sardine products are transported, stored and marketed at ambient temperatures. Generally, uncontrolled and higher temperatures are known to increase vulnerability of polyunsaturated fatty acids to oxidation which in turn results into loss of nutritional and sensory qualities. This study investigated changes of fat acids in sun dried, deep fried and smoked sardines during storage. Lipolysis and the progressive hydroperoxides formation were monitored by free fatty acids (FFAs) and peroxide value (PV) respectively. None volatile secondary products of lipid oxidation were measured by thiobabituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography with a flameionization detector (GC‐FID). Deep fried sardines maintained the lowest and apparently stable PV, TBARS and FFAs. Proportions of saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased with time while that of monounsaturated fatty acids increased. Omega‐3 fatty acids EPA, DPA and DHA decreased with increase in storage time. In 21 days of storage, DHA was oxidized beyond detectable levels in all sardine products. Gradual increase in FFAs in sun dried sardines was suggestive of lipid hydrolysis induced by enzymes.
On Reynolds-Averaged Turbulence Modeling with Immersed Boundary Method

The immersed boundary (IB) method is an approach in the computational fluid dynamics in which complex geometry conforming meshes are replaced by simple ones and the true simulated geometry is projected onto the simple mesh by a scalar field and adjustment of governing equations. Such an approach is particularly advantageous in topology optimizations (TO) where it allows for substantial speed-up since a single mesh can be used for all the tested topologies. In our previous work, we linked our custom IB variant, the hybrid fictitious domain-immersed boundary method (HFDIB), with a TO framework and successfully carried out an optimization under laminar flow conditions. However, to allow for optimizations of reallife components, the IB approach needs to be coupled with an affordable turbulence modeling. In this contribution, we focus on extending the HFDIB approach by the possibility to perform Reynolds-averaged simulations (RAS). In particular, we implemented the k − ω turbulence model and wall functions for closure variables and velocity.
Ageing behaviour of Pd40Cu30Ni10P20 bulk metallic glass during long-time isothermal annealing

In this paper, positron annihilation spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were applied to study the structural relaxation of Pd40Cu30Ni10P20 bulk metallic glass during long-time annealing at 523 K. It was found that the relaxation of the alloy follows a two-stage process. In the initial stage, with increasing annealing time, the height of the glass transition peak (namely Δcp) increased, while the average positron lifetime decreased. The isothermal relaxation kinetics obeys a Kohlrausch law with exponent of β = 0.5± 0.03. However, when the annealing time is beyond 32 h, the height of the glass transition peak (Δcp) decreased, and the average positron lifetime increased. This is possibly due to the enhancement of the topological short-range ordering, which results in the generation of new defects on the interfaces between the solid-like regions and the liquid-like regions in amorphous phase. The experimental results were tentatively discussed in terms of free-volume theory and percolation theory.
Synthesis, In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Antiproliferative and Neuroprotective Effects and In Silico Studies of Novel 16E-Arylidene-5α,6α-epoxyepiandrosterone Derivatives

Steroids constitute an important class of pharmacologically active molecules, playing key roles in human physiology. Within this group, 16E-arylideneandrostane derivatives have been reported as potent anti-cancer agents for the treatment of leukemia, breast and prostate cancers, and brain tumors. Additionally, 5α,6α-epoxycholesterol is an oxysterol with several biological activities, including regulation of cell proliferation and cholesterol homeostasis. Interestingly, pregnenolone derivatives combining these two modifications were described as potential neuroprotective agents. In this research, novel 16E-arylidene-5α,6α-epoxyepiandrosterone derivatives were synthesized from dehydroepiandrosterone by aldol condensation with different aldehydes followed by a diastereoselective 5α,6α-epoxidation. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated on tumoral and non-tumoral cell lines by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Furthermore, the assessment of the neuroprotective activity of these derivatives was performed in a dopaminergic neuronal cell line (N27), at basal conditions, and in the presence of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Interestingly, some of these steroids had selective cytotoxic effects in tumoral cell lines, with an IC50 of 3.47 µM for the 2,3-dichlorophenyl derivative in the breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). The effects of this functionalized epoxide on cell proliferation (Ki67 staining), cell necrosis (propidium iodide staining), as well as the analysis of the nuclear area and near neighbor distance in MCF-7 cells, were analyzed. From this set of biological studies, strong evidence of the activation of apoptosis was found. In contrast, no significant neuroprotection against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity was observed for the less cytotoxic steroids in N27 cells. Lastly, molecular docking simulations were achieved to verify the potential affinity of these compounds against important targets of steroidal drugs (androgen receptor, estrogen receptor α, and 5α-reductase type 2, 17α-hydroxylase-17,20-lyase and aromatase enzymes). This in silico study predicted a strong affinity between most novel steroidal derivatives and 5α-reductase and 17α-hydroxylase-17,20-lyase enzymes.
FES null mice demonstrate a reduction in neutrophil dependent pancreatic cancer metastatic burden

Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have a dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 10%, predominantly due to delayed diagnosis and a lack of effective treatment options. In the PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME), neutrophils are among the immune cell types that are most prevalent and are linked to a poor clinical prognosis. However, treatments that target tumor-associated neutrophils are limited despite recent developments in our understanding of neutrophil function in cancer. The feline sarcoma oncogene (FES) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase previously associated with leukemia and hematopoietic homeostasis. Here we describe a newly derived FES null mouse with no distinct phenotype and no defects in hematopoietic homeostasis including neutrophil viability. The immune cell composition and neutrophil population were analyzed with flow cytometry, colony-forming unit (CFU) assay, and a neutrophil viability assay, while the response to PDAC was examined with an in vivo cancer model. In an experimental metastasis model, the FES null model displayed a reduced PDAC hepatic metastatic burden and a reduction in neutrophils granulocytes. Accordingly, our results indicate FES as a potential target for PDAC TME modulation.