Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of generalized regression neural networks using PSO and GA for non-performer particles

Prediction of chaotic series is a problem in biomedical applications. The exact nature for future samples cannot be predicted accurately from the present and past values of the signals such as Electro Encelphogram, Electro Cardiography, and Electro Mio-graphy etc. Setting accurately the spread factor for prediction network such as Generalized Regression Neural networks (GRNN) leads to frustration and time consuming. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) when applied over spread factor for GRNN reduces the time complexity and produces more accurate results than random selection of spread factor. Further Genetic Algorithm (GA) in conjunction with PSO produces better results when used with the non performer particles during iterations. The performer particles are not applied to GA. We considered two benchmark series of neural network to predict the future samples, the Mackey Series and the Box Jenkins Furnace Series. The PSO-GA optimized spread for GRNN produced approximate replica of the future sample with minimum mean squared error than with PSO spread and randomly selected spread. With proper parameter selection for PSO and GA gives remarkable results in prediction of any chaotic series.
Service-oriented coordination platform for technology-enhanced learning

It is currently difficult to coordinate learning processes, not only because multiple stakeholders are involved (such as students, teachers, administrative staff, technical staff), but also because these processes are driven by sophisticated rules (such as rules on how to provide learning material, rules on how to assess students’ progress, rules on how to share educational responsibilities). This is one of the reasons for the slow progress in technology-enhanced learning. Consequently, there is a clear demand for technological facilitation of the coordination of learning processes. In this work, we suggest some solution directions that are based on SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture). In particular, we propose a coordination service pattern consistent with SOA and based on requirements that follow from an analysis of both learning processes and potentially useful support technologies. We present the service pattern considering both functional and non-functional issues, and we address policy enforcement as well. Finally, we complement our proposed architecture-level solution directions with an example. The example illustrates our ideas and is also used to identify: (i) a short list of educational IT services; (ii) related non-functional concerns; they will be considered in future work.
Modeling and Experimental Study for Online Measurement of Hydraulic Cylinder Micro Leakage Based on Convolutional Neural Network

Internal leakage is the most common failure of hydraulic cylinder; when it increases, it decreases volumetric efficiency, pressure and speed of the hydraulic cylinder, and can seriously affect the normal operation of the hydraulic cylinder, so it is important to measure it, especially to measure it online. Firstly, the principle of internal leakage online measurement is proposed, including the online measurement system, the fixed mode of the strain gauge and the mathematical model of the flow-strain signal conversion. Secondly, an experimental system is established to collect internal leakages and strain values, and the data is processed. Finally, the convolutional neural network (CNN), BP neural network (BPNN), Radial Basis Function Network (RBF), and Support Vector Regression (SVR) are used to predict the hydraulic cylinder leakage; the comparison of experimental results show that the CNN has high accuracy and high efficiency. This study provides a new idea for online measurement of small flow on other hydraulic components.
A New Percutaneous Endoscopic Instrument for Far-migrated Disk Herniation: A Retrospective Single-Institution Study

Abstract Objective Compared with the traditional posterior approach, the transforaminal (TF) approach for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar diskectomy (PELD) in patients with disk herniation has a limited resection range that is problematic to treat far-migrated disk herniation. This study examined the usefulness of a newly developed percutaneous endoscopic instrument for far-migrated disk herniation. Methods This retrospective study included 22 patients with migrated disk herniation ≥ 10 mm who underwent transforaminal PELD using the new instrument between August 2014 and May 2017. The new instrument differs from conventional forceps because it has only one jaw that rotates in a plane perpendicular to the mouth opening. The migrated herniated disk is held between the instrument and bone surface, pulled out, and subsequently removed using conventional forceps. Results Herniated disks that had migrated up to 16 mm were removed successfully in all patients. Conclusions The new instrument is a useful tool that can expand the resection range of the TF approach for PELD.
Risk of Serious Infection in Patients Receiving Systemic Medications for the Treatment of Psoriasis.

Importance There is a need for better understanding of the comparative safety of systemic medications used in the treatment of psoriasis. Objective To compare the risk of serious infection associated with biologic and nonbiologic systemic medications in patients with psoriasis. Design, Setting, and Participants An observational cohort study was conducted using medical and outpatient pharmacy claims from 2 large US health insurance claims databases from January 1, 2003, through September 30, 2015. We included patients with a diagnosis of psoriasis who were new users of systemic medications for psoriasis. Exposures Prescription claims for acitretin, adalimumab, apremilast, etanercept, infliximab, methotrexate, or ustekinumab. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was serious infection, defined by inpatient discharge diagnosis International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compare rates of serious infection for each exposure (acitretin, adalimumab, apremilast, etanercept, infliximab, and ustekinumab) with the referent group (methotrexate). We used pairwise 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching to adjust for potential confounders, which were assessed during a 180-day baseline period prior to study drug initiation. Results from the 2 databases were pooled via fixed-effects analysis. Results The databases included 31 595 patients in the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart and 76 112 patients in Truven MarketScan who were new users of acitretin, adalimumab, apremilast, etanercept, infliximab, methotrexate, and ustekinumab. Users of acitretin, apremilast, infliximab, and methotrexate were older and had higher baseline comorbidity scores than subcutaneous biologic users (adalimumab, etanercept, and ustekinumab). The pooled PS-matched analysis yielded a decreased rate of overall serious infection in users of apremilast (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% CI, 0.26-0.94), etanercept (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.93), and ustekinumab (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.89) compared with methotrexate. We did not find a different rate of overall serious infection among users of acitretin, adalimumab, and infliximab compared with methotrexate. Subanalysis by type of serious infection showed a significantly increased risk of cellulitis among users of acitretin compared with methotrexate (PS-adjusted HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.11-2.80). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with psoriasis treated with systemic medications in 2 large US claims databases, new users of apremilast, etanercept, and ustekinumab had a decreased rate of serious infection compared with methotrexate.
Large-scale non-Gaussian mass function and halo bias: tests on N-body simulations

A B ST R A C T Thedescription oftheabundanceand clusteringofhalosfornon-Gaussian initialconditions has recently received renewed interest,m otivated by the forthcom ing large galaxy and clustersurveys,which can potentially yield constraintsoforderunity on thenon-Gaussianity param eter fN L.W epresenttestson N-body sim ulationsofanalyticalform ulaedescribing thehalo abundanceand clusteringfornon-Gaussian initial conditions.W e calibratethe analyticnon-Gaussian m assfunction ofM atarreseetal. (2000) and LoVerdeetal. (2008) and the analytic description ofclustering ofhalos
MMP-2 Regulates Erk1/2 Phosphorylation and Aortic Dilatation in Marfan Syndrome

Rationale: Aneurysm and dissection of the ascending thoracic aorta are the main cardiovascular complications of Marfan syndrome (MFS) resulting in premature death. Studies using mouse models of MFS have shown that activation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-&bgr;) and the concomitant upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to aneurysm development. Our previous study showed that doxycycline delayed aneurysm rupture in a mouse model of MFS, Fbn1mgR/mgR. Losartan has been shown to prevent aneurysms in another mouse model of MFS, Fbn1C1039G/+, through inhibition of the Erk1/2 pathway. However, the role of MMP-2 in MFS and effect of losartan on the lifespan of MFS mice remain unknown. Objective: We investigated the role of MMP-2 in MFS and compared the effects of losartan and doxycycline on aortic dilatation and survival in Fbn1mgR/mgR mice. Methods and Results: By life table analysis, we found that losartan and doxycycline improved the survival of Fbn1mgR/mgR mice. Gelatin zymography and Western blot data showed that only doxycycline inhibited MMP-2 expression, whereas both drugs decreased Erk1/2 phosphorylation. When combined, only one of nine mice died within the 30-week study; aortic histology and diameter were normalized and the effects on Smad2 phosphorylation was additive. To further explore the role of MMP-2 in MFS, we created MMP-2–deficient Fbn1mgR/mgR mice. MMP-2 deletion inhibited activation of TGF-&bgr; and phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Smad2 and prolonged the lifespan of the mice. Conclusions: These studies demonstrated that inhibition of MMP-2 by doxycycline delayed the manifestations of MFS, in part, through its ability to decrease active TGF-&bgr; and the noncanonical signaling cascade downstream of TGF-&bgr;. This study further suggested that targeting TGF-&bgr; signaling at different points might be a more effective strategy for inhibiting disease progression.
Geometric Structures on the Cochains of a Manifold

In this paper we develop several algebraic structures on the simplicial cochains of a triangulated manifold that are analogues of objects in differential geometry. We study a cochain product and prove several statements about its convergence to the wedge product on differential forms. Also, for cochains with an inner product, we define a combinatorial Hodge star operator, and describe some applications, including holomorphic and anti-holomorphic cochains a combinatorial period matrix for surfaces. We show that for a particularly nice cochain inner product, several of these structures converge to their continuum analogues as the mesh of a triangulation tends to zero. It is an open question as to whether or not the combinatorial period matrix converges to the Riemann period matrix as the mesh of a sequence of triangulations tends to zero.In this paper we develop several algebraic structures on the simplicial cochains of a triangulated manifold that are analogues of objects in differential geometry. We study a cochain product and prove several statements about its convergence to the wedge product on differential forms. Also, for cochains with an inner product, we define a combinatorial Hodge star operator, and describe some applications, including a combinatorial period matrix for surfaces. We show that for a particularly nice cochain inner product, these combinatorial structures converge to their continuum analogues as the mesh of a triangulation tends to zero.
Optimization of Milk-Based Medium for Efficient Cultivation of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum G4 Using Face-Centered Central Composite-Response Surface Methodology

This study was undertaken to optimize skim milk and yeast extract concentration as a cultivation medium for optimal Bifidobacteria pseudocatenulatum G4 (G4) biomass and β-galactosidase production as well as lactose and free amino nitrogen (FAN) balance after cultivation period. Optimization process in this study involved four steps: screening for significant factors using 23 full factorial design, steepest ascent, optimization using FCCD-RSM, and verification. From screening steps, skim milk and yeast extract showed significant influence on the biomass production and, based on the steepest ascent step, middle points of skim milk (6% wt/vol) and yeast extract (1.89% wt/vol) were obtained. A polynomial regression model in FCCD-RSM revealed that both factors were found significant and the strongest influence was given by skim milk concentration. Optimum concentrations of skim milk and yeast extract for maximum biomass G4 and β-galactosidase production meanwhile low in lactose and FAN balance after cultivation period were 5.89% (wt/vol) and 2.31% (wt/vol), respectively. The validation experiments showed that the predicted and experimental values are not significantly different, indicating that the FCCD-RSM model developed is sufficient to describe the cultivation process of G4 using skim-milk-based medium with the addition of yeast extract.
Potential Physiological Frameworks for Mid‐Season Field Phenotyping of Final Plant Nitrogen Uptake, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Grain Yield in Maize

Improved phenotyping tools for simultaneously characterizing maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes with superior grain yield (GY) and N use effi ciency (NUE) would be benefi cial for breeding progress. Possible phenotypic predictors of the crowding intensity and N availability effects on maize plant N uptake, GY, and NUE were evaluated for different genotypes in two environments. Our objectives were to develop phenotyping framework tools to predict plant N uptake, GY, and NUE via (i) identifi cation of important mid-season morpho-physiological traits (from a total of 80 parameters), (ii) assessment of correlations between predictive traits (principal component analyses identifi ed 21 traits), and (iii) arrangement of key traits into sequential pathways of mechanistic functions (3 traits). Plant phenotyping measurements taken during vegetative stages were poor predictors of GY and NUE. Plant N status at silk emergence was strongly associated with grain components. At silking, the chlorophyll contents (Soil Plant Analysis Development [SPAD] readings) were highly correlated to leaf N concentration, and the latter with the N nutrition index (NNI). As expected, NNI fairly refl ected plant N uptake at silking and correlated well to relative GY. Maize plant biomass and N uptake at maturity were predicted via stem volume estimation at silking. The latter predictive model accurately simulated both GY and NUE in other fi eld experiments. Physiologically based frameworks for midseason prediction of maize GY and NUE require further testing but hold promise.
Stable native RIP9 complexes associate with C-to-U RNA editing activity, PPRs, RIPs, OZ1, ORRM1 and ISE2.

The mitochondrial and chloroplast mRNAs of the majority of land plants are modified through cytidine to uridine (C-to-U) RNA editing. Previously, forward and reverse genetic screens demonstrated a requirement for pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins for RNA editing. Moreover, chloroplast editing factors OZ1, RIP2, RIP9 and ORRM1 were identified in co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) experiments, albeit the minimal complex sufficient for editing activity was never deduced. The current study focuses on isolated, intact complexes that are capable of editing distinct sites. Peak editing activity for four sites was discovered in size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) fractions ≥ 670 kDa, while fractions estimated to be approximately 413 kDa exhibited the greatest ability to convert a substrate containing the editing site rps14 C80. RNA content peaked in the ≥ 670 kDa fraction. Treatment of active chloroplast extracts with RNase A abolished the relationship of editing activity with high-MW fractions, suggesting a structural RNA component in native complexes. By immunoblotting, RIP9, OTP86, OZ1 and ORRM1 were shown to be present in active gel filtration fractions, though OZ1 and ORRM1 were mainly found in low-MW inactive fractions. Active editing factor complexes were affinity-purified using anti-RIP9 antibodies, and orthologs to putative Arabidopsis thaliana RNA editing factor PPR proteins, RIP2, RIP9, RIP1, OZ1, ORRM1 and ISE2 were identified via mass spectrometry. Western blots from co-IP studies revealed the mutual association of OTP86 and OZ1 with native RIP9 complexes. Thus, RIP9 complexes were discovered to be highly associated with C-to-U RNA editing activity and other editing factors indicative of their critical role in vascular plant editosomes.
Basket‐weave structure in the stratum corneum is an important factor for maintaining the physiological properties of human skin as studied using reconstructed human epidermis and tape stripping of human cheek skin

The normal stratum corneum (SC) has an upper basket‐weave (BW) pattern layer and a lower compact layer. The transition from compact to BW SC is well associated with a transition from diffuse to peripheral distributions of corneodesmosomes (CDs). The loss of transition from compact SC to BW SC appears to cause structural and barrier‐function impairments.
Global and local D-vortices

Codimension-two objects on a system of brane-antibrane are studied in the context of Born-Infeld type effective field theory with a complex tachyon and U(1) × U(1) gauge fields. When the radial electric field is turned on in D2 ¯ D2, we find static regular global and local D-vortex solutions which could be candidates of straight cosmic D-strings in a superstring theory. A natural extension to DF-strings is briefly discussed.
Characterization of Glycolytic Enzymes and Pyruvate Kinase M2 in Type 1 and 2 Diabetic Nephropathy

OBJECTIVE Elevated glycolytic enzymes in renal glomeruli correlated with preservation of renal function in the Medalist Study, individuals with ≥50 years of type 1 diabetes. Specifically, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) activation protected insulin-deficient diabetic mice from hyperglycemia-induced glomerular pathology. This study aims to extend these findings in a separate cohort of individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and discover new circulatory biomarkers for renal protection through proteomics and metabolomics of Medalists’ plasma. We hypothesize that increased glycolytic flux and improved mitochondrial biogenesis will halt the progression of diabetic nephropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Immunoblots analyzed selected glycolytic and mitochondrial enzymes in postmortem glomeruli of non-Medalists with type 1 diabetes (n = 15), type 2 diabetes (n = 19), and no diabetes (n = 5). Plasma proteomic (SOMAscan) (n = 180) and metabolomic screens (n = 214) of Medalists with and without stage 3b chronic kidney disease (CKD) were conducted and significant markers validated by ELISA. RESULTS Glycolytic (PKM1, PKM2, and ENO1) and mitochondrial (MTCO2) enzymes were significantly elevated in glomeruli of CKD− versus CKD+ individuals with type 2 diabetes. Medalists’ plasma PKM2 correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r2 = 0.077; P = 0.0002). Several glucose and mitochondrial enzymes in circulation were upregulated with corresponding downregulation of toxic metabolites in CKD-protected Medalists. Amyloid precursor protein was also significantly upregulated, tumor necrosis factor receptors downregulated, and both confirmed by ELISA. CONCLUSIONS Elevation of enzymes involved in the metabolism of intracellular free glucose and its metabolites in renal glomeruli is connected to preserving kidney function in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The renal profile of elevated glycolytic enzymes and reduced toxic glucose metabolites is reflected in the circulation, supporting their use as biomarkers for endogenous renal protective factors in people with diabetes.
Dysregulation of Histone Acetyltransferases and Deacetylases in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide despite advances in its prevention and management. A comprehensive understanding of factors which contribute to CVD is required in order to develop more effective treatment options. Dysregulation of epigenetic posttranscriptional modifications of histones in chromatin is thought to be associated with the pathology of many disease models, including CVD. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs) are regulators of histone lysine acetylation. Recent studies have implicated a fundamental role of reversible protein acetylation in the regulation of CVDs such as hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, diabetic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, and heart failure. This reversible acetylation is governed by enzymes that HATs add or HDACs remove acetyl groups respectively. New evidence has revealed that histone acetylation regulators blunt cardiovascular and related disease states in certain cellular processes including myocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. The accumulating evidence of the detrimental role of histone acetylation in cardiac disease combined with the cardioprotective role of histone acetylation regulators suggests that the use of histone acetylation regulators may serve as a novel approach to treating the millions of patients afflicted by cardiac diseases worldwide.
MULTI-LEVEL TRUST ARCHITECTURE FOR MOBILE ADHOC NETWORKS BASED ON CONTEXT-AWARE

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are not favorable to centralized trust architecture and literature rev iew provides several security framework and solutions f or trust management. However, there is no unified architecture for MANET to exploit deployed security models based on trust. This study presents compelling trust architecture in which a trust base d security model is superimposed with three trust m odels such as a low-level trust model, a medium-level tru st model, and a high-level trust model based on con textaware security. The low-level trust model meets the necessary security requirements using direct observations. The medium-level trust model ensures medium security level using direct observations and recommendation messages. The high-level trust model provides a highly secured system with high complexity and computational cost. The proposed work is formulated based on the application context to determine the trust-level in geographic routing pro tocol. The proposed trust is fully distributed and application context dependent and dynamic in nature . The proposed multi-level trust model is integrate d with Position based Opportunistic Routing (POR) Protocol that selects the trusted next hop in the rout ing path. The correctness of the proposed scheme is ana lyzed using network simulator (NS-2). Proposed work increases packet deliver ratio and throughput signi ficantly.