Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Dissipation in Silicon

The search for gravitational radiation remains one of the most challenging problems faced by experimental physicists at this present time. One of the most significant limits to the sensitivity of current and planned long-baseline gravitational wave detectors is thermal displacement noise in their test masses and suspensions. Future detectors with higher sensitivities will require optics with both reduced thermal noise and the capability of handling increased levels of laser power. The thermomechanical properties of silicon both at room and low temperatures make it of significant interest as a possible material for mirror substrates and suspension elements. The mechanical dissipation in a 91μm thick <110> single-crystal silicon cantilever has been observed over the temperature range 85 K to 300 K, with dissipations approaching levels down to φ = 4.4×10.
Development and Validation of a Self-Administered Questionnaire for Myasthenia Gravis Patients

Background: To date, the investigation of the epidemiological profile of myasthenia gravis (MG) is sparse, and the influence of environmental and lifestyle factors on the occurrence of the disease remains thus unknown. The main aim of this study, which is part of a European collaborative project (EuroMyasthenia), was to develop a self-administered questionnaire to investigate these potential predisposing factors for MG. No instrument for investigating these particular factors has previously been designed for MG patients. Material and Methods: The questionnaire was developed in 3 stages: (1) devising a draft questionnaire based on questions derived from previously validated questionnaires and self-designed questions on MG characteristics; (2) testing the questionnaire on Norwegian MG patients (n = 57), and (3) assessing the content and criterion validity, and test-retest reliability, of the final questionnaire. Results: The questionnaire was easy to use and showed good feasibility for MG patients. Psychometric evaluation established the validity and reliability of the self-designed questions on MG characteristics. Conclusion: This is the first validated instrument developed to identify self-assessed environmental factors and potential predisposing factors for MG, and suitable for use in large-scale epidemiological studies.
Identification of thermophilic bacteria in solid-waste composting

The thermophilic microbiota of solid-waste composting, with major emphasis on Bacillus spp. , was examined with Trypticase soy broth (BBL Microbiology Systems) with 2% agar as the initial plating medium. Five 4.5-liter laboratory units at 49 to 69 degrees C were fed a mixture of dried table scraps and shredded newspaper. The composting plants treating refuse at Altoona, Pa. , and refuse-sludge at Leicester, England, were also sampled. Of 652 randomly picked colonies, 87% were identified as Bacillus spp. Other isolates included two genera of unidentified nonsporeforming bacteria (one of gram-negative small rods and the other of gram-variable coccobacilli), the actinomycetes Streptomyces spp. and Thermoactinomyces sp. , and the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Among the Bacillus isolates, the following, in order of decreasing frequency, were observed: B. circulans complex, B. stearothermophilus, B. coagulans types A and B, B. licheniformis, B. brevis, B. sphaericus, Bacillus spp. types i and ii, and B. subtilis. About 15% of the Bacillus isolates could be assigned to species only by allowing for greater variability in one or more characteristics than has been reported by other authors for their strains. In particular, growth at higher temperatures than previously reported was found for strains of several species. A small number of Bacillus isolates (less than 2%) could not be assigned to any recognized species.
Gold nanoparticles and bioconjugation: a pathway for proteomic applications

Abstract In the last few years gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) became extremely interesting materials due to their enhanced optical, chemical and electrical properties. With the intention of taking advantage of those properties, the use of AuNPs has spread into a wide variety of areas such as physics, chemistry, biology, industry and medicine. More interestingly, their ability to form robust conjugates with biomolecules has given proteomics a new tool to improve aspects where the current methods to study proteins and their interactions in living cells cannot achieve the success required. In this review we present some of the current methods for AuNPs synthesis, the tailoring of their surface with ligands to improve stability and strategies to conjugate with biomolecules. Lastly, we also discuss their application in proteomic methods and recent developments in clinical diagnosis.
Characterization of the dapA-nlpB Genetic Locus Involved in Regulation of Swarming Motility, Cell Envelope Architecture, Hemolysin Production, and Cell Attachment Ability in Serratia marcescens

ABSTRACT Swarming migration of Serratia marcescens requires both flagellar motility and cellular differentiation and is a population-density-dependent behavior. While the flhDC and quorum-sensing systems have been characterized as important factors regulating S. marcescens swarming, the underlying molecular mechanisms are currently far from being understood. Serratia swarming is thermoregulated and is characterized by continuous surface migration on rich swarming agar surfaces at 30°C but not at 37°C. To further elucidate the mechanisms, identification of specific and conserved regulators that govern the initiation of swarming is essential. We performed transposon mutagenesis to screen for S. marcescens strain CH-1 mutants that swarmed at 37°C. Analysis of a “precocious-swarming” mutant revealed that the defect in a conserved dapASm-nlpBSm genetic locus which is closely related to the synthesis of bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan is responsible for the aberrant swarming phenotype. Further complementation and gene knockout studies showed that nlpBSm, which encodes a membrane lipoprotein, NlpBSm, but not dapASm, is specifically involved in swarming regulation. On the other hand, dapASm but not nlpBSm is responsible for the determination of cell envelope architecture, regulation of hemolysin production, and cellular attachment capability. While the nlpBSm mutant showed similar cytotoxicity to its parent strain, the dapASm mutant significantly increased in cytotoxicity. We present evidence that DapASm is involved in the determination of cell-envelope-associated phenotypes and that NlpBSm is involved in the regulation of swarming motility.
Cellular image segmentation using n-agent cooperative game theory

Image segmentation is an important problem in computer vision and has significant applications in the segmentation of cellular images. Many different imaging techniques exist and produce a variety of image properties which pose difficulties to image segmentation routines. Bright-field images are particularly challenging because of the non-uniform shape of the cells, the low contrast between cells and background, and imaging artifacts such as halos and broken edges. Classical segmentation techniques often produce poor results on these challenging images. Previous attempts at bright-field imaging are often limited in scope to the images that they segment. In this paper, we introduce a new algorithm for automatically segmenting cellular images. The algorithm incorporates two game theoretic models which allow each pixel to act as an independent agent with the goal of selecting their best labelling strategy. In the non-cooperative model, the pixels choose strategies greedily based only on local information. In the cooperative model, the pixels can form coalitions, which select labelling strategies that benefit the entire group. Combining these two models produces a method which allows the pixels to balance both local and global information when selecting their label. With the addition of k-means and active contour techniques for initialization and post-processing purposes, we achieve a robust segmentation routine. The algorithm is applied to several cell image datasets including bright-field images, fluorescent images and simulated images. Experiments show that the algorithm produces good segmentation results across the variety of datasets which differ in cell density, cell shape, contrast, and noise levels.
An Outcomes Analysis of 2142 Breast Reduction Procedures

BackgroundBreast reduction alleviates macromastia symptoms and facilitates symmetrical breast reconstruction after cancer treatment. We investigated a large series of consecutive breast reductions to study important factors that impact outcomes. MethodsAn institutional review board–approved, retrospective review of all breast reductions from 1999 to 2009 in a single institution was performed using the medical record for demographics, medical history, physical examination, intraoperative data, and postoperative complications. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed using Stata 1.0. P ⩽ 0.05 defined significance. ResultsSeventeen surgeons performed 2152 consecutive breast reductions on 1148 patients using inferior pedicle/Wise pattern (56.4%), medial pedicle/Wise pattern (16.8%), superior pedicle/nipple graft/Wise pattern (15.1%), superior pedicle/vertical pattern (11.6%), and liposuction (0.1%) techniques. Complications included discernible scars (14.5%), nonsurgical wounds (13.5%), fat necrosis (8.2%), infection (7.3%), wounds requiring negative pressure wound therapy or reoperation (1.4%), and seroma (1.2%). Reoperation rates were 6.7% for scars, 1.4% for fat necrosis, and 1% for wounds.Body mass index greater than or equal to 35 kg/m2 increased risk of infections [odds ratio (OR), 2.3, P = 0.000], seromas (OR, 2.9, P = 0.03), fat necrosis (OR, 2.0, P = 0.002), and minor wounds (OR, 1.7, P = 0.001). Cardiac disease increased reoperation for scar (OR, 3.0, P = 0.04) and fat necrosis (OR, 5.3, P = 0.03). Tobacco use increased infection rate (OR, 2.1, P = 0.008). Secondary surgery increased seromas (OR, 12.0, P = 0.001). Previous hysterectomy/oophorectomy increased risk of wound reoperations (OR, 3.4, P = 0.02), and exogenous hormone supplementation trended toward decreasing infections (OR, 0.5, P = 0.08). &khgr;2 analysis revealed 7.8% infection risk without exogenous hormone versus 3.8% risk with hormone supplementation (P = 0.02). ConclusionsMorbid obesity, tobacco, cardiac history, and secondary surgery negatively impacted breast reduction outcomes. Hormonal status impacted reoperations and infections.
A Highly Linear Low Voltage and Multiple Weighted Input Differential Difference Amplifier Design

This paper presents a method of a fully balanced CMOS differential-difference amplifier (DDA) circuit design, which is suitable for low voltage operation. A new multiple weighted input transconductor circuit structure is employed in DDA chip implementation. The proposed fully balanced DDA can be used in several mixed analog/digital systems to improve their parameters.
Vergleich verschiedener Methoden zur Messung der Stickstoffmonoxid-Konzentration in den Atemwegen von Säuglingen

Exspiratorisches Stickstoffmonoxid (FENO) gilt als Marker von Entzundungsprozessen der unteren Atemwege bei Kindern und Erwachsenen. Die Messung von FENO ist im Rahmen der Diagnostik und Verlaufsbeurteilung entzundlicher Atem­wegs­erkrankungen, wie dem Asthma bronchiale, sinnvoll einzusetzen. Allerdings sind die verschiedenen Einflussfaktoren auf die NO-Messungen bei Sauglingen nicht ausreichend untersucht, so dass, anders als bei Kindern und Erwachsenen, keine allgemein gultigen Empfehlungen zur FENO-Messung in dieser Altersgruppe vorliegen. In dieser Studie wurde der Einfluss der bekannten Storfaktoren bei Sauglingen untersucht. Dazu wurden vier verschiedene Methoden zur Messung von FENO von insgesamt 43 schlafen­den, nicht sedierten Sauglingen wahrend ruhiger Spontan­atmung durchgefuhrt und ver­glichen: eine nasale NO-Mes­sung mit Hilfe einer Kunst­stoff­olive (n1 = 20), jeweils im rechten und im linken Nasen­loch, eine gemischt-exspiratorische2 NO-Messung mit Hilfe einer Maske uber Mund und Nase bei Ein­atmung von Raumluft (n = 33) versus Einatmung NO-freier Luft (n = 25) und eine NO-Messung uber eine Mundmaske bei Okklusion der Nase (n = 29). Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigen, dass die nasale NO-Messung uber eine Kunststoff-Olive bei Sauglingen relativ unproblema­tisch durchzufuhren war. Hierbei wurden er­heb­lich hohere NO-Konzentrationen als bei den gemischt­­­exspiratorischen Messungen festgestellt. Die gemischt­­-­exspiratorischen Messungen waren signifikant von NO in der Einatemluft beeinflusst. Daher ist bei dieser Messung ab einer Raum-NO-Konzentration von 3 ppb eine Ein­at­mung von NO-freier Luft notwendig. Erhebliche Schwierigkeiten bereitete es, Saug­linge, die vorwiegende Nasenatmer sind, durch eine Okklusion der Nase zur Mundatmung zu bringen. Demzufolge war eine Trennung von oberen und unteren Atemwegen nicht moglich und somit eine Kontamination des FENO durch nasales NO nicht zu verhindern. Die Messung von gemischt-exspiratorischem NO bei Sauglingen mit Hilfe einer Maske uber Mund und Nase bei Einatmung NO-freier Luft ist daher diejenige, die von den hier untersuchten vier nicht-invasiven Methoden am besten geeignet ist. Eine genaue Aussage uber die NO-Konzentrationen der unteren Atemwege kann jedoch nicht getroffen werden. Da sich aber das FENO aus den unteren Atemwegen als Marker von Entzundungs­prozessen in den Atemwegen erwiesen hat, mussen weitere Untersuchungen zeigen, inwieweit die gemischt-exspiratorischen NO-Werte in der untersuchten Altersgruppe von diagnostischem Wert sind.
A Gesture Control System for Aiding Surgical Procedures

In this work, we present a gesture control system for aiding surgical procedures using the Kinect device. Several abstractions have been implemented, making this process simpler, at an affordable cost. Procedures for visualization and controlling of medical images, routinely performed in surgical theatres, were also successfully modeled, including gesture control of radiological images. We have also conducted initial usability testings with users to determine performance measures, the influence of gesture control on perceived usefulness and ease of use of the system. The results show that the participants are able to perform the tasks of search, selection and manipulation of 2D images and 3D models, quickly and accurately, demonstrating the usefulness of the system as a possible effective and competitive alternative, to the traditional use of the negatoscope, for gesture based interactive control of medical images.
Intrinsic parameter fluctuations on current mirror circuit with different aspect ratio of 16-nm multi-gate MOSFET

In this study, we examine the dependency of current mirror circuit characteristics on channel-fin aspect-ratio (AR = fin height / the fin width) of 16-nm multi-gate MOSFET and device's intrinsic parameter fluctuation including metal-gate work-function fluctuation (WKF), random-dopant fluctuation (RDF), process-variation effect (PVE), and oxide-thickness fluctuation (OTF). For n- and p-type current mirror circuits, the fluctuations dominated by RDF and WKF, respectively, could be suppressed by high AR of devices due to improved driving current. For n- and p-type current mirror circuits, IOUT fluctuation dominated by RDF and WKF in FinFET (AR = 2) is 2.8 and 2.5 times smaller than that of quasi-planar (AR = 0.5) device, respectively.
Why silver deposition is so fast: solving the enigma of metal deposition.

A perfect match: Silver deposition is one of the fastest electrochemical reactions, even though the Ag(+) ion loses more than 5 eV solvation energy in the process. This phenomenon, an example of the enigma of metal deposition, was investigated by a combination of MD simulations, DFT, and specially developed theory. At the surface, the Ag(+) ion experiences a strong interaction with the sp band of silver, which catalyzes the reaction.
Decision-Making in Self-Protecting Software Systems: A Game-Theoretic Approach

Dynamic strategies used by attackers to break down the software system calls for dynamic countermeasure selection techniques. A significant challenge in engineering self-proctoring software system is selecting a proper countermeasure while the software systems undergoes a well-planned attack. To address this challenge, in this research work, we model the interactions between the attacker and the software system as a two-player game. Modeling such interaction using game theory enables the decision-making engine to model the strategies of the attackers while considers the effect of possible defense strategies in a dynamic attack scenario. In this research work, we aim at engineering a novel decision-making framework that utilizes game theoretic techniques to select the proper mitigation against an attack. The introduced framework consists of three high-level phases including: modeling quality goal, designing game-theoretic techniques, and realizing the decision-making engine. The first phase models the security goals of the system and maps goal-oriented model to the designed game-theoretic technique. Such goal model makes the decision-making engine capable of tracking the satisfaction of modeled goals before and after applying a mitigation strategy. The framework provides the steps to map the goal-oriented model to any game-theoretic techniques that is suitable to model the countermeasure selection.
A 53-nW 9.12-ENOB 1-kS/s SAR ADC in 0.13-μm CMOS for medical implant devices

This paper describes an ultra-low-power SAR ADC in 0.13-μm CMOS technology for medical implant devices. It utilizes an ultra-low-power design strategy, imposing maximum simplicity in ADC architecture, low transistor count, low-voltage low-leakage circuit techniques, and matched capacitive DAC with a switching scheme which results in full-range sampling without switch bootstrapping and extra reset voltage. Furthermore, a dual-supply scheme allows the SAR logic to operate at 400mV. The ADC has been fabricated in 0.13-μm CMOS. In 1.0-V single-supply mode, the ADC consumes 65nW at a sampling rate of 1kS/s, while in dual-supply mode (1.0V for analog and 0.4V for digital) it consumes 53nW (18% reduction) and achieves the same ENOB of 9.12. 24% of the 53-nW total power is due to leakage. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the lowest reported power consumption of a 10-bit ADC for such sampling rates.
Zebrafish embryos and larvae: a new generation of disease models and drug screens.

Technological innovation has helped the zebrafish embryo gain ground as a disease model and an assay system for drug screening. Here, we review the use of zebrafish embryos and early larvae in applied biomedical research, using selected cases. We look at the use of zebrafish embryos as disease models, taking fetal alcohol syndrome and tuberculosis as examples. We discuss advances in imaging, in culture techniques (including microfluidics), and in drug delivery (including new techniques for the robotic injection of compounds into the egg). The use of zebrafish embryos in early stages of drug safety-screening is discussed. So too are the new behavioral assays that are being adapted from rodent research for use in zebrafish embryos, and which may become relevant in validating the effects of neuroactive compounds such as anxiolytics and antidepressants. Readouts, such as morphological screening and cardiac function, are examined. There are several drawbacks in the zebrafish model. One is its very rapid development, which means that screening with zebrafish is analogous to "screening on a run-away train. " Therefore, we argue that zebrafish embryos need to be precisely staged when used in acute assays, so as to ensure a consistent window of developmental exposure. We believe that zebrafish embryo screens can be used in the pre-regulatory phases of drug development, although more validation studies are needed to overcome industry scepticism. Finally, the zebrafish poses no challenge to the position of rodent models: it is complementary to them, especially in early stages of drug research.
Economic burden of selected adverse events in patients aged ≥65 years with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective: To estimate the costs of adverse events (AEs) in patients aged ≥65 years with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Methods: Retrospective study using the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Medicare database. Study subjects consisted of persons in SEER-Medicare, aged ≥65 years, with evidence of newly diagnosed mRCC between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. Adverse events of interest consisted of Grade 3 or 4 toxicities that have been reported with frequency ≥5% in randomized controlled trials of sunitinib, sorafenib, bevacizumab, and pazopanib (i.e., targeted therapies for mRCC), and included abdominal pain, back pain, diarrhea, dyspnea, extremity pain, fatigue/asthenia, hand-foot syndrome, hypertension, lymphopenia, nausea/vomiting, neutropenia, proteinuria, and thrombocytopenia. Patients in SEER-Medicare with these events were identified based on ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes on Medicare claims. For each AE of interest, costs were tallied among evented patients over 30 days, beginning with the date of each patient’s first mention of the AE, and were compared with those of non-evented patients over a similar 30-day period beginning with an identical ‘shadow’ index date. Total costs were compared on an unadjusted basis and with adjustment for differences in baseline characteristics using a generalized linear model. Results: A total of 881 patients with mRCC met study entry criteria; 60% of these patients had Medicare claims with mention of one or more AEs of interest. Events occurring with frequency >20% included abdominal pain, dyspnea, and fatigue/asthenia; 10–20% of study subjects had encounters for back pain, extremity pain, and nausea/vomiting. Mean (standard deviation) total cost of care over 30 days was substantially higher among patients with AEs ($13,944 [$14,529]) compared with those without mention of these events ($1878 [$5264]). Adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics, the mean (95% confidence interval) difference in costs between evented and non-evented patients was $12,410 ($9217–$16,522). Study limitations include problems in event ascertainment due to inaccuracies in ICD-9-CM coding on Medicare claims data, and restriction of the study population to patients with metastatic involvement at initial diagnosis of RCC. Conclusions: Costs of care are substantially higher in patients aged ≥65 years with mRCC who experience AEs commonly associated with sunitinib, sorafenib, bevacizumab, and pazopanib. Efforts to prevent and/or better manage these events potentially can reduce healthcare costs.