Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement in PCA Performance Using FLD and RBF Neural Networks for Face Recognition

Face is an important biometric feature for personal identification. This paper describes a new face verification method based on singular value decomposition and RBF neural networks. The proposed method utilizes the positive samples and negative samples learning ability of RBF neural networks to improve the principal component analysis (PCA) based face verification. Experiment results show that the novel face verification method is effective and possesses several desirable properties when it compared with many existing methods. The face features are first extracted by PCA method. The Fisher Linear Discriminant (FLD) is commonly used in pattern recognition. It finds a linear subspace that maximally separates class patterns. The resulting features from PCA are further processed by the Fisher’s linear discriminant (FLD) technique to acquire lower-dimensional discriminant patterns. Radial basis function (RBF) neural classifier is used to cope with small training sets of high dimension, which is a problem frequently encountered in face recognition. Simulation results conducted on the YALE face database show that the system achieves excellent performance in terms of recognition accuracy of 92%.
Biquadratic stability of uncertain linear systems

Deals with the problem of stability analysis for linear systems with uncertain real, possibly time-varying, parameters. A robust stability approach based on a Lyapunov function which depends quadratically on the uncertain parameters as well as in the system state is proposed. This robust stability approach, referred to as biquadratic stability, is suited to deal with uncertain real parameters with magnitude and rate of change which are confined to a given convex region. A linear matrix inequality based sufficient condition for biquadratic stability is developed. The proposed robust stability analysis method includes quadratic stability and affine quadratic stability as particular cases.
The development of the AngelList online syndication model in equity crowdfunding and its effects on venture capitalism and the seed funding industry

AngelList developed online syndication to enable lead investors to collect backing investments from other individuals and professional investors. Online syndication, as part of equity crowdfunding, was expected to answer some fundamental issues of seed funding and possibly contribute to the disruption of the crowdfunding industry. However, we observed that there is a shift in the platform's strategy towards institutional investors and that the platforms that was once believed to embody the future of equity crowdfunding follows another direction to go away from crowdfunding. It is becoming a back-office platform for traditional investors and focuses on new markets, outside of funding. We argue that AngelList is going beyond a new form of equity crowdfunding to develop a digital solution that will bring online a wider concept and aims at becoming the startup platform, across all its non-core needs. However, this will require AngelList to cross-boundaries, and the Boston case example shows that the platform is not there yet from the geographical point of view.
Study of the passivation mechanism of c-Si by Al2O3 using in situ infrared spectroscopy

We present an in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy study of the passivation mechanism in the surface passivation of Si solar cells by Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> thin films deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) using TMA and O<sub>3</sub> as precursors. The IR measurements suggest that during the annealing stage, the Si-H bonding near the interface decreases. We have used D-terminated c-Si internal-reflection crystals to differentiate the residual H atoms that may migrate from ALD Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> films versus the residual D atoms present at the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/c-Si interface after ALD. Within the sensitivity of the ATR-FTIR spectroscopy setup of ~10<sup>12</sup> cm<sup>-2</sup> for Si-H bonds, we do not detect any migration of H from Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> to the c-Si interface. Therefore, we conclude that the migration of O, and the subsequent restructuring of the interface during the annealing step, primarily contributes toward the chemical passivation of the Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/c-Si interface.
Effect of Colesevelam on Lovastatin Pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVE: To assess potential interactions of colesevelam hydrochloride and lovastatin in healthy volunteers when lovastatin alone was administered with dinner, both lovastatin and colesevelam were administered with dinner, and colesevelam was administered with dinner and lovastatin was administered 4 hours later with a snack. METHODS: A single-center, open-label, 3-period, crossover drug interaction study was performed with 22 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were collected at specified intervals before and after dosing, and plasma concentrations of lovastatin and lovastatin hydroxyacid were measured using a liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy/mass spectroscopy method. RESULTS: Maximal concentration (Cmax), AUC from time 0 to the last time point measured (AUC0-t), and AUC0-∞ values for lovastatin were 102%, 94%, and 104%, and for lovastatin hydroxyacid were 102%, 91%, and 92%, respectively, of control values when colesevelam and lovastatin were coadministered with dinner. Administration of colesevelam with dinner and lovastatin 4 hours later with a snack resulted in a decreased Cmax and AUC0-t for lovastatin (63% and 37%, respectively; p < 0.05) and an increased Cmax and AUC0-t for lovastatin hydroxyacid (61% and 50%, respectively; p < 0.05), both compared with lovastatin alone administered with dinner. CONCLUSIONS: Colesevelam had no significant effect on lovastatin pharmacokinetics when coadministered with lovastatin at dinner. A split-dosing regimen resulted in alterations in pharmacokinetic parameters for lovastatin and lovastatin hydroxyacid that are likely due to known differences in the pharmacokinetics of lovastatin when administered to patients with meals or in a fasting state.
Expression in Xenopus oocytes shows that WT1 binds transcripts in vivo, with a central role for zinc finger one

The Wilms' tumour suppressor gene WT1 encodes a protein involved in urogenital development and disease. The salient feature of WT1 is the presence of four `Krüppel'-type C2-H2 zinc fingers in the C-terminus. Uniquely to WT1, an evolutionarily conserved alternative splicing event inserts three amino acids (KTS) between the third and fourth zinc fingers, which disrupts DNA binding. The ratio of +KTS:–KTS isoforms is crucial for normal development. Previous work has shown that WT1 (+KTS) interacts with splice factors and that WT1 zinc fingers, particularly zinc finger one, bind to RNA in vitro. In this study we investigate the role of zinc finger one and the +KTS splice in vivo by expressing tagged proteins in mammalian cells and Xenopus oocytes. We find that both full-length +/–KTS isoforms and deletion constructs that include zinc finger one co-sediment with ribonucleoprotein particles (RNP) on density gradients. In Xenopus oocytes both isoforms located to the lateral loops of lampbrush chromosomes. Strikingly, only the +KTS isoform was detected in B-snurposomes, but not when co-expressed with –KTS. However, co-expression of the C-terminus (amino acids 233-449, +KTS) resulted in snurposome staining, which is consistent with an in vivo interaction between isoforms via the N-terminus. Expressed WT1 was also detected in the RNA-rich granular component of nucleoli and co-immunoprecipitated with oocyte transcripts. Full-length WT1 was most stably bound to transcripts, followed by the C-terminus; the least stably bound was CTΔF1 (C-terminus minus zinc finger one). Expression of the transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR1), whose three zinc fingers correspond to WT1 zinc fingers 2-4, caused general chromosomal loop retraction and transcriptional shut-down. However, a construct in which WT1 zinc finger one was added to EGR1 mimicked the properties of WT1 (–KTS). We suggest that in evolution, WT1 has acquired the ability to interact with transcripts and splice factors because of the modification of zinc finger one and the +KTS alternative splice.
Safety-Engineered Device Implementation: Does It Introduce Bias in Percutaneous Injury Reporting?

Abstract Objective: To examine whether implementation of safety-engineered devices in 2001 had an effect on rates of percutaneous injury (PI) reported by HCWs. Design: Before-and-after intervention trial comparing 3-year preintervention (1998–2001) and 2-year postintervention (2001–2002) periods. PI data from anonymous, self-administered surveys were prospectively entered into CDC NaSH software. Setting: A 427-bed, tertiary-care hospital in Manhattan. Participants: HCWs who attended state-mandated training sessions and completed the survey (1,132 preintervention; 821 postintervention). Intervention: Implementation of a “safer-needle system” composed of various safety-engineered devices for needle-safe TV delivery-insertion, blood collection, and intramuscular-subcutaneous injection. Results: Preintervention, the overall annual rate of PIs self-reported on the survey was 36.5 per 100 respondents, compared with 13.9 per 100 respondents postintervention (P < .01). The annual rate of formally reported PIs decreased from 8.3 to 3.1 per 100 respondents (P < .01). Report rates varied by occupational group (P ≤ .02). The overall rate did not change between study periods (22.7% to 22.3%), although reporting improved among nurses (23.6% to 44.4%, P = .03) and worsened among building services staff (90.5% to 50%, P = .03). HCWs with greater numbers of Pis self-reported on the survey were less likely to formally report injuries (P < .01). The two most common reasons for nonreport (ie, thought injury was low risk or believed patient was low risk for blood-borne disease) did not vary from preintervention to postintervention. Conclusions: Safety-engineered device implementation decreased rates of Pis formally reported and self-reported on the survey. However, this intervention, with concomitant intensive education, had varying effects on reporting behavior by occupation and a minimal effect on overall reporting rates.
Predicting Postoperative Pain by Preoperative Pressure Pain Assessment

Background:The goal of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative pressure pain sensitivity testing is predictive of postoperative surgical pain. Methods:Female subjects undergoing lower abdominal gynecologic surgery were studied. A pressure algometer was used preoperatively to determine the pressure pain threshold and tolerance. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess postoperative pain. A State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess patients' anxiety. Subjects received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for postoperative pain control. The preoperative pain threshold and tolerance were compared with the postoperative VAS pain score and morphine consumption. Results:Forty women were enrolled. Their preoperative pressure pain threshold and tolerance were 141 ± 65 kPa and 223 ± 62 kPa, respectively. The VAS pain score in the postanesthesia care unit and at 24 h postoperatively were 81 ± 24 and 31 ± 10, respectively. Highly anxious patients had higher VAS pain scores in the postanesthesia care unit (P < 0.05). Pressure pain tolerance was significantly correlated with the VAS at 24 h postoperatively (P < 0.001, r = −0.52). Pressure pain tolerance after fentanyl administration (mean, 272 ± 68 kPa) correlated significantly with morphine consumption in the first 24 h postoperatively (P < 0.002, r = −0.48). Conclusions:Assessment of preoperative pressure pain tolerance is significantly correlated with the level of postoperative pain. Pain tolerance assessment after fentanyl was administered and fentanyl sensitivity predicted the dose of analgesics used in the first 24 h after surgery. The algometer is thus a simple, useful tool for predicting postoperative pain and analgesic consumption.
Transmission Classification Model To Determine Place and Time of Infection of Tuberculosis Cases in an Urban Area

ABSTRACT We conducted a population-based study in the Rotterdam region of The Netherlands to determine the place and time of infection of tuberculosis (TB) cases using conventional epidemiological and genotyping information. In particular, we focused on the extent of misclassification if genotyping was not combined with epidemiological information. Cases were divided into those with a unique mycobacterial DNA fingerprint, a clustering fingerprint, and an unknown fingerprint. We developed transmission classification trees for each category to determine whether patients were infected in a foreign country or recently (≤2 years) or remotely (>2 years) infected in The Netherlands. Of all TB cases during the 12-year study period, 38% were infected in a foreign country, 36% resulted from recent transmission in The Netherlands, and 18% resulted from remote infection in The Netherlands, while in the remaining cases (9%) either the time or place of infection could not be determined. The conventional epidemiological data suggested that at least 29% of clustered cases were not part of recent chains of transmission. Cases with unknown fingerprints, almost all culture negative, relatively frequently had confirmed epidemiological links with a recent pulmonary TB case in The Netherlands and were more often identified by contact tracing. Our findings highlight the idea that genotyping should be combined with conventional epidemiological investigation to establish the place and time of infection of TB cases as accurately as possible. A standardized way of classifying TB into recently, remotely, and foreign-acquired disease provides indicators for surveillance and TB control program performance that can be used to decide on interventions and allocation of resources.
The peculiarities of the structural optimization of the energy-efficient precision ARC-filters on the base of classical and differential difference operational amplifiers

The paper reviews the use of inherent compensation and cancellation principles of the unity gain frequency effect (f1) of op amps (OAs) on basic parameters of the 2-nd order active ARC-filters (AFs). The functional and topological rules of the synthesis of such AF structures are laid down. It is shown that the cancellation effects of separate op amps influence on the pole frequency and attenuation are achieved by introduction of two independent loops of special compensating feedbacks. An example of structural synthesis of the 2-nd order universal section with low (approximately by two orders) current consumption and low influence of unity gain frequencies of op amps on the pole parameters is given. The expediency of the use of the differential difference op amps (DDAs) in basic-circuit arrangements of the 2-nd order filter is shown.
Aetiology of congenital absence of vas deferens: genetic study of three generations.

Bilateral congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) is a form of male sterility (found in otherwise normal men) of unknown aetiology. Because males with cystic fibrosis (CF) almost invariably have CAVD as well, we investigated the hypothesis that men with isolated CAVD might share a common genetic background with males with CF. Genetic testing for CF was carried out in three generations of subjects: 44 patients with CAVD and their wives, 24 of their parents, and 13 of their offspring generated by microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). DNA extracted from peripheral lymphocytes was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then analysed for 12 mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulatory (CFTR) gene. Among 44 patients tested with CAVD, 26 (59%) were positive for at least one CF mutation, while the carrier frequency for CF mutations in the general population is only 4%. Four patients were found to be compound heterozygotes, three with genotypes Delta F-508/R117H, one with R553X/R117H. Among 24 parents tested, 15 (seven fathers, eight mothers) had sons with CAVD who were positive for CF mutations. Of these, nine (four fathers and five mothers) were found to be carriers for CF mutations. These four fathers, although carriers of CF mutations, were obviously fertile. Of the 13 offspring tested, six (three boys and three girls) had CF positive fathers. Of these, three (two girls and one boy) were found to be carriers for CF mutations. These MESA/IVF children are the first offspring to whom men with CAVD have been able to transmit CF mutations. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Determinants of Greenfield emerging market outward FDI into the UK

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of Greenfield emerging market (EM) outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) into the UK, a developed market (DM) host. Despite the increasing significance of EM OFDI, this particular theme of EM OFDI to a DM host has received relatively little attention from researchers. This paper seeks to address this shortfall. Design/methodology/approach Considering the distinctiveness of EM OFDI in its firm-specific characteristics, given circumstances and motivations, this paper applies adapted “Resource-based view (RBV)” framework and institutional theory to build a theoretical framework. A range of hypotheses regarding “strategic-asset seeking”, “market seeking” and “institution seeking” motivations of EM OFDI, which reflect both “pull factors” (advantages in hosts) and “push factors” (disadvantages at home), were then developed. Using panel data for the years 2003–2012, the research questions were analysed using a sample of the then most important EM source countries which had undertaken Greenfield FDI into the UK. Findings The analysis results supported the hypotheses that strategic-asset seeking and institution seeking motivations were important in determining EM OFDI to the UK, with the coefficients of relevant variables showing statistical significance and expected sign (i.e. positive). However, the hypothesis on market seeking motivation of EM OFDI cannot be supported as the coefficient of the relevant variable, whilst showing the expected sign, had a statistically insignificant coefficient. Amongst the three control variables, the source countries’ exports and imports as a percentage of GDP was statistically significant and had the correct sign whilst, the UK’s share of intra-EU trade, whilst statistically significant, had the opposite sign to that expected. The third control variable, the exchange rate was not statistically significant, though it had the correct sign. Originality/value This paper provides an adjusted theoretical framework for the analysis of EM OFDI to DM with a novel application of institutional theory and RBV. It also qualifies and extends existing works on EM OFDI by including a wider range of EM source countries and DM hosts with empirical analysis results as well as theoretical suggestions. In addition, the paper offers up a range of policy implications for DM hosts.
Dissecting the human plasma proteome and inflammatory response biomarkers

A central focus of clinical proteomics is to search for biomarkers in plasma for diagnostic and therapeutic use. We studied a set of plasma proteins accessed from the Healthy Human Individual's Integrated Plasma Proteome (HIP2) database, a larger set of curated human proteins, and a subset of inflammatory proteins, for overlap with sets of known protein biomarkers, drug targets, and secreted proteins. Most inflammatory proteins were found to occur in plasma, and over three times the level of biomarkers were found in inflammatory plasma proteins and their interacting protein neighbors compared to the sets of plasma and curated human proteins. Percentage overlaps with Gene Ontology terms were similar between the curated human set and plasma protein set, yet the set of inflammatory plasma proteins had a distinct ontology‐based profile. Most of the major hub proteins within protein‐protein interaction networks of tissue‐specific sets of inflammatory proteins were found to occur in disease pathways. The present study presents a systematic approach for profiling a plasma subproteome's relationship to both its potential range of clinical application and its overlap with complex disease.
New antibiotic agents and approaches to treat biofilm-associated infections

Importance of the field: Current antibiotics have classically been developed to treat infections involving planktonic bacterial populations in acute infection settings and are typically ineffective in the eradication of bacteria in biofilm-associated, persistent infections. The paucity of effective current treatment options and the growing population of susceptible patients with indwelling medical devices and materials are key factors that substantiate the need for new agents effective in the prevention or eradication of biofilms. Areas covered in this review: Published patents relating to biofilm-active agents were identified in SciFinder® for the period January 2005 through March 2010 and representative patents selected with an emphasis on agents claimed for the prophylaxis or treatment of bacterial biofilm infections. What the reader will gain: The review provides a basic understanding of the medical challenges posed by biofilm-associated infections, and summarizes claims describing novel therapeutic approaches in the management of biofilm infections. Take home message: Treatment of biofilm-associated infections with existing approved therapies remains a significant medical challenge. In the near term, new agents demonstrating bactericidal activity against bacteria within biofilms will be most readily incorporated into existing treatment paradigms. Alternative approaches that impact biofilm formation or dispersion are promising, but remain to be validated clinically.
Histologic findings in sinus augmentation with autogenous bone chips versus a bovine bone substitute.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare a bovine bone substitute (Bio-Oss) to autogenous bone with respect to its value as a material for sinus augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 10 beagle dogs 12 months of age, the 3 maxillary premolars were extracted on both sides. Six weeks later, 2 cavities of predefined size were produced in the region of the nasal cavity. The antral window was 25 mm long and had a vertical extension of 7 mm. Two Frialit-2 implants (3 x 8 mm) were placed in each bone defect (n = 20). Every implant was primarily stable because of fixation in native bone. In each maxilla, 1 bone defect was filled with autogenous bone harvested from the mandible and 1 was filled with Bio-Oss (material selected at random). The animals were sacrificed at 90 and 180 days, and histologic specimens were examined and the results subjected to statistical analysis by the Wilcoxon test for paired observations. RESULTS No healing problems were observed. Histologically, after 90 days the volume of the augmentation showed a reduction of 14.6 +/- 4.4% within the Bio-Oss group and 3.8 +/- 2.5% in the group with autogenous bone. Bone-implant contact of 52.16 +/- 13.15% in the Bio-Oss group and 60.21 +/- 11.46% in the autogenous bone group was observed. At 180 days, the Bio-Oss group showed bony ingrowth of the substitute, whereas in the autogenous group a differentiation from original bone could no longer be made. The volume reduction was 16.5 +/- 8.67% in the Bio-Oss group and 39.8 +/- 16.14% in the autogenous group. Bone-implant contact of 63.43 +/- 19.56% in the Bio-Oss group and 42.22 +/- 12.80% in the autogenous bone group was measured. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The results indicated that because of the nonresorptive properties of the bone substitute Bio-Oss, regeneration of the defects is achievable. It was demonstrated that the bone substitute seemed to behave as a permanent implant. The volume of the area augmented by autogenous bone decreased over the observation period.