Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early lung cancer detection, mucosal, and alveolar imaging

Purpose of review Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Early detection is essential for long-term survival. Screening of high-risk individuals with low-dose computed tomography screening has proven to increase survival. However, current radiological imaging techniques have poor specificity for lung cancer detection and poor sensitivity for detection of mucosal or alveolar preinvasive malignant lesions. Bronchoscopy allows imaging and sampling of early lung cancer, with the highest safety profile and high diagnostic accuracy. Recent findings Available technologies, such as autofluorescence bronchoscopy, narrow band imaging, and radial ultrasound bronchoscopy can significantly increase the yield and diagnostic accuracy of bronchoscopy for early cancer detection in the central airways. Newer technologies such as optical coherence tomography, confocal bronchoscopy, and Raman spectroscopy may significantly increase the diagnostic yield of both central and parenchymal early cancer lesions. Summary Although some of these technologies are still investigational and are not readily available in most centers, they may identify early mucosal and alveolar cancer lesions accurately in the least invasive manner to provide appropriate therapy and prolong patient survival from lung cancer.
An Analytical Evaluation of a User Interaction History Visualization System Using CDN and PoN

Visual analytics applications (VAApps) rely heavily on visual representations and notations to communicate information and support user’s interaction. In order to evaluate the effectiveness and efﬁciency of VAApps, we must pay special attention to the visual representations and their underlying interaction mechanisms. When designing visual representations, before investing time and other resources in conducting user evaluations, we can apply analytical approaches to guide design and to establish a common ground within the development team to compare and discuss design alternatives. In this paper, we use two analytical approaches to evaluate our early implementation of HistoryViewer (HV), a user interaction history visualization system. One approach uses the Physics of Notation theory [12], analyzing the graphical notation itself whilst documenting some design choices based on the principles stated in the theory. The other approach is the Cognitive Di-mensions of Notation framework [9], which is used to evaluate usability by considering cognitive characteristics of notations used in the design of interface and interactions of a system. We compare the results of both studies in order to highlight the similarities and differences in the ﬁndings. We discuss how each theory contributed to the analysis. We also provide some guidance for the development team to use them in order to improve the ﬁnal user interface solution.
On Iterative EM-Based Frequency Domain Joint Estimation of Synchronization Parameter and Channel Impulse Response

In this paper, an iterative EM-based frequency domain joint estimation algorithm of synchronization parameter and channel impulse response (CIR) in direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system is proposed. This algorithm is based on the expectation-maximization (EM) method. A complete Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) analysis of the proposed algorithms is also given in this paper. Because this algorithm can provide accurate estimation of channel conditions and synchronization parameter for DS-CDMA receivers, even with a simple equalization module, for example, a one-tap multiplier based frequency domain equalizer (FDE), good performance can be achieved at a low cost.
Penetration of the Optic Nerve by an Internal Carotid Artery-Ophthalmic Artery Aneurysm: Case Report and Literature Review

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCEAlthough it is well known that large or giant internal carotid artery-ophthalmic artery aneurysms can cause visual deficits, penetration and schism of the optic nerve by an aneurysm are very rare. CLINICAL PRESENTATIONA 48-year-old man presented with an acute onset of right visual deterioration after an episode of severe headache. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated penetration of the right optic nerve by an intracranial aneurysm. Cerebral angiography revealed an internal carotid artery-ophthalmic artery aneurysm of 12 × 7 mm. The aneurysm was directed superomedially and appeared to have a “waist” within the penetration. INTERVENTIONIntraoperatively, we observed that part of the aneurysm wall was visible through the optic nerve fibers at the junction with the optic chiasm. CONCLUSIONAlthough there was no direct evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage on imaging scans or with operative exploration, we think that the patient must have experienced sentinel hemorrhaging, leading to visual deterioration. We describe the case in detail and review the world literature.
Electrostatically Reversible Polarity of Dual-Gated Graphene Transistors

We developed dual-gated graphene transistors in which the transistor polarity (n-type or p-type) is electrostatically reversible by the gate bias of one of the top gates. In this device, a channel is defined as the region between a pair of top gates, where graphene is irradiated by an accelerated helium ion beam to form a defect-induced transport gap. This device features not only a large current ON-OFF ratio of four orders of magnitude but also unipolarity of transistors, which would otherwise be ambipolar. We also show how these polarity-reversible transistors can be used in logic circuits.
Reciprocal Modulation of Function between the D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptors and the Na+,K+-ATPase*

It is well documented that dopamine can increase or decrease the activity of the Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA, sodium pump) in an organ-specific fashion. This regulation can occur, at least partially, via receptor-mediated second messenger activation and can promote NKA insertion or removal from the plasma membrane. Using co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we now show that, in both brain and HEK293T cells, D1 and D2 dopamine receptors (DARs) can exist in a complex with the sodium pump. To determine the impact of NKA on DAR function, biological assays were conducted with NKA and DARs co-expressed in HEK293T cells. In this system, expression of NKA dramatically decreased D1 and D2 DAR densities with a concomitant functional decrease in DAR-mediated regulation of cAMP levels. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of endogenous or overexpressed NKA enhanced DAR function without altering receptor number or localization. Similarly, DAR function was also augmented by small interfering RNA reduction of the endogenous NKA. These data suggest that, under basal conditions, NKA negatively regulates DAR function via protein-protein interactions. In reciprocal fashion, expression of DARs decreases endogenous NKA function in the absence of dopamine, implicating DAR proteins as regulators of NKA activity. Notably, dopamine stimulation or pertussis toxin inhibition of D2 receptor signaling did not alter NKA activity, indicating that the D2-mediated decrease in NKA function is dependent upon protein-protein interactions rather than signaling molecules. This evidence for reciprocal regulation between DARs and NKA provides a novel control mechanism for both DAR signaling and cellular ion balance.
Analysing performances of Heart Rate Variability measurement through a smartwatch

This paper presents the experimental performance assessment of a smartwatch (SW) measuring the heart rate variability (HRV), compared to a multi-parametric chest belt that is considered as a reference sensor. HRV from smartwatch can be extracted with two methods: directly from internal onboard processing of the device or by post-processing data collected from the photoplethysmography signal. To evaluate the uncertainty of both methods, measurements were performed while users were sitting at rest, wearing the SW on the preferred wrist and a chest belt that can collect electrocardiographic signal, used as reference measurement. Measurements from SW and belt were compared turning out to provide that HRV measured with the SW (onboard processing) has an uncertainty of 0.95% with a coverage factor k = 2, corresponding to ± 4 ms; while HRV extracted from the PPG signal has an uncertainty of 1.2%, corresponding to ± 6 ms, indicating that at rest condition the HRV measured directly with the onboard system of the SW can be used to assess correctly the HRV.
Detecting Psychological Stress using Machine Learning over Social Media Interaction

Many of the population now face stress leading to psychological issues. Therefore, stress factors must be identified before a big health problem is involved. BP, heart failure, or death are usually caused by excessive stress. The social media data like posting on Facebook profiles, twits on twitter, etc are used to recognize human stress, as people communicate their social media feelings, promote the acquirement of social data, and detect stress based on their behavior. As traditional solutions are highly time-consuming and expensive. Twitter data collection and user tweets are also posted on the site. User stress states are called anxious or unstressed users using the algorithm of the convolutional neural network (CNN).
Cloning of chitinase gene from Bacillus thuringiensis

In the present investigation, 34 Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) isolates of different agroclimatic condition were studied for fungitoxic characters and the principle involved for fungitoxicity was identified in most of the cases as exochitinases. The different Bt strains were screened for fungitoxicity and chitin degrading activity employing 4 fungal pathogens. Biochemical assay of the chitinase using glycol chitin as the substrate helped to identify the enzyme as an exochitinase. The antifungal chitinase activity on phyto-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense was investigated in vitro by fluorescent microscopic observation. PCR was employed using chitinase gene specific primers to obtain the corresponding gene from Bt isolates. The corresponding gene was cloned and sequenced for one of the isolates and it was determined to be around 1129 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 360 amino acids. This gene was found to be highly homologous to that of chitinase of B. cereus strain 28-9.
StratÈgies d'optimisation combinatoire pour le problËme de l'alignement local multiple sans indels, et application aux sÈquences protÈiques

L'alignement local multiplie et sans indels est une procedure classique en bioinformatique. Elle consiste a determiner a partir d'un ensemble de sequences supposees apparentees les "n" facteurs de taille "W" qui presentent une conservation maximale. La mesure de conservation classiquement utilisee est l'entropie relative. Dans la litterature, ce probleme est principalement aborde d'un point de vue statistique. Nous proposons de l'approcher sous la forme d'une optimisation combinatoire par voisinage. Nous proposons egalement une nouvelle fonction objectif : l'entropie recouvrante, laquelle est dediee aux alignements de sequences proteiques. Cette fonction permet, contrairement a la fonction classique, de prendre en compte le fait que certaines substituions d'acides amines sont plus probables que d'autres. Cette fonction presente des avantages significatifs, aussi bien du point de vue de la pertinence biologique, que de son effet favorable sur le paysage d'exploration, rendant l'optimisation par le grimpeur considerablement plus efficace.
Implementation of Key Management Strategy to Reduce Attackers Impact on Data Aggregation

For a wide range of uses, including military detection and tracking, status monitoring, activity flow testing have been passed on wireless sensor networks (WSNs), where sensory contraptions travel as quickly as possible between different territories. Securing data and mail requires reasonable codification codes. This paper introduces an ECM for the safe communications of different WSN polyhub items (Certificateless-Effective Key Management Convention). If a hub leaves the cluster or joins a cluster, CL-EKM switches a key and thus holds up the mystery of the forward and reverse key. The Convention also supports an efficient key waiver for exchanged nodes and restricts the effects of a hub swap on the protection of other correspondence joints. A safety review of our scheme shows that our convention protects against various attacks. Time, vitality, correspondence, and memory performance are important. The data collection center is also updated to suit the head and base station cluster. If the cluster head is negotiated and sends information without separation, the DCN is useful. Keywords: Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), Clustering, Relay cluster heads (RCH), Key Generation Centers (KGC), Elliptical Curve Cryptography (ECC), Certificateless Partial Key Generation.
Identification of the cleavage site involved in production of plasma soluble Fc gamma receptor type III (CD16)

CD16 (Fcγ R type III) is a low‐affinity IgG Fc receptor (R) that exists in two isoforms, a transmembrane FcγRIIIa expressed by NK cells and monocytes, and a phosphatidylinositol‐linked FcγRIIIb expressed by neutrophils. A soluble form of CD16 (sCD16) circulates in plasma. The cleavage site and the nature of the enzyme(s) involved in production of sCD16 were investigated. Soluble CD16 was purified to apparent homogeneity from human serum by eight steps, including anion exchange and immunoaffinity chromatography. Serum sCD16 was sequenced at both ends, as well as a recombinant form of sCD16 used as control. N‐terminal sequencing demonstrated that serum sCD16 originates from neutrophil FcγRIIIb and C‐terminal sequencing suggested that the cleavage site is between Val 196 and Ser 197, close to the membrane anchor. Addition of a hydroxamate‐based inhibitor of Zn2+ metalloproteinases (RU36156) led to a dramatic decrease of sCD16 production by phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐activated neutrophils, whereas inhibitors of serine proteinases had no significant effect, showing the metalloproteinase dependence of this cleavage process.
The Silent Majority Fallacy of the Elzinga-Hogarty Criteria: A Critique and New Approach to Analyzing Hospital Mergers

Elzinga/Hogarty inflow/outflow analysis is a mainstay of geographic market definition in antitrust analysis. For example, U.S. antitrust agencies lost several hospital merger challenges when evidence showed that a nontrivial fraction of local patients traveled outside the local community for care. We show that the existence of traveling consumers may not limit seller market power with respect to non-traveling consumers--a phenomenon we label the silent majority fallacy. We estimate a random coefficients logit model of hospital demand and use the estimates to predict the increase in price that various mergers would generate. Two distinct methods of predicting the price increase are implemented and both indicate that even in suburban areas with high outflows of consumers, some hospital mergers could lead to significant price increases.
RFID interface for compact pliable EMG wireless epidermal sensor

The growth of epidermal electronics requires low-cost, compact, wireless and low-power consumer technologies. Commercially available electromyographic (EMG) sensors do not fully meet these requirements. Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) is a low-cost wireless communication technology that helps in reducing sensor size and power requests. This work proposes the design of a 3cm ⨯ 3cm RFID antenna surrounding an ad hoc EMG sensor circuitry and supporting the mid-range data communication between 40cm −1m. The resulting RFID-EMG sensor is a compact, pliable and conformable device, suitable for sport, wellness, healthcare and medical applications.
Mathématiques de l'Assurance Non-Vie. Tome II: Tarification et Provisionnement

Cet ouvrage en deux tomes entend fournir aux etudiants, chercheurs et aux techniciens de l'assurance (qu'ils soient actuaires, economistes, econometres, ingenieurs commerciaux, mathematiciens, polytechniciens, statisticiens ou autre) les methodes permettant de gerer les grands portefeuilles d'assurance IARD. Il aborde ainsi : les principes de base de la gestion des risques, les methodes de calcul des primes, les mesures de risque et la determination de la marge de solvabilite ainsi que du capital economique, la correlation entre risques assures et ses consequences, l'equilibre a long terme des operations de la compagnie, la personnalisation des primes a priori et a posteriori (credibilite et systemes bonus-malus), l'evaluation des provisions techniques, la resolution de problemes par simulation. Les connaissances requises pour aborder cet ouvrage ont ete reduites au strict minimum : il suffit de posseder de bonnes bases de mathematiques et une maitrise des concepts elementaires du calcul des probabilites et de la statistique.
Yolk androgens and begging behaviour in black-headed gull chicks: an experimental field study

Black-headed gulls, Larus ridibundus, produce clutches of three eggs, which contain high levels of maternal androgens in the yolk. These levels increase with laying order and the eggs hatch asynchronously. Experiments have supported the hypothesis that this within-clutch variation in maternal androgens mitigates the disadvantage of last-hatched chicks in sibling competition, by enhancing embryonic development and early posthatching growth. We hypothesized that these effects come about by the stimulating effects of maternal androgens on begging behaviour and competitive ability. In the field, we injected first-laid eggs of a clutch (which have a low androgen level) with either an androgen solution (T eggs) or vehicle (Oil eggs). We then created pairs of chicks hatched from Oil and T eggs, matched for egg mass and hatching date. Parent–chick interactions were recorded from observation hides. Chicks from T eggs hatched almost half a day sooner than those from Oil eggs. Furthermore, chicks from T eggs were more active during the first week after hatching, were more often the first to react to the approaching parent, begged more frequently, and obtained the larger share of food. We conclude that the enhancing effect of yolk androgens on growth in this species arises at least partly through androgen-mediated effects on the chicks’ behaviour.
Computer playfulness, Internet dependency and their relationships with online activity types and student academic performance.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Prior research on Internet dependency has examined various individual traits as contributing factors. Since domain-specific traits tend to have higher abilities to explain outcome variables, this study investigates a technology-related specific trait, i.e., computer playfulness, as a predictor of Internet dependency, and their influence on Internet usage patterns and academic performance. METHODS A sample of 267 college students was surveyed to examine these relationships. In addition to demographic information, the questionnaire contained measurement scales to assess playfulness, Internet dependency as well as work/study-related and social-related uses of the Internet. RESULTS Survey data indicate that playfulness significantly predicts Internet dependency (ΔR (2) = 19%). Playfulness is also significantly related to students' grade point average (p <.001), as well as Internet use for social purposes (p <.022), and its impacts are fully mediated by Internet dependency. It was also found that neither playfulness nor Internet dependency is significantly associated with Internet use for work/study purposes. CONCLUSIONS Playfulness, as a domain-specific individual trait, is a powerful predictor of Internet dependency, which is positively related to social use of the Internet, and negatively related to student academic performance.
Vitamin A supplementation enhances specific IgG antibody levels and total lymphocyte numbers while improving morbidity in measles

The effect of vitamin A supplementation on selected factors of immunity was tested in African children (ages 4 to 24 months with complicated measles) during a randomized doubleblind intervention trial. Placebo (n = 31) and treated groups (n = 29) had similar baseline characteristics. The supplemented group had significant reductions in morbidity (expressed as integrated morbidity scores) during the acute (Day 8, P = 0.006) and chronic (Day 42, P = 0.02; 6 months; P = 0.002) phases. In the treated group there was an increase in total number of lymphocytes (Day 42, P = 0.05) and measles IgG antibody concentrations (Day 8, P = 0.02), both of which have consistently been previously shown to correlate more closely with outcome in measles than other immunologic, clinical and radiologic factors. Interleukin 2 and plasma complement values were unaffected by vitamin A supplementation. These findings reinforce results from animal studies that show that the pathways of vitamin A activity in decreasing morbidity and mortality are partly founded on selective immunopotentiation.
A Bayesian Approach to Online Learning

Online learning is discussed from the viewpoint of Bayesian statistical inference. By replacing the true posterior distribution with a simpler parametric distribution, one can define an online algorithm by a repetition of two steps: An update of the approximate posterior, when a new example arrives, and an optimal projection into the parametric family. Choosing this family to be Gaussian, we show that the algorithm achieves asymptotic efficiency. An application to learning in single layer neural networks is given.
Galactose‐1‐phosphate uridyltransferase deficiency: A literature review of the putative mechanisms of short and long‐term complications and allelic variants

Galactosemia type 1 is an autosomal recessive disorder of galactose metabolism, determined by a deficiency in the enzyme galactose‐1‐phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT). GALT deficiency is classified as severe or variant depending on biochemical phenotype, genotype and potential to develop acute and long‐term complications. Neonatal symptoms usually resolve after galactose‐restricted diet; however, some patients, despite the diet, can develop long‐term complications, in particular when the GALT enzyme activity results absent or severely decreased. The mechanisms of acute and long‐term complications are still discussed and several hypotheses are presented in the literature like enzymatic inhibition, osmotic stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, oxidative stress, defects of glycosylation or epigenetic modification. This review summarizes the current knowledge of galactosemia, in particular the putative mechanisms of neonatal and long‐term complications and the molecular genetics of GALT deficiency.
A Constraint-Satisfaction Approach to Studying the Management of Multiple Objectives in Design Problem-Solving

How professional and novice designers manage multiple objectives through constraint satisfaction was studied. An objective is defined as a network of constraints; a constraint is characterized as related to a source (internal or external) and an addressee (e.g., client or user). It has been shown that designers favour objectives related to external constraint (e.g., data from the task) and to the client. Generally, client and external constraints are identical. To study the management of multiple objectives, fifteen web site designers were instructed to design a site according to user's objectives or client's objectives. Our results indicate that the validity status allocated to constraints is more determined by the status of the addressee than by the status of the source, whatever the objective condition that must be satisfied. Possible methodological generalizations are discussed.