Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Training a Feed-Forward Neural Network Using Particle Swarm Optimizer with Autonomous Groups for Sonar Target Classification

Feed-Forward Neural Networks (FFNNs), as one of the wide-spreading Artificial NNs, has been used to solve many practical problems such as classification of the sonar dataset. Improper selection of the training method, which is an important part of the design process, results in slow convergence rate, entrapment in local minima, and sensitivity to initial conditions. To overcome these issues, the recently proposed method known as “Particle Swarm Optimizer with Autonomous Groups (AGPSO)” has been used in this paper. It is known that the FNNs are very sensitive to the problem’s dimension, so clearly applying it to a dataset with large dimension results in poor performance. However, the combination of FNN and AGPSO solves this problem because of the ability of AGPSO in the optimization of high dimension problems. To evaluate the performance of the proposed classifier, it is applied to other datasets and the results are compared to the standard PSO, modified PSO (IPSO), Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) and Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO). Simulation results show that the AGPSO classifier provides better performance in terms of convergence speed, entrapment in local minima and classification accuracy compared to the other algorithms.
Immunochemical studies on chlamydial group antigen (presence of a 2-keto-3-deoxycarbohydrate as immunodominant group).

The group reactive, water soluble polysaccharide antigens of the organisms of psittacosis, lymphogranuloma venereum and trachoma were chemically characterized. An acidic polysaccharide of large molecular weight was purified by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography. Its antigenic activity was destroyed both by periodate (0.005 M) and by mild acid hydrolysis (0.1 N sulfuric acid at 80°C for 1 hr). An acidic component, which separated from the rest of the polysaccharide by mild acid hydrolysis, gave a positive thiobarbituric acid test and negative resorcinol test characteristic of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctanoic acid. On paper chromatography its behavior was similar to but not identical with that of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctanoic acid from Salmonella lipopolysaccharides. The ease with which antigenicity was destroyed by periodate and mild acid hydrolysis suggests that this acidic component is critical for antigenicity.
SOIL EMBEDDING AVOIDANCE FOR PLANETARY EXPLORATION ROVERS

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Headache Currents

Migraine is a very common disorder occurring in 20% of women and 6% of men. Central neuronal hyperexcitability is proposed to be the putative basis for the physiological disturbances in migraine. Since there are no consistent structural disturbances in migraine, physiological and psychophysical studies have provided insight into the underlying mechanisms. This is a review of the neurophysiological studies which have provided an insight to migraine pathogenesis supporting the theory of hyperexcitability.
A novel apoptotic interaction between HSV-1 and human corneal epithelial cells

Purpose. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infects the cornea possibly causing blindness. The specific mechanisms of herpetic keratitis are unclear. We aimed to investigate whether HSV-1 would up- or down-regulate the apoptotic pathway of human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. Methods. HSV-1 infection of HCE and Vero cells was demonstrated (immunofluorescence) and apoptotic gene expression was quantified (ribonuclease protection assay). Caspase 8 protein activity (colorimetric assay) was quantified and compared to caspase 8 mRNA amounts from RPA experiments. The apoptotic index of HSV-1 infected HCE and Vero cells (apoptotic index = % of apoptotic cells in infected samples/mock treated samples) was obtained and compared to gene expression. Results. A down-regulation in apoptotic gene expression was observed in HSV-1 infected HCE cells in contrast to Vero cells (infected and mock treated). Caspase 8 protein levels mirrored caspase 8 mRNA levels in HSV-1 infected HCE cells. The apoptotic index also supports this down-regulation. HSV-1 infected human corneal epithelial cells and Vero cells at similar rates. Conclusions. HSV-1 down-regulates the apoptotic pathway of human corneal epithelial cells. This down-regulation of apoptotic gene expression seems to be cell specific. Also infectivity is excluded in playing a role in regulation of the apoptotic pathway because HSV-1 replicated at similar rates in HCE and Vero cells.
Classification of normal and abnormal heart sounds

Heart hemodynamic status and detection of a cardiovascular disease can be evaluated by analyzing and visualizing the heart waveform through graphs called the Phonocardiogram (PCG). The normal sounds of the heart generate signals that are in the audible frequency range of the human ear. Due to the significance of cardiac auscultation for recognizing pathological cardiac status, there has been special interest in automating the classification of heart sounds in the past years. The objective of this research is to present an automatic classification algorithm for anomaly (normal vs. abnormal heart status) of PCG recordings. For this purpose, distinctive time and frequency features are extracted out of heart sound signals to build a learning model using random forest. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm is about 12% better than state of the art.
The use of heterogeneous geospatial big data for improving decision-making

Emerging data sources have been increasing the amount of available and useful data, which have a potential for revolutionizing entire business processes and decisions in several scenarios, e.g., smart cities. However, at the same time that these “big data” open further opportunities, the heterogeneity of their features often hampers the integration and visualization of data. Therefore, this work presents an approach to handle heterogeneous geospatial big data for supporting a more informative decision-making. Study results advanced the state-of-the-art by understanding decision-makers' requirements and developing innovative decision support system. These indeed provided valuable contributions to practice and research.
An insight into various grading systems of Oral Epithelial Dysplasia

Oral potentially malignant disorders, in many cases, are superseded by Oral carcinoma. These premalignant lesions usually manifest as erythematous or whitish patches within the oral mucosa. Histo-pathological grading of these lesions still remains the gold standard in diagnostic pathology; being interpreted as Epithelial Dysplasia. It refers to a premalignant change in epithelium characterized by a combination of cellular and architectural alterations. Histopathological grading of epithelial dysplasia poses many challenges to Oral and diagnostic pathologists, including inter and intra observer variability and choice of optimum parameters based on which the grading should be done. Pathologists must resort to using uniform standards and defined criteria for interpretation of dysplasia. Herein, we have briefly discussed regarding various grading systems of Epithelial dysplasia.
Incidencia de broca e fusariose em fruto de abacaxizeiro.

Trabalho conduzido na Fazenda Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Municipio de Mari, PB, no periodo de 1977 a 1980, com o objetivo de estudar a incidencia da broca (Thecla basalides) e da fusariose (Fusarium subglutinans) do fruto do abacaxizeiro (Ananas comosus) cultivar Smooth Cayenne. Foram efetuadas inducoes do florescimento no periodo de outubro a maio. Observou-se uma maior incidencia de fusarium e menor infestacao de broca quando o desenvolvimento floral ocorreu no intervalo de janeiro a maio, epoca de maior precipitacao pluviometrica. A ocorrencia de maior precipitacao pluviometrica refletiu no aumento da incidencia de Fusarium e diminuicao de infestacao da broca do fruto.
A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17) Mediates Inflammation-induced Shedding of Syndecan-1 and -4 by Lung Epithelial Cells*

Syndecans are cell surface proteoglycans that bind and modulate various proinflammatory mediators and can be proteolytically shed from the cell surface. Within the lung, syndecan-1 and -4 are expressed as transmembrane proteins on epithelial cells and released in the bronchoalveolar fluid during inflammation. We here characterize the mechanism leading to the generation of soluble syndecan-1 and -4 in cultured epithelial cells and murine lung tissue. We show that the bladder carcinoma epithelial cell line ECV304, the lung epithelial cell line A459 and primary alveolar epithelial cells express and constitutively release syndecan-1 and -4. This release involves the activity of the disintegrin-like metalloproteinase ADAM17 as demonstrated by use of specific inhibitors and lentivirally transduced shRNA. Stimulation of epithelial cells with PMA, thrombin, or proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα/IFNγ) led to the down-regulation of surface-expressed syndecan-1 and -4, which was associated with a significant increase of soluble syndecans and cell-associated cleavage fragments. The enhanced syndecan release was not related to gene induction of syndecans or ADAM17, but rather due to increased ADAM17 activity. Soluble syndecan-1 and -4 were also released into the bronchoalveolar fluid of mice. Treatment with TNFα/IFNγ increased ADAM17 activity and syndecan release in murine lungs. Both constitutive and induced syndecan shedding was prevented by the ADAM17 inhibitor. ADAM17 may therefore be an important regulator of syndecan functions on inflamed lung epithelium.
Adjuvants in the induction of suppressor cells

The effect of different mycobacterial adjuvants on the parameters of delayed hypersensitivity was investigated in strain 13 guinea pigs. The composition of the tubercle bacilli and the type of vehicle in which the antigen was presented determined the presence and extent of suppressor cell activity. When antigen was introduced in complete Freund adjuvant, both adherent and nonadherent cells had suppressive properties, with the suppressive effect demonstrable in vitro from 1 to 5 weeks after sensitization. Suppressor activity was indicated in vivo by a reduction of delayed footpad hypersensitivity in animals presensitized with complete Freund adjuvant.
Measuring and monitoring the QoS and QoE in software defined networking environments

Software Defined Networks (SDN) are gaining attraction with the expanding use of complex data center infrastructures that accommodate the increasing demand for computational power related to much more feature-rich web applications and common use of deep learning algorithms. The increased set of features being used in the applications are reflected in the increased demands on network architectures starting with the higher network throughput, through the need for complex high-availability schemes and ending with near-perfect delay/loss communication characteristics. This increased demand resulted in the need for more flexible network architectures resulting in the major change in the networking paradigm and the related shift from traditional networks to software defined ones. The quality of service (QoS) in the networks and quality of experience (QoE) of the end-user services is a major topic of interest in the networking community resulting in several approaches implemented in the networks to ensure resource reservation or traffic prioritization. In this paper, we propose a way how to propagate the arbitrary qualitative parameter in the OpenFlow messages that would allow for easy monitoring of the quality of service and quality of experience. Moreover, we focus on the measurement of the quality of speech and the consecutive propagation of the information through the SDN network to allow SDN controllers and the OpenFlow capable switches controlled by them to react on the decreasing quality and support the services being carried through the network. The paper describes the way how the quality is measured, how the information is processed by the controller and how it is encapsulated in the OpenFlow messages. The assumptions are validated in the simulations based on the mininet simulation tool and Ryu SDN controller. The implications for the carried voice quality are discussed as well.
Sensitivity of early life stages of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) to acute and chronic toxicity of lead, cadmium, and zinc in water

Toxicity of lead, cadmium, or zinc to early life stages of freshwater mussels (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea; Neosho mucket, L. rafinesqueana) was evaluated in 48‐h exposures with mussel larvae (glochidia), in 96‐h exposures with newly transformed (5‐d‐old) and two‐ or six‐month‐old juvenile mussels, or in 28‐d exposures with two‐ or four‐month‐old mussels in reconstituted soft water. The 24‐h median effect concentrations (EC50s) for fatmucket glochidia (>299 µg Pb/L, >227 µg Cd/L, 2,685 µg Zn/L) and 96‐h EC50s for two‐ or six‐month‐old fatmucket (>426 µg Pb/L, 199 µg Cd/L, 1,700 µg Zn/L) were much higher than 96‐h EC50s for newly transformed fatmucket (142 and 298 µg Pb/L, 16 µg Cd/L, 151 and 175 µg Zn/L) and Neosho mucket (188 µg Pb/L, 20 µg Cd/L, 145 µg Zn/L). Chronic values for fatmucket were 10 µg Pb/L, 6.0 µg Cd/L, and 63 and 68 µg Zn/L. When mussel data from the present study and the literature were included in updated databases for deriving U.S. Environmental Protection Agency water quality criteria, mussel genus mean acute values were in the lower percentiles of the sensitivity distribution of all freshwater species for Pb (the 26th percentile), Cd (the 15th to 29th percentile), or Zn (the 12th to 21st percentile). The mussel (Lampsilis) genus mean chronic value was the lowest value ever reported for Pb (the 9th percentile) but was near the middle of the sensitivity distribution for Cd (the 61st percentile) or Zn (the 44th percentile). These results indicate that mussels were relatively sensitive to the acute toxicity of these three metals and to the chronic toxicity of Pb, but were moderately sensitive to the chronic toxicity of Cd or Zn compared to other freshwater species. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2053–2063. © 2010 SETAC
Electrocardiographic Manifestations of Calcium Abnormalities

The cardiac action potential is generated through voltage-gated ion channels allowing flow of ion currents through specific channels embedded in the cell membrane. Not surprisingly, abnormal serum electrolyte levels alter cardiac ion current kinetics. Depending on the alteration, changes in serum electrolyte concentrations affect cardiac conduction, alter the electrocardiogram (ECG), and can be arrhythmogenic or antiarrhythmic. Life-threatening arrhythmias are most commonly associated with potassium disorders, particularly hyperkalemia, and less commonly with disorders of serum calcium (Ca) and magnesium. In some cases, timely diagnosis of electrolyte abnormalities is crucial and emergency therapy for presumed life-threatening electrolyte disorders are often initiated, based on diagnostic ECG changes, even before laboratory results become available.1 In this issue of Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, Sonoda et al.2 analyzed the effects of hypercalcemia on the ECG, focusing on its effects on J point elevation and arrhythmias. They compared the ECG of 89 patients with
Investigation of the physical properties of cholesteryl ester liquid crystal and the interaction with cells

Cholesteryl ester liquid crystals (CELC) were demonstrated with application in biosensing and microtissue regeneration. The affinity of the cells to this liquid crystal is unclear and required further investigation. This study focused on characterising the physical properties of CELC and interaction of human keratinocytes with CELC. The physical properties of CELC were characterised by a custom built contact angle measurement system and bubble pressure measurement apparatus. Other methods such as pendant drop were applied to determine the critical surface tension of the CELC. Then, the characterization of the CELC was continued by using Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Polarising Microscopy (POM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Nonetheless, the morphology of cells interaction with CELC after it reached confluency was studied using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and non-contact mode of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The results showed that the critical surface tension of the liquid crystal using contact angle was 37.5 mN/m and the surface tension measured using pendant drop method was found to be 23.6 mN/m. Both results indicate that the surface of the liquid crystal was moderately hydrophobic. From the DSC, CELC was found stable at room and incubator temperature. From XRD results, the compound of CELC interacts in cell culture media self-assembles into lyotropic layer. POM and FTIR analysis showed CELC after immersion in media displayed lyotropic smectic phases. The AFM and FESEM images indicated good adhesion of cells on the CELC. This research thus showed that the hydrophilic layers of lyotropic phase of cholesteryl ester liquid crystal were demonstrated with biophysical properties that support the adhesion of cells.
Depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in elderly people. Longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND Depressive symptoms are associated with cognitive decline in elderly people, but the nature of their temporal relationship remains equivocal. AIMS To test whether depressive symptoms predict cognitive decline in elderly people with normal cognition. METHOD The Center for Epidemiologic Study depression scale (CES-D) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to evaluate depressive symptomatology and cognitive functioning, respectively. A sample of 1003 persons aged 59-71 years and with a MMSE score of 26 or over was selected. Cognitive decline was defined as a drop of at least 3 points on the MMSE at 4-year follow-up. RESULTS Baseline high levels of depressive symptoms predicted a higher risk of cognitive decline at 4-year follow-up. The MMSE score of participants with depression was more likely to fall below 26 at 2-year follow-up and to remain below at 4-year follow-up than the MMSE score of those without depressive symptoms. Persistent but not episodic depressive episodes were associated with cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS High levels of depressive symptoms, when persistent, are associated with cognitive decline in a sample of elderly people.
Fruit Ripening Phenomena–An Overview

Fruits constitute a commercially important and nutritionally indispensable food commodity. Being a part of a balanced diet, fruits play a vital role in human nutrition by supplying the necessary growth regulating factors essential for maintaining normal health. Fruits are widely distributed in nature. One of the limiting factors that influence their economic value is the relatively short ripening period and reduced post-harvest life. Fruit ripening is a highly coordinated, genetically programmed, and an irreversible phenomenon involving a series of physiological, biochemical, and organoleptic changes, that finally leads to the development of a soft edible ripe fruit with desirable quality attributes. Excessive textural softening during ripening leads to adverse effects/spoilage upon storage. Carbohydrates play a major role in the ripening process, by way of depolymerization leading to decreased molecular size with concomitant increase in the levels of ripening inducing specific enzymes, whose target differ from fruit to fruit. The major classes of cell wall polysaccharides that undergo modifications during ripening are starch, pectins, cellulose, and hemicelluloses. Pectins are the common and major components of primary cell wall and middle lamella, contributing to the texture and quality of fruits. Their degradation during ripening seems to be responsible for tissue softening of a number of fruits. Structurally pectins are a diverse group of heteropolysaccharides containing partially methylated D-galacturonic acid residues with side chain appendages of several neutral polysaccharides. The degree of polymerization/esterification and the proportion of neutral sugar residues/side chains are the principal factors contributing to their (micro-) heterogeneity. Pectin degrading enzymes such as polygalacturonase, pectin methyl esterase, lyase, and rhamnogalacturonase are the most implicated in fruit-tissue softening. Recent advances in molecular biology have provided a better understanding of the biochemistry of fruit ripening as well as providing a hand for genetic manipulation of the entire ripening process. It is desirable that significant breakthroughs in such related areas will come forth in the near future, leading to considerable societal benefits.
Randomized, controlled trial of telcagepant for the acute treatment of migraine

Background: The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a key role in migraine pathophysiology. In this large phase 3 clinical trial, we sought to confirm the efficacy of telcagepant, the first orally bioavailable CGRP receptor antagonist. Methods: Adults with migraine with or without aura (International Headache Society criteria) treated a moderate or severe attack with oral telcagepant 50 mg (n = 177), 150 mg (n = 381), 300 mg (n = 371), or placebo (n = 365) in a randomized, double-blind trial. The 5 co-primary endpoints were pain freedom, pain relief, and absence of photophobia, absence of phonophobia, and absence of nausea, all at 2 hours postdose. The key secondary endpoint was 2–24 hour sustained pain freedom. The prespecified primary efficacy analyses evaluated the 150 mg and 300 mg groups; the 50-mg group was included on an exploratory basis to further characterize the dose response but was not prespecified for analysis. Tolerability was assessed by adverse experience reports. Results: Telcagepant 300 mg was more effective (p ≤ 0.001) than placebo on all primary endpoints and the key secondary endpoint, as was telcagepant 150 mg (p ≤ 0.05). Telcagepant 300 mg showed a slight numeric advantage over telcagepant 150 mg on most measures. Telcagepant 50 mg values were numerically intermediate between placebo and telcagepant 150 mg and 300 mg. The percentages of patients with adverse experiences were 32.2% for telcagepant 50 mg, 32.0% for telcagepant 150 mg, 36.2% for telcagepant 300 mg, and 32.2% for placebo. Conclusions: This study confirmed previous findings that telcagepant 300 mg was effective at relieving pain and other migraine symptoms at 2 hours and providing sustained pain freedom up to 24 hours. In this study, telcagepant 150 mg was also effective. Telcagepant was generally well tolerated.