Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spectral Wavelet‐feature Analysis and Classification Assisted Denoising for enhancing magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is capable of revealing important biochemical and metabolic information of tissues noninvasively. However, the low concentrations of metabolites often lead to poor signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and a long acquisition time. Therefore, the applications of MRS in detection and quantitative measurements of metabolites in vivo remain limited. Reducing or even eliminating noise can improve SNR sufficiently to obtain high quality spectra in addition to increasing the number of signal averaging (NSA) or the field strength, both of which are limited in clinical applications. We present a Spectral Wavelet‐feature ANalysis and Classification Assisted Denoising (SWANCAD) approach to differentiate signal and noise peaks in magnetic resonance spectra based on their respective wavelet features, followed by removing the identified noise components to improve SNR. The performance of this new denoising approach was evaluated by measuring and comparing SNRs and quantified metabolite levels of low NSA spectra (e.g. NSA = 8) before and after denoising using the SWANCAD approach or by conventional spectral fitting and denoising methods, such as LCModel and wavelet threshold methods, as well as the high NSA spectra (e.g. NSA = 192) recorded in the same sampling volumes. The results demonstrated that SWANCAD offers a more effective way to detect the signals and improve SNR by removing noise from the noisy spectra collected with low NSA or in the subminute scan time (e.g. NSA = 8 or 16 s). The potential applications of SWANCAD include using low NSA to accelerate MRS acquisition while maintaining adequate spectroscopic information for detection and quantification of the metabolites of interest when a limited time is available for an MRS examination in the clinical setting.
Smoking, occupational exposures, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis among Swedish construction workers.

BACKGROUND Cigarette smoking and occupational exposures each have been reported to increase the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease previously considered of unknown origin. We investigated the risk of IPF mortality associated with combined smoking and occupational exposures. METHODS A registry study of Swedish construction workers (N = 389,132), linked baseline smoking and occupational data with registry data on cause of death and hospital care diagnoses. Occupation was classified by the likelihood of exposure to vapors, gases, dusts, or fumes using a job-exposure matrix. Those likely exposed to asbestos or silica were excluded from the analysis. Age-adjusted relative risks [RRs] were calculated using Poisson regression. Follow-up observation began at age 40 and ended at age 89. RESULTS Heavy smokers at baseline who were exposed to inorganic dusts during their working life had an increased risk of IPF mortality (RR 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-2.60), while there was no statistically increased risk in the other exposure groups. There were dose-response relationships between smoking at baseline and IPF mortality among both unexposed and dust exposed workers, with similar risk for dust exposed and unexposed, except among baseline heavy smokers, where workers exposed to inorganic dust manifested the highest risk (RR 4.22; 95% CI 2.69-6.60). Excluding workers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema did not affect the results substantively. CONCLUSION A clear dose-response relationship was seen between smoking at baseline and IPF, supporting a causal relationship. Occupational exposure to inorganic dusts, excluding silica and asbestos, was associated with increased risk of IPF in baseline heavy current smokers.
Quality of Service Impact on Edge Physics Simulations for VR

Mobile HMDs must sacrifice compute performance to achieve ergonomic and power requirements for extended use. Consequently, applications must either reduce rendering and simulation complexity - along with the richness of the experience - or offload complexity to a server. Within the context of edge-computing, a popular way to do this is through render streaming. Render streaming has been demonstrated for desktops and consoles. It has also been explored for HMDs. However, the latency requirements of head tracking make this application much more challenging. While mobile GPUs are not yet as capable as their desktop counterparts, we note that they are becoming more powerful and efficient. With the hard requirements of VR, it is worth continuing to investigate what schemes could optimally balance load, latency and quality. We propose an alternative we call edge-physics: streaming at the scene-graph level from a simulation running on edge-resources, analogous to cluster rendering. Scene streaming is not only straightforward, but compute and bandwidth efficient. The most demanding loops run locally. Jobs that hit the power-wall of mobile CPUs are off-loaded, while improving GPUs are leveraged, maximising compute utilisation. In this paper we create a prototypical implementation and evaluate its potential in terms of fidelity, bandwidth and performance. We show that an effective system which maintains high consistencies on typical edge-links can be easily built, but that some traditional concepts are not applicable, and a better understanding of the perception of motion is required to evaluate such a system comprehensively.
A MgO Nanoparticles Composite Matrix‐Based Electrochemical Biosensor for Hydrogen Peroxide with High Sensitivity

A novel horseradish peroxidase (HRP) electrochemical biosensor based on a MgO nanoparticles (nano-MgO)-chitosan (chit) composite matrix was developed. The morphology of nano-MgO-chit nanocomposite was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The interaction between nano-MgO-chit nanocomposite matrix and enzyme was characterized with UV-vis spectra. This proposed composite material combined the advantages of inorganic nanoparticles and organic polymer chit. The HRP immobilized in the nanocomposite matrix displayed excellent electrocatalytic activity to the reduction of H2O2 in the presence of hydroquinone as a mediator. The effects of the experimental variables such as solution pH and the working potential were investigated using steady-state amperometry. The present biosensor (HRP-modified electrode) had a fast response towards H2O2 (less than 10 s), and excellent linear relationships were obtained in the concentration range of 0.1–1300 μM, with a detection limit of 0.05 μM (S/N=3). Moreover, the stability and reproducibility of this biosensor were evaluated with satisfactory results.
Solving Bilevel Optimization Problems Using Kriging Approximations

Bilevel optimization involves two levels of optimization, where one optimization problem is nested within the other. The structure of the problem often requires solving a large number of inner optimization problems that make these kinds of optimization problems expensive to solve. The reaction set mapping and the lower level optimal value function mapping are often used to reduce bilevel optimization problems to a single level; however, the mappings are not known a priori, and the need is to be estimated. Though there exist a few studies that rely on the estimation of these mappings, they are often applied to problems where one of these mappings has a known form, that is, piecewise linear, convex, etc. In this article, we utilize both these mappings together to solve general bilevel optimization problems without any assumptions on the structure of these mappings. Kriging approximations are created during the generations of an evolutionary algorithm, where the population members serve as the samples for creating the approximations. One of the important features of the proposed algorithm is the creation of an auxiliary optimization problem using the Kriging-based metamodel of the lower level optimal value function that solves an approximate relaxation of the bilevel optimization problem. The auxiliary problem when used for local search is able to accelerate the evolutionary algorithm toward the bilevel optimal solution. We perform experiments on two sets of test problems and a problem from the domain of control theory. Our experiments suggest that the approach is quite promising and can lead to substantial savings when solving bilevel optimization problems. The approach is able to outperform state-of-the-art methods that are available for solving bilevel problems, in particular, the savings in function evaluations for the lower level problem are substantial with the proposed approach.
Industrially produced trans fat: Usage, health implications, global and indian regulations

Global momentum is growing for the total elimination of industrially produced trans fats from the food systems as they are known to have deleterious health effects on various body functions particularly the cardiovascular health. Many developed nations such as Denmark have completely eliminated the use of industrially produced trans fats from the food supply. India is undergoing a significant nutrition transition that has substantially increased the intake of processed and ready-to-eat foods, abundant in trans fats. The Indian regulator-Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is all set to reduce the industrially produced trans fats to <2% by the end of year 2021 in a phased manner. Multiple strategies such as reducing trans fat limit in oils and fats, mandatory labeling on food products, introduction of “Trans-fat free” claim and logo have been adopted by the Indian regulatory body, to achieve the goal of trans fat free India. This review comprehensively summarizes from a public health perspective the usage of industrially-produced trans fats in Indian food industry, its effects on health, the global strategies to limit its content, and the current Indian regulations.
Misleading 68GALLIUM‐dotatate PET scan in a patient with a history of a phaeochromocytoma: Unsuspected uptake in papillary thyroid carcinoma metastases

Scanning for somatostatin receptors using 68Ga‐dotatate positron emission tomography with co‐registration with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is now in widespread use for the identification of neuroendocrine tumours, phaeochromocytomas, and paragangliomas and their metastases. We present a case where a patient with a phaeochromocytoma showed uptake in her neck considered diagnostic of a head‐and‐neck paraganglioma, which was subsequently confirmed to be a metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma. We alert clinicians to such falsely‐identified tumours using this extensively used imaging technique.
Cytoskeletal prestress: The cellular hallmark in mechanobiology and mechanomedicine

Increasing evidence demonstrates that mechanical forces, in addition to soluble molecules, impact cell and tissue functions in physiology and diseases. How living cells integrate mechanical signals to perform appropriate biological functions is an area of intense investigation. Here, we review the evidence of the central role of cytoskeletal prestress in mechanotransduction and mechanobiology. Elevating cytoskeletal prestress increases cell stiffness and reinforces cell stiffening, facilitates long‐range cytoplasmic mechanotransduction via integrins, enables direct chromatin stretching and rapid gene expression, spurs embryonic development and stem cell differentiation, and boosts immune cell activation and killing of tumor cells whereas lowering cytoskeletal prestress maintains embryonic stem cell pluripotency, promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis of stem cell‐like malignant tumor‐repopulating cells, and elevates drug delivery efficiency of soft‐tumor‐cell‐derived microparticles. The overwhelming evidence suggests that the cytoskeletal prestress is the governing principle and the cellular hallmark in mechanobiology. The application of mechanobiology to medicine (mechanomedicine) is rapidly emerging and may help advance human health and improve diagnostics, treatment, and therapeutics of diseases.
Control of manganese dioxide crystallographic structure in the redox reaction between graphene and permanganate ions and their electrochemical performance

MnO2 with α + γ-, δ-, and α-phases were synthesized by using graphene as sacrificial template in a proposed KMnO4–graphene–H2SO4 reaction system. The as-prepared products were characterized with X-ray diffraction technique, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The structural analysis reveals that the cation concentration, i.e. H+ and K+, has a profound effect on both the crystallographic structures and morphologies of the final products. The relatively higher K+ concentration but lower H+ concentration facilitates the formation of δ-phased MnO2 with a petal-like structure, and the lower concentration of both K+ and H+ cations is more conducive to the formation of a mixed phase of (α + γ) MnO2. A further increase in the concentration of H+, forming the α-phased MnO2 nanorods is preferred. The electrochemical properties for supercapacitors indicate that the electrochemical performances of MnO2 strongly depend on their crystallographic structures, and they present a Faradaic reactivity sequence of δ- > α- > α + γ-MnO2.
Correlation between cerebral blood flow and olfactory function in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

Olfactory dysfunction is common in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). We sought to elucidate brain regions associated with olfactory dysfunction in patients with MCI and early AD by using 123I‐IMP‐SPECT to detect regional cerebral blood flow (CBF).
A Smartphone App for Engaging Patients With Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: Protocol for an Interrupted Time-Series Analysis

Background Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the main cause of health care–associated infections, and they increase the disease burden, antibiotic usage, and hospital stay. Inappropriate placement and unnecessarily prolonged usage of a catheter lead to an elevated and preventable risk of infection. The smartphone app Participatient has been developed to involve hospitalized patients in communication and decision-making related to catheter use and to control unnecessary (long-term) catheter use to prevent CAUTIs. Sustained behavioral changes for infection prevention can be promoted by empowering patients through Participatient. Objective The primary aim of our multicenter prospective interrupted time-series analysis is to reduce inappropriate catheter usage by 15%. We will evaluate the efficacy of Participatient in this quality improvement study in clinical wards. Our secondary endpoints are to reduce CAUTIs and to increase patient satisfaction, involvement, and trust with health care services. Methods We will conduct a multicenter interrupted time-series analysis—a strong study design when randomization is not feasible—consisting of a pre- and postintervention point-prevalence survey distributed among participating wards to investigate the efficacy of Participatient in reducing the inappropriate usage of catheters. After customizing Participatient to the wards’ requirements, it will be implemented with a catheter indication checklist among clinical wards in 4 large hospitals in the Netherlands. We will collect clinical data every 2 weeks for 6 months in the pre- and postintervention periods. Simultaneously, we will assess the impact of Participatient on patient satisfaction with health care services and providers and the patients’ perceived involvement in health care through questionnaires, and the barriers and facilitators of eHealth implementation through interviews with health care workers. Results To reduce the inappropriate use of approximately 40% of catheters (currently in use) by 15%, we aim to collect 9-12 data points from 70-100 patients per survey date per hospital. Thereafter, we will conduct an interrupted time-series analysis and present the difference between the unadjusted and adjusted rate ratios with a corresponding 95% CI. Differences will be considered significant when P<. 05. Conclusions Our protocol may help reduce the inappropriate use of catheters and subsequent CAUTIs. By sharing reliable information and daily checklists with hospitalized patients via an app, we aim to provide them a tool to be involved in health care–related decision-making and to increase the quality of care. Trial Registration Netherlands Trial Register NL7178; https://www.trialregister. nl/trial/7178 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/28314
Responses of cyanobacterial aggregate microbial communities to algal blooms.

Freshwater lakes are threatened by harmful cyanobacterial blooms, whose basic unit is Cyanobacterial Aggregate (CA). CA-attached bacteria play a significant role through different blooming stages with substantial variation of their taxonomic structure. However, little is known about their functional variations and functional links with cyanobacteria due to the lack of reference genomes. In this longitudinal study, we collected 16 CA samples from Lake Taihu, one of China's largest freshwater lakes, from April 2015 to February 2016, and sequenced their V4 region of 16S rRNA genes, full metagenomes (MG), and metatranscriptomes (MT). The analysis of these data revealed the dynamics of microbial taxonomic and functional structure in CAs, influenced by both external environmental factors and internal metabolism. 55 OTUs, 456 genes, and 37 transcripts showed significantly differential abundance across the early, middle, and late blooming stages (ANOVA test, P < 0.05). Total nitrogen and total phosphorus were proved to be the most important environmental drivers of microbial taxonomic and functional variations in CAs (Mantel's r > 0.25, P < 0.05). We constructed 161 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), out of which 22 were cyanobacterial strains with diverse energy pathways, transporters and prokaryotic defense systems. Based on these MAGs, we constructed a cyanobacteria-bacteria co-nitrogen-pathway and a cyanobacteria-bacteria co-phosphorus-pathway, by which we demonstrated how nitrogen and phosphorus influence the dynamics of the microbial structure to a certain extent by affecting these co-pathways. Overall, these results characterized the taxonomic, functional, and transcriptional variations of microbes in CAs through different blooming stages. Genome assembly and metabolic analysis of cyanobacteria and their attached bacteria suggested that the material exchange and signal transduction do, indeed, exist among them. Our understanding of the underlying molecular pathways for cyanobacterial blooms could lead to the control of blooms by interventional strategies to disrupt critical microbes' expression.
Patient Reported Outcomes on Different Occlusal Schemes in Complete Denture Wearers.

PURPOSE To compare patient-reported outcomes among balanced, lingualized, and monoplane occlusal schemes in relation to edentulous jaw classifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted in edentulous patients receiving new complete dentures using balanced, lingualized, or monoplane occlusal schemes. Demographic variables, bone ridge quantity, number of adjustments required after denture insertion, and satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) indices (ie, the Denture Satisfaction Questionnaire [DSQ] and General Oral Health Assessment Index [GOHAI], respectively) were assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 52 weeks. Within-group comparisons at different time points were carried out with Brunner-Langer nonparametric analysis. Furthermore, Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare distributions of ordinal or continuous variables among the three occlusal scheme groups. RESULTS A total of 60 subjects (mean age: 68.1 ± 11.1 years; 56.7% men and 43.3% women) were analyzed. All three groups presented significant improvements in DSQ and GOHAI scores between denture insertion and the 1-year follow-up appointment (P < .001). There were no statistical differences in the distribution of demographic variables (eg, age, gender, years edentulous, and age of existing dentures) or of bone ridge classifications among the three groups. Similarly, there were no statistical differences in ridge classifications or in the DSQ and GOHAI values among the three groups for both the maxilla and mandible (P > .05) over the 52-week follow-up. On the other hand, the number of cases requiring denture adjustments was significantly lower in the lingualized scheme group, as compared to the two other groups (P = .034). CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, the present findings suggest that the occlusal scheme for posterior teeth did not influence patient-reported subjective outcomes. However, the lingualized occlusal scheme required significantly fewer adjustments.
Hypoplastic left heart syndrome: from the prenatal to the postnatal period.

OBJECTIVES To analyse a population of foetuses with prenatally diagnosed hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). MATERIAL AND METHODS Retrospective study of foetuses diagnosed with HLHS between 2013 and 2017 in a referral centre. RESULTS HLHS was found in 9.7% (65/665) of foetuses with cardiovascular abnormalities (CVA). As an isolated anomaly, HLHS was present in 40% of cases; in 24.5% other CVA were detected; in 14%, CVA and extracardiac anomalies; and in 21.5% only extracardiac malformations. Genetic disorders were present in 18.4% (12/65) of foetuses. 42% of cardiovascular and 25% of extracardiac anomalies were diagnosed postnatally. There were 10 (15.4%) elective terminations, 1 (1.5%) spontaneous foetal demise. Two newborns died after birth before surgery. Of the 52 children who underwent Norwood surgery, 13 (25%) died (9 with additional anomalies, and 4 with isolated HLHS). Of the 38 children who underwent stage II surgery, 2 (5.2%) with isolated HLHS died, and 1 (2.6%) with CVA. CONCLUSIONS A diagnosis of HLHS is an indication for a detailed examination of cardiac and noncardiac structures. It is advisable to consider genetic testing, together with the microarray assessment. The prognosis depends on underlying cardiac and extracardiac anomalies and coexisting genetic defects.
Tribulus terrestris fruit extract inhibits autophagic flux to diminish cell proliferation and metastatic characteristics of oral cancer cells

Elevated autophagy is highly associated with cancer development and progression. Fruit extracts of several plants inhibit activity of autophagy‐related protease ATG4B and autophagy activity in colorectal cancer cells. However, the effects of these plant extracts in oral cancer cells remain unclear. In this study, we found that the extracted Tribulus terrestris fruit (TT‐(fr)) and Xanthium strumarium fruit had inhibitory effects on autophagy inhibition in both SAS and TW2.6 oral cancer cells. Moreover, the fruit extracts had differential effects on cell proliferation of oral cancer cells. In addition, the fruit extracts hampered cell migration and invasion of oral cancer cells, particularly in TT‐(fr) extracts. Our results indicated that TT‐(fr) extracts consistently inhibited autophagic flux, cell growth and metastatic characteristics of oral cancer cells, suggesting TT‐(fr) might contain function ingredient to suppress oral cancer cells.