Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silicon Nitride/Silicon Dioxide Echelle Grating Spectrometer for Operation Near 1.55 μm

Here we use an electron beam lithography system to pattern an <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> ${\rm{S}}{{\rm{i}}_{3}}{{\rm{N}}_{4}}{\rm{/Si}}{{\rm{O}}_{2}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> echelle grating using silver as a reflector on the grating grooves. The grating in this letter achieves 1.39 dB on-chip loss, a spectral resolution of ∼1300, a 1.2 dB channel nonuniformity, and less than −30 dB adjacent channel crosstalk for the transverse electric field polarization. We establish that stitching errors can lead to appreciable adjacent channel crosstalk if proper precaution is not taken to minimize them.
Gate Conduction Mechanisms and Lifetime Modeling of p-Gate AlGaN/GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistors

The gate conduction mechanisms in p-gallium nitride (GaN)/AlGaN/GaN enhancement mode transistors are investigated using temperature-dependent dc gate current measurements. In each of the different gate voltage regions, a physical model is proposed and compared to experiment. At negative gate bias, Poole–Frenkel emission (PFE) occurs within the passivation dielectric from gate to source. At positive gate bias, the p-GaN/AlGaN/GaN “p-i-n” diode is in forward operation mode, and the gate current is limited by hole supply at the Schottky contact. At low gate voltages, the current is governed by thermionic emission with Schottky barrier lowering in dislocation lines. Increasing the gate voltage and temperature results in thermally assisted tunneling (TAT) across the same barrier. An improved gate process reduces the gate current in the positive gate bias region and eliminates the onset of TAT. However, at high positive gate bias, a sharp increase in current is observed originating from PFE at the metal/ p-GaN interface. Using the extracted conduction mechanisms for both devices, accurate lifetime models are constructed. The device fabricated with the novel gate process exhibits a maximum gate voltage of 7.2 V at ${t}_{\textsf {1}\%}=\textsf {10}$ years.
A novel particle swarm optimizer with multi-stage transformation and genetic operation for VLSI routing

As the basic model for very large scale integration (VLSI) routing, the Steiner minimal tree (SMT) can be used in various practical problems, such as wire length optimization, congestion, and time delay estimation. In this paper, a novel particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm based on multi-stage transformation and genetic operation is presented to construct two types of SMT, including non-Manhattan SMT and Manhattan SMT. Firstly, in order to be able to handle two types of SMT problems at the same time, an effective edge-vertex encoding strategy is proposed. Secondly, a multi-stage transformation strategy is proposed to both expand the algorithm search space and ensure the effective convergence. We have tested three types from two to four stages and various combinations under each type to highlight the best combination. Thirdly, the genetic operators combined with union-find partition are designed to construct the discrete particle update formula for discrete VLSI routing. Moreover, in order to introduce uncertainty and diversity into the search of PSO algorithm, we propose an improved mutation operation with edge transformation. Experimental results show that our algorithm from a global perspective of multilayer structure can achieve the best solution quality among the existing algorithms. Finally, to our best knowledge, it is the first work to address both manhattan and non-manhattan routing at the same time.
Excisionase in Pf filamentous prophage controls lysis‐lysogeny decision‐making in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pf filamentous prophages are prevalent among clinical and environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Pf4 and Pf5 prophages are integrated into the host genomes of PAO1 and PA14, respectively, and play an important role in biofilm development. However, the genetic factors that directly control the lysis‐lysogeny switch in Pf prophages remain unclear. Here, we identified and characterized the excisionase genes in Pf4 and Pf5 (named xisF4 and xisF5, respectively). XisF4 and XisF5 represent two major subfamilies of functional excisionases and are commonly found in Pf prophages. While both of them can significantly promote prophage excision, only XisF5 is essential for Pf5 excision. XisF4 activates Pf4 phage replication by upregulating the phage initiator gene (PA0727). In addition, xisF4 and the neighboring phage repressor c gene pf4r are transcribed divergently and their 5′‐untranslated regions overlap. XisF4 and Pf4r not only auto‐activate their own expression but also repress each other. Furthermore, two H‐NS family proteins, MvaT and MvaU, coordinately repress Pf4 production by directly repressing xisF4. Collectively, we reveal that Pf prophage excisionases cooperate in controlling lysogeny and phage production.
The Effect of Ground Truth on Performance Evaluation of Hyperspectral Image Classification

In the field of hyperspectral image classification, a widely used way for objective performance evaluation of different classification methods is calculating three accuracy indexes, i.e., the overall accuracy, the average accuracy, and the Kappa coefficient. These accuracy indexes are obtained by comparing the classification results with the ground truth, i.e., a reference classification map labeled by human experts. In this paper, the effect of ground truths on the objective performance evaluation of hyperspectral image classification is studied. The purpose is to investigate, if the ground truth is insufficient, whether the above accuracy indexes can be completely responsible. Furthermore, in order to measure the robustness of different classification methods to those insufficient ground truths, four evaluation metrics, i.e., the Pearson linear correlation coefficient, root-mean-square error, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and Kendall’s rank correlation coefficient have been adopted for further analysis. Based on these experiments, an interesting conclusion can be obtained that insufficient ground truths may limit the assessment capability of existing accuracy indexes. This underlines that overoptimistic performance evaluations may exist and stresses the demand of designing more appropriate accuracy indexes for objective performance evaluation with insufficient ground truths.
Improvement of Experience-based Software Defect Content Estimation Method

Because capture-recapture's estimators have a general trend of underestimation,this paper puts forward a new experience-based algorithm.Based on some data of two literatures,virtual software inspections are carried out,and the performance of both original and improved estimators are compared and analyzed.Result verifies that the estimation accuracy of new estimators is better than that of the olds.
Characterization of changes of pain behavior and signal transduction system in food-deprived mice

ABSTRACT Fasting in general causes several metabolic changes. In the present study, we examined the possible changes of several types of nociception during the food deprivation were investigated in mice. After the mice were forced into the fasting for 12, 24, or 48 h, the changes of nociception were measured by the tail-flick, writhing, formalin or von-frey tests. We found that the nociceptive behavior induced by intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered acetic acid (writhing response) or intraplantar injection of 5% formalin into the hind-paw were reduced in fasted group. In addition, the tail-flick response and threshold for nociception in mechanical von-frey test were also elevated in fasted group. Moreover, the p-CREB and p-ERK levels in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and the spinal cord were reduced in food-deprived group. Furthermore, p-AMPKα1 expressions in DRG and the spinal cord were up-regulated, whereas p-mTOR in DRG and the spinal cord was down-regulated in food-deprived group. Our results suggest that the chemical, mechanical, and thermal nociceptions appear to be reduced in a food-deprived mouse group. Additionally, reduction of nociception in food-deprived group appears to be closely associated with the expressions of several signal transduction molecules such as ERK, CREB, AMPKα1 and mTOR proteins in DRG and the spinal cord.
A Simple, Quantitative Method for Assessing Angiogenic Genes Using Skeletal Muscle by Electroporation-Mediated Naked DNA Delivery

Background and Objectives:For the development of an arteriogenic gene therapy in peripheral artery occlusive disease, we developed a novel angiogenesis assay, with electroporation-mediated naked DNA delivery to the skeletal muscle. Materials and Methods:The levels of the expression CAT were compared between pJDK and pcDNA3.1, in HeLa and C2C12 cell lines, and skeletal muscle. The well known angiogenic gene, pJDK-hVEGF165, was injected, intramuscularly, into the tibialis anterior muscle of Balb/C mice, which was followed by electroporation. Two days later, the anterior tibialis muscles were divided into halves, embedded, and cultured in growth factor-reduced Matrigel. The capillary network area formed by the newly sprouting tube-like structures was calculated. For validation of this ex vivo assay, the connective tissue growth factor gene (pJDK-CTGF) was tested both by this new assay, and by the mice-hind limb ischemia model, with Laser Doppler imaging. Results:The pJDK showed a significantly higher level of CAT expression than the pcDNA3.1. From the pJDK-hVEGF165 injected explants, endothelial cell migration and tube-like formation occurred on day 2, and the capillary network formation peaked on day 7. The capillary network formation in the pJDK-hVEGF165 group was markedly increased to that in the pJDK group. From the skeletal muscle assay, the pJDK-CTGF showed no angiogenic activity or attenuated VEGF-induced capillary network formation. The LDI flux ratio, on day 10 in the mice-hind limb ischemia model, for the mice treated with the pJDK-CTGF and pJDK-hVEGF165 was significantly lower than that of the mice treated with the pJDK-hVEGF165 alone. Conclusion:The skeletal muscle ex vivo assay, using an electroporationmediated naked DNA delivery, is a simple, quantitative and reproducible method for assessing angiogenic genes. CTGF could be an anti-angiogenic factor due to its inhibition of VEGF. (Korean Circulation J 2003;33 (4):321-332)
Airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by wood tars

A 37-year-old male, without a history of dermatological disease, was referred to our department with recurring redness of the face and swelling of the eyelids, accompanied by pain and itching. While attending several courses on outdoor living, he was often exposed to campfire smoke. After a while, he experienced the same skin eruption, always 3 hours after having been exposed to campfire smoke. The skin problems peaked at 24 hours after exposure, and consistently resolved spontaneously within a week after exposure, accompanied by considerable scaling (Figure 1). On the basis of this history and the patient’s photographic documentation, type IV airborne allergic contact dermatitis caused by wood tar was suspected. Prick tests with bark from beech and birch gave negative results. Patch testing showed isolated positive reactions (++ on day 2 and ++ on day 3) to wood tar mix (Allergeaze; 12% pet., Brielle, The Netherlands), tested in Van der Bend (Brielle, The Netherlands) patch test chambers on Medipore (Delft, The Netherlands) hypoallergenic tape, that is, a commercial extract (comprising pine, juniper, beech and birch wood). For validation purposes, this wood tar mix was also tested in six healthy controls, who showed no positive reactions (Figure 2). The skin eruption was successfully treated with topical corticosteroids, and the patient was advised to avoid exposure to smoke from campfires.
1.5T MRI-guided trans-perineal laser ablation of locally recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma

Introduction: Biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after definitive therapy with radical prostatectomy (RP) is known to occur between 25-30%. We present the first known case of 1.5T MRI guided ablation using laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) for locally recurrent prostate cancer following RP. Methods: The patient elected to undergo MRI-guided LITT of the biopsy proven cancer recurrence using an FDAapproved MRI compatible, 980nm, 15-watt laser system with MR thermometry. Under T2-weighted MR(1.5T Siemens) imaging, guidance and targeting of the lesions with trans-perineal placement of laser applicators. Multiple cycles of laser energy were used to ablate the tumor. A MRI-compatible urethral cooling catheter was placed to prevent urethral thermal damage. Results: Intra-procedural temperature mapping allowed continuous monitoring of the ablation zone and permitted ablation control until tumor coverage was achieved. Additionally, the protective cooling effects of the urethral cooling catheter could also be seen with the temperature mapping. Post-ablation gadolinium and T2 weighted MR imaging demonstrated an ablation defect encompassing the recurrent tumor with no residual hyper-enhancing nodules. Three month follow-up shows no residual or recurrent tumor seen on MR imaging. Conclusion: This represents the first known, successful, MRI-guided, LITT procedures at 1.5T for locally recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma following RP.
OrthoSeg: A Deep Multimodal Convolutional Neural Network for Semantic Segmentation of Orthoimagery

Abstract. This paper addresses the task of semantic segmentation of orthoimagery using multimodal data e.g. optical RGB, infrared and digital surface model. We propose a deep convolutional neural network architecture termed OrthoSeg for semantic segmentation using multimodal, orthorectified and coregistered data. We also propose a training procedure for supervised training of OrthoSeg. The training procedure complements the inherent architectural characteristics of OrthoSeg for preventing complex co-adaptations of learned features, which may arise due to probable high dimensionality and spatial correlation in multimodal and/or multispectral coregistered data. OrthoSeg consists of parallel encoding networks for independent encoding of multimodal feature maps and a decoder designed for efficiently fusing independently encoded multimodal feature maps. A softmax layer at the end of the network uses the features generated by the decoder for pixel-wise classification. The decoder fuses feature maps from the parallel encoders locally as well as contextually at multiple scales to generate per-pixel feature maps for final pixel-wise classification resulting in segmented output. We experimentally show the merits of OrthoSeg by demonstrating state-of-the-art accuracy on the ISPRS Potsdam 2D Semantic Segmentation dataset. Adaptability is one of the key motivations behind OrthoSeg so that it serves as a useful architectural option for a wide range of problems involving the task of semantic segmentation of coregistered multimodal and/or multispectral imagery. Hence, OrthoSeg is designed to enable independent scaling of parallel encoder networks and decoder network to better match application requirements, such as the number of input channels, the effective field-of-view, and model capacity.
Expression of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit is associated with the radiosensitivity of human thyroid cancer cell lines

Abstract The prognosis and treatment of thyroid cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease. Radiosensitivity differs among cancer cells owing to their varying capacity for repair after irradiation. Radioactive iodine can be used to destroy thyroid cancer cells. However, patient prognosis and improvement after irradiation varies. Therefore, predictive measures are important for avoiding unnecessary exposure to radiation. We describe a new method for predicting the effects of radiation in individual cases of thyroid cancer based on the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity level in cancer cells. The radiation sensitivity, DNA-PK activity, and cellular levels of DNA-PK complex subunits in five human thyroid cancer cell lines were analyzed in vitro. A positive correlation was observed between the D10 value (radiation dose that led to 10% survival) of cells and DNA-PK activity. This correlation was not observed after treatment with NU7441, a DNA-PK–specific inhibitor. A significant correlation was also observed between DNA-PK activity and expression levels of the DNA-PK catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). Cells expressing low DNA-PKcs levels were radiation-sensitive, and cells expressing high DNA-PKcs levels were radiation-resistant. Our results indicate that radiosensitivity depends on the expression level of DNA-PKcs in thyroid cancer cell lines. Thus, the DNA-PKcs expression level is a potential predictive marker of the success of radiation therapy for thyroid tumors.
A Convolutional Neural Network based Live Object Recognition System as Blind Aid

This paper introduces a live object recognition system that serves as a blind aid. Visually impaired people heavily rely on their other senses such as touch and auditory signals for understanding the environment around them. The act of knowing what object is in front of the blind person without touching it (by hand or some other tool) is very difficult. In some cases, the physical contact between the person and object can be dangerous, and even lethal. This project employs a Convolutional Neural Network for recognition of pre-trained objects on the ImageNet dataset. A camera, aligned with the system's predetermined orientation serves as input to the computer system, which has the object recognition Neural Network deployed to carry out real-time object detection. Output from the network can then be parsed to present to the visually impaired person either in the form of audio or Braille text.
Measuring Family Strengths

Two dimensions of "strong families," family processes and family relationships, yield a broad array of constructs that influence child outcomes. Including these constructs in new survey instruments makes it possible to assess patterns, trends, and disparities in family strengths in different types of family environments. The article reviews previous research on the relationship between each construct and child well-being, examines how children and adolescents live with families that possess these strengths, and suggests ways to increase our understanding of family strengths and develop selected measures for incorporation into ongoing surveys.
Dietary Characteristics of Macronutrient Intake and the Status of Metabolic Syndrome among Koreans

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is heavily dependent on dietary and lifestyle practices, is prevalent in Korean adults. Because dietary practices are unique for each race, nationality, and culture, it is important to identify Korean adult dietary practices that are associated with MetS. Macronutrient intake patterns were analyzed and compared across health status using the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (8,143 adults who had dietary data and biomarkers related to MetS). Although intake levels were different by age, gender, and health status, carbohydrate intake was high and fat intake was low among Korean adults. The carbohydrate energy ratio was higher and the fat energy ratio was lower for subjects > 60 years old who were diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, or MetS than those in other age groups. The main source of fat from food differed depending on the group. These results demonstrated that macronutrient intake patterns were different between age, gender, and health status subgroups. Hence, it is recommended that nutritional policy and practices aimed at controlling MetS should be based on the dietary characteristics of the target group. (Korean J Nutr 2011; 44 (2): 119 ~ 130)
Notes from the Field: Multiple Modes of Transmission During a Thanksgiving Day Norovirus Outbreak — Tennessee, 2017

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease; the majority of ALS patients die within 2–5 years of receiving a diagnosis (1). Familial ALS, a hereditary form of the disease, accounts for 5%–10% of cases, whereas the remaining cases have no clearly defined etiology (1). ALS affects persons of all races and ethnicities; however, whites, males, nonHispanics, persons aged ≥60 years, and those with a family history of ALS are more likely to develop the disease (2). No cure for ALS has yet been identified, and the lack of proven and effective therapeutic interventions is an ongoing challenge. Treatments currently available, Edaravone and Riluzole, do not cure ALS, but slow disease progression in certain patients (3,4). This report presents National ALS Registry findings regarding ALS prevalence in the United States for the period January 1–December 31, 2015. In 2015, the estimated prevalence of ALS cases was 5.2 per 100,000 population with a total of 16,583 cases identified. Overall, these findings are similar to the 2014 ALS prevalence and case count (5.0 per 100,000; 15,927 cases) (2). Prevalence rates by patient characteristics (most common in whites, males, and persons aged ≥60 years) and U.S. Census regions are consistent with ALS demographics and have not changed from 2014 to 2015 calendar years. The algorithm used to identify cases from national administrative databases was updated from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) to the ICD-10 codes for claims starting on October 1, 2015, with no apparent effect on case ascertainment. Data collected by the National ALS Registry are being used to better describe the epidemiology of ALS in the United States and to facilitate research on the genetics, potential biomarkers, environmental pollutants, and etiology for ALS. In 2008, the U.S. Congress passed the ALS Registry Act, which authorized the creation and maintenance of the National ALS Registry (Registry), and data collection began in 2010. * The Registry’s goals and methods were described in detail previously (5). Because ALS, like most noncommunicable diseases, is not a nationally notifiable condition, cases in the United States are identified using a novel two-pronged approach. The first approach identifies cases from three large national administrative databases (Medicare, Veterans Health Administration, and Veterans Benefits Administration) by using an algorithm with elements such as the ICD code for ALS, frequency of visits to a neurologist, and prescription drug use. On October 1, 2015, ICD-10 codes were integrated into the algorithm, which categorizes cases in Registry nomenclature as “definite ALS,” “possible ALS,” and “not ALS” (6). Only definite ALS cases are entered into the Registry. The second approach is a secure web portal that