Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personalized Strategy for Animal-Assisted Therapy for Individuals Based on the Emotions Induced by the Images of Different Animal Species and Breeds

Simple Summary In this study, we hypothesized that the personalized strategies for the animal-assisted therapy (AAT) could be improved by selecting animal species and breeds for individuals (persons) according to the emotions induced in the persons by different animal species and breeds. To our knowledge, this study is the first in the area in which the FaceReader technique has been applied to improve the methodology of AAT, which could be the first step to avoiding and/or minimizing stressful situations during a person’s contact with an animal. To implement the aim, the images of different animal species (dogs, cats, pigs, sheep, and horses) and various breeds of those species were used. This study showed that the animal species is a significant factor in the intensity of the ‘neutral’ and ‘happy’ emotions as well as valence. In addition, animal breed is a significant factor in the intensity of the emotion ‘happy’ and valence. Finally, in this study, we obtained results that could be used as a personalized strategy for improvement of the AAT and to help the individuals select a pet. Abstract The aim of this study was to apply the FaceReader technique to select the animal species and breed for a personalized AAT based on the emotions (‘neutral’, ‘happy’, ‘sad’, ‘angry’, ‘surprised’, ‘scared’, ‘disgusted’, and ‘contempt’) induced in the persons (18–64 years old) by the images of different animal species and breeds. To implement the aim, the images of different animal species (Canis familiaris, Felis silvestris catus, Sus scrofa domesticus, Ovis aries, and Equus caballus) and their breeds (dogs: Australian shepherd, pug, Labrador retriever, Doberman, miniature schnauzer, beagle, three mixed-breed types, Yorkshire terrier, Cane Corso, Samoyed, and Chihuahua; cats: British shorthair, Himalayan cat, three mixed breed types, Siamese cat, Sphynx, and Bengal cat; horses: Norwegian Fjord, Exmoor pony, Andalusian, and Friesian; pigs: Vietnamese pot-bellied and Kunekune; sheep: Herdwick sheep and Suffolk sheep) were used. This study showed that the animal species is a significant factor in the intensity of the emotions ‘neutral’ and ‘happy’ as well as valence, and the animal breed is a significant factor for the emotion ‘happy’ intensity and valence. The obtained results could be used as a personalized strategy for improving AAT and helping the individuals to select a pet.
Magnetic Resonance-Based Synthetic Computed Tomography Using Generative Adversarial Networks for Intracranial Tumor Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

The purpose of this work is to develop a reliable deep-learning-based method that is capable of synthesizing needed CT from MRI for radiotherapy treatment planning. Simultaneously, we try to enhance the resolution of synthetic CT. We adopted pix2pix with a 3D framework, which is a conditional generative adversarial network, to map the MRI data domain into the CT data domain of our dataset. The original dataset contains paired MRI and CT images of 31 subjects; 26 pairs were used for model training and 5 were used for model validation. To identify the correctness of the synthetic CT of models, all of the synthetic CTs were calculated by the quantized image similarity formulas: cosine angle distance, Euclidean distance, mean square error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, and mean structural similarity. Two radiologists independently evaluated the satisfaction score, including spatial, detail, contrast, noise, and artifacts, for each imaging attribute. The mean (±standard deviation) of the structural similarity indices (CAD, L2 norm, MSE, PSNR, and MSSIM) between five real CT scans and the synthetic CT scans were 0.96 ± 0.015, 76.83 ± 12.06, 0.00118 ± 0.00037, 29.47 ± 1.35, and 0.84 ± 0.036, respectively. For synthetic CT, radiologists rated the results as evincing excellent satisfaction in spatial geometry and noise level, good satisfaction in contrast and artifacts, and fair imaging details. The similarity index and clinical evaluation results between synthetic CT and original CT guarantee the usability of the proposed method.
Decoupling Energy Efficient Approach for Hybrid Precoding-Based mmWave Massive MIMO-NOMA with SWIPT

In this paper, we address the problem of energy consumption associated with mixed signal components such as analog-to-digital components in millimeter-wave (mmWave) massive MIMO systems. We employ non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in millimeter-wave (mmWave) massive MIMO systems to further enhance the spectrum efficiency. The simultaneous wireless information and power transmission technology (SWIPT) will be used in mmWave massive Multiple-Input multiple-Output MIMO systems. The utilization of SWIPT contributes to prolonging the battery life of mobile users (MUs) and enhances the system energy efficiency (EE), especially in the NOMA scenario where the inter-user interference can be reused for energy harvesting (EH). However, we initially designed a user grouping algorithm based on the affinity propagation clustering algorithm, which preferentially groups the user equipment (UE) based on their channel correlation and distance. Then, we design the analog RF precoder based on the selected user grouping for all beams, followed by a low-dimensional digital baseband precoder design to further mitigate inter-beam interference and maximize the achievable sum-rate for the considered system. Subsequently, we transform the original optimization problem into a joint power allocation and power-splitting maximization problem. The considered non-convex optimization problem is arduous to tackle, resulting from the presence of coupled variables and inter-user interference. To cope with this problem, a decoupled approach is adopted, in which the power allocation and power splitting are separated, and the corresponding sub-problems are solved using the Lagrangian duality method. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method and demonstrate that the proposed method is near-optimal and enjoys higher spectrum and energy efficiency compared with state-of-the-art designs and the conventional SWIPT-enabled mmWave MIMO-NOMA system.
Tantalum Oxide as an Efficient Alternative Electron Transporting Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells

Electron transporting layers facilitating electron extraction and suppressing hole recombination at the cathode are crucial components in any thin-film solar cell geometry, including that of metal–halide perovskite solar cells. Amorphous tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) deposited by spin coating was explored as an electron transport material for perovskite solar cells, achieving power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to ~14%. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) measurements revealed that the extraction of photogenerated electrons is facilitated due to proper alignment of bandgap energies. Steady-state photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) verified efficient charge transport from perovskite absorber film to thin Ta2O5 layer. Our findings suggest that tantalum oxide as an n-type semiconductor with a calculated carrier density of ~7 × 1018/cm3 in amorphous Ta2O5 films, is a potentially competitive candidate for an electron transport material in perovskite solar cells.
Timeline of Adverse Events during Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Advanced Melanoma and Their Impacts on Survival

Simple Summary A cohort of 153 melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors as first line therapy were studied, to specifically describe the timelines of all adverse events by the target organ, demonstrating a different profile of appearance over time. Interestingly, the survival benefit of presenting immune-related adverse events was demonstrated only for dermatological events, but a multivariate analysis found that this benefit is no longer significant after adjusting for the duration of therapy and the baseline stage of disease. In our opinion, the apparent good response marker of adverse events needs to be analyzed, taking into account the time in therapy and other prognostic markers, such as disease burden. Abstract Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are frequent and could be associated with improved response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). A prospective cohort of advanced melanoma patients receiving ICI as first-line therapy was retrospectively reviewed (January 2011–February 2019). A total of 116 of 153 patients presented with at least one irAE (75.8%). The most frequent irAEs were dermatological (derm irAEs, 50%), asthenia (38%), and gastrointestinal (29%). Most irAEs appeared within the first 90 days, while 11.2% appeared after discontinuation of the therapy. Mild grade 1–2 derm irAEs tended to appear within the first 2 months of therapy with a median time of 65.5 days (IQR 26-139.25), while grade 3–4 derm irAEs appeared later (median 114 days; IQR 69-218) and could be detected at any time during therapy. Only derm irAE occurrence was related to improved survival (HR 6.46). Patients presenting derm irAEs showed better 5-year overall survival compared to those with no derm irAEs (53.1% versus 24.9%; p < 0.001). However, the difference was not significant when adjusting for the duration of therapy. In conclusion: the timeline of immune-related-AEs differs according to the organ involved. The (apparent) improved survival of patients who present derm AEs during immunotherapy could be partially explained by longer times under treatment.
Advances in HIV-1 Assembly

The assembly of HIV-1 particles is a concerted and dynamic process that takes place on the plasma membrane of infected cells. An abundance of recent discoveries has advanced our understanding of the complex sequence of events leading to HIV-1 particle assembly, budding, and release. Structural studies have illuminated key features of assembly and maturation, including the dramatic structural transition that occurs between the immature Gag lattice and the formation of the mature viral capsid core. The critical role of inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) in the assembly of both the immature and mature Gag lattice has been elucidated. The structural basis for selective packaging of genomic RNA into virions has been revealed. This review will provide an overview of the HIV-1 assembly process, with a focus on recent advances in the field, and will point out areas where questions remain that can benefit from future investigation.
Pump photons present in a non-linear process as a witnesses of nonclassicality of a system

We have studied non-classical effects, i.e. higher order photon antibunching (HOA) and higher order sub-Poissonian photon number statistics (HOSPS) in various non-linear optical processes like second harmonic generation, fourth harmonic generation, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and coherent anti-Stokes hyper-Raman scattering (CAHRS) using short time interaction techniques. The non-classical effects directly depend on number of photons prior to interaction with non-linear medium has already been studied but we have found that non-linear processes involving equal number of pump photons have same higher order photo antibunching (HOA) and higher order sub-Poissonian photon number statistics (HOSPS) independent of the non-linear process involved.
Language Choice among the Punjabi Sikh Community in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

When a minority group interacts and comes into contact with individuals from the dominant language, they tend to choose a commonly understood language. Language choice is forced to negotiate their own identity and cultural practices with their dominant culture. This can create a conflict, as in the case of the Punjabi community, who try to adopt new cultural norms and maintain their own identity when living in a dominant cultural group. With the growing number of Punjabis in Sabah, specifically in the capital city of Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia, this situation presents an excellent case for advancing our knowledge about the challenges that the process of assimilation and enculturation may have on the Punjabi community living in a society which predominantly is of a different culture in Sabah. This study thus addresses the impact of social integration among a small population of the Punjabi Sikhs living in Kota Kinabalu. Data is collected using a questionnaire and interviews with several community members. The study draws implications on how a minority group adapts to the dominant culture and provides possible avenues for future research.
Etiopathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis

Dermatitis herpetiformis is a rare chronic, autoimmune bullous disease linked to gluten sensitivity with intense pruritus and characteristic skin eruptions. Etiopathogenesis is complex and not fully understood. It is currently considered to be a specific cutaneous manifestation of celiac disease. Genetic, environmental and immunological factors influence both conditions. Exposure to gluten is the starting point of an inflammatory cascade leading to the formation of circulating IgA antibodies against tissue transglutaminase and skin immune IgA deposition followed by skin lesions. Binding of the immune complex deposits of IgA transglutaminases and epidermal antibodies with enzymes in the papillary dermis stimulates complement activation, neutrophil influx, proinflammatory cytokine release and overproduction of matrix metalloproteinases. We have collected current knowledge of the pathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis.
Evaluation of In Doped GaAs Alloys to Optimize Electronic, Thermoelectric and Mechanical Properties

The electronic, mechanical and transport properties of the In substitution in GaAs are investigated by the TB-mBJ potential, BoltzTraP code and Charpin tensor matrix analysis using Wien2k code. The formation energies of the alloys Ga1−xInxAs (x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0) confirm that they are thermodynamically favorable. The directional symmetry changes when increasing the In concentration and reduces the bandgap from 1.55 eV (GaAs) to 0.57 eV (InAs), as well as reducing the electrical conductivity and increasing the Seebeck coefficient. The thermoelectric performance is depicted by the power factor without including lattice vibration. The elastic properties’ analysis shows mechanical stability, and elastic moduli decrease with an increasing In in GaAs, which converts the brittle nature to ductile. The Debye temperature, hardness and thermal conductivity decrease, thus, increasing their importance for device fabrications.
Enhanced Electromechanical Response in PVDF-BNBT Composite Nanofibers for Flexible Sensor Applications

Wearable energy harvesters and sensors have recently attracted significant attention with the rapid development of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT). Compared to high-output bulk materials, these wearable devices are mainly fabricated by thin-film-based materials that limit their application. Therefore, the enhancement of output voltage and power for these devices has recently become an urgent topic. In this paper, the lead-free bismuth titanate-barium titanate (0.93(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-0.07BaTiO3(BNBT)) nanoparticles and nanofibers were embedded into the PVDF nanofibers. They produced high inorganic electrical voltage coefficients, high electromechanical coupling coefficients, and environmentally friendly properties that enhance the electromechanical performance of pure PVDF nanofibers, and they are all the critical requirements for modern flexible pressure sensors. In detail, PVDF and PVDF-based composites nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning, and different flexible sandwich composite devices were fabricated by the PDMS encapsulation method. As a result, the six-time enhancement maximum output voltage was obtained in a PVDF-BNBT (fiber)-based composite sensor compared to the pure PVDF one. Our results indicate that the output voltage of the pressure sensors has been significantly enhanced, and the development gate is enabled by analyzing the related physical process and influence mechanism.
Early Antibiotic Exposure Alters Intestinal Development and Increases Susceptibility to Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Mechanistic Study

Increasing evidence suggests that prolonged antibiotic therapy in preterm infants is associated with increased mortality and morbidities, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating gastrointestinal pathology characterized by intestinal inflammation and necrosis. While a clinical correlation exists between antibiotic use and the development of NEC, the potential causality of antibiotics in NEC development has not yet been demonstrated. Here, we tested the effects of systemic standard-of-care antibiotic therapy for ten days on intestinal development in neonatal mice. Systemic antibiotic treatment impaired the intestinal development by reducing intestinal cell proliferation, villi height, crypt depth, and goblet and Paneth cell numbers. Oral bacterial challenge in pups who received antibiotics resulted in NEC-like intestinal injury in more than half the pups, likely due to a reduction in mucous-producing cells affecting microbial–epithelial interactions. These data support a novel mechanism that could explain why preterm infants exposed to prolonged antibiotics after birth have a higher incidence of NEC and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Epigenetic Regulation: A Link between Inflammation and Carcinogenesis

Simple Summary Epigenetics encompasses all the modifications that occur within cells that are independent of gene mutations. The environment is the main influencer of these alterations. It is well known that a proinflammatory environment can promote and sustain the carcinogenic process and that this environment induces epigenetic alterations. In this review, we will report how a proinflammatory microenvironment that encircles the tumor core can be responsible for the induction of epigenetic drift. Abstract Epigenetics encompasses a group of dynamic, reversible, and heritable modifications that occur within cells that are independent of gene mutations. These alterations are highly influenced by the environment, from the environment that surrounds the human being to the internal microenvironments located within tissues and cells. The ways that pigenetic modifications promote the initiation of the tumorigenic process have been widely demonstrated. Similarly, it is well known that carcinogenesis is supported and prompted by a strong proinflammatory environment. In this review, we introduce our report of a proinflammatory microenvironment that encircles the tumor core but can be responsible for the induction of epigenetic drift. At the same time, cancer cells can alter their epigenetic profile to generate a positive loop in the promotion of the inflammatory process. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the epigenetic networks between the tumor microenvironment and cancer cells might highlight new targetable mechanisms that could prevent tumor progression.
Ac loss modelling and measurement of superconducting transformers with coated-conductor Roebel-cable in low-voltage winding

Power transformers using a high temperature superconductor (HTS) ReBCO coated conductor and liquid nitrogen dielectric have many potential advantages over conventional transformers. The ac loss in the windings complicates the cryogenics and reduces the efficiency, and hence it needs to be predicted in its design, usually by numerical calculations. This article presents detailed modelling of superconducting transformers with Roebel cable in the low-voltage (LV) winding and a high-voltage (HV) winding with more than 1000 turns. First, we model a 1 MVA 11 kV/415 V 3-phase transformer. The Roebel cable solenoid forming the LV winding is also analyzed as a stand-alone coil. Agreement between calculations and experiments of the 1 MVA transformer supports the model validity for a larger tentative 40 MVA 110 kV/11 kV 3-phase transformer design. We found that the ac loss in each winding is much lower when it is inserted in the transformer than as a stand-alone coil. The ac loss in the 1 and 40 MVA transformers is dominated by the LV and HV windings, respectively. Finally, the ratio of total loss over rated power of the 40 MVA transformer is reduced below 40% of that of the 1 MVA transformer. In conclusion, the modelling tool in this work can reliably predict the ac loss in real power applications.
Young coconut juice increased number of calbindin and vitamin D receptor cells via estrogen receptors in gastrointestinal tract of orchidectomized rats

Adult male rats were orchidectomized, and their gastrointestinal tract was stained immunohistochemically with specific antibodies against calbindin (CB), a calcium-binding protein and vitamin D receptor (VDR), two essential factors in calcium absorption and bone formation. Compared to normal rats, the number of CB-immunoreactive and VDR-immunoreactive cells in the gastrointestinal tract were significantly reduced in orchidectomized rats, but was restored to normal by injecting these rats with estradiol benzoate or by feeding with young coconut juice (YCJ), which was found to be not dose-related. In an attempt to find out if the osteoporosis-protective effects of YCJ were due to the binding of the YCJ active component(s) with estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, anti-ERα and ERβ were detected immunohistochemically, and a significant correlation was detected between CB-/VDR-reactive cells vs. ERα-/ERβ-reactive cells. Immunohistochemical profiles showed significant correlations between CB-/VDR-immunoreactive cells vs. ERα-/ERβ-immunoreactive cells. The results suggest that YCJ may be as effective as estradiol benzoate in reducing osteoporosis, probably as a selective estrogen receptor moderator.
Fusion of Hyperspectral and Multispectral Images by Convolutional Sparse Representation

Sparse representation (SR)-based methods have achieved numerous successes in the fusion of hyperspectral and multispectral images (HSIs and MSIs). However, in many SR-based fusion methods, due to patch dividing, it is hard to make pixel values across boundaries of contiguous patches be exactly consistent, which limits the ability to preserve scene details. To remedy such deficiency, a fusion framework is proposed for HSIs and MSIs by using convolutional sparse representation (FCS). This novel fusion method consists of three stages: 1) the spectral dictionary is trained by the convolutional sparse dictionary learning algorithm to extract spectral information from HSIs; 2) hyperspectral and multispectral transferring matrices are estimated to map HSIs and MSIs onto the space of high-resolution hyperspectral images (HR-HSIs); and 3) we construct the convolutional sparse fusion model for HR-HSIs. Different from those traditional patch-based SR fusion methods, the FCS method focuses on the whole images instead of dividing patches, which can suppress the limitation of scene detail preservation caused by sparse coding on independent patches. Also, it belongs to a kind of online learning without lots of training samples. The Pavia dataset and the Paris dataset are used to evaluate the performance of our method. Experimental results indicate that the FCS method achieves much fusion performance compared with commonly used and state-of-the-art algorithms.