Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wavelet-based improved Chan-Vese model for image segmentation

In this paper, a kind of image segmentation approach which based on improved Chan-Vese (CV) model and wavelet transform was proposed. Firstly, one-level wavelet decomposition was adopted to get the low frequency approximation image. And then, the improved CV model, which contains the global term, local term and the regularization term, was utilized to segment the low frequency approximation image, so as to obtain the coarse image segmentation result. Finally, the coarse segmentation result was interpolated into the fine scale as an initial contour, and the improved CV model was utilized again to get the fine scale segmentation result. Experimental results show that our method can segment low contrast images and/or inhomogeneous intensity images more effectively than traditional level set methods.
Economic and clinical burden of managing transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia in the United States

Abstract Aims To describe clinical complications, treatment use, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs among patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) in the United States. Materials and methods Merative MarketScan Databases were used to identify patients with β-thalassemia between 1 March 2010, and 1 March 2019. Patients were eligible for inclusion with ≥1 inpatient claim or ≥2 outpatient claims for β-thalassemia and ≥8 red blood cell transfusions (RBCTs) during any 12-month period after and including the date of the first qualifying β-thalassemia diagnosis code. Matched controls consisted of individuals without β-thalassemia. Clinical and economic outcomes of patients were assessed during ≥12 months of follow-up, defined as the period from the index date (i.e. the first RBCT) to either the end of continuous enrollment in benefits, inpatient death, or 1 March 2020. Results Overall, 207 patients with TDT and 1035 matched controls were identified. Most patients received iron chelation therapy (ICT) (91.3%), with a mean of 12.1 (standard deviation [SD] = 10.3) ICT claims per-patient-per-year (PPPY). Many also received RBCTs, with a mean of 14.2 (SD = 4.7) RBCTs PPPY. TDT was associated with higher annual ($137,125) and lifetime ($7.1 million) healthcare costs vs. matched controls ($4183 and $235,000, respectively). Annual costs were driven by ICT (52.1%) and RBCT use (23.6%). Patients with TDT had 7-times more total outpatient visits/encounters, 3-times more prescriptions, and 33-times higher total annual costs than matched controls. Limitations This analysis may underestimate the burden of TDT, as indirect healthcare costs (e.g. absenteeism, presenteeism, etc.) were not included. Results may not be generalizable to patients excluded from this analysis, including those with other types of insurance or without insurance. Conclusions Patients with TDT have high HCRU and direct healthcare costs. Treatments that eliminate the need for RBCTs could reduce the clinical and economic burden of managing TDT.
Does age matter?—Efficiency of mechanical food break down in Tupaia belangeri at different ages

The relationship of food comminution and individual age in Tupaia belangeri is investigated. It is hypothesized that with increasing age the performance of the molar dentition decreases due to progressive tooth wear. While this relationship is well-documented for herbivores, age-related test series are largely lacking for insectivorous mammals. 15 individuals of Tupaia belangeri were fed exclusively with mealworms, and their faeces were analyzed for the number and size of chitin particles. The exoskeleton of a mealworm is resistant to digestive fluids in the gastrointestinal tract, and the size of individual chitin particles indicates the effectiveness of mechanical comminution that occurs in the oral cavity during mastication. It is hypothesized that a more precise occlusion of the dentition results in smaller particle size. Although individuals of all ages (juvenile, adult, and senile) were able to effectively process mealworms with their dentition prior to digestion, a larger area of very large chitin particles (98% quantile of all particles in senile animals as compared to in the same quantile in adults) in the feces of senile animals was detected. Even though the particle size of indigestible material is irrelevant for the digestive process, these findings either document somatic senescence in the functionality of the teeth, or alternatively a change in chewing behaviour with age.
Curvature effect on the surface topography evolution during oxidation at small scale

We use high temperature scanning probe microscopy (SPM) to in situ and real time characterize the evolution of surface topography of metals during oxidation. A nanoindentation method was used to create nanoindents as markers to pinpoint the locations where the evolution of the surface topography was studied. The SPM images reveal that during oxidation, the originally sharp tip of the indented pits exhibits a chamfering and flattening effect, suggesting that the tip curvature affects the surface topography evolution at the nanoscale/sub-microscale during the oxidation process. A model is proposed to explain the experimental result by considering the surface diffusion as well as the curvature effect.
Adaptive synchronization control design for flexible telerobotics with actuator fault and input saturation

This paper addresses the synchronization control problem of flexible telerobotics with actuator fault, input saturation, and asymmetrical time‐varying delays. A new adaptive antisaturation nonlinear fractional power proportional+damping fault‐tolerant control scheme is designed. With the new control algorithm, faster convergence rate and higher convergence precision can be guaranteed, as compared with the general proportion+damping control method. By choosing Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, it shows that the teleoperation system is stable under specific linear matrix inequality conditions. Thus, the allowable maximal transmission delay can be computed with the given controller‐design parameters. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, simulations on synchronization control system composed of 2 manipulators (master is rigid, and slave is flexible) are developed. Experiments on the PHANToM Premium 1.5A manipulators are also conducted and numerous experimental results are presented to show the superior performance of the proposed control scheme.
Overexpression of chitinase PbChia1 from Plasmodiophora brassicae improves broad-spectrum disease resistance of Arabidopsis

ABSTRACT Chitinase plays an important role in plant resistance against chitin-containing pathogens through hydrolysis of chitin. Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is a major disease for cruciferous crops and vegetables worldwide. The cell wall of P. brassicae resting spores contains chitin. Chitinase is regarded as capable of improving plant resistance to fungal diseases. However, there has been no report about the function of chitinase in P. brassicae. Here, wheat germ agglutinin staining and commercial chitinase treatment demonstrated that chitin is a functional component in P. brassicae. In addition, Chitinase PbChia1 was identified by chitin pull-down assay combined with LC-MS/MS. PbChia1 was found to be a typical secreted chitinase, which could bind chitin with chitinase activity in vitro. PbChia1 could significantly decrease the resting spores of P. brassicae and therefore relieve the severity of clubroot symptom, with a biocontrol effect of 61.29%. Overexpression of PbChia1 in Arabidopsis thaliana improved its resistance to P. brassicae, increased host survival rate and seed yield, enhanced PAMPs-triggered reactive oxygen species burst, MAPK activation and expression of immune-related genes. PbChia1 transgenic plants also showed resistance to other pathogens, such as biotrophic bacterium Pst DC3000, necrotrophic fungi Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani. These findings indicate that chitinase PbChia1 is a candidate gene that can confer broad-spectrum disease resistance in breeding.
A MARKOV-MODULATED DIFFUSION MODEL FOR ENERGY HARVESTING SENSOR NODES

This paper presents a probability model of an energy-harvesting wireless sensor node, with the objective of linking quality of sensed data to energy consumption and self-sustainability. The model departs from the common energy discretization framework used in the literature, and instead uses a diffusion process modulated by discrete packet arrival and transmission processes for the detailed representation of renewable energy supply, consumption and storage. An analytical–numerical method is developed to compute the average time until the node experiences an outage, due to lack of energy, for a given workload and ambient energy characteristics, battery capacity and initial charge. The results are illustrated with numerical examples.
On the two-dimensional mixing region

An experimental investigation of the two-dimensional incompressible mixing layer was carried out. The measurements provide new information on the development of the mean and turbulent fields towards a self-preserving state and on the higher-order statistical characteristics of the turbulent field. The relevance of initial conditions to the development of the flow is discussed in the light of both present and previous data. Measurements of spectra, probability densities and moments to eighth order of all three velocity-component fluctuations at various transverse positions across the flow were carried out using an on-line digital data acquisition system. The probability density distributions of the derivative and the squared derivative of the longitudinal and lateral velocity fluctuations were also determined. Direct measurements of moments to eighth order of the velocity derivatives were attempted and are discussed in the light of the simultaneously measured histograms. The problems in obtaining higher-order statistical data are considered in some detail. Estimates of the integral time scale of many of the higher-order statistics are presented. The high wave-number structure was found to be locally anisotropic according to both spectral and turbulent velocity-gradient moment requirements. Higher-order spectra to fourth order of the longitudinal velocity fluctuations were measured and are discussed. Finally the lognormality of the squared longitudinal and lateral velocity-derivative fluctuations was investigated and the universal lognormal constant μ was evaluated.
Machine learning-based screening for biomarkers of psoriasis and immune cell infiltration

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease. However, the pathogenesis is not yet well established. This study aimed to screen psoriasis biomarker genes and analyse their significance in immune cell infiltration. GSE13355 and GSE14905 datasets were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) as training groups to establish the model. GSE30999 obtained from GEO was used to validate the model. Differential expression and multiple enrichment analyses were performed on 91 psoriasis samples and 171 control samples from the training group. The “LASSO” regression model and support vector machine model were used to screen and verify genes implicated in psoriasis. Genes with an area under the ROC curve >0.9 were selected as candidate biomarkers and verified in the validation group. Differential analysis of immune cell infiltration was performed on psoriasis and control samples using the “CIBERSORT” algorithm. Correlation analyses between the screened psoriasis biomarkers and 22 types of immune cell infiltration were performed. In total, 101 differentially expressed genes were identified, which were mainly shown to be involved in regulating cell proliferation and immune functions. Three psoriasis biomarkers, BTC, IGFL1, and SERPINB3, were identified using two machine learning algorithms. These genes showed high diagnostic value in training and validation groups. The proportion of immune cells during immune infiltration differed between psoriasis and control samples, which was associated with the three biomarkers. BTC, IGFL1, and SERPINB3 are associated with the infiltration of multiple immune cells, and may therefore be used as biomarkers for psoriasis.
Factors Associated With Concussion Rates in Youth Ice Hockey Players: Data From the Largest Longitudinal Cohort Study in Canadian Youth Ice Hockey

Objectives: To examine factors associated with rates of game and practice-related concussion in youth ice hockey. Design: Five-year prospective cohort (Safe2Play). Setting: Community arenas (2013-2018). Participants: Four thousand eighteen male and 405 female ice hockey players (6584 player-seasons) participating in Under-13 (ages 11-12), Under-15 (ages 13-14), and Under-18 (ages 15-17) age groups. Assessment of Risk Factors: Bodychecking policy, age group, year of play, level of play, previous injury in the previous year, lifetime concussion history, sex, player weight, and playing position. Main Outcome Measurements: All game-related concussions were identified using validated injury surveillance methodology. Players with a suspected concussion were referred to a study sport medicine physician for diagnosis and management. Multilevel Poisson regression analysis including multiple imputation of missing covariates estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Main Results: A total of 554 game and 63 practice-related concussions were sustained over the 5 years. Female players (IRRFemale/Male = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.26-2.53), playing in lower levels of play (IRR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.10-1.77), and those with a previous injury (IRR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.88) or lifetime concussion history (IRR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.34-2.00) had higher rates of game-related concussion. Policy disallowing bodychecking in games (IRR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.40-0.72) and being a goaltender (IRRGoaltenders/Forwards = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.38-0.87) were protective against game-related concussion. Female sex was also associated with a higher practice-related concussion rate (IRRFemale/Male = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.24-5.59). Conclusions: In the largest Canadian youth ice hockey longitudinal cohort to date, female players (despite policy disallowing bodychecking), players participating in lower levels of play, and those with an injury or concussion history had higher rates of concussion. Goalies and players in leagues that disallowed bodychecking had lower rates. Policy prohibiting bodychecking remains an effective concussion prevention strategy in youth ice hockey.
The Oral Microbiome and Cross-Kingdom Interactions during Pregnancy

Pregnancy initiates a temporary transition in the maternal physiological state, with a shift in the oral microbiome and a potential increase in frequency of oral diseases. The risk of oral disease is higher among populations of Hispanic and Black women and those with lower socioeconomic status (low SES), demonstrating a need for intervention within these high-risk populations. To further our understanding of the oral microbiome of high-risk pregnant women, we characterized the oral microbiome in 28 nonpregnant and 179 pregnant low-SES women during their third trimester living in Rochester, New York. Unstimulated saliva and supragingival plaque samples were collected cross-sectionally, followed by assessment of the bacterial (16S ribosomal RNA) and fungal (18S ITS) microbiota communities. Trained and calibrated dentists performed oral examinations to determine the number of decayed teeth and plaque index. Initially, plaque from 28 nonpregnant women and 48 pregnant women were compared; these data showed significant differences in bacterial abundances based on pregnancy status. To further our understanding of the oral microbiome within the pregnant population, we next examined the oral microbiome within this population based on several variables. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, and Lactobacillus were associated with a greater number of decayed teeth. The composition of fungal communities differed between plaque and saliva, demonstrating 2 distinct “mycotypes” that were represented by a greater abundance of Candida in plaque and Malassezia in saliva. Veillonella rogosae, a common oral bacterium, was negatively associated with both plaque index and salivary Candida albicans colonization by culture data. This was further emphasized by in vitro inhibition of C. albicans by V. rogosae. Identification of interactions between the bacterial or fungal oral communities revealed that V. rogosae was positively associated with the oral commensal Streptococcus australis and negatively with the cariogenic Lactobacillus genus, suggesting V. rogosae as a potential biomarker of a noncariogenic oral microbiome.
Investigating the prevalence of and predictive and risk factors for pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19 in Nemazee Teaching Hospital

Background Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a significant contributing factor to vascular diseases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary thromboembolism and its predisposing factors in patients with COVID-19. Methods This cross-sectional study included 284 patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Nemazee Teaching Hospital (Shiraz, Iran) between June and August 2021. All patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 by a physician based on clinical symptoms or positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results. The collected data included demographic data and laboratory findings. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results There was a significant difference in the mean age between the PTE group and non-PTE group (P=0.037). Moreover, the PTE group had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (36.7% vs. 21.8%, P=0.019), myocardial infarction (4.5% vs. 0%, P=0.006), and stroke (23.9% vs. 4.9%, P=0.0001). Direct bilirubin (P=0.03) and albumin (P=0.04) levels significantly differed between the PTE and non-PTE groups. Notably, there was a significant difference in the partial thromboplastin time (P=0.04) between the PTE and non-PTE groups. A regression analysis indicated that age (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00‒1.004; P=0.005), blood pressure (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.12‒3.85; P=0.02), heart attack (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.28‒6.06; P=0.009), and albumin level (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.16‒0.97; P=0.04) were all independent predictors of PTE development. Conclusion Regression analysis revealed that age, blood pressure, heart attack, and albumin levels were independent predictors of PTE.
What's Wrong With Overreliance on BMI?

US adults classified as obese, estimated to compose 42.4% of the US population in a 2017-2018 survey,2 captivate public discourse because of the sustained scholarship outlining the adverse health outcomes (such as postulated risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer) and the economic consequences (including projected spending on health care) of being obese.3 A diagnosis of obesity is primarily reliant on body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing an individual’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters.4 BMI serves as a metric for health status; it influences diagnostic workup, differential diagnosis, intervention selection, and outcome measurement.
Psychrotrophic Bacteria Equipped with Virulence and Colonization Traits Populate the Ice Cream Manufacturing Environment

Several microbial species might permanently establish in food processing facilities, thus contributing to food loss. In fact, food contact surfaces might transfer microorganisms to intermediates and products, potentially representing a hazard to human health. ABSTRACT Several microbial taxa have been associated with food processing facilities, and they might resist by attaching on tools and equipment even after sanitation procedures, producing biofilms that adhere to the surfaces and might embed other microorganisms, including spoilers and pathogens. There is increasing evidence that these communities can be transferred to the final product. To explore the microbial contamination routes in a facility producing ice creams, we collected foods and environmental swabs from industrial surfaces of equipment and tools and performed taxonomic and functional analyses of the microbial DNA extracted from the environmental samples. Our results suggest that complex communities dominated by psychrotrophic bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter spp.) inhabit the food processing environment, and we demonstrate that these communities might be transferred from the surfaces to the products. Functional analysis performed on environmental samples highlighted the presence of several genes linked to antimicrobial resistance and adherence on abiotic surfaces; such genes were more abundant on food contact (FC) than on other surfaces. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of Pseudomonas stutzeri showed genes linked with biofilm formation and motility, which are surely linked to colonizing capabilities in the processing lines. The study highlights clear potential advantages of applying microbiome mapping in the food industry for source tracking of microbial contamination and for planning appropriate ad hoc sanitization strategies. IMPORTANCE Several microbial species might permanently establish in food processing facilities, thus contributing to food loss. In fact, food contact surfaces might transfer microorganisms to intermediates and products, potentially representing a hazard to human health. In this work, we provide evidence of the existence of complex microbial communities overcoming sanitation in an ice cream-producing facility. These communities harbored several genes that could potentially lead to attachment to surfaces and antimicrobial resistance. Also, prediction of routes of contamination showed that several potential spoilage taxa might end up in the final product. Importantly, in this work, we show that mapping the environmental microbiome is a high-resolution technique that might help food business operators ensure food quality and safety through detection of potentially hazardous microorganisms.