A Prediction Model to Diabetes using Artificial Metaplasticity

Diabetes is the most common disease nowadays in all populations and in all age groups. Different techniques of artificial intelligence has been applied to diabetes problem. This research proposed the artificial metaplasticity on multilayer perceptron (AMMLP) as prediction model for prediction of diabetes. The Pima Indians diabetes was used to test the proposed model AMMLP. The results obtained by AMMLP were compared with other algorithms, recently proposed by other researchers, that were applied to the same database. The best result obtained so far with the AMMLP algorithm is 89.93

Elevated levels of MMP12 sourced from macrophages are associated with poor prognosis in urothelial bladder cancer

Biomarkers; Proteomics; Urothelial bladder cancerBiomarcadores; Proteómica; Cáncer de vejiga urotelialBiomarcadors; Proteòmica; Càncer de bufeta urotelialBackground Urothelial bladder cancer is most frequently diagnosed at the non-muscle-invasive stage (NMIBC). However, recurrences and interventions for intermediate and high-risk NMIBC patients impact the quality of life. Biomarkers for patient stratification could help to avoid unnecessary interventions whilst indicating aggressive measures when required. Methods In this study, immuno-oncology focused, multiplexed proximity extension assays were utilised to analyse plasma (n = 90) and urine (n = 40) samples from 90 newly-diagnosed and treatment-naïve bladder cancer patients. Public single-cell RNA-sequencing and microarray data from patient tumour tissues and murine OH-BBN-induced urothelial carcinomas were also explored to further corroborate the proteomic findings. Results Plasma from muscle-invasive, urothelial bladder cancer patients displayed higher levels of MMP7 (p = 0.028) and CCL23 (p = 0.03) compared to NMIBC patients, whereas urine displayed higher levels of CD27 (p = 0.044) and CD40 (p = 0.04) in the NMIBC group by two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Random forest survival and multivariable regression analyses identified increased MMP12 plasma levels as an independent marker (p < 0.001) associated with shorter overall survival (HR = 1.8, p < 0.001, 95% CI:1.3–2.5); this finding was validated in an independent patient OLINK cohort, but could not be established using a transcriptomic microarray dataset. Single-cell transcriptomics analyses indicated tumour-infiltrating macrophages as a putative source of MMP12. Conclusions The measurable levels of tumour-localised, immune-cell-derived MMP12 in blood suggest MMP12 as an important biomarker that could complement histopathology-based risk stratification. As MMP12 stems from infiltrating immune cells rather than the tumor cells themselves, analyses performed on tissue biopsy material risk a biased selection of biomarkers produced by the tumour, while ignoring the surrounding microenvironment.Open access funding provided by Uppsala University. This work was supported by the Swedish Society for Medical Research (S15-0065) to S.M. and the Swedish Cancer Foundation (CAN 2017/199) to P-U. M. The funding bodies did not influence the research performed

Dynamic phase transition properties and hysteretic behavior of a ferrimagnetic core-shell nanoparticle in the presence of a time dependent magnetic field

We have presented dynamic phase transition features and stationary-state behavior of a ferrimagnetic small nanoparticle system with a core-shell structure. By means of detailed Monte Carlo simulations, a complete picture of the phase diagrams and magnetization profiles have been presented and the conditions for the occurrence of a compensation point $T_{comp}$ in the system have been investigated. According to N\'{e}el nomenclature, the magnetization curves of the particle have been found to obey P-type, N-type and Q-type classification schemes under certain conditions. Much effort has been devoted to investigation of hysteretic response of the particle and we observed the existence of triple hysteresis loop behavior which originates from the existence of a weak ferromagnetic core coupling $J_{c}/J_{sh}$, as well as a strong antiferromagnetic interface exchange interaction $J_{int}/J_{sh}$. Most of the calculations have been performed for a particle in the presence of oscillating fields of very high frequencies and high amplitudes in comparison with exchange interactions which resembles a magnetic system under the influence of ultrafast switching fields. Particular attention has also been paid on the influence of the particle size on the thermal and magnetic properties, as well as magnetic features such as coercivity, remanence and compensation temperature of the particle. We have found that in the presence of ultrafast switching fields, the particle may exhibit a dynamic phase transition from paramagnetic to a dynamically ordered phase with increasing ferromagnetic shell thickness.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figure

Plasmonic gratings for enhanced near infrared sensitivity of Silicon based Schottky photodetectors

Schottky photodetectors have been intensively investigated due to their high speeds, low device capacitances, and sensitivity in telecommunication standard bands, in the 0.8μm to 1.5μm wavelength range. Due to extreme cost advantage of Silicon over compound semiconductors, and seamless integration with VLSI circuits, metal-Silicon Schottky photodetectors are attractive low cost alternatives to InGaAs technology. However, efficiencies of Schottky type photodetectors are limited due to thin absorption region. Previous efforts such as resonant cavities increase the sensitivity using optical techniques, however their integration with VLSI circuits is difficult. Therefore, there is a need for increasing Schottky detector sensitivity, in a VLSI compatible fashion. To address this problem, we design plasmonic grating structures to increase light absorption at the metal-Silicon Schottky interface. There are earlier reports of plasmonic structures to increase Schottky photodetector sensitivity, with a renowned interest in the utilization of plasmonic effects to improve the absorption characteristics of metal-semiconductor interfaces. In this work, we report the design, fabrication and characterization of Gold-Silicon Schottky photodetectors with enhanced absorption in the near infrared region. © 2011 IEEE

Reducing Crowding by Weakening Inhibitory Lateral Interactions in the Periphery with Perceptual Learning

We investigated whether lateral masking in the near-periphery, due to inhibitory lateral interactions at an early level of central visual processing, could be weakened by perceptual learning and whether learning transferred to an untrained, higher-level lateral masking known as crowding. The trained task was contrast detection of a Gabor target presented in the near periphery (4°) in the presence of co-oriented and co-aligned high contrast Gabor flankers, which featured different target-to-flankers separations along the vertical axis that varied from 2λ to 8λ. We found both suppressive and facilitatory lateral interactions at target-to-flankers distances (2λ - 4λ and 8λ, respectively) that were larger than those found in the fovea. Training reduces suppression but does not increase facilitation. Most importantly, we found that learning reduces crowding and improves contrast sensitivity, but has no effect on visual acuity (VA). These results suggest a different pattern of connectivity in the periphery with respect to the fovea as well as a different modulation of this connectivity via perceptual learning that not only reduces low-level lateral masking but also reduces crowding. These results have important implications for the rehabilitation of low-vision patients who must use peripheral vision to perform tasks, such as reading and refined figure-ground segmentation, which normal sighted subjects perform in the fovea

Dopamine-Secreting Giant Adrenal Ganglioneuroma: Clinical and Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

We report a case of a dopamine-secreting giant primary adrenal ganglioneuroma (GN) in a 29-year-old male patient. Although the patient was clinically silent, the 24-hour urine levels of dopamine, normetanephrine, homovanillic acid and vanillyl mandelic acid were elevated. Abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large solid tumor with calcifications and a slightly lobular edge on the left adrenal gland. A tumor, 13 × 23 × 25 cm in size, was completely resected without morbidity. A 2-year follow-up with computed tomography showed that the postoperative course of the patient was uneventful

Fabrication and characterization of graphene/AlGaN/GaN ultraviolet Schottky photodetector

We report on the fabrication and characterization of a Schottky ultraviolet graphene/AlGaN/GaN photodetector (PD). The fabricated device clearly exhibits rectification behaviour, indicating that the Schottky barrier is formed between the AlGaN and the mechanically transferred graphene. The Schottky parameters are evaluated using an equivalent circuit with two diodes connected back-to-back in series. The PD shows a low dark current of 4.77 × 10-12 A at a bias voltage of -2.5 V. The room temperature current-voltage (I-V) measurements of the graphene/AlGaN/GaN Schottky PD exhibit a large photo-to-dark contrast ratio of more than four orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the device shows peak responsivity at a wavelength of 350 nm, corresponding to GaN band edge and a small hump at 300 nm associated to the AlGaN band edge. In addition, we examine the behaviour of Schottky PDs with responsivities of 0.56 and 0.079 A W-1 at 300 and 350 nm, respectively, at room temperature. © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd

Metal-semiconductor-metal UV photodetector based on Ga doped ZnO/graphene interface

Fabrication and characterization of metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) ultraviolet (UV) photodetector (PD) based on Ga doped ZnO (ZnO:Ga)/graphene is presented in this work. A low dark current of 8.68 nA was demonstrated at a bias of 1 V and a large photo to dark contrast ratio of more than four orders of magnitude was observed. MSM PD exhibited a room temperature responsivity of 48.37 A/W at wavelength of 350 nm and UV-to-visible rejection ratio of about three orders of magnitude. A large photo-to-dark contrast and UV-to-visible rejection ratio suggests the enhancement in the PD performance which is attributed to the existence of a surface plasmon effect at the interface of the ZnO:Ga and underlying graphene layer. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Elevated levels of MMP12 sourced from macrophages are associated with poor prognosis in urothelial bladder cancer

Abstract Background Urothelial bladder cancer is most frequently diagnosed at the non-muscle-invasive stage (NMIBC). However, recurrences and interventions for intermediate and high-risk NMIBC patients impact the quality of life. Biomarkers for patient stratification could help to avoid unnecessary interventions whilst indicating aggressive measures when required. Methods In this study, immuno-oncology focused, multiplexed proximity extension assays were utilised to analyse plasma (n = 90) and urine (n = 40) samples from 90 newly-diagnosed and treatment-naïve bladder cancer patients. Public single-cell RNA-sequencing and microarray data from patient tumour tissues and murine OH-BBN-induced urothelial carcinomas were also explored to further corroborate the proteomic findings. Results Plasma from muscle-invasive, urothelial bladder cancer patients displayed higher levels of MMP7 (p = 0.028) and CCL23 (p = 0.03) compared to NMIBC patients, whereas urine displayed higher levels of CD27 (p = 0.044) and CD40 (p = 0.04) in the NMIBC group by two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Random forest survival and multivariable regression analyses identified increased MMP12 plasma levels as an independent marker (p < 0.001) associated with shorter overall survival (HR = 1.8, p < 0.001, 95% CI:1.3–2.5); this finding was validated in an independent patient OLINK cohort, but could not be established using a transcriptomic microarray dataset. Single-cell transcriptomics analyses indicated tumour-infiltrating macrophages as a putative source of MMP12. Conclusions The measurable levels of tumour-localised, immune-cell-derived MMP12 in blood suggest MMP12 as an important biomarker that could complement histopathology-based risk stratification. As MMP12 stems from infiltrating immune cells rather than the tumor cells themselves, analyses performed on tissue biopsy material risk a biased selection of biomarkers produced by the tumour, while ignoring the surrounding microenvironment