Performance comparison of machine learning techniques in sleep scoring based on wavelet features and neighboring component analysis

Introduction: Sleep scoring is an important step in the treatment of sleep disorders. Manual annotation of sleep stages is time-consuming and experience-relevant and, therefore, needs to be done using machine learning techniques. Methods: Sleep-EDF polysomnography was used in this study as a dataset. Support vector machines and artificial neural network performance were compared in sleep scoring using wavelet tree features and neighborhood component analysis. Results: Neighboring component analysis as a combination of linear and non-linear feature selection method had a substantial role in feature dimension reduction. Artificial neural network and support vector machine achieved 90.30 and 89.93 accuracy, respectively. Discussion and Conclusion: Similar to the state of the art performance, the introduced method in the present study achieved an acceptable performance in sleep scoring. Furthermore, its performance can be enhanced using a technique combined with other techniques in feature generation and dimension reduction. It is hoped that, in the future, intelligent techniques can be used in the process of diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. © 2018 Alizadeh Savareh et al

Liquid Metal Doping Induced Asymmetry in Two-Dimensional Metal Oxides.

The emergence of ferroelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) metal oxides is a topic of significant technological interest; however, many 2D metal oxides lack intrinsic ferroelectric properties. Therefore, introducing asymmetry provides access to a broader range of 2D materials within the ferroelectric family. Here, the generation of asymmetry in 2D SnO by doping the material with Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) is demonstrated. A liquid metal process as a doping strategy for the preparation of 2D HZO-doped SnO with robust ferroelectric characteristics is implemented. This technology takes advantage of the selective interface enrichment of molten Sn with HZO crystallites. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate a strong tendency of Hf and Zr atoms to migrate toward the surface of liquid metal and embed themselves within the growing oxide layer in the form of HZO. Thus, the liquid metal-based harvesting/doping technique is a feasible approach devised for producing novel 2D metal oxides with induced ferroelectric properties, represents a significant development for the prospects of random-access memories

Relation between Hypoxic Markers P65, P50, CAIX, and Tumor Stages in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Subtypes

Background: Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B) family comprises 5 members (p50, p52, relA/p65, c-rel and relB) which are induced in response to a wide variety of stimuli including hypoxia. Continuous activation of NF-B is an important factor in the onset and progression of breast carcinoma. Hypoxia also induces carbonic anhydrase 9 (CAIX) that regulates pH and is linked to poor prognosis in breast cancer. Research motivation: The current study aims to investigate the relation between hypoxic markers, p65, p50, CAIX and tumor stage in IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma) subtypes. Research design/methodology: The study included 31 IDC patients. Breast tissues collected during surgery and classified according to estrogen receptor alpha (ER, progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) status. Normal breast tissues were also collected to serve as self controls. Nuclear protein extracted and both RelA/p65 and p50 protein assessed by ready to use enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a transcription factor assay kits; respectively. CAIX protein expression was detected by blotting techniques. Main findings: RelA/p65 concentration significantly increased in breast carcinoma (p = 0.028) irrelevant to tumor stage, size, grade, nodal status, p50, CAIX or IDC subtypes. P50 binding activity significantly increased with higher tumor grade (P = 0.042). A significant inverse correlation was observed between p50 and ER (r = -0.53, p = 0.002) and between CAIX and the number of the involved lymph nodes (r = -0.42, p = 0.020). Implications: Although no relation was observed between p65, p50, and CAIX, binding activity of p50 and CAIX concentration might be used as prognostic markers in IDC

Gold Nanoparticle Adsorption and Uptake are Directed by Particle Capping Agent

Nanomaterials are revolutionizing the development of novel therapies, with applications ranging from drug delivery and diagnostics to controlling specific biological processes. However, the specific interactions that govern nanomaterial behavior in biological systems remain difficult to elucidate due to the complex dynamic nature of the lipid bilayer environment. Here, a combination of atomic force microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations is used to discover the precise mechanisms by which various ligand‐capped 5 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) interact with supported lipid bilayers of pure fluid phospholipids (1,2‐di(9Z‐octadecenoyl)‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DOPC)). When the ligand capping agent is altered, differences in adsorption and bilayer disruption as a function of capping agent size and charge are observed. Weakly physiosorbed ligands enable the absorption of the AuNP into the bilayer's hydrophobic core, whereas more strongly adsorbed ligands inhibit the complete insertion of the AuNP. However, ligand‐dependent headgroup interactions can lead to interfacial adhesion or inhibition of adsorption. These results reveal that the interaction of AuNPs with biological membranes varies depending on the specific capping agent. Notably, the mechanisms may involve cooperative (or synergistic) effects with membrane components, highlighting the importance of understanding these interactions at molecular resolution

Effect of Purification on Nano Microbial Cellulose Pellicle Properties

AbstractNano Microbial Cellulose (NMC) is one of the most effective biopolymer in treating the injury. It has many applications in medical field due to unique properties such as high water absorption, compatibility with body and transparency for medical examination.Accordingly, this research attempts to evaluate the characteristic of raw and purified microbial cellulose for medical usage. The chemical and physical structure of microbial cellulose layer was assessed by FTIR and XRD. In addition, water absorption, wettability and permeability of raw and purified microbial cellulose pellicle were investigated and SEM was applied for assessing the surface of nanocellulose pellicle.FTIR result confirmed the cellulosic structure of pellicle and XRD represented that the crystallinity of NMC was more than cotton (plant cellulose). The obtained result indicated that the amount of water absorption of purified layer is 10% less than raw layer but wettability of the treated layer is increased more than 50%. No permeability was representing against air pressure in raw and purified samples in wet and dry forms at 25Pa. Therefore, applying purification treatment improved the NMC pellicle properties for modern wound dressing