Local Structure Awareness-Based Retinal Microaneurysm Detection with Multi-Feature Combination

Retinal microaneurysm (MA) is the initial symptom of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The automatic detection of MA is helpful to assist doctors in diagnosis and treatment. Previous algorithms focused on the features of the target itself; however, the local structural features of the target and background are also worth exploring. To achieve MA detection, an efficient local structure awareness-based retinal MA detection with the multi-feature combination (LSAMFC) is proposed in this paper. We propose a novel local structure feature called a ring gradient descriptor (RGD) to describe the structural differences between an object and its surrounding area. Then, a combination of RGD with the salience and texture features is used by a Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) for candidate classification. We evaluate our algorithm on two public datasets, i.e., the e-ophtha MA dataset and retinopathy online challenge (ROC) dataset. The experimental results show that the performance of the trained model significantly improved after combining traditional features with RGD, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values in the test results of the datasets e-ophtha MA and ROC increased from 0.9615 to 0.9751 and from 0.9066 to 0.9409, respectively.

Holotoxin disassembly by protein disulfide isomerase is less efficient for Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin than cholera toxin

Cholera toxin (CT) and Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) are structurally similar AB5-type protein toxins. They move from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum where the A1 catalytic subunit is separated from its holotoxin by protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), thus allowing the dissociated A1 subunit to enter the cytosol for a toxic effect. Despite similar mechanisms of toxicity, CT is more potent than LT. The difference has been attributed to a more stable domain assembly for CT as compared to LT, but this explanation has not been directly tested and is arguable as toxin disassembly is an indispensable step in the cellular action of these toxins. We show here that PDI disassembles CT more efficiently than LT, which provides a possible explanation for the greater potency of the former toxin. Furthermore, direct examination of CT and LT domain assemblies found no difference in toxin stability. Using novel analytic geometry approaches, we provide a detailed characterization of the positioning of the A subunit with respect to the B pentamer and demonstrate significant differences in the interdomain architecture of CT and LT. Protein docking analysis further suggests that these global structural differences result in distinct modes of PDI-toxin interactions. Our results highlight previously overlooked structural differences between CT and LT that provide a new model for the PDI-assisted disassembly and differential potency of these toxins.

Bias in FGFR1 signaling in response to FGF4, FGF8, and FGF9

FGFR1 signals differently in response to the FGF ligands FGF4, FGF8 and FGF9, but the mechanism behind the differential ligand recognition is poorly understood. Here, we use biophysical tools to quantify multiple aspects of FGFR1 signaling in response to the three FGFs: potency, efficacy, ligand-induced oligomerization and downregulation, and conformation of the active FGFR1 dimers. We show that FGF4, FGF8, and FGF9 are biased ligands, and that bias can explain differences in FGF8 and FGF9-mediated cellular responses. Our data suggest that ligand bias arises due to structural differences in the ligand-bound FGFR1 dimers, which impact the interactions of the FGFR1 transmembrane helices, leading to differential recruitment and activation of the downstream signaling adaptor FRS2. This study expands the mechanistic understanding of FGF signaling during development and brings the poorly understood concept of receptor tyrosine kinase ligand bias into the spotlight.

Structure–Property Relationship in Melt-Spun Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hexanoate) Monofilaments

Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hexanoate) (PHBH) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester with the potential to be used in textile and medical applications. We have aimed at developing an upscalable melt-spinning method to produce fine biodegradable PHBH filaments without the use of an ice water bath or offline drawing techniques. We have evaluated the effect of different polymer grades (mol% 3-hydroxy hexanoate, molecular weight etc.) and production parameters on the tensile properties of melt-spun filaments. PHBH monofilaments (diameter < 130 µm) have been successfully melt-spun and online drawn from three different polymer grades. We report thermal and rheological properties of the polymer grades as well as morphological, thermal, mechanical, and structural properties of the melt-spun filaments thereof. Tensile strengths up to 291 MPa have been achieved. Differences in tensile performance have been correlated to structural differences with wide-angle X-ray diffraction and small-angle X-ray scattering. The measurements obtained have revealed that a synergetic interaction of a highly oriented non-crystalline mesophase with highly oriented α-crystals leads to increased tensile strength. Additionally, the effect of aging on the structure and tensile performance has been investigated.

Application of the Classical Nucleation Theory for Quasi-real Systems Differ in Dipole Moment Value – the Role of Diffusion

In this paper, we examine the crystallization tendency for two quasi-real systems, which differ exclusively in the dipole moment's value. The main advantage of the studied system is the fact that despite that their structures are entirely identical, they exhibit different physical properties. Hence, the results obtained for one of the proposed model systems cannot be scaled to reproduce the results for another corresponding system, as it can be done for simple model systems, where structural differences are modeled by the different parameters of the intermolecular interactions. Our results show that both examined systems exhibit similar stability behavior below the melting temperature. This finding is contrary to the classical nucleation theory predictions, which differ significantly for them. On the basis of the performed studies, we suggest that a kinetic aspect of the classical nucleation theory seems to be a reason for reported discrepancies.

Household Registration, Land Property Rights, and Differences in Migrants’ Settlement Intentions—A Regression Analysis in the Pearl River Delta

Objectives: Few studies have examined the impacts of structural differences in the urban–rural dichotomy under the new household registration policy on migration and settlement behavior. Nevertheless, the rationale for the settlement policy of local governments should be further elucidated and improved. This study aims to analyze the household registration, land property rights, and differences in migrants’ settlement intentions. Methods: This study used migration survey data from the Pearl River Delta and probit regression to fill this gap in the literature. Findings: Because of the long-term effects of the household registration system and their socioeconomic differences, urban-urban migrants and rural–urban migrants differed in their settlement intentions. Furthermore, the new points-based household registration system affected migrants’ settlement intentions. Relative to the rural–urban migrants, urban–urban migrants more easily met the settlement requirements under the points-based system, and they tended to settle in their current cities. By contrast, migrants with farmland in their hometowns tended to settle there. The findings underscore the relevance of adopting perspectives that consider the urban–rural dichotomy and related structural differences to understand migrants’ settlement intentions in China.

Mössbauer investigation of Co-doped Bismuth Ferrite prepared by the solution method

In this work, [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] = 0, 0.08) nanoparticles were synthesized by the solution method and their structural differences were studied. X-ray diffraction results show that the rhombohedral R3c space group and perovskite structures are detected in both samples, accompanied by an impurity phase. The (104) and (110) peaks merge when cobalt ions are doped. The decrease in lattice parameters indicates that the microstructure of the nanoparticles becomes gradually distorted. Mössbauer spectroscopy analysis at room temperature reveals an additional doublet due to the oxygen vacancies in [Formula: see text]. Hyperfine interactions, spatial spin-modulated structures and oxygen deficiencies around iron ions are also reflected in the observed spectra and variations in hyperfine parameters.

Towards Sustainable Dairy Production in Argentina: Evaluating Nutrient and CO2 Release from Raw and Processed Farm Waste

Mineralization studies are the first step in determining the usefulness of an amendment such as fertilizer, and are essential to creating guidelines for dairy waste management to help producers make informed decisions. Our goal was to assess the effects of dairy raw, composted, and digested manure amendments on C, N, and P mineralization to evaluate the feasibility of their in-farm production and use as organic fertilizers. The liquid and solid fractions of dairy effluent (LDE, SDE), dairy effluent digestate (DED), onion–cattle manure digestate and compost (OCMD, OCMC) were characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Soil microcosms with LDE, SDE, DED, OCMD and OCMC and the C, N and P mineralization were determined periodically. Elemental and structural differences among amendments led to contrasting profiles of C, N, and P mineralization, and thus to differences in nutrient availability, immobilization, and CO2 emission. All processed materials were more stable than untreated waste, reducing C emissions. Digestates showed net C immobilization, and supplied the highest levels of available N, creating a relative P deficit. Instead, the compost supplied N and P via mineralization, producing a relative P excess. Future studies should aim at evaluating fertilization strategies that combine both kinds of amendments, to exploit their complimentary agronomic characteristics.

Does Digital Inclusive Finance Promote Commercial Insurance Participation? -- An Empirical Study Based on the Digital Inclusive Finance Index and China Family Panel Studies Data

<p>This paper matches the "Peking University Digital Inclusive Finance Index" published by Peking University Digital Finance Research Center with the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database, and uses Probit and Logit models to empirically investigate the impact of digital inclusive finance on impact of household commercial insurance participation. The findings show that, first, the development of digital inclusive finance significantly increases commercial insurance participation, and this effect remains significant after adding control variables or changing models; second, the impact of digital inclusive finance on commercial insurance participation shows structural differences by urban-rural, regional, and risk preferences. At the urban-rural level, the impact of digital inclusive finance on commercial insurance participation is significantly higher in rural than in urban areas; at the regional level, the impact of digital inclusive finance is greater in western regions than in eastern and central regions; at the risk preference level, the impact of digital inclusive finance on commercial insurance participation is higher in risk-averse groups than in risk-averse groups. Based on the above findings, this paper proposes to accelerate the development of digital inclusive finance, especially focusing on the construction of digital inclusive finance in less developed regions; improve the financial market system, strengthen the supervision of insurance products; and increase the popularization of financial knowledge.</p>