Principled analytic classifier for positive-unlabeled learning via weighted integral probability metric

Machine Learning - We consider the problem of learning a binary classifier from only positive and unlabeled observations (called PU learning). Recent studies in PU learning have shown superior...     

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of the Korean lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) condiment: volatile and nonvolatile metabolite profiling during fermentation

Recent studies have shown that lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf has various pharmacological effects. However, there have been no scientific investigations into these leaves as a fermented crude liquid. This study compared the in vitro antioxidant capacity of lotus leaf‐fermented broth (LLFB) with that of 57° Brix sugar broth (SB) as a control over a period of 6 months based on 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, ferric ion reducing power, superoxide dismutase‐like activity, tyrosinase inhibition and nitrite scavenging activity. The dominant species during fermentation process were Leuconostoc lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for LLFB. A total of thirty‐six metabolites such as alkaloids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolics, sugar and sugar derivatives, ethyl esters and monoterpenoids differed between SB and LLFB using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, nine volatile compounds in LLFB contributed pleasant, slightly sweetish and fruity odour of condiment and sensory evaluation score of 4.06 ± 1.52 in the proportion of 1:9 LLFB/water.     

Effect of defatted pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seed extracts on high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice

Food Science and Biotechnology - This study investigated the effect of defatted pepper seed ethanolic extract (DPSE) on high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were fed a normal...     

Embedded microstrip interconnection lines for gigahertz digitalcircuits

Transmission line structures are needed for the high-performance interconnection lines of GHz integrated circuits (ICs) and multichip modules (MCMs), to minimize undesired electromagnetic wave phenomena and, therefore, to maximize the transmission bandwidth of the interconnection lines. In addition, correct and simple models of the interconnection lines are required for the efficient design and analysis of the circuits containing the interconnection lines. In this paper, we present electrical comparisons of three transmission line structures: conventional metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) and the embedded microstrip structures-embedded microstrip (EM) and inverted embedded microstrip (IEM). In addition, we propose closed-form expressions for the embedded microstrip structures EM and IEM and validate the expressions by comparing with empirical results based on S-parameter measurements and subsequent microwave network analysis. Test devices were fabricated using a 1-poly and 3-metal 0.6 μm Si process. The test devices contained the conventional MIS and the two embedded microstrip structures of different sizes. The embedded microstrip structures were shown to carry GHz digital signals with less loss and less dispersion than the conventional MIS line structures. S-parameter measurements of the test devices showed that the embedded microstrip structures could support the quasi-TEM mode propagation at frequencies above 2 GHz. On the other hand, the conventional MIS structure showed slow-wave mode propagation up to 20 GHz. More than 3-dB/mm difference of signal attenuation was observed between the embedded microstrip structures and the conventional MIS structure at 20 GHz. Finally, analytical RLCG transmission line models were developed and shown to agree well with the empirical models deduced from S-parameter measurements     

A 12‐bit segmented resistor‐capacitor digital‐to‐analog converter for a display driver IC of a large TFT‐LCD panel system

Abstract— A 12‐bit segmented R‐C DAC to support a linear gamma curve has been proposed and fabricated in a 720‐channel LCD source driver with a 16‐V 1‐poly 3‐metal high‐voltage CMOS process. The proposed DAC has a global resistor string and sample‐and‐hold buffers. A MSB voltage selected by the upper 6 bits of input data and a LSB voltage selected by the lower 6 bits of input data are summed by using a sample‐and‐hold operation with offset cancellation in the proposed DAC. The measured DNL was less than 0.3 LSB, and the output voltage deviation was less than 3 mV in all gray levels. Although two sample‐and‐hold buffers were adopted to operate alternatively, the die size was as small as 24.9 mm², which was only an 8.3% increase compared to that of a conventional 8‐bit 720‐channel source driver. Because of its good performance with small area, the proposed DAC can be a good low‐cost solution for a 10‐bit TV system.     

Determination of biogenic amines in Japanese miso products

Eight miso products sold in supermarket were purchased from Japan and analyzed for the determination of biogenic amines (BAs). Quantitative determination of BAs in miso products was carried out by means of HPLC with spectrophotometric UV-VIS detector. The amines were extracted in acid aqueous solution (HClO₄) and then derivatized by dansyl chloride. The levels of pH in the tested miso samples were ranged from 4.8–5.5. The BAs (tryptamine, 2-phenyl ethylamine, putrescine, cadaverine, agmatine, tyramine, and spermidine) determined in 8 miso samples were found in their respective range of ND-0.13, ND-4.20, ND-1.29, ND-0.87, ND-0.90, ND-4.19, and ND-3.57 mg%. None of the miso samples contained histamine and spermine, the major BAs of food poisoning.     

Development of immunoliposome-based assay for the detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> Typhimurium

This study was aimed to produce a polyclonal antibody against Salmonella Typhimurium and to develop a liposome-based immunoassay to validate its detection. Formalin-killed cells of S. Typhimurium were subcutaneously injected as an antigen into rabbit to produce antibody. The optimum production of rabbit anti-Salmonella immunoglobulin G (anti-Salmonella IgG) antibody was reached to the highest level on 8 week. Purification of rabbit anti-Salmonella IgG from immunized rabbit sera was accomplished using caprylic acid and ammonium sulfate precipitation method. The purified anti-Salmonella IgG was used to conjugate with liposome to prepare anti-Salmonella IgG-tagged liposome (immunoliposome). Finally, an improved immunoassay method was developed using the immunoliposome for the detection of S. Typhimurium. As a result, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis produced two bands around 25 and 51 kDa, corresponding to a light and a heavy chain, respectively. The immunoliposome was successfully developed for the detection of S. Typhimurium in a 96-well microtiter plate, using purified anti-Salmonella IgG antibody. The improved technique was able to detect 10³ cells/mL of Salmonellas. In the future, even better detection may be achieved by using this immunoliposome with some modifications or other detection methods.     

Effect of Novel Starter Culture on Reduction of Biogenic Amines,Quality Improvement,and Sensory Properties of Doenjang,a Traditional Korean Soybean Fermented Sauce Variety

To select appropriate microorganisms as starter cultures for the reliable and reproducible fermentation of soybean fermented products of Korean Doenjang, various ratios of fungi (Aspergillus oryzae J, Mucor racemosus 15, M. racemosus 42) combined with Bacillus subtilis TKSP 24 were selected as either single, double, or multiple Meju strains for commercial mass production of Doenjang, followed by analysis of sensory characteristics. In the sensory evaluation, Doenjang BAM15‐1 and BAM42‐1, which were fermented with multiple strains (1:1:1), showed the highest sensory scores as compared to control. Based on sensory characteristics, 6 Doenjang samples were subjected to quantitative determination of amino acids, free sugars, and organic acids (volatile and nonvolatile) contents, followed by determination of biogenic amines. Total sweet taste amino acid contents were highest in BAM15‐1 and BAM42‐1 samples (333.7 and 295.8 mg/100 g, respectively) and similar that of control (391.1 mg/100 g). Samples BAM15‐1 and BAM42‐1 showed the relatively high volatile and nonvolatile organic acid contents (154.24, 192.26, and 71.31, 82.42 mg/100 g, respectively). In addition, BAM15‐1 and BAM42‐1 showed negligible biogenic amine formation, ranging from 0.00 to 1.02 and 0.00 to 3.92 mg/100 g, respectively. These findings indicate that determination of food components along with sensory and quality attributes using multiple microbial Meju strains as a starter culture may provide substantial results on improved quality fermented Doenjang products.