Development of hybrid feature learner model integrating FDOSM for golden subject identification in motor imagery

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) based on motor imagery (MI) face challenges due to the complex nature of brain activity, nonstationary and high-dimensional properties, and individual variations in motor behaviour. The identification of a consistent "golden subject" in MI-based BCIs remains an open challenge, complicated by multiple evaluation metrics and conflicting trade-offs, presenting complex Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problems. This study proposes a hybrid brain signal decoding model called Hybrid Adaboost Feature Learner (HAFL), which combines feature extraction and classification using VGG-19, STFT, and Adaboost classifier. The model is validated using a pre-recorded MI-EEG dataset from the BCI competition at Graz University. The fuzzy decision-making framework is integrated with HAFL to allocate a golden subject for MI-BCI applications through the Golden Subject Decision Matrix (GSDM) and the Fuzzy Decision by Opinion Score Method (FDOSM). The effectiveness of the HAFL model in addressing inter-subject variability in EEG-based MI-BCI is evaluated using an MI-EEG dataset involving nine subjects. Comparing subject performance fairly is challenging due to complexity variations, but the FDOSM method provides valuable insights. Through FDOSM-based External Group Aggregation (EGA), subject S5 achieves the highest score of 2.900, identified as the most promising golden subject for subject-to-subject transfer learning. The proposed methodology is compared against other benchmark studies from various key perspectives and exhibits significant novelty in several aspects. The findings contribute to the development of more robust and effective BCI systems, paving the way for advancements in subject-to-subject transfer learning for BCI-MI applications.

Malaysian mosquitocidal soil bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) strains with selective hemolytic and lectin activity against human and rat erythrocytes

The objective of this study is to determine the role of carbohydrates on the toxic effect of parasporal inclusion proteins isolated from Malaysian mosquitocidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains on erythrocytes (human and rat). Dose response analyses on the effect of these parasporal inclusions on human and rat erythrocytes suggest that toxin action is selective depending on bacterial strains and source of erythrocytes. Results from this study suggest Bt toxin is a lectin which recognizes specific plasma membrane glycoconjugate receptor(s) with a terminal residue of either D-mannose (Man), N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc), N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) or even a combination of these monosaccharides.

Tyrosine ameliorates some of the clinical, biochemical and haematological effects of acute stress associated with transportation of desert sheep

We studied some clinical, biochemical and haematological variables in Desert (Najdi) sheep acutely stressed in the course of individual road transportation, and the influence thereon of pretreatment with tyrosine. Transportation for 30 min resulted in variable but statistically insignificant increases in heart, pulse and respiratory rates. It also caused significant increases in the plasma concentration of cortisol (from 43.5 to 101.7 mmol/L) and glucose (from 3.1 to 4.5 mmol/L), and a decrease in that of magnesium (from 0.85 to 0.72 mmol/L). The endogenous thiocyanate level was unaffected. The transportation stress also decreased the haematocrit (PCV) and the number of lymphocytes, and increased the concentration of haemoglobin. Pretreatment of sheep with tyrosine at a dose of 100 mg/kg by the intravenous route significantly ameliorated the stress-induced clinical, biochemical and haematological changes. The treatment caused no overt adverse effects.

Deposition of genetically engineered human antibodies into the egg yolk of hens

To determine if human immunoglobulins (hIg) are capable of being transported into the hen's egg, 10 microg each of purified hIgG and hIgA were intravenously injected into SC Hyline(TM) hens and their presence in egg yolk and egg white was determined by ELISA. In both cases deposition into the egg yolk was observed and in the case of hIgA, deposition was also observed in the egg white. Two stably transfected DT40 cell lines secreting recombinant human IgG3 and IgA (rhIgG3 and rhIgA) were injected into laying hens. The DT40 cells colonized the host and rhIgG3 and rhIgA were deposited in egg yolk. Deposition of rhIgA was also observed in the egg white. These data demonstrate that human immunoglobulins and other foreign proteins may be targeted to the chicken's egg. In view of the high rate of reproduction, the short generation interval, the high rates of egg production and the extensive infrastructure to fractionate egg yolk proteins, it should be possible to produce large amounts of foreign protein in the eggs of transgenic chickens.

Urinary hydroxyproline and serum alkaline phosphatase in sickle cell disease

Serum alkaline phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes, and urinary hydroxyproline excretion were studied in 20 young adult sickle cell patients and 58 matching normal controls. Total alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in the sickle cell patients than in controls. Heat inactivation test and isoenzyme electrophoresis indicated that bone is the predominant isoenzyme in patients. Hydroxyproline excretion was significantly higher in the sickle cell patients than in controls. Serum total alkaline phosphatase correlated well with urinary hydroxyproline excretion in sickle cell patients (r = 0.73). Both alkaline phosphatase and hydroxyproline increased with age in the sickle cell patients. This study suggests that delayed growth and/or bone destruction may contribute to the elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline.