Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrotonically Mediated Oscillatory Patterns in Neuronal Ensembles: An In Vitro Voltage-Dependent Dye-Imaging Study in the Inferior Olive

Spatiotemporal profiles of ensemble subthreshold neuronal oscillation were studied in brainstem slices using high-speed voltage-sensitive dye imaging. After local electrical stimuli, the overall voltage profile demonstrated coherent oscillatory waves that spread over the inferior olive (IO). These oscillations were also observed in concurrently obtained intracellular recordings from IO neurons. Over the first few seconds after the stimuli, the optically recorded oscillations clustered into coherent groups comprising hundreds of neurons. Statistical analysis of the spatial profiles of these clusters revealed size fluctuation around stable core regions that were surrounded by a rim the diameter of which varied in time during the oscillation period. The neuronal ensemble oscillations were calcium derived and had an average frequency range of 1–7 Hz. This rhythmic response demonstrated a different spatiotemporal distribution in the presence of picrotoxin, which induced the merging of neuronal clusters into larger areas of coherent activity. The possibility that such clustering is a consequence of intrinsic oscillations in ensembles of coupled neurons was tested using mathematical modeling.
Joint Channel Synchronization under Interference Limited Conditions

Spectral efficiency is of great concern in the return channel of satellite based broadband systems. In (Beidas, 2002) the feasibility of increased efficiency by reducing channel spacing below the symbol rate was demonstrated using joint detection and decoding for a synchronized system. We extend this work by addressing the critical synchronization problem in the presence of adjacent channel interference (ACI) which limits performance as carrier spacing is reduced. A pilot sequence aided joint synchronization scheme for a multi-frequency time division multiple access (MF-TDMA) system is proposed. Based on a maximum likelihood (ML) criterion, the channel parameters, including frequency, time and phase are jointly estimated for the channel of interest and the adjacent channels. The impact of ACI on the synchronization and detection performance is investigated. It is shown that joint channel parameter estimation outperforms single carrier synchronization with reasonable additional computational complexity in the receiver. Based on the proposed synchronization scheme in conjunction with an appropriate joint detection mechanism, see (Beidas, 2002), carrier spacing can be reduced significantly compared to current systems providing a substantial increase in spectral efficiency.
The Multiprocessor Bandwidth Inheritance Protocol

In this paper, the Multiprocessor Bandwidth Inheritance (M-BWI) protocol is presented, which constitutes an extension of the Bandwidth Inheritance (BWI) protocol to symmetric multiprocessor and multicore systems. Similarly to priority inheritance, M-BWI reduces priority inversion in reservation-based scheduling systems, it allows the coexistence of hard, soft and non-real-time tasks, it does not require any information on the temporal parameters of the tasks, hence, it is particularly suitable to open systems, where tasks can dynamically arrive and leave, and their temporal parameters are unknown or only partially known. Moreover, if it is possible to estimate such parameters as the worst-case execution time and the critical sections length, then it is possible to compute an upper bound to the task blocking time. Finally, the M-BWI protocol is neutral to the underlying scheduling scheme, since it can be implemented both in global and partitioned scheduling schemes.
The Interplay of Eclogitization and Deformation During Deep Burial of the Lower Continental Crust—A Case Study From the Bergen Arcs (Western Norway)

The island of Holsnøy in the Bergen Arcs, which belong to the Caledonides of western Norway, represents an excellent example of how fluid‐induced eclogitization modifies material deeply buried by subduction and continental collision. We produced a new detailed map of the northwestern part of Holsnøy, differentiating not only the magnitude of eclogitization but also the strain intensity at different spatial scales: from the outcrop to the entire massif. Using structural data from eclogite‐facies shear zones and eclogitized low‐strain domains, we show that fluid‐mediated eclogitization not only progresses via the development of shear zones (dynamic eclogitization) but occurs over large areas of the island without associated deformation, creating a characteristic static eclogite‐facies overprint. Static eclogitization preserves the structural features of the granulitic protolith while the rock body is transformed from a granulite‐ to an eclogite‐facies mineral assemblage. The extent of static eclogitization was underestimated strongly in the past, a finding also relevant for the interpretation of seismological images in currently active orogens, where presumably similar processes are currently occurring. In addition, we find that the general structure of the eclogite‐facies shear zones is scale‐independent over several orders of magnitude. Although crustal‐scale eclogite‐facies complexes are rarely preserved without significant modification during exhumation, this implies that similar geometrical configurations are likely produced at the scale of the whole lower crust during subduction or continental collision and therefore shape the crustal geophysical signature.
Long-term reciprocation of grooming in wild West African chimpanzees

Humans are well known for their ability to keep track of social debts over extended periods of time, and for their tendency to preferentially cooperate with closely bonded partners. Non-human primates have been shown to cooperate with kin and non-kin, and reciprocate helpful acts. However, there is ongoing debate over whether they keep track of previous interactions and, if so, whether they can do it over extended periods of time, or are constrained to finalize exchanges within a single encounter. In this study, we used 3000 hours of all-day focal follows of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) to investigate whether both females and males reciprocate grooming within a single interaction, throughout the day, or over longer periods of time. We found that grooming was reciprocated more symmetrically when measured on a long-term, rather than on an immediate or short-term basis. Random giving, general allocation of grooming efforts, similarities among individuals and kinship do not appear to explain these highly reciprocal exchanges. Previously collected consecutive focal follows of single individuals revealed that dyads groomed an average of once every 7 days. Our findings strongly suggest that chimpanzees, similar to humans, are able to keep track of past social interactions, at least for a one-week period, and balance services over repeated encounters.
Emerging Biomedical Applications of Nano-Chitins and Nano-Chitosans Obtained via Advanced Eco-Friendly Technologies from Marine Resources

The present review article is intended to direct attention to the technological advances made in the 2010–2014 quinquennium for the isolation and manufacture of nanofibrillar chitin and chitosan. Otherwise called nanocrystals or whiskers, n-chitin and n-chitosan are obtained either by mechanical chitin disassembly and fibrillation optionally assisted by sonication, or by e-spinning of solutions of polysaccharides often accompanied by poly(ethylene oxide) or poly(caprolactone). The biomedical areas where n-chitin may find applications include hemostasis and wound healing, regeneration of tissues such as joints and bones, cell culture, antimicrobial agents, and dermal protection. The biomedical applications of n-chitosan include epithelial tissue regeneration, bone and dental tissue regeneration, as well as protection against bacteria, fungi and viruses. It has been found that the nano size enhances the performances of chitins and chitosans in all cases considered, with no exceptions. Biotechnological approaches will boost the applications of the said safe, eco-friendly and benign nanomaterials not only in these fields, but also for biosensors and in targeted drug delivery areas.
A Comparative Study Between Direct Torque Control and Predictive Torque Control for Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines

Abstract This paper presents a comparative study between direct torque control (DTC) and predictive torque control (PTC) of Axial Flux Permanent magnet Machines (AFPM). In conventional DTC method for permanent magnet machines, only six actives voltage vectors of inverter are used to control torque and flux of machine. But in predictive torque control, in addition to six active voltage vectors, zero voltage vectors are used to control machine. So number of voltage vectors to control AFPM increases that leads to lower ripple of torque and flux. In predictive torque control, the response of torque and flux are computed for all possible switching states of inverter at every sample time according to discrete time model of machine, and then the switching state that optimizes ripple of torque and flux, will be applied in next discrete-time interval. Simulation results which compare the results of implementation of both methods and confirm the good performance of the proposed predictive torque control are presented.
Secular Evolution and the Formation of Pseudobulges in Disk Galaxies

▪ Abstract The Universe is in transition. At early times, galactic evolution was dominated by hierarchical clustering and merging, processes that are violent and rapid. In the far future, evolution will mostly be secular—the slow rearrangement of energy and mass that results from interactions involving collective phenomena such as bars, oval disks, spiral structure, and triaxial dark halos. Both processes are important now. This review discusses internal secular evolution, concentrating on one important consequence, the buildup of dense central components in disk galaxies that look like classical, merger-built bulges but that were made slowly out of disk gas. We call these pseudobulges. We begin with an “existence proof”—a review of how bars rearrange disk gas into outer rings, inner rings, and stuff dumped onto the center. The results of numerical simulations correspond closely to the morphology of barred galaxies. In the simulations, gas is transported to small radii, where it reaches high densities and.
Influence of Pansharpening in Obtaining Accurate Vegetation Maps

ABSTRACT In recent decades, there has been a decline in ecosystem services. Thus, the development of reliable methodologies to monitor ecosystems is becoming important. In this context, the availability of very high resolution sensors offer practical and cost-effective means for good environmental management. However, improvements in the data received are becoming necessary to obtain higher quality information in order to get reliable thematic maps. One improvement is pansharpening, which enhances the spatial resolution of the multispectral bands by incorporating information from a panchromatic image. The main goal of this work was to assess the influence of pansharpening techniques in obtaining precise vegetation maps. Thus, pixel- and object-based classification techniques were implemented and applied to fused imagery using different pansharpening algorithms. Worldview-2 high resolution imagery was used due to its excellent spatial and spectral characteristics. The Teide National Park, in The Canary Islands (Spain), was chosen as the study area since it is a vulnerable heterogeneous ecosystem. The vegetation classes of interest considered were established by the National Park conservation managers. Weighted Wavelet ‘à trous’ through Fractal Dimension Maps pansharpening algorithm demonstrated a superior performance in the image fusion preprocessing step, while the most appropriate classifier to generate accurate vegetation thematic maps in heterogenic and mixed ecosystems was the Bayes method after the segmentation stage, even though Support Vector Machine achieved the highest overall accuracy.
Probing Nanostructures for Photovoltaics: Using atomic force microscopy and other tools to characterize nanoscale materials for harvesting solar energy

The ability to make materials with nanoscale dimensions opens vast opportunities for creating custom materials with unique properties. The properties of materials on the nanoscale are distinct from their larger counterparts, and can be tuned in ways that are not otherwise possible. In this work, various nanoscale materials are synthesized and characterized, with an emphasis on materials with photovoltaics applications. Graphene, an atomically thin sheet of carbon, is combined with metal nanoparticles, and the electronic and optical properties of this material are studied. Heterostructured nanocrystals of \ce{CdS}-\ce{Cu2S} are characterized as a potential solar cell active layer. Improvement of the performance of organic solar cells is achieved with the application of large electric fields. In all of these studies, the atomic force microscope is used to characterize the surface topography and electronic properties of these systems.
Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and Virologic Failure

AbstractThe often cited need to achieve ≥95% (nearly perfect) adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for successful virologic outcomes in HIV may present a barrier to initiation of therapy in the early stages of HIV.This meta-analysis synthesized 43 studies (27,905 participants) performed across >26 countries, to determine the relationship between cut-off point for optimal adherence to ART and virologic outcomes.Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effect model to calculate pooled odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals.The mean rate of patients reporting optimal adherence was 63.4%. Compared with suboptimal adherence, optimal adherence was associated with a lower risk of virologic failure (0.34; 95% CI: 0.26–0.44). There were no significant differences in the pooled odds ratios among different optimal adherence thresholds (≥98–100%, ≥95%, ≥80–90%). Study design (randomized controlled trial vs observational study) (regression coefficient 0.74, 95% CI: 0.04–1.43, P < 0.05) and study region (developing vs developed countries; regression coefficient 0.56, 95% CI: 0.01–1.12, P < 0.05) remained as independent predictors of between-study heterogeneity, with more patients with optimal adherence from developing countries or randomized controlled trials experiencing virologic failure.The threshold for optimal adherence to achieve better virologic outcomes appears to be wider than the commonly used cut-off point (≥95% adherence). The cut-off point for optimal adherence could be redefined to a slightly lower level to encourage the prescribing ART at an early stage of HIV infection.
Delegation and Job Satisfaction: An Evaluation of the Relationship within Ugandaâ€™s Primary Education Sector

Study Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the impact of individual dimensions of delegation on primary teachersâ€™ job satisfaction in Universal Primary Education sector in Eastern Uganda. Research Design/Methodology: A cross sectional research design was used. The study was carried on primary school teachers in schools in Eastern Uganda. A total of 247 survey questionnaires were distributed with the help of research assistants. The analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software. Results: The findings of the study indicated that save for Decision making, delegation dimensions of: Autonomy, Authority, Responsibility, predicted job satisfaction.Research limitations/implications: The focus of the study was teachers working at Universal Primary schools in Eastern Uganda only. Study was cross sectional; therefore, future studies should consider investigation job satisfaction of Universal Primary school teachers from a longitudinal angle since respondentsâ€™ views vary over time. Also, this study considered some schools in Eastern Uganda which puts the issue of generalizability into question.Practical implications: Considering the importance of Universal Primary education sector in Uganda, the education managers, policy makers and academic administrators should take necessary measures for the optimal delegation of authority, autonomy, and responsibility if they are realize satisfied teachers on their jobs. Originality/value: The study contributes to literature by examining how individual dimensions of delegations influence job satisfaction in Ugandaâ€™s primary Universal school sector which of late is still limited as evidenced from reviewed literature.
Mapping the terrain: A conceptual schema for a mental health medication support service in community pharmacy

Objective: Mental health–related problems pose a serious issue for primary care, and community pharmacy could make a significant contribution, but there is a dearth of information. Methods: This article reports synthesis of the literature on mental health interventions across a range of pharmacy models, and pharmacy services in contexts beyond mental health. To best inform the design of a community pharmacy medication support intervention for mental health consumers, the literature was reported as a conceptual schema and subsequent recommendations for development, implementation and evaluation of the service. A broad conceptualisation was taken in this review. In addition to mental health and community pharmacy literature, policy/initiatives, organisational culture and change management principles, and evaluative processes were reviewed. Key words were selected and literature reviews undertaken using EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science. Results: Recommendations were made around: medication support intervention design, consumer recruitment, implementation in community pharmacy and evaluation. Surprisingly, there is a scarce literature relating to mental health interventions in community pharmacy. Even so, findings from other pharmacy models and broader medicines management for chronic illness can inform development of a medication support service for mental health consumers. Key learnings include the need to expand medicines management beyond adherence with respect to both intervention design and evaluation. Conclusion: The conceptual framework is grounded in the need for programmes to be embedded within pharmacies that are part of the health system as a whole.
DISCO Nets : DISsimilarity COefficients Networks

We present a new type of probabilistic model which we call DISsimilarity COefficient Networks (DISCO Nets). DISCO Nets allow us to efficiently sample from a posterior distribution parametrised by a neural network. During training, DISCO Nets are learned by minimising the dissimilarity coefficient between the true distribution and the estimated distribution. This allows us to tailor the training to the loss related to the task at hand. We empirically show that (i) by modeling uncertainty on the output value, DISCO Nets outperform equivalent non-probabilistic predictive networks and (ii) DISCO Nets accurately model the uncertainty of the output, outperforming existing probabilistic models based on deep neural networks.
Exaggerating Temporal Differences Enhances Recognition of Individuals from Point Light Displays

Humans are very good at perceiving each other's movements. In this article, we investigate the role of time-based information in the recognition of individuals from point light biological motion sequences. We report an experiment in which we used an exaggeration technique that changes temporal properties while keeping spatial information constant; differences in the durations of motion segments are exaggerated relative to average values. Participants first learned to recognize six individuals on the basis of a simple, unexaggerated arm movement. Subsequently, they recognized positively exaggerated versions of those movements better than the originals. Absolute duration did not appear to be the critical cue. The results show that time-based cues are used for the recognition of movements and that exaggerating temporal differences improves performance. The results suggest that exaggeration may reflect general principles of how diagnostic information is encoded for recognition in different domains.
A best-first tree-searching approach for ML decoding in MIMO system

In MIMO communication systems maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding can be formulated as a tree-searching problem. This paper presents a tree-searching approach that combines the features of classical depth-first and breadth-first approaches to achieve close to ML performance while minimizing the number of visited nodes. A detailed outline of the algorithm is given, including the required storage. The effects of storage size on BER performance and complexity in terms of search space are also studied. Our result demonstrates that with a proper choice of storage size the proposed method visits 40% fewer nodes than a sphere decoding algorithm at signal to noise ratio (SNR) = 20dB and by an order of magnitude at 0 dB SNR.
Structure-Based Optimization of Inhibitors of the Aspartic Protease Endothiapepsin

Aspartic proteases are a class of enzymes that play a causative role in numerous diseases such as malaria (plasmepsins), Alzheimer’s disease (β-secretase), fungal infections (secreted aspartic proteases), and hypertension (renin). We have chosen endothiapepsin as a model enzyme of this class of enzymes, for the design, preparation and biochemical evaluation of a new series of inhibitors of endothiapepsin. Here, we have optimized a hit, identified by de novo structure-based drug design (SBDD) and DCC, by using structure-based design approaches focusing on the optimization of an amide–π interaction. Biochemical results are in agreement with SBDD. These results will provide useful insights for future structure-based optimization of inhibitors for the real drug targets as well as insights into molecular recognition.
Reproducibility of glucose measurements using the glucose sensor.

OBJECTIVE Recent studies have confirmed that improved glycemic control decreases the risk of diabetic complications in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. The Minimed glucose sensor allows continuous 72-h glucose monitoring and represents a potentially important tool to improve diabetes management. Its use is currently limited to the health care team. Our aim was to evaluate the reproducibility of data provided by the device by comparing data provided by two sensors worn simultaneously by the same subject. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 11 subjects (6 type 1 and 3 type 2 diabetic patients and 2 healthy subjects) agreed to wear two sensors and perform at least four daily finger-stick glucose determinations during 72 h. The simultaneous glucose values provided by the sensors were compared. To determine the clinical implications of the glucose data, each day was divided into eight periods, and for each period the glucose range was rated as satisfactory, too high, or too low by a blinded clinician experienced in interpreting glucose sensor data in the clinical setting. The evaluation of glycemic levels based on the recordings of the two sensors were compared for each paired time interval. RESULTS We discarded 18% of the sensor data for technical reasons. Examined as a group, the remaining 3,370 paired data points in all 11 patients were highly correlated (r = 0.84). However, when individual pairs were evaluated, large differences in the glucose values were apparent, with differences of >10% in 70% of the measurements and >50% in 7% of the measurements. Moreover, clinical evaluation of the glucose range provided simultaneously by two sensors was concordant for only 65% of the evaluation periods. CONCLUSION In a real-life setting, the accuracy of data provided by the Minimed glucose sensor may be less than expected. To avoid therapeutic errors, sensor findings should be confirmed by independent means before clinical decisions are made.