Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Commentary: Evaluation of Phase-Amplitude Coupling in Resting State Magnetoencephalographic Signals: Effect of Surrogates and Evaluation Approach

Using Human Connectome Project (HCP) data, Gohel et al. (2016) (GEA) recently reported that “resting-state MEG signals failed to exhibit ubiquitous phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) phenomenon, contrary to what has been suggested” by Florin and Baillet (2015) (FB). GEA argued that the original PAC findings by FB were driven by false positives resulting from the use of inappropriate methods. In this commentary, we first correct GEA’s mischaracterization of the approach actually used by FB. We then investigated the PAC computations in Gohel et al. (2016) (GEA) and demonstrate that with FB’s approach, it is actually possible to detect PAC in the Human Connectome Project (HCP) resting-state data. Finally, when making the data processing as similar as possible to GEA we still found significant PAC across large portions of the brain.
Leukocyte Telomere Length in Young Adults Born Preterm: Support for Accelerated Biological Ageing

Background Subjects born preterm have an increased risk for age-associated diseases, such as cardiovascular disease in later life, but the underlying causes are largely unknown. Shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of biological age, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Objectives To compare LTL between subjects born preterm and at term and to assess if LTL is associated with other putative cardiovascular risk factors at young adult age. Methods We measured mean LTL in 470 young adults. LTL was measured using a quantitative PCR assay and expressed as T/S ratio. We analyzed the influence of gestational age on LTL and compared LTL between subjects born preterm (n = 186) and at term (n = 284). Additionally, we analyzed the correlation between LTL and potential risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Results Gestational age was positively associated with LTL (r = 0.11, p = 0.02). Subjects born preterm had shorter LTL (mean (SD) T/S ratio = 3.12 (0.44)) than subjects born at term (mean (SD) T/S ratio = 3.25 (0.46)), p = 0.003). The difference remained significant after adjustment for gender and size at birth (p = 0.001). There was no association of LTL with any one of the putative risk factors analyzed. Conclusions Young adults born preterm have shorter LTL than young adults born at term. Although we found no correlation between LTL and risk for CVD at this young adult age, this biological ageing indicator may contribute to CVD and other adult onset diseases at a later age in those born preterm.
Validation of Electronic Activity Monitor Devices During Treadmill Walking.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the step count measurement of commercial electronic activity monitor devices. Two popular models, Fitbit Charge HR and Mi Band 2, were selected for treadmill walking in a single session. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty healthy volunteers walked at five predetermined speeds (0.90, 1.12, 1.33, 1.54, and 1.78 m/s) on a treadmill with both Fitbit Charge HR and Mi Band 2 worn on their dominant hand's wrist. Observers counted the steps, with the aid of taped video, which was taken as the criterion measure for steps. The validity of the electronic activity devices was assessed by (1) Paired sample t test with the criterion measures and (2) Pearson's correlation coefficients and the corresponding p-values were calculated to compare the output of devices with manual step count. In addition, Bland-Altman plots were constructed to visually inspect the data and to assess agreement with the criterion measures. RESULTS There were no significant differences in step measurement between Fitbit Charge HR and Mi Band 2 with the criterion measures. Besides, there was a very strong agreement between step count measurements obtained using the Fitbit Charge HR (r = 0.99) and the Mi Band 2 (r = 0.99), at five predetermined speeds while comparing with the observed step counts. CONCLUSION Both Fitbit Charge HR and Mi Band 2 provided accurate step count measurement in the treadmill walking test.
A nonlinear model for the subgrid timescale experienced by heavy particles in large eddy simulation of isotropic turbulence with a stochastic differential equation

The effects of subgrid scale (SGS) motions on the dispersion of heavy particles raise a challenge to the large-eddy method of simulation (LES). As a necessary first step, we propose the use of a stochastic differential equation (SDE) to represent the SGS contributions to the relative dispersions of heavy particles in LES of isotropic turbulence. The main difficulty is in closing the SGS-SDE model whilst accounting for the effects of particle inertia, filter width and gravity. The physics of the interaction between heavy particles and SGS turbulence is explored using the filtered direct numerical simulation method. It is found in the present work that (i) the ratio of the SGS Lagrangian and Eulerian timescales is different from that of the full-scale Lagrangian and Eulerian timescales. The ratios are also dependent on filter widths. (ii) In the absence of gravity, the SGS timescale seen by heavy particles non-monotonically changes with particle Stokes number and has a maximum at particle Stokes number (St = τp/δTE) near 0.5. (iii) In the presence of gravity, a similarity law exists between the SGS Lagrangian correlation function seen by a heavy particle within a time-delay τ and the SGS spatial correlation function with the displacement 〈w〉τ, where 〈w〉 is the average settling velocity of a heavy particle. The joint effects of particle inertia and gravity are accounted for using the elliptic model for pair correlation of SGS velocity seen by heavy particles. The SGS timescale seen by heavy particles is extracted from the elliptic model and used to close the SGS-SDE model. The validations of the model against direct numerical simulation show that the SGS-SDE model can improve the performance of LES on relative dispersions especially when their initial separations are in the inertial subrange. Furthermore, we assess the performance of the SGS-SDE model by comparing the results with the approximate deconvolution method. The results show that the SGS-SDE model is more suitable for particles with small Stokes numbers, StK < 2. The model developed here provides a basis for the development of a more advanced SGS model for particles in non-homogeneous and anisotropic turbulent flows in pipes or channels.
Human Subthalamic Nucleus Theta and Beta Oscillations Entrain Neuronal Firing During Sensorimotor Conflict

Abstract Recent evidence has suggested that prefrontal cortical structures may inhibit impulsive actions during conflict through activation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). Consistent with this hypothesis, deep brain stimulation to the STN has been associated with altered prefrontal cortical activity and impaired response inhibition. The interactions between oscillatory activity in the STN and its presumably antikinetic neuronal spiking, however, remain poorly understood. Here, we simultaneously recorded intraoperative local field potential and spiking activity from the human STN as participants performed a sensorimotor action selection task involving conflict. We identified several STN neuronal response types that exhibited different temporal dynamics during the task. Some neurons showed early, cue‐related firing rate increases that remained elevated longer during high conflict trials, whereas other neurons showed late, movement‐related firing rate increases. Notably, the high conflict trials were associated with an entrainment of individual neurons by theta‐ and beta‐band oscillations, both of which have been observed in cortical structures involved in response inhibition. Our data suggest that frequency‐specific activity in the beta and theta bands influence STN firing to inhibit impulsivity during conflict.
Indonesian Accounting Professionals and ASEAN’s Mutual Recognition Arrangement; An Exploratory Study of Employability Factors

This paper attempts to explore employability factors of Indonesian accounting professionals in ASEAN region. A Career EDGE model is used as the employability framework. A qualitative approach is employed to obtain in-depth information and achieves insights from employer, employees, and experts. The finding showed that career development learning, experience (work and life), degree subject knowledge, skills and understanding, generic skills, emotional intelligence, self-confidence, and reflection and evaluation are factors that influence employability. Indonesian accountants need to enhance degree subject knowledge, skills and understanding, generic skills, and emotional intelligence, particularly in IFRS standards and communication skills. Managerial and theoretical implications are mentioned, as well as limitation and recommendation.
Energy Efficiency Scheme with Cellular Partition Zooming for Massive MIMO Systems

Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (Massive MIMO) has been realized as a promising technology element for 5G wireless mobile communications, in which Spectral Efficiency (SE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) are two critical issues. Prior estimates have indicated that 57% energy consumption of cellular system comes from the operator, mostly used to feed the base station (BS). Yet previously, the User Equipment(UE) is focused on while studying the EE issue instead of BS. In this case, in this paper, an EE scheme that focuses on the optimization of BS energy consumption is proposed. Apart from the previous studies, which divides the coverage area by circuit section, the coverage area is divided by fan section with the help of Propagation theory for zoom in or zoom out. In the proposal, transmission model and parameters related to EE is deduced first. Afterwards, the Cellular Partition Zooming (CPZ) scheme is proposed where the BS can zoom in to maintain the coverage area or zoom out to save the energy. Comprehensive simulation results demonstrate that CPZ presents better EE performance with negligible impact on the transmission rate.
Skin cancer screening by dermatologists: prevalence and barriers.

BACKGROUND The incidence of skin cancers is increasing at an alarming rate, and there is currently no consensus by major health policy organizations regarding skin cancer screening. It has previously been shown that primary care physicians do not screen a majority of patients for skin cancer. OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of skin cancer screening among dermatologists and to detect barriers to screening. As a secondary objective, we set out to determine the prevalence of dermatoscopy use. METHODS With the use of membership data from the 1999-2000 directory of the American Academy of Dermatology, a random sample of 464 American dermatologists was surveyed to assess their skin cancer screening practices and perceived obstacles to this practice. We then determined whether differences in knowledge of skin cancer screening recommendations, emphasis of skin cancer screening in training, or physician age affected the prevalence of screening. RESULTS A total of 190 dermatologists responded (41%). Fifty-seven respondents (30%) reported performing full-body skin cancer screening on all of their adult patients and 93 more (49%) reported screening only patients perceived to be at increased risk. Eighty respondents (42%) reported lack of time as an impediment to screening. Only 18 (9%) did not screen patients because of potential patient embarrassment, whereas 17 (9%) did not perform screening because of lack of financial reimbursement. Sixty-two dermatologists (33%) reported being aware of official skin cancer screening recommendations, but they were not more likely to screen all patients (P =.64) or partake in screening of all patients or only those at increased risk (P =.84). One hundred nineteen respondents (63%) reported that skin cancer screening was emphasized during their medical training and they were more likely to screen all patients (P =.04) or either all or high-risk patients (P =.02). Younger age groups of dermatologists were significantly more likely to screen all patients for skin cancer (P =.03). Twenty-two percent of respondents reported using dermatoscopy for suspicious lesions. CONCLUSION Dermatologists report a high rate of screening for skin cancer despite not having knowledge of skin cancer screening recommendations. Inadequate time to perform full-body skin examinations and lack of emphasis during training were identified as possible barriers to this practice.
No one left behind: how social distance affects life-saving decision making

Abstract Extant research on social distance and decision-making under risk has mostly focused on how people reach different decisions for themselves than others under the same circumstances. This research adds to this literature by studying how the social distance between the decision-maker and people in danger influences risk preference in life-saving domain. We found that decision-makers tend to be more risk-seeking when the lives of close others are at stake than distant others regardless of whether the situation is framed in terms of loss or gain. However, the effect of social distance on risk preference was eliminated when it was the responsibility of the decision-makers rather than the chance to pick the potential victims to save. By analyzing the shape of value function, we provided preliminary evidence for the hypothesis that decision-makers engage in feeling-based evaluation when close others’ lives are at stake but calculation-based evaluation when distant others’ lives are at stake, which could account for the effect of social distance on risk preference documented in this research. A final experiment yielded direct evidence that evaluation mode mediates the relationship between social distance and risk preference.
To err is human, to correct is public health: a systematic review examining poor quality testing and misdiagnosis of HIV status

Introduction: In accordance with global testing and treatment targets, many countries are seeking ways to reach the “90‐90‐90” goals, starting with diagnosing 90% of all people with HIV. Quality HIV testing services are needed to enable people with HIV to be diagnosed and linked to treatment as early as possible. It is essential that opportunities to reach people with undiagnosed HIV are not missed, diagnoses are correct and HIV‐negative individuals are not inadvertently initiated on life‐long treatment. We conducted this systematic review to assess the magnitude of misdiagnosis and to describe poor HIV testing practices using rapid diagnostic tests.
Acute Kynurenine Challenge Disrupts Sleep–Wake Architecture and Impairs Contextual Memory in Adult Rats

Study Objectives Tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway may represent a key molecular link between sleep loss and cognitive dysfunction. Modest increases in the kynurenine pathway metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA), which acts as an antagonist at N-methyl-d-aspartate and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, result in cognitive impairments. As glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmissions are critically involved in modulation of sleep, our current experiments tested the hypothesis that elevated KYNA adversely impacts sleep quality. Methods Adult male Wistar rats were treated with vehicle (saline) and kynurenine (25, 50, 100, and 250 mg/kg), the direct bioprecursor of KYNA, intraperitoneally at zeitgeber time (ZT) 0 to rapidly increase brain KYNA. Levels of KYNA in the brainstem, cortex, and hippocampus were determined at ZT 0, ZT 2, and ZT 4, respectively. Analyses of vigilance state-related parameters categorized as wake, rapid eye movement (REM), and non-REM (NREM) as well as spectra power analysis during NREM and REM were assessed during the light phase. Separate animals were tested in the passive avoidance paradigm, testing contextual memory. Results When KYNA levels were elevated in the brain, total REM duration was reduced and total wake duration was increased. REM and wake architecture, assessed as number of vigilance state bouts and average duration of each bout, and theta power during REM were significantly impacted. Kynurenine challenge impaired performance in the hippocampal-dependent contextual memory task. Conclusions Our results introduce kynurenine pathway metabolism and formation of KYNA as a novel molecular target contributing to sleep disruptions and cognitive impairments.
The Effects of Computer Mediated Communication on Computer-Based Training

Student performance using computer-based training (CBT) may be related to the degree of interaction that occurs between students and the instructor, or between students and each other. This is significant in that the individualized nature of CBT (and perhaps Web-based training) is contrary to the social interaction needs of students. Using relevant pedagogical and social communication theories as a basis, this study employed empirical research methods on undergraduate participants to achieve the following objectives: to explore the use of computer mediated communication (CMC) as a surrogate for faceto-face interaction with CBT students, and to provide research-based recommendations for human resource development (HRD) managers charged with deployment of these and related technologies. The research results showed that undergraduate CBT participants who were sent personalized email once per week performed significantly better than participants who were sent no email.
Efficacy and safety of inhaled corticosteroids relative to fluticasone propionate: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials in asthma

ABSTRACT Introduction: Many trials have been published comparing inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatments in asthma. However, mixed results necessitate the summarization of available evidence to aid in decision-making. Areas covered: This systematic review evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy and safety of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) with other ICS including beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP), budesonide (BUD) and ciclesonide (CIC). PubMed was searched and 54 RCTs that fit pre-determined criteria were included. Endpoints evaluated included lung function, asthma symptom control, exacerbation frequency, reliever use, quality of life and steroid-related side effects. Expert commentary: Across all studies, FP was associated with either more favorable or at least similar efficacy and safety, in comparison with BDP or BUD. This observation may be related to FP’s higher relative potency and almost negligible oral bioavailability. FP was comparable to CIC for efficacy. However, CIC appeared to have a smaller impact on cortisol levels than FP, which is likely due to CIC’s incomplete conversion to active metabolite (des-CIC) and the lower potency of des-CIC compared with FP. Although there were no significant differences in evaluated outcomes after treatment with different ICS in the majority of studies, some observed differences could be explained by their respective pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties.
Cooperative Co-evolution with delta grouping for large scale non-separable function optimization

Many evolutionary algorithms have been proposed for large scale optimization. Parameter interaction in non-separable problems is a major source of performance loss specially on large scale problems. Cooperative Co-evolution(CC) has been proposed as a natural solution for large scale optimization problems, but lack of a systematic way of decomposing large scale non-separable problems is a major obstacle for CC frameworks. The aim of this paper is to propose a systematic way of capturing interacting variables for a more effective problem decomposition suitable for cooperative co-evolutionary frameworks. Grouping interacting variables in different subcomponents in a CC framework imposes a limit to the extent interacting variables can be optimized to their optimum values, in other words it limits the improvement interval of interacting variables. This is the central idea of the newly proposed technique which is called delta method. Delta method measures the averaged difference in a certain variable across the entire population and uses it for identifying interacting variables. The experimental results show that this new technique is more effective than the existing random grouping method.
On Itō’s formula for convoluted Lévy processes

We derive an Itō formula for stochastic processes which are constructed by a convolution of a deterministic kernel with a Lévy process. Compared to related change of variable formulas in the literature we can treat a larger class of kernels, which includes the case of a fractional Lévy process (in the Mandelbrot-Van Ness sense). Moreover, we show that the growth conditions in the Itō formula can be weakened in the presence of a nontrivial Gaussian part. We also provide results on the path regularity and on the existence of moments of the running maximum for a large class of convoluted Lévy processes. AMS 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 60G22, 60H05, 60H07
Coral bleaching is linked to the capacity of the animal host to supply essential metals to the symbionts

Massive coral bleaching events result in extensive coral loss throughout the world. These events are mainly caused by seawater warming, but are exacerbated by the subsequent decrease in nutrient availability in surface waters. It has therefore been shown that nitrogen, phosphorus or iron limitation contribute to the underlying conditions by which thermal stress induces coral bleaching. Generally, information on the trophic ecology of trace elements (micronutrients) in corals, and on how they modulate the coral response to thermal stress is lacking. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that heterotrophic feeding (i.e. the capture of zooplankton prey by the coral host) and thermal stress induce significant changes in micro element concentrations and isotopic signatures of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata. The results obtained first reveal that coral symbionts are the major sink for the heterotrophically acquired micronutrients and accumulate manganese, magnesium and iron from the food. These metals are involved in photosynthesis and antioxidant protection. In addition, we show that fed corals can maintain high micronutrient concentrations in the host tissue during thermal stress and do not bleach, whereas unfed corals experience a significant decrease in copper, zinc, boron, calcium and magnesium in the host tissue and bleach. In addition, the significant increase in δ65Cu and δ66Zn signature of symbionts and host tissue at high temperature suggests that these isotopic compositions are good proxy for stress in corals. Overall, present findings highlight a new way in which coral heterotrophy and micronutrient availability contribute to coral resistance to global warming and bleaching.