Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamical decoupling sequences for multi-qubit dephasing suppression and long-time quantum memory

We consider a class of multi-qubit dephasing models that combine classical noise sources and linear coupling to a bosonic environment, and are controlled by arbitrary sequences of dynamical decoupling pulses. Building on a general transfer filter-function framework for open-loop control, we provide an exact representation of the controlled dynamics for arbitrary stationary non-Gaussian classical and quantum noise statistics, with analytical expressions emerging when all dephasing sources are Gaussian. This exact characterization is used to establish two main results. First, we construct multi-qubit sequences that ensure maximum high-order error suppression in both the time and frequency domain and that can be exponentially more efficient than existing ones in terms of total pulse number. Next, we show how long-time multi-qubit storage may be achieved by meeting appropriate conditions for the emergence of a fidelity plateau under sequence repetition, thereby generalizing recent results for single-qubit memory under Gaussian dephasing. In both scenarios, the key step is to endow multi-qubit sequences with a suitable displacement anti-symmetry property, which is of independent interest for applications ranging from environment-assisted entanglement generation to multi-qubit noise spectroscopy protocols.
Helicobacter pylori Infection Is Associated with Higher CD4 T Cell Counts and Lower HIV-1 Viral Loads in ART-Naïve HIV-Positive Patients in Ghana

Background Worldwide, there is a high co-endemicity of HIV and H. pylori infection and there is growing evidence that H. pylori co-infection is associated with parameters of HIV disease progression. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection, and the association with clinical, immunological and virological parameters in a large cohort of HIV-infected individuals and uninfected controls in a West African country. Methods HIV-patients (n = 1,095) and HIV-negative individuals (n = 107) were recruited at a university hospital in Ghana. H. pylori status was determined using stool antigen testing. HIV-related, clinical and socio-demographic parameters were recorded and analyzed according to H. pylori status. Results The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly lower in HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative individuals (51.5 vs. 88%, p<0.0001). In HIV patients, H. pylori prevalence decreased in parallel with CD4+ T cell counts. In ART-naïve HIV-infected individuals, but not in those taking ART, H. pylori infection was associated with higher CD4 cell counts (312 vs. 189 cells/μL, p<0.0001) and lower HIV-1 viral loads (4.92 vs. 5.21 log10 copies/mL, p = 0.006). The findings could not be explained by socio-demographic confounders or reported use of antibiotics. Having no access to tap water and higher CD4+ T cell counts were identified as risk factors for H. pylori infection. Conclusions H. pylori prevalence was inversely correlated with the degree of immunosuppression. In ART-naïve individuals, H. pylori infection is associated with favorable immunological and virological parameters. The underlying mechanisms for this association are unclear and warrant investigation.
Human Memory Models for Operator Simulation

iii Executive summary v Sommaire vi Table of contents vii List of figures ix 0. Introduction 1 1. Short-Term Memory 2 1.1 Effects/Paradigms of Serial Order Memory 2 1.2 Chaining Models 5 1.3 Ordinal Models 5 1.4 Positional models 6 1.5 Operator Modelling 9 2. Semantic Memory 10 2.1 Perspectives on Semantics 10 2.2 Lexical Semantics 12 2.3 Compositional Semantics 13 3. Episodic Memory 17 3.1 Differentiating Episodic from Semantic Memory 17 3.2 Models 18 3.2.1 Bayesian Models 21 3.2.2 Network Models 23 3.3 Comparing the Different Kinds of Models 25 3.4 Controlling Memory Access 25 4. Prospective Memory 27 4.1 Theoretical Approaches 28
ZDOCK and RDOCK performance in CAPRI rounds 3, 4, and 5

We present an evaluation of the results of our ZDOCK and RDOCK algorithms in Rounds 3, 4, and 5 of the protein docking challenge CAPRI. ZDOCK is a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)‐based, initial‐stage rigid‐body docking algorithm, and RDOCK is an energy minimization algorithm for refining and reranking ZDOCK results. Of the 9 targets for which we submitted predictions, we attained at least acceptable accuracy for 7, at least medium accuracy for 6, and high accuracy for 3. These results are evidence that ZDOCK in combination with RDOCK is capable of making accurate predictions on a diverse set of protein complexes. Proteins 2005;60:207–213. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Method for in vitro differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial progenitor cells and vascular endothelial cells

Vascular development is a regulated process and is dependent on the participation and differentiation of many cell types including the proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to mesodermal precursor cells. Thus, reconstitution of this process in vitro necessitates providing ambient conditions for generating and culturing EPCs in vitro and differentiating them to vascular endothelial cells. In the present study, we developed methods to differentiate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into EPCs and to vascular endothelial cells. Bone marrow MSC from canines and human sources were differentiated in vitro in to EPCs. These EPCs were able to express a variety of endothelial markers following 7 days in culture. Further culturing led to the appearance of an increased number and proportion of endothelial cells. These cells were stable even after 30 generations in culture. There was a gradual loss of CD31 and increased expression of factor VIII, VEGFR and CD133. VEGF being highly angiogenic, helps in the vascular development. These results provide the basis for the possible development of vasculature in vitro conditions for biomedical applications and in vivo for organ/tissue reconstruction therapies.
Structure complexity effects in child heritage Spanish: The case of the Spanish personal a

Aims and objectives: This study examines the acquisition of Differential Object Marking (DOM) in heritage Spanish children born in the USA and the potential role of structure complexity and chronological age. Design: Bilingual children were compared with monolingual children matched by age and long-term immigrants (children’s parents) via an Elicited Production task. We elicited the distribution of personal a in simple and Clitic Left Dislocated (CLLD) structures. Data and analysis: Results were entered into repeated analyses of variance measure with type of structure and group as dependent variables and chronological age as a covariate. Conclusions: Results show decreased production of personal a among the bilingual children, especially in CLLD contexts. We also found strong correlations between target use and type of structure, but no correlations with developmental age among the bilingual children. Parents and monolingual children behaved at ceiling with matrix questions but showed variable behavior with CLLD structures. We argue for incomplete specification of the animacy and specificity features constraining DOM and structure complexity effects affecting child bilingual grammars. Originality: This study highlights that heritage speakers do not necessarily become less native-like with age and increased exposure to English. The comparison of the bilingual children to both monolingual children and their parents was essential to mitigate the effects of dialect and cognitive development. Implications: Given that age was not the determining factor in bilingual children’s production of DOM in Spanish, it would seem that exposure to and use of the heritage language play a larger role. Additionally, for theories of language acquisition, these findings suggest that an early age of onset of acquisition is not a sufficient condition for native-like attainment, especially when input is lacking.
Diminished trkA receptor signaling reveals cholinergic‐attentional vulnerability of aging

The cellular mechanisms underlying the exceptional vulnerability of the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic neurons during pathological aging have remained elusive. Here we employed an adeno‐associated viral vector‐based RNA interference (AAV‐RNAi) strategy to suppress the expression of tropomyosin‐related kinase A (trkA) receptors by cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert/substantia innominata (nMB/SI) of adult and aged rats. Suppression of trkA receptor expression impaired attentional performance selectively in aged rats. Performance correlated with trkA levels in the nMB/SI. trkA knockdown neither affected nMB/SI cholinergic cell counts nor the decrease in cholinergic cell size observed in aged rats. However, trkA suppression augmented an age‐related decrease in the density of cortical cholinergic processes and attenuated the capacity of cholinergic neurons to release acetylcholine (ACh). The capacity of cortical synapses to release ACh in vivo was also lower in aged/trkA‐AAV‐infused rats than in aged or young controls, and it correlated with their attentional performance. Furthermore, age‐related increases in cortical proNGF and p75 receptor levels interacted with the vector‐induced loss of trkA receptors to shift NGF signaling toward p75‐mediated suppression of the cholinergic phenotype, thereby attenuating cholinergic function and impairing attentional performance. These effects model the abnormal trophic regulation of cholinergic neurons and cognitive impairments in patients with early Alzheimer's disease. This rat model is useful for identifying the mechanisms rendering aging cholinergic neurons vulnerable as well as for studying the neuropathological mechanisms that are triggered by disrupted trophic signaling.
A novel IGBT gate driver to eliminate the dead-time effect

The IGBT switching dead time which prevents the DC link shoot-through of the voltage source converter causes problems such as the waveform distortion and the fundamental voltage loss of the converter output. To solve these problems, many dead-time compensation methods, most of which are implemented within the PWM controller and need the output current direction detection, were proposed. This paper presents a novel IGBT gate drive method which is easily implemented within the IGBT gate driver for the PWM voltage source converters. Using this method, the gate drivers of the upper and the lower IGBT's within a converter phase leg can receive the ideal complimentary (without dead-time) PWM signals, and will not cause the DC link shoot through problem. The gate driver keeps the IGBT off if its anti-parallel diode is conducting current. This novel IGBT gate driver works effectively at low current, low output frequency, and the zero current crossing. In these situations the conventional dead-time compensation often meets problems since the current direction detection will become increasingly difficult, leading to erroneous compensation and waveform distortion. Additionally, the proposed IGBT gate driver is highly cost effective in the low cost, open loop voltage source converters, since no current sensor is required. In this paper, the principle of the proposed IGBT gate drive is described, and the simulation and experimental results validating the proposed method are presented.
PARENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF PARENTING AN ADOLESCENT ABUSING SUBSTANCES

Adolescent substance abuse is one of the social and public health concerns that appears to influence parenting, but little is known about the parents’ experiences of parenting adolescents who are abusing substances. An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative approach was employed with in-depth interviews to explore the parents’ experiences of parenting adolescents abusing substances. Thematically analysed data produced three themes: parenting my way, perceived barriers and facilitating factors. Authoritarian, authoritative and permissive parenting styles were discussed to create a supportive environment to enhance parents’ coping strategies. This work contributes to existing knowledge on parents dealing with adolescent substance abuse by providing strategies to enhance parenting.
Vertebrae EDGE Detection and Motion Estimation with Polar Signature

This paper describes a new method of segmentation and identification of individual vertebrae in medical images. The final goal of the application is to determine vertebrae motion induced by their movement between two or several positions. For that, X-ray images of the spinal columns are analysed in order to extract vertebrae contours. We present a new image segmentation approach based on a preliminary selection of vertebrae regions. We use these regions information to identify each individual vertebra by its contour. For the edge detection task, we propose a polar signature representation of the contour using the image gradient of each region. After this, we apply an edge closing method exploiting polynomial fitting.
Calcium oscillations in interstitial cells of the rabbit urethra

Measurements were made (using fast confocal microscopy) of intracellular Ca2+ levels in fluo‐4 loaded interstitial cells isolated from the rabbit urethra. These cells exhibited regular Ca2+ oscillations which were associated with spontaneous transient inward currents recorded under voltage clamp. Interference with d‐myo‐inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) induced Ca2+ release using 100 μm 2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, and the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors 2‐nitro‐4‐carboxyphenyl N,N‐diphenylcarbamate and U73122 decreased the amplitude of spontaneous oscillations but did not abolish them. However, oscillations were abolished when ryanodine receptors were blocked with tetracaine or ryanodine. Oscillations ceased in the absence of external Ca2+, and frequency was directly proportional to the external Ca2+ concentration. Frequency of Ca2+ oscillation was reduced by SKF‐96365, but not by nifedipine. Lanthanum and cadmium completely blocked oscillations. These results suggest that Ca2+ oscillations in isolated rabbit urethral interstitial cells are initiated by Ca2+ release from ryanodine‐sensitive intracellular stores, that oscillation frequency is very sensitive to the external Ca2+ concentration and that conversion of the primary oscillation to a propagated Ca2+ wave depends upon IP3‐induced Ca2+ release.
Cloud Service Selection Using TOPSIS and Fuzzy TOPSIS with AHP and ANP

The growing demand and availability of cloud services have triggered the need for comparison of their features available to customers at different prices and performance. It is necessary to be said that relevant and fair comparison is still challenging due to diverse deployment options and unique features of different services. The aim of this paper is to rank cloud services based on quantified QoS (Quality of Service) attributes using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and fuzzy TOPSIS, and comparing them to find out which method suits more in different scenarios. A comparative study of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Analytic Network process (ANP) is also done while extracting the weights of criteria for TOPSIS and fuzzy TOPSIS.
An Attentive Neural Architecture for Fine-grained Entity Type Classification

In this work we propose a novel attention-based neural network model for the task of fine-grained entity type classification that unlike previously proposed models recursively composes representations of entity mention contexts. Our model achieves state-of-the-art performance with 74.94% loose micro F1-score on the well-established FIGER dataset, a relative improvement of 2.59%. We also investigate the behavior of the attention mechanism of our model and observe that it can learn contextual linguistic expressions that indicate the fine-grained category memberships of an entity.
Three-dimensional axon morphologies of individual layer 5 neurons indicate cell type-specific intracortical pathways for whisker motion and touch

The cortical output layer 5 contains two excitatory cell types, slender- and thick-tufted neurons. In rat vibrissal cortex, slender-tufted neurons carry motion and phase information during active whisking, but remain inactive after passive whisker touch. In contrast, thick-tufted neurons reliably increase spiking preferably after passive touch. By reconstructing the 3D patterns of intracortical axon projections from individual slender- and thick-tufted neurons, filled in vivo with biocytin, we were able to identify cell type-specific intracortical circuits that may encode whisker motion and touch. Individual slender-tufted neurons showed elaborate and dense innervation of supragranular layers of large portions of the vibrissal area (total length, 86.8 ± 5.5 mm). During active whisking, these long-range projections may modulate and phase-lock the membrane potential of dendrites in layers 2 and 3 to the whisking cycle. Thick-tufted neurons with soma locations intermingling with those of slender-tufted ones display less dense intracortical axon projections (total length, 31.6 ± 14.3 mm) that are primarily confined to infragranular layers. Based on anatomical reconstructions and previous measurements of spiking, we put forward the hypothesis that thick-tufted neurons in rat vibrissal cortex receive input of whisker motion from slender-tufted neurons onto their apical tuft dendrites and input of whisker touch from thalamic neurons onto their basal dendrites. During tactile-driven behavior, such as object location, near-coincident input from these two pathways may result in increased spiking activity of thick-tufted neurons and thus enhanced signaling to their subcortical targets.
Autocrine stimulation of IL-10 is critical to the enrichment of IL-10-producing CD40hiCD5+ regulatory B cells in vitro and in vivo

IL-10-producing B (Breg) cells regulate various immune responses. However, their phenotype remains unclear. CD40 expression was significantly increased in B cells by LPS, and the Breg cells were also enriched in CD40hiCD5+ B cells. Furthermore, CD40 expression on Breg cells was increased by IL-10, CD40 ligand, and B cell-activating factor, suggesting that CD40hi is a common phenotype of Breg cells. LPS-induced CD40 expression was largely suppressed by an anti-IL-10 receptor antibody and in IL-10−/−CD5+CD19+ B cells. The autocrine effect of IL-10 on the CD40 expression was largely suppressed by an inhibitor of JAK/STAT3. In vivo, the LPS treatment increased the population of CD40hiCD5+ Breg cells in mice. However, the population of CD40hiCD5+ B cells was minimal in IL-10−/− mice by LPS. Altogether, our findings show that Breg cells are largely enriched in CD40hiCD5+ B cells and the autocrine effect of IL-10 is critical to the formation of CD40hiCD5+ Breg cells. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(1): 54-59]
Social Factors Influencing Child Health in Ghana

Objectives Social factors have profound effects on health. Children are especially vulnerable to social influences, particularly in their early years. Adverse social exposures in childhood can lead to chronic disorders later in life. Here, we sought to identify and evaluate the impact of social factors on child health in Ghana. As Ghana is unlikely to achieve the Millennium Development Goals’ target of reducing child mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015, we deemed it necessary to identify social determinants that might have contributed to the non-realisation of this goal. Methods ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE via EBSCO and Google Scholar were searched for published articles reporting on the influence of social factors on child health in Ghana. After screening the 98 articles identified, 34 of them that met our inclusion criteria were selected for qualitative review. Results Major social factors influencing child health in the country include maternal education, rural-urban disparities (place of residence), family income (wealth/poverty) and high dependency (multiparousity). These factors are associated with child mortality, nutritional status of children, completion of immunisation programmes, health-seeking behaviour and hygiene practices. Conclusions Several social factors influence child health outcomes in Ghana. Developing more effective responses to these social determinants would require sustainable efforts from all stakeholders including the Government, healthcare providers and families. We recommend the development of interventions that would support families through direct social support initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and inequality, and indirect approaches targeted at eliminating the dependence of poor health outcomes on social factors. Importantly, the expansion of quality free education interventions to improve would-be-mother’s health knowledge is emphasised.
School leadership and local learning contexts in South Africa

International research has shown that the quality of school leadership and management (SLM) is important for teaching and learning, particularly in schools where there is acute resource deprivation. This article explores the relationship between leadership and academic achievement in South African secondary schools with varying socio-economic conditions. The study is based on data from 12,154 South African Grade 9 learners, 334 mathematics teachers and 292 principals who participated in the 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Using indicators that represent different aspects of school leadership, this article examines whether the type of leadership and management practices depend on the school setting and whether better school leadership and management supports academic achievement. The analysis revealed distinct relationships between school leadership and management and academic achievement based on the socio-economic status of learner bodies. Potential policy responses are discussed.
Pennies from heaven : Using exogenous tax variation to identify effects of school resources on pupil achievement

Pennies from Heaven? Using Exogenous Tax Variation to Identify Effects of School Resources on Pupil Achievements Despite important policy implications associated with the allocation of education resources, evidence on the effectiveness of school inputs remains inconclusive. In part, this is due to endogenous allocation; families sort themselves non-randomly into school districts and school districts allocate money based in order to compensate (or reinforce) differences in child abilities, which leaves estimates of school input effects likely to be biased. Using variation in education expenditures induced by the location of natural resources in Norway we examine the effect of school resources on pupil outcomes. We find that higher school expenditures, triggered by higher revenues from local taxes on hydropower plants, have a significantly positive effect on pupil performance at age 16. The positive IV estimates contrast with the standard cross-sectional estimates that reveal no effects of extra resources. JEL Classification: I21, I28, J00