Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
P300: A Model of the Variables Controlling Its Amplitude a

In recent years, our knowledge about the P300 component of the event-related potential has expanded rapidly. As a result, attempts have been made to classify the many variables that affect the amplitude of P300 into a manageable number of categories or “dimensions. ” The desirability of developing such a taxonomy is obvious: a viable schema would permit experimental outcomes to be predicted a priori. At present there are two general conceptualizations of the factors that modulate P300 amplitude. One, suggested by Donchin (1979), proposes that P300 amplitude is a function of the subjective probability and task relevance of an event. Others have noted that, in addition to these two factors, P300 amplitude appears to depend on specific variables related to the subject’s task (e.g., Picton et al. 1978; Tueting and Sutton, 1976). The purpose of this paper is to suggest a model that describes the manner in which P300 amplitude is determined by variables on these three dimensions. It is reasonable to assume that the occurrence of an event triggers processing related to two independent aspects of the event-its probability and its relation to the subject’s task. In the first case, because every stimulus occurs in the context of other stimuli, its relative frequency can be determined. Moreover, the immediate past history of the stimulus series provides a basis for the formulation of sequential expectancies. Independent of its probability, a stimulus, if it is associated with a task, carries some degree of significance or meaning to the observer. In these instances, the stimulus can indicate either the outcome of a previous action or that some action be taken. In this way, the information-processing demands imposed by different tasks may vary even as the stimulus probabilities remain constant. This processing is, in turn, contingent upon the degree to which the information content of a stimulus is transmitted. For example, uncertainty about the identity of the stimulus can adversely affect the formulation of subjective probabilities and impair accurate performance. In this way, the formulation of subjective probabilities and the processing of task information depend on the accuracy of the subject’s perception of the stimulus. In the schema proposed below, it is asserted that each of the experimental variables that modulates the amplitude of P300 can be located on one of these three dimensions. The first, and most clearly understood dimension, is that of subjective probability.
[Acute pulmonary hypertension: protective role of vascular smooth muscle activation].

AIM To characterize the buffering function of the pulmonary artery in vivo and to determine the role of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) activation in vessel wall elasticity. MATERIAL AND METHOD Pulmonary artery pressure and diameter were measured in 9 anesthetized sheep. Pulmonary artery hypertension was induced by mechanical occlusion of the pulmonary artery and by phenylephrine infusion (5 microg/kg/min) (PHE). Once the pressure-diameter loop was obtained, hysteresis was reduced to a minimum by increasing the modulus of viscosity. Elasticity was calculated as the first derivative of mean diastolic pressure assuming a purely elastic relation. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and time constant (tau) were also obtained. RESULTS Systolic, diastolic, mean and pulse pressures were similar during pulmonary artery hypertension and PHE infusion, but significantly higher in comparison to baseline conditions. Elasticity and diameter of the pulmonary artery increased significantly. In contrast, during VSM activation elasticity remained unchanged and diastolic diameter was reduced. PWV increased during both pulmonary artery hypertension and PHE infusion (p < 0.05); however, the increase during PHE infusion was smaller (15%) than during induced hypertension (33%). tau was significantly reduced during hypertension, but did not change during VSM activation. CONCLUSIONS VSM activation may offset the deleterious effect of pulmonary artery hypertension on arterial wall stiffness by reducing elasticity and PWV. The VSM may modulate the Windkessel function in the pulmonary artery, preserving elasticity indexes during pulmonary artery hypertension.
Efficient Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Based on Ceiling-View: Ceiling Boundary Feature Map Approach

For simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) based on the extended Kalman filter, the size of the state vector is an essential factor because the feasibility depends on it. In this paper, a new SLAM based on ceiling vision (cv-SLAM) is proposed. To keep the size of the state vector compact, the boundaries between ceiling and walls are used as landmarks for visual SLAM (vSLAM). The ceiling boundaries are robust to illuminative variations and they are not as numerous as the point features. Some constraints are imposed on the features based on the characteristics of the ceiling boundaries and an efficient update method called 'double update' is proposed to improve the SLAM performance. The basic idea of the double update is to fully utilize the intersections of the boundary features. Finally, the proposed SLAM is applied to some simulations and experiment, and its effectiveness is demonstrated through them.
Case study of the effects of electric vehicle charging on grid loads in an urban area

The number of electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly increasing, and the upward trend seems to be continuing also in the future. The increasing number of electric vehicles causes a need to develop the charging infrastructure, and moreover, it is necessary to analyze the network effects of the simultaneous charging of numerous electric vehicles. A further interesting question is how all this affects the distribution fee paid by the electricity end-user. In this paper, the challenge is approached by an actual case example. The data used in the simulation are collected by measuring the traffic flow of the road leading to the case area. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how the grid effects of large-scale electrification of transportation can be assessed and to define the needed reinforcements and effects on the distribution fee paid by the end customers. The data are processed by applying the Monte-Carlo method. The network effects and the change in the distribution fee are evaluated. The key result is that EV charging causes a substantial amount of additional load to the grid. Hence, the distribution fee may increase if the charging system is not intelligent.
Identification of a Potent Endothelium-Derived Angiogenic Factor

The secretion of angiogenic factors by vascular endothelial cells is one of the key mechanisms of angiogenesis. Here we report on the isolation of a new potent angiogenic factor, diuridine tetraphosphate (Up4U) from the secretome of human endothelial cells. The angiogenic effect of the endothelial secretome was partially reduced after incubation with alkaline phosphatase and abolished in the presence of suramin. In one fraction, purified to homogeneity by reversed phase and affinity chromatography, Up4U was identified by MALDI-LIFT-fragment-mass-spectrometry, enzymatic cleavage analysis and retention-time comparison. Beside a strong angiogenic effect on the yolk sac membrane and the developing rat embryo itself, Up4U increased the proliferation rate of endothelial cells and, in the presence of PDGF, of vascular smooth muscle cells. Up4U stimulated the migration rate of endothelial cells via P2Y2-receptors, increased the ability of endothelial cells to form capillary-like tubes and acts as a potent inducer of sprouting angiogenesis originating from gel-embedded EC spheroids. Endothelial cells released Up4U after stimulation with shear stress. Mean total plasma Up4U concentrations of healthy subjects (N = 6) were sufficient to induce angiogenic and proliferative effects (1.34±0.26 nmol L-1). In conclusion, Up4U is a novel strong human endothelium-derived angiogenic factor.
Single amino acid radiocarbon dating of Upper Paleolithic modern humans

Archaeological bones are usually dated by radiocarbon measurement of extracted collagen. However, low collagen content, contamination from the burial environment, or museum conservation work, such as addition of glues, preservatives, and fumigants to “protect” archaeological materials, have previously led to inaccurate dates. These inaccuracies in turn frustrate the development of archaeological chronologies and, in the Paleolithic, blur the dating of such key events as the dispersal of anatomically modern humans. Here we describe a method to date hydroxyproline found in collagen (∼10% of collagen carbon) as a bone-specific biomarker that removes impurities, thereby improving dating accuracy and confidence. This method is applied to two important sites in Russia and allows us to report the earliest direct ages for the presence of anatomically modern humans on the Russian Plain. These dates contribute considerably to our understanding of the emergence of the Mid-Upper Paleolithic and the complex suite of burial behaviors that begin to appear during this period.
Quaternion-Based Hybrid Control for Robust Global Attitude Tracking

It is well known that controlling the attitude of a rigid body is subject to topological constraints. We illustrate, with examples, the problems that arise when using continuous and (memoryless) discontinuous quaternion-based state-feedback control laws for global attitude stabilization. We propose a quaternion-based hybrid feedback scheme that solves the global attitude tracking problem in three scenarios: full state measurements, only measurements of attitude, and measurements of attitude with angular velocity measurements corrupted by a constant bias. In each case, the hybrid feedback is dynamic and incorporates hysteresis-based switching using a single binary logic variable for each quaternion error state. When only attitude measurements are available or the angular rate is corrupted by a constant bias, the proposed controller is observer-based and incorporates an additional quaternion filter and bias observer. The hysteresis mechanism enables the proposed scheme to simultaneously avoid the “unwinding phenomenon” and sensitivity to arbitrarily small measurement noise that is present in discontinuous feedbacks. These properties are shown using a general framework for hybrid systems, and the results are demonstrated by simulation.
Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Associated Fibrosis Stages Among US Adults Using Imaging-Based vs Biomarker-Based Noninvasive Tests

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is believed to be the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Therapies are under development for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the progressive form of NAFLD, such that the prevalence of NASH with liver fibrosis, which is likely to require treatment, may be of interest to healthcare decision makers. Noninvasive tests are used in initial screening for NASH, as well as in observational studies of NASH prevalence. However, existing evidence does not address how estimated prevalence varies with different noninvasive tests. This analysis estimated the prevalence of NASH among US adults and assessed variation with different noninvasive tests. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the 2017–March 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycle. Participants with presumed NAFLD (steatosis and without alternative causes of liver disease) were identified, among whom NASH was predicted based on FAST score, Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) cutoffs across 11 scenarios. Among NASH participants, fibrosis stages were explored based on distribution across the spectrum of liver-stiffness measurements. Results: Among participants with complete data for the analysis (N=6969), prevalence of presumed NAFLD was 25.6%. Within presumed NAFLD, prediction of NASH using imaging-based NIT cutoffs yielded estimated prevalence of 1.3%-4.8% (3.3 million-12.2 million) based on FAST score cutoffs from 0.35-0.67. Using biomarker-based NIT cutoffs yielded estimated prevalence of 0.4%-12.3% (1.0 million-14.5 million) based on FIB-4 cutoffs from 0.90-2.67, and 0.1%-1.9% (0.2-5.0 million) based on APRI cutoffs from 0.50-1.50. Conclusion: Prevalence of NASH among US adults was estimated to range from 1.3% to 4.8% when predicted using imaging-based noninvasive test values for participants with presumed NAFLD, generally aligning with estimates in the literature of prevalence of biopsy-confirmed NASH. Use of biomarker-based noninvasive test values for prediction of NASH yielded a wider range of estimates with FIB-4, and a considerably lower range of estimates with APRI.
Evaluation of Functional Outcomes in Individuals 10 Years after Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Corundum Implants and Decompression: A Comparison of 2 Surgical Techniques

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate lumbar spine-related functional disability in individuals 10 years after lumbar decompression and lumbar decompression with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with corundum implants surgery for degenerative stenosis and to compare the long-term outcome of these 2 surgical techniques. Material/Methods From 1998 to 2002, 100 patients with single-level lumbar stenosis were surgically treated. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups that did not differ in terms of clinical or neurological symptoms. Group A consisted of 50 patients who were treated with PLIF and the use of porous ceramic corundum implants; the mean age was 57.74 and BMI was 27.34. Group B consisted of 50 patients treated with decompression by fenestration; mean age was 51.28 and the mean BMI was 28.84. Results There was no statistical significance regarding age, BMI, and sex. Both treatments revealed significant improvements. In group A, ODI decreased from 41.01% to 14.3% at 1 year and 16.3 at 10 years. In group B, ODI decreased from 63.8% to 18.36% at 1 year and 22.36% at 10 years. The difference between groups was statistically significant. There were no differences between the groups regarding the Rolland-Morris disability questionnaire and VAS at 1 and 10 years after surgery. Conclusions Long-term results evaluated according to the ODI, the Rolland-Morris disability questionnaire, and the VAS showed that the both methods significantly reduce patient disability, and this was maintained during next 10 years. The less invasive fenestration procedure was only slightly less favorable than surgical treatment of stenosis by both PLIF with corundum implants and decompression.
Circular flow numbers of regular multigraphs

The circular flow number Fc(G) of a graph G = (V, E) is the minimum r ϵ ℚ such that G admits a flow ϕ with 1 ≤ ϕ (e) ≤ r − 1, for each e ϵ E. We determine the circular flow number of some regular multigraphs. In particular, we characterize the bipartite (2t+1)-regular graphs (t ≥ 1). Our results imply that there are gaps for possible circular flow numbers for (2t+1)-regular graphs, e.g., there is no cubic graph G with 3 < Fc(G) < 4. We further show that there are snarks with circular flow number arbitrarily close to 4, answering a question of X. Zhu. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 36: 24–34, 2001
A Quantitative Analysis of the Fate of Au Nanocages after Uptake by U 87-MG Tumor Cells under Both in vitro and in vivo Conditions

Nanoparticles have been extensively used as carriers to deliver theranostic agents into tumors through the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect,[1] and to regulate the release of a chemical or biological effector in response to environmental stimuli such as temperature or pH change. [2] In these cases, cell uptake of nanoparticles has been studied to maximize their delivery into the target cells. Cell uptake of nanoparticles has also been extensively investigated in an effort to understand their cytotoxicity and potential societal impacts. [3] Many reports have demonstrated that the uptake of nanoparticles by cells depends on their sizes,[4] shapes,[5] and surface properties,[6] among others. [7] However, it has not received much attention to monitor the fate of nanoparticles in cells or tissues as a funtion of time, which should be of great importance in understanding the delivery efficiency and toxicity of nanoparticles. In a recent in vitro study, it was demonstrated using a statistical method that nanoparticles in cells were distributed unequally when the cells divided. [8] However, the conclusion was drawn from an analysis of a large number of cells rather than by tracking the nanoparticles in individual cells during their division. In addtion, no such study has been reported for cells under in vivo conditions.
Antagonistic behavior of brain networks mediated by low-frequency oscillations: electrophysiological dynamics during internal–external attention switching

Antagonistic activity of brain networks likely plays a fundamental role in how the brain optimizes its performance by efficient allocation of computational resources. A prominent example involves externally/internally oriented attention tasks, implicating two anticorrelated, intrinsic brain networks: the default mode network (DMN) and the dorsal attention network (DAN). To elucidate electrophysiological underpinnings and causal interplay during attention switching, we recorded intracranial EEG (iEEG) from 25 epilepsy patients with electrode contacts localized in the DMN and DAN. We show antagonistic network dynamics of activation-related changes in high-frequency (> 50 Hz) and low-frequency (< 30 Hz) power. The temporal profile of information flow between the networks estimated by effective connectivity suggests that the activated network inhibits the other one, gating its activity by increasing the amplitude of the low-frequency oscillations. Insights about inter-network communication may have profound implications for various brain disorders in which these dynamics are compromised.
Repatterning of mammalian backbone regionalization in cetaceans

The reinvasion of the aquatic realm by cetaceans is one of the most iconic ecological transitions that led to drastic modifications of the mammalian body plan, especially the axial skeleton. Relative to the vertebral column of other mammals that is subdivided into numerous anatomical regions, regional boundaries of the cetacean backbone appear obscured. Whether the traditional mammalian regions are present in cetaceans but hard to detect due to anatomical homogenization or if regions have been entirely repatterned remains unresolved. Here we combine a segmented linear regression approach with spectral clustering to quantitatively investigate the number, position, and homology of vertebral regions across species from all major cetacean clades. We propose the new “Nested Regions” hypothesis under which the cetacean backbone is composed of six homologous modules subdivided into six to nine post-cervical regions, with the degree of regionalization dependent on vertebral count and ecology. Compared to terrestrial mammals, the cetacean backbone is less regionalized in the precaudal segment but more regionalized in the caudal segment, indicating repatterning of the vertebral column associated with the transition from limb-powered to axial-driven locomotion.
Gender diversity on the boards of listed firms in China and India

Phase I finds that board gender diversity is significantly related to women's political and economic empowerment at national level. Phase II finds a significant negative relationship between state ownership and board gender diversity in China (2009 and 2015). In India, a positive relationship between state ownership and board gender diversity in India in 2009 had disappeared by 2015, following the 2013 introduction of a one woman director rule for all listed companies. A positive relationship between female workforce participation and board gender diversity was found in both countries. Phase III examines individual beliefs and attitudes regarding board gender diversity.
Development of an IgG4-RD Responder Index

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a multiorgan inflammatory disease in which diverse organ manifestations are linked by common histopathological and immunohistochemical features. Prospective studies of IgG4-RD patients are required to clarify the natural history, long-term prognosis, and treatment approaches in this recently recognized condition. Patients with IgG4-RD have different organ manifestations and are followed by multiple specialties. Divergent approaches to the assessment of patients can complicate the interpretation of studies, emphasizing the critical need for validated outcome measures, particularly assessments of disease activity and response to treatment. We developed a prototype IgG4-RD Responder Index (IgG4-RD RI) based on the approach used in the development of the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's granulomatosis (BVAS/WG). The IgG4-RD RI was refined by members of the International IgG4-RD Symposium Organizing Committee in a paper case exercise. The revised instrument was applied retrospectively to fifteen IgG4-RD patients at our institution. Those scores were compared to physician's global assessment scale for the same visits. This paper describes the philosophy and goals of the IgG4-RD RI, the steps in the development of this instrument to date, and future plans for validation of this instrument as an outcome measure.
Comprehensive machine learning boosts structure-based virtual screening for PARP1 inhibitors

Poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1) is an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Machine-learning scoring functions constitute a promising approach to discovering novel PARP1 inhibitors. Cutting-edge PARP1-specific machine-learning scoring functions were investigated using semi-synthetic training data from docking activity-labelled molecules: known PARP1 inhibitors, hard-to-discriminate decoys property-matched to them with generative graph neural networks and confirmed inactives. We further made test sets harder by including only molecules dissimilar to those in the training set. Comprehensive analysis of these datasets using five supervised learning algorithms, and protein-ligand fingerprints extracted from docking poses and ligand only features revealed two highly predictive scoring functions. The PARP1-specific support vector machine-based regressor, when employing PLEC fingerprints, achieved a high Normalized Enrichment Factor at the top 1% on the hardest test set (NEF1% = 0.588, median of 10 repetitions), and was more predictive than any other investigated scoring function, especially the classical scoring function employed as baseline. Scientific Contribution We present the first PARP1-specific machine-learning scoring functions for structure-based virtual screening. A particularly rigorous evaluation, including test sets with novel molecules and a much higher proportion of challenging property-matched decoys, reveals the most predictive scoring function for this important therapeutic target. Typically, narrow machine learning analyses would have likely missed this promising PARP1-specific scoring function, which is now released with this paper so that others can use it for prospective virtual screening. Key Points A new scoring tool based on machine-learning was developed to predict PARP1 inhibitors for potential cancer treatment. The majority of PARP1-specific machine-learning models performed better than generic and classical scoring functions. Augmenting the training set with ligand-only Morgan fingerprint features generally resulted in better performing models, but not for the best models where no further improvement was observed. Employing protein-ligand-extracted fingerprints as molecular descriptors led to the best-performing and most-efficient model for predicting PARP1 inhibitors. Deep learning performed poorly on this target in comparison with the simpler ML models.