Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the statistics of SINR in cellular networks

We provide new results on the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) statistics considering a Poisson point process (PPP)-based heterogeneous interference field. In particular, closed-form expressions for the density functions of the reciprocal of the aggregate interference and signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) are developed. We prove that the effect of PPP-based interference on useful transmission is mathematically equivalent to the severe impact from a one-sided Gaussian fading channel. As an application example, the proposed approach is used to design and analyze the average SINR performance of a typical user in heterogeneous cellular networks (HetNets).
Efficient Recurrent Neural Networks using Structured Matrices in FPGAs

Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) are becoming increasingly important for time series-related applications which require efficient and real-time implementations. The recent pruning based work ESE suffers from degradation of performance/energy efficiency due to the irregular network structure after pruning. We propose block-circulant matrices for weight matrix representation in RNNs, thereby achieving simultaneous model compression and acceleration. We aim to implement RNNs in FPGA with highest performance and energy efficiency, with certain accuracy requirement (negligible accuracy degradation). Experimental results on actual FPGA deployments shows that the proposed framework achieves a maximum energy efficiency improvement of 35.7$\times$ compared with ESE.
The role of attentional bias in obesity and addiction.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this article is to critically evaluate the following claims derived from contemporary theoretical models of attentional bias (AB) for food- and drug-related stimuli: (a) AB is a characteristic feature of obesity and addiction, (b) AB predicts future behavior, (c) AB exerts a causal influence on consummatory behavior, and (d) AB reflects appetitive motivational processes. METHOD A focused discussion of the relevant literature is presented. RESULTS The available evidence reveals inconsistencies with the aforementioned claims. Specifically, AB is not consistently associated with individual differences in body weight or drug use, AB does not consistently predict or influence distal consummatory behavior, and AB may be influenced by both appetitive and aversive motivational processes. These insights are synthesized into a theoretical account that claims that AB for food- and drug-related stimuli arises from momentary changes in evaluations of those stimuli that can be either positive (when the incentive value of the food or drug is high), negative (when individuals have a goal to change their behavior, and those stimuli are perceived as aversive), or both (when individuals experience motivational conflict, or ambivalence). CONCLUSIONS The proposed theoretical synthesis may account for the contributions of appetitive and aversive motivational processes involved in self-regulatory conflicts to AB, and it yields testable predictions about the conditions under which AB should predict and have a causal influence on future consummatory behavior. This has implications for the prediction and modification of unhealthy behaviors and associated disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record
Fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling plays a key role in transformation induced by the TMPRSS2/ERG fusion gene and decreased PTEN

Prostate cancer is the most common visceral malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in US men. Correlative studies in human prostate cancers reveal a frequent association of the TMPRSS2/ERG (TE) fusion gene with loss of PTEN and studies in mouse models reveal that ERG expression and PTEN loss synergistically promote prostate cancer progression. To determine the mechanism by which ERG overexpression and PTEN loss leads to transformation, we overexpressed the TE fusion gene and knocked down PTEN in an immortalized but non-transformed prostate epithelial cell line. We show that ERG overexpression in combination with PTEN loss can transform these immortalized but non-tumorigenic cells, while either alteration alone was not sufficient to fully transform these cells. Expression microarray analysis revealed extensive changes in gene expression in cells expressing the TE fusion with loss of PTEN. Among these gene expression changes was increased expression of multiple FGF ligands and receptors. We show that activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling plays a key role in transformation induced by TE fusion gene expression in association with PTEN loss. In addition, in vitro and in silico analysis reveals PTEN loss is associated with widespread increases in FGF ligands and receptors in prostate cancer. Inhibitors of FGF receptor signaling are currently entering the clinic and our results suggests that FGF receptor signaling is a therapeutic target in cancers with TE fusion gene expression and PTEN loss.
DNA barcoding and genetic diversity analyses of fishes of Kaladan River of Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot

Abstract Species are considered as a fundamental unit of biodiversity. Therefore, the prerequisite for biodiversity management and conservation is to know the number of species one is dealing with. Consequently, the need of the present study was conceptualized, which dealt with the comprehensive molecular appraisal of Kaladan’s Fish fauna. A total of 291 specimens representing 49 species, 28 genera, 11 families, and 4 orders, were collected from 11 sampling stations situated along the main Kaladan River and its four major tributaries, i.e. Tiau, Tuipui, Mat, and Tuichang, flowing in Mizoram state of India (part of Indo–Myanmar biodiversity hotspot) and COI sequences of all the 291 samples were generated. All the analyses conducted in the present study, i.e. K2P genetic divergence, bPTP and Neighbour-Joining suggest that DNA Barcoding is an efficient and reliable tool for species identification and deciding the species boundary. Most of the species of Kaladan showed the clear existence of barcode gap. However, the presence of intra-specific and inter-specific genetic distance overlap in two species revealed the existence of putative sibling species or hidden taxa. This study also revealed the presence of two cryptic species and putative previously unknown species of genus Garra and Schistura. The COI barcode database of Kaladan’s fish fauna, established in the present study, may serve as a reference library for accurate identification of fishes and will help ichthyologist, researcher, students, biodiversity managers and policy makers in proper planning with regard to conservation and management of the resources.
Temporal variations in 87Sr/86Sr and ɛNd in sediments of the southeastern Arabian Sea: Impact of monsoon and surface water circulation

Sr and Nd isotopic composition of silicate fractions of sediments have been measured in two well dated gravity cores from the eastern Arabian Sea archiving a depositional history of ∼29 and ∼40 ka. The 87Sr/86Sr and ɛNd in the northern core (SS‐3104G; 12.8°N, 71.7°E) ranges from 0.71416 to 0.71840 and −8.8 to −12.8; these variations are limited compared to those in the southeastern core (SS‐3101G; 6.0°N, 74.0°E), in which they vary from 0.71412 to 0.72069 and −9.0 to −15.2 respectively. This suggests that the variation in the relative proportions of sediments supplied from different sources to the core SS‐3104G are limited compared to core SS‐3101G. The 87Sr/86Sr and ɛNd profiles of SS‐3101G exhibit two major excursions, ca. 9 ka and 20 ka, coinciding with periods of Holocene Intensified Monsoon Phase (IMP) and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) respectively with more radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr and lower ɛNd during these periods. These excursions have been explained in terms of changes in the erosion patterns in the source regions and surface circulation of the Northern Indian Ocean resulting from monsoon intensity variations. The intensification of North‐East (NE) monsoon and associated strengthening of the East Indian Coastal Current in southwest direction during LGM transported sediments with higher 87Sr/86Sr and lower ɛNd from the western Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. In contrast, enhanced South‐West (SW) monsoon at ∼9 ka facilitated the transport of sediments from the northern Arabian Sea, particularly Indus derived, to the southeastern Arabian Sea. This study thus highlights the impact of monsoon variability on erosion patterns and ocean surface currents on the dispersal of sediments in determining the Sr and Nd isotopic composition of sediments deposited in the eastern Arabian Sea during the last ∼40 ka.
Development and validation of a salt knowledge questionnaire

Abstract Objective Initiatives promoting the reduction of high-salt food consumption by consumers need to be partly based on current levels of salt knowledge in the population. However, to date there is no validated salt knowledge questionnaire that could be used to assess population knowledge about dietary salt (i.e. salt knowledge). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to develop and validate a salt knowledge questionnaire. Design A cross-sectional study was conducted on an online web survey platform using convenience, snowball sampling. The survey questionnaire was evaluated for content and face validity before being administered to the respondents. Setting Online survey. Subjects A total of forty-one nutrition experts, thirty-two nutrition students and thirty-six lay people participated in the study. Results Item analyses were performed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the test items. Twenty-five items were retained to form the final set of questions. The total scores of the experts were higher than those of the students and lay people (P < 0·05). The total salt knowledge score showed significant correlations with use of salt at the table (ρ = −0·197, P < 0·05) and inspection of the salt content in food products when shopping (ρ = 0·400; P < 0·01). Conclusions The questionnaire demonstrated sufficient evidence of construct validity and internal consistencies between the items. It is likely to be a useful tool for the evaluation and measurement of levels of salt knowledge in the general population.
Planning for the Discharge, not for Patient Self-Management at Home – An Observational and Interview Study of Hospital Discharge

Introduction and objective: Despite recent interest in care transitions, little is known about how patients are prepared for the self-management tasks following the hospitalization. The objective of the study was to explore how discharge information is prepared and provided to patients in the transition from hospital to home. Method: The discharge process at three hospitals in Sweden was observed over 12 days spread over ten weeks. In total, 30 discharge encounters were observed followed by interviews with patients and professionals. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Much time, effort and resources were used to prepare the discharge; home-going teams and registered nurses planned the practical and social aspects of the discharge and the physicians compiled a plain-language discharge letter. Less focus was given on the actual discharge information to the patients. The discharge encounters lasted for a median of 4:46 minutes and the information had a retrospective focus with information on the hospitalization period, though omitting self-management tasks and life-style advice. Conclusion: The discharge letter constitutes the basis for all patient information at discharge. The focus of the discharge encounter needs to be extended beyond mere information to include patient understanding, motivation and skills for self-management at home.
Polyamine pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease

The full complement of molecular pathways contributing to the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD) remains unknown. Here we address this issue by taking a broad approach, beginning by using functional MRI to identify brainstem regions differentially affected and resistant to the disease. Relying on these imaging findings, we then profiled gene expression levels from postmortem brainstem regions, identifying a disease-related decrease in the expression of the catabolic polyamine enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1). Next, a range of studies were completed to support the pathogenicity of this finding. First, to test for a causal link between polyamines and α-synuclein toxicity, we investigated a yeast model expressing α-synuclein. Polyamines were found to enhance the toxicity of α-synuclein, and an unbiased genome-wide screen for modifiers of α-synuclein toxicity identified Tpo4, a member of a family of proteins responsible for polyamine transport. Second, to test for a causal link between SAT1 activity and PD histopathology, we investigated a mouse model expressing α-synuclein. DENSPM (N1, N11-diethylnorspermine), a polyamine analog that increases SAT1 activity, was found to reduce PD histopathology, whereas Berenil (diminazene aceturate), a pharmacological agent that reduces SAT1 activity, worsened the histopathology. Third, to test for a genetic link, we sequenced the SAT1 gene and a rare but unique disease-associated variant was identified. Taken together, the findings from human patients, yeast, and a mouse model implicate the polyamine pathway in PD pathogenesis.
Target Detection by Exploiting Superpixel-Level Statistical Dissimilarity for SAR Imagery

In this letter, we propose a superpixel-level target detection approach for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. With superpixel segmentation, SAR image is divided into meaningful patches and more statistical information can be provided in superpixels compared with single pixels. The statistical difference between target and clutter superpixels can be measured with the intensity distributions of pixels in them. With the assumption of SAR data obeying Gamma distribution, the superpixel dissimilarity is defined. With this basis, the global and local contrast can be obtained and integrated to enhance target and suppress clutter simultaneously. Thus, better target detection performance can be achieved. Different from traditional target detection schemes based on backscattering difference between target and clutter pixels, the proposed method relies on the statistical difference of superpixels. The effectiveness of the proposed method can be demonstrated with experimental results on real SAR images.
Adding Heuristics to Conflict-Based Search for Multi-Agent Path Finding

Conflict-Based Search (CBS) and its enhancements are among the strongest algorithms for the multi-agent path-finding problem. However,existing variants of CBS do not use any heuristics that estimate future work. In this paper, we introduce different admissible heuristics for CBS by aggregating cardinal conflicts among agents. In our experiments, CBS with these heuristics outperforms previous state-of-the-art CBS variants by up to a factor of five.
Theoretical Examination of the Method for Measuring Three-dimensional In-situ Stresses with Anelastic Strain Recovery of Rock.

Anelastic strain recovery method is one of inexpensive and simpler methods for measuring in-situ stresses at great depth. However, the method has been based on the critical assumptions that the vertical boring axis is one of principal directions and that vertical stress is given by overburden pressure, which are not always true for actual rock masses.In this study, by deriving a fundamental equation on the anelastic strain recovery of isotropic visco-elastic material in general three dimensional stress state, the method for measuring three-dimensional in-situ stresses has been proposed. In the method, by measuring six independent anelastic normal strains of a core, six anelastic strain deviations and anelastic volumetric strain are determined first. From the former, the orientations of principal in-situ stresses and ratios of principal in-situ stress deviations are determined without the knowledge of anelastic strain recovery compliances of the core, in-situ pore pressure and temperature change in the core. Then, by evaluating pore pressure and by correcting the effect of temperature change on the anelastic volumetric strain, absolute three dimensional in-situ stresses are determined by measuring the anelastic strain recovery compliances of the rock core in both shear and volumetric modes in the laboratory.
A single robotic session that guides or increases movement error in survivors post-chronic stroke: which intervention is best to boost the learning of a timing task?

Abstract Purpose: Timing deficits can have a negative impact on the lives of survivors post-chronic stroke. Studies evaluating ways to improve timing post stroke are scarce. The goal of the study was to evaluate the impact of a single session of haptic guidance (HG) and error amplification (EA) robotic training interventions on the improvement of post-stroke timing accuracy. Materials and methods: Thirty-four survivors post-chronic stroke were randomly assigned to HG or EA. Participants played a computerized pinball-like game with their affected hand positioned in a robot that either helped them perform better (HG) or worse (EA) during the task. A baseline and retention phase preceded and followed HG and EA, respectively, in order to assess their efficiency at improving absolute timing errors. The impact of the side of the stroke lesion on the participants’ performance during the timing task was also explored for each training group. Results: An improvement in timing performance was only noted following HG (8.9 ± 4.9 ms versus 7.8 ± 5.3 ms, p = 0.032). Moreover, for the EA group only, participants with a left-sided stroke lesion showed a worsening in performance as compared to those with a right-sided stroke lesion (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Helping survivors post-chronic stroke perform a timing-based task is beneficial to learning. Future studies should explore longer and more frequent HG training sessions in order to further promote post stroke motor recovery. Implications for Rehabilitation Timing is crucial for the accomplishment of daily tasks. The number of studies dedicated to improving timing is scarce in the literature, even though timing deficits are common post stroke. This innovative study evaluated the impact of a single session of haptic guidance-HG and error amplification-EA robotic training interventions on improvements in timing accuracy among survivors post chronic stroke. HG robotic training improves timing accuracy more than EA among survivors post chronic stroke.
Durability and prediction models of fiber-reinforced polymer composites under various environmental conditions: A critical review

This article presents recent developments in long-term behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer composites subjected to moisture, pH, temperature, sustained stress and ultraviolet radiation, as well as response under combined effects of moisture, pH, etc. Although numerous experiments have been conducted to investigate the durability of fiber-reinforced polymers under different environments, at this stage, it is difficult to ascertain the degradation trends and mechanisms of failures of fiber-reinforced polymers because of non-standardization of various conditioning effects and variation in material constituent. Recent findings on the long-term performance of fiber-reinforced polymer composites are synthesized herein. This article critically examined not only the moisture uptake response, mechanical property and failure modes of fiber-reinforced polymers under varying environments, but also the degradation mechanism through physical and chemical reactions. Moreover, based on information in literature, long-term predictive models were described along with the application potential and limitations. The strength reduction factors were proposed from available data to account for the environmental effects on fiber-reinforced polymers.
Nylon 6/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: Effect of the melt‐compounding conditions and nanotube content on the morphology, mechanical properties, and rheology

The effect of the melt-compounding conditions with the use of a corotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder and of the nanotube content on the morphology and the mechanical and rheological properties of nylon 6/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites was investigated. The melt-compounding conditions affected the morphology, but the variations in the morphology did not necessarily result in substantial variations in the mechanical and rheological properties. The mass throughput had the strongest influence on the mechanical properties, whereas the MWCNT feeding substantially affected the rheology. The increase in the MWCNT volume content from 0.0 to 3.5 vol % led to an increase in the Young's modulus, whereas the tensile strength, elongation at break, and notched impact strength exhibited maximum values around 0.5 to 1.0 vol %. With increasing MWCNT volume contents, higher complex viscosities and storage and loss moduli and a lower loss factor compared to neat nylon 6 were observed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40893.
Tumor location is an independent predictive factor for distant metastasis and metastatic sites of rectal adenocarcinoma in patients receiving total mesorectal excision

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the predictive factor for and patterns of distant metastasis in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma receiving total mesorectal excision (TME). Methods: We enrolled 217 consecutive patients who had histologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma and underwent surgery at Taipei Medical University- Wanfang Hospital between January 2000 and December 2014. TME was performed in all patients undergoing a sphincter-sparing procedure or abdominal perineal resection of rectal cancer. We performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses of the distant metastasis rate in all patients to evaluate predictive factors. Overall survival (OS) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Results: A multivariate Cox regression analysis of the distant metastasis rate in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma identified tumor locations and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stages as prognostic risk factors. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of distant metastasis for the upper-third, middle-third, and AJCC stage I-II cancers were 0.08 (95% CI, 0.01-0.69; p = 0.021), 0.41 (95% CI, 0.15-0.99; p = 0.047), and 0.20 (95% CI, 0.10-0.66; p = 0.008), respectively. The 5-year lung metastasis rates among patients with upper-, middle-, and lower-third rectal cancers were 0%, 3.37%, and 13.33%, respectively (log-rank, p = 0.001), and the 5-year liver metastasis rates among patients with upper-, middle-, and lower-third rectal cancers were 2.12%, 9.10%, and 11.76%, respectively (log-rank, p = 0.096). The 5-year OS rates also differed with different rectal adenocarcinoma locations. The 5-year OS rates for upper, middle, and lower rectal cancers were 96%, 86%, and 64%, respectively (log-rank, p < 0.001). Conclusion: A poor OS rate and high lung or liver metastasis rate were observed in distal rectal adenocarcinoma. Longer intensive surveillance of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis after TME in distal rectal adenocarcinoma could be necessary.