Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biosensor Technologies for Augmented Brain–Computer Interfaces in the Next Decades

The study of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has undergone 30 years of intense development and has grown into a rich and diverse field. BCIs are technologies that enable direct communication between the human brain and external devices. Conventionally, wet electrodes have been employed to obtain unprecedented sensitivity to high-temporal-resolution brain activity; recently, the growing availability of various sensors that can be used to detect high-quality brain signals in a wide range of clinical and everyday environments is being exploited. This development of biosensing neurotechnologies and the desire to implement them in real-world applications have led to the opportunity to develop augmented BCIs (ABCIs) in the upcoming decades. An ABCI is similar to a BCI in that it relies on biosensors that record signals from the brain in everyday environments; the signals are then processed in real time to monitor the behavior of the human. To use an ABCI as a mobile brain imaging technique for everyday, real-life applications, the sensors and the corresponding device must be lightweight and the equipment response time must be short. This study presents an overview of the wide range of biosensor approaches currently being applied to ABCIs, from their use in the laboratory to their application in clinical and everyday use. The basic principles of each technique are described along with examples of current applications of cutting-edge neuroscience research. In summary, we show that ABCI techniques continue to grow and evolve, incorporating new technologies and advances to address ever more complex and important neuroscience issues, with advancements that are envisioned to lead to a wide range of real-life applications.
Experimental evaluation of a variable structure controller for constrained robots

In this paper, a variable structure control scheme for constrained robots is developed. This control law ensures the asymptotic convergence of the position errors to zero and also the boundedness of the force tracking error. The control scheme requires a few online computations and thus can be easily implemented. The proposed control law does not require measurements of the joint accelerations or the estimation of the derivative of the force. Experimental results are presented to verify the theoretical developments.
A Case of Chaunocephalosis by Chaunocephalus ferox (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in an Oriental White Stork, Ciconia boyciana, in Korea

We intended to describe a case of chaunocephalosis and morphological characteristics of its causative agent, Chaunocephalus ferox, recovered from an oriental white stork, Ciconia boyciana, in the Republic of Korea. An oriental white stork was referred to the Wildlife Center of Chungbuk in Korea in February 2014 for severe depression with cachexia and it died the next day. At necropsy, the stomach was severely expanded and 7 thick-walled nodules were observed in the upper part of the intestine. Although the stomach was filled with full of foreign materials, the intestine was almost empty. The nodules were globular and total 9 flukes were recovered. They were 8,030–8,091 μm in length and 3,318–3,333 μm in maximum width. Because the flukes had bulbous forebody with short narrow subcylindrical hindbody, 27 collar spines, and vitelline follicles not reaching to the posterior end, the specimens were identified as being C. ferox. The cyst formation induced thickening of the intestinal wall with narrowing of the lumen that could have contributed to the gastric impaction to the death of the host. This is the first described case of chaunocephalosis and its causative agent C. ferox found from an oriental white stork in Korea.
Activation of Src-Family Kinases in Spinal Microglia Contributes to Mechanical Hypersensitivity after Nerve Injury

Hypersensitivity to mechanical stimulation is a well documented symptom of neuropathic pain, for which there is currently no effective therapy. Src-family kinases (SFKs) are involved in proliferation and differentiation and in neuronal plasticity, including long-term potentiation, learning, and memory. Here we show that activation of SFKs induced in spinal cord microglia is crucial for mechanical hypersensitivity after peripheral nerve injury. Nerve injury induced a striking increase in SFK phosphorylation in the ipsilateral dorsal horn, and SFKs were activated in hyperactive microglia but not in neurons or astrocytes. Intrathecal administration of the Src-family tyrosine kinase inhibitor 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2) suppressed nerve injury-induced mechanical hypersensitivity but not heat and cold hypersensitivity. Furthermore, PP2 reversed the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, in spinal microglia. In contrast, there was no change in SFK phosphorylation in primary sensory neurons, and PP2 did not decrease the induction of transient receptor potential ion channel TRPV1 and TRPA1 in sensory neurons. Together, these results demonstrate that SFK activation in spinal microglia contributes to the development of mechanical hypersensitivity through the ERK pathway. Therefore, preventing the activation of the Src/ERK signaling cascade in microglia might provide a fruitful strategy for treating neuropathic pain.
Collagen microstructural factors influencing optic nerve head biomechanics.

PURPOSE Previous studies have suggested that the lamina cribrosa (LC) and its surrounding sclera are biomechanically important in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, but many were limited by assumptions of tissue isotropy and homogeneity. Here, we used an improved biomechanical model driven by experimental measurements of scleral and LC collagen fiber organization to more accurately evaluate optic nerve head (ONH) biomechanics. METHODS Collagen fiber organization was quantitatively mapped across human ONH cryosections (three normal and three glaucomatous) using small-angle light scattering (SALS) and fed into two-dimensional finite element models loaded under biaxial stress to simulate raised intraocular pressure. Effects of artificial variations in collagen fiber microstructure and stiffness on LC and scleral strains were also investigated. RESULTS Scleral collagen fibers were circumferential and exhibited the highest alignment in a region not immediately adjacent to, but at a distance (400-500 μm) away from, the LC. In models, such a fiber arrangement yielded rings of low strain (second principal and effective) in the scleral region immediately adjacent to the LC. Further sensitivity analyses showed that scleral fiber alignment was crucial in determining LC strain levels. Moderate scleral anisotropy (as observed physiologically) was more effective than isotropy or high anisotropy in limiting LC and scleral strain magnitude. CONCLUSIONS The presence of a heterogeneous collagen fiber organization in the peripapillary sclera appears effective in limiting LC strain and is able to reduce strain levels at the scleral canal boundary: a transition zone prone to LC disinsertion, focal lamina cribrosa defects, and optic disc hemorrhages in glaucoma.
Political Dimensions of Corporate Connections

Social network analysis (SNA) is (1) a method for analysing the volume and patterns of social relations linking individual actors to each other and (2) a way of theorising social structure and its effects on behaviour. The analysis of corporate political activity, on the other hand, is part of the empirical examination of business politics. They are distinct intellectual endeavours; however, their paths have often crossed and led to mutually beneficial partnerships. Social network analysts have an opportunity to test the utility of their measures and theoretical predispositions in a substantive field of empirical research. Scholars of business politics have relied on SNA for a set of tools suited to the task of operationalising and testing their theories.In this chapter we review and evaluate these collaborations. We start by outlining the history and contours of the broader research agenda concerned with corporate politics. We then discuss analytic issues involved in conceptualising corporate actors and the relations linking them as a social network. We continue by examining how social network mechanisms and measures have been used in the empirical literature. We conclude by reviewing prospects for future collaborations.
Building Innovation: Learning with Technologies. Australian Education Review Number 56.

Section 1 sets out the Australian policy context for digital education and highlights some of the emerging challenges. It provides an overview of two Australian school education policy priorities: that of how to meaningfully include technologies into teaching and learning; and how to build innovation capabilities in students. Section 2 critically examines the education and economic policy contexts for digital education in Australia, their intersections with international economic priorities, and the role of commercial technologies markets in schools. Section 3 discusses those Australian education policy priorities that focus on how students build both their discipline-based knowledge and general capabilities, such as creativity and innovation, using technologies. Section 4 provides some insights into how students currently use technologies for learning and communicating with each other inside and outside of school, and reflects upon what are the implications of these practices for students and policy implementation in schools. In Section 5 the discussion focuses on the physical and human characteristics required by all stakeholders to enable learning with technologies in 21st century schools. Section 6 challenges existing policy approaches to technology-use in schools, and argues for more open approaches to the deployment and use of technologies and digital resources in schools.
Frequency Dependence of Compliance Contrast Detection

Psychophysical experiments were performed to investigate the haptic perception of objects with varying compliance over their surfaces. Perception of compliance contrast is important in interaction with soft environments, as in teleoperative surgery. Simulated surfaces were presented using a haptic interface in virtual environments. An adaptive 2–down, 1–up procedure was used to determine thresholds for compliance contrast detection at a range of spatial frequencies. The maximum effective temporal frequencies of compliance change, due to the subjects’ action of scanning the surfaces, were calculated. Force contrast detection thresholds were determined at a range of temporal frequencies to investigate the reliance of compliance contrast detection on force cues. Compliance and force discrimination thresholds were determined in order to compare with low frequency contrast thresholds. Compliance and force contrast detection thresholds were found to be 2% and 1% above 1/2 cyc/cm and 20 Hz, respectively. Both were significantly smaller than respective compliance and force discrimination thresholds and low frequency contrast detection thresholds. It appears that the improvement in compliance contrast detection sensitivity is due to subjects being more sensitive to force contrast at higher temporal frequencies. By changing environment exploration strategies or limb impedance, subjects may be able to change their sensitivity to object compliance contrast.
Constructing rational maps from subdivision rules

Suppose R is a finite subdivision rule with an edge pairing. Then the subdivision map σR is either a homeomorphism, a covering of a torus, or a critically finite branched covering of a 2-sphere. If R has mesh approaching 0 and SR is a 2-sphere, it is proved in Theorem 3.1 that if R is conformal then σR is realizable by a rational map. Furthermore, a general construction is given which, starting with a one tile rotationally invariant finite subdivision rule, produces a finite subdivision rule Q with an edge pairing such that σQ is realizable by a rational map. In this paper we illustrate a technique for constructing critically finite rational maps. The starting point for the construction is an orientation-preserving finite subdivision rule R with an edge pairing. For such a finite subdivision rule the CW-complex SR is a surface, and the map σR : SR → SR is a branched covering. If SR is orientable, then unless σR is a homeomorphism or a covering of the torus, SR is a 2-sphere and σR is critically finite. In the latter case, SR has an orbifold structure OR and σR induces a map τR : T (OR) → T (OR) on the Teichmüller space of the orbifold. By work of Thurston, σR can be realized by a rational map exactly if τR has a fixed point. Alternatively, we prove that σR can be realized by a rational map if R has mesh approaching 0 and is conformal. We next give a general construction which, starting with a one tile rotationally invariant finite subdivision rule R, produces an orientation-preserving finite subdivision rule Q with an edge pairing such that Q is conformal if and only if R is conformal; we then show in Theorem 3.2 that σQ is realizable by a rational map. We next give several examples of orientation-preserving finite subdivision rules with edge pairings. For each example R for which the associated map σR can be realized by a rational map, we explicitly construct a rational map realizing it. We conclude with some questions. A motivation for this work is the Bowers-Stephenson paper [1]. In that paper they construct an expansion complex for the pentagonal subdivision rule (see Figure 4) and numerically approximate the expansion constant. In Example 4.4 we consider an associated finite subdivision ruleQ with an edge pairing and construct a rational map fQ(z) = 2z(z+9/16)5 27(z−3/128)3(z−1)2 which realizes σQ. The expansion constant for the pentagonal subdivision rule is (f ′ Q(0)) 1/5 = (−324)1/5. We thank Curt McMullen, Kevin Pilgrim, and the referee for helpful comments. Date: September 30, 2002. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 37F10, 52C20; Secondary 57M12.
Propagation studies for mobile-to-mobile communications

This paper addresses a number of key issues that affect the modelling of propagation in mobile-to-mobile communications. Current examples of such systems include intelligent relaying, Bluetooth and other ad-hoc solutions. The key difference in mobile-to-mobile communications is that both transmit and receive antennas are likely to be closer to the ground than those in conventional cellular networks. In addition, they may also be located in less favourable propagation positions, such as in users' pockets, bags or desk drawers. Two measurement programmes have been performed to investigate the propagation issues relating to intelligent relaying in the 2 GHz band. The first campaign concerns path loss measurements in an indoor environment where the heights of the antennas are lower than those in conventional cellular networks. The second set of data was taken to determine variations in the terminal radiation pattern given the close proximity of the human body. A number of single ray illumination measurements were performed inside an anechoic chamber. The results indicate that for the environments under consideration, an additional attenuation factor should be added to the path loss model to compensate for the unfavourable location of the terminals in a mobile-to-mobile propagation environment. This attenuation is dependent on the heights of the antennas involved, and is in the range 0-8 dB.
Asset Market Participation and Portfolio Choice Over the Life-Cycle

We study the life cycle of portfolio allocation following for 15 years a large random sample of Norwegian households using error-free data on all components of households' investments drawn from the Tax Registry. Both, participation in the stock market and the portfolio share in stocks, have important life cycle patterns. Participation is limited at all ages but follows a hump-shaped profile which peaks around retirement; the share invested in stocks among the participants is high and flat for the young but investors start reducing it as retirement comes into sight. Our data suggest a double adjustment as people age: a rebalancing of the portfolio away from stocks as they approach retirement, and stock market exit after retirement. Existing calibrated life cycle models can account for the first behavior but not the second. We show that incorporating in these models a reasonable per period participation cost can generate limited participation among the young but not enough exit from the stock market among the elderly. Adding also a small probability of a large loss when investing in stocks, produces a joint pattern of participation and of the risky asset share that resembles the one observed in the data. A structural estimation of the relevant parameters that target simultaneously the portfolio, participation and asset accumulation age profiles of the model reveals that the parameter combination that fits the data best is one with a relatively large risk aversion, small participation cost and a yearly large loss probability in line with the frequency of stock market crashes in Norway.
The Effect of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction on Pitch Velocity in Major League Baseball Pitchers

Background: The medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the primary restraint to valgus load, and injury is commonly encountered as a result of overuse in throwing athletes. Reconstruction of this ligament has allowed for a high rate of return to sport for elite pitchers. Public perception of this procedure has resulted in a commonly held belief of increased throwing velocity following UCL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Fastball velocity for Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers is significantly decreased following UCL reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A total of 129 pitchers were identified as undergoing UCL reconstruction from publicly available reports, and a final group of 80 MLB pitchers were included for analysis. Statistics were collected, including pitch velocity, pitch selection, and performance outcomes. Pre- and postoperative statistics were compared using paired t tests to allow for evaluation of each pitcher relative to his baseline velocity and performance. Results: Mean fastball velocity was significantly decreased following UCL reconstruction, with a presurgical mean velocity of 91.3 mph and postoperative velocity of 90.6 mph (P = .003). The greatest observed difference was in pitchers older than 35 years, with fastball velocity decreasing from 91.7 to 88.8 mph (P = .0048). Pitchers threw fewer fastballs after reconstruction. Pitch velocity for curveballs, changeups, and sliders did not change significantly after UCL reconstruction. Additionally, pitchers threw fewer innings and pitches following reconstruction and produced fewer wins above replacement relative to their preinjury state. Conclusion: Contrary to popular opinion, fastball velocity for MLB pitchers is significantly decreased following UCL reconstruction, which should reinforce the importance of preventing overuse injuries.
Bayes-Optimal Scorers for Bipartite Ranking

We address the following seemingly simple question: what is the Bayes-optimal scorer for a bipartite ranking risk? The answer to this question helps elucidate the relationship between bipartite ranking and other established learning problems. We show that the answer is non-trivial in general, but may be easily determined for certain special cases using the theory of proper losses. Our analysis immediately establishes equivalence relationships between several seemingly disparate approaches to bipartite ranking, such as minimising a suitable class-probability estimation risk, and minimising thep-norm push risk proposed in Rudin (2009).
Regional comparisons of watershed determinants of dissolved organic carbon in temperate lakes from the Upper Great Lakes region and selected regions globally

We analyzed how dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration in lakes of the North American temperate forest (Upper Great Lakes region) is related to nine catchment characteristics (lake area, lake perimeter, drainage area, ratio of drainage area to lake area, proportion of watershed occupied by wetlands, proportion of lake perimeter in wetlands, shoreline development, elevation, and watershed slope) and compared selected relationships to those from other regions across the globe. For the temperate lakes, the proportion of the lake perimeter and the proportion of the watershed occupied by wetlands were the best predictors of DOC in both univariate (r2 = 0.34 and 0.30, respectively) and multivariate regression models. Forested wetlands, in particular those with coniferous vegetation, explained the largest proportion of lake DOC variability. Wetlands with scrub‐shrubs and emergent vegetation explained very little or no variability. Secondary to wetlands, lake DOC decreased with lake area and watershed slope. When we combined the temperate lake data set with that of 10 other geographical regions of the world (ranging from subtropical to tundra), the only two variables significant in predicting DOC were proportion of wetlands in the watershed (r2 = 0.36) and lake elevation (r2 = 0.34). We conclude that regional or small‐scale DOC models likely have limited applicability in predicting DOC in other geographical areas of the world.
Comparative study of direct-contact and air-gap membrane distillation processes

Direct-contact and air-gap membrane distillation (DCMD and AGMD, respectively) processes have been modeled as a two-dimensional conjugate problem in which a simultaneous numerical solution of the momentum, energy, and diffusion equations of the feed and cold solutions have been carried out. The results were validated in comparison with available experimental results The two processes have been compared in terms of their sensitivity to the main parameters and the mass transfer resistances of the common domains. The results show, among other things, that the process thermal efficiency of AGMD is higher than that of DCMD by about 6% due to the presence of the air gap. The permeate flux of DCMD is higher than that of AGMD by about 2.3-fold and 4.8-fold for Thi = 80 and 40 °C, respectively. Increase of the thermal conductivity of the membrane material (km) improves the DCMD process by mainly improving the process thermal efficiency and improves the AGMD process by mainly improving the permeate flux.
Form, Fabric, and Function of a Flagellum-Associated Cytoskeletal Structure

Trypanosoma brucei is a uniflagellated protist and the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease. The single flagellum of T. brucei is essential to a number of cellular processes such as motility, and has been a longstanding focus of scientific enquiry. A number of cytoskeletal structures are associated with the flagellum in T. brucei, and one such structure—a multiprotein complex containing the repeat motif protein TbMORN1—is the focus of this review. The TbMORN1-containing complex, which was discovered less than ten years ago, is essential for the viability of the mammalian-infective form of T. brucei. The complex has an unusual asymmetric morphology, and is coiled around the flagellum to form a hook shape. Proteomic analysis using the proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) technique has elucidated a number of its components. Recent work has uncovered a role for TbMORN1 in facilitating protein entry into the cell, thus providing a link between the cytoskeleton and the endomembrane system. This review summarises the extant data on the complex, highlights the outstanding questions for future enquiry, and provides speculation as to its possible role in a size-exclusion mechanism for regulating protein entry. The review additionally clarifies the nomenclature associated with this topic, and proposes the adoption of the term “hook complex” to replace the former name “bilobe” to describe the complex.