Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metacognitive awareness of the associative deficit for words and names

ABSTRACT Older adults have considerable impairment in associative recognition despite minimal age differences in item recognition. The magnitude of this associative deficit varies by type of stimuli, strategy utilization, and other mediators and moderators (Old & Naveh-Benjamin, 2008, Psychology and Aging, 23, 104–118). Name pair stimuli have not been used to test the associative deficit hypothesis (ADH), although tests using name–face stimuli support the ADH. Additionally, metacognitive awareness of the ADH has not been investigated. We tested the ADH with word and name pair stimuli, and predicted that age-related associative deficits would be larger for words than names because names, unlike most common nouns, lack certain semantic properties that could be used to bind pairs of names together. Results supported the ADH for words but not names: Younger and older adults recognized equivalently fewer names on the associative test relative to the item test. As predicted, self-efficacy was higher for younger than older adults. Surprisingly, self-efficacy for the associative test was higher than for the item test but post-test estimates of performance success (postdictions) were higher for the item test than for the associative test, suggesting sensitivity by participants to different task demands in the item and associative tests following recognition attempts. Metacognitive accuracy was better for words than names and for the item test than associative test, and equivalent between age groups. Overall, participants overestimated their name recognition abilities. Our findings extend support for the ADH to a conceptually important and ecologically valid domain (names) and provide new data on metacognitive aspects of the ADH.
Analysis and constrained control of nonlinear interconnected systems exploiting positively invariant family of sets

The design of decentralized controllers for physically coupled interconnected systems is a challenging task, especially if constraints on the states and inputs must be satisfied. In this work we focus on the design of decentralized controllers for interconnected linear systems subject to nonlinear, homogeneous physical couplings. For the design and the characterization of controlled invariant regions we exploit the concept of positively invariant family of sets. Basically we utilize in the analysis and design a dynamically varying upper bound for the interconnections between the subsystems. This allows to overcome some conservatism related to existing design approaches. As shown, the controller synthesis can be formulated as loosely coupled LMI feasibility problems. This conceptually allows us to decompose the design into as series of smaller subproblems, which are computationally attractive. We obtain for the coupled nonlinear systems suitable decentralized linear control laws, as well as a family of ellipsoidal sets for which satisfaction of the state and input constraints, as well as positive invariance can be guaranteed. The application of the approach is validated considering the decentralized control of two systems that are interconnected with nonlinear functions.
Caries risk and periodontitis in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND There is considerable variation in studies on the oral health of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The aims of this investigation are to study the caries risk profile using the Cariogram computer program and the periodontal disease severity in patients with CAD. METHODS A total of 127 participants (54 test and 73 control) were included. Participants were asked about their general health and daily habits. Clinical examinations, radiographs, and salivary sampling were performed. Cariologic data were entered into the computer program for risk-profile illustration. The onset of CAD conditions was also documented. RESULTS Compared with controls, participants with CAD consumed less sugar, used fluoride toothpaste less frequently, and had significantly less favorable periodontal parameters (P <0.005). Generally, differences in cariologic parameters between the two groups were not significant. Significantly more participants with CAD exhibited low salivary-secretion rates than controls. The actual chance (percentage) of avoiding new cavities according to the Cariogram was low in the test and control groups (31% and 40%, respectively; P <0.05). Only gingival recession was correlated with the onset of CAD. CONCLUSIONS Test and control groups had a relatively high caries risk. More severe periodontal disease was observed in participants with CAD.
Sperm dilution ratio affects post-thaw motility rate and velocity of Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes) sperm

Summary There is a lack of standardization in sperm cryopreservation of aquatic organisms and, thus, a necessity of more accurate investigations in all steps of this process. In this study, the effects of sperm dilution ratio on post-thaw sperm quality of Prochilodus lineatus were evaluated. Sperm was diluted in a standard freezing medium (glucose and methyl glycol) at four different ratios (sperm to final volume = 1:5, 1:10, 1:50 or 1:100), frozen in a nitrogen vapour vessel at –170°C and then stored in liquid nitrogen vessel at –196°C. Post-thaw motility rate and velocities (curvilinear = VCL; average path = VAP; straight line = VSL) were determined using a Computer-Assisted Sperm Analyzer (CASA) at 10 and 40 s post-activation. The highest motility rates were observed when sperm was frozen at a ratio of 1:5 (76%) and 1:10 (75%). The highest VCL (225 μm/s) and VAP (203 μm/s) were observed at a ratio of 1:10, while VSL was similar among samples frozen at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:50 (97–124 μm/s). When those parameters were evaluated again 30 s later, motility decreased significantly in samples frozen at a ratio of 1:5 (57%) and 1:10 (61%), while velocities decreased significantly in all samples regardless of dilution ratio (75–85 μm/s of VCL, 38–53 μm/s of VAP and 25–39 μm/s of VSL). P. lineatus sperm should be frozen at a ratio of 1:10, where both the number of loaded sperm per straw and the post-thaw quality are maximized.
U Can Touch This: How Tablets Can Be Used to Study Cognitive Development

New technological devices, particularly those with touch screens, have become virtually omnipresent over the last decade. Practically from birth, children are now surrounded by smart phones and tablets. Despite being our constant companions, little is known about whether these tools can be used not only for entertainment, but also to collect reliable scientific data. Tablets may prove particularly useful for collecting behavioral data from those children (1–10 years), who are, for the most part, too old for studies based on looking times and too young for classical psychophysical testing. Here, we analyzed data from six studies that utilized touch screen tablets to deliver experimental paradigms in developmental psychology. In studies 1 and 2, we employed a simple sorting and recall task with children from the ages of 2–8. Study 3 (ages 9 and 10) extended these tasks by increasing the difficulty of the stimuli and adding a staircase-based perception task. A visual search paradigm was used in study 4 (ages 2–5), while 1- to 3-year-olds were presented with an extinction learning task in study 5. In study 6, we used a simple visuo-spatial paradigm to obtain more details about the distribution of reaction times on touch screens over all ages. We collected data from adult participants in each study as well, for comparison purposes. We analyzed these data sets in regard to four metrics: self-reported tablet usage, completeness of data, accuracy of responses and response times. In sum, we found that children from the age of two onwards are very capable of interacting with tablets, are able to understand the respective tasks and are able to use tablets to register their answers accordingly. Results from all studies reiterated the advantages of data collection through tablets: ease of use, high portability, low-cost, and high levels of engagement for children. We illustrate the great potential of conducting psychological studies in young children using tablets, and also discuss both methodological challenges and their potential solutions.
Metal nanostructures for enhanced optical functionalities: surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy and photonic integration.

Supervisory Committee Supervisor Dr. Reuven Gordon, (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) Departmental Member Dr. Tao Lu, (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering) Outside Member Dr. Alexandre Brolo, (Department of Chemistry) As the developments in nanoscale fabrication and characterization technology, the investigation and applications of light in metal nanostructures have been becoming one of the most focused research areas. Metal materials allow to couple the incident light energy into electromagnetic waves propagating on the metal surface under certain configurations, which is called surface plasmon (SP). This feature tremendously expanded the application possibility of metals in optical regime, such as extraordinary transmission (EOT), near-field optics and surface enhanced spectroscopies. In this talk, various metal structures will be demonstrated which could control SP’s propagation, resonance andlocal field enhancement. A number of SP applications are benefited – the plasmonic bragg reflector (PBR), the frequency sensitive plasmonic microcavity, the subwavelength metallic taper, the long range surface plasmon (LRSP) waveguide and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Especially for SERS, long-term effort was devoted into it to achieve the single molecule detection limit.
Cell-penetrating peptides for the delivery of nucleic acids

Introduction: Different gene therapy approaches have gained extensive interest lately and, after many initial hurdles, several promising approaches have reached to the clinics. Successful implementation of gene therapy is heavily relying on finding efficient measures to deliver genetic material to cells. Recently, non-viral delivery of nucleic acids and their analogs has gained significant interest. Among non-viral vectors, cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been extensively used for the delivery of nucleic acids both in vitro and in vivo. Areas covered: In this review we will discuss recent advances of CPP-mediated delivery of nucleic acid-based cargo, concentrating on the delivery of plasmid DNA, splice-correcting ONs, and small-interfering RNAs. Expert opinion: CPPs have proved their potential as carriers for nucleic acids. However, similarly to other non-viral vectors, CPPs require further development, as efficient systemic delivery is still seldom achieved. To achieve this, CPPs should be modified with entities that would allow better endosomal escape, targeting of specific tissues and cells, and shielding agents that increase the half-life of the vehicles. Finally, to understand the clinical potential of CPPs, they require more thorough investigations in clinically relevant disease models and in pre-clinical and clinical studies.
A lexical semantic approach to interpreting and bracketing English noun compounds

Abstract This paper presents a study on the interpretation and bracketing of noun compounds (‘NCs’) based on lexical semantics. Our primary goal is to develop a method to automatically interpret NCs through the use of semantic relations. Our NC interpretation method is based on lexical similarity with tagged NCs, based on lexical similarity measures derived from WordNet. We apply the interpretation method to both two- and three-term NC interpretation based on semantic roles. Finally, we demonstrate that our NC interpretation method can boost the coverage and accuracy of NC bracketing.
Three block collections , anomalies , and Markov 32 7 The

We discuss aspects of the dictionary between brane configurations in del Pezzo geometries and dibaryons in the dual superconformal quiver gauge theories. The basis of fractional branes defining the quiver theory at the singularity has a K-theoretic dual exceptional collection of bundles which can be used to read off the spectrum of dibaryons in the weakly curved dual geometry. Our prescription identifies the R-charge R and all baryonic U (1) charges QI with divisors in the del Pezzo surface without any Weyl group ambiguity. As one application of the correspondence, we identify the cubic anomaly trRQIQJ as an intersection product for dibaryon charges in large-N superconformal gauge theories. Examples can be given for all del Pezzo surfaces using threeand four-block exceptional collections. Markov-type equations enforce consistency among anomaly equations for three-block collections.
Genetics of hearing loss: focus on DFNA2

The purpose of this review is to assess the current literature on deafness nonsyndromic autosomal dominant 2 (DFNA2) hearing loss and the mutations linked to this disorder. Hearing impairment, particularly nonsyndromic hearing loss, affects multiple families across the world. After the identification of the DFNA2 locus on chromosome 1p34, multiple pathogenic mutations in two genes (GJB3 and KCNQ4) have been reported. The overwhelming majority of pathogenic mutations linked to this form of nonsyndromic hearing loss have been identified in the KCNQ4 gene encoding a voltage-gated potassium channel. It is believed that KCNQ4 channels are present in outer hair cells and possibly inner hair cells and the central auditory pathway. This form of hearing loss is both phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous and there are still DFNA2 pedigrees that have not been associated with changes in either GJB3 or KCNQ4, suggesting that a possible third gene exists at this locus. Further studies of the DFNA2 locus will lead to a better understanding of progressive hearing loss and provide a better means of early detection and treatment.
Surface-enhanced optomechanical disk resonators and force sensing

Optomechanics studies the interaction between light and mechanical motion. This PhD thesis reports on optomechanical experiments carried with miniature disk resonators fabricated out of distinct III-V semiconductors: Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Aluminium Gallium Arsenide (AlGaAs) and Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP). These materials are compliant with optoelectronics functionalities and provide giant optomechanical coupling. In order to boost performances of GaAs resonators, we implemented surface control techniques and obtained a ten-fold reduction of optical dissipation, attaining a Q of six million. On top of GaAs, we performed a comparative investigation of optomechanical interactions in InGaP and AlGaAs disk resonators, and demonstrated their operation as optomechanical oscillators. Finally, we carried out optomechanical force sensing experiments with GaAs resonators, analyzing a new sensing principle in light of the phase space trajectory and phase noise of the corresponding oscillators
Squamous Metaplasia of the Ovarian Surface Epithelium and Subsurface Fibrosis: Distinctive Pathologic Findings in the Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes of Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is commonly used to treat patients with end-stage renal disease. Patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis develop edema and fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane, but the morphologic effects on the organs of the female genital tract are obscure. We noted squamous metaplasia of the ovarian surface epithelium in a patient on peritoneal dialysis, leading us to review all cases of peritoneal squamous metaplasia in our surgical pathology database. Squamous metaplasia of the peritoneum is rare, and we found only 3 examples. Two cases occurred in women on long-term peritoneal dialysis who were operated on for benign ovarian cystadenomas. The gynecologic pathology findings were similar in both cases, with immature and mature squamous metaplasia present extensively on the surfaces of the ovaries, and in 1 case, on the surface of the ipsilateral fallopian tube. The metaplastic epithelium was keratin and p63 positive. Staining for p63 highlighted areas where the metaplastic epithelium was only 1- or 2-cell layers thick and areas of more developed metaplasia. In addition, there was a broad band of fibrous tissue 1- to 2-mm thick beneath the surfaces. A third case of peritoneal squamous metaplasia involved the serosal surface of the small intestine in a woman who experienced complications after bariatric surgery. There were small nodules of squamous metaplastic epithelium on and beneath the serosal surface of the intestine, surrounded by acute and chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Based on our experience and limited information in the literature, there are 2 distinct patterns of squamous metaplasia of the peritoneum: a diffuse pattern of metaplasia associated with bandlike subsurface fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis patients and a micronodular pattern of metaplasia associated with inflammatory conditions. Dialysis-associated changes involving the ovary and fallopian tube form a mechanical barrier that could contribute to the low rate of fertility in peritoneal dialysis patients.
Site‐specific effects of mental practice combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on motor learning

Mental practice can induce significant neural plasticity and result in motor performance improvement if associated with motor imagery tasks. Given the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on neuroplasticity, the current study tested whether tDCS, using different electrode montages, can increase the neuroplastic effects of mental imagery on motor learning. Eighteen healthy right‐handed adults underwent a randomised sham‐controlled crossover experiment to receive mental training combined with either sham or active anodal tDCS of the right primary motor cortex (M1), right supplementary motor area, right premotor area, right cerebellum or left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Motor performance was assessed by a blinded rater using: non‐dominant handwriting time and legibility, and mentally trained task at baseline (pre) and immediately after (post) mental practice combined with tDCS. Active tDCS significantly enhances the motor‐imagery‐induced improvement in motor function as compared with sham tDCS. There was a specific effect for the site of stimulation such that effects were only observed after M1 and DLPFC stimulation during mental practice. These findings provide new insights into motor imagery training and point out that two cortical targets (M1 and DLPFC) are significantly associated with the neuroplastic effects of mental imagery on motor learning. Further studies should explore a similar paradigm in patients with brain lesions.
Outage minimization by opportunistic cooperation

We consider a wireless relay network where communication is constrained by delay and average power limitations. We assume that partial channel state information is available at the transmitters while the receivers have the perfect channel state information, and consider the system performance in terms of outage probability. We propose an opportunistic user cooperation protocol that utilizes the channel state information to decide when and how to cooperate. We show that compared to fixed type cooperation schemes, our protocol improves the outage performance significantly and performs very close to the half-duplex lower bound while reducing the resources used by the relay.
Precise rates in the law of the iterated logarithm

Let $X$, $X_1$, $X_2$, $. $ be i.i. d. random variables, and let $S_n=X_1+. + X_n$ be the partial sums and $M_n=\max_{k\le n}|S_k|$ be the maximum partial sums. We give the sufficient and necessary conditions for a kind of limit theorems to hold on the convergence rate of the tail probabilities of both $S_n$ and $M_n$. These results are related to the law of the iterated logarithm. The results of Gut and Spataru (2000) are special cases of ours.
Autonomous spherical mobile robot for child-development studies

This paper presents the design process of a spherical robot capable of autonomous motion, and demonstrates how it can become a tool in child-development studies. The robot, named Roball, is capable of intentional self-propelled movements and can generate various interplay situations using motion, messages, sounds, illuminated parts and other sensors. Such capabilities allow Roball to interact with young children in simple and interesting ways, and to provide the potential of contributing to the development of their language, affective, motor, intellectual and social skills. Trials done with 12-24-month-old children demonstrate how Roball can be used to study children's interest in a self-propelled and intentional device. An experimental methodology to conduct such studies is presented: it is based on quantitative and qualitative techniques to evaluate interactions, thus enabling the identification of challenges and opportunities in child-robot interaction studies.
Rectovaginal Fistula: What Is the Optimal Strategy?: An Analysis of 79 Patients Undergoing 286 Procedures.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess results of surgery for rectovaginal fistula (RVF) and prognostic factors for success. BACKGROUND DATA Management of RVF remains challenging and numerous surgical options are available. Few large reports of RVF are available and success prognostic factors remain unknown. METHODS All patients operated for RVF from 1996 to 2014 were included. RESULTS Seventy-nine patients presented RVF due to Crohn disease in 34 (43%), postoperative in 25 (32%), obstetrical in 7 (9%), radiation proctitis in 4 (5%), and miscellaneous in 9 (11%). A total of 286 procedures (132 with associated stoma, 46%) were performed including 217 conservative (76%) [seton drainage (n = 59; 21%), vaginal (n = 49, 17%) or rectal advancement flap (n = 46; 16%), diverting stoma only (n = 27; 9%), plug (n = 15; 5%), glue (n = 13; 5%), or others (n = 8, 3%)]; and 69 major procedures (24%) [gracilis muscle interposition (n = 32; 11%), coloanal or colorectal anastomosis (n = 19; 7%) including 11 delayed anastomosis with colonic pull-through, biomesh interposition (n = 9, 3%), and abdominoperineal resection (n = 9; 3%)]. After a mean follow-up of 33 months, overall success rate was 57 of 79 (72%). Per-procedure-based multivariate analysis identified major procedure [odds ratio (OR): 6.4 (2.9-14.2); P < 0.001], diverting stoma [OR: 3.5 (1.4-8.7); P = 0.009], less than 9 months between diagnosis and first surgery [OR: 2.3 (1.1-5.3); P = 0.046], and first surgery in our institution [OR: 3.2 (1.5-6.9); P = 0.003], as independent factors for success. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that aggressive surgical treatment of RVF, including early use of temporary stoma and major procedure in case of failure of previous local treatment, leads to high success rates.
A snoRNA modulates mRNA 3′ end processing and regulates the expression of a subset of mRNAs

Abstract mRNA 3′ end processing is an essential step in gene expression. It is well established that canonical eukaryotic pre-mRNA 3′ processing is carried out within a macromolecular machinery consisting of dozens of trans-acting proteins. However, it is unknown whether RNAs play any role in this process. Unexpectedly, we found that a subset of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are associated with the mammalian mRNA 3′ processing complex. These snoRNAs primarily interact with Fip1, a component of cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF). We have functionally characterized one of these snoRNAs and our results demonstrated that the U/A-rich SNORD50A inhibits mRNA 3′ processing by blocking the Fip1-poly(A) site (PAS) interaction. Consistently, SNORD50A depletion altered the Fip1–RNA interaction landscape and changed the alternative polyadenylation (APA) profiles and/or transcript levels of a subset of genes. Taken together, our data revealed a novel function for snoRNAs and provided the first evidence that non-coding RNAs may play an important role in regulating mRNA 3′ processing.