Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Realization of a Hybrid Locally Connected Extreme Learning Machine With DeepID for Face Verification

Most existing state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms discover sophisticated representations in huge datasets using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that mainly adopt backpropagation (BP) algorithm as the backbone for training the face recognition problems. However, since decades ago, BP has been debated for causing trivial issues such as iterative gradient-descent operation, slow convergence rate, local minima, intensive human intervention, exhaustive computation, time-consuming, and so on. On the other hand, a competitive machine learning algorithm called extreme learning machine (ELM) emerged with extreme fast implementation and simple in theory has overcome the challenges faced by BP. The ELM advocates the convergence of machine learning and biological learning for pervasive learning and intelligence and has been extensively researched in widespread applications. Nonetheless, till date, none of the work of ELM has proved its competency in tackling face verification problem. Hence, in this paper, we are going to probe for the first time the feasibility of ELM-based network in handling the face verification task. We devise and propose a novel and distinguished hybrid local receptive field-based extreme learning machine with DeepID (hereinafter denoted as H-ELM-LRF-DeepID), to discriminate face pairs. The experimental results on the YouTube face database, labeled faces in the wild (LFW), and CelebFaces datasets have shed light upon the feasibility and usefulness of the H-ELM-LRF-DeepID in the face verification task.
Parallel computation of best connections in public transportation networks

Exploiting parallelism in route planning algorithms is a challenging algorithmic problem with obvious applications in mobile navigation and timetable information systems. In this work, we present a novel algorithm for the so-called one-to-all profile-search problem in public transportation networks. It answers the question for all fastest connections between a given station S and any other station at any time of the day in a single query. This algorithm allows for a very natural parallelization, yielding excellent speed-ups on standard multi-core servers. Our approach exploits the facts that first, time-dependent travel-time functions in such networks can be represented as a special class of piecewise linear functions, and that second, only few connections from S are useful to travel far away. Introducing the connection-setting property, we are able to extend DIJKSTRA's algorithm in a sound manner. Furthermore, we also accelerate station-tostation queries by preprocessing important connections within the public transportation network. As a result, we are able to compute all relevant connections between two random stations in a complete public transportation network of a big city (Los Angeles) on a standard multi-core server in less than 55ms on average.
English Medium Instruction (EMI) from the perspectives of students at a technical university in Turkey

ABSTRACT In parallel with the spread of English as an international language of communication, English Medium Instruction (EMI) has rapidly gained importance in Turkish tertiary education but also brought some controversy among students and academics. It is important to clarify the prevailing situation in order to enhance the quality of instruction. Descriptive in essence, the present study examines the results of a survey about EMI courses in the context of a technical university conducted in 2018 to understand students’ attitudes towards EMI courses, the challenges they face and the suggestions they make for improvement. Although there are some positive aspects of EMI, such as getting ready for work life where English has become prevalent and the presence of a large number of resources and articles in English, there are also some possible challenges, such as linguistic challenges inherent in students’ language learning history, some lecturers having limited English proficiency and ineffective courses. Although it is deemed prestigious to offer EMI courses, some changes are necessary. Taking students’ views into consideration, some suggestions are providing intensive English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses to help students cross the linguistic barrier and equipping lecturers with the necessary skills before appointing them to EMI courses.
High-flavonoid intake induces cognitive improvements linked to changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Two randomised, controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Recent clinical studies have indicated the beneficial impact of dietary flavonoid intake on human cognitive performance. Although the mechanisms that mediate such improvements are currently unclear, animal and human trial data suggest that changes in neurotrophin expression, and related signalling apparatus, may be involved. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the link between changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and changes in human cognitive performance following flavonoid intake. METHODS: The relationship between serum levels of BDNF and age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure and cognition at baseline, and following flavonoid intake, was investigated in two distinct randomised, controlled clinical trials. Trial 1 was conducted in men and women (aged 26–70 y; consuming an average of 3 portions of fruit and vegetables per day) and delivered high-flavonoid (>15 mg/100 g) or low-flavonoid (<5 mg/100 g) fruit and vegetables and increased intake by 2 portions every 6 weeks. The control arm was habitual diet over the same time frame. Trial 2 was conducted in an older males and female cohort (aged 62–75 y) intervening with a high-flavanol cocoa drink (494 mg total flavanols) and a low-flavanol cocoa drink (23 mg total flavanols) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Serum BDNF levels increased linearly to the age of 65, after which BDNF levels were found to decrease markedly. All other physiological and anthropometric measurements proved to not be significantly associated with serum BDNF levels (p > 0.05), although higher levels in males compared to females almost achieved significance (p = 0.056). At baseline, higher serum BDNF levels were associated with significantly better global cognition scores, relative to individuals with lower serum levels. In addition, following intervention for 18 weeks, high-flavonoid, but not low-flavonoid, fruit and vegetable intake induced significant improvements in cognitive performance and increases in serum BDNF levels (p = <0.001). Flavanol intervention for 12 weeks also resulted in significant increases in serum BDNF (p = <0.001), and such increases were correlated with improvements in global cognitive performance. CONCLUSION: Increases in global cognition induced by high flavonoid fruit and vegetables, and cocoa flavanols were paralleled by concurrent changes in serum BDNF levels, suggesting a role for BDNF in flavonoid-induced cognitive improvements. Furthermore, we provide further data suggesting that serum BDNF levels may represent a biomarker of cognitive function.
Calcium and Osteoprotegerin Levels Predict the Progression of the Abdominal Aortic Calcifications After Kidney Transplantation

Background Vascular calcifications (VCs) are a cardiovascular risk factor in patients affected by chronic kidney disease and after kidney transplantation (KTx). We evaluated the prevalence of VCs at the abdominal aortic site in KTx patients at the time of transplantation and 1 year after KTx, exploring the possibly associated factors. Methods In 107 transplanted patients, the following parameters were evaluated at the first and twelfth month after KTx: the aortic calcification index (ACI), fibroblast growth factor 23, osteoprotegerin (OPG), fetuin A, and clinical and biochemical parameters. Patients were followed up for 2 years after KTx. Results At the time of KTx, 60% of patients had some degree of VC (ACI>0), whereas 40% had no VC. One year after KTx, VCs worsened in 26% of patients, whereas in 74%, VCs remained stable or improved. The progression of VC was observed almost exclusively in patients with a positive ACI score at the first month. At the multivariate analysis, serum calcium, OPG, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were the only variables independently associated with the progression of VC. Conclusions VCs at the aortic site are frequent in KTx patients, and in a significant percentage of them, they tend to progress even in the short time. High levels of serum calcium and OPG are significantly associated with the progression of VCs. Whether these associations are based on a cause-effect relationship and their correction might impact on the calcification process could be ascertained by prospective interventional studies.
ocaine use during pregnancy and health outcome after 10 years

Background: Women who used cocaine during pregnancy may become at risk for increased physical and mental health problems. Methods: Three hundred and twenty-one (158 cocaine use during pregnancy (PC), 163 no cocaine (NC)) women were assessed using the Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36V2) 10 years after infant birth. Factors related to mental and physical health, and co-occurring with PC, were evaluated using multiple regression. Results: Controlling for age and education, PC women reported poorer total perceived mental health (PMH) (46.3 ± .9 vs. 50.7 ± .9, p < .001), more bodily pain (48.1 ± 1.0 vs. 51.5 ± 1.0, p < .02) and poorer health perceptions (46.8 ± .9 vs. 49.7 ± .9, p < .03) than NC women. PC women had lower BMI (29% vs. 32%, p < .006), higher current alcoholic drinks per/week (4.05 ± 15.5 vs. 1.29 ± 3.51, p < .005) and number of cigarettes per day (9 ± 10.6 vs. 4 ± 6.5, p < .0001) and greater total life strain (Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (FILE)) (4.6 ± 4.9 vs. 3.2 ± 3.2, p < .004) than NC women. Regression analyses indicated that body mass index (BMI) mediated the effect of prior cocaine use on perceived physical health (PPH) and total life strain had additive effects. Current cigarette use and total life stress partially mediated the effects of cocaine use on PMH and also had additive independent effects. Conclusions: PC use is a marker for poor health after 10 years. Mediators of these relationships (BMI, stressful life events and current tobacco use) should be considered when designing interventions to promote health.
Crystal Structure of Glycoprotein B from Herpes Simplex Virus 1

Glycoprotein B (gB) is the most conserved component of the complex cell-entry machinery of herpes viruses. A crystal structure of the gB ectodomain from herpes simplex virus type 1 reveals a multidomain trimer with unexpected homology to glycoprotein G from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV G). An α-helical coiled-coil core relates gB to class I viral membrane fusion glycoproteins; two extended β hairpins with hydrophobic tips, homologous to fusion peptides in VSV G, relate gB to class II fusion proteins. Members of both classes accomplish fusion through a large-scale conformational change, triggered by a signal from a receptor-binding component. The domain connectivity within a gB monomer would permit such a rearrangement, including long-range translocations linked to viral and cellular membranes.
Effects of delta-opioid receptor stimulation and inhibition on hippocampal survival in a rat model of forebrain ischaemia.

BACKGROUND It has been reported that delta-opioid (DOP) receptor agonists may be neuroprotective in the central nervous system. However, the DOP agonist [d-Ala(2), d-Leu(5)]enkephalin (DADLE) does not produce neuroprotection in severe forebrain ischaemia. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of DADLE on hippocampal neurone survival against less severe forebrain ischaemia. METHODS Intraperitoneal injection of DADLE (0 or 16 mg kg(-1)) in male Sprague-Dawley rats was performed 30 min before ischaemia. Severe (10 min), moderate (8 min), or mild (6 min) forebrain ischaemia was produced by bilateral carotid occlusion combined with hypotension (35 mm Hg) under isoflurane (1.5%) anaesthesia. Naltrindole (10 mg kg(-1)) (DOP antagonist) was administered 30 min before DADLE in order to confirm DOP receptor activation in the neuroprotective efficacy of DADLE. Naltrindole alone was also administered 30 min before ischaemia to examine endogenous DOP agonism as a self-protecting mechanism against ischaemia. All animals were evaluated neurologically and histologically after a 1 week recovery period. RESULTS DADLE improved neurone survival in hippocampal CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) sectors. CA1 neurones were not protected against moderate and mild ischaemia. Naltrindole abolished DADLE neuroprotection in the CA3 and DG after both moderate and mild ischaemia. Interestingly, regardless of co-administration of DADLE, naltrindole significantly worsened neuronal injury in the CA1 region after mild ischaemia. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that DADLE provides limited neuroprotection to relatively ischaemia-resistant regions but not to selectively vulnerable regions. This was probably mediated by DOP stimulation. Pre-ischaemic treatment with a DOP antagonist, regardless of co-administration of DADLE, worsened neuronal damage at the selectively vulnerable regions only after mild forebrain ischaemia. These data suggest that DOP activation with endogenous DOP ligand may be involved in self-protecting ischaemia-sensitive regions of the brain.
Neuropathology of NFHgp160 Transgenic Mice Expressing HIV‐1 Env Protein in Neurons

The physiopathology of HIV-1 dementia remains largely hypothetical. Although several sets of evidence point towards an indirect multicellular inflammatory pathway, gp120, one of the HIV-1 env products, was shown to be very cytotoxic for neurons in vitro. To explore a direct pathway in the physiopathology of dementia in AIDS, we developed transgenic mouse models carrying the HIV-1 env proteins gp 120 and gp 41 (gp 160) under the control of the human light neurofilament and murine heavy neurofilament promoters. To date, this is the first mouse model in which the HIV-1 env protein can be detected in neurons by immunohistochemistry. The expression is found in several brainstem and spinal cord gray structures and in the cerebellum in one of the mouse lines bearing the NFHgp160 transgene. The morphological findings at 3 months are subtle and are dominated by a watery, dendritic degeneration and a reactive gliosis. At 12 months, the evidence of neuronal degeneration and loss is present along with various degenerative phenomena involving synapses, dendrites and axons, including axonal swellings. Cytoskeletal abnormalities were found by immunohistochemistry. Chronic inflammation was also observed in the leptomeninges of the spinal cord and brainstem and in the cerebellar white matter. These models thus offer an exciting sequence of morphological findings initiated by the neuronal expression of the HIV-1 env proteins and offer a different tool to explore the neuronal dysfunction in AIDS.
Supersymmetry breaking, R-symmetry breaking and metastable vacua

Models of spontaneous supersymmetry breaking generically have an R-symmetry, which is problematic for obtaining gaugino masses and avoiding light R-axions. The situation is improved in models of metastable supersymmetry breaking, which generically have only an approximate R-symmetry. Based on this we argue, with mild assumptions, that metastable supersymmetry breaking is inevitable. We also illustrate various general issues regarding spontaneous and explicit R-symmetry breaking, using simple toy models of supersymmetry breaking.
Selection and preference for botulinum toxins in the management of photoaging and facial lines: patient and physician considerations

Various noninvasive to minimally invasive techniques can be used for the improvement of cutaneous changes seen with photoaging. These include dermabrasion, chemical peels, ablative and nonablative lasers, and filler agents such as hyaluronic acid. However, the most common nonsurgical cosmetic procedure performed in the treatment of rhytides is injection with botulinum toxin. Its extensive safety history and relative ease of use by the practitioner has led to high satisfaction in millions of patients. Nonetheless, proper training of the fundamentals in injection technique, the choice of the appropriate candidate, and knowledge of potential adverse events are imperative to ensure a satisfactory and safe outcome.
Spelling of Pseudowords and Real Words in Dutch-Speaking Children With and Without Dyslexia

The purpose of this study was to explore the spelling knowledge and skills of elementary school children with and without dyslexia who speak Dutch, a language with a relatively transparent orthography. Children in Grades 2–6 completed real and pseudoword spelling dictation tasks. Spelling performance was compared in 218 children with (n = 55) and without (n = 163) dyslexia. There was a medium effect size for morphological, phonological, combined, and etymological spelling skills for differences between students with and without dyslexia. In addition, spelling real words resulted in medium effect sizes, whereas spelling pseudowords resulted in small effect sizes. Children without dyslexia performed above the mean for the entire sample in Grade 4, whereas same-age peers with dyslexia did so 2 years later. Even so, Dutch-speaking children with dyslexia continued to have difficulty spelling words requiring phonological skills and spelling pseudowords even up to Grade 6. Clinicians are encouraged to be aware of the importance of the choice of spelling items in the assessment of dyslexia. The use of pseudowords appears to be helpful in older children to identify spelling problems.
Function and mode of action of cytohesins in the epidermal growth factor pathway in colorectal cancer cells

Cytohesins have been identified as cytoplasmic ErbB receptor activators in certain cancers, exhibiting an important role in ErbB signaling. However, whether cytohesins are essential in colorectal cancer is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether cytohesins contribute to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway in colorectal cancer cells. RT-PCR and immunofluorescence experiments were employed to detect the expression of cytohesins in colorectal cancer cell lines. The EGF pathway activation conditions were investigated by examining the phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and intracellular signal-related kinases, with or without chemical inhibition (SecinH3) and knockdown of cytohesins. An MTT assay was conducted to examine the inhibitory effect of SecinH3 and cytohesin-specific siRNA in HT-29 cells. Results demonstrated that the four homologous members of the cytohesin family were expressed in the four colorectal cancer cell lines. Notably, a significantly higher expression level of cytohesin-2 (ARNO) compared with the other three homologous family members was observed. Stimulation with EGF and SecinH3, as well as knockdown of ARNO, are capable of reducing EGF pathway activation and proliferation of HT-29 cells. In conclusion, cytohesins play an essential role in the activation of the EGF pathway and may be a potential target in colorectal cancer therapy.
Under what conditions do quantum systems thermalize? New insights from quantum information theory

Christian Gogolin, Markus P. Müller, and Jens Eisert 1 Institute for Physics and Astronomy, Potsdam University, 14476 Potsdam, Germany 2 Fakultät für Physik und Astronomie, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany 3 Department of Mathematics, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TW, UK 4 Institute of Mathematics, Technical University of Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany 5 Institute for Advanced Study Berlin, 14193 Berlin, Germany
Nasal Airflow Rate Affects the Sensitivity and Pattern of Glomerular Odorant Responses in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb

Sniffing is a characteristic odor sampling behavior in various mammalian species, which is associated with an increase in both nasal airflow rate and breathing frequency. Although the importance of sniffing in olfaction is well recognized, it has been challenging to separate the effect of airflow rate and sniffing frequency in vivo. In this study, we examined the individual effects of airflow rate and frequency on odorant responses of glomeruli in the mouse olfactory bulb (OB) using calcium imaging techniques and an artificial sniffing system. We found that nasal airflow rate, but not sniffing frequency, affected the apparent glomerular responses. When measured using OB imaging, apparent sensitivity for some of the odorants was significantly greater at the high nasal flow rates, while other odorants exhibited the opposite effect. In a single defined glomerulus, the sensitivity shift caused by changes in flow rate varied between odorants, suggesting that the flow rate effect is dependent on the chemical properties of an odorant rather than on the specific characteristics of the expressed olfactory receptor. Using natural flavors containing a variety of odorants, different glomerular activation patterns were observed between breathing and sniffing condition, likely due to odorant-dependent flow rate effects. Our results provide important information on in vivo odorant recognition and suggest that odor representation in the OB is not fixed but rather varies significantly depending on the respiratory state.
Nurses' Work Schedule Characteristics, Nurse Staffing, and Patient Mortality

Background:Although nurse staffing has been found to be related to patient mortality, there has been limited study of the independent effect of work schedules on patient care outcomes. Objective:To determine if, in hospitals where nurses report more adverse work schedules, there would be increased patient mortality, controlling for staffing. Methods:A cross-sectional design was used, with multilevel data from a 2004 survey of 633 nurses working in 71 acute nonfederal hospitals in North Carolina and Illinois. Mortality measures were the risk-adjusted Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Inpatient Quality Indicators, and staffing data were from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey of hospitals. Principal components analysis was conducted on the 12 work schedule items to create eight independent components. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the study hypothesis. Results:Work schedule was related significantly to mortality when staffing levels and hospital characteristics were controlled. Pneumonia deaths were significantly more likely in hospitals where nurses reported schedules with long work hours (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17-1.73, p < .01) and lack of time away from work (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.03-1.50, p < .05). Abdominal aortic aneurysm was also associated significantly with the lack of time away (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.11-1.73, p < .01). For patients with congestive heart failure, mortality was associated with working while sick (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.13-1.72, p < .01), whereas acute myocardial infarction was associated significantly with weekly burden (hours per week; days in a row) for nurses (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.09-1.63, p < .01). Discussion:In addition to staffing, nurses' work schedules are associated with patient mortality. This suggests that work schedule has an independent effect on patient outcomes.