Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A tissue-engineered rostral migratory stream for directed neuronal replacement

New neurons are integrated into the circuitry of the olfactory bulb throughout the lifespan in the mammalian brain—including in humans. These new neurons are born in the subventricular zone and subsequently mature as they are guided over long distances via the rostral migratory stream through mechanisms we are only just beginning to understand. Regeneration after brain injury is very limited, and although some neuroblasts from the rostral migratory stream will leave the path and migrate toward cortical lesion sites, this neuronal replacement is generally not sustained and therefore does not provide enough new neurons to alleviate functional deficits. Using newly discovered microtissue engineering techniques, we have built the first self-contained, implantable constructs that mimic the architecture and function of the rostral migratory stream. This engineered microtissue emulates the dense cord-like bundles of astrocytic somata and processes that are the hallmark anatomical feature of the glial tube. As such, our living microtissue-engineered rostral migratory stream can serve as an in vitro test bed for unlocking the secrets of neuroblast migration and maturation, and may potentially serve as a living transplantable construct derived from a patient's own cells that can redirect their own neuroblasts into lesion sites for sustained neuronal replacement following brain injury or neurodegenerative disease. In this paper, we summarize the development of fabrication methods for this microtissue-engineered rostral migratory stream and provide proof-of-principle evidence that it promotes and directs migration of immature neurons.
Classifying Single-Trial EEG During Motor Imagery Using a Multivariate Mutual Information Based Phase Synchrony Measure

In electroencephalography(EEG)-based brain computer interfaces (BCIs), interactions between different areas of the user's brain can be measured using a phase synchronization measure. In this paper, a mutual information-based multivariate phase synchrony measure is used to assess local-scale connectivity and classify EEG to BCI control condition. The results obtained using a well-known database shows that the method proposed in this paper significantly outperforms the existing technique when used for classifying right and left hand movement motor imageries of 5 different subjects using their recorded EEG signals. Specifically, the mean accuracy of the proposed method is 70% higher than that of the existing techniques based on synchrony measures. Also, statistical test shows that the channels on the right hemisphere (left hemisphere) are more synchronized during left (right) hand movement motor imagery.
Food Quality and Nutrition Czech J . Food Sci . , 33 , 2015 ( 1 ) : 37 – 44

Guran H.S. , Oksuztepe G. , Coban O.E. , Incili G.K. (2015): Influence of different essential oils on refrigerated fish patties produced from bonito fish (Sarda sarda Bloch, 1793). Czech J. Food Sci., 33: 37–44. The effects of different concentrations of thyme (group T), clove (group Cl), and rosemary (group R) extracts on the microbiological, chemical, and sensory attributes of fish patty made from the bonito fish (Sarda sarda Bloch, 1793) were investigated. The numbers of total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, Staphylococcus–Micrococcus spp. and yeasts and moulds in group R were lower than those of the other groups during storage (P < 0.05). During the storage period, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid index (TBA-i), peroxide values, and free fatty acid content gradually increased in all groups, and significant differences were found between the groups (P < 0.05). The results of sensory evaluation showed that the shelf life of fish patties was 4 days for the control group, and 8, 10, and 14 days for the groups treated with thyme, clove and rosemary essential oil, respectively (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of essential oils showed a positive effect on the product shelf-life; and in particular, rosemary essential oil produced a remarkable effect.
New technology and its implications Remote sensing for precision forestry

This article summarises recent developments in remote sensing technologies that will have, or are already having, a substantial impact on forest management practices. These technologies have the potential to usher in a new era for the forestry sector with the advent of precision forestry. In this article we review forest measurement through laser scanning, satellite imagery for forest management and developments in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Differential Effects of High Sugar, High Lard or a Combination of Both on Nutritional, Hormonal and Cardiovascular Metabolic Profiles of Rodents

Background: Dietary interventions in rodents can induce an excess of adipose tissue and metabolic disorders that resemble human obesity. Nevertheless, these approaches are not standardized, and the phenotypes may vary distinctly among studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different dietary interventions on nutritional, metabolic, biochemical, hormonal, and cardiovascular profiles, as well as to add to development and characterization of an experimental model of obesity. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: control diet (C), high-sugar (HS), high-fat (HF), or high-sugar and high-fat (HFHS). Weekly measurements of body weight, adiposity, area under the curve (AUC) for glucose, blood pressure (BP) and serum triglycerides, total cholesterol level, and leptin were performed. Results: HF and HFHS models were led to obesity by increases in adipose tissue deposition and the adiposity index. All hypercaloric diets presented systolic BP increases. In addition, the AUC for glucose was greater in HF and HFHS than in C, and only the HF group presented hyperleptinemia. Conclusions: HF and HFHS diet approaches promote obesity and comorbidities, and thus represent a useful tool for studying human obesity-related disorders. By contrast, the HS model did not prove to be a good model of obesity.
Nonlinear Parameter Estimation for State-Space ARCH Models with Missing Observations

A new mathematical representation, based on a discrete time nonlinear state space formulation, is presented to characterize AutoRegresive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (ARCH) models. A novel parameter estimation procedure for state-space ARCH models with missing observations, based on an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) approach, is described and successfully evaluated herein. Finally, through a comparison analysis between our proposed estimation method and a Quasi Maximum Likelihood Estimation (QMLE) technique based on different methods of imputation, some numerical results with simulated data, which make evident the effectiveness and relevance of the proposed nonlinear estimation technique are given. Key–Words: ARCH models, Missing observations, Nonlinear state space model, Nonlinear estimation, Extended Kalman Filter.
Recent advances in Personal Construct Psychotherapy 15 Personal Construct Theory & Practice , 14 , 2017 RECENT ADVANCES IN PERSONAL CONSTRUCT PSYCHOTHERAPY

Kelly has repeatedly invited to experiment with his theory to prove its fertility. However, personal construct theory and its application to psychotherapy have seen few developments. A recent contribution comes from Walker’s revision of the notion of psychological disorder which opens new perspectives to the understanding of several psychological events. Other contributions come from the narrative hermeneutic approach. The outline of personal paths of dependency, and the more recent proposal of forms of uncompleted recognition, are just examples of such a line of research that arises from a phenomenological and hermeneutic interpretation and elaboration of personal construct theory and psychotherapy.
Fatty acid remodelling during embryogenesis in Greenland halibut ( Reinhardtius hippoglossoides ) in relation to hypoxia tolerance

Eggs of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) are subjected to hypoxic conditions in the deep waters of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence during their development. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was potential remodelling of fatty acids (FA) during embryogenesis in eggs exposed to several levels of dissolved oxygen (DO). Fertilized eggs were exposed to four DO levels: severely hypoxic (10 and 20% sat [percent saturation]), moderately hypoxic (35% sat), and normoxic (100% sat). No FA remodelling was observed in eggs submitted to the different DO levels. The most abundant FA in the polar lipid fraction were docosahexaenoic (DHA, 22: 6 n-3) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20: 5 n-3) acids (26 and 22%, respectively), the latter being positively correlated with hatching success. Batches with low hatching success were characterized by eggs with decreased levels of polar EPA and DHA at the end of embryogenesis. Whatever the hatching success, the proportion of FA in the neutral fraction was always significantly lower compared to the polar fraction. Oleic acid (18: 1 n-9) (17%) was the main FA found in this fraction; together with gondoic acid (20:1 n-9), they explained most of the variation in hatching success.
Basal Forebrain Volume, but Not Hippocampal Volume, Is a Predictor of Global Cognitive Decline in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease Treated With Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Background: Predicting the progression of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important for treatment selection and patient counseling. Structural MRI markers such as hippocampus or basal forebrain volumes might represent useful instruments for the prediction of cognitive decline. The primary objective was to determine the predictive value of hippocampus and basal forebrain volumes for global and domain specific cognitive decline in AD dementia during cholinergic treatment. Methods: We used MRI and cognitive data from 124 patients with the clinical diagnosis of AD dementia, derived from the ADNI-1 cohort, who were on standard of care cholinesterase inhibitor treatment during a follow-up period between 0.4 and 3.1 years. We used linear mixed effects models with cognitive function as outcome to assess the main effects as well as two-way interactions between baseline volumes and time controlling for age, sex, and total intracranial volume. This model accounts for individual variation in follow-up times. Results: Basal forebrain volume, but not hippocampus volume, was a significant predictor of rates of global cognitive decline. Larger volumes were associated with smaller rates of cognitive decline. Left hippocampus volume had a modest association with rates of episodic memory decline. Baseline performance in global cognition and memory was significantly associated with hippocampus and basal forebrain volumes; in addition, basal forebrain volume was associated with baseline performance in executive function. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that in AD dementia patients, basal forebrain volume may be a useful marker to predict subsequent cognitive decline during cholinergic treatment.
1 A Valuation of Childcare Provided by Parents in the United Kingdom : Inputs and Outputs

A recognised shortcoming of the present system of national accounting is the omission of non-market production from national accounts. Various attempts have been made to rectify this by developing measures of the monetary value of non-market production. This paper aims to estimate the monetary value of the childcare provided by households in the United Kingdom, exploiting a unique data source that contains information on the amount of time spent on childcare from two perspectives: that of parents, and that of children. Using this data it is possible to calculate the input into childcare by parents, and the output of care measured in terms of the time each child records being in the presence of, or at the same location as a parent. Information about children aged 0 – 7 years is not available directly. For these children the output was imputed based on information available directly from the output for children aged 8 – 13 years. With this imputation, combined with the available data it was possible to compute the output of care for all children aged 0 -13 years. Having quantified the input and output of care, prices are assigned to get the valuation. The input method uses an experimental methodology developed by Folbre & Yoon (2006) whereby a spectrum of care intensity is defined and appropriate replacement prices are assigned to different points on the spectrum. For the output method, a number of prices were chosen, using data available on the prices UK childminders charge. In addition to this, a valuation of the output is presented, where the prices that are assigned to the output of care, are deflated to take into consideration different levels and types of interaction between parents and children. The ultimate effect of the deflation is to depress the value of the output for older children. The reason for this is that a higher proportion of the time that older children are around their parents is time when they are at the same location as those parents, but not directly interacting with them. The output measure is therefore calculated in three ways: including this time at the same location, excluding it, and finally including it but deflating the price that is assigned. The paper presents results describing the ways in which the value of inputs and outputs vary across households with different numbers and age profiles of children, in both lone mother and two parent households. In addition, a range of values of childcare computed using the input and output methods, are compared to GDP (2005). What is shown is that the value of the input and the value of the output can, under certain circumstances, approximate each other. Methodologically, the paper shows that with appropriate time use data, it is possible to measure the inputs and outputs of childcare produced by households.
Performance and Emission Characteristics of Multilayer Thermal Barrier Coated Di Diesel Engine Fuelled With Sunflower Bio Diesel

In the present study the effect of thermal barrier coated piston of air cooled DI engine fuelled with sunflower methyl ester (SFME) are presented. There are many investigations carried out with thermal barrier coatings in the past with different coating material, coating thickness and numerous combinations of fuel blends. The current study is focused to get the combined effect of coating and pure sunflower based bio diesel(100% SFME) with multilayer NiCrAl (150microns) and alumina oxide (Al2O3)-titanium oxide (TiO2:40-45 % by volume) for 200 microns are applied on the aluminium alloy piston crown to study its output characteristics and exhaust emission release. The main objective of the study is to improve the efficiency of engine and to reduce the harmful exhaust emission release from the engine with renewable sunflower based bio diesel on the low heat rejection engines. From the expemental testing, it is predicted 4 % improvement in engine brake thermal efficiency at all loading and 3% decrease in specific fuel consumption at maximum loading conditions for the coated engine with SFME and also noted that 5% reduction SFC at low load conditions. The reduction in HC is reported for wide range of loading and maximum reduction is 27% at peak load operation. A decrease in 18% CO emission is noted in the investigation for medium load operation and it is increased to 20% at peak load. It is also reported in the study that 5% increase in NOx emissions for coated SFME at maximum loading and for all loading the uncoated SFME released 10% lower than standard engine. Keyword: Diesel Engine, Multi layer thermal barrier coating, Emissions, Thermal efficiency, Sunflower methyl ester. 268 M. Piramanandhan et al
SHIP DETECTION IN SATELLITE IMAGERY VIA CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS

Ship detection from satellite imagery is a valuable tool for maritime traffic surveillance, detecting illegal fishing, oil discharge control, and sea pollution monitoring. Over the last decade, deep learning using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) has become the dominant paradigm for various computer vision tasks such as image classification, object detection, and segmentation, far surpassing traditional techniques. However, research and development are often focused on popular large-scale datasets, consisting of images that are vastly different from satellite imagery. We therefore trained and evaluated the Single-Shot MultiBox Detector (SSD) model for detection of ships in satellite imagery on a small-scale custom dataset, which consisted of 794 images of ships collected near harbors and coastlines. Two slightly different approaches were trialed for comparison: (1) Only the base architecture layers from the VGG-16 network were initialised with pre-trained weights produced from the ImageNet dataset and then the subsequent layers trained in a typical transfer learning setting. (2) All layers of the network were initialised with pretrained weights produced from the Microsoft COCO dataset and then fine-tuned by retraining every layer with our dataset. The evaluation algorithms provided by the Pascal VOC competition were used to produce precision-recall (PR) curves and determine the overall mean average precision (mAP). Both approaches achieved competitive results in mAP. However the latter proved slightly more effective in both the rate of training and the final performance. The results confirm the effectiveness of the SSD model for object detection tasks, particularly in the case of satellite imagery. Our results also indicate that training with the SSD model can be greatly improved by fine-tuning pre-trained weights rather than training the entire network from scratch or transfer learning on the later layers of the network.
Dietary specialization in mutualistic acacia‐ants affects relative abundance but not identity of host‐associated bacteria

Acacia‐ant mutualists in the genus Pseudomyrmex nest obligately in acacia plants and, as we show through stable isotope analysis, feed at a remarkably low trophic level. Insects with diets such as these sometimes depend on bacterial symbionts for nutritional enrichment. We, therefore, examine the bacterial communities associated with acacia‐ants in order to determine whether they host bacterial partners likely to contribute to their nutrition. Despite large differences in trophic position, acacia‐ants and related species with generalized diets do not host distinct bacterial taxa. However, we find that a small number of previously undescribed bacterial taxa do differ in relative abundance between acacia‐ants and generalists, including several Acetobacteraceae and Nocardiaceae lineages related to common insect associates. Comparisons with an herbivorous generalist, a parasite that feeds on acacias and a mutualistic species with a generalized diet show that trophic level is likely responsible for these small differences in bacterial community structure. While we did not experimentally test for a nutritional benefit to hosts of these bacterial lineages, metagenomic analysis reveals a Bartonella relative with an intact nitrogen‐recycling pathway widespread across Pseudomyrmex mutualists and generalists. This taxon may be contributing to nitrogen enrichment of its ant hosts through urease activity and, concordant with an obligately host‐associated lifestyle, appears to be experiencing genomewide relaxed selection. The lack of distinctiveness in bacterial communities across trophic level in this group of ants shows a remarkable ability to adjust to varied diets, possibly with assistance from these diverse ant‐specific bacterial lineages.
Metabolic Syndrome and Amyloid Accumulation in the Aging Brain.

BACKGROUND Recent studies show links between metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. Understanding the link between vascular-related health conditions and dementia will help target at risk populations and inform clinical strategies for early detection and prevention of AD. OBJECTIVE To determine whether metabolic syndrome is associated with global cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) positivity and longitudinal Aβ accumulation. METHODS Prospective study of 165 participants who underwent (11)C-Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET neuroimaging to measure Aβ, from June 2005 to May 2016. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the revised Third Adults Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. Participants were classified as PiB+/-. Linear mixed effects models assessed the relationships between baseline metabolic syndrome and PiB status and regional Aβ change over time. RESULTS A total of 165 cognitively normal participants of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) Neuroimaging substudy, aged 55-92 years (mean baseline age = 76.4 years, 85 participants were male), received an average of 2.5 PET-PiB scans over an average interval of 2.6 (3.08 SD) years between first and last visits. Metabolic syndrome was not associated with baseline PiB positivity or concurrent regional Aβ. Metabolic syndrome was associated with increased rates of Aβ accumulation in superior parietal and precuneus regions over time in the PiB+ group. Elevated fasting glucose and blood pressure showed individual associations with accelerated Aβ accumulation. CONCLUSION Metabolic syndrome was associated with accelerated Aβ accumulation in PiB+ individuals and may be an important factor in the progression of AD pathology.
Event-Based Attention and Tracking on Neuromorphic Hardware

We present a fully event-driven vision and processing system for selective attention and tracking, realized on a neuromorphic processor Loihi interfaced to an event-based Dynamic Vision Sensor DAVIS. The attention mechanism is realized as a recurrent spiking neural network that implements attractor-dynamics of dynamic neural fields. We demonstrate capability of the system to create sustained activation that supports object tracking when distractors are present or when the object slows down or stops, reducing the number of generated events.
Updating Probabilities

We show that Skilling's method of induction leads to a unique general theory of inductive inference, the method of Maximum relative Entropy (ME). The main tool for updating probabilities is the logarithmic relative entropy; other entropies such as those of Renyi or Tsallis are ruled out. We also show that Bayes updating is a special case of ME updating and thus, that the two are completely compatible.