Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Study of Global Sensitivity Analysis of L-Band Radar Bistatic Scattering for Soil Moisture Retrieval

This letter explores the optimal bistatic radar configurations for bare soil moisture retrieval at L-band using a global sensitivity analysis method, the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST) algorithm. Complete sets of bistatic scattering, covering a wide range of geometric parameters and ground surface conditions, are simulated by the well-established advanced integral equation model. The sensitivity of radar bistatic signals to soil moisture and surface roughness, and the interactions among the parameters are quantified using the EFAST algorithm. The results show that in bistatic scattering, VV polarization has notably higher sensitivity to soil moisture than HH polarization, particularly at large incident angles. For VV polarization, as incident angle increases, the sensitivity zone of soil moisture expands and shifts toward the forward direction, specifically at small azimuth scattering angles and large scattering angles, thereby becoming promising configurations for soil moisture retrieval. For HH polarization, in contrast, the sensitive zone gradually moves to the backward direction as incident angle increases, and an intermediate incident angle (e.g., 40°) is recommended for retrieving soil moisture by considering both sensitivity strength and parameter interaction effects.
Measurement of Thresholds Using Auditory Steady-State Response and Cochlear Microphonics in Children with Auditory Neuropathy

Abstract Background: The detection of precise hearing thresholds in infants and children with auditory neuropathy (AN) is challenging with current objective methods, especially in those younger than six months of age. Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the thresholds using auditory steady-state response (ASSR) and cochlear microphonics (CM) in children with AN and children with normal hearing. Research Design: The thresholds of CM, ASSR, and visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) tests were recorded; the ASSR and VRA frequencies used were 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Study Sample: The participants in this study were 15 children with AN (27 ears) (1–7.6 years, median age 4.1 years) and ten children with normal hearing (20 ears) (1–8 years, median age four years). Data Collection and Analysis: The thresholds of the three methods were compared, and histograms were used to represent frequency distributions of threshold differences obtained from the three methods. Results: In children with normal hearing, the average CM thresholds (84.5 dB) were significantly higher than the VRA thresholds (10.0–10.8 dB); in children with AN, both CM and VRA responses were seen at high signal levels (88.9 dB and 70.6–103.4 dB, respectively). In normal children, the difference between mean VRA and ASSR thresholds ranged from 17.5 to 30.3 dB, which was significantly smaller than the difference seen between the mean CM and VRA thresholds (71.5–72.3 dB). The correlation between VRA and ASSR in children with normal hearing ranged from 0.38 to 0.48, whereas no such correlation was seen in children with AN at any frequency (0.03–0.19). Conclusions: Our results indicated that ASSR and CM were poor predictors of the conventional behavioral threshold in children with AN.
Optimized Wishart Network for an Efficient Classification of Multifrequency PolSAR Data

High-resolution wide-area images are required in the diverse field of research ranging from urban planning and disaster prediction to agriculture and geology. Sometimes the image is taken under harsh weather conditions or at night time. Current optical remote sensing technology does not have the capability to acquire images in such conditions. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) uses microwave signal which has a long-range propagation characteristic that allows us to capture images in difficult weather conditions. In addition to this, some polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) systems are also capable of capturing images using multifrequency bands simultaneously resulting into a multitude of information in comparison to the optical images. In this letter, we propose a single-hidden layer optimized Wishart network (OWN) and extended OWN for classification of the single-frequency and multifrequancy PolSAR data, respectively. Performance evaluation is conducted on a single-frequency as well as multifrequency SAR data obtained by Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar. We observed that for combining multiple band information, proposed single-hidden layer network outperforms deep learning-based architecture involving multiple hidden layers.
Preparing for Mars: human sleep and performance during a 13 month stay in Antarctica

Study Objectives Manned spaceflights from Earth to Mars will likely become reality within the next decades. Humans will be exposed to prolonged isolation, confinement, and altered photoperiods under artificial atmospheric conditions, with potential adverse effects on sleep and performance. On Earth, polar environments serve as space analogs to study human adaptation; yet, few studies include polysomnography due to operational constraints. Methods Polysomnography, self-reported sleepiness and fatigue, and psychomotor performance were measured every 6 weeks in 13 males ("Hivernauts") during a 13 month winter-over campaign at Concordia (Antarctica). Stability and robustness of interindividual differences were examined by means of intraclass correlations. Results Hivernauts present with high-altitude periodic breathing, increased sleep onset latencies, and reduced psychomotor speed. Except for obstructive apneas, all sleep, sleepiness, and psychomotor performance variables remain stable over time. Individual differences in respiratory variables show the highest degree of stability and robustness, followed by fatigue and situational sleepiness, sleep fragmentation, and psychomotor speed, suggesting moderate to substantial trait-like characteristics for these variables. Phase delays are suspected in Hivernauts, both in individuals with imposed and self-selected bedtimes. A significant decline in psychomotor speed over time is observed in the latter group. Conclusions Space analog conditions such as isolated confinement, extreme photoperiods, and altered atmospheric conditions affect human sleep and performance. However, individual responses to these extreme environmental challenges show large differences and remain relatively stable under prolonged exposure. Ad hoc polysomnographic, including respiratory function monitoring is therefore recommended for selecting eligible candidates for extraterrestrial sojourns.
A pathway for Parkinson’s Disease LRRK2 kinase to block primary cilia and Sonic hedgehog signaling in the brain

Parkinson’s disease-associated LRRK2 kinase phosphorylates multiple Rab GTPases, including Rab8A and Rab10. We show here that LRRK2 kinase interferes with primary cilia formation in cultured cells, human LRRK2 G2019S iPS cells and in the cortex of LRRK2 R1441C mice. Rab10 phosphorylation strengthens its intrinsic ability to block ciliogenesis by enhancing binding to RILPL1. Importantly, the ability of LRRK2 to interfere with ciliogenesis requires both Rab10 and RILPL1 proteins. Pathogenic LRRK2 influences the ability of cells to respond to cilia-dependent, Hedgehog signaling as monitored by Gli1 transcriptional activation. Moreover, cholinergic neurons in the striatum of LRRK2 R1441C mice show decreased ciliation, which will decrease their ability to sense Sonic hedgehog in a neuro-protective circuit that supports dopaminergic neurons. These data reveal a molecular pathway for regulating cilia function that likely contributes to Parkinson’s disease-specific pathology. Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
Cross-comparative analysis of evacuation behavior after earthquakes using mobile phone data

Despite the importance of predicting evacuation mobility dynamics after large scale disasters for effective first response and disaster relief, our general understanding of evacuation behavior remains limited because of the lack of empirical evidence on the evacuation movement of individuals across multiple disaster instances. Here we investigate the GPS trajectories of a total of more than 1 million anonymized mobile phone users whose positions were tracked for a period of 2 months before and after four of the major earthquakes that occurred in Japan. Through a cross comparative analysis between the four disaster instances, we find that in contrast to the assumed complexity of evacuation decision making mechanisms in crisis situations, an individual’s evacuation probability is strongly dependent on the seismic intensity that they experience. In fact, we show that the evacuation probabilities in all earthquakes collapse into a similar pattern, with a critical threshold at around seismic intensity 5.5. This indicates that despite the diversity in the earthquakes profiles and urban characteristics, evacuation behavior is similarly dependent on seismic intensity. Moreover, we found that probability density functions of the distances that individuals evacuate are not dependent on seismic intensities that individuals experience. These insights from empirical analysis on evacuation from multiple earthquake instances using large scale mobility data contributes to a deeper understanding of how people react to earthquakes, and can potentially assist decision makers to simulate and predict the number of evacuees in urban areas with little computational time and cost. This can be achieved by utilizing only the information on population density distribution and seismic intensity distribution, which can be observed instantaneously after the shock.
Distilling Critical Paths in Convolutional Neural Networks

Neural network compression and acceleration are widely demanded currently due to the resource constraints on most deployment targets. In this paper, through analyzing the filter activation, gradients, and visualizing the filters' functionality in convolutional neural networks, we show that the filters in higher layers learn extremely task-specific features, which are exclusive for only a small subset of the overall tasks, or even a single class. Based on such findings, we reveal the critical paths of information flow for different classes. And by their intrinsic property of exclusiveness, we propose a critical path distillation method, which can effectively customize the convolutional neural networks to small ones with much smaller model size and less computation.
Use of Magnetic Growing Intramedullary Nails in Compression During Intercalary Allograft Reconstruction.

Traditionally, intercalary allograft reconstruction after tumor resection has had a high rate of complications, particularly nonunion. Plate and intramedullary nail fixation have been used alone and in combination to improve union rates. This study sought to evaluate a new technique that uses a magnetic growing intramedullary nail to compress the osteotomy sites to aid in healing and to answer 2 questions: (1) What is the union rate and the time to union when using magnetic growing intramedullary nails? (2) What complications occur with this technique? Eight patients with 15 osteotomy sites with a minimum follow-up of 14 months were retrospectively reviewed. Seven of the 8 patients underwent initial reconstruction with the magnetic nail, whereas 1 patient underwent treatment of a nonunion that occurred with prior carbon fiber nail fixation. Twelve of the 15 osteotomy sites had healed by an average of 9 months. Nonunions occurred in 2 patients with an associated failure of the hardware. One of these patients healed after revision surgery. Of the patients who healed at both sites, 1 had a fracture through the allograft, 1 had backing out of a locking screw that required removal, and 1 required a manipulation under anesthesia of the knee. Two patients underwent successful limb lengthening needed because of an expected limb-length discrepancy after healing occurred. Use of growing intramedullary nails in compression mode led to an 87% union rate at final follow-up with acceptable complications. This technique provides a viable alternative to standard nail and plate fixation when intercalary allografts are used. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(6):330-335. ].
Multi-channel discourse as an indicator for Bitcoin price and volume movements

This research aims to identify how Bitcoin-related news publications and online discourse are expressed in Bitcoin exchange movements of price and volume. Being inherently digital, all Bitcoin-related fundamental data (from exchanges, as well as transactional data directly from the blockchain) is available online, something that is not true for traditional businesses or currencies traded on exchanges. This makes Bitcoin an interesting subject for such research, as it enables the mapping of sentiment to fundamental events that might otherwise be inaccessible. Furthermore, Bitcoin discussion largely takes place on online forums and chat channels. In stock trading, the value of sentiment data in trading decisions has been demonstrated numerous times [1] [2] [3], and this research aims to determine whether there is value in such data for Bitcoin trading models. To achieve this, data over the year 2015 has been collected from Bitcointalk.org, (the biggest Bitcoin forum in post volume), established news sources such as Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, the complete /r/btc and /r/Bitcoin subreddits, and the bitcoin-otc and bitcoin-dev IRC channels. By analyzing this data on sentiment and volume, we find weak to moderate correlations between forum, news, and Reddit sentiment and movements in price and volume from 1 to 5 days after the sentiment was expressed. A Granger causality test confirms the predictive causality of the sentiment on the daily percentage price and volume movements, and at the same time underscores the predictive causality of market movements on sentiment expressions in online communities
It’s About Time – A Longitudinal Adaptation Model of High-Performance Work Teams

Work teams have become an essential part of organizations, but how implementation of work teams influences performance outcomes over time still remains unclear. This study aims to explore this issue by examining implementation of high-performance work teams (HPWTs) in a manufacturing context. We draw upon team development and adaptation literature and organizational change literature to propose a 2-phase adaptation model whereby the growth rates of performance outcomes initially decline after implementation of HPWTs and later increase and become higher than the rates before implementation. Over a 4-year period, a field quasi-experiment was conducted in 20 plants producing automation and control equipment for a Fortune 500 firm and collected monthly data regarding plant-level labor productivity and inventory turnover before and after implementation of HPWTs. Results based on piecewise growth modeling indicate that the growth rate of labor productivity declines immediately after conversion to HPWTs and recovers to the original level but not higher, whereas the growth rate of inventory turnover does not decline significantly but shows a long-term improvement. We discuss the effects of HPWT implementation on the 2 dependent variables and provide implications for practices and future research.
SCPA Transformer Based Matching Network Design Flow and SiP Implementation

This paper presents the analysis, design, and layout of a transformer based Matching Network (MN) implemented on a System in Package (SiP) with focus on area reduction. The effects of MN Insertion Loss (IL) and input impedance on the Switched Capacitor Power Amplifier (SCPA) efficiency are analyzed. The MN is investigated based on a circuit level model. Furthermore, the design flow of an IL- and area -optimized MN is proposed. Finally, the SiP MN transformer layout is realized using a 3 metal layer core-less package substrate. Two MNs are designed for center frequencies of 1.7 GHz and 0.8 GHz with insertion losses of 1.2 dB, and 1.4 dB, a total layout area of 0.43 mm2 and 0.46 mm2 respectively.
The anti-psychotic drug pimozide is a novel chemotherapeutic for breast cancer

Pimozide, an antipsychotic drug of the diphenylbutylpiperidine class, has been shown to suppress cell growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. In this study we further explore the inhibitory effects of this molecule in cancer cells. We found that Pimozide inhibited cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and A549 lung cancer cells. Furthermore, we found that Pimozide also promoted apoptosis as demonstrated by cell cycle arrest and induction of double-strand DNA breaks but did not result in any effect in the non-transformed MCF10A breast cell line. In order to shed new lights into the molecular pathways affected by Pimozide, we show that Pimozide downregulated RAN GTPase and AKT at both protein and mRNA levels and inhibited the AKT signaling pathway in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Pimozide also inhibited the epithelial mesenchymal transition and cell migration and downregulated the expression of MMPs. Administration of Pimozide showed a potent in vivo antitumor activity in MDA-MB-231 xenograft animal model and reduced the number of lung metastases by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. Furthermore, Pimozide inhibited myofibroblast formation as evaluated by the reduction in α-smooth muscle actin containing cells. Thus, Pimozide might inhibit tumor development by suppressing angiogenesis and by paracrine stimulation provided by host reactive stromal cells. These results demonstrate a novel in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of Pimozide against breast and lung cancer cells and provide the proof of concept for a putative Pimozide as a novel approach for cancer therapy.
Predictors of pregnancy after HIV-positive diagnosis among women in western Jamaica

Background Antiretroviral therapy has minimized mother-to-child transmission of HIV and given hope to HIV-positive women considering pregnancy. In Jamaica, 36% of HIV-positive pregnant women enrolled in a pediatric/perinatal HIV/AIDS program had repeat pregnancies. Objective To describe the epidemiology and identify factors associated with pregnancy after HIV diagnosis among HIV-positive women in Western Jamaica. Methods A cross-sectional study was designed among HIV-positive women 18–54 years old who either had or did not have at least one pregnancy after HIV-positive diagnosis. A questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic factors and health-seeking, reproductive, and sexual risk behaviors. Results A total of 219 HIV-positive women participated in this study. Length of time since HIV diagnosis, CD4 count, and birth-control methods used were significant predictors of pregnancy after HIV diagnosis. Women diagnosed with HIV <5 years previously had lower odds for pregnancy after HIV diagnosis (adjusted OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02–0.84) compared to those who had been diagnosed ≥8 years previously. Women with CD4 count <350 were over six times as likely to have a pregnancy after HIV diagnosis (adjusted OR 6.94, 95% CI 1.18–40.66). The odds for pregnancy after HIV diagnosis for a woman decreased by 93% if her children shared the same father (adjusted OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.006–0.77). Conclusion This study identified significant predictors of pregnancy after HIV diagnosis that indicate that integrative family-planning interventions with supportive reproductive counseling are likely to help HIV-positive women obtain early appropriate care and plan the pregnancies they desire.
NOXA genetic amplification or pharmacologic induction primes lymphoma cells to BCL2 inhibitor-induced cell death

Significance BCL2 selective inhibitors are promising agents currently under clinical investigation for treatment of BCL2-dependent cancers. However, the clinical activity of BCL2 inhibitors in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has been disappointing. In this study, we identified PMAIP1/NOXA gene amplification as a marker of sensitivity to BCL2 inhibitors in DLBCL. Cells lacking NOXA amplification were less sensitive to BCL2 inhibitors due to codependency on MCL1 and BCL2 proteins. We show that pharmacologic induction of NOXA by the HDAC inhibitor panobinostat primes DLBCL to BCL2 inhibitor-induced cell death by disrupting the codependency on BCL2 and MCL1, mimicking the biologic effects of NOXA genetic amplification. Our data provide a mechanistic rationale for combining HDAC inhibitors with BCL2 inhibitors in DLBCL. Although diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells widely express the BCL2 protein, they rarely respond to treatment with BCL2-selective inhibitors. Here we show that DLBCL cells harboring PMAIP1/NOXA gene amplification were highly sensitive to BCL2 small-molecule inhibitors. In these cells, BCL2 inhibition induced cell death by activating caspase 9, which was further amplified by caspase-dependent cleavage and depletion of MCL1. In DLBCL cells lacking NOXA amplification, BCL2 inhibition was associated with an increase in MCL1 protein abundance in a BIM-dependent manner, causing a decreased antilymphoma efficacy. In these cells, dual inhibition of MCL1 and BCL2 was required for enhanced killing. Pharmacologic induction of NOXA, using the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat, decreased MCL1 protein abundance and increased lymphoma cell vulnerability to BCL2 inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. Our data provide a mechanistic rationale for combination strategies to disrupt lymphoma cell codependency on BCL2 and MCL1 proteins in DLBCL.
Improving the Water Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Feather Keratin/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Tris(Hydroxymethyl)Aminomethane Blend Films by Cross-Linking with Transglutaminase, CaCl2, and Genipin

The high moisture sensitivity of feather keratin/polyvinyl alcohol/tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (FK/PVA/Tris) blend films hinders their application in the packaging field. Thus, in order to improve the water resistance and mechanical properties of such blend films, we attempted cross-linking the blend film with cross-linking agents such as transglutaminase (TG), CaCl2, and genipin. Obvious differences in the morphology of the blended films were observed by scanning electron microscopy before and after cross-linking, indicating that cross-linking can inhibit the phase separation of the blend film. Conformational changes in the blend films after cross-linking were detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Importantly, from examination of the total soluble mass, contact angle measurements, and water vapor permeability tests, it was apparent that cross-linking greatly improved the water resistance of the blend films, in addition to enhancing the mechanical properties (i.e., tensile strength and elongation at break). However, cross-linking was also found to reduce the oxygen barrier properties of the blend films. Therefore, cross-linking appears to be an effective method for promoting the application of FK/PVA/Tris blend films in the packaging field.