Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cholinergic Control of Visual Categorization in Macaques

Acetylcholine (ACh) is a neurotransmitter acting via muscarinic and nicotinic receptors that is implicated in several cognitive functions and impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease. It is believed to especially affect the acquisition of new information, which is particularly important when behavior needs to be adapted to new situations and to novel sensory events. Categorization, the process of assigning stimuli to a category, is a cognitive function that also involves information acquisition. The role of ACh on categorization has not been previously studied. We have examined the effects of scopolamine, an antagonist of muscarinic ACh receptors, on visual categorization in macaque monkeys using familiar and novel stimuli. When the peripheral effects of scopolamine on the parasympathetic nervous system were controlled for, categorization performance was disrupted following systemic injections of scopolamine. This impairment was observed only when the stimuli that needed to be categorized had not been seen before. In other words, the monkeys were not impaired by the central action of scopolamine in categorizing a set of familiar stimuli (stimuli which they had categorized successfully in previous sessions). Categorization performance also deteriorated as the stimulus became less salient by an increase in the level of visual noise. However, scopolamine did not cause additional performance disruptions for difficult categorization judgments at lower coherence levels. Scopolamine, therefore, specifically affects the assignment of new exemplars to established cognitive categories, presumably by impairing the processing of novel information. Since we did not find an effect of scopolamine in the categorization of familiar stimuli, scopolamine had no significant central action on other cognitive functions such as perception, attention, memory, or executive control within the context of our categorization task.
Measurements and data processing of atmospheric CO2, CH4, H2O and δ13CCH4 mixing ratio during the ship campaign in the East Arctic and the Far East seas in autumn 2016

Here we present the results of measurements of the atmospheric methane concentration and its isotope composition (δ13CCH4) in the East Arctic and Far East Seas during the cruise in the autumn 2016 by two different types of analyzers. Open path LI-7700 and LI-7500 analyzers measuring correspondingly methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O) have high time resolution (10Hz) that allow to fix instantaneous values of gas concentration. We obtained high CH4 concentration (more than 8 ppm) at the location of methane bubbles yields from sea water to atmospheric air. However, due to contamination and icing of the mirrors of these analyzers, significant part of data was rejected for analysis. The data sets of contact gas analyzer G2132-i shows good reliability but the peaks of CH4 concentration obtained by G2132-i are lower (up to 3.7 ppm) and longer due to instrument’s slower responding time. For 10-min averaging, data sets of both CH4 analyzers gives good agreement, the differences between two types measurements of methane values are less then analyzers’ accuracy.
Exploring the relationships between pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and nutritional intake: a real-world investigation in Shandong, China

This study investigated the associations between gestational weight gain (GWG), pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and prenatal diet quality in pregnant women from Shandong, China. We analyzed a sample of 532 early-stage pregnant women registered at an outpatient clinic. Diet quality was evaluated using the Chinese Healthy Dietary Index for Pregnancy (CHDI-P), encompassing three dimensions: diversity, adequacy, and limitation, with an overall score out of 100. Dietary intake was documented via 24-h dietary recalls spanning three consecutive days and subsequently translated to a CHDI-P score. At the time of enrollment, BMI was measured on-site and classified as underweight (<18.5), normal weight (18.5–24.9), overweight (25.0–29.9), and obese (≥30.0). Pregnant women were also categorized into inadequate, adequate, and excessive weight gain groups based on their GWG. We employed a Tukey-adjusted generalized linear model to compare the CHDI-P scores between the pre-pregnancy BMI groups and GWG groups. The results revealed that the underweight group had significantly higher total scores and limitation total scores on the CHDI-P (p < 0.001). Conversely, the overweight and obese groups were more susceptible to suboptimal dietary quality. Notably, the inadequate weight gain group displayed significantly elevated food adequacy scores compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). This indicates that greater GWGs do not necessarily align with principles of adequate nutrition.
Plasma Inflammatory Markers and Risk of Advanced Colorectal Adenoma in Women

Evidence remains inconclusive about the association of systemic inflammatory markers with colorectal neoplasia. We investigated whether circulating inflammatory markers were associated with risk of advanced colorectal adenoma. We measured plasma macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6), and soluble TNF receptor 2 (sTNFR-2) in blood samples drawn from 32,826 women in 1989 to 1990 in the Nurses' Health Study. Through 2008, we documented 757 cases of advanced colorectal adenomas (≥1 cm or any size with advanced histology); each case was matched by age and time of blood draw with one control randomly selected from participants who underwent lower endoscopy and did not have neoplasia. Plasma MIC-1 was associated with higher risk of advanced adenoma (Ptrend = 0.04), with an OR of 1.55 (95% confidence interval, 1.03–2.32) comparing extreme quintiles of MIC-1 after adjusting for colorectal cancer–risk factors and other inflammatory markers. Among cases, MIC-1 level was positively associated with the number of adenomas (P < 0.001) and gradually increased from adenomas located in the rectum, distal colon, and up to the proximal colon. There was a strong positive association between MIC-1 and risk of adenomas with multiplicity, ≥1 cm size and location in the proximal colon (all Ptrend < 0.05). CRP, IL6, or sTNFR-2 was not associated with adenoma risk. In conclusion, plasma MIC-1 was associated with higher risk of colorectal adenoma, especially multiple, large, and proximal adenomas. Our results provide further support for a role for MIC-1 in carcinogenesis and the potential for MIC-1 as an adjunctive biomarker for detection of advanced colorectal adenoma. Cancer Prev Res; 9(1); 27–34. ©2015 AACR.
Surfactant irritation: in vitro corneosurfametry and in vivo bioengineering

Background/aims: Irritant reactions to surfactants, cleansing products, soaps and detergents are common in clinical and occupational dermatology. Mildness has become a major benefit claimed, and testing for mildness now ranks among the first concerns of the manufacturing industry. A wealth of publications deals with this problem, trying to improve the methodology, reduce the costs of testing and facilitate decision‐making. Differences in vivo can be measured clinically and/or instrumentally. This is difficult, as commercially available products are generally safe to use and none are harsh in the absolute sense.
Supplement to : Exploiting Conserved Structure for Faster Annotation of Non-coding RNAs Without Loss of Accuracy

This paper adds supplementary technical information to the paper “Exploiting Conserved Structure for Faster Annotation of Non-coding RNAs Without Loss of Accuracy” [3]. In particular, a fully automated scheme to design efficient rigorous filters is described, and some other technical issues avoided in the paper are discussed here. This supplement assumes the reader has read that paper, and is familiar with CMs as they are traditionally presented in the literature, e.g. from [2, chpt. 9]. Issues considered are:
Short-term quality-of-life outcomes following laparoscopic-assisted colectomy vs open colectomy for colon cancer: a randomized trial.

CONTEXT Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) has emerged as the preferred minimally invasive surgical strategy for diseases of the colon. The safety and efficacy of LAC for colon cancer are unknown, and the nature and magnitude of any quality-of-life (QOL) benefit resulting from LAC for colon cancer is also unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare short-term QOL outcomes after LAC vs open colectomy for colon cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Multicenter, randomized controlled trial (Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Therapy [COST]). Between September 1994 and February 1999, 37 of 48 centers provided data for the QOL component of the trial for 449 consecutive patients with clinically resectable colon cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Scores on the Symptoms Distress Scale (SDS), Quality of Life Index, and a single-item global rating scale at 2 days, 2 weeks, and 2 months postoperative; duration of postoperative in-hospital analgesic use; and length of stay. RESULTS Of 449 patients, 428 provided QOL data. In an intention-to-treat analysis comparing SDS pain intensity, SDS summary, QOL Index summary, and global rating scale scores at each time point, the only statistically significant difference observed between groups was the global rating scale score for 2 weeks postsurgery. The mean (median) global rating scale scores for 2 weeks postsurgery were 76.9 (80) for LAC vs 74.4 (75) for open colectomy (P =.009). While in the hospital, patients assigned to LAC required fewer days of both parenteral analgesics compared with patients assigned to open colectomy (mean [median], 3.2 [3] vs 4.0 [4] days; P<.001) and oral analgesics (mean [median], 1.9 [1] vs 2.2 [2] days; P =.03). CONCLUSION Only minimal short-term QOL benefits were found with LAC for colon cancer compared with standard open colectomy. Until ongoing trials establish that LAC is as effective as open colectomy in preventing recurrence and death from colon cancer, this procedure should not be offered to patients with colon cancer.
Metabolic Recovery Following Human Traumatic Brain Injury Based on FDG‐PET: Time Course and Relationship to Neurological Disability

Objective:Utilizing [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), we assessed the temporal pattern and the correlation of functional and metabolic recovery following human traumatic brain injury. Design and Subjects:Fifty-four patients with injury severity ranging from mild to severe were studied. Thirteen of these patients underwent both an acute and delayed FDG-PET study. Results:Analysis of the pooled global cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc) values revealed that the intermediate metabolic reduction phase begins to resolve approximately one month following injury, regardless of injury severity. The correlation, in the 13 patients studied twice, between the extent of change in neurologic disability, assessed by the Disability Rating Scale (DRS), and the change in CMRglc from the early to late period was modest (r = −0.42). Potential explanations for this rather poor correlation are discussed. A review of the pertinent literature regarding the use of PET and related imaging modalities, including single photon emission tomography (SPECT) for the assessment of patients following traumatic brain injury is given. Conclusion:The dynamic profile of CMRglc that changes following traumatic brain injury is seemingly stereotypic across a broad range and severity of injury types. Quantitative FDG-PET cannot be used as a surrogate technique for estimating degree of global functional recovery following traumatic brain injury.
Advanced Power Electronic Interfaces for Distributed Energy Systems, Part 2: Modeling, Development, and Experimental Evaluation of Advanced Control Functions for Single-Phase Utility-Connected Inverter

Integrating renewable energy and distributed generations into the Smart Grid architecture requires power electronic (PE) for energy conversion. The key to reaching successful Smart Grid implementation is to develop interoperable, intelligent, and advanced PE technology that improves and accelerates the use of distributed energy resource systems. This report describes the simulation, design, and testing of a single-phase DC-to-AC inverter developed to operate in both islanded and utility-connected mode. It provides results on both the simulations and the experiments conducted, demonstrating the ability of the inverter to provide advanced control functions such as power flow and VAR/voltage regulation. This report also analyzes two different techniques used for digital signal processor (DSP) code generation. Initially, the DSP code was written in C programming language using Texas Instrument's Code Composer Studio. In a later stage of the research, the Simulink DSP toolbox was used to self-generate code for the DSP. The successful tests using Simulink self-generated DSP codes show promise for fast prototyping of PE controls.
Support Vector Path Planning

This paper describes a unique approach of applying a pattern classification technique to robot path planning. A collision-free path connecting a start and a goal point provides information on the division of the space. In the case of 2D path planning, for example, the path divides the space into two regions. This suggests a dual problem of first dividing the whole space into such two regions and then picking up the boundary as a path. We develop a method of solving this dual problem using support vector machine (SVM). SVM generates a nonlinear separating surface based on the margin maximization principle. This property is suitable for the purpose of usual path planning problems, that is, generating a safe and smooth path. The details of the path planning methods in 2D and 3D spaces are described with several planning results. Future possibilities of combining the proposed concept with other path planning methodologies are also discussed
A meta-analysis of the placebo rates of remission and response in clinical trials of active Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (PC-RCTs) are commonly used to assess therapies for Crohn's disease (CD). Knowledge of the placebo rates of remission and response and understanding of design factors that influence these rates is important for designing future clinical trials evaluating pharmacotherapy of CD. The aims of this study were to estimate rates of remission and response in patients with active CD receiving placebo and to identify factors influencing these rates. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of PC-RCTs evaluating therapies for active CD identified from MEDLINE from 1966 to 2001. RESULTS The pooled estimates of the placebo rates of remission and response were 18% (95% confidence interval, 14%-24%; range, 0%-50%) and 19% (95% confidence interval, 13%-28%; range, 0%-46%), respectively, both with significant heterogeneity among studies (P < 0.01 for remission, P < 0.03 for response). In multivariate models, study duration, number of study visits, and entry Crohn's Disease Activity Index score were important predictors of the placebo remission rate, with study duration the most important. However, no single factor could account for all of the heterogeneity. Factors that influence the placebo response rates were similar to those affecting the placebo remission rates. The absolute benefit of active treatment beyond placebo was generally larger when outcome was measured by response than remission. CONCLUSIONS Placebo remission and response rates in PC-RCTs for active CD are variable. Study duration, number of study visits, and disease severity at entry have a large influence on placebo remission rates.
VHF and UHF Electromagnetic Radiation Produced by Streamers in Lightning

In this letter, we report simulation results of streamer propagation and collision that produce electromagnetic radiation in the very high frequency (VHF) and ultra high frequency (UHF) bands. The streamers are initiated in overbreakdown field conditions, 1.5Ekand2Ek, respectively, which may be found during the corona flash stage of negative leader stepping processes. We find that while streamer propagation produces stronger VHF radiation, the head‐on collision of streamers dominates UHF, and even higher‐frequency radiation. Analysis of the energy spectral densities obtained from different simulation cases shows that the total length and radii of colliding streamers, as well as the ambient field, are important parameters for the UHF radiation produced by streamer collisions. The larger those parameters are, the stronger UHF radiation produced. Finally, by comparing with the measured spectral magnitude of lightning field in the VHF range, it is found that there are probably 105–107 streamers involved during the lightning corona flash stage.
Reciprocal bias compensation and ensuing uncertainties in model-based climate projections: pelagic biogeochemistry versus ocean mixing

Abstract. Anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 and N2O impinge on the Earth system, which in turn modulates atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. The underlying feedback mechanisms are complex and, at times, counterintuitive. So-called Earth system models have recently matured to standard tools tailored to assess these feedback mechanisms in a warming world. Applications for these models range from being targeted at basic process understanding to the assessment of geo-engineering options. A problem endemic to all these applications is the need to estimate poorly known model parameters, specifically for the biogeochemical component, based on observational data (e.g., nutrient fields). In the present study, we illustrate with an Earth system model that through such an approach biases and other model deficiencies in the physical ocean circulation model component can reciprocally compensate for biases in the pelagic biogeochemical model component (and vice versa). We present two model configurations that share a remarkably similar steady state (based on ad hoc measures) when driven by historical boundary conditions, even though they feature substantially different configurations (parameter sets) of ocean mixing and biogeochemical cycling. When projected into the future the similarity between the model responses breaks. Metrics such as changes in total oceanic carbon content and suboxic volume diverge between the model configurations as the Earth warms. Our results reiterate that advancing the understanding of oceanic mixing processes will reduce the uncertainty of future projections of oceanic biogeochemical cycles. Related to the latter, we suggest that an advanced understanding of oceanic biogeochemical cycles can be used for advancements in ocean circulation modules.
A low-power fat tree-based optical Network-On-Chip for multiprocessor system-on-chip

Multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) is an attractive platform for high-performance applications. Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) can improve the on-chip communication bandwidth of MPSoCs. However, traditional metallic interconnects consume significant amount of power to deliver even higher communication bandwidth required in the near future. Optical NoCs are based on CMOS-compatible optical waveguides and microresonators, and promise significant bandwidth and power advantages. This paper proposes a fat tree-based optical NoC (FONoC) including its topology, floorplan, protocols, and a low-power and low-cost optical router, optical turnaround router (OTAR). Different from other optical NoCs, FONoC does not require building a separate electronic NoC for network control. It carries both payload data and network control data on the same optical network, while using circuit switching for the former and packet switching for the latter. The FONoC protocols are designed to minimize network control data and the related power consumption. An optimized turnaround routing algorithm is designed to utilize the low-power feature of OTAR, which can passively route packets without powering on any microresonator in 40% of all cases. Comparing with other optical routers, OTAR has the lowest optical power loss and uses the lowest number of microresonators. An analytical model is developed to characterize the power consumption of FONoC. We compare the power consumption of FONoC with a matched electronic NoC in 45 nm, and show that FONoC can save 87% power comparing with the electronic NoC on a 64-core MPSoC. We simulate the FONoC for the 64-core MPSoC and show the end-to-end delay and network throughput under different offered loads and packet sizes.
Head detection using Kinect camera and its application to fall detection

This article proposes a head detection algorithm for depth video provided by a Kinect camera and its application to fall detection. The proposed algorithm first detects possible head positions and then based on these positions, recognizes people by detecting the head and the shoulders. Searching for head positions is rapid because we only look for the head contour on the human outer contour. The human recognition is a modification of HOG (Histogram of Oriented Gradient) for the head and the shoulders. Compared with the original HOG, our algorithm is more robust to human articulation and back bending. The fall detection algorithm is based on the speed of the head and the body centroid and their distance to the ground. By using both the body centroid and the head, our algorithm is less affected by the centroid fluctuation. Besides, we also present a simple but effective method to verify the distance from the ground to the head and the centroid.
Understanding the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida

In an effort to simulate the survival of cyanobacteria as they are transported from Lake Okeechobee to the estuarine habitats that receive waters from the lake, a bioassay encompassing a range of salinities was performed. An overall decline in cyanobacteria health in salinity treatments greater than 18 practical salinity units (psu) was indicated by loss of cell membrane integrity based on SYTOX® Green staining, but this loss varied by the kind of cyanobacteria present. Microcystis aeruginosa was tolerant of salinities up to 18 psu; however, higher salinities caused leaking of microcystin from the cells. Dolichospermum circinale, another common bloomformer in this system, did not tolerate salinities greater than 7.5 psu. Stimulation of mucilage production was observed and is likely a mechanism used by both species to protect organism viability. At 7.5 psu, microcystin increased relative to chlorophyll-a, providing some evidence of biosynthesis when M. aeruginosa is exposed to this salinity. This study indicates that as freshwater cyanobacteria are transported to brackish and marine waters, there will be a loss of membrane integrity which will lead to the release of cellular microcystin into the surrounding waterbody. Additional research would be needed to determine the exact effect of salinity on this relationship.
Assessment of the psychosocial environments of community-oriented psychiatric treatment programs.

This paper describes the development of a scale, the Community-Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES), which attempts to systematically assess the psychosocial environments of transitional community-oriented psychiatric treatment programs such as halfway houses, rehabilitation centers, day care centers, and community care homes. The psychometric characteristics of the scale are given, sample program profiles are illustrated, and potential applications are discussed.