Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SSRI Treatment suppresses dream recall frequency but increases subjective dream intensity in normal subjects

Clinical lore and a small number of published studies report that the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) intensify dreaming. This study examines the dream effects of paroxetine and fluvoxamine in order to both increase clinical knowledge of these agents and to test an important potential method for probing the relationship between REM sleep neurobiology and dreaming in humans. Fourteen normal, paid volunteers (4 males, 10 females; mean age 27.4 year, range 22–39) free of medical or neuropsychiatric symptoms as well as of psychotropic or sleep affecting drugs completed a 31‐day home‐based study consisting of: 7 days drug‐free baseline; 19 days on either 100 mg fluvoxamine (7 Ss) or 20 mg paroxetine (7 Ss) in divided morning and evening doses; and 5 days acute discontinuation. Upon awakening, subjects wrote dream reports, self‐scored specific emotions in their reports and rated seven general dream characteristics using 5‐point Likert scales. Dream reports were independently scored for bizarreness, movement and number of visual nouns by three judges. REM sleep‐related measures were obtained using the Nightcap ambulatory sleep monitor. Mean dream recall frequency decreased during treatment compared with baseline. Dream report length and judge‐rated bizarreness were greater during acute discontinuation compared with both baseline and treatment and this effect was a result of the fluvoxamine‐treated subjects. The subjective intensity of dreaming increased during both treatment and acute discontinuation compared with baseline. Propensity to enter REM sleep was decreased during treatment compared with baseline and acute discontinuation and the intensity of REM sleep increased during acute discontinuation compared with baseline and treatment. The decrease in dream frequency during SSRI treatment may reflect serotonergic REM suppression while the augmented report length and bizarreness during acute SSRI discontinuation may reflect cholinergic rebound from serotonergic suppression.
Expression Analysis of Four Peroxiredoxin Genes from Tamarix hispida in Response to Different Abiotic Stresses and Exogenous Abscisic Acid (ABA)

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a recently discovered family of antioxidant enzymes that catalyze the reduction of peroxides and alkyl peroxides. In this study, four Prx genes (named as ThPrxII, ThPrxIIE, ThPrxIIF, and Th2CysPrx) were cloned from Tamarix hispida. Their expression profiles in response to stimulus of NaCl, NaHCO3, PEG, CdCl2 and abscisic acid (ABA) in roots, stems and leaves of T. hispida were investigated using real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that the four ThPrxs were all expressed in roots, stems and leaves. Furthermore, the transcript levels of ThPrxIIE and ThPrxII were the lowest and the highest, respectively, in all tissue types. All the ThPrx genes were induced by both NaCl and NaHCO3 and reached their highest expression levels at the onset of stress in roots. Under PEG and CdCl2 stress, the expression patterns of these ThPrxs showed temporal and spatial specificity. The expressions of the ThPrxs were all differentially regulated by ABA, indicating that they are all involved in the ABA signaling pathway. These findings reveal a complex regulation of Prxs that is dependent on the type of Prx, tissue, and the signaling molecule. The divergence of the stress-dependent transcriptional regulation of the ThPrx gene family in T. hispida may provide an essential basis for the elucidation of Prx function in future work.
RNA Transfection Is a Versatile Tool to Investigate Endothelin-1 Posttranscriptional Regulation

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent endothelial-derived vasocon-strictor and cellular mitogen. Perturbations in ET-1 levels have been observed in a number of cardiovascular and renal disorders. Steady-state ET-1 mRNA expression is regulated in the vascular endothelium by an inducible promoter and a constitutively short mRNA half-life. Recent studies have identified mRNA stabilization as a pathophysiologically relevant mechanism of ET-1 induction in vascular endothelial cells. However, mechanistic studies on posttranscriptional pathways in physiologically relevant postconfluent primary endothelial cell monolayers have remained challenging because of endothelial resistance to DNA-based gene transfer and expression. To overcome these challenges, we developed an RNA transfection method to study ET-1 posttranscriptional regulation. Reporter transcripts transfected into either preconfluent or postconfluent primary endothelial cells were rapidly and robustly expressed. RNA transfection reconstituted poly(A)-tail–dependent protein expression and ET-1 3′-UTR–dependent mRNA destabilization, suggesting that the transfected RNA accessed endothelial cell posttranscriptional pathways. Because RNA transfection uncouples transcription from expression, the influence of the ET-1 3′-UTR on posttranscriptional expression kinetics could also be monitored. Taken together, our results suggest that RNA transfection is a versatile tool to investigate ET-1 posttranscriptional regulation in endothelial cell culture models.
Fine time tracking from coarse timing estimation in OFDM systems

A fine time tracking system is presented for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems working in multipath fading channels. Due to the channel variability, coarse timing is the most common sampling synchronization level performed in these environments. However, in case of slow time variant channels, fine time tracking can help in some way to the channel equalization, improving the system performance. For this purpose, a fine time tracker with timing error detection schemes based on the symbol synchronization algorithms will be analyzed. Finally, the obtained results are compared with the performance of coarse time tracking systems.
Antigen levels of coagulation factor XII, coagulation factor XI and prekallikrein, and the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke in young women

High levels of activated protein–inhibitor complexes of the intrinsic coagulation proteins are associated with ischemic stroke (IS) but not with myocardial infarction (MI). This study was aimed at determining whether the antigen levels of coagulation factors (factor XII, FXII, and FXI and prekallikrein (PK) are associated with MI and IS, and whether this association is independent of levels of activated protein–inhibitor complexes.
A Re-ranking Algorithm Based on Focused Named Entities

This paper proposed a new method for learning to re-rank the retrieved documents based on the evaluation of the semantic relevance between named-entities in these documents and the query words, especially relevance between the query and the most topical named entities in these documents. The relevance weights used to rank documents were evaluated by analyzing the co-occurrence characters of focused named entities with respect to query. In this method, firstly, given the set of retrieved documents containing a query, the focused named entities in these documents are recognized; secondly, the relevance level of the query with respect to the focused entities in each retrieved document is estimated; thirdly, these retrieved documents are re-ranked with these relevance levels. Moreover, Experimental results on SEWM2006 test set indicate that our method can work well.
A prediction-based detection algorithm against distributed denial-of-service attacks

Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks especially distributed DoS (DDoS) attacks have become significant and increasing threats to the Internet. Huge efforts from both academia and industry have been made on detection and defense of DDoS attacks. However, most detection and defense schemes do not directly aim at protecting the victim of attacks itself (e.g., servers) but attack sources or intermediate network units. Although locating and identifying attacking sources are critical to stop attacks and for legal procedure, rapid and efficient predicting DDoS attacks to happen in the server is more important to reduce damage caused by attacks and even prevent attacks from happening. However, this part has not been addressed sufficiently in the literature. In this paper, we first briefly review research efforts on DDoS attacks, and then discuss a method to define and quantify attacks to severs based on available service rates. This is because the server is often the direct victim of DDoS attacks and the one-point failure of the entire service system. No matter whether there are attacks undergoing, if a sever is overloaded even by normal service requests, the effect imposed to a service system is equivalent to that of attacks. A prediction method for the available service rate of the protected server is then proposed, which applies the Auto Regressive Integrated Auto Regressive (ARIMA) model. Finally, we investigate the proposed prediction method to predict DDoS attacks through simulation studies with NS2. The simulation results show that the prediction algorithm is effective to predict most attacks.
An adaptive ARQ timeout approach for audio streaming over Bluetooth

In this paper we study the application of audio streaming over Bluetooth and propose an enhancement to the Bluetooth link layer ARQ mechanism to compensate for channel degradation and to better support audio streaming. Specifically, our scheme adaptively sets the ARQ timeout value based on current channel conditions. We show through simulation and testbed experiments that the adaptive ARQ improves the streaming quality significantly compared to the 'vanilla' link layer of Bluetooth, especially in noisy environments. Our proposed approach is simple to implement and can actually be extended to the link layer of any wireless technologies.
Defective Epidermal Innate Immunity and Resultant Superficial Dermatophytosis in Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

Purpose: Superficial dermatophytosis is quite commonly seen in patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), as approximately 50% of the patients develop cutaneous mycotic infections. Because superficially infected fungi in the stratum corneum of the epidermis cannot directly contact with T cells infiltrating in the upper dermis, some perturbation of epidermal innate immunity has been postulated. Interleukin (IL)-17–producing helper T cells (Th17) can induce the keratinocyte production of antimicrobial peptides such as human β defensin (HBD)-2 and LL-37, which play an essential role in cutaneous innate immunity. Experimental Design: We investigated the frequency of circulating Th17 cells, serum levels of cytokines, and epidermal expression of HBD-1, 2, 3, and LL-37 in ATLL patients with or without superficial dermatophytosis. Results: The frequency of peripheral Th17 cells and the serum level of IL-17 was significantly decreased in ATLL patients, whereas the serum IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels were increased as compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, ATLL patients with dermatophytosis had higher IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels and lower IL-17 levels than did those without dermatophytosis. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the epidermal expression of both HBD-2 and LL-37 were significantly lower in ATLL patients with dermatophytosis than in non-ATLL patients with dermatophytosis. Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggest that the keratinocyte production of antimicrobial peptides promoted by Th17 cells is reduced in ATLL patients, leading to the perturbed innate immunity and the frequent occurrence of superficial dermatophytosis. Clin Cancer Res; 18(14); 3772–9. ©2012 AACR.
On the sum rate of a 2 × 2 interference network

In an M × N interference network, there are M transmitters and N receivers with each transmitter having independent messages for each of the 2N - 1 possible non-empty subsets of the receivers. We consider the 2 × 2 interference network with 6 possible messages, of which the 2 × 2 interference channel and X channel are special cases obtained by using only 2 and 4 messages respectively. Starting from an achievable rate region similar to the Han-Kobayashi region, we obtain an achievable sum rate. For the Gaussian interference network, we determine which of the 6 messages are sufficient for maximizing the sum rate within this rate region for the low, mixed, and strong interference conditions. It is observed that 2 messages are sufficient in several cases. Finally, we show that sum capacity is achieved using only 2 messages for a subset of the mixed interference conditions.
Perceptual estimation obeys Occam's razor

Theoretical models of unsupervised category learning postulate that humans “invent” categories to accommodate new patterns, but tend to group stimuli into a small number of categories. This “Occam's razor” principle is motivated by normative rules of statistical inference. If categories influence perception, then one should find effects of category invention on simple perceptual estimation. In a series of experiments, we tested this prediction by asking participants to estimate the number of colored circles on a computer screen, with the number of circles drawn from a color-specific distribution. When the distributions associated with each color overlapped substantially, participants' estimates were biased toward values intermediate between the two means, indicating that subjects ignored the color of the circles and grouped different-colored stimuli into one perceptual category. These data suggest that humans favor simpler explanations of sensory inputs. In contrast, when the distributions associated with each color overlapped minimally, the bias was reduced (i.e., the estimates for each color were closer to the true means), indicating that sensory evidence for more complex explanations can override the simplicity bias. We present a rational analysis of our task, showing how these qualitative patterns can arise from Bayesian computations.
Comparative Analysis of Carrier-Based Obturation and Lateral Compaction: A Retrospective Clinical Outcomes Study

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the outcome of primary endodontic treatment using a standardized cleaning and shaping technique and obturation with either lateral compaction or carrier-based obturation. Patients received primary endodontic treatment in the predoctoral dental clinic using a standardized cleaning and shaping protocol. All root canals were obturated using AH PlusTM sealer with lateral compaction of gutta-percha (LC) or carrier-based obturation (CBO). A total of 205 cases met the inclusion criteria. 71 teeth in 60 patients were recalled after 2 years and evaluated both clinically and radiographically by two independent examiners. Success was defined as a lack of clinical symptoms and a normal periodontal ligament space or reduction in size of a previously existing periapical radiolucency. Chi-square and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis with a significance level of P < 0.05. There was no difference in success rates between cases obturated with LC or CBO (P = 0.802); overall success rate was 83%. Molars had a significantly lower success rate (53%) than premolar and anterior teeth (89%) (P = 0.005), irrespective of the obturation technique used. When a standardized cleaning and shaping protocol was used by predoctoral dental students in a controlled university setting, there was no difference in success rates between cases obturated with LC or CBO.
Grid-independent large-eddy simulation of compressible turbulent flows using explicit filtering

The governing equations for large-eddy simulation (LES) are derived from the application of a low-pass filter to the Navier-Stokes equations. It is often assumed that discrete operations performed on a particular grid act as an implicit filter, causing simulation results to be sensitive to the mesh resolution. Alternatively, explicit filtering separates the filtering operations from discretization operations, and hence alleviates the grid sensitivities. Obtaining a grid-independent LES solution in incompressible flow has been successfully demonstrated by Bose, Moin & You [Phys. Fluids, 22, 105103, 2010]. In the present study, we investigate the use of explicit filtering in obtaining a grid-independent LES solution for compressible turbulent flow. The convergence of simulations using a fixed filter width with varying mesh resolutions to a true large-eddy simulation solution is analyzed for compressible turbulent flow through a channel with periodic constrictions at a bulk Reynolds number of 10 and Mach number of 0.6. The mean and turbulent statistics obtained by the conventional implicitly filtered LES and by the present explicitly filtered LES are compared at two different mesh resolutions. Although grid independence is not fully achieved, this is the first application of explicitly filtered LES to the compressible governing equations and to a quasi-complex geometry.
Phenylpropanoids from the stems of Ephedra sinica

Two new compounds of phenylpropanoids, (S)-N-((1R,2S)-1-hydroxy-1-phenylpropan-2-yl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-2-carboxamide (1) and (3R)-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-phenylpropanoic acid (2), were isolated from the stems of Ephedra sinica. Their structures were elucidated by in-depth examination of spectroscopic data, mainly including those from the 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS techniques, and chemical method. The absolute configurations of the two compounds were also corroborated through CD procedure.
A thermo-hydraulic wax actuation system for high force and large displacement applications

An actuation system, making use of paraffin wax as a smart material, has been developed for high force, large displacement applications. Wax actuators exploit the significant volumetric expansion (typically between 10 and 15%) experienced during the solid to liquid phase change of paraffin wax. When contained, this expansion results in considerable hydrostatic pressure. Traditionally, wax actuators are designed such that the wax acts directly, via a compliant seal, on an output device such as a piston. We propose using an additional intermediate (passive) fluid to transmit pressure to a separate remote actuator. In essence, we propose a solid-state 'pump' for hydraulic actuation, with no moving parts and which requires no maintenance. The pump makes use of paraffin wax pellets, submerged in hydraulic fluid. The pellets are encapsulated in silicone rubber to prevent contamination of the hydraulic fluid. Upon melting, the volumetric expansion is used to displace the hydraulic working fluid, which is in turn used to drive a conventional hydraulic actuator. Making use of only 65g of paraffin wax, heated from room temperature to 80ºC, the pump generated a blocked pressure of 45MPa and displaced 15.7ml of hydraulic fluid. The pump was used to drive a commercial actuator, and achieved a free stroke of 24.4mm and a blocked force of approximately 29kN.
The feasibility of deep-learning algorithms integration on a GPU-based ultrasound research scanner

Ultrasound medical diagnostics is a real-time modality based on a doctor's interpretation of images. So far, automated Computer-Aided Diagnostic tools were not widely applied to ultrasound imaging. The emerging methods in Artificial Intelligence, namely deep-learning, gave rise to new applications in medical imaging modalities. The work's objective was to show the feasibility of implementing deep-learning algorithms directly on a research scanner with GPU software beamforming.
Influence of TCO type on the performance of amorphous silicon solar cells

We have deposited textured ZnO:Al films over large areas using a reactive-environment hollow cathode sputtering (RE-HCS) system developed in house, and have achieved excellent carrier mobilities (up to 49.5 cm2/Vs at a carrier concentration of 4.42 x 1020/cm3). Both the electrical properties and optical properties (total transmission and haze) are superior to those exhibited by commercially available SnO2:F. Using these textured ZnO:Al films, we have achieved an a-Si:H solar cell efficiency boost of 8% relative to commercial SnO2:F superstrates which resulted from improvements in all three PV parameters, namely Voc, Jsc, and FF. We have also determined the dependence of cell performance on the degree of haze in the ZnO:Al films. Electrical, physical, and optical properties of ZnO:Al and SnO2:F, as determined by four-point probe, Hall effect, SEM, AFM, ICP, transmission (total and diffuse), and work function measurements are presented and correlated to the observed differences in a-Si solar cell performance. We have also developed a refractive index matching layer that, when inserted between the TCO and the a-Si:H layers, resulted in an increase in Jsc of 3%. Finally, we present some experiments on the effect of TCO type on nc-Si:H solar cell performance. From these experiments, we confirmed that SnO2:F by itself is not a suitable TCO for nc-Si:H cells, but found that SnO2:F overcoated with TiO2 followed by ZnO was the most effective superstrate for this type of cell.
De Rham cohomology of logarithmic forms on arrangements of hyperplanes

The paper is devoted to computation of the cohomology of the complex of logarithmic differential forms with coefficients in rational functions whose poles are located on the union of several hyperplanes of a linear space over a field of characteristic zero. The main result asserts that for a vast class of hyperplane arrangements, including all free and generic arrangements, the cohomology algebra coincides with the Orlik-Solomon algebra. Over the field of complex numbers, this means that the cohomologies coincide with the cohomologies of the complement of the union of the hyperplanes. We also prove that the cohomologies do not change if poles of arbitrary multiplicity are allowed on some of the hyperplanes. In particular, this gives an analogue of the algebraic de Rham theorem for an arbitrary arrangement over an arbitrary field of zero characteristic.
Learning accurate kinematic control of cable-driven surgical robots using data cleaning and Gaussian Process Regression

Precise control of industrial automation systems with non-linear kinematics due to joint elasticity, variation in cable tensioning, or backlash is challenging; especially in systems that can only be controlled through an interface with an imprecise internal kinematic model. Cable-driven Robotic Surgical Assistants (RSAs) are one example of such an automation system, as they are designed for master-slave teleoperation. We consider the problem of learning a function to modify commands to the inaccurate control interface such that executing the modified command on the system results in a desired state. To achieve this, we must learn a mapping that accounts for the non-linearities in the kinematic chain that are not accounted for by the system's internal model. Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) is a data-driven technique that can estimate this non-linear correction in a task-specific region of state space, but it is sensitive to corruption of training examples due to partial occlusion or lighting changes. In this paper, we extend the use of GPR to learn a non-linear correction for cable-driven surgical robots by using (i) velocity as a feature in the regression and (ii) removing corrupted training observations based on rotation limits and the magnitude of velocity. We evaluate this approach on the Raven II Surgical Robot on the task of grasping foam “damaged tissue” fragments, using the PhaseSpace LED-based motion capture system to track the Raven end-effector. Our main result is a reduction in the norm of the mean position error from 2.6 cm to 0.2 cm and the norm of the mean angular error from 20.6 degrees to 2.8 degrees when correcting commands for a set of held-out trajectories. We also use the learned mapping to achieve a 3.8× speedup over past results on the task of autonomous surgical debridement.