Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Benefits of Physical Exercise on Basic Visuo-Motor Functions Across Age

Motor performance deficits of older adults are due to dysfunction at multiple levels. Age-related differences have been documented on executive functions; motor control becomes more reliant on cognitive control mechanisms, including the engagement of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), possibly compensating for age-related sensorimotor declines. Since at functional level the PFC showed the largest age-related differences during discriminative response task, we wonder whether those effects are mainly due to the cognitive difficulty in stimulus discrimination or they could be also detected in a much easier task. In the present study, we measured the association of physical exercise with the PFC activation and response times (RTs) using a simple response task (SRT), in which the participants were asked to respond as quickly as possible by manual key-press to visual stimuli. Simultaneous behavioral (RTs) and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were performed on 84 healthy participants aged 19–86 years. The whole sample was divided into three cohorts (young, middle-aged, and older); each cohort was further divided into two equal sub-cohorts (exercise and not-exercise) based on a self-report questionnaire measuring physical exercise. The EEG signal was segmented in epochs starting 1100 prior to stimulus onset and lasting 2 s. Behavioral results showed age effects, indicating a slowing of RTs with increasing age. The EEG results showed a significant interaction between age and exercise on the activities recorded on the PFC. The results indicates that: (a) the brain of older adults needs the PFC engagement also to perform elementary task, such as the SRT, while this activity is not necessary in younger adults, (b) physical exercise could reduce this age-related reliance on extra cognitive control also during the performance of a SRT, and (c) the activity of the PFC is a sensitive index of the benefits of physical exercise on sensorimotor decline.
Statistical Optimization for High Dimensional Machine Learning with Privacy and Sparsity Constraints

High-dimensionality and privacy sensitive data in modern machine learning problems poses computational challenges that ask for novel optimization algorithms. This thesis presents optimization algorithms that achieve superior theoretical and empirical performance by leveraging structure of the statistical model in machine learning problems. Chapter 2 of the thesis proposes a distributed privacy-preserving sparse PCA (DPS-PCA) algorithm that generates a minimax-optimal sparse PCA estimator under differential privacy constraints. Data providers can use this algorithm to collaboratively analyze the union of their datasets while limiting the disclosure of their private information. DPS-PCA can recover the leading eigen-space of the population covariance at a geometric convergence rate, and simultaneously achieves the optimal minimax statistical error for high-dimensional data. In Chapter 3, we present a pathwise Active Set Proximal Newton algorithm for estimating L1 regularized sparse generalized linear models in high dimensions. With an efficient active set strategy and a pathwise optimization scheme, our algorithm leverages the restricted strong convexity of the loss function (i.e., the negative log-likelihood) and achieves an asymptotic quadratic rate of convergence, even if the loss function itself is not strongly convex. Chapter 4 presents a DC proximal Newton algorithm for solving high-dimensional sparse learning problems under non-convex penalties such as MCP and SCAD. We prove in theory that the proposed algorithm can achieve local quadratic convergence within each stage of convex relaxation, and it takes only a few convex relaxations to obtain a sparse approximate local optimum. Finally in Chapter 5 we present an R and Python package that implements the sparse learning algorithms. Our package achieves state-of-the-art performance among all the available sparse learning solvers that handles L1 and nonconvex penalties.
The Role of Explicit Knowledge: A Conceptual Model of Knowledge-Assisted Visual Analytics

Visual Analytics (VA) aims to combine the strengths of humans and computers for effective data analysis. In this endeavor, humans’ tacit knowledge from prior experience is an important asset that can be leveraged by both human and computer to improve the analytic process. While VA environments are starting to include features to formalize, store, and utilize such knowledge, the mechanisms and degree in which these environments integrate explicit knowledge varies widely. Additionally, this important class of VA environments has never been elaborated on by existing work on VA theory. This paper proposes a conceptual model of Knowledge-assisted VA conceptually grounded on the visualization model by van Wijk. We apply the model to describe various examples of knowledge-assisted VA from the literature and elaborate on three of them in finer detail. Moreover, we illustrate the utilization of the model to compare different design alternatives and to evaluate existing approaches with respect to their use of knowledge. Finally, the model can inspire designers to generate novel VA environments using explicit knowledge effectively.
Improving Speech Emotion Recognition with Unsupervised Representation Learning on Unlabeled Speech

In this paper we present our findings on how representation learning on large unlabeled speech corpora can be beneficially utilized for speech emotion recognition (SER). Prior work on representation learning for SER mostly focused on the relatively small emotional speech datasets without making use of additional unlabeled speech data. We show that integrating representations learnt by an unsupervised autoencoder into a CNN-based emotion classifier improves the recognition accuracy. To gain insights about what those models learn, we analyze visualizations of the different representations using t-distributed neighbor embeddings (t-SNE). We evaluate our approach on IEMOCAP and MSP-IMPROV by means of within- and cross-corpus testing.
Increased Abundance of Gallionella spp., Leptothrix spp. and Total Bacteria in Response to Enhanced Mn and Fe Concentrations in a Disturbed Southern Appalachian High Elevation Wetland

The Sorrento wetland hosts several Fe- and Mn-rich seeps that are reported to have appeared after the area was disturbed by recent attempts at development. Culture-independent and culture-based analyses were utilized to characterize the microbial community at the main site of the Fe and Mn seep. Several bacteria capable of oxidizing Mn(II) were isolated, including members related to the genera Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Pseudomonas, and Leptothrix, but none of these were detected in clone libraries. Most probable number assays demonstrated that seep and wetland sites contained higher numbers of culturable Mn-oxidizing microorganisms than an upstream reference site. When compared with quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) assays of total bacteria, MPN analyses indicated that less than 0.01% of the total population (estimated around 109 cells/g) was culturable. Light microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) images revealed an abundance of morphotypes similar to Fe- and Mn-oxidizing Leptothrix spp. and Gallionella spp. in seep and wetland sites. FISH allowed identification of Leptothrix-type sheath-forming organisms in seep samples but not in reference samples. Gallionella spp. and Leptothrix spp. cells numbers were estimated using qPCR with a novel primer set that we designed. Results indicated that numbers of Gallionella, Leptothrix or total bacteria were all significantly higher at the seep site relative to the reference site (where Gallionella was below detection). Interestingly, numbers of Leptothrix in the seep site were estimated at only 107 cells/g and were not statistically different in the late summer versus the late winter, despite dramatic changes in sheath abundance (as indicated by microscopy). qPCR also indicated that Gallionella spp. may represent up to 10% (3 × 108 cells/g) of the total bacteria in seep samples. These data corroborate clone library data from samples taken in October 2008, where 11 SSU rRNA sequences related to Gallionella spp. were detected out of 77 total sequences (roughly 10–15%), and where Leptothrix sequences were not detected. Analysis of this SSU rRNA clonal library revealed that a diverse microbial community was present at seep sites. At a 3% difference cutoff, 30 different operational taxonomic units were detected out of 77 sequences analyzed. Dominant sequence types clustered among the beta- and gamma- Proteobacteria near sequences related to the genera Ideonella, Rhodoferax, Methylotenera, Methylobacter, and Gallionella. Overall, results suggest that high metal concentrations at the seep sites have enriched for Fe- and Mn-oxidizing bacteria including organisms related to Gallionella and Leptothrix species, and that members of these genera coexist within a diverse microbial community.
Cascaded control concept of a robot with two degrees of freedom driven by four artificial pneumatic muscle actuators

Pneumatic muscles are interesting in their use as actuators in robotics, since they have a high power/weight ratio, a high-tension force and a long durability. This paper presents a two-axis planar articulated robot, which is driven by four pneumatic muscles. Every actuator is supplied by one electronic servo valve in 3/3-way function. Part of this work is the derivation of the model description, which describes a high nonlinear dynamic behavior of the robot. Main focus is the physical model for the pneumatic muscle and a detailed model description for the servo valves. The aim is to control the tool center point (TCP) of the manipulator, which bases here on a fast subsidiary torque regulator of the drive system compensating the nonlinear effects. As the robot represents a MIMO system, a second control objective is defined, which corresponds here to the average pressure of each muscle-pair. An optimisation-strategy is presented to meet the maximum stiffness of the controlled drive system. As the torque controller assures a fast linear input/output behavior, a standardized controller is implemented which bases here on the Computed Torque Method to track the TCP. Measurement results show the efficiency of the presented cascaded control concept.
Electric field-induced redistribution and postfield relaxation of epidermal growth factor receptors on A431 cells

The lateral mobility of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in the plane of the plasma membrane of cultured A431 cells was investigated using direct and indirect fluorescent probes to measure the generation and relaxation of electric field-induced receptor asymmetry. A steady electric field of 15 V/cm for 30 min at 23 degrees C induced a redistribution of the unoccupied EGF receptor such that there was approximately a three-fold higher concentration of receptors at the cathode-facing pole. After termination of the field, the unoccupied receptors back diffused at 37 degrees C with a rate corresponding to a diffusion coefficient of 2.6-3.5 X 10(-10) cm2/s. No diffusion was detected at 4 degrees C. Formation of the hormone- receptor complex is known to induce receptor clustering and internalization. By inhibiting internalization with metabolic poisons, we were able to study the cell surface mobility of clusters of the hormone-receptor complex. The same degree of asymmetry was induced when the occupied receptor was exposed to an electric field and the rate of back diffusion of clusters of the hormone-receptor complex corresponded to a diffusion coefficient of 0.68-0.95 X 10(-10) cm2/s. Although the unoccupied receptor is somewhat more mobile than the hormone-receptor complex, it was still far less mobile than one would predict for an unconstrained protein imbedded in a phospholipid bilayer.
Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Class I Restricted Epitope Discovery in Yellow Fewer and Dengue Viruses: Importance of HLA Binding Strength

Epitopes from all available full-length sequences of yellow fever virus (YFV) and dengue fever virus (DENV) restricted by Human Leukocyte Antigen class I (HLA-I) alleles covering 12 HLA-I supertypes were predicted using the NetCTL algorithm. A subset of 179 predicted YFV and 158 predicted DENV epitopes were selected using the EpiSelect algorithm to allow for optimal coverage of viral strains. The selected predicted epitopes were synthesized and approximately 75% were found to bind the predicted restricting HLA molecule with an affinity, KD, stronger than 500 nM. The immunogenicity of 25 HLA-A*02:01, 28 HLA-A*24:02 and 28 HLA-B*07:02 binding peptides was tested in three HLA-transgenic mice models and led to the identification of 17 HLA-A*02:01, 4 HLA-A*2402 and 4 HLA-B*07:02 immunogenic peptides. The immunogenic peptides bound HLA significantly stronger than the non-immunogenic peptides. All except one of the immunogenic peptides had KD below 100 nM and the peptides with KD below 5 nM were more likely to be immunogenic. In addition, all the immunogenic peptides that were identified as having a high functional avidity had KD below 20 nM. A*02:01 transgenic mice were also inoculated twice with the 17DD YFV vaccine strain. Three of the YFV A*02:01 restricted peptides activated T-cells from the infected mice in vitro. All three peptides that elicited responses had an HLA binding affinity of 2 nM or less. The results indicate the importance of the strength of HLA binding in shaping the immune response.
A Novel Window Technique Using CO2 Laser, and a Review of Methods for Nail Matrix Biopsy of Longitudinal Melanonychia

BACKGROUND Nail matrix histopathological examination is essential to diagnose longitudinal melanonychia (LM). Several methods for nail matrix biopsy have been introduced but are often difficult to perform because of their invasiveness and technical difficulty. Therefore, a less invasive and novel biopsy technique is needed. OBJECTIVE To introduce a window technique for nail matrix biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and histopathological specimens of patients with LM who underwent the window technique for nail matrix biopsy at our institution between September 2015 and December 2016. RESULTS Eleven cases from 10 patients with LM were subjected to our tailored window technique assisted by carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and dermoscopy. We performed nail plate dermoscopy to select the biopsy site and used CO2 laser to create the window in the proximal nail plate. Nail matrix pigmentation was carefully investigated using intraoperative dermoscopy. The technique established appropriate diagnosis in 11 LM cases, without significant complications, as follows: melanoma in situ (4 cases) and nail matrix activation (7 cases). CONCLUSION The window technique assisted by CO2 laser and dermoscopy can be a minimally invasive and effective method for nail matrix LM biopsy under local anesthesia.
The Cochrane review of surgery for lumbar disc prolapse and degenerative lumbar spondylosis.

STUDY DESIGN A Cochrane review of randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVES To collate the scientific evidence on surgical management for lumbar-disc prolapse and degenerative lumbar spondylosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Surgical investigations and interventions account for as much as one third of the health care costs for spinal disorders, but the scientific evidence for most procedures still is unclear. METHODS A highly sensitive search strategy identified all published randomized controlled trials. Cochrane methodology was used for meta-analysis of the results. RESULTS Twenty-six randomized controlled trials of surgery for lumbar disc prolapse and 14 trials of surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylosis were identified. Methodologic weaknesses were found in many of the trials. Only one trial directly compared discectomy and conservative management. Meta-analyses showed that surgical discectomy produces better clinical outcomes than chemonucleolysis, which is better than placebo. Three trials showed no difference in clinical outcomes between microdiscectomy and standard discectomy, but in three other studies, both produced better results than percutaneous discectomy. Three trials showed that inserting an interposition membrane after discectomy does not significantly reduce scar formation or alter clinical outcomes. Five heterogeneous trials on spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis permit very limited conclusions. There were nine trials of instrumented versus noninstrumented fusion: Meta-analysis showed that instrumentation may facilitate fusion but does not improve clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS There is now strong evidence on the relative effectiveness of surgical discectomy versus chemonucleolysis versus placebo. There is considerable evidence on the clinical effectiveness of discectomy for carefully selected patients with sciatica caused by lumbar disc prolapse that fails to resolve with conservative management. There is no scientific evidence on the effectiveness of any form of surgical decompression or fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylosis compared with natural history, placebo, or conservative management. The Cochrane reviews will be updated continuously as other trials become available.
Arabidopsis ICX1 Is a Negative Regulator of Several Pathways Regulating Flavonoid Biosynthesis Genes1

Flavonoid biosynthesis gene expression is controlled by a range of endogenous and environmental signals. The Arabidopsisicx1 (increased chalcone synthase expression 1) mutant has elevated induction of CHS(CHALCONE SYNTHASE) and other flavonoid biosynthesis genes in response to several stimuli. We show thatICX1 is a negative regulator of the cryptochrome 1, phytochrome A, ultraviolet (UV)-B, low temperature, sucrose, and cytokinin induction of CHS expression and/or anthocyanin accumulation, demonstrating that these pathways are regulated either directly or indirectly by at least one common component. Expression analysis of CHS and other genes (LTP,CAB, and rbcS) indicates thatICX1 functions in both seedlings and mature leaf tissue and acts principally in the epidermis, consistent with the alterations in epidermal development seen in icx1. The mutant was unaltered in the synergistic interactions between UV-B, blue, and UV-A light that regulate CHS and we propose a model of action of ICX1 in these responses.
Secure multimedia communication in smart devices reinforced by using one-time keys

Recently, smart devices have become more and more prevalent in the daily life. The spread of these devices introduced various use cases; however, communication has always been their primary functionality. With the development of WebRTC (Web Real- Time Communication) and the availability of this technology on smart devices, applications offering real-time multimedia communication features will become more pervasive. Though WebRTC presents a promising set of standards and interfaces for the task of carrying data from one end to another, there are security issues that are left in the hands of the application developers. In this thesis, we aim to achieve secure multimedia communication by tackling the key generation and distribution issue of WebRTC platform using a smart card for secure storage and operations. We tested different cryptographic algorithms on smart cards, and resultantly we designed a mechanism based on hash chains. This mechanism allowed synchronous generation of keys at both sides. The mechanism was implemented and tested on different brands of Java Cards. The results of the tests indicate that it is possible to produce a key under one-second time. In addition, the results were analyzed to optimize generation times of particular keys by adjusting chain length parameter of the mechanism. Consequently, the key generation method was integrated into Media Security Platform of Netas¸ Telecommunications A.S¸ . , which is based on WebRTC. The integration was performed under the guidance of a signaling scheme drafted for the message traffic for the key agreement. In conclusion, the successful integration and better results indicate an improvement over a previously used public key system.
A Fatal Case of Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia Not Otherwise Specified (CEL-NOS) in a 19-Year-Old Male with Acute Transformation into Blast Crisis

Chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) is a rare disorder that is characterized by hypereosinophilia with increased number of blood or marrow blasts (>5% and <20%). CEL is distinguished from hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) by the presence of eosinophilic clonality. Chronic eosinophilic leukemia not otherwise specified (CEL-NOS) diagnosis is made when no fusion genes are detected by most modern molecular testing, particularly the most common fusion gene FIP1L-1/PDGFRA (Factor Interacting with PAP like-1/Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha). This disease is very rare, and its description in the literature is not well characterized. We report a fetal case of severe CEL-NOS in a 19-year-old male who presented with a plethora of clinical features consists of constitutional symptoms, pancytopenia, intravascular thrombosis, acute stroke and endomyocardial infiltrates. The course of his disease was aggressive and resistant to conventional treatment. After a short period of improvement, an acute transformation into blast crisis (BC) had occurred. The diagnosis was confirmed by morphology and immunophenotyping of bone marrow biopsy. The patient eventually died of heart failure and sepsis. To our knowledge this is the first case report of fatal CEL-NOS transforming into severe blast crisis.
Primary cardiac lymphoma diagnosed by percutaneous intracardiac biopsy with combined fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiographic imaging

Primary cardiac tumors have very low prevalence with cardiac lymphoma, being one of the rarest forms. Several recent reports have shown transesophageal echocardiography to be an accurate technique for characterizing and localizing these neoplasms, with results comparable to CT and MRI scans. Transvenous intracardiac tumor biopsy has been employed as a minimally invasive technique to obtain tissue samples. The addition of transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) guidance to this process has increased the accuracy of obtaining diagnostic specimens while improving patient safety. We review published cases of this relatively new technique using combined fluoroscopic and TEE guidance and present a case of primary cardiac lymphoma diagnosed by this method. The patient achieved complete tumor remission after treatment with standard chemotherapy and remains fully functional 32 months after initial diagnosis. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 50:226–233, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.