Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of truncated periodic array using two-stage wavelet-packet transformations for impedance matrix compression

A novel method of moments procedure is applied to the problem of scattering by metallic truncated periodic arrays. In such problems, the induced current shows localized behavior within the unit cell and at the same time exhibits cell-to-cell periodicity. In order to select a set of expansion functions that may account for such behavior, a two-stage basis transformation, of which the first stage is an ordinary wavelet transformation performed independently on each unit-cell, has been applied to a pulse basis. The resultant basis functions at the first stage are regrouped and retransformed to reveal the periodicity of their coefficients. Expansion functions are then iteratively selected from this newly constructed basis to form a compressed impedance matrix. The compression ratios obtained in this manner are higher than the compression ratio achieved using a basis constructed via an ordinary single-stage wavelet transformation, where compression is the ratio between the number of nonzero elements in the matrix used to solve the problem and the number of elements in the original matrix. An even higher compression is attained by considering, in addition, functions that reveal array-end related features and iteratively selecting the expansion from an overcomplete dictionary.
Hippocampal atrophy is the critical brain change in patients with hypoxic amnesia

Anoxia is considered a good model for studying amnesia. However, not all individuals who experience anoxic events develop memory problems. Moreover, the question still remains about whether, after anoxia, damage is limited to the hippocampus in patients with amnesia and without other significant cognitive deficits. Here we investigated brain damage in a selected sample of adults affected exclusively by an amnesic syndrome after an anoxic episode. The cerebral MR images of these patients were submitted to visual inspection, volumetric measurements of the mesial temporal structures following manual segmentation, and to Voxel‐Based Morphometry of the whole brain. We studied five anoxic patients and thirty‐three well‐matched healthy subjects. Our aim was to: (a) quantify regional atrophic changes associated with chronic anoxic damage compared to control subjects (Group Comparison Analysis); (b) identify regions of common abnormality across all patients (Conjunction Analysis in the VBM); (c) investigate whether measures of regional volume reduction correlated with neuropsychological memory scores; (d) compare the results obtained with visual inspection and ROI analyses with those obtained with VBM. We found that anoxic patients presented a significant reduction of gray matter volume in the hippocampus bilaterally compared to healthy subjects. The only common atrophic region across all patients was the hippocampus bilaterally. Correlation analysis showed only a trend between the Prose immediate free recall test and the left hippocampus. Our findings confirm that the hippocampus is very sensitive to damage stemming from anoxia. Patients with hypoxic amnesia may present damage in other brain regions, but only hippocampal atrophy is common in all of them. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A New Text-Independent GMM Writer Identification System Applied to Arabic Handwriting

This paper proposes a system for text-independent writer identification based on Arabic handwriting using only 21 features. Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) are used as the core of the system. GMMs provide a powerful representation of the distribution of features extracted using a fixed-length sliding window from the text lines and words of a writer. For each writer a GMM is built and trained using words and text lines images of that writer. At the recognition phase, the system returns log-likelihood scores. The GMM model(s) with the highest score(s) is (are) selected depending if the score is computed in Top-1 or Top-n level. Experiments using only word and text line images from the freely available Arabic Handwritten Text Images Database written by Multiple Writers (AHTID/MW) demonstrate a good performance for the Top-1, Top-2, Top-5 and Top-10 results.
Adaptive Neural Network Control of Biped Robots

In this paper, neural network control strategies based on radial basis functions are designed for biped robots, which includes balancing and posture control. To deal with system uncertainties, neural networks are used to approximate the unknown model of the robot. Both full state feedback control and output feedback control are considered in this paper. With the proposed control, the trajectories of the closed-loop system are semiglobally uniformly bounded which can be proved via Lyapunov stability theorem. Simulations are also carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control.
δ-Catenin (CTNND2) missense mutation in familial cortical myoclonic tremor and epilepsy

Objective: To identify the causative gene in a large Dutch family with familial cortical myoclonic tremor and epilepsy (FCMTE). Methods: We performed exome sequencing for 3 patients of our FCMTE family. Next, we performed knock-down (shRNA) and rescue experiments by overexpressing wild-type and mutant human δ-catenin (CTNND2) proteins in cortical mouse neurons and compared the results with morphologic abnormalities in the postmortem FCMTE brain. Results: We identified a missense mutation, p.Glu1044Lys, in the CTNND2 gene that cosegregated with the FCMTE phenotype. The knock-down of Ctnnd2 in cultured cortical mouse neurons revealed increased neurite outgrowth that was rescued by overexpression of wild-type, but not mutant, CTNND2 and was reminiscent of the morphologic abnormalities observed in cerebellar Purkinje cells from patients with FCMTE. Conclusions: We propose CTNND2 as the causal gene in FCMTE3. Functional testing of the mutant protein revealed abnormal neuronal sprouting, consistent with the abnormal cerebellar Purkinje cell morphology in patients with FCMTE.
Decreased Streamflow in the Yellow River Basin, China: Climate Change or Human‐Induced?

Decreased streamflow of the Yellow River basin has become the subject of considerable concern in recent years due to the critical importance of the water resources of the Yellow River basin for northern China. This study investigates the changing properties and underlying causes for the decreased streamflow by applying streamflow data for the period 1960 to 2014 to both the Budyko framework and the hydrological modelling techniques. The results indicate that (1) streamflow decreased 21% during the period 1980–2000, and decreased 19% during the period 2000–2014 when compared to 1960–1979; (2) higher precipitation and relative humidity boost streamflow, while maximum/minimum air temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, and the underlying parameter, n, all have the potential to adversely affect them; (3) decreased streamflow is also linked to increased cropland, grass, reservoir, urban land, and water areas and other human activities associated with GDP and population; (4) human activity is the main reason for the decrease of streamflow in the Yellow River basin, with the mean fractional contribution of 73.4% during 1980–2000 and 82.5% during 2001–2014. It is clear that the continuing growth of humaninduced impacts on streamflow likely to add considerable uncertainty to the management of increasingly scarce water resources. Overall, these results provide strong evidence to suggest that human activity is the key factor behind the decreased streamflow in the Yellow River basin.
Advanced Fiber Tracking in Early Acquired Brain Injury Causing Cerebral Palsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted MR imaging and fiber tractography can be used to investigate alterations in white matter tracts in patients with early acquired brain lesions and cerebral palsy. Most existing studies have used diffusion tensor tractography, which is limited in areas of complex fiber structures or pathologic processes. We explored a combined normalization and probabilistic fiber-tracking method for more realistic fiber tractography in this patient group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 17 children with unilateral cerebral palsy and 24 typically developing controls. DWI data were collected at 1.5T (45 directions, b=1000 s/mm2). Regions of interest were defined on a study-specific fractional anisotropy template and mapped onto subjects for fiber tracking. Probabilistic fiber tracking of the corticospinal tract and thalamic projections to the somatosensory cortex was performed by using constrained spherical deconvolution. Tracts were qualitatively assessed, and DTI parameters were extracted close to and distant from lesions and compared between groups. RESULTS: The corticospinal tract and thalamic projections to the somatosensory cortex were realistically reconstructed in both groups. Structural changes to tracts were seen in the cerebral palsy group and included splits, dislocations, compaction of the tracts, or failure to delineate the tract and were associated with underlying pathology seen on conventional MR imaging. Comparisons of DTI parameters indicated primary and secondary neurodegeneration along the corticospinal tract. Corticospinal tract and thalamic projections to the somatosensory cortex showed dissimilarities in both structural changes and DTI parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our proposed method offers a sensitive means to explore alterations in WM tracts to further understand pathophysiologic changes following early acquired brain injury.
Reconstruction of oncological oro-mandibular defects with double skin paddled-free fibula flap: a prudent alternative to double flaps in resource-constrained centres.

OBJECTIVE The free fibula flap is the choice flap for mandibular reconstruction following extensive tumor resections. While large defects are managed with a second flap [free or pedicle] in advanced centres, a free fibula flap with a large skin paddle that can be de-epithelised to provide outer skin and inner lining is the best alternative in resource- constrained centres. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 2005 to December 2009 a total of 386 free fibula flaps were used of which 307 flaps had de-epithelised double skin paddle in reconstructing complex oral and mandibular defects after tumor ablative surgeries. RESULTS Complete flap survival was seen in 282/307 patients. Complete flap loss was seen in 9/307 patients. Partial flap loss was seen in 16 patients. Re - exploration was done in 30 patients and the flap was salvaged in 21 patients. CONCLUSION The vascular supply of the free fibula osteo myocutaneous flap is reliable and a flap with a large skin paddle can be used to provide both inner lining and outer cover in resource-constrained centres.
New host cell system for regulated simian virus 40 DNA replication

Transformed monkey cell lines (CMT and BMT) that inducible express simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen from the metallothionein promoter have been isolated and characterized. Immunoprecipitation of pulse-labeled T antigen demonstrates a 5- to 12-fold increase in the rate of synthesis on addition of heavy-metal inducers to the culture medium. Radioimmunoassay of cell extracts indicates the accumulation of three- to fourfold more total T antigen after 2 days of induction by comparison with uninduced controls. A direct correlation was found between the level of T-antigen synthesis and the extent of SV40 DNA replication in inducible cells. Inducible BMT cells expressing a low basal level of T antigen were efficiently transformed by a vector carrying the neomycin resistance marker and an SV40 origin of replication. These vector sequences were maintained in an episomal form in most G418-resistant cell lines examined and persisted even in the absence of biochemical selection. Extensive rearrangements were observed only if the vector contained bacterial plasmid sequences. Expression of a protein product under the control of the SV40 late promoter in such vectors was increased after heavy-metal-dependent amplification of the template. These results demonstrate the ability of BMT cells to maintain a cloned eucaryotic gene in an amplifiable episomal state.
A sliding mode observer for estimating substrate consumption rate in a fermentation process

In a fermentation system, the biomass balance and the substrate mass balance are coupled by a nonlinear growth rate condition. In order to control this nonlinear process, many researchers assume that both substrate and biomass concentration are measurable. In practice, only online measurement of substrate concentration is readily available. Estimating the biomass concentration can be done but it is often an expensive procedure. This paper will consider the development of a software sensor or observer using sliding mode techniques to estimate substrate consumption rate, which comprises a combination of the substrate concentration, biomass concentration, specific growth rate and yield production coefficient. This observer parameterisation simplifies the nonlinear differential equations of the fermentation process. It is shown that the sliding mode exhibited by the observer error dynamics is exponentially stable, and uncertainty effects are considered. The constructive observer parameterisation ensures the sliding mode is reached in finite time. Nonlinear simulation results support the theoretical developments and demonstrate the robustness of the observer in the presence of both parameter uncertainties and external disturbances.
Intracellular pH regulation in cultured microglial cells from mouse brain

Intracellular pH (pH1) and the mechanisms of pH1 regulation have been investigated in cultured microglial cells from mouse brain using the pH‐sensitive fluorescent dye 2′,7′‐bis‐(2‐carboxyethyl)‐5‐(6)‐carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Cells were acidified by a pulse of NH4+ (4‐5 min; 20 mM) and the subsequent pH1 recovery from an acidification was studied. In HCO3‐‐free saline, pH regulation was dependent on extracellular [Na+] and sensitive to amiloride, indicating the involvement of the Na+/H+ exchanger. In HCO3‐‐containing solution 2 mM amiloride slowed but did not block pH1 recovery; the recovery however was dependent on extracellular [Na+] and sensitive to 0.3 mM DIDS, suggesting the presence of Na+/HCO3 cotransporter and/or Na+‐dependent Cl‐/HCO3‐ exchanger. The involvement of a Na‐dependent Cl‐/HCO3‐ exchanger was inferred from the observation that removal of Cl‐ or application of 1 mM furosemide decreased but did not block the recovery rate. Increasing [K+]0 resulted in an alkalinization by a process that was neither HCO3‐ nor Na+‐dependent, nor DIDS‐ and amiloride‐inhibitable. In conclusion, microglial cells express a distinct set of pH regulatory carriers which control for a defined level of pH1. An increase in [K+]0 can offset this level. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stress-Inducible Alternative Translation Initiation of Human Cytomegalovirus Latency Protein pUL138

ABSTRACT We have previously characterized a 21-kDa protein encoded by UL138 (pUL138) as a viral factor inherent to low-passage strains of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) that is required for latent infection in vitro. pUL138 is encoded on 3.6-, 2.7-, and 1.4-kb 3′ coterminal transcripts that are produced during productive and latent infections. pUL138 is encoded at the 3′ end of each transcript and is preceded by an extensive 5′ sequence (∼0.5 to 2.5 kb) containing several putative open reading frames (ORFs). We determined that three putative ORFs upstream of UL138 (UL133, UL135, and UL136) encode proteins. The UL138 transcripts are polycistronic, such that each transcript expresses pUL138 in addition to the most-5′ ORF. The upstream coding sequences (CDS) present a significant challenge for the translation of pUL138 in mammalian cells. We hypothesized that sequences 5′ of UL138 mediate translation initiation of pUL138 by alternative strategies. Accordingly, a 663-nucloetide (nt) sequence overlapping the UL136 CDS supported expression of a downstream cistron in a bicistronic reporter system. We did not detect cryptic promoter activity or RNA splicing events that could account for downstream cistron expression. These data are consistent with the sequence element functioning as an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). Interestingly, pUL138 expression from the 3.6- and 2.7-kb transcripts was induced by serum stress, which concomitantly inhibited normal cap-dependent translation. Our work suggests that an alternative and stress-inducible strategy of translation initiation ensures expression of pUL138 under a variety of cellular contexts. The UL138 polycistronic transcripts serve to coordinate the expression of multiple proteins, including a viral determinant of HCMV latency.
Estimation and Mapping of Winter Oilseed Rape LAI from High Spatial Resolution Satellite Data Based on a Hybrid Method

Leaf area index (LAI) is a key input in models describing biosphere processes and has widely been used in monitoring crop growth and in yield estimation. In this study, a hybrid inversion method is developed to estimate LAI values of winter oilseed rape during growth using high spatial resolution optical satellite data covering a test site located in southeast China. Based on PROSAIL (coupling of PROSPECT and SAIL) simulation datasets, nine vegetation indices (VIs) were analyzed to identify the optimal independent variables for estimating LAI values. The optimal VIs were selected using curve fitting methods and the random forest algorithm. Hybrid inversion models were then built to determine the relationships between optimal simulated VIs and LAI values (generated by the PROSAIL model) using modeling methods, including curve fitting, k-nearest neighbor (kNN), and random forest regression (RFR). Finally, the mapping and estimation of winter oilseed rape LAI using reflectance obtained from Pleiades-1A, WorldView-3, SPOT-6, and WorldView-2 were implemented using the inversion method and the LAI estimation accuracy was validated using ground-measured datasets acquired during the 2014–2015 growing season. Our study indicates that based on the estimation results derived from different datasets, RFR is the optimal modeling algorithm amidst curve fitting and kNN with R2 > 0.954 and RMSE <0.218. Using the optimal VIs, the remote sensing-based mapping of winter oilseed rape LAI yielded an accuracy of R2 = 0.520 and RMSE = 0.923 (RRMSE = 93.7%). These results have demonstrated the potential operational applicability of the hybrid method proposed in this study for the mapping and retrieval of winter oilseed rape LAI values at field scales using multi-source and high spatial resolution optical remote sensing datasets. Details provided by this high resolution mapping cannot be easily discerned at coarser mapping scales and over larger spatial extents that usually employ lower resolution satellite images. Our study therefore has significant implications for field crop monitoring at local scales, providing relevant data for agronomic practices and precision agriculture.
COMPARING THE STRENGTH OF DIAGONALLY NONRECURSIVE FUNCTIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF ${\rm{\Sigma }}_2^0$ INDUCTION

Abstract We prove that the statement “there is a k such that for every f there is a k-bounded diagonally nonrecursive function relative to f” does not imply weak König’s lemma over ${\rm{RC}}{{\rm{A}}_0} + {\rm{B\Sigma }}_2^0$. This answers a question posed by Simpson. A recursion-theoretic consequence is that the classic fact that every k-bounded diagonally nonrecursive function computes a 2-bounded diagonally nonrecursive function may fail in the absence of ${\rm{I\Sigma }}_2^0$.
Dielectrophoretic Relay Assisted Molecular Communication for In-Sequence Molecule Delivery

With current research focus to interconnect the molecular communication environment with external environment, it is imperative to design external devices working on molecular communication schemes to be interfaced with in-vivo molecular network. Recently, efforts have been made to integrate molecular communication with Lab-on-chip (LOC); one of the techniques used in LOC for manipulation and transportation of molecules is Dielctrophoresis (DEP). We propose the use of DEP in molecular communication to maintain in-sequence delivery of molecules. DEP planar electrodes are modeled as relays used in telecommunications. We describe the theoretical system model and analyze the effect of introducing DEP relays in diffusive channel in terms of probability of in-sequence delivery of molecules. Information rate of DEP-based channel is analytically obtained for in-sequence delivery. The numerical results obtained show that the information rate for in-sequence delivery of molecules through diffusive channel increases by 26% if DEP relays are used in the channel. Though the system is sensitive to noise variance, incorporation of DEP relay results in a substantial improvement in the capacity of the channel.
Does social spending increase support for free trade in advanced democracies

The compensation hypothesis states that governments adopt social programs to compensate individuals for accepting high trade exposure. Previous empirical studies have tested this hypothesis by analysing the effects of international trade on social welfare spending, finding ambiguous conclusions. We test this hypothesis from a different perspective. Using the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) questionnaire, we analyse the association between social welfare spending and the countries support for free trade in 22 OECD countries. We find that individuals tend to be more in favour of free trade in countries that spend more on social welfare benefits. This association becomes stronger once we have controlled for individual economic and noneconomic factors affecting attitudes towards free trade. Furthermore, the association applies to the components of social welfare spending most importantly related to economic insecurity: pensions plus unemployment benefits.
Assessment of antibody library diversity through next generation sequencing and technical error compensation

Antibody libraries are important resources to derive antibodies to be used for a wide range of applications, from structural and functional studies to intracellular protein interference studies to developing new diagnostics and therapeutics. Whatever the goal, the key parameter for an antibody library is its diversity, i.e. the number of distinct elements in the collection, which directly reflects the probability of finding in the library an antibody against a given antigen, of sufficiently high affinity. Quantitative evaluation of antibody library diversity and quality has been for a long time inadequately addressed, due to the high similarity and length of the sequences of the library. Diversity was usually inferred by the transformation efficiency and tested either by fingerprinting and/or sequencing of a few hundred random library elements. Inferring diversity from such a small sample is, however, very rudimental and gives limited information about the real complexity, because complexity does not scale linearly with sample size. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has opened new ways to tackle the antibody library diversity quality assessment. However, much remains to be done to fully exploit the potential of NGS for the quantitative analysis of antibody repertoires and to overcome current limitations. To obtain a more reliable antibody library complexity estimate here we show a new, PCR-free, NGS approach to sequence antibody libraries on Illumina platform, coupled to a new bioinformatic analysis and software (Diversity Estimator of Antibody Library, DEAL) that allows to reliably estimate the diversity, taking in consideration the sequencing error.