Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retrolabyrinthine Meatotomy as Part of Retrosigmoid Approach to Expose the Whole Internal Auditory Canal: Rationale, Technique, and Outcome in Hearing Preservation Surgery for Vestibular Schwannoma.

BACKGROUND Vestibular schwannoma extending to the fundus of the internal auditory canal is currently considered an unfavorable condition for hearing preservation surgery via a retrosigmoid approach because the lateral end of the canal is hard to view directly during microsurgery. OBJECTIVE To present an improved retrolabyrinthine meatotomy (RLM) technique that enables the full length of the cochlear and facial nerves to be inspected up to their orifices on the fundus. Long-term results are briefly reported. METHODS A consecutive series of 100 cases with various degrees of fundus involvement underwent surgery via a retrosigmoid approach and RLM. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 14 yr. Outcomes on hearing and facial nerve function were recorded, and preoperative MRI findings of the tumor on the fundus were correlated with the surgical findings and the long-term radicality of the tumor resection. RESULTS Residual tumor on the fundus was identified in 3 cases, all belonging to the group with tumors adhering to the fundus. The functional results were in line with the best reported outcomes of this surgery. CONCLUSION RLM via a retrosigmoid approach seemed adequate for the purposes of hearing preservation surgery and enabled the full course of the facial and cochlear nerves through the internal auditory canal to be exposed to direct view. Tumors adhering to the vestibular quadrant of the fundus were more difficult to remove, and there were a few cases of local residual tumor.
Detecting profilable and overlapping communities with user-generated multimedia contents in LBSNs

In location-based social networks (LBSNs), users implicitly interact with each other by visiting places, issuing comments and/or uploading photos. These heterogeneous interactions convey the latent information for identifying meaningful user groups, namely social communities, which exhibit unique location-oriented characteristics. In this work, we aim to detect and profile social communities in LBSNs by representing the heterogeneous interactions with a multimodality nonuniform hypergraph. Here, the vertices of the hypergraph are users, venues, textual comments or photos and the hyperedges characterize the k-partite heterogeneous interactions such as posting certain comments or uploading certain photos while visiting certain places. We then view each detected social community as a dense subgraph within the heterogeneous hypergraph, where the user community is constructed by the vertices and edges in the dense subgraph and the profile of the community is characterized by the vertices related with venues, comments and photos and their inter-relations. We present an efficient algorithm to detect the overlapped dense subgraphs, where the profile of each social community is guaranteed to be available by constraining the minimal number of vertices in each modality. Extensive experiments on Foursquare data well validated the effectiveness of the proposed framework in terms of detecting meaningful social communities and uncovering their underlying profiles in LBSNs.
Obligatory and facultative brain regions for voice-identity recognition

The brain structures critical for recognising another person’s voice remain unclear. Roswandowitz et al. report lesion-behaviour results showing that the right posterior/mid temporal lobe is obligatory for voice-identity recognition. The right inferior parietal lobe, in contrast, is required for voice-identity recognition only when face-identity information must also be processed.
Consequence of microwave irradiation on reforming catalysts

The aim of this paper is to point out the effects of microwave irradiation on the reforming catalysts reactivity and particularly on the selectivity in hexanes isomerization of a 0.2%Pt/AhO3 catalyst. The in situ thermal treatments of the catalysts and the catalytic reactions are performed in a plug-flow system working under isothermal and isobaric conditions. The catalytic bed can uniformly heated by microwave irradiation by using a magnetron and wave guide. In an other way, the catalytic bed can be heated in a classical electrical oven. Before thermal treatments, the initial step of preparation is done by impregnation of y-Al2O3 with hexachloroplatinic acid. Metal particles diameters are estimated from hydrogen chemisorption and particles distributions are obtained using electron microscopy. The catalytic tests (hexanes isomerization) either under classical heating or under microwave irradiation, are performed in such way that the total conversion is lower than 20%. When the catalyst's thermal treatment and the catalytic reactions are performed in a classical oven, the selectivity in isomers is 50%. When the thermal treatment of the catalyst and /or the reaction are performed under the electromagnetic field, the selectivity in isomers is increased to 80%. The isomer selectivity remains high even when catalysts are subsequently tested under classical heating conditions.
Crowdsensing in Smart Cities: Overview, Platforms, and Environment Sensing Issues

Evidence shows that Smart Cities are starting to materialise in our lives through the gradual introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm. In this scope, crowdsensing emerges as a powerful solution to address environmental monitoring, allowing to control air pollution levels in crowded urban areas in a distributed, collaborative, inexpensive and accurate manner. However, even though technology is already available, such environmental sensing devices have not yet reached consumers. In this paper, we present an analysis of candidate technologies for crowdsensing architectures, along with the requirements for empowering users with air monitoring capabilities. Specifically, we start by providing an overview of the most relevant IoT architectures and protocols. Then, we present the general design of an off-the-shelf mobile environmental sensor able to cope with air quality monitoring requirements; we explore different hardware options to develop the desired sensing unit using readily available devices, discussing the main technical issues associated with each option, thereby opening new opportunities in terms of environmental monitoring programs.
Strength and Durability Considerations Affecting Mix Proportioning of Concrete Containing Fly Ash

The results of a 3-year study on the properties of concrete containing fly ash are presented. Both the fresh and hardened properties are reported of concrete made using Type 1 cement, river gravel, natural sand, and fly ashes from several sources. The mixtures were proportioned to have similar slump and a constant cementitious content by weight. It is shown that concrete containing fly ash can be proportioned having equal strength properties and adequate durability when a suitable ASTM C 618 Class C or F fly ash is used. Test data on over 1600 laboratory and field specimens tested for freeze-thaw resistance, flexural strength, compressive strength, creep, shrinkage, and abrasion resistance are presented. Fly ash contents ranging from 0 to 35 percent by weight of portland cement were used with both Class C and Class F fly ashes. Guidelines for the selection of materials and their proportions for producing concrete containing fly ash to meet existing highway specifications for concrete are presented.
A novel RFID system for monitoring livestock health state

The permanent search for quality and competitiveness on the part of companies operating in the livestock sector. resulting from increasingly fierce competition and more complex flows. In this context, RFID is an undeniable lever for creating value along the supply chain. Such integrated systems offer dual advantages of lowered labor costs due to automation and enhanced profits due to optimization of animal productivity, health and welfare However, RFID-based systems might not be economically viable for small-hold livestock farmers unless there is considerable value advantage. Further, the set up and operation of a data recording system for small-hold farmers is also difficult due to size-constraints and distant farm units. In this paper, we present a livestock health state monitoring system using radiofrequency identification and telemetry The system can additionally be used to periodically collec a health state records and to operate veterinary service delivery. The integrated system comprises of a temperature sensor associated with a semi-passive RFID tag attached to the animal ear, in communication by radio frequency with a box that contains an RFID reader and a loca computer which treat the received information. This data is subsequently transmitted simultaneously to the server and to a small box that contains an LED circuit as a visual indicator. The central server offers dashboards on the state of health of the livestock, medical follow-up and emergency interventions. This system allows the monitoring of their health state to avoid the losses and contagions.
Unified thalamic model generates multiple distinct oscillations with state-dependent entrainment by stimulation

The thalamus plays a critical role in the genesis of thalamocortical oscillations, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. To understand whether the isolated thalamus can generate multiple distinct oscillations, we developed a biophysical thalamic model to test the hypothesis that generation of and transition between distinct thalamic oscillations can be explained as a function of neuromodulation by acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine (NE) and afferent synaptic excitation. Indeed, the model exhibited four distinct thalamic rhythms (delta, sleep spindle, alpha and gamma oscillations) that span the physiological states corresponding to different arousal levels from deep sleep to focused attention. Our simulation results indicate that generation of these distinct thalamic oscillations is a result of both intrinsic oscillatory cellular properties and specific network connectivity patterns. We then systematically varied the ACh/NE and input levels to generate a complete map of the different oscillatory states and their transitions. Lastly, we applied periodic stimulation to the thalamic network and found that entrainment of thalamic oscillations is highly state-dependent. Our results support the hypothesis that ACh/NE modulation and afferent excitation define thalamic oscillatory states and their response to brain stimulation. Our model proposes a broader and more central role of the thalamus in the genesis of multiple distinct thalamo-cortical rhythms than previously assumed.
Exploring the Effects of Robot Gender on Child-Robot Interaction

Despite the increase of research and applications for child-robot interactions, little is known about children»s responses to a robot»s gender across age and gender groups. This paper presents an exploratory study intended to examine whether the perceived robot»s gender affects the interaction between a child and a robot. This paper details the preliminary results of an observational child-centered study with a gendered robot that was conducted in the hall of a residential facility with 24 children. Our findings suggest that children liked playing with the robot of the same gender as them.
A closed form expression for TSV-based on-chip spiral inductor

This paper presents a new architecture for on-chip spiral inductors, based on through silicon via (TSV) technology. A highly accurate closed form expression for the proposed TSV-based spiral inductor equivalent inductance is presented. This closed form is the first in literature. Moreover, this form is verified against a large number of EM simulations for different setups and shows excellent agreement with less than 5% error. According to the simulation results, the TSV-based spiral inductor exhibits better quality factor than a planar on-chip spiral inductor (120% improvement) and a 3D via-based spiral inductor (76% improvement) for identical inductance. Moreover, the self-resonance frequency of the proposed TSV-based 3D spiral inductor is 38% higher than the conventional 2D spiral inductor and 3% higher than the 3D via-based inductor. The proposed inductor occupies only 15% of the area of the conventional 2D planar spiral inductor and 60% of the area of 3D via-based spiral inductor for the same inductance and higher quality factor. This small area of the proposed inductor leads to significant reducing the cost of the radio frequency system on chip (RF-SoC).
The Effect of Gentamicin-Induced Readthrough on a Novel Premature Termination Codon of CD18 Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Patients

Background Leukocyte adhesion deficiency 1 (LAD1) is an inherited disorder of neutrophil function. Nonsense mutations in the affected CD18 (ITB2) gene have rarely been described. In other genes containing such mutations, treatments with aminoglycoside types of antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin) were reported to partially correct the premature protein termination, by induction of readthrough mechanism. Methodology/Principal Findings Genetic analysis was performed on 2 LAD1 patients. Expression, functional and immunofluorescence assays of CD18 in the patients were used to determine the in-vivo and in-vitro effects of gentamicin-induced readthrough. A theoretical modeling of the corrected CD18 protein was developed to predict the protein function. Results We found a novel premature termination codon, C562T (R188X), in exon 6 of the CD18 gene that caused a severe LAD1 phenotype in two unrelated Palestinian children. In-vivo studies on these patients' cells after gentamicin treatment showed abnormal adhesion and chemotactic functions, while in-vitro studies showed mislocalization of the corrected protein to the cytoplasm and not to the cell surface. A theoretical modeling of the corrected CD18 protein suggested that the replacement of the wild type arginine by gentamicin induced tryptophan at the position of the nonsense mutation, although enabled the expression of the entire CD18 protein, this was not sufficient to stabilize the CD18/11 heterodimer at the cell surface. Conclusion A novel nonsense mutation in the CD18 gene causing a complete absence of CD18 protein and severe LAD1 clinical phenotype is reported. Both in vivo and in vitro treatments with gentamicin resulted in the expression of a corrected full-length dysfunctional or mislocalized CD18 protein. However, while the use of gentamicin increased the expression of CD18, it did not improve leukocyte adhesion and chemotaxis. Moreover, the integrity of the CD18/CD11 complex at the cell surface was impaired, due to abnormal CD18 protein and possibly lack of CD11a expression.
Design, implementation, and interpretation of amplification studies for prion detection

ABSTRACT Amplification assays for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies have been in development for close to 15 years, with critical implications for the postmortem and antemortem diagnosis of human and animal prion diseases. Little has been published regarding the structured development, implementation and interpretation of experiments making use of protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) and real time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC), and our goal with this Perspectives manuscript is to offer a framework which might allow for more efficient expansion of pilot studies into diagnostic trials in both human and animal subjects. This framework is made up of approaches common to diagnostic medicine, including a thorough understanding of analytical and diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, an a priori development of amplification strategy, and an effective experimental design. It is our hope that a structured framework for prion amplification assays will benefit not only experiments seeking to sensitively detect naturally-occurring cases of prion diseases and describe the pathogenesis of TSEs, but ultimately assist with future endeavors seeking to use these methods more broadly for other protein misfolding disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Sliding mode control with fuzzy compensator of pneumatic muscle actuator

In this paper, the Pneumatic Muscle (PM) as actuator is investigated. The PM model is established by using a phenomenological model consisting of a contractile element, a spring element, and a damping element in parallel. Unlike the previous study, we fully consider the different characteristics of PM model in different pressure ranges, especially in low pressure range. In order to test the effectiveness of our PM modelling, the Sliding Mode Control (SMC) is applied. For the purpose of improving the tracking accuracy, self-adaptation and robustness of PM control, Sliding Mode Control with Fuzzy Compensator (FCSMC) is developed to make PM system track a desired trajectory within a guaranteed accuracy even though there are modelling uncertainties, friction, disturbance, and so on. Based on the Lyapunov theory, the stability criterion under FCSMC control strategy for PM system is established. The experimental results demonstrate the validity of PM modelling as well as indicate the effectiveness of the proposed FCSMC method.
Learning Task-Specific Dynamics to Improve Whole-Body Control

In task-based inverse dynamics control, reference accelerations used to follow a desired plan can be broken down into feedforward and feedback trajectories. The feedback term accounts for tracking errors that are caused from inaccurate dynamic models or external disturbances. On underactuated, free-floating robots, such as humanoids, good tracking accuracy often necessitates high feedback gains, which leads to undesirable stiff behaviors. The magnitude of these gains is anyways often strongly limited by the control bandwidth. In this paper, we show how to reduce the required contribution of the feedback controller by incorporating learned task-space reference accelerations. Thus, we i) improve the execution of the given specific task, and ii) offer the means to reduce feedback gains, providing for greater compliance of the system. In contrast to learning task-specific joint-torques, which might produce a similar effect but can lead to poor generalization, our approach directly learns the task-space dynamics of the center of mass of a humanoid robot. Simulated and real-world results on the lower part of the Sarcos Hermes humanoid robot demonstrate the applicability of the approach.
Polymorphisms of the ITGAM Gene Confer Higher Risk of Discoid Cutaneous Than of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a heterogeneous disease ranging from mainly skin-restricted manifestations (discoid LE [DLE] and subacute cutaneous LE) to a progressive multisystem disease (systemic LE [SLE]). Genetic association studies have recently identified several strong susceptibility genes for SLE, including integrin alpha M (ITGAM), also known as CD11b, whereas the genetic background of DLE is less clear. Principal Findings To specifically investigate whether ITGAM is a susceptibility gene not only for SLE, but also for cutaneous DLE, we genotyped 177 patients with DLE, 85 patients with sporadic SLE, 190 index cases from SLE families and 395 population control individuals from Finland for nine genetic markers at the ITGAM locus. SLE patients were further subdivided by the presence or absence of discoid rash and renal involvement. In addition, 235 Finnish and Swedish patients positive for Ro/SSA-autoantibodies were included in a subphenotype analysis. Analysis of the ITGAM coding variant rs1143679 showed highly significant association to DLE in patients without signs of systemic disease (P-value = 4.73×10−11, OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 2.23–4.57). Significant association was also detected to SLE patients (P-value = 8.29×10−6, OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.52–3.00), and even stronger association was found when stratifying SLE patients by presence of discoid rash (P-value = 3.59×10−8, OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 2.29–6.18). Significance We propose ITGAM as a novel susceptibility gene for cutaneous DLE. The risk effect is independent of systemic involvement and has an even stronger genetic influence on the risk of DLE than of SLE.
Facial Shape Tracking via Spatio-Temporal Cascade Shape Regression

In this paper, we develop a spatio-temporal cascade shape regression (STCSR) model for robust facial shape tracking. It is different from previous works in three aspects. Firstly, a multi-view cascade shape regression (MCSR) model is employed to decrease the shape variance in shape regression model construction, which is able to make the learned regression model more robust to shape variances. Secondly, a time series regression (TSR) model is explored to enhance the temporal consecutiveness between adjacent frames. Finally, a novel re-initialization mechanism is adopted to effectively and accurately locate the face when it is misaligned or lost. Extensive experiments on the 300 Videos in the Wild (300-VW) demonstrate the superior performance of our algorithm.
Avian coronavirus isolated from a pigeon sample induced clinical disease, tracheal ciliostasis, and a high humoral response in day-old chicks

ABSTRACT The detection of avian coronaviruses (AvCoV) in wild birds and the emergence of new AvCoV have increased in the past few years. In the present study, the pathogenicity of three AvCoV isolates was investigated in day-old chicks. One AvCoV isolated from a pigeon, which clustered with the Massachusetts vaccine serotype, and two AvCoV isolated from chickens, which grouped with a Brazilian genotype lineage, were used. Clinical signs, gross lesions, histopathological changes, ciliary activity, viral RNA detection, and serology were evaluated during 42 days post infection. All AvCoV isolates induced clinical signs, gross lesions in the trachea, moderate histopathological changes in the respiratory tract, and mild changes in other tissues. AvCoV isolated from the pigeon sample caused complete tracheal ciliostasis over a longer time span. Specific viral RNA was detected in all tissues, but the highest RNA loads were detected in the digestive tract (cloacal swabs and ileum). The highest antibody levels were also detected in the group infected with an isolate from the pigeon. These results confirm the pathogenicity of Brazilian variants, which can cause disease and induce gross lesions and histopathological changes in chickens. Our results suggest that non-Galliformes birds can also play a role in the ecology of AvCoV.
Machinability study on reinforcement e-glass fibre (multi-filament) composite pipe using carbide tool

Glass fibre composite plastics are feasible material to any engineering field such as avionics, space, and missile launching. They have excellent properties such as high toughness, low weight to volume ratio, high rigidity, strength, etc., to be used in any of the engineering application. However, it is difficult to machines such composite to form desired shape. In this present work, an approach has been made to model the multi-responses such as surface roughness and flank wear using desirability criteria. Four factors (such as cutting speed, fibre orientation, depth of cut and feed rate) at three different levels has been designed using Taguchi method to limit the number of experiments. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to check the valid model and the same model has been used in genetic algorithm (GA) to find the optimal cutting condition at minimum label of roughness and flank wear.
Achieving High Reliability on Linux for K2 System

Driver faults are the main reasons of causing failure in operating system. In order to address this issue and improve the kernel reliability, this paper presents an intelligent kernel-mode driver enhancement mechanism - Style Box which can limit the driver's rights to access kernel by a private page table and a call control list. This method captures a variety of type errors, synchronization errors and behavior errors of the driver, and intelligently predicts and rapidly recovers driver errors. Experimental results show that Style Box can effectively detect and deal with driver errors, and obviously improve the reliability of the operating system.