Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sources identification using shifted non-negative matrix factorization combined with semi-supervised clustering

Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) is a well-known unsupervised learning method that has been successfully used for blind source separation of non-negative additive signals.NMF method requires the number of the original sources to be known a priori. Recently, we reported a method, we called NMFk, which by coupling the original NMF multiplicative algorithm with a custom semi-supervised clustering allows us to estimate the number of the sources based on the robustness of the reconstructed solutions. Here, an extension of NMFk is developed, called ShiftNMFk, which by combining NMFk with previously formulated ShiftNMF algorithm, Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and a custom procedure for estimating the source locations is capable of identifying: (a) the number of the unknown sources, (b) the eventual delays in the signal propagation, (c) the locations of the sources, and (d) the speed of propagation of each of the signals in the medium. Our new method is a natural extension of NMFk that can be used for sources identification based only on observational data. We demonstrate how our novel method identifies the components of synthetic data sets, discuss its limitations, and present a Julia language implementation of ShiftNMFk algorithm.
Pregnancies from biopsied human preimplantation embryos sexed by Y-specific DNA amplification

OVER 200 recessive X chromosome-linked diseases, typically affecting only hemizygous males, have been identified. In many of these, prenatal diagnosis is possible by chorion villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, followed by cytogenetic, biochemical or molecular analysis of the cells recovered from the conceptus. In others, the only alternative is to determine the sex of the fetus. If the fetus is affected by the defect or is male, abortion can be offered. Diagnosis of genetic defects in preimplantation embryos would allow those unaffected to be identified and transferred to the uterus1. Here we report the first established pregnancies using this procedure, in two couples known to be at risk of transmitting adrenoleukodystrophy and X-linked mental retardation. Two female embryos were transferred after in vitro fertilization (IVF), biopsy of a single cell at the six- to eight-cell stage, and sexing by DNA amplification of a Y chromosome-specific repeat sequence. Both women are confirmed as carrying normal female twins.
A novel interference suppression method in spread spectrum communication based on blind source separation

As a mainstream means of satellite communication anti-jamming, spread spectrum communication (SSC) is faced with a immense technical bottleneck, which is the insufficient of interference immunity, to break through in recent years. A novel Blind Source Separation (BSS) method is proposed to solve the problem in this paper. Considering the statistical independence of SSC signal and common jamming, the BSS is applied into the receiver end of the SSC anti-interference system and a parallel FastICA algorithm based on negentropy maximization is utlized to guide the separating matrix iterations to dynamically optimize the objective function, which is constructed according to the statistical independence principle of the separated signals, so that they can approximate the source signals to the maximum extent. The simulation results indicate that the proposed method can separate the SSC signal from the several mixed signals efficiently, improve the anti-jamming capability of SSC system greatly and get good BER performance, even when the power of the jamming is very strong. What's more, the processing delay is very short, which can basically meet the demand of real-time spread spectrum communication.
Anatomy of a Vulnerable Fitness Tracking System

Fitbit fitness trackers record sensitive personal information, including daily step counts, heart rate profiles, and locations visited. By design, these devices gather and upload activity data to a cloud service, which provides aggregate statistics to mobile app users. The same principles govern numerous other Internet-of-Things (IoT) services that target different applications. As a market leader, Fitbit has developed perhaps the most secure wearables architecture that guards communication with end-to-end encryption. In this article, we analyze the complete Fitbit ecosystem and, despite the brand's continuous efforts to harden its products, we demonstrate a series of vulnerabilities with potentially severe implications to user privacy and device security. We employ a range of techniques, such as protocol analysis, software decompiling, and both static and dynamic embedded code analysis, to reverse engineer previously undocumented communication semantics, the official smartphone app, and the tracker firmware. Through this interplay and in-depth analysis, we reveal how attackers can exploit the Fitbit protocol to extract private information from victims without leaving a trace, and wirelessly flash malware without user consent. We demonstrate that users can tamper with both the app and firmware to selfishly manipulate records or circumvent Fitbit's walled garden business model, making the case for an independent, user-controlled, and more secure ecosystem. Finally, based on the insights gained, we make specific design recommendations that can not only mitigate the identified vulnerabilities, but are also broadly applicable to securing future wearable system architectures.
Electrostatic potential in a bent piezoelectric nanowire with consideration of size-dependent piezoelectricity and semiconducting characterization

Determining the electric potential in a bent piezoelectric nanowire (NW) is a fundamental issue of nanogenerators and nanopiezotronics. The combined influence of the flexoelectric effect, the semiconducting performance and the angle of atomic force microscope (AFM) tip has never been studied previously and will be investigated in this paper. The exact solution for the electric potential of a bent piezoelectric semiconductor NW is derived. The electric potential of the present model with consideration of flexoelectric effect varies along the length of the NW and is different from that of the classical piezoelectric model. Flexoelectric effect enhances but the semiconducting performance reduces the electric potential of the NW. In addition, it is found that if the angle of the AFM tip reaches 30°, the error of the electric potential obtained from the model ignored the effect of the angle of the AFM tip is almost 16%, which is unacceptable.
Effect of fasudil on cognitive function following status convulsion in rats

Fasudil has been demonstrated to possess a protective effect in neural injury; however, its protective effect on convulsive brain injury remains to be assessed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the latent mechanism and effect of fasudil on cognitive function following status convulsion (SC) in rats. Initially, to determine the effects of SC, the expression levels of Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway-associated proteins were measured by western blot analysis in 16 rats. To investigate the effects of fasudil on cognitive function in SC rats, a further 40 rats were assigned to four groups: Group I (healthy untreated rats), group II (healthy rats treated with fasudil), group III (SC rats) and group IV (SC rats treated with fasudil). An object-in-place memory task and the Morris Water Maze test were subsequently performed. Histopathological alterations in brain tissue and SC latency were additionally analyzed. Following SC, protein expression levels of myelin-associated glycoprotein, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein and leucine rich repeat and immunoglobulin-like domain-containing protein 1 were significantly increased (P<0.05) and levels of neurite outgrowth inhibitor protein A were significantly decreased (P<0.01). SC had no effect on RhoA level (P=0.921); however, it significantly increased the levels of phosphorylated RhoA (P<0.01). Cognitive function was significantly decreased following SC and significantly increased following fasudil intervention. Fasudil intervention improved CA1 structure, which was lost following SC. SC severely impaired cognitive function and affected the expression of neurite growth inhibitory factors. Fasudil treatment improved cognitive function and central nervous system (CNS) injury, and decreased SC susceptibility in rats. Fasudil and SC may regulate the CNS by affecting the expression of neurite growth inhibitory factors in the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.
Chronic exposure to mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐phthalate causes endocrine disruption and reproductive dysfunction in zebrafish

Phthalic acid esters are frequently detected in aquatic environments. In the present study, zebrafish were exposed to low concentrations (0 µg/L, 0.46 µg/L, 4.0 µg/L, and 37.5 µg/L) of mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) for 81 d, and the effects on reproduction, gamete quality, plasma vitellogenin (VTG), sex steroids, and transcriptional profiles of key genes involved in steroidogenesis were investigated. The results demonstrated that egg production and sperm quality were decreased after exposure to MEHP, which also resulted in reduced egg diameter and eggshell as well as decreased egg protein content. Significant inductions in plasma testosterone and 17β‐estradiol (E2) were observed in females, which might have resulted from up‐regulation of CYP19a and 17β‐HSD gene transcription in the ovary. A significant increase in plasma E2 along with a decrease in plasma 11‐keto testosterone was also observed in males, which was accompanied by up‐regulation of CYP19a and inhibition of CYP11b transcription in the testis. In addition, plasma vitellogenin levels were significantly increased after MEHP exposure in both sexes. Moreover, continuous MEHP exposure in the F1 embryos resulted in worse hatching rates and increased malformation rates compared with embryos without MEHP exposure. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MEHP has the potential to cause reproductive dysfunction and impair the development of offspring. However, it should be noted that most of the significant effects were observed at higher concentrations, and MEHP at typically measured concentrations may not have major effects on fish reproduction and development. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2117–2124. © 2016 SETAC
T-multiple Discrete Logarithm Problem and Solving Difficulty

Considering the difficult problem under classical computing model can be solved by the quantum algorithm in polynomial time, t-multiple discrete logarithm problems presented. The problem is non-degeneracy and unique solution. We talk about what the parameter effects the problem solving difficulty. Then we pointed out that the index-calculus algorithm is not suitable for the problem, and two sufficient conditions of resistance to the quantum algorithm for the hidden subgroup problem are given.
KonIQ-10k: Towards an ecologically valid and large-scale IQA database

The main challenge in applying state-of-the-art deep learning methods to predict image quality in-the-wild is the relatively small size of existing quality scored datasets. The reason for the lack of larger datasets is the massive resources required in generating diverse and publishable content. We present a new systematic and scalable approach to create large-scale, authentic and diverse image datasets for Image Quality Assessment (IQA). We show how we built an IQA database, KonIQ-10k, consisting of 10,073 images, on which we performed very large scale crowdsourcing experiments in order to obtain reliable quality ratings from 1,467 crowd workers (1.2 million ratings). We argue for its ecological validity by analyzing the diversity of the dataset, by comparing it to state-of-the-art IQA databases, and by checking the reliability of our user studies.
Functional dissection of the role of UHRF1 in the regulation of retinoblastoma methylome

UHRF1 (ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1) is a critical regulator for DNA methylation, and its frequent overexpression in human cancers has been associated with tumor-promoting effects. However, whether the overexpressed UHRF1 contributes to the establishment and maintenance of tumor methylomes and whether this process can affect the tumorigenesis remain unclear. In this study, we show that UHRF1 is highly expressed in retinoblastoma, and genomes of human primary retinoblastoma and cell lines have differential DNA methylation patterns compared with those of normal retina, characterized by lower global methylation and higher promoter methylation of tumor suppressors. However, our genome-wide DNA methylation study uncovers that UHRF1 down-modulation in retinoblastoma cells exerts minor effects on the existing methylation patterns at both bulk genome and individual gene loci, suggesting that retinoblastoma methylome is primarily maintained by other mechanisms. Furthermore, using two murine retinoblastoma models, we found that high UHRF1 expression does not alter global methylation levels in both premalignant neonatal retina and retinoblastoma tumors, implying that DNA hypomethylation may not be an early mechanism driving retinoblastoma tumorigenesis unlike what has been proposed for other types of cancer. These results suggest that tumor-promoting functions of UHRF1 in retinoblastoma are largely independent of its role in DNA methylation.
CD5L Promotes M2 Macrophage Polarization through Autophagy-Mediated Upregulation of ID3

CD5L (CD5 molecule-like) is a secreted glycoprotein that controls key mechanisms in inflammatory responses, with involvement in processes such as infection, atherosclerosis, and cancer. In macrophages, CD5L promotes an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile in response to TLR activation. In the present study, we questioned whether CD5L is able to influence human macrophage plasticity, and drive its polarization toward any specific phenotype. We compared CD5L-induced phenotypic and functional changes to those caused by IFN/LPS, IL4, and IL10 in human monocytes. Phenotypic markers were quantified by RT-qPCR and flow cytometry, and a mathematical algorithm was built for their analysis. Moreover, we compared ROS production, phagocytic capacity, and inflammatory responses to LPS. CD5L drove cells toward a polarization similar to that induced by IL10. Furthermore, IL10- and CD5L-treated macrophages showed increased LC3-II content and colocalization with acidic compartments, thereby pointing to the enhancement of autophagy-dependent processes. Accordingly, siRNA targeting ATG7 in THP1 cells blocked CD5L-induced CD163 and Mer tyrosine kinase mRNA and efferocytosis. In these cells, gene expression profiling and validation indicated the upregulation of the transcription factor ID3 by CD5L through ATG7. In agreement, ID3 silencing reversed polarization by CD5L. Our data point to a significant contribution of CD5L-mediated autophagy to the induction of ID3 and provide the first evidence that CD5L drives macrophage polarization.
Toughening of polylactic acid using styrene ethylene butylene styrene: Mechanical, thermal, and morphological studies

Polylactic acid, PLA, derived from renewable resources has gained great attention nowadays owing to their sustainability, biodegradability, superior property, and transparency. However, intrinsic brittleness and low toughness severely limits its variety of applications. Blending of PLA with other polymers is more economical and more flexible technique for the property improvement of PLA. In this study, Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS) and Maleic Anhydride grafted SEBS (MA-g-SEBS) are used as toughening agents to study their effect for its toughness, high strength and heat resistance on PLA. PLA/SEBS and PLA/Maleic Anhydride grafted SEBS blends were prepared under four different compositions by melt mixing technique using a corotating twin–screw extruder after optimizing the mixing conditions. The mechanical properties of the blends such as tensile, flexural, and impact strengths were investigated using specimens prepared by injection molding process. The percentage elongation and impact strength of PLA/MA-g-SEBS blends were found to be increased significantly by 540 and 135%, respectively in comparison with virgin PLA and PLA/SEBS blends. However, tensile strength and modulus of PLA/SEBS and PLA/MA-g-SEBS blends decreased compared with pristine PLA. SEM behaviour supported the higher impact property of PLA with the incorporation of modified SEBS via multiple crazing and cavitation mechanisms. DSC study also supported greater compatibility between maleated SEBS and PLA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Human action recognition using autoencoder

In this research, we developed a new deep neural network model to identify human action that was composed of an autoencoder and a pattern recognition neural network (PRNN). Our approach was divided into two parts: a system learning stage and an action recognition stage. In the system learning stage, first we secured human body outlines for each image frame, and combined the outlines to build an overlay of binary images to use as training data. Based on deep neural network learning, an autoencoder was trained to extract action features. Next, we used supervised learning to train a PRNN on the obtained features. Last, we combined the autoencoder with the PRNN to build a new deep neural network called the APRNN. Using fine tuning, the APRNN achieved optimal performance. In the action recognition stage of our approach, human action sequences were translated into binary overlay images, and the ARPNN was used to identify the actions. Test results showed our method had better performance than existing approaches.
Investigating Small-Scale Air–Sea Exchange Processes via Thermography

The exchange of trace gases such as carbon dioxide or methane between the atmosphere and the ocean plays a key role for the climate system. However, the investigation of air-sea gas exchange rates lacks fast and accurate measurement techniques that can be used in field campaigns, e.g. onboard a ship on the ocean. A promising way to overcome this deficiency is to use heat as a proxy tracer for gas transfer. Heat transfer rates across the aqueous boundary layer of the air-water interface can be measured via thermography with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution in the order of minutes and meters, respectively. Either passive or active measurement schemes can be applied. Passive approaches rely on temperature differences across the water surface that are caused naturally by radiative and evaporative cooling of the water surface. Active measurement schemes force an artificial heat flux through the aqueous boundary layer by means of heating a patch at the water surface with an appropriate heat source, such as a $\textrm{CO}_2$ laser. For the active measurement approach the choice of the excitation signal is crucial. It is beneficial to apply periodic heat flux densities with different excitation frequencies. In this way, the air-water interface can be probed for its response in terms of temperature amplitude and phase shift between excitation signal and temperature response. This concept from linear system theory is also well established in the field of non-destructive material testing, where it is known as lock-in thermography. This article gives a short introduction into air-sea gas exchange, before it presents an overview of different thermographic measurement techniques used in wind-wave facilities and at sea from their early implementations. The article closes with a novel multifrequency excitation scheme for even faster measurements.
Crystal Grain Shape Aspect of Grain Oriented Steel by Three Dimensional Polycrystalline Magnetic Field Analysis

The crystal grain shape of GO sheet is considered by three-dimensional polycrystalline magnetic field analysis in which grains grown horizontally and grains grown vertically are compared. Because the grains grown vertically have more grains grown nearly parallel to the direction of the magnetic field than the other ones, they have uniform magnetic flux density distribution and then small iron loss. Therefore, the grains grown vertically are preferable to the grains grown horizontally in order to reduce the iron loss.
Minority Stress, Psychosocial Resources, and Psychological Distress Among Sexual Minority Breast Cancer Survivors

Objective: Few studies have examined unique factors predicting psychological distress among sexual minority (i.e., lesbian and bisexual) women postbreast cancer diagnosis. The present study assessed the association of minority stress and psychosocial resource factors with depression and anxiety symptoms among sexual minority breast cancer survivors. Method: Two hundred one sexual minority women who had ductal carcinoma in situ or Stage I–IV breast cancer participated in this study through the Love/Avon Army of Women. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess demographic and clinical factors, minority stress factors (discrimination, minority identity development, outness), psychosocial resources (resilience, social support), and psychological distress (anxiety and depression). These factors were included in a structural equation model, testing psychosocial resources as mediators between minority stress and psychological distress. Results: There were no significant differences noted between lesbian and bisexual women. The final structural equation model demonstrated acceptable fit across all sexual minority women, &khgr;2 = 27.83, p > . 05; confirmatory fit index = 0.97, root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.04, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.93. The model accounted for significant variance in psychological distress (56%). Examination of indirect effects confirmed that exposure to discrimination was associated with distress via association with resilience. Conclusions: Factors unique to sexual minority populations, such as minority stress, may be associated with higher rates of psychological distress among sexual minority breast cancer survivors. However, presence of psychosocial resources may mediate relationships with distress in this population; enhancement of resilience, in particular, could be an aim of psychological intervention.
Variable Practice to Enhance Speech Learning in Ultrasound Biofeedback Treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Single Case Experimental Study.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of practice variability, through prosodic variation during speech sound training, in biofeedback treatment for children with childhood apraxia of speech. It was hypothesized that variable practice would facilitate speech sound learning. Method Six children ages 8-16 years with persisting speech sound errors due to childhood apraxia of speech participated in a single-subject experimental design. For each participant, 2 speech sound targets were treated with ultrasound visual feedback training: one with prosodic variation (i.e., practicing sound targets in words and phrases spoken fast, slow, loud, as a question, command, and declarative), and one without prosodic variation. Each target was treated for half of the 1-hr session for 14 treatment sessions. Results As measured by standardized effect sizes, all participants showed greater change on generalization probes for sound targets treated under the prosodic variation condition with mean effect sizes (d2) of 14.5 for targets treated with prosodic variation and 8.3 for targets treated without prosodic variation. The average increase in generalization scores was 38% in the prosodic variation condition compared to 31% without. Conclusions Ultrasound visual feedback may facilitate speech sound learning and learning may be enhanced by treating speech sounds with explicit prosodic variation. Supplemental Materials https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5150119.