Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bupropion Administration Increases Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Dorso-Medial Prefrontal Cortex

Abstract Background: Patients on the selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors like citalopram report emotional blunting. We showed previously that citalopram reduces resting-state functional connectivity in healthy volunteers in a number of brain regions, including the dorso-medial prefrontal cortex, which may be related to its clinical effects. Bupropion is a dopaminergic and noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor and is not reported to cause emotional blunting. However, how bupropion affects resting-state functional connectivity in healthy controls remains unknown. Methods: Using a within-subjects, repeated-measures, double-blind, crossover design, we examined 17 healthy volunteers (9 female, 8 male). Volunteers received 7 days of bupropion (150 mg/d) and 7 days of placebo treatment and underwent resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. We selected seed regions in the salience network (amygdala and pregenual anterior cingulate cortex) and the central executive network (dorsal medial prefrontal cortex). Mood and anhedonia measures were also recorded and examined in relation to resting-state functional connectivity. Results: Relative to placebo, bupropion increased resting-state functional connectivity in healthy volunteers between the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex seed region and the posterior cingulate cortex and the precuneus cortex, key parts of the default mode network. Conclusions: These results are opposite to that which we found with 7 days treatment of citalopram in healthy volunteers. These results reflect a different mechanism of action of bupropion compared with selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors. These results help explain the apparent lack of emotional blunting caused by bupropion in depressed patients.
The IIoT/IoT device control model based on narrow-band IoT (NB-IoT)

The article discusses the topical issue of creating a technologically integrated network of data centers built on a single virtualization platform to support the functioning of IoT infrastructures. A comprehensive solution for the interaction of all IIoT / IoT components is proposed, based on three types of platforms. The role of Data centers of each type is substantiated depending on geographical, economic and branch peculiarities of the Russian Federation. An analysis of wireless technologies for the transmission of small amounts of data over long distances in the context of their current and projected use for IIoT / IoT in Russia is being conducted. In particular, the draft of the Russian communication standard for the Internet of things NB-FI is being analyzed. The structural scheme (model) of the decision on the organization of the Control Center IIoT / IoT is offered.
Devising tissue ingrowth metrics: a contribution to the computational characterization of engineered soft tissue healing

The paradigm shift brought about by the expansion of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine away from the use of biomaterials, currently questions the value of histopathologic methods in the evaluation of biological changes. To date, the available tools of evaluation are not fully consistent and satisfactory for these advanced therapies. We have developed a new, simple and inexpensive quantitative digital approach that provides key metrics for structural and compositional characterization of the regenerated tissues. For example, metrics provide the tissue ingrowth rate (TIR) which integrates two separate indicators; the cell ingrowth rate (CIR) and the total collagen content (TCC) as featured in the equation, TIR% = CIR% + TCC%. Moreover a subset of quantitative indicators describing the directional organization of the collagen (relating structure and mechanical function of tissues), the ratio of collagen I to collagen III (remodeling quality) and the optical anisotropy property of the collagen (maturity indicator) was automatically assessed as well. Using an image analyzer, all metrics were extracted from only two serial sections stained with either Feulgen & Rossenbeck (cell specific) or Picrosirius Red F3BA (collagen specific). To validate this new procedure, three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds were intraperitoneally implanted in healthy and in diabetic rats. It was hypothesized that quantitatively, the healing tissue would be significantly delayed and of poor quality in diabetic rats in comparison to healthy rats. In addition, a chemically modified 3D scaffold was similarly implanted in a third group of healthy rats with the assumption that modulation of the ingrown tissue would be quantitatively present in comparison to the 3D scaffold-healthy group. After 21 days of implantation, both hypotheses were verified by use of this novel computerized approach. When the two methods were run in parallel, the quantitative results revealed fine details and differences not detected by the semi-quantitative assessment, demonstrating the importance of quantitative analysis in the performance evaluation of soft tissue healing. This automated and supervised method reduced operator dependency and proved to be simple, sensitive, cost-effective and time-effective. It supports objective therapeutic comparisons and helps to elucidate regeneration and the dynamics of a functional tissue.
Speaker Verification using Convolutional Neural Networks

In this paper, a novel Convolutional Neural Network architecture has been developed for speaker verification in order to simultaneously capture and discard speaker and non-speaker information, respectively. In training phase, the network is trained to distinguish between different speaker identities for creating the background model. One of the crucial parts is to create the speaker models. Most of the previous approaches create speaker models based on averaging the speaker representations provided by the background model. We overturn this problem by further fine-tuning the trained model using the Siamese framework for generating a discriminative feature space to distinguish between same and different speakers regardless of their identity. This provides a mechanism which simultaneously captures the speaker-related information and create robustness to within-speaker variations. It is demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms the traditional verification methods which create speaker models directly from the background model.
A Contribution to Arc Length Discussion

An investigation was raising the question: "What does 'arc length' mean? " Actually, it is considered expressing a kind of natural relationship between arc voltage and arc column shape. Statements such as "The higher the voltage the longer the arc" or "The arc voltage proves approximately proportional to the arc length", are frequently noticed in this conjunction. However, the author suggests that there is no general possibility of describing 'arc length' over the whole welding process range. Instances are represented in this paper, showing both theoretical attempts of definition and practical observations. This paper intends to contribute to a serious discussion of something trivial, indeed very well-known or used among welding experts, but actually yet hardly understood, at least as when it comes to closer examination
Lack of correlation of desiccation and radiation tolerance in microorganisms from diverse extreme environments tested under anoxic conditions

Abstract Four facultative anaerobic and two obligate anaerobic bacteria were isolated from extreme environments (deep subsurface halite mine, sulfidic anoxic spring, mineral-rich river) in the frame MASE (Mars Analogues for Space Exploration) project. The isolates were investigated under anoxic conditions for their survivability after desiccation up to 6 months and their tolerance to ionizing radiation up to 3000 Gy. The results indicated that tolerances to both stresses are strain-specific features. Yersinia intermedia MASE-LG-1 showed a high desiccation tolerance but its radiation tolerance was very low. The most radiation-tolerant strains were Buttiauxella sp. MASE-IM-9 and Halanaerobium sp. MASE-BB-1. In both cases, cultivable cells were detectable after an exposure to 3 kGy of ionizing radiation, but cells only survived desiccation for 90 and 30 days, respectively. Although a correlation between desiccation and ionizing radiation resistance has been hypothesized for some aerobic microorganisms, our data showed that there was no correlation between tolerance to desiccation and ionizing radiation, suggesting that the physiological basis of both forms of tolerances is not necessarily linked. In addition, these results indicated that facultative and obligate anaerobic organisms living in extreme environments possess varied species-specific tolerances to extremes.
Elevated Intraocular Pressure Induces Amyloid-β Deposition and Tauopathy in the Lateral Geniculate Nucleus in a Monkey Model of Glaucoma.

Purpose Recent evidence has suggested a potential association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and glaucoma and found significant deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) and Tau protein in the retinas of glaucoma patients. However, no coherent finding has emerged regarding the AD-like changes in the central visual system (CVS). Studies confirming the presence of Aβ and Tau neuropathology are warranted to identify the underlying mechanism that contributes to the visual impairment observed in glaucoma. Methods A chronic glaucoma model was established in rhesus monkeys. The retina, optic nerve, CVS including the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and primary visual cortex (V1), and cognitive areas including the hippocampus (Hpp) were evaluated. Aβ 1-42 and phosphorylated-Tau (p-Tau) were tested in the aforementioned structure using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and ELISA, and the neuritic plaques and argyrophilic structures/neurofilaments were observed using silver staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results Immunohistochemistry revealed positive Aβ and p-Tau labeling in the LGN. According to Western blotting assay and ELISA, Aβ and p-Tau were present in the LGN. Aβ also was expressed weakly in the primary visual cortex. In contrast, the hippocampus, which is the most severely affected region in AD, showed no positive labeling. Structurally, silver staining and TEM revealed neuritic plaques and argyrophilic structures/neurofibrillary tangles, in the LGN. Conclusions For the first time to our knowledge, these data collectively establish the existence of hallmark AD-like pathologies in the glaucomatous LGN. Our results may provide new targets for developing research therapies that will enhance neuroprotection in glaucoma patients.
Mapping and localization using GPS, lane markings and proprioceptive sensors

Estimating the pose in real-time is a primary function for intelligent vehicle navigation. Whilst different solutions exist, most of them rely on the use of high-end sensors. This paper proposes a solution that exploits an automotive type L1-GPS receiver, features extracted by low-cost perception sensors and vehicle proprioceptive information. A key idea is to use the lane detection function of a video camera to retrieve accurate lateral and orientation information with respect to road lane markings. To this end, lane markings are mobile-mapped by the vehicle itself during a first stage by using an accurate localizer. Then, the resulting map allows for the exploitation of camera-detected features for autonomous real-time localization. The results are then combined with GPS estimates and dead-reckoning sensors in order to provide localization information with high availability. As L1-GPS errors can be large and are time correlated, we study in the paper several GPS error models that are experimentally tested with shaping filters. The approach demonstrates that the use of low-cost sensors with adequate data-fusion algorithms should lead to computer-controlled guidance functions in complex road networks.
Coordination in Distributed Agile Software Development: A Systematic Review

Agile methods incorporate many techniques that support coordination in co-located software development teams. However, these benefits do not necessarily transfer to a distributed context. Even though research on coordination in distributed agile software development is growing, there is limited rigorous research on its application in context. Further the extant literature is fragmented, with little cohesive building of cumulative knowledge on coordination in distributed agile software development. This study investigates the scientific evidence between 2006 and 2016 by conducting a systematic review of the literature on coordination in distributed agile software development. The search strategy resulted in 178 studies, of which 50 were identified as primary studies relevant to this research. The studies were classified using three high-level categories: (i) theoretical foundation and application, (ii) tools and techniques, and (iii) challenges. This study provides a structured overview of the current state of knowledge on coordination in distributed agile development, and identifies opportunities for future research.
Scalable Graph Processing Frameworks

The world is becoming a more conjunct place and the number of data sources such as social networks, online transactions, web search engines, and mobile devices is increasing even more than had been predicted. A large percentage of this growing dataset exists in the form of linked data, more generally, graphs, and of unprecedented sizes. While today's data from social networks contain hundreds of millions of nodes connected by billions of edges, inter-connected data from globally distributed sensors that forms the Internet of Things can cause this to grow exponentially larger. Although analyzing these large graphs is critical for the companies and governments that own them, big data tools designed for text and tuple analysis such as MapReduce cannot process them efficiently. So, graph distributed processing abstractions and systems are developed to design iterative graph algorithms and process large graphs with better performance and scalability. These graph frameworks propose novel methods or extend previous methods for processing graph data. In this article, we propose a taxonomy of graph processing systems and map existing systems to this classification. This captures the diversity in programming and computation models, runtime aspects of partitioning and communication, both for in-memory and distributed frameworks. Our effort helps to highlight key distinctions in architectural approaches, and identifies gaps for future research in scalable graph systems.
Standard CMOS Fabrication of a Sensitive Fully Depleted Electrolyte-Insulator-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor for Biosensor Applications

Microfabricated semiconductor devices are becoming increasingly relevant for detection of biological and chemical components. The integration of active biological materials together with sensitive transducers offers the possibility of generating highly sensitive, specific, selective and reliable biosensors. This paper presents the fabrication of a sensitive, fully depleted (FD), electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistor (EISFET) made with a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer of a thin 10-30 nm active SOI layer. Initial results are presented for device operation in solutions and for bio-sensing. Here we report the first step towards a high volume manufacturing of a CMOS-based biosensor that will enable various types of applications including medical and environmental sensing.
Experimental analysis of evaporation driven emulsion flow in porous media

vi List of Tables . x List of Figures . xi Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Current State of Knowledge . 4 2.1 Emulsions . 4 Types of emulsions . 4 Stability of emulsions . 5 Emulsion formation and surfactants . 6 Emulsion characterization . 7 Rheology of emulsions . 9 Demulsification . 11 2.2 Flow of emulsions in porous media . 11 Properties of porous media . 12 Single phase flow through porous media . 12 Flow of emulsions through porous media . 13 Emulsion flow through membranes . 15 Evaporation driven flows . 15 2.3 The electrospinning process and its applications . 16 Chapter 3: Experimental methods . 23 3.1 Emulsion preparation . 23 3.2 The porous media . 24 3.3 Evaporation driven flow through porous media . 26 Chapter 4: Results and Discussion . 30 4.1 Contact angle measurement . 30
Significant association between interleukin-10 gene polymorphisms and cervical cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Previous studies have suggested that interleukin-10 (IL-10) polymorphisms may be associated with an increased risk of developing cervical cancer. However, the published results on this subject matter are controversial. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of published reports to more precisely investigate the relationship between IL-10 polymorphisms and cervical cancer risk. Five online databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of SCI, CNKI and Wanfang) were searched, and seventeen articles with sufficient quantitative information were included in our meta-analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between IL-10 polymorphisms and cervical cancer risk. Publication bias, sensitivity and cumulative analyses were also performed to support our findings. Overall, there was a significant association between the IL-10 -1082A > G polymorphism and cervical cancer risk observed in the total population (G vs. A: OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.12–2.29, P = 0.01, I2 = 92.3%; AG vs. AA: OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.04-1.74, P = 0.03, I2 = 65.9%; AG + GG vs. AA: OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.11–2.25, P = 0.01, I2 = 84.4%), and the same results were obtained in the subgroup analysis. Moreover, the IL-10 -819 T > C polymorphism exhibited a significant, protective effect against cervical cancer. In summary, our meta-analysis suggests that IL-10 polymorphisms may play a variety of roles in regard to cervical cancer risk, especially in Asians.
IRIT at TREC Real-Time Summarization 2017

This paper presents the participation of the IRIT laboratory (University of Toulouse) to the Real-Time Summarization track of TREC RTS 2017. This track aims at exploring prospective information needs over document streams containing novel and evolving information and it consists of two scenarios ( A: push notification and B: Email digest). In this year the live mobile assessment was made available in real-time which provides opportunities for techniques based on active learning and relevance feedback. Our team submitted three runs for both scenarios. For scenario A, we explore two different approaches. The first one is a naive strategy that returns only the first tweet that matches all terms of the title of an interest profile. The second method is based on a binary classifier that predicts the relevance of an incoming tweet with respect to an interest profile. We examine the impact of the use of the live relevance feedback to re-train the classier each time new relevance assessments are made available. For scenario B, the summary generation is modeled as an optimization problem using Integer Linear Programming.
A Secure and Efficient E-Medical Record System via Searchable Encryption in Public Platform

This paper mainly presents a secure and efficient e-Medical Record System via searchable encryption scheme from asymmetric pairings, which could provide privacy data search and encrypt function for patients and doctors in public platform. The core technique of this system is an extension public key encryption system with keyword search, which the server could test whether or not the files stored in platform contain the keyword without leaking the information about the encrypted file. Compared with former e-medical record systems, the system proposed here has several superior features: (1)Users could search the data stored in cloud server contains some keywords without leaking anything about the origin data. (2) We apply asymmetric pairings to achieve shorter key size scheme in the standard model, and adopt the dual system encryption technique to reduce the scheme's secure problem to the hard Symmetric External Diffie-Hellman assumption, which could against the variety of attacks in the future complex network environment. (3) In the last of paper, we analyze the scheme's efficiency and point out that our scheme is more efficient and secure than some other classical searchable encryption models.
Parallel Distributed Processing and Role Assignment Constraints

I believe that parallel-distributed processing models (i.e., conneelionist models which make use of distributed representations) provide the mechanisms that are needed for these lasks. Argument altachments and role assignments seem to require a consideration of the relative merits of competing possibilities (Marcus, 1980; Bates and MacWhinney, 1987; MaeWhinney, 1987), as deles lexical dlsambigualion. Conuectionist models provide a very natural substrate for these kinds of competition processes (Cottrell, 1985; Wallz and Pollack, 1985).
Establishing Large-Scale Renewable Reserve Capacity through Distributed Multi-Agent Support

A world-wide trend towards renewable and ecologically clean forms of energy has been steadily growing. Private investments are encouraged and heavily subsidized in most of the European countries, through tax deductions, and even more through a very favorable refund program for feeding electric power from renewable sources into the public network. Due to the limited predictability of the output of renewable power capacities it has long become the policy of grid operators and large power distributors to cover the differences between demand and supply with immense reserve and balancing power capacities based on fossil, and thus predictable, energy sources. With growing renewable power feed-in the demand for reserve and balancing power grows over-proportionally. In 2005 the European Union for the Coordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE) demanded to impose an obligation on grid operators to reduce integration costs for renewable energy capacities. This could obviously be possible once the renewable capacities sources could serve as reserve capacity. Since these are widely distributed and dispersed, their combined effect may well be used to guarantee a stable supply. The remaining problem behind is that the largely unpredictable character of wind and solar power supply is to be administered financially and in terms of timely transmission. We introduce a novel solution for the distributed negotiation process, which is compatible with electric distribution procedures. This is part of our DEZENT (decentralized management of electric power distribution) project.