Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Protein Extract from Chicken Reduces Plasma Homocysteine in Rats

The present study aimed to evaluate effects of a water-soluble protein fraction of chicken (CP), with a low methionine/glycine ratio, on plasma homocysteine and metabolites related to homocysteine metabolism. Male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet with 20% w/w casein as the protein source, or an experimental diet where 6, 14 or 20% w/w of the casein was replaced with the same amount of CP for four weeks. Rats fed CP had reduced plasma total homocysteine level and markedly increased levels of the choline pathway metabolites betaine, dimethylglycine, sarcosine, glycine and serine, as well as the transsulfuration pathway metabolites cystathionine and cysteine. Hepatic mRNA level of enzymes involved in homocysteine remethylation, methionine synthase and betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase, were unchanged, whereas cystathionine gamma-lyase of the transsulfuration pathway was increased in the CP treated rats. Plasma concentrations of vitamin B2, folate, cobalamin, and the B-6 catabolite pyridoxic acid were increased in the 20% CP-treated rats. In conclusion, the CP diet was associated with lower plasma homocysteine concentration and higher levels of serine, choline oxidation and transsulfuration metabolites compared to a casein diet. The status of related B-vitamins was also affected by CP.
The Event Horizon User Interface Model for Small Devices

One of the scarcest resources in today's computing devices is screen space. This is particularly evident in the emerging pocket-sized devices such as PDAs, cellular tele- and dataphones, two-way pagers and wireless web browsers. In this paper, we introduce a new approach, called the event horizon user interface model that allows us to overcome some of the limitations. The key idea of the proposed model is that the display can be compressed and expanded by moving objects radially farther away or closer to an event horizon in the middle of the screen. In order to study the proposed model in detail, we have built an implementation called Radius for the PalmTM connected organizer. The current Radius implementation will be illustrated and some future directions outlined.
Future directions in response surface methodology for simulation

<italic>As a tool for gradient estimation</italic> and <italic>sensitivity</italic> analysis in discrete simulation, response surface methodology possesses noteworthy advantages in comparison to some of the more recently developed <italic>techniques</italic>. This paper surveys future directions for research, development, and application of response surface methodology in discrete simulation.
BEHAVIORAL INHIBITION SYSTEM AND BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION SYSTEM (BIS/BAS) MOTIVES AND LONELINESS AS PREDICTORS OF EATING DISTURBANCES IN FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENTS: INTERPERSONAL CONTEXT MATTERS

The purpose of this study was to examine behavioral inhibition system and behavioral activation system (BIS/BAS) motives and loneliness as predictors of eating disturbances (viz., drive for thinness, bulimic symptoms, & body dissatisfaction) in female college students. Three hundred and one female college students (ages ranging from 18–33 years) completed measures assessing for BIS/BAS motives, loneliness, and eating disturbances. Results of conducting regression analyses indicated that BIS/BAS motives, especially BIS motives, accounted for significant amounts of variance across all three eating disturbance outcomes examined (R2 range = .10 to .13). Moreover, the inclusion of loneliness as a predictor of eating disturbances was found to account for additional unique amounts of variance (ΔR2 range = .02 to .06), over what was accounted for by BIS/BAS motives. These findings indicate that in addition to the potential role of biologically linked variables like BIS/BAS motives, it is important to also conside.
Eurographics/ Acm Siggraph Symposium on Computer Animation (2006) a Controllable, Fast and Stable Basis for Vortex Based Smoke Simulation

We introduce a novel method for describing and controlling a 3D smoke simulation. Using harmonic analysis and principal component analysis, we define an underlying description of the fluid flow that is compact and meaningful to non-expert users. The motion of the smoke can be modified with high level tools, such as animated current curves , attractors and tornadoes. Our simulation is controllable, interactive and stable for arbitrarily long periods of time. The simulation's computational cost increases linearly in the number of motion samples and smoke particles. Our adaptive smoke particle representation conveniently incorporates the surface-like characteristics of real smoke.
Transcriptomic versus Chromosomal Prognostic Markers and Clinical Outcome in Uveal Melanoma

Purpose: To compare a gene expression–based classifier versus the standard genetic prognostic marker, monosomy 3, for predicting metastasis in uveal melanoma. Experimental Design: Gene expression profiling, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) were done on 67 primary uveal melanomas. Clinical and pathologic prognostic factors were also assessed. Variables were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards, Kaplan-Meier analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results: The gene expression–based molecular classifier assigned 27 tumors to class 1 (low risk) and 25 tumors to class 2 (high risk). By Cox univariate proportional hazards, class 2 signature (P = 0.0001), advanced patient age (P = 0.01), and scleral invasion (P = 0.007) were the only variables significantly associated with metastasis. Only the class 2 signature was needed to optimize predictive accuracy in a Cox multivariate model. A less significant association with metastasis was observed for monosomy 3 detected by aCGH (P = 0.076) and FISH (P = 0.127). The sensitivity and specificity for the molecular classifier (84.6% and 92.9%, respectively) were superior to monosomy 3 detected by aCGH (58.3% and 85.7%, respectively) and FISH (50.0% and 72.7%, respectively). Positive and negative predictive values (91.7% and 86.7%, respectively) and positive and negative likelihood ratios (11.9 and 0.2, respectively) for the molecular classifier were also superior to those for monosomy 3. Conclusions: Molecular classification based on gene expression profiling of the primary tumor was superior to monosomy 3 and clinicopathologic prognostic factors for predicting metastasis in uveal melanoma.
Linear-Nonlinear-Poisson Neuron Networks Perform Bayesian Inference On Boltzmann Machines

One conjecture in both deep learning and classical connectionist viewpoint is that the biological brain implements certain kinds of deep networks as its back-end. However, to our knowledge, a detailed correspondence has not yet been set up, which is important if we want to bridge between neuroscience and machine learning. Recent researches emphasized the biological plausibility of Linear-Nonlinear-Poisson (LNP) neuron model. We show that with neurally plausible settings, the whole network is capable of representing any Boltzmann machine and performing a semi-stochastic Bayesian inference algorithm lying between Gibbs sampling and variational inference.
Paired Associative Stimulation Using Brain-Computer Interfaces for Stroke Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study

Conventional therapies do not provide paralyzed patients with closed-loop sensorimotor integration for motor rehabilitation. Paired associative stimulation (PAS) uses brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to monitor patients’ movement imagery in real-time, and utilizes the information to control functional electrical stimulation (FES) and bar feedback for complete sensorimotor closed loop. To realize this approach, we introduce the recoveriX system, a hardware and software platform for PAS. After 10 sessions of recoveriX training, one stroke patient partially regained control of dorsiflexion in her paretic wrist. A controlled group study is planned with a new version of the recoveriX system, which will use a new FES system and an avatar instead of bar feedback.
RoboGlove - A Grasp Assist Device for Earth and Space

The RoboGlove is an assistive device that can augment human strength, endurance or provide directed motion for use in rehabilitation. RoboGlove is a spinoff of the highly successful Robonaut 2 (R2) system developed as part of a partnership between General Motors and NASA. This extremely lightweight device employs an actuator system based on the R2 finger drive system to transfer part or the entire grasp load from human tendons to artificial ones contained in the glove. Steady state loads ranging from 15 to 20 lbs. and peaks approaching 50 lbs. are achievable. Work is underway to integrate the RoboGlove system with a space suit glove to add strength or reduce fatigue during spacewalks. Tactile sensing, miniaturized electronics, and on-board processing provide sufficient flexibility for applications in many industries. The following describes the design, mechanical/electrical integration, and control features of the glove in an assembly-line configuration and discusses work toward the space suit application.
Characterization of Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetric Electrodes Using Paraffin as an Effective Sealant with In Vitro and In Vivo Applications

Fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) is a powerful technique for measuring sub-second changes in neurotransmitter levels. A great time-limiting factor in the use of FSCV is the production of high-quality recording electrodes; common recording electrodes consist of cylindrical carbon fiber encased in borosilicate glass. When the borosilicate is heated and pulled, the molten glass ideally forms a tight seal around the carbon fiber cylinder. It is often difficult, however, to guarantee a perfect seal between the glass and carbon. Indeed, much of the time spent creating electrodes is in an effort to find a good seal. Even though epoxy resins can be useful in this regard, they are irreversible (seals are permanent), wasteful (epoxy cannot be reused once hardener is added), hazardous (hardeners are often caustic), and require curing. Herein we characterize paraffin as an electrode sealant for FSCV microelectrodes. Paraffin boasts the advantages of near-immediate curing times, simplicity in use, long shelf-life and stable waterproof seals capable of withstanding extended cycling. Borosilicate electrode tips were left intact or broken and dipped in paraffin embedding wax. Excess wax was removed from the carbon surface with xyelenes or by repeated cycling at an extended waveform (-0.4 to 1.4V, 400 V/s, 60 Hz). Then, the waveform was switched to a standard waveform (-0.4 to 1.3V, 400 V/s, 10 Hz) and cycled until stable. Wax-sealing does not inhibit electrode sensitivity, as electrodes detected linear changes in dopamine before and after wax (then xylenes) exposure. Paraffin seals are intact after 11 days of implantation in the mouse, and still capable of measuring transient changes in in vivo dopamine. From this it is clear that paraffin wax is an effective sealant for FSCV electrodes that provides a convenient substitute to epoxy sealants.
Interpretation of 31P MRS Spectra in Determining Intracellular Free Magnesium and Potassium Ion Concentrations

The current paper develops a simple mathematical model for the determination of the concentration of ionic species using the chemical shifts of ATP from phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) spectra. An iterative method is used to evaluate the equilibrium constants for a range of Mg/ATP equilibria. Initially, an expression for free magnesium concentration is determined by consideration of four equilibria. We then demonstrate how any number of equilibria may be included using this simplified analysis, by incorporation of pseudo equilibrium constants. This approach may be applied to the interpretation of both ex vivo and, more importantly, in vivo MRS spectra. Furthermore, the authors suggest that the commonly used equation for determining free intracellular magnesium concentration as presented by Gupta and colleagues is an oversimplification, particularly under conditions of fluctuating pH.
Lockless hash tables with low false negatives

Hash tables are efficient storage data structures widely used in many types of high-performance computer-related problems. In their design, optimal trade-offs must be made to accommodate for the specific characteristics of the application. In this paper we present lock-free low-false-negative (LFN) tables, a family of hash tables designed to address one such type of trade-off. LFN tables sacrifice a low probability of false negatives and a very low (or negligible) probability of false positives to achieve higher performance access time in concurrent shared memory applications. LFM tables are structurally biased towards false negatives and therefore are more suitable for applications that tolerate better false negatives than positives. In this paper we provide a mathematical analysis of their performance and provide use cases where they can be deployed to eliminate shared memory access bottlenecks in the context of very high-speed computer networks.
Universal Pacemaker of Genome Evolution in Animals and Fungi and Variation of Evolutionary Rates in Diverse Organisms

Gene evolution is traditionally considered within the framework of the molecular clock (MC) model whereby each gene is characterized by an approximately constant rate of evolution. Recent comparative analysis of numerous phylogenies of prokaryotic genes has shown that a different model of evolution, denoted the Universal PaceMaker (UPM), which postulates conservation of relative, rather than absolute evolutionary rates, yields a better fit to the phylogenetic data. Here, we show that the UPM model is a better fit than the MC for genome wide sets of phylogenetic trees from six species of Drosophila and nine species of yeast, with extremely high statistical significance. Unlike the prokaryotic phylogenies that include distant organisms and multiple horizontal gene transfers, these are simple data sets that cover groups of closely related organisms and consist of gene trees with the same topology as the species tree. The results indicate that both lineage-specific and gene-specific rates are important in genome evolution but the lineage-specific contribution is greater. Similar to the MC, the gene evolution rates under the UPM are strongly overdispersed, approximately 2-fold compared with the expectation from sampling error alone. However, we show that neither Drosophila nor yeast genes form distinct clusters in the tree space. Thus, the gene-specific deviations from the UPM, although substantial, are uncorrelated and most likely depend on selective factors that are largely unique to individual genes. Thus, the UPM appears to be a key feature of genome evolution across the history of cellular life.
Anterior and non‐anterior ruptured aneurysms: Memory and frontal lobe function performance following coiling

Our aim was to compare memory and frontal function performance between two groups of patients treated with Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) following intracranial ruptured aneurysm. The subgroups drawn following the localization of the aneurysm consisted of 19 patients presenting with anterior communicating artery aneurysms and 16 patients exhibiting middle cerebral artery and posterior communicating artery aneurysms. The 35 patients and 35 normal controls were administered extensive neuropsychological assessment. Additionally, a scale of qualitative changes of mood was presented to the patients and patients’ relatives. The patients showed a better general performance on memory compared with the executive function performance, which was similarly impaired in both groups. We suggest that executive functions are more vulnerable to differently located lesions than memory functions.
Modeling Emotions in Music: Advances in Conceptual, Contextual and Validity Issues

Modelling emotion recognition and induction by music has garnered increased attention during the last years. The present work puts together observations of the issues that need attention in order to make advances in music emotion recognition. These are divided into conceptual, contextual and data validity issues. Within each issue, the central dilemmas are discussed and promising further avenues are presented. In conceptual issues, significant discrepancies in the terminologies and choices for emotion focus and models exist. In contextual issues, the primary area of improvement is incorporating music and user contexts into emotion recognition. For the validity of data, reliable estimation of mid-level musical concepts require significant attention and optimal combination of studies with high validity and high stimulus quantity is the key to robust music emotion recognition models.
Evolving epidemiology of lung cancer in India: Reducing non-small cell lung cancer-not otherwise specified and quantifying tobacco smoke exposure are the key.

BACKGROUND Adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent histological type of lung cancer (LC) in developed countries while squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) has so far been the most common type at our center. Herein, we report our continued assessment of the epidemiological trend of LC aimed at determining any change in the histological distribution. METHODS Retrospective analysis involving all consecutive newly diagnosed LC patients over a 4-year period (March 2011-February 2015). Demographic characteristics, histology, and staging data for current data set were compared with our previously published data (2008-2011). As before, smoking index (SI) was used to group patients as never (SI = 0), light (SI = 1-100), moderate (SI = 101-300), and heavy (SI ≥301) smokers. RESULTS Majority of 1301 patients had advanced disease (Stages IIIB = 30.1%; IV = 53.3%), were males (82.3%) and current/ex-smokers (76.9%). Adenocarcinoma and SqCC (36.4% each) were equally prevalent. As compared to our previous study, adenocarcinoma increased (36.4% vs. 27.5%) and nonsmall cell lung cancer-not otherwise specified (NSCLC-NOS) decreased (5.1% vs. 10.9%) significantly (P < 0.001). The current study had more heavy smokers (68.3% vs. 61.1%; P = 0.013) and median SI was also higher (500 vs. 400; P = 0.001). Among SI-based groups, significant differences were observed for age, gender, body mass index, histology, TNM stage, and metastatic disease distribution. CONCLUSION Reduction in NSCLC-NOS has led to adenocarcinoma and SqCC being equally prevalent at our center in North India despite an increase in heavy smokers. Accurate histological NSCLC subtyping is necessary for optimal epidemiological assessment.
Beyond Noise: Using Temporal ICA to Extract Meaningful Information from High-Frequency fMRI Signal Fluctuations during Rest

Analysis of resting-state networks using fMRI usually ignores high-frequency fluctuations in the BOLD signal – be it because of low TR prohibiting the analysis of fluctuations with frequencies higher than 0.25 Hz (for a typical TR of 2 s), or because of the application of a bandpass filter (commonly restricting the signal to frequencies lower than 0.1 Hz). While the standard model of convolving neuronal activity with a hemodynamic response function suggests that the signal of interest in fMRI is characterized by slow fluctuation, it is in fact unclear whether the high-frequency dynamics of the signal consists of noise only. In this study, 10 subjects were scanned at 3 T during 6 min of rest using a multiband EPI sequence with a TR of 354 ms to critically sample fluctuations of up to 1.4 Hz. Preprocessed data were high-pass filtered to include only frequencies above 0.25 Hz, and voxelwise whole-brain temporal ICA (tICA) was used to identify consistent high-frequency signals. The resulting components include physiological background signal sources, most notably pulsation and heart-beat components, that can be specifically identified and localized with the method presented here. Perhaps more surprisingly, common resting-state networks like the default-mode network also emerge as separate tICA components. This means that high-frequency oscillations sampled with a rather T1-weighted contrast still contain specific information on these resting-state networks to consistently identify them, not consistent with the commonly held view that these networks operate on low-frequency fluctuations alone. Consequently, the use of bandpass filters in resting-state data analysis should be reconsidered, since this step eliminates potentially relevant information. Instead, more specific methods for the elimination of physiological background signals, for example by regression of physiological noise components, might prove to be viable alternatives.
FOREST AREA DERIVATION FROM SENTINEL-1 DATA

Abstract. The recently launched Sentinel-1A provides the high resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data with very high temporal coverage over large parts of European continent. Short revisit time and dual polarization availability supports its usability for forestry applications. The following study presents an analysis of the potential of the multi-temporal dual-polarization Sentinel-1A data for the forest area derivation using the standard methods based on Otsu thresholding and K-means clustering. Sentinel-1 data collected in winter season 2014-2015 over a test area in eastern Austria were used to derive forest area mask with spatial resolution of 10m and minimum mapping unit of 500 m2. The validation with reference forest mask derived from airborne full-waveform laser scanning data revealed overall accuracy of 92 % and kappa statistics of 0.81. Even better results can be achieved when using external mask for urban areas, which might be misclassified as forests when using the introduced approach based on SAR data only. The Sentinel-1 data and the described methods are well suited for forest change detection between consecutive years.
Cardiac biplane strain imaging: initial in vivo experience

In this study, first we propose a biplane strain imaging method using a commercial ultrasound system, yielding estimation of the strain in three orthogonal directions. Secondly, an animal model of a child's heart was introduced that is suitable to simulate congenital heart disease and was used to test the method in vivo. The proposed approach can serve as a framework to monitor the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. A 2D strain estimation technique using radio frequency (RF) ultrasound data was applied. Biplane image acquisition was performed at a relatively low frame rate (<100 Hz) using a commercial platform with an RF interface. For testing the method in vivo, biplane image sequences of the heart were recorded during the cardiac cycle in four dogs with an aortic stenosis. Initial results reveal the feasibility of measuring large radial, circumferential and longitudinal cumulative strain (up to 70%) at a frame rate of 100 Hz. Mean radial strain curves of a manually segmented region-of-interest in the infero-lateral wall show excellent correlation between the measured strain curves acquired in two perpendicular planes. Furthermore, the results show the feasibility and reproducibility of assessing radial, circumferential and longitudinal strains simultaneously. In this preliminary study, three beagles developed an elevated pressure gradient over the aortic valve (Δp: 100–200 mmHg) and myocardial hypertrophy. One dog did not develop any sign of hypertrophy (Δp = 20 mmHg). Initial strain (rate) results showed that the maximum strain (rate) decreased with increasing valvular stenosis (−50%), which is in accordance with previous studies. Histological findings corroborated these results and showed an increase in fibrotic tissue for the hearts with larger pressure gradients (100, 200 mmHg), as well as lower strain and strain rate values.