Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Objects Mediate Goal Integration in Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex during Action Observation

Actions performed by others are mostly not observed in isolation, but embedded in sequences of actions tied together by an overarching goal. Therefore, preceding actions can modulate the observer's expectations in relation to the currently perceived action. Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC), and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in particular, is suggested to subserve the integration of episodic as well as semantic information and memory, including action scripts. The present fMRI study investigated if activation in IFG varies with the effort to integrate expected and observed action, even when not required by the task. During an fMRI session, participants were instructed to attend to short videos of single actions and to deliver a judgment about the actor’s current goal. We manipulated the strength of goal expectation induced by the preceding action, implementing the parameter "goal-relatedness" between the preceding and the currently observed action. Moreover, since objects point to the probability of certain actions, we also manipulated whether the current and the preceding action shared at least one object or not. We found an interaction between the two factors goal-relatedness and shared object: IFG activation increased the weaker the goal-relatedness between the preceding and the current action was, but only when they shared at least one object. Here, integration of successive action steps was triggered by the re-appearing (shared) object but hampered by a weak goal-relatedness between the actually observed manipulation. These findings foster the recently emerging view that IFG is enhanced by goal-related conflicts during action observation.
Understanding Time-Series Networks: A Case Study in Rule Extraction

A significant limitation of neural networks is that the representations they learn are usually incomprehensible to humans. We have developed an algorithm, called TREPAN, for extracting comprehensible, symbolic representations from trained neural networks. Given a trained network, TREPAN produces a decision tree that approximates the concept represented by the network. In this article, we discuss the application of TREPAN to a neural network trained on a noisy time series task: predicting the Dollar-Mark exchange rate. We present experiments that show that TREPAN is able to extract a decision tree from this network that equals the network in terms of predictive accuracy, yet provides a comprehensible concept representation. Moreover, our experiments indicate that decision trees induced directly from the training data using conventional algorithms do not match the accuracy nor the comprehensibility of the tree extracted by TREPAN.
Ge/SiGe photonic devices for the long mid-infrared

With the recent progress in integrated silicon photonics technology and the recent development of efficient quantum cascade lasers (QCL), there is now a very good opportunity to investigate new gas sensors offering very high sensitivity, high selectivity (multi-gas sensing, atmosphere analysis) and low cost thanks to integration on planar Si substrates. Gas sensing generally requires a tunable source continuously covering the whole operational range of the QCL stack. This paper presents the design, fabrication and characterization of Array Waveguide Grating (AWG) devices aiming at the simultaneous detection of several gas using arrays of QCL sources. We have developed a new platform based on Ge cores surrounded by thick Si80Ge20 layers. The index difference between the core and the cladding is around 0.5 on the 3-13 μm spectral range. The core has a typical cross section of 2.5 × 2.5 μm and is surrounded by 6 μm thick SiGe cladding layers. As test vehicle device, we designed a 35 inputs multiplexer working in the 9.5 μm operation range (1050-1250 cm-1 ). The design was carried out to match the inputs of a Distributed Feed-Back-QCL array. Preliminary measurements on the waveguide showed losses in the 3.5 dB/cm range. AWG devices were fabricated and tested. They showed results in good agreement with the modeling. An almost flat transmission over a full 200 cm-1 operational range was obtained, with a peak-to-valley modulation of -5dB.
An automatic bleeding detection scheme in wireless capsule endoscopy based on histogram of an RGB-indexed image

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is one of the most effective technologies to diagnose gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, such as bleeding in GI tract. Because of long duration of WCE video containing large number images, it is a burden for clinician to detect diseases in real time. In this paper, an automatic bleeding image detection method is proposed utilizing construction of an index image incorporating certain level of information from each plane of RGB color space. Distinguishable color texture feature is developed from index image by histogram. Support vector machine (SVM) classifier is employed to detect bleeding and non-bleeding images from WCE videos. From extensive experimentation on real time WCE video recordings, it is found that the proposed method can accurately detect bleeding images with high sensitivity and specificity.
Myocardial Hypertrophy in the Ischemic Zone Induced by Exercise in Rats After Coronary Reperfusion

BackgroundFactors influencing left ventricular (LV) remodeling after coronary artery reperfusion, including adaptive changes in the infarcted region and the role of exercise, have not been well defined. The common application of early reperfusion by thrombolysis after acute myocardial infarction lends potential significance to such remodeling, and a rat model with 45 minutes of regional ischemia followed by reperfusion was developed to study these events. We postulated that the effects of reperfusion in altering LV morphology would be further modified by exercise training, including induction of hypertrophic changes in the outer region of the nontransmural infarction. Methods and ResultsFemale Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected either to 15 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion or to sham operation, and at 5 days after the operation, animals were randomly assigned to sedentary conditions or to 3 weeks of swimming exercise. Animals completing the experiment included a repeifused sedentary group (n =21), a reperfused exercised group (n=20), a sham-operated group (n=10), and a sham-operated group subjected to exercise (sham exercised group, n=9). In addition, in seven rats, myocardial infarction was produced by permanent coronary occlusion, and the animals remained sedentary (permanent occlusion group). In each group, the morphology of the noninfarcted (septal) and the infarcted (anterolateral) regions of the left ventricle was examined 26 days after surgery from midventricular transverse sections 25 Aum thick taken after perfusion fixation of the heart at an aortic pressure of 60 mm Hg and an LV cavity pressure of 10 mm Hg. Compared with the permanent occlusion group, LV cavity area in the sedentary reperfused group was smaller (33.5 versus 53.2 mm2, p<0.001), the infarcted wall was thicker (1.36 versus 0.53 mm, p<0.001), and the septal wall also was thicker (1.95 versus 1.62 mm, p<0.05), whereas compared with the sham-operated group, the LV cavity area was increased, and infarcted wall thickness was reduced (both p<0.01). Reperfusion resulted in less transmurality of infarction compared with permanent occlusion (38.3% versus 69.5%, p<O.OOl), with increased subepicardial area in the infarcted zone after reperfusion (7.5 versus 1.9 mm2, p<O.OOl). In the reperfused exercised group, transmurality was further decreased compared with the reperfused sedentary group (31.5% versus 38.3%, p<0.05), and the viable subepicardial area of the infarct zone increased by 32%. ConclusionImportant remodeling of global and regional LV morphology was evident at 26 days in sedentary rats after 45 minutes of coronary occlusion with reperfusion compared with rats with permanent coronary occlusion, with reduced infarct transmurality and less LV dilation in the reperfused group. Exercise after reperfusion further affected ventricular remodeling by causing hypertrophy with increased wall thickness of the surviving subepicardium of the infarcted zone.
Chaotic Communication System Using Chua's oscillators Realized with Ccii+s

This work shows the experimental implementation of a chaotic communication system based on two Chua's oscillators which are synchronized by Hamiltonian forms and observer approach. The chaotic communication scheme is realized by using the commercially available positive-type second generation current conveyor (CCII+), which is included into the AD844 device. As a result, experimental measurements are provided to demonstrate the suitability of the CCII+ to implement chaotic communication systems.
Experience with high-speed automated application-identification for network-management

AtoZ, an automatic traffic organizer, provides control of how network-resources are used by applications. It does this by combining the high-speed packet processing of the NetFPGA with an efficient method for application-behavior labeling. AtoZ can control network resources by prohibiting certain applications and controlling the resources available to others. We discuss deployment experience and use real traffic to illustrate how such an architecture enables several distinct features: high accuracy, high throughput, minimal delay, and efficient packet labeling --- all in a low-cost, robust configuration that works alongside the enterprise access-router.
Why do adaptive immune responses cross-react?

Antigen specificity of adaptive immune responses is often in the host’s best interests, but with important and as yet unpredictable exceptions. For example, antibodies that bind to multiple flaviviral or malarial species can provide hosts with simultaneous protection against many parasite genotypes. Vaccinology often aims to harness such imprecision, because cross‐reactive antibodies might provide broad‐spectrum protection in the face of antigenic variation by parasites. However, the causes of cross‐reactivity among immune responses are not always known, and here, we explore potential proximate and evolutionary explanations for cross‐reactivity. We particularly consider whether cross‐reactivity is the result of constraints on the ability of the immune system to process information about the world of antigens, or whether an intermediate level of cross‐reactivity may instead represent an evolutionary optimum. We conclude with a series of open questions for future interdisciplinary research, including the suggestion that the evolutionary ecology of information processing might benefit from close examination of immunological data.
Anti‐atherosclerotic effect of the angiotensin 1–7 mimetic AVE0991 is mediated by inhibition of perivascular and plaque inflammation in early atherosclerosis

Inflammation plays a key role in atherosclerosis. The protective role of angiotensin 1–7 (Ang‐(1–7)) in vascular pathologies suggested the therapeutic use of low MW, non‐peptide Ang‐(1–7) mimetics, such as AVE0991. The mechanisms underlying the vaso‐protective effects of AVE0991, a Mas receptor agonist, remain to be explored.
Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in Enterobacter cloacae in Taiwan and comparison of 3 phenotypic confirmatory methods for detecting extended-spectrum beta-lactamase production.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in Enterobacter cloacae remains unclear in Taiwan. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. cloacae in Taiwan. METHODS 116 clinical isolates of E. cloacae were tested for cefepime susceptibility. Isolates with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of > or = 0.25 microg/mL for cefepime were tested for the ESBL phenotype by the combination-disk synergy tests (CDSTs) using cefotaxime and ceftazidime alone or in combination with clavulanic acid, the ESBL Etest using cefepime with or without clavulanic acid, and the double-disk synergy test (DDST) using cefepime and amoxicillin-clavulanate. RESULTS Thirty eight isolates had an MIC of > or = 0.25 microg/mL for cefepime. Of these, 27 had an ESBL phenotype; 24 were determined by DDST, 25 by CDST, and 21 by ESBL Etest. ESBL genes were identified in 24 isolates. One isolate without an ESBL phenotype but with an MIC of > or = 0.25 microg/mL for cefepime was confirmed to have the ESBL gene. DDST, CDSTs, and ESBL Etest detected 24, 22, and 21 of 25 isolates with the ESBL genotype, respectively. DDST had the highest sensitivity of 96.0% for detecting ESBLs among isolates and a specificity of 69.2%. CDSTs and ESBL Etest had sensitivities of 88.0% and 84.0%, respectively, and specificities of 69.2% and 100%, respectively. The overall prevalence of ESBL-producing E. cloacae was 21.6%. CONCLUSIONS A combination of DDST using cefepime and amoxicillin-clavulanate and CDSTs using cefotaxime and ceftazidime alone or in combination with clavulanic acid enhance the detection of ESBL production in Taiwan.
Central nervous system active medications and risk for fractures in older women.

BACKGROUND Use of central nervous system (CNS) active medications may increase the risk for fractures. Prior studies are limited by incomplete control of confounders. METHODS To determine whether use of CNS active medications, including benzodiazepines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and narcotics, increases fracture risk in elderly, community-dwelling women, we examined use of these 4 categories of medications in a cohort of 8127 older women and followed the participants prospectively for incident nonspine fractures, including hip fractures. Current use of CNS active medications was assessed by interview with verification of use from containers between 1992 and 1994 and between 1995 and 1996. Use was coded as a time-dependent variable. Incident nonspine fractures occurring after the initial medication assessment until May 31, 1999, were confirmed by radiographic reports. RESULTS During an average follow-up of 4.8 years, 1256 women (15%) experienced at least one nonspine fracture, including 288 (4%) with first hip fractures. Compared with nonusers, women taking narcotics (multivariate hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.83) and those taking antidepressants (multivariate HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.99-1.58) had increases in the risks for any nonspine fractures. Women taking tricyclic antidepressants and those using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) had similar fracture rates. There were no independent associations between benzodiazepine use or anticonvulsant use and risk for nonspine fracture. Women taking antidepressants compared with nonusers had a 1.7-fold increase in the risk for hip fracture (multivariate HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.05-2.57). We did not observe independent associations between use of any of the other 3 classes of CNS active medications and risk of hip fracture. CONCLUSIONS Community-dwelling older women taking narcotics have an increased risk for any nonspine fracture, and those taking antidepressants have a greater risk for nonspine fractures, including hip fracture. Rates of fracture were similar in women taking tricyclic antidepressants and those using SSRIs. Benzodiazepine use and anticonvulsant use were not independently associated with an increased risk of nonspine fractures, including hip fracture.
Active Facial Tracking

Human face tracker is one of important research areas that is continuously developing. Many methods have been developed for performing an effective and efficient face tracker based system application. One category of the face tracker methods is the real-time face tracker, which is a challenging task in this field. This paper presents a real-time human face tracker development using facial feature extraction. The skin color method is adopted to obtain the face region because of its efficiency in computing which is required in real time face tracker system. The detection and localization of the face and its features is instrumental for the successful performance of subsequent tasks in related computer vision applications. Many high-level vision applications such as facial feature tracking, facial modeling and animation, facial expression analysis and face recognition require reliable feature extraction system. Face detection system is concerned with finding whether there are any faces in a given image. Facial feature points are referred to in the literature as salient points, anchor points or facial landmarks. The most frequently occurring facial features are the four eye corners, the tip of the nose and the two mouth corners. Facial feature detection is a challenging computer vision problem due to high inter-personal changes such as gender, race and the intra-personal variability such as pose, expression and acquisition conditions like lighting, scale, facial accessories.
The genotoxic effect of gold nanoparticles in cultured human cells

Gold nanoparticles are ultrafine particles which are being used diversely in the medical field. Despite their versatility, the toxicity research which has been conducted on these particles is incredibly limited as well as contradictory. The aim of this study was to determine the genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. This was done by first synthesizing spherical gold particles; functionalizing, characterizing and then testing their stability in conditions similar to cellular environments. Once this was done the gold particles were then added to the cultured HepG2 cells and cytotoxicity was determined by the WST-1 assay and xCELLigence technology. The ApoPercentage assay was used in order to determine the cell death mechanism as a result of the gold particles and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine their internalization. The genotoxicity caused as a result of the gold particles was analyzed by the use of an alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis. The results obtained indicated that 18nm spherical gold nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and functionalized. The particles were stable in cellular environments except for thiol interactions and phosphate buffered saline. Cytotoxicity was evident however the cells did recover. Some of the gold nanoparticles did induce genotoxicity however the cells were able to repair the damage with the exception of the cells exposed to gold nanoparticles functionalized with mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA).
Genes regulated by hepatocyte growth factor as targets to sensitize ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin

Advanced ovarian cancers are initially responsive to chemotherapy with platinum drugs but develop drug resistance in most cases. We showed recently that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) enhances death of human ovarian cancer cell lines treated with cisplatin (CDDP) and that this effect is mediated by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. In this work, we integrated genome-wide expression profiling, in silico data survey, and functional assays to identify transcripts regulated in SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells made more responsive to CDDP by HGF. Using oligonucleotide microarrays, we found that HGF pretreatment changes the transcriptional response to CDDP. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR not only validated all the 15 most differentially expressed genes but also confirmed that they were primarily modulated by the combined treatment with HGF and CDDP and reversed by suppressing p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. Among the differentially expressed genes, we focused functional analysis on two regulatory subunits of the protein phosphatase 2A, which were down-modulated by HGF plus CDDP. Decrease of each subunit by RNA interference made ovarian cancer cells more responsive to CDDP, mimicking the effect of HGF. In conclusion, we show that HGF and CDDP modulate transcription in ovarian cancer cells and that this transcriptional response is involved in apoptosis regulation. We also provide the proof-of-concept that the identified genes might be targeted to either increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutics or revert chemotherapy resistance. [Mol Cancer Ther 2006;5(5):1126–35]
Differential Response to ECT of Psychotic and Affective Symptoms in Huntington's Disease: A Case Report.

To the Editor: Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abnormal choreatic movements, subcortical dementia, and psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric disorders encountered in HD include major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, or isolated symptoms such as apathy or irritability in 33%276% of patients. Psychotic disorders affect 3%211% of patients. Although psychiatric symptomatology often precedes motor symptoms, there is a dearth of data regarding psychiatric care in HD. The case reported here refers to a patient suffering fromHD, major depressive disorder, and psychotic symptomatology. This patient displayed a very poor tolerance to clozapine treatment and differential results with electroconvulsivotherapy (ECT) with remission of major depressive disorder symptoms and a slight improvement in motor symptoms, but there was no effect on psychotic symptoms.
SGXKernel: A Library Operating System Optimized for Intel SGX

Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) is an emerging trusted hardware technology. SGX enables user-level code to allocate regions of trusted memory, called enclaves, where the confidentiality and integrity of code and data are guaranteed. While SGX offers strong security for applications, one limitation of SGX is the lack of system call support inside enclaves, which leads to a non-trivial, refactoring effort when protecting existing applications with SGX. To address this issue, previous works have ported existing library OSes to SGX. However, these library OSes are suboptimal in terms of security and performance since they are designed without taking into account the characteristics of SGX. In this paper, we revisit the library OS approach in a new setting---Intel SGX. We first quantitatively evaluate the performance impact of enclave transitions on SGX programs, identifying it as a performance bottleneck for any library OSes that aim to support system-intensive SGX applications. We then present the design and implementation of SGXKernel, an in-enclave library OS, with highlight on its switchless design, which obviates the needs for enclave transitions. This switchless design is achieved by incorporating two novel ideas: asynchronous cross-enclave communication and preemptible in-enclave multi-threading. We intensively evaluate the performance of SGXKernel on microbenchmarks and application benchmarks. The results show that SGXKernel significantly outperforms a state-of-the-art library OS that has been ported to SGX.
Energy management for indoor hovering robots

Flying has an advantage when compared to ground based locomotion, as it simplifies the task of overcoming obstacles and allows for rapid coverage of an area while also providing a birds-eye-view of the environment. One of the key challenges that has prevented engineers from coming up with convincing aerial solutions for indoor exploration is the energetic cost of flying. This paper presents a way of mitigating the energy problem regarding aerial exploration within indoor environments. This is achieved by means of a model to estimate the endurance of a hover-capable flying robot and by using ceiling attachment as a means of preserving energy while maintaining a birds-eye-view. The proposed model for endurance estimation has been extensively tested using a custom-developed quadrotor and autonomous ceiling attachment system.