Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An M-sequence-based baseband network analyzer using a combination of hardware and software correlator

In this contribution, an m-sequence-based system for network analysis is presented. This system is based on a new correlator concept, which combines the advantages of a hardware and a software correlator. In hardware, the multiplication of the received signal with a time lagged version of the excitation signal is performed. This enables a correlation for desired time lags resulting in a short measurement time, especially for long m-sequences. In software, integrate and dump (I&D) is performed, which enables a precise integration over one sequence length or integer multiples thereof, resulting in a high side maxima suppression. Furthermore, compared to a pure software correlator, the requirements with regard to the sample and hold stage are significantly lower. First, the fundamental properties of m-sequences and of the realized correlator are discussed. Afterwords, results with optimized measurement time and dynamic range of the system, derived from numerical simulations, are presented. Furthermore, to experimentally validate the system concept, a demonstrator has been realized. Measurement results showing the achievable dynamic range are presented.
Acoustic Scene Classification Based on Convolutional Neural Network Using Double Image Features

This paper proposes new image features for the acoustic scene classification task of the IEEE AASP Challenge: Detection and Classification of Acoustic Scenes and Events. In classification of acoustic scenes, identical sounds being observed in different places may affect performance. To resolve this issue, a covariance matrix, which represents energy density for each subband, and a double Fourier transform image, which represents energy variation for each subband, were defined as features. To classify the acoustic scenes with these features, Convolutional Neural Network has been applied with several techniques to reduce training time and to resolve initialization and local optimum problems. According to the experiments which were performed with the DCASE2017 challenge development dataset it is claimed that the proposed method outperformed several baseline methods. Specifically, the class average accuracy is shown as 83.6%, which is an improvement of 8.8%, 9.5%, 8.2% compared to MFCC-MLP, MFCC-GMM, and CepsCom-GMM, respectively.
Exposure of Ex-PRESS Miniature Glaucoma Devices: Case Series and Technique for Tube Shunt Removal

PurposeTo report a series of cases involving Ex-PRESS Miniature Glaucoma Device exposure and discuss the surgical techniques we used to remove the shunts. MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients who were referred for Ex-PRESS Miniature Glaucoma Device exposure between January 2004 and December 2005. Demographic information, time to exposure, surgical technique for device implantation and removal, and patient outcomes after device removal were abstracted from the identified charts. In addition, we describe a surgical technique used to remove the exposed Ex-PRESS Miniature Glaucoma Devices. ResultsSix patients (8 eyes) experienced Ex-PRESS Miniature Glaucoma Device exposure. The average time to exposure was 8.5 months. In 2 eyes, the shunt had been inserted under a half-thickness scleral flap; in both these eyes and 1 additional eye, Mitomycin-C had been used during shunt insertion. At presentation with tube shunt exposure, all eyes had normal or elevated intraocular pressure. In 5 eyes, visual acuity worsened after the device was removed. All 8 patients required concomitant glaucoma surgery with device removal. ConclusionsAs an increasing number of patients undergo filtration surgery with Ex-PRESS Miniature Glaucoma Devices, anterior segment surgeons should be aware of the potential for device exposure and methods for device removal.
Using GitHub in the classroom - a collaborative learning experience

The most important skills employers are looking for in engineering are creativity, ability to work in teams and critical thinking. However the most used teaching methods at universities, based on individual assignments or group projects while do address the creativity, fall back on the critical thinking and even in team work skill. Collaborative learning was long suggested as a good alternative for enhancing these skills and recent evolution in social coding sites and collaborative software development give a new opportunity to employ such teaching method. This paper presents the results of a collaborative learning experiment carried out by using GitHub in laboratory assignments, where the main focus was on the direct interaction of the students on each other's learning process. Results were analyzed in comparison with traditional methods and also perspectives of enhancing the learning experience in the vision of current workforce requirements.
A subset of herpes simplex virus replication genes induces DNA amplification within the host cell genome

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) induces DNA amplification of target genes within the host cell chromosome. To characterize the HSV genes that mediate the amplification effect, combinations of cloned DNA fragments covering the entire HSV genome were transiently transfected into simian virus 40 (SV40)-transformed hamster cells. This led to amplification of the integrated SV40 DNA sequences to a degree comparable to that observed after transfection of intact virion DNA. Transfection of combinations of subclones and of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter-driven expression constructs for individual open reading frames led to the identification of six HSV genes which together were necessary and sufficient for the induction of DNA amplification: UL30 (DNA polymerase), UL29 (major DNA-binding protein), UL5, UL8, UL42, and UL52. All of these genes encode proteins necessary for HSV DNA replication. However, an additional gene coding for an HSV origin-binding protein (UL9) was required for origin-dependent HSV DNA replication but was dispensible for SV40 DNA amplification. Our results show that a subset of HSV replication genes is sufficient for the induction of DNA amplification. This opens the possibility that HSV expresses functions sufficient for DNA amplification but separate from those responsible for lytic viral growth. HSV infection may thereby induce DNA amplification within the host cell genome without killing the host by lytic viral growth. This may lead to persistence of a cell with a new genetic phenotype, which would have implications for the pathogenicity of the virus in vivo.
Mosaic Cre‐mediated recombination in pancreas using the pdx‐1 enhancer/promoter

The pdx-1 homeobox gene is expressed in a restricted domain in the vertebrate posterior foregut endoderm in a region destined to become the antral stomach, pancreas, and rostral duodenum (reviewed in Gannon and Wright, 1999). During early stages of mouse embryogenesis, pdx-1 is highly expressed throughout the entire pancreatic epithelium, including both endocrine (hormone-producing) and exocrine (enzyme-producing) cells, as well as sub-populations of duodenal and gastric enteroendocrine cells. Expression then becomes restricted so that in adults pdx-1 is most abundant in insulin-producing b cells with lower levels in acinar cells (Wu et al., 1997; Gannon and Wright, 1999). Null mutations in pdx-1 affect all cell types in which it is expressed, the most dramatic phenotype being pancreatic agenesis (Jonsson et al., 1994; Ofﬁeld et al., 1996; Larsson et al., 1996). We have localized pdx-1 genomic sequences sufﬁcient for directing proper spatiotemporal expression of pdx-1 to the 5 9 region of this gene (M. Gannon and C.V.E. Wright, unpublished observations). A 4.5 kb upstream Xba I to Sac I fragment drives expression of a lacZ reporter transgene throughout the pancreatic epithelium early in development and shows the normal restriction to b cells within the islet core in adults (M.G. and C.V.E.W., unpublished observations). This 4.5 kb region was therefore subcloned upstream of Cre recombinase
Pregabalin and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Postherpetic Neuralgia Treatment

ObjectivePostherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is responsible for one of the most common types of neuropathic pain, described as a burning pain that shakes, hits, and tightens and includes allodynia and paresthesia. Aim of the StudyTo evaluate the efficacy of Pregabalin when used during transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) in patients with PHN and to analyze any changes in physical activity and sleep quality. MethodsPatients aged 50 to 80 years were included in this randomized study. We enrolled 15 male (average age 65±8.6 y) and 15 female patients (average age 64±8.2 y). The male patients had a history of neuropathic pain lasting 15.6±8.8 months whereas the female patients had a history of neuropathic pain lasting about 14.9±8.6 months. We began with 1 week of patient screening followed by a week of Pregabalin titration. Then, we established the dose of Pregabalin for each patient to obtain visual analog scale (VAS) of less than 60 mm. The eligible patients were randomly divided into 2 groups receiving Pregabalin + TENS or Pregabalin+TENS placebo for the following 4 weeks. Patients underwent 8 outpatient visits during which they completed VAS, SF-McGill Pain Questionnaire, and sleep interference questionnaire. ResultsThe resulting data showed that Pregabalin administration associated with TENS reduced pain in patients with PHN. At the end of the treatment, all the observed groups presented a reduction of mean VAS. The group treated with Pregabalin 300 (P300)+TENS had a reduction of pain of 30% and the group treated with Pregabalin 600 (P600)+TENS had a reduction of pain of 40%. The comparison between group P300+TENS versus group P300+TENS placebo showed a statistically significant reduction of VAS (P300+TENS 25±0.67 vs. P300+TENS placebo 39±1.19 P<0.02). Moreover, the comparison between group P600+TENS versus group P600+TENS placebo has shown a statistically significant reduction of VAS (P600+TENS 23±0.78 vs. P600+TENS placebo 32±0.81 P<0.02). At the end of the study, all groups showed a statistically significant difference in terms of sleep interference, Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire total score, and Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire Present Pain Intensity. ConclusionsThese data support the conclusion that Pregabalin gives better results when combined with TENS therapy, which is an analgesic nonpharmacologic procedure. Therefore, a multidisciplinary treatment should be considered for this kind of pain.
Control of Cellular GADD34 Levels by the 26S Proteasome

ABSTRACT GADD34, the product of a growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene, is expressed at low levels in unstressed cells. In response to stress, the cellular content of GADD34 protein increases and, on termination of stress, rapidly declines. We investigated the mechanisms that control GADD34 levels in human cells. GADD34 proteins containing either an internal FLAG or a C-terminal green fluorescent protein epitope were degraded at rates similar to endogenous GADD34. However, the addition of epitopes at the N terminus or deletion of N-terminal sequences stabilized GADD34. N-terminal peptides of GADD34, either alone or fused to heterologous proteins, exhibited rapid degradation similar to wild-type GADD34, thereby identifying an N-terminal degron. Deletion of internal PEST repeats had no impact on GADD34 stability but modulated the binding and activity of protein phosphatase 1. Proteasomal but not lysosomal inhibitors enhanced GADD34 stability and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF-2α) dephosphorylation, a finding consistent with GADD34's role in assembling an eIF-2α phosphatase. GADD34 was polyubiquitinated, and this modification enhanced its turnover in cells. A stabilized form of GADD34 promoted the accumulation and aggregation of the mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTRΔF508), highlighting the physiological importance of GADD34 turnover in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and the potential impact of prolonged GADD34 expression in human disease.
Demonstration of facilitatory I wave interaction in the human motor cortex by paired transcranial magnetic stimulation

1 Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the human motor cortex results in multiple discharges (D and I waves) in the corticospinal tract. We tested whether these volleys can be explored non‐invasively with paired TMS. The intensity of the first stimulus (S1) was set to produce a motor‐evoked potential (MEP) of 1 mV in the resting contralateral abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscle; the second stimulus (S2) was set to 90 % of the resting motor threshold. At interstimulus intervals of 1·1‐1·5, 2·3‐2·9 and 4·1‐4·4 ms the MEP elicited by S1 plus S2 was larger than that produced by S1 alone. 2 Varying the S1 intensity between 70 and 130 % resting motor threshold with S2 held constant at 90 % resting motor threshold showed that the threshold for the first MEP peak was <= 70 % resting motor threshold. The second and third MEP peaks appeared only at higher S1 intensities. The latency of all peaks decreased with increasing S1 intensity. 3 Varying the S2 intensity with S1 held constant to produce a MEP of 1 mV on its own showed that the amplitude of all MEP peaks increased with S2 intensity, but that their timing remained unchanged. 4 Paired TMS in the active ADM (S1 clearly suprathreshold, S2 just above threshold; interstimulus interval, 1 ms) produced strong MEP facilitation. The onset of this facilitation occurred later by about 1·5 ms than the onset of the MEP evoked by S2 alone. No MEP facilitation was seen if the magnetic S2 was replaced by anodal or cathodal transcranial electrical stimulation. 5 It is concluded that the MEP facilitation after paired TMS, at least for the first MEP peak, is due to facilitatory interaction between I waves, and takes place in the motor cortex at or upstream from the corticospinal neurone.
Transcriptional profiling of human Peripheral Blood mononuclear cells exposed to Bacillus anthracis in vitro

Dependable and efficient diagnosis of Bacillus anthracis has long been a major concern for caregivers. Nonspecific symptoms during early illness often misguide the diagnosis; thereby jeopardize the proper therapeutic intervention. It is, therefore, crucial to understand the initial events that take place in a host soon after the onset of infection. The present study examines the transcriptional profile of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) challenged by B. anthracis (BA) spores in vitro, and cultured for 2 hrs, 4hrs, 6 hrs, 8 hrs and 24 hrs, respectively. Transcriptomic assays support the past findings and identify novel targets for diagnosis and anthrax therapy. We observe rapid elevation of a number of transcripts encoding genes for cytokines, chemokines, and other uptake receptors, concurrently with onset of infection. Delayed responses to the BA include gradual attenuation of the genes linked with pathogenic uptake, such as MyD88 and TLR4, putatively extending the duration of host vulnerability. The signs of altering host defenses, nevertheless are evident immediately after the exposure to the B. anthracis spores. The pathogenic insult selectively induces some of the key genes for apoptotic pathways regulated by the toll-like receptors and the caspase cascade; and suppresses the transcripts related to the p38MAPK-dependent pathways. The T-cell receptors and CD3-mediated antigenic recognition processes are possibly restrained, and the expression of CD79, a B-cell committed CD marker, is suppressed. Overall, BA challenges both innate and adaptive immunity processes and their key interfaces during the early course of infection. We identified several early targets across the networks and pathways, primarily related to chemotaxis and apoptosis of immune cells that can potentially facilitate development of next generation anthrax prevention strategies.
The Listening in Spatialized Noise test: Normative data for children

The Listening in Spatialized Noise test (LISN®) produces a three-dimensional auditory environment under headphones, using only a PC and an audiometer, and was designed to provide an ecologically valid assessment of auditory figure-ground skills in children. The listener is required to indicate the intelligibility level of a story presented at 0° azimuth, in the presence of distracter sentences simultaneously presented at either 0° or ±90° azimuth. Various measures assess the extent to which either spatial, vocal, or spatial and vocal cues combined, increase a listener's ability to comprehend the story, without being affected by differences between participants in variables such as linguistic skills. There was a trend of improved performance with increasing age for 48 normally hearing seven-, eight-, and nine-year-olds, and sixteen adults. Whereas some significant differences were found between adults and children, there were no significant differences in performance between the seven-, eight-, and nine-year-olds on any measure, and no significant gender or practice effects were observed. Future studies on children with suspected auditory processing disorder were considered warranted. Sumario La prueba de audición en ruido espacializado (LISN®) produce un ambiente auditivo tridimensional con audífonos, por medio de una PC y un audiómetro. Se diseñó para proporcionar una evaluación ecológicamente válida de las habilidades figura/fondo en niños. Se le pide al sujeto que escucha que indique el nivel de inteligibilidad de una historia presentada a 0° azimut en presencia de oraciones simultáneas como distractor ya sea a 0° o a ±90° azimut. Hay varias mediciones que evalúan el grado en que las claves vocales, espaciales o vocales y espaciales combinadas, aumentan la habilidad del sujeto para comprender la historia, sin que se vean afectadas por las diferencias entre participantes, tales como las habilidades lingüísticas. Hubo una tendencia a mejorar el desempeño con el incremento de la edad en 48 sujetos normoyentes de 7,8 y 9 años y en 16 adultos. Mientras que algunas diferencias significativas se encontraron entre niños y adultos, no hubo diferencias significativas en el desempeño entre los niños de 7,8 y 9 años en ninguna medición, ni tampoco se observó ninguna diferencia entre géneros o por efecto de la práctica. Se consideran necesarios más estudios en niños con sospecha de alteraciones en el procesamiento auditivo.
A novel approach for evaluation of prostate deformation and associated dosimetric implications in IGRT of the prostate.

PURPOSE Prostate deformation is assumed to be a secondary correction and is typically ignored in the planning target volume (PTV) margin calculations. This assumption needs to be tested, especially when planning margins are reduced with daily image-guidance. In this study, deformation characteristics of the prostate and seminal vesicles were determined, and the dosimetric impact on treatment plans with different PTV margins was investigated. METHODS Ten prostate cancer patients were retrospectively selected for the study, each with three fiducial markers implanted in the prostate. Two hundred CBCT images were registered to respective planning CT images using a B-spline-based deformable image registration (DIR) software. A manual bony anatomy-based match was first applied based on the alignment of the pelvic bones and fiducial landmarks. DIR was then performed. For each registration, deformation vector fields (DVFs) of the prostate and seminal vesicles (SVs) were quantified using deformation-volume histograms. In addition, prostate rotation was evaluated and compared with prostate deformation. For a patient demonstrating small and large prostate deformations, target coverage degradation was analyzed in each of three treatment plans with PTV margins of 10 mm (6 mm at the prostate/rectum interface), as well as 5, and 3 mm uniformly. RESULTS Deformation of the prostate was most significant in the anterior direction. Maximum prostate deformation of greater than 10, 5, and 3 mm occurred in 1%, 17%, and 76% of the cases, respectively. Based on DVF-histograms, DVF magnitudes greater than 5 and 3 mm occurred in 2% and 27% of the cases, respectively. Deformation of the SVs was most significant in the posterior direction, and it was greater than 5 and 3 mm in 7.5% and 44.9% of the cases, respectively. Prostate deformation was found to be poorly correlated with rotation. Fifty percent of the cases showed rotation with negligible deformation and 7% of the cases showed significant deformation with minimal rotation (<3°). Average differences in the D95 dose to the prostate+SVs between the planning CT and CBCT images was 0.4%±0.5%, 3.0%±2.8%, and 6.6%±6.1%, respectively, for the plans with 10/6, 5, and 3 mm margins. For the case with both a large degree of prostate deformation (≈10% of the prostate volume) and rotation (≈8°), D95 was reduced by 0.5%±0.1%, 6.8%±0.6%, and 20.9%±1.6% for 10/6, 5, and 3 mm margin plans, respectively. For the case with large prostate deformation but negligible rotation (<1°), D95 was reduced by 0.4±0.3, 3.9±1.0, and 11.5±2.5 for 10/6, 5, and 3 mm margin plans, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Prostate deformation over a course of fractionated prostate radiotherapy may not be insignificant and may need to be accounted for in the planning margin design. A consequence of these results is that use of highly reduced planning margins must be viewed with caution.
Calmodulin binding to glutamate decarboxylase is required for regulation of glutamate and GABA metabolism and normal development in plants.

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) catalyzes the decarboxylation of glutamate to CO2 and gamma‐aminobutyrate (GABA). GAD is ubiquitous in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, but only plant GAD has been shown to bind calmodulin (CaM). Here, we assess the role of the GAD CaM‐binding domain in vivo. Transgenic tobacco plants expressing a mutant petunia GAD lacking the CaM‐binding domain (GADdeltaC plants) exhibit severe morphological abnormalities, such as short stems, in which cortex parenchyma cells fail to elongate, associated with extremely high GABA and low glutamate levels. The morphology of transgenic plants expressing the full‐length GAD (GAD plants) is indistinguishable from that of wild‐type (WT) plants. In WT and GAD plant extracts, GAD activity is inhibited by EGTA and by the CaM antagonist trifluoperazine, and is associated with a CaM‐containing protein complex of approximately 500 kDa. In contrast, GADdeltaC plants lack normal GAD complexes, and GAD activity in their extracts is not affected by EGTA and trifluoperazine. We conclude that CaM binding to GAD is essential for the regulation of GABA and glutamate metabolism, and that regulation of GAD activity is necessary for normal plant development. This study is the first to demonstrate an in vivo function for CaM binding to a target protein in plants.
Direct impedance control of grid-connected inverter

Grid-connected inverter are commonly utilized to interface renewable energy sources into the utility, especially for micro-grid and distributed generation system applications. Different from available direct power, direct voltage, or direct current based control strategies of grid-connected inverters for renewable energy integration, to achieve flexible operation, the direct impedance control of grid-connected inverters is presented in this paper. Instantaneous power theory is used to estimate the output impedance of the inverter. An external impedance loop with PI controller is applied to directly control the inverter impedance, and an inner current loop with PR controller is employed to improve the transient features. By means of the proposed approach based on the equivalent circuit of control scheme, mathematical models of PI and PR controllers for direct impedance control of inverters are changed into electric circuits to confirm the performance of impedance-tracking, which have been confirmed by detailed analysis and discussions. Finally, simulation results by using PLECS are presented to verify the validation of proposed impedance-based control of the grid-connected inverter.