Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Oscillatory Phase in Determining the Temporal Organization of Perception: Evidence from Sensory Entrainment

Recent behavioral, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological studies have renewed the idea that the information processing within different temporal windows is linked to the phase and/or frequency of the ongoing oscillations, predominantly in the theta/alpha band (∼4–7 and 8–12 Hz, respectively). However, being correlational in nature, this evidence might reflect a nonfunctional byproduct rather than having a causal role. A more direct link can be shown with methods that manipulate oscillatory activity. Here, we used audiovisual entrainment at different frequencies in the prestimulus period of a temporal integration/segregation task. We hypothesized that entrainment would align ongoing oscillations and drive them toward the stimulation frequency. To reveal behavioral oscillations in temporal perception after the entrainment, we sampled the segregation/integration performance densely in time. In Experiment 1, two groups of human participants (both males and females) received stimulation either at the lower or the upper boundary of the alpha band (∼8.5 vs 11.5 Hz). For both entrainment frequencies, we found a phase alignment of the perceptual oscillation across subjects, but with two different power spectra that peaked near the entrainment frequency. These results were confirmed when perceptual oscillations were characterized in the time domain with sinusoidal fittings. In Experiment 2, we replicated the findings in a within-subject design, extending the results for frequencies in the theta (∼6.5 Hz), but not in the beta (∼15 Hz), range. Overall, these findings show that temporal segregation can be modified by sensory entrainment, providing evidence for a critical role of ongoing oscillations in the temporal organization of perception. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The continuous flow of sensory input is not processed in an analog fashion, but rather is grouped by the perceptual system over time. Recent studies pinpointed the phase and/or frequency of the neural oscillations in the theta/alpha band (∼4–12 Hz) as possible mechanisms underlying temporal windows in perception. Here, we combined two innovative methodologies to provide more direct support for this evidence. We used sensory entrainment to align neural oscillations to different frequencies and then characterized the resultant perceptual oscillation with a temporal dense sampling of the integration/segregation performance. Our results provide the first evidence that the frequency of temporal segregation can be modified by sensory entrainment, supporting a critical role of ongoing oscillations in the integration/segregation of information over time.
A general approach for getting optimal speed of vehicles using spatial data

The presence of increased number of vehicles, urbanization and increased number of lanes on Highways and High speed lanes are posing a major attention towards the governance of vehicle speed. Although various Government and Private commercial vehicles already have the provision of speed governance but they poses various problems of limiting of speed in highways or unintentional ignorance of over speeding of vehicles by driver. here are defined laws for maintenance of maximum speed of vehicles and most of the roads are already marked by various signboards and landmarks. Global Positioning System installed on the vehicles provides the real time location of the place along with the map but there is no provision of getting optimal safest speed of vehicles to be tagged with the track i.e. the road where vehicle is moving. In this paper, we present the generalized approach to tag the movement of vehicle at the particular location with the restricted maximum speed or optimal safest speed of vehicle based on spatial data available for the said geographic region with GPS marked location on map.
Effects of D-002, a mixture of high molecular weight beeswax alcohols, on patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background/Aims Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is intimately related to insulin resistance and ranges from a benign course to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. NAFLD management mainly involves dietary modification and weight loss. Although no fully successful pharmacological intervention is available, alternative therapies to treat NAFLD have shown promising results. Experimental studies have shown that D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols with antioxidant effects, is hepatoprotective. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of D-002 in patients with NALFD. Methods Fifty patients with NAFLD were randomized to receive a placebo or D-002 (100 mg/day) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was a significant ultrasonography-detected reduction of liver fat infiltration versus a placebo. Secondary endpoints were decreases in the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, insulin levels, serum liver enzymes, increases in plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) and improved clinical symptoms versus the placebo recipients. Results At randomization, all indicators were comparable in both groups. At study completion, seven (28.0%) D-002-patients, but none of the placebo recipients, exhibited a normal liver echo pattern on ultrasonography (p < 0.01). Also, D-002 significantly reduced (p < 0.01 vs. baseline and placebo) the HOMA index and insulin levels and increased the TAS, but did not affect other parameters. The proportion of D-002-patients (12/25, 48.0%) showing symptom improvement was higher (p < 0.001) than that of the placebo group (1/25, 4.0%). The treatment was safe and well tolerated. Three patients in each group withdrew from the study. Conclusions D-002 (100 mg/day) improved ultrasonographic findings, indicators of insulin resistance, plasma TAS and clinical evolution on NAFLD patients. Further studies, however, are needed to confirm these results.
The non-primate hepacivirus 5′ untranslated region possesses internal ribosomal entry site activity

The 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of the recently described non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV) contains a region with sequence homology to the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and GB virus B (GBV-B). Here, we demonstrated internal translation initiation by the NPHV 5′UTR in a bicistronic vector. An RNA stem–loop upstream of the NPHV IRES was structurally distinct from corresponding regions in HCV and GBV-B, and was not required for IRES function. Insertion of the NPHV stem–loop into the corresponding region of the HCV 5′UTR within the HCV subgenomic replicon significantly impaired RNA replication, indicating that long-range interactions between the 5′UTR and cis-acting downstream elements within the NPHV genome are not interchangeable with those of HCV. Despite similarities in IRES structure and function between hepaciviruses, replication elements in the NPHV 5′UTR appear functionally distinct from those of HCV.
A Novel AP2/ERF Transcription Factor CR1 Regulates the Accumulation of Vindoline and Serpentine in Catharanthus roseus

As one type of the most important alkaloids in the world, terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) show a wide range of pharmaceutical activities that are beneficial for clinical treatments. Catharanthus roseus produces approximately 130 identified TIAs and is considered to be a model plant to study TIA biosynthesis. In order to increase the production of high medical value metabolites whose yields are extremely low in C. roseus, genetic engineering combined with transcriptional regulation has been applied in recent years. By using bioinformatics which is based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-treated C. roseus as well as phylogenetic analysis, the present work aims to screen candidate genes that may be involved in the regulation of TIA biosynthesis, resulting in a novel AP2/ERF transcription factor, CR1 (Catharanthus roseus 1). Subsequently, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of CR1 was carried out to identify the involvement of CR1 in the accumulations of several TIAs and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was then applied to detect the expression levels of 7 genes in the related biosynthetic pathway in silenced plants. The results show that all the 7 genes were upregulated in CR1-silenced plants. Furthermore, metabolite analyses indicate that silencing CR1 could increase the accumulations of vindoline and serpentine in C. roseus. These results suggest a novel negative regulator which may be involved in the TIAs biosynthetic pathway.
Groups and Goblins: The Social and Civic Impact of an Online Game

A 1-month panel study of an immersive online video game investigated its social and civic impact. The data revealed mixed effects: Although the game led to an improved global outlook and some online community improvements, some kinds of existing friendships eroded and the most social players became more insular. Family interactions were unaffected. News media use was unaffected, but entertainment media were displaced. A decline in face-to-face interactions was detected and described as "cocooning. " The results are discussed, along with their implications for theory and for the study of both video games and the Internet more broadly.
A 3.66Gb/s 275mW TB-LDPC-CC decoder chip for MIMO broadcasting communications

In this work, a decoder chip for time-invariant tail-biting LDPC convolutional code (TB-LDPC-CC) is proposed. By modifying the layered decoding scheduling, the proposed decoding algorithm can achieve twice faster decoding convergence than the conventional flooding scheduling. Furthermore, 30.77% storage requirement is also reduced due to adaptive channel value addressing employed in memory-based decoder design. The multiple frame sizes handling ability can lower the power and adapt to multiple applications. By integrating these techniques, a TB-LDPC-CC decoder chip supporting three frame sizes is implemented in UMC 90nm CMOS technology. The decoder containing 4 processors occupies 2.18mm2 area and provides maximum throughput 3.66Gb/s under 0.8V supply and 305MHz with a 18.8pJ/bit/proc energy efficiency.
Explicit tests of palaeodrainage connections of southeastern North America and the historical biogeography of Orangethroat Darters (Percidae: Etheostoma: Ceasia)

The alteration in palaeodrainage river connections has shaped patterns of speciation, genetic diversity and the geographical distribution of the species‐rich freshwater fauna of North America. The integration of ancestral range reconstruction methods and divergence time estimates provides an opportunity to infer palaeodrainage connectivity and test alternative palaeodrainage hypotheses. Members of the Orangethroat Darter clade, Ceasia, are endemic to southeastern North America and occur north and south of the Pleistocene glacial front, a distributional pattern that makes this clade of closely related species an ideal system to investigate the number and location of glacial refugia and compare alternative hypotheses regarding the proposed evolution of the Teays‐Mahomet palaeodrainage. This study utilized time‐calibrated mitochondrial and nuclear gene phylogenies and present‐day geographical distributions to investigate hypothesized Teays‐Mahomet River connections through time using a dispersal–extinction–cladogenesis (DEC) framework. Results of DEC ancestral area reconstructions indicate that the Teays‐Mahomet River was a key dispersal route between disjunct highland regions connecting the Mississippi River tributaries to the Old‐Ohio Drainage minimally at two separate occasions during the Pleistocene. There was a dynamic interplay between palaeodrainage connections through time and postglacial range expansion from three glacial refugia that shaped the current genetic structure and geographical distributions of the species that comprise Ceasia.
DMLS - DEVELOPMENT HISTORY AND STATE OF THE ART

This paper summarizes the state of the art of direct metal laser-sintering (DMLS) in 2004, put into perspective by a review of its history from its roots in the 1970s, and discusses the trends going into the future. Since the 1970s, DMLS has evolved from an idea to a powerful commercial technology. The "family tree" of DMLS is explained with reference to related methods such as laser-cladding, indirect metal laser-sintering and plastic laser-sintering. Key aspects of the various machine concepts are reviewed, for example regarding laser sources (CO2, YAG, fibre lasers etc.) and powder layer generation methods (fluidized beds, blades, brushes, milling-based systems etc.), and also materials developments and process strategies. Some examples are given of performance improvements over the years. Finally, the application trends are briefly reviewed including rapid tooling, series production tooling, rapid metal prototyping and production of end-use parts.
The therapeutic effects of narrative cinema through clarification: Reexamining catharsis

Media psychologists have found no empirical support for catharsis as emotional venting or purgation. However, the concept persists in the humanities and everyday use, particularly in beliefs about the presumed effects of catharsis on well-being. This study adjusts the conceptualization of catharsis to include a cognitive aspect, i.e., the clarification of emotion, and examines the health outcomes of the combination of exposure to drama and drama-induced self-reflection. An experiment (N = 152) was conducted to compare the therapeutic effects of cinematic and reading-based dramas. In a mediation analysis, improvements in general health and lowered levels of depression were found for cinematic drama exposure with self-reflection, compared to reading-based drama exposure with self-reflection; this relationship was mediated by identification and emotional self-efficacy. Our results provide preliminary evidence for the therapeutic benefits of cinematic human drama through an altered conception of catharsis. Implications for using media to facilitate emotional fitness and meaningful entertainment are discussed.
The Association Between Insomnia Symptoms and Mood Changes During Exercise Among Patients Enrolled in Cardiac Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: Insomnia symptoms (ie, difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and early awakenings) are common among patients with cardiovascular disease and may interfere with the beneficial impact of exercise on mood state. This study investigated the association of insomnia symptom severity with mood disturbance and with changes in mood state during exercise in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) population. METHODS: Insomnia symptom severity was measured using the Insomnia Severity Index upon admission to a 12-week CR program (n = 57). The Physical Activity Affect Scale was administered before and during a single bout of moderate intensity exercise to measure changes in mood state. Indices of mood disturbance included depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and pre-exercise mood state (Physical Activity Affect Scale). RESULTS: Greater severity of insomnia symptoms was associated with less pleasant mood overall (r = −0.45, P < .001), including less tranquility (r = −0.37, P = .005), lower positive affect (r = −0.39, P = .003), and worse fatigue (r = 0.36, P = .005); greater insomnia symptom severity also predicted greater improvements during exercise in both overall mood state (b = 0.26, standard error = 0.10, P = .009) and tranquility (b = 0.09, standard error = 0.04, P = .04), following statistical adjustment for demographic variables and pre-exercise mood state. CONCLUSIONS: Although CR patients reporting insomnia symptoms tend to experience daytime mood disturbance, they may benefit from mood-elevating properties of exercise. Future research is needed to help optimize mood during exercise, which may have implications for improving psychological distress and CR adherence.
Adaptive blind signal processing-neural network approaches

Learning algorithms and underlying basic mathematical ideas are presented for the problem of adaptive blind signal processing, especially instantaneous blind separation and multichannel blind deconvolution/equalization of independent source signals. We discuss developments of adaptive learning algorithms based on the natural gradient approach and their properties concerning convergence, stability, and efficiency. Several promising schemas are proposed and reviewed in the paper. Emphasis is given to neural networks or adaptive filtering models and associated online adaptive nonlinear learning algorithms. Computer simulations illustrate the performances of the developed algorithms. Some results presented in this paper are new and are being published for the first time.
Three Dimensional Structure of the MqsR:MqsA Complex: A Novel TA Pair Comprised of a Toxin Homologous to RelE and an Antitoxin with Unique Properties

One mechanism by which bacteria survive environmental stress is through the formation of bacterial persisters, a sub-population of genetically identical quiescent cells that exhibit multidrug tolerance and are highly enriched in bacterial toxins. Recently, the Escherichia coli gene mqsR (b3022) was identified as the gene most highly upregulated in persisters. Here, we report multiple individual and complex three-dimensional structures of MqsR and its antitoxin MqsA (B3021), which reveal that MqsR:MqsA form a novel toxin:antitoxin (TA) pair. MqsR adopts an α/β fold that is homologous with the RelE/YoeB family of bacterial ribonuclease toxins. MqsA is an elongated dimer that neutralizes MqsR toxicity. As expected for a TA pair, MqsA binds its own promoter. Unexpectedly, it also binds the promoters of genes important for E. coli physiology (e.g., mcbR, spy). Unlike canonical antitoxins, MqsA is also structured throughout its entire sequence, binds zinc and coordinates DNA via its C- and not N-terminal domain. These studies reveal that TA systems, especially the antitoxins, are significantly more diverse than previously recognized and provide new insights into the role of toxins in maintaining the persister state.
A methodology to evaluate triple confidence and detect incorrect triples in knowledge bases

The accuracy of the contents of a knowledge base determines the effectiveness of knowledge service applications, thus, it is necessary to evaluate the confidence of triples when a knowledge base is built. This study introduces a generic computational methodology to compute the confidence values of triples in knowledge bases and detect potentially incorrect ones for further verification. The major contributions of the proposed methodology are as follows: (1) A process to compute the confidence values of triples is designed; (2) New algorithms are proposed to adjust the term frequency and inverse document frequency values of each triple; (3) A method to build a support vector machine (SVM) classifier based on the selected triples used for incorrect triple detection is presented.
Contextual Constraints and Discourse Processes: A Replication Study.

A STUDY BY Anderson, Reynolds, Schallert, and Goetz (1977) was replicated to determine the possible effects of contextual constraints on the findings of the original study. A sample of undergraduates (N= 142) was presented with ambiguously written reading passages to determine the relative effects of background and context. Results suggested that context-of-situation and background are both powerful predictors of interpretive frameworks of reading comprehension. The findings, which extend the hypothesis of the original investigation, suggest that both researchers and teachers should pay more attention to the settings in which print is encountered.
Beyond ‘bad apples’ and ‘weak leaders’

This article examines two starkly different cases—the abuse of prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison and the falsification of architectural internship reports—in developing a neo-institutional analysis of deviance within organizations. We argue that the organization’s role extends beyond a failure to act (e.g. monitor, prevent, punish) to include implementing formal structures—decoupling—that make individual deviance both predictable and a predicate of organizational ‘success’. We identify environmental conditions associated with decoupling, strategies to achieve it and organizational responses of deflection. By linking macro-level rule environments, organizational structure and participant behavior, we offer a theoretical framework that elides the long-standing definitional struggles in white-collar crime research through the simultaneous consideration of the organization as environment and the environment of the organization.
Policy Gradients for CVaR-Constrained MDPs

We study a risk-constrained version of the stochastic shortest path (SSP) problem, where the risk measure considered is Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR). We propose two algorithms that obtain a locally risk-optimal policy by employing four tools: stochastic approximation, mini batches, policy gradients and importance sampling. Both the algorithms incorporate a CVaR estimation procedure, along the lines of [3], which in turn is based on Rockafellar-Uryasev’s representation for CVaR and utilize the likelihood ratio principle for estimating the gradient of the sum of one cost function (objective of the SSP) and the gradient of the CVaR of the sum of another cost function (constraint of the SSP). The algorithms differ in the manner in which they approximate the CVaR estimates/necessary gradients the first algorithm uses stochastic approximation, while the second employs mini-batches in the spirit of Monte Carlo methods. We establish asymptotic convergence of both the algorithms. Further, since estimating CVaR is related to rare-event simulation, we incorporate an importance sampling based variance reduction scheme into our proposed algorithms.
Robust Real-Time Detection of Abandoned and Removed Objects

This paper presents a robust real-time method for general detection of abandoned and removed objects from surveillance videos. The system introduces a unique combination of a new pixel-wise static region detector and a novel abandoned/removed object classifier based on color richness. In the static region detection phase, two backgrounds are constructed respectively to build foreground and stationary masks which are then used to update a static region confidence map. Static regions are thus extracted from the confidence map and further classified into abandoned or removed items by comparing color richness between the background and current frame. Our algorithm is easy to implement, robust to small repetitive motions, illumination change and can handle object occlusion. Experimental results on two public video databases which are shot in different scenarios demonstrate the robustness and practicability of the proposed method in real-time video surveillance.
Positive Selection in the ComC-ComD System of Streptococcal Species

ABSTRACT Competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) and ComD of the streptococcal species are a pheromone and its receptor, respectively, involved in the regulation of competence for natural genetic transformation. We show here that these molecules have undergone positive selection. This study is the first report of positive selection due to competition among bacterial populations.
Modelling and improving the battery performance of a mobile phone application: A methodology

We evaluated the power consumption of an industry-grade IMS/RCS application that periodically updates and retrieves the availability status as well as inbox query task to/from the server over Wi-Fi interface. Our aim was to find out the amount of additional energy consumed for each unique tasks. We modelled the battery usage of always-on features and identified each feature's contribution to the whole consumption. While presenting the work we also paid attention to the process we went through and provided a methodology for similar future work.