Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decoding Information for Grasping from the Macaque Dorsomedial Visual Stream

Neurodecoders have been developed by researchers mostly to control neuroprosthetic devices, but also to shed new light on neural functions. In this study, we show that signals representing grip configurations can be reliably decoded from neural data acquired from area V6A of the monkey medial posterior parietal cortex. Two Macaca fascicularis monkeys were trained to perform an instructed-delay reach-to-grasp task in the dark and in the light toward objects of different shapes. Population neural activity was extracted at various time intervals on vision of the objects, the delay before movement, and grasp execution. This activity was used to train and validate a Bayes classifier used for decoding objects and grip types. Recognition rates were well over chance level for all the epochs analyzed in this study. Furthermore, we detected slightly different decoding accuracies, depending on the task's visual condition. Generalization analysis was performed by training and testing the system during different time intervals. This analysis demonstrated that a change of code occurred during the course of the task. Our classifier was able to discriminate grasp types fairly well in advance with respect to grasping onset. This feature might be important when the timing is critical to send signals to external devices before the movement start. Our results suggest that the neural signals from the dorsomedial visual pathway can be a good substrate to feed neural prostheses for prehensile actions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Recordings of neural activity from nonhuman primate frontal and parietal cortex have led to the development of methods of decoding movement information to restore coordinated arm actions in paralyzed human beings. Our results show that the signals measured from the monkey medial posterior parietal cortex are valid for correctly decoding information relevant for grasping. Together with previous studies on decoding reach trajectories from the medial posterior parietal cortex, this highlights the medial parietal cortex as a target site for transforming neural activity into control signals to command prostheses to allow human patients to dexterously perform grasping actions.
Robust Multi-Resource Allocation with Demand Uncertainties in Cloud Scheduler

Cloud scheduler manages multi-resources (e.g., CPU, GPU, memory, storage etc.) in cloud platform to improve resource utilization and achieve cost-efficiency for cloud providers. The optimal allocation for multi-resources has become a key technique in cloud computing and attracted more and more researchers' attentions. The existing multi-resource allocation methods are developed based on a condition that the job has constant demands for multi-resources. However, these methods may not apply in a real cloud scheduler due to the dynamic resource demands in jobs' execution. In this paper, we study a robust multi-resource allocation problem with uncertainties brought by varying resource demands. To this end, the cost function is chosen as either of two multi-resource efficiency-fairness metrics called Fairness on Dominant Shares and Generalized Fairness on Jobs, and we model the resource demand uncertainties through three typical models, i.e., scenario demand uncertainty, box demand uncertainty and ellipsoidal demand uncertainty. By solving an optimization problem we get the solution for robust multi-resource allocation with uncertainties for cloud scheduler. The extensive simulations show that the proposed approach can handle the resource demand uncertainties and the cloud scheduler runs in an optimized and robust manner.
Progression of Pelvic Implants to Complex Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia After Uterine Morcellation

BACKGROUND: Supracervical hysterectomy, a surgical technique that involves removal of the uterus while preserving the cervix, places women at an increased risk for future morbidity. CASE: The patient presented 7 years after laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy for benign disease, with pelvic pain, urinary frequency, abdominal bloating, and tenderness. Surgical exploration revealed myometrial implants, along with a larger mass on the mesentery of the sigmoid composed of endometrium with complex atypical hyperplasia in a patient without a prior history of complex atypical hyperplasia. The patient was symptom-free 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Histology found during reoperation after laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy includes endometriosis, residual endometrium, and leiomyomas. In this case, a woman with no prior history of endometrial atypia later developed complex adenomatous endometrial hyperplasia in a peritoneal implant. This finding adds to the list of possible complications after laparoscopic-assisted supracervical hysterectomy and uterine morcellation.
Comparison of five agglutination tests for identification of Staphylococcus aureus

Various commercially produced agglutination kits are widely used for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus. These kits detect the presence of protein A and/or clumping factor on S. aureus. The literature has shown that methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates which are deficient in both clumping factor and protein A may be misidentified. Two products, Slidex and Staphaurex Plus, utilize specific anti-S. aureus antibodies, potentially giving them greater sensitivity compared to products without these antibodies. We report a prospective study designed to compare the performance characteristics of Fastaph, Slidex, Staphaurex, Staphaurex Plus, Staphyloslide, and the tube coagulase test for the identification of staphylococcal isolates. All discrepant isolates were tested with the Gen-Probe AccuProbe S. aureus test and were identified to the species level with conventional reference biochemicals. A total of 1,193 isolates were tested, including 33 MRSA and 423 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus isolates. The sensitivities and specificities of the tests, respectively, were as follows: Fastaph, 99.1 and 98.9%; Slidex, 99.6 and 96.4%; Staphaurex, 98.9 and 99.9%; Staphaurex Plus, 99.6 and 93.9%; Staphyloslide, 99.1 and 98.9%; and tube coagulase, 99.3 and 100%. Sensitivity was excellent for all of the products tested. The specificities of Fastaph, Staphaurex, and Staphyloslide were excellent, while Staphaurex Plus and Slidex demonstrated less optimal results.
Multi-Color Imaging of Magnetic Co/Pt Multilayers

We demonstrate for the first time the realization of a spatial resolved two color, element-specific imaging experiment at the free-electron laser facility FERMI. Coherent imaging using Fourier transform holography was used to achieve direct real space access to the nanometer length scale of magnetic domains of Co/Pt heterostructures via the element-specific magnetic dichroism in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. As a first step to implement this technique for studies of ultrafast phenomena we present the spatially resolved response of magnetic domains upon femtosecond laser excitation.
An executioner caspase regulates autophagy

The relationships between autophagy and cell death are complex and still not well understood. To advance our understanding of the molecular connections between autophagy and apoptosis, we performed an RNAi-based screen of Drosophila melanogaster apoptosis-related genes for their ability to enhance or suppress starvation-induced autophagy. We discovered that six apoptosis-related genes, Dcp-1, hid, bruce, buffy, debcl and p53 as well as Ras/Raf/MAPK signaling pathway components play a role in autophagy regulation in Drosophila cultured cells. Our study also provides the first in vivo evidence that the effector caspase Dcp-1 and IAP protein Bruce regulate both autophagy and starvation-induced cell death at two nutrient status checkpoints, germarium and mid-oogenesis, in the Drosophila ovary. Analysis of degenerating mid-stage egg chambers in DmAtg1 and DmAtg7 mutants reveal a reduction in TUNEL staining though DNA condensation appears unaffected. Based on these and previous findings, we propose here a putative molecular pathway that might regulate the sensitivity threshold of apoptotic and autophagic responses. We also discuss multiple interpretations of the Atg mutant egg chamber TUNEL phenotype that are consistent with a possible role for autophagy in either suppressing or enhancing the efficiency of cell degradation and/or promoting cell clearance associated with the death process.
The efficacy of the high volume counterpulsation technique at very low levels of aortic pressure.

BACKGROUND The objective of the present study was to identify the hemodynamic variables, that preclude the effectiveness of the counterpulsation technique. METHODS In order to achieve high counterpulsation volume two devices were used simultaneously. The para-aortic counterpulsation device pumping 60-70 ml was implanted on the ascending aorta, and the intra-aortic balloon (20 ml) was placed in the descending aorta of 14 dogs with severe cardiogenic shock. Both devices were synchronized to provide aortic diastolic augmentation. The mechanical assistance provided by these devices was considered adequate when the mean aortic pressure during the supportive period was at least 50 mmHg, a pressure compatible with life. RESULTS The mechanical assistance provided by the two devices was adequate in none (0%) of the cases with a systolic aortic pressure below 30 mmHg (Group I), in 71% of the cases with a systolic aortic pressure between 30-56 mmHg (Group II), and in 100% of the cases with a systolic aortic pressure above 56 mmHg (Group III). In group II the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was higher in the cases responding adequately to mechanical assistance (Subgroup IIa) than in the ones where no adequate response was obtained (Subgroup IIb). CONCLUSIONS The very low levels of the systolic aortic pressure was the most important factor precluding the adequate effectiveness of the counterpulsation technique.
Symbol recognition produced by points of tactile stimulation: the illusion of linear continuity.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether tactile receptive communication is possible through the use of a mechanical device that produces the phi phenomenon on the body surface. DESIGN Twenty-six subjects (11 blind and 15 sighted participants) were tested with use of a tactile communication device (TCD) that produces an illusion of linear continuity forming numbers on the dorsal aspect of the wrist. Recognition of a number or number set was the goal. MATERIAL AND METHODS A TCD with protruding and vibrating solenoids produced sequentially delivered points of cutaneous stimulation along a pattern resembling numbers and created the illusion of dragging a vibrating stylet to form numbers, similar to what might be felt by testing for graphesthesia. RESULTS Blind subjects recognized numbers with fewer trials than did sighted subjects, although all subjects were able to recognize all the numbers produced by the TCD. Subjects who had been blind since birth and had no prior tactile exposure to numbers were able to draw the numbers after experiencing them delivered by the TCD even though they did not recognize their meaning. CONCLUSION The phi phenomenon is probably responsible for the illusion of continuous lines in the shape of numbers as produced by the TCD. This tactile illusion could potentially be used for more complex tactile communications such as letters and words.
Single‐subject morphological brain networks: connectivity mapping, topological characterization and test–retest reliability

Structural MRI has long been used to characterize local morphological features of the human brain. Coordination patterns of the local morphological features among regions, however, are not well understood. Here, we constructed individual‐level morphological brain networks and systematically examined their topological organization and long‐term test–retest reliability under different analytical schemes of spatial smoothing, brain parcellation, and network type.
Nucleotide excision repair in Trypanosoma brucei: specialization of transcription-coupled repair due to multigenic transcription

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a highly conserved genome repair pathway acting on helix distorting DNA lesions. NER is divided into two subpathways: global genome NER (GG‐NER), which is responsible for repair throughout genomes, and transcription‐coupled NER (TC‐NER), which acts on lesions that impede transcription. The extent of the Trypanosoma brucei genome that is transcribed is highly unusual, since most genes are organized in multigene transcription units, each transcribed from a single promoter. Given this transcription organization, we have addressed the importance of NER to T. brucei genome maintenance by performing RNAi against all predicted contributing factors. Our results indicate that TC‐NER is the main pathway of NER repair, but only CSB, XPBz and XPG contribute. Moreover, we show that UV lesions are inefficiently repaired in T. brucei, perhaps due to preferential use of RNA polymerase translesion synthesis. RNAi of XPC and DDB was found to be lethal, and we show that these factors act in inter‐strand cross‐link repair. XPD and XPB appear only to act in transcription, not repair. This work indicates that the predominance of multigenic transcription in T. brucei has resulted in pronounced adaptation of NER relative to the host and may be an attractive drug target.
Denervation Is Not a Primary Cause of Prion Protein Down‐Regulation Occurring in the Spinal Cord of a Transgenic Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

" #$ % $# &"#% &! & ' ( ! & $ #% $# )%* # +! "$# ,! & ,% $--%" ! )+ ! ,,#% $+%, ! ),! ,*$#&/ $ %$ & $& $ 0%$1)%&& $), *&"#% $ % %2 % ! %& "$*&%, 3 % &%#%" ! % # && #$ +% )%* )& ! ) % & ! )$# " , 3 $! ) & % $), " %2/ &%) /4 3&% . %, $ $ &*3&% -$ ! #! $# "$&%& 0% % #! )1%, ! ) * $ ! )& ! ) % +%)% %)" ,! )+ *5 ) &* % 2! ,% ,! & * $&% ' 4( $ %% $,! "$# &"$.%)+! )+ %)6 % $ %" & "%##& $+$! )& 2! ,$ ! % & %&&/ . % %2 %&&! ) #! )1%, 4 ! ) $)&+%)! " ! "% $## 0& % ,%. %# %) $ )%* # +! "$# ,! & ,% $ %&% 3#%& * $) 0! * $--%" ! )+ % %)6 $ ! " $" ! / %&% $)&+%)! " #! )%& %2 ! 3! $ # +! "$# $## $ 1& $& &% 3&% . %, ! ) &*" $& + %&&! % *&"#% $ %$" ! % +#! &! & $), % ! 1$ $# )%* -! #$ %) $""* *#$ ! )&/ &! )+ % 78 #! )% 9 0% %"%) # &" %%)%, * , 0) %+*#$ %, +%)%& ! ) % #* 3$ & ! )$# " , $& $ ! " #! 1% ! "%/ )+ % ! & #$ %, "# )%& 0% ! ,%) ! -! %, $ , 0) %+*#$ %, " $ $ " %, % :′ %), % " ,! )+ &%;*%)"% % ! ) %! ) ' ( +%)% 0 &% ! &#,%, ,*" $& 3%%) . %, "$*&% $)& ! &&! 3#% & )+! %)"% $# $ ! %&/ <% & 0%, $ % ) $# "%##*#$ ! & ' ( ! & & %"! -! "$## , 0) %+*#$ %, ! ) % *)! 78 ! "%/: % % 0% $&1%, 0 % % , 0) %+*#$ ! ) ! & $&& "! $ %, 0! ,%)% . $ ! ) )% % $= -%$ * %& /
Hepatic cholesterol metabolism in human obesity

Hepatic cholesterol metabolism was studied in operative liver biopsies from 17 morbidly obese subjects and compared with that in samples from 15 nonobese controls. The aim was to understand the mechanisms causing the hypersecretion of cholesterol into bile. The content of cholesteryl esters was increased threefold in the liver of obese subjects compared with that of the controls (P < .0001). The activity and the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, the rate limiting enzyme for cholesterol synthesis, were higher in the obese subjects compared with the nonobese subjects (75% and 140%, respectively; P < .01). In the obese subjects, the activity and mRNA level of cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase, which regulates the catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids, were also increased by 140% (P < .05) and 180% (P = .06), respectively, as compared with the controls. There was a significant correlation between the activities and the mRNA levels of cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase among the obese subjects (r = +0.65, P < .01). The activities of acyl‐coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), which governs cholesteryl ester formation, in obese and nonobese patients were 12.5 ± 1.7 and 8.1 ± 1.2 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively (P < .05), and the low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mRNA levels were 5.3 ± 0.7 and 4.5 ± 0.9 molecules of mRNA/μg of RNA, respectively. We conclude that the activities of three key enzymes in hepatic cholesterol metabolism were increased in morbidly obese subjects compared with nonobese controls, as were mRNA levels of HMG CoA reductase and cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase. The mRNA level of the LDL receptor in the obese subjects was not significantly changed. The hypersecretion of cholesterol occurring in obesity is neither due to a reduced conversion of cholesterol to bile acids nor to a decreased esterification of hepatic cholesterol but may be due to an increased synthesis of cholesterol.
A fatty acid desaturase modulates the activation of defense signaling pathways in plants

Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in activating various plant defense responses, including expression of the pathogenesis-related (PR) genes and systemic acquired resistance. A critical positive regulator of the SA signaling pathway in Arabidopsis is encoded by the NPR1 gene. However, there is growing evidence that NPR1-independent pathways can also activate PR expression and disease resistance. To elucidate the components associated with NPR1-independent defense signaling, we isolated a suppressor of the npr1–5 allele, designated ssi2. The recessive ssi2 mutation confers constitutive PR gene expression, spontaneous lesion formation, and enhanced resistance to Peronospora parasitica. In contrast, a subset of defense responses regulated by the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, including expression of the defensin gene PDF1.2 and resistance to Botrytis cinerea, is impaired in ssi2 plants. With the use of a map-based approach, the SSI2 gene was cloned and shown to encode a stearoyl-ACP desaturase (S-ACP DES). S-ACP DES is an archetypical member of a family of soluble fatty acid (FA) desaturases; these enzymes play an important role in regulating the overall level of desaturated FAs in the cell. The activity of mutant S-ACP DES enzyme was reduced 10-fold, resulting in elevation of the 18:0 FA content in ssi2 plants. Because reduced S-ACP DES activity leads to the induction of certain defense responses and the inhibition of others, we propose that a FA-derived signal modulates crosstalk between different defense signaling pathways.
Gallium Nitride Semiconductors in Power Electronics for Electric Vehicles: Advantages and Challenges

Electric and Hybrid Vehicles mostly use Silicon-based IGBTs for driving the motor and controlling DC/DC converters in their powertrain. IGBTs transition times usually limit their switching frequencies in the 10-100 kHz range. Gallium-Nitride semiconductors have been introduced which indicate nano-second range switching times and operating temperatures up to 200°C, with the promise of many advantages in the automotive market. Faster GaN devices will eventually lead to higher switching frequencies and lower switching losses, lower power electronic volume and weight reduction. Faster switching comes with cheaper inductors and capacitors. The silicon (Si) has reached its limits regarding the dynamic performance and conduction losses, which is why several manufacturers and researchers are working on new materials, such as gallium nitride (GaN) for new power devices development. In the paper, a comparison is made between GaN and Si in terms of cost, performance advantages and upcoming improvements. Challenges are highlighted, as driving a high-power device in nanoseconds comes with many unresolved difficulties.
The Extraction of Neural Information from the Surface EMG for the Control of Upper-Limb Prostheses: Emerging Avenues and Challenges

Despite not recording directly from neural cells, the surface electromyogram (EMG) signal contains information on the neural drive to muscles, i.e, the spike trains of motor neurons. Using this property, myoelectric control consists of the recording of EMG signals for extracting control signals to command external devices, such as hand prostheses. In commercial control systems, the intensity of muscle activity is extracted from the EMG and used for single degrees of freedom activation (direct control). Over the past 60 years, academic research has progressed to more sophisticated approaches but, surprisingly, none of these academic achievements has been implemented in commercial systems so far. We provide an overview of both commercial and academic myoelectric control systems and we analyze their performance with respect to the characteristics of the ideal myocontroller. Classic and relatively novel academic methods are described, including techniques for simultaneous and proportional control of multiple degrees of freedom and the use of individual motor neuron spike trains for direct control. The conclusion is that the gap between industry and academia is due to the relatively small functional improvement in daily situations that academic systems offer, despite the promising laboratory results, at the expense of a substantial reduction in robustness. None of the systems so far proposed in the literature fulfills all the important criteria needed for widespread acceptance by the patients, i.e. intuitive, closed-loop, adaptive, and robust real-time (<;200 ms delay) control, minimal number of recording electrodes with low sensitivity to repositioning, minimal training, limited complexity and low consumption. Nonetheless, in recent years, important efforts have been invested in matching these criteria, with relevant steps forwards.
The Complexity of the Competitive Repertoire and Firm Performance

Complexity of competitive repertoire is the ability of a firm to undertake a wider range of diverse competitive moves than its competitors. Firm undertaking diverse competitive moves can enhance capabilities and potentially achieve competitive advantage and superior performance, especially in environment with uncertainty and volatility characteristics. Besides, complexity of competitive repertoire gives stakeholders a series of information on the firm characteristics, its resources and/or specific know-how for intense rivalry. The goal of this paper is to provide theoretical and practical overview on the construct of complexity of competitive repertoire and the method of its computing. In addition, relationship between complexity of the competitive repertoire and the firm performance on a sample of seventeen Croatian firm dyads are analyzed. Results show that the higher level of complexity in a competitive repertoire has a positive effect on firm performance.
Effects of clonidine on renal sympathetic nerve activity and norepinephrine spillover.

The antihypertensive action of clonidine (CLO) depends mainly on decreased release of the sympathetic neurotransmitter, norepinephrine (NE), at vascular neuroeffector junctions. The decreased release can be due to stimulation of alpha-2 adrenoceptors or other receptors in the brain or due to stimulation of presynaptic inhibitory alpha-2 adrenoceptors on sympathetic nerve endings. To compare central and peripheral contributions to the depressor action of CLO, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and renal spillover of NE (RNEs) were measured at baseline and during reflexive increases in RSNA evoked by nitroprusside-induced hypotension (27, 50 and 105 micrograms/kg/min) before and after CLO treatment in adrenal-demedullated, anesthetized rats. Administration of CLO decreased RSNA by 52 +/- 8% and RNEs by 32 +/- 13% (means +/- S.E.M.). At levels of RSNA less than 50% above control, there were no significant changes in RNEs; above this level of activity RNEs increased, regardless of CLO treatment. CLO treatment did not alter significantly the relationship between increases in RSNA and in RNEs during nitroprusside-induced hypotension. The results suggest that in neurologically intact, anesthetized animals, CLO decreases renal NE release mainly by inhibiting sympathetic outflow, with little if any peripheral presynaptic action.