Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particle-filtering approaches for nonlinear Bayesian decoding of neuronal spike trains

The number of neurons that can be simultaneously recorded doubles every seven years. This ever increasing number of recorded neurons opens up the possibility to address new questions and extract higher dimensional stimuli from the recordings. Modeling neural spike trains as point processes, this task of extracting dynamical signals from spike trains is commonly set in the context of nonlinear filtering theory. Particle filter methods relying on importance weights are generic algorithms that solve the filtering task numerically, but exhibit a serious drawback when the problem dimensionality is high: they are known to suffer from the 'curse of dimensionality' (COD), i.e. the number of particles required for a certain performance scales exponentially with the observable dimensions. Here, we first briefly review the theory on filtering with point process observations in continuous time. Based on this theory, we investigate both analytically and numerically the reason for the COD of weighted particle filtering approaches: Similarly to particle filtering with continuous-time observations, the COD with point-process observations is due to the decay of effective number of particles, an effect that is stronger when the number of observable dimensions increases. Given the success of unweighted particle filtering approaches in overcoming the COD for continuous- time observations, we introduce an unweighted particle filter for point-process observations, the spike-based Neural Particle Filter (sNPF), and show that it exhibits a similar favorable scaling as the number of dimensions grows. Further, we derive rules for the parameters of the sNPF from a maximum likelihood approach learning. We finally employ a simple decoding task to illustrate the capabilities of the sNPF and to highlight one possible future application of our inference and learning algorithm.
Study on the Chemical Profiling of Fangfeng Tongsheng Pills by HPLC

This study focused on profiling the major components of a complex traditional Chinese herbal preparation composed of seventeen herbs, Fangfeng Tongsheng pills by HPLC with photodiode array detection. Based on the optimized protocol, the HPLC fingerprint profiles were established. Within the chromatographic fingerprint, sixteen identified bioactive compounds belonging to iridoid, anthraquinones, flavonoids, triterpenoid, phenol, phenolic acids, alkaloid and chromones were successively separated and twelve was quantitatively determined. The linearity and range, limit of detection, and limit of quantitation, precision, accuracy and stability of the assay were validated according to Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The validated data showed that the method was suitable for quality evaluation of the valuable medicine listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia by qualitative and quantitative information in one chromatographic fingerprint.
Locational Determinants of Japanese Foreign Direct Investment in China

This study examines 2,933 cases of Japanese investment in 27 provinces and regions in China to identify the role that policy determinants had in influencing the sub-national location decision of Japanese firms in China. The empirical results show that the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Opening Coastal Cities (OCCs) were a successful policy instrument initially, as SEZs and OCCs had a strong influence on Japanese foreign investment during the early years of China's liberalized foreign investment environment. Since the mid-1990s SEZs and OCCs have attracted proportionally less foreign investment as competition from other special investment zones has intensified in China. From these observations, we discuss the periodic influence of SEZs and OCCs and introduce and review the influence of newly emerging investment zones. We also draw inferences to the location choice literature in terms of understanding the variable influence of policy factors and traditional locational indicators as driven by temporal changes in investor motivations and preferences in a country.
Learn IEC 61850 configuration in 30 minutes

The myth says IEC 61850 is too complicated to use with a steep learning curve. The traditional IEC 61850 learning path is to go through IEC 61850 standard then start IEC 61850 configuration. User spent days to go through massive content of the standard, which includes 10 parts, 27 documents, and more than 4,000 pages. The standard adopts modern communication and computer science technologies like 7-layer communication model, XML (Extensible Markup Language), Unified Model Language (UML), Object Oriented Design (OOD) and others. Many potential users are discouraged with the overwhelming information during the IEC 61850 training. One of IEC 61850 standard's goals is to shorten system engineering time. Learning the know-how presented a challenge with such massive content. It is possible to get a fundamental understanding of standard and be ready for IEC 61850 configuration in 30 minutes. Two basic questions from protection relay engineer's point of view are “Where is the data? ” and “How to get the data? ” This paper provides an alternate approach to comprehend core components of IEC 61850: Semantic Hierarchical Object Data model and two communication services: Client — Server and Publish — Subscribe. IEC 61850 configuration is demonstrated as preparing the data list following the data model and setting parameters for communication services. This approach has been well received and has provided satisfactory results in recent IEC 61850 configuration training sessions.
FORank: Fast ObjectRank for Large Heterogeneous Graphs

ObjectRank is one of the popular graph mining methods that enables us to evaluate the importance of each vertex on heterogeneous graphs. However, it is computationally expensive to apply it to large graphs since ObjectRank needs to compute the importance of all vertices iteratively. In this work, we present a fast ObjectRank algorithm,FORank, that accurately approximates the keyword search results. FORank iteratively prunes vertices whose convergence score likely has less impact on the results during iterative computation. The experiments showed that FORank runs 7 times faster than ObjectRank computation with over 90% accuracy approximation.
Contracts for System Design

Systems design has become a key challenge and differentiating factor over the last decades for system companies. Aircrafts, trains, cars, plants, distributed telecommunication military or health care systems, and more, involve systems design as a critical step. Complexity has caused system design times and costs to go severely over budget so as to threaten the health of entire industrial sectors. Heuristic methods and standard practices do not seem to scale with complexity so that novel design methods and tools based on a strong theoretical foundation are sorely needed. Model-based design as well as other methodologies such as layered and compositional design have been used recently but a unified intellectual framework with a complete design flow supported by formal tools is still lacking albeit some attempts at this framework such as Platform-based Design have been successfully deployed. Recently an "orthogonal" approach has been proposed that can be applied to all methodologies proposed thus far to provide a rigorous scaffolding for verification, analysis and abstraction/refinement: contractbased design. Several results have been obtained in this domain but a unified treatment of the topic that can help in putting contract-based design in perspective is still missing. This paper intends to provide such treatment where contracts are precisely defined and characterized so that they can be used in design methodologies such as the ones mentioned above with no ambiguity. In addition, the paper provides an important link between interfaces and contracts to show similarities and correspondences. Examples of the use of contracts in design are provided as well as in depth analysis of existing literature.
Comprendre et gérer un programme de Customisation de Masse

Les offres de Customisation de Masse (CM) ont donné lieu à des succès mais aussi à plusieurs échecs. Dans ce contexte, cet article apporte une réflexion sur la manière d’accroître la performance commerciale de telles offres. Une définition du concept est proposée pour le différencier d’autres stratégies de personnalisation. Puis, les sources de valorisation et coûts perçus de la CM sont explorés. Des recommandations sont ensuite formulées pour jouer sur la valeur perçue en se focalisant sur la gestion de l’expérience de co-design. Finalement, quatre points de réflexion marketing sont proposés aux managers souhaitant développer une offre de CM.
The analysis of vibration measurement and current signature in motor drive faults detection

As the integral parts of the machine drive systems, the induction motors are subject of the appearance of numerous electrical or mechanical faulty states. The use of various diagnostic techniques often leads to the more accurate condition assessment. The malfunctions on rotor, stator and other electrical motor components can be successfully detected by vibration measurement and motor current signature analysis. In this paper the advantages of these techniques on induction motor condition assessment has been discussed.
Subnormal Growth Velocity and Related Factors During GnRH Analog Therapy for Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty

Objective: Data concerning subnormal growth velocity (GV) and factors that influence this during gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) therapy for idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) are scarce. We investigated the incidence of subnormal GV and associated factors in patients receiving GnRHa therapy for ICPP. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the records of 50 girls who had been diagnosed with ICPP and started on GnRHa treatment before the age of eight years were investigated. Subnormal GV frequency, related factors during GnRHa therapy and the effect on final height were examined. Results: During the treatment, a significant decrease in the annual GV and GV standard deviation score (SDS) of the patients was observed. In 16 (32%) patients GV never declined below -1 SDS, while a decline was noted once and twice in 19 (38%) and 15 (30%) patients respectively. The median age of detection of subnormal GV was 9.9 (4.9-10.9) years. Patients with pubic hair at diagnosis were found to have an increased risk of subnormal GV (p=0.016). There was a significant negative correlation between diagnostic basal luteinizing hormone (LH) level and the first and second year GV SDS (p=0.012 and 0.017 respectively). A significant negative correlation between bone age at diagnosis and 3rd year GV SDS, and 4th year GV SDS (p=0.002 and p=0.038) was also observed. LH suppression significantly increased during treatment (p=0.001). Conclusion: In girls with ICPP the risk of subnormal GV appears highest at the 3rd year of GnRHa treatment, particularly in those patients with, at the time of diagnosis, pubic hair in conjunction with high baseline and peak LH and advanced BA and excessive LH suppression on follow-up.
Integrated Analysis Reveals together miR-182, miR-200c and miR-221 Can Help in the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Research has shown that microRNAs are promising biomarkers that can be used to promote a more accurate diagnosis of cancer. In this study, we developed an integrated multi-step selection process to analyze available high-throughput datasets to obtain information on microRNAs as cancer biomarkers. Applying this approach to the microRNA expression profiles of prostate cancer and the datasets in The Cancer Genome Atlas Data Portal, we identified miRNA-182, miRNA-200c and miRNA-221 as possible biomarkers for prostate cancer. The associations between the expressions of these three microRNAs with clinical parameters as well as their diagnostic capability were studied. Several online databases were used to predict the target genes of these three microRNAs, and the results were confirmed by significant statistical correlations. Comparing with the other 18 types of cancers listed in The Cancer Genome Atlas Data Portal, we found that the combination of both miRNA-182 and miRNA-200c being up-regulated and miRNA-221 being down-regulated only happens in prostate cancer. This provides a unique biological characteristic for prostate cancer that can potentially be used for diagnosis based on tissue testing. In addition, our study also revealed that these three microRNAs are associated with the pathological status of prostate cancer.
Retrieving Information from Multiple Sources

The Web has several information sources on which an ongoing event is discussed. To get a complete picture of the event, it is important to retrieve information from multiple sources. We propose a novel neural network based model which integrates the embeddings from multiple sources, and thus retrieves information from them jointly, %all the sources together, as opposed to combining multiple retrieval results. The importance of the proposed model is that no document-aligned comparable data is needed. Experiments on posts related to a particular event from three different sources - Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp - exhibit the efficacy of the proposed model.
Analysis of Soybean Seed Proteins Using Proteomics

In order to determine the variation of seed proteins that may occur in the crop as a result of genetic modification, accurate and replicable methodology for protein extraction, isolation, and characterization is essential. Modern proteomic tools are being used to study the expression of proteins to examine alterations in protein profiles caused by genetic mutations and environmental stress [2-10]. Proteome analysis is performed using a variety of methods including structural proteomics such as high throughput (HT) X-ray crystallography and HT nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy; expressional or analytical proteomics such as gel based electrophoresis (IDE, 2DE, 2DIGE), gel-free (LC-MS/MS or multidimensional protein identification technology (Mud PIT), protein chips, DNA chips, mass spectrometry (MS), micro sequencing; and functional or interaction proteomics such as HT functional assays, ligand chips, yeast 2-hybrid, deletion analysis, and motif analysis [11-14]. In this mini review, we discuss some of the expression analysis methodology that we’ve applied to study soybean seed proteins. Because the extraction of soybean seed proteins for accurate 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) is challenging, we initially optimized protein extraction techniques by comparing different methods. Extraction of protein suitable for 2D-PAGE is sample-dependent and is achieved by optimizing the concentration of chaotropic agents, detergents, reducing agents, buffers, enzymes and ampholytes. Also helpful in this regard are advances in immobile pH gradient (IPG) technology and the development of electrophoretic instruments have improved the reproducibility of protein separation. The availability of commercial IPG strips in linear and nonlinear gradients with multiple narrow pH ranges [15], allows effective protein separation for various downstream analyses. We compared four different solubilization methods (urea/thiourea, urea, modified trichloroacetic acid (TCA)/ acetone and phenol) for extraction of proteins from soybean seeds for subsequent analysis by 2D-PAGE [16]. Our study demonstrated that the modified TCA/acetone method with urea/thiourea solubilization resolved more protein spots than the urea or phenol extractions. Using the phenol/urea method, resolution of proteins was generally poor and spots diffuse in the high molecular weight region of the gel, particularly when separating the proteins at pH 4.0 to 7.0. Moreover, while overall protein separation was similar in the TCA/acetone and urea/thiourea methods, low molecular weight proteins were more consistently resolved with the TCA/acetone method. In addition, characterization of low abundant proteins is a challenge because they are often masked by highly abundant proteins. Recently, Boschetti and Righetti [17] published a review of plant proteomic methods to isolate
Genome plasticity in response to stress in Tetrahymena thermophila: selective and reversible chromosome amplification and paralogous expansion of metallothionein genes

Extreme stress situations can induce genetic variations including genome reorganization. In ciliates like Tetrahymena thermophila, the approximately 45-fold ploidy of the somatic macronucleus may enable adaptive responses that depend on genome plasticity. To identify potential genome-level adaptations related to metal toxicity, we isolated three Tetrahymena thermophila strains after an extended adaptation period to extreme metal concentrations (Cd2+ , Cu2+ or Pb2+ ). In the Cd-adapted strain, we found a approximately five-fold copy number increase of three genes located in the same macronuclear chromosome, including two metallothionein genes, MTT1 and MTT3. The apparent amplification of this macronuclear chromosome was reversible and reproducible, depending on the presence of environmental metal. We also analysed three knockout (KO) and/or knockdown (KD) strains for MTT1 and/or MTT5. In the MTT5KD strain, we found at least two new genes arising from paralogous expansion of MTT1, which encode truncated variants of MTT1. The expansion can be explained by a model based on somatic recombination between MTT1 genes on pairs of macronuclear chromosomes. At least two of the new paralogs are transcribed and upregulated in response to Cd2+ . Altogether, we have thus identified two distinct mechanisms, both involving genomic plasticity in the polyploid macronucleus that may represent adaptive responses to metal-related stress.
Aggressiveness Overcomes Body-Size Effects in Fights Staged between Invasive and Native Fish Species with Overlapping Niches

Approximately 50 years ago, Nile tilapia were accidentally introduced to Brazil, and the decline of pearl cichlid populations, which has been intensified by habitat degradation, in some locations has been associated with the presence of Nile tilapia. There is, however, little strong empirical evidence for the negative interaction of non-native fish populations with native fish populations; such evidence would indicate a potential behavioural mechanism that could cause the population of the native fish to decline. In this study, we show that in fights staged between pairs of Nile tilapia and pearl cichlids of differing body size, the Nile tilapia were more aggressive than the pearl cichlid. Because this effect prevailed over body-size effects, the pearl cichlids were at a disadvantage. The niche overlap between the Nile tilapia and the pearl cichlid in nature, and the competitive advantage shown by the Nile tilapia in this study potentially represent one of several possible results of the negative interactions imposed by an invasive species. These negative effects may reduce population viability of the native species and cause competitive exclusion.
THE EFFECT OF INDUSTRY CLOCKSPEED ON MAKE-BUY DECISIONS IN THE FACE OF RADICAL INNOVATIONS: AN EMPIRICAL TEST

Evidence from management and business strategy research is divided over whether or not a firm should outsource the components and processes underpinning a new and potentially radical innovation. This investigation introduces ideas and evidence from the areas of supplier relations and industry clockspeed, and attempts to reconcile conflicting conclusions from earlier research by using a survey to measure supply chain management practices from a broad range of manufacturers in the UK. The results show that an industry's clockspeed has no significant bearing on the success or failure of any particular make-buy strategy for a radical innovation. The findings also indicate that maintaining strong ties with suppliers yields no significant long-term benefit for firms contending with radical new technologies.
A Critical Cell-Intrinsic Role for Serum Response Factor in Glial Specification in the CNS

Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes play crucial roles in nearly every facet of nervous system development and function, including neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and myelination. Previous studies have widely characterized the signaling pathways important for astrocyte differentiation and unveiled a number of transcription factors that guide oligodendrocyte differentiation in the CNS. However, the identities of the transcription factors critical for astrocyte specification in the brain remain unknown. Here we show that deletion of the stimulus-dependent transcription factor, serum response factor (SRF), in neural precursor cells (NPCs) (Srf–Nestin–cKO) results in nearly 60% loss in astrocytes and 50% loss in oligodendrocyte precursors at birth. Cultured SRF-deficient NPCs exhibited normal growth rate and capacity to self-renew. However, SRF-deficient NPCs generated fewer astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in response to several lineage-specific differentiation factors. These deficits in glial differentiation were rescued by ectopic expression of wild-type SRF in SRF-deficient NPCs. Interestingly, ectopic expression of a constitutively active SRF (SRF–VP16) in NPCs augmented astrocyte differentiation in the presence of pro-astrocytic factors. However, SRF–VP16 expression in NPCs had an inhibitory effect on oligodendrocyte differentiation. In contrast, mice carrying conditional deletion of SRF in developing forebrain neurons (Srf–NEX–cKO) did not exhibit any deficits in astrocytes in the brain. Together, our observations suggest that SRF plays a critical cell-autonomous role in NPCs to regulate astrocyte and oligodendrocyte specification in vivo and in vitro.
A Catalog of Spectroscopically Confirmed White Dwarfs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 4

We present a catalog of 9316 spectroscopically confirmed white dwarfs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 4. We have selected the stars through photometric cuts and spectroscopic modeling, backed up by a set of visual inspections. About 6000 of the stars are new discoveries, roughly doubling the number of spectroscopically confirmed white dwarfs. We analyze the stars by performing temperature and surface gravity fits to grids of pure hydrogen and helium atmospheres. Among the rare outliers are a set of presumed helium-core DA white dwarfs with estimated masses below 0.3 M☉, including two candidates that may be the lowest-mass yet found. We also present a list of 928 hot subdwarfs.
Statistical Evaluation of Process-Centric Computational Creativity

We adopt a process-centric approach to computational creativity, based on a model of people’s innate ability to process analogical comparisons. A three-phase model of analogical reasoning is adapted to function as an analogy generating machine. It is supplied with two distinct knowledge-bases containing many domain descriptions, with the aim of generating novel analogies – potentially even creative ones. However, because our approach to computational creativity does not have the usual ”inspiring set”, evaluating its output can not be performed by comparison to this inspiring set. Our generic approach to evaluating process-centric computational creativity uses a number of nonparametric statistical techniques. After the creative artefacts are generated, human raters assess these artefacts for the qualities of creativity (quality, novelty etc). We describe the results of two experiments that were conducted on these two collections of domains. The analogies generated on the two collections are analysed and difference in the two result sets are assessed. We argue that true creativity can only be assessed after the creative artefacts are generated. Evaluating creativity only by reference to the inspiring set runs the risk of overlooking creative artefacts that differ from the inspiring set - and may under-estimate a model’s creativity.