Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain Activity During Resting State in Relation to Academic Performance Evidence of Neural Efficiency

EEG coherence has been widely used to investigate brain activity and learning. However, relatively little is known about the relationship between resting-state EEG coherence and academic performance. The present study investigated this relationship with 140 healthy, normal participants. EEG was recorded during resting periods, with eyes open for 3 min, and the recordings were analyzed for 64 electrode positions in the theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), and beta (12–25 Hz) frequency bands. Coherence, defined as the spectral cross-correlation between two signals normalized by their power spectra, was calculated. Short- and long-range intrahemispheric coherence within each hemisphere and interhemispheric coherence across the left and right hemispheres were then computed and compared for each of the theta, alpha, and beta bands. The results showed that academic performance, as measured by grade point average (GPA), was negatively correlated with short-range intrahemispheric alpha and beta coherences in both hem.
Just-in-Time Code Offloading for Wearable Computing

Wearable computing becomes an emerging computing paradigm for various recently developed wearable devices, such as Google Glass and the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch, which have significantly changed our daily life with new functions. To magnify the applications on wearable devices with limited computational capability, storage, and battery capacity, in this paper, we propose a novel three-layer architecture consisting of wearable devices, mobile devices, and a remote cloud for code offloading. In particular, we offload a portion of computation tasks from wearable devices to local mobile devices or remote cloud such that even applications with a heavy computation load can still be upheld on wearable devices. Furthermore, considering the special characteristics and the requirements of wearable devices, we investigate a code offloading strategy with a novel just-in-time objective, i.e., maximizing the number of tasks that should be executed on wearable devices with guaranteed delay requirements. Because of the NP-hardness of this problem as we prove, we propose a fast heuristic algorithm based on the genetic algorithm to solve it. Finally, extensive simulations are conducted to show that our proposed algorithm significantly outperforms the other three offloading strategies.
DNA damage and repair in plants – from models to crops

The genomic integrity of every organism is constantly challenged by endogenous and exogenous DNA-damaging factors. Mutagenic agents cause reduced stability of plant genome and have a deleterious effect on development, and in the case of crop species lead to yield reduction. It is crucial for all organisms, including plants, to develop efficient mechanisms for maintenance of the genome integrity. DNA repair processes have been characterized in bacterial, fungal, and mammalian model systems. The description of these processes in plants, in contrast, was initiated relatively recently and has been focused largely on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Consequently, our knowledge about DNA repair in plant genomes - particularly in the genomes of crop plants - is by far more limited. However, the relatively small size of the Arabidopsis genome, its rapid life cycle and availability of various transformation methods make this species an attractive model for the study of eukaryotic DNA repair mechanisms and mutagenesis. Moreover, abnormalities in DNA repair which proved to be lethal for animal models are tolerated in plant genomes, although sensitivity to DNA damaging agents is retained. Due to the high conservation of DNA repair processes and factors mediating them among eukaryotes, genes and proteins that have been identified in model species may serve to identify homologous sequences in other species, including crop plants, in which these mechanisms are poorly understood. Crop breeding programs have provided remarkable advances in food quality and yield over the last century. Although the human population is predicted to “peak” by 2050, further advances in yield will be required to feed this population. Breeding requires genetic diversity. The biological impact of any mutagenic agent used for the creation of genetic diversity depends on the chemical nature of the induced lesions and on the efficiency and accuracy of their repair. More recent targeted mutagenesis procedures also depend on host repair processes, with different pathways yielding different products. Enhanced understanding of DNA repair processes in plants will inform and accelerate the engineering of crop genomes via both traditional and targeted approaches.
Considerations For Optimizing Microbiome Analysis Using a Marker Gene

Next-generation sequencing technologies have found a widespread use in the study of host–microbe interactions due to the increase in their throughput and their ever-decreasing costs. The analysis of human-associated microbial communities using a marker gene, particularly the 16S rRNA, has been greatly benefited from these technologies – the human gut microbiome research being a remarkable example of such analysis that has greatly expanded our understanding of microbe-mediated human health and disease, metabolism, and food absorption. 16S studies go through a series of in vitro and in silico steps that can greatly influence their outcomes. However, the lack of a standardized workflow has led to uncertainties regarding the transparency and reproducibility of gut microbiome studies. We, here, discuss the most common challenges in the archetypical 16S rRNA workflow, including the extraction of total DNA, its use as template in PCR with primers that amplify specific hypervariable regions of the gene, amplicon sequencing, the denoising and removal of low-quality reads, the detection and removal of chimeric sequences, the clustering of high-quality sequences into operational taxonomic units, and their taxonomic classification. We recommend the essential technical information that should be conveyed in publications for reproducibility of results and encourage non-experts to include procedures and available tools that mitigate most of the problems encountered in microbiome analysis.
Enhanced Store Overload–Induced Ca2+ Release and Channel Sensitivity to Luminal Ca2+ Activation Are Common Defects of RyR2 Mutations Linked to Ventricular Tachycardia and Sudden Death

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is the leading cause of sudden death, and the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) is emerging as an important focus in its pathogenesis. RyR2 mutations have been linked to VT and sudden death, but their precise impacts on channel function remain largely undefined and controversial. We have previously shown that several disease-linked RyR2 mutations in the C-terminal region enhance the sensitivity of the channel to activation by luminal Ca2+. Cells expressing these RyR2 mutants display an increased propensity for spontaneous Ca2+ release under conditions of store Ca2+ overload, a process we referred to as store overload–induced Ca2+ release (SOICR). To determine whether common defects exist in disease-linked RyR2 mutations, we characterized 6 more RyR2 mutations from different regions of the channel. Stable inducible HEK293 cell lines expressing Q4201R and I4867M from the C-terminal region, S2246L and R2474S from the central region, and R176Q(T2504M) and L433P from the N-terminal region were generated. All of these cell lines display an enhanced propensity for SOICR. HL-1 cardiac cells transfected with disease-linked RyR2 mutations also exhibit increased SOICR activity. Single channel analyses reveal that disease-linked RyR2 mutations primarily increase the channel sensitivity to luminal, but not to cytosolic, Ca2+ activation. Moreover, the Ca2+ dependence of [3H]ryanodine binding to RyR2 wild type and mutants is similar. In contrast to previous reports, we found no evidence that disease-linked RyR2 mutations alter the FKBP12.6–RyR2 interaction. Our data indicate that enhanced SOICR activity and luminal Ca2+ activation represent common defects of RyR2 mutations associated with VT and sudden death. A mechanistic model for CPVT/ARVD2 is proposed.
Conversion of monomeric protein L to an obligate dimer by computational protein design

Protein L consists of a single α-helix packed on a four-stranded β-sheet formed by two symmetrically opposed β-hairpins. We use a computer-based protein design procedure to stabilize a domain-swapped dimer of protein L in which the second β-turn straightens and the C-terminal strand inserts into the β-sheet of the partner. The designed obligate dimer contains three mutations (A52V, N53P, and G55A) and has a dissociation constant of ≈700 pM, which is comparable to the dissociation constant of many naturally occurring protein dimers. The structure of the dimer has been determined by x-ray crystallography and is close to the in silico model.
Late emergence of synchronized oscillatory activity in the pallidum during progressive parkinsonism

Parkinson's disease is known to result from basal ganglia dysfunction. Electrophysiological recordings in parkinsonian patients and animals have shown the emergence of abnormal synchronous oscillatory activity in the cortico‐basal ganglia network in the pathological condition. In addition, previous studies pointed out an altered response pattern during movement execution in the pallidum of parkinsonian animals. To investigate the dynamics of these changes during disease progression and to relate them to the onset of the motor symptoms, we recorded spontaneous and movement‐related neuronal activity in the internal pallidum of nonhuman primates during a progressive dopamine depletion process. Parkinsonian motor symptoms appeared progressively during the intoxication protocol, at the end of which both animals displayed severe akinesia, rigidity and postural abnormalities. Spontaneous firing rates did not vary significantly after intoxication. During the early phase of the protocol, voluntary movements were significantly slowed down and delayed. At the same time, the neuronal response to movement execution was modified and inhibitory responses disappeared. In contrast, the unitary and collective dynamic properties of spontaneous neuronal activity, as revealed by spectral and correlation analysis, remained unchanged during this period. Spontaneous correlated activity increased later, after animals became severely bradykinetic, whereas synchronous oscillatory activity appeared only after major motor symptoms developed. Thus, a causality between the emergence of synchronous oscillations in the pallidum and main parkinsonian motor symptoms seems unlikely. The pathological disruption of movement‐related activity in the basal ganglia appears to be a better correlate at least to bradykinesia and stands as the best candidate to account for this motor symptom.
A Survey on Resilient Machine Learning

Machine learning based system are increasingly being used for sensitive tasks such as security surveillance, guiding autonomous vehicle, taking investment decisions, detecting and blocking network intrusion and malware etc. However, recent research has shown that machine learning models are venerable to attacks by adversaries at all phases of machine learning (eg, training data collection, training, operation). All model classes of machine learning systems can be misled by providing carefully crafted inputs making them wrongly classify inputs. Maliciously created input samples can affect the learning process of a ML system by either slowing down the learning process, or affecting the performance of the learned mode, or causing the system make error(s) only in attacker's planned scenario. Because of these developments, understanding security of machine learning algorithms and systems is emerging as an important research area among computer security and machine learning researchers and practitioners. We present a survey of this emerging area in machine learning.
L'indice de SEN, outil de mesure de l'équité des systèmes éducatifs. Une comparaison à l'échelle européenne

Sans developper a nouveau les theories de la justice, il est interessant de s'interesser a l'une d'elle en particulier, pour voir comment de facon instrumentale, il est possible de mesurer cette equite, grâce a la construction d'un indicateur particulier. La perspective adoptee par Sen notamment, permet de mesurer la justice par la proportion d'individus se situant sous un seuil. Au niveau du systeme educatif, l'approche adoptee consiste a penser "qu'aucun eleve ne doit quitter le systeme educatif au dessous d'un seuil minimum de competences pour vivre une vie decente dans une societe moderne".
Friction Compensation for Accurate Positioning in DC Drive Tracking System

Friction is one of the greatest obstacles in high precision positioning systems. It can cause steady state errors and tracking errors, while it may results in limit cycles. Therefore, the influence of friction on the response of systems, such as a DC servo drive, must be seriously considered. In this paper, considering the LuGre model of friction as part of the process taken into account, a hybrid structure of a feedback compensation scheme is proposed. A compensation signal is provided by a model-based observer via an inverse model of DC motor. The model-based observer is tuned using a load disturbance torque estimator. Thereafter, the whole structure is implemented in a typical position closed-loop in which the feedback consists of a state-feedback (P) part and the model-based compensation term. Good transient responses and tracking steady-state errors are achieved for different micrometer scale reference test signals
A qualitative study of how survivors of sexual, psychological and physical abuse manage sexuality and desire

The purpose of this paper is to elucidate how survivors of abuse manage their sexual life when experiencing desire problems in couple relationships. Twenty-two persons were selected for 2–3-hour in-depth interviewing. This study focuses on the narratives of the 10 female informants who had a history of exposure to physical, psychological and/or sexual abuse. The self-characterisations of the interviewees indicate shame, self-contempt and lack of self-appreciation. It is hypothesised that as self-appreciation is of such vital importance to the ability for intimacy, the logical course of action is to avoid situations that may threaten one's self-appreciation. Thus, to reject one's partner sexually before being rejected oneself may be seen as a coping strategy. Another coping strategy may be to deny oneself from feeling any sexual desire for one's partner. In interaction with a caring partner, sex is no longer an obligation. It is optional and refers to the traumatized woman's own sexual needs. When she has the opportunity to say “no” to sex, desire or lack of desire becomes an option. The choice may provoke shame, in the sense that she feels unworthy and dirty. The problem of shame is solved by cutting off sexual desire.
Managing change in Indonesian high schools

This article describes the classroom methodology used by high school teachers of English participating in the PKG (Permantapan Kerja Guru: Strengthening of the Work of Teachers) Project in Indonesia. It starts with brief accounts of the objectives and methods of implementation of the Project and describes classroom methodology before the PKG English Programme began. It then outlines the principles and procedures used by PKG teachers of English and reports early impressions of their effectiveness. It also looks at ways in which the changes were effected and touches upon some of the project’s implications. Background to The PKG Project is a teacher development programme which aims to the project help teachers in Indonesian junior and senior high schools to develop their confidence and their personal and professional skills, as well as to devise materials and techniques which promote student-centred, studentactive learning in the classroom. The project began in 1980 with its Science Programme. In 1982 it was extended to Maths, in 1985 to English, and in 1988 to Bahasa Indonesia. It is a Government of Indonesia project, funded by loans from the World Bank and UNDP and administered from the Directorate of Secondary and General Education. My own contribution was as an ODA KELTA, working as English Language Teaching Advisor in the Ministry of Education and Culture from December 1985 to December 1988. The motto The motto of the Project is ‘From the teacher, by the teacher, and for the teacher’ (Suprapto, 1986). Every effort has been made to avoid the typical mistakes of top-down projects which impose innovation on implementers who have not been allowed to make any personal investment in their project. On the PKG Project we agree that ‘the more the responsibility for the project and the decisions to be taken are passed to the implementers the better, as this will encourage ownership’ (Kennedy, 1988). Organization In each of the twenty-seven provinces of the country, three or four teachers in each of the PKG subjects were selected to be trained as Instructors. After participating in courses overseas and workshops in Indonesia, these teachers returned to their schools for one semester to try out the learnercentred methodology they had been introduced to. Then they started to run sixteen-week in/on-service courses in their provinces for thirty to forty teachers of their subject. Each of these courses consists of a two
Comprehending Multiple Documents on Scientific Controversies: Effects of Reading Goals and Signaling Rhetorical Relationships

Understanding conflicts between sources is an inherent part of science text comprehension. We examined whether readers' memories for conflicts and their situational interpretation of conflicts would be affected by reading goals and lexical cue phrases that signal rhetorical relationships. To this end, 198 undergraduates read multiple documents on a medical controversy either with signals or without, following one of three reading goals (argument, summary, keyword list). Readers' memories for conflicting information were measured with a conflict verification task, and their situational interpretation of conflicts was analyzed from written essays. Results reveal that both argument and summary tasks as well as signaling facilitated verification of conflicts. In their essays, however, summary goal readers reported conflicts more often in a one-sided fashion. In contrast, argument goal readers and those who read texts with signals reported conflicts in a balanced fashion that included source information. Both theoretical and practical implications of the findings for reading about controversial scientific issues are discussed.
Coxiella burnetii Interaction with Neutrophils and Macrophages In Vitro and in SCID Mice following Aerosol Infection

ABSTRACT Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes acute and chronic Q fever in humans. Human Q fever is mainly transmitted by aerosol infection. However, there is a fundamental gap in the knowledge regarding the mechanisms of pulmonary immunity against C. burnetii infection. This study focused on understanding the interaction between C. burnetii and innate immune cells in vitro and in vivo. Both virulent C. burnetii Nine Mile phase I (NMI) and avirulent Nine Mile phase II (NMII) were able to infect neutrophils, while the infection rates were lower than 29%, suggesting that C. burnetii can infect neutrophils, but infection is limited. Interestingly, C. burnetii inside neutrophils can infect and replicate within macrophages, suggesting that neutrophils cannot kill C. burnetii and C. burnetii may be using infection of neutrophils as an evasive strategy to infect macrophages. To elucidate the mechanisms of the innate immune response to C. burnetii natural infection, SCID mice were exposed to aerosolized C. burnetii. Surprisingly, neutrophil influx into the lungs was delayed until day 7 postinfection in both NMI- and NMII-infected mice. This result suggests that neutrophils may play a unique role in the early immune response against aerosolized C. burnetii. Studying the interaction between C. burnetii and the innate immune system can provide a model system for understanding how the bacteria evade early immune responses to cause infection.
The governance dimensions of water security: a review

Water governance is critical to water security, and to the long-term sustainability of the Earth's freshwater systems. This review examines recent debates regarding the governance dimensions of water security, including adaptive governance, polycentric governance, social learning and multi-level governance. The analysis emphasizes the political and institutional dimensions of water governance, and explores the relevance of social power—an overlooked yet important aspect of the water security debate. In addition, the review explores the intersection and potential synergies between water governance perspectives and risk-based approaches to water security, and offers critiques and suggestions for further research questions and agendas.
The relation between contingency preference and imitation in 6–8-month-old infants

Detecting self-generated actions and imitating other-generated actions are important abilities in order to interact with others. The relationship between these domains was investigated in 6–8-month-old infants. In a contingency-preference task, infants observed their own legs on a real-time and a delayed video display. In an imitation task, the experimenter demonstrated a three-step action directed at a puppet mouse. The Cognitive Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development was administered in order to control for the infants’ cognitive developmental status. A negative correlation was found between the proportion of time spent looking at the delayed display in the contingency-preference task and the imitation score in the imitation task. This indicates that the lower the infants’ preference for the delayed video image, the more likely they were to imitate. The correlation between contingency preference and imitation remained even after controlling for cognitive developmental status. Thus, a basic interest in high contingency might underlie the preference for observing self-generated actions and imitating other-generated actions.
Bioequivalence evaluation of two amlodipine salts, besylate and orotate, each in a fixed-dose combination with olmesartan in healthy subjects

A fixed-dose combination of amlodipine and olmesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in patients whose hypertension is not sufficiently controlled with either drug alone. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two fixed-dose combinations, ie, amlodipine orotate/olmesartan medoxomil 10/40 mg and amlodipine besylate/olmesartan medoxomil 10/40 mg, in healthy subjects. A randomized, open-label, single-dose, two-sequence, two-period, crossover study was conducted in 30 healthy adult volunteers. Blood samples were collected for up to 72 hours post-dose in each period. Safety data included the results of physical examinations, clinical laboratory tests, vital signs, an electrocardiogram, and adverse events. For both amlodipine and olmesartan, the 90% confidence intervals for the geometric mean ratios of AUClast and time to peak plasma concentration fell within the bioequivalence acceptance criteria. The two fixed-dose combinations showed similar safety profiles. Amlodipine orotate/olmesartan medoxomil 10/40 mg was bioequivalent to amlodipine besylate/olmesartan medoxomil 10/40 mg.