Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Input transformation by dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons

In the mammalian brain, most inputs received by a neuron are formed on the dendritic tree. In the neocortex, the dendrites of pyramidal neurons are covered by thousands of tiny protrusions known as dendritic spines, which are the major recipient sites for excitatory synaptic information in the brain. Their peculiar morphology, with a small head connected to the dendritic shaft by a slender neck, has inspired decades of theoretical and more recently experimental work in an attempt to understand how excitatory synaptic inputs are processed, stored and integrated in pyramidal neurons. Advances in electrophysiological, optical and genetic tools are now enabling us to unravel the biophysical and molecular mechanisms controlling spine function in health and disease. Here I highlight relevant findings, challenges and hypotheses on spine function, with an emphasis on the electrical properties of spines and on how these affect the storage and integration of excitatory synaptic inputs in pyramidal neurons. In an attempt to make sense of the published data, I propose that the raison d'etre for dendritic spines lies in their ability to undergo activity-dependent structural and molecular changes that can modify synaptic strength, and hence alter the gain of the linearly integrated sub-threshold depolarizations in pyramidal neuron dendrites before the generation of a dendritic spike.
Cooperative Vision-Based Object Transportation by Two Humanoid Robots in a Cluttered Environment

Although in recent years, there have been quite a few studies aimed at the navigation of robots in cluttered environments, few of these have addressed the problem of robots navigating while moving a large or heavy object. Such a functionality is especially useful when transporting objects of different shapes and weights without having to modify the robot hardware. In this work, we tackle the problem of making two humanoid robots navigate in a cluttered environment while transporting a very large object that simply could not be moved by a single robot. We present a complete navigation scheme, from the incremental construction of a map of the environment and the computation of collision-free trajectories to the design of the control to execute those trajectories. We present experiments made on real NAO robots, equipped with RGB-D sensors mounted on their heads, moving an object around obstacles. Our experiments show that a significantly large object can be transported without modifying the robot main hardware, and therefore that our scheme enhances the humanoid robots capacities in real-life situations. Our contributions are: (1) a low-dimension multi-robot motion planning algorithm that finds an obstacle-free trajectory, by using the constructed map of the environment as an input, (2) a framework that produces continuous and consistent odometry data, by fusing the visual and the robot odometry information, (3) a synchronization system that uses the projection of the robots based on their hands positions coupled with the visual feedback error computed from a frontal camera, (4) an efficient real-time whole-body control scheme that controls the motions of the closed-loop robot–object–robot system.
Fully analytical circuit-like approach for the TE scattering by narrow-slit printed gratings

A fully analytical solution for the scattering of a uniform TE polarized plane wave by an infinite periodic printed array of narrow slits is provided in this contribution. The model is based on some simplifications made on the formulas arising from a rigorous full-wave formulation. The present approach gives the topology of the transverse equivalent network as well as closed-form expressions for all its components, and overall very accurate results.
Structural integrity of composites with embedded piezoelectric ceramic transducers

The objective of this paper is to determine the strength reduction due to the embedment of a piezoelectric ceramic transducer in a composite. The composite was made from carbon/epoxy prepreg with a cross-ply lay-up. The transducer was embedded in the mid-plane of the composite material. The specimens were tested in tensile and compressive static loading. It was found that the embedded piezoelectric ceramic element with its interconnectors did not reduce the strength of the composite. In tensile and compressive static tests, the final failure did not coincide with the embedded piezoelectric ceramic transducer location in the composite.
Hepatic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for very early stage hepatocellular carcinoma: A Markov model analysis

No adequate randomized trials have been reported for a comparison between hepatic resection (HR) versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of patients with very early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), defined as an asymptomatic solitary HCC <2 cm. For compensated cirrhotic patients with very early stage HCC, a Markov model was created to simulate a randomized trial between HR (group I) versus primary percutaneous RFA followed by HR for cases of initial local failure (group II) versus percutaneous RFA monotherapy (group III); each arm was allocated with a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 patients. The primary endpoint was overall survival. The estimates of the variables were extracted from published articles after a systematic review. In the parameter estimations, we assumed the best scenario for HR and the worst scenario for RFA. The mean expected survival was 7.577 years, 7.564 years, and 7.356 years for group I, group II, and group III, respectively. One‐way sensitivity analysis demonstrated that group II was the preferred strategy if the perioperative mortality rate was greater than 1.0%, if the probability of local recurrence following an initial complete ablation was <1.9% or if the positive microscopic resection margin rate was >0.3%. The 95% confidence intervals for the difference in overall survival were −0.18–0.18 years between group I and II, 0.06–0.36 years between group I and III, and 0.13–0.30 years between group II and III, respectively. Conclusion: Primary percutaneous RFA followed by HR for cases of initial local failure was nearly identical to HR for the overall survival of compensated cirrhotic patients with very early stage HCC. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
Abstraction Heuristics, Cost Partitioning and Network Flows

Cost partitioning is a well-known technique to make admissible heuristics for classical planning additive. The optimal cost partitioning of explicit-state abstraction heuristics can be computed in polynomial time with a linear program, but the size of the model is often prohibitive. We study this model from a dual perspective and develop several simplification rules to reduce its size. We use these rules to answer open questions about extensions of the state equation heuristic and their relation to cost partitioning.
Dielectric non-destructive testing approach to cure monitoring of adhesives and composites

Abstract In the fabrication of many composite and adhesively bonded structures it is desirable to determine the extent to which complete cure is achieved. This review briefly discusses the fundamental issues which are involved in the monitoring of the cure process in thermoset resins. The application of the dielectric method is described as a non-destructive probe for the monitor of the cure process in thermoset resin systems. The principles of the technique are illustrated with reference to a simple epoxy-amine structural adhesive. Possible correlations between the changes in the dielectric properties with other physical property changes of a resin, e.g. viscosity, during cure are discussed.
Using CSP Look-Back Techniques to Solve Real-World SAT Instances

We report on the performance of an enhanced version of the "Davis-Putnam" (DP) proof procedure for propositional satisfiability (SAT) on large instances derived from real-world problems in planning, scheduling, and circuit diagnosis and synthesis. Our results show that incorporating CSP look-back techniques -- especially the relatively new technique of relevance-bounded learning -- renders easy many problems which otherwise are beyond DP's reach. Frequently they make DP, a systematic algorithm, perform as well or better than stochastic SAT algorithms such as GSAT or WSAT. We recommend that such techniques be included as options in implementations of DP, Just as they are in systematic algorithms for the more general constraint satisfaction problem.
Provenance study of volcanic glass using 266–1064 nm orthogonal double pulse laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Double pulse laser induced breakdown spectroscopy in orthogonal configuration was used for the analysis of twelve samples of volcanic glass. Raw material and artifact samples originated from Czech, Slovak, German, Hungarian, Greek, Turkish, and Ukrainian sites. The primary 266 nm laser beam was focused onto a sample area of about 0.1 mm in diameter at the optimised energy of 10 mJ resulting in only very slight sample damage, almost unrecognizable even by a microscope. The secondary 1064 nm laser beam, positioned parallel to the sample surface and focused onto the intersection with the primary beam, induced a spark with enhanced radiation at the optimised energy of 100 mJ. Measurement of emission lines selected on basis of chemical composition, signal intensity, signal-to-background ratio, and minimum interference from the surrounding spectra: Si(I) 288.16 nm, Mg(II) 279.55 nm, 280.27 nm, Mg(I) 285.21 nm, Ca(II) 317.93 nm, Na(I) 589.59 nm, Al(I) 308.22 nm, Fe(II) 259.94 nm, Ti(II) 334.94 nm, Sr(II) 407.77 nm, Ba(II) 455.40 nm, K(I) 769.90 nm, provided experimental data sufficiently sensitive to differentiate the properties of the studied samples. Rare earth elements were not detected even though the double pulse technique is more sensitive than the single pulse variant. Visualisation methods of multidimensional statistical analyses such as radar chart, Chernoff faces, scatterplots, and the Spearman correlation matrix provided successful differentiation of the sample groups and/or particular samples by their origin.
Cryptochrome 2 mediates directional magnetoreception in cockroaches

Significance The photosensitive protein Cryptochrome (Cry) is involved in the detection of magnetic fields (MFs) in Drosophila. However, Cry-dependent responses to natural MF intensities and to the direction of the MF vector have not been demonstrated previously in any insect. Birds, monarch butterflies, and many other species perceive the direction of geomagnetic field (GMF) lines, but the involvement of Cry has not been rigorously proven using genetic tools. In this study, by combining behavioral and genetic approaches, we provide the first unambiguous evidence to our knowledge of a Cry-dependent sensitivity to the direction of GMF in two cockroach species. Furthermore, by eye-covering experiments and by immunolocalization of a crucial mammalian-type Cry2 under the retina, we clearly show that the eye is an indispensable organ for the directional GMF response. The ability to perceive geomagnetic fields (GMFs) represents a fascinating biological phenomenon. Studies on transgenic flies have provided evidence that photosensitive Cryptochromes (Cry) are involved in the response to magnetic fields (MFs). However, none of the studies tackled the problem of whether the Cry-dependent magnetosensitivity is coupled to the sole MF presence or to the direction of MF vector. In this study, we used gene silencing and a directional MF to show that mammalian-like Cry2 is necessary for a genuine directional response to periodic rotations of the GMF vector in two insect species. Longer wavelengths of light required higher photon fluxes for a detectable behavioral response, and a sharp detection border was present in the cyan/green spectral region. Both observations are consistent with involvement of the FADox, FAD•− and FADH– redox forms of flavin. The response was lost upon covering the eyes, demonstrating that the signal is perceived in the eye region. Immunohistochemical staining detected Cry2 in the hemispherical layer of laminal glia cells underneath the retina. Together, these findings identified the eye-localized Cry2 as an indispensable component and a likely photoreceptor of the directional GMF response. Our study is thus a clear step forward in deciphering the in vivo effects of GMF and supports the interaction of underlying mechanism with the visual system.
TweetNorm: Text Normalization on Italian Twitter Data

This paper addresses the issue of text normalization on non-standard Italian data. We present TweetNorm 1 , a system which normalizes Italian tweets in a way that the amount of microblog slang and distorted text appearance is drastically reduced and the normalized output has a much cleaner and more formal style. The paper shows that with a set of ﬁxed language-independent rules and trained rules for language-dependent abbreviation and acronym expansion good results can be achieved for normalizing Italian Twitter messages.
Computer Assisted Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Cells

Microtubules are dynamic polymers that rapidly transition between states of growth, shortening, and pause. These dynamic events are critical for basic cellular processes, especially cell division. Typically, these events are quantified by imaging microtubule movements over time, which results in large data sets that require rigorous quantitative analysis. In most cases, these analyses are performed manually by the researcher. This process is both tedious and prone to error; thus an efficient and reliable computer-assisted quantification system would provide a rapid approach, suitable for high-throughput data analysis. In this paper, we describe methods to automatically segment and track microtubule movements. Our method is a snake based method. Instead of a closed contour, we use an open contour to track individual microtubule. We redefine some of the internal energy terms specifically for open snake. A new external energy term for locating the end points of a microtubule is also defined. Testing is done using simulated images and untreated MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines as well as cells treated with the microtubule-targeting chemotherapeutic agent, Taxol
The PPP persona: a multipurpose animated presentation agent

Animated agents - either based on real video, cartoon-style drawings or even model-based 3D graphics are likely to become integral parts of future user interfaces. We present the PPP Persona, a tool which can be used for showing, explaining, and verbally commenting textual and graphical output on a window-based interface. The realization of the module follows the client/server paradigm, i.e, some client applications can send requests for executing presentation tasks to the server. However, to achieve a lively and appealing behaviour of the animated agent, the server autonomously performs some actions, eg. to span pauses or to react immediately to user interactions.
Biomolecular modification of implant surfaces

In this review, surface modification of implant devices by immobilization of biological molecules is discussed. A brief introduction to the development of biomolecular surface science is presented, followed by a review of current activities in selected fields. Bone-contacting devices and some cardiovascular implant devices are reviewed as paradigmatic examples of research that is currently taking place. Advances in the basic fields of cell and tissue biology, in addition to concurrent developments in surface science tools, suggest that ‘peri-implant biologics’, or the control and direction of the host response at the implant–tissue interface by implant-surface-linked biomolecules, could be a major area of growth in the medical devices field in the next few years.
SpecNet: Spectrum Sensing Sans Frontières

While the under-utilization of licensed spectrum based on measurement studies conducted in a few developed countries has spurred lots of interest in opportunistic spectrum access, there exists no infrastructure today for measuring real-time spectrum occupancy across vast geographical regions. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of SpecNet, a first-of-its-kind platform that allows spectrum analyzers around the world to be networked and efficiently used in a coordinated manner for spectrum measurement as well as implementation and evaluation of distributed sensing applications. We demonstrate the value of SpecNet through three applications: 1) remote spectrum measurement, 2) primary transmitter coverage estimation and 3) Spectrum-Cop, which quickly identifies and localizes transmitters in a frequency range and geographic region of interest.
Implementing Monetary Control

Benjamin Friedman's paper summarizes his work on an important topic-the comparison of procedures that extract information about, and compare the thrust of monetary policy over time. This is the "indicator problem" or in Friedman's words, the problem of choosing an "intermediate target. " The problem arises when there is incomplete knowledge about the structure of the economy, including the length of leads and lags, the precise size of coefficients and the full specification of the equations used to describe the economy's structure. An indicator provides information about the comparative degree of "ease" or "restraint. " The main argument of the paper is that credit-defined as the total debt obligations of nonfinancial borrowers--contains useful information to supplement monetary aggregates. To paraphrase Friedman, the liabilities side of balance sheets of households and nonfinancial f m s contains information that supplements the information in the monetary aggregates on the asset side of these balance sheets. Most of the paper makes a different point, however. Friedman devotes most of his effort to showing that, on the criteria he uses, his measure of credit dominates the monetary aggregates during the sample period. My comments have two parts. First, I compare Friedman's approach to some principal alternatives. Then, I offer some specific comments on his procedures and the definition of credit.
The Electric Field of an Eccentric Dipole in a Homogeneous Spherical Conducting Medium

The electrical position of the heart with reference to the electrodes used in studying its field is unknown. For reasons presented, it is more likely eccentric; hence, the equation defining the field of an eccentric dipole in a spherical medium might be useful for projected experimental studies and for better understanding of the way in which a given electrical position determines the electrode potentials. A method introduced by Helmholtz was used for deriving the desired equation. It is discussed since its concepts are of considerable importance to other electrocardiographic problems, too. The more simple mathematical example dealing with the centric dipole in the sphere is discussed. The equation for the field of the eccentric dipole is given and data based upon it are presented in numerical and map form. The Helmholtz equation for the field in the spherical conductor produced by two small spherical electrodes arbitrarily located is also presented and briefly discussed.
Unusual High Exposure to Ultraviolet-C Radiation

Abstract UV radiation is known to cause acute and chronic eye and skin damage. The present case report describes a 90 min accidental exposure to UV-C radiation of 26 medical school students. Germicidal lamps were lit due to a malfunctioning of the timer system. Several hours after irradiation exposure, all subjects reported the onset of ocular symptoms, subsequently diagnosed as photokeratitis, and skin damage to the face, scalp and neck. While the ocular symptoms lasted 2–4 days, the sunburn-like condition produced significant erythema followed by deep skin exfoliation. The irradiation was calculated to be approximately 700 mJ cm−2 absorbed energy, whereas the actual radiation emitted by the lamps was 0.14 mW cm−2 (the radiometric measurements confirmed these calculi, because the effective irradiance measured from the height of the autopsy table to about 1 m under the UV-C lamp varied from 0.05 to 0.25 mW cm−2) but, more likely, the effective irradiance, according to skin phototype and symptoms, was between 50 and 100 mJ cm−2. The ocular and skin effects produced by such a high irradiation (largely higher than that accepted by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists [ACGIH] threshold limit values [TLVs]) appeared reversible in a relatively short time.
Image enhancement using fourth order partial differential equations

A class of fourth order partial differential equations (PDE) are proposed to optimize the trade-off between noise removal and edge preservation. The time evolution of these PDEs seeks to minimize a functional which is an increasing function of the absolute value of the Laplacian of the image intensity function, hence it generates a family of images of increasing degree of smoothness. Since the Laplacian of a plane image is zero, the stationary points of this functional or this class of PDEs are images whose intensity functions are a union of plane images of various boundaries. This kind of images look more natural than step images which are the stationary points of anisotropic diffusion (second order PDEs), so the proposed PDEs are able to achieve comparable degree of noise removal while avoiding the blocky effects widely seen in images processed by anisotropic diffusion. However, the proposed fourth order PDEs tend to develop speckle artifacts which may be characterized as isolated white and/or black dots, but they can be easily alleviated by simple despeckle algorithms such as the one shown in this paper.
Stress relaxation and creep of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor core support ceramic materials: a literature search

Creep and stress relaxation in structural ceramics are important properties to the high-temperature design and safety analysis of the core support structure of the HTGR. The ability of the support structure to function for the lifetime of the reactor is directly related to the allowable creep strain and the ability of the structure to withstand thermal transients. The thermal-mechanical response of the core support pads to steady-state stresses and potential thermal transients depends on variables, including the ability of the ceramics to undergo some stress relaxation in relatively short times. Creep and stress relaxation phenomena in structural ceramics of interest were examined. Of the materials considered (fused silica, alumina, silicon nitride, and silicon carbide), alumina has been more extensively investigated in creep. Activation energies reported varied between 482 and 837 kJ/mole, and consequently, variations in the assigned mechanisms were noted. Nabarro-Herring creep is considered as the primary creep mechanism and no definite grain size dependence has been identified. Results for silicon nitride are in better agreement with reported activation energies. No creep data were found for fused silica or silicon carbide and no stress relaxation data were found for any of the candidate materials. While creep and stress relaxation aremore » similar and it is theoretically possible to derive the value of one property when the other is known, no explicit demonstrated relationship exists between the two. For a given structural ceramic material, both properties must be experimentally determined to obtain the information necessary for use in high-temperature design and safety analyses. « less