Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analytical design equations for self-tuned Class-E power amplifier

For many emerging neural prosthesis designs that are powered by inductive coupling, their small physical size requires large current in the extracorporeal transmitter coil, and the Class-E power amplifier topology is often used for the transmitter design. Tuning of Class-E circuits for efficient operation is difficult and a self-tuned circuit can facilitate the tuning. The coil current is sensed and used to tune the switching of the transistor switch in the Class-E circuit in order to maintain its high-efficiency operation. Although mathematically complex, the analysis and design procedure for the self-tuned Class-E circuit can be simplified due to the current feedback control, which makes the phase angle between the switching pulse and the coil current predetermined. In this paper explicit analytical design equations are derived and a detailed design procedure is presented and compared with the conventional Class-E design approaches.
The Need for Annotated Corpora from Legal Documents , and for ( Human ) Protocols for Creating Them : The Attribution Problem

This paper argues that in order to make progress today in automating argumentation mining from legal documents, we have a critical need for two things. First, we need a sufficient supply of manually annotated corpora, as well as theoretical and experimental evidence that those annotated data are accurate. Second, we need protocols for effectively training people to perform the tasks and sub-tasks required to create those annotations. Such protocols are necessary not only for a team approach to annotation and for quality assurance of the finished annotations, but also for developing and testing software to assist humans in the process of annotation. Drawing upon the latest work at Hofstra University’s Law, Logic and Technology Research Laboratory in New York, the paper offers an extended example from the problem of annotating attribution relations, as an illustration of why obtaining consistent and accurate annotations in law is extremely difficult, and of why protocols are necessary. Attribution is the problem of determining which actor believes, asserts, or relies upon the truth of a proposition as a premise or a conclusion of an argument. The paper illustrates that in applying argumentation mining to legal documents, annotating attribution relations correctly is a critical task. Relevant Seminar Topics Automated identification of arguments Automated identification of relationships between arguments Argument annotation methods and tools Annotation of argumentation corpora Applications of argument mining to legal
How strong was the bottleneck associated to the peopling of the Americas? New insights from multilocus sequence data

Abstract In spite of many genetic studies that contributed for a deep knowledge about the peopling of the Americas, no consensus has emerged about important parameters such as the effective size of the Native Americans founder population. Previous estimates based on genomic datasets may have been biased by the use of admixed individuals from Latino populations, while other recent studies using samples from Native American individuals relied on approximated analytical approaches. In this study we use resequencing data for nine independent regions in a set of Native American and Siberian individuals and a full-likelihood approach based on isolation-with-migration scenarios accounting for recent flow between Asian and Native American populations. Our results suggest that, in agreement with previous studies, the effective size of the Native American population was small, most likely in the order of a few hundred individuals, with point estimates close to 250 individuals, even though credible intervals include a number as large as ~4,000 individuals. Recognizing the size of the genetic bottleneck during the peopling of the Americas is important for determining the extent of genetic markers needed to characterize Native American populations in genome-wide studies and to evaluate the adaptive potential of genetic variants in this population.
Electrically activated spin-controlled orbital angular momentum multiplexer

We present and test the integration of a static orbital angular momentum mode multiplexer with a dynamical geometric-phase optical element enabling on-demand spin-controlled angular momentum multiplexing. A diffractive optics multiplexer fabricated with 3D high-resolution electron beam lithography performs a conformal mapping for the conversion from linear to azimuthal phase gradients. The latter is functionalized by a dynamic spin-orbit add-on that consists of a self-engineered electrically-activated liquid crystal optical vortex generator having large clear-aperture and high-resolution. By combining several functionalities based on the optical angular momentum of light in a compact manner, the proposed hybrid device could find applications in next-generation high-dimensional mode switchers and routers based on orbital angular momentum.
Image quality and absorbed dose comparison of single‐ and dual‐source cone‐beam computed tomography

Abstract Purpose Dual‐source cone‐beam computed tomography (DCBCT) is currently available in the Vero4DRT image‐guided radiotherapy system. We evaluated the image quality and absorbed dose for DCBCT and compared the values with those for single‐source CBCT (SCBCT). Methods Image uniformity, Hounsfield unit (HU) linearity, image contrast, and spatial resolution were evaluated using a Catphan phantom. The rotation angle for acquiring SCBCT and DCBCT images is 215° and 115°, respectively. The image uniformity was calculated using measurements obtained at the center and four peripheral positions. The HUs of seven materials inserted into the phantom were measured to evaluate HU linearity and image contrast. The Catphan phantom was scanned with a conventional CT scanner to measure the reference HU for each material. The spatial resolution was calculated using high‐resolution pattern modules. Image quality was analyzed using ImageJ software ver. 1.49. The absorbed dose was measured using a 0.6‐cm3 ionization chamber with a 16‐cm‐diameter cylindrical phantom, at the center and four peripheral positions of the phantom, and calculated using weighted cone‐beam CT dose index (CBCTDI w). Results Compared with that of SCBCT, the image uniformity of DCBCT was slightly reduced. A strong linear correlation existed between the measured HU for DCBCT and the reference HU, although the linear regression slope was different from that of the reference HU. DCBCT had poorer image contrast than did SCBCT, particularly with a high‐contrast material. There was no significant difference between the spatial resolutions of SCBCT and DCBCT. The absorbed dose for DCBCT was higher than that for SCBCT, because in DCBCT, the two x‐ray projections overlap between 45° and 70°. Conclusions We found that the image quality was poorer and the absorbed dose was higher for DCBCT than for SCBCT in the Vero4DRT.
Impact of Dmdheu Resin Treatment on the Mechanical Properties of Poplar

To increase the utilization and the value of poplar, various concentrations of dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU) were used to impregnate poplar, an important tree specie from the north of China. The resin was fixed on the timber under certain conditions, after which the weight percent gain (WPG), flexural modulus (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), impact strength, hardness and compressive strength of the poplar impregnated were tested and evaluated. The results showed that WPG of poplar is positively associated with the concentrations of DMDHEU after the resin treatment; when the WPG of poplar was 62.1% and the concentration of resin was 30%, the concentration of resin shows positive correlation with MOE, the hardness of each section, the compression strength perpendicular to grain, and the compressive strength parallel to the grain, but demonstrates negative correlation with MOR and impact strength.
More than a dalliance? Pornography consumption and extramarital sex attitudes among married U.S. adults.

Extramarital sex is one of the most commonly cited reasons for divorce. U.S. adults who have more positive extramarital sex attitudes are more likely to engage in extramarital sex. Given pornography’s positive portrayal of extramarital sex, several recent studies have explored whether people who consume pornography have a more positive attitude toward extramarital sex. Consistent correlations have been found, but limitations to inference are posed by the sampling of adolescents and college students and the cross-sectional designs used. This brief report used national panel data gathered from two separate samples of married U.S. adults. Data were gathered from the first sample in 2006 and in 2008 (N 282). Data were gathered from the second sample in 2008 and in 2010 (N 269). Consistent with a social learning perspective on media, prior pornography consumption was correlated with more positive subsequent extramarital sex attitudes in both samples, even after controlling for earlier extramarital sex attitudes and nine additional potential confounds. Contrary to a selective exposure perspective on media, prior extramarital sex attitudes were unrelated to subsequent pornography consumption in both samples.
Genetic Responses of Isonychia bicolor (Ephemeroptera:Isonychiidae) to Chronic Mercury Pollution

The relationship between allozyme genotype and survival of nymphs of the mayfly Isonychia bicolor (Walker) when exposed to acute mercury concentrations was tested in laboratory experiments. The probability of survival and individual times-to-death were found to be significantly different among genotypes at the glucose phosphate isomerase locus, but not at the phosphoglucomutase locus. This pattern was consistent for both summer and winter temperatures and for populations from 2 separate, unpolluted streams. Subsequent field surveys were conducted to determine if results of these acute laboratory tests could be extrapolated to the more chronic, sublethal conditions present in the South River, Virginia. Genotypes identified as sensitive and tolerant in the laboratory experiments showed no consistent relationship with environmental mercury levels in the South River. In fact, one heterozygote identified as tolerant was found to be more frequent at the reference site than at contaminated sites, and no significant between-site differences were observed in the frequencies of the most sensitive genotype. Consequently, despite fitness differences to mercury exposure among allozyme variants, we were unable to attribute any between-site differences in genetic structure in I. bicolor populations to adaptation to mercury pollution.
Serum Is Not Necessary for Prior Pharmacological Activation of AMPK to Increase Insulin Sensitivity of Mouse Skeletal Muscle

Exercise, contraction, and pharmacological activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) have all been shown to increase muscle insulin sensitivity for glucose uptake. Intriguingly, improvements in insulin sensitivity following contraction of isolated rat and mouse skeletal muscle and prior AICAR stimulation of isolated rat skeletal muscle seem to depend on an unknown factor present in serum. One study recently questioned this requirement of a serum factor by showing serum-independency with muscle from old rats. Whether a serum factor is necessary for prior AICAR stimulation to increase insulin sensitivity of mouse skeletal muscle is not known. Therefore, we investigated the necessity of serum for this effect of AICAR in mouse skeletal muscle. We found that the ability of prior AICAR stimulation to improve insulin sensitivity of mouse skeletal muscle did not depend on the presence of serum during AICAR stimulation. Although prior AICAR stimulation did not enhance proximal insulin signaling, insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Tre-2/BUB2/CDC16- domain family member 4 (TBC1D4) Ser711 was greater in prior AICAR-stimulated muscle compared to all other groups. These results imply that the presence of a serum factor is not necessary for prior AMPK activation by AICAR to enhance insulin sensitivity of mouse skeletal muscle.
Black Arsenic–Phosphorus: Layered Anisotropic Infrared Semiconductors with Highly Tunable Compositions and Properties

New layered anisotropic infrared semiconductors, black arsenic-phosphorus (b-AsP), with highly tunable chemical compositions and electronic and optical properties are introduced. Transport and infrared absorption studies demonstrate the semiconducting nature of b-AsP with tunable bandgaps, ranging from 0.3 to 0.15 eV. These bandgaps fall into the long-wavelength infrared regime and cannot be readily reached by other layered materials.
Slip detection and grip adjustment using optical tracking in prosthetic hands

We have designed a closed loop control system that adjusts the grasping force of a prosthetic hand based on the amount of object slip detected by an optical tracking sensor. The system was designed for the i-Limb (a multi-fingered prosthetic hand from Touch Bionics Inc.) and is comprised of an optical sensor embedded inside a silicone prosthetic glove and a control algorithm. In a proof of concept study to demonstrate the effectiveness of optical tracking in slip sensing, we record slip rate while increasing the weight held in the grasp of the hand and compare two cases: grip adjustment on and grip adjustment off. The average slip rate was found to be 0.314 slips/(s·oz) without grip adjustment and 0.0411 slips/(s·oz) with grip adjustment. This paper discusses the advantages of the optical approach in slip detection and presents the experiment and results utilizing the optical sensor and grip control algorithm.
Conference on ‘ Diet , nutrition and mental health and wellbeing ’ Symposium 2 : Nutrition , cognition and emotion Adverse effects of consuming high fat – sugar diets on cognition : implications for understanding obesity

There is increasing evidence for important roles of key cognitive processes, including attention, memory and learning, in the short-term decision making about eating. There is parallel evidence that people who are overweight or obese tend to perform worse on a variety of cognitive tasks. In this review, the evidence for these two ideas is summarised and then the idea that overconsumption of Western-style high-fat (HF)–high-sugar diets may underlie the association between obesity and poorer cognitive performance is explored. In particular, evidence in animals and human subjects that repeated consumption of HF or HF and sugar (HFS) diets leads to specific impairments in the functioning of the hippocampus, which underpin the consequent changes in cognition is summarised. These findings lead into the vicious cycle model (VCM), which suggests that these cognitive changes have knock-on negative effects for future appetite control, and evidence that altered hippocampal function is also associated with impaired appetite control is explored. The review concludes that there is consistent evidence in the animal literature and emerging evidence from human studies that supports this VCM. It is also noted, however, that to date studies lack the nutritional specificity needed to be able to translate these basic research findings into clear nutritional effects, and concludes that there is an urgent need for additional research to clarify the precise nature of the apparent effects of consuming HFS diets on cognition.
Robust image retrieval for lacy and embroidered fabric

Image retrieval is a task which retrieves similar images from a large database based on a given input query image. The lacy and embroidered fabric contains repetitive patterns and rich texture, making the image retrieval difficult. The GIST feature is a spatial information feature that performs well on retrieving images with duplicate patterns. Speeded-up robust features (SURF) feature is invariant to rotation, which makes it powerful in retrieving rotated images. The method proposed in this paper is to combine the benefits of both GIST and SURF features, supporting the image retrieval from a fabric image database. In addition, we extract the structure from the texture via the relative total variation to eliminate the influence of complex texture on the feature point extraction. A key insight and contribution of our paper is that the combination enables accurate fabric image retrieval, especially for rotated images. To demonstrate the robustness and accuracy of our method, we applied it to a database that contains 527 fabric images. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on the fabric images with hollow and embroidery patterns.
Age‐related changes in late I‐waves influence motor cortex plasticity induction in older adults

The response to neuroplasticity interventions using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is reduced in older adults, which may be due, in part, to age‐related alterations in interneuronal (I‐wave) circuitry. The current study investigated age‐related changes in interneuronal characteristics and whether they influence motor cortical plasticity in older adults. While I‐wave recruitment was unaffected by age, there was a shift in the temporal characteristics of the late, but not the early I‐waves. Using I‐wave periodicity repetitive TMS (iTMS), we showed that these differences in I‐wave characteristics influence the induction of cortical plasticity in older adults.
Associations of Race/Ethnicity With HIV Prevalence and HIV-Related Behaviors Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in 7 Urban Centers in the United States

Abstract:Using data from a multisite venue-based survey of male subjects aged 15 to 22 years, we examined racial/ethnic differences in demographics, partner type, partner type-specific condom use, drug use, and HIV prevalence in 3316 US black, multiethnic black, Latino, and white men who have sex with men (MSM). We further estimated associations of these factors with HIV infection and their influence on racial/ethnic disparities in HIV prevalence. HIV prevalences were 16% for both black and multiethnic black participants, 6.9% for Latinos, and 3.3% for whites. Paradoxically, potentially risky sex and drug-using behaviors were generally reported most frequently by whites and least frequently by blacks. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, positive associations with HIV included older age, being out of school or work, sex while on crack cocaine, and anal sex with another male regardless of reported condom use level. Differences in these factors did not explain the racial/ethnic disparities in HIV prevalence, with both groups of blacks experiencing more than 9 times and Latinos experiencing approximately twice the fully adjusted odds of infection compared with whites. Understanding racial/ethnic disparities in HIV risk requires information beyond the traditional risk behavior and partnership type distinctions. Prevention programs should address risks in steady partnerships, target young men before sexual initiation with male partners, and tailor interventions to men of color and of lower socioeconomic status.
Socio-economic differences in predictors of frequent dairy food consumption among Australian adolescents: a longitudinal study

Abstract Objective Sufficient dairy food consumption during adolescence is necessary for preventing disease. While socio-economically disadvantaged adolescents tend to consume few dairy foods, some eat quantities more in line with dietary recommendations despite socio-economic challenges. Socio-economic variations in factors supportive of adolescents’ frequent dairy consumption remain unexplored. The present study aimed to identify cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between intrapersonal, social and environmental factors and adolescents’ frequent dairy consumption at baseline and two years later across socio-economic strata, and to examine whether socio-economic position moderated observed effects. Design Online surveys completed at baseline (2004–2005) and follow-up (2006–2007) included a thirty-eight-item FFQ and questions based on social ecological models examining intrapersonal, social and environmental dietary influences. Setting Thirty-seven secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. Subjects Australian adolescents (n 1201) aged 12–15 years, drawn from a sub-sample of 3264 adolescents (response rate=33 %). Results While frequent breakfast consumption was cross-sectionally associated with frequent dairy consumption among all adolescents, additional associated factors differed by socio-economic position. Baseline dairy consumption longitudinally predicted consumption at follow-up. No further factors predicted frequent consumption among disadvantaged adolescents, while four additional factors were predictive among advantaged adolescents. Socio-economic position moderated two predictors; infrequently eating dinner alone and never purchasing from school vending machines predicted frequent consumption among advantaged adolescents. Conclusions Nutrition promotion initiatives aimed at improving adolescents’ dairy consumption should employ multifactorial approaches informed by social ecological models and address socio-economic differences in influences on eating behaviours; e.g. selected intrapersonal factors among all adolescents and social factors (e.g. mealtime rules) among advantaged adolescents.
Temporal Unknown Incremental Clustering Model for Analysis of Traffic Surveillance Videos

Optimized scene representation is an important characteristic of a framework for detecting abnormalities on live videos. One of the challenges for detecting abnormalities in live videos is real-time detection of objects in a non-parametric way. Another challenge is to efficiently represent the state of objects temporally across frames. In this paper, a Gibbs sampling-based heuristic model referred to as temporal unknown incremental clustering has been proposed to cluster pixels with motion. Pixel motion is first detected using optical flow and a Bayesian algorithm has been applied to associate pixels belonging to a similar cluster in subsequent frames. The algorithm is fast and produces accurate results in <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Theta (kn)$ </tex-math></inline-formula> time, where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the number of clusters and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$ </tex-math></inline-formula> the number of pixels. Our experimental validation with publicly available data sets reveals that the proposed framework has good potential to open up new opportunities for real-time traffic analysis.
The human gut microbiota: Metabolism and perspective in obesity

ABSTRACT The gut microbiota has been recognized as an important factor in the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity and is considered an endocrine organ involved in the maintenance of energy homeostasis and host immunity. Dysbiosis can change the functioning of the intestinal barrier and the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) by allowing the passage of structural components of bacteria, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which activate inflammatory pathways that may contribute to the development of insulin resistance. Furthermore, intestinal dysbiosis can alter the production of gastrointestinal peptides related to satiety, resulting in an increased food intake. In obese people, this dysbiosis seems be related to increases of the phylum Firmicutes, the genus Clostridium, and the species Eubacterium rectale, Clostridium coccoides, Lactobacillus reuteri, Akkermansia muciniphila, Clostridium histolyticum, and Staphylococcus aureus.