Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating electric field modeling and pre-tDCS behavioral performance to predict the individual tDCS effect on visual crowding

Objective. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been broadly used to modulate brain activity with both bipolar and high-definition montages. However, tDCS effects can be highly variable. In this work, we investigated whether the variability in the tDCS effects could be predicted by integrating individualized electric field modeling and individual pre-tDCS behavioral performance. Approach. Here, we first compared the effects of bipolar tDCS and 4 × 1 high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) with respect to the alleviation of visual crowding, which is the inability to identify targets in the presence of nearby flankers and considered to be an essential bottleneck of object recognition and visual awareness. We instructed subjects to perform an orientation discrimination task with both isolated and crowded targets in the periphery and measured their orientation discrimination thresholds before and after receiving 20 min of bipolar tDCS, 4 × 1 HD-tDCS, or sham stimulation over the visual cortex. Individual anatomically realistic head models were constructed to simulate tDCS-induced electric field distributions and quantify tDCS focality. Finally, a multiple linear regression model that used pre-tDCS behavioral performance and tDCS focality as factors was used to predict post-tDCS behavioral performance. Main results. We found that HD-tDCS, but not bipolar tDCS, could significantly alleviate visual crowding. Moreover, the variability in the tDCS effect could be reliably predicted by subjects’ pre-tDCS behavioral performance and tDCS focality. This prediction model also performed well when generalized to other two tDCS protocols with a different electrode size or a different stimulation intensity. Significance. Our study links the variability in the tDCS-induced electric field and the pre-tDCS behavioral performance in a visual crowding task to the variability in post-tDCS performance. It provides a new approach to predicting individual tDCS effects and highlights the importance of understanding the factors that determine tDCS effectiveness while developing more robust protocols.
High Availability, Scalable Storage, Dynamic Peer Networks: Pick Two

Peer-to-peer storage aims to build large-scale, reliable and available storage from many small-scale unreliable, low-availability distributed hosts. Data redundancy is the key to any data guarantees. However, preserving redundancy in the face of highly dynamic membership is costly. We use a simple resource usage model to measured behavior from the Gnutella file-sharing network to argue that large-scale cooperative storage is limited by likely dynamics and cross-system bandwidth -- not by local disk space. We examine some bandwidth optimization strategies like delayed response to failures, admission control, and load-shifting and find that they do not alter the basic problem. We conclude that when redundancy, data scale, and dynamics are all high, the needed cross-system bandwidth is unreasonable.
Crash-Only Software

Crash-only programs crash safely and recover quickly. There is only one way to stop such software--by crashing it--and only one way to bring it up--by initiating recovery. Crash-only systems are built from crash-only components, and the use of transparent component-level retries hides intra-system component crashes from end users. In this paper we advocate a crash-only design for Internet systems, showing that it can lead to more reliable, predictable code and faster, more effective recovery. We present ideas on how to build such crash-only Internet services, taking successful techniques to their logical extreme.
Neuroplastic Changes Associated With Hybrid Exercise-Cognitive Training in Stroke Survivors With Mild Cognitive Decline: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Exercise and cognitive training have been shown to induce neuroplastic changes and modulate cognitive function following stroke. However, it remains unclear whether hybridized exercise-cognitive training facilitates cortical activity and further influences cognitive function after stroke. Objective The study aimed to investigate the effects of 2 hybridized exercise-cognitive trainings on neuroplastic changes and behavioral outcomes in stroke survivors with mild cognitive decline. Methods This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Stroke survivors were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (1) sequential exercise-cognitive training (SEQ), (2) dual-task exercise-cognitive training (DUAL), or (3) control group (CON). All groups underwent training 60 min per day, 3 days per week, for a total of 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the resting-state (RS) functional connectivity (FC) in functional magnetic resonance imaging. Secondary behavioral outcomes included cognitive and physical functions. Results After 12 weeks of training, patients in the SEQ group (n = 21) exhibited increased RS FC between the left occipital lobe and posterior cingulate gyrus with right parietal lobe, compared to the DUAL (n = 22) and CON (n = 20) groups. Additionally, patients in the DUAL group showed increased FC of the left temporal lobe. However, changes in behavioral outcome measures were non-significant among the 3 groups (all P’s > .05). Conclusions This study highlights the distinct neuroplastic mechanisms associated with 2 types of exercise-cognitive hybridized trainings. The pre-post functional magnetic resonance imaging measurements illustrated the time course of neural mechanisms for cognitive recovery in stroke survivors following different exercise-cognitive training approaches. Trial registration. NCT03230253.
The Link between the North Pacific Climate Variability and the North Atlantic Oscillation via Downstream Propagation of Synoptic Waves

AbstractThe North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) response to the northeast Pacific climate variability is examined using the ERA-40 dataset. The main objective is to validate a mechanism involving downstream wave propagation processes proposed in a recent idealized companion study: a low-frequency planetary-scale ridge (trough) anomaly located in the eastern Pacific–North American sector induces more equatorward (poleward) propagation of synoptic-scale wave packets on its downstream side, which favors the occurrence of anticyclonic (cyclonic) wave breakings in the Atlantic sector and the positive (negative) NAO phase.The mechanism first provides an interpretation of the canonical impact of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation on the NAO in late winter. The wintertime relationship between the Pacific–North American oscillation (PNA) and the NAO is also investigated. For out-of-phase fluctuations between the PNA and NAO indices (i.e., the most recurrent situation in late winter), the eastern Pacific PNA ridge (trou.
NEUTRALIZATION OF STEEL FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE UNDER MULTIPLE INFLUENTIAL FACTORS

In this paper, the durability of steel fiber reinforced concrete/SFRC is tested under the combined effects of carbonization and acid rain erosion. Mass loss rate, splitting tensile strength loss rate, eroded thickness and neutralization depth were taken as evaluation index. Test results indicated that the concrete mass loss rate, splitting tensile strength loss rate, and eroded thickness of SFRC under the multi-combined effects of acid rain and carbonization are greater than that of SFRC affected by the acid rain; the neutralization depth of SFRC are larger under the multi-factor effects of acid rain and carbonization compared to the superposition of them. According to the analysis of combined effects, the carbonization and acid rain has almost equal contribution to the neutralization of concrete. Proper mixture of steel fiber can effectively inhibit the erosion of original concrete under the effect of acid rain and reduce the neutralization depth. According to the varied mixing proportions in the test, the SFRC with the steel fiber mixing proportions of 1.5% has the best durability.
Collapse of the Crustacean Mesozooplankton in the Northern East China Sea: Effects of the Three Gorges Dam?

ABSTRACT Hwang, S. -W. ; Kang, H. -K. ; Son, Y. -B. ; Jang, M. -C. , and Choi, K. -H. , 2013. Collapse of the crustacean mesozooplankton in the northern East China Sea: effects of Three Gorges Dam? The damming of major rivers can have broad impacts on ecological processes in adjacent marine ecosystems. Thirty years of sampling data from the northern East China Sea show that the recent impounding of water by the Three Gorges Dam on the Changjiang River (Yangtze River) might have had dramatic impacts on the mesozooplankton community. The reduction in freshwater discharge and subsequent increases in phytoplankton biomass have resulted in a substantial increase in total mesozooplankton wet weight but sharp declines in the abundance of all of the crustacean components. The increase in mesozooplankton biomass is probably associated with an increase in small, gelatinous zooplankton. Together with an increase in sea surface temperature in the region, the reduced freshwater and sediment discharge might have led to the proliferation of gelatinous mesozooplankton in this historically overfished region, generating significantly increased grazing pressure on planktonic crustaceans.
Increased microglia activation in late non‐central nervous system cancer survivors links to chronic systemic symptomatology

Prolonged inflammatory expression within the central nervous system (CNS) is recognized by the brain as a molecular signal of “sickness”, that has knock‐on effects to the blood–brain barrier, brain‐spinal barrier, blood‐cerebrospinal fluid barrier, neuro‐axonal structures, neurotransmitter activity, synaptic plasticity, neuroendocrine function, and resultant systemic symptomatology. It is concurred that the inflammatory process associated with cancer and cancer treatments underline systemic symptoms present in a large portion of survivors, although this concept is largely theoretical from disparate and indirect evidence and/or clinical anecdotal reports. We conducted a proof‐of‐concept study to link for the first time late non‐CNS cancer survivors presenting chronic systemic symptoms and the presence of centralized inflammation, or neuroinflammation, using TSPO‐binding PET tracer [11C]‐PBR28 to visualize microglial activation. We compared PBR28 SUVR in 10 non‐CNS cancer survivors and 10 matched healthy controls. Our data revealed (1) microglial activation was significantly higher in caudate, temporal, and occipital regions in late non‐central nervous system/CNS cancer survivors compared to healthy controls; (2) increased neuroinflammation in cancer survivors was not accompanied by significant differences in plasma cytokine markers of peripheral inflammation; (3) increased neuroinflammation was not accompanied by reduced fractional anisotropy, suggesting intact white matter microstructural integrity, a marker of neurovascular fiber tract organization; and (4) the presentation of chronic systemic symptoms in cancer survivors was significantly connected with microglial activation. We present the first data empirically supporting the concept of a peripheral‐to‐centralized inflammatory response in non‐CNS cancer survivors, specifically those previously afflicted with head and neck cancer. Following resolution of the initial peripheral inflammation from the cancer/its treatments, in some cases damage/toxification to the central nervous system occurs, ensuing chronic systemic symptoms.
Circadian Adaptation of Melatonin and Cortisol in Police Officers Working Rotating Shifts

Misalignment of behavior and circadian rhythms due to night work can impair sleep and waking function. While both simulated and field-based studies suggest that circadian adaptation to a nocturnal schedule is slow, the rates of adaptation in real-world shift-work conditions are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of adaptation of 24-h rhythms with 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) and cortisol in police officers working rotating shifts, with a special attention to night shifts. A total of 76 police officers (20 women; aged 32 ± 5.4 years, mean ± SD) from the province of Quebec, Canada, participated in a field study during their 28- or 35-day work cycle. Urine samples were collected for ~32 h before a series of day, evening, and night shifts to assess circadian phase. Before day, evening, and night shifts, 60%-89% of officers were adapted to a day schedule based on aMT6 rhythms, and 71%-78% were adapted based on cortisol rhythms. To further quantify the rate of circadian adaptation to night shifts, initial and final phases were determined in a subset of 37 officers with suitable rhythms for both hormones before and after 3-8 consecutive shifts (median = 7). Data were analyzed with circular and linear mixed-effects models. After night shifts, 30% and 24% of officers were adapted to a night-oriented schedule for aMT6s and cortisol, respectively. Significantly larger phase-delay shifts (aMT6s: −7.3 ± 0.9 h; cortisol: −6.3 ± 0.8 h) were observed in police officers who adapted to night shifts than in non-adapted officers (aMT6s: 0.8 ± 0.9 h; cortisol: 0.2 ± 1.1 h). Consistent with prior research, our results from both urinary aMT6s and cortisol midpoints indicate that a large proportion of police officers remained in a state of circadian misalignment following a series of night shifts in dim-light working environments.
On the British Fossil Cretaceous Birds

History. The oldest remains of British fossil birds are recorded by Sir Charles Lyell as having been first found in 1858, in the Cambridge Upper Greensand. This stratum still continues the only member of the British Secondary deposits in which the bones of birds have been identified by morphological characters; for though the Rev. Mr. Dennis had previously asserted the occurrence of birds in the Stonesfield Slate, on the evidence of the microscopic structure of osseous tissue, it is safer, in the absence of recognizable bones, to believe that the ornithic structure he detected was found in an ornithosaurian rather than in a true bird. The discovery of bird-bones in the Cambridge Greensand was made by Mr. Lucas Barrett, F.G. S. , then Assistant Naturalist to the late Professor Sedgwick in the Woodwardian Museum of the University of Cambridge; but I am not aware that Mr. Barrett ever published any account of his discovery. The bones are mentioned by Lyell as “the remains of a bird which was rather larger than the common Pigeon, and probably of the order Natatores, and which, like most of the Gull tribe, had well-developed wings. Portions of the metacarpus, metatarsus, tibia, and femur have been detected; and the determinations of Mr. Barrett have been confirmed by Professor Owen. ” What became of Mr. Barrett's specimens I was never able to find out. They were not in the Woodwardian Museum when I succeeded to Mr. Barrett's duties in 1859; and the whole of the remains to which I
Examining the Content Validity of the Measure of Psychologically Abusive Behaviors: A Qualitative Approach

The content validity of the Measure of Psychologically Abusive Behaviors (MPAB) was examined via qualitative content analysis of interviews conducted with 262 women who experienced intimate partner violence. Data were coded using MPAB categories and items. Approximately 73.4% of the data were represented by the MPAB at both the category and severity levels; half of the data mapped onto “severe” items. At the category level, 12.3% of the data did not map onto the MPAB; 15.5% of the data mapped onto a category but did not match a severity level. Results support the content validity of the MPAB.
Endovascular Treatment plus Medical Treatment versus Medical Treatment Alone in Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: This study was conducted to assess the hypothesis that endovascular treatment in addition to medical treatment improve stroke mortality and post-stroke disability. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials in design and compared between endovascular treatment and medical therapy versus medical therapy alone in stroke management. Results: The search yielded 22 articles that included 5,049 patients. The analysis showed significant association between the intervention and reduction in disability measured by Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (mRS = 0–2) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 1.27–2.06) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) (NIHSS = 0–15) (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.04–4.34). Also, we found a significant difference in disability scores between the intervention and the medical therapy group (mRS weighted mean difference [WMD] = −0.59; 95% CI: −1.15 to −0.02, NIHSS WMD = −4.52; 95% CI: −6.32 to −2.72). Additionally, there was significant reduction in mortality in the intervention group (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68–0.92). There was no significant difference in the rate of any serious adverse effects between the two study groups except for asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusion: Our study provides strong evidence stemmed from randomized clinical trials that endovascular treatment combined with medical therapy is superior to medical therapy alone in the management of stroke.
Sedimentary evidence for late Messinian uplift of the SE margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau: Adana Basin, southern Turkey

The Adana Basin of southern Turkey, located at the SE margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau in the vicinity of the Arabia‐Eurasia collision zone, is ideally suited to record Neogene and Quaternary topographic and tectonic changes in the easternmost Mediterranean realm. On the basis of our correlation of 34 seismic reflection profiles with corresponding exposed units along the margins of the Adana Basin, we identify and characterize the seismic facies that corresponds to the upper part of the Messinian Handere Formation (ca. 5.45 to 5.33 Ma), which consists mainly of fluvial conglomerates and marls. The seismic reflection profiles indicate that ca. 1100 km3 of the Handere Formation upper sub‐unit is distributed over ca. 3000 km2, reflecting local sedimentation rates of up to 12.5 mm year−1. This indicates a major increase in both sediment supply and subsidence rates at ca. 5.45 Ma. Our provenance analysis of the Handere Formation upper sub‐unit based on clast counting and palaeocurrent measurements reveals that most of the sediment is derived from the Taurus Mountains at the SE margin of the Central Anatolian Plateau and regions farther north. A comparison of these results with the composition of recent fluvial conglomerates and the present‐day drainage basins indicates major changes between late Messinian and present‐day source areas. We suggest that these changes in drainage patterns and lithological characteristics result from uplift and ensuing erosion of the SE margin of the plateau. We interpret the tectonic evolution of the southern flank of the Anatolian Plateau and the coeval subsidence and sedimentation in the Adana Basin to be related to deep lithospheric processes, particularly lithospheric delamination and slab break‐off.
Interseismic strain accumulation: Spin‐up, cycle invariance, and irregular rupture sequences

Using models of infinite length strike‐slip faults in an elastic layer above linear viscoelastic regions, we investigate interseismic deformation. In the models we investigate, interseismic strain accumulation on mature faults is the result of the cumulative effects of all previous ruptures and is independent of the fault loading conditions. The time for a fault to spin‐up to a mature state depends on the rheologies and the fault loading conditions. After the model has spun‐up, the temporal variation of shear stresses is determined by the fault slip rate and model rheologies. The change in stress during spin‐up depends on the slip rate, rheologies, and fault loading conditions but is independent of the magnitude of the initial stress. Over enough cycles such that the cumulative deformation is block‐like, the average mature interseismic velocities are equal to the interseismic velocities of an elastic model with the same geometry and distribution of shear moduli. In a model that has spun‐up with the fault rupturing periodically, the cumulative deformation is block‐like at the end of each seismic cycle, and the interseismic deformation is cycle‐invariant (i.e., the same in all cycles). When the fault ruptures nonperiodically, the fault spins up to a mature state that is the same as if the fault had ruptured periodically with the mean slip rate. When the fault slip rate within each cycle varies, the interseismic deformation evolves toward the cycle‐invariant deformation determined by the most recent fault slip rate. Around a fault whose slip rate has been faster (slower) than average, interseismic velocities are larger (smaller) than the cycle‐invariant velocities and increase (decrease) from cycle to cycle.
Spatial Trends and Factors Associated with Hardwood Mortality in the Southeastern United States

Hardwood species play an integral role in forested ecosystems in the southeastern United States. This necessitates an assessment of mortality patterns in these species as well as factors associated with them. This study assessed mortality patterns for hardwood species utilizing Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) data from the United States Forest Service for two consecutive inventory cycles using kernels smoothing and Classification and Regression Tree (CART) modeling. The first inventory cycle (2000–2004) reveals a patterns and associated factors that can be associated with decline events that have recurred throughout the region while the second inventory cycle (2005–2009) exhibits a different pattern in mortality than cycle one. Mortality patterns and their associated factors should be monitored in the hope that methods can be developed to mitigate extreme impacts to these vitally important species.
Relationships between forest variables and remote sensing data in a Nothofagus pumilio forest

The use of remote sensing data is an alternative approach to extrapolate forest variables measured in the field over large and inaccessible forested areas. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between forest variables and four remotely sensed vegetation parameters (simple ratio, SR; normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI; green normalized difference vegetation index, GNDVI; vegetation cover fraction, VCF) in a Nothofagus pumilio forest. Forest variables were measured in the Magellan Region of Chile and vegetation parameters were retrieved from an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) image of the study area. An accuracy comparison of regression equations showed that the models that used the VCF together with the SR had the best performances of the basal area [R 2 0.72], stem biomass (R 2 0.66], and aboveground tree biomass (AGTB) [R 2 0.73]. This study concludes that the regressions developed could be successfully used to estimate AGTB and carbon storage for the Nothofagus pumilio forest in the Magellan Region.