Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence‐based ATG8 sensors monitor localization and function of LC3/GABARAP proteins

Autophagy is a cellular surveillance pathway that balances metabolic and energy resources and transports specific cargos, including damaged mitochondria, other broken organelles, or pathogens for degradation to the lysosome. Central components of autophagosomal biogenesis are six members of the LC3 and GABARAP family of ubiquitin‐like proteins (mATG8s). We used phage display to isolate peptides that possess bona fide LIR (LC3‐interacting region) properties and are selective for individual mATG8 isoforms. Sensitivity of the developed sensors was optimized by multiplication, charge distribution, and fusion with a membrane recruitment (FYVE) or an oligomerization (PB1) domain. We demonstrate the use of the engineered peptides as intracellular sensors that recognize specifically GABARAP, GABL1, GABL2, and LC3C, as well as a bispecific sensor for LC3A and LC3B. By using an LC3C‐specific sensor, we were able to monitor recruitment of endogenous LC3C to Salmonella during xenophagy, as well as to mitochondria during mitophagy. The sensors are general tools to monitor the fate of mATG8s and will be valuable in decoding the biological functions of the individual LC3/GABARAPs.
Variational Rejection Sampling

Learning latent variable models with stochastic variational inference is challenging when the approximate posterior is far from the true posterior, due to high variance in the gradient estimates. We propose a novel rejection sampling step that discards samples from the variational posterior which are assigned low likelihoods by the model. Our approach provides an arbitrarily accurate approximation of the true posterior at the expense of extra computation. Using a new gradient estimator for the resulting unnormalized proposal distribution, we achieve average improvements of 3.71 nats and 0.21 nats over state-of-the-art single-sample and multi-sample alternatives respectively for estimating marginal log-likelihoods using sigmoid belief networks on the MNIST dataset.
Non-orthogonal multiple access in LTE heterogeneous networks with system-level evaluation

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) has been regarded as a promising technology to meet challenges in future network. NOMA based on power-domain multiplexing and successive interference cancellation (SIC) receiver is proved to be effective in enhancing system spectrum efficiency (SE). In this paper, we propose an efficient predefined user grouping and group-wise power allocation for NOMA in LTE heterogeneous networks (HetNets). For performance evaluation, we also construct a system-level simulator for LTE with NOMA based on 3GPP specifications. It is verified that the NOMA achieves higher network throughput and SE compared to the orthogonal multiple access (OMA) scheme. Besides, the performance gain by NOMA is shown to be more pronounced with an increasing number of users.
The multifaceted role of inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus

Abstract Intrinsic interneurons within the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) provide a feed-forward inhibitory pathway for afferent visual information originating from the retina. These interneurons are unique because in addition to traditional axodendritic output onto thalamocortical neurons, these interneurons have presynaptic dendrites that form dendrodendritic synapses onto thalamocortical neurons as well. These presynaptic dendrites, termed F2 terminals, are tightly coupled to the retinogeniculate afferents that synapse onto thalamocortical relay neurons. Retinogeniculate stimulation of F2 terminals can occur through the activation of ionotropic and/or metabotropic glutamate receptors. The stimulation of ionotropic glutamate receptors can occur with single stimuli and produces a short-lasting inhibition of the thalamocortical neuron. By contrast, activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors requires tetanic activation and results in longer-lasting inhibition in the thalamocortical neuron. The F2 terminals are predominantly localized to the distal dendrites of interneurons, and the excitation and output of F2 terminals can occur independent of somatic activity within the interneuron thereby allowing these F2 terminals to serve as independent processors, giving rise to focal inhibition. By contrast, strong transient depolarizations at the soma can initiate a backpropagating calcium-mediated potential that invades the dendritic arbor activating F2 terminals and leading to a global form of inhibition. These distinct types of output, focal versus global, could play an important role in the temporal and spatial roles of inhibition that in turn impacts thalamocortical information processing.
Restructuring to Repair Legitimacy – A Contingency Perspective

Manuscript Type: Empirical Research Question/Issue: This study examines the effectiveness of restructuring in repairing legitimacy after a firm is punished for financial fraud. Research Findings/Insights: We use the antecedents of fraud to distinguish between three types of financial fraud and argue that different types of such fraud affect different dimensions of legitimacy. We also identify four types of restructuring and adopt a contingency perspective to argue that the type of restructuring adopted should match the dimensions of legitimacy affected for a successful legitimacy repair, which is proxied by a positive market response when the restructuring is announced. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms, we find that disassociation from illegitimate business operations and creation of valuable business operations are more effective in repairing legitimacy after fraudulent financial reporting. Disassociation from illegitimate organizational structures and creation of monitors are more effective following embezzlement or stock market manipulation. However, no type of restructuring is effective following improper accounting practice. Market investors value creation of monitors more than they do disassociation from an illegitimate organizational structure, and attach the same value to disassociation from illegitimate business operations and creation of valuable business operations. Theoretical/Academic Implications: This study makes three contributions to the organizational legitimacy and corporate crisis management literature. First, it links corporate crises arising from financial fraud to social legitimacy. Second, it extends the number of restructuring types identified in the legitimacy literature to four, taking content and form as two dimensions. Third, it links corporate crises arising from financial fraud to the effectiveness of responsive restructurings via social legitimacy. Practitioner/Policy Implications: Firms punished for financial fraud should signal restructuring according to the nature of the fraud and address the pertinent dimensions of legitimacy.
Visualization of heart activity in virtual reality: A biofeedback application using wearable sensors

Stress or anxiety disorders are a growing problem in industrialized countries. Those can be effectively countered by several relaxation techniques which are more effective using biofeedback. Modern virtual reality hardware provides a high level of immersion to its users. This directly affects the feeling of presence. An increased feeling of presence may allow biofeedback mechanisms to work more effectively. We build on this idea and explore how different visualizations of a user's cardiac activity in a virtual environment can be used in biofeedback scenarios — and how effective they are. Using a state-of-the-art virtual reality headset, 14 participants were subjected to four different visualizations of their own heart rate (one control visualization and three experimental visualizations). In different experiments, we examined whether they were able to estimate their heart rate based on the visualization and whether we could influence it subconsciously. Furthermore, we used the AttrakDiff questionnaire to assess the usability and attractiveness of each of the four visualizations. For the three non-reference ones, we observed significant positively correlating changes in the heart rate between the real-time true representation of the heart rate and a simulated increased heart rate visualization with a mean magnitude of 1.96 ± 0.39 beats per minute. The results from the source and number estimation experiments and the questionnaire led to the conclusion that the most appealing and best working visualization for biofeedback is a synchronized modulation/modification of the virtual environment itself.
Measurement of mandibular movements in parafunctional patient using occlusal splint with Bragg gratings: pilot study

The aim of the study is to demonstrate the potential of the fibre Braggs grating (FBG) in the measurement of different jaw movements that are performed for patients with occlusal parafunction using occlusal splints. Two silicon plates each 2mm are used, the fibre optic sensor is positioned in the maxillary left first molar region above the point of contact with opposing tooth after pressing the first plate on the model. Then the second silicon plate is pressed. The device has a final thickness of 2 mm. The occlusal splint is installed in the mouth of the patient who underwent different movements on occlusal splint. The maximum frequency bite is monitored. The results demonstrate that the bite shows a difference between grinding and clenching movements. The curves behaviour patterns are presented in order to show these different comparisons. Therefore, it is concluded that the fibre Braggs grating consists in an efficient method for monitoring the mechanical behaviour bite of patients with occlusal splints.
A Real-Time Energy Management System for Operating Cost Minimization of Fuel Cell/Battery Electric Vehicles

This paper presents a Real-Time Energy Management System (RT-EMS) for minimizing the operating costs of a Fuel Cell/Battery Electric Vehicle (FCBEV). Particularly, a suitable cost function is considered, which accounts for battery and fuel cell degradation, as well as for fuel consumption and battery charging reinstatement. The cost function is thus minimized in real-time by a suitable energy management strategy, which is designed based on an appropriate model of the overall electric propulsion system. In this regard, a suitable power split criterion is determined, based on which the proposed RT-EMS shares the propulsion power between fuel cell and battery. As a result, the cost function can be minimized whatever the driving cycle is. The effectiveness of the proposed RT-EMS has been assessed by numerical simulations, which have been performed in Matlab-Simulink considering different driving cycles and a hysteresis-based EMS for comparison purposes.
Salvinorin A preserves cerebral pial artery autoregulation after forebrain ischemia via the PI3K/AKT/cGMP pathway

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of salvinorin A on the cerebral pial artery after forebrain ischemia and explore related mechanisms. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats received forebrain ischemia for 10 min. The dilation responses of the cerebral pial artery to hypercapnia and hypotension were assessed in rats before and 1 h after ischemia. The ischemia reperfusion (IR) control group received DMSO (1 µL/kg) immediately after ischemia. Two different doses of salvinorin A (10 and 20 µg/kg) were administered following the onset of reperfusion. The 5th, 6th, and 7th groups received salvinorin A (20 µg/kg) and LY294002 (10 µM), L-NAME (10 μM), or norbinaltorphimine (norBIN, 1 μM) after ischemia. The levels of cGMP in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were also measured. The phosphorylation of AKT (p-AKT) was measured in the cerebral cortex by western blot at 24 h post-ischemia. Cell necrosis and apoptosis were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) and TUNEL staining, respectively. The motor function of the rats was evaluated at 1, 2, and 5 days post-ischemia. The dilation responses of the cerebral pial artery were significantly impaired after ischemia and were preserved by salvinorin A treatment. In addition, salvinorin A significantly increased the levels of cGMP and p-AKT, suppressed cell necrosis and apoptosis of the cerebral cortex and improved the motor function of the rats. These effects were abolished by LY294002, L-NAME, and norBIN. Salvinorin A preserved cerebral pial artery autoregulation in response to hypercapnia and hypotension via the PI3K/AKT/cGMP pathway.
Alcohol drinking is reduced by a mu 1- but not by a delta-opioid receptor antagonist in alcohol-preferring rats.

To assess the roles of opioid receptor subtypes in voluntary alcohol drinking, alcohol-preferring AA (Alko, Alcohol) rats, non-deprived of food or water, were used in a paradigm where access to 10% alcohol solution was limited to 1-4-h sessions on every 2nd working day. The delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (1-5 mg/kg i.p. 15 min before the session) had no effect on alcohol drinking, while it attenuated the delta-opioid receptor agonist [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin-induced locomotor stimulation. The mu1-opioid receptor antagonist naloxonazine (1-15 mg/kg i.p. 20 h before the session), at the largest dose, decreased alcohol drinking. It also decreased food intake. When naltrindole (1 mg/kg) and naloxonazine (15 mg/kg) were given prior to 3 consecutive sessions, the former had no effects at any session. Naloxonazine decreased alcohol consumption only in the 1st session, although the reduction of daily water intake became stronger during repeated administration. 4 days after the last drug administration, naloxonazine-treated animals consumed alcohol nearly twice as much as in the control session before any drug treatment. These data suggest that delta-opioid receptors are not involved in the regulation of alcohol drinking in AA rats. mu1-Opioid receptors may be involved in alcohol drinking, although the data suggest that even their prolonged blockade alone is insufficient to induce a sustained decrease in alcohol drinking.
WAVEFRONTS WITH ANGULAR DEPENDENT FREQUENCIES FROM PULSED ARRAYS

A new method of non-destructive testing using a pulsed array to generate a wavefront with a frequency dependent angle of propagation has been developed. If a pulsed array is used to generate such a wave, the angle at which the wave was launched can be identified by measuring the frequency of the detected wave. In an isotropic material this means that it is possible use a second transducer to locate the position of the scatterer, whereas with conventional methods it can only be located onto an ellipse. A theoretical framework is put forward to explain how the wavefront is created from the superposition of the waves from the individual elements, and how the frequency varies along the wavefront. Finite element models and experimental measurements were also carried out, and both agree with the analytic model.
Applying CoAP for real-time device control over public networks

Existing researches use CoAP for Internet of Things application, but the process of expanding the service scale is complicated or the researches are not suitable for the national network service. To solve this problem in this paper, we propose a method to apply CoAP for application to control device remotely. Through this, It possible to exchange data using CoAP without setting up a network in a nationwide network or large network. We apply CoAP to the proposed web-based remote control platform and check performance of the platform.
Pathomorphological changes of dental pulp in experimental osteoporosis

The study focused on pathomorphological changes taking place in the tooth pulp in sheep in case of experimental osteoporosis. The pulp was extracted after cracking the teeth. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin by Masson, and impregnated with silver by Foot and Bielschowsky-Gros. There were severe vascular disturbances detected (vasodilation, stasis, perivascular edema with cell infiltration, hemorrhages), which resulted in vacuolization of odontoblasts, pulp reticular dystrophy, disintegration of argyrophilic and nerve structures. Such disturbances came along with proliferation of cell elements in the connective tissue and in nerve elements with denticle development.
Reference Values for Shear Wave Elastography of Neck and Shoulder Muscles in Healthy Individuals

Abstract Purpose to establish reference values for ultrasound shear-wave elastography for pericranial muscles in healthy individuals (m. trapezius, m. splenius capitis, m. semispinalis capitis, m. sternocleidomastoideus and m. masseter). Also to evaluate day-to-day variations in the shear-wave speeds and evaluate the effect of the pennation of the muscle fibers, ie scanning parallel or perpendicularly to the fibers. Materials and Methods 10 healthy individuals (5 males and 5 females) had their pericranial muscles examined with shear-wave elastography in two orthogonal planes on two different days for their dominant and non-dominant side. Mean shear wave speeds from 5 ROI’s in each muscle, for each scan plane for the dominant and non-dominant side for the two days were calculated. The effect of the different parameters – muscle pennation, gender, dominant vs non-dominant side and day was evaluated. Results The effect of scan plane in relation to muscle pennation was statistically significant (p<0.0001). The mean shear-wave speed when scanning parallel to the muscle fibers was significantly higher than the mean shear-wave speed when scanning perpendicularly to the fibers. The day-to-day variation was statistically significant (p=0.0258), but not clinically relevant. Shear-wave speeds differed significantly between muscles. Mean shear wave speeds (m/s) for the muscles in the parallel plane were: for masseter 2.45 (SD:+/−0.25), semispinal 3.36 (SD:+/−0.75), splenius 3.04 (SD:+/−0.65), sternocleidomastoid 2.75 (SD:+/−0.23), trapezius 3.20 (SD:+/−0.27) and trapezius lateral 3.87 (SD:+/−3.87). Conclusion The shear wave speed variation depended on the direction of scanning. Shear wave elastography may be a method to evaluate muscle stiffness in patients suffering from chronic neck pain.
Strength of Lightweight Glass Aggregate Concrete

Until recently, it was not possible to make structural concrete using expanded glass aggregate. This was because of the relatively low strength of the expanded glass aggregate, and also because the lightweight aggregates had a high water absorption that can make concrete placing difficult. Expanded glass aggregate with relatively high crushing resistance and low water absorption is now available from a manufacturing plant in Hungary. The new aggregate is similar to conventional lightweight aggregates, but the ratio of density of concrete to compressive strength is much more favorable to making structural concrete. This paper summarizes the results of experiments on the mechanical properties of concrete made of this new expanded glass aggregate.
Molecular biomarkers to guide precision medicine in localized prostate cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction: Major advances through tumor profiling technologies, that include next-generation sequencing, epigenetic, proteomic and transcriptomic methods, have been made in primary prostate cancer, providing novel biomarkers that may guide precision medicine in the near future. Areas covered: The authors provided an overview of novel molecular biomarkers in tissue, blood and urine that may be used as clinical tools to assess prognosis, improve selection criteria for active surveillance programs, and detect disease relapse early in localized prostate cancer. Expert commentary: Active surveillance (AS) in localized prostate cancer is an accepted strategy in patients with very low-risk prostate cancer. Many more patients may benefit from watchful waiting, and include patients of higher clinical stage and grade, however selection criteria have to be optimized and early recognition of transformation from localized to lethal disease has to be improved by addition of molecular biomarkers. The role of non-invasive biomarkers is challenging the need for repeat biopsies, commonly performed at 1 and 4 years in men under AS programs.
A Geometric Model for Specularity Prediction on Planar Surfaces with Multiple Light Sources

Specularities are often problematic in computer vision since they impact the dynamic range of the image intensity. A natural approach would be to predict and discard them using computer graphics models. However, these models depend on parameters which are difficult to estimate (light sources, objects’ material properties and camera). We present a geometric model called JOLIMAS: JOint LIght-MAterial Specularity, which predicts the shape of specularities. JOLIMAS is reconstructed from images of specularities observed on a planar surface. It implicitly includes light and material properties, which are intrinsic to specularities. This model was motivated by the observation that specularities have a conic shape on planar surfaces. The conic shape is obtained by projecting a fixed quadric on the planar surface. JOLIMAS thus predicts the specularity using a simple geometric approach with static parameters (object material and light source shape). It is adapted to indoor light sources such as light bulbs and fluorescent lamps. The prediction has been tested on synthetic and real sequences. It works in a multi-light context by reconstructing a quadric for each light source with special cases such as lights being switched on or off. We also used specularity prediction for dynamic retexturing and obtained convincing rendering results. Further results are presented as supplementary video material, which can be found on the Computer Society Digital Library at http://doi.ieeecomputersociety. org/10.1109/TVCG.2017. 2677445.
Die mechanische Kreislaufunterstützung in der Herzinsuffizienz

Background. After exhaustion of all conservative measures in the treatment of acute and chronic heart insufficiency, there is the possibility to temporarily or permanently support or replace the pump performance of the heart by mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems. Objective. Presentation of themost important cardiac support systems for intensive care medicine, their indications and important risk factors. Material and methods. Critical review of device manufacturer’s specifications, current research and expert opinions. Results. The spectrum of available MCS procedures include mechanical chest compression devices, catheter-based micropumps and complete artificial hearts. Device selection depends on the severity of heart failure (monoventricular or biventricular pump failure), the expected duration of treatment and the degree of lung function impairment. The decision betweenminimally invasive and open surgical procedures depends on the options established at the specific healthcare institution and whether the heart function is to be temporarily or permanently replaced. Compliance with the anticoagulation regimens defined by the manufacturer is especially important as they differ vastly between devices and are critical to avoid bleeding or thromboembolic complications. Conclusion. Due to the increasing number of patients on long-term mechanical circulatory support, the chances are that physicians in the initial emergency admission are unfamiliar with these devices but need to operate them in emergency cases. Therefore, knowledge of these procedures and their complications becomes increasingly important.