Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frontal Underactivation During Working Memory Processing in Adults With Acute Partial Sleep Deprivation: A Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study

Individuals with partial sleep deprivation may have working memory (WM) impairment, but the underlying neural mechanism of this phenomenon is relatively unknown. The present study examined neural processing during WM performance in individuals with and without partial sleep deprivation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Forty college students (10 males) were equally split into Sufficient Sleep (SS) and Insufficient Sleep (IS) groups based on self-reports of previous night's sleep duration. Participants in the SS group obtained the recommended amounts of sleep according to various sleep organizations (i.e., >7.0 h), whereas those in the IS group obtained amounts of sleep no greater than the lower limit of the recommendation (i.e., ≤7.0 h). All participants underwent an n-back paradigm with a WM load (i.e., 3-back) and a control condition (i.e., 0-back) while their prefrontal hemodynamics were recorded by NIRS. The IS and SS groups performed the tasks comparably well. However, unlike the SS group, which exhibited bilateral frontal activation indicated by increased oxyhemoglobin concentration and decreased deoxyhemoglobin concentration during WM processing (i.e., 3-back > 0-back), the IS group did not exhibit such activation. In addition, levels of WM-related frontal activation, especially those on the left side, correlated with sleep duration the night before, even when habitual sleep duration was controlled for. The findings suggest the presence of frontal lobe dysfunction in the absence of evident WM difficulties in individuals with acute partial sleep deprivation. They also highlight the importance of a good night's sleep to brain health.
Molecular characterization of Campylobacter jejuni isolates of poultry origin.

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the leading causes of bacterial foodborne infections in the world today. Several case control studies have suggested the handling and consumption of contaminated poultry meat as one of the important routes of transmission to humans. The present study was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity among 29 Campylobacter jejuni isolates of chicken origin using two PCR-based genotyping techniques. The fla-typing method using restriction enzyme HinfI revealed a total of 18 fla-types, with all the isolates under study found typeable. Randomly amplified polymorphic assay using a universal primer (HLWL85) clustered the isolates into 24 types, with one isolate found untypeable. The isolates under study revealed significant molecular heterogeneity and fla-typing proved to be a useful, relatively simple and reliable technique for subtyping C. jejuni among the two methods.
Composing Finite State Transducers on GPUs

Weighted finite state transducers (FSTs) are frequently used in language processing to handle tasks such as part-of-speech tagging and speech recognition. There has been previous work using multiple CPU cores to accelerate finite state algorithms, but limited attention has been given to parallel graphics processing unit (GPU) implementations. In this paper, we introduce the first (to our knowledge) GPU implementation of the FST composition operation, and we also discuss the optimizations used to achieve the best performance on this architecture. We show that our approach obtains speedups of up to 6 times over our serial implementation and 4.5 times over OpenFST.
Human iNPC therapy leads to improvement in functional neurologic outcomes in a pig ischemic stroke model

Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States but current therapies are limited with no regenerative potential. Previous translational failures have highlighted the need for large animal models of ischemic stroke and for improved assessments of functional outcomes. The aims of this study were first, to create a post‐stroke functional outcome assessment scale in a porcine model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and second, to use this scale to determine the effect of human‐induced‐pluripotent‐cell‐derived neural progenitor cells (iNPCs) on functional outcome in this large animal stroke model.
TosR-Mediated Regulation of Adhesins and Biofilm Formation in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Uropathogenic E. coli strains cause the majority of UTIs, which are the second most common bacterial infection in humans. During a UTI, bacteria adhere to cells within the urinary tract, using a number of different fimbrial and nonfimbrial adhesins. Biofilms can also develop on the surfaces of catheters, resulting in complications such as blockage. In this work, we further characterized the regulator TosR, which links both adhesin production and biofilm formation and likely plays a crucial function during UTI and disseminated infection. ABSTRACT Uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains utilize a variety of adherence factors that assist in colonization of the host urinary tract. TosA (type one secretion A) is a nonfimbrial adhesin that is predominately expressed during murine urinary tract infection (UTI), binds to kidney epithelial cells, and promotes survival during invasive infections. The tosRCBDAEF operon encodes the secretory machinery necessary for TosA localization to the E. coli cell surface, as well as the transcriptional regulator TosR. TosR binds upstream of the tos operon and in a concentration-dependent manner either induces or represses tosA expression. TosR is a member of the PapB family of fimbrial regulators that can participate in cross talk between fimbrial operons. TosR also binds upstream of the pap operon and suppresses PapA production. However, the scope of TosR-mediated cross talk is understudied and may be underestimated. To quantify the global effects of TosR-mediated regulation on the E. coli CFT073 genome, we induced expression of tosR, collected mRNA, and performed high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). These findings show that production of TosR affected the expression of genes involved with adhesins, including P, F1C, and Auf fimbriae, nitrate-nitrite transport, microcin secretion, and biofilm formation. IMPORTANCE Uropathogenic E. coli strains cause the majority of UTIs, which are the second most common bacterial infection in humans. During a UTI, bacteria adhere to cells within the urinary tract, using a number of different fimbrial and nonfimbrial adhesins. Biofilms can also develop on the surfaces of catheters, resulting in complications such as blockage. In this work, we further characterized the regulator TosR, which links both adhesin production and biofilm formation and likely plays a crucial function during UTI and disseminated infection.
Evidence for Phage-induced virulence in the shrimp pathogen

Vibrio species comprise the most frequently encountered bacterial pathogens of cultivated shrimp, and V. harveyi is amongst the most virulent. Most V. harveyi strains are luminescent on agar media and also in infected shrimp that are suffering from luminescent disease or luminous bacteriosis. However, not all isolates of V. harveyi are highly virulent. Some can be injected at high dose (10-7 -10 5 cells per g shrimp body weight) without causing shrimp mortality, while other isolates are lethal at 10 -3 per g shrimp body weight or less. In addition, virulence is often lost upon continuous subculture. Simple differentiation of virulent and avirulent isolates has not been successful, although virulence factors including various enzymes (e.g., proteases and lipases), siderophores and proteinaceous toxins have been identified. Because of this and the genetic diversity of V. harveyi, it has been suggested that virulence is acquired via mobile genetic elements. Indeed, recent work has suggested that 2 quite different bacteriophages, one from the family Myoviridae and the other from the family Siphoviridae, can change the phenotype of V.harveyi isolates from non-virulent to virulent. The host range for both bacteriophages is relatively narrow. A similar phenomenon occurs in V. cholerae, where conversion to virulence is mediated by a filamentous phage (Inovirus) from the family Inoviridae. Altogether, the current information suggests that there may be diverse groups of phages and complementary Vibrio hosts that could mediate virulence in V. harveyi and make the process quite complex. It also suggests that virulence of other Vibrio pathogens of shrimp may be influenced by bacteriophages. Thus, the use of bacteriophages for biological control of pathogenic Vibrio species in aquaculture should include environmental impact studies on the potential for transfer of virulence or antibiotic resistance genes.
Lower Heart Rate Variability Is Associated with Lower Pulse Pressure Amplification: Role of Obesity

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV), pulse pressure amplification, and obesity represent risk factors for cardiovascular events. The aims of the present study are (1) to explore the impact of HRV on pulse pressure amplification and (2) to investigate whether the association between HRV and pulse pressure amplification differs in obese and lean subjects. Methods: A total of 342 patients (age 61 ± 11 years) were enrolled. HRV was analyzed concerning both the frequency and time domain as well as concerning the HRV triangular index. Pulse pressure amplification was estimated as the ratio between brachial and carotid pulse pressure, the latter measured with SphygmoCor. Results: Time domain HRV indices were directly correlated with pulse pressure amplification (the lower the HRV indices, the lower the pulse pressure amplification). This association was stronger in obese than in lean subjects after controlling for age and sex. Conclusion: Larger controlled studies are needed to provide a more detailed insight into the relation between HRV and pulse pressure amplification and to determine which pathways are differentially activated in lean and obese subjects.
Imputing consumption from income and wealth information

We investigate the feasibility of deriving a measure of total expenditure at the household level from administrative micro-data on income and wealth. We use Danish administrative data that provides measures of disposable income and the holding of different assets at the end of the year. The ability to link the households in the 1994-6 Danish Expenditure Survey to their administrative data for the years around the survey year offers a unique possibility for constructing a measure of total expenditure and of checking directly on the reliability of the imputation. The results are promising. Copyright 2003 Royal Economic Society.
FPGA Implementation of Codec Design for Optimal Code Rate Crosstalk Avoidance Codes

In deep submicron (DSM) technology, the coupling capacitance is comparable to or exceeds the self or substrate capacitance, which in turn causes the delay of a transition in a wire to be twice or more than that of a wire transitioning next to a steady signal. In this paper, the authors propose a new coding technique which minimizes both coupling and self transition activities in the bus lines using the CODEC design of all classes of CACs based on binary mixed-radix numeral systems and spatial redundancy respectively. Using this framework, we then propose novel CODEC designs for three important classes of CACs; one lambda codes (OLCs), FPCs, and forbidden overlapping codes (FOCs). Our CODEC designs have area complexity and delay that increase quadratically with the size of the bus, while achieving optimal or nearly optimal code rates. Using an FPGA kit we can observe the CACs results on it.
Intracellular Trafficking in the Trypanosomatids

Trypanosomes are members of the kinetoplastida, a group of divergent protozoan parasites responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. These organisms have highly complex life cycles requiring modification of their cell surface together with engagement of immune evasion systems to effect survival; both processes intimately involve the membrane trafficking system. The completion of three trypanosomatid and several additional protist genomes in the last few years is providing an exciting opportunity to evaluate, at the molecular level, the evolution and diversity of membrane trafficking across deep evolutionary time as well as to analyse in unprecedented detail the membrane trafficking systems of trypanosomes.
Validation and invariance across gender of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in a community sample of heterosexual adults in a committed relationship.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beliefs About Appearance Scale (BAAS) in terms of its factorial structure and invariance, reliability, and validity when applied to adults from the community. METHODS Participants consisted of 810 heterosexual Portuguese individuals in a committed relationship. As a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original structure of the BAAS, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. RESULTS A 12-item version was extracted comprising two dimensions: one personal and the other social. The factorial model depicting this bidimensional structure revealed an adequate fit following confirmatory factor analysis. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses indicated invariance across gender. Concurrent and discriminant validities and internal consistency were estimated and observed to be adequate. CONCLUSIONS This shorter measure of the BAAS can accurately assess body appearance beliefs and may be used in different research settings and contexts.
Role of designers in developing new products: an innovation turn in transformational economies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a critical literature review on design management. Design/methodology/approach The map of the field is based on the analysing the chain of associations between the papers (Latour, 1987). The strategy for this review is informed by the methodology described by Callon et al. (1986) on following the construction of the arguments. The first search was conducted in EBESCO and Web of Science looking for papers dealing with design management; “design management”; innovat* and design* in the management, including title, keywords and abstract. It resulted in 8,216 articles that were exported and downloaded in a database. Findings Five groups emerged: design as rational decision making, industrial design, managing as designing, design as proposals of new meaning and design as a network construction. Originality/value This paper maps the role of designers in innovation and design management literature. Design management is a variegated field of research, and the focus of this paper has been on product design in business and management literature. To begin with, the research philosophy which was inferred by analysing the preferred methodology in the papers belonging to five perspectives was analysed, and the ontology, essence, metaphysics delineated. Then, a map of the field of on the role of designers was proposed. The author concluded with a reflection of a possible research agenda in design management, focussing on investigating the role of designers in transformational economies, such as Vietnam.
Hand gesture recognition based on sEMG signals using Support Vector Machines

This paper demonstrates the application of electromyography (EMG) signals for controlling home devices. To achieve this we have used an armband called MYO® that has an array of eight sEMG sensors around the forearm. We have studied 15 different hand gestures to create a dictionary of gesture control. We have achieved gesture recognition using Support Vector Machines (SVMs) as a classification method. We tested different types of kernels (radial, polynomial and sigmoid) to achieve the optimum conditions for gesture learning and recognition as well as an accurate determination of these movements. Furthermore, to show the effectiveness and applicability of the results, a Gesture Control System has been implemented as an embedded system. The system also enable Bluetooth communication with the armband, send gesture control commands to household devices using iR protocol.
Diagnosis and Incidence of Spondylosis and Cervical Disc Disorders in the University Clinical Hospital in Olsztyn, in Years 2011–2015

Background Disorders connected with the musculoskeletal and central nervous system dysfunction are the most significant clinical problem worldwide. Our earlier research has shown that back and spinal disorders and lumbar disc disorders were most frequently diagnosed using MRI scanner at the University Clinical Hospital (UCH) in Olsztyn in years 2011–2015. We have also observed that another two diseases of spinal column, spondylosis and cervical disc disorders, were also very prevalent. The main objective of this work was to analyze the prevalence of spondylosis and cervical disc disorders in the study population diagnosed at UCH in years 2011–2015. Methods The digital database including patients' diagnostic and demographic information was generated based on MRI reports from years 2011–2015 and analyzed using SPSS software. Results Within the study group (n = 13298) the most frequently MRI-diagnosed diseases were musculoskeletal group (M00–M99; n = 7711; 57,98%) and cervical disc disorders (M50; n = 1659; 12,47%) and spondylosis (M47, n = 611; 4,59%). More women (67%) than men (33%) were enrolled in the study, and the largest fraction of the study population was in the range of 51–60 years, with about 1/3 of cases of both diseases diagnosed in early age range of 31–40 years. Conclusion Significant number of patients presenting with either of the spine disorders at the young age of 31–40 years points to the necessity of introducing methods preventing disorders of the vertebral column at younger age, preferably at school age.
Adaptation to Environmental Change: Contributions of a Resilience Framework

Adaptation is a process of deliberate change in anticipation of or in reaction to external stimuli and stress. The dominant research tradition on adaptation to environmental change primarily takes an actor-centered view, focusing on the agency of social actors to respond to specific environmental stimuli and emphasizing the reduction of vulnerabilities. The resilience approach is systems orientated, takes a more dynamic view, and sees adaptive capacity as a core feature of resilient social-ecological systems. The two approaches converge in identifying necessary components of adaptation. We argue that resilience provides a useful framework to analyze adaptation processes and to identify appropriate policy responses. We distinguish between incremental adjustments and transformative action and demonstrate that the sources of resilience for taking adaptive action are common across scales. These are the inherent system characteristics that absorb perturbations without losing function, networks and social capit.
Eco Toxicological Effects of Endocrine Disruptive Compounds (EDCs) in Aquatics (Especially in Fish): A Review

This report provides an assessment of recent investigations into endocrine disruption in fresh and saltwater species of fish. Most work to date has concentrated on reproductive endocrine disruption. Laboratory studies have shown a variety of synthetic and natural chemicals including certain industrial intermediates, PAHs, PCBs, pesticides, dioxins, trace elements and plant sterols can interfere with the endocrine system in fish. The potency of most of these chemicals, however, is typically hundreds to thousands of times less than that of endogenous hormones. Evidence of environmental endocrine disruption ranges from the presence of female egg proteins in males and reduced levels of endogenous hormones in both males and females, to gonadal histopathologies and intersex (presence of ovotestes) fish. Overt endocrine disruption in fish does not appear to be a ubiquitous environmental phenomenon, but rather more likely to occur near sewage treatment plants, pulp and paper mills, and in areas of high organic chemical contamination. However, more widespread endocrine disruption can occur in rivers with smaller flows and correspondingly large or numerous wastewater inputs. In the present study, we focused on natural or synthetic chemical compound in water that effect on endocrine gland in aquatic animal, specially the fish.
Efficiency and Economies of Scale of Large Canadian Banks

An image display apparatus, having a pixel configuration in which pixels on the n-th line and pixels on the n+1-th line are deviated in the horizontal direction, improves the resolution in the horizontal direction by changing over an image signal to be sampled between a delay signal DL and a through signal TH supplied from a delay circuit so as to deviate the image signal by a time corresponding to the deviation of the pixels. By sampling the image signal which corresponds to each line while deviating the image signal by the time which corresponds to the deviation of the pixels in the horizontal direction, the deviation between the pixel and the signal is eliminated, so that the resolution in the horizontal direction is improved.
A Hybrid-FAIL Dynamic Channel Allocation Method in GSM System

Global system for mobile communication (GSM) uses wireless channel to communicate between a mobile stations (MS) to others mobile unit. In GSM the finite number of channel should be efficiently allocated to maximize throughput and avoid co-channel interference. Fixed Channel Allocation (FCA) suffers from the effective channel utilization; whereas Dynamic Channel Allocation (DCA) offers the possibility of capturing unused channel by allocating unused resources to achieve maximize capacity. DCA can reduce the possibility of being a channel idle while a call is waiting to establish. This paper begins by examining channel allocation techniques currently used in DCA. Following this, a solution is proposed that utilize the Hybrid-FAIL algorithm to efficiently allocate channels dynamically from the system. Furthermore, in this paper the main two strategies for channel assignment (DCA and FCA) are briefly discussed and compared. From the simulation of DCA (with the proposed algorithm) and FCA, it is seen that the Grade of Service (GOS) is far better in DCA than that in FCA.
Burst Transmission and Frame Aggregation for VANET Communications

In vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), due to highly mobile and frequently changing topology, available resources and transmission opportunities are restricted. To address this, we propose a burst transmission and frame aggregation (FAB) scheme to enhance transmission opportunity (TXOP) efficiency of IEEE 802.11p. Aggregation and TXOP techniques are useful for improving transmission performance. FAB aggregates frames in the relay node and utilizes the TXOP to transmit these frames to the next hop with a burst transmission. Simulation results show that the proposed FAB scheme can significantly improve the performance of inter-vehicle communications.