Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caenorhabditis elegans Connectomes of both Sexes as Image Classifiers

Connectome, the complete wiring diagram of the nervous system of an organism, is the biological substrate of the mind. While biological neural networks are crucial to the understanding of neural computation mechanisms, recent artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been developed independently from the study of real neural networks. Computational scientists are searching for various ANN architectures to improve machine learning since the architectures are associated with the accuracy of ANNs. A recent study used the hermaphrodite Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) connectome for image classification tasks, where the edge directions were changed to construct a directed acyclic graph (DAG). In this study, we used the whole-animal connectomes of C. elegans hermaphrodite and male to construct a DAG that preserves the chief information flow in the connectomes and trained them for image classification of MNIST and fashion-MNIST datasets. The connectome-inspired neural networks exhibited over 99.5% and 92.6% of accuracy for MNIST and fashion-MNIST datasets, respectively, which increased from the previous study. Together, we conclude that realistic biological neural networks provide the basis of a plausible ANN architecture. This study suggests that biological networks can provide new inspiration to improve artificial intelligences (AIs).
Recognition, remember-know, and confidence judgments: no evidence of cross-contamination here!

ABSTRACT We report three experiments designed to reveal the mechanisms that underlie subjective experiences of recognition by examining effects of how those experiences are measured. Prior research has explored the potential influences of collecting metacognitive measures on memory performance. Building on this work, here we systematically evaluated whether cross-measure contamination occurs when remember-know (RK) and/or confidence (C) judgments are made after old/new recognition decisions. In Experiment 1, making either RK or C judgments did not significantly influence recognition relative to a standard no-judgment condition. In Experiment 2, making RK judgments in addition to C judgments did not significantly affect recognition or confidence. In Experiment 3, making C judgments in addition to RK judgments did not significantly affect recognition or patterns of RK responses. Cross-contamination was not apparent regardless of whether items were studied using a shallow or deep levels-of-processing task – a manipulation that yielded robust effects on recognition, RK judgments, and C. Our results indicate that under some conditions, participants can independently evaluate their recognition, subjective recognition experience, and confidence. Though contamination across measures of metamemory and memory is always possible, it may not be inevitable. This has implications for the mechanisms that underlie subjective experiences that accompany recognition judgments.
Immediate and carry‐over effects of late‐spring frost and growing season drought on forest gross primary productivity capacity in the Northern Hemisphere

Forests are increasingly exposed to extreme global warming‐induced climatic events. However, the immediate and carry‐over effects of extreme events on forests are still poorly understood. Gross primary productivity (GPP) capacity is regarded as a good proxy of the ecosystem's functional stability, reflecting its physiological response to its surroundings. Using eddy covariance data from 34 forest sites in the Northern Hemisphere, we analyzed the immediate and carry‐over effects of late‐spring frost (LSF) and growing season drought on needle‐leaf and broadleaf forests. Path analysis was applied to reveal the plausible reasons behind the varied responses of forests to extreme events. The results show that LSF had clear immediate effects on the GPP capacity of both needle‐leaf and broadleaf forests. However, GPP capacity in needle‐leaf forests was more sensitive to drought than in broadleaf forests. There was no interaction between LSF and drought in either needle‐leaf or broadleaf forests. Drought effects were still visible when LSF and drought coexisted in needle‐leaf forests. Path analysis further showed that the response of GPP capacity to drought differed between needle‐leaf and broadleaf forests, mainly due to the difference in the sensitivity of canopy conductance. Moreover, LSF had a more severe and long‐lasting carry‐over effect on forests than drought. These results enrich our understanding of the mechanisms of forest response to extreme events across forest types.
Textbook outcome in gallbladder carcinoma after curative-intent resection: a 10-year retrospective single-center study

Abstract Background: Textbook outcome (TO) can guide decision-making among patients and clinicians during preoperative patient selection and postoperative quality improvement. We explored the factors associated with achieving a TO for gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) after curative-intent resection and analyzed the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) on TO and non-TO patients. Methods: A total of 540 patients who underwent curative-intent resection for GBC at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the factors associated with TO. Results: Among 540 patients with GBC who underwent curative-intent resection, 223 patients (41.3%) achieved a TO. The incidence of TO ranged from 19.0% to 51.0% across the study period, with a slightly increasing trend over the study period. The multivariate analysis showed that non-TO was an independent risk factor for prognosis among GBC patients after resection (P = 0.003). Age ≤60 years (P = 0.016), total bilirubin (TBIL) level ≤34.1 μmol/L (P <0.001), well-differentiated tumor (P = 0.008), no liver involvement (P <0.001), and T1–2 stage disease (P = 0.006) were independently associated with achieving a TO for GBC after resection. Before and after propensity score matching (PSM), the overall survival outcomes of non-TO GBC patients who received ACT and those who did not were statistically significant; ACT improved the prognosis of patients in the non-TO group (P <0.05). Conclusion: Achieving a TO is associated with a better long-term prognosis among GBC patients after curative-intent resection, and ACT can improve the prognosis of those with non-TO.
An algebraic multigrid approach to solve XFEM based fracture problems

This article proposes an algebraic multigrid (AMG) approach to solve linear systems arising from applications where strong discontinuities are modeled by the eXtended Finite Element Method (XFEM). The application of AMG methods promises optimal scalability for solving large linear systems. However, the straight-forward (or ‘black-box’) use of existing AMG techniques for XFEM problems is often problematic. In this paper, we highlight the reasons for this behavior and propose a relatively simple adaptation that allows one to leverage existing AMG software mostly unchanged. Numerical tests demonstrate that optimal iterative convergence rates can be attained that are comparable to AMG convergence rates associated with linear systems for standard finite element approximations without discontinuities. Copyright c © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electroencephalographic interbrain synchronization in children with disabilities, their parents, and neurologic music therapists

As with typically developing children, children with cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder develop important socio‐emotional rapport with their parents and healthcare providers. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these relationships have been less studied. By simultaneously measuring the brain activity of multiple individuals, interbrain synchronization could serve as a neurophysiological marker of social–emotional responses. Music evokes emotional and physiological responses and enhances social cohesion. These characteristics of music have fostered its deployment as a therapeutic medium in clinical settings. Therefore, this study investigated two aspects of interbrain synchronization, namely, its phase and directionality, in child–parent (CP) and child–therapist (CT) dyads during music and storytelling sessions (as a comparison). A total of 17 participants (seven cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorder children [aged 12–18 years], their parents, and three neurologic music therapists) completed this study, comprising seven CP and seven CT dyads. Each music therapist worked with two or three children. We found that session type, dyadic relationship, frequency band, and brain region were significantly related to the degree of interbrain synchronization and its directionality. Particularly, music sessions and CP dyads were associated with higher interbrain synchronization and stronger directionality. Delta (.5–4 Hz) range showed the highest phase locking value in both CP and CT dyads in frontal brain regions. It appears that synchronization is directed predominantly from parent to child, that is, parents and music therapists' brain activity tended to influence a child's. Our findings encourage further research into neural synchrony in children with disabilities, especially in musical contexts, and its implications for social and emotional development.
Molecular changes in hippocampal energy metabolism in mice selectively bred for extremes in stress reactivity: Relevance of mitochondrial dysfunction for affective disorders

Affective disorders, such as major depression, are frequently associated with metabolic disturbances involving mitochondria. Although dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is known to alter energy metabolism, the precise mechanisms linking stress and metabolic disturbances are not sufficiently understood. We used a mouse model of affective disorders to investigate the impact of a genetic predisposition for extremes in stress reactivity on behavioural and metabolic phenotypes as well as energy metabolism. Adult males of three independent mouse lines selectively bred for high, intermediate or low HPA axis reactivity were tested for exploratory and locomotor activity as well as stress‐coping behaviour. Additionally, basal and stress‐induced plasma corticosterone levels, body weight, food intake and body composition were measured. At the molecular level, the hippocampal transcriptome was analysed using microarray, serial analysis of gene expression and qRT‐PCR. Finally, mitochondrial DNA copy number, damages and mitochondrial respiration were assessed. We found clear effects of the differential stress reactivity on the behavioural, morphometric and metabolic measures. Remarkably, the hyperactive behavioural and neuroendocrine stress‐coping style of high‐reactivity mice was associated with significant changes in the expression of an extended list of genes involved in energy metabolism and several mitochondrial functions. Yet, only minor changes were found in mitochondrial DNA copy number, damages and respiration. Thus, our findings support a prominent role of glucocorticoids in shaping the major endophenotypes of the stress reactivity mouse model and contribute towards understanding the important role of HPA axis dysregulation and changes in energy metabolism in the pathophysiology of affective disorders.
Focal lesions following intracerebral gene therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPSIIIA) caused by recessive SGSH variants results in sulfamidase deficiency, leading to neurocognitive decline and death. No disease‐modifying therapy is available. The AAVance gene therapy trial investigates AAVrh.10 overexpressing human sulfamidase (LYS‐SAF302) delivered by intracerebral injection in children with MPSIIIA. Post‐treatment MRI monitoring revealed lesions around injection sites. Investigations were initiated in one patient to determine the cause.
Hybrid integration of carbon nanotubes into silicon slot photonic structures

Silicon photonics, due to its compatibility with the CMOS platform and unprecedented integration capability, has become the preferred solution for the implementation of next generation optical interconnects. However, current Si photonics require on-chip integration of several materials, including III-V for lasing, doped silicon for modulation and Ge for detection. The very different requirements of these materials result in complex fabrication processes that offset the cost-effectiveness of the Si photonics approach. We are developing an alternative route towards the integration of optoelectronic devices in Si photonic, relying on the use of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). SWNTs can be considered as a Si compatible material able to emit, modulate and detect near-infrared light. Hence, they hold a unique potential to implement all active devices in the Si photonics platform. In addition, solution processed SWNTs can be integrated on Si using spin-coating techniques, obviating the need of complex epitaxial growth or chip bonding approaches. Here, we report on our recent progress in the coupling of SWNTs light emission into optical resonators implemented on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform.
TOPSIS based interactive multi-attributes group decision-making method and its application

A kind of synthetic method for multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problem is proposed.Based on TOPSIS (technique for oder preference by similarity to ideal solution) ,the method makes use of the order preference information and multi-steps interactive method to evaluate, select,order and approximate group ideal point step by step for alternatives.Group satisfaction de- gree parameters are also designed to weight group consensus,and so the order of alternatives are giv- en out conveniently.Finally an application example is given to show rationality and effect of the method and a practical technical frame of group decision support system can be built.
A Soft Hand Exoskeleton With a Novel Tendon Layout to Improve Stable Wearing in Grasping Assistance

We present a novel soft exoskeleton providing active support for hand closing and opening. The main novelty is a different tendon routing, folded laterally on both sides of the hand, and adding clenching forces when the exoskeleton is activated. It improves the stability of the glove, diminishing slippage and detachment of tendons from the hand palm toward the grasping workspace. The clenching effect is released when the hand is relaxed, thus enhancing the user's comfort. The alternative routing allowed embedding a single actuator on the hand dorsum, resulting more compact with no remote cable transmission. Enhanced adaptation to the hand is introduced by the modular design of the soft polymer open rings. FEM simulations were performed to understand the interaction between soft modules and fingers. Different experiments assessed the desired effect of the proposed routing in terms of stability and deformation of the glove, evaluated the inter-finger compliance for non-cylindrical grasping, and characterized the output grasping force. Experiments with subjects explored the grasping performance of the soft exoskeleton with different hand sizes. A preliminary evaluation with Spinal Cord Injury patients was useful to highlight the strengths and limitations of the device when applied to the target scenario.
Mining Stylistic Features of Rhythm and Tempo Based on Text Clustering

We selected literary proses written by Ziqing Zhu,Zengqi Wang and Liangcheng Liu as corpora.Text clustering is used to mine new stylistic features from the perspective of rhythm and tempo.The experimental results show that n-grams based on the vowels of the last character of the sentence,n-grams based on the length of clauses,punctuations and length of sentences,all can successfully distinguish from the articles of the three authors.Specifically,Liangcheng Liu preferred to utilize the vowels of higher tongue position.Ziqing Zhu focused on some specific rhymes,but the rhymes used by Liu and Wang are more plentiful than those of Zhu.Wang's Clauses are the shortest,and he paid more attention to the order of sentence patterns.Long sentences and short sentences are alternatively used by Liu,and the tempos used by Liu are changeful.The sentence lengths used by Zhu are less changeful.
POU3F3‐related disorder: Defining the phenotype and expanding the molecular spectrum

POU3F3 variants cause developmental delay, behavioral problems, hypotonia and dysmorphic features. We investigated the phenotypic and genetic landscape, and genotype–phenotype correlations in individuals with POU3F3‐related disorders. We recruited unpublished individuals with POU3F3 variants through international collaborations and obtained updated clinical data on previously published individuals. Trio exome sequencing or single exome sequencing followed by segregation analysis were performed in the novel cohort. Functional effects of missense variants were investigated with 3D protein modeling. We included 28 individuals (5 previously published) from 26 families carrying POU3F3 variants; 23 de novo and one inherited from an affected parent. Median age at study inclusion was 7.4 years. All had developmental delay mainly affecting speech, behavioral difficulties, psychiatric comorbidities and dysmorphisms. Additional features included gastrointestinal comorbidities, hearing loss, ophthalmological anomalies, epilepsy, sleep disturbances and joint hypermobility. Autism, hearing and eye comorbidities, dysmorphisms were more common in individuals with truncating variants, whereas epilepsy was only associated with missense variants. In silico structural modeling predicted that all (likely) pathogenic variants destabilize the DNA‐binding region of POU3F3. Our study refined the phenotypic and genetic landscape of POU3F3‐related disorders, it reports the functional properties of the identified pathogenic variants, and delineates some genotype–phenotype correlations.
Quantification of the robustness of functional neural networks: application to the characterization of Alzheimer’s disease continuum

Objective. Brain connectivity networks are usually characterized in terms of properties coming from the complex network theory. Using new measures to summarize the attributes of functional connectivity networks can be an important step for their better understanding and characterization, as well as to comprehend the alterations associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. In this context, the main objective of this study was to introduce a novel methodology to evaluate network robustness, which was subsequently applied to characterize the brain activity in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum. Approach. Functional connectivity networks were built using 478 electroencephalographic and magnetoencephalographic resting-state recordings from three different databases. These functional connectivity networks computed in the conventional frequency bands were modified simulating an iterative attack procedure using six different strategies. The network changes caused by these attacks were evaluated by means of Spearman’s correlation. The obtained results at the conventional frequency bands were aggregated in a correlation surface, which was characterized in terms of four gradient distribution properties: mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis. Main results. The new proposed methodology was able to consistently quantify network robustness. Our results showed statistically significant differences in the inherent ability of the network to deal with attacks (i.e. differences in network robustness) between controls, mild cognitive impairment subjects, and AD patients for the three different databases. In addition, we found a significant correlation between mini-mental state examination scores and the changes in network robustness. Significance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which assesses the robustness of the functional connectivity network in the AD continuum. Our findings consistently evidence the loss of network robustness as the AD progresses for the three databases. Furthermore, the changes in this complex network property may be related with the progressive deterioration in brain functioning due to AD.
Plasma neurofilament light chain level is not a biomarker of Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease progression: Results of 3‐year follow‐up study

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) is a hereditary, slowly progressive neuropathy. Currently, there are no effective pharmacological treatments or sensitive disease activity biomarkers available. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the change in plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) over time in a CMT cohort and analyse the association between CMT severity and NfL level.
Content, face, and construct validity of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS‐QOL) as a measure of bowel‐related quality of life in spinal cord injury

Neurogenic bowel dysfunction is commonly encountered after a spinal cord injury (SCI), leading to a tremendous impact on quality of life (QOL). The neurogenic bowel dysfunction score (NBDS) is commonly used to measure the severity of bowel dysfunction and predict QOL. However, there is no comprehensive instrument to assess bowel‐specific QOL for SCI patients. Instead, the Irritable Bowel Syndrome‐Quality of Life (IBS‐QOL) questionnaire evaluates the impact of bowel dysfunction on several aspects of QOL, although this questionnaire has not been validated for the SCI population. Motivated by the compelling need of instruments to accurately evaluate the QOL in patients who develope NBD after SCI, we aimed to assess the construct, content, and face validity of IBS‐QOL in this population.
Noise-Induced Vibration Experiment of Aircraft Structure and Vibro-Acoustic Coupling Response Analysis

Aimed at the hypersonic aircraft X-43A in the research,the FE model was established. Natural frequency testing of the aircraft structure model was performed. The numerical values of natural frequency were compared with the experiment results,with errors at about 1%,which showed that the FE model of the aircraft was correct. A noise-induced vibration experiment of the aircraft model was completed in the high intensity sound laboratory,which could obtain the results of PSD and noise pressure. Comparison of the numerical simulation values with the experiment results shows that the method of numerical simulation is reliable in prediction of the vibration and noise environment of the aircraft cabin. The trend of the numerical vibro-acoustic response is well consistent with that of the test results: there is little difference in low-frequency range. The elastic cavity structural vibration of the aircraft model caused by highfrequency noise field outside the cavity makes the main components of structural vibration,especially for the low-order structural vibration. Noise in the aircraft cabin transmitted from the outer noise field is through the low-order vibration of the aircraft shell. The main components of the response noise frequencies in the closed cabin belong to structural low-order modal vibration,even if the noise excitation outside the cabin is broadband.