Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GEI-8, a Homologue of Vertebrate Nuclear Receptor Corepressor NCoR/SMRT, Regulates Gonad Development and Neuronal Functions in Caenorhabditis elegans

NCoR and SMRT are two paralogous vertebrate proteins that function as corepressors with unliganded nuclear receptors. Although C. elegans has a large number of nuclear receptors, orthologues of the corepressors NCoR and SMRT have not unambiguously been identified in Drosophila or C. elegans. Here, we identify GEI-8 as the closest homologue of NCoR and SMRT in C. elegans and demonstrate that GEI-8 is expressed as at least two isoforms throughout development in multiple tissues, including neurons, muscle and intestinal cells. We demonstrate that a homozygous deletion within the gei-8 coding region, which is predicted to encode a truncated protein lacking the predicted NR domain, results in severe mutant phenotypes with developmental defects, slow movement and growth, arrested gonadogenesis and defects in cholinergic neurotransmission. Whole genome expression analysis by microarrays identified sets of de-regulated genes consistent with both the observed mutant phenotypes and a role of GEI-8 in regulating transcription. Interestingly, the upregulated transcripts included a predicted mitochondrial sulfide:quinine reductase encoded by Y9C9A.16. This locus also contains non-coding, 21-U RNAs of the piRNA class. Inhibition of the expression of the region coding for 21-U RNAs leads to irregular gonadogenesis in the homozygous gei-8 mutants, but not in an otherwise wild-type background, suggesting that GEI-8 may function in concert with the 21-U RNAs to regulate gonadogenesis. Our results confirm that GEI-8 is the orthologue of the vertebrate NCoR/SMRT corepressors and demonstrate important roles for this putative transcriptional corepressor in development and neuronal function.
Long-term topological place learning

In this work, we consider long-term topological place learning and present an approach that enables the robot to learn in an unsupervised, organized and incremental manner. The knowledge associated with the previously visited places is internally stored in the form of bubble descriptor semantic tree (BDST) using the previously proposed bubble space representation. The BDST is generated and maintained without any external supervision. It organizes the learned knowledge where the terminal nodes are viewed as corresponding to distinct places while its structure encodes their semantic hierarchy. In case the robot is not able to recognize a place with its current BDST, it learns it via updating the BDST incrementally based on the hierarchical single link clustering algorithm SLINK. The proposed approach is evaluated experimentally using combined benchmark datasets from indoor and outdoor settings with recognition rates comparable to those of state-of-the-art approaches while the robot is able to retain efficiently and use the knowledge associated with the learned places.
Evaluation of BACTEC MGIT 960 System for Testing Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to First-Line Drugs in China

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the BACTEC MGIT 960 (M960) system compared with the proportion method (PM) on Löwenstein-Jensen (L-J) medium in a peripheral laboratory in China for the testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) susceptibility to streptomycin (SM), isoniazid (INH) rifampicin (RIF) and ethambutol (EMB) a combination known as SIRE. Methods The susceptibility of 205 clinical isolates of MTB to SM, INH, RIF and EMB was performed with the M960 system. The drugs were tested at the following concentrations: 1.0 µg/ml for SM, 0.1 µg/ml for INH, 1.0 µg/ml for RIF, and 5.0 µg/ml for EMB. The results were compared with those obtained by the L-J PM. The L-J PM at an arbiter site was used to resolve any discordant results. Results The overall consistency was 96.6% and concordance values were 95.6% for SM, 97.6% for INH, 98.0% for RIF and 95.1% for EMB. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the M960 system for PM (the standard method) was 95.6%, 97.3%, 96.2% and 96.9% respectively, and the sensitivity were 93.3% for SM, 96.9% for INH, 97.4% for RIF and 94.6% for EMB, the specificity were 96.9% for SM, 98.2% for INH, 98.4% for RIF and 95.5% for EMB, the PPV were 94.6% for SM, 97.9% for INH, 97.4% for RIF and 94.6% for EMB, the NPV were 96.2% for SM, 97.3% for INH, 98.4% for RIF and 95.5% for EMB. The turnaround time with the M960 system (median 8.0 days, ranged from 5 to 14 days) was significantly shorter than that with the PM (28 days or 42 days). Conclusion There was a substantial degree of agreement between the two methods. The M960 system was a reliable and rapid method for SIRE susceptibility testing of tuberculosis in China.
On some properties of the output of a pulsed digital oscillator working with multiple resonances

In this paper, we study the possible output of the pulsed digital oscillator (PDO) with multiple resonant modes of the mechanical resonator in the feedback loop. PDOs are simple circuits that allow linear resonators to maintain self-sustained oscillations and can work as mass-change resonant sensors. For a resonant sensor, activation of higher vibration modes of a mechanical resonator can be a way to improve its performance. We show that the location of the sensing/actuation system affects the output and can enhance higher mechanical modes.
Proficient Resource Allocation for Wireless

In this paper, we propose a bandwidth-efficient multicast mechanism for heterogeneous wireless networks. We reduce the bandwidth cost of an l (IP) multicast tree by adaptively selecting the cell and the wireless technology for each mobile host to join the multicast group. Our mechanism enables more mobile hosts to cluster together and leads to the use of fewer cells to save the scarce wireless bandwidth. Besides, the paths in the multicast tree connecting to the selected cells share more common links to save the wireline bandwidth. Our mechanism supports the dynamic group membership and offers mobility of group members.Moreover,. We use Integer Linear Programming to model the problem and show that the problem is NP-hard. To solve the problem, we propose a distributed algorithm based on Lagrangean relaxation and a network protocol based on the algorithm. The simulation results show that our mechanism can effectively save the wireless and wireline bandwidth as compared to the traditional IP multicast.
Self-adaptation to device distribution in the internet of things

A key problem when coordinating the behaviour of spatially-situated networks, like those typically found in the Internet of Things (IoT), is adaptation to changes impacting network topology, density, and heterogeneity. Computational goals for such systems, however, are often dependent on geometric properties of the continuous environment in which the devices are situated, rather than the particulars of how devices hap-pen to be distributed through it. In this paper, we identify a new property of distributed algorithms, eventual consistency , which guarantees that computation converges to a ﬁnal state that approximates a predictable limit, based on the continuous environment, as the density and speed of devices increases. We then identify a large class of programs that are eventually consistent, building on prior results on the ﬁeld calculus computational model [Beal et al. 2015; Viroli et al. 2015a] which identify a class of self-stabilizing programs. Finally, we conﬁrm through simulation of IoT application scenarios that eventually consistent programs from this class can provide resilient behavior where programs that are only converging fail badly.
No reference image quality assessment based on local binary pattern statistics

Multimedia, including audio, image and video, etc, is a ubiquitous part of modern life. Evaluations, both objective and subjective, are of fundamental importance for numerous multimedia applications. In this paper, based on statistics of local binary pattern (LBP), we propose a novel and efficient quality similarity index for no reference (NR) image quality assessment (IQA). First, with the Laplacian of Gaussian (LOG) filters, the image is decomposed into multi-scale sub-band images. Then, for these sub-band images across different scales, LBP maps are encoded and the LBP histograms are formed as the quality assessment concerning feature. Finally, by support vector regression (SVR), the extracted features are mapped to the image's subjective quality score for NR IQA. The experimental results on LIVE IQA database show that the proposed method is strongly related to subjective quality evaluations and competitive to most of the state-of-the-art NR IQA methods.
The effect of high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The polyphenol fraction of extra-virgin olive oil may be partly responsible for its cardioprotective effects. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of high versus low polyphenol olive oil on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in clinical trials. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, CINAHL, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials that investigated markers of CVD risk (e.g. outcomes related to cholesterol, inflammation, oxidative stress) were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Jadad scale. A meta-analysis was conducted using clinical trial data with available CVD risk outcomes. Twenty-six studies were included. Compared to low polyphenol olive oil, high polyphenol olive oil significantly improved measures of malondialdehyde (MD: −0.07µmol/L [95%CI: −0.12, −0.02µmol/L]; I2: 88%; p = 0.004), oxidized LDL (SMD: −0.44 [95%CI: −0.78, −0.10µmol/L]; I2: 41%; P = 0.01), total cholesterol (MD 4.5 mg/dL [95%CI: −6.54, −2.39 mg/dL]; p<0.0001) and HDL cholesterol (MD 2.37 mg/dL [95%CI: 0.41, 5.04 mg/dL]; p = 0.02). Subgroup analyses and individual studies reported additional improvements in inflammatory markers and blood pressure. Most studies were rated as having low-to-moderate risk of bias. High polyphenol oils confer some CVD-risk reduction benefits; however, further studies with longer duration and in non-Mediterranean populations are required.
Entropy based occlusion removal with DTCWT and DCT as feature extractor for iris recognition

The iris pattern of human eye is considered to be unique and distinct that it plays an important role as reliable biometric system for authentication purposes. Iris recognition has become a challenging issue under varying lighting or contrast conditions and due to occlusions such as eyelashes. Therefore, in this paper we have proposed a novel technique for eliminating the eyelashes, namely Entropy based Occlusion Removal which is applied after iris localization. Also a feature extractor based on Dual Tree Complex Wavelet Transform (DTCWT) is used for extracting shift-invariant features in combination with Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT). Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) is used for feature selection that selects the optimum features extracted by DTCWT+DCT. The Euclidean distance classifier estimates the similarity between the testing and training images. The experiments conducted on IITD and CASIA iris databases depict promising performance of the proposed technique.
Degeneration and regeneration of corneal nerves in response to HSV-1 infection.

PURPOSE Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection is one cause of neurotrophic keratitis, characterized by decreases in corneal sensation, blink reflex, and tear secretion as consequence of damage to the sensory fibers innervating the cornea. Our aim was to characterize changes in the corneal nerve network and its function in response to HSV-1 infection. METHODS C57BL/6J mice were infected with HSV-1 or left uninfected. Corneas were harvested at predetermined times post infection (pi) and assessed for β III tubulin, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and neurofilament H staining by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Corneal sensitivity was evaluated using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Expression of genes associated with nerve repair was determined in corneas by real time RT-PCR, Western blotting, and IHC. Semaphorin 7A (SEMA 7A) neutralizing antibody or isotype control was subconjunctivally administered to infected mice. RESULTS The area of cornea occupied by β III tubulin immunoreactivity and sensitivity significantly decreased by day 8 pi. Modified reinnervation was observed by day 30 pi without recovery of corneal sensation. Sensory fibers were lost by day 8 pi and were still absent or abnormal at day 30 pi. Expression of SEMA 7A increased at day 8 pi, localizing to corneal epithelial cells. Neutralization of SEMA 7A resulted in defective reinnervation and lower corneal sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Corneal sensory nerves were lost, consistent with loss of corneal sensation at day 8 pi. At day 30 pi, the cornea reinnervated but without recovering the normal arrangement of its fibers or function. SEMA 7A expression was increased at day 8pi, likely as part of a nerve regeneration mechanism.
A perception system for detecting brake levers in outdoor rail yard environments

A rail yard is a dangerous environment for humans to work in, primarily because of the possibility of serious injuries associated with moving rail cars, locomotives, and uneven terrain. For robots to act autonomously in such environments, there exists a need for a perception system that can act reliably under uncertain conditions. This uncertainty arises from multiple factors-uncontrolled lighting, uneven terrain, variability in appearance of objects, dynamic environment, noisy sensors, and controllers. In this paper, we present a perception system for a mobile robot that leverages information from various sensing modalities to act reliably in a partially observable environment. We show how our system can detect brake levers on a rail car, by fusing information from multiple detectors. We validate our approach by performing tests in an actual rail yard over multiple days and nights.
Database Access Pattern Protection Without Full-Shuffles

Privacy protection is one of the fundamental security requirements for database outsourcing. A major threat is information leakage from database access patterns generated by query executions. The standard private information retrieval (PIR) schemes, which are widely regarded as theoretical solutions, entail O(n) computational overhead per query for a database with n items. Recent works propose to protect access patterns by introducing a trusted component with constant storage size. The resulting privacy assurance is as strong as PIR, though with O(1) online computation cost, they still have O(n) amortized cost per query due to periodically full database shuffles. In this paper, we design a novel scheme in the same model with provable security, which only shuffles a portion of the database. The amortized server computational complexity is reduced to O(√{nlogn/k}). With a secure storage storing thousands of items, our scheme can protect the access pattern privacy of databases of billions of entries, at a lower cost than those using ORAM-based poly-logarithm algorithms.
The cost of observation for intrusion detection: Performance impact of concurrent host observation

Intrusion detection relies on the ability to obtain reliable and trustworthy measurements, while adversaries will inevitably target such monitoring and security systems to prevent their detection. This has led to a number of proposals for using coprocessors as protected monitoring instances. However, such coprocessors suffer from two problems, namely the ability to perform measurements without relying on the host system and the speed at which such measurements can be performed. The availability of smart, high-performance subsystems in commodity computer systems such as graphics processing units (GPU) strongly motivates an investigation into novel ways of achieving the twin objectives of self-protected observation and monitoring systems and sufficient measurement frequency. This, however, gives rise to performance penalties imposed by memory synchronization particularly in non-uniform memory architectures (NUMA) even for the case of direct memory access (DMA) transfers. Based on prior work detailing a cost model for synchronization of memory access in such advanced architectures, we report an experimental validation of the cost model using an IEEE 1394 DMA bus mastering environment, which provides full access to the measurement target's main memory and involves multiple bus bridges and concomitant synchronization mechanisms. We observed up to 25% performance degradation, highlighting the need for efficient sampling strategies for both, memory size and a preference for quiescent data structures for monitoring executed by off-host devices.
Analysis of Tonguing and Blowing Actions During Clarinet Performance

Articulation on the clarinet is achieved by a combination of precise actions taking place inside the player's mouth. With the aim to analyse the effects of tonguing and blowing actions during playing, several physical variables are measured and parameters related to articulation are studied. Mouth pressure, mouthpiece pressure and reed displacement are recorded in an experiment with clarinet players to evaluate the influence of the player's actions on the selected parameters and on the sound. The results show that different combinations of tongue and blowing actions are used during performance. Portato and legato playing show constant blowing throughout the musical phrase, which varies according to the dynamic level. In portato, short tongue-reed interaction is used homogeneously among players and playing conditions. In staccato playing, where the tongue-reed contact is longer, the mouth pressure is reduced significantly between notes. Such a mouth-pressure decrease might be used to stop the note in slow staccato playing. It is hereby shown that when the note is stopped by the action of the tongue both the attack and release transients are shorter compared to the case where the vibration of the reed is stopped by a decrease of mouth pressure.
Divergent in vivo activity of non‐serotonergic and serotonergic VGluT3–neurones in the median raphe region

The median raphe is a key subcortical modulatory centre involved in several brain functions, such as regulation of the sleep–wake cycle, emotions and memory storage. A large proportion of median raphe neurones are glutamatergic and implement a radically different mode of communication compared to serotonergic cells, although their in vivo activity is unknown. We provide the first description of the in vivo, brain state‐dependent firing properties of median raphe glutamatergic neurones identified by immunopositivity for the vesicular glutamate transporter type 3 (VGluT3) and serotonin (5‐HT). Glutamatergic populations (VGluT3+/5‐HT– and VGluT3+/5‐HT+) were compared with the purely serotonergic (VGluT3–/5‐HT+ and VGluT3–/5‐HT–) neurones. VGluT3+/5‐HT+ neurones fired similar to VGluT3–/5‐HT+ cells, whereas they significantly diverged from the VGluT3+/5‐HT– population. Activity of the latter subgroup resembled the spiking of VGluT3–/5‐HT– cells, except for their diverging response to sensory stimulation. The VGluT3+ population of the median raphe may broadcast rapidly varying signals on top of a state‐dependent, tonic modulation.
Alterations of Left Ventricular Myocardial Characteristics Associated With Obesity

Background—Obesity is associated with heart failure, but an effect of weight, independent of comorbidities, on cardiac structure and function is not well established. We sought whether body mass index (BMI) and insulin levels were associated with subclinical myocardial disturbances. Methods and Results—Transthoracic echocardiography, myocardial Doppler-derived systolic (sm) and early diastolic velocity (em), strain and strain rate imaging and tissue characterization with cyclic variation (CVIB), and calibrated integrated backscatter (cIB) were obtained in 109 overweight or obese subjects and 33 referents (BMI <25 kg/m2). BMI correlated with left ventricular (LV) mass and wall thickness (P<0.001). Severely obese subjects (BMI >35) had reduced LV systolic and diastolic function and increased myocardial reflectivity compared with referents, evidenced by lower average long-axis strain, sm, cIB, lower CVIB, and reduced em, whereas LV ejection fraction remained normal. Differences in regional or global strain, sm, and em were identified between the severely obese (BMI >35) and the referent patients (P<0.001). Similar but lesser degrees of reduced function by sm, em, and basal septal strain and increased reflectivity by cIB were present in overweight (BMI, 25 to 29.9) and mildly obese (BMI, 30 to 35) groups (P<0.05). Although tissue Doppler measures were not associated with duration of obesity, they did correlate with fasting insulin levels and reduced exercise capacity. BMI was independently related to average LV strain (&bgr;=0.40, P=0.02), sm (&bgr;=−0.36, P=0.002), and em (&bgr;=−0.41, P<0.001). Conclusions—Overweight subjects without overt heart disease have subclinical changes of LV structure and function even after adjustment for mean arterial pressure, age, gender, and LV mass.
Adaptive reinforcement learning method for networks-on-chip

In this paper, we propose a congestion-aware routing algorithm based on Dual Reinforcement Q-routing. In this method, local and global congestion information of the network is provided for each router, utilizing learning packets. This information should be dynamically updated according to the changing traffic conditions in the network. For this purpose, a congestion detection method is presented to measure the average of free buffer slots in a specific time interval. This value is compared with maximum and minimum threshold values and based on the comparison result, the learning rate is updated. If the learning rate is a large value, it means the network gets congested and global information is more emphasized than local information. In contrast, local information is more important than global when a router receives few packets in a time interval. Experimental results for different traffic patterns and network loads show that the proposed method improves the network performance compared with the standard Q-routing, DRQ-routing, and Dynamic XY-routing algorithms.
A survey on multi-agent reinforcement learning: Coordination problems

Learning in multiagent system needs to solve the complexity of the task, so multiagent reinforcement learning has been focused on theoretical research and various applications. In multiagent reinforcement learning, agents can be compete or cooperate to accomplish the goal. For cooperative multiagent reinforcement learning(CMRL), agents have to coordinate with other agents. Therefore, coordination problems in CMRL are getting more and more important because of increasing the number of agents and actions. There are several algorithms dealt with cooperative multiagent reinforcement learning using stochastic games, coordinated graph, and so on. These algorithms have some assumptions to coordinate each other, however assumptions are not consistent with characteristics of the multiagent system. In this paper, we provide a survey on coordination problems in cooperative multiagent reinforcement learning, and propose new approach to solve coordination problems.