Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The accuracy of objective threshold determination at low frequencies: comparison of different auditory brainstem response (ABR) and auditory steady state response (ASSR) methods

Abstract Objective: The hearing threshold at 500 Hz was estimated using five methods which are suitable for the low frequency range: Low-Chirp BERA (LCBERA), Notched-noise BERA (NNBERA), Narrow band CE-Chirp BERA (NBCBERA) and Narrow band CE-Chirp ASSR (NBCASSR) (40/90 Hz). The slope of the discrimination function of each method was used for determination of the most efficient method. The threshold values were compared and the corresponding odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Design: All methods were applied to each subject. Stimulus levels were arranged individually. Response detection was carried out by visual inspection of the records in case of BERA and automatically in case of ASSR. Each individual series of recordings was converted to a dichotomous function indicating whether or not a response was discernible and a continuous method-specific discrimination function was constructed. This function was realised by a Boltzmann function whose slope in the inflection point serves as quality measure. Additionally, an OR evaluation was carried out in order to validate the significance of results. Study sample: Twenty five normal hearing adults (aged 18–30 years) were tested. Results: LCBERA proved to have the highest reliability according to the slope of the Boltzmann function, the comparison of threshold values and OR. Conclusions: The LCBERA is recommended for use in routine clinical practice.
A Sub-Nyquist Rate Compressive Sensing Data Acquisition Front-End

This paper presents a sub-Nyquist rate data acquisition front-end based on compressive sensing theory. The front-end randomizes a sparse input signal by mixing it with pseudo-random number sequences, followed by analog-to-digital converter sampling at sub-Nyquist rate. The signal is then reconstructed using an L1-based optimization algorithm that exploits the signal sparsity to reconstruct the signal with high fidelity. The reconstruction is based on a priori signal model information, such as a multi-tone frequency-sparse model which matches the input signal frequency support. Wideband multi-tone test signals with 4% sparsity in 5~500 MHz band were used to experimentally verify the front-end performance. Single-tone and multi-tone tests show maximum signal to noise and distortion ratios of 40 dB and 30 dB, respectively, with an equivalent sampling rate of 1 GS/s. The analog front-end was fabricated in a 90 nm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor process and consumes 55 mW. The front-end core occupies 0.93 mm2.
Playing Sub-stories from Complex

Complex movies with different parallel lines of action, only intersecting in a small number of scenes, can be difficult to analyze. The present study sets out to provide the viewer with assisted automatic procedures designed to decompose and analyze the narrative from different possible perspectives. We propose a model for narrative decomposition, based on the interaction of characters. The production of a time-stamped screenplay is used to achieve movie annotation based on the screenplay’s contents, providing information about scene boundaries and the action semantics therein. The analysis of the graph of main character relations enables the extraction of coherent sub-stories from the main narrative.
Association of the −344T/C polymorphism in aldosterone synthase gene promoter with left ventricular structure in Chinese Han: A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT No consensus view has been published on the relationship between the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) −344C/T polymorphism and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in Chinese Han. We undertook a meta-analysis to investigate the potential association of this polymorphism and left ventricular structure-related phenotypes, including left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), and interventricular septal wall thickness (IVS). Studies in English and Chinese were found based on a systematic search of Medline, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. The dominant model (TT vs. TC+CC) and homozygote model (TT vs. CC) were selected to examine the association between the −344C/T polymorphism and LVH. The random-effects model was used to pool data. From a total of 3104 participants, despite the investigation of six echocardiographic indicators, we found no significant association between the −344C/T variant and LVH in the whole group and the subgroup analyses by blood pressure. However, in the subgroup of northern Han Chinese, TT genotype had higher LVPWT than CC genotype and TC genotype (pheterogeneity = 0.4, pvalue = 0.04, 95% CI 0.09 (0.00, 0.18)). In addition, no evidence of publication bias was observed. In conclusion, our meta-analysis indicated that subjects with TT genotype might have higher risk of developing LVH in northern Han Chinese.
Complete mineralization of benzene by aquifer microorganisms under strictly anaerobic conditions

Benzene was mineralized to CO2 by aquifer-derived microorganisms under strictly anaerobic conditions. The degradation occurred in microcosms containing gasoline-contaminated subsurface sediment from Seal Beach, California, and anaerobic, sulfide-reduced defined mineral medium supplemented with 20 mM sulfate. Benzene, at initial concentrations ranging from 40 to 200 microM, was depleted in all microcosms and more than 90% of 14C-labeled benzene was mineralized to 14CO2.
A Matrix Factorization Algorithm for Music Recommendation using Implicit User Feedback

The goal of recommender systems is to make personalized product recommendations based on users’ taste. As the Netﬂix challenge demonstrated, one of the the most effective way to build such systems is through matrix factorization. Matrix factorization algorithms utilize prior product feedback given by users to automatically build user and product pro-ﬁles. A product can then be recommended to a user if the user’s proﬁle closely matches that of the product. Unfortunately, most of the research in matrix factorization focuses on explicit feedback datasets, where users make their preferences known by directly rating subsets of available products on a ﬁxed scale. In many real-worlds applications, however, such direct ratings are unavailable. Instead, implicit feedback must be used, such as browsing history and view counts. In this work we present a recommendation algorithm which uses implicit play frequency information to recommend artists to the users of the Last.fm 1 music website. We demonstrate how an existing algorithm for explicit feedback datasets can be adapted to work with implicit data. We further evaluate the performance of our recommendation algo-rithm on a Last.fm dataset, investigating the effects of regularization, normalization and the number of features on the quality of recommendations. We also discuss the viability of our approach in a real-world setting.
Performance Enhancement of Reduced Graphene Oxide‐Modified Carbon Electrodes for Vanadium Redox‐Flow Systems

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) suspended in an N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent underwent electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on carbon paper (CP) electrodes. X-ray computed micro-tomography (XMT) indicates a 24 % increase in the specific surface area of CP modified with rGO in comparison to the untreated sample. Furthermore, XMT confirms that the deposition also penetrates into the substrate. Raman analysis shows that the rGO deposited is more amorphous than the CP electrode. A significant reduction in charge-transfer resistance of the VO2+/VO2+ reaction is also observed (from impedance measurements) in modified samples in comparison to untreated CP electrodes.
Wide-Baseline Stereo-Based Obstacle Mapping for Unmanned Surface Vehicles

This paper proposes a wide-baseline stereo-based static obstacle mapping approach for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). The proposed approach eliminates the complicated calibration work and the bulky rig in our previous binocular stereo system, and raises the ranging ability from 500 to 1000 m with a even larger baseline obtained from the motion of USVs. Integrating a monocular camera with GPS and compass information in this proposed system, the world locations of the detected static obstacles are reconstructed while the USV is traveling, and an obstacle map is then built. To achieve more accurate and robust performance, multiple pairs of frames are leveraged to synthesize the final reconstruction results in a weighting model. Experimental results based on our own dataset demonstrate the high efficiency of our system. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to address the task of wide-baseline stereo-based obstacle mapping in a maritime environment.
Population Genetic Structure of Listeria monocytogenes Strains Isolated From the Pig and Pork Production Chain in France

Listeria monocytogenes is an ubiquitous pathogenic bacterium, transmissible to humans through the consumption of contaminated food. The pork production sector has been hit hard by a series of L. monocytogenes-related food poisoning outbreaks in France. An overview of the diversity of strains circulating at all levels of the pork production chain, from pig farming (PF) to finished food products (FFP), is needed to identify the contamination routes and improve food safety. Until now, no typing data has been available on strains isolated across the entire pig and pork production chain. Here, we analyzed the population genetic structure of 687 L. monocytogenes strains isolated over the last 20 years in virtually all the French départements from three compartments of this production sector: PF, the food processing environment (FPE), and FFP. The genetic structure was described based on Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) clonal complexes (CCs). The CCs were obtained by mapping the PFGE profiles of the strains. The distribution of CCs was compared firstly between the three compartments and then with CCs obtained from 1106 strains isolated from other food production sectors in France. The predominant CCs of pig and pork strains were not equally distributed among the three compartments: the CC37, CC59, and CC77 strains, rarely found in FPE and FFP, were prevalent in PF. The two most prevalent CCs in the FPE and FFP compartments, CC9 and CC121, were rarely or never detected in PF. No CC was exclusively associated with the pork sector. Three CCs (CC5, CC6, and CC2) were considered ubiquitous, because they were observed in comparable proportions in all food production sectors. The two most prevalent CCs in all sectors were CC9 and CC121, but their distribution was disparate. CC9 was associated with meat products and food products combining several food categories, whereas CC121 was not associated with any given sector. Based on these results, CC121 is likely able to colonize a larger diversity of food products than CC9. Both CCs being associated with the food production suggests, that certain processing steps, such as slaughtering or stabilization treatments, favor their settlement and the recontamination of the food produced.
BPU Simulator

A number of scientific applications start their life as a Matlab prototype, which are later re-implemented in a low level programming language, typically C++ or Fortran for the sake of performance. Bohrium is a project that seeks to eliminate both the cost and the potential errors introduced in that process. The Bohrium runtime currently supports multiple execution platforms, such as CPU, clusters and GPGPU, and in this work, we introduce the Bohrium Processing Unit, BPU, which will be the FPGA backend for Bohrium. We model the BPU as a PyCSP application, and describe the clear advantages of using CSP for simulating this new soft-CPU. The current PyCSP simulator is able to simulate 2 Monte Carlo Pi simulations in less than 35 seconds in the smallest BPU simulation.
Older Adults' Engagement During an Intervention Involving Off-the-Shelf Videogame.

OBJECTIVE The overall goal of our current study was to examine older adults' experience of Flow (i.e., subjective engagement) during the course of a home-based cognitive training program. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, participants took part in a home-based training program. They were randomized to one of the two training groups. One group played an off-the-shelf videogame (i.e., Crazy Taxi), and the other group played a brain training game (i.e., Insight). Training consisted of 60 training sessions of 1 hour each, which were completed in 3 months (5 hours a week). After each training session, participants completed a Flow questionnaire to measure their engagement with the training. RESULTS The analysis was performed with a linear growth curve model. The results indicate that on average, there was no change in flow for the Insight group between time points. There was no difference between the initial flow status of the Insight group and the Crazy Taxi group. However, the interaction between group membership and time was statistically significant, indicating that the participants in the Crazy Taxi group increased their scores at each week at a rate that was 0.99 larger than those in the Insight group. CONCLUSION The analyses revealed that both groups experienced increase in Flow over the period, but only participants in the Crazy Taxi group significantly improved in Flow. This has long-term implications since we would expect participation to go beyond 12 weeks in a real-world scenario.
Altered brain‐gut axis in autism: Comorbidity or causative mechanisms?

The concept that alterated communications between the gut microbiome and the brain may play an important role in human brain disorders has recently received considerable attention. This is the result of provocative preclinical and some clinical evidence supporting early hypotheses about such communication in health and disease. Gastrointestinal symptoms are a common comorbidity in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), even though the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In addition, alteration in the composition and metabolic products of the gut microbiome has long been implicated as a possible causative mechanism contributing to ASD pathophysiology, and this hypothesis has been supported by several recently published evidence from rodent models of autism induced by prenatal insults to the mother. Recent evidence in one such model involving maternal infection, that is characterized by alterations in behavior, gut physiology, microbial composition, and related metabolite profile, suggests a possible benefit of probiotic treatment on several of the observed abnormal behaviors.
Cone-beam computed tomographic evaluation of remaining dentin thickness in bifurcated roots of maxillary first premolars after rotary instrumentation and post space preparation: An in vitro study

Background: Intraradicular procedures remove radicular dentin and jeopardizing longevity of a tooth. Traditional in vitro methods used to determine the remaining dentin thickness (RDT) have limitations. Aim: The aim is to evaluate, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), RDT following rotary instrumentation and post space preparation in buccal and palatal roots of maxillary first premolars. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three maxillary first premolars with two roots were selected. CBCT images were taken preoperatively, after instrumentation and Parapost 3 and 4 preparation (CBCT 1, 2, 3, and 4). RDT was measured 5 mm above apex, 1 mm below furcation, and 1 mm above furcation (Levels 1, 2, and 3). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's test (P = 0.05). Results: Rotary instrumentation and post space preparation reduced RDT in all walls of buccal and palatal roots. Post space preparation with Parapost 3 and 4 reduced RDT in the palatal wall of buccal root to <1 mm and Parapost 4 reduced all walls to 1 mm of dentin. Conclusion: Post space preparation in maxillary first premolars should be performed cautiously. It is safer to place a post in the palatal root of this tooth and limit preparation to Parapost 3.
Climate change impedes scleractinian corals as primary reef ecosystem engineers

Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive ecosystems on our planet. Scleractinian corals function as the primary reef ecosystem engineers, constructing the framework that serves as a habitat for all other coral reef-associated organisms. However, the coral's engineering role is particularly susceptible to global climate change. Ocean warming can cause extensive mass coral bleaching, which triggers dysfunction of major engineering processes. Sub-lethal bleaching results in the reduction of both primary productivity and coral calcification. This may lead to changes in the release of organic and inorganic products, thereby altering critical biogeochemical and recycling processes in reef ecosystems. Thermal stress-induced bleaching and subsequent coral mortality, along with ocean acidification, further lead to long-term shifts in benthic community structure, changes in topographic reef complexity, and the modification of reef functioning. Such shifts may cause negative feedback loops and further modification of coral-derived inorganic and organic products. This review emphasises the critical role of scleractinian corals as reef ecosystem engineers and highlights the control of corals over key reef ecosystem goods and services, including high biodiversity, coastal protection, fishing, and tourism. Thus, climate change by impeding coral ecosystem engineers will impair the ecosystem functioning of entire reefs.
Definition of Object Constraint Language Rules in Models to Support the Development of Android Applications

The Model Driven Engineering (MDE) supports software development, promoting quality and speed enhancement in providing new products. The development of more accurate models is obtained through the employment of the Object Constraint Language (OCL). Given the increasing use of mobile devices and the need for new applications, the MDE together with the OCL constraints promote the development of quality mobile applications when the development time is reduced. This research paper focuses on the definition and use of OCL constraints to support the development of Android models in the MDE context.
The effectiveness of physical and organisational ergonomic interventions on low back pain and neck pain: a systematic review

Ergonomic interventions (physical and organisational) are used to prevent or reduce low back pain (LBP) and neck pain among workers. We conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of ergonomic interventions. A total of 10 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There was low to moderate quality evidence that physical and organisational ergonomic interventions were not more effective than no ergonomic intervention on short and long term LBP and neck pain incidence/prevalence, and short and long term LBP intensity. There was low quality evidence that a physical ergonomic intervention was significantly more effective for reducing neck pain intensity in the short term (ie, curved or flat seat pan chair) and the long term (ie, arm board) than no ergonomic intervention. The limited number of RCTs included make it difficult to answer our broad research question and the results should be interpreted with care. This review, however, provides a solid overview of the high quality epidemiological evidence on the (usually lack of) effectiveness of ergonomic interventions on LBP and neck pain.
Neural retina-specific Aldh1a1 controls dorsal choroidal vascular development via Sox9 expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells

VEGF secreted from retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells is responsible for the choroidal vascular development; however, the molecular regulatory mechanism is unclear. We found that Aldh1a1–/– mice showed choroidal hypoplasia with insufficient vascularization in the dorsal region, although Aldh1a1, an enzyme that synthesizes retinoic acids (RAs), is expressed in the dorsal neural retina, not in the RPE/choroid complex. The level of VEGF in the RPE/choroid was significantly decreased in Aldh1a1–/– mice, and RA-dependent enhancement of VEGF was observed in primary RPE cells. An RA-deficient diet resulted in dorsal choroidal hypoplasia, and simple RA treatment of Aldh1a1–/– pregnant females suppressed choroid hypoplasia in their offspring. We also found downregulation of Sox9 in the dorsal neural retina and RPE of Aldh1a1–/– mice and RPE-specific disruption of Sox9 phenocopied Aldh1a1–/– choroidal development. These results suggest that RAs produced by Aldh1a1 in the neural retina directs dorsal choroidal vascular development via Sox9 upregulation in the dorsal RPE cells to enhance RPE-derived VEGF secretion.
Experimental Validation of an Optimal Energy Management Strategy for a Hybrid Bus with Dual Storage System

The operational efficiency in a hybrid electric bus(HEB) mainly relies on the suitable design of its energy management strategy (EMS) to operate, in a proper way, the onboard energy sources. This work addresses the experimental validation of an optimized EMS (at simulation level) proposed for an urban HEB. In this case, the EMS handled the proper power split behavior of the vehicle demand among the genset(internal combustion engine connected to an electric generator) and a dual energy storage system (combining Li-ion batteries with supercapacitors). To validate the EMS, a scaled test-bench including the energy sources connected to the electrical DC grid in an HEB was build. This test-bench aims to emulate the real behavior of the genset, battery, supercapacitor, traction demand and auxiliary loads while operating in an urban route profile. The experimental results showed how the real electrical phenomena(DC voltage variations, current balancing, system losses, current ripple, auxiliary and unknown consumptions, etc.) inherent of the power-train devices may affect the energetic performance of the optimal EMS obtained in ideal conditions. Thus, based on the operational dynamics and identified issues, the optimal EMS can be tunned to improve its performance in real operation scenarios.
Contribution of Factor VIII A2 Domain Residues 400–409 to a Factor X-Interactive Site in the Factor Xase Complex

Abstract The link between factor (F)VIII and FX is essential for optimum activity of the tenase complex. The interactive site(s) in FVIII for FX remains to be completely clarified, however. We investigated the FVIII A2 domain-FX association that was speculated from inhibitory mechanism(s) by an anti-A2 autoantibody. SDS-PAGE demonstrated that the purified inhibitor IgG recognizing residues 373–562 blocked FXa cleavage at Arg372 in FVIII, and surface-plasmon resonance (SPR)-based assays showed that intact A2 subunit directly bound to FX (K d; 63 nM). The FVIII structure model indicated possible FX-binding site(s) in residues 400–429 in A2. One peptide corresponding to residues 400–409 competitively inhibited both the A2–FX binding and FVIIIa/FIXa-dependent FXa generation. Covalent cross-linking was observed between this peptide and FX following reaction with EDC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide) using SDS-PAGE. K408 and S409 were not evident in N-terminal sequence analysis of the cross-linked product, suggesting that two residues participated in cross-link formation. SPR-based assays using recombinant FVIII mutants with one or both residues substituted to alanine demonstrated that K408A and K408A/S409A had approximately fourfold high K d values of wild-type (WT-)FVIII. FXa cleavages at Arg372 in both mutants were significantly delayed, suggesting a contribution of K408 for FXa cleavage at Arg372. Furthermore, FXa generation assays with these mutants demonstrated that the K m values were 1.4- to 1.7-fold greater, and overall catalytic efficiency (k cat/K m) was 0.49- to 0.89-fold lower than with WT-FVIII, suggesting a significant contribution of K408 for FVIII–FX interaction in tenase assembly. We concluded that the K408 in the A2 domain provided an interactive-site for FX.