Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why do we fall into sync with others? Interpersonal synchronization and the brain’s optimization principle

ABSTRACT Spontaneous interpersonal synchronization of rhythmic behavior such as gait or hand clapping is a ubiquitous phenomenon in human interactions, and is potentially important for social relationships and action understanding. Although several authors have suggested a role of the mirror neuron system in interpersonal coupling, the underlying brain mechanisms are not well understood. Here we argue that more general theories of neural computations, namely predictive coding and the Free Energy Principle, could explain interpersonal coordination dynamics. Each brain minimizes coding costs by reducing the mismatch between the representations of observed and own motor behavior. Continuous mutual prediction and alignment result in an overall minimization of free energy, thus forming a stable attractor state.
Quantitative immunoprofiles of breast cancer performed by image analysis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the biopathologic profiles of breast cancer for greater knowledge of tumor natural history and clinical outcome. STUDY DESIGN In 99 in situ (ISC) and 2718 infiltrating breast carcinomas (IC), biologic markers (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR] proliferation index, cerbB-2/NEU, p53, bcl-2 and DNA ploidy) were evaluated with an image analysis system (CAS 200/486). In 105 mixed invasive cancers with size < or = 1 cm, a separate analysis of in situ (ISCm) and invasive component (ICm) was obtained. A clinical study of 836 invasive breast cancers was performed. RESULTS Different biophenotypes were obtained: among ISCs, cribriform type exhibited biologic behavior similar to that of normal breast tissue (ER+, PR+, proliferation index [PI] low, NEU-, p53-, bcl-2+) the opposite profile was displayed by comedo type, and intermediate phenotypes were observed in noncomedo and lobular types. Comparing ISC and ISCm, PI and p53 expression had the highest levels in ISCm with respect to other groups. NEU overexpression exhibited a decreasing value from ICm to IC. Younger women (< or = 40 years) with IC demonstrated a worse biologic profile (high PI, p53+, ER- and size > 2 cm). In multivariate analysis, PI and NEU in node-negative patients, and NEU, PR and size in node-positive ones emerged as prognostic parameters. CONCLUSION The results underline the importance of the quantitative biologic profile for defining tumor behavior and patient management.
Fluoroscopy-based navigation system in spine surgery

Abstract The variability in width, height, and spatial orientation of a spinal pedicle makes pedicle screw insertion a delicate operation. The aim of the current paper is to describe a computer-assisted surgical navigation system based on fluoroscopic X-ray image calibration and three-dimensional optical localizers in order to reduce radiation exposure while increasing accuracy and reliability of the surgical procedure for pedicle screw insertion. Instrumentation using transpedicular screw fixation was performed: in a first group, a conventional surgical procedure was carried out with 26 patients (138 screws); in a second group, a navigated surgical procedure (virtual fluoroscopy) was performed with 26 patients (140 screws). Evaluation of screw placement in every case was done by using plain X-rays and post-operative computer tomography scan. A 5 per cent cortex penetration (7 of 140 pedicle screws) occurred for the computer-assisted group. A 13 per cent penetration (18 of 138 pedicle screws) occurred for the non computer-assisted group. The radiation running time for each vertebra level (two screws) reached 3.5s on average in the computer-assisted group and 11.5s on average in the non computer-assisted group. The operative time for two screws on the same vertebra level reaches 10 min on average in the non computer-assisted group and 11.9 min on average in the computer-assisted group. The fluoroscopy-based (two-dimensional) navigation system for pedicle screw insertion is a safe and reliable procedure for surgery in the lower thoracic and lumbar spine.
Volatility transmission in the CO2 and energy markets

The main consequence of the launch, in 2005, of the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) has been the establishment of a price for carbon emissions. Thus, major energy producers in Europe are now aware of the impact of their polluting activities. The interest in analysing the carbon markets from a financial point of view has exponentially increased since the launch of the EU ETS. However, no research articles have focused their attention on the volatility transmission between CO2 and energy markets. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap in the literature. Specifically, our particular interest is to examine whether or not conditional volatility is transmitted across those markets since the start the EU ETS. We consider not only non-linearity in the variance of each series but we also allow for the possibility that changes in volatility in one of the markets may spill over to the others. The results show that CO2 is directly affected by its own volatility, and directly and indirectly (through the covariance) affected by the oil and natural gas volatility. Additionally, shocks originated in the CO2 and oil markets have an impact on CO2 volatility. Finally, the behaviour of oil volatility is similar to CO2 volatility in what concerns volatility transmission but this is not the case for natural gas volatility.
Assessing student learning of Newton’s laws: The Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation and the Evaluation of Active Learning Laboratory and Lecture Curricula

In this paper, we describe the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation, a research-based, multiple-choice assessment of student conceptual understanding of Newton’s Laws of Motion. We discuss a subset of the questions in detail, and give evidence for their validity. As examples of the application of this test, we first present data which examine student learning of dynamics concepts in traditional introductory physics courses. Then we present results in courses where research-based active learning strategies are supported by the use of microcomputer-based (MBL) tools. These include (1) Tools for Scientific Thinking Motion and Force and RealTime Physics Mechanics laboratory curricula, and (2) microcomputer-based Interactive Lecture Demonstrations. In both cases, there is strong evidence, based on the test, of significantly improved conceptual learning.
Elderly patients with dementia-related symptoms of severe agitation and aggression: consensus statement on treatment options, clinical trials methodology, and policy.

OBJECTIVE Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been used off label in clinical practice for treatment of serious dementia-associated agitation and aggression. Following reports of cerebrovascular adverse events associated with the use of atypical antipsychotics in elderly patients with dementia, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued black box warnings for several atypical antipsychotics titled "Cerebrovascular Adverse Events, Including Stroke, in Elderly Patients With Dementia. " Subsequently, the FDA initiated a metaanalysis of safety data from 17 registration trials across 6 antipsychotic drugs (5 atypical antipsychotics and haloperidol). In 2005, the FDA issued a black box warning regarding increased risk of mortality associated with the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs in this patient population. PARTICIPANTS Geriatric mental health experts participating in a 2006 consensus conference (Bethesda, Md., June 28-29) reviewed evidence on the safety and efficacy of antipsychotics, as well as nonpharmacologic approaches, in treating dementia-related symptoms of agitation and aggression. EVIDENCE/CONSENSUS PROCESS: The participants concluded that, while problems in clinical trial designs may have been one of the contributors to the failure to find a signal of drug efficacy, the findings related to drug safety should be taken seriously by clinicians in assessing the potential risks and benefits of treatment in a frail population, and in advising families about treatment. Information provided to patients and family members should be documented in the patient's chart. Drugs should be used only when nonpharmacologic approaches have failed to adequately control behavioral disruption. Participants also agreed that there is a need for an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of severe, persistent, or recurrent dementia-related symptoms of agitation and aggression (even in the absence of psychosis) that are unresponsive to nonpharmacologic intervention. CONCLUSIONS This article outlines methodological enhancements to better evaluate treatment approaches in future registration trials and provides an algorithm for improving the treatment of these patients in nursing home and non-nursing home settings.
A Marine Anthraquinone SZ-685C Overrides Adriamycin-Resistance in Breast Cancer Cells through Suppressing Akt Signaling

Breast cancer remains a major health problem worldwide. While chemotherapy represents an important therapeutic modality against breast cancer, limitations in the clinical use of chemotherapy remain formidable because of chemoresistance. The HER2/PI-3K/Akt pathway has been demonstrated to play a causal role in conferring a broad chemoresistance in breast cancer cells and thus justified to be a target for enhancing the effects of anti-breast cancer chemotherapies, such as adriamycin (ADR). Agents that can either enhance the effects of chemotherapeutics or overcome chemoresistance are urgently needed for the treatment of breast cancer. In this context, SZ-685C, an agent that has been previously shown, as such, to suppress Akt signaling, is expected to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy. Our current study investigated whether SZ-685C can override chemoresistance through inhibiting Akt signaling in human breast cancer cells. ADR-resistant cells derived from human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, MCF-7/ADR and MCF-7/Akt, were used as models to test the effects of SZ-685C. We found that SZ-685C suppressed the Akt pathway and induced apoptosis in MCF-7/ADR and MCF-7/Akt cells that are resistant to ADR treatment, leading to antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that use of SZ-685C might represent a potentially promising approach to the treatment of ADR-resistant breast cancer.
Non-Asymptotic Theory of Random Matrices

This lecture is based on results covered in [1, 2, 3]. Let Bn 2 = {x ∈ Rn : ‖x‖2 ≤ 1} denote the Euclidean ball in Rn. For a constant c > 0, let cBn 2 be the scaled unit ball {cx : x ∈ Rn, ‖x‖2 ≤ 1}, and let Vol(A) denote the volume of A. Then we may ask questions about the relationships of different volumes. For instance, what is the relationship between Vol(Bn 2 ) and Vol(2Bn 2 )? Elementary geometry shows this relationship is precisely Vol(2Bn 2 ) = 2 nVol(Bn 2 ). Similarly, for 2 > 0, we have
Generalized linear models and point count data: statistical considerations for the design and analysis of monitoring studies

The success of avian monitoring programs to effectively guide management decisions requires that studies be efficiently designed and data be properly analyzed. A complicating factor is that point count surveys often generate data with non-normal distributional properties. In this paper we review methods of dealing with deviations from normal assumptions, and we focus on the application of generalized linear models (GLMs). We also discuss problems associated with overdispersion (more variation than expected). In order to evaluate the statistical power of these models to detect differences in bird abundance, it is necessary for biologists to identify the effect size they believe is biologically significant in their system. We illustrate one solution to this challenge by discussing the design of a monitoring program intended to detect changes in bird abundance as a result of Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) reduction projects in central Oregon. We estimate biologically significant effect sizes by using GLMs to describe variation in bird abundance relative to natural variation in juniper cover. These analyses suggest that for species typically positively associated with juniper cover, a 60-80 percent decrease in abundance may be expected as a result of juniper reduction projects. With these estimates of expected effect size and preliminary data on bird abundance, we use computer simulations to investigate the power of GLMs. Our simulations demonstrate that when data are not overdispersed and sample sizes are relatively large, the statistical power of GLMs is approximated well by formulas that are currently available in the bird literature for other statistical techniques. When data are overdispersed, as may be the case with most point count data, power is reduced.
Emergence in swarming pervasive computing and Chaos Analysis

The growing emphasis on pervasive computing and MEMS requires the deployment the computation on very small devices for swarming system. The cooperation and interaction in such system inspired by biological system seem to be more and more complex and inconceivable because of highly dynamic, distributed and unpredicted features. The common stigmergy in biological decentralized system characterizes the important process that the individual agents indirectly interact with an environment by making changes to it. Through context-aware, these changes can raise the emergence that makes the swarming system more coherent, adaptive and robust. Understanding and exploiting emergence is key to study and engineer global coherent behavior in pervasive computing. This paper describes the process of emergence arisen from stigmergy in swarming, and present the fundamental mathematic method to gain more deeply insight of emergence. An experience was showed to prove that nonlinear dynamics and chaos time series analysis are one of the promising interdisciplinary methods that can provide the insights on producing and controlling emergence in pervasive computing environment
Design Patterns, Principles, and Strategies for Sustainable HCI

This workshop will bring together researchers in the Sustainable HCI (SHCI) field to reflect on sustainability challenges in HCI and collaboratively collate and develop a set of strategies for increasing and accelerating positive impact. We will explore 5 key questions towards this, and produce a collaborative position statement. Our key objective for the workshop will be to begin developing a series of design patterns, which we will ground with 'field trips' to areas of socio-ecological challenge. These design patterns will serve to provide a resource for practitioners and researchers wishing to adopt a sustainable approach to their work, and provide a touchstone for critique and evaluation of this work. The design patterns will contribute to an evolving, wiki-based repository and form the basis for several collaborative papers.
An energy-aware multipath-TCP-based content delivery scheme in heterogeneous wireless networks

IETF-proposed Multipath TCP (MPTCP) extends the standard TCP and allows data streams to be delivered across multiple simultaneous connections and consequently paths. The multipath capability of MPTCP provides increased bandwidth for applications in comparison with the classic single-path TCP, which makes it highly attractive for the current consumer mobile devices that support more than one radio interfaces (e.g. 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc.). However, MPTCP does not consider energy consumption aspects which are highly important for these devices. This paper proposes eMTCP, a novel energy-aware MPTCP-based content delivery scheme which balances support for increased throughput with energy consumption awareness. eMTCP is located at upper transport layer in mobile devices and requires no additional modifications of the MPTCP-enabled server. eMTCP increases the energy efficiency of mobile devices by offloading traffic from the more energy-consuming interfaces to others. Simulation-based experiments employing an eMTCP model which sends data streams via the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) interfaces show an increase of up to 14% in energy efficiency when using eMTCP in comparison with MPTCP and of up to 66% in terms of quality in comparison with single-path TCP.
Bounds and self-consistent estimates for creep of polycrystalline materials

A study of steady creep of face centred cubic (f. c. c.) and ionic polycrystals as it relates to single crystal creep behaviour is made by using an upper bound technique and a self-consistent method. Creep on a crystallographic slip system is assumed to occur in proportion to the resolved shear stress to a power. For the identical systems of an f. c. c. crystal the slip-rate on any system is taken as γ = α(ז/ז0)n where α is a reference strain-rate, ז is the resolved shear stress and ז0 is the reference shear stress. The tensile behaviour of a polycrystal of randomly orientated single crystals can be expressed as ∊̄ = α(σ̄/σ̄0)n where ∊̄ are σ̄ the overall uniaxial strain-rate and stress and σ̄0 is the uniaxial reference stress. The central result for an f. c. c. polycrystal in tension can be expressed as σ̄0 = h(n) ז0. Calculated bounds to h(n) coincide at one extreme (n = ∞) with the Taylor result for rigid/perfectly plastic behaviour and at the other (n = 1) with the Voigt bound for linear viscoelastic behaviour. The self-consistent results, which are shown to be highly accurate for n = 1, agree closely with the upper bound for n ≽ 3. Two types of glide systems are considered for ionic crystals: A-systems, {110} <110>, with γ = α(ז/זA)n; and B-systems, {100} <110>, with γ = α(ז/זB)n. The upper bound to the tensile reference stress σ̄0 is shown to have the simple form σ̄0 ≼ A(n)זA+B(n)זB; A(n) and B(n) are computed for the entire range of n, including the limit n = ∞. Self-consistent predictions are again in good agreement with the bounds for high n. Upper bounds in pure shear are also calculated for both f. c. c. and ionic polycrystals. These results, together with those for tension, provide a basis for assessing the most commonly used stress creep potentials. The simplest potential based on the single effective stress invariant is found to give a reasonably accurate characterization of multiaxial stress dependence.
Are domestic load profiles stable over time? An attempt to identify target households for demand side management campaigns

Elaborating demand side management strategies is crucial for integrating electricity from renewable sources into the electrical grid. Though future demand side will largely depend on an automatic control of larger loads, it is also widely agreed upon that consumer behavior will play an important role as well - be it by purchasing respective automation techniques or by shifting the use of appliances to other times of the day. Doing so, it becomes possible to select households that offer sufficient load shifting potential, and to overcome undirected and thus, expensive campaigns. To our knowledge, this perspective is still under-researched, especially when it comes to clustering methods on load consumption data with a focus on peak detection accuracy to provide customer segmentation. Using the data collected in the Irish CER dataset, which contains readings for more than 4000 residential customers over a period of 18 months at 30-minute intervals, we show that the whole clustering of the time series, with a few adaptations on the usage of the K-Means algorithm, provides better clustering results without sacrificing practical feasibility. Characteristic load profiles allow us to segment the customers, address groups of households with similar consumption patterns and determine on the fly the cluster membership of a given load curve. This will support decision making regarding the investments in load shifting campaigns to prevent over or under-dimensioning linked to peak energy demand.
Partially Digested Adult Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Promotes Cardiomyocyte Proliferation In Vitro

Stimulating or maintaining the proliferative capacity of postnatal mammalian cardiomyocytes is a major challenge to cardiac regeneration. Previously, it is found that fetal cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) can promote neonatal rat cardiomyocyte proliferation in vitro better than neonatal or adult ECM. It is hypothesized that partial digestion of adult ECM (PD‐ECM) would liberate less crosslinked components that promote cardiomyocyte proliferation, similar to fetal ECM. Neonatal rat cardiac cells are seeded onto substrates coated with adult rat cardiac ECM that has been solubilized in pepsin‐HCl for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. Cardiomyocyte proliferation and fold‐change in numbers from 1 to 5 d are highest on 1 and 3 h PD‐ECM compared to other conditions. Sarcomeres tend to mature on 24 and 48 h PD‐ECM where low proliferation is observed. 3 h PD‐ECM is primarily composed of Fibrillin‐1, Fibrinogen, and Laminins while 48 h PD‐ECM is dominated by Collagen I. Our results suggest that adult ECM retains regenerative cues that may be masked by more abundant, mature ECM components. PD‐ECM provides a simple yet powerful approach to promoting cardiomyocyte proliferation.
Remote Sensing Satellite Image Processing Techniques for Image Classification: A Comprehensive Survey

This paper is a brief survey of advance technological aspects of Digital Image Processing which are applied to remote sensing images obtained from various satellite sensors. In remote sensing, the image processing techniques can be categories in to four main processing stages: Image pre-processing, Enhancement, Transformation and Classification. Image pre-processing is the initial processing which deals with correcting radiometric distortions, atmospheric distortion and geometric distortions present in the raw image data. Enhancement techniques are applied to preprocessed data in order to effectively display the image for visual interpretation. It includes techniques to effectively distinguish surface features for visual interpretation. Transformation aims to identify particular feature of earth’s surface and classification is a process of grouping the pixels, that produces effective thematic map of particular land use and land cover.
Upregulation of TMEM16A Protein in Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Bacterial Pyocyanin

Induction of mucus hypersecretion in the airway epithelium by Th2 cytokines is associated with the expression of TMEM16A, a Ca2+-activated Cl- channel. We asked whether exposure of airway epithelial cells to bacterial components, a condition that mimics the highly infected environment occurring in cystic fibrosis (CF), also results in a similar response. In cultured human bronchial epithelial cells, treatment with pyocyanin or with a P. aeruginosa culture supernatant caused a significant increase in TMEM16A function. The Ca2+-dependent Cl- secretion, triggered by stimulation with UTP, was particularly enhanced by pyocyanin in cells from CF patients. Increased expression of TMEM16A protein and of MUC5AC mucin by bacterial components was demonstrated by immunofluorescence in CF and non-CF cells. We also investigated TMEM16A expression in human bronchi by immunocytochemistry. We found increased TMEM16A staining in the airways of CF patients. The strongest signal was observed in CF submucosal glands. Our results suggest that TMEM16A expression/function is upregulated in CF lung disease, possibly as a response towards the presence of bacteria in the airways.