Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interstellar PAH Emission in the 11-14 Micron Region: New Insightsfrom Laboratory Data and a Tracer of Ionized PAHs

The Ames infrared spectral database of isolated, neutral and ionized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) shows that aromatic CH out-of-plane bending frequencies are significantly shifted upon ionization. For solo- and duet-CH groups, the shift is pronounced and consistently toward higher frequencies. The solo-CH modes are blueshifted by an average of 27 cm-1 and the duet-CH modes by an average of 17 cm-1. For trio- and quartet-CH groups, the ionization shifts of the out-of-plane modes are more erratic and typically more modest. As a result of these ionization shifts, the solo-CH out-of-plane modes move out of the region classically associated with these vibrations in neutral PAHs, falling instead at frequencies well above those normally attributed to out-of-plane bending vibrations of any type. In addition, for the compact PAHs studied, the duet-CH out-of-plane modes are shifted into the frequency range traditionally associated with the solo-CH modes. These results refine our understanding of the origin of the dominant interstellar infrared emission feature near 11.2 μm, whose envelope has traditionally been attributed only to the out-of-plane bending of solo-CH groups on PAHs, and provide a natural explanation for the puzzling emission feature near 11.0 μm within the framework of the PAH model. Specifically, the prevalent but variable long-wavelength wing or shoulder that is often observed near 11.4 μm likely reflects the contributions of duet-CH units in PAH cations. Also, these results indicate that the emission between 926 and 904 cm-1 (10.8 and 11.1 μm) observed in many sources can be unambiguously attributed to the out-of-plane wagging of solo-CH units in moderately sized (fewer than 50 carbon atom) PAH cations, making this emission an unequivocal tracer of ionized interstellar PAHs.
Limit Theorems for a Cox-Ingersoll-Ross Process with Hawkes Jumps

In this paper we propose a stochastic process, which is a Cox-Ingersoll-Ross process with Hawkes jumps. It can be seen as a generalization of the classical Cox-Ingersoll-Ross process and the classical Hawkes process with exponential exciting function. Our model is a special case of the affine point processes. We obtain Laplace transforms and limit theorems, including the law of large numbers, central limit theorems, and large deviations.
Metal Ions in Neuroscience

Metal ions are believed to participate in many neurodegenerative conditions. In excitotoxic cell death there is convincing evidence for the participation of Ca2+ and Zn2+ ions although the exact molecular mechanisms by which these metals exert their effects are unclear. Only in one instance has the metal binding site of metalloenzymes been exploited for therapeutic purposes and this is the use of Li+ in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder. Again the exact molecular target is not clear but is likely to involve a Mg2+-dependent enzyme of an intracellular signalling pathway. In Parkinson's disease, the selective loss of dopaminergic neurones in the substantia nigra may be caused by radical-mediated damage and there is good evidence to suggest that Fe2+ or 3+ is important in promoting formation of radical species. The evidence that free radicals are important in mediating other neurodegenerative conditions is less strong but still substantial enough to suggest that removal of reactive oxygen species or preventing their formation may be a valid approach to therapy.
Improvement and Application of Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm based on the Parameters and the Strategy of Co-Evolution

PSO algorithm is an intelligent optimization algorithm based on swarm intelligence. Particle swarm optimization algorithm is simple, easy to implement, and it has a wide application prospect in scientific research and engineering applications . In real life, most of the optimization problem is the optimization problem of some nonlinear discrete with the existence of local. PSO algorithm also has some defects in treating optimization problem. The optimal performance of the PSO algorithm is efficiency; the attribut e weights are optimized, which is the same as to improve the accuracy of case retrieval. The application of case is based reasoning in th e optimization of pressure vessel model design. Through the experiment results, the optimization of the performance of PSO algorithm is better; the result of prediction is more approximate to the actual value, which can meet the needs of practical applications in engineering. The evolution strategy algorithm and the control parameters of the algorithm on the algorithm performance are affected. The control parameter adaptive particle swarm optimizer algorithm and evolution strategy of adaptive scheduling particle swarm algorithm, particle swarm optimization algorithm form a parameter and the strategy of co evolution, the co-evolution PSO algorithm and DBPSO algorithm and ASPSO algorithm are compared. The results show that, co-evolution PSO algorithm in the optimization performance improved to a certain extent than DBPSO algorithm and ASPSO algorithm, which achieved good results.
Modulation of Rhythmic Activity in Mammalian Spinal Networks Is Dependent on Excitability State

Visual Abstract Neuromodulators play an important role in activating rhythmically active motor networks; however, what remains unclear are the network interactions whereby neuromodulators recruit spinal motor networks to produce rhythmic activity. Evidence from invertebrate systems has demonstrated that the effect of neuromodulators depends on the pre-existing state of the network. We explored how network excitation state affects the ability of dopamine to evoke rhythmic locomotor activity in the neonatal mouse isolated spinal cord. We found that dopamine can evoke unique patterns of motor activity that are dependent on the excitability state of motor networks. Different patterns of motor activity ranging from tonic, nonrhythmic activity to multirhythmic, nonlocomotor activity to locomotor activity were produced by altering global motor network excitability through manipulations of the extracellular potassium and bath NMDA concentration. A similar effect was observed when network excitation was manipulated during an unstable multirhythm evoked by a low concentration (15 µm) of 5-HT, suggesting that our results are not neuromodulator specific. Our data show in vertebrate systems that modulation is a two-way street and that modulatory actions are largely influenced by the network state. The level of network excitation can account for variability between preparations and is an additional factor to be considered when circuit elements are removed from the network.
Design and Estimation for Evaluating Principal Surrogate Markers in Vaccine Trials

In vaccine research, immune biomarkers that can reliably predict a vaccine's effect on the clinical endpoint (i.e., surrogate markers) are important tools for guiding vaccine development. This article addresses issues on optimizing two‐phase sampling study design for evaluating surrogate markers in a principal surrogate framework, motivated by the design of a future HIV vaccine trial. To address the problem of missing potential outcomes in a standard trial design, novel trial designs have been proposed that utilize baseline predictors of the immune response biomarker(s) and/or augment the trial by vaccinating uninfected placebo recipients at the end of the trial and measuring their immune biomarkers. However, inefficient use of the augmented information can lead to counter‐intuitive results on the precision of estimation. To remedy this problem, we propose a pseudo‐score type estimator suitable for the augmented design and characterize its asymptotic properties. This estimator has superior performance compared with existing estimators and allows calculation of analytical variances useful for guiding study design. Based on the new estimator we investigate in detail the problem of optimizing the sampling scheme of a biomarker in a vaccine efficacy trial for efficiently estimating its surrogate effect, as characterized by the vaccine efficacy curve (a causal effect predictiveness curve) and by the predicted overall vaccine efficacy using the biomarker.
Quality of the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register: A systematic review

Aims: The Finnish Hospital Discharge Register (FHDR) is one of the oldest individual level hospital discharge registers and has been intensively used for research purposes. The aim of this study was to gather information concerning the quality of FHDR into one place in terms of a systematic review of validation studies that compare data to external information. Methods: Several reference databases were searched for validity articles published until January 2012. For each included study, focus of validation, register years examined, number of compared observations, external source(s) of data, summary of validation results, and conclusions concerning the validity of FHDR were extracted. Results: In total, 32 different studies comparing FHDR data to external information were identified. Most of the studies examined validity in the case of vascular disease, mental disorders or injuries. More than 95% of discharges could be identified from the register. Positive predictive value (PPV) for common diagnoses was between 75 and 99%. Conclusions: Completeness and accuracy in the register seem to vary from satisfactory to very good in the register as long as the recognised limitations are taking into account. Poor recording of subsidiary diagnoses and secondary operations and other rarely used items are the most obvious limitations in validity, but do not compromise the value of data in FHDR in being used in studies that are not feasible to conduct otherwise.
Consumption Flexibility, Product Configuration, and Market Competition

When purchase and consumption decisions are separated in time and when future utility is state dependent, consumers may desire to pursue consumption flexibility by purchasing different products together (multiple buying). This paper analyzes the effects of consumption flexibility on competing firms marketing mix decisions, in a model in which future preference uncertainty exists and consumers differ in their preferred product location on a horizontal attribute. The analysis shows that the nature of price competition in such markets is dependent upon whether consumer multiple buying (and thus primary demand) is endogenously induced. When preference uncertainty is important, the firms are involved in a flexibility trap in which primary demand is expanded but profits decrease with the spread of consumer heterogeneity. This counter-intuitive result is caused by the firms being induced to over-cut prices to increase primary demand when consumption flexibility is important. In response to this, the firms may configure their products to alleviate the adverse effect of consumer heterogeneity. For example, if preference uncertainty is important, the firms may choose to minimize differentiation on the horizontal attribute, or extend the current product line, to deal with the flexibility trap. The implications of allowing for positive salvage value, uncertainty heterogeneity, preference correlation, and state-dependent preference configuration are also investigated.
Cellular Responses of Candida albicans to Phagocytosis and the Extracellular Activities of Neutrophils Are Critical to Counteract Carbohydrate Starvation, Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress

Neutrophils are key players during Candida albicans infection. However, the relative contributions of neutrophil activities to fungal clearance and the relative importance of the fungal responses that counteract these activities remain unclear. We studied the contributions of the intra- and extracellular antifungal activities of human neutrophils using diagnostic Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-marked C. albicans strains. We found that a carbohydrate starvation response, as indicated by up-regulation of glyoxylate cycle genes, was only induced upon phagocytosis of the fungus. Similarly, the nitrosative stress response was only observed in internalised fungal cells. In contrast, the response to oxidative stress was observed in both phagocytosed and non-phagocytosed fungal cells, indicating that oxidative stress is imposed both intra- and extracellularly. We assessed the contributions of carbohydrate starvation, oxidative and nitrosative stress as antifungal activities by analysing the resistance to neutrophil killing of C. albicans mutants lacking key glyoxylate cycle, oxidative and nitrosative stress genes. We found that the glyoxylate cycle plays a crucial role in fungal resistance against neutrophils. The inability to respond to oxidative stress (in cells lacking superoxide dismutase 5 or glutathione reductase 2) renders C. albicans susceptible to neutrophil killing, due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We also show that neutrophil-derived nitric oxide is crucial for the killing of C. albicans: a yhb1Δ/Δ mutant, unable to detoxify NO•, was more susceptible to neutrophils, and this phenotype was rescued by the nitric oxide scavenger carboxy-PTIO. The stress responses of C. albicans to neutrophils are partially regulated via the stress regulator Hog1 since a hog1Δ/Δ mutant was clearly less resistant to neutrophils and unable to respond properly to neutrophil-derived attack. Our data indicate that an appropriate fungal response to all three antifungal activities, carbohydrate starvation, nitrosative stress and oxidative stress, is essential for full wild type resistance to neutrophils.
A Filter-and-Fan Metaheuristic for the 0-1 Multidimensional Knapsack Problem

This paper proposes a new hybrid tree search algorithm to the Multidimensional Knapsack Problem MKP that effectively combines tabu search with a dynamic and adaptive neighborhood search procedure. The authors' heuristic, based on a filter-and-fan F&F procedure, uses a Linear Programming-based Heuristic to generate a starting solution to the F&F process. A tabu search procedure is used to try to enhance the best solution value provided by the F&F method that generates compound moves by a strategically truncated form of tree search. They report the first application of the F&F method to the MKP. Experimental results obtained on a wide set of benchmark problems clearly demonstrate the competitiveness of the proposed method compared to the state-of-the-art heuristic methods.
‘Spring Theory’ - The Role of the Ankle during Sub-Maximal Hopping and its Modulation by Pathology, Fatigue and Training

Context: Eccentric exercises are increasingly being used to treat lower limb musculoskeletal conditions such as Achilles tendinopathy. Despite widespread clinical application and documented efficacy, mechanisms underpinning clinical benefit remain unclear. Positive adaptations in motor performance are one potential mechanism. Objective: To investigate how an eccentric loading intervention influences measures of stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) behaviour during a hopping task. Design: Within subjects repeated measures observational study. Setting: University motion analysis laboratory. Participants: Healthy adults. Interventions: A single intervention of 5 sets of 10 eccentric plantarflexion contractions at 6 RM using a commercial seated calf raise machine. Main outcome measures: Lower limb stiffness, sagittal plane ankle kinematics, and temporal muscle activity of the agonist (soleus) and antagonist (tibialis anterior) muscles, measured during sub-maximal hopping on a custom-built sledge-jump system. Results: Eccentric loading altered ankle kinematics during sub-maximal hopping; peak ankle angle shifted to a less dorsiflexed position by 2.9° and ankle angle pre-contact shifted by 4.4° (p<0.001). Lower limb stiffness increased from 5.9 to 6.8 Nm (p<0.001), whilst surface EMG measures of soleus occurred 14 to 44% earlier (p<0.001) following the loading intervention. Conclusions: These findings suggest that eccentric loading alters SSC behaviour in a manner reflective of improved motor performance. Decreased ankle excursion, increased lower limb stiffness and alterations in motor control may represent a positive adaptive response to eccentric loading. These findings support the theory that mechanisms underpinning eccentric loading for tendinopathy may in part be due to improved ‘buffering’ of the tendon by the neuromuscular system.
A new scheme of multiple automated guided vehicle system for collision and deadlock free

Conflicts and deadlocks are key issues in a multiple automated guided vehicle system, especially in complicated and uncertain environments. They have been challenges for ensuring the reliability, security, and efficiency of the multiple automated guided vehicle system. In this paper, a traffic control model based on semaphores is proposed to resolve conflict and deadlock problems in application of multiple automated guided vehicle system. Prototype experiments have been conducted and validated the function and performance of the proposed model.
Optimising locational access of deprived populations to farmers’ markets at a national scale: one route to improved fruit and vegetable consumption?

Background. Evidence suggests that improved locational access to farmers’ markets increases fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, particularly for low-income groups. Therefore, we modelled potential alternative distributions of farmers’ markets in one country (New Zealand) to explore the potential impact for deprived populations and an indigenous population (Māori). Methods. Data were collected on current farmers’ markets (n = 48), population distributions, area deprivation, and roads. Geographic analyses were performed to optimize market locations for the most deprived populations. Results. We found that, currently, farmers’ markets provided fairly poor access for the total population: 7% within 12.5 km (15 min driving time); 5% within 5 km; and 3% within 2 km. Modelling the optimal distribution of the 48 markets substantially improved access for the most deprived groups: 9% (vs 2% currently) within 12.5 km; 5% (vs 1%) within 5 km; and 3% (vs 1%) within 2 km. Access for Māori also improved: 22% (vs 7%) within 12.5 km; 12% (vs 4%) within 5 km; and 6% (vs 2%) within 2 km. Smaller pro-equity results arose from optimising the locations of the 18 least pro-equity markets or adding 10 new markets. Conclusion. These results highlight the potential for improving farmers’ market locations to increase accessibility for groups with low FV consumption. Given that such markets are easily established and relocated, local governments could consider these results to inform decisions, including subsidies for using government land and facilities. Such results can also inform central governments planning around voucher schemes for such markets and exempting them from taxes (e.g., VAT/GST).
Plant Identification Methodologies usingMachine Learning Algorithms

Plants are the backbone of all life and there are about 40 million plant species on Earth providing us with oxygen, food and many essential products helping for the existence of human life. A good understanding of plants is essential to help in the process of identification of new or rare plant species to improve the balance in the ecosystem. The matching of specimen plant to a known Taxon is termed as plant identification which implies assigning a particular plant to a known taxonomic group by comparing certain characteristics. Plant identification which has evolved over hundreds of years ago depends on the criteria and the system used. As identification enables us to retrieve the appropriate facts associated with different species to serve a particular kind of application, plant identification is essential. This paper includes various methodologies of numerous authors who have worked on different plant identification techniques.
Colour vision deficiency in the medical profession.

Colour is often used as a sign in medicine, yet there have been few studies into the effects of a colour vision deficiency (CVD) on doctors' medical skills. Using a literature search, the results indicate the prevalence of CVD in the medical profession and its effects on medical skills. For the congenital form among male doctors in the United Kingdom, the prevalence is shown to be probably about the same as for the population at large; i.e. 8%. However, the data is insufficient for any estimate to be made of the small number of female doctors and for the acquired forms of CVD. The effect on skills is also shown. Because of certain features of their work, general practitioners may have special problems. Thus, it is concluded that medical students and doctors should be screened for the deficiency and advised about it, and that there should be more study of the effects of CVD on decision-making in general practice and some specialties.
Recursive CR bounds: algebraic and statistical acceleration

Computation of the Cramer-Rao bound involves inversion of the Fisher information matrix (FIM). The inversion can become computationally intractable when the number of unknown parameters is large. Hero et. al. (see IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, Orlando, 1983) has presented a recursive, monotonically convergent and computationally efficient algorithm to invert sub-matrices of the FIM corresponding to a small region of interest in image reconstruction. The convergence rate of this algorithm depends on a splitting matrix which can be interpreted as a complete-data FIM. We investigate the acceleration of the algorithm using several different choices of the complete-data FIM. We also present a conjugate gradient based algorithm which achieves a much faster convergence rate at the expense of monotone convergence. We apply the methods developed in this paper to emission tomography. <<ETX>>
Nonlocal Analysis of Dynamic Instability of Micro-and Nano-Rods

Abstract. The dynamic stability problem is solved for onedimensional structures subjected to time-dependent deterministic or stochastic axial forces. The stability analysis of structures under time-dependent forces strongly depends on dissipation energy. The simplest model of viscous damping with constant coefficient was commonly assumed in previous papers despite the fact that there are other more sophisticated theories of energy dissipation according to which different engineering constant have different dissipative properties. The paper is concerned with the stochastic parametric vibrations of microand nano-rods based on the Eringen’s nonlocal elasticity theory and Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The asymptotic instability, and almost sure asymptotic instability criteria involving a damping coefficient, structure and loading parameters are derived using Liapunov’s direct method. Using the appropriate energylike Liapunov functional sufficient conditions for the asymptotic instability, and the almost sure asymptotic instability of undeflected form of beam are derived. The nonlocal Euler-Bernoulli beam accounts for the scale effect, which becomes significant when dealing with short microand nanorods. From obtained analytical formulas it is clearly seen that the small scale effect decreases the dynamic instability region. Instability regions are functions of the axial force variance, the constant component of axial force and the damping coefficient.
Photogrowth: non-photorealistic renderings through ant paintings

We introduce photogrowth, an evolutionary approach to the production of non-photorealistic renderings of images. The painting algorithm - inspired by ant colony approaches - is described and explained, giving emphasis to its novel aspects: the evolution of the sensory parameters of the ants; the production of resolution independent images; the rendering lines of variable width. The experimental results highlight the range of imagery that can be evolved by the system and show the potential of the approach for the production of large-format artworks.