Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequency dependency of NMDA receptor‐dependent synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region of freely behaving mice

Hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the form of long‐term potentiation (LTP) and long‐term depression (LTD) is likely to enable synaptic information storage in support of memory formation. The mouse brain has been subjected to intensive scrutiny in this regard; however, a multitude of studies has examined synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal slice preparation, whereas very few have addressed synaptic plasticity in the freely behaving mouse. Almost nothing is known about the frequency or N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dependency of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the intact mouse brain. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the forms of synaptic plasticity that are elicited at different afferent stimulation frequencies. We also addressed the NMDAR dependency of this phenomenon. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were chronically implanted with a stimulating electrode into the Schaffer collaterals and a recording electrode into the Stratum radiatum of the CA1 region. To examine synaptic plasticity, we chose protocols that were previously shown to produce either LTP or LTD in the hippocampal slice preparation. Low‐frequency stimulation (LFS) at 1 Hz (900 pulses) had no effect on evoked responses. LFS at 3 Hz (ranging from 200 up to 2 × 900 pulses) elicited short‐term depression (STD, <45 min). LFS at 3 Hz (1,200 pulses) elicited slow‐onset potentiation, high‐frequency stimulation (HFS) at 100 Hz (100 or 200 pulses) or at 50 Hz was ineffective, whereas 100 Hz (50 pulses) elicited short‐term potentiation (STP). HFS at 100 Hz given as 2 × 30, 2 × 50, or 4 × 50 pulses elicited LTP (>24 h). Theta‐burst stimulation was ineffective. Antagonism of the NMDAR prevented STD, STP, and LTP. This study shows for the first time that protocols that effectively elicit persistent synaptic plasticity in the slice preparation elicit distinctly different effects in the intact mouse brain. Persistent LTD could not be elicited with any of the protocols tested. Plasticity responses are NMDAR dependent, suggesting that these phenomena are relevant for hippocampus‐dependent learning. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi-Channel Apollo Mission Speech Transcripts Calibration

NASA’s Apollo program is a great achievement of mankind in the 20th century. Previously we had introduced UTD-CRSS Apollo data digitization initiative where we proposed to digitize Apollo mission speech data (~100,000 hours) and develop Spoken Language Technology based algorithms to analyze and understand various aspects of conversational speech[1]. A new 30 track analog audio decoder is designed to decode 30 track Apollo analog tapes and is mounted on to the NASA Soundscriber analog audio decoder (in place of single channel decoder). Using the new decoder all 30 channels of data can be decoded simultaneously thereby reducing the digitization time significantly. We have digitized 19,000 hours of data from Apollo missions (including entire Apollo-11, most of Apollo13, Apollo-1, and Gemini-8 missions). Each audio track corresponds to a specific personnel/position in NASA mission control room or astronauts in space. Since many of the planned Apollo related spoken language technology approaches need transcripts we have developed an Apollo mission specific custom Deep Neural Networks (DNN) based Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system. Apollo specific language models are developed. Most audio channels are degraded due to high channel noise, system noise, attenuated signal bandwidth, transmission noise, cosmic noise, analog tape static noise, noise due to tape aging, etc,. In this paper we propose a novel method to improve the transcript quality by using Signal-to-Noise ratio of channels and N-Gram sentence similarity metrics across data channels. The proposed method shows significant improvement in transcript quality of noisy channels. The Word Error Rate (WER) analysis of transcripts across channels shows significant reduction.
On the Repeatability of EEG Features in a Biometric Recognition Framework using a Resting State Protocol

In this paper the feasibility of the electroencephalogram (EEG) as biometric identifier is investigated with focus on the repeatability of the EEG features employed in the proposed framework. The use of EEG within the biometric framework has already been introduced in the recent past although it has not been extensively analyzed. In this contribution we infer about the invariance over time of the employed EEG features, which is one of the most relevant properties a biometric identifier should possess in order to be employed in real life applications. For the purpose of this study we rely on the “resting state” protocol. The employed database is composed by healthy subjects whose EEG signals have been acquired in two different sessions. Different electrodes configurations pertinent to the employed protocol have been considered. Autoregressive statistical modeling using reflection coefficients has been adopted and a linear classifier has been tested. The obtained results show that a high degree of repeatability has been achieved over the considered interval.
Analysis of stochastic torus-type bursting in 3 D neuron model

We study the stochastic dynamics of the Hindmarsh–Rose model of neuronal activity in the parametrical zone close to the Neimark–Sacker bifurcation. We show that in this zone, random disturbances transform the tonic spiking dynamic regime into the bursting one. This stochastic phenomenon is confirmed by the approximations of the probability density functions for the distribution of random trajectories as well as the interspike intervals statistics. For a quantitative analysis of the noise-induced bursting, we suggest and effectively apply a constructive approach based on the stochastic sensitivity function technique and the method of confidence domains.
Governance, CEO Identity, and Quality Provision of Farmer Cooperatives

textabstractGovernance structure specifies the allocation of ownership rights, decision rights, and income rights. A cooperative is characterized by user ownership, user control, and user benefits. The focus of this thesis is on various governance structure characteristics and the efficiency of farmer cooperatives. Special attention is dedicated to cooperatives in China. The thesis consists of six chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the structure of the thesis and provides an overview of farmer cooperatives in China, especially in terms of the history, the modes, and organization characteristics. The genesis of farmer cooperatives in China is described in chapter 2. Chapter 3 delineates the governance structure of Chinese farmer cooperatives in terms of the allocation of ownership rights, decision rights, and income rights within the membership. A principal-agent model is developed in chapter 4 to explore the efficiency of cooperatives with different CEO identities, member CEO or outside CEO. Chapter 5 examines how farmers producing differentiated quality products choose different governance structures in a non-cooperative game. Besides, the impact of the cooperatives’ presence in the market on the welfare of various stakeholders is analyzed. We conclude in chapter 6.
Frequency-compression outcomes in listeners with steeply sloping audiograms

Previous investigation of an experimental, wearable frequency-compression hearing aid revealed improvements in speech perception for a group of listeners with moderately sloping audiograms (Simpson et al, 2005). In the frequency-compression hearing aid, high frequencies (above 1600 Hz) were amplified in addition to being lowered in frequency. Lower frequencies were amplified without frequency shifting. In the present study, an identical frequency-compression scheme was evaluated in a group of seven subjects, all of whom had steeply sloping hearing losses. No significant differences in group mean scores were found between the frequency-compression device and a conventional hearing instrument for understanding speech in quiet. Testing in noise showed improvements for the frequency-compression scheme for only one of the five subjects tested. Subjectively, all but one of the subjects preferred the sound quality of the conventional hearing instruments. In conclusion, the experimental frequency-compression scheme provided only limited benefit to these listeners with steeply sloping hearing losses. Sumario Las investigaciones previas sobre un auxiliar auditivo experimental con compresión de frecuencia revelaron una mejor percepción del lenguaje en un grupo de oyentes con audiogramas de pendiente moderada (Simpson y col., 2005). En el auxiliar auditivo con compresión de frecuencia, las frecuencias agudas (por encima de 1600Hz) se amplificaron además de ser reducidas en frecuencia. Las frecuencias más graves fueron amplificadas sin cambio en la frecuencia. En el presente estudio, un esquema similar de compresión de frecuencia fue evaluado en un grupo de 7 sujetos, todos los cuales tenían hipoacusia con pendientes abruptas. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en los puntajes medios de grupo para entender el lenguaje en silencio entre el dispositivo con compresión de frecuencia y el instrumento convencional. La evaluación en ruido mostró mejoría para el esquema de compresión de la frecuencia en sólo uno de los cinco sujetos evaluados. Subjetivamente, todos menos uno de los sujetos, prefirieron la calidad del sonido de los instrumentos auditivos convencionales. En conclusión, el esquema experimental de compresión de frecuencia aportó sólo un beneficio limitado para los oyentes con hipoacusias de pendiente abrupta.
Assessment of iron stores in children with transfusion siderosis by biomagnetic liver susceptometry

To investigate the applicability of noninvasive Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) biomagnetic liver susceptometry and its limitations in thalassemic children, 23 patients with β‐thalassemia major and other iron loading anemias (age: 4–16 years) and 16 age‐related normal children were studied. Liver iron concentrations ranged from 600 to 11,000 μg/gliver for thalassemic patients and from 60 to 340 μg/gliver for normal patients. Measuring the respective organ volumes by sonography, liver and spleen iron stores, accounting for 80% of total body iron stores, were estimated. Nonliver contributions from the lung or intestine to the measured SQUID signals in the small‐sized patients were not observed. Moreover, livers in thalassemia were found to be enlarged by 18% per 1,000 μg/g (r = 0.75, P < 10−3). Serum ferritin values correlate significantly with iron stores (r = 0.64, P < 10−3), but predict iron stores only within large error intervals of 4,000 μg/gliver. Analyzing the experimental data from biomagnetometry and from related transfusion and chelation treatment data within the framework of a two‐compartment model, we were able to derive additional information on total body iron elimination and chelation therapy efficacy. The exponential decline of iron stores allows forecast of steady‐state conditions of the final iron load for a particular transfusion and chelation therapy regimen. Am. J. Hematol. 60:289–299, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unidirectional Radiation Efficient Stacked Aperture Antenna for X-Band Application

Presented is a unidirectional slot aperture antenna for wideband operation, which is composed of two stacked bow-tie apertures backed by a metallic reflector. Parasitic parallel plate wave propagation is suppressed by shorting pins. The measured bandwidth defined by return loss < -10 dB is 27%. The radiation efficiency in this frequency range is about 85%.
Torque-ripple reduction in PM synchronous motor drives using repetitive current control

The paper deals with the torque-ripple reduction in a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive with distorted back electromotive force. A smooth torque is obtained by tracking a modified current reference which is periodic over one-sixth of the electrical time period in the synchronous reference frame. An accurate tracking involves, however, very high current loop bandwidth, which is usually not achievable with conventional linear controllers. In order to improve current tracking in the presence of periodic reference signals and disturbances, the paper proposes the application of repetitive techniques to the current control in a field-oriented PMSM drive, where the q-axis current reference has been modified to achieve constant torque. The paper investigates the advantages and pitfalls of the method, through a mathematical analysis and an experimental validation obtained on a laboratory prototype. Particular emphasis is placed on the adjustments that have been specifically studied to enhance the overall system performance.
USULAN KERANGKA MANAJEMEN RESIKO IMPLEMENTASI TEKNOLOGI BARU DALAM MENDUKUNG AKTIVITAS BISNIS PERUSAHAAN TELEKOMUNIKASI

Penerapan teknologi baru dalam perusahaan seringkali bermanfaat dalam pengembangan bisnis perusahaan. Hal ini namun juga tidak jarang menimbulkan masalah yang bervariasi. Kegagalan atas penerapan teknologi baru pada umumnya disebabkan kurangnya analisis resiko terhadap pengimplementasian teknologi baru untuk mendukung kinerja bisnis perusahaan. Oleh sebab itu, resiko harus dikelola dengan baik agar dapat diminimalkan potensi kerugian yang ditimbulkan akibat terjadinya resiko tersebut. Terkait dengan penggunaan teknologi baru, aktivitas manajemen resiko akan mengurangi dampak kerugian atas pemanfaatan teknologi baru yang pada akhirnya akan mengakibatkan tidak terganggunya kinerja bisnis perusahaan. Hal ini menjadi sangat penting khususnya bagi perusahaan yang memanfaatkan teknologi sebagai komponen utama pada aktivitas bisnisnya seperti pada perusahaan telekomunikasi. Makalah ini memberikan usulan kerangka yang berisi tahapan-tahapan aktivitas manajemen resiko yang dapat dilakukan terhadap pemanfaatan teknologi baru dalam rangka mendukung aktivitas bisnis pada perusahaan telekomunikasi.
V(D)J Recombination Frequencies Can Be Profoundly Affected by Changes in the Spacer Sequence1

Each V, D, and J gene segment is flanked by a recombination signal sequence (RSS), composed of a conserved heptamer and nonamer separated by a 12- or 23-bp spacer. Variations from consensus in the heptamer or nonamer at specific positions can dramatically affect recombination frequency, but until recently, it had been generally held that only the length of the spacer, but not its sequence, affects the efficacy of V(D)J recombination. In this study, we show several examples in which the spacer sequence can significantly affect recombination frequencies. We show that the difference in spacer sequence alone of two VHS107 genes affects recombination frequency in recombination substrates to a similar extent as the bias observed in vivo. We show that individual positions in the spacer can affect recombination frequency, and those positions can often be predicted by their frequency in a database of RSS. Importantly, we further show that a spacer sequence that has an infrequently observed nucleotide at each position is essentially unable to support recombination in an extrachromosmal substrate assay, despite being flanked by a consensus heptamer and nonamer. This infrequent spacer sequence RSS shows only a 2-fold reduction of binding of RAG proteins, but the in vitro cleavage of this RSS is ∼9-fold reduced compared with a good RSS. These data demonstrate that the spacer sequence should be considered to play an important role in the recombination efficacy of an RSS, and that the effect of the spacer occurs primarily subsequent to RAG binding.
Ethanol perturbs receptor-operated cytosolic free calcium concentration signals in cultured rat hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Studies of the acute effects of ethanol on hepatocellular free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, and on receptor-operated [Ca2+]i signals have produced conflicting results. The effects of ethanol on basal and receptor-operated [Ca2+]i signals in rat hepatocytes cultured on two different extracellular matrices were examined. METHODS [Ca2+]i was determined by digitized fluorescence microscopy and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins[1,4,5]P3) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS Ethanol induced an increase in [Ca2+]i in hepatocytes cultured on collagen I but not on the more physiological substratum, matrigel. Compared with hepatocytes cultured on matrigel, cells on collagen I exerted less responsiveness and lower amplitude of [Ca2+]i signals to vasopressin or phenylephrine. The effects of ethanol on receptor-operated [Ca2+]i signals were examined in hepatocytes cultured on matrigel. Incubation of hepatocytes with physiologically attainable concentrations of ethanol (20-30 mmol/L) for 30 minutes to 48 hours perturbed epidermal growth factor, phenylephrine, and lower concentration (< or = 1 nmol/L) of vasopressin-induced [Ca2+]i signaling by reducing the amplitude and changing the pattern of [Ca2+]i signals. Alcohol induced-impairment of [Ca2+]i signaling was associated with decreased production of Ins(1,4,5)P3. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol does not itself evoke an increase in [Ca2+]i in hepatocytes cultured on matrigel but perturbs receptor-operated [Ca2+]i signaling. This is associated with and could be caused by impaired generation of Ins(1,4,5)P3.
Aortic stenosis: expanding treatment options.

[Graphic][1] Aortic stenosis has markedly increased in prevalence and incidence as the life expectancy of citizens of Western societies has increased substantially. Indeed, we learned that there are patients with high- gradient, low-flow low-gradient, and even paradoxical low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis.1–3 While surgical valve replacement was the treatment of choice for decades,4 transcatheter aorrtic valve implantation or TAVI has become an increasingly safe, effective, and attractive treatment option in patients at high risk for surgery.5,6 A downside of, in particular, the first-generation TAVI valves is the relatively high prevalence of paravalvular leaks with impact on clinical outcome.7,8 However, as outlined by Fabian Nietlispach and colleagues from the University Heart Center in Zurich, Switzerland in the review ‘ Percutaneous paravalvular leak closure: chasing the chameleon ’,9 a catheter-based approach can also solve this problem. The authors note that paravalvular leaks occur after both surgical10 and transcatheter valve replacement or implantation, respectively. This can lead to haemolysis and heart failure, and may increase the risk of endocarditis. Recently, proper adjudication of such leaks has been well defined, setting the basis for proper management.11 Percutaneous closure has significantly less morbidity than re-operation and is therefore often the therapy of choice. Percutaneous paravalvular leak closure can make an important difference for patients and can improve patient prognosis. Whether and in what patient population TAVI is superior to surgical valve replacement remains an ongoing debate.12,13 In a FAST TRACK paper entitled ‘ Transcatheter aortic valve implantation vs. surgical aortic valve replacement for treatment of severe aortic stenosis: a meta-analysis of randomized trials ’, Stephan Windecker and colleagues from the University Hospital Bern in Switzerland14 note that in light of current evidence available from randomized trials, they aimed to compare the collective safety … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
STRATEGIC ORIENTATION OF HR MANAGERS IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION COMPANIES IN SOUTH ASIA

The research problem was formulated as: “With the increased emphasis on human capital as a global trend, what is the extent of strategic orientation of Human Resource Managers in South Asia? ” The objectives were to identify the personal factors as well as organizational factors that contribute to the strategic orientation of HR Managers and to identify the interactional effects of personal and organizational factors. The scope of the research was limited to selected mobile communication companies from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A mixed methodology involving a predominantly qualitative approach supported by a quantitative component was adapted. In depth interviews were conducted with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Finance Officer, and the Head of HR of each company. The key personal factors emerged were tacit knowledge, conceptual skills, and business awareness. Leader’s recognition of HR, conducive organizational environment and performance orientation emerged as key organizational factors. Key Words: HR Managers, Strategic Orientation, Competency Deficit, Opportunity Deficit, Mobile Communication Companies For full paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac. lk
Changes in EEG Behavior through Feedback Presentation

Performance of brain-computer interface (BCI) will depend, to a great extent, on the ability of subjects to control their own electroencephalographic signals (EEG). To this end, it is necessary to follow a suitable training and to provide some type of visual feedback. The objective of this study is to explore the possibility of improving the EEG control via feedback presentation. Eighteen untrained subjects, divided in two groups, were trained using a BCI system based on virtual reality techniques, which submits subjects to a more familiar environment, such as controlling a car to avoid different obstacles. Different types of obstacles were introduced for each group. Significant differences in classification error rates between both groups were obtained during the last second of the feedback period.
Application of ABAQUS/Explicit submodeling technique in drop simulation of system assembly

In this paper, an impact analysis procedure coupled with submodeling technique in ABAQUS/Explicit under version 6.3 was established. A nested submodeling technique was adapted from a system assembly level global model to an electronic package component (first level submodel) and then to a solder ball (second level submodel) in the drop simulation. As a demonstration, a dummy PWB board drop vehicle was first used to verify the proposed procedures using submodeling technique in ABAQUS/Explicit. The results show that in general, submodeling technique in ABAQUS/Explicit provides very positive solutions for displacements, stresses (strains) and accelerations. Then, based on the framework developed, this technique was implemented into system assembly drop simulation. The whole approach starts from an initial global linear analysis of the selected system assembly to identify component areas where the response to the loading is deemed vital. Then, these component areas are enhanced through remeshing and linear reanalyzing to determine crucial solder joint. Finally, the crucial solder joint is refined via remeshing and nonlinear reanalyzing.