Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correction: Liu, W. et al. A Highly Sensitive Humidity Sensor Based on Ultrahigh-Frequency Microelectromechanical Resonator Coated with Nano-Assembled Polyelectrolyte Thin Films. Micromachines, 2017, 8, 116

1. Liu, W. ; Qu, H. ; Hu, J.; Pang, W. ; Zhang, H. ; Duan, X. A Highly Sensitive Humidity Sensor Based on Ultrahigh-Frequency Microelectromechanical Resonator Coated with Nano-Assembled Polyelectrolyte Thin Films. Micromachines, 2017, 4, 116. © 2017 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
On Single-Channel Speech Enhancement and On Non-Linear Modulation-Domain Kalman Filtering

This report focuses on algorithms that perform single-channel speech enhancement. The author of this report uses modulation-domain Kalman filtering algorithms for speech enhancement, i.e. noise suppression and dereverberation, in [1], [2], [3], [4] and [5]. Modulation-domain Kalman filtering can be applied for both noise and late reverberation suppression and in [2], [1], [3] and [4], various model-based speech enhancement algorithms that perform modulation-domain Kalman filtering are designed, implemented and tested. The model-based enhancement algorithm in [2] estimates and tracks the speech phase. The short-time-Fourier-transform-based enhancement algorithm in [5] uses the active speech level estimator presented in [6]. This report describes how different algorithms perform speech enhancement and the algorithms discussed in this report are addressed to researchers interested in monaural speech enhancement. The algorithms are composed of different processing blocks and techniques [7]; understanding the implementation choices made during the system design is important because this provides insights that can assist the development of new algorithms. Index Terms - Speech enhancement, dereverberation, denoising, Kalman filter, minimum mean squared error estimation.
Notoginsenoside R1 Protects Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through Activating Estrogen Receptor α and Its Downstream Signaling

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) leads to heart failure and death in diabetic patients, no effective treatment is available. Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) is a novel saponin that is derived from Panax notoginseng and our previous studies have showed cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects of NGR1. However, its role in protecting against DCM remains unexplored. Herein, we examine potential effects of NGR1 on cardiac function of diabetic db/db mice and H9c2 cardiomyocytes treated by advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In vitro experiments revealed that pretreatment with NGR1 significantly decreased AGEs-induced mitochondria injury, limited an increase in ROS, and reduced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. NGR1 eliminated ROS by promoting estrogen receptor α expression, which subsequently activated Akt and Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidant enzymes. In vivo investigation demonstrated that NGR1 significantly reduced serum lipid levels, insulin resistance, the expression of enzymes related to cardiomyopathy, and the expression of apoptotic proteins. Finally, NGR1 improved cardiac dysfunction and attenuated histological abnormalities, as evidenced by elevating ejection fraction and fractional shortening, and reducing cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, NGR1 promoted ERα expression, which led to the activation of Akt-Nrf2 signaling and the inhibition of the TGFβ pathway. Collectively, these results strongly indicate that NGR1 exerts cardioprotective effects against DCM through its inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis, and eventually suppresses cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy, which suggests that NGR1 is a potential therapeutic medicine for the treatment of DCM.
Female pied flycatchers prefer brightly coloured males

Abstract Abstract. In birds, it has proved difficult to demonstrate conclusively that females prefer particular male traits. One problem is that females may sample few males before settling. To circumvent this problem, the mate sampling behaviour of female pied flycatchers, Ficedula hypoleuca , was followed in the field by using video-cameras, and the plumage colours of the accepted and the rejected males were compared. Females mated preferentially with the more brightly coloured males. In territorial species, another problem in the study of mate choice has been to separate the effect of female choice on the male trait from the effects of territorial quality and other male characteristics, since they will often be intercorrelated. In aviary experiments, the effect of territory quality was controlled for by giving females a mating option between a bright and a dull male, each occupying a nestbox in compartments of the same size. In one experiment, females could choose between males with natural plumage colours (bright versus dull). In another experiment, the effects of age and behavioural correlates of male plumage colour were controlled for by painting one of two dull males bright black. In both these aviary experiments, females preferred the more brightly coloured male. This shows that male plumage colour per se represents a cue for mate choice by female pied flycatchers.
Spatial Working Memory and Reference Memory of Brown Norway and WAG Rats in a Holeboard Discrimination Task

To determine whether working memory (WM) and reference memory (RM) represent different aspects of spatial memory, albino WAG rats and the pigmented Brown Norway rats were tested in the acquisition, retention, and reversal of spatial orientation tasks in the holeboard, which allows the simultaneous assessment of WM and RM. Putative nonmnemonic factors, such as the speed of visiting the holes or the development of a search strategy (preferred sequence of visiting the baited set of holes) were also evaluated because they might influence WM and RM performance. The WM performance of Brown Norway rats was generally worse than that of the WAG rats. The reverse was true for the RM performance. Correlation analysis supported the notion that these two measures are independent. Differences in the speed of visiting the holes and in the development of a preferred sequence of visiting the baited set of holes could not explain the strain differences in WM and RM performance. Because spatial WM and RM appear to be independent measures in the holeboard, this task could be used to investigate whether different neural substrate(s) underlie these two memory components.
Autophagy Modulators and Neuroinflammation.

BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the development and progression of various neurological disorders. Therefore, various studies have focused on the development of neuroinflammation inhibitors as potential therapeutic tools. Recently, the involvement of autophagy in the regulation of neuroinflammation has drawn substantial scientific interest, and a growing number of studies support a role of impaired autophagy in the pathogenesis of common neurodegenerative disorders. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to review recent research on the role of autophagy in controlling neuroinflammation. We focus on studies employing both mammalian cells and animal models to evaluate the ability of different autophagic modulators to regulate neuroinflammation. METHOD We have mostly reviewed recent studies reporting anti-neuroinflammatory properties of autophagy. We also briefly discussed a few studies showing that autophagy modulators activate neuroinflammation in certain conditions. RESULTS Recent studies report neuroprotective as well as anti-neuroinflammatory effects of autophagic modulators. We discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of action of these drugs and their potential limitations as therapeutic agents against neurological disorders. CONCLUSION Autophagy activators are promising compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders involving neuroinflammation.
The effect of predator presence on body mass in captive greenfinches

Abstract Many passerines wintering in temperate regions rely on their energy reserves for survival during periods when foraging is not possible. Excessive fat reserves, however, increase body mass and thus reduce agility and speed in flight, imposing a survival cost when the bird tries to escape from predators. If fat reserves reflect a trade-off between starvation and predation risks, the size of reserves could be expected to vary with the perceived level of predation risk. The hypothesis that increasing the relative risk of predation results in decreased body mass was tested experimentally using captive greenfinches, Carduelis chloris Greenfinches show winter fattening and take flight when disturbed and are therefore suitable for testing the hypothesis. The perceived predation risk, a stuffed predator moved in the birds’ environment, resulted in lower body mass. Handling the birds had the same effect. These results support theoretical predictions and some field data regarding the adjustment of body mass to variation in the predation risk. They further suggest, in line with other studies, that birds are able to change body mass in response to proximate factors.
Propofol sparing effect of dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulfate during BIS targeted anesthesia: A prospective, randomized, placebo controlled trial

Background and Aims: Maintenance of adequate depth of anesthetic is crucial to prevent awareness and to reduce stress response associated with surgery. Goals of balanced general anesthetic are met by use of adjuvants to facilitate use of lower anesthetic dose, while ensuring adequate anesthetic depth. This study employed BIS monitoring to compare the anesthetic sparing effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulphate on induction dose of propofol by maintaining a BIS value of 40-50. Material and Methods: One hundred and twenty ASA I and II patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthetic were included in three groups of forty each. Group D received 1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine, Group M was given 30 mg/kg of magnesium sulphate in 100 ml saline and Group N received 100 ml saline over 15-20 minutes 15 minutes before induction. Data compared were dose of propofol and vecuronium, Ramsay sedation score, BIS values and hemodynamic parameters intraoperatively. Results: Propofol required in group D was significantly lower 101.3 ± 16.5 than group M and N with dose of 114 ± 15.5 and 160.50 ± 25.08 respectively (p <0.001). Dose requirement of vecuronium was significantly reduced in group M 5.4 ± 0.8 and group D 6.6 ± 1.2 as compared to N 7.9 ± 1.4 (p <0.001). No significant differences were seen regarding baseline hemodynamics, RSS and BIS values in all groups. After study drug infusion, RSS was 4.59 ± 0.75 in dexmedetomidine group compared to 1.9 ± 0.7 and 1.4 ± 0.5 in group M and N (p <0.001). During maintenance, significantly lower HR, MAP and BIS values were seen in group D and M than N (p <0.001). Conclusion: Our study showed that pretreatment with dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulphate significantly reduced the induction dose of propofol by maintaining a constant BIS in value at 40-50. However, both the drugs reduced the time to reach BIS 40-50 but sedation and sparing of propofol was more in dexmedetomidine group.
Effekter av tidlig tann- og munnundersøkelse hos barn i alderen 0-5 år.

vikling hos små barn. Denne rapporten omhandler tidspunkt for første tannog munnundersøkelse hos barn. Hensikten var å oppsummere effekter av første tannog munnundersøkelsen ved 0-2 års alder sammenlignet med første tannog munnundersøkelsen ved 3-5 års alder. Vi fant ingen studier som svarte direkte på spørsmålet. Vi fant én studie som delvis besvarte spørsmålet. Tidspunktet for første tannundersøkelse er evaluert i én liten norsk studie med 312 barn. Resultatene av svært lav kvalitet viser at: • barn som ble undersøkt første gang allerede ved 2-års alder, inkludert forebyggende tiltak, hadde bedre tannstatus da de ble undersøkt på nytt ved 3,5-års alder sammenlignet med barn som ikke var blitt undersøkt ved 2-års alder: • lavere forekomst av tannråte i tannbenet (dentinkaries) • færre tenner med dentinkarieserfaring • færre tannfl ater med dentinkaries • lavere forekomst av emaljekaries (emaljeskade ved et begynnende kariesangrep) • det ikke var påvist forskjell mellom de Effekter av tidlig tannog munnundersøkelse hos barn i alderen 0-5 år
Venom metering by juvenile prairie rattlesnakes,
 Crotalus v. viridis
 : effects of prey size and experience

Despite contradictory evidence, it is widely believed that venomous snakes carefully control, or 'meter', the quantities of venom expended when feeding upon rodent prey. The major purpose of this study was to clarify experimentally whether juvenile prairie rattlesnakes inject more venom into larger mice than smaller mice. The subjects (N=7) were videotaped as they struck at small, medium and large mice in each of two separate trials. The quantity of venom expended was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of whole-animal homogenate. In the first ('naive') trial, the snakes injected similar quantities of venom into all size classes of prey. But in the second ('experienced') trial, the snakes injected significantly more venom into larger prey. No other aspect of striking varied among prey sizes or changed in the two trials. Thus, venom expenditure was probably not a consequence of, or constrained by, some extrinsic aspect of striking, such as duration of fang contact. More likely, the rattlesnakes, with experience, attempted to inject (or meter) more venom into larger prey through intrinsic control of venom delivery. Both natural (snakebite) and artificial (syringe) envenomations indicated that mice injected with larger quantities of venom died more quickly. Because larger prey succumb less rapidly to venom, metering more venom into larger prey may be an adaptive strategy for immobilizing and killing large prey more quickly. 1995 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Social learning and the evolution of behaviour

Abstract Abstract. In animals capable of learning from a parent or other individual, socially acquired behaviour can be transmitted through several generations. When the inheritance of variations in such behaviour is independent of genotypic variations, natural selection can operate on an additional level. Direct evolution of behaviour becomes possible, and this may alter the estimates of costs and benefits of behaviour patterns for the individual who transmits them. It is suggested that the effects of maternally transmitted behaviour contribute to the evolution of maternal behavioural strategies, and to the evolution of behaviour associated with male-female conflict.
Age of Data in Contemporary Research Articles Published in Representative General Radiology Journals

Objective To analyze and compare the age of data in contemporary research articles published in representative general radiology journals. Materials and Methods We searched for articles reporting original research studies analyzing patient data that were published in the print issues of the Korean Journal of Radiology (KJR), European Radiology (ER), and Radiology in 2017. Eligible articles were reviewed to extract data collection period (time from first patient recruitment to last patient follow-up) and age of data (time between data collection end and publication). The journals were compared in terms of the proportion of articles reporting the data collection period to the level of calendar month and regarding the age of data. Results There were 50, 492, and 254 eligible articles in KJR, ER, and Radiology, respectively. Of these, 44 (88%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 75.8–94.8%), 359 (73%; 95% CI: 68.9–76.7%), and 211 (83.1%; 95% CI: 78–87.2%) articles, respectively, provided enough details of data collection period, revealing a significant difference between ER and Radiology (p = 0.002). The age of data was significantly greater in KJR (median age: 826 days; range: 299–2843 days) than in ER (median age: 570 days; range: 56–4742 days; p < 0.001) and Radiology (median age: 618; range: 75–4271 days; p < 0.001). Conclusion Korean Journal of Radiology did not fall behind ER or Radiology in reporting of data collection period, but showed a significantly greater age of data than ER and Radiology, suggesting that KJR should take measures to improve the timeliness of its data.
Jump height loss as an indicator of fatigue during sprint training

ABSTRACT This study analysed the acute mechanical and metabolic responses to a sprint training session focused on maintaining maximal speed until a given speed loss was reached. Nine male high-level sprinters performed 60 m running sprints up to a 3% in speed loss with 6 min rests between sets. Mechanical responses (countermovement jump (CMJ) height and speed loss) and metabolic responses (blood lactate and ammonia concentrations) were measured pre-exercise and after each set was performed. Jump height loss showed almost perfect relationships with both lactate (r = 0.91) and ammonia (r = 0.91) concentrations. In addition, nearly perfect relationships were observed for each athlete between CMJ height loss and lactate (r = 0.93–0.99) and ammonia (r = 0.94–0.99). Very large correlations were found between speed loss and lactate (r = 0.83), and ammonia (r = 0.86) concentrations. Furthermore, close relationships were observed for each athlete between speed loss and lactate (r = 0.86–0.99), and ammonia (r = 0.88–0.98). These results suggest that the CMJ test may allow more accurate setting of training loads in sprint training sessions, by using an individualised sprint dose based on mechanical and physiological responses rather than a standard fixed number of sprints for all athletes.
A test of the dear enemy phenomenon in the Eurasian beaver

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that Eurasian beavers, Castor fiber, display the dear enemy phenomenon; that is, they respond less aggressively to intrusions by their territorial neighbours than to intrusions by nonterritorial floaters (strangers). This ability could be advantageous in facilitating differential treatment of wandering strangers versus established neighbours. Territorial beavers were presented with scent from neighbouring and stranger adult males. Thirty-nine different active beaver families, 18 in 1998 and 21 in 1999, were presented with a two-way choice between two pairs of experimental scent mounds; mounds with castoreum from a neighbour and a stranger, and mounds with anal gland secretion from a neighbour and a stranger. Direct observations of the families during evenings showed that: (1) beavers sniffed both castoreum and anal gland secretion from a stranger significantly longer than from a neighbour, and (2) beavers responded aggressively (stood on the mound on their hind feet, pawing and/or overmarking) significantly longer to castoreum, but not to anal gland secretion, from a stranger than from a neighbour. When experimental scent mounds were allowed to remain overnight and the beavers' responses were measured the following morning, the beavers' responses were significantly stronger to both castoreum and anal gland secretion from a stranger than from a neighbour. These findings indicate that Eurasian beavers can use scent to discriminate between neighbours and strangers, thereby supporting existence of the dear enemy phenomenon in this species. Copyright 2002 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Brief exposure to the odour of a parasitized male alters the subsequent mate odour responses of female mice

Abstract Parasites can affect mate choice, with females preferentially selecting parasite-free males. Prior exposure to, or experience with, males has also been suggested to influence mate responses. Here, we examined the effects of an immediate, brief (1 or 15 min) pre-exposure to the urinary and associated odours of either an uninfected male house mouse, Mus domesticus , or a male infected with the natural murine nematode parasite, Heligomosomoides polygyrus , on the subsequent responses of female mice to the odours of infected and uninfected males. Using an odour preference test we found that females displayed a marked overall preference for the odours of uninfected males. Pre-exposure to the odours of a parasitized male decreased female preference for nonparasitized males and increased female preference for parasitized males. This ‘prior male’ effect was evident for both the total odour preference and initial odour choice. Females pre-exposed to the odour of a parasitized male displayed decreased choosiness and made no particular initial choice of a male, while still maintaining an overall preference for the odours of uninfected males. These shifts in initial choice and odour preference were not directly associated with either female stress responses or stress-related odour cues of the males. Our findings show that female mice can distinguish between parasitized and nonparasitized males on the basis of odour and suggest that a brief exposure to the odours of infected males influences females' immediate odour preferences, and their subsequent preference for and choice of males. This rapid, infection-associated ‘prior male’ effect may contribute to the reported variations in female mate preference and choice. Copyright 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
LEVELS OF HYPOXIA INDUCIBLE FACTOR-1α (HIF-1α) AND INTERCELLULAR ADHESION MOLECULE-1 (ICAM-1) AFTER INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB IN PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Purpose: to assess the levels of Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in vitreous of proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients which were given intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB), as well as its relation to the central macular thickness (CMT) measured prior to vitrectomy. Methods: thirty-two eyes were randomized into two groups, one that received an IVB injection at 1-2 weeks previtrectomy and the control group which did not receive any injection. Measurement of HIF-1α and ICAM-1 was conducted using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The CMT were measured at the initial visit, prior to vitrectomy, and at follow up time (2, 4, and 12 weeks postoperatively) using Stratus OCT. Results: The mean levels of HIF-1α vitreous (ng/mg protein) in the control group and IVB respectively 0.020 (0.006; 0.077) and 0.029 (0.016; 0.21). Vitreous levels of ICAM-1 (ng /mL) in control group and IVB group were 20.10 (3.41; 40.16) and 23.33 (0.63; 68.5). The mean levels of HIF-1α and ICAM-1 vitreous obtained did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion: The levels of HIF-1α and ICAM-1 in PDR patients do not decrease after one injection of intravitreal Bevacizumab 1-2 weeks prior to vitrectomy. The concentration of vitreous HIF-1α and ICAM-1 are not directly related to the CMT.
Unveiling the Extracellular Space of the Brain: From Super-resolved Microstructure to In Vivo Function

The extracellular space occupies approximately one-fifth of brain volume, molding a spider web of gaps filled with interstitial fluid and extracellular matrix where neurons and glial cells perform in concert. Yet, very little is known about the spatial organization and dynamics of the extracellular space, let alone its influence on brain function, owing to a lack of appropriate techniques (and a traditional bias toward the inside of cells, not the spaces in between). At the same time, it is clear that understanding fundamental brain functions, such as synaptic transmission, memory, sleep, and recovery from disease, calls for more focused research on the extracellular space of the brain. This review article highlights several key research areas, covering recent methodological and conceptual progress that illuminates this understudied, yet critically important, brain compartment, providing insights into the opportunities and challenges of this nascent field.