Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conserved behavioral circuits govern high-speed decision-making in wild fish shoals

Significance To survive, animals must quickly detect and respond to predators. However, the rules wild animals use to translate sensory cues into evasion decisions remain largely unknown. We developed an automated system to present visual threat stimuli to mixed-species groups of foraging fish in a coral reef. Using hundreds of stimulus presentations to fish from nine families, we show that escape decisions are governed by a conserved set of decision-making rules that transform sensory input into evasive actions. Our methodology allows us to quantitatively analyze these rules, revealing both how they map onto previously studied neural circuits and how they function under dynamic natural conditions. To evade their predators, animals must quickly detect potential threats, gauge risk, and mount a response. Putative neural circuits responsible for these tasks have been isolated in laboratory studies. However, it is unclear whether and how these circuits combine to generate the flexible, dynamic sequences of evasion behavior exhibited by wild, freely moving animals. Here, we report that evasion behavior of wild fish on a coral reef is generated through a sequence of well-defined decision rules that convert visual sensory input into behavioral actions. Using an automated system to present visual threat stimuli to fish in situ, we show that individuals initiate escape maneuvers in response to the perceived size and expansion rate of an oncoming threat using a decision rule that matches dynamics of known loom-sensitive neural circuits. After initiating an evasion maneuver, fish adjust their trajectories using a control rule based on visual feedback to steer away from the threat and toward shelter. These decision rules accurately describe evasion behavior of fish from phylogenetically distant families, illustrating the conserved nature of escape decision-making. Our results reveal how the flexible behavioral responses required for survival can emerge from relatively simple, conserved decision-making mechanisms.
Ventral Striatal Reactivity in Compulsive Sexual Behaviors

Compulsive Sexual Behaviors (CSB) are a reason to seek treatment. Given this reality, the number of studies on CSB has increased substantially in the last decade and the World Health Organization (WHO) included CSB in its proposal for the upcoming ICD-11. Sixty percent of the neuroimaging studies on CSB published since 2014 aimed to examine similarities and differences between brain mechanisms underlying CSB, gambling disorder, and substance use disorders. One of the crucial brain circuits involved in addiction is the reward system involving the ventral striatum (including nucleus accumbens). There are two distinct theories describing ventral striatal activity in addictions: Incentive Salience Theory (IST) and Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). IST describes increased ventral striatal activations during the anticipation of addiction-related reward, while RDS describes decreased ventral striatal reactivity both during the anticipation of the reward and during the reward processing. Here, we aim to investigate how the findings on ventral striatal reactivity in CSB support each of these two addiction frameworks. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of neuroimaging studies on CSB available in Pubmed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar between 2005 and 2018. We found nine relevant research papers. Only four of these studies directly investigated processing of erotic cues and/or rewards and reported findings related to ventral striatum activations. Three of these studies indicate increased ventral striatal reactivity for erotic stimuli, which is consistent with IST and does not support predictions based on RDS. Therefore, the current state of this data suggest that CSB is related to increased ventral striatal reactivity during the anticipation of erotic stimuli.
Paradigm Shift in Drug Re-purposing From Phenalenone to Phenaleno-Furanone to Combat Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

Over recent years, typhoid fever has gained increasing attention with several cases reporting treatment failure due to multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. While new drug development strategies are being devised to combat the threat posed by these MDR pathogens, drug repurposing or repositioning has become a good alternative. The latter is considered mainly due to its capacity for saving sufficient time and effort for pre-clinical and optimization studies. Owing to the possibility of an unsuccessful repositioning, due to the mismatch in the optimization of the drug ligand for the changed biochemical properties of “old” and “new” targets, we have chosen a “targeted” approach of adopting a combined chemical moiety-based drug repurposing. Using small molecules selected from a combination of earlier approved drugs having phenalenone and furanone moieties, we have computationally delineated a step-wise approach to drug design against MDR Salmonella. We utilized our network analysis-based pre-identified, essential chaperone protein, SicA, which regulates the folding and quality of several secretory proteins including the Hsp70 chaperone, SigE. To this end, another crucial chaperone protein, Hsp70 DnaK, was also considered due to its importance for pathogen survival under the stress conditions typically encountered during antibiotic therapies. These were docked with the 19 marketed anti-typhoid drugs along with two phenalenone-furanone derivatives, 15 non-related drugs which showed 70% similarity to phenalenone and furanone derivatives and other analogous small molecules. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation studies were performed to check the stability of the protein-drug complexes. Our results showed the best binding interaction and stability, under the parameters of a virtual human body environment, with XR770, a phenaleno-furanone moiety based derivative. We therefore propose XR770, for repurposing for therapeutic intervention against emerging and significant drug resistance conferred by pathogenic Salmonella strains.
Cannabis Systematics at the Levels of Family, Genus, and Species

Abstract New concepts are reviewed in Cannabis systematics, including phylogenetics and nomenclature. The family Cannabaceae now includes Cannabis, Humulus, and eight genera formerly in the Celtidaceae. Grouping Cannabis, Humulus, and Celtis actually goes back 250 years. Print fossil of the extinct genus Dorofeevia (=Humularia) reveals that Cannabis lost a sibling perhaps 20 million years ago (mya). Cannabis print fossils are rare (n=3 worldwide), making it difficult to determine when and where she evolved. A molecular clock analysis with chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) suggests Cannabis and Humulus diverged 27.8 mya. Microfossil (fossil pollen) data point to a center of origin in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Fossil pollen indicates that Cannabis dispersed to Europe by 1.8–1.2 mya. Mapping pollen distribution over time suggests that European Cannabis went through repeated genetic bottlenecks, when the population shrank during range contractions. Genetic drift in this population likely initiated allopatric differences between European Cannabis sativa (cannabidiol [CBD]>Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) and Asian Cannabis indica (THC>CBD). DNA barcode analysis supports the separation of these taxa at a subspecies level, and recognizing the formal nomenclature of C. sativa subsp. sativa and C. sativa subsp. indica. Herbarium specimens reveal that field botanists during the 18th–20th centuries applied these names to their collections rather capriciously. This may have skewed taxonomic determinations by Vavilov and Schultes, ultimately giving rise to today's vernacular taxonomy of “Sativa” and “Indica,” which totally misaligns with formal C. sativa and C. indica. Ubiquitous interbreeding and hybridization of “Sativa” and “Indica” has rendered their distinctions almost meaningless.
Optimization of Flashing Period for Line Display Using Saccade Eyeball Movement

In this paper, we developed saccade-induced line displays including flashing period controllers. The displays speeded up the flashing period of one line using LED drivers and Arduino Uno equipped with AVR microcomputers. It was shown that saccades were easily induced when the observer alternately looks at the two fast flashing line displays apart. Also, we were able to find the optimum flashing period using a controller that can speed up the flashing period and change its speed. We found that the relationship between the viewing angle of the observer and the optimum flashing period is almost proportional. key words: saccade, line display, eyeball movement, LED driver
Evolution of incidence and geographical distribution of Chagas disease in Mexico during a decade (2007–2016)

Abstract Chagas disease, whose aetiological agent is the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, mainly occurs in Latin America. In order to know the epidemiology and the geographical distribution of this disease in Mexico, the present work analyses the national surveillance data (10 years) for Chagas disease issued by the General Directorate of Epidemiology (GDE). An ecological analysis of Chagas disease (2007–2016) was performed in the annual reports issued by the GDE in Mexico. The cases and incidence were classified by year, state, age group, gender and seasons. A national distribution map showing Chagas disease incidence was generated. An increase of new cases was identified throughout the country (rates from 0.37 to 0.81 per 100 000 inhabitants). Of the total cases accumulated (7388), the major cases were attributed to the states of Veracruz, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Oaxaca, Morelos and Yucatán. The analysis per age groups and gender revealed that, in most age groups, the incidence was higher in the male population. The most number of cases was identified in spring and summer; a direct relationship between the environmental temperature increase and the number of new cases was identified. The analysis showed that the rate of Chagas disease increased presumably due to state programmes; the search for new cases has expanded and we speculate that the disease is associated with occupational activities. These results summarise and recall how important it is to implement the monitoring of Chagas disease mainly in south states of the Mexican Republic in order to implement strategies to control this disease.
Two Novel KRIT1 and CCM2 Mutations in Patients Affected by Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: New Information on CCM2 Penetrance

Wide comprehension of genetic features of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) represents the starting point to better manage patients and risk rating in relatives. The causative mutations spectrum is constantly growing. KRIT1, CCM2, and PDCD10 are the three loci to date linked to familial CCM development, although germline mutations have also been detected in patients affected by sporadic forms. In this context, the main challenge is to draw up criteria to formulate genotype-phenotype correlations. Clearly, genetic factors determining incomplete penetrance of CCM need to be identified. Here, we report two novel intronic variants probably affecting splicing. Molecular screening of CCM genes was performed on DNA purified by peripheral blood. Coding exons and intron-exon boundaries were sequenced by the Sanger method. The first was detected in a sporadic patient and involves KRIT1. The second affects CCM2 and it is harbored by a woman with familial CCM. Interestingly, molecular analysis extended to both healthy and ill relatives allowed to estimate, for the first time, a penetrance for CCM2 lower than 100%, as to date reported. Moreover, heterogeneity of clinical manifestations among those affected carrying the same genotype further confirms involvement of modifier factors in CCM development.
Neurophysiological Heat Maps for Human-Robot Interaction Evaluation

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) effectiveness is often evaluated subjectively to gauge the user experience. These methods may result in responses that are inaccurate or inconsistent due to participants’ false responses or inability to communicate their affective or cognitive states. In this paper, we discuss an approach featuring heat maps that link users’ cognitive state to a robot’s location. Users’ cognitive state was interpreted from electroencephalography (EEG) signals while completing a robot navigation task. We tested this method during an experiment featuring solo and cooperative control. Our goal is to present a step towards visualizing position-based measurements of users’ cognitive state.
Assessment of Pain Management, Acceptance of Illness, and Adjustment to Life with Cancer in Patients with Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Purpose According to the European Association of Urology bladder cancer is the seventh most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the world's male population. Despite its high incidence, papers evaluating psychological state in those patients' group are lacking. The purpose of the study was to evaluate pain management, disease acceptance, and adjustment to cancer in homogenous group of patients diagnosed with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Methods Group of 252 male patients who were scheduled for NMIBC treatment were prospectively evaluated. Patients fulfilled Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC) and Coping Strategies (CSQ) questionnaires before treatment introduction. Results Highest CSQ score was achieved by the coping self-statements subscale (mean=18,37). The catastrophizing subscale score was the lowest (mean=11,24). Place of residence affected results of CSQ statement about pain control. Catastrophizing and coping self-statements strategies were associated with matrimonial status. In the Mini-MAC questionnaire the fighting spirit way of coping had the highest (21,73) and the helplessness-hopelessness subscale had the lowest mean value (13,3). Matrimonial status was strongly associated with anxious preoccupation, fighting spirit, and helplessness – hopelessness way of coping. The mean AIS test score was 28.8. AIS result was influenced by patient's marital status, yet not by education, place of residence, nor any clinical factor. Conclusions In the examined group, the level of acceptance of the disease reached values that were slightly higher than the average. It indicated a fairly good adaptation to cancer. Among the methods of coping with cancer, the constructive style is definitely dominant with a high intensity of the fighting spirit strategy. The destructive style of cancer coping reached low values with a low intensity of helplessness/hopelessness strategy. From pain coping strategies, self-statements and praying/hoping were the most commonly chosen ways, whereas catastrophizing was the rarest. Many associations between various questioners' results were also observed.
Biokaasulaitoksen käsittelyjäännöksen, lannoituksen ja puna-apilapitoisuuden vaikutus nurmen satoon ja metaanintuottopotentiaaliin

1) Luonnonvarakeskus, Vihreä teknologia, Halolantie 31 A, 71750 Maaninka, etunimi.sukunimi@luke.fi 2) Luonnonvarakeskus, Uudet liiketoimintamahdollisuudet, Halolantie 31 A, 71750 Maaninka, etunimi.sukunimi@luke.fi 3) Luonnonvarakeskus, Uudet liiketoimintamahdollisuudet, Tietotie 2, 31600 Jokioinen, etunimi.sukunimi@luke.fi 4) Luonnonvarakeskus, Uudet liiketoimintamahdollisuudet, Latokartanonkaari 9, 00790 Helsinki, etunimi.sukunimi@luke.fi
Interface-Based Side Channel Attack Against Intel SGX

Intel has introduced a trusted computing technology, Intel Software Guard Extension (SGX), which provides an isolated and secure execution environment called enclave for a user program without trusting any privilege software (e.g., an operating system or a hypervisor) or firmware. Nevertheless, SGX is vulnerable to several side channel attacks (e.g. page-fault-based attack and cache-based attack). In this paper, we explore a new, yet critical side channel attack in SGX, interface-based side channel attack, which can infer the information of the enclave input data. The root cause of the interface-based side channel attack is the input dependent interface invocation information (e.g., interface information and invocation patterns) which can be observed by the untrusted privilege software can reveal the control flow in the enclave. We study the methodology which can be used to conduct the interface-based side channel attack. To illustrate the effectiveness of the interface-based side-channel attacks, we use our methodology to infer whether tracked web pages have been processed by the SGX-assisted NFV platforms and achieve the accuracy of 87.6% and recall of 76.6%. We also identify the packets which belong to the tracked web pages, with the accuracy of 67.9%and recall of 71.1%. We finally propose some countermeasures to defense the interface-based side channel attack in SGX-assisted applications.
OPEXA: analyser assistant for detecting over-privileged extensions

Web browsers are enticing attack vectors because they provide an interface to the Internet. Extensions add capabilities to the browsers, and therefore are attractive to attackers. These capabilities are obtained through extension privileges. Some of these privileges are necessary for extensions to perform their claimed functionalities. However, an extension may have some unrequired privileges. Over-privileged extensions may be misused to compromise systems. The authors propose an Over-Privileged EXtension Analyser (OPEXA), to assist security experts in detecting suspicious extensions. OPEXA predicts the intended privileges of extensions based on their descriptions, which are stated by developers in natural language. They utilise this method because real users decide whether to install extensions based on descriptions. They use a supervised machine learning method to train a multi-label classifier that predicts the desired privileges. The extension is assumed to be suspicious if there exists at least one privilege in the extension that is not considered necessary by OPEXA. They evaluate their method on two datasets that consist of real extensions developed in new and old architectures of Firefox. According to the results, they can detect all of over-privileged extensions in these datasets. Their approach can minimise security expert's workload by automating the extension checking process.
Algorithms for Optimal AC Power Flow in the Presence of Renewable Sources

This chapter presents recent solutions to the optimal power flow (OPF) problem in the presence of renewable energy sources (RES), {such} as solar photo-voltaic and wind generation. After introducing the original formulation of the problem, arising from the combination of economic dispatch and power flow, we provide a brief overview of the different solution methods proposed in the literature to solve it. Then, we explain the main difficulties arising from the increasing RES penetration, and the ensuing necessity of deriving robust solutions. Finally, we present the state-of-the-art techniques, with a special focus on recent methods we developed, based on the application on randomization-based methodologies.
A reductionist approach to dissecting grain weight and yield in wheat

Abstract Grain yield is a highly polygenic trait that is influenced by the environment and integrates events throughout the life cycle of a plant. In wheat, the major grain yield components often present compensatory effects among them, which alongside the polyploid nature of wheat, makes their genetic and physiological study challenging. We propose a reductionist and systematic approach as an initial step to understand the gene networks regulating each individual yield component. Here, we focus on grain weight and discuss the importance of examining individual sub‐components, not only to help in their genetic dissection, but also to inform our mechanistic understanding of how they interrelate. This knowledge should allow the development of novel combinations, across homoeologs and between complementary modes of action, thereby advancing towards a more integrated strategy for yield improvement. We argue that this will break barriers in terms of phenotypic variation, enhance our understanding of the physiology of yield, and potentially deliver improved on‐farm yield.
New Methods for the Comprehensive Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Cannabis sativa L. (hemp)

Cannabis sativa L. is a dioecious plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family. The main phytochemicals that are found in this plant are represented by cannabinoids, flavones, and terpenes. Some biological activities of cannabinoids are known to be enhanced by the presence of terpenes and flavonoids in the extracts, due to a synergistic action. In the light of all the above, the present study was aimed at the multi-component analysis of the bioactive compounds present in fibre-type C. sativa (hemp) inflorescences of different varieties by means of innovative HPLC and GC methods. In particular, the profiling of non-psychoactive cannabinoids was carried out by means of HPLC-UV/DAD, ESI-MS, and MS2. The content of prenylated flavones in hemp extracts, including cannflavins A and B, was also evaluated by HPLC. The study on Cannabis volatile compounds was performed by developing a new method based on headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with GC-MS and GC-FID. Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabidiol (CBD) were found to be the most abundant cannabinoids in the hemp samples analysed, while β-myrcene and β-caryophyllene were the major terpenes. As regards flavonoids, cannflavin A was observed to be the main compound in almost all the samples. The methods developed in this work are suitable for the comprehensive chemical analysis of both hemp plant material and related pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products in order to ensure their quality, efficacy, and safety.