Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Dual And Triple RSVP Paradigm For P300 Speller

Objective A speller system enables disabled people, specifically those with spinal cord injuries, to visually select and spell characters. A problem of primary speller systems is that they are gaze shift dependent. To overcome this problem, a single RSVP paradigm was introduced in which characters are displayed one by one at the center of a screen. In this paper, two new protocols named Dual and Triple RSVP paradigms are introduced and their results are compared against the single paradigm. Methods In the Dual and Triple paradigms, two and three characters are displayed at the center of the screen simultaneously, therefore holding the advantage of displaying the target character twice and three times respectively, compared to the one-time appearance in the single paradigm. Subsequently, by reducing the number of repetitions in the Dual and Triple paradigms, it is expected that ITR decreases. To compare the results of these three paradigms, three subjects participated in experiments using all three paradigms. Results The offline results demonstrate an average character detection accuracy of 97% for the single and double protocols, and 80% for the Triple paradigm. In addition, average ITR is calculated to be 5.45, 7.62 and 7.90 bit/min for the single, Dual and Triple paradigms respectively. Results demonstrate an equally good character detection accuracy for the single and Dual paradigms, and a significant increase in ITR in the Dual paradigm compared to the single. The Triple RSVP paradigm demonstrates an almost equal ITR to that of the Dual paradigm, while decreasing character detection accuracy significantly. Conclusions Results demonstrate that the Dual RSVP paradigm can be recognized as the most suitable approach, by providing the best balance between ITR and character detection accuracy. Significance This research demonstrates the improved performance of a newly proposed speller system (the Dual RSVP paradigm). By replacing existing methods with this new approach, the performance of speller matrices will be enhanced, and in addition the gaze dependency issue that caused limitations for users suffering from unimpaired oculomotor control will be overcome.
Essentials of Anatomy as Related to Alzheimers disease: A Review

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death, presently in America. AD is the centre of preoccupation of not only the scientific community, but also of the intelligentsia. The study of various structures of the brain, their connections and the pathways involved (anatomy), their normal functioning (physiology) and how this is subverted, leading to AD (pathology and pathogenesis), is vital to understanding comprehensively the complete gamut of clinical features of the Alzheimer disease. The anatomical structures, their connections and interplay, as implicated as having a role in AD, are briefly reviewed in this article. The functional significance with AD, of each structure is highlighted.
Registro fotográfico de un murciélago capturado por Leopardus pardalis (Carnivora: Felidae) en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Calakmul, México

El ocelote enfrenta problemas de conservación a lo largo de su distribución, debido principalmente a la caza ilegal y transformación del hábitat. Se ha documentado que la dieta del ocelote consiste principalmente de pequeños mamíferos terrestres nocturnos, especialmente roedores , aunque también se ha registrado que pueden alimentarse de zarigüeyas, ardillas, conejos, primates, iguanas, ranas, aves, peces, insectos y cangrejos terrestres. La presente nota resulta relevante sobre el comportamiento alimentario de los ocelotes en Mexico debido a que se describe un evento fotográfico de un ocelote alimentándose de un murciélago, el registro fue obtenido con trampas cámara colocadas en la zona nucleo sur de la Reserva de la Biosfera de Calakmul . Estas camaras fueron instaladas para registrar que especies de fauna visitan a los bebederos ariticiales (fuentes de agua abastecidas constantemente por miembros del proyecto) que fueron colocados como parte de un proyecto piloto en los años 2018 y 2019 y tienen como objetivo el abastecimiento de agua en la RBC para uso de la fauna silvestre. Cómo resultado de este esfuerzo, se obtuvo el presente registro fotográfico de un individuo de ocelote alimentandose de un murcielago asociado a un bebedero artificial.
A Comprehensive Computer Program For The Study Of Drug Release Kinetics From Compressed Matrices

The article presents details of ZOREL, a software developed for the purpose of studying drug release kinetics from compressed matrics. The program, written in FORTRAN, uses raw dissolution data for input. It initially corrects the dissolution data for drug and/or volume losses occurring at the time of sampling and on the basis of the weight of the dosage form and the drug content, estimates the values of amount and percent drug released at various times for each formulation unit. The values of log mean fraction released are computed and regressed against log time to yield the values of kinetic constant (k) and release exponent (n) and subsequently calculations are made for mean dissolution time (MDT). For swelling matrices, the respective contributions of the diffusion and the polymer relaxation along with the constants of k1 and k2, are also computed. Based on the phenomenological analysis, the software predicts the type of release viz Fickian, non-Fickian (anomalous) or zero-order. In addition, the values of mean (Â±SD) percent released are calculated and regressed against square root of time up to various observations. The values of rate of drug release, and t50%, t60%, up to t90% of the drug release are computed using the program.
Biogeography and early emergence of the genus Didelphis (Didelphimorphia, Mammalia)

The genus Didelphis comprises six species of relatively large‐sized New World marsupials ranging from Argentina to Canada. Most of the diversity of the genus occurs in the Neotropical region, where two groups of species are currently recognized: the Didelphis marsupialisgroup, including D. marsupialisand D. aurita,and the D. albiventrisgroup comprising D. albiventris, D. imperfectaand D. pernigra. The genus also includes D. virginiana,the only living Didelphisspecies reaching the Nearctic region. Didelphis' wide latitudinal distribution, wide range of environments in which it can be found as well as the disjunct, and spatially complementary distributions shown by its species raise some questions regarding the historical biogeography of the genus and how it relates to the geological and climatic events of the Plio‐Pleistocene. The present study is aimed at answering biogeographic and historical questions concerning the evolution of Didelphis.We employed molecular methods to infer a multi‐locus time‐calibrated phylogeny including all Didelphisspecies which served as a framework for biogeographic analyses. Our results suggest that the basalmost divergence in Didelphis is an event older than previously thought, probably having taken place at some point between ca. 4.3 and 7.4 Mya following a vicariant event. Our results also suggest a northern South American origin for the genus, and that it possibly expanded its range to North America before the GABI. Climatic‐driven modifications in Neotropical environments during the late Pliocene and early Pleistocene favored the dispersion to new ecosystems triggering the emergence of new lineages.
Skepticism toward adaptive signals in DNA sequence comparisons-Is the neutral theory dead yet?

Measuring positive selection on DNA sequences between species is key to testing the neutral theory of molecular evolution. Here, we compare the two most commonly used tests that rely on very different assumptions. The MK test compares divergence and polymorphism data, while the PAML test analyzes multi-species divergence. The two tests are now forced to detect positive selection on the same phylogenetic branch in Drosophila and Arabidopsis using large-scale genomic data. When applied to individual coding genes, both MK and PAML identify >100 adaptively evolving genes but the two sets hardly overlap. To rule out high false negatives, we merge 20 – 30 genes into “supergenes”, 8% 56% of which yield adaptive signals. Nevertheless, the joint calls still do not overlap. The two tests do show very modest concordance at lower stringencies. There may be several possibilities for the discordance between the two major tests. 1) Selective advantage is weak, falling in the “nearly neutral” range; 2) The adaptive landscape shifts constantly, akin to the Red Queen landscape; 3) Positive selection which accelerates the evolution is confounded by the relaxation of negative selection, resulting in less deceleration. Whether the neutral theory should be rejected depends on which of these factors prevails.
Unit Capacity Maxflow in Almost $O(m^{4/3})$ Time

We present an algorithm, which given any <tex>$m$</tex>-edge <tex>$n$</tex>-vertex directed graph with positive integer capacities at most <tex>$U$</tex> computes a maximum <tex>$s-t$</tex> flow for any vertices <tex>$s$</tex> and <tex>$t$</tex> in <tex>$O(m^{4/3+o(1)}U^{1/3})$</tex> time. This improves upon the previous best running times of <tex>$O(m^{11/8+o(1)}U^{1/4})$</tex> [1], <tex>$\widetilde{O}(m\sqrt{n}\log U)$</tex> [2] and <tex>$O(mn)$</tex> [3] when the graph is not too dense and doesn't have large capacities. We build upon advances for sparse maxflow based on interior point methods [1], [4], [5]. Whereas these methods increase the energy of local <tex>$\ell_{2}$</tex>-norm minimizing electrical flows, we instead increase the Bregman divergence value of flows which minimize the Bregman divergence with respect to a weighted log barrier. This allows us to trace the central path with progress depending only on <tex>$\ell_{\infty}$</tex> norm bounds on the congestion vector as opposed to the <tex>$\ell_{4}$</tex> norm, which arises in these prior works. Further, we show that smoothed <tex>$\ell_{2}-\ell_{p}$</tex> flows [6], [7] which were used to maximize energy [1] can also be used to efficiently maximize divergence, thereby yielding our desired runtimes. We believe our approach towards Bregman divergences of barriers may be of further interest.
轮式移动机器人瞬态模型鲁棒自适应同步终端滑模编队控制 (Robust adaptive synchronized formation control for the transient model of wheeled mobile robots with terminal sliding mode)

In the cooperative formation of wheeled mobile robots, the problem how to guarantee that mobile robots can track their own trajectories while synchronizing motions with others puts forward higher requirements on the design of control algorithms. A robust adaptive synchronized control with terminal sliding mode based on the algebraic graph theory is developed to solve this problem. Firstly, the nonlinear kinematics transient model of wheeled mobile robot is introduced. This model avoids the problem of multi-input coupling mutual interference in general kinematics model. Then, the synchronized control algorithm is designed according to the cross-coupling errors to realize the motion synchronization, and the external disturbance of the system is suppressed by the robust control. The adaptive law ensures the real-time adjustment of the switching gain. The stability analysis is carried out by using the Lyapunov method, which proves the convergence of the system tracking errors. Finally, the effectiveness of the designed algorithm is verified by MATLAB simulation.
Impact of hexenuronic acid on the physical and chemical properties of eucalyptus clonal pulps during ECF bleaching .

The work described in this dissertation was aimed at obtaining an understanding of the impact of hexenuronic acid (HexA), and its removal during acid hydrolysis (Astage), on the physical and chemical properties of Kraft pulps produced from commercially important South African Eucalyptus hybrid clones which were bleached to 90% ISO brightness using an O/ODoED! sequence. The clones studied included E. grandis x E. urophylla (GU) and E. grandis x E. camaldulensis (GC) which were each sampled from two sites representing extreme differences in site quality. Using the GU clone from the good site, the first phase of the project involved optimising the conditions of the A-stage to ensure maximum removal of HexA but with minimal impact on pulp quality. The optimum conditions found was a temperature of 95°C, a reaction time of 180 minutes and pH 3.5. The second phase of the project involved applying the optimum conditions to the remaining GU clones from the poor site and the GC clones from the good and poor sites in order to determine their response to the A-stage. The results from the study showed that HexA concentration ranged between 6070jumol/g in the unbleached pulps of both clones, and were found to be unreactive during oxygen delignification. Acid hydrolysis however, proved to be effective in the removal of HexA, with the concentration dropping by approximately 98% during acid hydrolysis using a temperature of 125°C, reaction 180 minutes and pH 3.5. Due to the removal of HexA, the Kappa number was reduced by up to 6 units. By correlating the reduction in HexA with the reduction in Kappa number during acid hydrolysis, 10.7/umol HexA was found to be equivalent to 1 Kappa number unit. Glucose, xylose and lignin remained fairly constant during acid hydrolysis, whilst pulp viscosity was severely affected by the A-stage. The drop in viscosity was found to be more pronounced at temperatures higher than 110°C. One of the major advantages of including the A-stage in the bleaching sequence was the significant savings in bleaching chemicals required to reach 90% ISO brightness. In most instances chlorine dioxide savings greater than 50% were achieved for pulps that were acid hydrolysed prior to bleaching compared to reference pulps that did not undergo acid hydrolysis prior to bleaching. In addition to this, it was found that the pulp yield across pulping and bleaching was unaffected by inclusion of the A-stage in the bleaching sequence, thus offering a distinct advantage for the production of bleached chemical pulps. Most of the physical properties of the pulps were also unaffected by
Value of Neutrophil Lymphocytic Ratio and Platelet Lymphocytic Ratio in Premature Rupture of Membranes for Detection of Subclinical Chorioamnoitis

evaluate neutrophil lymphocytic ratio (N/L) and platelet lymphocytic (P/L) ratio in detection of subclinical Chorioamnoitis in pregnant females suffering from premature rupture of membranes and to compare them with CRP and TLC. Design: Clinical randomized controlled study. Methods: 100 pregnant patients were selected suffering from PROM , and prepared for termination of pregnancy either normal or cesarean , all had no clinical signs of chorioamnoitis , blood markers ( CRP, TL, N/L ratio and P/L ratio) were taken before termination , the results statistically analyzed according to the result of pathological examination of amniotic membrane for detection of early inflammatory signs for chorioamnoitis. Results: There was significant relationship for the P/L ratio and the finding of early chorioamnoitis by pathological examination with P value 0.0004 , however other markers failed to show any significant relationship with early chorioamnoitis , But CRP was found to have a significant relationship with the presence of postpartum complications with P value 0.0003 and other markers had insignificant relationship, There was insignificant relationship with all the four markers with the method of delivery , CRP and TLC had lower specificity in detection of subclinical chorioamnoitis as compared by N/L ratio and P/L ratio , also P/L ratio had the higher sensitivity 85.71% , so by comparing the four markers P/L ratio is the most accurate 90% and N/L ratio had accuracy more than TLC and CRP ( 80%). Conclusion: P/L ratio and N/L ratio are available cheap markers for detection of subclinical chorioamnoitis, and they show more specificity and accuracy than CRP and TLC in detection of subclinical chorioamnoitis, also P/L ration had higher sensitivity.
Characterizing the Circadian Locomotor Activity of Drosophila melanogaster yellow white Mutants under Different Temperatures

The circadian clock is an innate timing mechanism that regulates behavior and physiology of most organisms. It anticipates fluctuations in daily environmental conditions and synchronizes biological activities accordingly to maximize ecological fitness. Light is its major environmental entraining cue, but temperature also plays a prominent role. Mutations affecting clock control helped understanding clock mechanisms and their neurobiological and genetic backgrounds. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the yellow white (y w) mutation in Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies on the circadian regulation of locomotor activity under different temperature conditions. This mutation causes impaired melanisation, eye pigmentation loss, disturbed neurotransmitter distributions and levels, plus some behavioral alterations. These changes are expected to affect circadian regulation. Results revealed that y w mutant flies retained a functional circadian clock, although with some loss of robustness and plasticity to temperature fluctuations. Total daytime and the lights-on activity was higher in y w mutants under high temperature and lower than wildtype CS under lower temperature, while nighttime activity was always lower and lights-off activity was lower at lower temperature. Most importantly, y w mutant flies didn’t shift their morning and evening activity peaks sufficiently away from the light phase, in addition to having shorter siesta at all temperatures tested, compared to wildtype. In conclusion, the y w mutation seemed to disturb circadian control on locomotor activity, which exposes y w flies to higher levels of environmental risk by being active for longer time under high temperature usually correlated with light phase.
Depression and inflammation: implications for cardiovascular disease

There is extensive evidence linking inflammation with depression, but the nature of this relationship remains unclear. This PhD consisted of two studies that aimed to investigate the interaction of immune and neuroendocrine function in major depressive disorder (MDD) and examine the effects of depressive symptoms and inflammation on mortality risk. Study 1 sought to garner more information about the relationship between immune activation and HPA-axis function using data from an observational, case-control study including people with MDD and healthy controls. In Study 1a differences in inflammatory cytokines and HPA-axis function, and associations between them were examined. Results indicated increased inflammation, a flattened cortisol awakening response under the curve (CAR AUC) and impaired corticosteroid function in depressed people. Furthermore there was evidence of a negative association between inflammation and diurnal cortisol rhythm. In Study 1b changes in depressive symptoms, inflammatory cytokines and HPA-axis function were investigated longitudinally in people with MDD. The results demonstrated an improvement in depressive symptoms and mineralocorticoid sensitivity. We also observed a trend towards an improvement in the CAR AUC and an apparent trend towards a negative pattern of association between change in inflammation and change in the CAR. In Study 1c differences in Treg frequency were assessed between people with MDD and healthy controls. The findings showed no difference between the groups and no association with either inflammation or HPA-axis function. Study 2 investigated the combined effects of depressive symptoms and inflammation on CVD and all-cause mortality risk in a longitudinal cohort study of older people. The results showed that the combination of both factors confers a considerable increase in CVD mortality risk for men. Together these studies indicate that there is a relationship between inflammation and HPA-axis dysfunction in MDD and that men with depressive symptoms and increased inflammation constitute a high-mortality risk phenotype.
Correcting Misleading Image Quality Measurements

We discuss several common image quality measurements that are often misinterpreted, so that bad images are falsely interpreted as good, and we describe how to obtain valid measurements. Sharpness, which is measured by MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) curves, is frequently summarized by MTF50 (the spatial frequency where MTF falls to half its low frequency value) But because MTF50 strongly rewards excessive sharpening, we recommend other summary metrics, especially MTF50P (the spatial frequency where MTF falls to half its peak value), that provide a more stable indication of system performance. Camera dynamic range (DR), defined as the range of exposure (scene brightness) where the image has good contrast and Signalto- Noise Ratio (SNR), Is usually measured with grayscale step charts. We have recently seen several cases where flare light radiating out from bright areas of the image fogs dense patches, causing unreasonably high DR measurements. This situation is difficult to handle with linear test charts, where the flare light is aligned with the patches, but can be handled well in charts with circular patch patterns, where the patch where pixel level ceases to decrease defines the upper DR limit.
ORGaNICs: A Canonical Neural Circuit Computation

A theory of cortical function is proposed, based on a family of recurrent neural circuits, called ORGaNICs (Oscillatory Recurrent GAted Neural Integrator Circuits). Here, the theory is applied to working memory and motor control. Working memory is a cognitive process for temporarily maintaining and manipulating information. Most empirical neuroscience research on working memory has measured sustained activity during delayed-response tasks, and most models of working memory are designed to explain sustained activity. But this focus on sustained activity (i.e., maintenance) ignores manipulation, and there are a variety of experimental results that are difficult to reconcile with sustained activity. ORGaNICs can be used to explain the complex dynamics of activity, and ORGaNICs can be use to manipulate (as well as maintain) information during a working memory task. The theory provides a means for reading out information from the dynamically varying responses at any point in time, in spite of the complex dynamics. When applied to motor systems, ORGaNICs can be used to convert spatial patterns of premotor activity to temporal profiles of motor control activity: different spatial patterns of pre-motor activity evoke different motor control dynamics. ORGaNICs offer a novel conceptual framework; Rethinking cortical computation in these terms should have widespread implications, motivating a variety of experiments.
High-throughput YO-PRO-1 Uptake Assay for P2X7 Receptors Expressed in HEK Cells

[Abstract] P2X7 receptors are extracellular ATP-gated ion channels that play broad physiological and pathological roles in animals (Sluyter, 2017). Activation of P2X7 receptors lead to the opening of membrane channels permeable for small cations like Na+ and Ca2+ as well as fluorescent dyes such as YO-PRO-1 (Alves et al., 2014). Taking advantage of this dye-permeability, YO-PRO-1 uptake assays have been widely used to probe P2X7 receptor activity (Surprenant et al., 1996; Rassendren et al., 1997; Karasawa et al., 2017). Here we describe a step by step protocol for a high-throughput YO-PRO-1 uptake assay using HEK293 cells expressing P2X7 receptors. This 3-day protocol is particularly suited for examining effects of small molecules and mutations on P2X7 receptor function. This protocol was adapted from our previously published paper (Karasawa and Kawate, 2016).