Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Principal component scoring of the resting EEG spectrum provides further evidence for age‐associated disinhibition of the wake drive

Background: Aging is often accompanied by increasingly occurrence of profound sleep‐wake disturbances. However, normal ‘sleep aging’ can also be advantageous to older people, for example, they have a better ability to tolerate sleep deprivation than to younger people. In previous work, we compared the principal component structure of the electroencephalographic (EEG) spectra of Non‐Rapid‐Eye‐Movement (NREM) sleep in young and elderly people, and found that the decrease in slow‐wave activity, which is the most earliest and most obvious age‐related modification of the sleep EEG spectrum, can be viewed as a consequence of a reduced rise of the first principal component score combined with an insufficient fall of the second principal component score. It was suggested that such changes in principal component scores can be caused by disinhibition (i.e. strengthening) of the wake drive due to weakening of the sleep drive. It is possible that the second principal component score remains higher in older people compared to younger people not only during NREM sleep, but also during normal and extended wakefulness. Methods: To test this suggestion, principal component analysis was applied to the spectra of resting EEG signals obtained with a three‐hour interval during the course of sustained wakefulness of 130 and 33 participants of two independent sleep deprivation experiments. Results: The second principal component score was positively linked to participants' age. Conclusions: Elevation of score can reflect age‐associated strengthening of the sleep drive, which predisposes older people to develop certain disturbances of their sleep‐wake cycle and, on the other hand, to tolerate sleep deprivation better than younger people.
Effective mass of electron in monolayer graphene: Electron-phonon interaction

Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) and Hall effect measurements performed in a temperature range between 1.8 and 275 K, at an electric field up to 35 kV m−1 and magnetic fields up to 11 T, have been used to investigate the electronic transport properties of monolayer graphene on SiC substrate. The number of layers was determined by the use of the Raman spectroscopy. The carrier density and in-plane effective mass of electrons have been obtained from the periods and temperature dependencies of the amplitude of the SdH oscillations, respectively. The effective mass is in good agreement with the current results in the literature. The two-dimensional (2D) electron energy relaxations in monolayer graphene were also investigated experimentally. The electron temperature (Te) of hot electrons was obtained from the lattice temperature (TL) and the applied electric field dependencies of the amplitude of SdH oscillations. The experimental results for the electron temperature dependence of power loss indicate that the energy re.
The Impact of Pregnancy on Resilience in Women Seeking Obstetric Care at an Urban Community Health Center

Introduction: Pregnancy and childbirth, as significant life events, are often associated with stress, which in turn is associated with poor perinatal outcomes. Resilience may mediate these outcomes, but there is limited research on how resilience changes during pregnancy. We aimed to measure the change in resilience from a prenatal to a postnatal period and identify associated factors. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods prospective cohort study at an urban community health center. Surveys were conducted at two time points: prenatal after 20 weeks’ gestation and postnatal up to 12 weeks postpartum. Interviews were conducted among a subset of participants and were analyzed to identify themes important in understanding the context of pregnancy and childbirth. A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum factors. Results: Twenty-six participants were included in the study. While the mean resilience score increased between the prenatal and postnatal time points, this change was not statistically significant. There were no demographic or psychosocial factors, medical history, or obstetric factors associated with change in resilience, except for diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection during pregnancy, which was associated with a decrease in resilience. Social support, a positive outlook, and self-efficacy were prominent themes identified from the interviews. Conclusion: Quantitative data did not demonstrate significant changes in resilience as a result of maternal or obstetric factors, but qualitative interviews revealed important themes to understand the role resilience may play in pregnancy, or conversely how pregnancy may shape resilience. Future studies should explore resilience scores at different time points in the postnatal time period and further account for the role of social support and self-efficacy in mediating resilience.
Exploring Causes of the Self‐serving Bias

The self-serving bias refers to a tendency for people to take personal responsibility for their desirable outcomes yet externalize responsibility for their undesirable outcomes. We review a variety of explanations for this attribution bias. Although researchers have historically pitted cognitive and motivational explanations for the self-serving bias against one another, cognitive and motivation processes often work in tandem to lead people to conclude that they are responsible for the desirable but not the undesirable outcomes.
Novel High-Performance High-Valency Ling Adders

Parallel prefix adders are used for economical VLSI implementation of binary variety additions. The proposed Ling design offers a quicker carry computation stage compared to the standard parallel prefix adders by projecting a replacement methodology to solve Ling adders, which helps to cut the complexity and also the delay of the adder. This paper discusses the look and implementation details for such lower complex, quick parallel prefix adders supported Ling theory of resolving. Specifically, valency or node indicates number of inputs given to a particular node in a carry tree. The proposed ling adder shows that the high-valency Ling adders have superior space area and delay characteristics over antecedent reportable adders for identical input size. Moreover, our 20-bit high valency adder features a higher space and delay measuring than the antecedent used 16-bit adders.
Focused Ion Beam Micromachining Enables Novel Optics for X-ray Microscopy

X-ray microscopy is a strong analytical tool with a plethora of applications in physics, materials science and life sciences [1]. In many high resolution X-ray microscopes, a focusing optic such as a Fresnel zone plate (FZP) is utilized as a lens to form an image. The FZP is a diffractive optic composed of a series of concentric rings (zones) of radially varying grating period, where the width, Δr, of the outermost zone determines the resolution. Synchrotron radiation facilities are required as bright and coherent X-ray sources as the FZPs are usually quite limited in diffraction efficiency. The diffraction efficiency depends on FZP properties such as geometry, material, structure thickness and on the outermost zone width for small Δr. Conventional FZP profiles are binary and can have up to 10-40 % diffraction efficiency for ideal absorption and phase reversal zone plates, respectively. In practice the efficiencies are lower due to fabrication difficulties and errors. Electron beam lithography (EBL), the usual fabrication method, allows fabrication of binary FZPs with ultra-high resolution via processes of ever increasing complexity. However, due to the scattering of electrons within the resist, it is very difficult to fabricate ultra-high resolution FZPs with high structural thicknesses to achieve high aspect ratios. This, so called, proximity effect limits the aspect ratio, restricting the utilization of high resolution FZPs to softer X-ray energies. One special type of refractive/diffractive X-ray optic is the kinoform lens, with a continuous 3D surface profile. Ideally, it has a theoretical diffraction efficiency of 100 %. While in a real lens absorption would hinder 100 % efficiency, diffraction efficiencies well above 40 % are already demonstrated [2] using these lenses. Nevertheless, in order to fabricate these kinoforms, researchers resorted to step approximations using several consecutive overlay EBL steps, which is complicated and lead to much lower efficiencies than theoretically expected due to the vulnerability of the optics to fabrication errors amplified by error accumulations. To solve the issues that are intrinsic limitations of the EBL-FZPs we introduced novel, precise and mostly direct methods relying on the FIBs. The powerful method potentially allows for higher resolutions than EBL [3] and precise 3D sculpting capability enables the realization of highly efficient X-ray optics with high fidelity [4]. We have used a standard multi-purpose FIB instrument (Nova 600 NanoLab, DualBeam, FEI) to fabricate binary FZPs, kinoform lenses and multilayer FZPs (Figure 1).
Traumatic Disc Herniation Following Flexion-Distraction Injury of the Thoracolumbar Spine: A Rare Presentation

Objective: To report a rare presentation of Flexion-distraction injuries. Summary of background data: To the best of our knowledge, traumatic disc herniation following non translated flexion distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine has not been reported in the English literature. Methods: Description of the clinic and radiological presentation of a 35-year-old male who sustained a flexion distraction injury of the thoracolumbar spine following an assault. Results: The intraoperative findings confirmed the presence of a large herniated disc fragment displacing the thecal sac. This was removed, the canal was decompressed and a hybrid screw-laminar hook construct was used to stabilize the fractured level while preserving uninjured motion segments. Conclusions: MRI provides useful information to help define the pathology and management strategies in patients with discordance between their clinical presentation and imaging. It helped define a rare presentation of disc herniation and alerted us to the need for a formal decompression in this case of a non-translated flexion-distraction injury.
MOLECULAR CLONING , CHARACTERIZATION AND PROMOTER ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL MDR-TYPE ABC TRANSPORTER GENE ( GBMDR 1 ) FROM GINKGO BILOBA

A novel MDR-type ABC transporter cDNA (designated as Gbmdr1) was cloned and characterized for the first time from the gymnosperm plant species, Ginkgo biloba, using RACE technique. The full-length cDNA of Gbmdr1 was 4275 bp, and it contained a 3840 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 1279 amino acid with a predicted isoelectric point of 8.22 and molecular mass of 139.6 kDa. The deduced GbMDR1 protein consisted of four domains including two TMDs (74-351, 716-993) and two NBDs (428-607, 1067-1251). The promoter of the Gbmdr1 was also cloned by the Genome Walking method. Sequence analysis demonstrated that there were many regulatory elements in the Gbmdr1 promoter and the TATA box was located at -52~-56 bp upstream of the transcriptional start site. Sequence alignment and molecular evolution analysis revealed that GbMDR1 was a plant MDR-like ABC transporter protein, and that it has a further relationship with most other MDRs of plant species. Southern blot analysis indicated that Gbmdr1 belonged to a small multi-gene family. Tissue expression analysis indicated that Gbmdr1 expression was high in stems and leaves but low in roots. These results show that GbMDR1 is a MDR-like ABC transporter protein that may be involved in the transport and accumulation of secondary metabolites.
Entity Summarisation with Limited Edge Budget on Undirected and Directed Knowledge Graphs

The paper concerns a novel problem of summarising entities with lim- ited presentation budget on entity-relationship knowledge graphs and propose an efficient algorithm for solving this problem. The algorithm has been implemented in two variants: undirected and directed, together with a visualisation tool. Ex- perimental user evaluation of the algorithm was conducted on real large semantic knowledge graphs extracted from the web. The reported results of experimental user evaluation are promising and encourage to continue the work on improving the algorithm.
Asymptotic Distributions for Block Statistics on Non-crossing Partitions

The set of non-crossing partitions was first studied by Kreweras in 1972 and was known to play an important role in combinatorics, geometric group theory, and free probability. In particular, it has a natural embedding into the symmetric group, and there is an extensive literature on the asymptotic cycle structures of random permutations. This motivates our study on analogous results regarding the asymptotic block structure of random non-crossing partitions. We first investigate an analogous result of the asymptotic distribution for the total number of cycles of random permutations due to Goncharov in 1940's: Goncharov showed that the total number of cycles in a random permutation is asymptotically normally distributed with mean log(n) and variance log(n). As a analog of this result, we show that the total number of blocks in a random non-crossing partition is asymptotically normally distributed with mean n/2 and variance n/8. We also investigate the outer blocks, which arise naturally from non-crossing partitions and has many connections in combinatorics and free probability. It is a surprising result that among many blocks of non-crossing partitions, the expected number of outer blocks is asymptotically 3. We further computed the asymptotic distribution for the total number of blocks, which is a shifted negative binomial distribution.
Ensuring good nutritional status in patients with Parkinson's disease: challenges and solutions

: Nutrition is becoming an important tool in the management of the main chronic diseases, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Nutritional status has been shown to deteriorate with the progression of PD, due to motor and nonmotor complications. Dietary protein can reduce the effectiveness of levodopa treatment in PD patients, since the large neutral amino acids and levodopa share the same saturated carrier system, while fiber can improve the drug bioavailability. Moreover, nutrition seems to be directly involved in PD risk: high dietary intakes of animal fat, iron, mercury, and dairy, as well as western dietary patterns can increase it, while intake of some antioxidant compounds and plant-based dietary patterns can be protective. The means of ensuring good nutritional status in PD range from providing adequate energy and nutrients for the body, to considering in a broader perspective, the management of motor and nonmotor symptoms and chronic levodopa treatment complications, as well as pursuing potential neuroprotection. This review summarizes the most relevant results in the literature, and discusses the contribution of diet in the management of PD.
The Extent of the Pterosaur Flight Membrane

The shape and extent of the membranous brachioptagium in pterosaurs remains a controversial topic for those attempting to determine the aerodynamic performance of the first vertebrate fliers. Various arguments in favour of the trailing edge terminating against either the torso or hip, the femur, the ankle, or different locations for various taxa, has resulted in several published reconstructions. Uncertainty over the correct model is detrimental to both aerodynamic and palaeoecological studies that are forced to simultaneously consider multiple and highly variable configurations for individual taxa. A review of relevant pterosaur specimens with preserved soft tissues or impressions of the wing membrane, however, strongly suggests that the trailing edge of the wing extended down to the lower leg or ankle in all specimens where the brachiopatagium is completely preserved. This configuration is seen across a phylogenetically broad range of pterosaurs and is thus likely to have been universally present throughout the Pterosauria. Support for opposing hypotheses where the trailing edge terminates against the body, hip, or knee are based on several specimens where the wing membrane is either incomplete or has undergone post-mortem contraction. An ankle attachment does not rule out a high aspect ratio wing as the curvature of the trailing edge and the ratio of the fore to hind limbs also play a major role in determining the final shape of the membrane.
Analysis of the penalty corner attack strategy in international women’s hockey: 2016 Champions Trophy and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

Purpose. the purpose of the study was to analyse the differences in various penalty corner attack tactics observed in recent international women’s hockey matches, including the 2016 champions trophy (ct) and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (OG), and to propose factors that lead to a successful penalty corner attack. Methods. the study examined 204 cases of penalty corner attack (ct: 111, OG: 93) that occurred in 29 games of international women’s hockey matches (ct: 18, OG: 11); these were analysed with the chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. Results. Differences were observed with respect to the set play position ( 2 = 19.091, p = 0.002), shooting point ( 2 = 5.355, p = 0.021), and shooting direction ( 2 = 22.831, p = 0.004). the binary logistic regression, used to determine factors influencing the score, revealed that the chance of scoring increased with the use of set play (p = 0.015). However, the chance of failing to score is higher if the shooter makes a pass instead of a direct shot (p = 0.023). Conclusions. When analysing factors that affect penalty corner goals in women’s hockey, a higher success rate for goalscoring was seen with set plays. However, the failure rate was higher when the shooter used a passing technique instead of direct shooting. thus, a strategy focusing on a constructed set play rather than passing techniques around stoppers should be established to increase the success rate of goals.
Privacy-Aware Authenticated Key Agreement Scheme for Secure Smart Grid Communication

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are one of the underpinning platforms of smart grids, facilitating efficient grid management and operation, optimization of resource utilization, as well as enabling new products, features, and services. However, this interconnection of grid technology with ICT leads to various security challenges in the power grid. One such concern is the tampering of usage data from smart meters which may result not only in incorrect billing, but also in incorrect decisions related to demand and supply management. In addition to network based cyber attacks, smart meters are also susceptible to physical attacks since they are installed in customer premises without hardware protection mechanisms. In this paper, we propose a novel privacy-aware authenticated key agreement scheme which can not only ensure secure communication between smart meters and the service providers, but also the physical security of smart meters. In this regard, we utilize the lightweight cryptographic primitives such as physically uncloneable functions and one-way hash function, etc. Hence, the proposed scheme is even suitable for the resource constrained smart meters.
Blink Parameter as Indicators of Driver's Sleepiness - Possibilities and Limitations.

In a laboratory study the lid movements of 76 drivers were registered by electrooculogram while driving a simulation course over 2-3 hours at night. Subjects were asked to rate their subjective alertness every thirty minutes and all fatigue-related mimics were scored by the experimenter. Off-line interpolated subjective alertness was in good accordance with objective signs of drowsiness but blink parameters showed considerable individual differences in their changes during increasing sleepiness. A factor analysis resulted in a stable constellation of five factors controlling blink behaviour in wakefulness and drowsiness. A six step procedure is proposed for a warning device based on blink parameters.
A Design for a Trusted Community Bathymetry System

Abstract Marine Volunteered Geographic Information (informally “crowdsourced bathymetry”) has raised much interest within the authoritative hydrographic community as a means to cheaply gather information to satisfy chart updating requirements. So far, however, a routine path to the official chart has been rare, mainly due to lack of calibration and other metadata that would satisfy liability concerns. As an alternative to these ideas, a data collection system is proposed which, by design, can auto-calibrate and provide other data quality guarantees, and thereby generate data that by construction should be qualified for hydrographic use. This idea is termed here Trusted Community Bathymetry (TCB). A design for such a system is outlined, and its performance demonstrated experimentally through a prototype system based on a low-cost, post-processed GNSS receiver and NMEA data logger. By comparison against NGS control and survey-grade GNSS equipment, it is shown that the TCB system achieves centimeter to decimeter-level positioning in 3D, auto-calibrates vertical offsets to the sonar transducer within a decimeter, and provides realtime uncertainty estimates for ellipsoid-referenced soundings. Additionally, in an underway field trial, the total vertical uncertainty of the soundings is shown to be within the limits required for IHO Order 1b (S.44, 5 Ed.) surveys.
Gender gap in the executive suite: CEOs and female executives report on breaking the glass ceiling

Executive Overview While business organizations are struggling to hold on to their best and brightest women, the persistence of the glass ceiling makes this difficult. Dismantling the glass ceiling requires an accurate understanding of the overt and subtle barriers to advancement faced by women, and the strategies used to overcome these barriers. A large-scale, national survey of Fortune 1000 CEOs and the highest-ranking, most successful women in their companies identified key career strategies used by the women in their rise to the top, and the barriers to advancement they faced in their firms. A startling finding of the study was the disparity in the perceptions of chief executive officers and the high-ranking women in their firms. The Fortune 1000 CEOs had vastly different perceptions of the organizational and environmental barriers faced by their female employees, and in their companies' progress towards equality in the workplace.
Enhancements to Eye Gaze Tracking Cursor Control using Electromyogram Signals

Eye gaze tracking (EGT) systems have been implemented previously in laboratory environments. However, they present usability obstacles that prevent their broad commercial acceptance. In response, a cursor control system was created that integrates an electromyogram-based control with EGT-based control. This system allows a user to perform small cursor displacements and left click operations by the monitoring and classifying of electromyogram (EMG) signals emitted during facial movements. This functionality will compensate for the limitations in cursor positioning accuracy and in click execution reliability experienced with EGT systems. The EMG/EGT system, an EGT system and a mouse were tested using point-and-click trials. Trial time and error rate results underwent statistical and Fitts’ law analyses. Statistical analysis revealed that the EMG/EGT system was slower than the two other inputs, but was significantly less error-prone than the EGT-only system. Fitts’ law analysis showed that the EMG/EGT system was not well matched with Fitts’ model.