Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SpykeTorch: Efficient Simulation of Convolutional Spiking Neural Networks With at Most One Spike per Neuron

Application of deep convolutional spiking neural networks (SNNs) to artificial intelligence (AI) tasks has recently gained a lot of interest since SNNs are hardware-friendly and energy-efficient. Unlike the non-spiking counterparts, most of the existing SNN simulation frameworks are not practically efficient enough for large-scale AI tasks. In this paper, we introduce SpykeTorch, an open-source high-speed simulation framework based on PyTorch. This framework simulates convolutional SNNs with at most one spike per neuron and the rank-order encoding scheme. In terms of learning rules, both spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) and reward-modulated STDP (R-STDP) are implemented, but other rules could be implemented easily. Apart from the aforementioned properties, SpykeTorch is highly generic and capable of reproducing the results of various studies. Computations in the proposed framework are tensor-based and totally done by PyTorch functions, which in turn brings the ability of just-in-time optimization for running on CPUs, GPUs, or Multi-GPU platforms.
In-Band Pilot Overhead in Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Decode and Forward Relaying

In URLLC the performance of short message communications highly depends on the training sequence length due to the stringent latency and reliability requirements. In this paper, we study the performance of cooperative and non-cooperative transmissions under imperfect channel estimation and Rayleigh fading for URLLC. We assume a peak power constraint on pilot symbols in addition to the average power constraint which is used for comparison purposes. We obtain the optimal training length as a function of blocklength and power constraint factor to meet the URLLC requirements. Moreover, the simulation results show the impact of pilot overhead on reliability, latency, and goodput of cooperative communications compared to point-to-point transmission.
FIESTA: Fast Incremental Euclidean Distance Fields for Online Motion Planning of Aerial Robots

Euclidean Signed Distance Field (ESDF) is useful for online motion planning of aerial robots since it can easily query the distance and gradient information against obstacles. Fast incrementally built ESDF map is the bottleneck for conducting real-time motion planning. In this paper, we investigate this problem and propose a mapping system called FIESTA to build global ESDF map incrementally. By introducing two independent updating queues for inserting and deleting obstacles separately, and using Indexing Data Structures and Doubly Linked Lists for map maintenance, our algorithm updates as few as possible nodes using a BFS framework. Our ESDF map has high computational performance and produces near-optimal results. We show our method outperforms other up-to-date methods in term of performance and accuracy by both theory and experiments. We integrate FIESTA into a completed quadrotor system and validate it by both simulation and onboard experiments. We release our method as open-source software for the community 11https://github.com/hlx1996/FIESTA
Proving the NP-completeness of optimal moral graph triangulation

Moral graphs were introduced in the 1980s as an intermediate step when transforming a Bayesian network to a junction tree, on which exact belief propagation can be efficiently done. The moral graph of a Bayesian network can be trivially obtained by connecting non-adjacent parents for each node in the Bayesian network and dropping the direction of each edge. Perhaps because the moralization process looks simple, there has been little attention on the properties of moral graphs and their impact in belief propagation on Bayesian networks. This paper addresses the mistaken claim that it has been previously proved that optimal moral graph triangulation with the constraints of minimum fill-in, treewidth or total states is NP-complete. The problems are in fact NP-complete, but they have not previously been proved. We now prove these.
Characterizing Human Behaviours Using Statistical Motion Descriptor

Identifying human behaviors is a challenging research problem due to the complexity and variation of appearances and postures, the variation of camera settings, and view angles. In this paper, we try to address the problem of human behavior identification by introducing a novel motion descriptor based on statistical features. The method first divide the video into N number of temporal segments. Then for each segment, we compute dense optical flow, which provides instantaneous velocity information for all the pixels. We then compute Histogram of Optical Flow (HOOF) weighted by the norm and quantized into 32 bins. We then compute statistical features from the obtained HOOF forming a descriptor vector of 192- dimensions. We then train a non-linear multi-class SVM that classify different human behaviors with the accuracy of 72.1%. We evaluate our method by using publicly available human action data set. Experimental results shows that our proposed method out performs state of the art methods.
Color-tunable lanthanide metal–organic framework gels

MOF gels with intrinsic emission color are prepared with 5-boronoisophthalic acid and Eu3+, Tb3+, and/or Dy3+. Single-metal gels exhibit trichromatic fluorescence, so full color emissions are readily obtained by tuning the type and/or ratio of Ln3+ ions to prepare mixed-metal gels. Nano-ribbons form from the precursors and then entangle together to generate the gels.
Mechanisms underlying the endothelium-dependent modulation of vascular tone

s presented on conferences: P.L. Yarova, C.J. Garland, K.A. Dora “Negative cross-talk between endothelial M3muscarinic and β-adrenoceptors in rat resistance mesenteric arteries” // Young Physiologists’ Symposium, Ion Channels and Receptors in Cell Physiology, University of Leicester, Leicester, 2009. P.L. Yarova, C.J. Garland, K.A. Dora “β-adrenergic receptors differentially modulate local and spreading vasodilatation evoked by endothelial cell muscarinic receptors in rat pressurized mesenteric arteries” // BPS Winter Meeting, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London, 2009. PL. Yarova, KA. Dora, CJ. Garland “Activation of β-adrenoceptors evokes local and spreading dilatation in rat isolated mesenteric arteries” // 60 Annual British Microcirculation Meeting, Peninsula Medical School, Exeter, 2010. PL. Yarova, CJ. Garland, KA. Dora “Vasodilatation to NO in rat small mesenteric arteries; a role for potassium channels” // WorldPharma 2010, 16 IUPHAR World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Copenhagen, 2010. Polina Yarova, Chris Garland, Kim Dora “A novel role for endogenous nitroxyl anion in local and spreading vasodilatation in rat small resistance arteries” // Oxford BHF CRE Annual Symposium, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, Said Business School, Oxford, 2010. P.L. Yarova, C.J. Garland, K.A. Dora “The agonist used to generate tone affects the decay of spreading vasodilatation in rat mesenteric arteries” // 9th World Congress for Microcirculation, Maison de la Chimie, Paris, 2010. PL. Yarova, KA. Dora, CJ. Garland “A role for β-adrenoceptors in spreading vasodilatation” // Experimental Biology 2011, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, 2011.
Diabetes Disparities In Illinois

The map depicts the availability of Chronic Disease Self-Management Program workshops and health care centers in Illinois in relation to diabetes prevalence in each county. County-level diabetes prevalence ranges from 7% to 13%, whereas Illinois diabetes prevalence is 9.1%. Green counties have prevalences below the state rate of 9.1%, and red counties have prevalences at 9.1% or higher. Darker colors represent the lowest and highest rates of diabetes prevalence in Illinois.
Genome replication affects transcription factor binding mediating the cascade of herpes simplex virus transcription

Significance Nuclear-replicating DNA viruses employ a common strategy of coupling late gene transcription to genome replication. The mechanism by which genome replication facilitates nascent transcription is unknown. We performed RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq for Pol II, TBP, TAF1, and Sp1 to quantitatively assess transcription initiation and elongation across the viral genome. The onset of replication permanently altered genomic accessibility and, with the aid of ICP4, facilitated binding of initiation factors to previously silenced promoters. Continued replication precluded binding of transcription factors to promoters active prior to DNA replication. The results provide a model for the mechanism of the transcription switch in HSV infection, which may be applicable to other nuclear-replicating DNA viruses. In herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, the coupling of genome replication and transcription regulation has been known for many years; however, the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. We performed a comprehensive transcriptomic assessment and factor-binding analysis for Pol II, TBP, TAF1, and Sp1 to assess the effect genome replication has on viral transcription initiation and elongation. The onset of genome replication resulted in the binding of TBP, TAF1, and Pol II to previously silent late promoters. The viral transcription factor, ICP4, was continuously needed in addition to DNA replication for activation of late gene transcription initiation. Furthermore, late promoters contain a motif that closely matches the consensus initiator element (Inr), which robustly bound TAF1 postreplication. Continued DNA replication resulted in reduced binding of Sp1, TBP, and Pol II to early promoters. Therefore, the initiation of early gene transcription is attenuated following DNA replication. Herein, we propose a model for how viral DNA replication results in the differential utilization of cellular factors that function in transcription initiation, leading to the delineation of kinetic class in HSV-productive infection.
Climate-driven variation in mosquito density predicts the spatiotemporal dynamics of dengue

Significance Using extensive data on dengue fever and mosquito density, we demonstrate that local weather conditions, through their impact on the variation of mosquito abundance, are a driver of dengue dynamics in China. We believe that this mechanism can be applied to explain dengue dynamics in other places as well. We furthermore conjecture that our integrative approach would be applicable to other vector-borne diseases, such as Zika, malaria, and chikungunya. Dengue is a climate-sensitive mosquito-borne disease with increasing geographic extent and human incidence. Although the climate–epidemic association and outbreak risks have been assessed using both statistical and mathematical models, local mosquito population dynamics have not been incorporated in a unified predictive framework. Here, we use mosquito surveillance data from 2005 to 2015 in China to integrate a generalized additive model of mosquito dynamics with a susceptible–infected–recovered (SIR) compartmental model of viral transmission to establish a predictive model linking climate and seasonal dengue risk. The findings illustrate that spatiotemporal dynamics of dengue are predictable from the local vector dynamics, which in turn, can be predicted by climate conditions. On the basis of the similar epidemiology and transmission cycles, we believe that this integrated approach and the finer mosquito surveillance data provide a framework that can be extended to predict outbreak risk of other mosquito-borne diseases as well as project dengue risk maps for future climate scenarios.
Timeliness and completeness of routine childhood vaccinations in young children residing in a district with recurrent vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, Jerusalem, Israel

Background Childhood vaccination schedules recommend vaccine doses at predefined ages. Aim We evaluated vaccination completeness and timeliness in Jerusalem, a district with recurrent vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Methods Vaccination coverage was monitored by the up-to-date method (vaccination completeness at age 2 years). Timeliness of vaccination was assessed in children (n = 3,098, born in 2009, followed to age 48 months, re-evaluated at age 7 years) by the age-appropriate method (vaccine dose timeliness according to recommended schedule). Vaccines included: hepatitis B (HBV: birth, 1 month and 6 months); diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, polio, Haemophilus influenzae b (DTaP-IPV-Hib: 2, 4, 6 and 12 months); pneumococcal conjugate (PCV: 2, 4 and 12 months); measles-mumps-rubella/measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMR/MMRV: 12 months) and hepatitis A (HAV: 18 and 24 months). Results Overall vaccination coverage (2014 cohort evaluated at age 2 years) was 95% and 86% for MMR/MMRV and DTaP-IPV-Hib4, respectively. Most children (94%, 91%, 79%, 95%, 92% and 82%) were up-to-date for HBV3, DTaP-IPV-Hib4, PCV3, MMR/MMRV1, HAV1 and HAV2 vaccines at 48 months, but only 32%, 28%, 38%, 58%, 49% and 20% were vaccinated timely (age-appropriate). At age 7 years, the median increase in vaccination coverage was 2.4%. Vaccination delay was associated with: high birth order, ethnicity (higher among Jews vs Arabs), birth in winter, delayed acceptance of first dose of DTaP-IPV-Hib and multiple-dose vaccines (vs MMR/MMRV). Jewish ultra-Orthodox communities had low vaccination coverage. Conclusions Considerable vaccination delay should be addressed within the vaccine hesitancy spectrum. Delays may induce susceptibility to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks; tailored programmes to improve timeliness are required.
Effects of root phenotypic changes on the deep rooting of Populus euphratica seedlings under drought stresses

Background Deep roots are critical for the survival of Populus euphratica seedlings on the floodplains of arid regions where they easily suffer drought stress. Drought typically suppresses root growth, but P. euphratica seedlings can adjust phenotypically in terms of root-shoot allocation and root architecture and morphology, thus promoting deep rooting. However, the root phenotypic changes undertaken by P. euphratica seedlings as a deep rooting strategy under drought conditions remain unknown. Methods We quantified deep rooting capacity by the relative root depth (RRD), which represents the ratio of taproot length to plant biomass and is controlled by root mass fraction (RMF), taproot mass fraction (TRMF), and specific taproot length (STRL). We recorded phenotypic changes in one-year-old P. euphratica seedlings under control, moderate and severe drought stress treatments and assessed the effects of RMF, TRMF, and STRL on RRD. Results Drought significantly decreased absolute root depth but substantially increased RRD via exerting positive effects on TRMF, RMF, and STRL. Under moderate drought, TRMF contributed 55%, RMF 27%, and STRL 18% to RRD variation. Under severe drought, the contribution of RMF to RRD variation increased to 37%, which was similar to the 41% for TRMF. The contribution of STRL slightly increased to 22%. Conclusion These results suggest that the adjustments in root architecture and root-shoot allocation were predominantly responsible for deep rooting in P. euphratica seedlings under drought conditions, while morphological changes played a minor role. Moreover, P. euphratica seedlings rely mostly on adjusting their root architecture to maintain root depth under moderate drought conditions, whereas root-shoot allocation responds more strongly under severe drought conditions, to the point where it plays a role as important as root architecture does on deep rooting.
Genetic and antigenic characterisation of influenza A(H3N2) viruses isolated in Yokohama during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 influenza seasons

Background: Influenza A(H3N2) virus rapidly evolves to evade human immune responses, resulting in changes in the antigenicity of haemagglutinin (HA). Therefore, continuous genetic and antigenic analyses of A(H3N2) virus are necessary to detect antigenic mutants as quickly as possible. Aim: We attempted to phylogenetically and antigenically capture the epidemic trend of A(H3N2) virus infection in Yokohama, Japan during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 influenza seasons. Methods: We determined the HA sequences of A(H3N2) viruses detected in Yokohama, Japan during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 influenza seasons to identify amino acid substitutions and the loss or gain of potential N-glycosylation sites in HA, both of which potentially affect the antigenicity of HA. We also examined the antigenicity of isolates using ferret antisera obtained from experimentally infected ferrets. Results: Influenza A(H3N2) viruses belonging to six clades (clades 3C.2A1, 3C.2A1a, 3C.2A1b, 3C.2A2, 3C.2A3 and 3C.2A4) were detected during the 2016/17 influenza season, whereas viruses belonging to two clades (clades 3C.2A1b and 3C.2A2) dominated during the 2017/18 influenza season. The isolates in clades 3C.2A1a and 3C.2A3 lost one N-linked glycosylation site in HA relative to other clades. Antigenic analysis revealed antigenic differences among clades, especially clade 3C.2A2 and 3C.2A4 viruses, which showed distinct antigenic differences from each other and from other clades in the antigenic map. Conclusion: Multiple clades, some of which differed antigenically from others, co-circulated in Yokohama, Japan during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 influenza seasons.
The liquid xenon detector for PET: recent results

A multiwire ionisation chamber filled with liquid xenon as a position sensitive detector for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is studied. Both xenon scintillation, which provides a fast trigger, and ionisation charge for position and energy measurements are read. The detection efficiency of the detector is assessed by measuring separately the probability of detection of the scintillation light and the charge signals, due to 511 keV gamma-rays, being about 100% and 82% respectively.
Social aspects of health, illness and healthcare

This core textbook is the ideal companion text for students studying the social aspects of health and illness, whether it is as part of a health studies degree, nursing or other professional qualification related to health, social care, youth and community work and social work. Written at an introductory level this book is suitable for students new to this subject and looking for a broad and accessible text for use throughout their studies. The book provides a comprehensive and contemporary exploration of a wide range of topics within the subject area of the social aspects of health, illness and healthcare. In so doing, it explores and explains the different relationships between social categories and health, different experiences of illness and the role of the healthcare provider in society. It includes self-contained chapters on: Gender Social class Ethnicity Ageing Physical ill health Mental health and illness Disability Death and dying Families, communities and healthcare Healthcare organisations and professions In addition to drawing together many different sources within this subject area, this engaging book is full of case studies, primary sources and activities for study, all of which will help you get to grips with the core concepts and themes in the study of health, illness and healthcare.
Affect Regulation in Schizophrenia

textabstractSchizophrenia is a serious mental disease, characterised by psychosis (delusions and hallucinations), apathy (a lack of motivation), social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment, which result in impaired functioning in different areas, such as work, school, independent living, and interpersonal relationships (Mueser and McGurk, 2004). Apart from the above-mentioned deficits, these patients also experience emotional disturbances, which have received increasing attention over two past decades (Edwards et al., 2001; Pinkham et al., 2007). For example, schizophrenic patients are impaired in their ability to recognize emotional facial expressions (Loughland et al., 2002). The abnormalities in emotion identification and emotional behaviour have been found to be associated with the poor social functioning observed in patients with schizophrenia (Borod and Madigan, 2000). It is still unclear whether the impairment in affect perception is a specific emotional deficit or whether it is related to a more generalized impairment in perception and attention (Bozikas et al., 2004).
Chestnut's Obstetric Anesthesia: Principles and Practice

The updated fourth edition of this comprehensive, highly respected reference covers all you need to know about obstetric anesthesia - from basic science to various anesthesia techniques to complications. The editorial team of leading authorities in the field now features Drs. Linda S. Polley, Lawrence C. Tsen, and Cynthia A. Wong and presents the latest on anesthesia techniques for labor and delivery and medical disorders that occur during pregnancy. This edition features two new chapters and rewritten versions of key chapters such as Epidural and Spinal Analgesia and Anesthesia. And, Expert Consult functionality allows you to access the entire contents of the book online.
DEFENSIVE THINKING IN ALCOHOL ADDICTS.

Abstract Every day in Canada and the United States thousands of patients seek medical help for diseases and injuries acquired as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Unfortunately much of the medical effort expended in this way is wasted. Failure to bridge the gap between initial treatment and a rehabilitation program is the main reason for this waste. Since the power of the abnormal desire in addiction compels the victim to continue to indulge in spite of his awareness of his addiction, he becomes more and more defensive. His thinking is marked by alibis, lying, projection, resentment and suspicion. Resistance to treatment becomes an integral part of the disability. The addict usually cannot stop defending his dependence simply because he is advised to do so. However, a physician can often find ways to interrupt defensive thinking long enough to initiate a treatment and rehabilitation program if he will consider the primary and secondary factors concerned.
Drugs labelling, leaflets and packing in European pharmaceutical law with special reference to the Spanish and Italian cases

The drug, as a technical product, has been created in order to control and dominate nature. Thus, the pharmaceutical industry acts against infections and diseases in nature, as well as other attacks on our health that can weaken it or bring it to a complete end. Unfortunately, these technologies are not innocuous; they eliminate “threats” but create “risks”, even for the health-related object of protection (suffice to say the side effects of drugs like Vioxx or Thalidomide). Not surprisingly, from its earliest origins the word “drug” has referred to a substance that can be harmful, as well as ultimately, healing. These products are not safe. Therefore, the Legislator has created an assumption of risk: it is supposed
Co-Leading a Family Council in a Long-Term Care Facility

This paper chronicles the conceptualization and formation of a family council through its first eight months of operation. Because family members play an importanf part in the lives of nursing home residents, social workers in long term care facilities must be willing to actively provide services to family members as part of the client system they serve. A family council is explored as one way of involving families in the facility. Practice issues such as: the setting of group structure, the impact of co-leadership with a family member, and the effect of a family council on the families, staff and residents, are discussed. Suggestions on how to develop and maintain a successful family council are presented.