Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Skew-Symmetric Binary Sequences and the Merit Factor Problem

The merit factor problem is of practical importance to manifold domains, such as digital communications engineering, radars, system modulation, system testing, information theory, physics, chemistry. However, the merit factor problem is referenced as one of the most difficult optimization problems and it was further conjectured that stochastic search procedures will not yield merit factors higher than 5 for long binary sequences (sequences with lengths greater than 200). Some useful mathematical properties related to the flip operation of the skew-symmetric binary sequences are presented in this work. By exploiting those properties, the memory complexity of state-of-the-art stochastic merit factor optimization algorithms could be reduced from $O(n^2)$ to $O(n)$. As a proof of concept, a lightweight stochastic algorithm was constructed, which can optimize pseudo-randomly generated skew-symmetric binary sequences with long lengths (up to ${10}^5+1$) to skew-symmetric binary sequences with a merit factor greater than 5. An approximation of the required time is also provided. The numerical experiments suggest that the algorithm is universal and could be applied to skew-symmetric binary sequences with arbitrary lengths.
Energy Aligning for Biased Models

Training on class-imbalanced data usually results in biased models that tend to predict samples into the majority classes, which is a common and notorious problem. From the perspective of energy-based model, we demonstrate that the free energies of categories are aligned with the label distribution theoretically, thus the energies of different classes are expected to be close to each other when aiming for ``balanced'' performance. However, we discover a severe energy-bias phenomenon in the models trained on class-imbalanced dataset. To eliminate the bias, we propose a simple and effective method named Energy Aligning by merely adding the calculated shift scalars onto the output logits during inference, which does not require to (i) modify the network architectures, (ii) intervene the standard learning paradigm, (iii) perform two-stage training. The proposed algorithm is evaluated on two class imbalance-related tasks under various settings: class incremental learning and long-tailed recognition. Experimental results show that energy aligning can effectively alleviate class imbalance issue and outperform state-of-the-art methods on several benchmarks.
A controllability method for Maxwell's equations

We propose a controllability method for the numerical solution of time-harmonic Maxwell's equations in their first-order formulation. By minimizing a quadratic cost functional, which measures the deviation from periodicity, the controllability method determines iteratively a periodic solution in the time domain. At each conjugate gradient iteration, the gradient of the cost functional is simply computed by running any time-dependent simulation code forward and backward for one period, thus leading to a non-intrusive implementation easily integrated into existing software. Moreover, the proposed algorithm automatically inherits the parallelism, scalability, and low memory footprint of the underlying time-domain solver. Since the time-periodic solution obtained by minimization is not necessarily unique, we apply a cheap post-processing filtering procedure which recovers the time-harmonic solution from any minimizer. Finally, we present a series of numerical examples which show that our algorithm greatly speeds up the convergence towards the desired time-harmonic solution when compared to simply running the time-marching code until the time-harmonic regime is eventually reached.
Comments on the symmetry breaking condition in MacDowell–Mansouri action

In this work we study the symmetry breaking conditions, given by a (anti)de Sitter-valued vector field, of a full (anti)de Sitter-invariant MacDowell-Mansouri inspired action. We show that under these conditions the action breaks down to General Relativity with a cosmological constant, the four dimensional topological invariants, as well as the Holst term. We obtain the equations of motion of this action, and analyze the symmetry breaking conditions.
Shoulder joint mobility in patients with primary adhesive capsulitis after treatment with continuous mode of ultrasound: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Background: Although the continuous mode of ultrasound therapy improves joint mobility, its role in primary adhesive capsulitis (AC) remains unclear. Therefore, this systematic review aims to address this evidence gap. Methods: The literature search included databases (SCOPUS, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PubMed) and in-text references of articles read full-text. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) on primary AC patients (published in the English language between 1979-2019) comparing the ROM changes (in degrees) mainly between continuous mode of US therapy with any other non-electrotherapeutic treatment were eligible for inclusion. The trials were reviewed narratively along with an assessment of the risk of bias. Results: Out of 174 search results, two eligible single-center trials comprising of 100 participants compared ROM in four separate directions at the 10th session and after three months post-intervention. The risk of selection bias, performance bias, and attrition bias was unclear among the trials. While in both the trials ROM (in all directions) improved in the respective intervention groups at follow up, most of these changes varied between the intervention groups in one trial. However, in the latter trial, participants in the treatment group had the worst ROM values at baseline with poor compliance to the adjunct exercise therapy. Conclusion: The contemporary evidence in the context remains inconclusive due to a lack of large multicentric well-conducted RCTs.
Trait‐based vulnerability reveals hotspots of potential impact for a global marine invader

Predation from the invasive Indo‐Pacific lionfish is likely to amplify declines in marine fishes observed in multiple ocean basins. As the invasion intensifies and expands, there is an urgent need to identify species that are most at risk for extirpation—and possible extinction—from this added threat. To address this gap and inform conservation plans, we develop and apply a quantitative framework for classifying the relative vulnerability of fishes based on morphological and behavioural traits known to influence susceptibility to lionfish predation (e.g. body shape, water column position and aggregation behaviour), habitat overlap with lionfish, and degree of geographic range restriction. Applying the framework to fishes across the invaded Caribbean Sea and ahead of the invasion front in the southwestern Atlantic revealed the identity of at least 77 fishes with relatively small ranges that are likely to be most affected by lionfish predation. Trait‐based vulnerability scores significantly predict the probability of fishes appearing within the diets of lionfish across the invaded region. Spatial richness analyses reveal hotspots of vulnerable species in the Bahamas, Belize and Curaçao. Crucially, our framework identifies 29 vulnerable fishes endemic to Brazil, which has not yet been colonized by lionfish. Of these, we suggest reefs around offshore island groups occupied by a dozen highly vulnerable and range‐restricted species as priorities for intervention should lionfish spread to the region. Observations of the rate of lionfish spread across the invaded range suggest that an average of 5 years (with a median of nearly 2 years) elapses from first sighting to maximum observed densities. This lag may allow managers to mobilize plans to suppress lionfish ahead of an invasion front in priority locations. Our framework also provides a method for assessing the relative vulnerability of cryptobenthic and/or deep‐reef fishes, for which population‐monitoring data are limited.
Correlation of left ventricular longitudinal strain and E/e’ ratio in primary hypertension patients

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this study is to explore and compare the relationships of both global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain (SR) with E/e’ ratio in a population of asymptomatic patients with systemic hypertension. Methods: Retrospectively included 210 cases of essential hypertension patients. Dynamic images were analyzed for left ventricular myocardial systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS), left ventricular longitudinal peak systolic strain rate (SRs), early diastolic peak strain rate (SRe), late diastolic peak strain rate (SRa). According to the 2012 baseline E/e’ ratio, the population was divided into three groups, group A (E/e’<8), group B (8 ≤ E/e’≤14), and group C (E/e’>14). Results: Systolic function parameters left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remained at normal rage and no different, but patients with elevated E/e’ ratio had significantly lower GLS, lower early diastolic strain rate(SRe), lower ratio of early diastolic strain rate to late diastolic strain rate (SRe/a) and higher E/SRe. Positive relationships were observed between GLS, E/SRe and E/e’ ratio, inverse relationships were observed between SRe, SRe/a and E/e’ ratio. E/SRe >0.73 had a sensitivity of 87.7% and a specificity of 38.2% for predicting an elevated E/e’ ratio (E/e’>14). In multivariable analysis, IVS-e’ <7 cm/s showed almost 2.5-fold increased risk for decreased GLS (OR 2.48[95% CI 1.36–4.53]; p = 003). Conclusions: Our current study demonstrated that hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF and elevated E/e’ ratio have systolic and diastolic abnormalities in longitudinal directions as detected by speckle imaging. E/SRe correlates well with E/e’ and predicted elevated left ventricular filling pressure.
Addressing opioid tolerance and opioid‐induced hypersensitivity: Recent developments and future therapeutic strategies

Opioids are a commonly prescribed and efficacious medication for the treatment of chronic pain but major side effects such as addiction, respiratory depression, analgesic tolerance, and paradoxical pain hypersensitivity make them inadequate and unsafe for patients requiring long‐term pain management. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the outcomes of chronic opioid administration to lay the foundation for the development of novel pharmacological strategies that attenuate opioid tolerance and hypersensitivity; the two main physiological mechanisms underlying the inadequacies of current therapeutic strategies. We also explore mechanistic similarities between the development of neuropathic pain states, opioid tolerance, and hypersensitivity which may explain opioids’ lack of efficacy in certain patients. The findings challenge the current direction of analgesic research in developing non‐opioid alternatives and we suggest that improving opioids, rather than replacing them, will be a fruitful avenue for future research.
Piperine promotes autophagy flux by P2RX4 activation in SNCA/α-synuclein-induced Parkinson disease model

ABSTRACT Olfactory dysfunction, one of the earliest non-motor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD), is accompanied by abnormal deposition of SNCA/α-synuclein in the olfactory bulb (OB). The macroautophagy/autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP) plays an important role in degrading pathological SNCA and modulating this pathway may be a promising treatment strategy. P2RX4 (purinergic receptor P2X, ligand-gated ion channel 4), a member of the purinergic receptor X family, is a key molecule regulating ALP. Piperine (PIP) is a Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of PIP on SNCA overexpression-induced PD cell and mouse models. We found that PIP oral administration (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) for 6 weeks attenuated olfactory deficits and delayed motor deficits in Thy 1-SNCA transgenic mice overexpressing human SNCA. This was accompanied by a degradation of pathological SNCA in OB. In addition, PIP improved cell viability and promoted degradation of human SNCA in SK-N-SH cells. These protective effects were exerted via autophagy flux promotion by enhancing autophagosome-lysosome membrane fusion. Furthermore, tandem mass tag proteomics analyses showed that P2RX4 plays an important role in PIP treatment-induced activation of autophagy flux. These findings demonstrate that PIP exerts neuroprotective effects in PD models via promotion of autophagy flux and may be an effective agent for PD treatment. Abbreviations: 6-OHDA, 6-hydroxydopamine; ALP, autophagy-lysosome pathway; BafA1, bafilomycin A1; CoQ10, coenzyme Q10; DMSO: dimethyl sulfoxide; HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography; IVE, ivermectin; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; MAP1LC3/LC3-II, lipid-conjugated microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MPTP, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; mRFP-GFP, tandem monomeric red fluorescent protein-green fluorescent protein; MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; OB, olfactory bulb; P2RX4, purinergic receptor P2X, ligand-gated ion channel 4; PD, Parkinson disease; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PI: propidium iodide; PIP, piperine; PLG, piperlongumine; p-SNCA, SNCA phosphorylated at Ser129; Rap, rapamycin; RT-PCR: quantitative real-time PCR; SNARE, soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor-attachment protein receptor; SNCA/α-synuclein, synuclein, alpha; STX17, syntaxin17; TG, transgenic; TH, tyrosine hydroxylase; UPS, ubiquitin-proteasome system; WT, wild-type
G-quadruplex-forming aptamer enhances the peroxidase activity of myoglobin against luminol

Abstract Aptamers can control the biological functions of enzymes, thereby facilitating the development of novel biosensors. While aptamers that inhibit catalytic reactions of enzymes were found and used as signal transducers to sense target molecules in biosensors, no aptamers that amplify enzymatic activity have been identified. In this study, we report G-quadruplex (G4)-forming DNA aptamers that upregulate the peroxidase activity in myoglobin specifically for luminol. Using in vitro selection, one G4-forming aptamer that enhanced chemiluminescence from luminol by myoglobin's peroxidase activity was discovered. Through our strategy—in silico maturation, which is a genetic algorithm-aided sequence manipulation method, the enhancing activity of the aptamer was improved by introducing mutations to the aptamer sequences. The best aptamer conserved the parallel G4 property with over 300-times higher luminol chemiluminescence from peroxidase activity more than myoglobin alone at an optimal pH of 5.0. Furthermore, using hemin and hemin-binding aptamers, we demonstrated that the binding property of the G4 aptamers to heme in myoglobin might be necessary to exert the enhancing effect. Structure determination for one of the aptamers revealed a parallel-type G4 structure with propeller-like loops, which might be useful for a rational design of aptasensors utilizing the G4 aptamer-myoglobin pair.
Sequential activation of uterine epithelial IGF1R by stromal IGF1 and embryonic IGF2 directs normal uterine preparation for embryo implantation

Abstract Embryo implantation in both humans and rodents is initiated by the attachment of a blastocyst to the uterine epithelium. For blastocyst attachment, the uterine epithelium needs to transform at both the structural and molecular levels first, and then initiate the interaction with trophectoderm. Any perturbation during this process will result in implantation failure or long-term adverse pregnancy outcomes. Endocrine steroid hormones, which function through nuclear receptors, combine with the local molecules produced by the uteri or embryo to facilitate implantation. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling has been reported to play a vital role during pregnancy. However, its physiological function during implantation remains elusive. This study revealed that mice with conditional deletion of Igf1r gene in uteri suffered from subfertility, mainly due to the disturbed uterine receptivity and abnormal embryo implantation. Mechanistically, we uncovered that in response to the nidatory estrogen on D4 of pregnancy, the epithelial IGF1R, stimulated by the stromal cell-produced IGF1, facilitated epithelial STAT3 activation to modulate the epithelial depolarity. Furthermore, embryonic derived IGF2 could activate both the epithelial ERK1/2 and STAT3 signaling through IGF1R, which was critical for the transcription of Cox2 and normal attachment reaction. In brief, our data revealed that epithelial IGF1R was sequentially activated by the uterine stromal IGF1 and embryonic IGF2 to guarantee normal epithelium differentiation during the implantation process.
Hybrid stomach-intestinal chromatin states underlie human Barrett's metaplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Tissue metaplasia is uncommon in adults because established cis-element programs resist rewiring. In Barrett's esophagus, the distal esophageal mucosa acquires predominantly intestinal character, with notable gastric features, and is predisposed to develop invasive cancers. We sought to understand the chromatin underpinnings of Barrett's metaplasia and why it commonly displays simultaneous gastric and intestinal properties. METHODS We profiled cis-regulatory elements with active histone modifications in primary human biopsy materials using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq). Mutations in Barrett's esophagus were examined in relation to tissue-specific enhancer landscapes using a random-forest machine learning algorithm. We also profiled open chromatin at single-cell resolution in primary Barrett's biopsy specimens using the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (ATAC-seq). We used one- and two-color immunohistochemistry to examine protein expression of tissue-restricted genes. RESULTS Barrett's esophagus bears epigenome fingerprints of human stomach and intestinal columnar, but not esophageal squamous, epithelia. Mutational patterns were best explained as arising on the epigenome background of active gastric cis-elements, supporting the view that adjoining stomach epithelium is a likely tissue source. Individual cells in Barrett's metaplasia co-express gastric and intestinal genes, reflecting concomitant chromatin access at enhancers ordinarily restricted to one or the other epithelium. Protein expression of stomach-specific mucins, CLDN18, and a novel gastric marker, ANXA10, revealed extensive tissue and sub-clonal heterogeneity of dual stomach-intestinal cell states. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal mixed and dynamic tissue-restricted chromatin states and phenotypic heterogeneity in Barrett's esophagus. Pervasive intra-gland variation argues against stem-cell governance of this phenotype.
Efficacy and safety of kinesiology tape for hemiplegic shoulder pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of kinesiology tape in treating hemiplegic shoulder pain. METHODS Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, six other English databases and three Chinese databases (CNKI, VIP, Wan Fang) were searched for randomized controlled trials published prior to December 13, 2020 in English or Chinese on the use of kinesiology tape for hemiplegic shoulder pain. RESULTS Fourteen randomized controlled trials (679 patients) of good PEDro quality (6.43 ± 1.09) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results for pain (SMD -0.92, 95% CI -1.10 to -0.74, P< 0.001, 10 RCTs, 539 patients), range of motion (SMD 2.27, 95% CI 1.23 to 3.32, P< 0.001, 7 studies, 320 patients), the acromion humeral distance (SMD -0.62, 95% CI -0.88 to -0.37, P< 0.001, 7 RCTs, 246 patients) and the FMA-UE score (SMD 0.66, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.91, P< 0.001, 5 RCTs, 263 patients) suggested that therapeutic kinesiology tape relieved pain, increased ROM, shortened the acromion humeral distance and improved upper extremity motor function to a greater extent than the sham or blank control conditions. The pooled results for individual activity (SMD 0.42, 95% CI -0.22 to 1.07, P= 0.199, 5 RCTs, 199 patients) and quality of life (SMD 0.308, 95% CI -0.288 to 0.903, P= 0.311, 1 RCT, 44 patients) showed that the kinesiology tape group was not significantly different from the sham or blank control group. Publication bias was not observed. No adverse events were reported in any of the included studies. CONCLUSION KT relieved pain and improved the ROM, DAH and FMA-UE score in patients with HSP to a greater extent than did the sham KT or blank control conditions. The effects on independence in activities of daily living and quality of life and whether this method is superior to active treatment in patients with HSP were not verified. More rigorous, reasonably designed RCTs with large sample sizes are still needed in the future.
Adsorption of Pb(II) from an Aqueous Solution by Titanium Dioxide/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites: Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Isotherms

In the present study, titanium dioxide/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (TiO2/MWCNTs) nanocomposites have been synthesized, characterized, and used for the adsorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The pH effect, kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and thermodynamics are examined in batch experiments. The time dependence of Pb(II) adsorption onto TiO2/MWCNTs and MWCNTs nanocomposites can be described by a pseudosecond-order kinetic model. The Langmuir isotherm model agrees well with the equilibrium experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacity of TiO2/MWCNTs and MWCNTs nanocomposites has been found to be (137.0 and 33.0) mg·g−1, respectively. Various thermodynamic parameters such as the Gibbs energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°) changes are calculated. Our results have shown that TiO2/MWCNTs nanocomposites can be used as an effective adsorbent for Pb(II) due to the high adsorption capacity as well as the short adsorption time needed to achieve equilibrium.
General Offending and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration in Young Adulthood: A Dutch Longitudinal Study

This study examines the relationship between general offending and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in young adulthood, using a Dutch longitudinal study. Young adults were followed over four waves, and self-reported data on general offending, IPV perpetration, and a number of individual characteristics were collected. Results of random effects models demonstrated that young adults involved in more diverse offending behavior reported higher levels of different types of IPV perpetration, even when individual factors were taken into account. Moreover, logistic regression analyses showed that general offending was also related to an increased likelihood of continuity in IPV perpetration. Taken together, the findings indicate that it is useful to view IPV perpetration as part of a broader criminal career.