Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Axonal tree morphology and signal propagation dynamics improve neuronal classification

Classification of neurons into specific subtypes is essential for better understanding of brain function and information transmission. Despite continuous progress, there is still no consensus regarding categorizing neuron taxonomy into proper subtypes. Current morphology-based classification approaches largely rely on the dendritic tree structure or on the general axonal projection layout. In this study, we support the use of a morphology-based classification approach, focusing on the axonal tree. We demonstrate that utilizing the geometrical parameters of axonal tree structures significantly improves neuronal classification compared to the dendritic tree classification. Furthermore, we used neuronal activity patterns to classify interneurons into subtypes as well. Simulations of the activity along ramified axonal trees indicate that the axonal branching geometry may yield diverse responses in different subtrees. The classification schemes introduced here can be utilized to robustly classify neuronal subtypes in a functionally relevant manner. Our results open the door for deducing functionality from anatomical data.
Preparing Faculty for a Learning Management System Transition

This chapter focuses on the impact of a change in the use of a learning management system (LMS) at one university. Survey data captured faculty members’ viewpoints on the transition from one LMS to another, specifically, their dispositions toward technology and change, preparation and prior experiences, need for support, and access to available resources. The inquiry focuses on potential activities and infrastructures that can be established to support the faculty, as LMS users, when a new system is introduced. Also, it explores the types of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that faculty may have or need to effectively and efficiently use the new system to support their work. Finally, strategies are recommended to enhance faculty members’ dispositions, preparation, support and access to resources. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-0011-9.ch1. 6
Performance consequences of balanced scorecard adoptions: Claim for large-scale evidence and propositions for future research

Purpose – Since the introduction of the concept of the balanced scorecard (BSC) in the early 1990s, researchers and practitioners have been discussing its impact on managerial and organizational performance. However, there are still few empirical results available in favor of the effectiveness of the BSC to justify its high rate of diffusion among companies. The central aim of this paper is to substantiate the claim for more empirical studies on performance implications of BSC use and to derive recommendations how to conduct such research effectively. Approach – We review existing research on costs and benefits of the BSC in order to pinpoint to the necessity to do more large-scale empirical work on this topic. Moreover, we discuss important methodological challenges researchers are confronted with when analyzing performance consequences of the system. Findings – Empirical studies have found both, evidence in favor and against the BSC by investigating specific elements constituting the system. However, no large-scale empirical evidence exists so far that unambiguously shows that companies using a fully developed BSC outperform non-users. We argue in the paper that this might be explainable by the holistic nature of the concept and particularly the methodological difficulties associated with analyzing its effects on performance. Contribution – The paper is supposed to motivate researchers to conduct more large-sale empirical studies in the area and offers recommendations how to effectively design such studies. It emphasizes the opportunities structural equation modeling offers to investigate possible indirect effects and moderating effects stemming from the BSC.
The Skin and Intestinal Microbiota and Their Specific Innate Immune Systems

The skin and intestine are active organs of the immune system that are constantly exposed to the outside environment. They support diverse microbiota, both commensal and pathogenic, which encompass bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. The skin and intestine must maintain homeostasis with the diversity of commensal organisms present on epithelial surfaces. Here we review the current literature pertaining to epithelial barrier formation, microbial composition, and the complex regulatory mechanisms governing the interaction between the innate immune system and microbiota in the skin and intestine. We also compare and contrast the skin and intestine—two different organ systems responsible creating a protective barrier against the external environment, each of which has unique mechanisms for interaction with commensal populations and host repair.
Energy analysis of net zero energy buildings: a case study

The building sector is a significant contributor to global energy usage and environmental emissions. Advanced building design, optimal selection and sizing of building components, and energy efficient operation are among the key ways of significantly reducing overall building energy demand. Achieving reduction in energy demand is a key directive of the net zero energy building concept. Building designs dedicated to meeting net zero energy building requirements are becoming more commonplace as a path towards reducing the overall emissions from the built environment. This work analyses the energy demand of a net zero energy office building and compares it with a more standard commercial building design. Through analysis of energy use, the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures incorporated in the net zero energy building are evaluated and results provided.
A Systematic Approach to Identify Neuroprotective Interventions for Motor Neuron Disease

Background Motor neuron disease (MND) is an incurable progressive neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options. There is a pressing need for innovation in identifying therapies to take to clinical trial. Objectives Here we detail a systematic, structured, and unbiased evidence-based approach to guide selection of drugs for clinical evaluation in the Motor Neuron Disease - Systematic Multi-arm Adaptive Randomised Trial (MND-SMART, clinicaltrials.gov registration number: NCT04302870), an adaptive platform trial. Methods We conducted a two-stage systematic review and meta-analysis to identify potential neuroprotective interventions. In stage one, we identified drugs from the clinical literature tested in at least one study in MND or in two or more cognate diseases with potential shared pivotal pathways (Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis). We scored and ranked 66 drugs thus identified using a predefined framework evaluating safety, efficacy, study size and quality of studies. In stage two, we conducted a systematic review of the MND preclinical literature describing efficacy of these drugs in animal models, multicellular eukaryotic models and human induced pluripotent stem cell studies; 17 of these drugs were reported to improve survival in at least one preclinical study. An expert panel then shortlisted and ranked 22 drugs considering stage one and stage two findings, mechanistic plausibility, safety and tolerability, findings from previous clinical trials in MND, and feasibility for use in clinical trials. Results Based on this process, the panel selected memantine and trazodone for testing in MND-SMART. Discussion For future drug selection, we will incorporate automation tools, text-mining and machine learning techniques to the systematic reviews and consider data generated from other domains, including high-throughput phenotypic screening of human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Trusted Platform Module 2.0 Library

Platform security is very crucial for protecting data which is stored on our devices we use daily to work. Therefore it is very significant to construct a reliable security, based on The Trusted Platform Module (TPM), on kinds of systems, like Linux and Windows. TPM is a cryptographic microchip designed to enhance security for hardware devices and TPM 2.0 library is the successor of the TPM 1.2 specification released by the Trusted Computing Group. The TPM 2.0 specification is a "library specification", which means that it supports a wide variety of functions, algorithms and capabilities upon which future platform-specific specifications will be based. And TPM 2.0 library includes 4 parts. Part 2 described all the structures and type definitions used by the TPM. Part 3 described series of commands. Part 4 consists only of C code which represented algorithms and methods used by the commands from part 3. Our project is based on the use of TPM 2.0 library. In this whole project we created a program, via Python, which takes the TPM 2.0 library document at first, and then translated the relevant parts to C code and writes it to the Header files and C files. And we need to use the extracted source files to build a TPM simulator and to compile the whole project. The most important part in our project is to extract the table, and C code in TPM 2.0 library into header and C files, and we have already finished with a very high quality. It is found that by simulating TPM chip with our program could improved protection for people's private and sensitive information. In future, we need to compile our program in Linux or Windows systems, and to create a test program which can enter the interface of TPM simulator and execute TPM command.
Fuzzy Logic Controller for Enhancing RCS's Lab Measurements

Precise and accurate radar cross section (RCS) measurements, especially for tracking small radar cross section targets (e.g. tracks on Fighters), or RCS reduction and radar absorbing materails evaluation for other targets of interest such as aircraft, tanks, or ships, is a must. As a consequence, the need of having more accurate evaluation for the RCS of the targets is required. This paper demonstrates the existing RCS's Lab. Then, discusses the automation of the RCS's antenna holder movements, using fuzzy logic, to have better target tracking while measurement process, in order to suppress the unwanted manmade error. Taking into account the fuzzy nature of human decision making processes and real-time properties, this paper has established different fuzzy controllers then tested and compared with a crisp decision system. The first one has been developed using an expert knowledge, the second one was learned from the recorded videos. Keywords-RCS lab measurements enhancement; fuzzy logic control; multi-input and multi output; nonlinear system; and video guidance
A peripheral governor regulates muscle

Active skeletal muscles are capable of keeping the global (adenosine triphosphate (ATP)) reasonably constant during exercise, whether it is mild exercise, activating a few motor units, or all-out exercise using a substantial mass of muscle. This could only be accomplished if there were regulatory processes in place not only to replenish ATP as quickly as possible, but also to modulate the rate of ATP use when that rate threatens to exceed the rate of ATP replenishment, a situation that could lead to metabolic catastrophe. This paper proposes that there is a regulatory process or ''peripheral governor'' that can modulate activation of muscle to avoid metabolic catastrophe. A peripheral governor, working at the cellular level, should be able to reduce the cellular rate of ATP hydrolysis associated with muscle contraction by attenuat- ing activation. This would necessarily cause something we call peripheral fatigue (i.e., reduced contractile response to a given stimulation). There is no doubt that peripheral fatigue occurs. It has been demonstrated in isolated muscles, in muscles in situ with no central nervous system input, and in intact human subjects performing voluntary exercise with small muscle groups or doing whole-body exercise. The regulation of muscle activation is achieved in at least 3 ways (de- creasing membrane excitability, inhibiting Ca 2+ release through ryanodine receptors, and decreasing the availability of Ca 2+ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum), making this a highly redundant control system. The peripheral governor attenuates cellular activation to reduce the metabolic demand, thereby preserving ATP and the integrity of the cell.
A Framework for Equitable Partnerships to Promote Cancer Prevention and Control in Rural Settings

Abstract Rural populations continue to experience persistent cancer disparities compared with urban populations particularly in cancers that can be prevented or detected early through screening and vaccination. Although the National Cancer Institute and the larger cancer research community have identified rural community partnerships as the foundation for reducing the disparities, we have identified limited application of community-based participatory research in cancer prevention and control research. Guided by the Community-Based Participatory Research Conceptual Model and our collective experience, we provide a framework for a community–cancer center partnership that focuses on promoting health equity. In this commentary, we articulate that the partnership process must foster capacity for communities and cancer centers, strive for rural representation in clinical trials and biobanking, build a pipeline for dissemination and implementation research, and create a bidirectional flow of knowledge between communities and academic institutions. Authentic partnerships with rural communities should be the ultimate goal of cancer centers, and the process described in this commentary can serve as an initial platform to build capacity and continue to strive toward that goal.
Novel Approach to Intelligent Navigation of a Mobile Robot in a Dynamic and Cluttered Indoor Environment

The need and rationale for improved solutions to indoor robot navigation is increasingly driven by the influx of domestic and industrial mobile robots into the market. This research has developed and implemented a novel navigation technique for a mobile robot operating in a cluttered and dynamic indoor environment. It divides the indoor navigation problem into three distinct but interrelated parts, namely, localization, mapping and path planning. The localization part has been addressed using dead-reckoning (odometry). A least squares numerical approach has been used to calibrate the odometer parameters to minimize the effect of systematic errors on the performance, and an intermittent resetting technique, which employs RFID tags placed at known locations in the indoor environment in conjunction with door-markers, has been developed and implemented to mitigate the errors remaining after the calibration. A mapping technique that employs a laser measurement sensor as the main exteroceptive sensor has been developed and implemented for building a binary occupancy grid map of the environment. A-r-Star pathfinder, a new path planning algorithm that is capable of high performance both in cluttered and sparse environments, has been developed and implemented. Its properties, challenges, and solutions to those challenges have also been highlighted in this research. An incremental version of the A-r-Star has been developed to handle dynamic environments. Simulation experiments highlighting properties and performance of the individual components have been developed and executed using MATLAB. A prototype world has been built using the WebotsTM robotic prototyping and 3-D simulation software. An integrated version of the system comprising the localization, mapping and path planning techniques has been executed in this prototype workspace to produce validation results.
Low‐Intensity Vibration Protects the Weight‐Bearing Skeleton and Suppresses Fracture Incidence in Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Prospective, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial

The ability of low‐intensity vibration (LIV) to combat skeletal decline in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. Twenty DMD boys were enrolled, all ambulant and treated with glucocorticoids (mean age 7.6, height‐adjusted Z‐scores [HAZ] of hip bone mineral density [BMD] −2.3). Ten DMD boys were assigned to stand for 10 min/d on an active LIV platform (0.4 g at 30 Hz), while 10 stood on a placebo device. Baseline and 14‐month bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD of spine, hip, and total body were measured with DXA, and trabecular bone density (TBD) of tibia with quantitative computed tomography (QCT). All children tolerated the LIV intervention well, with daily compliance averaging 78%. At 14 months, TBD in the proximal and distal tibia remained unchanged in placebo subjects (−1.0% and −0.2%), while rising 3.5% and 4.6% in LIV subjects. HAZ for hip BMD and BMC in the placebo group declined 22% and 13%, respectively, contrasting with no change from baseline (0.9% and 1.4%) in the LIV group. Fat mass in the leg increased 32% in the placebo group, contrasting with 21% in LIV subjects. Across the 14‐month study, there were four incident fractures in three placebo patients (30%), with no new fractures identified in LIV subjects. Despite these encouraging results, a major limitation of the study is—despite randomized enrollment—that there was a significant difference in age between the two cohorts, with the LIV group being 2.8y older, and thus at greater severity of disease. In sum, these data suggest that noninvasive LIV can help protect the skeleton of DMD children against the disease progression, the consequences of diminished load bearing, and the complications of chronic steroid use. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Neuronal origins of reduced accuracy and biases in economic choices under sequential offers

Economic choices are characterized by a variety of biases. Understanding their origins is a long-term goal for neuroeconomics, but progress on this front has been limited. Here, we examined choice biases observed when two goods are offered sequentially. In the experiments, rhesus monkeys chose between different juices offered simultaneously or in sequence. Choices under sequential offers were less accurate (higher variability). They were also biased in favor of the second offer (order bias) and in favor of the preferred juice (preference bias). Analysis of neuronal activity recorded in the orbitofrontal cortex revealed that these phenomena emerged at different computational stages. Lower choice accuracy reflected weaker offer value signals (valuation stage), the order bias emerged during value comparison (decision stage), and the preference bias emerged late in the trial (post-comparison). By neuronal measures, each phenomenon reduced the value obtained on average in each trial and was thus costly to the monkey.
Ultrasound imaging and central venous pressure in spontaneously breathing patients: a comparison of ultrasound-based measures of internal jugular vein and inferior vena cava

Background Ultrasound evaluation of inferior vena cava and internal jugular vein dia-meters predicts the intravascular volume status in critical patients. The aim of the present study was to determine which ultrasound-derived index is most strongly associated with central venous pressure (CVP). Furthermore, we determined the utility of selected variables in predicting low volume status (CVP < 8 mmHg). Methods All patients underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram, vascular ultrasound examination, invasive central venous pressure, and intra-abdominal pressure determination. The following indexes were calculated: inferior vena cava diameter, internal jugular vein maximum diameter, collapsibility index, and internal jugular vein ratio. Results 41 spontaneously breathing patients were recruited. Central venous pressure significantly correlated with inferior vena cava diameter (r = 0.35, P = 0.02), internal jugular vein ratio (r = 0.35, P = 0.03), and internal jugular vein maximum diameter (r = 0.58, P < 0.001). The inferior vena cava collapsibility index did not show any association. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves to discriminate a low central venous pressure (< 8 mmHg) were the following: internal jugular vein diameter 0.80 (95% CI: 0.63–0.90); inferior vena cava diameter 0.66 (95% CI: 0.49–0.80); and internal jugular vein ratio 0.68 (95% CI: 0.51–0.82). Conclusions The internal jugular vein diameter, the internal jugular vein ratio, and the inferior vena cava diameter showed a significant correlation with central venous pressure. In particular, the internal jugular vein diameter showed good accuracy in predicting a low central venous pressure.
Trabecular Bone Remodeling as a New Indicator of Osteointegration After Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Objectives We newly found that trabecular bone remodeling (TBR) often appeared in the fixed adjacent vertebrae during bony fusion. Thus, TBR might indicate osteointegration. Hence, we aimed to investigate whether TBR in the early postoperative period could predict future bony fusion after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 78 patients who underwent one-level PLIF. Demographic data were reviewed. Using computed tomography (CT) images taken at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively, we investigated the vertebral endplate cyst (VEC) formation, TBR in the vertebral body, cage subsidence, and clear zone around pedicle screw (CZPS). Results TBR had high interobserver reliability regardless of cage materials. VECs, TBR, and both were found in 30, 53, and 16 patients at 3 months postoperatively and in 30, 65, and 22 patients at 1 year postoperatively, respectively. The incidence of VEC, which indicates poor fixation, was lower in early (3 months postoperatively) TBR-positive patients, with a significant difference at 1 year postoperatively (3 months, P = .074; 1 year, P = .003). Furthermore, 3 (5.7%) of the 53 early TBR-positive patients had CZPS without instability at 1 year postoperatively. In 25 TBR-negative patients, 1 (4.0%) had pedicle screw cutout requiring reoperation, 1 (4.0%) had pseudarthrosis, and 4 (16%) had CZPS. Conclusions Patients with early TBR (3 months) did not experience pedicle screw cutout nor pseudarthrosis and had significantly fewer VECs than those without early TBR. Thus, TBR may be a new radiological marker of initial fixation after PLIF.
Impacts of nutritive and bioactive compounds on cancer development and therapy

Abstract For persons who survive with progressive cancer, nutritional therapy and exercise may be significant factors to improve the health condition and life quality of cancer patients. Nutritional therapy and medications are essential to managing progressive cancer. Cancer survivors, as well as cancer patients, are mostly extremely encouraged to search for knowledge about the selection of diet, exercise, and dietary supplements to recover as well as maintain their treatment consequences, living quality, and survival of patients. A healthy diet plays an important role in cancer treatment. Different articles are studied to collect information and knowledge about the use of nutrients in cancer treatment as well as cancer prevention. The report deliberates nutrition and exercise strategies during the range of cancer care, emphasizing significant concerns during treatment of cancer and for patients of advanced cancer, but concentrating mostly on the requirements of the population of persons who are healthy or who have constant disease following their repossession from management. It also deliberates choice nutrition and exercise problems such as dietary supplements, food care, food selections, and weight; problems interrelated to designated cancer sites, and common questions about diet, and cancer survival. Decrease the side effects of medicines both during and after treatment.