Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population Coding of Facial Information in the Monkey Superior Colliculus and Pulvinar

The superior colliculus (SC) and pulvinar are thought to function as a subcortical visual pathway that bypasses the striate cortex and detects fundamental facial information. We previously investigated neuronal responses in the SC and pulvinar of monkeys during a delayed nonmatching-to-sample task, in which the monkeys were required to discriminate among 35 facial photos of five models and other categories of visual stimuli, and reported that population coding by multiple SC and pulvinar neurons well discriminated facial photos from other categories of stimuli (Nguyen et al., 2013, 2014). However, it remains unknown whether population coding could represent multiple types of facial information including facial identity, gender, facial orientation, and gaze direction. In the present study, to investigate population coding of multiple types of facial information by the SC and pulvinar neurons, we reanalyzed the same neuronal responses in the SC and pulvinar; the responses of 112 neurons in the SC and 68 neurons in the pulvinar in serial 50-ms epochs after stimulus onset were reanalyzed with multidimensional scaling (MDS). The results indicated that population coding by neurons in both the SC and pulvinar classified some aspects of facial information, such as face orientation, gender, and identity, of the facial photos in the second epoch (50–100 ms after stimulus onset). The Euclidean distances between all the pairs of stimuli in the MDS spaces in the SC were significantly correlated with those in the pulvinar, which suggested that the SC and pulvinar function as a unit. However, in contrast with the known population coding of face neurons in the temporal cortex, the facial information coding in the SC and pulvinar was coarse and insufficient. In these subcortical areas, identity discrimination was face orientation-dependent and the left and right profiles were not discriminated. Furthermore, gaze direction information was not extracted in the SC and pulvinar. These results suggest that the SC and pulvinar, which comprise the subcortical visual pathway, send coarse and rapid information on faces to the cortical system in a bottom-up process.
Evolutionary History and Novel Biotic Interactions Determine Plant Responses to Elevated CO2 and Nitrogen Fertilization

A major frontier in global change research is predicting how multiple agents of global change will alter plant productivity, a critical component of the carbon cycle. Recent research has shown that plant responses to climate change are phylogenetically conserved such that species within some lineages are more productive than those within other lineages in changing environments. However, it remains unclear how phylogenetic patterns in plant responses to changing abiotic conditions may be altered by another agent of global change, the introduction of non-native species. Using a system of 28 native Tasmanian Eucalyptus species belonging to two subgenera, Symphyomyrtus and Eucalyptus, we hypothesized that productivity responses to abiotic agents of global change (elevated CO2 and increased soil N) are unique to lineages, but that novel interactions with a non-native species mediate these responses. We tested this hypothesis by examining productivity of 1) native species monocultures and 2) mixtures of native species with an introduced hardwood plantation species, Eucalyptus nitens, to experimentally manipulated soil N and atmospheric CO2. Consistent with past research, we found that N limits productivity overall, especially in elevated CO2 conditions. However, monocultures of species within the Symphyomyrtus subgenus showed the strongest response to N (gained 127% more total biomass) in elevated CO2 conditions, whereas those within the Eucalyptus subgenus did not respond to N. Root:shoot ratio (an indicator of resource use) was on average greater in species pairs containing Symphyomyrtus species, suggesting that functional traits important for resource uptake are phylogenetically conserved and explaining the phylogenetic pattern in plant response to changing environmental conditions. Yet, native species mixtures with E. nitens exhibited responses to CO2 and N that differed from those of monocultures, supporting our hypothesis and highlighting that both plant evolutionary history and introduced species will shape community productivity in a changing world.
Evolutionary affinities of the order Perissodactyla and the phylogenetic status of the superordinal taxa Ungulata and Altungulata.

Contrary to morphological claims, molecular data indicate that the order Perissodactyla (e.g., horses, rhinoceroses, and tapirs) is neither part of the superordinal taxon Paenungulata (Sirenia, Proboscidea, and Hyracoidea) nor an immediate outgroup of the paenungulates. Rather, Perissodactyla is closer to Carnivora and Cetartiodactyla (Cetacea+Artiodactyla) than it is to the paenungulates. Therefore, two morphologically defined superordinal taxa, Altungulata (Proboscidea, Sirenia, Hyracoidea, and Perissodactyla) and Ungulata (Altungulata and Cetartiodactyla), are invalidated. Perissodactyla, Carnivora, and Cetartiodactyla are shown to constitute a rather tight trichotomy. However, a molecular analysis of 36 protein sequences with a total concatenated length of 7885 aligned amino acids indicates that Perissodactyla is closer to Cetartiodactyla than either taxa is to Carnivora. The relationships among Paenungulata, Primates, and the clade consisting of Perissodactyla, Carnivora, and Cetartiodactylaa could not be resolved on the basis of the available data.
The interface between borderline personality disorder and bipolar spectrum disorder demonstrated in a non-clinical sample

This paper investigates the relationship between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder using the Personality Assessment Inventory for Borderline Personality Disorder and the Hypomanic Personality Scale. Subfactors from the two scales were used in a correlation analysis. The conclusion is drawn that there are two very different disorders at work which happen to be characterised by very similar cycles and some shared underlying symptoms.
The Role of Instability with Plyometric Training in Sub-elite Adolescent Soccer Players

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of plyometric training on stable (SPT) vs. highly unstable surfaces (IPT) on athletic performance in adolescent soccer players. 24 male sub-elite soccer players (age: 15±1 years) were assigned to 2 groups performing plyometric training for 8 weeks (2 sessions/week, 90 min each). The SPT group conducted plyometrics on stable and the IPT group on unstable surfaces. Tests included jump performance (countermovement jump [CMJ] height, drop jump [DJ] height, DJ performance index), sprint time, agility and balance. Statistical analysis revealed significant main effects of time for CMJ height (p<0.01, f=1.44), DJ height (p<0.01, f=0.62), DJ performance index (p<0.05, f=0.60), 0–10-m sprint time (p<0.05, f=0.58), agility (p<0.01, f=1.15) and balance (p<0.05, 0.46≤f≤1.36). Additionally, a Training group×Time interaction was found for CMJ height (p<0.01, f=0.66) in favor of the SPT group. Following 8 weeks of training, similar improvements in speed, agility and balance were observed in the IPT and SPT groups. However, the performance of IPT appears to be less effective for increasing CMJ height compared to SPT. It is thus recommended that coaches use SPT if the goal is to improve jump performance.
Active Spatial Perception in the Vibrissa Scanning Sensorimotor System

Haptic perception is an active process that provides an awareness of objects that are encountered as an organism scans its environment. In contrast to the sensation of touch produced by contact with an object, the perception of object location arises from the interpretation of tactile signals in the context of the changing configuration of the body. A discrete sensory representation and a low number of degrees of freedom in the motor plant make the ethologically prominent rat vibrissa system an ideal model for the study of the neuronal computations that underlie this perception. We found that rats with only a single vibrissa can combine touch and movement to distinguish the location of objects that vary in angle along the sweep of vibrissa motion. The patterns of this motion and of the corresponding behavioral responses show that rats can scan potential locations and decide which location contains a stimulus within 150 ms. This interval is consistent with just one to two whisk cycles and provides constraints on the underlying perceptual computation. Our data argue against strategies that do not require the integration of sensory and motor modalities. The ability to judge angular position with a single vibrissa thus connects previously described, motion-sensitive neurophysiological signals to perception in the behaving animal.
Diagnostic Value of High-Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) Protein in Acute and Perforated Appendicitis

ABSTRACT Aim: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal surgical emergencies. Early diagnosis of appendicitis can reduce perforation and mortality rate. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein has been identified as a pro-inflammatory factor and its elevated serum levels have been noted in different diseases. So, the aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of HMGB1 in patients with acute and perforated appendicitis in compare to normal appendix. Material and methods: For this purpose, serum samples were obtained from 81 patients with primary criteria-based appendicitis 6 hr before and 72 hr after appendectomy, in which serum levels of HMGB1 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The levels of HMGB1 in patients with perforated appendicitis were significantly (p =.045) higher than in patients with acute appendicitis and normal appendix (p =.001) before appendectomy. Serum levels of HMGB1 were increased 72 hr after appendectomy in all the groups (p =.03) compared with the serum levels before appendectomy. Conclusions: Since the serum levels of HMGB1 in patients with acute and perforated appendicitis were higher than in patients with normal appendix, these findings could be useful to develop a new biomarker along with other laboratory tests for accurate diagnosis of patients with appendicitis.
STAT6-mediated suppression of erythropoiesis in an experimental model of malarial anemia

The findings of this study indicate a STAT6-dependent mechanism involving interleukin-4 in mediating erythropoietic suppression during blood-stage malaria. See related perspective article on page 157. Background The contribution of pro-inflammatory cytokines to the pathogenesis of malarial anemia has been studied extensively but the roles of Th2 cytokines remain unknown. Here, we investigated the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6-mediated responses in erythropoietic suppression during acute malaria infection in mice. Design and Methods Naïve and/or erythropoietin-treated wild-type and STAT6−/− mice were infected with Plasmodium chabaudi AS (P. chabaudi), and the effects parasitemia, hematologic parameters, erythropoietin receptor, TER119, and CD71 expression, in vitro erythropoietin-stimulated proliferation of splenic erythroid precursors, and serum cytokine levels were analyzed. To explore the role of interleukin-4 in STAT6-dependent erythropoietic suppression, mice were treated in vivo with a monoclonal antibody to interleukin-4 and the effects on parasitemia, hematologic parameters, and cytokine levels were analyzed. Results Infected STAT6−/− mice developed enhanced reticulocytosis compared to wild-type mice despite higher parasitemia and a similar course of anemia. Enhanced reticulocytosis in infected STAT6−/− mice was associated with an increased frequency of late-stage erythroblasts, fewer leukocytes expressing CD71, and increased erythropoietin-stimulated proliferation of splenocytes compared to infected wild-type mice. Interleukin-4-depleted wild-type mice had increased levels of parasitemia and a course of reticulocytosis similar to responses observed in infected STAT6−/− mice. Determination of serum cytokine levels in STAT6−/− and wild-type mice depleted of interleukin-4 by treatment with mAb revealed significantly lower levels of interferon-γ compared to control wild-type mice during infection. Conclusions Together, these findings provide evidence for a STAT6-dependent mechanism in mediating erythropoietic suppression during acute blood-stage malaria and indicate a role for interleukin-4 and possibly interferon-γin STAT6-induced erythropoietic suppression.
Delicate laundering of textiles with application of 38 kHz ultrasonic waves

Ultrasonic cleaning in aqueous solutions was performed using various plain-woven fabrics soiled with oleic acid and/or carbon black as model oily and particulate contaminants. Detergency, which was evaluated from the change in the surface reflectance of the soiled fabrics due to cleaning, was promoted by applying ultrasound as the mechanical action for soil removal in the absence and the presence of anionic surfactant. Both soils were removed easily from the filament fabrics compared with the spun fabrics. Ultrasound, as mechanical action, was favorable for removing carbon black even in the absence of surfactant, whereas the addition of surfactant was effective for removing oleic acid without and with ultrasound. In most cases of soiled fabrics, the detergency obtained with ultrasonic washing for 1 min was comparable to that obtained with a drum-type washer, the Wascator (normal and gentle procedures). Heavy fabric damage was observed after washing with the Wascator, especially for the wool and silk fabrics, whereas there was little damage after ultrasonic washing for all fabrics. Conclusively, ultrasound can be effective in laundering for delicate textiles from the viewpoints of the processing time as well as detergency performance.
Comparison of 2-Dimensional Measurement Techniques for Predicting Knee Angle and Moment During a Drop Vertical Jump

Objective:To determine the association of 2-dimensional (2D) video-based techniques and 3-dimensional (3D) motion analysis to assess potential knee injury risk factors during jump landing. Design:Observational study. Setting:Research laboratory. Participants:Thirty-six female athletes in cutting and pivoting sports. Assessment of Risk Factors:Athletes performed a drop vertical jump during which movement was recorded with a motion analysis system and a digital video camera positioned in the frontal plane. Main Outcome Measures:The 2D variables were the frontal plane projection angle (FPPA), the angle formed between thigh and leg, and the knee-to-ankle separation ratio, the distance between knee joints divided by the distance between ankles. The 3D variables were knee abduction angle and external abduction moment. All variables were assessed at peak knee flexion. Linear regression assessed the relationship between the 2D and 3D variables. In addition, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) determined rater reliability for the 2D variables and compared the 2D measurements made from digital video with the same measurements from the motion analysis. Results:The knee-to-ankle separation ratio accounted for a higher variance of 3D knee abduction angle (r2 = 0.350) and knee abduction moment (r2 = 0.394) when compared with the FPPA (r2 = 0.145, 0.254). The digital video measures had favorable rater reliability (ICC, 0.89-0.94) and were comparable with the motion analysis system (ICC, ≥0.92). Conclusions:When compared with the FPPA, the knee-to-ankle separation ratio had better association with previously cited knee injury risk factors in female athletes. The 2D measures have adequate consistency and validity to merit further clinical consideration in jump landing assessments.
Group distance magic labeling of some cycle-related graphs

Let G = (V, E) be a graph and Γ an abelian group, both of order n. A group distance magic labeling of G is a bijection : V → Γ for which there exists μ ∈ Γ such that ∑x∈N(v) (x) = μ for all v ∈ V, where N(v) is the neighborhood of v. Froncek [Australas. J. Combin. 55 (2013), 167–174] showed that the cartesian product Cm Cn, m, n ≥ 3 is a Zmn-distance magic graph if and only if mn is even. In this paper we show some Γdistance magic labelings for Cm Cn where Γ ∼= Zmn. Moreover we will deal with group distance labeling of the pth power of a cycle Cn.
Lack of association between schizophrenia and alleles in the dopamine D3 receptor gene

Dopamine receptor dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients (n= 76) and control subjects (n= 53) were examined for allele frequencies in a 2‐allele BalI polymorphism, causing a serine → glycine amino acid substitution in the coding sequence of the dopamine D3 receptor gene. No statistical significant differences of allele frequencies or genotype frequencies could be found between the two groups. Neither were there any significant relationships between allele frequencies and a number of clinical variables within the schizophrenic subsample. However, if not corrected for multiple testing, an association was found between homozygosity and positive response to neuroleptic drugs. The present study does not provide evidence that the BalI polymorphism in the dopamine D3 receptor gene is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Further investigations with an increased number and variety of patients concerning response to neuroleptic drugs and expression of the receptor in human brain should be performed to definitively exclude this hypothesis.
A TOXIC EXTRACT OF THE MARINE PHYTOFLAGELLATE PRYMNESIUM PARVUM INDUCES CALCIUM-DEPENDENT RELEASE OF GLUTAMATE FROM RAT BRAIN SYNAPTOSOMES

Blooms of the marine phytoflagellate Prymnesium parvum produced mass mortality of fish in Norway and many other parts of the world. The effects of a purified algae extract of P. parvum on transmitter release from rat brain synaptosomes were studied to characterize its toxic action. Synaptosomes are detached nerve terminals and represent a simple system that has retained the machinery for uptake, synthesis, storage, and release of neurotransmitters. A crude methanol extract of P. parvum was purified by reverse-phase column for fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). The purified extract stimulated Ca2+-dependent spontaneous release of glutamate in a concentration-dependent manner. The release was increased by addition of extracellular Ca2+. The release of glutamate was suppressed by the Ca2+-channel blockers flunarizine (10 μM), diltiazem (10 μM), and verapamil (10 μM). The stimulation of release of glutamate from rat brain synaptosomes induced by the toxin may be due to an ionophorelike property of the algae extract such as previously reported for the potent algal toxin maitotoxin. At high concentrations the toxin primarily acts as a powerful lytic agent.
A Lossless Color Image Compression Architecture Using a Parallel Golomb-Rice Hardware CODEC

In this paper, a high performance lossless color image compression and decompression architecture to reduce both memory requirement and bandwidth is proposed. The proposed architecture consists of differential-differential pulse coded modulation (DDPCM) and Golomb-Rice coding. The original image frame is organized as m by n sub-window arrays, to which DDPCM is applied to produce one seed and m × n - 1 pieces of differential data. Then the differential data are encoded using the Golomb-Rice algorithm to produce losslessly compressed data. According to the experimental results on benchmark images, the proposed architecture can guarantee high enough compression rate and throughput to perform real-time lossless CODEC operations with a reasonable hardware area.
Biclustering Gene-Feature Matrices for Statistically Significant Patterns

Biclustering is an important problem that arises in diverse applications, including analysis of gene expression and drug interaction data. The problem can be formalized in various ways through different interpretation of data and associated optimization functions. We focus on the problem of finding unusually dense patterns in binary (0-1) matrices. This formulation is appropriate for analyzing experimental datasets that come from not only binary quantization of gene expression data, but also more comprehensive datasets such as gene-feature matrices that include functions of coded proteins and motifs in the coding sequence. We formalize the notion of an ”unusually” dense submatrix to evaluate the interestingness of a pattern in terms of statistical significance based on the assumption of a uniform memoryless source. We then derive simplified formulations to assess statistical significance of discovered patterns. Using statistical significance as an objective function, we formulate the problem as one of finding maximally significant dense submatrices of a large sparse matrix. Adapting a simple iterative heuristic along with randomized initialization techniques, we derive fast algorithms for discovering binary biclusters. We conduct experiments on a binary gene-feature matrix and a quantized breast tumor gene expression matrix. Our experimental results show that the proposed method quickly discovers all interesting patterns on these datasets.
Is There any Concordance between of IHC with FISH in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Patients?

Background : In developed or developing countries, the most common cancer in women is breast cancer with a pick in 40–50 years in Asia. Herein, we compared the association between IHC with FISH in HER2-positive breast cancer patients and affection of trastuzumab on disease free survival and overall survival (OS). Subjects and Methods: Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of hormone receptors and HER2 was performed in 133 patients with breast cancer between 2003 and 2014. Patients were selected for Herceptin adjuvant treatment, according to IHC 3+ or FISH+. The specimens for pathology reports were fixed at 10% neutral-buffered formalin (pH=7.4) for 24 hours, then sliced into 4 μm sections. Results: The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 46.39 years (range, 24-78 years), 100% female. Concordance rates between IHC and FISH were 31.1% for IHC 2+ and 84.1% for IHC 3+ (p<0.001). The 87 patients had age ≤50 years and 46 patients had >50 years. Of the 133 patients, 30 patients (22.6%) had metastasis and 72 (54.1%) had right involvement. Ninety three (69.9%) patients had lymph node invasion. 48 patients (36.1%) were treated with trastuzumab and 85 (63.9%) were treated without trsastuzumab. The 10-year survival rate was 70% and the mean survival was 49 months. Conclusion: We recommend clinicians that FISH analysis is as a predictor in breast cancer patients with IHC score 2+. In contrast, FISH analysis of IHC 3+ samples was no useful. Trastuzumab therapy is effective and tolerated for breast cancer with IHC 3+ and probably IHC 2+/FISH+.