Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical features and outcome of childhood optic neuritis at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.

OBJECTIVE To study the clinical features, treatment, outcome and factors affecting the outcome of optic neuritis in children. MATERIAL AND METHOD Children under 16 years of age diagnosed with optic neuritis (ON) at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health over an 11-year period were reviewed. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, treatment and the outcome were analyzed. RESULTS Thirty-one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Mean age of onset was 9.2 years. Female to male ratio was 1.8:1. All cases had vision loss, bilateral 74.2% and monocular 25.8%, including decreased color vision 35% disc edema 54.8% and ocular pain 38.7%. The mean duration of follow-up was 20.38 months. The final diagnosis of these patients were 2 multiple sclerosis (MS), 2 neuromyelitis optica (NMO), 3 acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and 24 or isolated optic neuritis (ION). There was no statistically significant difference in gender, age of onset, number of ocular involvement, severity of visual acuity impairment, presented preceding infection, associated symptoms, CSF pleocytosis, high protein in CSF, abnormal brain or eye MRI. 93.3% of patients had clinical improvement, including 70% complete recovery visual acuity of both eyes. The statistically significance was that complete remission in females was more than in males. CONCLUSION Childhood optic neuritis had bilateral vision loss and complete recovery. Females with optic neuritis had statistical significance with complete recovery, more than males.
MM/GBSA Binding Energy Prediction on the PDBbind Data Set: Successes, Failures, and Directions for Further Improvement

We validate an automated implementation of a combined Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) method (VSGB 2.0 energy model) on a large and diverse selection of protein-ligand complexes (855 complexes). Although this data set is diverse with respect to both protein families and ligands, after carefully removing flawed structures, a significant correlation (R(2) = 0.63) between calculated and experimental binding affinities is obtained. Consistent explanations for "outlier" complexes are found. Visual analysis of the crystal structures and recourse to the original literature reveal that neglect of explicit solvent, ligand strain, and entropy contribute to the under- and overestimation of computed affinities. The limits of the Molecular Mechanics/Implicit Solvent approach to accurately estimate protein-ligand binding affinities is discussed as is the influence of the quality of protein-ligand complexes on computed free energy binding values.
Size-resolved composition and morphology of particulate matter during the southwest monsoon in Metro Manila, Philippines

Abstract. This paper presents novel results from size-resolved particulate matter (PM) mass, composition, and morphology measurements conducted during the 2018 southwest monsoon (SWM) season in Metro Manila, Philippines. Micro-orifice uniform deposit impactors (MOUDIs) were used to collect PM sample sets composed of size-resolved measurements at the following aerodynamic cut-point diameters (Dp): 18, 10, 5.6, 3.2, 1.8, 1.0, 0.56, 0.32, 0.18, 0.10, and 0.056 µm. Each sample set was analyzed for composition of the water-soluble fraction. Analysis for mass was carried out on two sample sets, whereas black carbon (BC) and morphology analysis were analyzed on a single sample set. The bulk of the PM mass was between 0.18 and 1.0 µm with a dominant mode between 0.32 and 0.56 µm. Similarly, most of the black carbon (BC) mass was found between 0.10 and 1.0 µm, peaking between 0.18 and 0.32 µm. These peaks are located in the Greenfield gap, or the size range between 0.10 and 1.0 µm, where wet scavenging by rain is relatively inefficient. In the range between 0.10 and 0.18 µm, BC constituted 78.1 % of the measured mass. Comparable contributions of BC (26.9 %) and the water-soluble fraction (33.4 %) to total PM were observed and most of the unresolved mass, which amounted to 39.6 % in total, was for diameters exceeding 0.32 µm. The water-soluble ions and elements exhibited an average combined concentration of 8.53 µg m−3, with SO42-, NH4+, NO3-, Na+, and Cl− as the major contributors. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was applied to identify the possible aerosol sources and estimate their contribution to the water-soluble fraction of collected PM. The factor with the highest contribution was attributed to “aged aerosol” (48.0 %), while “sea salt” (22.5 %) and “combustion” emissions (18.7 %) had comparable contributions. “Vehicular/resuspended dust” (5.6 %) and “waste processing” emissions (5.1 %) were also identified. Microscopy analysis highlighted the ubiquity of nonspherical particles regardless of size, which is significant when considering calculations of parameters such as single scattering albedo, the asymmetry parameter, and the extinction efficiency. The significant influence from aged aerosol to Metro Manila during the SWM season indicates that local sources in this megacity do not fully govern this coastal area's aerosol properties. The fact that the majority of the regional aerosol mass burden is accounted for by BC and other insoluble components has important downstream effects on the aerosol hygroscopic properties, which depend on composition. The results are relevant for understanding the impacts of monsoonal features on size-resolved aerosol properties, notably aqueous processing and wet scavenging. Finally, the results of this work provide contextual data for future sampling campaigns in Southeast Asia such as the airborne component of the Cloud, Aerosol, and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP2Ex) planned for the SWM season in 2019.
Dynamic Volume Changes in Astrocytes Are an Intrinsic Phenomenon Mediated by Bicarbonate Ion Flux

Astrocytes, the major type of non-neuronal cells in the brain, play an important functional role in extracellular potassium ([K+]o) and pH homeostasis. Pathological brain states that result in [K+]o and pH dysregulation have been shown to cause astrocyte swelling. However, whether astrocyte volume changes occur under physiological conditions is not known. In this study we used two-photon imaging to visualize real-time astrocyte volume changes in the stratum radiatum of the hippocampus CA1 region. Astrocytes were observed to swell by 19.0±0.9% in response to a small physiological increase in the concentration of [K+]o (3 mM). Astrocyte swelling was mediated by the influx of bicarbonate (HCO3−) ions as swelling was significantly decreased when the influx of HCO3− was reduced. We found: 1) in HCO3− free extracellular solution astrocytes swelled by 5.4±0.7%, 2) when the activity of the sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter (NBC) was blocked the astrocytes swelled by 8.3±0.7%, and 3) in the presence of an extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor astrocytes swelled by 11.4±0.6%. Because a significant HCO3− efflux is known to occur through the γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA) channel, we performed a series of experiments to determine if astrocytes were capable of HCO3− mediated volume shrinkage with GABA channel activation. Astrocytes were found to shrink −7.7±0.5% of control in response to the GABAA channel agonist muscimol. Astrocyte shrinkage from GABAA channel activation was significantly decreased to −5.0±0.6% of control in the presence of the membrane-permeant CA inhibitor acetazolamide (ACTZ). These dynamic astrocyte volume changes may represent a previously unappreciated yet fundamental mechanism by which astrocytes regulate physiological brain functioning.
Application of real‐time GPS to earthquake early warning

We explore the use of real‐time high‐rate GPS displacement data for earthquake early warning using 1 Hz displacement waveforms from the April 4, 2010, Mw 7.2 El Mayor‐Cucapah earthquake. We compare these data to those provided by the broadband velocity and accelerometer instrumentation of the Southern California Seismic Network. The unique information provided by the GPS‐based displacement timeseries is the permanent/static displacement. Using a simple algorithm that can be applied in real‐time, we extract the static offset shortly after the S‐wave arrival, around the time of the observed peak shaking at the same site, and before shaking at more distant locations. These data can be used, as they become available, to provide a robust estimate of the earthquake magnitude, which ranges from 6.8 to 7.0 in this case. We therefore conclude that real‐time high‐rate GPS can provide a useful and independent assessment of earthquake magnitude for the purpose of earthquake early warning and real‐time earthquake information systems in general including tsunami warning systems.
Visual movement perception in deaf and hearing individuals

A number of studies have investigated changes in the perception of visual motion as a result of altered sensory experiences. An animal study has shown that auditory-deprived cats exhibit enhanced performance in a visual movement detection task compared to hearing cats (Lomber, Meredith, & Kral, 2010). In humans, the behavioural evidence regarding the perception of motion is less clear. The present study investigated deaf and hearing adult participants using a movement localization task and a direction of motion task employing coherently-moving and static visual dot patterns. Overall, deaf and hearing participants did not differ in their movement localization performance, although within the deaf group, a left visual field advantage was found. When discriminating the direction of motion, however, deaf participants responded faster and tended to be more accurate when detecting small differences in direction compared with the hearing controls. These results conform to the view that visual abilities are enhanced after auditory deprivation and extend previous findings regarding visual motion processing in deaf individuals.
Extensional Rheometry of Entangled Solutions

The seminal ideas of de Gennes and Doi and Edwards have provided the theoretical framework for much of the recent effort to model the rheological behavior of entangled polymer melts and solutions. Recent theoretical work has incorporated a number of important additions to the basic Doi-Edwards theory, including an explicit description of chain stretch and additional relaxation mechanisms such as contour length fluctuations (CLF) and convective constraint release (CCR). However, very little quantitative data has been published on the rheological behavior of entangled systems in strong flows. Hence, a comprehensive examination of the theoretical developments has not been possible. The experiments described in this paper use the filament stretching rheometer to obtain transient extensional stress growth data and steady state uniaxial extensional viscosity data for a number of entangled, narrow molecular weight distribution polystyrene solutions in the strain-rate regime characterized by a significant degree of both chain alignment and stretch. These results are then compared with theoretical predictions for a number of the current generation of reptation-based models, including mechanisms for chain stretching, contour length fluctuations, and convective constraint release. These comparisons demonstrate that when the model parameters are properly obtained from linear viscoelastic measurements, the recent model due to Mead, Larson, and Doi (Macromolecules 1998, 31, 7895) provides quantitative predictions for this class of flows for solutions spanning the complete range from very lightly to highly entangled solutions.
Gene regulatory network subcircuit controlling a dynamic spatial pattern of signaling in the sea urchin embryo

We dissect the transcriptional regulatory relationships coordinating the dynamic expression patterns of two signaling genes, wnt8 and delta, which are central to specification of the sea urchin embryo endomesoderm. cis-Regulatory analysis shows that transcription of the gene encoding the Notch ligand Delta is activated by the widely expressed Runx transcription factor, but spatially restricted by HesC-mediated repression through a site in the delta 5′UTR. Spatial transcription of the hesC gene, however, is controlled by Blimp1 repression. Blimp1 thus represses the repressor of delta, thereby permitting its transcription. The blimp1 gene is itself linked into a feedback circuit that includes the wnt8 signaling ligand gene, and we showed earlier that this circuit generates an expanding torus of blimp1 and wnt8 expression. The finding that delta expression is also controlled at the cis-regulatory level by the blimp1-wnt8 torus-generating subcircuit now explains the progression of Notch signaling from the mesoderm to the endoderm of the developing embryo. Thus the specific cis-regulatory linkages of the gene regulatory network encode the coordinated spatial expression of Wnt and Notch signaling as they sweep outward across the vegetal plate of the embryo.
Playout buffer and DRX aware scheduling scheme for video streaming over 3GPP LTE system

In this paper, a playout buffer and DRX aware scheduling scheme(PBDAS) is proposed to improve the user experience of the video streaming over the DRX enabled LTE systems. By considering the UE playout buffer level and the DRX cycle length, we define the remaining playout time, which can effectively indicate the UEs' urgency. Based on their urgency, the UEs are assigned with different forms of scheduling metrics, with which the resource allocation is accomplished. Specifically, PBDAS would allocate the radio resource to the UEs whose playout process are more likely to be interruptted. The scheme has advantages in two aspects. On one hand, the annoying playout interruptions could be effectively avoided or shortened. On the other hand, the power saving performance could be improved without deteriorating the playout continuity. The simulation results demonstrate that our algorithm can not only improve the playout continuity but also decrease the power consumption.
Gestational diabetes mellitus and macrosomia: An analysis of secondary data

Excessive fetal weight is considered as a health issues because it increases perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of macrosomia worldwide has increased over the past 2 to 3 decades. This study aimed to determine correlation between the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus and macrosomia among pregnant women. The design of this study was analytical with a case control approach. Data used to analyze the incidence of macrosomia based on secondary data from 2014-2018. This research suggested that diabetes mellitus in pregnancy has a significant relationship with the incidence of macrosomia.
Guillain-Barré syndrome in Denmark: validation of diagnostic codes and a population-based nationwide study of the incidence in a 30-year period

Purpose: To validate the diagnostic codes for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR). Secondly, to examine 30-year trends in the incidence of GBS in Denmark. Patients and methods: We used the DNPR to identify all patients aged 16 and above diagnosed with a primary GBS diagnosis at any Danish department of neurology between 1987 and 2016. Medical files were reviewed according to the clinical criteria of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Committee and classified according to the Brighton criteria. The incidence rate (IR) was calculated based on data from 1987 to 2016 and stratified by season, gender, and age. Results: Over 30 years, we identified 2,319 patients aged 16 and above in the DNPR. From a validation cohort of 573 patients, we were able to retrieve 425 (74.2%) medical files; 356 GBS diagnoses were confirmed. The overall positive predictive value was 83.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 80.0–87.0). In 99% of the confirmed patients, the Brighton criteria level 1–3 for GBS were met. The IR was fairly stable over 30 years at 1.77 per 100,000 person years (95% CI: 1.70–1.84). The incidence was higher in the winter season (IR ratio compared with summer: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.09–1.29)), and was strongly associated with male gender (IR ratio vs females: 1.44 (95% CI: 1.33–1.57)). IRs rose with age at diagnosis, particularly after the age of 50 in both men and women and a minor peak was observed for total IR in young adults. Conclusion: Primary diagnostic codes for GBS at Danish departments of neurology have high validity. The DNPR is a well-suited data source for epidemiological research on GBS. The Danish nationwide 30-year GBS IR is stable over time and similar to GBS IRs reported in other European and North American populations.
Robot gesture and user acceptance of information in human-robot interaction

This study explores how human users respond to coordinated and uncoordinated gestures of a robot as an information deliverer. A between-subject experiment was conducted using the Wizard of Oz method, with 63 participants randomly assigned to one of four conditions (voice-only vs. no-gesture vs. coordinated gesture vs. uncoordinated gesture) taking an artwork class in a museum-like setting. The robot was explaining the information of the artworks with modalities accordingly designed to each condition. Results showed that the coordinated gesture was not aiding information delivery. However, there were notable relations between the coordinated ge sture and intimacy, homogeneity, and involvement. These results have theoretical implications for cognitive load of working memory and practical implications for designing and deploying dynamic humanoid robots for museum tour guide.
Nod Factor Elicits Two Separable Calcium Responses inMedicago truncatula Root Hair Cells1

Modulation of intracellular calcium levels plays a key role in the transduction of many biological signals. Here, we characterize early calcium responses of wild-type and mutant Medicago truncatula plants to nodulation factors produced by the bacterial symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti using a dual-dye ratiometric imaging technique. When presented with 1 nm Nod factor, root hair cells exhibited only the previously described calcium spiking response initiating 10 min after application. Nod factor (10 nm) elicited an immediate increase in calcium levels that was temporally earlier and spatially distinct from calcium spikes occurring later in the same cell. Nod factor analogs that were structurally related, applied at 10 nm, failed to initiate this calcium flux response. Cells induced to spike with low Nod factor concentrations show a calcium flux response when Nod factor is raised from 1 to 10 nm. Plant mutants previously shown to be deficient for the calcium spiking response (dmi1 and dmi2) exhibited an immediate, truncated calcium flux with 10 nm Nod factor, demonstrating a competence to respond to Nod factor but an impaired ability to generate a full biphasic response. These results demonstrate that the legume root hair cell exhibits two independent calcium responses to Nod factor triggered at different agonist concentrations and suggests an early branch point in the Nod factor signal transduction pathway.
Improving project performance through organisational learning: an empirical study in Taiwan

As organisations continue to invest substantial resources and efforts on information systems (IS) projects, a key issue in IS project management is to manage in such a way as to increase performance. Therefore, managers need a better mechanism for ensuring project performance. Using theories of management and organisational learning, this study conducted a research model to examine the effects of organisational learning and the learning process on project performance. The hypotheses proposed here were tested on a sample of Taiwanese companies and used structural equation modelling as a statistical technique. Our findings show that organisation process focus (a learning process) has a positive impact on organisational learning, which in turn has a positive influence on project performance. Both organisation process focus and organisational learning have influences on project performance. These conclusions should help IS managers revisit their priorities in terms of the relative efforts in learning process and organisational learning. Implications for research and management are discussed.
The Multi-Circuit Neuronal Hyperexcitability Hypothesis of Psychiatric Disorders

After nearly a century of intensive research and clinical investigation, the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders remains an enigma. Short of a clear understanding of how psychiatric symptoms are produced, the various cognitive, emotional, and behavior patterns that characterize psychiatric disorders continue to be grouped into syndromes and treated accordingly. The weakness of this approach is that the treatment is administered without a clear understanding of what pathological process is being treated. Moreover, the symptoms of most psychiatric disorders are frequently changing and melding into one another. This leads to diagnostic confusion, medication stacking, and poor treatment outcomes, all of which erode patient trust and perpetuate the stigma of mental illness. In this seminal report, a new hypothesis on the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders will be presented based on multidisciplinary evidence that nearly all psychiatric disorders and their functional comorbidities are rooted in a single, shared, neurophysiological abnormality. The report will then trace that abnormality to its molecular roots and introduce a new paradigm through which the many faces of mental illness can be understood and uniformly treated. The Multi-Circuit Neuronal Hyperexcitability hypothesis of psychiatric disorders posits that an inherent hyperexcitability of the neurological system is at the root of mental illness and provides a precise, functionally-specific framework that eliminates diagnostic confusion, informs a unified treatment approach, and helps remove the long-held stigma of mental illness.
Lattice Boltzmann model for crystal growth from supersaturated solution

We develop a new, lattice effects‐free lattice Boltzmann model for simulating crystal growth from supersaturated solution. Simulations of crystal growth from a single or multiple nuclei in a domain initially filled with supersaturated solution are presented, such as in the case of gas hydrate formation. We find that as the process changes from diffusion‐controlled to surface reaction‐controlled, the crystal transforms from open cluster‐type structure, via compact coral‐type structure, to compact circular structure, and correspondingly, the fractal dimension of the crystal structure increases from a value close to that of a diffusion‐limited aggregation (DLA) structure to the Euclidian value for a circle. At a high Damkohler number, crystal formed from a single nucleus becomes more compact as the saturation increases. At a low Damkohler number, the crystal has a fairly round shape for different saturation values and the effect of saturation is insignificant.