Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stunning effectiveness of broiler chickens using a two-phase stunner: pulsed direct current followed by sine wave alternating current

Stunning efficiency of male and female broiler chickens was analysed in response to the two-phase Simmons step-up stunner. In Phase I, a pulsed DC of 550 Hz is applied in a shallow waterbath. This is immediately followed by Phase II, consisting of a metal plate with sine wave AC of 50 Hz. 120 male and female broiler chickens were randomly allocated to six stunning groups with 10 males and 10 females per group. In Phase I a voltage of 12 or 15 V was applied followed by 40, 50 or 60 V in Phase II. Stunning time was 10 and 5 s in Phase I and II respectively. The rms current per bird was recorded. To assess stunning efficiency the electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded for 120 s post-stun. Simultaneously the occurrence of spontaneous eye lid blinking, breathing and wing flapping was assessed. The corneal reflex was tested every 20 s. The reduction of brain power in two frequency bands (2-30 Hz and 13-30 Hz) to less than 10% of the pre-stun level was analysed as indicator for adequate stunning. Female broilers showed a significantly lower rms stunning current as a result of higher electrical resistance. Phase II showed the biggest impact on stunning efficiency. Increasing voltage improved the stunning effect, but none of the analysed treatments induced unconsciousness in at least 90% of the animals. Voltage settings of more than 60 V AC in Phase II must therefore be applied. The majority of animals recovered from stunning in all groups. The occurrence of physical reflexes was suppressed in animals that were considered sensitive in the EEG analysis. Assessment of these reflexes for the evaluation of stunning efficiency can therefore not be recommended for this stunning method. No animal showed tonic-clonic convulsions following stunning and the level of severe wing flapping was very low in all groups. Meat quality advantages of this stunning method can therefore be expected, but this must be assessed in a separate study. It must be investigated if this effect can be maintained with higher voltage settings to ensure adequate stunning efficiency.
All, Axons in Adult Mouse Optic Nerve Fructose Supports Energy Metabolism of Some, But Not

You might find this additional info useful.This article cites€28 articles, 13 of which you can access for free at: http://jn.physiology. org/content/95/3/1917.full#ref-list-1This article has been cited by€2 other HighWire-hosted articles: http://jn.physiology. org/content/95/3/1917#cited-by Updated information and services including high resolution figures, can be found at: http://jn.physiology. org/content/95/3/1917.fullAdditional material and information about Journal of Neurophysiology can be found at: http://www.the-aps.org/publications/jnThis information is current as of September 10, 2012.
Global view of the functional molecular organization of the avian cerebrum: Mirror images and functional columns

Based on quantitative cluster analyses of 52 constitutively expressed or behaviorally regulated genes in 23 brain regions, we present a global view of telencephalic organization of birds. The patterns of constitutively expressed genes revealed a partial mirror image organization of three major cell populations that wrap above, around, and below the ventricle and adjacent lamina through the mesopallium. The patterns of behaviorally regulated genes revealed functional columns of activation across boundaries of these cell populations, reminiscent of columns through layers of the mammalian cortex. The avian functionally regulated columns were of two types: those above the ventricle and associated mesopallial lamina, formed by our revised dorsal mesopallium, hyperpallium, and intercalated hyperpallium; and those below the ventricle, formed by our revised ventral mesopallium, nidopallium, and intercalated nidopallium. Based on these findings and known connectivity, we propose that the avian pallium has four major cell populations similar to those in mammalian cortex and some parts of the amygdala: 1) a primary sensory input population (intercalated pallium); 2) a secondary intrapallial population (nidopallium/hyperpallium); 3) a tertiary intrapallial population (mesopallium); and 4) a quaternary output population (the arcopallium). Each population contributes portions to columns that control different sensory or motor systems. We suggest that this organization of cell groups forms by expansion of contiguous developmental cell domains that wrap around the lateral ventricle and its extension through the middle of the mesopallium. We believe that the position of the lateral ventricle and its associated mesopallium lamina has resulted in a conceptual barrier to recognizing related cell groups across its border, thereby confounding our understanding of homologies with mammals. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:3614–3665, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
E-learning Environments in Academy: Technology, Pedagogy and Thinking Dispositions

Around two decades have passed since higher education institutions began incorporating the internet as an alternative studying environment, together with frontal class teaching and learning. This kind of environment still poses meaningful challenges for students and teachers that take an active part in E-learning courses. Today it is quite clear that taking part in online courses requires new technological, behavioral, and thinking skills, in order to best handle and even successfully finish the course. Although technological skills are a must for taking part in an online course, a majority of students participating in these kinds of courses have arrived thus far without suitable prior computer experience or background, internet working skills, and internet based studies skills.
Plaques of Nonstenotic Basilar Arteries with Isolated Pontine Infarction on Three-dimensional High Isotropic Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background:There are few studies for evaluating plaque characteristics of nonstenotic basilar arteries (BA). Our aim was to determine entire BA plaques with a three-dimensional volumetric isotropic turbo spin-echo acquisition (VISTA) and investigate the differences between the patients with and without isolated pontine infarction (IPI). Methods:Twenty-four consecutive symptomatic patients with nonstenotic BA on time of flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA) were enrolled from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between January 2014 and December 2014. BA was classified as “normal” or “irregular” based on TOF MRA, and “normal wall”, “slight wall-thickening”, and “plaque” based on three-dimensional VISTA images. Outcomes from MRA and VISTA were compared. Patients were categorized as IPI and non-IPI groups based on the diffusion-weighted imaging. Clinical and plaque characteristics were compared between the two groups. Results:A total of 1024 image slices including 311 (30.37%) plaque slices, 427 (41.70%) slight wall-thickening slices, and 286 (27.93%) normal wall slices for the entire BA from 23 patients were finally included for analysis. VISTA images detected plaques in all the 9 (100%) irregular MRA patients and 7 of 14 (50%) normal MRA patients. IPI was found in 11 (47.83%) patients. Compared to non-IPI group, the IPI group had a higher percentage of plaque slices (P = 0.001) and lower percentage of normal wall slices (P = 0.014) than non-IPI group. Conclusions:Three-dimensional VISTA images enable detection of BA plaques not visualized by MRA. BA plaques could be found in both the IPI and non-IPI group. However, IPI group showed plaques more extensively in BA than the non-IPI group.
StrongARM: a high-performance ARM processor

A 32-bit 162 MHz/215 MHz custom VLSI ARM microprocessor is described. The chip contains two 16 Kbyte, 32-way set associative caches for instructions and data. The 2.1 M transistor chip is fabricated in a 2.0 V, 0.35 /spl mu/m, 3-layer metal CMOS process. It dissipates 0.5 W at 162 MHz/1.5 V and 1.1 W at 215 MHz/2.0 V.
Tolerance to Prism Induced by Readymade Spectacles: Setting and Using a Standard

Purpose. To determine first how much induced horizontal and vertical prism could be comfortably tolerated with readymade spectacle wear. Ultimately, the purpose is to develop a guide for dispensing decisions for blindness prevention programs in low-resource countries. Methods. Nine participants each wore plano spectacles with differing prism power for 8 h (plano control). If visual discomfort could not be tolerated, participants removed the spectacles, noting duration of wear and reason for discontinuation. Distance and near visual comfort were rated, and participants asked if they would be able to adapt to wearing the spectacles. Results. On average, half of the wearing time was spent on concentrated near viewing tasks. The highest prism powers (1&Dgr; BU, 2&Dgr; BO, 2&Dgr; BI) could not be worn for 8 h by the majority of participants. Comfort ratings at near (similar to those at distance) were statistically significantly different when the highest prism power was compared with each of the lower powers (vertical prism: both the control and 0.5 &Dgr; differed from 1 &Dgr;; horizontal prism: the control, 0.5 &Dgr; and 1 &Dgr; all differed from 2 &Dgr;). Conclusions. Most spectacle wearers would likely comfortably tolerate ≤0.5 &Dgr; vertical, ≤1.0 &Dgr; base out, or ≤1.0 &Dgr; base in induced prism. A guide to the maximum interpupillary distance/optical center distance disparities likely to be comfortably tolerated with varying spectacle powers was formulated. Powers up to ±1.50 DS are unlikely to have sufficient lens decentration to cause discomfort. This small study supports the feasibility of using readymade spectacles in low-resource settings even though optical center distance may be different to the interpupillary distance of the wearer. It would seem that fear of visual discomfort because of induced prism need not preclude the use of readymade spectacles, potentially correcting about 75% of refractive error and presbyopia, mostly with powers +3.00 to −3.00 DS. Further study is needed to more fully address these issues.
Left Ventricular Mass and Exercise Responses Predict Future Blood Pressure The Muscatine Study

Increased blood pressure and left ventricular mass are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in adults with coronary heart disease. To define the predictors of subsequent childhood blood pressure and left ventricular mass, serial echocardiograms and blood pressure responses during exercise were studied in 274 children aged 6 to IS years, whose systolic blood pressures were in the high, middle, or low range. Persistence of rank order for left ventricular mass and blood pressure, at rest and during exercise, was maintained over a mean follow-up period of 3.4 years, with correlations ranging from 0.33 to 0.44. Subsequent systolic blood pressure was best predicted from initial resting and maximal exercise systolic blood pressures and left ventricular mass. Subsequent left ventricular mass was best predicted from initial left ventricular mass and maximal exercise diastolic blood pressure, but resting systolic blood pressure did not add to this latter prediction. Since left ventricular mass relates best to exercise blood pressure and not to resting Mood pressure, left ventricular mass may provide an integrated view of the effects of blood pressure both at rest and during stress. We speculate that increased left ventricular mass in childhood may be an important predictor of subsequent hypertension and its consequences.
Renal and Hepatic Function Improve in Advanced Heart Failure Patients During Continuous-Flow Support With the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device

Background— The effects of continuous blood flow and reduced pulsatility on major organ function have not been studied in detail. Methods and Results— We evaluated renal (creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) and hepatic (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and total bilirubin) function in 309 (235 male, 74 female) advanced heart failure patients who had been supported with the HeartMate II continuous-flow left ventricular assist device for bridge to transplantation. To determine whether patients with impaired renal and hepatic function improve over time with continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support or whether there are any detrimental effects in patients with normal organ function, we divided patients into those with above-normal and normal laboratory values before implantation and measured blood chemistry over time during left ventricular assist device support. There were significant improvements over 6 months in all parameters in the above-normal groups, with values in the normal groups remaining in the normal range over time. Mean blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine in the above-normal groups decreased significantly from 37±14 to 23±10 mg/dL (P<0.0001) and from 1.8±0.4 to 1.4±0.8 mg/dL (P<0.01), respectively. There were decreases in aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase in the above-normal groups from 121±206 and 171±348 to 36±19 and 31±22 IU (P<0.001), respectively. Total bilirubin for the above-normal group was 2.1±0.9 mg/dL at baseline; after an acute increase at week 1, it decreased to 0.9±0.5 mg/dL by 6 months (P<0.0001). Both renal and liver values from patients in the normal groups remained normal during support with the left ventricular assist device. Conclusions— The HeartMate II continuous-flow left ventricular assist device improves renal and hepatic function in advanced heart failure patients who are being bridged to transplantation, without evidence of detrimental effects from reduced pulsatility over a 6-month time period. Clinical Trial Registration Information— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00121472.
The Growth Suppressor PML Represses Transcription by Functionally and Physically Interacting with Histone Deacetylases

ABSTRACT The growth suppressor promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is disrupted by the chromosomal translocation t(15;17) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). PML plays a key role in multiple pathways of apoptosis and regulates cell cycle progression. The present study demonstrates that PML represses transcription by functionally and physically interacting with histone deacetylase (HDAC). Transcriptional repression mediated by PML can be inhibited by trichostatin A, a specific inhibitor of HDAC. PML coimmunoprecipitates a significant level of HDAC activity in several cell lines. PML is associated with HDAC in vivo and directly interacts with HDAC in vitro. The fusion protein PML-RARα encoded by the t(15;17) breakpoint interacts with HDAC poorly. PML interacts with all three isoforms of HDAC through specific domains, and its expression deacetylates histone H3 in vivo. Together, the results of our study show that PML modulates histone deacetylation and that loss of this function in APL alters chromatin remodeling and gene expression. This event may contribute to the development of leukemia.
Nicolaides–Baraitser syndrome: two new cases with autism spectrum disorder

Nicolaides–Baraitser syndrome is a rare clinical condition characterized by mental retardation with impairment of expressive language, short stature, microcephaly, sparse hair, typical facial dysmorphisms, and interphalangeal joint swellings. To date 24 cases have been reported, most of them being sporadic. The genetic background of Nicolaides–Baraitser syndrome is unclear in terms of cause and mode of inheritance, one of the more probable explanations is de novo mutation of a dominant gene. Some reported patients presented autistic features, although in none of these patients was the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder formally made. We describe two unrelated patients with clinical features suggesting Nicolaides–Baraitser syndrome and, in addition, autism spectrum disorder is defined by the presence of the three cardinal core features: qualitative impairments in social, communicative, and behavioral development.
A common pesticide decreases foraging success and survival in honey bees: questioning the ecological relevance

In a recent paper, Henry et al. (2012; supplemental material April 20, 2012) address the important issue of honeybee sublethal effects induced by systemic insecticides as a potential causal factor of colony collapse disorder (CCD). To evaluate mortality resulting from homing failure of foraging bees (mhf), Henry et al. (2012) employed radio-frequency identification (RFID) microchips to track free-ranging honey bees and then combined their mhf values with a colony dynamics model proposed by Khoury et al. (2011). By comparing thiamethoxam-treated and control groups they found that exposed bees were more likely to die while away from their hives. By combining the observed experimental results and model projection, the authors argue that thiamethoxam seed treatment could constitute a potential cause of CCD.
Limited but satisfied: Low SES older adults experiences of aging in place

While many aging in place technologies have been explored in the literature, few have focused on low socioeconomic status (SES) populations. Contextual observations (n=8) were used to gain an in-depth view of the daily needs and challenges of low SES older adults and to provide insights into their experiences of health in and around the home. Our findings have implications not only for the kinds of technologies this population could benefit from, but the way in which such technologies are designed to fit into their current lifestyle.
When More is Better: Impact of Primary Care Office Visits on Severe Obesity

Background: Among patients with obesity, the subset of patients with severe obesity has been increasing at the fastest rate. Although there is literature which suggests modest effectiveness of weight loss counselling by primary care providers, many primary care clinicians face frustration with the management of obesity. Reasons for this include time constraints, poor reimbursement, and perceived inadequacy or futility of obesity treatments. Despite these obstacles, we hypothesize that primary care clinicians still positively impact weight loss for patients with severe obesity. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with severe obesity seen in the primary care clinics of a university health system. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and tracked for each office visit during the study period of four years. The difference between the initial weight and final weight in the study period was calculated and correlated to visit frequency. Results: There was a positive correlation between visit frequency and the magnitude of change in BMI. Conclusions: The positive correlation between visit frequency and change in BMI supports the importance of primary care clinicians in the fight against obesity.
A ug 2 00 0 HOMOLOGY OF COMPLETE SYMBOLS AND NON-COMMUTATIVE GEOMETRY

We identify the periodic cyclic homology of the algebra of complete symbols on a differential groupoid G in terms of the cohomology of S * (G), the cosphere bundle of A(G), where A(G) is the Lie algebroid of G. We also relate the Hochschild homology of this algebra with the homogeneous Poisson homology of the space A * (G) 0 ∼ = S * (G) × (0, ∞), the dual of A(G) with the zero section removed. We use then these results to compute the Hochschild and cyclic homologies of the algebras of complete symbols associated with manifolds with corners, when the corresponding Lie algebroid is rationally isomorphic to the tangent bundle.
The Pyramidal Cell in Cognition: A Comparative Study in Human and Monkey

Here we present evidence that the pyramidal cell phenotype varies markedly in the cortex of different anthropoid species. Regional and species differences in the size of, number of bifurcations in, and spine density of the basal dendritic arbors cannot be explained by brain size. Instead, pyramidal cell morphology appears to accord with the specialized cortical function these cells perform. Cells in the prefrontal cortex of humans are more branched and more spinous than those in the temporal and occipital lobes. Moreover, cells in the prefrontal cortex of humans are more branched and more spinous than those in the prefrontal cortex of macaque and marmoset monkeys. These results suggest that highly spinous, compartmentalized, pyramidal cells (and the circuits they form) are required to perform complex cortical functions such as comprehension, perception, and planning.
Alterations in fiber pathways reveal brain tumor typology: a diffusion tractography study

Conventional structural Magnetic Resonance (MR) techniques can accurately identify brain tumors but do not provide exhaustive information about the integrity of the surrounding/embedded white matter (WM). In this study, we used Diffusion-Weighted (DW) MRI tractography to explore tumor-induced alterations of WM architecture without any a priori knowledge about the fiber paths under consideration. We used deterministic multi-fiber tractography to analyze 16 cases of histologically classified brain tumors (meningioma, low-grade glioma, high-grade glioma) to evaluate the integrity of WM bundles in the tumoral region, in relation to the contralateral unaffected hemisphere. Our new tractographic approach yielded measures of WM involvement which were strongly correlated with the histopathological features of the tumor (r = 0.83, p = 0.0001). In particular, the number of affected fiber tracts were significantly (p = 0.0006) different among tumor types. Our method proposes a new application of diffusion tractography for the detection of tumor aggressiveness in those cases in which the lesion does not involve any major/known WM paths and when a priori information about the local fiber anatomy is lacking.
PLL performance of DS-CDMA systems in the presence of phase noise, multiuser interference, and additive Gaussian noise

The performance of decision-directed phase-locked loops (PLL) for use in direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) systems is investigated in the presence of phase noise, multiuser interference, and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). A unified and accurate analysis of the effect of these sources of noise on the PLL is carried out based on a nonlinear model (the Fokker-Planck method) since a linear analysis yields a large deviation between analytical results and actual performance at low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). After describing the implementation of the PLL, the steady-state probability density function (PDF) of the phase estimator error in a first-order loop is derived. It is shown that a tradeoff exists between the effect due to the phase noise, the magnitude of the multiuser interference, and the AWGN as a function of loop bandwidth. The optimal loop bandwidth minimizing the impact of these sources of noise on the PLL and the requirements on the frequency uncertainty of the carrier source for a required accuracy of the phase estimator are detailed. Numerical results of the variance of the phase estimator error are discussed for Gold codes.
Local Search in Unstructured Networks

We review a number of message-passing algorithms that can be used to search through power-law networks. Most of these algorithms are meant to be improvements for peer-to-peer file sharing systems, and some may also shed some light on how unstructured social networks with certain topologies might function relatively efficiently with local information. Like the networks that they are designed for, these algorithms are completely decentralized, and they exploit the power-law link distribution in the node degree. We demonstrate that some of these search algorithms can work well on real Gnutella networks, scale sub-linearly with the number of nodes, and may help reduce the network search traffic that tends to cripple such networks.