Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE ABDUS SALAM INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR THEORETICAL PHYSICS NEARING 11d EXTREMAL INTERSECTING GIANTS AND NEW DECOUPLED SECTORS IN D = 3, 6 SCFT’S

We extend the analysis of arXiv:0801.4457 [hep-th] to charged black hole solutions of fourdimensional U(1)4 gauged supergravity which carry three charges. There are two decoupling near-horizon limits, one over the near-BPS black hole solution and the other over the nearextremal, but non-BPS geometry. Taking the limit over the eleven dimensional uplift of these black hole solutions, for both of these cases we obtain a geometry which has a piece (conformal) to rotating BTZ×S2. We study the 4d, 11d and 5d, 3d black hole properties. Moreover, we show that the BTZ×S2 geometry obtained after the near-BPS (near-extremal) limit is also a solution to five-dimensional U(1)3 un-gauged (gauged) STU supergravity. Based on these decoupling limits we argue that there should be sectors of 3d CFT resulting from low energy limit of theory on N M2-branes (N → ∞), which are decoupled from the rest of the theory and are effectively described by a 2d CFT. The central charge of the 2d CFT in both near-BPS and near-extremal case scales as N . The engineering dimension of the operators in these decoupled sectors scales as N4/3 (for near-BPS case) while as N3/2 (for the near-extremal case). Moreover, we discuss the description of the decoupled sectors as certain deformations of 6d CFT residing on the intersecting M5-brane giants.
Recent Origin of the Methacrylate Redox System in Geobacter sulfurreducens AM-1 through Horizontal Gene Transfer

The origin and evolution of novel biochemical functions remains one of the key questions in molecular evolution. We study recently emerged methacrylate reductase function that is thought to have emerged in the last century and reported in Geobacter sulfurreducens strain AM-1. We report the sequence and study the evolution of the operon coding for the flavin-containing methacrylate reductase (Mrd) and tetraheme cytochrome с (Mcc) in the genome of G. sulfurreducens AM-1. Different types of signal peptides in functionally interlinked proteins Mrd and Mcc suggest a possible complex mechanism of biogenesis for chromoproteids of the methacrylate redox system. The homologs of the Mrd and Mcc sequence found in δ-Proteobacteria and Deferribacteres are also organized into an operon and their phylogenetic distribution suggested that these two genes tend to be horizontally transferred together. Specifically, the mrd and mcc genes from G. sulfurreducens AM-1 are not monophyletic with any of the homologs found in other Geobacter genomes. The acquisition of methacrylate reductase function by G. sulfurreducens AM-1 appears linked to a horizontal gene transfer event. However, the new function of the products of mrd and mcc may have evolved either prior or subsequent to their acquisition by G. sulfurreducens AM-1.
Fitness landscape analysis for resource allocation in multiuser OFDM based cognitive radio systems

Cognitive Radio (CR) is a promising technique for improving the spectrum efficiency in future wireless communication networks. In this paper, dynamic resource allocation in a Multiuser Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (MU-OFDM) based CR system is investigated. Dynamic resource allocation in MU-OFDM CR systems is a computationally complex combinatorial optimization problem. Memetic algorithms (MAs), which are hybrid evolutionary algorithms with local searches, have been shown to outperform traditional algorithms for many combinatorial optimization problems. However, the performance of MAs is highly dependent on the choice of the local search and evolutionary operators. This choice should be based on the characteristics of the problem at hand. Fitness landscape is an important technique for analyzing the behavior of combinatorial optimization problems. Based on fitness landscape analysis, appropriate local search and evolutionary operators are selected for the proposed MA. Simulation results show that the proposed memetic algorithm provides better performance than existing algorithms.
Why More Boys Than Girls With ADHD Receive Treatment: A Study of Dutch Twins

Abstract More boys than girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) receive treatment. One explanation for this bias may be that boys score higher on disruptive behavior scales than girls. Although this was supported by findings in clinical samples, recent studies in nonreferred samples showed that boys and girls with ADHD are similar with respect to their levels of disruptive behavior as reported by their mother. In this report, we investigate whether the difference in treatment rate is associated with higher teacher problem scores in boys with ADHD than in girls with ADHD. Data were obtained from mothers and teachers in a nonreferred sample of 283 boys and 291 girls with and without ADHD. Children were selected when they scored either low (controls) or high (probands) on attention problems. Mothers completed DSM-IV interviews, Child Behavior Checklists (CBCL) and the Conners Rating Scale (CRS). Teachers filled in the Teacher Report Form (TRF), and the CRS. Boys and girls with ADHD had similar levels of psychiatric illness and school impairment (such as being held back, special class placement and learning problems) by mother report. Mothers reported similar levels of aggression and attention problems in boys and girls with ADHD. In contrast, teachers consistently rated boys with ADHD as having higher scores on reports of attention problems and aggression than girls with ADHD. Gender differences vary across settings: boys and girls with ADHD are rated as behaving differently at school, but not at home. The higher level of teacher reported problem behavior at school may explain the high male–female ratio for ADHD in clinical settings. These findings have implications for the results of genetic studies that rely on referred samples, as these studies may give a distorted view of sex differences in the population.
Strategy-Proofness in the Large

We propose a criterion of approximate incentive compatibility, strategy-proofness in the large (SP-L), and argue that it is a useful second-best to exact strategy-proofness (SP) for market design. Conceptually, SP-L requires that an agent who regards a mechanism’s “prices” as exogenous to her report—be they traditional prices as in an auction mechanism, or price-like statistics in an assignment or matching mechanism—has a dominant strategy to report truthfully. Mathematically, SP-L weakens SP in two ways: (1) truth-telling is required to be approximately optimal (within epsilon in a large enough market) rather than exactly optimal, and (2) incentive compatibility is evaluated ex interim, with respect to all full-support i.i. d. probability distributions of play, rather than ex post with respect to all possible realizations of play. This places SP-L in between the traditional notion of approximate SP, which evaluates incentives to manipulate ex post and as a result is too strong to obtain our main results in support of SP-L, and the traditional notion of approximate Bayes-Nash incentive compatibility, which, like SP-L, evaluates incentives to manipulate ex interim, but which imposes common knowledge and strategic sophistication assumptions that are often viewed as unrealistic.
Plasmid Location and Molecular Heterogeneity of the L1 and L2 β-Lactamase Genes of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

ABSTRACT An approximately 200-kb plasmid has been purified from clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. This plasmid was found in all of the 10 isolates examined and contains both the L1 and the L2 β-lactamase genes. The location of L1 andL2 on a plasmid makes it more likely that they could spread to other gram-negative bacteria, potentially causing clinical problems. Sequence analysis of the 10 L1 genes revealed three novel genes,L1c, L1d, and L1e, with 8, 12, and 20% divergence from the published strain IID 1275 L1(L1a), respectively. The most unusual L1 enzyme (L1e) displayed markedly different kinetic properties, with respect to hydrolysis of nitrocefin and imipenem, compared to those of L1a (250- and 100-fold lowerkcat/Km ratios respectively). L1c and L1d, in contrast, displayed levels of hydrolysis very similar to that of L1a. Several nonconservative amino acid differences with respect to L1a, L1b, L1c, and L1d were observed in the substrate binding-catalytic regions of L1e, and this could explain the kinetic differences. Three novel L2 genes (L2b, L2c, andL2d) were sequenced from the same isolates, and their sequences diverge from the published sequence of strain IID 1275L2 (L2a) by 4, 9, and 25%, respectively. Differences in L1 and L2 gene sequences were not accompanied by similar divergences in 16S rRNA gene sequences, for which differences of <1% were found. It is therefore apparent that the L1 and L2 genes have evolved relatively quickly, perhaps because of their presence on a plasmid.
Multi-robot plan adaptation by constrained minimal distortion feature mapping

We propose a novel method for multi-robot plan adaptation which can be used for adapting existing spatial plans of robotic teams to new environments or imitating collaborative spatial teamwork of robots in novel situations. The algorithm selects correspondences between previous and current spatial features by the application of pairwise constraints, and generates the transformation function with a fast regular grid approximation which minimizes distortion. The algorithm requires minimal domain knowledge, is capable of transforming the spatial aspects of collaborative team behavior and performs better in noisy problems with large displacements than the most generally used quadratic differences method. The algorithm can be utilized for rapid plan adaptation, plan generalization or team behavior imitation. Methods are demonstrated on a multi-robot control problem in a random environment.
DLR hand II: experiments and experience with an anthropomorphic hand

At our institute, two generations of antropomorphic hands have been designed. In quite a few experiments and demonstrations we could show the abilities of our hands and gain a lot of experience in what artificial hands can do, what abilities they need and where their limitations lie. In this paper, we would like to give an overview over the experiments performed with the DLR hands, our hands abilities and the things that need to be done in the near future.
Ankle Spatting Compared to Bracing or Taping during Maximal-Effort Sprint Drills

The purpose of this study was to compare the influences of 4 ankle conditions (no support, bracing, taping, taping + spatting; all in football cleats) during 2 maximal-effort field drills (40-yd dash and 34-yd cutting drill) on perceptions of comfort and stability and performance outcomes. Fourteen young adult males participated. Subjects’ perceptions of comfort and stability were assessed by visual analogue scales after each drill for each ankle condition. Time-to-completion and post-completion heart rate were recorded. For both drills, significant differences in comfort perception were found such that subjects perceived no support as equivocal to bracing but more comfortable than either taping or spatting + taping. Stability results differed by drill. For the dash, significant differences in stability perception were found such that subjects perceived no support as equivocal to bracing but less stable than either taping or spatting + taping. By contrast, for the cutting drill significant differences in stability perception were found such that subjects perceived their ankles as less stable during the no support condition as compared to all 3 other conditions. Generally, bracing was perceived as equivocal to all 3 other conditions for comfort and stability. There were no significant differences in time-to-completion or heart rate for any comparison. Compared to bracing or taping, spatting + taping (a) did not influence performance time in explosive/sprint-type drills, (b) was perceived as equivalent to taping alone in terms of ankle comfort and stability, and (c) was perceived as equivalent to bracing in terms of stability but not comfort.
GA optimization of ladder-structured GOBF models

A new technique for systems identification using ladder-structured generalized orthonormal basis function model is presented. In this approach the model poles and the number of functions are optimized using a genetic algorithm. A fitness function based on the Akaike information criterion considering model accuracy and model parsimony provides optimal number of functions and poles of the system model. Simulated and a real examples illustrate the performance of the proposed technique.
Dominant efficiency of nonregular patterns of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder in a data-driven computational model

Objective. Almost 30 years after the start of the modern era of deep brain stimulation (DBS), the subthalamic nucleus (STN) still constitutes a standard stimulation target for advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the use of STN-DBS is also now supported by level I clinical evidence for treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Disruption of neural synchronization in the STN has been suggested as one of the possible mechanisms of action of standard and alternative patterns of STN-DBS at a local level. Meanwhile, recent experimental and computational modeling evidence has signified the efficiency of alternative patterns of stimulation; however, no indications exist for treatment-refractory OCD. Here, we comparatively simulate the desynchronizing effect of standard (regular at 130 Hz) versus temporally alternative (in terms of frequency, temporal variability and the existence of bursts or pauses) patterns of STN-DBS for PD and OCD, by means of a stochastic dynamical model and two microelectrode recording (MER) datasets. Approach. The stochastic model is fitted to subthalamic MERs acquired during eight surgical interventions for PD and eight surgical interventions for OCD. For each dynamical system simulated, we comparatively assess the invariant density (steady-state phase distribution) as a measure inversely related to the desynchronizing effect yielded by the applied patterns of stimulation. Main results. We demonstrate that high (130 Hz)—and low (80 Hz)—frequency irregular patterns of stimulation, and low-frequency periodic stimulation interrupted by bursts of pulses, yield in both pathologic conditions a significantly stronger desynchronizing effect compared with standard STN-DBS, and distinct alternative patterns of stimulation. In PD, values of the invariant density measure are proven to be optimal at the dorsolateral oscillatory region of the STN including sites with the optimal therapeutic window. Significance. In addition to providing novel insights into the efficiency of low-frequency nonregular patterns of STN-DBS for advanced PD and treatment-refractory OCD, this work points to a possible correlation of a model-based outcome measure with clinical effectiveness of stimulation and may have significant implications for an energy- and therapeutically-efficient configuration of a closed-loop neuromodulation system.
Novel Combination of Prebiotics Galacto-Oligosaccharides and Inulin-Inhibited Aberrant Crypt Foci Formation and Biomarkers of Colon Cancer in Wistar Rats

The selectivity and beneficial effects of prebiotics are mainly dependent on composition and glycosidic linkage among monosaccharide units. This is the first study to use prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) that contains β-1,6 and β-1,3 glycosidic linkages and the novel combination of GOS and inulin in cancer prevention. The objective of the present study is to explore the role of novel GOS and inulin against various biomarkers of colorectal cancer (CRC) and the incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in a 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH)-induced rodent model. Prebiotic treatments of combined GOS and inulin (57 mg each), as well as individual doses (GOS: 76–151 mg; inulin 114 mg), were given to DMH-treated animals for 16 weeks. Our data reveal the significant preventive effect of the GOS and inulin combination against the development of CRC. It was observed that inhibition of ACF formation (55.8%) was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher using the GOS and inulin combination than GOS (41.4%) and inulin (51.2%) treatments alone. This combination also rendered better results on short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and bacterial enzymatic activities. Dose-dependent effects of prebiotic treatments were also observed on cecum and fecal bacterial enzymes and on SCFA. Thus, this study demonstrated that novel combination of GOS and inulin exhibited stronger preventive activity than their individual treatments alone, and can be a promising strategy for CRC chemoprevention.
Defective Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells by Macrophages in Atherosclerotic Lesions of ob/ob Mice and Reversal by a Fish Oil Diet

Rationale: The complications of atherosclerosis are a major cause of death and disability in type 2 diabetes. Defective clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages (efferocytosis) is thought to lead to increased necrotic core formation and inflammation in atherosclerotic lesions. Objective: To determine whether there is defective efferocytosis in a mouse model of obesity and atherosclerosis. Methods and Results: We quantified efferocytosis in peritoneal macrophages and in atherosclerotic lesions of obese ob/ob or ob/ob;Ldlr−/− mice and littermate controls. Peritoneal macrophages from ob/ob and ob/ob;Ldlr−/− mice showed impaired efferocytosis, reflecting defective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation during uptake of apoptotic cells. Membrane lipid composition of ob/ob and ob/ob;Ldlr−/− macrophages showed an increased content of saturated fatty acids (FAs) and decreased &ohgr;-3 FAs (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) compared to controls. A similar defect in efferocytosis was induced by treating control macrophages with saturated free FA/BSA complexes, whereas the defect in ob/ob macrophages was reversed by treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid/BSA or by feeding ob/ob mice a fish oil diet rich in &ohgr;-3 FAs. There was also defective macrophage efferocytosis in atherosclerotic lesions of ob/ob;Ldlr−/− mice and this was reversed by a fish oil–rich diet. Conclusions: The findings suggest that in obesity and type 2 diabetes elevated levels of saturated FAs and/or decreased levels of &ohgr;-3 FAs contribute to decreased macrophage efferocytosis. Beneficial effects of fish oil diets in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease may involve improvements in macrophage function related to reversal of defective efferocytosis and could be particularly important in type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The temporal relationship between heart rate recovery immediately after exercise and the metabolic syndrome: the CARDIA study.

AIMS Slower heart rate recovery (HRR) following exercise is associated with the metabolic syndrome, yet the temporal relationship between the two remains unknown. We investigated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of slower HRR following a graded exercise treadmill test (GXT) with metabolic syndrome components and LDL-C. METHODS AND RESULTS Participants aged 18-30 from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study underwent a symptom-limited maximal GXT at baseline (n = 4319) and 7 years later. HRR was calculated as the difference between maximum heart rate (HR) and HR 2 min after test cessation. Slower baseline HRR was associated with a higher cross-sectional level but not longitudinal (15 year follow-up) increases in blood pressure, triglyceride, waist circumference, and LDL-C. No cross-sectional or longitudinal association was observed between HRR and HDL-C. In contrast, participants with one or two or more metabolic syndrome components (National Cholesterol Education Program III and American Diabetes Association criterion) at baseline examination had significantly larger longitudinal declines in HRR [-3.48 (P < 0.05) and-5.64 bpm (P < 0.001), respectively] from baseline to year 7, when compared with participants without syndrome components (-2.40 bpm). CONCLUSION Slower HRR does not precede development of the metabolic syndrome, but appears after syndrome components are present.
Intersession reliability of kinematic and kinetic variables during vertical jumps in men and women.

PURPOSE To investigate the intersession reliability of selected kinematic and kinetic variables during countermovement vertical jumps (CMJs). METHODS Thirty-five men and 35 women performed CMJs on a force platform during four testing sessions each separated by 1 wk. Kinematic variables included time in the air (TIA), take-off velocity (TOV), total vertical displacement of the center of mass (TJH), and countermovement depth, whereas kinetic variables included positive impulse, negative impulse, vertical stiffness, and rates of force development. Systematic bias was assessed by calculating the 90% confidence interval of the change in the mean between consecutive testing sessions and between the first and final testing session for each variable. Coefficients of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were also calculated. RESULTS Systematic bias was observed only for peak rate of force development during the concentric phase of the movement. For TIA, TOV, and TJH, CV values ranged from 1.7% to 6.6%, with ICC values ranging from 0.82 to 0.97. The other variables showed greater variation (CV range: 1.7% to 39.9%; ICC range: 0.04 to 0.99). Only slight gender differences were found in the reliability statistics, and the reliability of most of the variables was diminished as the time between the testing sessions was increased. CONCLUSION Even though practitioners can expect good reliability for jump height measured from a force platform in men and women, other kinematic and kinetic variables often assessed during vertical jumps may not be reliable.
Cardiovascular disease risk score prediction models for women and its applicability to Asians

Purpose Although elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are associated with a higher risk of developing heart conditions across all ethnic groups, variations exist between groups in the distribution and association of risk factors, and also risk levels. This study assessed the 10-year predicted risk in a multiethnic cohort of women and compared the differences in risk between Asian and Caucasian women. Methods Information on demographics, medical conditions and treatment, smoking behavior, dietary behavior, and exercise patterns were collected. Physical measurements were also taken. The 10-year risk was calculated using the Framingham model, SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation) risk chart for low risk and high risk regions, the general CVD, and simplified general CVD risk score models in 4,354 females aged 20–69 years with no heart disease, diabetes, or stroke at baseline from the third Australian Risk Factor Prevalence Study. Country of birth was used as a surrogate for ethnicity. Nonparametric statistics were used to compare risk levels between ethnic groups. Results Asian women generally had lower risk of CVD when compared to Caucasian women. The 10-year predicted risk was, however, similar between Asian and Australian women, for some models. These findings were consistent with Australian CVD prevalence. Conclusion In summary, ethnicity needs to be incorporated into CVD risk assessment. Australian standards used to quantify risk and treat women could be applied to Asians in the interim. The SCORE risk chart for low-risk regions and Framingham risk score model for incidence are recommended. The inclusion of other relevant risk variables such as obesity, poor diet/nutrition, and low levels of physical activity may improve risk estimation.