Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radio Jets Clearing the Way Through a Galaxy: Watching Feedback in Action

Pushy Black Hole The giant black holes that sit at the centers of most galaxies influence the way galaxies evolve in poorly understood ways. Morganti et al. (p. 1082; see the Perspective by McNamara) have acquired high-resolution radio images of a galaxy with an actively accreting black hole from which a jet of relativistic particles emanates. The observations show that a cloud of neutral hydrogen gas is being driven outward, possibly limiting star formation and galaxy growth. High-resolution radio images of a galaxy reveal how a jet of relativistic particles is driving cold gas away from the center. [Also see Perspective by McNamara] The energy released by an active galactic nucleus (AGN) has a strong impact on the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM). This feedback is considered to be the regulating factor for the growth of the central massive black hole and for the rate of star formation in a galaxy. We have located, using very-long-baseline interferometry, the fast outflow of neutral hydrogen in the young, restarted radio-loud AGN 4C12.50. The outflow is located 100 parsec from the nucleus where the radio jet interacts with the ISM, as well as around the associated radio lobe. These observations show that the radio plasma drives the outflow and removes gas from the central regions and that jet-driven outflows can play a relevant role in feedback mechanisms.
Pediatric hospitalist systems versus traditional models of care: effect on quality and cost outcomes.

BACKGROUND Pediatric hospitalist systems are increasing in popularity, but data regarding the effects of hospitalist systems on the quality of care has been sparse, in part because rigorous metrics for analysis have not yet been established. We conducted a literature review of studies comparing the performance of pediatric hospitalists and traditional attendings. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of pediatric hospitalists on quality and outcome metrics such as length of stay, cost, patient satisfaction, mortality, readmission rates, and use of evidence-based medicine during care. RESULTS A Medline literature search identified 11 studies that met criteria for inclusion. Five previously reviewed studies reported lengths of stay between 6% and 14% shorter for hospitalists. Five of the new studies evaluated lengths of stay, with 1 showing significantly lower length of stay and cost for a faculty model, 1 showing lower length of stay for hospitalists for all conditions, 1 for certain conditions only, and 2 showing no statistical difference. Six studies reported on readmission rate, with 4 showing no difference, 1 showing decreased readmissions for hospitalists, and 1 showing decreased readmissions for a traditional faculty service. Hospitalists self-report higher use of evidence-based guidelines. Few differences in patient satisfaction were reported. Mortality on the pediatrics wards is rare, and no studies were adequately powered to evaluate mortality rate. CONCLUSION Hospitalists can improve the quality and efficiency of inpatient care in the pediatric population, but the effect is not universal, and mechanisms underlying demonstrated improvements are poorly understood. We propose 4 components to improve quality and value in hospital medicine systems: investment in comparative effectiveness research involving delivery system interventions, development and implementation of pediatric quality measures, better understanding of improvement mechanisms for hospital medicine systems, and increased focus on quality and value delivered by hospital medicine groups and individuals.
The role of human ankle plantar flexor muscle–tendon interaction and architecture in maximal vertical jumping examined in vivo

ABSTRACT Humans utilise elastic tendons of lower limb muscles to store and return energy during walking, running and jumping. Anuran and insect species use skeletal structures and/or dynamics in conjunction with similarly compliant structures to amplify muscle power output during jumping. We sought to examine whether human jumpers use similar mechanisms to aid elastic energy usage in the plantar flexor muscles during maximal vertical jumping. Ten male athletes performed maximal vertical squat jumps. Three-dimensional motion capture and a musculoskeletal model were used to determine lower limb kinematics that were combined with ground reaction force data in an inverse dynamics analysis. B-mode ultrasound imaging of the lateral gastrocnemius (GAS) and soleus (SOL) muscles was used to measure muscle fascicle lengths and pennation angles during jumping. Our results highlighted that both GAS and SOL utilised stretch and recoil of their series elastic elements (SEEs) in a catapult-like fashion, which likely serves to maximise ankle joint power. The resistance of supporting of body weight allowed initial stretch of both GAS and SOL SEEs. A proximal-to-distal sequence of joint moments and decreasing effective mechanical advantage early in the extension phase of the jumping movement were observed. This facilitated a further stretch of the SEE of the biarticular GAS and delayed recoil of the SOL SEE. However, effective mechanical advantage did not increase late in the jump to aid recoil of elastic tissues. Summary: Elastic power delivered from ankle muscle-tendons during jumping in humans is aided by energy storage against body weight and proximal-distal sequencing of limb action, but not variable mechanical advantage, which may explain our modest jumping ability.
Crystal Structure of the Catalytic Domain of the Bacillus cereus SleB Protein, Important in Cortex Peptidoglycan Degradation during Spore Germination

ABSTRACT The SleB protein is one of two redundant cortex-lytic enzymes (CLEs) that initiate the degradation of cortex peptidoglycan (PG), a process essential for germination of spores of Bacillus species, including Bacillus anthracis. SleB has been characterized as a soluble lytic transglycosylase that specifically recognizes spore cortex PG and catalyzes the cleavage of glycosidic bonds between N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) and N-acetylglucosamine residues with concomitant formation of a 1,6-anhydro bond in the NAM residue. We found that like the full-length Bacillus cereus SleB, the catalytic C-terminal domain (SleBC) exhibited high degradative activity on cortex PG in vitro, although SleB's N-terminal domain, thought to bind PG, was inactive. The 1.85-Å crystal structure of SleBC reveals an ellipsoid molecule with two distinct domains dominated by either α helices or β strands. The overall fold of SleB closely resembles that of the catalytic domain of the family 1 lytic transglycosylases but with a completely different topological arrangement. Structural analysis shows that an invariant Glu157 of SleB is in a position equivalent to that of the catalytic glutamate in other lytic transglycosylases. Indeed, SleB bearing a Glu157-to-Gln mutation lost its cortex degradative activity completely. In addition, the other redundant CLE (called CwlJ) in Bacillus species likely has a three-dimensional structure similar to that of SleB, including the invariant putative catalytic Glu residue. SleB and CwlJ may offer novel targets for the development of anti-spore agents.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of Maize Endosperm as a Tool to Study Endosperm Cell Biology1[OA]

Developing maize (Zea mays) endosperms can be excised from the maternal tissues and undergo tissue/cell-type differentiation under in vitro conditions. We have developed a method to transform in vitro-grown endosperms using Agrobacterium tumefaciens and standard binary vectors. We show that both aleurone and starchy endosperm cells can be successfully transformed using a short cocultivation with A. tumefaciens cells. The highest transformation rates were obtained with the A. tumefaciens EHA101 strain and the pTF101.1 binary vector. The percentage of aleurone cells transformed following this method varied between 10% and 22% whereas up to the eighth layer of starchy endosperm cells underneath the aleurone layer showed transformed cells. Cultured endosperms undergo normal cell type (aleurone and starchy endosperm) differentiation and storage protein accumulation, making them suitable for cell biology and biochemical studies. In addition, transgenic cultured endosperms are able to express and accumulate epitope-tagged storage proteins that can be isolated for biochemical assays or used for immunolabeling techniques.
Photometric Identification of the Low-Mass Population of Orion OB1b. I. The σ Orionis Cluster

We report an optical photometric survey of 0.89 deg2 of the Orion OB1b association centered on σ Ori. This region includes most of the σ Ori cluster, the highest-density region within Orion OB1b. We have developed a statistical procedure to identify the young, low-mass, pre–main-sequence population of the association. We estimate that the cluster has ∼160 members in the mass range (0.2 ≤ M ≤ 1.0 M⊙). The cluster has a radius of ∼3–5 pc and an estimated age of 2.5 ± 0.3 Myr. We estimate that the total mass of the cluster is 225 ± 30 M⊙. This mass is similar to the estimated mass of the ∼5 × 105 yr old cluster NGC 2024. NGC 2024 and σ Ori appear to be a well-matched pair of clusters, except for the ∼2 Myr difference in their ages.
Lower-extremity isokinetic strength ratios of elite springboard and platform diving athletes

ABSTRACT Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine knee extensor and flexor muscle strength ratios of an elite group of diving athletes. Methods: Sixteen divers (10 females and 6 males) from the Brazil national team were assessed for lower-body strength. They had participated in international competitions such as the 2016 Olympic Games and 2015 Pan American Games. The dynamic concentric torque of their knee flexor and extensor muscles were evaluated using a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Bilateral tests were performed at 60º s−1. Flexor to extensor (F/E) peak torque ratio and percentage bilateral difference (BD%) was also measured. Results: The results revealed that elite diving athletes produced higher than usual reported in previous studies for relative knee extension torque (3.2 for females and 3.6 for males N∙m∙kg−1). However, they presented low levels of knee flexor torque (1.5 for females and 1.8 for males N∙m∙kg−1). These results are reflected in a low F/E ratio (0.39 to 0.49). Males presented a greater BD% in knee flexors when compared to females (12.4% vs 6.6%). Conclusion: Elite diving athletes demonstrated high knee extensor and low knee flexor strength. This partially explains their low F/E ratio, which might increase risk of knee injuries. Strength and conditioning programs should strive to correct knee strength imbalances in diving athletes where necessary.
Estimation of Network Parameters in Semiparametric Stochastic Perceptron

It was reported (Kabashima and Shinomoto 1992) that estimators of a binary decision boundary show asymptotically strange behaviors when the probability model is ill-posed or semiparametric. We give a rigorous analysis of this phenomenon in a stochastic perceptron by using the estimating function method. A stochastic perceptron consists of a neuron that is excited depending on the weighted sum of inputs but its probability distribution form is unknown here. It is shown that there exists no n-consistent estimator of the threshold value h, that is, no estimator h that converges to h in the order of 1/ n as the number n of observations increases. Therefore, the accuracy of estimation is much worse in this semiparametric case with an unspecified probability function than in the ordinary case. On the other hand, it is shown that there is a n-consistent estimator of the synaptic weight vector. These results elucidate strange behaviors of learning curves in a semiparametric statistical model.
Experimental and Simulation studies on TiO2/Silicon Heterojunction diodes

Silicon based heterojunction solar cells with TiO2as the electron selective layer is an attractive alternative to diffused junction based solar cells. This study aims to explore the relation between the atomic layer deposition conditions and the electrical performance of Si-TiO2heterojunction diodes. Our experimental results indicate that the doping of the TiO2film is influenced by the deposition temperature-an inference supported by numerical simulations as well. This optimization allows us to fabricate diodes with comparable performance to that of the best devices reported in literature based on other techniques like low temperature chemical vapor deposition.
An evaluation of intravaginal rings as a potential HIV prevention device in urban Kenya: behaviors and attitudes that might influence uptake within a high-risk population.

PURPOSE We sought to assess the potential acceptability of intravaginal rings (IVRs) as an HIV prevention method among at-risk women and men. METHODS We conducted a qualitative assessment of initial attitudes toward IVRs, current HIV prevention methods, and common behavioral practices among female sex workers (FSWs) and men who frequent FSWs in Mukuru, an urban slum community in Nairobi, Kenya. Nineteen women and 21 men took part in six focus group discussions. RESULTS Most participants, both male and female, responded positively to the concept of an IVR as a device for delivering microbicides. Women particularly liked the convenience offered by its slow-release capacity. Some female respondents raised concerns about whether male customers would discover the ring and respond negatively, whereas others thought it unlikely that their clients would feel the ring. Focus groups conducted with male clients of FSWs suggested that many would be enthusiastic about women, and particularly sex workers, using a microbicide ring, but that women's fears about negative responses to covert use were well founded. Overall, this high-risk population of FSWs and male clients in Nairobi was very open to the IVR as a potential HIV prevention device. CONCLUSION Themes that emerged from the focus groups highlight the importance of understanding attitudes toward IVRs as well as cultural practices that may impact IVR use in high-risk populations when pursuing clinical development of this potential HIV prevention device.
Channel capacity and average error rates in generalised-K fading channels

In the present study, the performance of digital communication systems operating over a composite fading channel modelled by the generalised-K distribution is analysed and evaluated. Novel closed-form expressions for the outage performance, the average bit error probabilities of several modulation schemes and the channel capacity under four different adaptive transmission schemes are derived. The analytical expressions are used to investigate the impact of different fading parameters of this composite fading channel model on the average bit error rate performance for a variety of digital modulation schemes and the spectral efficiency of different adaptive transmission policies.
Threshold pion electroproduction at large momentum transfers

We consider pion electroproduction close to threshold for Q2 in the region 1–10 GeV2 on a nucleon target. The momentum transfer dependence of the S-wave multipoles at threshold, E0+ and L0+, is calculated in the chiral limit using light-cone sum rules. Predictions for the cross sections in the threshold region are given taking into account P-wave contributions that, as we argue, are model independent to a large extent. The results are compared with the SLAC E136 data on the structure function F2(W,Q2) in the threshold region.
STT-RAM Buffer Design for Precision-Tunable General-Purpose Neural Network Accelerator

Multilevel spin toque transfer RAM (STT-RAM) is a suitable storage device for energy-efficient neural network accelerators (NNAs), which relies on large-capacity on-chip memory to support brain-inspired large-scale learning models from conventional artificial neural networks to current popular deep convolutional neural networks. In this paper, we investigate the application of multilevel STT-RAM to general-purpose NNAs. First, the error-resilience feature of neural networks is leveraged to tolerate the read/write reliability issue in multilevel cell STT-RAM using approximate computing. The induced read/write failures at the expense of higher storage density can be effectively masked by a wide spectrum of NN applications with intrinsic forgiveness. Second, we present a precision-tunable STT-RAM buffer for the popular general-purpose NNA. The targeted STT-RAM memory design is able to transform between multiple working modes and adaptable to meet the varying quality constraint of approximate applications. Lastly, the reconfigurable STT-RAM buffer not only enables precision scaling in NNA but also provides adaptiveness to the demand for different learning models with distinct working-set sizes. Particularly, we demonstrate the concept of capacity/precision-tunable STT-RAM memory with the emerging reconfigurable deep NNA and elaborate on the data mapping and storage mode switching policy in STT-RAM memory to achieve the best energy efficiency of approximate computing.
Glass Transition Behaviour of PMMA/PVA Incompatible Blend

Dynamic viscoelastic properties and morphology of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) blend prepared by melt kneading was investigated. These solubility parameter values differ greatly. Two kinds of PVA with saponification degrees of 88 and 98 mol. % were used. Micrometre-order domains were observed by scanning electron microscopy for 88 mol. % PVA, whereas no clear domain was observed for 98 mol. %. Both the blends were incompatible systems because two loss modulus peaks based on PMMA and PVA were observed by dynamic mechanical analysis. The loss modulus peak based on the PMMA-rich phase was higher than that of pure PMMA; the increase of the corresponding glass transition temperature (Tg) caused by blending was more remarkable for 98 mol. % PVA than 88 mol. %. It was thought that the intermolecular interaction of OH group in PVA and carbonyl group in PMMA caused the increase in Tg, but no clear evidence of the interaction for the blend was observed by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. The poly(vinyl acetate)/PMMA blend was incompatible. The unsaponificated vinyl acetate unit in PVA decreased the interaction between PMMA and PVA. This is the reason why the effect of Tg rising was lower for 88 mol. % PVA than for 98 mol. %.
Neurospora chromosomes are organized by blocks of importin alpha-dependent heterochromatin that are largely independent of H3K9me3

Eukaryotic genomes are organized into chromatin domains with three-dimensional arrangements that presumably result from interactions between the chromatin constituents—proteins, DNA, and RNA—within the physical constraints of the nucleus. We used chromosome conformation capture (3C) followed by high-throughput sequencing (Hi-C) with wild-type and mutant strains of Neurospora crassa to gain insight into the role of heterochromatin in the organization and function of the genome. We tested the role of three proteins thought to be important for establishment of heterochromatin, namely, the histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase DIM-5, Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1), which specifically binds to the product of DIM-5 (trimethylated H3 lysine 9 [H3K9me3]), and DIM-3 (importin alpha), which is involved in DIM-5 localization. The average genome configuration of the wild-type strain revealed strong intra- and inter-chromosomal associations between both constitutive and facultative heterochromatic domains, with the strongest interactions among the centromeres, subtelomeres, and interspersed heterochromatin. Surprisingly, loss of either H3K9me3 or HP1 had only mild effects on heterochromatin compaction, whereas dim-3 caused more drastic changes, specifically decreasing interactions between constitutive heterochromatic domains. Thus, associations between heterochromatic regions are a major component of the chromosome conformation in Neurospora, but two widely studied key heterochromatin proteins are not necessary, implying that undefined protein factors play key roles in maintaining overall chromosome organization.
Characterization of carbapenem resistance mechanisms and in vitro synergistic activity of colistin plus meropenem in carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Sort Running Title : CRKP and colistin-meropenem synergy

1 Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2 Chair of Medical and Molecular Genetics Research, Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Po Box 10219, Riyadh 11433, Saudi Arabia. $ Equally contributed Corresponding Author Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department. , College of Applied Medical Sciences. , King Saud University. , Riyadh. , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. , P. O. Box 10219. , Riyadh 11433. , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel: +9661-4696022. , Fax: +966-1-4693736. , Mobile: +966-505 477409 E-mail: dr.mmarieali@gmail.com
Dysautonomia and cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

Nonmotor symptoms have recently become a focus of renewed clinical interest and research in Parkinson's disease (PD). Autonomic and cognitive dysfunction are among the most prevalent of these nonmotor aspects of the disease. Although exact clinico‐pathological correlations have not been established, α‐synuclein pathology with Lewy body formation in the central and peripheral autonomic nervous system as well as in neocortical areas are generally believed to be driving factors for autonomic failure and cognitive decline in PD. Recent pathological and clinical studies have suggested greater prevalence of clinical dysautonomia and cardiac sympathetic denervation in PD dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies as compared with PD without dementia. This raises the possibility that spread of synuclein pathology to involve neocortical areas producing cognitive decline could be somehow linked to involvement of the autonomic nervous system in PD. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
A Transverse and Longitudinal MR Imaging Voxel-Based Morphometry Study in Patients with Primary Cervical Dystonia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Findings of standard MR imaging examinations are usually normal in primary CD. These findings are now increasingly challenged by studies using advanced neuroimaging techniques detecting abnormalities in brain areas that may be functionally involved in the pathophysiology of CD. Our purpose was to evaluate GM volumes in patients with CD at baseline and 5 years later. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 19 patients (F/M = 15:4, mean age = 53.2 + 11.2 years), 12 of whom were studied at baseline and again approximately 5 years later. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers acted as controls (F/M = 17:11, mean age = 47.5 + 15.6 years). The subjects were imaged with a 1.5T scanner by using a 3D T1-weighted sequence on 150 contiguous axial 1-mm-thick sections to apply VBM. RESULTS: At entry, VBM analysis disclosed significantly lower GM volumes in the left caudate head and putamen and in the premotor and primary sensorimotor cortices bilaterally in patients than in controls. No correlation was found between decreased GM volumes and patient age, severity of dystonia, or disease duration. At the 5-year follow-up, GM volumes in the left primary sensorimotor cortex in patients had decreased significantly from baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The findings obtained at entry and after a 5-year follow-up consistently showed decreased caudate, putamen, and sensorimotor cortex GM volumes in patients with CD, and they probably play a pathophysiologic role in CD.