Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ON-pathway dysfunction and timing properties of the flicker ERG in carriers of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE Carriers of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) frequently show prolonged implicit times of the flicker electroretinogram (ERG). This study tested the hypothesis that a preferential response attenuation within the cone depolarizing (ON) bipolar cell (DBC) pathway is a major contributing factor. METHODS Light-adapted, full-field ERGs were recorded from 10 XLRP carriers and 12 visually normal control subjects. Fundamental amplitudes and phases of ERG responses to sinusoidally flickering stimuli at temporal frequencies ranging from 8 to 96 Hz were analyzed within the framework of a recent vector summation model of the cone system ERG to test for evidence of a response attenuation within the DBC pathway. In addition, ERG responses to sawtooth flicker were examined for a reduced b- to d-wave amplitude ratio, indicative of ON pathway dysfunction. RESULTS The carriers' fundamental response phases at 32 Hz correlated significantly with their log ratios of response amplitudes at 32 versus 12 Hz (r = 0.89, P < 0.001) and with their log b- to d-wave amplitude ratios (r = 0.71, P < 0.05), both of which were used as indices of response attenuation within the DBC pathway. A control experiment demonstrated that a reduced sensitivity of cone phototransduction made at most only a minimal contribution to the timing changes in the carriers' flicker ERG responses. CONCLUSIONS The overall pattern of results indicates that a preferential response attenuation within the DBC pathway is the primary source of timing changes in the flicker ERGs of these carriers of XLRP. These findings illustrate the value of analyzing ERG responses to flickering stimuli at multiple temporal frequencies to evaluate mechanisms of disease action in photoreceptor degenerations.
Clinical Applicability and Cutoff Values for an Unstructured Neuropsychological Assessment Protocol for Older Adults with Low Formal Education

Background and Objectives The neuropsychological exam plays a central role in the assessment of elderly patients with cognitive complaints. It is particularly relevant to differentiate patients with mild dementia from those subjects with mild cognitive impairment. Formal education is a critical factor in neuropsychological performance; however, there are few studies that evaluated the psychometric properties, especially criterion related validity, neuropsychological tests for patients with low formal education. The present study aims to investigate the validity of an unstructured neuropsychological assessment protocol for this population and develop cutoff values for clinical use. Methods and Results A protocol composed by the Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Frontal Assessment Battery, Category and Letter Fluency, Stick Design Test, Clock Drawing Test, Digit Span, Token Test and TN-LIN was administered to 274 older adults (96 normal aging, 85 mild cognitive impairment and 93 mild Alzheimer`s disease) with predominantly low formal education. Factor analysis showed a four factor structure related to Executive Functions, Language/Semantic Memory, Episodic Memory and Visuospatial Abilities, accounting for 65% of explained variance. Most of the tests showed a good sensitivity and specificity to differentiate the diagnostic groups. The neuropsychological protocol showed a significant ecological validity as 3 of the cognitive factors explained 31% of the variance on Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Conclusion The study presents evidence of the construct, criteria and ecological validity for this protocol. The neuropsychological tests and the proposed cutoff values might be used for the clinical assessment of older adults with low formal education.
Optimal Software Pipelining with Rational Initiation Interval

We present a new approach to the loop scheduling problem with limited resources, known as software pipelining. The aproach improves previous solutions with regard to two important aspects: The initiation interval is treated as a rational variable, and the determination of it is an integral part of the solution. So far, was treated as an integer, or as a fraction of two separate integers which were held constant during optimization. Compared to previous research, our solution can provide significantly faster loop schedules, and a great reduction of the problem’s complexity and solution time. The approach supports heterogeneous processor architectures and pipelined functional units. The implementation of our approach as a single Integer Linear Program guarantees to attain the optimum loop schedule.
A Generalized Transmit and Receive Diversity Condition for Feedback-Assisted MIMO Systems: Theory and Applications in Full-Duplex Spatial Modulation

It is widely exploited that the feedback-assisted multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, which rely on channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter not only improve the spectral efficiency but also increase the attainable diversity gains. Owing to the limited bandwidth of the feedback channel, it is impractical to feed back perfect CSI or the transmit precoding (TPC) matrix to be used by the transmitter. This issue has been studied for over a decade now and it is addressed by feeding the TPC codeword index back to the transmitter. In this paper, we derive the conditions to be satisfied by the transmit and receive codebooks (TCBs and RCBs) for achieving full transmit and receive diversity gains. Furthermore, based on the conditions derived, we propose several RCBs by exploiting the properties of circulant matrices constructed with the aid of Cyclotomic polynomials. The proposed RCBs are shown to offer several benefits when employed in full-duplex (FD) spatial modulation (SM) systems, which include: 1) reduced hardware complexity of the self-interference (SI) cancellation circuitry, 2) robustness to SI, 3) maintain the diversity gain in the face of strong line-of-sight (LoS) channels. Furthermore, we study the performance of the proposed RCBs in an emerging drone communication scenario where several drones act as FD relays. Our simulation results show that the proposed RCBs indeed do attain the diversity gains predicted by our theoretical results.
Expression of the rig gene in mouse oocytes and early embryos

A clone selected from a two‐cell mouse embryo cDNA library has been sequenced and identified as rig cDNA. The rig gene codes for a highly conserved nuclear protein, which may have a general role in cell growth or replication (Shiga et al.: Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87:3594, 1990). The quantitative changes in rig mRNA were studied in blot hybridization experiments with total RNA from oocytes and early embryos. The amount and relative abundance of rig mRNA change considerably during early development. There are about 1.6 × 104 rig mRNA molecules in a late growth‐stage oocyte; this number is reduced to about one‐tenth in the ovulated egg but increases about twenty‐fold during cleavage through the blastocyst stage. In F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, the relative abundance of rig mRNA is similar to that in blastocysts (about 0.1% of the mRNA population), but it is about eight‐fold higher in the mouse myeloma cell line MOPC‐104E. The high level of rig mRNA in late growth‐stage oocytes suggests that the rig gene product may be important for cverall transcriptional activity rather than DNA replication and mitosis. Alternatively, the rig protein may be a storage product of oogenesis and have a role in the initiation of development.
Adjusting the Borders: Bisexual Passing and Queer Theory

Fluidity is a term sometimes used in reference to bisexual identity, thus positioning sexuality as an adaptive, evolving set of behaviors performed to constitute alternately straightness or queerness. Part of the speciousness of using fluidity to describe bisexuality centers on the implication that heterosexuality and homosexuality occupy opposite ends of a psychological spectrum, leaving bisexuality vaguely straddling poles of identity, without specificity or intent. This article is predominantly concerned with the notion of intentionality in bisexual behavior and whether or not deliberate choices are made to participate in communities that identify as either straight or queer. Rather than framing this investigation in terms of whether or not sexuality itself is a choice, this article compares bisexuals who alternately engage in straight or queer practices in the context of passing, as when a person presents herself as an alternate race. Using personal narratives, theoretical works from Judith Butler, bell hooks and Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and drawing on descriptions of racial passing, I am interested in crafting psychological profiles of women who routinely perform their sexualities differently as part of belonging to and identifying with distinct communities of queerness and straightness.
An integrative analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in sport.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to propose a motivational sequence that integrates much of the intrinsic and extrinsic motivation literature in sport. The proposed motivational sequence: “Social Factors → Psychological Mediators → Types of Motivation → Consequences” is in line with self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan. 1985. 1991) and the Hierarchical model of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation (Vallerand, 1997). Using the sequence, it is first shown that the motivational impact of social factors inherent in sport, such as competition/cooperation, success/failure, and coaches' behaviors toward athletes, takes place through their influence on athletes' perceptions of autonomy, competence, and relatedness (i.e., the psychological mediators). Second, recent results are provided with respect to a new multidimensional measure (i.e., the Sport Motivation Scale; Pelletier et al., 1995) to assess the different types of athletes' motives. Third, we review findings that suggest that such sport motives lead .
Mistaking Brazil for a Middle Power

This paper argues that Brazil can only be classified as a middle power by engaging in what Sartori criticized as the process of conceptual stretching. Moreover, it is argued that Brazil neither sees itself as a middle power, nor conducts itself as one despite superficial appearances. After the context is set with a survey of thinking on middle power theory, attention is turned to explaining how Brazil might be mistaken for a middle power before explaining in more detail why the country is not one. Evidence is drawn from Brazil's multilateral engagement in institutions such as the WTO, the inter-American system, the NPT, and the wider context of global development. Ultimately the paper advises policy-makers and academics against using the concept of middle power as a conceptual guide or shortcut to understanding Brazil.
Magnitude and Correlates of Contraceptive Use among Females in Reproductive Age in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Despite its positive impact in reducing maternal and child mortality and morbidity, the utilization rate of contraceptives is unacceptably low in many developing countries including Ethiopia. This warrants the investigation of the contributing factors of this low utilization for appropriate interventions. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the magnitude and associated factors of contraceptive use in Arba Minch Zuria Woreda, Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2010 in 9 kebeles of Arba Minch Demographic and Health Development Program. Results: In this study, 28.3% of all women & 32.7% currently married were using any contraceptive methods during the time of the survey. Almost all current users were using modern methods; the most widely used method was injectable (24.2%) followed by implants (2.4%) and pills (1.3%). Current marital status, ethnicity, age, education, presence of radio set in the house hold and discussion about family planning in the last 6 month before the study with their partner were the independent predictors of contraceptive use. Conclusion: The contraceptive prevalence rate is promising but efforts should continue to further increase the contraceptive coverage especially on kebeles with low coverage by targeting men and misconceptions about family planning.
Timing of meltwater pulse 1a and climate responses to meltwater injections

The temporal relationship between meltwater pulse 1a (mwp-1a) and the climate history of the last deglaciation remains a subject of debate. By combining the Greenland Ice Core Project d18O ice core record on the new Greenland ice core chronology 2005 timescale with the U/Th-dated Barbados coral record, we conclusively derive that mwp-1a did not coincide with the sharp Bolling warming but instead with the abrupt cooling of the Older Dryas. To evaluate whether there is a relationship between meltwater injections, North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) formation, and climate change, we present a high-resolution record of NADW flow intensity from Eirik Drift through the last deglaciation. It indicates only a relatively minor 200-year weakening of NADW flow, coincident with mwp-1a. Our compilation of records also indicates that during Heinrich event 1 and the Younger Dryas there were no discernible sea level rises, and yet these periods were characterized by intense NADW slowdowns/shutdowns. Clearly, deepwater formation and climate are not simply controlled by the magnitude or rate of meltwater addition. Instead, our results emphasize that the location of meltwater pulses may be more important, with NADW formation being particularly sensitive to surface freshening in the Arctic/Nordic Seas.
Evaluation models and criteria of the quality of hospital websites: a systematic review study

Introduction Hospital websites are important tools in establishing communication and exchanging information between patients and staff, and thus should enjoy an acceptable level of quality. The aim of this study was to identify proper models and criteria to evaluate the quality of hospital websites. Methods This research was a systematic review study. The international databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, PubMed, Proquest, Ovid, Elsevier, Springer, and EBSCO together with regional database such as Magiran, Scientific Information Database, Persian Journal Citation Report (PJCR) and IranMedex were searched. Suitable keywords including website, evaluation, and quality of website were used. Full text papers related to the research were included. The criteria and sub criteria of the evaluation of website quality were extracted and classified. Results To evaluate the quality of the websites, various models and criteria were presented. The WEB-Q-IM, Mile, Minerva, Seruni Luci, and Web-Qual models were the designed models. The criteria of accessibility, content and apparent features of the websites, the design procedure, the graphics applied in the website, and the page’s attractions have been mentioned in the majority of studies. Conclusion The criteria of accessibility, content, design method, security, and confidentiality of personal information are the essential criteria in the evaluation of all websites. It is suggested that the ease of use, graphics, attractiveness and other apparent properties of websites are considered as the user-friendliness sub criteria. Further, the criteria of speed and accessibility of the website should be considered as sub criterion of efficiency. When determining the evaluation criteria of the quality of websites, attention to major differences in the specific features of any website is essential.
Many-molecule encapsulation by an icosahedral shell

We computationally study how an icosahedral shell assembles around hundreds of molecules. Such a process occurs during the formation of the carboxysome, a bacterial microcompartment that assembles around many copies of the enzymes ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase and carbonic anhydrase to facilitate carbon fixation in cyanobacteria. Our simulations identify two classes of assembly pathways leading to encapsulation of many-molecule cargoes. In one, shell assembly proceeds concomitantly with cargo condensation. In the other, the cargo first forms a dense globule; then, shell proteins assemble around and bud from the condensed cargo complex. Although the model is simplified, the simulations predict intermediates and closure mechanisms not accessible in experiments, and show how assembly can be tuned between these two pathways by modulating protein interactions. In addition to elucidating assembly pathways and critical control parameters for microcompartment assembly, our results may guide the reengineering of viruses as nanoreactors that self-assemble around their reactants. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.14078. 001
The family as model and metaphor in Caribbean migration to Britain

Abstract Until recently Caribbean migration has largely been viewed as a movement of labour, an approach which tended to exclude or marginalise the importance of historical, cultural and social influences in migration and settlement. This article is based on research conducted by Harry Goulbourne and Mary Chamberlain and financed by the ESRC on the evolution of Caribbean families in Britain. It explores the role of the family in Caribbean migration, and the impact of migration on the family. It suggests that while individuals migrated, the wider family were implicated in the endeavour either at the point of departure or destination. In the process, family values of support, obligation and responsibility were reinforced and continue to be retained across the oceans, and the generations. Cheap communications and the move towards return provides further opportunity for family contacts to be replenished and with that fresh opportunities for cultural retention. The family therefore provides (and has done so hi.
Anti-CD20 therapeutic antibody rituximab modifies the functional organization of rafts/microdomains of B lymphoma cells.

Incubation of Burkitt lymphoma-derived Raji cells at physiological temperature with submicromolar concentrations of humanized anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (RTX) redistributes CD20 to liquid-ordered, plasma membrane rafts. This accumulation of the CD20 tetraspan protein in rafts does not change the existing lipid and phosphoprotein composition but makes sphingolipids and the Src regulator Cbp/PAG (Csk-binding protein/phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomain) transmembrane phosphoprotein more resistant to n-octyl-beta-pyranoside, a detergent that dissociates sphingolipid clusters. On the contrary, sphingolipids and Cbp/PAG are not protected by the presence of CD20 against the disruptive effects of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, a cyclic carbohydrate that removes membrane cholesterol. After accumulation of CD20, the activity of the raft-associated Lyn kinase is down-regulated without apparent alteration of its relationship to substrates. Moreover, in rafts of lymphoblastoid cells that express lower amounts of Cbp/PAG, RTX redistributes CD20 to rafts but does not modulate the raft-associated protein tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting that the presence of Cbp/PAG protein in rafts is necessary for RTX to exert its transmembrane "signaling effects. " Lastly, redistribution of CD20 in rafts renders the glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-linked CD55 C'-defense protein hypersensitive to glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipases. By redistributing CD20 to rafts, RTX modifies their stability and organization and modulates the associated signaling pathways and C' defense capacity.
Major congenital malformations in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

The risk of major congenital malformations (MCM) is increased in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM). Whether this risk is increased in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is still debated. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review (and meta‐analysis) of major congenital malformations in women with gestational diabetes versus a reference population.
Input Bandwidth of Hot Electron Bolometer With Spiral Antenna

We report the results of our study of the input bandwidth of hot electron bolometers (HEB) embedded into the planar log-spiral antenna. The sensitive element is made of the ultrathin superconducting NbN film patterned as a bridge at the feed of the antenna. The contacts between the antenna and a sensitive element are made from in situ deposited gold (i.e., deposited over NbN film without breaking vacuum), which gives high quality contacts and makes the response of the HEB at higher frequencies less affected by the RF loss. An accurate experimental spectroscopic procedure is demonstrated that leads to the confirmation of the wide ( 8 THz) bandwidth in this antenna coupled device.
Clandestine Organizations, al Qaeda, and the Paradox of (In)Visibility: A Response to Stohl and Stohl

In a recent article published in this journal, Stohl and Stohl (2011) examine the phenomenon of clandestine organizations from a communication-centered perspective. The authors draw primarily on the work of the ‘Montreal School’ of organizational communication, which stresses the constitutive role of communication for organizations. In this response, we argue that the Stohls’ paper does not make full use of the paradigmatic turn that the Montreal School offers to organization studies. In our view, the authors overemphasize the role of communication among organizational members in the constitution of organizations. In contrast, we argue that organizations can also be ‘talked into existence’ by the communicative acts of third parties (e.g., the media), a view that is consistent with the Montreal School’s work. Moreover, drawing on the Stohls’ central example of the terrorist organization al Qaeda, we suggest that the attribute ‘clandestine’ does not capture the essence of that organization because it is characterized by extreme invisibility of its governance structures and by extreme visibility of its terrorist activities. We believe it is the reversion of the relation between invisibility and visibility that differentiates al Qaeda from legitimate organizations such as private businesses and ensures its perpetuation against all odds.
Structure elucidation and NMR assignments for two xanthone derivatives from a mangrove endophytic fungus (No. ZH19)

The structure elucidations and complete 1H and 13C NMR assignments are reported for two new xanthone derivatives: 1,7‐dihydroxy‐2‐methoxy‐3‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one (1) and 1‐hydroxy‐4,7‐dimethoxy‐6‐(3‐oxobutyl)‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one (2). Both of these secondary metabolites were isolated from the fermentation medium of a mangrove endophytic fungus (No. ZH19). High‐resolution electron impact mass spectrometry (HREIMS), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) absorption spectrometry, and NMR experiments including gCOSY, gHMQC, and gHMBC were used for the determination of the structures and NMR spectral assignments. Preliminary pharmacological test showed that compounds (1) and (2) inhibited KB cells with IC50 values of 20 and 35 µmol/ml, and KBV200 cells with IC50 values of 30 and 41 µmol/ml, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling Multilateral Negotiation in Linear Logic

We show how to embed a framework for multilateral negotiation, in which a group of agents implement a sequence of deals concerning the exchange of a number of resources, into linear logic. In this model, multisets of goods, allocations of resources, preferences of agents, and deals are all modelled as formulas of linear logic. Whether or not a proposed deal is rational, given the preferences of the agents concerned, reduces to a question of provability, as does the question of whether there exists a sequence of deals leading to an allocation with certain desirable properties, such as maximising social welfare. Thus, linear logic provides a formal basis for modelling convergence properties in distributed resource allocation.