Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunoepidemiology of the equine tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata: age-intensity profile and age-dependency of antibody subtype responses

The equine intestinal cestode Anoplocephala perfoliata has been the subject of recent epidemiological and immunological studies because of its suspected association with intestinal disease in the horse. We have previously shown that the IgG(T) subtype antibody response to the 12/13 kDa component of the parasite excretory/secretory (E/S) antigen is positively correlated with parasite intensity. In this study, we utilize that correlation to examine the changes in natural infection intensity with age. Infection intensity based on IgG(T) responses showed a triphasic age-dependency pattern with peak mean worm burden in the 6 months–2 years age group, falling to a lower plateau level from 3 to 15 years, and rising again in older age groups. Anti-E/S total IgG was found to have a convex age-dependency curve, with maximal response in the 6 months–2 years old age group. IgG(a) showed a triphasic response similar to the age-intensity profile of IgG(T); IgG(c) showed steadily increasing levels of antibody with age. The IgG(b) age-dependency profile was intermediate between IgG(a) and IgG(c). Age-specific correlation coefficients between anti-12/13 kDa IgG(T) (as a measure of infection intensity) and IgG(a) and IgG(b) revealed statistically significant values for many age groups. The relative importance of exposure to infection and the development of acquired immunity as determinants of the observed age-intensity pattern is considered.
A new, fast, and efficient image codec based on set partitioning in hierarchical trees

Embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) coding, introduced by Shapiro (see IEEE Trans. Signal Processing, vol.41, no.12, p.3445, 1993), is a very effective and computationally simple technique for image compression. We offer an alternative explanation of the principles of its operation, so that the reasons for its excellent performance can be better understood. These principles are partial ordering by magnitude with a set partitioning sorting algorithm, ordered bit plane transmission, and exploitation of self-similarity across different scales of an image wavelet transform. Moreover, we present a new and different implementation based on set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT), which provides even better performance than our previously reported extension of EZW that surpassed the performance of the original EZW. The image coding results, calculated from actual file sizes and images reconstructed by the decoding algorithm, are either comparable to or surpass previous results obtained through much more sophisticated and computationally complex methods. In addition, the new coding and decoding procedures are extremely fast, and they can be made even faster, with only small loss in performance, by omitting entropy coding of the bit stream by the arithmetic code.
Key factors influencing mechanical performance of dual phase steel resistance spot welds

Quasi-static tensile shear mechanical properties of resistance spot welds of three dual phase (DP) grades including DP600, DP780 and DP980 are investigated. Results showed that weld fusion zone size, failure mode and the strength/ductility of failure location are the main factors governing the peak load and the energy absorption of spot welds. Heat affected zone (HAZ) softening plays an important role in mechanical properties of DP steels with higher volume fraction of martensite (i.e. DP780 and DP980). It was shown that the peak load of the spot welds is not proportionally correlated to the tensile strength of the base metal. Pronounced HAZ softening in DP980 resulted in reducing its tendency to fail in interfacial failure mode in comparison to DP780. In addition, despite its lower base metal ductility, DP980 weld exhibits enhanced ductility and energy absorption than DP780 due to its pronounced HAZ softening.
Processing and banding in AA2524 and AA2024 friction stir welding

An attempt has been made to clarify the relationship between the periodicity of process parameters and that of the micro-/mesostructural banding in friction stir welding (FSW). The oscillation of FSW parameters was measured and analysed during baseline experiments without welding and during a series of FSW of AA2524 and AA2024 aluminium alloys; the banded structures in all the welds were also characterised. It is found that independent of the tool runout, there are well defined periodic variations in the process forces, the translational resistance force F x) and Z axis force F z of the welding tool in all joints. The measured band spacing is closely correlated with the oscillation period of process forces F x and F z, exerted on and by the welding tool. The direct and consistent relationship observed between periodicity in variation of F x and F z and the metallurgical structure, e.g. grain size, particle distribution, band width and microhardness, indicate that the formation of banded structures in FSW joints is related to the periodic variation of welding parameters.
A Mono-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate Hydrolase from a Gordonia sp. That Is Able To Dissimilate Di-2-Ethylhexyl Phthalate

ABSTRACT Gordonia sp. strain P8219, a strain able to decompose di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, was isolated from machine oil-contaminated soil. Mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate hydrolase was purified from cell extracts of this strain. This enzyme was a 32,164-Da homodimeric protein, and it effectively hydrolyzed monophthalate esters, such as monoethyl, monobutyl, monohexyl, and mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate. The Km and Vmax values for mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate were 26.9 ± 4.3 μM and 18.1 ± 0.9 μmol/min · mg protein, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the enzyme exhibited less than 30% homology with those of meta-cleavage hydrolases which are serine hydrolases but exhibited no significant homology with the sequences of serine esterases. The pentapeptide motif GXSXG, which is conserved in serine hydrolases, was present in the sequence. The enzymatic properties and features of the primary structure suggested that this enzyme is a novel enzyme belonging to an independent group of serine hydrolases.
Widespread reductions of cortical thickness in schizophrenia and spectrum disorders and evidence of heritability.

CONTEXT Schizophrenia is a brain disorder with predominantly genetic risk factors, and previous research has identified heritable cortical and subcortical reductions in local brain volume. To our knowledge, cortical thickness, a measure of particular interest in schizophrenia, has not previously been evaluated in terms of its heritability in relationship to risk for schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE To quantify the distribution and heritability of cortical thickness changes in schizophrenia. DESIGN We analyzed a large sample of normal controls, affected patients, and unaffected siblings using a surface-based approach. Cortical thickness was compared between diagnosis groups on a surfacewide node-by-node basis. Heritability related to disease risk was assessed in regions derived from an automated cortical parcellation algorithm by calculating the Risch lambda. SETTING Research hospital. PARTICIPANTS One hundred ninety-six normal controls, 115 affected patients with schizophrenia, and 192 unaffected siblings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Regional cortical thickness. RESULTS Node-by-node mapping statistics revealed widespread thickness reductions in the patient group, most pronouncedly in the frontal lobe and temporal cortex. Unaffected siblings did not significantly differ from normal controls at the chosen conservative threshold. Risch lambda analysis revealed widespread evidence for heritability for cortical thickness reductions throughout the brain. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the present study provides the first evidence of broadly distributed and heritable reductions of cortical thickness alterations in schizophrenia. However, since only trend-level reductions of thickness were observed in siblings, cortical thickness per se (at least as measured by this approach) is not a strong intermediate phenotype for schizophrenia.
Ventricular blood pressures and competency of valves in the early embryonic chick heart

By direct ventricular puncture involving use of a micro‐pipette and water manometer the ventricular blood pressures of 81 chick embryos ranging in age from 2 to 7 days of age were obtained. The mean ventricular diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressures in millimeter of water (given in the order) were as follows: 5 ± 1.4; 21 ± 2.4 and 10 ± 1.4 in two day hearts, 10 ± 1.58; 27± 6.68 and 14 ± 14.32 in three day hearts; 14± 1.41; 39 ± 6.22 and 19± 2.39 in four day hearts; 17 ± 5.89; 63 ± 15.49 and 32 ± 12.08 in five day hearts; 5.45 ± 8.59; 74 ± 17.94 ± and 34 16.76 in six day hearts. At seven days the mean ventricular diastolic pressure was 1.33 ± 2.36 mm of water.
Three-dimensional multiphysical model for the study of photo-induced thermal effects in laser damage phenomena

Nano-sized absorbing defects take a part in the initiation of laser damage phenomena, especially in the nanosecond range of pulse duration. A special interest has been devoted to the modeling of photo-induced thermal effects in optical components. In this paper we present a 3D model based on the FEM method (Finite Elements Method) which allows the calculation of 3D temperature distribution in nanostructures with complex geometries irradiated by a laser. We present examples of application of the method in the field of laser damage. The purpose of these examples is to show the relevance of taking into account as precisely as possible the full opto-thermal and geometric characteristics of a system.
Real-Time Reliable Multicast Using Proactive Forward Error Correction TITLE2:

Real-Time reliable multicast over a best-effort service network remains a challenging research problem. Most protocols for reliable multicast use repair techniques that result in significant and variable delay, which can lead to missed deadlines in real-time scenarios. This paper presents a repair technique that combines forward error correction (FEC) with automatic repeat request (ARQ). The novel aspect of the technique is its ability to reduce delay in reliable multicast delivery by sending repairs proactively (i.e., before they are required). The technique requires minimal state at senders and receivers, and no additional active router functionality beyond what is required by the current multicast service model. Furthermore, the technique uses only end-to-end mechanisms, where all data and repairs are transmitted by the data-originating source, leaving receivers free from any burden of sending repairs. We simulate a simple round-based version of a protocol embodying this technique to show its effectiveness in preventing repair request implosion, reducing the expected time of reliable delivery of data, and keeping bandwidth usage for repairs low. We show how a protocol using the technique can be adapted to provide delivery that is reliable before a real-time deadline with probabilities extremely close to one. Finally, we develop several variations of the protocol that use the technique in various fashions for high rate data streaming applications, and present results from additional simulations that examine performance in a variety of Internet-like heterogeneous networks.
Multiple Watermarking Scheme for Image Authentication and Copyright Protection using Wavelet based Texture Properties and Visual Cryptography

Advancement in communication medium is producing large volume of digital information which needs to be protected. Watermarking is a technique that is used to hide secret signal into digital signal in a manner that does not reduce overall quality of the original signal. In relation to digital image watermarking, another area that is drawing attention is the multiple watermarking, where more than one watermark is embedded into single multimedia object. Multiple watermarks are normally proposed as a method to provide extra security to an image by embedding two or more secret messages into the cover image. In the present research work, the concept of multiple watermarking is used to hide both copyright and authentication information into a color image. For this purpose a wavelet transformation based on texture properties and secret sharing us ing visual cryptography is used. Experimental results indicate that the proposed watermarking scheme is highly robust and does not degrade the original signal. General Terms Steganography, Cryptography, Watermarking.
Reduced mechanical efficiency in left‐ventricular trabeculae of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Long‐term systemic arterial hypertension, and its associated compensatory response of left‐ventricular hypertrophy, is fatal. This disease leads to cardiac failure and culminates in death. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is an excellent animal model for studying this pathology, suffering from ventricular failure beginning at about 18 months of age. In this study, we isolated left‐ventricular trabeculae from SHR‐F hearts and contrasted their mechanoenergetic performance with those from nonfailing SHR (SHR‐NF) and normotensive Wistar rats. Our results show that, whereas the performance of the SHR‐F differed little from that of the SHR‐NF, both SHR groups performed less stress‐length work than that of Wistar trabeculae. Their lower work output arose from reduced ability to produce sufficient force and shortening. Neither their heat production nor their enthalpy output (the sum of work and heat), particularly the energy cost of Ca2+ cycling, differed from that of the Wistar controls. Consequently, mechanical efficiency (the ratio of work to change of enthalpy) of both SHR groups was lower than that of the Wistar trabeculae. Our data suggest that in hypertension‐induced left‐ventricular hypertrophy, the mechanical performance of the tissue is compromised such that myocardial efficiency is reduced.
Active-Site Residues in the Type IV Prepilin Peptidase Homologue PibD from the Archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus

ABSTRACT Archaeal preflagellin peptidases and bacterial type IV prepilin peptidases belong to a family of aspartic acid proteases that cleave the leader peptides of precursor proteins with type IV prepilin signal sequences. The substrate repertoire of PibD from the crenarchaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus is unusually diverse. In addition to flagellin, PibD cleaves three sugar-binding proteins unique to this species and a number of proteins with unknown function. Here we demonstrate that PibD contains two aspartic acid residues that are essential for cleavage activity. An additional pair of aspartic acids in a large cytoplasmic loop is also important for function and is possibly involved in leader peptide recognition. Combining the results of transmembrane segment predictions and cysteine-labeling experiments, we suggest a membrane topology model for PibD with the active-site aspartic acid residues exposed to the cytosol.
Multi-level cell Spin Transfer Torque MRAM based on stochastic switching

Spin Transfer Torque Magnetic Random Access Memory (STT-MRAM) provides a promising pathway for the next generation of non-volatile memory and logic chips. The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) nanopillar provides high thermal stability and low critical current. However, the STT switching mechanism of MTJ has been revealed intrinsically stochastic, which results from the unavoidable thermal fluctuations of magnetization. This phenomenon affects deeply the reliability of hybrid CMOS/MTJ interface circuits and drives important power overhead. In this paper, we present a multilevel cell (MLC) STT-MRAM benefiting from the stochastic behaviors. It allows not only higher storage density, but also reduces the programming power and delay. This new cell can be also used as electrical synapse to build up neuromorphic computing systems or other biological networks. Monte-Carlo statistical simulations based on a 40 nm technology node have been carried out to validate its functionality and demonstrate its performance.
Linking neuroscientific research on decision making to the educational context of novice students assigned to a multiple-choice scientific task involving common misconceptions about electrical circuits

Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to identify the brain-based mechanisms of uncertainty and certainty associated with answers to multiple-choice questions involving common misconceptions about electric circuits. Twenty-two scientifically novice participants (humanities and arts college students) were asked, in an fMRI study, whether or not they thought the light bulbs in images presenting electric circuits were lighted up correctly, and if they were certain or uncertain of their answers. When participants reported that they were unsure of their responses, analyses revealed significant activations in brain areas typically involved in uncertainty (anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula cortex, and superior/dorsomedial frontal cortex) and in the left middle/superior temporal lobe. Certainty was associated with large bilateral activations in the occipital and parietal regions usually involved in visuospatial processing. Correct-and-certain answers were associated with activations that suggest a stronger mobilization of visual attention resources when compared to incorrect-and-certain answers. These findings provide insights into brain-based mechanisms of uncertainty that are activated when common misconceptions, identified as such by science education research literature, interfere in decision making in a school-like task. We also discuss the implications of these results from an educational perspective.
Emulation as an Integrating Principle for Cognition

Emulations, defined as ongoing internal representations of potential actions and the futures those actions are expected to produce, play a critical role in directing human bodily activities. Studies of gross motor behavior, perception, allocation of attention, response to errors, interoception, and homeostatic activities, and higher cognitive reasoning suggest that the proper execution of all these functions relies on emulations. Further evidence supports the notion that reinforcement learning in humans is aimed at updating emulations, and that action selection occurs via the advancement of preferred emulations toward realization of their action and environmental prediction. Emulations are hypothesized to exist as distributed active networks of neurons in cortical and sub-cortical structures. This manuscript ties together previously unrelated theories of the role of prediction in different aspects of human information processing to create an integrated framework for cognition.
Emotion Understanding in Preschool Children with Mild-to-Severe Hearing Loss

Abstract Deaf and hard of hearing school-aged children are at risk for delayed development of emotion understanding; however, little is known about this during the preschool years. We compared the level of emotion understanding in a group of 35 4–5-year-old children who use hearing aids to that of 130 children with typical hearing. Moreover, we investigated the parents’ perception of their child's level of emotion understanding. Children were assessed with the Test of Emotion Comprehension. Parents were presented with the same test and asked to guess what their child answered on each item. The results showed that children with hearing loss performed at the same level as typically hearing children, despite having lower vocabulary scores. Parents of children with hearing loss were more accurate in their estimations of their child's competence, and higher accuracy was associated with better emotion understanding. These findings may have implications for early intervention planning.
Antenna Grouping Based Feedback Compression for FDD-Based Massive MIMO Systems

Recent works on massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) have shown that a potential breakthrough in capacity gains can be achieved by deploying a very large number of antennas at the base station. In order to achieve the performance that massive MIMO systems promise, accurate transmit-side channel state information (CSI) should be available at the base station. While transmit-side CSI can be obtained by employing channel reciprocity in time division duplexing (TDD) systems, explicit feedback of CSI from the user terminal to the base station is needed for frequency division duplexing (FDD) systems. In this paper, we propose an antenna grouping based feedback reduction technique for FDD-based massive MIMO systems. The proposed algorithm, dubbed antenna group beamforming (AGB), maps multiple correlated antenna elements to a single representative value using predesigned patterns. The proposed method modifies the feedback packet by introducing the concept of a header to select a suitable group pattern and a payload to quantize the reduced dimension channel vector. Simulation results show that the proposed method achieves significant feedback overhead reduction over conventional approach performing the vector quantization of whole channel vector under the same target sum rate requirement.
Solving string constraints lazily

Decision procedures have long been a fixture in program analysis, and reasoning about string constraints is a key element in many program analyses and testing frameworks. Recent work on string analysis has focused on providing decision procedures that model string operations. Separating string analysis from its client applications has important and familiar benefits: it enables the independent improvement of string analysis tools and it saves client effort. We present a constraint solving algorithm for equations over string variables. We focus on scalability with regard to the size of the input constraints. Our algorithm performs an explicit search for a satisfying assignment; the search space is constructed lazily based on an automata representation of the constraints. We evaluate our approach by comparing its performance with that of existing string decision procedures. Our prototype is, on average, several orders of magnitude faster than the fastest existing implementation
HIGHLIGHTED TOPIC Fatigue Mechanisms Determining Exercise Performance Impaired calcium release during fatigue

Allen DG, Lamb GD, Westerblad H. Impaired calcium release during fatigue. J Appl Physiol 104: 296 –305, 2008. First published October 25, 2007; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00908. 2007. —Impaired calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) has been identified as a contributor to fatigue in isolated skeletal muscle fibers. The functional importance of this phenomenon can be quantified by the use of agents, such as caffeine, which can increase SR Ca release during fatigue. A number of possible mechanisms for impaired calcium release have been proposed. These include reduction in the amplitude of the action potential, potentially caused by extracellular K accumulation, which may reduce voltage sensor activation but is counteracted by a number of mechanisms in intact animals. Reduced effectiveness of SR Ca channel opening is caused by the fall in intracellular ATP and the rise in Mg concentrations that occur during fatigue. Reduced Ca available for release within the SR can occur if inorganic phosphate enters the SR and precipitates with Ca . Further progress requires the development of methods that can identify impaired SR Ca release in intact, bloodperfused muscles and that can distinguish between the various mechanisms proposed.