Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two Dimensional Electrical Imaging of Quaternary Aquifer at Wadi Muraykhat and Wadi Sa’a, Al Ain Area, UAE

B052 TWO DIMENSIONAL ELECTRICAL IMAGING OF QUATERNARY AQUIFER AT WADI MURAYKHAT AND WADI SA’A AL AIN AREA UAE. Abstract 1 Wadi Muraykhat and Wadi Sa’a are of the main tributaries crossing east of Al Jaww Plain Al Ain area UAE. These wadies originate from the Oman Mountains range and form the catchment and feeding area of the water resources. From the hydrogeological point of view subsurface investigation of these wadis is very important for better understanding of the aquifer system water flow water quality and management of water pumping. Two-dimensional (2-D) electrical tomography survey has been implemented. Eleven (2-D) profiles
Functional MRI evidence for the importance of visual short‐term memory in logographic reading

Logographic symbols are visually complex, and thus children’s abilities for visual short‐term memory (VSTM) predict their reading competence in logographic systems. In the present study, we investigated the importance of VSTM in logographic reading in adults, both behaviorally and by means of fMRI. Outside the scanner, VSTM predicted logographic Kanji reading in native Japanese adults (n = 45), a finding consistent with previous observations in Japanese children. In the scanner, participants (n = 15) were asked to perform a visual one‐back task. For this fMRI experiment, we took advantage of the unique linguistic characteristic of the Japanese writing system, whereby syllabic Kana and logographic Kanji can share the same sound and meaning, but differ only in the complexity of their visual features. Kanji elicited greater activation than Kana in the cerebellum and two regions associated with VSTM, the lateral occipital complex and the superior intraparietal sulcus, bilaterally. The same regions elicited the highest activation during the control condition (an unfamiliar, unpronounceable script to the participants), presumably due to the increased VSTM demands for processing the control script. In addition, individual differences in VSTM performance (outside the scanner) significantly predicted blood oxygen level‐dependent signal changes in the identified VSTM regions, during the Kanji and control conditions, but not during the Kana condition. VSTM appears to play an important role in reading logographic words, even in skilled adults, as evidenced at the behavioral and neural level, most likely due to the increased VSTM/visual attention demands necessary for processing complex visual features inherent in logographic symbols.
A G1‐like state allows HIV‐1 to bypass SAMHD1 restriction in macrophages

An unresolved question is how HIV‐1 achieves efficient replication in terminally differentiated macrophages despite the restriction factor SAMHD1. We reveal inducible changes in expression of cell cycle‐associated proteins including MCM2 and cyclins A, E, D1/D3 in macrophages, without evidence for DNA synthesis or mitosis. These changes are induced by activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK kinase cascade, culminating in upregulation of CDK1 with subsequent SAMHD1 T592 phosphorylation and deactivation of its antiviral activity. HIV infection is limited to these G1‐like phase macrophages at the single‐cell level. Depletion of SAMHD1 in macrophages decouples the association between infection and expression of cell cycle‐associated proteins, with terminally differentiated macrophages becoming highly susceptible to HIV‐1. We observe both embryo‐derived and monocyte‐derived tissue‐resident macrophages in a G1‐like phase at frequencies approaching 20%, suggesting how macrophages sustain HIV‐1 replication in vivo. Finally, we reveal a SAMHD1‐dependent antiretroviral activity of histone deacetylase inhibitors acting via p53 activation. These data provide a basis for host‐directed therapeutic approaches aimed at limiting HIV‐1 burden in macrophages that may contribute to curative interventions.
The metabolic dynamics of cartilage explants over a long-term culture period

INTRODUCTION: Although previous studies have been performed on cartilage explant cultures, the generalized dynamics of cartilage metabolism after extraction from the host are still poorly understood due to differences in the experimental setups across studies, which in turn prevent building a complete picture. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the response of cartilage to the trauma sustained during extraction and determined the time needed for the cartilage to stabilize. Explants were extracted aseptically from bovine metacarpal-phalangeal joints and cultured for up to 17 days. RESULTS: The cell viability, cell number, proteoglycan content, and collagen content of the harvested explants were analyzed at 0, 2, 10, and 17 days after explantation. A high percentage of the cartilage explants were found to be viable. The cell density initially increased significantly but stabilized after two days. The proteoglycan content decreased gradually over time, but it did not decrease to a significant level due to leakage through the distorted peripheral collagen network and into the bathing medium. The collagen content remained stable for most of the culture period until it dropped abruptly on day 17. CONCLUSION: Overall, the tested cartilage explants were sustainable over long-term culture. They were most stable from day 2 to day 10. The degradation of the collagen on day 17 did not reach diseased levels, but it indicated the potential of the cultures to develop into degenerated cartilage. These findings have implications for the application of cartilage explants in pathophysiological fields.
Contrast sensitivity, spatial and temporal tuning of the larval zebrafish optokinetic response.

PURPOSE To characterize the quantitative properties of the optokinetic response (OKR) in zebrafish larvae as a tool to test visual performance in genetically modified larvae. METHODS Horizontal OKR was triggered in 5-day-old zebrafish larvae by stimulation with projected computer-generated gratings of varying contrast, angular velocity, temporal and spatial frequency, and brightness. Eye movements were analyzed by a custom-made eye tracker based on image analysis. RESULTS The gain of the OKR slow phase was dependent on angular velocity, spatial frequency, and contrast of a moving grating, but largely independent on brightness. Eye velocity was a logarithmically linear function of grating contrast with a slope of approximately 0.8 per log unit contrast. CONCLUSIONS The OKR of the larval zebrafish is not scaled for stimulus contrast and spatial frequency. These properties make the OKR a valuable tool to quantify behavioral visual performance such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and light adaptation. This behavioral paradigm will be useful for analyzing visual performance in mutant and gene-knockdown larval zebrafish.
A novel fine-grain track routing approach for routability and crosstalk optimization

As chip design complexity scales, completing routes of all nets has become a tough work under limited routing resources and increasing number of design rules. Besides, wirelength and crosstalk greatly affect the chip's performance. This paper presents a novel fine-grain track routing approach to optimize routability and crosstalk. The proposed track router is performed in a GRC-by-GRC fine-grain manner, which, along with efficient cost metrics, significantly improves the QOR in terms of total wirelength and routing completion rate. Heuristic approaches including dummy obstacle insertion and net jogging are proposed to optimize capacitive crosstalk. Experimental results are promising and show 100% routing completion rate with significant reduction of wirelength and total coupling capacitance, as well as no crosstalk violations.1
Transition from Dimers to Higher Oligomeric Forms Occurs during the ATPase Cycle of the ABCA1 Transporter*

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer and native PAGE analytical techniques were employed to assess the quaternary structure of ABCA1, an ATP binding cassette transporter playing a crucial role in cellular lipid handling. These experimental approaches support the conclusion that ABCA1 is associated in dimeric structures that undergo transition into higher order structures, i.e. tetramers, during the ATP catalytic cycle. Our data hence underline molecular assembly as a crucial parameter in ABCA1 function and the advantage of native PAGE as analytical tool for intractable membrane proteins.
Cardiomyopathy-Related Mutations in Cardiac Troponin C, L29Q and G159D, Have Divergent Effects on Rat Cardiac Myofiber Contractile Dynamics

Previous studies of cardiomyopathy-related mutations in cardiac troponin C (cTnC)—L29Q and G159D—have shown diverse findings. The link between such mutant effects and their divergent impact on cardiac phenotypes has remained elusive due to lack of studies on contractile dynamics. We hypothesized that a cTnC mutant-induced change in the thin filament will affect global myofilament mechanodynamics because of the interactions of thin filament kinetics with both Ca2+ binding and crossbridge (XB) cycling kinetics. We measured pCa-tension relationship and contractile dynamics in detergent-skinned rat cardiac papillary muscle fibers reconstituted with the recombinant wild-type rat cTnC (cTnCWT), cTnCL29Q, and cTnCG159D mutants. cTnCL29Q fibers demonstrated a significant decrease in Ca2+ sensitivity, but cTnCG159D fibers did not. Both mutants had no effect on Ca2+-activated maximal tension. The rate of XB recruitment dynamics increased in cTnCL29Q (26%) and cTnCG159D (25%) fibers. The rate of XB distortion dynamics increased in cTnCG159D fibers (15%). Thus, the cTnCL29Q mutant modulates the equilibrium between the non-cycling and cycling pool of XB by affecting the on/off kinetics of the regulatory units (Tropomyosin-Troponin); whereas, the cTnCG159D mutant increases XB cycling rate. Different effects on contractile dynamics may offer clue regarding how cTnCL29Q and cTnCG159D cause divergent effects on cardiac phenotypes.
Multilevel phase change memory cell model

This paper presents a Multilevel Phase Change Memory (MLPCM) cell model, the suggested model is MATLAB based and can accurately simulate the behavior of the cell in response to the programming input. The model calculates the resistance of the cell as a function of the crystalline fraction resulting from the temperature generated by the programming current; multiple resistance levels are achieved by controlling the programming pulse width. And the drift behaviour of amorphous and intermediate resistance levels is precisely evaluated by including the variance of the drift exponent as a function of resistance levels to the model.
A new computational model for human thyroid cancer enhances the preoperative diagnostic efficacy

Considering the high rate of missed diagnosis and delayed treatments for thyroid cancer, an effective systematic model for the differential diagnosis is highly needed. Thus we analyzed the data on the clinicopathological characteristics, routine laboratory tests and imaging examinations in a cohort of 13,980 patients with thyroid cancer to establish a new diagnostic model for differentiating thyroid cancer in clinical practice. Here, we randomly selected two-thirds of the population to develop the thyroid malignancy risk scoring system (TMRS) for preoperative differentiation between thyroid cancer and benignant thyroid diseases, and then validated its differential diagnostic power in the rest one-third population. The 18 predictors finally enrolled in the TMRS included male gender, clinical manifestations (fever, neck sore, neck lump, palpitations or sweating), laboratory findings (TSH>1.56mIU/L, FT3>5.85pmol/L, TPOAb>14.97IU/ml, TgAb>48.00IU/ml, Tg>34.59μg/L, Ct>64.00ng/L, and CEA>0.41μg/L), and ultrasound features (tumor number≤ 23mm, site, size, echo texture, margins, and shape of neck lymphnodes). The TMRS is validated to be well-calibrated (P = 0.437) and excellently discriminated (AUC = 0.93, 95% CI [0.92, 0.94]), with an accuracy of 83.2%, a sensitivity of 89.3%, a specificity of 81.5%, positive and negative predictive values of 56.8% and 96.6%, positive and negative likelihood ratios of 4.83 and 0.13 in the development cohort, respectively. The TMRS highlights that this differential diagnostic system could help provide accurate preoperative risk stratification for thyroid cancer, and avoid unnecessary over- and under-treatment for such patients.
Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Genes and Small-for-Gestational-Age Births: Interaction With Maternal Smoking

Background: Little is known about the role of xenobiotic-metabolizing gene variants as risk factors for small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births or as modifiers for the effects of exposures such as maternal smoking. Methods: We conducted 2 joint studies: a case–control design including 493 cases (birth weight below the 10th percentile according to gestational age and sex) and 472 controls (at or above the 10th percentile) and a family-based study (mother, father, and newborn) with approximately 250 case trios and a similar number of control trios. Logistic regression and a log-linear model were used to analyze the association between genetic variants such as CYP1A1*2A, CYP1A1*2B, CYP1A1*4, GSTT1, GSTM1, and XRCC3 and SGA. The interaction between genetic variants and maternal smoking was also studied. Results: The odds ratio (OR) for the association of complete maternal GSTT1 deletion with SGA was 0.63 (95% confidence interval = 0.41–0.97), and that for the complete newborn GSTM1 deletion was 0.74 (0.55–0.98). Newborns with the partial GSTT1 deletion had an OR of 1.40 (1.01–1.95), and newborns homozygous for CYP1A1*2A had an OR of 4.28 (1.02–18.0). These results were coherent with the trio-based results. Significant interactions were observed between maternal smoking in the third trimester and CYP1A1*2A (P = 0.03), XRCC3 (P = 0.03), and newborn GSTT1 (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Certain genetic variants involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics increase the risk of SGA, as well as modify the effects of maternal smoking by increasing or decreasing its risk.
Does Subacromial Osteolysis Affect Shoulder Function after Clavicle Hook Plating?

Purpose. To evaluate whether subacromial osteolysis, one of the major complications of the clavicle hook plate procedure, affects shoulder function. Methods. We had performed a retrospective study of 72 patients diagnosed with a Neer II lateral clavicle fracture or Degree-III acromioclavicular joint dislocation in our hospital from July 2012 to December 2013. All these patients had undergone surgery with clavicle hook plate and were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of subacromial osteolysis. By using the Constant-Murley at the first follow-up visit after plates removal, we evaluated patients' shoulder function to judge if it has been affected by subacromial osteolysis. Results. We have analyzed clinical data for these 72 patients, which shows that there is no significant difference between group A (39 patients) and group B (33 patients) in age, gender, injury types or side, and shoulder function (the Constant-Murley scores are 93.38 ± 3.56 versus 94.24 ± 3.60, P > 0.05). Conclusion. The occurrence of subacromial osteolysis is not rare, and also it does not significantly affect shoulder function.
Low Blood Long Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids in UK Children Are Associated with Poor Cognitive Performance and Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the DOLAB Study

Background Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), especially DHA (docosahexaenonic acid) are essential for brain development and physical health. Low blood Omega-3 LC-PUFA have been reported in children with ADHD and related behavior/learning difficulties, as have benefits from dietary supplementation. Little is known, however, about blood fatty acid status in the general child population. We therefore investigated this in relation to age-standardized measures of behavior and cognition in a representative sample of children from mainstream schools. Participants 493 schoolchildren aged 7–9 years from mainstream Oxfordshire schools, selected for below average reading performance in national assessments at age seven. Method Whole blood fatty acids were obtained via fingerstick samples. Reading and working memory were assessed using the British Ability Scales (II). Behaviour (ADHD-type symptoms) was rated using the revised Conners’ rating scales (long parent and teacher versions). Associations were examined and adjusted for relevant demographic variables. Results DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), accounted for only 1.9% and 0.55% respectively of total blood fatty acids, with DHA showing more individual variation. Controlling for sex and socio-economic status, lower DHA concentrations were associated with poorer reading ability (std. OLS coeff. = 0.09, p = <.042) and working memory performance (0.14, p = <.001). Lower DHA was also associated with higher levels of parent rated oppositional behavior and emotional lability (−0.175, p = <.0001 and −0.178, p = <.0001). Conclusions In these healthy UK children with below average reading ability, concentrations of DHA and other Omega-3 LC-PUFA were low relative to adult cardiovascular health recommendations, and directly related to measures of cognition and behavior. These findings require confirmation, but suggest that the benefits from dietary supplementation with Omega-3 LC-PUFA found for ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and related conditions might extend to the general school population.
The Evolutionary Sequence of Active Galactic Nuclei and Galaxy Formation Revealed

Today, almost every galaxy spheroid contains a massive black hole: a remnant of, and testament to, a period in its evolution when it contained an active galactic nucleus (AGN). However, the sequence and timescales of the formation of the black hole and surrounding spheroid of stars are completely unknown, leaving a large gap in our knowledge of how the universe attained its present appearance. Here we present submillimeter observations of matched samples of X-ray absorbed and unabsorbed AGNs that have luminosities and redshifts characteristic of the sources responsible for most of the mass in present-day black holes. Strong submillimeter emission, an isotropic signature of copious star formation, is found only in the X-ray-absorbed sample, ruling out orientation effects as the cause of the absorption. The space density and luminosity range of the X-ray-absorbed AGNs indicate that they are undergoing the transition between a hidden growth phase and an unabsorbed AGN phase and imply that the X-ray-absorbed period in the AGN's evolution coincides with the formation of the galaxy spheroid.
BOTTLENECK BASED MODELING OF SEMICONDUCTOR SUPPLY CHAINS

Supply chain planning is critical in semiconductor manufacturing with its expensive production facilities, expensive inventory and usually expensive logistics. Simulation provides a powerful technique to study supply chain dynamics and evaluate options for supply chain planning and control. However, detailed simulation models of semiconductor supply chain can be computationally quite intensive. One promising approach to reduce the computational and data collection effort for supply chain simulation is to model based on bottleneck stages in the process. This paper compares supply chain simulation results achieved using detailed modeling with those achieved using bottleneck based models. The results show that, subject to careful selection of bottleneck stages, bottleneck modeling provides quite close results to that of detailed modeling.
An Approach to Producing Space–Time Covariance Functions on Spheres

For space–time processes on global or large scales, it is critical to use models that respect the Earth's spherical shape. The covariance functions of such processes should be not only positive definite on sphere × time, but also capable of capturing the dynamics of the processes well. We develop space–time covariance functions on sphere × time that are flexible in producing space–time interactions, especially space–time asymmetries. Our idea is to consider a sum of independent processes in which each process is obtained by applying a first-order differential operator to a fully symmetric process on sphere × time. The resulting covariance functions can produce various types of space–time interactions and give different covariance structures along different latitudes. Our approach yields explicit expressions for the covariance functions, which has great advantages in computation. Moreover, it applies equally well to generating asymmetric space–time covariance functions on flat or other spatial domains. We study various characteristics of our new covariance functions, focusing on their space–time interactions. We apply our model to a dataset of total column ozone levels in the Northern hemisphere.
Nitric Oxide Synthase and NADPH Diaphorase Distribution in the Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) CNS: Pathways and Functional Implications

The gas nitric oxide (NO) is emerging as an important regulator of normal physiology and pathophysiology in the central nervous system (CNS). The distribution of cells releasing NO is poorly understood in non-mammalian vertebrates. Nitric oxide synthase immunocytochemistry (NOS ICC) was thus used to identify neuronal cells that contain the enzyme required for NO production in the amphibian brain and spinal cord. NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd) histochemistry was also used because the presence of NADPHd serves as a reliable indicator of nitrergic cells. Both techniques revealed stained cells in all major structures and pathways in the bullfrog brain. Staining was identified in the olfactory glomeruli, pallium and subpallium of the telencephalon; epithalamus, thalamus, preoptic area, and hypothalamus of the diencephalon; pretectal area, optic tectum, torus semicircularis, and tegmentum of the mesencephalon; all layers of the cerebellum; reticular formation; nucleus of the solitary tract, octaval nuclei, and dorsal column nuclei of the medulla; and dorsal and motor fields of the spinal cord. In general, NADPHd histochemistry provided better staining quality, especially in subpallial regions, although NOS ICC tended to detect more cells in the olfactory bulb, pallium, ventromedial thalamus, and cerebellar Purkinje cell layer. NOS ICC was also more sensitive for motor neurons and consistently labeled them in the vagus nucleus and along the length of the rostral spinal cord. Thus, nitrergic cells were ubiquitously distributed throughout the bullfrog brain and likely serve an essential regulatory function.