Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Monotonic Code for Sound Azimuth in Primate Inferior Colliculus

We investigated the format of the code for sound location in the inferior colliculi of three awake monkeys (Macaca mulatta). We found that roughly half of our sample of 99 neurons was sensitive to the free-field locations of broadband noise presented in the frontal hemisphere. Such neurons nearly always responded monotonically as a function of sound azimuth, with stronger responses for more contralateral sound locations. Few, if any, neurons had circumscribed receptive fields. Spatial sensitivity was broad: the proportion of the total sample of neurons responding to a sound at a given location ranged from 30 for ipsilateral locations to 80 for contralateral locations. These findings suggest that sound azimuth is represented via a population rate code of very broadly responsive neurons in primate inferior colliculi. This representation differs in format from the place code used for encoding the locations of visual and tactile stimuli and poses problems for the eventual convergence of auditory and visual or somatosensory signals. Accordingly, models for converting this representation into a place code are discussed.
Molecular mechanisms of Ellis-van Creveld gene variations in ventricular septal defect

The Ellis-van Creveld (EVC) gene is associated with various congenital heart diseases. However, studies on EVC gene variations in ventricular septal defect (VSD) and the underlying molecular mechanisms are sparse. The present study detected 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 65 patients with VSD and 210 control patients from the Chinese Han population. Of the identified SNPs only the c.1727G>A SNP site was positively associated with the development of VSD (P<0.007). A known mutation, c.343C>G, was also identified, which causes a leucine to valine substitution at amino acid 115 of the EVC protein (p.L115V). The results of functional prediction indicated that c.343C>G may be a pathogenic mutation. In addition, in NIH3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, the EVC c.343C>G mutation significantly decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Further investigation demonstrated that in NIH3T3 cells, overexpression of EVC c.343C>G mutation reduced the binding between EVC and smoothened, which further downregulated the activity of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway and the expression of downstream cyclin D1 and B-cell lymphoma 2 proteins with SAG. The c.1727G>A SNP of the EVC gene increased VSD susceptibility in patients from the Chinese Han population. The molecular mechanism underlying the development of VSD induced by the EVC c.343C>G mutation may be due to a reduction in the anti-apoptotic and proliferative abilities of cardiomyocytes via downregulation of Hh pathway activity. The results of the present study may provide novel targets for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with VSD.
Effect of Astragalus complanatus flavonoid on anti-liver fibrosis in rats.

AIM To observe the anti-liver fibrosis effect of Astragalus complanatus flavonoids (ACF) in rats. METHODS The liver fibrosis model in rats was established by injecting interperitoneally 0.2 mL/100 g 0.5% dimethylnitrosamine, thrice a week. Meanwhile, the rats were administered ACF (30, 60, 120 mg/kg) or colchicine (0.1 mg/kg) once a day for 1 mo. Serum N-propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) and type III procollagen (PIIINP) were measured using ELISA. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in hepatic tissue were evaluated. Matrix metal protease-1 (MMP-1) mRNA expression was assayed by RT-PCR and the protein expression of tissue inhibitor of metal protease-1 (TIMP-1) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In the ACF groups, SOD activity increased and MDA content decreased in comparison to the liver fibrosis model group. The serum PINP and PIIINP contents in ACF-2 and -3 group decreased compared to those in model group. In ACF-2 and -3 group, the expression of MMP-1 mRNA increased significantly and the protein expression of TIMP-1 decreased compared to that in model group. CONCLUSION The antifibrotic mechanisms of ACF are associated with its influence on lipid peroxidation and collagen synthesis and degradation.
Age-related cognitive decline: Can neural stem cells help us?

Several studies suggest that an increase in adult neurogenesis has beneficial effects on emotional behavior and cognitive performance including learning and memory. The observation that aging has a negative effect on the proliferation of neural stem cells has prompted several laboratories to investigate new systems to artificially increase neurogenesis in senescent animals as a means to compensate for age-related cognitive decline. In this review we will discuss the systemic, cellular, and molecular changes induced by aging and affecting the neurogenic niche at the level of neural stem cell proliferation, their fate change, neuronal survival, and subsequent integration in the neuronal circuitry. Particular attention will be given to those manipulations that increase neurogenesis in the aged brain as a potential avenue towards therapy.
Auditory-visual discrimination and identification of lexical tone within and across tone languages

The aim of this research is to investigate the general features of lexical tones that might contribute to their categorisation. Thai tones were presented for (a) discrimination and (b) identification by native Thai and non-native Mandarin tone language participants in auditory-only (AO), visual-only (VO) and auditory-visual (AV) conditions. Discrimination tests revealed: (i) good auditory and auditory-visual discrimination of tone pairs by Thai and Mandarin perceivers, (ii) significant contribution of visual information to tone discrimination in Thai and Mandarin perceivers; (iii) greater AV>AO augmentation at 1500 vs 500 ms interstimulus interval (ISI), showing more use of visual information for tone at phonemic (tonemic) than phonetic (tonetic) levels; and (iv) better overall discrimination – and especially large AV>AO augmentation – of contour-contour than contour-level or level-level tone pairs. Identification tests showed, as expected, that Thai participants were accurate in identifying Thai tones, using both auditory and visual information. Mandarin participants were generally able to categorize the non-native Thai tones into their native tone categories, and also used visual information, especially for contour tones. The discrimination and identification data relationship is discussed as are implications for further studies.
Surgery of the Ebstein's Anomaly: Early and Late Outcomes

Abstract Background: Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve is a complex malformation. Several operations have been undertaken with varying results. The severity of the morphology of the lesion and ventricular function determine the spectrum of surgical techniques that are employed with varying results. Methods: Between 1980 and 2005, 45 patients with Ebstein's anomaly underwent surgical repair. Age at operation ranged from 3 to 26 years (median 15.5, mean 18.0 years). In 41 patients (91%), tricuspid valvuloplasty was done. The other four patients had valve replacement with bio‐prosthesis. Eight patients required ventricular unloading by creating bidirectional Glenn procedure in addition to a valve repair. Seven needed re‐operations: one repeat valve repair, two valve replacements and three takedown of Glen shunt, and one Fontan operation. Results: In‐hospital deaths occurred in two patients (4.4%) and late mortality in four patients (9%). 95% of 39 survivors were followed for 5 months to 19.5 years (median follow‐up, 5.0 years; mean follow‐up, 6.9 years). The actuarial survival rate (Kaplan‐Meier) was 96.5%± 2.4% at 1 year, 84.4%± 3.5% at 10 years and 83.3%± 5.6% at 19 years. At follow‐up 90% were in functional class I or II with substantial improvement compared with their preoperative status. Doppler echocardiographic studies demonstrated good tricuspid valve function in most patients. Conclusions: Valve repair or replacement tailored to the anatomical substrate of the anomaly yielded good long‐term results with substantial improvement in functional status. Bidirectional Glenn anastomosis combined with a valve repair improved ventricular function and improved both the early and late outcomes. (J Card Surg 2011;26:227‐233)
A Memory-Based Learning Approach as Compared to Other Data Mining Algorithms for the Prediction of Soil Texture Using Diffuse Reflectance Spectra

Successful determination of soil texture using reflectance spectroscopy across Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR, 400–1200 nm) and Short-Wave-Infrared (SWIR, 1200–2500 nm) ranges depends largely on the selection of a suitable data mining algorithm. The objective of this research was to explore whether the new Memory-Based Learning (MBL) method performs better than the other methods, namely: Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), Support Vector Machine Regression (SVMR) and Boosted Regression Trees (BRT). For this purpose, we chose soil texture (contents of clay, silt and sand) as testing attributes. A selected set of soil samples, classified as Technosols, were collected from brown coal mining dumpsites in the Czech Republic (a total of 264 samples). Spectral readings were taken in the laboratory with a fiber optic ASD FieldSpec III Pro FR spectroradiometer. Leave-one-out cross-validation was used to optimize and validate the models. Comparisons were made in terms of the coefficient of determination (R2cv) and the Root Mean Square Error of Prediction of Cross-Validation (RMSEPcv). Predictions of the three soil properties by MBL outperformed the accuracy of the remaining algorithms. We found that the MBL performs better than the other three methods by about 10% (largest R2cv and smallest RMSEPcv), followed by the SVMR. It should be pointed out that the other methods (PLSR and BRT) still provided reliable results. The study concluded that in this examined dataset, reflectance spectroscopy combined with the MBL algorithm is rapid and accurate, offers major efficiency and cost-saving possibilities in other datasets and can lead to better targeting of management interventions.
Maternal Sexuality during Pregnancy and after Childbirth in Kuwait

Although pregnancy had an adverse effect on sexuality, many women improved at the mid-trimester and early postpartum period. Sociocultural attitudes and pre-pregnancy sexuality level are important determinants. A study of sexual adjustment of 160 pregnant Muslim women of Kuwait revealed that pregnant women showed a decline in sexual activity soon after the diagnosis of pregnancy that continued throughout the whole pregnancy with a second trimester and early third trimester increase in sexuality, but continued to be below the pre-pregnancy base line. Resumption of sexual activities was not problematic for many of our patients at eight or twelve weeks postpartum, except for those with marital disharmony. For some women, pregnancy and labor improved their sexuality in general. But the majority of our subjects had a consistent pattern of sexuality during pregnancy that reflects their pre-pregnancy level of sexuality. This study shows clearly the important influence of the father-to-be on the sexuality of his wife. Sociocultural taboos influence sexual adjustment during pregnancy, as this highly important topic is always ignored during discussion between patients and doctors at ante- and post-natal clinics. It is recommended for obstetricians to counsel patients about sexual activity, keeping in mind the prevailing sociocultural attitudes.
Durability of Tapered Composite Laminates under Static and Fatigue Loading

A micromechanics based computational approach is put to use to assess the durability of composite laminates with ply drop features commonly used in wind turbine applications. Ply drops are used in composite joints and closures of wind turbine blades to reduce skin thicknesses along the blade span. They increase localized stress concentration, which may cause premature delamination failure in composite and reduced fatigue service life. The use of computational simulation in the design of tapered composites structures will reduce risk of failure under service. Durability and damage tolerance (D&DT) is evaluated utilizing a Multi-scale MicroMacro Progressive failure analysis (PFA) technique. The PFA approach is finite element based and is capable of detecting all stages of material damage including initiation and propagation of delamination. Two different approaches have been used within the PFA to investigate these issues. The first approach is Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) PFA while the second one is strength based approach. The PFA assesses multiple failure criteria and includes the effects of manufacturing anomalies (i.e., void, fiber waviness). In the work presented here, constituent stiffness and strength properties for glass and carbon based material systems are reverse engineered for use in D&DT evaluation of coupons with ply drops under static loading. Lamina and laminate properties calculated using manufacturing and composite architecture details matched closely published test data. Similarly, resin properties are also determined for fatigue life calculation. The simulation not only reproduced static strength and fatigue life as observed in the test, it also showed composite damage and fracture modes that resemble those reported in the test. The results presented in the paper show that computational simulation can be relied on to enhance the design of tapered composite structures such as the ones used in turbine wind blades.
Lenvatinib for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Background Lenvatinib has been approved by regulatory agencies in Japan, the United States, and the European Union for treatment of radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). Thyroid cancer, however, is a clinically diverse disease that includes anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), the subtype associated with the highest lethality. Effective therapy for ATC is an unmet need. Patients and methods This phase 2, single-arm, open-label study in patients with thyroid cancer, including ATC, RR-DTC, and medullary thyroid cancer was conducted from 3 September 2012 to 9 July 2015. Patients received lenvatinib 24 mg daily until disease progression or development of unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary endpoint was efficacy, as assessed by progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and objective response rate. Results At data cutoff, 17 patients with ATC were enrolled. All experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE). The most frequent TEAEs were decreased appetite (82%), hypertension (82%), fatigue (59%), nausea (59%), and proteinuria (59%). Of note, only one patient required lenvatinib withdrawal because of a TEAE, and this TEAE was considered unrelated to lenvatinib. The median PFS was 7.4 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7–12.9], the median OS was 10.6 months (95% CI: 3.8–19.8), and the objective response rate was 24%. Conclusion In this study, lenvatinib demonstrated manageable toxicities with dose adjustments and clinical activity in patients with ATC. This clinical activity of lenvatinib warrants further investigation in ATC. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01728623.
Inference and Filtering for Partially Observed Diusion Processes via Sequential Monte Carlo

Diusion processes observed partially or discretely, possibly with observa- tion error, arise when constructing stochastic models in continuous time. The method of Sequential Monte Carlo provides an alternative to Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, and can be eective in complex models at the cutting edge of scientific research. This paper introduces Sequential Monte Carlo ap- proaches to inference for partially observed diusion processes. New methods for solving the filtering, predicting and smoothing problems are developed. Two new filtering algorithms are compared with existing meth- ods on a nonlinear problem for which a closed form solution exists. A novel measure of filter accuracy helps to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the methods.
MECHANICAL PULPING: Influence of beating and chemical additives on residual stresses in paper

Fibre modification might be a way to improve the performance of paper, to increase its cost competiveness and enable new paper-based products to be developed. Therefore, the influence of fibre modification (with polyelectrolytes or by fibre cross-linking) on the mechanical properties of special importance for packaging paper grades was studied. Creep deformation under varying humidity conditions (i.e. mechano-sorptive creep) is of outmost importance for the stacking life of paper-based boxes. The influence on creep behaviour of adsorbing polyallylamine (a cationic polyelectrolyte) to fibre surfaces or throughout the fibre walls was studied. Adsorption to fibre surfaces reduced the creep at constant humidity. The mechano-sorptive creep was not however influenced. The use of polyelectrolytes did not thus appear to be a feasible strategy for reducing mechano-sorptive creep. Polyelectrolytes can however be efficient in improving other mechanical properties. The use of multilayers consisting of polyallylamine (PAH) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) was for example shown to significantly increase the strength of paper with much less densification and build-up of residual stress than is obtained by beating. Cross-linking by oxidation with periodate radically decreased the mechano-sorptive creep of sheets made from the oxidised fibres. The basic mechanism behind the reduction in mechano-sorptive with cross-linking was found to be that the cross-linking slowed down the moisture sorption kinetics. A lower sorption rate led to smaller moisture content variations during the mechano-sorptive creep testing, and thus less sorption-induced swelling and stress concentrations at fibre/fibre joints. However, for cross-linking to be a practical way to reduce creep, the large problem of embrittlement must be solved. The shear strength of couched sheets was measured to study the interaction between the sheets at different solids content. The shear strength was low until a solids content of approximately 60−70% was reached, which suggests that interactions important for the strength at complete dryness start to develop at this solids content. The effect of different fibre modifications and additives on how the fibres interact during the consolidation process is not always well understood. The method of shear strength determination could in the future be applied to modified fibres to hopefully increase the understanding of how different modifications influence the fibre/fibre interactions. A deeper understanding might reduce the time for the development of new and improved fibre modifications.
Automatic test case generation for PLC programs using coverage metrics

This paper presents a method for automatic test case generation for PLC software following the IEC61131-3 standard. The core component is a model checker that iteratively creates program traces, each of them covering a part of the program in terms of a coverage metric. These test cases are translated into Structured Text, a programming languages defined in the IEC61131-3, to allow the execution on a soft-PLC or the actual hardware. Our approach is evaluated on a set of function blocks that are used in industry. We demonstrate that test cases can be automatically generated within few seconds in most cases.
A 4-year surveillance of antimicrobial resistance patterns of Acinetobacter baumanni in a university-affiliated hospital in China.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the changes in resistance of Acinetobacter baumanni (A. baumannii) to different antimicrobial agents and the association of resistance rates with several independent factors: specimen origin, hospital wards, patients' gender and age, from 2008 to 2011. METHODS Bacterial isolates were isolated from January 2008 to December 2011 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined by the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Agar method as recommended by CLSI. Data were managed by the software WHONET 5.4 and analyzed by SPSS 17.0 software. RESULTS The proportion of A. baumannii in our hospital increased from 7.0% in 2008 to 18.8% in 2011, becoming the most frequent pathogen in gram-negative isolates. 79.9% of A. baumannii were cultured from respiratory tract and geriatrics showed the highest isolation rate of A. baumannii during 4 years. The resistance rates to 12 antibiotics significantly increased from 2008 to 2011, from 14.8% to 90.8% to imipenem, and from 23.3% to 91.1% to meropenem. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the specimen origin, hospital wards, patients' gender and age were associated with resistance rate in varying degrees. CONCLUSIONS The 4-year surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility demonstrated the rapid increase of drug-resistant strains of A. baumannii, and revealed several factors related with resistance rate. Knowing the antimicrobial resistance patterns will help guide the empirical therapy and strengthen interventional infection control measures in China.
Microbial activity and soil respiration under nitrogen addition in Alaskan boreal forest

Climate warming could increase rates of soil organic matter turnover and nutrient mineralization, particularly in northern high‐latitude ecosystems. However, the effects of increasing nutrient availability on microbial processes in these ecosystems are poorly understood. To determine how soil microbes respond to nutrient enrichment, we measured microbial biomass, extracellular enzyme activities, soil respiration, and the community composition of active fungi in nitrogen (N) fertilized soils of a boreal forest in central Alaska. We predicted that N addition would suppress fungal activity relative to bacteria, but stimulate carbon (C)‐degrading enzyme activities and soil respiration. Instead, we found no evidence for a suppression of fungal activity, although fungal sporocarp production declined significantly, and the relative abundance of two fungal taxa changed dramatically with N fertilization. Microbial biomass as measured by chloroform fumigation did not respond to fertilization, nor did the ratio of fungi : bacteria as measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. However, microbial biomass C : N ratios narrowed significantly from 16.0 ± 1.4 to 5.2 ± 0.3 with fertilization. N fertilization significantly increased the activity of a cellulose‐degrading enzyme and suppressed the activities of protein‐ and chitin‐degrading enzymes but had no effect on soil respiration rates or 14C signatures. These results indicate that N fertilization alters microbial community composition and allocation to extracellular enzyme production without affecting soil respiration. Thus, our results do not provide evidence for strong microbial feedbacks to the boreal C cycle under climate warming or N addition. However, organic N cycling may decline due to a reduction in the activity of enzymes that target nitrogenous compounds.