Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relative insensitivity of butter clam neurons to saxitoxin; a pre-adaptation for sequestering paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins as a chemical defense

Neurons from the butter clam Saxidomus giganteus and its congener the Washington clam S. nuttalli were shown to be 10 to 100 times more resistant to the dinoflagellate toxin saxitoxin (STX) than those from 4 CO-occurring infaunal bivalves, Mya arenaria, M, truncata, Tresus capax and Protothaca staminea. Only neurons from the venerid clam Humilan'a kennerlyi proved more resistant than those of Saxidomus spp. No difference in sensitivity to STX was found between butter clams from 3 sites with different histories of toxin contamination (chronically, occasionally or never toxic) suggesting that the resistance of this species to STX is innate rather than acquired with increased exposure. The resistance of butter clam neurons to STX may have permitted the evolution of this species' unique ability to sequester high concentrations of STX, especially in the siphon, for long periods (> 2 yr). Neither of the 2 other venerid clams analyzed, H. kennerlyi and P. staminea, were found to concentrate STX or derivatives in their siphons. Because predators have been shown to reject bivalve prey contaminated with STX, long-term retention of this toxin may have been favored in the butter clam as an acquired chemical defense.
Keeping the Beat: A Large Sample Study of Bouncing and Clapping to Music

The vast majority of humans move in time with a musical beat. This behaviour has been mostly studied through finger-tapping synchronization. Here, we evaluate naturalistic synchronization responses to music–bouncing and clapping–in 100 university students. Their ability to match the period of their bounces and claps to those of a metronome and musical clips varying in beat saliency was assessed. In general, clapping was better synchronized with the beat than bouncing, suggesting that the choice of a specific movement type is an important factor to consider in the study of sensorimotor synchronization processes. Performance improved as a function of beat saliency, indicating that beat abstraction plays a significant role in synchronization. Fourteen percent of the population exhibited marked difficulties with matching the beat. Yet, at a group level, poor synchronizers showed similar sensitivity to movement type and beat saliency as normal synchronizers. These results suggest the presence of quantitative rather than qualitative variations when losing the beat.
A Closer Look at Chaotic Advection in the Stratosphere. Part I: Geometric Structure

The relevance of chaotic advection to stratospheric mixing and transport is addressed in the context of (i) a numerical model of forced shallow-water flow on the sphere, and (ii) a middle-atmosphere general circulation model. It is argued that chaotic advection applies to both these models if there is suitable large-scale spatial structure in the velocity field and if the velocity field is temporally quasi-regular. This spatial structure is manifested in the form of ‘‘cat’s eyes’’ in the surf zone, such as are commonly seen in numerical simulations of Rossby wave critical layers; by analogy with the heteroclinic structure of a temporally aperiodic chaotic system the cat’s eyes may be thought of as an ‘‘organizing structure’’ for mixing and transport in the surf zone. When this organizing structure exists, Eulerian and Lagrangian autocorrelations of the velocity derivatives indicate that velocity derivatives decorrelate more rapidly along particle trajectories than at fixed spatial locations (i.e., the velocity field is temporally quasi-regular). This phenomenon is referred to as Lagrangian random strain.
Characterization of Deformation Behaviors and Elastic Moduli of Multilayered Films in Piezoelectric Inkjet Head

A bulge testing system was developed to mechanically characterize the deformation behaviors and elastic moduli of multilayered films, mainly composed of polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT), used in a multilayer actuator of a piezoelectric inkjet head. In the tests, commercial inkjet heads including a few tens of multilayer actuators were directly pressurized by air, and the corresponding deflections were measured via full-field optical measurement techniques. An analytic solution derived from a thin-plate theory and finite-element analysis were used to describe pressure-deflection behaviors of films, and the results were compared with the experimental data to evaluate the elastic modulus of individual film. The results showed that the elastic moduli of polysilicon and PZT films are ~110 and ~49 GPa, respectively. These values were consistent with the nanoindentation results. For polysilicon films, about 30% reduction in elastic modulus, compared with that calculated from single-crystal elastic constants, was observed, and this was most likely attributed to the presence of microdefects like voids and microcracks at grain boundaries between columnar grains.
Exercise haemodynamic variables rather than ventilatory efficiency indexes contribute to risk assessment in chronic heart failure patients treated with carvedilol.

AIMS To evaluate the prognostic significance of traditional cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated with beta-blockers. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 631 CHF patients were followed for cardiovascular death over 3.8 +/- 1.4 years; among them 79 (13%) died. All prognostic CPET parameters were related to outcome at univariate analysis, with haemodynamic-derived parameters [peak systolic blood pressure (SBP), peak circulatory power (CP) = peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) x peak SBP] and exertional oscillatory ventilation (EOV) reaching the highest chi2 (46.5, 40.9, and 22.6, respectively, all with P < 0.0001). Exertional oscillatory ventilation, although associated with high mortality rate (43 vs. 11%, P < 0.001), was detected in 42 (7%) patients. In non-EOV, again both peak SBP and peak CP reached the highest chi2 (30.6, and 21.6, respectively, all with P < 0.0001). Regarding CPET parameters, at multivariable analysis, peak SBP was the strongest risk index both in total and non-EOV populations, with 11% risk reduction every 5 mmHg increase. CONCLUSION All traditional CPET risk parameters were informative in beta-blockers CHF patients, but peak SBP, peak CP, and EOV were the most predictive. In this low-risk population, EOV, although underrepresented, considerably enhanced risk stratification, although other ventilatory efficiency indexes provided less impressive predictive content. In large majority of non-EOV patients, peak SBP improved risk evaluation beyond other CPET parameters.
Disassembly of DNA–ligand on mica surface: atomic force microscopy studies

Disassembly of DNA–ligands, including DNA–methylene blue (MB) complex and DNA–Co(phen)33+ complex on mica surface, were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The disassembly of these complexes occurred after they were immersed in ultra‐pure water. AFM results showed that the disassembly depended strongly on bridge ions that were used to immobilize the complex onto mica surface, DNA species and ligands. When Mg2+ was used as the bridge ion, the DNA–MB complex was completely disassembled because of the weak interactions between Mg2+ and DNA's bases or mica surface. Although if Co2+ was used as the bridge ion, the disassembly of the DNA–MB complex mainly depended on the species and shape of DNA. For plasmid DNA pBR 322, plasmid DNA pUC 18 and the linear DNA pBR 322/PstI, the degree of disassembly was gradually increased. Whereas if Co(phen)33+ was chosen as the ligand, the disassembly of the DNA–Co(phen)33+ complex was almost blocked because Co(phen)33+ could hardly diffuse into the ultra‐pure water. This obtained information may be useful for practical application of the AFM imaging of biological molecules, especially in liquid.
Incorporating electronic monitoring feedback into clinical care: A novel and promising adherence promotion approach

This paper presents case examples that document the preliminary clinical utility of using electronic monitoring (EM) feedback to tailor empirically validated adherence-promoting interventions, delivered in standard clinical practice. Challenges of utilizing EM in standard clinical practice as well as future directions are also discussed. Two adolescents referred for behavioral adherence promotion intervention are described. Each youth was provided a MEMS® bottle and one oral medication was chosen jointly by the therapist, family, and medical provider for adherence monitoring. Graphical MEMS® feedback was provided to families during intervention visits and subsequently used to tailor adherence interventions to target each family’s unique needs. EM feedback was a feasible and clinically rich supplement to adherence-promoting interventions. EM facilitated identification of adherence barriers and successes, and open and non-adversarial discussions regarding adherence between patients, families, and clinicians, and provided real-time representations of patients’ medication administration. These case presentations suggest that EM feedback can be a clinically useful tool when used as a supplement to an empirically supported intervention delivered in standard psychological practice aimed at adherence promotion among chronically ill youth.
Series : Host-pathogen interactions Emerging therapies for the treatment of hepatitis C

Opportunities to treat infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are evolving rapidly. From the introduction of interferon-a monotherapy in 1992 to the approval of telaprevirand boceprevir-based triple therapies with pegylated interferon-a and ribavirin in 2011, the chances of curing patients infected with HCV genotype 1 have improved from <10% to approximately 70%. Significant further improvements are on the horizon, which may well cure virtually all hepatitis C patients with an all-oral, interferon-free regimen in the very near future. These exciting developments are reviewed in the present article.
TBP: Code-Oriented Component Behavior Specification

Assuring components compatibility plays a crucial part in developing a reliable component system. Especially, when the components come from different vendors worldwide. In order to do so, an appropriate formalism for behavior specification of components is necessary. We propose a formalism of threaded behavior protocols, which-unlike most other formalisms-allows for both analysis on the formal level (correctness and substitutability checking) and reasoning about conformance of a specification and the actual implementation. Moreover, the formalism is designed to be simple enough and to directly support constructs known from implementation languages (e.g., method calls, threads, synchronized blocks), so that it is easy to use by a nonprofessional.
Cannabinoid Receptors Modulate Excitation of an Olfactory Bulb Local Circuit by Cortical Feedback

Recent studies have provided evidence that corticofugal feedback (CFF) from the olfactory cortex to the olfactory bulb (OB) can significantly impact the state of excitation of output mitral cells (MCs) and tufted cells (TCs) and also modulate neural synchrony. Interpreting these effects however has been complicated by the large number of cell targets of CFF axons in the bulb. Within the granule cell layer (GCL) alone, CFF axons target both GABAergic granule cells (GCs) as well as GABAergic deep short-axon cells (dSACs) that inhibit GCs. Because GCs are a major source of inhibition of MCs/TCs, CFF could be inhibitory to MCs (by exciting GCs) or disinhibitory (by exciting dSACs that inhibit GCs). In this study, we used patch-clamp recordings combined with optogenetic and electrical stimulation methods to investigate the role of presynaptic cannabinoid receptors in regulating CFF pathways, which could alter the weights of inhibition and disinhibition. Recording first from dSACs, we found that the cannabinoid receptor (CB-R) agonist WIN-55212.2 (WIN) reduced excitatory post-synaptic currents (CFF-EPSCs) driven by stimulation of CFF axons. The effects were reversed by the Type 1 CB-R (CB1-R)-specific antagonist SR-141716A. Furthermore, prolonged 5-s depolarizations applied to postsynaptic dSACs effectively reduced CFF-EPSCs in a CB1-R-dependent fashion, providing evidence for depolarization-induced suppression of excitation (DSE) at CFF-to-dSAC synapses. Further analysis indicated that CB1-Rs mediate widespread suppressive effects on synaptic transmission, occurring at CFF synapses onto different dSAC subtypes and CFF synapses onto GCs. Feedforward excitation of dSACs, mediated by MCs/TCs, however, was not impacted by CB1-Rs. In recordings from MCs, performed to examine the net effect of CB1-R activation on GC-to-MC transmission, we found that WIN could both increase and decrease disynaptic inhibition evoked by CFF axon stimulation. The exact effect depended on the size of the inhibitory response, reflecting the local balance of dSAC vs. GC activation. Our results taken together indicate that CB1-Rs can bidirectionally alter the weighting of inhibition and disinhibition of MCs through their effects on CFF pathways.
Fatigue Failure Criterion for Deformed Bars Subjected to Large Deformation Reversals

This paper describes how, after the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, the volume of lateral reinforcement used in reinforced concrete structures in Japan was increased in order to improve seismic performance. Although a large volume of closely spaced lateral reinforcement will be effective in preventing elastic buckling of the longitudinal reinforcement, it does not prevent plastic buckling. Under severe earthquake loading, longitudinal reinforcement will be subjected to large reversed-cyclic deformation demands into the plastic regime in tension and the buckling regime in compression. The paper presents the results of low cycle fatigue testing of deformed bars and examination of failure criteria for these bars.
Exploring the Importance of Participation in the Post-Implementation Period of an ES Project: A Neglected Area

User participation during software projects has long been considered a prerequisite for system success, and yet these initiatives continue to be rife with troubles. This is particularly true of enterprise software such as ERP and CRM, which, in spite of its popularity, is difficult to implement and is prone to user resistance. This, then, begs the question of why these enterprise systems run into problems even with when garnering user participation. One response may be to question the importance of participation per se; a more considered response is likely to be one that emphasizes the need to more closely explore the relationship between participation and the system in use. To this end, we adopt a cross-case comparison to analyze the role of user participation during two ES projects. Through the theoretical lens of 'situated learning', we argue that pre-implementation user participation can be problematic so that post-implementation involvement will be more effective in garnering user interest and assistance.
A Novel Gadolinium-Based Trimetasphere Metallofullerene for Application as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agent

ObjectiveMacromolecular contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are useful blood-pool agents because of their long systemic half-life and have found applications in monitoring tumor vasculature and angiogenesis. Macromolecular contrast agents have been able to overcome some of the disadvantages of the conventional small-molecule contrast agent Magnevist (gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), such as rapid extravasation and quick renal clearance, which limits the viable MRI time. There is an urgent need for new MRI contrast agents that increase the sensitivity of detection with a higher relaxivity, longer blood half-life, and reduced toxicity from free Gd3+ ions. Here, we report on the characterization of a novel water-soluble, derivatized, gadolinium-enclosed metallofullerene nanoparticle (Hydrochalarone-1) in development as an MRI contrast agent. Materials and MethodsThe physicochemical properties of Hydrochalarone-1 were characterized by dynamic light scattering (hydrodynamic diameter), atomic force microscopy (particle height), &zgr; potential analysis (surface charge), and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (gadolinium concentration). The blood compatibility of Hydrochalarone-1 was also assessed in vitro through analysis of hemolysis, platelet aggregation, and complement activation of human blood. In vitro relaxivities, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and a pilot in vivo acute toxicity study were also performed. ResultsAn extensive in vitro and in vivo characterization of Hydrochalarone-1 is described here. The hydrodynamic size of Hydrochalarone-1 was 5 to 7 nm depending on the dispersing media, and it was negatively charged at physiological pH. Hydrochalarone-1 showed compatibility with blood cells in vitro, and no significant hemolysis, platelet aggregation, or complement activation was observed in vitro. In addition, Hydrochalarone-1 had significantly higher r1 and r2 in vitro relaxivities in human plasma in comparison with Magnevist and was not toxic at the doses administered in an in vivo pilot acute-dose toxicity study in mice.In vivo MRI pharmacokinetic analysis after a single intravenous injection of Hydrochalarone-1 (0.2 mmol Gd/kg) showed that the volume of distribution at steady state was approximately 100 mL/kg, suggesting prolonged systemic circulation. Hydrochalarone-1 also had a long blood half-life (88 minutes) and increased relaxivity, suggesting application as a promising blood-pool MRI contrast agent. ConclusionsThe evidence suggests that Hydrochalarone-1, with its long systemic half-life, may have significant utility as a blood-pool MRI contrast agent.
Knowledge , attitudes and perception towards polio immunization among 1 residents of two highly affected regions of Pakistan 2 3 4

1 residents of two highly affected regions of Pakistan 2 3 4 Muhammad Umair Khan, a Akram Ahmad, a Talieha Aqeel, b Saad Salman, c Qamer 5 Ibrahim, Jawaria Idrees , Muhammad Ubaid Khan d* 6 7 * Corresponding Author 8 9 a Department of Clinical Pharmacy, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malays ia 10 Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Univers ity of Baluchistan, 11 Quetta, Pakistan 12 Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan 13 Sindh Government Hospital, New Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan 14 15 Acknowledgement 16 17 Nil 18 19 Contact Details 20 Muhammad Umair Khan: umair104@yahoo.com 21 Akram Ahmad: akrampharma67@gmail.com 22 Talieha Aqeel: Taliehaaqeel004@gmail.com 23 Saad Salman: saadirph@gmail.com 24 Qamer Ibrahim: qamerzehri@gmail.com 25 Jawaria Idrees: jawaria_drs@yahoo.com 26 *Muhammad Ubaid Khan: ubaiddmu@yahoo.com 27
Influence of Bonding Conditions on Degradation of Small Ball Bonds due to Intermetallic Phase (ip) Growth

Driven by savings in silicon real estate and the trend towards finer pad pitches, semiconductor manufacturers are decreasing diameter of the ball bond, The available shear strength provided by small balls is decreased by the square of the ball diameter reduction. It is therefore important to ensure bonding conditions that not only give high initial bond strength, but also avoid excessive, non-uniform growth of intermetallic phases (IPs) leading to weak interfaces during service life. During laboratory analyses, thermal storage for up to 1000 hrs at 175°C were applied. Investigations focused on varied bonding conditions for small ball bonds of 45-55μm diameter wire bonded to a commonly used metallization (Al 1%Si 0.5%Cu). The initial bond quality is characterized by measuring both the intermetallic phase coverage and by shear tests. A simple image analysis method was used to accurately calculate the initial coverage. The IP growth was studied by metallographic cross-sections while the bond strength during aging was assessed by shear tests and pull tests. Based on these investigations studying the relationships between initial bond quality, intermetallic growth appearance and bond degradation during thermal aging, guidelines are derived that ensure high quality, stable and reliable bonds for fine pitch bonding.
Advancing the PROSPECT-5 Model to Simulate the Spectral Reflectance of Copper-Stressed Leaves

This paper proposes a modified model based on the PROSPECT-5 model to simulate the spectral reflectance of copper-stressed leaves. Compared with PROSPECT-5, the modified model adds the copper content of leaves as one of input variables, and the specific absorption coefficient related to copper (Kcu) was estimated and fixed in the modified model. The specific absorption coefficients of other biochemical components (chlorophyll, carotenoid, water, dry matter) were the same as those in PROSPECT-5. Firstly, based on PROSPECT-5, we estimated the leaf structure parameters (N), using biochemical contents (chlorophyll, carotenoid, water, and dry matter) and the spectra of all the copper-stressed leaves (samples). Secondly, the specific absorption coefficient related to copper (Kcu) was estimated by fitting the simulated spectra to the measured spectra using 22 samples. Thirdly, other samples were used to verify the effectiveness of the modified model. The spectra with the new model are closer to the measured spectra when compared to that with PROSPECT-5. Moreover, for all the datasets used for validation and calibration, the root mean square errors (RMSEs) from the new model are less than that from PROSPECT-5. The differences between simulated reflectance and measured reflectance at key wavelengths with the new model are nearer to zero than those with the PROSPECT-5 model. This study demonstrated that the modified model could get more accurate spectral reflectance from copper-stressed leaves when compared with PROSPECT-5, and would provide theoretical support for monitoring the vegetation stressed by copper using remote sensing.
Clinical Trials Express: Fracture Risk Reduction With Denosumab in Japanese Postmenopausal Women and Men With Osteoporosis: Denosumab Fracture Intervention Randomized Placebo Controlled Trial (DIRECT)

Context: Denosumab 60 mg sc injection every 6 months for 36 months was well tolerated and effective in reducing the incidence of vertebral, nonvertebral, and hip fracture in predominantly Caucasian postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Objective: The objective of this phase 3 fracture study was to examine the antifracture efficacy and safety of denosumab 60 mg in Japanese women and men with osteoporosis compared with placebo. Design and Setting: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with an open-label active comparator as a referential arm was conducted. Patients: Subjects were 1262 Japanese patients with osteoporosis aged 50 years or older, who had one to four prevalent vertebral fractures. Intervention: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive denosumab 60 mg sc every 6 months (n = 500), placebo for denosumab (n = 511), or oral alendronate 35 mg weekly (n = 251). All subjects received daily supplements of calcium and vitamin D. Main Outcome Measure: The primary endpoint was the 24-month incidence of new or worsening vertebral fracture for denosumab vs placebo. Results: Denosumab significantly reduced the risk of new or worsening vertebral fracture by 65.7%, with incidences of 3.6% in denosumab and 10.3% in placebo at 24 months (hazard ratio 0.343; 95% confidence interval 0.194–0.606, P = .0001). No apparent difference in adverse events was found between denosumab and placebo during the first 24 months of the study. Conclusion: These results provide evidence of the efficacy and safety of denosumab 60 mg sc every 6 months in Japanese subjects with osteoporosis.