Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apical and basolateral CO2-[Formula: see text]permeability in cultured bovine corneal endothelial cells.

Corneal endothelial function is dependent on[Formula: see text] transport. However, the relative[Formula: see text] permeabilities of the apical and basolateral membranes are unknown. Using changes in intracellular pH secondary to removing CO2-[Formula: see text](at constant pH) or removing [Formula: see text]alone (at constant CO2) from apical or basolateral compartments, we determined the relative apical and basolateral [Formula: see text] permeabilities and their dependencies on Na+ and Cl-. Removal of CO2-[Formula: see text]from the apical side caused a steady-state alkalinization (+0.08 pH units), and removal from the basolateral side caused an acidification (-0.05 pH units). Removal of[Formula: see text] at constant CO2 indicated that the basolateral[Formula: see text] fluxes were about three to four times the apical fluxes. Reducing perfusate Na+ concentration to 10 mM had no effect on apical flux but slowed basolateral[Formula: see text] flux by one-half. In the absence of Cl-, there was an apparent increase in apical [Formula: see text] flux under constant-pH conditions; however, no net change could be measured under constant-CO2 conditions. Basolateral flux was slowed ∼30% in the absence of Cl-, but the net flux was unchanged. The steady-state alkalinization after removal of CO2-[Formula: see text]apically suggests that CO2diffusion may contribute to apical[Formula: see text] flux through the action of a membrane-associated carbonic anhydrase. Indeed, apical CO2 fluxes were inhibited by the extracellular carbonic anhydrase inhibitor benzolamide and partially restored by exogenous carbonic anhydrase. The presence of membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase (CAIV) was confirmed by immunoblotting. We conclude that the Na+-dependent basolateral[Formula: see text] permeability is consistent with Na+-[Formula: see text]cotransport. Changes in[Formula: see text] flux in the absence of Cl- are most likely due to Na+-[Formula: see text]cotransport-induced membrane potential changes that cannot be dissipated. Apical [Formula: see text] permeability is relatively low, but may be augmented by CO2 diffusion in conjunction with a CAIV.
On the Jensen-Shannon Divergence and Variational Distance

We study the distance measures between two probability distributions via two different distance metrics, a new metric induced from Jensen-Shannon divergence, and the well known L/sub 1/ metric. We show that several important results and constructions in computational complexity under the L/sub 1/ metric carry over to the new metric, such as Yao's next-bit predictor, the existence of extractors, the leftover hash lemma, and the construction of expander graph based extractor. Finally, we show that the useful parity lemma in studying pseudorandomness does not hold in the new metric.
SEPIA: a cooperative hypermedia authoring environment

This paper addresses two main areas: 1) research on computer–based support for cooperative authoring and 2) research on cooperative hypermedia systems. This is done by reporting about the design, development, and implementation of SEPIA and presenting results on dedicated and comprehensive authoring functionality addressing also the new rhetoric of hypermedia, a hypermedia data model with composites, persistent and shared data storage for hypermedia, and support for cooperative work, esp. cooperative writing.We start by identifying the challenge of hypermedia authoring and production which serves as the driving force for our development. Using interacting problem spaces as the vehicle for modelling the dynamic aspects of authoring, we arrive at a set of requirements answered by the concept of “activity spaces”. The design of coherent hyperdocuments is facilitated by a “construction kit”. Furthermore, we describe the extensions and modifications necessary to support multiple authors with the cooperative version of SEPIA. Based on the requirements, we develop a system architecture and report on the implementation of the system. We describe the basis for access to shared hyperdocuments, the activity space browsers, the integration of multimedia functionality (audio, graphics, pictures), and the integration of an audio and video conferencing system. Finally, we report on more recent developments and future work.
Local Bond Stress-Slip Behavior of Reinforcing Bars Embedded in Plain and Fiber Concrete

This study summarizes the results of an experiment on the bond and slip characteristics of reinforcing bars embedded in fiber reinforced concrete (FRC). More than 100 concentric pullout specimens were tested and the effect of several parameters on the local bond stress-slip response of reinforcing bars was studied. Parameters included diameter of reinforcing bar; mode of bond failure; concrete splitting area surrounding the reinforcing bar; and type, volume fraction, and aspect ratio of fibers. The authors discuss the test results and present a simple analytical model describing the local bond stress-slip relationship for reinforcing bars embedded in plain and FRC and subjected to monotonically increasing load in tension. The model accounts for most of the important parameters that affect the local bond stress-slip response as observed in the experiment.
Evaluation of a physiotherapy-led group rehabilitation intervention for adults living with HIV: referrals, adherence and outcomes

ABSTRACT HIV is characterised by episodes of disability. We report a novel, hospital outpatient rehabilitation intervention, combining physiotherapy-led group exercise and education for people living with HIV (PLWH). This observational study evaluated routine delivery of the 10-week intervention in terms of referral patterns, rehabilitation goals, intervention adherence and change in patient outcomes. Measurements at baseline & 10 weeks included locomotor performance (6 minute walk test; 6MWT), flexibility, upper and lower limb strength and health related quality of life (HRQOL). Adherence was defined as attending ≥8/20 sessions, with reasons for non-adherence identified in retrospective telephone interviews. Goal Attainment Scale measured progression to individual goals. Total 92 referrals were mostly for musculoskeletal (25.0%), oncological (19.6%) or cardio-metabolic (18.5%) reasons, and mostly male (81.5%), Caucasian (70.7%) and older (mean 51.5 years). Common themed rehabilitation goals included improving body image, participation, mobility, health/fitness and function. Adherence was achieved by 42 (46%) patients, with open access utilised by 34 patients, returning (n = 19) or restarting when non-adherent (n = 15). Post-intervention measurements collected for 37 (40%) patients demonstrated improvements in 6MWT distance (p < .001), flexibility (p < .001), strength in triceps (p < .001), biceps (p < .001), Lattisimus Dorsi (p < .001), shoulder-press (p < .001), chest-press (p < 0.001), and leg-press (p < 0.001). HRQOL improved in total score (p < .001), physical (p < .001), emotional (p < .001) and functional (p = .065) subscales. Extent of goal achievement demonstrated 83% of goals was “expected” (n = 57), “somewhat more” (n = 31) or “much more” (n = 14). Reasons for non-adherence from 21 telephone interviews identified physical health challenges, individual factors and time or location issues. This novel rehabilitation approach for PLWH improved function, HRQOL and goal attainment among those completing the intervention. Sub-optimal adherence likely relates to episodic disability.
Social network ties beyond nonredundancy: an experimental investigation of the effect of knowledge content and tie strength on creativity.

Social network research emphasizes the access to nonredundant knowledge content that network ties provide. I suggest that some content is more beneficial than others and that tie strength may affect creativity for reasons other than the associated structure. That is, tie strength may affect how individuals process nonredundant knowledge. I investigate 2 types of knowledge content--information (i.e., facts or data) and frames (i.e., interpretations or impressions)--and explore whether tie strength influences their effect on creativity. Drawing on creativity theory, I employ an experimental design to provide greater theoretical clarity and to isolate causality. According to the results from 2 studies, distinct frames received from contacts facilitate creativity, but the effect of distinct information is more complex. When individuals receive distinct information from strong ties, it constrains creativity compared to distinct frames. Content from weak ties appears to facilitate creativity across all scenarios. The results of mediated moderation analysis indicate the effect of framing versus information for strong ties is driven by decision-making time, as an indicator of cognitive expansion.
Multiple Marker Detection in Peripheral Blood for NSCLC Diagnosis

Background Non-invasive early detection of lung cancer could reduce the number of patients diagnosed with advanced disease, which is associated with a poor prognosis. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of a panel of peripheral blood markers in detecting non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods 100 healthy donors and 100 patients with NSCLC were enrolled onto this study. Free circulating DNA, circulating mRNA expression of peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 (PAD4/PADI4), pro-platelet basic protein (PPBP) and haptoglobin were evaluated using a Real-Time PCR-based method. Results Free circulating DNA, PADI4, PPBP and haptoglobin levels were significantly higher in NSCLC patients than in healthy donors (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0001, respectively). The fitted logistic regression model demonstrated a significant direct association between marker expression and lung cancer risk. The odds ratios of individual markers were 6.93 (95% CI 4.15–11.58; p<0.0001) for free DNA, 6.99 (95% CI 3.75–13.03; p<0.0001) for PADI4, 2.85 (95% CI 1.71–4.75; p<0.0001) for PPBP and 1.16 (95% CI 1.01–1.33; p = 0.031) for haptoglobin. Free DNA in combination with PPBP and PADI4 gave an area under the ROC curve of 0.93, 95% CI = 0.90–0.97, with sensitivity and specificity over 90%. Conclusions Free circulating DNA analysis combined with PPBP and PADI4 expression determination appears to accurately discriminate between healthy donors and NSCLC patients. This non-invasive multimarker approach warrants further research to assess its potential role in the diagnostic or screening workup of subjects with suspected lung cancer.
Depressive symptoms interfere with post-rehabilitation exercise: Outcome expectancies and experience as mediators

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and physical exercise by unveiling how outcome expectancies regarding exercise and positive exercise experience could mediate between depressive symptoms and exercise. A longitudinal study included 178 cardiac and orthopedic rehabilitation patients in Germany. Patients responded to psychometric scales at two points in time with a six-week interval, assessing depressive symptoms (Time 1), outcome expectancies regarding exercise (Time 1), exercise experiences (Time 2), and exercise behavior (Times 1 and 2). Depressive symptoms were negatively related to physical exercise (r =− 0.18), to positive outcome expectancies (r =− 0.23), and to positive exercise experiences (r =− 0.26). In a multiple-step mediation model, expectancies and experiences mediated between depressive symptoms and exercise. In total, 15% of the exercise variance was accounted for. Outcome expectancies and a lack of positive experience seem to partly explain why depressed individuals are less likely to exercise.
pMOSFET Performance Enhancement With Strained $ \hbox{Si}_{1 - x}\hbox{Ge}_{x}$ Channels

The inversion-layer hole mobility in MOSFETs with thin silicon-germanium (Si<sub>1-x</sub>Ge<sub>x</sub>) channels grown pseudomorphically on Si is calculated using a self-consistent 6 × 6 <i>k</i> ·<i>p</i> Poisson-Schrödinger mobility simulator calibrated to experimental and simulation data. The addition of uniaxial compressive stress to the inherent biaxial compressive strain of the pseudomorphic Si<sub>1-x</sub>Ge<sub>x</sub> layer is found to further enhance hole mobility by up to 2.5×. Two-dimensional device simulations are used to assess the benefit of the Si<sub>1-x</sub>Ge<sub>x</sub> heterostructure channel for boosting the ON-state current (<i>I</i><sub>on</sub>) of p-channel MOSFETs with a gate length (<i>L</i><sub>g</sub>) of 18 nm; the results show a moderate (10%-40%) improvement over a bulk-Si MOSFET.
The conductivity of thin metallic films according to the electron theory of metals

The conductivity of thin films of the alkali metals has recently been measured in the H. W. Wills Physical Laboratory, Bristol*. It was found that as the thickness of the film is decreased to that of a few atomic layers the conductivity drops below that of the bulk metal. In the papers quoted the hypothesis was put forward that this effect is due to the shortening of the mean free paths of the conduction electrons of the metal by collisions with the boundaries of the film. The experimental results were compared with a formula derived on the basis of this hypothesis. This formula was, however, obtained subject to a number of simplifying assumptions, and it is the first purpose of this paper to obtain a more accurate formula. I also compare this formula with experiment, and make certain deductions about the surfaces of thin films.
Defining Emerging Roles for NF-κB in Antivirus Responses: Revisiting the Interferon-β Enhanceosome Paradigm

Classic studies over the last two decades have made virus-induced activation of the mammalian interferon-β (ifnβ) gene a prototype of eukaryotic gene regulation [1]–[6]. Indeed, the compact ∼50 base-pair enhancer region upstream of the ifnβ transcription start site is amongst the best-studied stretches of mammalian DNA, and its function in regulation of ifnβ expression is considered a paradigm of stimulus-activated mammalian gene regulation. In a widely accepted model, RNA virus infection of most cell types triggers the activation of three classes of transcription factor—interferon regulatory factors (IRFs)-3/7, NF-κB, and ATF-2/c-Jun—downstream of the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) family of viral RNA sensors [7]–[9]. These transcription factors bind well-defined adjacent sites in the ifnβ enhancer to nucleate formation of an “enhanceosome”. The nascent enhanceosome then recruits chromatin-modifying enzymes and general transcription factors to initiate transcription of ifnβ and launch the type I IFN antiviral innate immune response [1], [2], [10]. Implicit in the inherently cooperative nature of enhanceosome formation is the supposition that IRFs-3/7, NF-κB, and ATF-2/c-Jun are all perhaps equally necessary for virus-driven ifnβ expression. Recent findings from our laboratories and other groups, however, suggest an alternate view of NF-κB function in antivirus responses: that NF-κB is indeed required for ifnβ expression, but only before (and very early after) infection. As the infection unfolds, NF-κB is no longer necessary for ifnβ induction, and instead takes on a more general role in the expression of non-IFN innate immune and pro-inflammatory genes; meanwhile, IRFs-3/7 inherit ifnβ expression to propel the type I IFN antiviral system. In this article, we update the enhanceosome paradigm by proposing temporally distinct functions for NF-κB in the RLR-triggered innate immune response.
Response to Comment on “The Geometric Structure of the Brain Fiber Pathways”

In response to Catani et al., we show that corticospinal pathways adhere via sharp turns to two local grid orientations; that our studies have three times the diffusion resolution of those compared; and that the noted technical concerns, including crossing angles, do not challenge the evidence of mathematically specific geometric structure. Thus, the geometric thesis gives the best account of the available evidence.
Offsets between Hα and CO Arms of a Spiral Galaxy, NGC 4254 : A New Method for Determining the Pattern Speed of Spiral Galaxies

We examined offsets between HII regions and molecular clouds belonging to spiral arms of a late type spiral galaxy NGC 4254 (M99). We used a high resolution CO(1-0) image obtained by Nobeyama Millimeter Array (NMA) and an H-alpha image. We derived angular offsets (theta) in the galactic disk, and found that these offsets show a linear dependence on the angular rotation velocity of gas (Omega_G). This linear relation can be expressed by an equation: theta =(Omega_G - Omega_P) * t_{H-alpha}, where Omega_P and t_{H-alpha} are constant. Here, Omega_P corresponds to the pattern speed of spiral arms and t_{H-alpha} is interpreted as the timescale between the peak compression of the molecular gas in spiral arms and the peak of massive star formation. We may thus determine Omega_P and t_{H-alpha} simultaneously by fitting a line to our theta - Omega_G plot, if we assumed they are constant. From our plot, we obtained t_{H-alpha} =4.8 (+/- 1.2) Myr and Omega_P = 26 (+10/-6) km/s/kpc, which are consistent with previous studies. We suggest that this theta - Omega_G plot can be a new tool to determine the pattern speed and the typical timescale needed for star formations.
An empirical real-time approximation of waiting time distribution in MMPP(2)/D/1

We propose a simple, empirical real-time approximation method for calculating the waiting time distribution for the MMPP(2)/D/1 system. Our approach is based on approximation using a two-term exponential function. We match the poles, the residue for the asymptotic constant, and the mean waiting time between the Laplace transforms of the exact distribution and the approximate distribution. Numerical examples show that our method yields quite accurate results over a wide range. The result can be adopted in evaluating asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) multiplexers for real-time ATM traffic control.
The patterns and synaptic properties of horizontal intracortical connections in the rat motor cortex.

1. The laminar distribution of synaptic activity in the primary motor cortex, elicited by stimulation of intracortical, horizontal afferents, was studied in young (12-17 days old) and adult rats using the in vitro brain slice preparation. Connectivity patterns were deduced from current-source density (CSD) analyses of field potential depth profiles and were confirmed by anatomic data of retrograde cell labeling after focal injections of a fluorescent tracer. 2. According to the CSD distributions, horizontal axons in layer II/III provide strong monosynaptic input to dendrites of layer II and III pyramidal cells in a distant column, and weaker monosynaptic input to layer V and VI cells by synapsing on dendritic fields at the border of layer III and V and in deep layer V. When these pathways are activated, layer II/III cells may relay excitatory activity to upper and deep layer V, as well as to other cells in layer II/III of the same column. Axons arising from layer V provide monosynaptic input to pyramidal cells in all layers of neighboring columns, by synapsing in two dendritic fields: one in the superficial layers and the other in middle layer V. Activation of these pathways may generate a disynaptic intracolumnar input from layer II/III cells to middle layer V, as well as to other cells in layer II/III. Similar patterns of synaptic activity were elicited by stimulation from 0.45 to 2 mm distal to the recorded column. There were no apparent differences between young and adult rats in the connectivity patterns revealed by the CSD analyses. 3. Tracer injections in layer III resulted in retrograde labeling of cells in layers II/III and V, at distances > 2 mm from the injection site, whereas injections in layer V resulted in retrograde labeling of cells at long distances in layer V and to a lesser extent in layer II/III. These findings indicate that neurons in layer V project, via horizontal axon collaterals, for long distances within layers III and V, whereas the horizontal axon collaterals of layer III cells are restricted, for the most part, to the superficial layers. 4. Suppression of inhibitory activity by bath application of the gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor antagonist bicuculline methiodide (BMI) did not alter the pattern of the CSD distributions. All synaptic currents present in the control medium were enhanced by application of BMI, although the effect was more pronounced on the polysynaptic components. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Intravitreal aflibercept versus intravitreal ranibizumab for the treatment of diabetic macular edema

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept and ranibizumab in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in eyes with moderate visual loss. Patients and methods This study is a randomized prospective study. Seventy eyes with DME were divided into two groups (each containing 35 eyes). Eyes in group I were treated with intravitreal injection of 2 mg/0.05 mL aflibercept and eyes in group II were treated with intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg/0.1 mL ranibizumab. All the eyes had three successive injections as a loading dose (with 1 month interval), and then the patients were followed up monthly for 12 months. The outcomes of the study were visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT), and the number of re-injections of the drug. Results Mean age of the patients in group I was 55.05±4.7 years and in group II was 56.64±5.8 years (P=0.17). The mean baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of eyes treated with aflibercept was 0.17±0.05 and with ranibizumab was 0.18±0.04 (P=0.9). BCVA was improved in both the groups at the end of the follow-up period and was found to be 0.42±0.28 and 0.37±0.23, respectively (P=0.27). The mean baseline CMT of eyes in group I was 465.29±33.7 µm and in group II was 471.5±34.4 µm (P=0.65). CMT decreased in both the groups to 360.8±85.7 µm and 387.3±87.8 µm, respectively (P=0.2). The mean number of drug re-injection was 2.62±0.68 and 3.03±0.95 in both the groups, respectively (P=0.02). Conclusion Aflibercept and ranibizumab have the same efficacy in the treatment of DME in eyes with moderate visual loss but with less number of drug re-injection and less treatment burden with aflibercept (2.62±0.68 versus 3.03±0.95).