Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MEGAHIT: an ultra-fast single-node solution for large and complex metagenomics assembly via succinct de Bruijn graph

MEGAHIT is a NGS de novo assembler for assembling large and complex metagenomics data in a time- and cost-efficient manner. It finished assembling a soil metagenomics dataset with 252 Gbps in 44.1 and 99.6 h on a single computing node with and without a graphics processing unit, respectively. MEGAHIT assembles the data as a whole, i.e. no pre-processing like partitioning and normalization was needed. When compared with previous methods on assembling the soil data, MEGAHIT generated a three-time larger assembly, with longer contig N50 and average contig length; furthermore, 55.8% of the reads were aligned to the assembly, giving a fourfold improvement.
Religiosity among Indochinese Refugees in Utah

This study reports on religious preferences and activity among Indochinese refugees resettled in Utah between 1975 and 1983. A significant group of these refugees adopted Western Christian religions, the majority affiliating with ethnic congregations. Reasons for change of religion emphasized interpersonal considerations and the need to re-establish social support networks. Refugees tended to rate religion as being important in their lives and reported a relatively high amount of religious participation. The major predictors of participation in religious activities were membership in a Western religion, ethnic origin, importance of religion prior to resettlement, and English-speaking ability on arrival in the United States.
Dopamine regulates intrinsic excitability thereby gating successful induction of spike timing-dependent plasticity in CA1 of the hippocampus

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are generally assumed to be cellular correlates for learning and memory. Different types of LTP induction protocols differing in severity of stimulation can be distinguished in CA1 of the hippocampus. To better understand signaling mechanisms and involvement of neuromodulators such as dopamine (DA) in synaptic plasticity, less severe and more physiological low frequency induction protocols should be used. In the study which is reviewed here, critical determinants of spike timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses were investigated. We found that DA via D1 receptor signaling, but not adrenergic signaling activated by the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, is important for successful expression of STDP at CA3-CA1 synapses. The DA effect on STDP is paralleled by changes in spike firing properties, thereby changing intrinsic excitability of postsynaptic CA1 neurons, and gating STDP. Whereas β-adrenergic signaling also leads to a similar (but not identical) regulation of firing pattern, it does not enable STDP. In this focused review we will discuss the current literature on dopaminergic modulation of LTP in CA1, with a special focus on timing dependent (t-)LTP, and we will suggest possible reasons for the selective gating of STDP by DA [but not noradrenaline (NA)] in CA1.
51.84 Mb/s 16 CAP ATM LAN Standard

The paper describes the characteristics and performance of the 16-CAP transmission scheme that has been chosen by the Technical Committee of the ATM Forum as the ATM LAN physical layer interface standard at 51.84 Mb/s for category 3 unshielded-twisted-pair (UTP) wiring. The two most attractive features of the 16-CAP transceiver are its capability of operating in the presence of multiple users in a voice-grade UTP cable and the straightforward way in which it can provide scalability to lower speeds. It is also shown in the paper how the carrierless AM/PM (CAP) modulation scheme used for the ATM LAN standard can be utilized to provide substantially higher data rates than 51 Mb/s when there is only one user in a cable. Under this condition, data rates up to 155 Mb/s can be achieved over category 3 wiring and significantly higher rates can be achieved over high-performance category 5 wiring. >
Clinimetric evaluation of a new overall disability scale in immune mediated polyneuropathies

Objectives: To determine the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of a new overall disability sum score in immune mediated polyneuropathies. Methods: Three impairment measures (MRC sum score, sensory sum score, grip strength (Vigorimeter)) and three disability scales (an overall disability sum score (ODSS), Hughes' functional scale (f score), Rankin scale) were assessed in a cross sectional group of 113 clinically stable patients (83 with Guillain–Barré syndrome, 22 with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), eight with a gammopathy related polyneuropathy). The ODSS was also used serially in 20 patients with recently diagnosed Guillain–Barré syndrome (n = 7) or CIDP (n = 13) and changing clinical conditions. Multiple regression studies were performed to compare the impact of impairment disturbances (independent variables) on the various disability scales (dependent variable). Results: Moderate to good construct validity (stable group: Spearman's rank test (absolute values), r = 0.41–0.79; longitudinal group: multiple correlation coefficient, R = 0.69–0.89; p < 0.006 for all associations) and reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, R = 0.90–0.95; p < 0.0001) were demonstrated for the ODSS. Its SRM values were high (> 0.8), indicating good responsiveness. Impairment measures accounted for a higher variance proportion of the ODSS compared with the f score and Rankin (R = 0.64 v 0.56 and 0.45, respectively). Conclusions: All clinimetric requirements were met by the overall (arm and leg) disability sum score in immune mediated polyneuropathies. Its use is therefore suggested in evaluating immune mediated polyneuropathies.
Sociodemographic Variables for Predicting Diabetes in Panama

Sociodemographic variables (SDVs) are an important component in the epidemiological profile of diabetes mellitus (DM); however, they are not critical for the onset of the disease, since we must consider multicausality (1), as well as other risk factors related to lifestyles and genetics. In Panama, in 2012, concluded the first population-based survey of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in adults ≥18 years (PREFREC). This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study, with a single-stage, probabilistic, and randomized sampling strategy with a multivariate stratification. The research evaluated SDVs such as living in urban, rural, and indigenous areas; sex; age; social and cultural groups (SCGs) (white, African Panamanian [Afropanamanian], Asian, and mestizo), educational level, and civil …
A physical model of the turbulent boundary layer consonant with mean momentum balance structure

Recent studies by the present authors have empirically and analytically explored the properties and scaling behaviours of the Reynolds averaged momentum equation as applied to wall-bounded flows. The results from these efforts have yielded new perspectives regarding mean flow structure and dynamics, and thus provide a context for describing flow physics. A physical model of the turbulent boundary layer is constructed such that it is consonant with the dynamical structure of the mean momentum balance, while embracing independent experimental results relating, for example, to the statistical properties of the vorticity field and the coherent motions known to exist. For comparison, the prevalent, well-established, physical model of the boundary layer is briefly reviewed. The differences and similarities between the present and the established models are clarified and their implications discussed.
An extreme value theory approach for the early detection of time clusters. A simulation‐based assessment and an illustration to the surveillance of Salmonella

We propose a new method that could be part of a warning system for the early detection of time clusters applied to public health surveillance data. This method is based on the extreme value theory (EVT). To any new count of a particular infection reported to a surveillance system, we associate a return period that corresponds to the time that we expect to be able to see again such a level. If such a level is reached, an alarm is generated. Although standard EVT is only defined in the context of continuous observations, our approach allows to handle the case of discrete observations occurring in the public health surveillance framework. Moreover, it applies without any assumption on the underlying unknown distribution function. The performance of our method is assessed on an extensive simulation study and is illustrated on real data from Salmonella surveillance in France. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CNTF, not other trophic factors, promotes axonal regeneration of axotomized retinal ganglion cells in adult hamsters.

PURPOSE To investigate the in vivo effects of trophic factors on the axonal regeneration of axotomized retinal ganglion cells in adult hamsters. METHODS The left optic nerve was transected intracranially or intraorbitally, and a peripheral nerve graft was apposed or sutured to the axotomized optic nerve to enhance regeneration. Trophic factors were applied intravitreally every 5 days. Animals were allowed to survive for 3 or 4 weeks. Regenerating retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were labeled by applying the dye Fluoro-Gold to the distal end of the peripheral nerve graft 3 days before the animals were killed. RESULTS Intravitreal application of ciliary neurotrophic factor substantially enhanced the regeneration of damaged axons into a sciatic nerve graft in both experimental conditions (intracranial and intraorbital optic nerve transections) but did not increase the survival of distally axotomized RGCs. Basic fibroblast growth factor and neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin-3, and neurotrophin-4/5 failed to enhance axonal regeneration of distally axotomized RGCs. CONCLUSIONS Neurons of the adult central nervous system can regenerate in response to trophic supply after injury, and ciliary neurotrophic factor is at least one of the trophic factors that can promote axonal regeneration of axotomized RGCs.
In vitro and in vivo characteristics of biogenic high surface silica nanoparticles in A549 lung cancer cell lines and Danio rerio model systems for inorganic biomaterials development

Abstract Silica based organic–inorganic hybrids are turned over the most necessitate biomaterial due to their exotic biomedical properties. Colloidal silica nanoparticles (SNPs) of high surface area are synthesized from the bamboo wastes (leave biomass) as a viable and promising alternative to synthetic silica sol through alkaline extraction process. Physico-chemical properties of the prepared silica powders are examined employing extensive characterization tools. The characteristic results of the silica sol demonstrate amorphous particles (average size: 25 nm) with relatively high surface area (428 m2 g−1) and spherical morphology. The teratogenicity of the surface and size dependant SNPs is evaluated using an alternative animal model, zebrafish (Danio rerio) in comparison with micron sized particles. LDH based cytotoxicity assay reveals non-significant cell damage in all the tested silica particles. Less mortality, uptake and dysfunctionalities of the organs during the developmental stages of zebrafish treated with bulk and nanoparticles confirm their biocompatibility. The least DNA strand breakage during genotoxic assay and teratogenic parameters are found to exhibit desirable bioactivity of SNPs for clinical applications even at higher concentrations. For the first time, bamboo derived silica sol induced genotoxicity is assessed at molecular level to understand the interaction mechanism with the fish genome.
Vitamin D Receptor Deficiency and Low Vitamin D Diet Stimulate Aortic Calcification and Osteogenic Key Factor Expression in Mice

Low levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) are associated with cardiovascular diseases. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency could be a causal factor in atherosclerotic vascular changes and vascular calcification. Aortic root sections of vitamin D receptor knockout (VDR−/−) mice that were stained for vascular calcification and immunostained for osteoblastic differentiation factors showed more calcified areas and a higher expression of the osteogenic key factors Msx2, Bmp2, and Runx2 than the wild-type mice (P<0.01). Data from LDL receptor knockout (LDLR−/−) mice that were fed western diet with either low (50 IU/kg), recommended (1,000 IU/kg), or high (10,000 IU/kg) amounts of vitamin D3 over 16 weeks revealed increasing plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D (P<0.001) with increasing intake of vitamin D, whereas levels of calcium and phosphorus in plasma and femur were not influenced by the dietary treatment. Mice treated with the low vitamin D diet had more calcified lesions and a higher expression of Msx2, Bmp2, and Runx2 in aortic roots than mice fed recommended or high amounts of vitamin D (P<0.001). Taken together, these findings indicate vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for aortic valve and aortic vessel calcification and a stimulator of osteogenic key factor expression in these vascular areas.
Convulsant and Subconvulsant Doses of Norfloxacin in the Presence and Absence of Biphenylacetic Acid Alter Extracellular Hippocampal Glutamate but Not Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Levels in Conscious Rats

ABSTRACT Fluoroquinolones are antibiotics with central excitatory side effects. These adverse effects presumably result from inhibition of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) binding to GABAA receptors. This GABA antagonistic effect is greatly potentiated by the active metabolite of fenbufen, biphenylacetic acid (BPAA). Nevertheless, it remains questionable whether GABA receptor antagonism alone can explain the convulsant activity potentials of these antimicrobial agents. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible effects of norfloxacin, both in the absence and in the presence of BPAA, on the extracellular hippocampal levels of GABA and glutamate, the main central inhibitory and excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters, respectively. This in vivo microdialysis approach with conscious rats allows monitoring of behavioral alterations and concomitant transmitter modulation in the hippocampus. Peroral administration of 100 mg of BPAA per kg of body weight had no effect on behavior and did not significantly alter extracellular GABA or glutamate concentrations. Intravenous perfusion of 300 mg of norfloxacin per kg did not change the rat's behavior or the concomitant neurotransmitter levels in about half of the experiments, while the remaining animals exhibited severe seizures. These norfloxacin-induced convulsions did not affect extracellular hippocampal GABA levels but were accompanied by enhanced glutamate concentrations. Half of the rats receiving both 100 mg of BPAA per kg and 50 mg of norfloxacin per kg displayed lethal seizures, while the remaining animals showed no seizure-related behavior. In the latter subgroup, again no significant alterations in extracellular GABA levels were observed, but glutamate overflow remained significantly elevated for at least 3 h. In conclusion, norfloxacin exerts convulsant activity in rats, accompanied by elevations of extracellular hippocampal glutamate levels but not GABA levels, even in the presence of BPAA.
BAD SALT , NO BABIES

■ WORTH THE SALT: FIGHTING IODINE DEFICIENCY IN AZERBAIJAN ■ ABSTRACTS This event took place on October 27, 2001 in Mombasa, sponsored by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Kenya Salt Manufacturers Association (KESAMA), UNICEF, and members of the community. Mombasa is a major salt producing area for Kenya and East Africa, and the producers combined efforts to support IDD Day. The activities included a parade, skits, and informational talks. Testing for iodine content of salt with kits was demonstrated and taught by students and nurses from the local hospital. The provincial health chief and colleagues provided information. A parade with floats from the different manufacturers and other groups passed through the city’s streets, tossing free packages of iodized salt to onlookers. T-shirts and caps were distributed. A well-known local band wrote and performed a song in Swahili that emphasized the benefits of iodized salt. The day was preceded by publicity in the media and news captions, and was covered by national television. It spurred an increase in activities by industry, especially in advocacy. Similar events are planned for the future. ■ IDD Day in Kenya IDD INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR CONTROL OF IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDERS
Face Inversion Reduces the Persistence of Global Form and Its Neural Correlates

Face inversion produces a detrimental effect on face recognition. The extent to which the inversion of faces and other kinds of objects influences the perceptual binding of visual information into global forms is not known. We used a behavioral method and functional MRI (fMRI) to measure the effect of face inversion on visual persistence, a type of perceptual memory that reflects sustained awareness of global form. We found that upright faces persisted longer than inverted versions of the same images; we observed a similar effect of inversion on the persistence of animal stimuli. This effect of inversion on persistence was evident in sustained fMRI activity throughout the ventral visual hierarchy, including the lateral occipital area (LO), two face-selective visual areas—the fusiform face area (FFA) and the occipital face area (OFA)—and several early visual areas. V1 showed the same initial fMRI activation to upright and inverted forms but this activation lasted longer for upright stimuli. The inversion effect on persistence-related fMRI activity in V1 and other retinotopic visual areas demonstrates that higher-tier visual areas influence early visual processing via feedback. This feedback effect on figure-ground processing is sensitive to the orientation of the figure.
Markets and Choice Economics of Change Who Shows Solidarity with the Irresponsible? Who Shows Solidarity with the Irresponsible? *

Discussion papers of the WZB serve to disseminate the research results of work in progress prior to publication to encourage the exchange of ideas and academic debate. Inclusion of a paper in the discussion paper series does not constitute publication and should not limit publication in any other venue. The discussion papers published by the WZB represent the views of the respective author(s) and not of the institute as a whole. In the Solidarity game lucky winners of a lottery can transfer part of their income to unlucky losers. Will losers get smaller transfers if they can be assumed to be responsible for their zero income because they have chosen riskier lotteries? Or will risk-lovers and risk-averters favor those who made the same risk-choice, leading to larger transfers within rather than between the risk-groups? While there is support for both motives in the literature , in an experiment we find that the effect of holding people responsible for their actions is overcome by behavior guided by in-group favoritism based on different levels of risk-taking. This behavior is successfully described by a variant of the social utility function suggested by Cappelen et al. Cappelen et al. (2013) vorgeschlagen wurde, erklärt werden. and in particular Claudia Vogel for helping to conduct the experiment. Yves Breitmoser provided helpful advice with respect to statistical questions and Erik Sørensen was of great help when providing access to the Cappelen et al. (2013) data and advising in computational questions. We are also thankful for comments by seminar participants in Berlin and Bergen. Remaining shortcomings are, of course, ours.
MEASURING CONCERN ABOUT CRIME: Some Inter-racial Comparisons

Concern about crime can be examined in many ways, and a survey carried out in certain areas of Leeds in 1987 incorporated items on three different aspects which have been labelled fear', worries', and problems'. The survey compared the reactions of three ethnic groups--black, Asian, and white. These groups all lived in the same areas, so their experiences of crime were to some extent controlled for. There were clear differences between the groups on each of the measures. However, the measures varied and showed that any one measure does not sensibly summarize differences between the groups. On the other hand, within each group the three measures were to some extent correlated, showing there was some consistency between the types of concern.
Structured treatment interruption in patients with alveolar echinococcosis

In human alveolar echinococcosis (AE), benzimidazoles are given throughout life because they are only parasitostatic. It has been a longstanding goal to limit treatment, and recent reports suggest that, in selected cases, benzimidazoles may be parasitocidal. Previously, we showed that positron –emission tomography (PET) using [18F]fluoro‐deoxyglucose discriminates active from inactive lesions in AE. We have now performed a 3‐year prospective study in 23 patients and conducted a structured treatment interruption in those without signs of PET activity. Disease progression was further assessed by ultrasound, computerized tomography, laboratory parameters, and clinical examination.We found PET‐negative lesions in 15 of 23 patients and benzimidazoles were discontinued in these patients. After 18 months, patients were reevaluated, and, of the 15 initially PET‐negative patients, 8 showed either new activity on PET (n = 6) or signs of clinical progression (n = 2). Reinitiation of benzimidazoles halted parasite growth again. No further progression was detected after 36 months. PET had a sensitivity of 91% for the detection of active lesions. In conclusion, despite successful suppression of metabolic activity, in most cases benzimidazoles do not kill the parasite. PET is a reliable tool for assessing metabolic activity and for timely detection of relapses. Neither duration of treatment, kind of treatment, lesion size, calcifications, or regressive changes reliably indicate parasite death. We discourage the discontinuation of benzimidazoles in inoperable AE even after many years of treatment. However, patients with a poor compliance of benzimidazole intake or patients suffering from side effects to benzimidazoles might be assessed for PET negativity. If permanent discontinuation of benzimidazoles is attempted, the course of disease should be followed by PET. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;39:509–517.)