Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical analysis and data mining of digital reconstructions of dendritic morphologies

Neuronal morphology is diverse among animal species, developmental stages, brain regions, and cell types. The geometry of individual neurons also varies substantially even within the same cell class. Moreover, specific histological, imaging, and reconstruction methodologies can differentially affect morphometric measures. The quantitative characterization of neuronal arbors is necessary for in-depth understanding of the structure-function relationship in nervous systems. The large collection of community-contributed digitally reconstructed neurons available at NeuroMorpho.Org constitutes a “big data” research opportunity for neuroscience discovery beyond the approaches typically pursued in single laboratories. To illustrate these potential and related challenges, we present a database-wide statistical analysis of dendritic arbors enabling the quantification of major morphological similarities and differences across broadly adopted metadata categories. Furthermore, we adopt a complementary unsupervised approach based on clustering and dimensionality reduction to identify the main morphological parameters leading to the most statistically informative structural classification. We find that specific combinations of measures related to branching density, overall size, tortuosity, bifurcation angles, arbor flatness, and topological asymmetry can capture anatomically and functionally relevant features of dendritic trees. The reported results only represent a small fraction of the relationships available for data exploration and hypothesis testing enabled by sharing of digital morphological reconstructions.
Variability-selected active galactic nuclei from supernova search in the Chandra deep field south

Context. Variability is a property shared by virtually all active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and was adopted as a criterion for their selection using data from multi epoch surveys. Low Luminosity AGNs (LLAGNs) are contaminated by the light of their host galaxies, and cannot therefore be detected by the usual colour techniques. For this reason, their evolution in cosmic time is poorly known. Consistency with the evolution derived from X-ray detected samples has not been clearly established so far, also because the low luminosity population consists of a mixture of different object types. LLAGNs can be detected by the nuclear optical variability of extended objects. Aims. Several variability surveys have been, or are being, conducted for the detection of supernovae (SNe). We propose to re-analyse these SNe data using a variability criterion optimised for AGN detection, to select a new AGN sample and study its properties. Methods. We analysed images acquired with the wide field imager at the 2.2 m ESO/MPI telescope, in the framework of the STRESS supernova survey. We selected the AXAF field centred on the Chandra Deep Field South where, besides the deep X-ray survey, various optical data exist, originating in the EIS and COMBO-17 photometric surveys and the spectroscopic database of GOODS. Results. We obtained a catalogue of 132 variable AGN candidates. Several of the candidates are X-ray sources. We compare our results with an HST variability study of X-ray and IR detected AGNs, finding consistent results. The relatively high fraction of confirmed AGNs in our sample (60%) allowed us to extract a list of reliable AGN candidates for spectroscopic follow-up observations.
Nanocomposites Derived from Polymers and Inorganic Nanoparticles

Polymers are considered to be good hosting matrices for composite materials because they can easily be tailored to yield a variety of bulk physical properties. Moreover, organic polymers generally have long-term stability and good processability. Inorganic nanoparticles possess outstanding optical, catalytic, electronic and magnetic properties, which are significantly different their bulk states. By combining the attractive functionalities of both components, nanocomposites derived from organic polymers and inorganic nanoparticles are expected to display synergistically improved properties. The potential applications of the resultant nanocomposites are various, e.g. automotive, aerospace, opto-electronics, etc. Here, we review recent progress in polymer-based inorganic nanoparticle composites.
Association between hepatitis B surface antibody seropositivity and coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND Specific infectious agents have been found to be related to the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis. AIMS We assessed the possible association between angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) and hepatitis B surface antibody (HBS Ab) seropositivity in a population with relatively high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. SETTING AND DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed data from 830 consecutive subjects undergoing coronary angiography, including angiographic results reported by two cardiologists for inter-observer reliability and assessment of HBS Ab status determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, independent two-sample t test and the Pearson's Correlation Coefficient test were used, as required. Statistics were performed using SPSS software version 13 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). RESULTS Two hundred forty-nine (30%) subjects had normal angiogram or minimal CAD, and 581 (70%) had significant CAD in at least one major coronary artery. In patients with CAD and in patients without angiographic evidence of significant atherosclerosis, 28.7% and 28.9% respectively were positive for HBV (P=0.954). Mean C-reactive protein levels in subjects with positive and negative HBS Ab were 10.77+/-8.37 mg/L versus 10.33+/-7.64 mg/L respectively (P=0.465). However, C-reactive protein levels in CAD group were significantly higher (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggested hepatitis B surface antibody seropositivity has no relationship with coronary artery disease. Moreover, no significant linear correlation exists between HBS Ab and C-reactive protein levels. However, as previously shown, C-reactive protein level in patients with coronary artery disease is significantly higher than in patients with normal coronary arteries.
Molecular Diagnosis of Malaria by Photo-Induced Electron Transfer Fluorogenic Primers: PET-PCR

There is a critical need for developing new malaria diagnostic tools that are sensitive, cost effective and capable of performing large scale diagnosis. The real-time PCR methods are particularly robust for large scale screening and they can be used in malaria control and elimination programs. We have designed novel self-quenching photo-induced electron transfer (PET) fluorogenic primers for the detection of P. falciparum and the Plasmodium genus by real-time PCR. A total of 119 samples consisting of different malaria species and mixed infections were used to test the utility of the novel PET-PCR primers in the diagnosis of clinical samples. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated using a nested PCR as the gold standard and the novel primer sets demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity. The limits of detection for P. falciparum was shown to be 3.2 parasites/µl using both Plasmodium genus and P. falciparum-specific primers and 5.8 parasites/µl for P. ovale, 3.5 parasites/µl for P. malariae and 5 parasites/µl for P. vivax using the genus specific primer set. Moreover, the reaction can be duplexed to detect both Plasmodium spp. and P. falciparum in a single reaction. The PET-PCR assay does not require internal probes or intercalating dyes which makes it convenient to use and less expensive than other real-time PCR diagnostic formats. Further validation of this technique in the field will help to assess its utility for large scale screening in malaria control and elimination programs.
Antibody-Mediated Rejection: Pathogenesis, Prevention, Treatment, and Outcomes

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is a major cause of late kidney transplant failure. It is important to have an understanding of human-leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing including well-designed studies to determine anti-MHC-class-I-related chain A (MICA) and antibody rejection pathogenesis. This can allow for more specific diagnosis and treatment which may improve long-term graft function. HLA-specific antibody detection prior to transplantation allows one to help determine the risk for AMR while detection of DSA along with a biopsy confirms it. It is now appreciated that biopsy for AMR does not have to include diffuse C4d, but does require a closer look at peritubular capillary microvasculature. Although plasmapheresis (PP) is effective in removing alloantibodies (DSAs) from the circulation, rebound synthesis of alloantibodies can occur. Splenectomy is used in desensitization protocols for ABO incompatible transplants as well as being found to treat AMR refractory to conventional treatment. Also used are agents targeted for plasma cells, B cells, and the complement cascade which are bortezomib rituximab and eculizumab, respectively.
Variation of Oleanolic and Ursolic Acid in the Flesh of Persimmon Fruit among Different Cultivars

Oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA) are important bioactive components in many plants, including persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.). The present work was carried out to determine OA and UA contents in the flesh of persimmon fruit from 32 cultivars, including 23 astringent and 9 non-astringent ones, by applying high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. Both OA and UA were present in all of the investigated cultivars, except for three, ‘Hiratanenashi’, ‘Ribenhongshi’ and ‘Matsumotowase’. The OA content ranged from traces to 88.57 μg/g FW, and that of UA were between traces and 27.64 μg/g FW.
Regulation of Chlamydomonas flagella and ependymal cell motile cilia by ceramide-mediated translocation of GSK3

Cilia are important organelles formed by cell membrane protrusions; however, little is known about their regulation by membrane lipids. A novel, evolutionarily conserved activation mechanism for GSK3 by the sphingolipid (phyto)ceramide is characterized that is critical for ciliogenesis in Chlamydomonas and murine ependymal cells.
Robust analysis of 5 0 -transcript ends (5 0 -RATE): a novel technique for transcriptome analysis and genome annotation

Complicated cloning procedures and the high cost of sequencing have inhibited the wide application of serial analysis of gene expression and massively parallel signature sequencing for genome-wide transcriptome profiling of complex genomes. Here we describe a new method called robust analysis of 5 0 -transcript ends (5 0 -RATE) for rapid and cost-effective isolation of long 5 0 transcript ends ( (cid:1) 80 bp). It consists of three major steps including 5 0 -oligocapping of mRNA, NlaIII tag and ditag generation, and pyrosequencing of NlaIII tags. Complicated steps, such as purification and cloning of concatemers, colony picking and plasmid DNA purification, are eliminated and the conventional Sanger sequencing method is replaced with the newly developed pyrosequencing method. Sequence analysis of a maize 5 0 -RATE library revealed complex alternative transcription start sites and a 5 0 poly(A) tail in maize transcripts. Our results demonstrate that 5 0 -RATE is a simple, fast and cost-effective method for transcriptome analysis and genome annotation of complex genomes.
On convergence of nonlinear active disturbance rejection control for MIMO systems

In this paper, the global and semi-global convergence of nonlinear active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) for a class of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear systems with large uncertainties that come from both dynamical modeling and external disturbance are proved. A class of linear systems with external disturbance that can be dealt with by ADRC is classified, from which a comparison with internal model principle is made both analytically and numerically. Numerical simulations illustrate the efficiency and advantage of ADRC in dealing with unknown dynamics, fast tracking, and lower overstriking.
Protective effects of ethynylestradiol on the hemodynamic changes induced by lipopolysaccharide in anesthetized rats.

Estrogen pretreatment has been reported to protect rats from death induced by endotoxin. We investigated the effects of posttreatment with a synthetic estrogen, ethynylestradiol, on arterial pressure and hemodynamics in thiobutabarbitone-anesthetized rats challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. Rats were i.v. injected with lipopolysaccharide (1 mg/kg) followed by vehicle or a single dose of ethynylestradiol (0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg) 1 h later. Another group (time-matched control) was given the vehicle. In the time-control group, there was a slight decrease in mean arterial pressure (-10 +/- 3 mm Hg) but no significant changes in cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, or heart rate over the 6-h study period. Lipopolysaccharide progressively reduced mean arterial pressure and cardiac output (-27 +/- 8 mm Hg and -52 +/- 6 ml/min, after 6 h) and increased total peripheral resistance and heart rate (+0.33 +/- 0.10 mm Hg/min/ml and +21 +/- 13 beats/min, after 6 h). None of the time-control rats died, but 36% of the rats treated with lipopolysaccharide died between 3 and 6 h after endotoxin challenge. Ethynylestradiol, at 0.25 and 0.5 completely, and at 1 mg/kg partially, restored mean arterial pressure and cardiac output at 6 h after injection of lipopolysaccharide. Ethynylestradiol at 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, but not 0.25 mg/kg, completely reversed the increase in total peripheral resistance at 6 h after injection of lipopolysaccharide. Mortality was 14% in each of the three groups of rats given ethynylestradiol 1 h after lipopolysaccharide. Therefore posttreatment with ethynylestradiol attenuated hemodynamic changes in endotoxic shock.
Control Strategy for Dispatchable Distributed Energy Resources in Islanded Microgrids

This paper proposes a multi-input muti-output control strategy for dispatchable power electronic based distributed energy resources (DERs) in islanded mode operation of microgrids. The controller is designed based on the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$dq$</tex-math></inline-formula> model of the DER unit. Cascade, feedforward, and internal model control principle, incorporating the theory of integral control and repetitive controller, are used. The proposed controller regulates the voltage at the output of DERs under any load (balanced, unbalanced, and harmonic) variation and/or fault condition. The stability of the closed-loop system has been investigated. Enhanced phase-locked loop (EPLL) is used to determine the system variables in the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$dq$</tex-math></inline-formula> frame under unbalanced (and balanced) operating conditions. The structure of the EPLL is further modified to regulate the microgrid frequency and a stability analysis of proposed frequency control loop is presented. The performance of the proposed controller is verified through test case studies, carried out on an autonomous microgrid with single and multiple DER units.
Identification of Two Domains Involved in the Assembly of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical Channels*

Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are associated with calcium entry activity in nonexcitable cells. TRPCs can form homo- or heterotetrameric channels, in which case they can assemble together within a subfamily groups. TRPC1, 4, and 5 represent one group, and TRPC3, 6, and 7 represent the other. The molecular determinants involved in promoting subunit tetramerization are not known. To identify them, we generated chimeras by swapping the different domains of TRPC4 with the same regions in TRPC6. We showed that TRPC4 coimmunoprecipitated with the chimeras containing the ankyrin repeats and coiled-coil domains of TRPC4 into TRPC6. However, chimeras containing only the ankyrin repeats or only the coiled-coil domain of TRPC4 did not coimmunoprecipitate with TRPC4. We also showed that a second domain of interaction composed of the pore region and the C-terminal tail is involved in the oligomerization of TRPC4. However, chimeras containing only the pore region or only the C-terminal tail of TRPC4 did not coimmunoprecipitate with TRPC4. Furthermore, we showed that the N terminus of TRPC6 coimmunoprecipitated with the C terminus of TRPC6. Overexpression in HEK293T cells of chimeras that contained an N terminus and a C terminus from different subfamily groups increased intracellular calcium entry subsequent to stimulation of Gq protein-coupled receptors. These results suggest that two types of interactions are involved in the assembly of the four subunits of the TRPC channel. The first interaction occurs between the N termini and involves two regions. The second interaction occurs between the N terminus and the C terminus and does not appear to be necessary for the activity of TRPCs.
Partnership Models for Climate Compatible Development: Experiences from Zambia

Partnership working is necessary to allow nations to harness the evolving opportunities presented by climate finance and to progress towards climate compatible development (CCD). However, the new multi-stakeholder partnerships being formed and the factors affecting their outcomes remain poorly understood. This paper aims to identify the characteristics of partnership models that can lead to successful delivery of CCD projects by analyzing case study data from two projects in Zambia. The projects are primarily funded under the umbrella of Corporate Social Responsibility and support activities such as conservation farming which can have carbon storage (mitigation), adaptation and rural development benefits. In each of the case study projects, multiple partnerships have been established between private sector companies, government, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), traditional authorities and community stakeholders to achieve project aims. A new partnership evaluation model is developed and applied to analyze the partnerships formed. Findings show that the rationale behind the partnership, partner-related factors, and process-related factors can all affect achievement of the project's aims. Good practices are identified which can inform future partnerships and projects. For example, when establishing a project, the initiating partner must identify gaps that can be addressed by establishing one or more partnership(s). Careful
Multiclass optical orthogonal codes for multiservice optical CDMA networks

Optical code division multiple access (CDMA)-based networks are an interesting alternative to support various traffic types of multimedia applications with highly variable performance targets. Generally, multilength codes are designed to support multirate services, while the multiweight codes are designed to support differentiated quality of service (QoS) for multimedia applications. However, existing optical orthogonal codes (OOCs) are limited to single class or multiclass with restricted weight and length properties. Therefore, there exists a lack of flexibility in the existing OOCs to support arbitrary rate and QoS. This paper presents a proposal of generation procedure and performance analysis of joint multiweight multilength strict OOCs. The approach used in this paper is to apply a methodology strongly relying on developed analytical theory that is supported by computer optimization, because it has turned out that it is mathematically intractable to construct unconstraint joint multilength multiweight OOCs using pure algebraic techniques. The generated code set fulfills the conditions of strictly OOCs, namely, the maximum nonzero shift autocorrelation and the maximum cross correlation constraints of one. The mark position difference (MPD) approach is used to generate in a flexible way the multiclass code set. The MPD results in the simple evaluation of multiclass code set cardinality. Furthermore, the multiple-access interference (MAI) in a multiclass OOC system is evaluated by modeling the interference per class as a Poisson distribution to simplify performance evaluation with acceptable accuracy.
Simulation Model of Common-Mode Chokes for High-Power Applications

Linear and nonlinear Cauer-network models for nanocrystalline inductor cores are developed and used for circuit simulations of common-mode chokes for inverter-based drive systems of several hundred kW. Experimental measurements of the chokes' performance in a high-power test bed are compared to the model results. When the model is based on measured characteristics of the material used, the match to measured behavior is good. Damping inherent in the material characteristic is adequate, such that additional damping is not useful. The primary limitation to accurate prediction of loss in practice is the tolerance on specifications of core characteristics, particularly at high frequency where limits are not specified.
Elliptic Quantum Billiard

Abstract The exact and semiclassical quantum mechanics of the elliptic billiard is investigated. The classical system is integrable and exhibits a separatrix, dividing the phase space into regions of oscillatory and rotational motion. The classical separability carries over to quantum mechanics, and the Schrodinger equation is shown to be equivalent to the spheroidal wave equation. The quantum eigenvalues show a clear pattern when transformed into the classical action space. The implication of the separatrix on the wave functions is illustrated. A uniform WKB quantization taking into account complex orbits is shown to be adequate for the semiclassical quantization in the presence of a separatrix. The pattern of states in classical action space is nicely explained by this quantization procedure. We extract an effective Maslov phase varying smoothly on the energy surface, which is used to modify the Berry–Tabor trace formula, resulting in a summation over nonperiodic orbits. This modified trace formula produces the correct number of states, even close to the separatrix. The Fourier transform of the density of states is explained in terms of classical orbits, and the amplitude and form of the different kinds of peaks is analytically calculated.
POLYMER APPARENT VISCOSITY DEPENDENCE ON INACCESSIBLE PORE VOLUME: LABORATORY AND FIELD STUDIES OF ITS INFLUENCE ON ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY

The successful use of polymer-enhanced oil recovery observed in the last two decades is leading to effective field implementations. One of the reasons for such positive results in polymer flooding is the integration between laboratory-measured properties and reservoir simulation. Recent reports show that inaccessible pore volume (IAPV) plays a significant role in the apparent viscosity of random coil polymers, such as hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM). This paper assesses both direct and indirect impacts of IAPV on polymer flooding. This investigation relies on laboratory and field-scale simulations of polymer flooding using CMG-STARS. Simulation cases review the effects of IAPV on production indicators in direct and indirect forms. This study compares laboratory-scale simulations with experimental results and uses quality indicators to evaluate the history matching of both approaches. It relies on a modified benchmark field case to study both approaches in comparison to waterflooding and idealized polymer flooding. Results indicate that IAPV has a small direct impact on production curves. However, data show significant indirect implications of the IAPV on recovery. This effect occurs because the apparent viscosity of HPAM has a direct relationship with IAPV. Although the simulation results were consistent with current literature, the results obtained through the experiments indicate that the most realistic simulation case is achieved when considering the impact of IAPV on polymer viscosity.