Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The population of faint transients in the Galactic Centre

ABSTRA C T BeppoSAX has detected a population of faint transient X-ray sources in the Galactic Centre. I show that a simple irradiated disc picture gives a consistent fit to the properties of this population, and that it probably consists of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) that have evolved beyond their minimum orbital periods of ,80 min. Since all post-minimum systems are transient, and neutron star LMXBs are more common than black hole LMXBs in the Galaxy, the majority of these systems should contain neutron stars, as observed. This picture predicts that the Galactic Centre transients should have orbital periods in the range ,80‐ 120 min, and that most of them should repeat in the next few years. In this case, the total number of post-minimum transients in the Galaxy would be considerably smaller than the usual estimates of its total LMXB population. I discuss possible reasons for this.
Overexpression of the Rice SUMO E3 Ligase Gene OsSIZ1 in Cotton Enhances Drought and Heat Tolerance, and Substantially Improves Fiber Yields in the Field under Reduced Irrigation and Rainfed Conditions

The Arabidopsis SUMO E3 ligase gene AtSIZ1 plays important roles in plant response to abiotic stresses as loss of function in AtSIZ1 leads to increased sensitivity to drought, heat and salt stresses. Overexpression of the AtSIZ1 rice homolog, OsSIZ1, leads to increased heat and drought tolerance in bentgrass, suggesting that the function of the E3 ligase SIZ1 is highly conserved in plants and it plays a critical role in abiotic stress responses. To test the possibility that the SUMO E3 ligase could be used to engineer drought- and heat-tolerant crops, the rice gene OsSIZ1 was overexpressed in cotton. We report here that overexpression of OsSIZ1 in cotton results in higher net photosynthesis and better growth than wild-type cotton under drought and thermal stresses in growth chamber and greenhouse conditions. Additionally, this tolerance to abiotic stresses was correlated with higher fiber yield in both controlled-environment and field trials carried out under reduced irrigation and rainfed conditions. These results suggest that OsSIZ1 is a viable candidate gene to improve crop yields under water-limited and rainfed agricultural production systems.
Finding and recognizing objects in natural scenes: complementary computations in the dorsal and ventral visual systems

Searching for and recognizing objects in complex natural scenes is implemented by multiple saccades until the eyes reach within the reduced receptive field sizes of inferior temporal cortex (IT) neurons. We analyze and model how the dorsal and ventral visual streams both contribute to this. Saliency detection in the dorsal visual system including area LIP is modeled by graph-based visual saliency, and allows the eyes to fixate potential objects within several degrees. Visual information at the fixated location subtending approximately 9° corresponding to the receptive fields of IT neurons is then passed through a four layer hierarchical model of the ventral cortical visual system, VisNet. We show that VisNet can be trained using a synaptic modification rule with a short-term memory trace of recent neuronal activity to capture both the required view and translation invariances to allow in the model approximately 90% correct object recognition for 4 objects shown in any view across a range of 135° anywhere in a scene. The model was able to generalize correctly within the four trained views and the 25 trained translations. This approach analyses the principles by which complementary computations in the dorsal and ventral visual cortical streams enable objects to be located and recognized in complex natural scenes.
Evolution of Compact Binary Populations in Globular Clusters: A Boltzmann Study. II. Introducing Stochasticity

We continue the exploration that we began in Paper I of using the Boltzmann scheme to study the evolution of compact binary populations of globular clusters, introducing in this paper our method of handling the stochasticity inherent in the dynamical processes of binary formation, destruction, and hardening in globular clusters. We describe these stochastic processes as “Wiener processes,” whereupon the Boltzmann equation becomes a stochastic partial differential equation, the solution of which involves the use of “Itō calculus” (this use being the first, to our knowledge, in this subject), in addition to ordinary calculus. As in Paper I, we focus on the evolution of (1) the number of X-ray binaries NXB in globular clusters and (2) the orbital period distribution of these binaries. We show that, although the details of the fluctuations in the above quantities differ from one “realization” to another of the stochastic processes, the general trends follow those found in the continuous-limit study of Paper I, and the average result over many such realizations is very close to the continuous-limit result. We investigate the dependence of NXB found by these calculations on two essential globular cluster properties, namely, the star-star and star-binary encounter rate parameters Γ and γ, for which we coined the name “Verbunt parameters” in Paper I. We compare our computed results with those from Chandra observations of Galactic globular clusters, showing that the expected scalings of NXB with the Verbunt parameters are in good agreement with those observed. We indicate additional features that can be incorporated into the scheme in the future, as well as how more elaborate problems can be tackled.
Molecular Imaging of Mesenchymal Stem Cell: Mechanistic Insight Into Cardiac Repair After Experimental Myocardial Infarction

Background— Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into endothelial cells in vivo. However, it is unknown if the differentiated MSCs persist in vivo and if this potential persistence contributes to functional improvement after experimental myocardial infarction. Methods and Results— We generated a lentivector encoding 2 distinct reporter genes, one driven by a constitutive murine stem cell virus promoter and the other driven by an endothelial-specific Tie-2 promoter. The endothelial specificity of the lentivector was validated by its expression in endothelial cells but not in human MSCs (hMSCs). The lentivirus-transduced hMSCs were injected into peri-infarct areas of the hearts of severe combined immune-deficient mice. Persistence of injected cells was tracked by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and verified by immunohistochemical staining. The BLI signal from the endothelial-specific reporter revealed that hMSCs differentiated into endothelial cells 48 hours after injection. However, both the constitutive and endothelial-specific BLI signals disappeared by day 50. Nonetheless, the improvement in left ventricle ejection fraction with hMSC therapy persisted for up to 6 months. Immunohistochemical staining showed that hMSC-derived endothelial cells integrated into endogenous CD31+ vessels. Furthermore, hMSC-transplanted hearts had more CD31+ vessels and a lesser degree of cardiac fibrosis compared with the controls at 6 months. Conclusions— hMSCs differentiated into endothelial cells and integrated into blood vessels after experimental myocardial infarction. The differentiated hMSCs only lasted for up to 50 days in vivo, but improvement in cardiac function persisted for up to 6 months. Increased angiogenesis and decreased fibrosis were associated with cardiac functional improvement after hMSC transplantation.
Systemic inflammation as a therapeutic target in acute ischemic stroke

Acute systemic inflammatory reaction superimposed on chronic low-grade inflammation accompanies acute ischemic stroke. Elevated blood levels of systemic inflammatory markers such as IL-6 or C-reactive protein are associated with an unfavorable functional outcome and increased mortality after stroke. Animal studies have demonstrated a causal relationship between systemic inflammation and ischemic brain damage. The mechanisms linking systemic inflammation with poor outcome include increased neutrophil infiltration of cerebral cortex, disruption of the blood–brain barrier, impaired tissue reperfusion, increased platelet activation and microvascular coagulation and complement-dependent brain injury. Non-selective (e.g., by statins) or selective (e.g., by inhibition of IL-6) attenuation of systemic inflammation, enhancement of systemic anti-inflammatory response (e.g., by infusion of IL-1 receptor antagonist), prevention of infections that exacerbate systemic inflammation or inhibition of neuronal pathways triggering inflammatory reaction are potential therapeutic targets in stroke patients. This review discusses the relationship between systemic inflammation, cerebral ischemia and prognosis in the context of therapeutic strategies.
The sexual health of young British Pakistanis in London: social and cultural influences

Background: Pakistanis are the second largest ethnic minority group in the UK. However, there is a paucity of sexual health research among this group. In contrast to their parents’ generation, other South Asians are beginning to have premarital (sexual) relationships. This change may be occurring among young Pakistanis. In this thesis I explore social and cultural influences on the relationships and sexual behaviours of Pakistani youth, in order to determine whether there is unmet sexual health need. Methods: I analysed data from the second National Survey of Sexual Attitudes & Lifestyles (Natsal-2), exploring attitudes, learning about sex and first sexual experiences among Pakistanis (n=365). I then carried out thirty in-depth interviews with young Pakistanis and community workers to explore key life issues and implications for relationships and sexual behaviour. Findings: In Natsal-2, Pakistanis reported more conservative sexual attitudes than other groups, e.g. many saw premarital sex as wrong. They were also more likely to be married at first sex. Yet two-thirds of Pakistani men also reported being in non-marital relationships at this time, suggesting attitudes are not necessarily consonant with behaviour. The in-depth interviews found that premarital relationships are commonplace among youth, but due to social and cultural constraints, are conducted in secrecy. Young Pakistanis strive to maintain individual and cultural reputation. There were gender differences in perceptions, relationship types and vulnerability to sexual health risk. Sexual health knowledge was poor and few had access to support. Conclusions: Contrary to faith and cultural norms, premarital relationships do occur among Pakistani youth. The secrecy of these relationships and the pressures and complex gender roles they negotiate mean that some young Pakistanis are at risk of poor sexual health. This has implications for the delivery of appropriate preventative and curative services, which should encompass a broad understanding of sexual health and risk.
Punishment and the emergence of public goods in a marine host-parasite

The conditions under which humans benefit from cont ribu ing to a public good have attracted great interest; in particular the potenti al role of punishment of cheaters is hotly debated. In contrast, similar studies on othe r animals are lacking. In this study, we describe for the first time how the course of in teractions between parasitic sabre– tooth blennies (the cheaters) and their reef fish v ictims can be used to study both punishment and the emergence of public goods. Sabre tooth blennies ( Plagiotremus sp.) sneak up from behind to bite off small pieces of cales and ⁄ or mucus from other fish. Victims regularly show spontaneous aggression as well as aggressive responses to blenny attacks. In a between species comparison, we tested how the probability of chasing a blenny is affected by (1) the option of a voiding interactions with a blenny by avoiding its small territory, and (2) variation in local abundance of conspecifics. We found that resident victim species are more aggr essive towards blennies than visiting species. This difference persisted when we controlled for victim size and territoriality, suggesting that it is the enforced repeated game structure that causes residents to chase blennies. In residents, we also found a negative correlation between aggression towards blennies and local abundance, wh ich suggests that the benefits of
Dynamics of human papillomavirus infection between biopsy and excision of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: results from the ZYC101a protocol.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) during the follow-up of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 after biopsy. METHODS A total of 127 women with biopsy-confirmed CIN2/3 were enrolled in a phase 2 double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of ZYC101a. Colposcopic, cytologic, and HPV testing were performed over the course of 6 months, before a loop electrical surgical excision procedure was performed at study exit. RESULTS Of the women tested, 99% were found to be HPV positive at study entry, 50% were found to be HPV type 16 positive at study entry, 22% were found to be positive for multiple HPV types at study entry, and 37% were found to be positive for additional HPV types during follow-up. Of those with a histologic outcome of CIN1 at study exit, 78% were found to be positive for additional HPV types; in 39%, the original type was replaced with a new HPV type. Virus load at study entry did not predict outcome, but pre-study-exit virus load correlated with a histologic outcome of any CIN, and changes in virus load correlated with risk for an outcome of CIN2/3 at study exit. CONCLUSIONS The type and number of HPVs at study entry, detection of additional viral types, and virus load changes during follow-up influence histologic outcome at study exit. An outcome of CIN1 at study exit is most likely due to additional HPV infections, rather than morphologic reversion of CIN2/3 to CIN1. Knowledge of the dynamics of HPV infection during the biopsy-to-excision period is critical to understanding the natural history of HPV infection, its contribution to disease outcome, and interpretations of drug efficacy.
Splinter: Practical Private Queries on Public Data

Many online services let users query public datasets such as maps, flight prices, or restaurant reviews. Unfortunately, the queries to these services reveal highly sensitive information that can compromise users' privacy. This paper presents Splinter, a system that protects users' queries on public data and scales to realistic applications. A user splits her query into multiple parts and sends each part to a different provider that holds a copy of the data. As long as any one of the providers is honest and does not collude with the others, the providers cannot determine the query. Splinter uses and extends a new cryptographic primitive called Function Secret Sharing (FSS) that makes it up to an order of magnitude more efficient than prior systems based on Private Information Retrieval and garbled circuits. We develop protocols extending FSS to new types of queries, such as MAX and TOPK queries. We also provide an optimized implementation of FSS using AES-NI instructions and multicores. Splinter achieves end-to-end latencies below 1.6 seconds for realistic workloads including a Yelp clone, flight search, and map routing.
Holding our breath: The emerging and anticipated roles of microRNA in pulmonary hypertension

Over the past decade, the importance of non-coding RNA such as microRNA has been established in numerous processes that drive human pathogenesis. These crucial molecular regulators modulate networks of target gene transcripts that, in turn, orchestrate cellular phenotypes such as cell survival, differentiation, proliferation, and metabolism among others and thus affect cardiopulmonary vascular disease conditions. Many of these same pathophenotypes figure prominently in the complex pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension, an enigmatic vascular disorder characterized by a histological panvasculopathy and driven by disparate upstream triggers such as hypoxia, inflammation, and bone morphogenetic protein signaling. Yet, the importance of just a few microRNAs in pulmonary hypertension has been recognized, and we are only beginning to understand the integrative functions of these molecules in this disease. By combining systems biology with traditional experimental approaches, more direct insight into the pleiotropy of microRNA should not only further reveal the spectrum of molecular pathways that cause pulmonary hypertension, but also offer novel and much needed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Does maternal reflective functioning relate to emotional availability in mother-infant interactions?

This volume is divided into three parts. Part 1 presents a review of the literature regarding the predictive validity of the Adult Attachment Interview (George, Kaplan & Main, 1985) since van IJzendoorn's (1995) meta-analysis on the subject. The review replicates van Ijzendoorn's, confirming the prediction of infant attachment by the AAI and to a lesser extent maternal behaviour. The literature reviewed highlights a move in research since 1995, away from focusing exclusively on maternal sensitivity in understanding the transmission of attachment from parent to child, to consider other potential mediators and moderators of attachment transmission. Part 2 presents an empirical paper investigating the relationship between maternal reflective functioning and emotional availability in two high-risk samples of mothers and their infants. The samples were drawn from two projects investigating the effectiveness of clinical interventions, one in a community sample and the other in a prison population. Two research psychologists undertook data collection (M.S. & J.N.), whilst the author (J.G.) undertook the majority of data coding. One of the research psychologists plans to submit a PhD thesis (M. Sleed 2009) based on some of the data used in the current empirical paper. An association was found between maternal reflective functioning and emotional availability in the prison sample but not the community sample. However, reflective functioning could account for some of the variance in emotional availability identified between the two samples. Within the community sample, associations between emotional availability and parenting stress as well as emotional availability and aspects of maternal psychopathology were identified. Maternal IQ, which has been neglected in past research regarding maternal representations and mother-infant interaction, was found to be strongly associated with maternal representations and emotional availability. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed. Part 3 contains a critical analysis of the research process. Methodological choices are discussed and building on the discussion contained within the empirical paper, the clinical implications and directions for research are expanded upon. Part 3 ends with some personal reflections on the research conducted.
Neural mechanisms underlying explicit evaluation of one's own and others' emotions: Understanding the role of empathic processing

This study examined the effects of empathy on common and distinct mechanisms underlying evaluation of onei¯s own emotions (self: How do I feel? ) and othersi¯ emotions (others: How do others feel? ) by manipulating whether a target person was perceived as a good person (concordant condition: likely to provoke empathy) or a bad person (discordant condition: ideally, less likely to provoke empathy). In addition, this study explored whether findings from simple conditions are generalized to complex, ecological conditions by conducting two fMRI experiments: one with a relatively simple condition (e.g., faces: fMRI Experiment I) and another with a complex condition (e.g., video clips: fMRI Experiment II). The manipulation of person-valence (good/bad) was effective in creating the concordant and discordant conditions. Emotional ratings of self and others increased (became more negative) when something bad happened to the good person. In contrast, emotional ratings of self decreased, but emotional ratings of others increased when something bad happened to the bad person. fMRI Experiment I demonstrated that broad common networks including the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) were commonly involved in self and others irrespective of different person conditions. In contrast, some common regions involved in cognitive effort were uniquely identified in the bad person condition. No modulation by person-valence (good/bad) was found in self-distinct regions including the rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) and insula and other-distinct regions including the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS). However, modulation by person-valence was reported in some regions including the medial PFC (MPFC), which is possibly involved in regulation of undesired emotional responses to the bad person. These results provided new insights about brain mechanisms associated with explicit emotional processing when people do not empathize with other people. fMRI Experiment II partially replicated findings from fMRI Experiment I. The insula and pSTS were involved in self and others, respectively. Overall, this study highlighted the important role of empathic confounds in understanding the common and distinct mechanisms associated with evaluation of onei¯s own and othersi¯ emotions and the involvement of similar distinct mechanisms associated with evaluation of onei¯s own and othersi¯ emotions in complex, ecological social contexts.
Changes in prevalence of prescription opioid abuse after introduction of an abuse-deterrent opioid formulation.

OBJECTIVE The reformulation of oxycodone hydrochloride controlled-release (CR) tablets in August 2010 created a natural experiment at a national scale, providing an opportunity to evaluate patterns of abuse of prescription opioids and other drugs before and after introduction of this abuse-deterrent formulation (ADF). DESIGN Observational, cross-sectional study SETTING Sentinel sample of adults assessed for substance abuse treatment within the NAVIPPRO® surveillance system SUBJECTS Two hundred thirty-two thousand and eight hundred seventy-four adults at 437 facilities during January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011. METHODS Time-series analysis using logistic regression to estimate quarterly prevalence of past 30-day abuse (adjusted for covariates and prescription volume) and changes in abuse pre-and post-ADF introduction. RESULTS Increases in abuse prevalence occurred for all prescription opioids as a class and for extended-release (ER) opioids. Significantly greater abuse of ER oxymorphone and buprenorphine occurred in the post-ADF period (relative risk [RR] = 2.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.59-3.27 and RR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.74-1.96). Increases in abuse for these two compounds were significant among groups who reported abuse via preferential routes of administration (oral only, snorting only, injection only) post-ADF introduction. CONCLUSIONS Replacement of a widely prescribed opioid formulation known for its abuse potential alone may have had little impact on overall rates of prescription opioids as a class. However, changes in abuse levels of certain opioids coinciding with ADF introduction suggest possible switching of abuse among this study sample to specific long-acting opioid analgesics. Additional follow-up studies will be important to monitor changing abuse patterns and their public health impact as new opioid formulations are developed and introduced to market.