Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visualization of origins and propagation of excitation in canine gastric smooth muscle.

The origin and spread of excitation were visualized with fluo 3 fluorescence in tissues isolated from canine gastric antrum. Sheets of circular muscle (5 × 6 mm) had at least 1 (30%) and up to 3 discrete slow-wave pacing sites located near the longitudinal-circular muscle boundary, whereas similarly sized longitudinal sheets had an average of 5 sites (range 3-12 sites) that initiated Ca2+ waves. Superimposed fluorescent oscillations (circular muscle) and spikes (longitudinal muscle) were seen to initiate and propagate as distinct events, separate from their underlying activities. Average propagation velocities transverse (6-7 mm/s) and parallel (39-45 mm/s) to the long axis of muscle fibers were similar for each type of event in circular and longitudinal tissues; however, distinct regions where velocities of some (but not all) events decreased by up to an order of magnitude were present. The distance propagated by individual events was limited by collisions with concurrent excitable events or recently activated regions. Complex patterns of excitation in gastrointestinal smooth muscle arise as a result of interactions between multiple pacing sites, heterogeneous conduction velocities, and the interplay of adjacent pacemaker domains.
Populations of Symbiodinium muscatinei Show Strong Biogeographic Structuring in the Intertidal Anemone Anthopleura elegantissima

Among temperate cnidarian symbioses, the partnership between the intertidal anemone Anthopleura elegantissima and its dinoflagellate and chlorophyte symbionts is one of the most well characterized. Biogeographic, reciprocal transplant, and physiological studies have convincingly demonstrated a relationship between environmental factors such as temperature and irradiance and the distribution of symbionts from both algal phyla. However, little is known about the fine-scale diversity or biogeographic distribution within symbiont lineages of this anemone. We used sequence information from the mitochondrial cytochrome b and chloroplast 23S ribosomal genes and restriction fragment length polymorphism data from the 18S nuclear ribosomal gene to characterize the Symbiodinium populations in tentacles clipped from 105 anemones at 14 sites along the entire California coast, spanning about 1200 km. Our results show the presence of at least three primary biogeographic regions with breaks around Cape Mendocino and Monterey Bay, each dominated by a different Symbiodinium muscatinei genotype. Sharp clines suggest limited gene flow between adjacent regions. Few sampling locations or individual anemones showed symbiont diversity at either organellar locus within the limits of our detection method, while sequence analysis of cloned nr18S polymerase chain reaction product suggests that nuclear pseudogenes may underlie intra-host diversity observed at that locus.
Integrating Information From Vision and Touch: A Neural Network Modeling Study

Perception of external events often depends on integrating different sensory information. Many studies show strong evidence for visual-tactile integrations. Understanding how visual and tactile information are merged together is still a challenging problem. Here, a neural network model was used to investigate the mechanisms underlying visual-tactile interactions. It includes two unimodal areas (visual and tactile, respectively), sending feedforward connections into a downstream bimodal area. The unimodal areas influence each other via two synaptic mechanisms: feedback synapses from the bimodal area and direct reciprocal connections. The network reproduces a variety of visual-tactile interactions: 1) detection of faint tactile stimuli is facilitated by concomitant visual input; 2) tactile spatial resolution is improved by visual information; 3) cross-modal advantages are maximum when poor unisensory information is available (inverse effectiveness); and 4) conflict situations are resolved based on the more reliable sensory cue. The model identifies distinct roles for the feedback and direct synapses: the first are fundamental to improve detection of low-intensity tactile stimuli in cross-modal stimulation, and the second are mostly implicated in visual enhancement of tactile spatial localization and resolution. A better comprehension of how vision and touch interact in the neural system may contribute to physiological knowledge, clinical practice, and technological applications.
Real-time stabilization and tracking of a four-rotor mini rotorcraft

In this paper, we present a controller design and its implementation on a mini rotorcraft having four rotors. The dynamic model of the four-rotor rotorcraft is obtained via a Lagrange approach. The proposed controller is based on Lyapunov analysis using a nested saturation algorithm. The global stability analysis of the closed-loop system is presented. Real-time experiments show that the controller is able to perform autonomously the tasks of taking off, hovering, and landing.
Expression of toll-like receptors in human limbal and conjunctival epithelial cells

Purpose To determine the expression and function of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in human conjunctival, limbal and corneal epithelial cells. Methods Expression of TLRs was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis in human conjunctival, corneal and limbal epithelial cells and tissues. Ligand-stimulated nuclear factor κB activation; interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 protein secretion was measured in the cultured conjunctival and limbal epithelial cells by ELISA analysis. Results Expression of TLR1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 was found in all conjunctival and limbal epithelial cell samples analyzed by real time PCR and western blot. TLR4 and TLR9 transcripts were undetectable in some samples by real-time PCR. TLR7, 8 and 10 transcripts were not detected by real time PCR in any of the samples tested. TLR1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 proteins were found in conjunctival, limbal and corneal epithelium by immunohistochemistry. Cultured conjunctival epithelial cells expressed significantly lower levels of TLRs than uncultured conjunctival cells obtained by applying nitrocellulose paper to the bulbar conjunctival surface. Cultured limbal and conjunctival cells responded to stimulation by polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly[I:C]), palmitoyl-3-cysteine-serine-lysine-4 (Pam3CSK) and flagellin with increased secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 and the activation of NFκB. Peptidoglycans (PGN) and CpG DNA caused increased NFκB activity; however, only conjunctival epithelial cells showed increased cytokine secretion. Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) or lipopolysacchride (LPS) did not change cytokine secretion or NFκB levels in either cell type. Conclusions The TLRs found in human conjunctival and limbal epithelial cells provide a basis for responses to many common ocular pathogens. Although the mRNA and protein for TLR4 and TLR2 was found, neither conjunctival or limbal cells in culture responded to LPS or LTA stimulation.
The association between cerebral amyloid angiopathy and intracerebral haemorrhage: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The aim of this study was to determine the strength of the association between intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in a systematic review of published neuropathological studies. Methods In April 2011, Ovid Medline (from 1950) and Embase (from 1980) were searched for neuropathological studies that quantified the prevalence of CAA in patients with ICH and in a control group without ICH. Two authors extracted data from each study and meta-analysed their results using a random effects model. Results 10 neuropathological cross sectional or case control studies were identified, involving 481 cases with ICH and 3219 controls. There was no association between CAA and ICH in any location (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.68; 10 studies, I2 29%), deep ICH (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.30 to 2.19; five studies, I2 58%) or cerebellar ICH (OR 2.05, 95% CI 0.55 to 7.63; four studies, I2 0%). CAA was significantly associated with lobar ICH, both overall (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.09 to 4.45; six studies, I2 40%) and in the three studies where average ages for cases and controls were comparable (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.02 to 10.26). Conclusions There is an association between CAA and lobar ICH, although the association might be stronger if potential confounding factors, distinctive clinical and imaging features of ICH due to CAA and CAA neuropathological severity are taken into account.
Nuclear Factor κB Signaling Either Stimulates or Inhibits Neurite Growth Depending on the Phosphorylation Status of p65/RelA

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling is known to promote neurite growth from developing sensory neurons and to enhance the size and complexity of pyramidal neuron dendritic arbors in the developing cerebral cortex. In marked contrast, here we show that NF-κB signaling can also exert a potent inhibitory influence on neurite growth in certain neurons, and can either promote or inhibit neurite growth in the same neurons depending on the mechanism of NF-κB activation. In neonatal superior cervical ganglion sympathetic neurons, enhancing NF-κB transcriptional activity by overexpressing either the p65 NF-κB subunit or the IκB kinase-β (IKKβ) subunit of the IκB kinase complex, or by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) treatment, strongly inhibits neurite growth. Paradoxically in neonatal nodose ganglion sensory neurons, enhancing NF-κB transcriptional activity by p65/p50 overexpression increases neurite growth, whereas enhancing NF-κB transcriptional activity by IKKβ overexpression inhibits neurite growth. In addition to activating NF-κB, IKKβ overexpression leads to phosphorylation of p65 on serine 536. Blockade of serine 536 phosphorylation by a S536A-p65 mutant protein prevents the growth-inhibitory effects of IKKβ overexpression in both sensory and sympathetic neurons and the growth-inhibitory effects of TNFα on sympathetic neurons. Furthermore, expression of a p65 S536D phosphomimetic mutant inhibits neurite growth from sensory neurons. These results demonstrate that NF-κB can either stimulate or inhibit neurite growth in developing neurons depending on the phosphorylation status of p65.
HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE SURVEY OF INTERSTELLAR HIGH-VELOCITY Si iii

We describe an ultraviolet spectroscopic survey of interstellar high-velocity cloud (HVC) absorption in the strong λ1206. 500 line of Si iii using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope. Because the Si iii line is 4–5 times stronger than O vi λ1031. 926, it provides a sensitive probe of ionized gas down to column densities NSi iii ≈ 5 × 1011 cm−2 at Si iii equivalent width 10 mÅ. We detect high-velocity Si iii over 91% ± 4% of the sky (53 of 58 sight lines); 59% of the HVCs show negative local standard of rest velocities. The mean HVC column density per sight line is 〈log NSi iii〉 = 13.19 ± 0.45, while the mean for all 90 velocity components is 12.92 ± 0.46. Lower limits due to Si iii line saturation are included in this average, so the actual mean/median values are even higher. The Si iii appears to trace an extensive ionized component of Galactic halo gas at temperatures 104.0–4.5 K indicative of a cooling flow. Photoionization models suggest that typical Si iii absorbers with 12.5 < log NSi iii < 13.5 have total hydrogen column densities NH ≈ 1018–1019 cm−2 for gas of hydrogen density nH ≈ 0.1 cm−3 and 10% solar metallicity. With typical neutral fractions NH i/NH ≈ 0.01, these HVCs may elude even long-duration 21 cm observations at Arecibo, the EVLA, and other radio facilities. However, if Si iii is associated with higher density gas, nH ⩾ 1 cm−3, the corresponding neutral hydrogen could be visible in deep observations. This reservoir of ionized gas may contain 108 M☉ and produce a mass infall rate of 1 M☉ yr−1 to the Galactic disk.
Aggressive and Nonaggressive Children's Moral Judgments and Moral Emotion Attributions in Situations Involving Retaliation and Unprovoked Aggression

ABSTRACT The authors investigated 7- and 9-year-old children's moral understanding of retaliation as compared to unprovoked aggression with regard to their aggressive behavior status. Based on peer ratings, 48 children were selected as overtly aggressive and 91 as nonaggressive. Their moral understanding of retaliation and unprovoked aggression was assessed by an interview including questions about their moral judgments and emotion attributions. Aggressive children judged retaliations as less serious than did nonaggressive children. They also referred less often to the harmful consequences of retaliation and were more likely to excuse the retaliation because of the provocation. In unprovoked aggressive situations younger aggressive children, compared with the younger nonaggressive children, attributed more happiness to transgressors, more anger to victims, and less sadness to transgressors and victims. The results are discussed in terms of previous research on aggressive children's moral understanding of retaliation and unprovoked aggression.
Accurate Complex Permittivity Inversion From Measurements of a Sample Partially Filling a Waveguide Aperture

In this paper, we propose a microwave method, which eliminates the necessity of precise knowledge of sample thickness for accurate permittivity determination of thin materials partially filling the waveguide aperture. The method utilizes propagation constant measurements at two different frequencies for this goal. To facilitate the proposed method for dispersive and nondispersive dielectric materials, we have employed a power series representation of the complex permittivity. We have validated the proposed method from permittivity measurements of prepared thin samples by different methods. We have also noted that the accuracy of the proposed method can be increased by the enhancements in the measurement accuracy of conventional methods, which require complete sample filling into the waveguide aperture.
Current trends in West Nile virus vaccine development

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that has become endemic in the United States. From 1999–2012, there have been 37088 reported cases of WNV and 1549 deaths, resulting in a 4.2% case-fatality rate. Despite development of effective WNV vaccines for horses, there is no vaccine to prevent human WNV infection. Several vaccines have been tested in preclinical studies and to date there have been eight clinical trials, with promising results in terms of safety and induction of antiviral immunity. Although mass vaccination is unlikely to be cost effective, implementation of a targeted vaccine program may be feasible if a safe and effective vaccine can be brought to market. Further evaluation of new and advanced vaccine candidates is strongly encouraged.
Into the Bank Lending Channel of SEE: Greek Banks- Buffering Effects

This paper tries to shed light on the existence of a bank lending channel (BLC) in South Eastern European countries (SEE). Based on a VAR framework we test the responsiveness of credit supply to monetary policy shocks. By compiling a new data set and using the reserve requirement ratio, among others, as the policy instrument we measure the effectiveness of the BLC and the buffering effect of the banks in the SEE countries. The results indicate that loan supply is significantly affected by shifts in monetary policy, when demand factors are controlled. Furthermore, by analyzing the effect of the Greek banks in the region we conclude that Greek banks do buffer the negative effects of monetary policy transmission. By having a significant market share of the SEE’s banking markets we argue that Greek banks influence positively the economic growth of SEE countries. Keywords—Bank Lending Channel, Monetary Policy Transmission, Policy Buffering, South Eastern Europe
Hippocampal volume and asymmetry in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: Meta‐analyses of MRI studies

Numerous studies have reported a smaller hippocampal volume in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients than in aging controls. However, in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the results are inconsistent. Moreover, the left‐right asymmetry of the hippocampus receives less research attention. In this article, meta‐analyses are designed to determine the extent of hippocampal atrophy in MCI and AD, and to evaluate the asymmetry pattern of the hippocampal volume in control, MCI, and AD groups. From 14 studies including 365 MCI patients and 382 controls, significant atrophy is found in both the left [Effect size (ES), 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72–1.11] and right (ES, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.57–0.98) hippocampus, which is lower than that in AD (ES, 1.60, 95% CI, 1.37–1.84, in left; ES, 1.52, 95% CI, 1.31–1.72, in right). Comparing with aging controls, the average volume reduction weighted by sample size is 12.9% and 11.1% in left and right hippocampus in MCI, and 24.2% and 23.1% in left and right hippocampus in AD, respectively. The findings show a bilateral hippocampal volume loss in MCI and the extent of atrophy is less than that in AD. By comparing the left and right hippocampal volume, a consistent left‐less‐than‐right asymmetry pattern is found, but with different extents in control (ES, 0.39), MCI (ES, 0.56), and AD (ES, 0.30) group. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BSN-Care: A Secure IoT-Based Modern Healthcare System Using Body Sensor Network

Advances in information and communication technologies have led to the emergence of Internet of Things (IoT). In the modern health care environment, the usage of IoT technologies brings convenience of physicians and patients, since they are applied to various medical areas (such as real-time monitoring, patient information management, and healthcare management). The body sensor network (BSN) technology is one of the core technologies of IoT developments in healthcare system, where a patient can be monitored using a collection of tiny-powered and lightweight wireless sensor nodes. However, the development of this new technology in healthcare applications without considering security makes patient privacy vulnerable. In this paper, at first, we highlight the major security requirements in BSN-based modern healthcare system. Subsequently, we propose a secure IoT-based healthcare system using BSN, called BSN-Care, which can efficiently accomplish those requirements.
Fatigue assessment in the field: validation of a hand-held electronic psychomotor vigilance task.

INTRODUCTION In recent years, there has been an increasing need for a reliable and practical tool for assessing fatigue-related impairment in the field. This study investigated the sensitivity of one potential tool, a 5-min version of the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) specifically designed for use on personal digital assistants (PDA), to 28 h of sustained wakefulness. METHODS There were 15 participants who slept in the laboratory overnight then remained awake from 08:00 (Day 1) to 12:00 (Day 2). During every second hour, they completed a 10-min PVT, a sustained attention task that is sensitive to the effects of sleep loss and fatigue, and a 5-min PDA-PVT. RESULTS While performance on both tasks significantly varied as a function of hours of wakefulness, responses on the PDA-PVT were typically slower than on the PVT. When performance scores were standardized, the negative impact of increasing hours of wakefulness on performance on the 5-min PDA-PVT and 10-min PVT did not significantly differ. DISCUSSION The findings suggest that the 5-min PDA-PVT may provide a reasonable substitute for the 10-min PVT, particularly in circumstances where a shorter test is required and/or the standard PVT is not as practical.
Multi-parametric extremum seeking-based auto-tuning for robust Input-Output linearization control

We study in this paper the problem of iterative feedback gains tuning for a class of nonlinear systems. We consider Input-Output linearizable nonlinear systems with additive uncertainties. We first design a nominal Input-Output linearization-based controller that ensures global uniform boundedness of the output tracking error dynamics. Then, we complement the robust controller with a model-free multi-parametric extremum seeking (MES) control to iteratively auto-tune the feedback gains. We analyze the stability of the whole controller, i.e. robust nonlinear controller plus model-free learning algorithm. We use numerical tests to demonstrate the performance of this method on a mechatronics example.
The G protein-coupled receptor FSHR-1 is required for the Caenorhabditis elegans innate immune response

Innate immunity is an ancient defense system used by both vertebrates and invertebrates. Previously characterized innate immune responses in plants and animals are triggered by detection of pathogens using specific receptors, which typically use a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain to bind molecular patterns associated with infection. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans uses defense pathways conserved with vertebrates; however, the mechanism by which C. elegans detects pathogens is unknown. We screened all LRR-containing transmembrane receptors in C. elegans and identified the G protein-coupled receptor FSHR-1 as an important component of the C. elegans immune response to Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. FSHR-1 acts in the C. elegans intestine, the primary site of exposure to ingested pathogens. FSHR-1 signals in parallel to the known p38 MAPK pathway but converges to regulate the transcriptional induction of an overlapping but nonidentical set of antimicrobial effectors. FSHR-1 may act generally to boost the nematode immune response, or it may function as a pathogen receptor.
Distance-Penalized Active Learning Using Quantile Search

Adaptive sampling theory has shown that, with proper assumptions on the signal class, algorithms exist to reconstruct a signal in $\mathbb {R}^d$ with an optimal number of samples. We generalize this problem to the case of spatial signals, where the sampling cost is a function of both the number of samples taken and the distance traveled during estimation. This is motivated by our work studying regions of low oxygen concentration in the Great Lakes. We show that for one-dimensional threshold classifiers, a tradeoff between the number of samples taken and distance traveled can be achieved using a generalization of binary search, which we refer to as quantile search. We characterize both the estimation error after a fixed number of samples and the distance traveled in the noiseless case, as well as the estimation error in the case of noisy measurements. We illustrate our results in both simulations and experiments and show that our method outperforms existing algorithms in a large range of sampling scenarios.