Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mass and Temperature Dependence of Metabolic Rate in Litter and Soil Invertebrates

Metabolic scaling theory provides a framework for modeling the combined mass and temperature dependence of metabolic rate. The theory predicts that whole‐organism metabolic rate should scale with body mass raised to the 3/4 power as a consequence of the physical characteristics of internal distribution networks. Metabolic rate is predicted to vary with absolute body temperature, T, according to the Boltzmann factor, e−E/kT, where E is the apparent activation energy of biochemical reactions, 0.2–1.2 eV, and k is Boltzmann’s constant. I evaluated those predictions, using a compilation of published data on the metabolic rates of litter‐ and soil‐dwelling earthworms, isopods, oribatid mites, springtails, and spiders. Earthworms, oribatid mites, springtails, and spiders had mass‐scaling exponents that were statistically indistinguishable from the expected value of 0.75. The scaling exponent for terrestrial isopods, 0.91, was significantly greater than expected. All taxa had apparent activation energies within the predicted range of 0.2–1.2 eV. Activation energies for isopods, oribatid mites, springtails, and spiders were not significantly different from the average expected value of 0.6 eV, while the activation energy for earthworms, 0.25 eV, was significantly lower than 0.6 eV. Updated equations for estimating metabolic rate from body mass and environmental temperature are given for investigations into the ecological energetics of litter and soil animals.
Explicit knowledge and intention to learn in sequence learning: an event-related potential study

The present study was performed to examine how intention to learn and explicit knowledge in sequence learning are reflected in event-related potentials. Participants responded to numerals presented in a repeating order, which were replaced infrequently by deviant numerals. The participants were given incidental or intentional learning instructions. Sequence parts for which they acquired explicit knowledge were identified for each participant by post-task memory tests. Reaction times indicated that sequence learning occurred under both types of instruction. The N2 enhancement for deviants was primarily associated with explicit sequence knowledge, and the P3 enhancement showed a weak association. These results suggested that N2 and P3 reflect different aspects of explicit learning.
The prevalence of myocarditis and skeletal muscle injury during acute viral infection in adults: measurement of cardiac troponins I and T in 152 patients with acute influenza infection.

BACKGROUND Current literature suggests that myocarditis is a common event during influenza infection, occurring with a prevalence rate of up to 10%, but these studies have relied on relatively nonspecific techniques of varying sensitivities for the detection of myocyte injury. Using measurement of cardiac troponins I and T, this study sought to determine the prevalence of myocarditis in a large unselected cohort of patients with serologically confirmed acute influenza infection. METHODS A total of 152 subjects were recruited from 60 primary care and university health centers. Serial creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and cardiac troponin I and T measurements were taken on days 1, 6, and 21 following presentation. RESULTS Creatine kinase levels were elevated (mean +/- SD levels, 830 +/- 1531 U/L; range, 181-7280 U/L) during the collection period in 18 patients (12%). Twelve (67%) of these had elevated CK levels on day 1 of presentation. Overall CK-MB levels were higher than 25 U/L in 3 patients with elevated CK readings but in no patient was the CK-MB fraction greater than 6%. Cardiac troponin I and T levels were not raised in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Using more sensitive and specific markers of myocardial injury, we demonstrate that the prevalence of myocarditis during acute influenza infection is substantially lower than previously thought, whereas skeletal muscle injury is relatively common. Although we were unable to conclude that no myocardial inflammation was present, it seems likely that this complication is rare.
Modelling human balance using switched systems with linear feedback control

We are interested in understanding the mechanisms behind and the character of the sway motion of healthy human subjects during quiet standing. We assume that a human body can be modelled as a single-link inverted pendulum, and the balance is achieved using linear feedback control. Using these assumptions, we derive a switched model which we then investigate. Stable periodic motions (limit cycles) about an upright position are found. The existence of these limit cycles is studied as a function of system parameters. The exploration of the parameter space leads to the detection of multi-stability and homoclinic bifurcations.
Prophylactic Activated Recombinant Factor VII in Liver Resection and Liver Transplantation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Aim Intraoperative blood loss is a frequent complication of hepatic resection and orthotopic liver transplantation. Recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) is a coagulation protein that induces hemostasis by directly activating factor X. There is no clear information about the prophylactic value of rFVIIa in hepatobiliary surgery, specifically in liver resection and orthotopic liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of rFVIIa prophylaxis to prevent mortality and bleeding resulting from hepatobiliary surgery. Methods Relevant randomized trials were identified by searching The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index. Randomized clinical trials comparing different rFVIIa prophylactic schemas against placebo or no intervention to prevent bleeding in hepatobiliary surgery were included. Adults undergoing liver resection, partial hepatectomy, or orthotopic liver transplantation were included. Dichotomous data were analyzed calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Continuous data were analyzed calculating mean differences (MD) and 95% CIs. Results Four randomized controlled trials were included. There were no significant differences between rFVIIa and placebo for mortality (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.35–2.62), red blood cell units (MD 0.32; 95% CI −0.08–0.72) or adverse events (OR 1.55; 95% CI 0.97–2.49). Conclusions The available information is limited, precluding the ability to draw conclusions regarding bleeding prophylaxis in hepatobiliary surgery using rFVIIa. Although an apparent lack of effect was observed in all outcomes studied, further research is needed.
Small molecule modulator of sigma 2 receptor is neuroprotective and reduces cognitive deficits and neuroinflammation in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease

Accumulating evidence suggests that modulating the sigma 2 receptor (Sig2R) can provide beneficial effects for neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we report the identification of a novel class of Sig2R ligands and their cellular and in vivo activity in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We report that SAS‐0132 and DKR‐1051, selective ligands of Sig2R, modulate intracellular Ca2+ levels in human SK‐N‐SH neuroblastoma cells. The Sig2R ligands SAS‐0132 and JVW‐1009 are neuroprotective in a C. elegans model of amyloid precursor protein‐mediated neurodegeneration. Since this neuroprotective effect is replicated by genetic knockdown and knockout of vem‐1, the ortholog of progesterone receptor membrane component‐1 (PGRMC1), these results suggest that Sig2R ligands modulate a PGRMC1‐related pathway. Last, we demonstrate that SAS‐0132 improves cognitive performance both in the Thy‐1 hAPPLond/Swe+ transgenic mouse model of AD and in healthy wild‐type mice. These results demonstrate that Sig2R is a promising therapeutic target for neurocognitive disorders including AD.
Modification of Al–Si alloy melts containing graphite particle dispersions

AbstractThe variation in the size of silicon in commercial eutectic and hyper-eutectic Al–Si alloys owing to the presence of graphite particles of average size 40 11m, dispersed by the UPAL process, has been studied. The presence of dispersions equivalent to 3 wt-% of graphite particles (in gravity die cast Al–Si–graphite castings) results in about 37% reduction in the size of eutectic silicon in LM 13 alloy and 44% reduction in the size of primary silicon in LM 28 alloy, indicating the occurrence of partial modification and refinement of silicon in Al–Si alloys. When the concentration of graphite particles was as high as 15 wt-%, complete modification of silicon was observed. Procedures for achieving complete modification in Al–Si alloys containing 3 wt-% graphite using conventional modifiers have also been established. Silicon in LM 13–3graphite composite melts can be completely modified using sodium in elemental form or in commercially available salt form (Coveral-29A). With the help of microscopic and.
Parietal Oscillations Code Nonvisual Reach Targets Relative to Gaze and Body

Recent blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) imaging work has suggested flexible coding frames for reach targets in human posterior parietal cortex, with a gaze-centered reference frame for visually guided reaches and a body-centered frame for proprioceptive reaches. However, BOLD activity, which reflects overall population activity, is insensitive to heterogeneous responses at the neuronal level and temporal dynamics between neurons. Neurons could synchronize in different frequency bands to form assemblies operating in different reference frames. Here we assessed the reference frames of oscillatory activity in parietal cortex during reach planning to nonvisible tactile stimuli. Under continuous recording of magneto-encephalographic data, subjects fixated either to the left or right of the body midline, while a tactile stimulus was presented to a nonvisible fingertip, located either to the left or right of gaze. After a delay, they had to reach toward the remembered stimulus location with the other hand. Our results show body-centered and gaze-centered reference frames underlying the power modulations in specific frequency bands. Whereas beta-band activity (18–30 Hz) in parietal regions showed body-centered spatial selectivity, the high gamma band (>60 Hz) demonstrated a transient remapping into gaze-centered coordinates in parietal and extrastriate visual areas. This gaze-centered coding was sustained in the low gamma (<60 Hz) and alpha (∼10 Hz) bands. Our results show that oscillating subpopulations encode remembered tactile targets for reaches relative to gaze, even though neither the sensory nor the motor output processes operate in this frame. We discuss these findings in the light of flexible control mechanisms across modalities and effectors.
Winners or Losers? The Effects of Banking Consolidation on Corporate Borrowers

We estimate the impact of bank mergers and acquisitions (M&As) on outstanding credit, credit lines, and the sensitivity of investment to cash flow using a large sample of Italian corporate borrowers. We distinguish between firms that experienced relationship termination as a consequence of bank M&As and those that did not. Our findings are consistent with bank M&As having an adverse effect on credit, particularly when the M&A is followed by relationship termination. The effect persists 3 years and then is absorbed, suggesting that firms are able to compensate for the negative shock. Copyright 2007 by The American Finance Association.
Dynamic Interval Polling and Pipelined Post I/O Processing for Low-Latency Storage Class Memory

Emerging non-volatile memory technologies as a disk drive replacement raise some issues of software stack and interfaces, which have not been considered in disk-based storage systems. In this work, we present new cooperative schemes including software and hardware to address performance issues with deploying storage-class memory technologies as a storage device. First, we propose a new polling scheme called dynamic interval polling to avoid the unnecessary polls and reduce the burden on storage system bus. Second, we propose a pipelined execution between storage device and host OS called pipelined post I/O processing. By extending vendor-specific I/O interfaces between software and hardware, we can improve the responsiveness of I/O requests with no sacrifice of throughput.
Role of correlations in population coding

Correlations among spikes, both on the same neuron and across neurons, are ubiquitous in the brain. For example cross-correlograms can have large peaks, at least in the periphery, and smaller -- but still non-negligible -- ones in cortex, and auto-correlograms almost always exhibit non-trivial temporal structure at a range of timescales. Although this has been known for over forty years, it's still not clear what role these correlations play in the brain -- and, indeed, whether they play any role at all. The goal of this chapter is to shed light on this issue by reviewing some of the work on this subject.
CD24 V/V is an allele associated with the risk of developing multiple sclerosis in the Spanish population

The allele C in the CD24 gene has been related to multiple sclerosis (MS). In this work we check this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a population of 135 patients and 285 controls. Our results confirm the association between the V/V genotype at aa 57 of this gene and MS and highlight the importance of taking into account the origin of the subjects to avoid a population bias.
Stabilization of SMAR1 mRNA by PGA2 involves a stem–loop structure in the 5′ UTR

Prostaglandins are anticancer agents known to inhibit tumor cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo by affecting the mRNA stability. Here we report that a MAR-binding protein SMAR1 is a target of Prostaglandin A2 (PGA2) induced growth arrest. We identify a regulatory mechanism leading to stabilization of SMAR1 transcript. Our results show that a minor stem and loop structure present in the 5′ UTR of SMAR1 (ϕ1-UTR) is critical for nucleoprotein complex formation that leads to SMAR1 stabilization in response to PGA2. This results in an increased SMAR1 transcript and altered protein levels, that in turn causes downregulation of Cyclin D1 gene, essential for G1/S phase transition. We also provide evidence for the presence of a variant 5′ UTR SMAR1 (ϕ17-UTR) in breast cancer-derived cell lines. This form lacks the minor stem and loop structure required for mRNA stabilization in response to PGA2. As a consequence of this, there is a low level of endogenous tumor suppressor protein SMAR1 in breast cancer-derived cell lines. Our studies provide a mechanistic insight into the regulation of tumor suppressor protein SMAR1 by a cancer therapeutic PGA2, that leads to repression of Cyclin D1 gene.
Finite dimensional interconnections and stabilization of 2D behaviors

This paper deals with discrete two-dimensional behaviors which are described by linear systems of partial difference equations with constant coefficients. Within the behavioral framework a natural concept of interconnection has been introduced by J.C. Willems, called regular interconnection. We investigate regular interconnections that yield finite dimensional behaviors, and prove that when a finite dimensional behavior can be achieved from a given behavior ℬ by regular interconnection then the controllable part of ℬ is rectifiable. We apply this result to characterize all stabilizable behaviors.
The Role of SNR in Achieving MIMO Rates in Cooperative Systems

We compare the rate of a multiple-antenna relay channel to the capacity of multiple-antenna systems to characterize the cooperative capacity in different SNR regions. While it is known that in the asymptotic regime, at a high SNR or with a large number of cooperating nodes, cooperative systems lack full multiplexing gain, in this paper we consider cooperative capacity gain at moderate SNR with a fixed number of cooperating antennas. We show that up to a lower bound to an SNR threshold, a cooperative system performs at least as well as a MIMO system with isotropic inputs; whereas beyond an upper bound to the SNR threshold, the cooperative system is limited by its coordination costs, and the capacity is strictly less than that of a MIMO orthogonal channel. The SNR threshold depends on the network geometry (the power gain g between the source and relay) and the number of cooperating antennas M; when the relay is close to the source (g [unk] 1), the SNR threshold lower and upper bounds are approximately equal. As the cooperating nodes are closer, i.e., as g increases, the MIMO-gain region extends to a higher SNR. Whereas for a populous cluster, i.e., when M is large, the coordination-limited region sets in at a lower SNR.
Fully Functional Operation of Low-Power 64-kb Josephson-CMOS Hybrid Memories

We have been developing a Josephson-CMOS hybrid memory with subnanosecond access time in order to overcome the memory bottleneck in single-flux-quantum digital systems. In this study, we aimed for reducing the power consumption of the 64-kb CMOS static RAM. We took three approaches, miniaturization of memory cells, improvement of data drivers, and employment of a binary-tree decoder. By using these techniques, we decreased the power consumption of 64-kb CMOS static RAMs by 54% in the write operation and by 8% in the read operation. Moreover, we aimed for demonstrating the fully functional operation of the 64-kb Josephson-CMOS hybrid memory composed of the low-power CMOS static RAM, Josephson interface circuits, and Josephson current sensors by using the Rohm 0.18 μm process and the AIST standard process 2. We confirmed the correct memory operation for arbitrary address accesses at low speed. The total access time was evaluated to be 1718 ps and the power consumption was estimated to be 27.62 mW in the write operation and 21.25 mW in the read operation in circuit simulations. Based on these estimations, we discuss the access time and the power consumption of hybrid memories using future CMOS processes
Deletion of the L‐type calcium channel CaV1.3 but not CaV1.2 results in a diminished sAHP in mouse CA1 pyramidal neurons

Trains of action potentials in CA1 pyramidal neurons are followed by a prolonged calcium‐dependent postburst afterhyperpolarization (AHP) that serves to limit further firing to a sustained depolarizing input. A reduction in the AHP accompanies acquisition of several types of learning and increases in the AHP are correlated with age‐related cognitive impairment. The AHP develops primarily as the result of activation of outward calcium‐activated potassium currents; however, the precise source of calcium for activation of the AHP remains unclear. There is substantial experimental evidence suggesting that calcium influx via voltage‐gated L‐type calcium channels (L‐VGCCs) contributes to the generation of the AHP. Two L‐VGCC subtypes are predominately expressed in the hippocampus, CaV1.2 and CaV1.3; however, it is not known which L‐VGCC subtype is involved in generation of the AHP. This ambiguity is due in large part to the fact that at present there are no subunit‐specific agonists or antagonists. Therefore, using mice in which the gene encoding CaV1.2 or CaV1.3 was deleted, we sought to determine the impact of alterations in levels of these two L‐VCGG subtypes on neuronal excitability. No differences in any AHP measure were seen between neurons from CaV1.2 knockout mice and controls. However, the total area of the AHP was significantly smaller in neurons from CaV1.3 knockout mice as compared with neurons from wild‐type controls. A significant reduction in the amplitude of the AHP was also seen at the 1 s time point in neurons from CaV1.3 knockout mice as compared with those from controls. Reductions in both the area and 1 s amplitude suggest the involvement of calcium influx via CaV1.3 in the slow AHP (sAHP). Thus, the results of our study demonstrate that deletion of CaV1.3, but not CaV1.2, significantly impacts the generation of the sAHP. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Personal Identification for Single Sample Using Finger Vein Location and Direction Coding

Recent years have seen a plenty of personal identification methods with different biometrics such as finger pattern, face, palm-print and vein. The majority of these methods focus on complex image data projections and transforms in Fourier space, wavelet space or other domains, which usually bring heavy load in computation and difficult understanding in perceptual intuition. Moreover, these methods, oriented to multiple samples learning, are constricted usually in application. Among so much biometrics, vein, as a living feature with high anti-counterfeiting capability, has attracted considerable attention. In this paper, we propose a structured personal identification approach using finger vein Location and Direction Coding(LDC). First of all, we design a finger vein imaging device with near-infrared(NIR) light source, by which a database for finger vein images is established. Subsequently, we make use of the brightness difference in the finger vein image to extract the vein pattern. Furthermore, finger vein LDC is proposed and performed, which creates a structured feature image for each finger vein. Finally, the structured feature image is utilized to conduct the personal identification on our image database for finger vein, which includes 440 vein images from 220 different fingers. The equal error rate of our method for this database is 0.44%.
Prepregnancy body mass index as an independent risk factor for pregnancy-induced hypertension.

BACKGROUND Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) plays a major role in the perinatal outcome for mother and neonate. With the rising prevalence of obesity, the role of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) as an independent risk factor for PIH and a target for preconception care is important to explore. METHODS We completed a retrospective cohort study of 16,582 women who received obstetrical care at a regional medical center and delivered a singleton pregnancy between 2003 and 2006. Clinical data were derived from the electronic medical record. Logistic regression was used to explore the association of demographic characteristics and medical risk factors with the outcome of PIH. RESULTS Diagnoses of chronic hypertension, prepregnancy diabetes, and gestational diabetes were more likely in women with increasing prepregnancy maternal BMI (p < 0.0001). The odds of PIH also increased with BMI, ranging from an odds ratio (OR) of 1.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73-2.31) for overweight women through OR 4.26 (95% CI 3.37-5.38) for those with a BMI of ≥40 kg/m(2). Other risk factors for PIH included chronic hypertension (OR 6.57, 95% CI 5.43-7.95), nulliparity (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.69-2.12), prepregnancy diabetes (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.33-3.17), and gestational diabetes (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.04-1.58). The presence of chronic hypertension modified the association between obesity and PIH; for women with chronic hypertension, obesity was not associated with PIH (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.39, 95% CI 0.77-2.50 for BMI 30-34.9; aOR 0.98, 95% CI 0.52-1.87 for BMI 35-39.9; and aOR 1.33, 95% CI 0.73-2.43 for BMI ≥40 kg/m(2)) compared with women with a BMI in the normal range. CONCLUSIONS The risk of PIH rises with maternal prepregnancy BMI independent of other obesity-associated comorbidity. Women with chronic hypertension carry the greatest risk of PIH but incur no obesity-associated increase in risk.