Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A MOLECULAR STAR FORMATION LAW IN THE ATOMIC-GAS-DOMINATED REGIME IN NEARBY GALAXIES

We use the IRAM HERACLES survey to study CO emission from 33 nearby spiral galaxies down to very low intensities. Using 21 cm line atomic hydrogen (H i) data, mostly from THINGS, we predict the local mean CO velocity based on the mean H i velocity. By re-normalizing the CO velocity axis so that zero corresponds to the local mean H i velocity we are able to stack spectra coherently over large regions. This enables us to measure CO intensities with high significance as low as ICO ≈ 0.3 K km s−1 ( M☉ pc−2), an improvement of about one order of magnitude over previous studies. We detect CO out to galactocentric radii rgal ∼ r25 and find the CO radial profile to follow a remarkably uniform exponential decline with a scale length of ∼0.2 r25. Here we focus on stacking as a function of radius, comparing our sensitive CO profiles to matched profiles of H i, Hα, far-UV (FUV), and Infrared (IR) emission at 24 μm and 70 μm. We observe a tight, roughly linear relationship between CO and IR intensity that does not show any notable break between regions that are dominated by molecular gas ( \Sigma _{\rm H\,\mathsc{i}}$? >) and those dominated by atomic gas (). We use combinations of FUV+24 μm and Hα+24 μm to estimate the recent star formation rate (SFR) surface density, ΣSFR, and find approximately linear relations between ΣSFR and . We interpret this as evidence of stars forming in molecular gas with little dependence on the local total gas surface density. While galaxies display small internal variations in the SFR-to-H2 ratio, we do observe systematic galaxy-to-galaxy variations. These galaxy-to-galaxy variations dominate the scatter in relationships between CO and SFR tracers measured at large scales. The variations have the sense that less massive galaxies exhibit larger ratios of SFR-to-CO than massive galaxies. Unlike the SFR-to-CO ratio, the balance between atomic and molecular gas depends strongly on the total gas surface density and galactocentric radius. It must also depend on additional parameters. Our results reinforce and extend to lower surface densities, a picture in which star formation in galaxies can be separated into two processes: the assembly of star-forming molecular clouds and the formation of stars from H2. The interplay between these processes yields a total gas–SFR relation with a changing slope, which has previously been observed and identified as a star formation threshold.
Role of Photoreceptor-specific Retinol Dehydrogenase in the Retinoid Cycle in Vivo*

The retinoid cycle is a recycling system that replenishes the 11-cis-retinal chromophore of rhodopsin and cone pigments. Photoreceptor-specific retinol dehydrogenase (prRDH) catalyzes reduction of all-trans-retinal to all-trans-retinol and is thought to be a key enzyme in the retinoid cycle. We disrupted mouse prRDH (human gene symbol RDH8) gene expression by targeted recombination and generated a homozygous prRDH knock-out (prRDH–/–) mouse. Histological analysis and electron microscopy of retinas from 6- to 8-week-old prRDH–/– mice revealed no structural differences of the photoreceptors or inner retina. For brief light exposure, absence of prRDH did not affect the rate of 11-cis-retinal regeneration or the decay of Meta II, the activated form of rhodopsin. Absence of prRDH, however, caused significant accumulation of all-trans-retinal following exposure to bright lights and delayed recovery of rod function as measured by electroretinograms and single cell recordings. Retention of all-trans-retinal resulted in slight overproduction of A2E, a condensation product of all-trans-retinal and phosphatidylethanolamine. We conclude that prRDH is an enzyme that catalyzes reduction of all-trans-retinal in the rod outer segment, most noticeably at higher light intensities and prolonged illumination, but is not an essential enzyme of the retinoid cycle.
Lifetime Socioeconomic Position and Twins' Health: An Analysis of 308 Pairs of United States Women Twins

Background Important controversies exist about the extent to which people's health status as adults is shaped by their living conditions in early life compared to adulthood. These debates have important policy implications, and one obstacle to resolving them is the relative lack of sufficient high-quality data on childhood and adult socioeconomic position and adult health status. We accordingly compared the health status among monozygotic and dizygotic women twin pairs who lived together through childhood (until at least age 14) and subsequently were discordant or concordant on adult socioeconomic position. This comparison permitted us to ascertain the additional impact of adult experiences on adult health in a population matched on early life experiences. Methods and Findings Our study employed data from a cross-sectional survey and physical examinations of twins in a population-based twin registry, the Kaiser Permanente Women Twins Study Examination II, conducted in 1989 to 1990 in Oakland, California, United States. The study population was composed of 308 women twin pairs (58% monozygotic, 42% dizygotic); data were obtained on childhood and adult socioeconomic position and on blood pressure, cholesterol, post-load glucose, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, physical activity, and self-rated health. Health outcomes among adult women twin pairs who lived together through childhood varied by their subsequent adult occupational class. Cardiovascular factors overall differed more among monozygotic twin pairs that were discordant compared to concordant on occupational class. Moreover, among the monozygotic twins discordant on adult occupational class, the working class twin fared worse and, compared to her professional twin, on average had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (mean matched difference = 4.54 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10–8.97), diastolic blood pressure (mean matched difference = 3.80 mm Hg; 95% CI, 0.44–7.17), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mean matched difference = 7.82 mg/dl; 95% CI, 1.07–14.57). By contrast, no such differences were evident for analyses based on educational attainment, which does not capture post-education socioeconomic position. Conclusion These results provide novel evidence that lifetime socioeconomic position influences adult health and highlight the utility of studying social plus biological aspects of twinship.
Elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein and uric acid levels in coronary artery ectasia.

AIM The aim of this study is to examine uric asid (UA) and high sensitive C-Reactive protein (Hs-CRP) levels in patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-eight patients with isolated CAE (mean age 57.5±10.3), (group-I), 110 patients with CAD but without CAE (mean age 56.3±10.7), (group-II), and 105 patients with normal coronary angiographies (mean age 58.1±10.8), (group-III) were included in the study. Blood samples of all individual were taken after coronary angiography from an antecubital vein, the patients uric acid and Hs-CRP levels were assessed. The severity of ectasia was evaluated and categorized according to Markis. RESULTS A significant difference was not seen in serum uric acid and Hs-CRP levels between CAE and CAD groups. However, relative to the control group, uric acid and Hs-CRP levels in CAE and CAD groups were higher to a significant degree (p=0.001, p<0.001, respectively), (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). The statistical significant was detected between subgroups type I and type IV, Hs-CRP and UA were statistically high in subgroup type I. (p=0.012, p=0.033, respectively) In multiple regression analysis, CAE and CAD were independently associated with UA (β=0.76; p<0.001, β=0.68; p<0.001, respectively) and Hs-CRP (β=0.66; p<0.01, β=0.62; p<0.01, respectively) along with diabetes mellitus (β=0.61; p=0.039, β=0.94; p=0.028, respectively). CONCLUSION In conclusion, the blood uric acid and Hs-CRP values in our study have been observed to be higher in the individuals with coronary arteri ectasia in comparison to normal individuals, and the increase in these values were found to be parallel to the extent of the ectasia.
The Signal Transduction Protein GlnK Is Required for NifL-Dependent Nitrogen Control of nif Gene Expression in Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT In Klebsiella pneumoniae, transcription of the nitrogen fixation (nif) genes is regulated in response to molecular oxygen or availability of fixed nitrogen by the coordinated activities of the nifA and nifL gene products. NifA is anif-specific transcriptional activator, the activity of which is inhibited by interaction with NifL. Nitrogen control of NifL occurs at two levels: transcription of the nifLA operon is regulated by the global ntr system, and the inhibitory activity of NifL is controlled in response to fixed nitrogen by an unknown factor. K. pneumoniae synthesizes two PII-like signal transduction proteins, GlnB, which we have previously shown not to be involved in the response of NifL to fixed nitrogen, and the recently identified protein GlnK. We have now cloned the K. pneumoniae glnK gene, studied its expression, and shown that a null mutation in glnK prevents NifL from responding to the absence of fixed nitrogen, i.e., from relieving the inhibition of NifA activity. Hence, GlnK appears to be involved, directly or indirectly, in NifL-dependent regulation of nifgene expression in K. pneumoniae. Comparison of the GlnB and GlnK amino acid sequences from six species of proteobacteria identifies five residues (residues 3, 5, 52, 54, and 64) which serve to distinguish the GlnB and GlnK proteins.
The Extended Variational Principle for Mean-Field, Classical Spin Systems

The purpose of this article is to obtain a better understanding of the extended variational principle (EVP). The EVP is a formula for the thermodynamic pressure of a statistical mechanical system as a limit of a sequence of minimization problems. It was developed for disordered mean-field spin systems, spin systems where the underlying Hamiltonian is itself random, and whose distribution is permutation invariant. We present the EVP in the simpler setting of classical mean-field spin systems, where the Hamiltonian is non-random and symmetric. The EVP essentially solves these models. We compare the EVP with another method for mean-field spin systems: the self-consistent mean-field equations. The two approaches lead to dual convex optimization problems. This is a new connection, and it permits a generalization of the EVP.
Valence calculations of lanthanide anion binding energies : 6 p attachments to 4 f n 6 s 2 thresholds

Relativistic configuration-interaction calculations have been performed for anion states representing 6p attachments to all lanthanides with 4f6s ground states. The complexity of these systems requires a core-like treatment of the 4f subshell (same occupancy in all correlation configurations), and the methodology of creating jls restrictions on the 4f subgroup has been improved to include the mixing of LS terms from individual neutral J calculations. Results show a nearly linear decrease in electron affinity with n for these lanthanides from 177 meV for Pr− (n=3) to 22 meV for Tm− (n=13).
EFFICAS II: optimization of catheter contact force improves outcome of pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Aims A challenge of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is electrical reconnection of the PV. EFFICAS I showed correlation between contact force (CF) parameters and PV durable isolation but no prospective evaluation was made. EFFICAS II was a multicentre study to prospectively assess the impact of CF guidance for an effective reduction of PVI gaps. Methods and results Pulmonary vein isolation using a radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheter with an integrated force sensor (TactiCath™) was performed in patients with PAF. Operators were provided EFFICAS I-based CF guidelines [target 20 g, range 10–30 g, minimum 400 g s force-time integral (FTI)]. Conduction gaps were assessed by remapping of PVs after 3 months, and gap rate was compared with EFFICAS I outcome. At follow up, 24 patients had 85% of PVs remaining isolated, compared with 72% in EFFICAS I (P = 0.037) in which CF guidelines were not used. The remaining 15% of gaps correlated to the number of catheter moves at creating the PVI line, quantified as Continuity Index. For PV lines with contiguous lesions and low catheter moves, durable isolation was 81% in EFFICAS I and 98% in EFFICAS II (P = 0.005). At index procedure, the number of lesions was reduced by 15% in EFFICAS II vs. EFFICAS I. Conclusion The use of CF with the above guidelines and contiguous deployment of RF lesions in EFFICAS II study resulted in more durable PVI in catheter ablation of PAF.
A model of transparent motion and non-transparent motion aftereffects

A model of human motion perception is presented. The model contains two stages of direction selective units. The first stage contains broadly tuned units, while the second stage contains units that are narrowly tuned. The model accounts for the motion aftereffect through adapting units at the first stage and inhibitory interactions at the second stage. The model explains how two populations of dots moving in slightly different directions are perceived as a single population moving in the direction of the vector sum, and how two populations moving in strongly different directions are perceived as transparent motion. The model also explains why the motion aftereffect in both cases appears as non-transparent motion.
When My Object Becomes Me: The Mere Ownership of an Object Elevates Domain‐Specific Self‐Efficacy

Past research on the mere ownership effect has shown that when people own an object, they perceive the owned objects more favorably than the comparable non-owned objects. The present research extends this idea, showing that when people own an object functional to the self, they perceive an increase in their self-efficacy. Three studies were conducted to demonstrate this new form of the mere ownership effect. In Study 1, participants reported an increase in their knowledge level by the mere ownership of reading materials (a reading package in Study 1a, and lecture notes in Study 1b). In Study 2, participants reported an increase in their resilience to sleepiness by merely owning a piece of chocolate that purportedly had a sleepiness-combating function. In Study 3, participants who merely owned a flower essence that is claimed to boost creativity reported having higher creativity efficacy. The findings provided insights on how associations with objects alter one's self-perception.
Evolutionary regression prediction for software cumulative failure modeling: A comparative study

An evolutionary regression modeling approach for software cumulative failure prediction based on auto-regression order 4, 7 and 10 models are proposed. A real coded genetic algorithm is used to optimize the mean square of the error produced by training the auto-regression model. In this paper, we present a real coded genetic algorithm that uses the appropriate operators for this encoding type to train the auto-regression model. To evaluate the predictive capability of the developed model data sets, various projects were used. A comparison between auto-regression order 4 model trained using least square estimation [1] and real coded genetic algorithm training is provided, also a comparison between the auto-regression order 7 and 10 models trained using the genetic algorithm is presented. Experimental results show that the training of different auto-regression model by the real coded genetic algorithm has a good predictive capability.
Srp2, an SR protein family member of fission yeast: in vivo characterization of its modular domains

We isolated srp2, a gene encoding a protein composed of two RNA binding domains (RBDs) at the N-terminus followed by an arginine-rich region that is flanked by two short SR (serine/arginine) elements. The RBDs contain the signatures RDADDA and SWQDLKD found in RBD1 and RBD2 of all typical metazoan SR proteins. srp2 is essential for growth. We have analyzed in vivo the role of the modular domains of Srp2 by testing specific mutations in a conditional strain for complementation. We found that RBD2 is essential for function and determines the specificity of RBD1 in Srp2. Replacement of the first RBD with RBD1 of Srp1 of fission yeast does not change this specificity. The two SR elements in the C-terminus of Srp2 are also essential for function in vivo. Cellular distribution analysis with green fluorescence protein fused to portions of Srp2 revealed that the SR elements are necessary to target Srp2 to the nucleus. Furthermore, overexpression of modular domains of Srp2 and Srp1 show different effects on pre-mRNA splicing activity of the tfIId gene. Taken together, these findings are consistent with the notion that the RBDs of these proteins may be involved in pre-mRNA recognition.
Risk Factors for Depression After a Disaster

Environmental stressors such as mass disasters may contribute to an increased prevalence of depression within the population affected. We examined the prevalence of probable major depression and risk factors for depression in the 6-month period after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center among New York City (NYC) metropolitan residents. A total of 2700 persons who were representative of the NYC metropolitan area were included in this cross-sectional telephone survey. The prevalence of probable major depression in the 6 months after the attacks was 9.4%. Multivariate logistic regression covariates associated with the likelihood of probable major depression included being directly affected by the attacks, having a perievent panic attack, experiencing multiple life stressors, and having been exposed to previous traumatic events. Mass traumatic event exposure appears to be an independent environmental risk factor for depression in the postdisaster context; specific reactions such as perievent panic attacks may have prognostic value.
Can age make a difference? A moderated model of altruistic organizational citizenship behaviour antecedents

This paper utilizes lifespan approaches to examine how the effects of fun at work, work-life balance, and perceived supervisor support on altruistic Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) are moderated by age. Based on multilevel analysis of a large sample of 6,182 employees in 37 companies, fun at work significantly predicted altruism towards co-workers for young employees only, while work-life balance predicted altruistic behaviours for midand old-age group employees. Contrary to expectation, age did not moderate the relationship between perceived supervisor support and altruism. These findings suggest further exploration is needed on how age qualifies the relationship between altruistic OCB and its antecedents. This is an especially crucial issue in light of demographic trends indicating further extension of employees' working lives.
Remodeling of Ion Channel Expression in Patients with Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and Mitral Valvular Heart Disease

Background/Aims Underlying cardiac pathology and atrial fibrillation (AF) affect the molecular remodeling of ion channels in the atria. Changes in the expression of these molecules have not been demonstrated in Korean patients with mitral valvular heart disease. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze ion channel expression in patients with chronic AF and mitral valvular heart disease. Methods A total of 17 patients (eight males and nine females; mean age, 57 ± 14 years [range, 19 to 77]) undergoing open-heart surgery were included in the study. Twelve patients (seven with coronary artery disease and five with aortic valvular disease) had sinus rhythm, and five patients (all with mitral valvular disease) had chronic, permanent AF. A piece of right atrial appendage tissue (0.5 g) was obtained during surgery. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of L-type Ca2+ channels, ryanodine receptor (RyR2), sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2), gene encoding the rapid component of the delayed rectifier Ikr (HERG), gene encoding calcium-independent transient outward current Ito1 (Kv4.3), gene encoding the ultrarapid component of the delayed rectifier Iku (Kv1.5), K+ channel-interacting protein 2 (KChIP2), hyperpolarization-activated cation channel 2 associated with the pacemaker current If (HCN2), and gene encoding Na+ channel (SCN5A). Results Reduced L-type Ca2+ channel, RyR2, SERCA2, Kv1.5, and KChIP2 expression and borderline increased HCN2 expression were observed in the patients with AF and mitral valvular heart disease. Left atrial diameter was negatively correlated with RyR2 and KChIP2 expression. Fractional area shortening of the left atrium was positively correlated with RyR2 and KChIP2 expression. Conclusions Alterations in ion channel expression and the anatomical substrate may favor the initiation and maintenance of AF in patients with mitral valvular heart disease.
Interleaving Optimization with Sampling-Based Motion Planning (IOS-MP): Combining Local Optimization with Global Exploration

Computing globally optimal motion plans for a robot is challenging in part because it requires analyzing a robot's configuration space simultaneously from both a macroscopic viewpoint (i.e., considering paths in multiple homotopic classes) and a microscopic viewpoint (i.e., locally optimizing path quality). We introduce Interleaved Optimization with Sampling-based Motion Planning (IOS-MP), a new method that effectively combines global exploration and local optimization to quickly compute high quality motion plans. Our approach combines two paradigms: (1) asymptotically-optimal sampling-based motion planning, which is effective at global exploration but relatively slow at locally refining paths, and (2) optimization-based motion planning, which locally optimizes paths quickly but lacks a global view of the configuration space. IOS-MP iteratively alternates between global exploration and local optimization, sharing information between the two, to improve motion planning efficiency. We evaluate IOS-MP as it scales with respect to dimensionality and complexity, as well as demonstrate its effectiveness on a 7-DOF manipulator for tasks specified using goal configurations and workspace goal regions.
Gene-disease association through topological and biological feature integration

The large amounts of biological information generated using advanced high-throughput experimental techniques continue to motivate the design of suitable methods for valuable knowledge mining. Finding proper means to examine and analyze such information allows better understanding of normal biological processes as well as uncovering malfunctions that trigger various diseases. Several computational approaches were developed to complement the experimental work which is often restricted by high time and cost requirements. In this paper, we consider the problem of disease- gene association and we propose a methodology based on a classification approach which integrates protein-protein interaction network topology features and biological information collected from various data sources. When applied on a dataset of multiple disease types and using the Naive Bayes classifier, our method achieves an AUC score of 0.941. We also consider two case studies of type II diabetes mellitus and breast cancer. The experimental results greatly favor our approach.