Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Internal Auditory Canal Structures in Tinnitus of Unknown Origin

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the internal auditory canal (IAC) and the nerves inside it to define possible structural differences in cases with subjective tinnitus of unknown origin. Methods Cases applying to the ear, nose and throat department with the complaint of tinnitus with unknown origin and having normal physical examination and test results were included in the study (n=78). Patients admitted to the radiology clinic for routine cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whose MRI findings revealed no pathologies were enrolled as the control group (n=79). Data for the control group were obtained from the radiology department and informed consent was obtained from all the patients. Diameters of the IAC and the nerves inside it were measured through enhanced images obtained by routine temporal bone MRIs in all cases. Statistical evaluations were performed using Student t-test and statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. Results Measurements of IAC diameters revealed statistically significant differences between the controls and the tinnitus group (P<0.05). Regarding the diameters of the cochlear nerve, facial nerve, inferior vestibular nerve, superior vestibular nerve, and total vestibular nerve, no statistically significant difference was found between the controls and the tinnitus group. Conclusion Narrowed IAC has to be assessed as an etiological factor in cases with subjective tinnitus of unknown origin.
Preferred orientation in deformed metals and rocks : an introduction to modern texture analysis

L.E. Weiss and H. -R. Wenk, An Introduction. H. -R. Wenk, Measurement of Pole Figures. L.E. Weiss and H. -R. Wenk, Symmetry of Pole Figures and Textures. H.J. Bunge, Representation of Preferred Orientations. H.J. Bunge and C. Esling, The Harmonic Method. H. Schaeben, A. Vadon, and H. -R. Wenk, Vector Method. S. Matthies and H. -R. Wenk, ODF Reproduction with Conditional Ghost Correction. D.J. Barber, Dislocations and Microstructures. G. Gottstein and H. Mecking, Recrystallization. T.G. Langdon, Regimes of Plastic Deformation. P. Van Houtte and F. Wagner, Development of Textures by Slip and Twinning. G. Oertel, Reorientation due to Grain Shape. H. Mecking, Textures of Metals. J. Hirsch and K. L cke, Interpretation of the Copper*b1Brass Texture Transition by Quantitative ODF Analysis. H. Kern and A. Richter, Microstructures and Textures in Evaporites. H. Siemes and Ch. Hennig-Michaeli, Ore Minerals. H. -R. Wenk, Carbonates. G.P. Price, Preferred Orientations in Quartzites. J.-C.C. Mercier, Olivine and Pyroxenes. G. Oertel, Phyllosilicate Textures in Slates. J.L. Rosenfeld, Schistosity. B.E. Hobbs, The Geological Significance of Microfabric Analysis. H.C. Heard, Experimental Determination of Mechanical Properties. H.J. Bunge, Physical Properties of Polycrystals. P.R. Morris and J.W. Flowers, Texture and Magnetic Properties of Metals. H. Kern and H. -R. Wenk, Anisotropy in Rocks and the Geological Significance. References. Index.
Loss of LRPPRC causes ATP synthase deficiency

Defects of the oxidative phosphorylation system, in particular of cytochrome-c oxidase (COX, respiratory chain complex IV), are common causes of Leigh syndrome (LS), which is a rare neurodegenerative disorder with severe progressive neurological symptoms that usually present during infancy or early childhood. The COX-deficient form of LS is commonly caused by mutations in genes encoding COX assembly factors, e.g. SURF1, SCO1, SCO2 or COX10. However, other mutations affecting genes that encode proteins not directly involved in COX assembly can also cause LS. The leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat containing protein (LRPPRC) regulates mRNA stability, polyadenylation and coordinates mitochondrial translation. In humans, mutations in Lrpprc cause the French Canadian type of LS. Despite the finding that LRPPRC deficiency affects the stability of most mitochondrial mRNAs, its pathophysiological effect has mainly been attributed to COX deficiency. Surprisingly, we show here that the impaired mitochondrial respiration and reduced ATP production observed in Lrpprc conditional knockout mouse hearts is caused by an ATP synthase deficiency. Furthermore, the appearance of inactive subassembled ATP synthase complexes causes hyperpolarization and increases mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Our findings shed important new light on the bioenergetic consequences of the loss of LRPPRC in cardiac mitochondria.
Amino acid residues that influence the binding of manganese or calcium to photosystem II. 2. The carboxy-terminal domain of the D1 polypeptide.

To identify amino acid residues that ligate the manganese and calcium ions of photosystem II or are otherwise crucial to water oxidation, site-directed mutations were constructed in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 at all conserved carboxylate and histidine residues in the carboxy-terminal domain of the D1 polypeptide. Mutants with impaired photoautotrophic growth or oxygen evolution were characterized in vivo by measuring changes in the yield of variable chlorophyll a fluorescence after a saturating flash or brief illumination given in the presence of an electron-transfer inhibitor or following each in a series of saturating flashes given in the absence of inhibitor [Chu, H. -A. , Nguyen, A. P., & Debus, R.J. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 6137-6149]. Mutants were also characterized after propagation in media having other cations substituted for calcium. We conclude that His-332 Glu-333, His-337, and Asp-342 influence the assembly and/or stability of the manganese cluster, that His-332, Glu-333, and His-337 may ligate manganese, that Asp-342 may ligate manganese, calcium, or both, that Glu-333 and Asp-342 may play important structural roles, and that His-332, Glu-333, and His-337 influence the binding of calcium, although Glu-333 is unlikely to ligate Ca2+ directly. Several His-332, Glu-333, His-337, and Asp-342 mutants were very light sensitive, possibly because toxic activated oxygen species were released from altered or partly assembled manganese clusters. Finally, mutations at Asp-342 do not prevent posttranslational cleavage of the carboxy-terminal extension of the D1 polypeptide's precursor form in vivo.
To what extent does tagged-MRI technique allow to infer tongue muscles' activation pattern? a modelling study

‘Tagged MRI’ techniques have been used during the past years to predict which tongue muscles are activated during the production of vowels and for non-speech gestures. Using this technique, tongue muscle activation inferences are based on the hypothesis that a significant distortion of the anatomical region of a tongue muscle is evidence of voluntary muscle activation. In this paper, we propose to use a 3D finite-element model of the oral cavity to study the relation between the strain levels observed in the tongue body in relation to the tongue muscles activated by the central nervous system or through reflex loops. Results showed in most cases a good correlation between the area of the tongue that underwent high strains and the location of the muscle activated when studying single muscle activation, but a limited and even no correlation for movements involving combined muscle activation. A direct reading of Tagged MRI images would not allow inferring major tongue muscles activated in theses cases. Index Terms: Tagged MRI, speech production, biomechanical modelling
The Use of Group Activities in Introductory Biology Supports Learning Gains and Uniquely Benefits High-Achieving Students†

This study describes the implementation and effectiveness of small-group active engagement (GAE) exercises in an introductory biology course (BSCI207) taught in a large auditorium setting. BSCI207 (Principles of Biology III—Organismal Biology) is the third introductory core course for Biological Sciences majors. In fall 2014, the instructors redesigned one section to include GAE activities to supplement lecture content. One section (n = 198) employed three lectures per week. The other section (n = 136) replaced one lecture per week with a GAE class. We explored the benefits and challenges associated with implementing GAE exercises and their relative effectiveness for unique student groups (e.g., minority students, high- and low-grade point average [GPA] students). Our findings show that undergraduates in the GAE class exhibited greater improvement in learning outcomes than undergraduates in the traditional class. Findings also indicate that high-achieving students experienced the greatest benefit from GAE activities. Some at-risk student groups (e.g., two-year transfer students) showed comparably low learning gains in the course, despite the additional support that may have been afforded by active learning. Collectively, these findings provide valuable feedback that may assist other instructors who wish to revise their courses and recommendations for institutions regarding prerequisite coursework approval policies.
Functional Genomics of Innate Host Defense Molecules in Normal Human Monocytes in Response to Aspergillus fumigatus

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus induces the release of innate immune-related molecules from phagocytic cells early in the course of infection. Little is known, however, about the complex expression profiles of the multiple genes involved in this response. We therefore investigated the kinetics of early gene expression in human monocytes (HMCs) infected with conidia of A. fumigatus using DNA microarray analysis. Total RNA from HMCs at 0, 2, 4, and 6 h was extracted, linearly amplified, hybridized onto Affymetrix HG133 Plus 2.0 gene chips, and analyzed with an Affymetrix scanner. Changes in gene expression were calculated as a ratio of those expressed by infected versus control HMCs. Aspergillus fumigatus induced differential regulation of expression in 1,827 genes (P < 0.05). Genes encoding cytokines and chemokines involved in host defense against A. fumigatus, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-8, CXCL2, CCL4, CCL3, and CCL20, as well as the opsonin long pentraxin 3, were up-regulated during the first 2 to 6 h, coinciding with an increase in phagocytosis. Simultaneously, genes encoding CD14, ficolin1, and MARCO were down-regulated, and genes encoding IL-10 and matrix metalloproteinase 1 were up-regulated. Up-regulation of the genes encoding heat shock proteins 40 and 110 and connexins 26 and 30 may point to novel molecules whose role in the pathogenesis of aspergillosis has not been previously reported. Verification of the transcriptional profiling was obtained for selected genes by reverse transcription-PCR and enzyme immunoassay. Thus, A. fumigatus conidia induced a coordinated expression of genes important in host defense and immunomodulation.
Increased expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer in rheumatoid synovium.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in the synovial membrane of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS Mouse monoclonal antibody against human EMMPRIN was applied according to an avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method to reveal EMMPRIN expression. Western blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to check for the presence of EMMPRIN protein and messenger RNA (mRNA). RESULTS EMMPRIN immunoreactivity was more intense in RA than in OA synovial membrane (P < 0.01). EMMPRIN staining was more widespread in RA than in OA, especially in association with macrophage infiltrates. RT-PCR of synovial membrane samples disclosed the presence of EMMPRIN mRNA. Nucleotide sequencing of the PCR amplification products confirmed the identity of the amplified bands. Immunoblot analysis revealed 55-kd glycosylated EMMPRIN bands, which were particularly prominent in RA samples. CONCLUSION The expression of EMMPRIN is upregulated in the rheumatoid synovial membrane. EMMPRIN can induce local production of at least MMPs 1, 2, and 3, and can thereby play a role in joint destruction in RA.
Size matters: plasticity in metabolic scaling shows body-size may modulate responses to climate change

Variability in metabolic scaling in animals, the relationship between metabolic rate (R) and body mass (M), has been a source of debate and controversy for decades. R is proportional to Mb, the precise value of b much debated, but historically considered equal in all organisms. Recent metabolic theory, however, predicts b to vary among species with ecology and metabolic level, and may also vary within species under different abiotic conditions. Under climate change, most species will experience increased temperatures, and marine organisms will experience the additional stressor of decreased seawater pH (‘ocean acidification’). Responses to these environmental changes are modulated by myriad species-specific factors. Body-size is a fundamental biological parameter, but its modulating role is relatively unexplored. Here, we show that changes to metabolic scaling reveal asymmetric responses to stressors across body-size ranges; b is systematically decreased under increasing temperature in three grazing molluscs, indicating smaller individuals were more responsive to warming. Larger individuals were, however, more responsive to reduced seawater pH in low temperatures. These alterations to the allometry of metabolism highlight abiotic control of metabolic scaling, and indicate that responses to climate warming and ocean acidification may be modulated by body-size.
Modelling transdermal delivery of high molecular weight drugs from microneedle systems

In the past few years, a number of microneedle designs have been proposed for transdermal drug delivery of high molecular weight drugs. However, most of them do not increase the drug permeability in skin significantly. In other cases, designs developed based on certain criteria (e.g. strength of the microneedles) have failed to meet other criteria (e.g. drug permeability in skin, throughputs of the drugs, etc.). It is obvious therefore that in order to determine the ‘optimum’ design of these microneedles, the effect of different factors (e.g. length of the microneedle, surface area of the patch, etc.) along with various transport properties of drug transport behaviour using microneedles should be determined accurately. Appropriate mathematical models for drug transport from these systems into skin have the potential to resolve some of these issues. To address this, a parametric analysis for transdermal delivery of a high molecular weight drug from a microneedle is presented in this paper. The simulations have allowed us to identify the significance of various factors that influence the drug delivery while designing microneedle arrays. A scaling analysis is also done which shows the functional dependence of drug concentration on other variables of skin and microneedle arrays.
Analysis of Methylmercury Concentration in the Blood of Koreans by Using Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometry

Background Methylmercury is an organic form of mercury that is highly toxic to humans. Here, we present and establish a novel method to detect methylmercury concentrations in the blood of Koreans. Methods Methylmercury concentration was analyzed with an automated methylmercury analytic system (MERX, Brooks Rand Co., USA) using cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry (CVAFS). A variety of biological materials were digested in methanolic potassium hydroxide solution. The analysis method was validated by examination of certified reference material (955c, National Institute of Standard and Technology, USA). We randomly selected 30 Korean adults (age 20 yr or older) to analyze total blood mercury and methylmercury concentrations. Results The detection limit and methylmercury recovery rate using this method were 0.1 pg/L and, 99.19% (range: 89.33-104.89%), respectively. The mean blood concentration of methylmercury was 4.54±2.15 µg/L (N=30). The mean proportion of methylmercury to the total mercury concentration was 78.27% (range: 41.37-98.80%). Conclusions This study is the first report to analyze blood methylmercury concentration using CVAFS in Korea. We expect that this method will contribute to the evaluation of mercury exposure and the assessment of the toxicological impact of mercury in future studies.
History-Dependent Multiple-Time-Scale Dynamics in a Single-Neuron Model

History-dependent characteristic time scales in dynamics have been observed at several levels of organization in neural systems. Such dynamics can provide powerful means for computation and memory. At the level of the single neuron, several microscopic mechanisms, including ion channel kinetics, can support multiple-time-scale dynamics. How the temporally complex channel kinetics gives rise to dynamical properties of the neuron is not well understood. Here, we construct a model that captures some features of the connection between these two levels of organization. The model neuron exhibits history-dependent multiple-time-scale dynamics in several effects: first, after stimulation, the recovery time scale is related to the stimulation duration by a power-law scaling; second, temporal patterns of neural activity in response to ongoing stimulation are modulated over time; finally, the characteristic time scale for adaptation after a step change in stimulus depends on the duration of the preceding stimulus. All these effects have been observed experimentally and are not explained by current single-neuron models. The model neuron here presented is composed of an ensemble of ion channels that can wander in a large pool of degenerate inactive states and thus exhibits multiple-time-scale dynamics at the molecular level. Channel inactivation rate depends on recent neural activity, which in turn depends through modulations of the neural response function on the fraction of active channels. This construction produces a model that robustly exhibits nonexponential history-dependent dynamics, in qualitative agreement with experimental results.
Fast algorithms for frequent itemset mining using FP-trees

Efficient algorithms for mining frequent itemsets are crucial for mining association rules as well as for many other data mining tasks. Methods for mining frequent itemsets have been implemented using a prefix-tree structure, known as an FP-tree, for storing compressed information about frequent itemsets. Numerous experimental results have demonstrated that these algorithms perform extremely well. In this paper, we present a novel FP-array technique that greatly reduces the need to traverse FP-trees, thus obtaining significantly improved performance for FP-tree-based algorithms. Our technique works especially well for sparse data sets. Furthermore, we present new algorithms for mining all, maximal, and closed frequent itemsets. Our algorithms use the FP-tree data structure in combination with the FP-array technique efficiently and incorporate various optimization techniques. We also present experimental results comparing our methods with existing algorithms. The results show that our methods are the fastest for many cases. Even though the algorithms consume much memory when the data sets are sparse, they are still the fastest ones when the minimum support is low. Moreover, they are always among the fastest algorithms and consume less memory than other methods when the data sets are dense.
Finite-time adaptive distributed control for double integrator leader-agent synchronisation

A finite-time adaptive distributed control algorithm for second-order, double integrator-type agents is suggested to achieve consensus with a second order controlled leader. For this, a recently suggested finite-time adaptive estimator is designed for each agent using only local agent information. This adaptive estimator is driven via direct parameter estimation error information and a nonlinear formulation of the consensus error, which guarantees finite-time consensus. The parameter error information, computed through auxiliary filters for each agent, ensures convergence via a sliding-mode type unit vector in the estimation algorithm. This algorithm is suitably combined with a finite-time consensus control algorithm, enhancing recently suggested adaptive consensus algorithms in terms of robustness, parameter estimation and convergence speed. Suitable comparative simulation examples provide practically relevant evidence.
Thresholding Based Detection of Fine and Sparse Details

This study concentrates on locating (cid:2)ne sparse details from images. A statistical model for (cid:2)ne and sparse details w as dev eloped for the histogram and spatial representation. In ex periments, arti(cid:2)cial data w as generated b y using the statistical model and sev eral thresholding methods w ere compared. The result w as v eri(cid:2)ed b y using real images from IG T pick ing paper printab ility assessment, w here small paper surface defects must b e detected. B ased on the ex peri-ments w ith arti(cid:2)cial data and real images, it seems that the minimum error thresholding b y K ittler and Illingw orth out-performs the other methods.
Identification of two regions in the N‐terminal domain of ActA involved in the actin comet tail formation by Listeria monocytogenes

The ActA protein of Listeria monocytogenes induces actin nucleation on the bacterial surface. The continuous process of actin filament elongation provides the driving force for bacterial propulsion in infected cells or cytoplasmic extracts. Here, by fusing the N‐terminus of ActA (residues 1–234) to the ω fragment of β‐galactosidase, we present the first evidence that this domain contains all the necessary elements for actin tail formation. A detailed analysis of ActA variants, in which small fragments of the N‐terminal region were deleted, allowed the identification of two critical regions. Both are required to initiate the actin polymerization process, but each has in addition a specific role to maintain the dynamics of the process. The first region (region T, amino acids 117–121) is critical for filament elongation, as shown by the absence of actin tail in a 117–121 deletion mutant or when motility assays are performed in the presence of anti‐region T antibodies. The second region (region C, amino acids 21–97), is more specifically involved in maintenance of the continuity of the process, probably by F‐actin binding or prevention of barbed end capping, as strongly suggested by both a deletion (21–97) leading to ‘discontinuous’ actin tail formation and in vitro experiments showing that a synthetic peptide covering residues 33–74 can interact with F‐actin. Our results provide the first insights in the molecular dissection of the actin polymerization process induced by the N‐terminal domain of ActA.
Strengthening of Ti-Ni shape-memory films by coherent subnanometric plate precipitates

It has been found that subnanometric thin plate precipitates are formed in sputter-deposited Ti-rich Ti-Ni shape-memory films. This has been achieved by heating the as-sputtered amorphous sample at relatively low temperatures. The precipitates are produced along the {100} planes of the bcc (B2) parent phase and are completely coherent with the matrix. They have a disc-like shape with a thickness of only two to three lattice planes and a diameter of 5-10 nm. The distance between neighbouring precipitates is dependent on the heat treatment temperature, varying in the range 5-30 nm. Owing to the existence of these precipitates in the parent phase, the critical stress for slip in the parent phase is greatly increased and, as a result, excellent shape-memory properties, such as 6% recoverable shape strain and 670 MPa recovery strength, are obtained for Ti-Ni shape-memory thin films. It is concluded that the precipitates have a Ti-rich composition and are produced only in the off-stoichiometric amorphous Ti-Ni .