Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fiber Type-Specific Nitric Oxide Protects Oxidative Myofibers against Cachectic Stimuli

Oxidative skeletal muscles are more resistant than glycolytic muscles to cachexia caused by chronic heart failure and other chronic diseases. The molecular mechanism for the protection associated with oxidative phenotype remains elusive. We hypothesized that differences in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) determine the fiber type susceptibility. Here, we show that intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) in mice resulted in higher level of ROS and greater expression of muscle-specific E3 ubiqitin ligases, muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx)/atrogin-1 and muscle RING finger-1 (MuRF1), in glycolytic white vastus lateralis muscle than in oxidative soleus muscle. By contrast, NO production, inducible NO synthase (iNos) and antioxidant gene expression were greatly enhanced in oxidative, but not in glycolytic muscles, suggesting that NO mediates protection against muscle wasting. NO donors enhanced iNos and antioxidant gene expression and blocked cytokine/endotoxin-induced MAFbx/atrogin-1 expression in cultured myoblasts and in skeletal muscle in vivo. Our studies reveal a novel protective mechanism in oxidative myofibers mediated by enhanced iNos and antioxidant gene expression and suggest a significant value of enhanced NO signaling as a new therapeutic strategy for cachexia.
Measurement of Soot Temperature and Volume Fraction of Axisymmetric Ethylene Laminar Flames Using Hyperspectral Tomography

Three kinds of atmospheres, namely, air, oxygen-enriched air, and oxygen/carbon dioxide atmospheres, and a total of ten axisymmetric coflow ethylene laminar flames are experimentally studied using a hyperspectral imaging device. 2-D distributions of the local emission source term in the visible and near-infrared ranges are reconstructed using the least-squares method. Then the distributions of temperature and absorption coefficient are calculated using the Newton-type iterative method, while the wavelength dependence of the absorption coefficient is fitted by polynomials. For the nonoptically thin flame, an iterative algorithm is adopted by substituting the absorption coefficients back into the reconstruction. The experimental results show that there exists a local temperature peak near the flame edge and the flame root. Additionally, for an oxygen-enriched atmosphere, there also exists another local temperature peak in upper center part of the flame in an air/oxygen atmosphere or in the upper edge part in an oxygen/carbon dioxide atmosphere. The results also reveal that the reduction in the flow of ethylene will result in the decrease in the highest soot volume fraction, and a higher oxygen content will generate a higher temperature peak and a lower soot volume fraction peak in an oxygen-enriched air atmosphere, but a higher soot volume fraction peak in an oxygen-enriched oxygen/carbon dioxide atmosphere. In addition, in an air atmosphere or an atmosphere with a large quantity of carbon dioxide, there will be another local peak of the soot volume fraction in the upper center part of the flame, which may be aggravated by the reduction in the amount of ethylene.
Teacher Layoffs, Teacher Quality, and Student Achievement: Evidence from a Discretionary Layoff Policy

Most teacher layoffs during the Great Recession were implemented following inverse-seniority policies. In this paper, I examine the implementation of a discretionary layoff policy in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Administrators did not uniformly lay off the most or least senior teachers but instead selected teachers who were previously retired, late-hired, unlicensed, low-performing, or nontenured. Using quasi-experimental variation within schools across grades, I then estimate the differential effects of teacher layoffs on student achievement based on teacher seniority and effectiveness. Mathematics achievement in grades that lost an effective teacher, as measured by principal evaluations or value-added scores, decreased 0.05 to 0.11 standard deviations more than in grades that lost an ineffective teacher. In contrast, teacher seniority has limited predictive power on the effects of layoffs. Simulation analyses show that the district selected teachers who were, on average, less effective than those teachers identified under an inverse-seniority policy, and also reduced job losses.
Temporal Gradients in Shear, but Not Spatial Gradients, Stimulate Endothelial Cell Proliferation

Background—The effect of temporal and spatial gradients in shear on primary human endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation was investigated. The sudden-expansion flow chamber (SEFC) model was used to differentiate the effect of temporal gradients in shear from that of spatial gradients. With a sudden onset of flow, cells are exposed to both temporal and spatial gradients of shear. The temporal gradients can be eliminated by slowly ramping up the flow. Methods and Results—HUVEC proliferation in the SEFC remained unstimulated when the onset of flow was slowly ramped. Sudden onset of flow stimulated a 105% increase of HUVEC proliferation (relative to ramped onset) within the region of flow reattachment. To further separate temporal and spatial gradients, a conventional parallel-plate flow chamber was used. A single 0.5-second impulse of 10 dyne/cm2 increased HUVEC proliferation 54±3% relative to control. When flow was slowly ramped over 30 seconds, HUVEC proliferation was not significantly different from controls. Steady laminar shear over 20 minutes inhibited HUVEC proliferation relative to controls regardless of step (36±8%) or ramp (21±5%) onsets of flow. Conclusions—The results indicate that temporal gradients in shear stress stimulate endothelial cell proliferation, whereas spatial gradients affect endothelial proliferation no differently than steady uniform shear stress.
Diversity and Characterization of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Groundwater at a Uranium Mill Tailings Site

ABSTRACT Microbially mediated reduction and immobilization of U(VI) to U(IV) plays a role in both natural attenuation and accelerated bioremediation of uranium-contaminated sites. To realize bioremediation potential and accurately predict natural attenuation, it is important to first understand the microbial diversity of such sites. In this paper, the distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in contaminated groundwater associated with a uranium mill tailings disposal site at Shiprock, N.Mex. , was investigated. Two culture-independent analyses were employed: sequencing of clone libraries of PCR-amplified dissimilatory sulfite reductase (DSR) gene fragments and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) biomarker analysis. A remarkable diversity among the DSR sequences was revealed, including sequences from δ-Proteobacteria, gram-positive organisms, and theNitrospira division. PLFA analysis detected at least 52 different mid-chain-branched saturate PLFA and included a high proportion of 10me16:0. Desulfotomaculum andDesulfotomaculum-like sequences were the most dominant DSR genes detected. Those belonging to SRB within δ-Proteobacteria were mainly recovered from low-uranium (≤302 ppb) samples. OneDesulfotomaculum-like sequence cluster overwhelmingly dominated high-U (>1,500 ppb) sites. Logistic regression showed a significant influence of uranium concentration over the dominance of this cluster of sequences (P = 0.0001). This strong association indicates that Desulfotomaculum has remarkable tolerance and adaptation to high levels of uranium and suggests the organism's possible involvement in natural attenuation of uranium. The in situ activity level of Desulfotomaculum in uranium-contaminated environments and its comparison to the activities of other SRB and other functional groups should be an important area for future research.
Mutagenicity of the new quinolone antibacterial agent levofloxacin.

UNLABELLED A new quinolone antibacterial agent (-)-(S)-9-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-10- (4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-7-oxo-7H-pyrido[1,2,3-de][1,4]benzoxazine-6- carboxylic acid hemihydrate (levofloxacin, DR-3355, CAS 100986-85-4), was studied for mutagenicity using the following short-term in vitro and in vivo tests. 1. IN VITRO STUDIES reverse mutation test (Ames method) on S. typhimurium and E. coli; and HGPRT forward mutation test, cytogenetic test, and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test, all on Chinese hamster cells. 2. In vivo studies: mouse micronucleus test, SCE test on mouse bone marrow cell, in vivo-in vitro unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) test on rat primary hepatocytes, and dominant lethal test in BDF1 mice. In the in vitro tests for SCE and for chromosomal aberration, DR-3355 gave dose-dependent positive responses, but no mutagenicity was observed in the same indicators of the in vivo studies, even at the maximum tolerated doses. This strongly suggested that DR-3355 would have no mutagenic effects when used in the treatment of infectious diseases. DR-3355 did not show any positive response in the reverse mutation test, the HGPRT mutation test, the in vivo-in vitro UDS test or the dominant lethal test. These results suggest that chemotherapy with DR-3355 should have no mutagenic effect in man.
Estimating the heritability of reporting stressful life events captured by common genetic variants

Background Although usually thought of as external environmental stressors, a significant heritable component has been reported for measures of stressful life events (SLEs) in twin studies. Method We examined the variance in SLEs captured by common genetic variants from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 2578 individuals. Genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA) was used to estimate the phenotypic variance tagged by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We also performed a GWAS on the number of SLEs, and looked at correlations between siblings. Results A significant proportion of variance in SLEs was captured by SNPs (30%, p = 0.04). When events were divided into those considered to be dependent or independent, an equal amount of variance was explained for both. This ‘heritability’ was in part confounded by personality measures of neuroticism and psychoticism. A GWAS for the total number of SLEs revealed one SNP that reached genome-wide significance (p = 4 × 10−8), although this association was not replicated in separate samples. Using available sibling data for 744 individuals, we also found a significant positive correlation of R2 = 0.08 in SLEs (p = 0.03). Conclusions These results provide independent validation from molecular data for the heritability of reporting environmental measures, and show that this heritability is in part due to both common variants and the confounding effect of personality.
Deterministic bit-stream digital neurons

In this paper, we present the design of a deterministic bit-stream neuron, which makes use of the memory rich architecture of fine-grained field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). It is shown that deterministic bit streams provide the same accuracy as much longer stochastic bit streams. As these bit streams are processed serially, this allows neurons to be implemented that are much faster than those that utilize stochastic logic. Furthermore, due to the memory rich architecture of fine-grained FPGAs, these neurons still require only a small amount of logic to implement. The design presented here has been implemented on a Virtex FPGA, which allows a very regular layout facilitating efficient usage of space. This allows for the construction of neural networks large enough to solve complex tasks at a speed comparable to that provided by commercially available neural-network hardware.
How to compress interactive communication

We describe new ways to simulate 2-party communication protocols to get protocols with potentially smaller communication. We show that every communication protocol that communicates C bits and reveals I bits of information about the inputs to the participating parties can be simulated by a new protocol involving at most ~O(√CI) bits of communication. If the protocol reveals I bits of information about the inputs to an observer that watches the communication in the protocol, we show how to carry out the simulation with ~O(I) bits of communication. These results lead to a direct sum theorem for randomized communication complexity. Ignoring polylogarithmic factors, we show that for worst case computation, computing n copies of a function requires √n times the communication required for computing one copy of the function. For average case complexity, given any distribution μ on inputs, computing n copies of the function on n inputs sampled independently according to μ requires √n times the communication for computing one copy. If μ is a product distribution, computing n copies on n independent inputs sampled according to μ requires n times the communication required for computing the function. We also study the complexity of computing the sum (or parity) of n evaluations of f, and obtain results analogous to those above.
A fast and efficient projection-based approach for surface reconstruction

We present a fast and memory efficient algorithm that generates a manifold triangular mesh S with or without boundary passing through a set of unorganized points P/spl sub//spl Rscr//sup 3/ with no other additional information. Nothing is assumed about the geometry or topology of the sampled manifold model, except for its reasonable smoothness. The speed of our algorithm is derived from a projection-based approach we use to determine the incident faces on a point. Our algorithm has successfully reconstructed the surfaces of unorganized point clouds of sizes varying from 10,000 to 100,000 in about 3-30 seconds on a 250 MHz, R10000 SGI Onyx2. Our technique can be specialized for different kinds of input and applications. For example, our algorithm can be specialized to handle data from height fields like terrain and range scan, even in the presence of noise. We have successfully generated meshes for range scan data of size 900,000 points in less than 40 seconds.
Characterization of thermally aged XLPE cable peelings through space charge measurements

Space charge results under DC-voltages have been used to compare samples taken from peelings of cables AC-aged under different specified thermal and electrical conditions with unaged and service-aged specimens. The aim is to identify quantities that have been altered during ageing. All samples were thermally treated to remove volatiles before measurement and ensure reproducible measurements appropriate to just the state of the polymer. Both the pulsed-electro-acoustic (PEA) and thermal-stimulated-current (TSC) techniques were used. This allowed us to obtain information both on the ability of the polymer to transport and accumulate charge, and the trap depth distribution and relaxation barriers in the various XLPE samples. The combination of both techniques gives a more detailed picture of the state of the XLPE specimens than each technique on its own. PEA measurements show that materials that have undergone electro-thermal ageing accumulated the most charge, and that the charge resides in both deep and shallower traps. Differences between the field aged material and the electro-thermally aged 'laboratory' sample are identified in both the PEA and TSC measurements, and are taken to indicate that a larger fraction of charge lies in the less shallow traps in the service-aged material.
Does Accepting Pharmacokinetic Recommendations Impact Hospitalization? A Cost‐Benefit Analysis

In a prospective, randomized study, 110 adults receiving aminogly-cosides were randomized to follow-up by a clinical pharmacokinetic service (CPS). Of the 110 patients, 35 accepted pharmacokinetic recommendations less than 100% of the time. The two groups were similar in age, sex, height, APACHE II score, and initial creatinine clearance. A cost-to-charge ratio was used to derive direct costs of hospitalization and calculate cost-benefit. Patients whose physicians accepted pharmacokinetic recommendations 100% of the time had shorter hospitalizations (322.67 ± 270.28 h; CPS <100%, 699.54 ± 806.35; p = 0.001) and febrile periods (50.05 ± 79.38 h; CPS <100%, 120.00 ± 153.23; p = 0.002). Acceptance of CPS recommendations led to adequate peak levels. Acceptance of CPS recommendations led to lower direct costs (7,102.56 ± 9,898.19; CPS <100%, 19,629.94 ± 28,051.89; p < 0.001). Calculated direct cost of the service was 85/patient.
Novel Low Cost 3D Surface Model Reconstruction System for Plant Phenotyping

Accurate high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) models are essential for a non-invasive analysis of phenotypic characteristics of plants. Previous limitations in 3D computer vision algorithms have led to a reliance on volumetric methods or expensive hardware to record plant structure. We present an image-based 3D plant reconstruction system that can be achieved by using a single camera and a rotation stand. Our method is based on the structure from motion method, with a SIFT image feature descriptor. In order to improve the quality of the 3D models, we segmented the plant objects based on the PlantCV platform. We also deducted the optimal number of images needed for reconstructing a high-quality model. Experiments showed that an accurate 3D model of the plant was successfully could be reconstructed by our approach. This 3D surface model reconstruction system provides a simple and accurate computational platform for non-destructive, plant phenotyping.
The origin of the lower fourth molar in canids, inferred by individual variation

Background An increase in tooth number is an exception during mammalian evolution. The acquisition of the lower fourth molar in the bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis, Canidae, Carnivora, Mammalia) is one example; however, its developmental origin is not clear. In some canids (Canidae), individual variation exist as supernumerary molar M4. This study focuses on the acquisition of the lower fourth molar in canids and proposes that the inhibitory cascade model can explain its origin. Methods Occlusal view projected area of lower molars was determined from 740 mandibles obtained from Canis latrans, Nyctereutes procyonoides, and Urocyon cinereoargenteus museum specimens. For each molar, relative sizes of molars (M2/M1 and M3/M1 scores) affected by inhibition/activation dynamics during development, were compared between individuals with and without supernumerary molar (M4). Results Possession of a supernumerary molar was associated with significantly larger M2/M1 score in Canis latrans, M3/M1 score in Nyctereutes procyonoides, and M2/M1 and M3/M1 scores in Urocyon cinereoargenteus compared to individuals of these species that lacked supernumerary molars. Discussion We propose that, in canids, the supernumerary fourth molar is attributable to reduced inhibition and greater activation during molar development. In the bat-eared fox, altered inhibition and activation dynamics of dental development during omnivorous-insectivorous adaptation may be a contributing factor in the origin of the lower fourth molar.
Outdoor Localization System Using RSSI Measurement of Wireless Sensor Network

This paper present a system that utilizes RSSI based trilateration approach to locate the position of blind nodes (nodes that are not aware of there positioning in the network) amongst other nodes in the network. The system automatically estimates the distance between sensor nodes by measuring the RSSI (received signal strength indicator) at an appropriate number of sensor nodes. Through experiments, we clarified the validity of our data collection and position estimation techniques. The results show that when the anchor nodes were increased from three to four, the localization error decreases from 0.74m to 0.56m.
SGLT2 Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Risk: Lessons Learned From the EMPA-REG OUTCOME Study

Although cardiovascular (CV) mortality is the principal cause of death in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), reduction of plasma glucose concentration has little effect on CV disease (CVD) risk. Thus, novel strategies to reduce CVD risk in T2DM patients are needed. The recently published BI 10773 (Empagliflozin) Cardiovascular Outcome Event Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients (EMPA-REG OUTCOME) study demonstrated that in T2DM patients with high CVD risk empagliflozin reduced the primary major adverse cardiac event end point (CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke) by 14%. This beneficial effect was driven by a 38% reduction in CV mortality with no significant decrease in nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke. Empagliflozin also caused a 35% reduction in hospitalization for heart failure without affecting hospitalization for unstable angina. Although sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors exert multiple metabolic benefits (decreases in HbA1c, body weight, and blood pressure and an increase in HDL cholesterol), all of which could reduce CVD risk, it is unlikely that the reduction in CV mortality can be explained by empagliflozin’s metabolic effects. More likely, hemodynamic effects, specifically reduced blood pressure and decreased extracellular volume, are responsible for the reduction in CV mortality and heart failure hospitalization. In this Perspective, we will discuss possible mechanisms for these beneficial effects of empagliflozin and their implications for the care of T2DM patients.
Remote monitoring improves outcome after ICD implantation: the clinical efficacy in the management of heart failure (EFFECT) study.

AIMS Internet-based remote interrogation systems have been shown to reduce emergency department and in-office visits in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), resulting in increased efficiency for healthcare providers. Nonetheless, studies sized to demonstrate the impact of remote monitoring on patients' outcome have been lacking. METHODS AND RESULTS The EFFECT study was a multicentre clinical trial aimed at measuring and comparing the outcome of ICD patients conventionally followed-up by means of in-clinic visits (Standard arm) or by remote monitoring (Remote arm) in the clinical practice of 25 Italian centres. From 2011 to 2013, 987 consecutive patients were enrolled and followed up for at least 12 months. The primary endpoint was the rate of death and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Remote monitoring was adopted by 499 patients. Patients in the Standard and Remote arms did not differ significantly in terms of baseline clinical characteristics, except for a more frequent use of ICD with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) in the Remote arm (48 vs. 36%, P < 0.001). One-year rates of the primary combined endpoint were 0.27 events/year for patients in the Standard arm and were 0.15 events/year for those in the Remote arm (incident rate ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.41-0.73; P < 0.001). The endpoint rates in the Standard and Remote arms were 0.27 and 0.08 events/year, respectively, among CRT-D recipients (P < 0.001), and 0.28 vs. 0.21 among ICD patients (P = 0.094). The rates of in-office visits were 1.9 per year in the Standard arm and 1.7 per year in the Remote arm. CONCLUSION Compared with the standard follow-up through in-office visits, remote monitoring is associated with reduced death and cardiovascular hospitalizations in patients with ICD in clinical practice. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ Identifier: NCT01723865.