Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overlap reduction in symbolic system traversal

A divide-and-conquer approach in BDD-based verification to handle larger designs is to partition BDDs exceeding a threshold size and to deal with the partitions separately. Crossover transitions to the same state cause the main problem of this methodology, because they result in overlap of the partitions and thus introduce redundant computations when dealing with the partitions. In this paper we describe an algorithm for splitting Boolean functions representing state sets of synchronous systems such that in subsequent symbolic traversal of the resulting subsets the state set overlap is reduced. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our splitting algorithm by applying it in sequential and distributed versions of a bounded property checking algorithm. Also, a dynamic extension to static overlap reduction is sketched.
Lineage analysis reveals neurotransmitter (GABA or glutamate) but not calcium-binding protein homogeneity in clonally related cortical neurons

Studies of cell lineage in the rat cerebral cortex have provided new insights into the mechanisms of neuronal and glial determination. They have shown that clonally related cells, marked with retrovirus injection at embryonic day 16 (E16), express the same glial or neuronal phenotype, suggesting that separate progenitors for each of these cell phenotypes exist in the ventricular zone at that stage of corticogenesis. However, it is not known if such committed progenitors are present in the ventricular zone before E16. Another important question concerns which neurochemical features are shared by clonally related cells of the adult cerebral cortex. In this study we have addressed the first question by injecting a retroviral vector expressing beta-galactosidase into the telencephalic ventricles of rat embryos at different stages (E14-E19). In order to classify clonally related neurons in the cerebral cortex of these rats, we have used postembedding immunohistochemistry for the amino acid neurotransmitters glutamate, aspartate, and GABA. Glutamate and GABA immunoreactivity marked nonoverlapping populations of cells that corresponded to the pyramidal and nonpyramidal neuron types of the rat cerebral cortex. Clonally related neurons, marked by retrovirus injection at any day between E14 and E19, homogeneously expressed one or other phenotype and accordingly displayed glutamate or GABA immunoreactivity. This finding indicates that committed progenitor cells for pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurons are present in the ventricular zone before E16. To investigate whether lineage dictates other features in clonally related neurons, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis for the calcium- binding proteins calbindin, parvalbumin, and calretinin in clusters of clonally related nonpyramidal neurons. The same calcium-binding protein was rarely found in members of the same cluster, suggesting that lineage does not control the expression of calcium-binding proteins in cortical nonpyramidal neurons. As a result of examining a large number of clonally related neurons from brains injected at different ages, we observed remarkable differences in number and laminar distribution of pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurons marked with retrovirus. Clusters of nonpyramidal neurons were usually composed of two or three cells, and resided in the cortical layers that were just being generated at the time of injection. Clusters of pyramidal neurons were larger and dispersed in several layers in the earlier injections; their size and laminar distribution were progressively reduced for later injections. These observations suggest the existence of different mechanisms that generate the pyramidal and nonpyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortex.
Reflex increase in blood pressure induced by leg compression in man.

1. We tested the hypotheses that the increase in mean arterial pressure with the application of external leg compression in man is (i) blocked with epidural anaesthesia, and (ii) dependent upon the level of external pressure applied, the quantity of leg muscle mass compressed and the vascular volume of the leg. Fourteen healthy subjects were fitted with an anti‐shock trouser garment to provide three levels (30, 60 and 90 mmHg) of leg compression, while cephalad translocation of fluid was prevented by upper‐thigh cuffs inflated to a supra‐systolic pressure. Cardiovascular responses were recorded during leg compression before and after the administration of epidural anaesthesia in eight subjects, while blood pressure responses from six subjects were compared with their single leg pressor response. 2. Both mean arterial and diastolic pressures were elevated with increasing leg compression, with no changes in heart rate, cardiac output, thoracic impedance, and central venous pressure. The leg compression‐induced blood pressure increases were abolished by epidural anaesthesia. Furthermore, when only one leg was compressed at 90 mmHg, the pressor response was less than that elicited from compression of both legs at the same external pressure. Changes in vascular volume of the leg did not influence the pressor response to leg compression. 3. The results indicate that the mean arterial pressure increases in response to external compression of the legs and that a reflex mechanism, mediated by muscle afferent nerves, is involved. The response is dependent upon both the changes in intramuscular pressure and the quantity of muscle mass compressed.
Targeting Pathogenic Postischemic Self-Recognition by Natural IgM to Protect Against Posttransplantation Cardiac Reperfusion Injury

Background— Natural IgM antibodies represent a class of innate pattern recognition receptors that recognize danger-associated molecular patterns expressed on stressed or dying cells. They play important roles in tissue homeostasis by disposing of prenecrotic cells and suppressing inflammation. However, ischemic insult leads to a pathogenic level of IgM binding and complement activation, resulting in inflammation and injury. We investigate the role of self-reactive IgM in the unique setting of transplantation where the donor organ undergoes both cold and warm ischemia and global ischemic insult. Methods and Results— By transplanting hearts from wild-type donor mice into antibody-deficient mice reconstituted with specific self-reactive IgM monoclonal antibodies, we identified neoepitopes expressed after transplantation and demonstrated a key role for IgM recognition of these epitopes in graft injury. With this information, we developed and characterized a therapeutic strategy that exploited the postischemia recognition system of natural antibodies. On the basis of neoepitope identification, we constructed an anti–annexin IV single-chain antibody (scFv) and an scFv linked to Crry, an inhibitor of C3 activation (scFv-Crry). In an allograft transplantation model in which recipients contain a full natural antibody repertoire, both constructs blocked graft IgM binding and complement activation and significantly reduced graft inflammation and injury. Furthermore, scFv-Crry specifically targeted to the transplanted heart and, unlike complement deficiency, did not affect immunity to infection, an important consideration for immunosuppressed transplant recipients. Conclusions— We identified pathophysiologically important epitopes expressed within the heart after transplantation and described a novel translatable strategy for targeted complement inhibition that has several advantages over currently available approaches.
Acceptance factors: An iPad in classroom ecology

In this paper, we discuss a one-year-long pilot study introducing the iPad into classroom information ecology. In spite of much enthusiasm in the beginning of the study, interest for the iPad diminished significantly by the end of the study. Our primary interest was to observe the classroom information ecology and how the established networks and relations change with the introduction of a new mobile device over a longer period of time, thus eliminating the novelty effect. Our secondary interest was to identify factors contributing to decrease in both use of and interest for the device. Additionally, factors that may positively influence adoption are discussed.
Remote Sensing of Soil Alkalinity and Salinity in the Wuyu'er-Shuangyang River Basin, Northeast China

The Songnen Plain of the Northeast China is one of the three largest soda saline-alkali regions worldwide. To better understand soil alkalinization and salinization in this important agricultural region, it is vital to explore the distribution and variation of soil alkalinity and salinity in space and time. This study examined soil properties and identified the variables to extract soil alkalinity and salinity via physico-chemical, statistical, spectral, and image analysis. The physico-chemical and statistical results suggested that alkaline soils, coming from the main solute Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 in parent rocks, characterized the study area. The pH and electric conductivity (EC ) were correlated with both narrow band and broad band reflectance. For soil pH, the sensitive bands were in short wavelength (VIS) and the band with the highest correlation was 475 nm (r = 0.84). For soil EC, the sensitive bands were also in VIS and the band with the highest correlation was 354 nm (r = 0.84). With the stepwise regression, it was found that the pH was sensitive to reflectance of OLI band 2 and band 6, while the EC was only sensitive to band 1. The R2Adj (0.73 and 0.72) and root mean square error (RMSE) (0.98 and 1.07 dS/m) indicated that, the two stepwise regression models could estimate soil alkalinity and salinity with a considerable accuracy. Spatial distributions of soil alkalinity and salinity were mapped from the OLI image with the RMSE of 1.01 and 0.64 dS/m, respectively. Soil alkalinity was related to salinity but most soils in the study area were non-saline soils. The area of alkaline soils was 44.46% of the basin. Highly alkaline soils were close to the Zhalong wetland and downstream of rivers, which could become a severe concern for crop productivity in this area.
NMR Structure of the “Ball-and-chain” Domain of KCNMB2, the β2-Subunit of Large Conductance Ca2+- and Voltage-activated Potassium Channels* 210

The auxiliary β-subunit KCNMB2 (β2) endows the non-inactivating large conductance Ca2+- and voltage-dependent potassium (BK) channel with fast inactivation. This process is mediated by the N terminus of KCNMB2 and closely resembles the “ball-and-chain”-type inactivation observed in voltage-gated potassium channels. Here we investigated the solution structure and function of the KCNMB2 N terminus (amino acids 1–45, BKβ2N) using NMR spectroscopy and patch clamp recordings. BKβ2N completely inactivated BK channels when applied to the cytoplasmic side; its interaction with the BK α-subunit is characterized by a particularly slow dissociation rate and an affinity in the upper nanomolar range. The BKβ2N structure comprises two domains connected by a flexible linker: the pore-blocking “ball domain” (formed by residues 1–17) and the “chain domain” (between residues 20–45) linking it to the membrane segment of KCNMB2. The ball domain is made up of a flexible N terminus anchored at a well ordered loop-helix motif. The chain domain consists of a 4-turn helix with an unfolded linker at its C terminus. These structural properties explain the functional characteristics of BKβ2N-mediated inactivation.
Correlates of Self-Reported Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Treatment in Sexually Experienced Reproductive-Aged Women in the United States, 1995 and 2006–2010

Background Few studies have examined recent temporal trends in self-reported receipt of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) treatment. We assessed trends in receipt of PID treatment and associated correlates using national survey data. Methods We used data from the National Survey of Family Growth, a multistage national probability survey of 15- to 44-year-old women. We examined trends in self-reported receipt of PID treatment from 1995, 2002, to 2006–2010. In addition, we examined correlates of PID treatment in 1995 and 2006–2010 in bivariate and adjusted analyses. Results From 1995 to 2002, receipt of PID treatment significantly declined from 8.6% to 5.7% (P < 0.0001); however, there was no difference from 2002 to 2006–2010 (5.0%, P = 0.16). In bivariate analyses, racial differences in PID treatment declined across time; in 2006–2010, there was no significant difference between racial/ethnic groups (P = 0.22). Also in bivariate analyses, similar to 1995, in 2006 to 2010, some of the highest reports of receipt of PID treatment were women who were 35 to 44 years old (5.6%), had an income less than 150% of poverty level (7.5%), had less than high school education (6.7%), douched (7.7%), had intercourse before age 15 years (10.3%), and had 10 or more lifetime partners (8.0%). In adjusted analyses, differing from 1995, women at less than 150% of the poverty level were more likely (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79–3.76) than women at 300% or more of the poverty level to have received PID treatment in 2006–2010. Conclusions Receipt of PID treatment declined from 1995 to 2006–2010, with the burden affecting women of lower socioeconomic status.
Impact of β-Adrenoceptor Blockade on Systemic Inflammation and Coagulation Disturbances in Rats with Acute Traumatic Coagulopathy

Background Sympathetic hyperactivity occurs early in acute traumatic coagulopathy (ATC) and is closely related to its development. β-adrenoceptor antagonists are known to alleviate adverse sympathetic effects and improve outcome in various diseases. We investigated whether β-blockers have protective effects against inflammation and endothelial and hemostatic disorders in ATC. Material/Methods ATC was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by trauma and hemorrhagic shock. Rats were randomly assigned to the sham, ATCC (ATC control), and ATCB (ATC with beta-adrenoceptor blockade) groups. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with propranolol or vehicle at baseline. Heart rate variability (HRV) and markers of inflammation, coagulation, and endothelial activation were measured, and Western blotting analysis of nuclear factor (NF)-κB was done after shock. Separate ATCC and ATCB groups were observed to compare overall mortality. Results HRV showed enhanced sympathetic tone in the ATCC group, which was reversed by propranolol. Propranolol attenuated the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, as well as fibrinolysis markers plasmin antiplasmin complex and tissue-type plasminogen activator. The increased serum syndecan-1 and soluble thrombomodulin were inhibited by propranolol, and the NF-κB expression was also decreased by propranolol pretreatment. But propranolol did not alter overall mortality in rats with ATC after shock. Conclusions Beta-adrenoceptor blockade can alleviate sympathetic hyperactivity and exert anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrinolysis, and endothelial protective effects, confirming its pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ATC. Its mechanism in ATC should be explored further.
Determination of Physicomechanical Properties of Cowpeas to Aid Thresher Design

Two varieties of cowpea namely indigenous brown (Variety A) and RMP- 12 (Sampea -10) white (Variety B) were collected and their Physicomechanical properties were determined. The results of moisture content, sizes and mass of pods and seeds were { (6.5 % & 6.8%), (5.5 % & 6.0 %)}, { (150 mm & 130 mm), (9 mm & 10 mm)} and {(1.8g & 2.0 g ),( 0.9g & 0.8 g)} respectively. Other results found were particle density, angle of repose, coefficient of friction , hardness and shape/ sphericity of seeds and pods were {(280g & 376 g), (287 g & 275g ) }; {(39o & 36o ), (29.6o & 30 .9o)} {(0.58 & o.63), (0.42 & 0.41)}; {(5N & 5N), (9N & 8.5 N) and {66 % & 69 %) , (79 % & 75 %)} respectively. The F- 0 values obtained for the varietal differences were found less than those in the F- Table at 5% level of confidence, which signified the non existence of significant differences between the varieties. The physicomechanical properties were used for the design of a motorized cowpea thresher.
Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale in GOLD Classification Better Reflects Physical Activities of Daily Living

BACKGROUND: In multidimensional Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) classification, the choice of the symptom assessment instrument (modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale [mMRC] or COPD assessment test [CAT]) can lead to a different distribution of patients in each quadrant. Considering that physical activities of daily living (PADL) is an important functional outcome in COPD, the objective of this study was to determine which symptom assessment instrument is more strongly associated with and differentiates better the PADL of patients with COPD. METHODS: The study included 115 subjects with COPD (GOLD 2–4), who were submitted to spirometry, the mMRC, the CAT, and monitoring of PADL (triaxial accelerometer). Subjects were divided into 2 groups using the cutoffs proposed by the multidimensional GOLD classification: mMRC < 2 and ≥ 2 and CAT < 10 and ≥ 10. RESULTS: Both mMRC and CAT reflected the PADL of COPD subjects. Subjects with mMRC < 2 and CAT < 10 spent less time in physical activities < 1.5 metabolic equivalents of task (METs) (mean of the difference [95% CI] = −62.9 [−94.4 to −31.4], P < .001 vs −71.0 [−116 to −25.9], P = .002) and had a higher number of steps (3,076 [1,999–4,153], P < .001 vs 2,688 [1,042–4,333], P = .002) than subjects with mMRC > 2 and CAT > 10, respectively. Physical activities ≥ 3 METs differed only between mMRC < 2 and mMRC ≥ 2 (39.2 [18.8–59.6], P < .001). Furthermore, only the mMRC was able to predict the PADL alone (time active, r2 = 0.16; time sedentary, r2 = 0.12; time ≥ 3 METs, r2 = 0.12) and associated with lung function (number of steps, r2 = 0.35; walking time, r2 = 0.37; time < 1.5 METs, r2 = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: The mMRC should be adopted as the classification criterion for symptom assessment in the GOLD ABCD system when focusing on PADL.
Molecular Markers of muscle Plasticity, damage, regeneration and repair.

The motor units of skeletal muscles differ in their ability to sustain power without fatigue and stress. They may therefore be damaged by different levels of exercise, as well as by events involving ischaemia and reperfusion, or administration of myotoxic agents. Quantitation of such damage is often performed morphometrically, but such an approach is vulnerable to the artifacts that can appear in cryostat sections taken from seriously disrupted tissue. Paraffin and acrylic embedding for light and electron microscopy are laborious procedures, and require substantial biopsies whose quantitation can be time-consuming. We will describe scaled-down procedures, based on protein and nucleic acid chemistry, that are sensitive enough to allow several markers of plasticity, damage, regeneration, and repair to be determined on a muscle sample of just a few milligrams. A suitable source of material is a small biopsy specimen removed from the muscle for fibre typing and histopathology; a few additional serial cryostat sections cut from the block constitute a sample that is adequate for biochemical analysis. Since needle biopsies can be taken sequentially, it becomes feasible to construct a time course for the response of skeletal muscle to different demands in either experimental or clinical settings.
Robotic \Food" Chains: Externalization of State and Program for Minimal-Agent Foraging

This paper describes experiments inspired by theoretical work on information invariants ((Donald 1995], Donald et al 1994]), a means of comparison and a methodology for design of single-and multi-agent systems. Analysis reveals the environmental information that the systems assume and exploit, while the design methodology seeks to move information and processing into the \physical" environment and task mechanics. The approach raises the issue of agents actively recording information, or even \programs," into the physical environment. This paper provides an example system that dynamically encodes information and \programs" into its physical environment. The second source of inspiration for this work is the natural phenomenon of ant pheromone trail formation, shown to involve agents with simple, local control that encode information into the environment to arrive at globally complex behavior. Analogously, our robotic system actively encodes information into its physical environment in order to reduce sensing, actuation, and computational requirements. Thus, \minimal" agents with local sensing and action form a system that dynamically and globally adapts to environmental changes. We discuss how moving information and \processing" into the shared physical environment improves our ability to generate complex global behaviors from simple locally interacting agents.
Emotional arousal and multiple memory systems in the mammalian brain

Emotional arousal induced by stress and/or anxiety can exert complex effects on learning and memory processes in mammals. Recent studies have begun to link study of the influence of emotional arousal on memory with earlier research indicating that memory is organized in multiple systems in the brain that differ in terms of the “type” of memory they mediate. Specifically, these studies have examined whether emotional arousal may have a differential effect on the “cognitive” and stimulus-response “habit” memory processes sub-served by the hippocampus and dorsal striatum, respectively. Evidence indicates that stress or the peripheral injection of anxiogenic drugs can bias animals and humans toward the use of striatal-dependent habit memory in dual-solution tasks in which both hippocampal and striatal-based strategies can provide an adequate solution. A bias toward the use of habit memory can also be produced by intra-basolateral amygdala (BLA) administration of anxiogenic drugs, consistent with the well documented role of efferent projections of this brain region in mediating the modulatory influence of emotional arousal on memory. In some learning situations, the bias toward the use of habit memory produced by emotional arousal appears to result from an impairing effect on hippocampus-dependent cognitive memory. Further research examining the neural mechanisms linking emotion and the relative use of multiple memory systems should prove useful in view of the potential role for maladaptive habitual behaviors in various human psychopathologies.
Optimization of Friction Spot Welding Process Parameters for AA2198-T8 Sheets

The present work is aimed at the optimization of friction spot welding process parameters for 3.2 mm thick 2198-T8 aluminum alloy sheets; this was performed via a Taguchi-based analysis of the effect of process variables, namely rotation speed, welding time, and plunge depth, on the shear strength of the welded joints. In this study, low or intermediate rotation speed levels showed to be better for the process. Longer welding times and deeper plunge depths led to higher joint strength, although the influence of such parameters is found to be limited above certain values. Hardness profiles and fracture analysis were also performed.