Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic and expression analysis of cattle identifies candidate genes in pathways responding to Trypanosoma congolense infection

African bovine trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma sp. , is a major constraint on cattle productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Some African Bos taurus breeds are highly tolerant of infection, but the potentially more productive Bos indicus zebu breeds are much more susceptible. Zebu cattle are well adapted for plowing and haulage, and increasing their tolerance of trypanosomiasis could have a major impact on crop cultivation as well as dairy and beef production. We used three strategies to obtain short lists of candidate genes within QTL that were previously shown to regulate response to infection. We analyzed the transcriptomes of trypanotolerant N'Dama and susceptible Boran cattle after infection with Trypanosoma congolense. We sequenced EST libraries from these two breeds to identify polymorphisms that might underlie previously identified quantitative trait loci (QTL), and we assessed QTL regions and candidate loci for evidence of selective sweeps. The scan of the EST sequences identified a previously undescribed polymorphism in ARHGAP15 in the Bta2 trypanotolerance QTL. The polymorphism affects gene function in vitro and could contribute to the observed differences in expression of the MAPK pathway in vivo. The expression data showed that TLR and MAPK pathways responded to infection, and the former contained TICAM1, which is within a QTL on Bta7. Genetic analyses showed that selective sweeps had occurred at TICAM1 and ARHGAP15 loci in African taurine cattle, making them strong candidates for the genes underlying the QTL. Candidate QTL genes were identified in other QTL by their expression profile and the pathways in which they participate.
The pharmacogenomics of pain management: prospects for personalized medicine

Pain is a common symptom that can be complex to treat. Analgesic medications are the mainstay treatment, but there is wide interindividual variability in analgesic response and adverse effects. Pharmacogenomics is the study of inherited genetic traits that result in these individual responses to drugs. This narrative review will attempt to cover the current understanding of the pharmacogenomics of pain, examining common genes affecting metabolism of analgesic medications, their distribution throughout the body, and end organ effects.
Energy-aware fetch mechanism: trace cache and BTB customization

A highly-efficient fetch unit is essential not only to obtain good performance but also to achieve energy efficiency. However, existing designs are inflexible and depending on program behavior, can be either insufficient or an overkill. We introduce a phase-based adaptive fetch mechanism that can be dynamically adjusted based on feedback information of the program behavior. This design adds very little hardware complexity and relegates complex tasks to the software components. It is also very effective: saving 26.8% and 34.1% fetch energy on average compared with a conventional and a trace cache-based fetch unit, respectively. At the same time, performance is improved by 5.7% and 0.6%, respectively.
Effect of magnetic hysteresis on rotational losses in heteropolar magnetic bearings

This paper extends a method for predicting rotational losses for laminated rotors of heteropolar magnetic bearings by using an eddy-current model to include the effect of magnetic hysteresis in the rotor material. It compares the modeling results to the experimental data that were used earlier to assess the loss model neglecting hysteresis. The correction to the total electromagnetic loss in the rotor due to the hysteresis is significant at rotational speeds below 6000 revolutions per minute (RPM), where the model including hysteresis effects provides much better agreement with existing experimental data.
Modulation of stress by imidazoline binding sites: Implications for psychiatric disorders

In this review, we present evidence for the involvement of imidazoline binding sites (IBS) in modulating responses to stress, through central control of monoaminergic and hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Pharmacological and physiological evidence is presented for differential effects of different IBS subtypes on serotoninergic and catecholaminergic pathways involved in control of basal and stress-stimulated HPA axis activity. IBS ligands can modulate behavioural and neuroendocrine responses in animal models of stress, depression and anxiety, and a body of evidence exists for alterations in central IBS expression in psychiatric patients, which can be normalised partially or fully by treatment with antidepressants. Dysfunction in monoaminergic systems and the HPA axis under basal and stress-induced activation has been extensively reported in psychiatric illnesses. On the basis of the literature, we suggest a potential therapeutic role for selective IBS ligands in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.
Characterization of continuous-fiber reinforced thermoplastics using thermoacoustically excited ultrasonic Lamb waves

Ultrasonic measurement techniques are widely used for non-destructive detection of material defects. However, material properties, such as Young's modulus, are still mostly determined destructively, especially for materials with high damping or strong anisotropy. One method for non-destructive material characterization creates and detects ultrasonic waves in plate-shaped specimens, so that the material's influence on wave propagation can be evaluated. In this contribution, we demonstrate the application of this method for fiber-reinforced plastics, identifying effective parameters for a homogeneous, orthotropic material model.
Muscle regeneration in amphibians and mammals: Passing the torch

Skeletal muscle in both amphibians and mammals possesses a high regenerative capacity. In amphibians, a muscle can regenerate in two distinct ways: as a tissue component of an entire regenerating limb (epimorphic regeneration) or as an isolated entity (tissue regeneration). In the absence of epimorphic regenerative ability, mammals can regenerate muscles only by the tissue mode. This review focuses principally on the regeneration of entire muscles and covers what is known and what remains to be elucidated about fundamental mechanisms underlying muscle regeneration at this level. Developmental Dynamics 226:167–181, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MaxNet: a congestion control architecture for scalable networks

MaxNet is a distributed congestion control architecture. This paper analyzes the stability properties of MaxNet. We show that MaxNet is stable for networks with arbitrary delays, numbers of sources, capacities, and topologies. Unlike existing proposals, MaxNet does not need to estimate the number of bottleneck links on the end-to-end path to achieve these scaling properties.
A Multispecies Model for Hydrogen and Helium Absorbers in Lyman-Alpha Forest Clouds

We have performed a three-dimensional multispecies hydrodynamical simulation of the formation and evolution of Lyα clouds in a flat cold dark matter (CDM) dominated universe with an external flux of ionizing radiation. We solve the fully coupled nonequilibrium rate equations for the following species: H, H+, H-, H2, H2+, He, He+, He++, and e-. The statistical properties of the distribution and evolution of both hydrogen and helium absorption lines are extracted and compared to observed data. We find excellent agreement for the following neutral hydrogen data: the distribution of column densities is fitted well by a power law with exponent β = 1.55, with a possible deficiency of lines above column density 1015 cm-2; the integrated distribution matches observed data over a broad range of column densities, 1013-1017 cm-2; a Gaussian statistical fit to the Doppler parameter distribution yields a median of 35.6 km s-1; the evolution of the number of clouds with column densities larger than 1014 cm-2 follows a power law with exponent γ = 2.22. Analogous calculations are presented for He II absorption lines, and we find the ratio of Doppler parameters bHe II/bH I = 0.87. Our data also suggest that Lyα clouds may belong to two morphologically different groups: small column density clouds which tend to reside in sheets or filamental structures and are very elongated and/or flattened, and the large column density clouds which are typically found at the intersections of these caustic structures and are quasi-spherical.
The UV properties of E+A galaxies: Constraints on feedback-driven quenching of star formation

We present the first large-scale study of E+A galaxies that incorporates photometry in the ultraviolet (UV ) wavelengths. E+A galaxies are ‘post-starburst’ systems, with strong Balmer absorption lines indicating significant recent star formation, but without [OII] and Hα emission lines which are characteristic of ongoing star formation. The starburst that creates the E+A galaxy typically takes place within the last Gyr and creates a high fraction (20-60 percent) of the stellar mass in the remnant over a short timescale ( 20) exhibit implied SFRs of less than 50 M⊙yr −1 , their luminous counterparts (M(z) 10 10 M⊙), the Eddington ratios in this sample of galaxies scale as M , where 1 < γ < 3. Finally, we use our E+A sample to estimate the time it takes for galaxies to migrate from the blue cloud to the red sequence. We find migration times between 1 and 5 Gyrs, with a median value of 1.5 Gyrs.
A catch-bond drives stator mechanosensitivity in the Bacterial Flagellar Motor

The bacterial flagellar motor (BFM) is the rotary motor which powers the swimming and swarming of many motile bacteria. The torque is provided by stator units, ion motive force powered ion channels known to assemble and disassemble dynamically in the BFM. This turnover is mechano-sensitive, with the number of engaged units dependent upon the viscous load experienced by the motor through the flagellum. However, the molecular mechanism driving BFM mechano-sensitivity is unknown. Here we directly measure the kinetics of arrival and departure of the stator units in individual wild-type motors via analysis of high-resolution recordings of motor speed, while dynamically varying the load on the motor via external magnetic torque. Obtaining the real-time stator stoichiometry before and after periods of forced motor stall, we measure both the number of active stator units at steady-state as a function of the load and the kinetic association and dissociation rates, by fitting the data to a reversible random sequential adsorption model. Our measurements indicate that BFM mechano-sensing relies on the dissociation rate of the stator units, which decreases with increasing load, while their association rate remains constant. This implies that the lifetime of an active stator unit assembled within the BFM increases when a higher force is applied to its anchoring point in the cell wall, providing strong evidence that a catch-bond mechanism can explain the mechano-sensitivity of the BFM.
Motor Skill Adaptation Depends On the Level of Learning

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the level of performance stabilization on the human adaptability to perceptual-motor perturbation in a complex coincident timing task. Three levels of performance stabilization were established operationally: pre-stabilization, stabilization, and super-stabilization groups. Each group practiced the task until reached its level of stabilization in a constant sequence of movements and under a constant time constraint before exposure to perturbation. The results clearly showed that performance stabilization is a pre-condition for adaptation. Moreover, variability before reaching stabilization is harmful to adaptation and persistent variability after stabilization is beneficial. Moreover, the behavior of variability is specific to each measure.
FTY720 does not abrogate acute graft-versus-host disease in the dog leukocyte antigennonidentical unrelated canine model1

Background. Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a significant impediment to successful hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Here, we examined the effectiveness of 2-amino-2-(2-[4-octylphenyl]ethyl)-1,3-propanediol hydrochloride (FTY720), an immunosuppressant that retraffics activated lymphocytes to secondary lymphoid organs, for the treatment of acute GVHD in an established dog leukocyte antigen-nonidentical unrelated canine HSCT model. Methods. Dogs were given HSCT after conditioning with 920 cGy total body irradiation. The dogs received methotrexate 0.4 mg/kg/day on days 1, 3, 6, and 11 and FTY720 (5 mg/kg/day orally) after developing GVHD. Results. Five of six dogs achieved engraftment, developed acute GVHD, and were treated with FTY720. FTY720 resulted in a profound decrease in lymphocytes and a temporary mitigation of clinical GVHD; however, GVHD recurred in all dogs. Four of five dogs were euthanized because of severe GVHD and the fifth because of severe inanition associated with moderate GVHD. Conclusions. Compared with controls, treatment of GVHD with FTY720 did not control this complication or significantly increase survival.
Haemostatic Effects of Ketorolac with and without Concomitant Heparin in Normal Volunteers

Summary Ketorolac is a potent cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor used for the treatment of postoperative pain. It is known to have anti-platelet properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ketorolac on haemostasis both alone and in combination with tow dose heparin in LZ healthy male volunteers. Each volunteer received the following drug combinations in a double blind, placebo controlled, cross over manner: ketorolac placebo/heparin placebo, ketorolac active/heparin placebo, ketorolac active/heparin active and ketorolac placebo/heparin active. Ketorolac significantly prolonged bleeding time, inhibited platelet aggregation to arachidonic acid and collagen and platelet thromboxane production. Heparin had no effect on bleeding time or platelet function, but significantly prolonged the kaolin cephalin clotting time and increased anti-Xa levels. Ketorolac had no effect on the kaolin cephalin clotting time or anti-Xa levels and no interaction was found between ketorolac and heparin in any of the investigations. The prolongation of bleeding time seen with ketorolac is unlikely, to be of any major clinical significance as almost all subjects remained within the normal range; however, it should be used with caution in subjects with haemostatic problems.
Comparison of Echocardiographic and Necropsy Measurements of Ventricular Wall Thicknesses in Patients with and without Disproportionate Septal Thickening

In several patients with asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH) diagnosed by echocardiography (septal-free wall thickness ratios 1.3), we have discovered marked discrepancies between the echocardiographic and necropsy measurements of wall thicknesses that led to uncertainty regarding the actual cardiac diagnosis. To resolve these apparent incongruities, the echocardiograms and hearts of 17 patients with cardiac disease were studied.Six of nine patients with abnormal septal-free wall ratios > 1.3 during life had septal-free wall ratios that were not diagnostic of disproportionate septal thickening at necropsy. Such discrepancies may be explained as follows: 1) echocardiographic measurements during life were made in diastole (as per convention), but measurements at necropsy were made in hearts that appeared to have been in the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle; 2) the left ventricular free wall thickens considerably more than the ventricular septum in systole, as determined by echocardiography. This latter phenomenon resulted in septal-free wall ratios in systole that were consistently smaller than those in diastole. Furthermore, septal-free wall ratios obtained at necropsy corresponded most closely to those obtained by echocardiography in systole.
Current Sharing and Sensing in $N$-Paralleled Converters Using Single Current Sensor

Current sensing is one of the important functions in a dc-dc converter. It may be used for overcurrent protection, current control, or load sharing among paralleled converters. Current sharing (CS) can be achieved by sensing the output currents of individual converters, but it requires current sensors. In this paper, a current-sensing and CS scheme that uses a single sensor to sense the individual currents is presented. The scheme is independent of the number of converters in the paralleled system. The proposed scheme can be implemented easily on a digital platform and provides various functionalities of a voltage-regulating module. The analysis and implementation issues for such a scheme are presented and experimentally verified on a 1-V/25-A two-phase interleaved buck converter with digital control.
Paper : On the Diagnosis / Classi fi cation of Sexual Arousal Concerns in Women

J Sex Med Background: In the professional literature and among our professional societies, female sexual dysfunction nomenclature and diagnostic criterion sets have been the source of considerable controversy. Recently, a consensus group, supported by the International Society for Women’s Sexual Health, published its recommendations for nosology and nomenclature, which included only one type of arousal dysfunction, female genital arousal disorder, in its classification system. Subjective arousal was considered an aspect of sexual desire and not part of the arousal phase. Aim: To advocate for the importance of including subjective arousal disorder in the diagnostic nomenclature in addition to the genital arousal subtype. Methods:We reviewed how the construct of subjective arousal was included in or eliminated from the iterations of various diagnostic and statistical manuals. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to examine the relations among subjective arousal, genital arousal, and desire in women with and without sexual arousal concerns. Main Outcome Measures: Sexual arousal through a self-report Film Scale, physiologic sexual arousal through vaginal photoplethysmography in response to an erotic film, and the FSFI. Results: The clinical literature and experience support differentiating subjective arousal from desire and genital arousal. Correlations between the FSFI domains representing desire and subjective arousal, although sufficient to suggest relatedness, share approximately 58% of the variance between constructs—a lower shared variance than FSFI domains representing subjective arousal and orgasm. Similarly, when looking at FSFI individual items best representative of sexual desire and subjective arousal, the large majority of the variance in subjective arousal was unexplained by desire. A third line of evidence showed no significant difference in levels of subjective arousal to erotic films between sexually functional women and women with desire problems. If desire and subjective arousal were the same construct, then one would expect to see evidence of low subjective arousal in women with low sexual desire. Clinical Implications: Optimized treatment efficacy requires differentiating mental and physical factors that contribute to female sexual dysfunction. Strengths and Limitations: Support for our conclusion is based on clinical qualitative evidence and quantitative evidence. However, the quantitative support is from only one laboratory at this time. Conclusion: These findings strongly support the view that female sexual arousal disorder includes a subjective arousal subtype and that subjective arousal and desire are related but not similar constructs. We advocate for the relevance of maintaining subjective arousal disorder in the diagnostic nomenclature and present several lines of evidence to support this contention. Althof SE, Meston CM, Perelman M, et al. Opinion Paper: On the Diagnosis/Classification of Sexual Arousal Concerns in Women. J Sex Med 2017;XX:XXXeXXX.
HKBU Institutional Repository

—Web objects, often associated with descriptive text documents, are increasingly being geo-tagged. A spatial keyword top-k query retrieves the best k such objects according to a scoring function that considers both spatial distance and textual similarity. However, it is in some cases difﬁcult for users to identify the exact keywords that describe their query intent. After a user issues an initial query and gets back the result, the user may ﬁnd that some expected objects are missing and may wonder why. Answering the resulting why-not questions can aid users in retrieving better results. However, no existing techniques are able to answer why-not questions by adapting the query keywords. We propose techniques capable of adapting an initial set of query keywords so that expected, but missing, objects enter the result along with other relevant objects. We develop a basic algorithm with a set of optimizations that sequentially examines a sequence of candidate keyword sets. In addition, we present an index-based bound-and-prune algorithm that is able to determine the best sample out of a set of candidates in just one pass of index traversal, thus speeding up the query processing. We also extend the proposed algorithms to handle multiple missing objects. Extensive experimental results offer insight into the efﬁciency of the proposed techniques in terms of running time and I/O cost.
The Effect of Syntactic Representation on Semantic Role Labeling

Almost all automatic semantic role labeling (SRL) systems rely on a preliminary parsing step that derives a syntactic structure from the sentence being analyzed. This makes the choice of syntactic representation an essential design decision. In this paper, we study the influence of syntactic representation on the performance of SRL systems. Specifically, we compare constituent-based and dependency-based representations for SRL of English in the FrameNet paradigm. Contrary to previous claims, our results demonstrate that the systems based on dependencies perform roughly as well as those based on constituents: For the argument classification task, dependency-based systems perform slightly higher on average, while the opposite holds for the argument identification task. This is remarkable because dependency parsers are still in their infancy while constituent parsing is more mature. Furthermore, the results show that dependency-based semantic role classifiers rely less on lexicalized features, which makes them more robust to domain changes and makes them learn more efficiently with respect to the amount of training data.
Distribution sweeping on clustered machines with hierarchical memories

This paper investigates the design of parallel algorithmic strategies that address the efficient use of both, memory hierarchies within each processor and a multilevel clustered structure of the interconnection between processors. In the past, these phenomena have usually been addressed separately. This paper is a first step towards parallel algorithmic strategies which address both at the same time. As a case study, we investigate the distribution sweeping method which has been very effective for the design of external memory algorithms for computational geometry problems. We present a novel method for parallel distribution sweeping on a clustered parallel machine with hierarchical local memories, showing that it yields optimal computation, communication and memory access times for a number of geometry problems.