Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observation of nanoscale dynamics in cantilever sensor arrays

Silicon micro cantilevers are used as transducers for a wide range of physical, chemical and biochemical stimuli, where they exhibit exquisite sensitivity (10−18 g, 10−15 J, 10−9 M, etc) over a wide range of temperatures (100 mK–1300 K). This is accomplished by inducing static bending in the cantilever structure or by changing the cantilever’s resonant behaviour, both easily measurable responses. There is increasing interest in using higher-order resonant modes to achieve extra sensitivity; however, this raises the question of exactly which modes are excited in the cantilever. Using strobed interferometric microscopy we are able to probe the dynamic behaviour of individual (100 × 500 × 1 µm3) cantilevers in an eight cantilever array over frequencies from 0 to 1 MHz. We present data that enable spatial visualization of 16 cantilever modes with nanometre-scale amplitudes; combined with finite element analysis calculations we directly assign mode indices. We discuss the reversal of specific modes between experiment and theory, the uniformity of individual cantilevers in the array and the clear relationship between boundary conditions and resonant behaviour. Our conclusion is that the assignment of a resonant frequency spectrum is fairly complex and does not necessarily follow simple intuition.
The chaotic nature of TCP congestion control

In this paper we demonstrate how TCP congestion control can show chaotic behavior. We demonstrate the major features of chaotic systems in TCP/IP networks with examples. These features include unpredictability, extreme sensitivity to initial conditions and odd periodicity. Previous work has shown the fractal nature of aggregate TCP/IP traffic and one explanation to this phenomenon was that traffic can be approximated by a large number of ON/OFF sources where the random ON and/or OFF periods are of length described by a heavy-tailed distribution. In this paper we show that this argument is not necessary to explain self-similarity, neither is randomness is required. Rather, TCP itself as a deterministic process creates chaos, which generates self-similarity. This property is inherent in today's TCP/IP networks and it is independent of higher layer applications or protocols. The two causes, heavy-tailed ON/OFF and chaotic TCP together contribute to the phenomenon, called the fractal nature of Internet traffic.
Seagrass community metabolism: Assessing the carbon sink capacity of seagrass meadows

The metabolic rates of seagrass communities were synthesized on the basis of a data set on seagrass community metabolism containing 403 individual estimates derived from a total of 155 different sites. Gross primary production (GPP) rates (mean ± SE = 224.9 ± 11.1 mmol O2 m−2 d−1) tended to be significantly higher than the corresponding respiration (R) rates (mean ± SE = 187.6 ± 10.1 mmol O2 m−2 d−1), indicating that seagrass meadows tend to be autotrophic ecosystems, reflected in a positive mean net community production (NCP 27.2 ± 5.8 mmol O2 m−2 d−1) and a mean P/R ratio above 1 (1.55 ± 0.13). Tropical seagrass meadows tended to support higher metabolic rates and somewhat lower NCP than temperate ones. The P/R ratio tended to increase with increasing GPP, exceeding, on average, the value of 1 indicative of metabolic balance for communities supporting a GPP greater than 186 mmol O2 m−2 d−1, on average. The global NCP of seagrass meadows ranged (95% confidence limits of mean values) from 20.73 to 50.69 Tg C yr−1 considering a low global seagrass area of 300,000 km2 and 41.47 to 101.39 Tg C yr−1 when a high estimate of global seagrass area of 600,000 km2 was considered. The global loss of 29% of the seagrass area represents, therefore, a major loss of intense natural carbon sinks in the biosphere.
Epigenetic Robotics Architecture (ERA)

In this paper, we discuss the requirements of cognitive architectures for epigenetic robotics, and highlight the wider role that they can play in the development of the cognitive sciences. We discuss the ambitious goals of ongoing development, scalability, concept use and transparency, and introduce the epigenetic robotics architecture (ERA) as a framework guiding modeling efforts. A formal implementation is provided, demonstrated, and discussed in terms of meeting these goals. Extensions of the architecture are also introduced and we show how the dynamics of resulting models can transparently account for a wide range of psychological phenomena, without task dependant tuning, thereby making progress in all of the goal areas we highlight.
Lipid droplet dynamics during Schizosaccharomyces pombe sporulation and their role in spore survival

ABSTRACT Upon nitrogen starvation, the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe forms dormant spores; however, the mechanisms by which a spore sustains life without access to exogenous nutrients remain unclear. Lipid droplets are reservoirs of neutral lipids that act as important cellular energy resources. Using live-cell imaging analysis, we found that the lipid droplets of mother cells redistribute to their nascent spores. Notably, this process was actin polymerization-dependent and facilitated by the leading edge proteins of the forespore membrane. Spores lacking triacylglycerol synthesis, which is essential for lipid droplet formation, failed to germinate. Our results suggest that the lipid droplets are important for the sustenance of life in spores. Summary: Lipid droplets of yeast mother cells are shown to redistribute to their nascent spores by live-cell imaging analysis, suggesting that the lipid droplets are important for yeast spore survival.
Monitoring Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Susceptibility to Carbaryl and Cucurbitacin Baits in the Areawide Management Pilot Program

Abstract Areawide pest management involves the uniform application of a pest control strategy over wide geographic areas. Therefore, these programs are likely to impose intense selective pressures, and the risk for resistance development among pest species for which areawide management programs are implemented is likely to be high. Pilot studies for areawide management of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, were conducted from 1996 to 2002 at four different sites across the Corn Belt. This program used cucurbitacin baits to deliver high doses of a traditional neurotoxic insecticide (carbaryl) to individual insects while reducing the overall rate of insecticide use. Because of the concern and potential for resistance evolution, annual assessments of susceptibility to the active ingredient carbaryl were conducted both within the managed area as well as from untreated control areas. Significantly reduced susceptibility to carbaryl based on survival at a diagnostic concentration was detected in three of the four management sites (Kansas, Iowa, and Illinois/Indiana), whereas susceptibility of beetles collected outside the managed areas remained unchanged. Additionally, significantly reduced responsiveness to cucurbitacin baits was observed in beetles collected from the managed area relative to the control area at the same three sites. These results suggest strongly that areawide management has the potential to select for resistance and that a strategy for managing resistance and reducing selective pressure should be proactively implemented.
Plane waves: to infinity and beyond!

We describe the asymptotic boundary of the general homogeneous plane wave spacetime, using a construction of the ‘points at infinity’ from the causal structure of the spacetime as introduced by Geroch, Kronheimer and Penrose. We show that this construction agrees with the conformal boundary obtained by Berenstein and Nastase for the maximally supersymmetric ten-dimensional plane wave. We see in detail how the possibility of going beyond (or around) infinity arises from the structure of light cones. We also discuss the extension of the construction to time-dependent plane wave solutions, focusing on the examples obtained from the Penrose limit of Dp-branes.
CREEP AND SHRINKAGE REVISITED

Modern construction techniques and the changes they have engendered in the construction process, toghether with the increasing use of finite element programs, warrant a review of the validity of current creep and shrinkage provisions. Based upon a survey of published experimental data, equations were developed to calculate the modulus of elasticity, shrinkage, and creep coefficient in terms of developed concrete strength. The time function used was the product of a Ross-type relationship for size effects and logarithmic time. The proposed equations, together with those recommended by ACI 209-82 and the CEB 1990 Model Code, are compared with the published data.
The influence of visible light exposure on cultured RGC-5 cells

Purpose To determine the effects of visible light on normal or metabolically compromised cultured rat RGC-5 cells. Methods Cultured RGC-5 cells were exposed to different durations as well as intensities of optical radiation, filtered to exclude wavelengths below 400 nm. Some cells were also subjected to metabolic compromise by depriving them of serum (serum deprivation; SD). Treated cells were assayed for cell viability using the 3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay, for DNA breakdown by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated d-UTP-linked nick end labeling (TUNEL), apoptotic protein activation by immunoblotting, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with dihydroethidium. A subset of cells was treated with 100 pM rotenone as an alternative means to induce metabolic stress; this was to determine that the influence of light on compromised cells was not specific to serum-deprivation alone. Results Exposure to the light for 48 h activated both caspase-3 and Bcl-associated X-protein (Bax) in cultured RGC-5 cells. Furthermore, light (1000 or 4000 lux), SD, and rotenone caused minor but significant decreases in cellular MTT reduction. SD and light also led to cellular DNA breakdown, although only light caused ROS production. Light (48 h) significantly exacerbated the effect of SD on MTT reduction and DNA cleavage. Furthermore, the antioxidant, trolox, significantly blunted the detrimental influence of light on cell viability, increase in TUNEL-positive cells, and the generation of ROS. Conclusions Exposure to light was slightly, but significantly, harmful to healthy RGC-5 cells alone, but was much more toxic to those cells that were energetically compromised. Continuous light exposure can therefore detrimentally affect metabolically stressed RGC-5 cells. This may have implications for some ocular retinopathies such as glaucoma
Lipid and Lipoprotein Biomarkers and the Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Postmenopausal Women

Background— Few studies simultaneously investigated lipids and lipoprotein biomarkers as predictors of ischemic stroke. The value of these biomarkers as independent predictors of ischemic stroke remains controversial. Methods— We conducted a prospective nested case-control study among postmenopausal women from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study to assess the relationship between fasting lipids (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and triglycerides), lipoproteins (LDL, HDL, and very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL] particle number and size, intermediate-density lipoprotein [IDL] particle number, and lipoprotein (a)), and risk of ischemic stroke. Among women free of stroke at baseline, 774 ischemic stroke patients were matched according to age and race to control subjects, using a 1:1 ratio. Results— In bivariate analysis, baseline triglycerides (P<0.001), IDL particles (P<0.01), LDL particles (P<0.01), VLDL triglyceride (P<0.001), VLDL particles (P<0.01), VLDL size (P<0.001), LDL size (P=0.03), and total/HDL cholesterol ratio (P<0.01) were significantly higher among women with incident ischemic stroke, whereas levels of HDL-C (P<0.01) and HDL size (P<0.01) were lower. No significant baseline difference for total cholesterol (P=0.15), LDL-C (P=0.47), and lipoprotein (a) (P=0.11) was observed. In multivariable analysis, triglycerides (odds ratio for the highest versus lowest quartile, 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–2.17; P for trend=0.02), VLDL size (odds ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–2.28; P for trend=0.03), and IDL particle number (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–2.04; P for trend=0.02) were significantly associated with ischemic stroke. Conclusions— Among a panel of lipid and lipoprotein biomarkers, baseline triglycerides, VLDL size, and IDL particle number were significantly associated with incident ischemic stroke in postmenopausal women.
Effect of melatonin on the functional recovery from experimental traumatic compression of the spinal cord

Spinal cord injury is an extremely severe condition with no available effective therapies. We examined the effect of melatonin on traumatic compression of the spinal cord. Sixty male adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated animals and animals with 35 and 50% spinal cord compression with a polycarbonate rod spacer. Each group was divided into two subgroups, each receiving an injection of vehicle or melatonin (2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) 5 min prior to and 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after injury. Functional recovery was monitored weekly by the open-field test, the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan locomotor scale and the inclined plane test. Histological changes of the spinal cord were examined 35 days after injury. Motor scores were progressively lower as spacer size increased according to the motor scale and inclined plane test evaluation at all times of assessment. The results of the two tests were correlated. The open-field test presented similar results with a less pronounced difference between the 35 and 50% compression groups. The injured groups presented functional recovery that was more evident in the first and second weeks. Animals receiving melatonin treatment presented more pronounced functional recovery than vehicle-treated animals as measured by the motor scale or inclined plane. NADPH-d histochemistry revealed integrity of the spinal cord thoracic segment in sham-operated animals and confirmed the severity of the lesion after spinal cord narrowing. The results obtained after experimental compression of the spinal cord support the hypothesis that melatonin may be considered for use in clinical practice because of its protective effect on the secondary wave of neuronal death following the primary wave after spinal cord injury.
Remote Ischemic Perconditioning to Reduce Reperfusion Injury During Acute ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Background Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a noninvasive therapeutic strategy that uses brief cycles of blood pressure cuff inflation and deflation to protect the myocardium against ischemia–reperfusion injury. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the impact of RIC on myocardial salvage index, infarct size, and major adverse cardiovascular events when initiated before catheterization. Methods and Results Electronic searches of Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were conducted and reference lists were hand searched. Randomized controlled trials comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with and without RIC for patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction were included. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts, assessed quality of the studies, and extracted data. Data were pooled using random‐effects models and reported as mean differences and relative risk with 95% confidence intervals. Eleven articles (9 randomized controlled trials) were included with a total of 1220 patients (RIC+PCI=643, PCI=577). Studies with no events were excluded from meta‐analysis. The myocardial salvage index was higher in the RIC+PCI group compared with the PCI group (mean difference: 0.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.02–0.14). Infarct size was reduced in the RIC+PCI group compared with the PCI group (mean difference: −2.46; 95% confidence interval, −4.66 to −0.26). Major adverse cardiovascular events were lower in the RIC+PCI group (9.5%) compared with the PCI group (17.0%; relative risk: 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.40–0.82). Conclusions RIC appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment to PCI for the prevention of reperfusion injury in patients with ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction; however, additional high‐quality research is required before a change in practice can be considered.
Two Novel Anoxia-Induced Ethylene Response Factors That Interact with Promoters of Deastringency-Related Genes from Persimmon

A hypoxic environment is generally undesirable for most plants and stimulates anaerobic metabolism. It is a beneficial treatment, however, for the removal of astringency from persimmon to improve the fruit quality after harvest. High soluble tannins (SCTs) content is one of most important causes of astringency. High CO2 (95%) treatment effectively reduced SCTs in both “Mopan” and “Gongcheng-shuishi” persimmon fruit by causing increases in acetaldehyde. Using RNA-seq and realtime PCR, twelve ethylene response factor genes (DkERF11-22) were isolated and characterized, to determine those responsive to high CO2 treatment. Only two genes, DkERF19 and DkERF22, showed trans-activation effects on the promoters of deastringency-related genes pyruvate decarboxylase genes (DkPDC2 and DkPDC3) and the transcript levels of these genes was enhanced by hypoxia. Moreover, DkERF19 and the previously isolated DkERF9 had additive effects on activating the DkPDC2 promoter. Taken together, these results provide further evidence that transcriptome changes in the level of DkERF mRNAs regulate deastringency-related genes and their role in the mechanism of persimmon fruit deastringency is discussed.
Effects of Early Use of Atenolol or Captopril on Infarct Size and Ventricular Volume: A Double-Blind Comparison in Patients With Anterior Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background —&bgr;-Blockers and ACE inhibitors reduce early mortality when either one is started in the first hours after myocardial infarction (MI). Considering the close correlation between morphological changes and prognosis, we aimed to investigate whether the benefit of both &bgr;-blockers and ACE inhibitors might reside in a similar protective effect on infarct size or ventricular volume. Methods and Results —In a randomized, double-blind comparison between early treatment with captopril or atenolol in 121 patients with acute anterior MI, both drugs showed a similar reduction in mean blood pressure. However, only the atenolol-treated patients showed a significant early reduction in heart rate. Infarct size, obtained from the perfusion defect in resting single photon emission imaging, was higher in captopril-treated patients than in atenolol-treated patients: 29.8±12% versus 20.8±12% (P <0.01) by polar map and 28.3±13% versus 20.0±13% (P <0.01) by tomography. Changes from baseline to 1 week and to 3 months in ventricular end-diastolic volume, assessed by echocardiography, were as follows: 58±14 versus 64±19 (P <0.05) and 65±21 mL/m2 (P <0.05), respectively, with captopril, and 58±18 versus 64±18 (P <0.05) and 69±30 mL/m2 (P <0.05), respectively, with atenolol. Neither group showed significant changes in end-systolic volume. Among patients with perfusion defect >18% (n=51), those treated with atenolol showed a significant increase of end-systolic and end-diastolic ventricular volumes, whereas captopril-treated patients did not. Conclusions —Although early treatment with atenolol or captopril results in similar overall short- and medium-term preservation of ventricular function and volumes, in patients with larger infarctions, a &bgr;-blocker alone does not adequately protect myocardium from ventricular dilatation.
Efficacy of ProTaper Retreatment System in Root Canals Obturated with Gutta-Percha Using Two Different Sealers and GuttaFlow

Objective. To compare the efficacy of ProTaper retreatment files in removing three different obturating materials. Study Design. Forty-five human, single-rooted premolars were divided into three experimental groups. Group 1 was obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer, Group 2 was obturated with gutta-percha and zinc oxide eugenol sealer, and Group 3 was obturated with GuttaFlow. Retreatment was done using the ProTaper universal rotary retreatment files. Root halves were visualized using magnifying loops at 3X magnification and optical stereomicroscope at 10X magnification. Images were analyzed using AutoCAD 2004 software to calculate area of the remaining debris in the canal. For statistical analysis were used variance test and ANOVA. Results. Total debris/canal area ratio between the three groups showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusion. ProTaper retreatment system did not produce completely clean canals in any of the groups. However, it had the best efficacy towards removing silicon based obturating material GuttaFlow.
Comparative Study of Addition of Amorphous Nanosilica Particles with Different Grades of Cement Mortar

The effects of addition of amorphous nanosilica particles to three grades of cement mortars Portland pozzolana cement 33, ordinary Portland cement 43, and 53 are investigated. The nanosilica particles are used as a partial replacement of cement by 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.25 wt. %. The tests of cement mortars are carried out in water for 3rd, 14th, 28th, and 90th day. Addition of nanosilica reduces the setting time and in turn increases the compressive strength and saturated water absorption, and its digestion of calcium hydroxide crystals leads to a decrease in the size of crystals accumulated at the interface.
Alginate biosynthetic enzymes in mucoid and nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa: overproduction of phosphomannose isomerase, phosphomannomutase, and GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase by overexpression of the phosphomannose isomerase (pmi) gene

The specific activities of phosphomannose isomerase (PMI), phosphomannomutase (PMM), GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP), and GDP-mannose dehydrogenase (GMD) were compared in a mucoid cystic fibrosis isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and in two spontaneous nonmucoid revertants. In both revertants some or all of the alginate biosynthetic enzymes we examined appeared to be repressed, indicating that the loss of the mucoid phenotype may be a result of decreased formation of sugar-nucleotide precursors. The introduction and overexpression of the cloned P. aeruginosa phosphomannose isomerase (pmi) gene in both mucoid and nonmucoid strains led not only to the appearance of PMI levels in cell extracts several times higher than those present in the wild-type mucoid strain, but also in higher PMM and GMP specific activities. In extracts of both strains, however, the specific activity of GMD did not change as a result of pmi overexpression. In contrast, the introduction of the cloned Escherichia coli manA (pmi) gene in P. aeruginosa caused an increase in only PMI and PMM activities, having no effect on the level of GMP. This suggests that an increase in PMI activity alone does not induce high GMP activity in P. aeruginosa. The heterologous overexpression of the P. aeruginosa pmi gene in the E. coli manA mutant CD1 led to the appearance in cell extracts of not only PMI activity but also GMP activity, both of which are normally undetectable in extracts of CD1. We discuss the implications of these results and propose a mechanism by which overexpression of the P. aeruginosa pmi gene can cause an elevation in both PMM and GMP activities.