Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fornix White Matter is Correlated with Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Thalamus and Hippocampus in Healthy Aging but Not in Mild Cognitive Impairment – A Preliminary Study

In this study, we wished to examine the relationship between the structural connectivity of the fornix, a white matter (WM) tract in the limbic system, which is affected in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer’s disease, and the resting-state functional connectivity (FC) of two key related subcortical structures, the thalamus, and hippocampus. Twenty-two older healthy controls (HC) and 18 older adults with aMCI underwent multi-modal MRI scanning. The fornix was reconstructed using constrained-spherical deconvolution-based tractography. The FC between the thalamus and hippocampus was calculated using a region-of-interest approach from which the mean time series were exacted and correlated. Diffusion tensor imaging measures of the WM microstructure of the fornix were correlated against the Fisher Z correlation values from the FC analysis. There was no difference between the groups in the fornix WM measures, nor in the resting-state FC of the thalamus and hippocampus. We did however find that the relationship between functional and structural connectivity differed significantly between the groups. In the HCs, there was a significant positive association between linear diffusion (CL) in the fornix and the FC of the thalamus and hippocampus, however, there was no relationship between these measures in the aMCI group. These preliminary findings suggest that in aMCI, the relationship between the functional and structural connectivity of regions of the limbic system may be significantly altered compared to healthy ageing. The combined use of diffusion weighted imaging and functional MRI may advance our understanding of neural network changes in aMCI, and elucidate subtle changes in the relationship between structural and functional brain networks.
Structure-activity study of inhibition of amphotericin B (Fungizone) binding to sterols, toxicity to cells, and lethality to mice by esters of sucrose

The effects of four monoesters of sucrose with different acyl chain lengths (palmitate, C16; myristate, C14; laurate, C12; and caprate, C10) on the aggregation state of amphotericin B (AmB), its binding to cholesterol and ergosterol, its toxicity to cells, and its lethality to mice were determined. In solution, all four of these esters inhibited AmB binding to cholesterol more than to ergosterol; this effect correlated with the ester-induced shift from the mainly aggregated form of AmB to the mainly monomeric form. In experiments with cells, the esters inhibited the toxicity of AmB to mouse erythrocytes and cultured mouse fibroblast L-929 cells more than its toxicity to Candida albicans cells. When injected intravenously with AmB, these esters decreased AmB lethality to mice. In all of these assays, the ester with the shortest chain length (caprate) was much less potent than the other three esters. Our results indicate a correlation between in vitro and in vivo assays and suggest that the in vitro and in vivo selectivity of AmB may be enhanced by surface-active agents which modulate the aggregation state of AmB.
A Heuristic Approach for Capacity Control in Clouds

Cloud resource providers in a market face dynamic and unpredictable consumer behavior. The way, how prices are set in a dynamic environment, can influence the demand behavior of price sensitive customers. A Cloud resource provider has to decide on how to allocate his scarce resources in order to maximize his profit. The application of bid price control for evaluating incoming service requests is a common approach for capacity control in network revenue management. In this paper we introduce a customized version of the concept of selfadjusting bid prices and apply it to the area of Cloud Computing. Furthermore, we perform a simulation in order to test the efficiency of the proposed model.
Heritability of the limbic networks

Individual differences in cognitive ability and social behaviour are influenced by the variability in the structure and function of the limbic system. A strong heritability of the limbic cortex has been previously reported, but little is known about how genetic factors influence specific limbic networks. We used diffusion tensor imaging tractography to investigate heritability of different limbic tracts in 52 monozygotic and 34 dizygotic healthy adult twins. We explored the connections that contribute to the activity of three distinct functional limbic networks, namely the dorsal cingulum (‘medial default-mode network’), the ventral cingulum and the fornix (‘hippocampal-diencephalic-retrosplenial network’) and the uncinate fasciculus (‘temporo-amygdala-orbitofrontal network’). Genetic and environmental variances were mapped for multiple tract-specific measures that reflect different aspects of the underlying anatomy. We report the highest heritability for the uncinate fasciculus, a tract that underpins emotion processing, semantic cognition, and social behaviour. High to moderate genetic and shared environmental effects were found for pathways important for social behaviour and memory, for example, fornix, dorsal and ventral cingulum. These findings indicate that within the limbic system inheritance of specific traits may rely on the anatomy of distinct networks and is higher for fronto-temporal pathways dedicated to complex social behaviour and emotional processing.
An evaluation of video playback using Xiphophorus helleri


Video playback is being increasingly used as a technique for behavioural research. The importance of critically evaluating the effectiveness of video playback is clear, as available video technology is not designed for nonhuman visual systems. We discuss several aspects concerning the perception of video images that could lead to inconclusive or erroneous results. Researchers should verify that behaviour observed in response to video playback is comparable to behaviour observed in response to live animals. We conducted such a verification using live and video playback methods to measure female response to swords of varying lengths in the green swordtail, Xiphophorus helleri. Using both methods, female response appeared to be an increasing function of male sword length. Females did not differ in their response to live and video versions of noncourting, noninteractive males, however, females tended to prefer video playbacks of males with longer swords, a result that has also been found in experiments using live males. These results suggest that females express the same qualitative mating preference, but not necessarily the same quantitative preference, for sword length when viewing video stimuli. Several methodological factors that may contribute to an apparent difference in the strength of the preference are discussed. Despite these differences, both methods produced comparable results; female response to sworded males tended to increase as sword length increased. These experiments demonstrate that video playback is an effective method to measure female preferences accurately in X. helleri and provide an example of how video playback can be evaluated in other species. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
USING ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES TO CLASSIFY THE STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF BASE COURSE AGGREGATES

Eight different types of Texas aggregates and three Finnish aggregates were tested in order to relate their dielectric value and electrical conductivity, measured at different moisture contents and densities, to their strength and deformation properties. The dielectric value and electrical conductivity were measured in the laboratory using a surface probe and dielectric meter. The real and imaginary part of the dielectric value of aggregate fines were measured with a Surface Network Analyzer over a frequency range from 30 MHz to 3.0 GHz. Aggregate strength properties were obtained using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) and Resilient Modulus Tests. Aggregate suction properties and their behavior during the freeze/thaw cycles were monitored with a special Tube Suction Test and Freeze/Thaw Test developed by the authors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate what range of dielectric values and electrical conductivities can be expected when processing and interpreting Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey results. Dielectric values affect the radar signal velocity and the time/thickness scale of radar profile. It was also hoped to determine if these dielectric properties of aggregates correlate with their strength and deformation properties. The result of the study showed that the dielectric value and electrical conductivity related to both the strength and deformation properties and frost susceptibility of base course aggregates. The dielectric value correlates well with the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value of compacted base materials. Low dielectric values (5.5-6.5) in compacted samples indicate the presence of thin and well-arranged adsorption water and optimum strength properties. Higher values indicate that the material is sensitive to moisture, and dielectric values over 9-10 are "alarm values" because they can have unfrozen water in their structure when the material freezes. If the dielectric value is greater than 16 the base material will become plastic and deformation will occur in the structure. High electrical conductivity values indicate high amounts of ions dissociated to the free water, and this can cause positive pore pressure in base materials. Saturation hysteresis was also found to have a substantial effect on base strength.
TEM Cell Testing of Cable Noise Reduction Techniques from 2 MHz to 200 MHz — Part 2

This paper presents empirical results of cable noise reduction techniques as demonstrated in a TEM cell operating with radiated fields from 2 - 200 MHz. It is the second part of a two-paper series. The first paper discussed cable types and shield connections. In this second paper, the effects of load and source resistances and chassis connections are examined. For each topic, well established theories are compared to data from a real-world physical system. Finally, recommendations for minimizing cable susceptibility (and thus cable emissions) are presented.
Optimized CRISPR/Cas tools for efficient germline and somatic genome engineering in Drosophila

Significance Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas)-mediated genome engineering promises to revolutionize genetic studies in a variety of systems. Here we describe an optimized set of tools for CRISPR/Cas experiments in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. These tools can be used for remarkably efficient germline transmission of (i) loss-of-function insertion and deletion mutations in essential genes or (ii) precise changes in the genome sequence introduced by homology-directed repair. These tools also permit efficient biallelic targeting of genes in somatic cells, thereby demonstrating a novel application of CRISPR/Cas in rapidly revealing mutant phenotypes within the organism. Our work also paves the way for high-throughput genetic screens in Drosophila with CRISPR/Cas. The type II clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) system has emerged recently as a powerful method to manipulate the genomes of various organisms. Here, we report a toolbox for high-efficiency genome engineering of Drosophila melanogaster consisting of transgenic Cas9 lines and versatile guide RNA (gRNA) expression plasmids. Systematic evaluation reveals Cas9 lines with ubiquitous or germ-line–restricted patterns of activity. We also demonstrate differential activity of the same gRNA expressed from different U6 snRNA promoters, with the previously untested U6:3 promoter giving the most potent effect. An appropriate combination of Cas9 and gRNA allows targeting of essential and nonessential genes with transmission rates ranging from 25–100%. We also demonstrate that our optimized CRISPR/Cas tools can be used for offset nicking-based mutagenesis. Furthermore, in combination with oligonucleotide or long double-stranded donor templates, our reagents allow precise genome editing by homology-directed repair with rates that make selection markers unnecessary. Last, we demonstrate a novel application of CRISPR/Cas-mediated technology in revealing loss-of-function phenotypes in somatic cells following efficient biallelic targeting by Cas9 expressed in a ubiquitous or tissue-restricted manner. Our CRISPR/Cas tools will facilitate the rapid evaluation of mutant phenotypes of specific genes and the precise modification of the genome with single-nucleotide precision. Our results also pave the way for high-throughput genetic screening with CRISPR/Cas.
Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer: A Review of Pathogenesis

Endometriosis is classically defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside of the endometrial lining and uterine musculature. With an estimated frequency of 5%–10% among women of reproductive age, endometriosis is a common gynecologic disorder. While in itself a benign lesion, endometriosis shares several characteristics with invasive cancer, has been shown to undergo malignant transformation, and has been associated with an increased risk of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown an increased risk of EOC among women with endometriosis. This is particularly true for women with endometrioid and clear cell ovarian carcinoma. However, the carcinogenic pathways by which endometriosis associated ovarian carcinoma (EAOC) develops remain poorly understood. Current molecular studies have sought to link endometriosis with EAOC through pathways related to oxidative stress, inflammation and hyperestrogenism. In addition, numerous studies have sought to identify an intermediary lesion between endometriosis and EAOC that may allow for the identification of endometriosis at greatest risk for malignant transformation or for the prevention of malignant transformation of this common gynecologic disorder. The objective of the current article is to review the current data regarding the molecular events associated with EAOC development from endometriosis, with a primary focus on malignancies of the endometrioid and clear cell histologic sub-types.
Mechanisms of HDL deficiency in mice overexpressing human apoA-II DOI 10.1194/jlr.M200081-JLR200

To ascertain the mechanisms underlying the hypoalphalipoproteinemia present in mice overexpressing human apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) (line 11.1), radiolabeled HDL or apoA-I were injected into mice. Fractional catabolic rate of [3H]cholesteryl oleoyl ether HDL ([3H]HDL) was 2-fold increased in 11.1 transgenic mice compared with control mice and this was concomitant with increased radioactivity in liver, gonads, and adrenals. However, scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI) was increased only in adrenals. [3H]HDL of 11.1 transgenic mice presented greater binding but decreased uptake compared with control mice when Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with SR-BI were used, thereby pointing to unknown but SR-BI-independent mechanisms as being responsible for the increased 3H-radioactivity seen in liver and gonads. Synthesis rate (SR) of plasma [3H]HDL was 2-fold decreased in 11.1 transgenic mice. Mouse 125I-apoA-I was 2-fold more rapidly catabolized (mainly by the kidney) in transgenic mice. Mouse apoA-I displacement from HDL by the addition of isolated human apoA-II was reproduced ex vivo; thus, this mechanism may be involved in the increased renal catabolism of apoA-I. ApoA-I SR was 2-fold decreased in 11.1 transgenic mice and this was concomitant with a 2.3-fold decrease in hepatic apoA-I mRNA abundance. Our findings show that multiple mechanisms are involved in the HDL deficiency presented by mice overexpressing human apoA-II.
The Natural History of Arachnoid Cysts: Endoscopic and Cine-Mode MRI Evidence of a Slit-Valve Mechanism

Arachnoid cysts are space-occupying lesions filled with CSF-like content and surrounded by a membrane resembling arachnoid matter. They are regarded as a development abnormality of the arachnoid, originating from a splitting or duplication of this membrane. However, precise etiology and natural history remain controversial. Different hypotheses have been developed including agenesis of brain structures, arachnoiditis, active fluid secretion, and pulsatile pump. We present a review of the literature concerning these items and report one case of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst in which a slit-valve mechanism was observed by means of cine-mode MRI preoperatively and confirmed during the endoscopic intervention.
Parsimony and Model-Based Analyses of Indels in Avian Nuclear Genes Reveal Congruent and Incongruent Phylogenetic Signals

Insertion/deletion (indel) mutations, which are represented by gaps in multiple sequence alignments, have been used to examine phylogenetic hypotheses for some time. However, most analyses combine gap data with the nucleotide sequences in which they are embedded, probably because most phylogenetic datasets include few gap characters. Here, we report analyses of 12,030 gap characters from an alignment of avian nuclear genes using maximum parsimony (MP) and a simple maximum likelihood (ML) framework. Both trees were similar, and they exhibited almost all of the strongly supported relationships in the nucleotide tree, although neither gap tree supported many relationships that have proven difficult to recover in previous studies. Moreover, independent lines of evidence typically corroborated the nucleotide topology instead of the gap topology when they disagreed, although the number of conflicting nodes with high bootstrap support was limited. Filtering to remove short indels did not substantially reduce homoplasy or reduce conflict. Combined analyses of nucleotides and gaps resulted in the nucleotide topology, but with increased support, suggesting that gap data may prove most useful when analyzed in combination with nucleotide substitutions.
Visualizing Testsuites to Aid in Software Understanding

Agile software development methods such as extreme programming have brought renewed attention to testing during the software development process, both as a quality assurance method and as a form of live documentation. It is for this reason that a software system's testsuite is an ideal starting point for gaining knowledge about its inner workings. In this paper, we propose to use sequence diagrams to visualize information that is dynamically obtained from testsuites. We employ abstraction techniques such as constructor hiding and stack depth limitation to make the diagrams more scalable. We use JPacman as a case study to validate our results by consulting with domain experts, and use their feedback to fine-tune our techniques
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF CELL PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CORTEX OF THE POSTNATAL MOUSE CEREBELLUM

The generation cycle of germinative cells (external matrix cells) in the external granular layer of the cerebellar cortex of the 10-to 11-day-old mouse was studied by radioautography following repeated injections of H3-thymidine. The generation time is 19 hr, presynthetic time 8.5 hr, DNA-synthetic time 8 hr, postsynthetic time 2 hr, and mitotic time 0.5 hr. These proliferating cells occupy the outer half of the external granular layer and make up the external matrix layer. Neuroblasts are differentiated from the external matrix cell, migrate out from the layer and accumulate in the inner half of the external granular layer to form the external mantle layer. The transit time of the neuroblasts in the external mantle layer is 28 hr. Thereafter, they migrate farther into the molecular layer and the internal granular layer. By means of long-term cumulative labeling, the rate of daily production of neuroblasts from the external matrix cell is studied in quantitative terms. It becomes clear that the entire population of the inner granule neurons arises postnatally in the external granular layer between 1 and 18 days of age and that 95% of them is produced between postnatal days 4 and 15. Finally, the fate of the cells in the external granular layer at its terminal stage was studied by marking the cells with H3-thymidine during 15–16 days of life and following their subsequent migration and developmental changes up to 21 days of life. Comparison of radioautographs taken before and after the migration disclosed that the external matrix cells give rise to a small number of neuroglia cells. This finding revealed their multipotential nature.
THE ALMA SPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY IN THE HUBBLE ULTRA DEEP FIELD: MOLECULAR GAS RESERVOIRS IN HIGH-REDSHIFT GALAXIES

We study the molecular gas properties of high-z galaxies observed in the ALMA Spectroscopic Survey (ASPECS) that targets an ∼1 arcmin2 region in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (UDF), a blind survey of CO emission (tracing molecular gas) in the 3 and 1 mm bands. Of a total of 1302 galaxies in the field, 56 have spectroscopic redshifts and correspondingly well-defined physical properties. Among these, 11 have infrared luminosities , i.e., a detection in CO emission was expected. Out of these, 7 are detected at various significance in CO, and 4 are undetected in CO emission. In the CO-detected sources, we find CO excitation conditions that are lower than those typically found in starburst/sub-mm galaxy/QSO environments. We use the CO luminosities (including limits for non-detections) to derive molecular gas masses. We discuss our findings in the context of previous molecular gas observations at high redshift (star formation law, gas depletion times, gas fractions): the CO-detected galaxies in the UDF tend to reside on the low- envelope of the scatter in the relation, but exceptions exist. For the CO-detected sources, we find an average depletion time of ∼1 Gyr, with significant scatter. The average molecular-to-stellar mass ratio ( /M*) is consistent with earlier measurements of main-sequence galaxies at these redshifts, and again shows large variations among sources. In some cases, we also measure dust continuum emission. On average, the dust-based estimates of the molecular gas are a factor ∼2–5× smaller than those based on CO. When we account for detections as well as non-detections, we find large diversity in the molecular gas properties of the high-redshift galaxies covered by ASPECS.
Cross document person name disambiguation using entity profiles

Given an ambiguous person name as input, a crossdocument person name disambiguation system clusters documents so that each cluster contains all and only those documents referring to the same person. In this paper we present our approach to this task. We introduce novel features based on topic models and also document-level entity profiles—sets of information that are collected for each ambiguous person in the entire document. We also introduce a modified term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) weighting scheme to represent entities in a vector-space model (VSM). Disambiguation is then performed via single-link hierarchical agglomerative clustering. Experiments show that an average F-measure of 94.03% is achieved using our proposed enhanced VSM model. This is an improvement over previous best results on the same test corpora.