Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic cortical connections in macaque visual area V2: Evidence for interaction between different functional streams

Area V2 of macaque visual cortex represents an important but poorly understood stage in visual processing. To provide a better understanding of the region, we studied the organization of its intrinsic cortical connections by making focal (200–300 μm) iontophoretic microinjections of the tracer biocytin. Alternate tissue sections were tested for biocytin, cytochrome oxidase (CO), or Cat‐301 immunoreactivity to localize biocytin label relative to the three stripelike compartments that characterize this area. Biocytin‐labeled pyramidal neurons of layers 2/3, and, to a lesser extent, layer 5, provided laterally spreading axon projections that terminated in discrete patches (250–300 μm diameter), primarily in layers 1–3. Any injected locus in V2 projected to 10–15 similarly sized patches, up to 4 mm from the injection site, and distributed in an elongated field orthogonal to the stripe compartments. We noted prominent patchy connections within, as well as between, individual compartments, perhaps reflecting functional substructures within stripes. Each stripe compartment projected to all three compartments but with different relative frequencies; CO‐rich compartments projected mainly to other CO‐rich compartments (75%), whereas CO‐poor compartments projected equally to CO‐rich and CO‐poor compartments. We therefore emphasize the existence of substantial interconnections among all three V2 compartments. As further evidence for crosstalk between visual channels, we also noted an input to the V2 “thick” CO stripes from V1 cells in layer 4A as a distinct population in addition to the neurons of layer 4B. Thus, the CO stripe architecture may not be a marker for strictly segregated parallel visual pathways through V2. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Valuation of stored energy in dynamic optimal power flow of distribution systems with energy storage

Dynamic optimal power flow (DOPF) models are needed to optimize the operation of a power system with energy storage systems (ESSs) over an extended planning horizon. The optimal storage level at the end of each planning horizon depends on the possible realization of uncertainties in future planning horizons. However, most DOPF models simply require that the storage levels at the end and at the beginning of the planning horizon should be equal. In this paper we consider an AC DOPF model for a distribution system with ESS that explicitly takes into account the expected future value of stored energy. We illustrate the evaluation of the future value function for a system with a wind power plant and demonstrate the use of this value function in the operation of the ESS. The results show that such an operational strategy can be effective compared to not considering the value of stored energy.
Group size and aggression: ‘recruitment incentives’ in a cooperatively breeding primate

In many cooperatively breeding birds and mammals, group size is positively correlated with reproductive success. In marmoset and tamarin monkeys, species that display cooperative breeding, the presence of helpers appears to be critical for offspring survival, and breeders might be expected to display social strategies that would regulate group size. This study investigated the association between group size and aggression towards strangers in Wied's black tufted-ear marmosets, Callithrix kuhlifrom small groups (with no helpers present) and large groups (with helpers present). Residents were exposed to multiple presentations of male and female strangers. Breeding females from large groups spent more time in close proximity to strangers, showed higher levels of agonistic displays and engaged in higher levels of aggressive behaviour towards intruders than did breeding females from small groups. Breeding male behaviour did not dramatically differ as a function of group size. After the removal of the intruder, female breeders from large groups showed higher levels of scent-marking relative to baseline observations, and time spent in close proximity to the partner increased after exposure to female intruders in large, but not small, groups. The results reveal that breeders from small groups are tolerant of strangers, which may facilitate the recruitment of additional group members, whereas breeders from large groups, particularly females, are intolerant of strangers, which may inhibit immigration. These findings have implications for understanding mechanisms that regulate immigration in cooperatively breeding animals, and suggest of how breeders from small groups might reconcile the serious limitation of having few or no helpers.
A Single LED Positioning System Based on Circle Projection

A simple and efficient visible light positioning (VLP) system based on a single LED lamp is proposed and demonstrated. In our system, a common circular LED lamp with a point marker is used as a transmitter and a smartphone camera serves as a receiver. The LED image is no longer treated as a point as in the existing works, but as an image whose geometric features are exploited to determine the receiver's orientation and location relative to the reference LED lamp. The expressions for determining the receiver's orientation and location are derived in terms of the geometric parameters. Our algorithm enhances the system robustness by overcoming the possible interruptions in conventional VLP systems, which require multiple LEDs. Meanwhile, it avoids the usage of angular sensors, which are unable to provide reliable and accurate measurements on receiver's orientation in mobile indoor environment. We experimentally evaluate and analyze the performance of the proposed VLP system. A centimeter-level positioning accuracy is achieved in an area of 3 m × 3 m.
Liporegulation in Diet-induced Obesity

To test the hypothesis that the physiologic liporegulatory role of hyperleptinemia is to prevent steatosis during caloric excess, we induced obesity by feeding normal Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats a 60% fat diet. Hyperleptinemia began within 24 h and increased progressively to 26 ng/ml after 10 weeks, correlating with an ∼150-fold increase in body fat (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001). During this time, the triacylglycerol (TG) content of nonadipose tissues rose only 1–2.7-fold implying antisteatotic activity. In rodents without leptin action (fa/fa rats and ob/ob anddb/db mice) receiving a 6% fat diet, nonadipose tissue TG was 4–100 times normal. In normal rats on a 60% fat diet, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α protein and liver-carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (l-CPT-1) mRNA increased in liver. In their pancreatic islets, fatty-acid oxidation increased 30% without detectable increase in the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α or oxidative enzymes, whereas lipogenesis from [14C]glucose was slightly below that of the 4% fat-fed rats (p < 0.05). Tissue-specific overexpression of wild-type leptin receptors in the livers offa/fa rats, in which marked steatosis is uniformly present, reduced TG accumulation in liver but nowhere else. We conclude that a physiologic role of the hyperleptinemia of caloric excess is to protect nonadipocytes from steatosis and lipotoxicity by preventing the up-regulation of lipogenesis and increasing fatty-acid oxidation.
Robust Relay Beamforming in Device-to-Device Networks with Energy Harvesting Constraints

Motivated by the observation that energy harvesting (EH) from radio-frequency (RF) signal is subject to fluctuations, multiple EH-enabled relays are employed to collaboratively enhance data communications in a device-to-device (D2D) network underlying a cellular system. Each relay is equipped with a single antenna and unable to harvest energy and transmit data simultaneously. Thus, the D2D user equipment (DUE) needs to optimally schedule the channel time for the relays' EH and data transmissions, which depends on their EH capabilities and channel conditions. Considering that the relays' channel estimations are usually unreliable, we formulate a robust throughput maximization problem to optimize the relays' EH time and transmit power, subject to a probabilistic interference constraint at the cellular user equipment (CUE). We show that the proposed problem, though non-convex, can be tackled by exploiting its monotonicity structure. Specifically, we design a successive approximation algorithm that involves solving a sequence of semi-definite programs (SDPs) and show numerically that it always achieves the global optimum. This validates our analysis and demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed algorithm.
Two Kinesin Light Chain Genes in Mice

Native kinesin consists of two light chains and two heavy chains in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. To date, only one gene for kinesin light chain has been characterized, while a second gene was identified in a genomic sequencing study but not analyzed biochemically. Here we describe new genes encoding kinesin light chains in mouse. One of these light chains is neuronally enriched, while another shows ubiquitous expression. The presence of multiple kinesin light chain genes in mice is especially interesting, since there are two kinesin heavy chain genes in humans (Niclas, J., Navone, F., Hom-Booher, N., and Vale, R. D. (1994) Neuron 12, 1059–1072). To assess the selectivity of kinesin light chain interaction with the heavy chains, we performed immunoprecipitation experiments. The data suggested that the light chains form homodimers with no specificity in their interaction with the two heavy chains. Immunofluorescence and biochemical subfractionation suggested differences in the subcellular localization of the two kinesin light chain gene products. Although both kinesin light chains are distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, there is enrichment of one in sciatic nerve axons, while the other shows elevated levels in olfactory bulb glomeruli. These results indicate that the mammalian nervous system contains multiple kinesin light chain gene products with potentially distinct functions.
Obesity in adults with Down syndrome: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND Obesity has a negative impact upon mortality and morbidity. Studies report that obesity is more prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome than individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) not associated with Down syndrome. However, there have been no studies using a methodology of matched comparison groups and findings from previous studies are contradictory. METHODS A detailed method was used to identify all adults with ID in Leicestershire. Individuals were invited to participate in a medical examination - that included measurement of their height and weight, from which body mass index (BMI) was calculated. For each person with Down syndrome, an individual matched for gender, age and accommodation type was identified, from the Leicestershire ID database. RESULTS The data for 247 matched pairs is reported. Women with Down syndrome had lower mean height and weight, but greater mean BMI than the matched pairs. Men with Down syndrome had a lower mean height and weight but there was no statistical difference in BMI compared to the matched pairs. Using World Health Organization categories of BMI, women with Down syndrome were more likely to be overweight or obese than their matched pairs (odds ratio = 2.17). Men with Down syndrome were more likely to be in the overweight category than their matched pairs but were less likely to be obese (odds ratio = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that, compared to a matched sample, there is a greater prevalence of obesity amongst women with Down syndrome but not men. As the impact on the health of people with Down syndrome of being overweight or obese is uncertain, this is an area that requires further study.
Memristor-based perceptron classifier: Increasing complexity and coping with imperfect hardware

We experimentally demonstrate classification of 4×4 binary images into 4 classes, using a 3-layer mixed-signal neuromorphic network (“MLP perceptron”), based on two passive 20×20 memristive crossbar arrays, board-integrated with discrete CMOS components. The network features 10 hidden-layer and 4 output-layer analog CMOS neurons and 428 metal-oxide memristors, i.e. is almost an order of magnitude more complex than any previously reported functional passive (0T1R) memristor classifier. Moreover, the inference operation of this classifier is performed entirely in the integrated hardware. To deal with larger crossbar arrays, we have developed a semiautomatic approach to their forming and testing, and compared several memristor training schemes for coping with imperfect behavior of these devices, as well as with variability of analog CMOS neurons. The effectiveness of the proposed schemes for defect and variation tolerance was verified experimentally using the implemented network and, additionally, by modeling the operation of a larger network, with 300 hidden-layer neurons, on the MNIST benchmark. Finally, we propose a simple modification of the implemented memristor-based vector-by-matrix multiplier to allow its operation in a wider temperature range.
Feline Calicivirus, Murine Norovirus, Porcine Sapovirus, and Tulane Virus Survival on Postharvest Lettuce

ABSTRACT Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses, with an increasing number of outbreaks associated with leafy greens. Because HuNoV cannot be routinely cultured, culturable feline calicivirus (FCV), murine norovirus (MNV), porcine sapovirus (SaV), and Tulane virus (TV) have been used as surrogates. These viruses are generated in different cell lines as infected cell lysates, which may differentially affect their stability. Our objective was to uniformly compare the survival of these viruses on postharvest lettuce while evaluating the effects of cell lysates on their survival. Viruses were semipurified from cell lysates by ultrafiltration or ultracentrifugation followed by resuspension in sterile water. Virus survival was examined before and after semipurification: in suspension at room temperature (RT) until day 28 and on lettuce leaves stored at RT for 3 days or at 4°C for 7 and 14 days. In suspension, both methods significantly enhanced the survival of all viruses. On lettuce, the survival of MNV in cell lysates was similar to that in water, under all storage conditions. In contrast, the survival of FCV, SaV, and TV was differentially enhanced, under different storage conditions, by removing cell lysates. Following semipurification, viruses showed similar persistence to each other on lettuce stored under all conditions, with the exception of ultracentrifugation-purified FCV, which showed a higher inactivation rate than MNV at 4°C for 14 days. In conclusion, the presence of cell lysates in viral suspensions underestimated the survivability of these surrogate viruses, while viral semipurification revealed similar survivabilities on postharvest lettuce leaves.
Role of hPHF1 in H3K27 Methylation and Hox Gene Silencing

ABSTRACT Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are required for maintaining the silent state of the homeotic genes and other important developmental regulators. The silencing function of the PcG proteins has been linked to their intrinsic histone modifying enzymatic activities. The EED-EZH2 complex, containing the core subunits EZH2, EED, SUZ12, and RbAp48, functions as a histone H3K27-specific methyltransferase. Here we describe the identification and characterization of a related EED-EZH2 protein complex which is distinguished from the previous complex by the presence of another PcG protein, hPHF1. Consistent with the ability of hPHF1 to stimulate the enzymatic activity of the core EED-EZH2 complex in vitro, manipulation of mPcl1, the mouse counterpart of hPHF1, in NIH 3T3 cells and cells of the mouse male germ cell line GC1spg results in global alteration of H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 levels and Hox gene expression. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of mPcl1 affects association of the Eed-Ezh2 complex with certain Hox genes, such as HoxA10, as well as Hox gene expression concomitant with an alteration on the H3K27me2 levels of the corresponding promoters. Therefore, our results reveal hPHF1 as a component of a novel EED-EZH2 complex and demonstrate its important role in H3K27 methylation and Hox gene silencing.
An iterative calibration method with prediction of post‐translational modifications for the construction of a two‐dimensional electrophoresis database of mouse mammary gland proteins

Protein databases serve as general reference recources providing an orientation on two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) patterns of interest. The intention behind constructing a 2‐DE database of the water soluble proteins from wild‐type mouse mammary gland tissue was to create a reference before going on to investigate cancer‐associated protein variations. This database shall be deemed to be a model system for mouse tissue, which is open for transgenic or knockout experiments. Proteins were separated and characterized in terms of their molecular weight (Mr) and isoelectric point (pI) by high resolution 2‐DE. The proteins were identified using prevalent proteomics methods. One method was peptide mass fingerprinting by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐mass spectrometry. Another method was N‐terminal sequencing by Edman degradation. By N‐terminal sequencing Mr and pI values were specified more accurately and so the calibration of the master gel was obtained more systematically and exactly. This permits the prediction of possible post‐translational modifications of some proteins. The mouse mammary gland 2‐DE protein database created presently contains 66 identified protein spots, which are clickable on the gel pattern. This relational database is accessible on the WWW under the URL: http://www.mpiib‐berlin.mpg. de/2D‐PAGE.
Ovarian Expression, Localization, and Function of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) During the Periovulatory Period of the Human Menstrual Cycle1

ABSTRACT Ovulation involves reorganization of the extracellular matrix of the follicle. This study examines the expression, localization, and potential function of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) during ovulation in women. The dominant follicle of the menstrual cycle was collected at specified times throughout the ovulatory process: pre-, early, late, and postovulatory. For quantitative studies, the follicle was bisected; granulosa and theca cells were separated and collected. For immunohistochemistry (IHC), the intact follicle was embedded and TIMP3 was localized. Additionally, granulosa cells were collected from women undergoing in vitro fertilization and treated with increasing concentrations of recombinant TIMP3, and cell viability was assessed. Real-time PCR for TIMP3 mRNA revealed an increase in TIMP3 mRNA expression in granulosa cells from the early to the late ovulatory stage. Thecal TIMP3 mRNA expression was constitutive across the periovulatory period. TIMP3 protein was localized by IHC to the granulosa and theca cell layers in pre-, early, and late ovulatory follicles as well as to the vascular bed. The staining was most intense in the granulosa and theca cells in the late ovulatory group. Treatment of human granulosa-lutein cells with exogenous recombinant TIMP3 for 24 h decreased cell viability by 60%. Using human follicles collected throughout the periovulatory period of the menstrual cycle, we have demonstrated that TIMP3 mRNA expression increases and that TIMP3 protein is in the appropriate cellular layers to regulate proteolytic remodeling as the follicle progresses toward ovulation. In addition, we have shown that elevated levels of TIMP3 lead to decreased cell viability.
Distribution of somatic H1 subtypes is non‐random on active vs. inactive chromatin II: Distribution in human adult fibroblasts

For nearly twenty years researchers have observed changes in the histone H1 subtype content of tissues as an organism develops into an adult. To better understand the consequences of such changes, immunofractionation of chromatin using previously characterized antibodies specific for human H1 subtypes was employed in the analysis of a fibroblast cell strain derived from a 37‐year‐old individual. DNAs isolated from immunoprecipitates were probed for the existence of a variety of DNA sequences. The results presented lend further support to a previously‐proposed model (Parseghian et al. [ 2000 ] Chromosome Res 8:405‐424) in which transcription of a sequence is accompanied by the selective depletion of subtypes. The data also suggest that there is more total H1 on actively transcribed sequences in these cells as compared to fetal fibroblasts and that there is less difference in the subtype compositions of active genes vs. inactive sequences in this strain. Specifically, the consequences of these changes appear to correlate with the attenuation of the heat shock response in aging fibroblasts. In a broader context, these results could explain why there are reductions in transcription in cells from mature tissue that approach senescence. J. Cell. Biochem. 83: 643–659, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased rate of endometriosis and spontaneous abortion in an in vitro fertilization program: No correlation with epidemiological factors

Background. There are conflicting data concerning endometriosis and spontaneous abortion (SAB). The aim of the present study was to evaluate if there was any association between endometriosis and SAB. Moreover, we investigated risk factors in women with endometriosis and SAB. Methods. The medical files of 457 married women with endometriosis and 200 infertile women without endometriosis were studied retrospectively. All cases were diagnosed by laparoscopy. Data concerning demographic variables and menstrual characteristics were recorded from 226 women with endometriosis, which were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 126 cases with endometriosis and SAB, and Group 2 comprised 100 parous women with endometriosis and without SAB. Statistical comparisons between groups were made using the χ2 test and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results. The proportion of SAB was significantly higher in women with endometriosis than in infertile women without endometriosis (126/457 (27.6%) vs. 36/200 (18.0% ); OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 = 2.6; p = 0.01). The frequency of nulligravid women was significantly higher in women with endometriosis than in the control group (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.4 – 2.81; p = 0.001). Mean age, age at onset of endometriosis, race, height, weight, body mass index, medical history of allergies, and family histories of endometriosis and cancer were similar in women with endometriosis and SAB and in parous women with endometriosis but without SAB. Moreover, the two groups were similar in age at menarche, length of cycle, duration and amount of flow, and the severity of disease. The incidence of infertility was significantly higher in women with SAB (p < 0.001). Conclusion. These data suggest but do not prove that the risk of SAB is increased in women with endometriosis. The epidemiological risk factors of endometriosis are not associated with an increase in the abortion rate.