Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parietal transcranial direct current stimulation modulates primary motor cortex excitability

The posterior parietal cortex is part of the cortical network involved in motor learning and is structurally and functionally connected with the primary motor cortex (M1). Neuroplastic alterations of neuronal connectivity might be an important basis for learning processes. These have however not been explored for parieto‐motor connections in humans by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Exploring tDCS effects on parieto‐motor cortical connectivity might be functionally relevant, because tDCS has been shown to improve motor learning. We aimed to explore plastic alterations of parieto‐motor cortical connections by tDCS in healthy humans. We measured neuroplastic changes of corticospinal excitability via motor evoked potentials (MEP) elicited by single‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) before and after tDCS over the left posterior parietal cortex (P3), and 3 cm posterior or lateral to P3, to explore the spatial specificity of the effects. Furthermore, short‐interval intracortical inhibition/intracortical facilitation (SICI/ICF) over M1, and parieto‐motor cortical connectivity were obtained before and after P3 tDCS. The results show polarity‐dependent M1 excitability alterations primarily after P3 tDCS. Single‐pulse TMS‐elicited MEPs, M1 SICI/ICF at 5 and 7 ms and 10 and 15 ms interstimulus intervals (ISIs), and parieto‐motor connectivity at 10 and 15 ms ISIs were all enhanced by anodal stimulation. Single pulse‐TMS‐elicited MEPs, and parieto‐motor connectivity at 10 and 15 ms ISIs were reduced by cathodal tDCS. The respective corticospinal excitability alterations lasted for at least 120 min after stimulation. These results show an effect of remote stimulation of parietal areas on M1 excitability. The spatial specificity of the effects and the impact on parietal cortex–motor cortex connections suggest a relevant connectivity‐driven effect.
Attenuation of cardiac dysfunction by HSPA12B in endotoxin-induced sepsis in mice through a PI3K-dependent mechanism.

AIMS cardiac dysfunction is a critical manifestation of severe sepsis/septic shock and is responsible for high mortality due to sepsis. Recent evidence suggests that angiogenic factors have a protective effect on sepsis-induced organ damage. Heat shock protein A12B (HSPA12B) is a newly discovered gene that is essential for angiogenesis. We hypothesized that overexpression of HSPA12B would induce protection against endotoxin-induced cardiac dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS to evaluate this hypothesis, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing the human hspa12b gene (Tg). Wild-type (WT) littermates served as controls. Tg and WT mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cardiac function was measured after 6 h. LPS treatment caused cardiac dysfunction in WT mice. In contrast, cardiac function was significantly preserved in Tg mice following LPS administration. LPS increased the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)/intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and leucocyte infiltration into the myocardium of WT mice. In Tg mice, LPS-increased VCAM-1/ICAM-1 expression and leucocyte infiltration were significantly attenuated. Overexpression of HSPA12B also prevented the decrement in the activation of phosphatidlyinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signalling in the myocardium. Importantly, PI3K inhibition with Wortmannin abolished the protection of HSPA12B against LPS-induced cardiac dysfunction. CONCLUSION these results suggest that HSPA12B plays an important role in the attenuation of endotoxin-induced cardiac dysfunction and that the mechanisms involve the preserved activation of PI3K/Akt signalling, resulting in attenuation of LPS-increased expression of VCAM-1/ICAM-1 and leucocyte infiltration into the myocardium.
MPB 2 C , a Microtubule-Associated Protein , Regulates Non-Cell-Autonomy of the Homeodomain Protein KNOTTED 1

Plasmodesmata establish a pathway for the intercellular trafficking of viral movement proteins and endogenous non-cellautonomous proteins, such as the two closely related meristem-maintaining KNOTTED1-like homeobox (KNOX) proteins Zea mays KNOTTED1 (KN1) and Arabidopsis thaliana SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM). KNOX family members are DNA binding proteins that regulate the transcriptional activity of target genes in conjunction with BEL1-like homeodomain proteins. It has been shown previously, using in vivo transport assays, that the C-terminal domain of KN1, including the homeodomain, is necessary and sufficient for cell-to-cell transport through plasmodesmata. Here, using interaction and coexpression assays, we demonstrate that the microtubule-associated and viral movement protein binding protein MPB2C from Nicotiana tabacum, and its homolog in Arabidopsis, At MPB2C, are KN1/STM binding factors. Interaction between the MPB2C proteins and KN1/STM was mapped to the KN1 homeodomain, a region not essential for heterodimerization with BEL1. Expression of MPB2C in single cells prevented KN1 cell-to-cell movement. Furthermore, in vivo trichome rescue studies established that MPB2C negatively regulates KN1 association to plasmodesmata and, consequently, cell-to-cell transport. These findings are discussed in terms of the role played by MPB2C proteins in regulating the cell-to-cell trafficking of homeodomain proteins in plants.
Comparative Survey of Testosterone Enanthate and Nandrolonedecanoate Administration on the Number and Function of Sperms in rat

Anabolic-androgenic steroid compounds are one of the most widely abused drugs by athletes and muscle builders with the goal of improving performance/muscle mass. However, increasing concern has been expressed because these compounds not only offer unappreciable benefits to infertile and subfertile males, but also might have deleterious effects on both human and animal physiology including sperm quality. In this study, 21 male Wistar rats (220–250 g and 2-3 month age) were selected for the study and were purchased from Animal House, Islamic Azad University and randomly divided into 3 equal groups: group1; healthy control rats received standard diet without any drug; Group 2 received standard diet plus testosterone enanthate at a dose of 5mg/100gBW weekly for 8 weeks; Group 3, received standard diet plus nandrolonedecanoate at a dose of 10mg/kg weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, animals were anesthetized using ether and an incision was made on the epididymis and sperms was gathered then were counted using Neubauer’shemocytometer.Data showed that Testosterone enanthate and Nandrolonedecanoate decrease No. of sperms and Mobility but not viability.
Phase Angle Control of High-Frequency Resonant Currents in a Multiple Inverter System for Zone-Control Induction Heating

This paper presents a phase angle control method of high-frequency resonant currents in a zone-control induction heating (ZCIH) system, which consists of split working coils and multiple inverters. The ZCIH system controls the amplitude of each coil current to make the temperature distribution on the workpiece uniform. The amplitude of the coil current can be controlled in a wide range when its phase angle is adjusted to be the same with other coil currents. This paper theoretically derives the phase-angle change of the coil current in transient states, and reveals that the phase-angle change can be considered as a first-order response. A phase-angle controller was designed and examined in experiments using a two-zone ZCIH system. It is clarified that the phase angle control makes it possible to adjust the current phase angle not only in steady states but also in transient states.
Investigating the experiences in a school-based occupational therapy program to inform community-based paediatric occupational therapy practice.

BACKGROUND/AIM A collaborative approach with teachers is required when providing community-based occupational therapy to educationally at risk children. Collaborators share common goals and interact and support each other but challenges arise in providing collaborative occupational therapy in settings outside the school environment. The aim of this study was to capture experiences of teachers and occupational therapists working within a school-based occupational therapy program to determine if their experiences could inform collaborative practice. METHOD In this pilot study, participant responses to questionnaires (n = 32) about their experiences formed the basis for focus groups and individual interviews. Two focus group were conducted, one with teachers (n = 11) and one with occupational therapy participants (n = 6). Individual interviews were conducted with the supervising occupational therapist, school principal and two leading teachers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data from closed questions, and thematic analysis using a constant comparison approach was used to analyse open ended questions, focus groups and interviews. RESULTS Three main themes emerged: (i) the need for occupational therapists to spend time in the school, to explain their role, build relationships, understand classroom routines and the teacher role; (ii) occupational therapists need to not see themselves as the expert but develop equal partnerships to set collaborative goals and (iii) occupational therapists advocating for all parties to be informed throughout the occupational therapy process. CONCLUSION The pilot study findings identified teacher and therapist experiences within the school setting that could inform improved collaborative practice with teachers and community-based occupational therapists and these findings warrant further investigation.
Bridging the Gap between Economic Modelling and Simulation: A Simple Dynamic Aggregate Demand-Aggregate Supply Model with Matlab

This paper aims to connect the bridge between analytical results and the use of the computer for numerical simulations in economics. We address the analytical properties of a simple dynamic aggregate demand and aggregate supply (AD-AS) model and solve it numerically. The model undergoes a bifurcation as its steady state smoothly interchanges stability depending on the relationship between the impact of real interest rate on demand for liquidity and how fast agents revise their expectations on inflation. Using code embedded into a unique function in Matlab, we plot the numerical solutions of the model and simulate different dynamic adjustments using different parameter values. The same function also accommodates the analysis of the impacts of fiscal and monetary policy and supply side shocks on the steady state and the transition dynamics of the model.
REVEALING THE HEAVILY OBSCURED ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS POPULATION OF HIGH-REDSHIFT 3CRR SOURCES WITH CHANDRA X-RAY OBSERVATIONS

Chandra observations of a complete, flux-limited sample of 38 high-redshift (1 < z < 2), low-frequency-selected (and so unbiased in orientation) 3CRR radio sources are reported. The sample includes 21 quasars (=broad-line radio galaxies) and 17 narrow-line radio galaxies (NLRGs) with matched 178 MHz radio luminosity (log LR(5 GHz) ∼44–45). The quasars have high radio core fraction, high X-ray luminosities (log LX ∼45–46), and soft X-ray hardness ratios (HR ∼−0.5) indicating low obscuration. The NLRGs have lower core fraction, lower apparent X-ray luminosities (log LX ∼43–45), and mostly hard X-ray hardness ratios (HR >0) indicating obscuration (NH ∼1022–1024 cm−2). These properties and the correlation between obscuration and radio core fraction are consistent with orientation-dependent obscuration as in unification models. About half the NLRGs have soft X-ray hardness ratios and/or a high [O iii] emission line to X-ray luminosity ratio suggesting obscuration by Compton thick (CT) material so that scattered nuclear or extended X-ray emission dominates (as in NGC 1068). The ratios of unobscured to Compton-thin (1022 cm−2 < NH(int) <1.5 × 1024 cm−2) to CT (NH(int) >1.5 × 1024 cm−2) is 2.5:1.4:1 in this high-luminosity, radio-selected sample. The obscured fraction is 0.5, higher than is typically reported for active galactic nuclei at comparable luminosities from multi-wavelength surveys (0.1–0.3). Assuming random nuclear orientation, the unobscured half-opening angle of the disk/wind/torus structure is ∼60° and the obscuring material covers 30°, ∼12° of which is CT. The multi-wavelength properties reveal that many NLRGs have intrinsic absorption 10–1000 × higher than indicated by their X-ray hardness ratios, and their true LX values are ∼10–100× larger than the hardness-ratio absorption corrections would indicate.
Herbaceous Community Structure and Function in the Kluane Region

Our research on the herbaceous understory vegetation in the Kluane region, Yukon, has focused on the structure and function of natural forest understory and grassland communities. The research has involved two long-term projects. The first investigated fertilizer addition and mammalian herbivore exclosure in understory vegetation over a 20-year period and showed that nutrient availability, and not herbivory, controlled herbaceous biomass. Fertilization increased the amount and nutrient content of vegetation, but 13 species were lost, whereas natural levels of mammalian herbivory rarely affected this vegetation or its diversity. The second study investigated how removing plant functional groups from a grassland influences its functioning. Over a seven-year period, we determined that the identity of the functional group was important in determining ecosystem properties and that graminoids were more influential than expected from their proportional biomass. In both of these studies, short-term responses were transient and not indicative of longer-term responses of these communities. This finding reinforces the need for long-term experiments, especially in northern ecosystems. The long-term plots from both projects will continue to be valuable, and they may detect shifts in the plant community due to climate change or unique events in the area.
Trends in Canadian Newspaper Coverage of International News, 1988-2000: Editors' Assessments

Abstract: Between 1988 and 2000, a series of comprehensive surveys were administered to the editors of Canada's daily newspapers, in order to obtain their views concerning Canadian news reportage of international events. The 1995 data demonstrated an editorial perception of a marked decline in the quality and quantity of international news coverage. The 2000 data pointed to a partial recovery. Canadian editors, however, remain convinced that it is only in local news reporting that newspapers have a comparative advantage over other mass media. This study acknowledges the reversal that may have occurred following the events of September 11, 2001; the series will resume with the aim of charting editorial perceptions following those events. Resume : Entre 1988 et 2000, on fit remplir une serie de sondages detailles par les editeurs de quotidiens canadiens, afin d'obtenir leurs points de vue sur le reportage canadien d'evenements internationaux. Les resultats de cette recherche ont demontre que les editeurs percevaient un declin marque dans la qualite et la quantite de la couverture d'actualites internationales. En revanche, les donnees de 2000 indiquent une remontee partielle. Les editeurs canadiens, cependant, demeurent convaincus que c'est seulement dans la couverture d'actualites locales que les journaux ont un avantage par rapport a d'autres medias. Cette etude reconnait le revirement qui a pu avoir lieu apres les evenements du 11 septembre 2001; la serie reprendra avec le but de mesurer les perceptions d'editeurs suivant ces evenements.
LAMC2 as a therapeutic target for cancers

Cancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries and the second major cause of death in developing countries. Laminins are crucial proteins in the basal lamina (one of the layers of the basement membrane), and these form a protein network that influences both normal and transformed cell differentiation, migration and adhesion, as well as phenotype and survival. The basement membranes act as a mechanical barrier to tumor growth, but these molecules, including laminins, are also important autocrine factors produced by cancers to promote tumorigenesis. Several studies in cancers have shown the importance of LAMC2, a laminin component. The elevated expression of LAMC2 on cancer cells appears to drive tumorigenesis through its interactions with several cell-surface receptors including α6β4 and α3β1 integrins and EGFRs. The accumulating evidence indicates that LAMC2-mediated signaling network plays an important role in the progression, migration and invasion of multiple types of cancer, suggesting that it might be a potential therapeutic anticancer target for inhibiting tumorigenesis. Furthermore, elevated serum levels of LAMC2 in cancer patients might be an attractive serum-based diagnostic biomarker.
Rigid or flexible sigmoidoscopy in colorectal clinics? Appraisal through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM Rigid sigmoidoscopy is sometimes performed at first presentation in colorectal clinics. We assessed the feasibility of flexible sigmoidoscopy in similar situations by comparing it with rigid sigmoidoscopy as a first investigative tool. METHODS The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized and non-randomized clinical trials comparing the usefulness of rigid and flexible sigmoidoscopy. The risk difference (RD) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were calculated for the cancers/abnormalities detected and discomfort associated with the procedure, respectively. The standard mean difference (SMD) was calculated for the depth of examination and duration of the procedure. RESULTS Flexible sigmoidoscopy had a significantly higher rate of detection of cancers and total abnormalities (RD of 0.020 and 0.138 and 95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.006-0.034 and 0.077-0.200, respectively), and rigid sigmoidoscopy caused significantly more patient discomfort (WMD of 0.981 and 95% CI of 0.693-1.269). Flexible sigmoidoscopy provided significantly greater depth of examination (SMD of 3.175, 95% CI of 2.397-3.954), and rigid sigmoidoscopy required less time (SMD of -1.601, 95% CI of -2.728 to -0.474). CONCLUSIONS Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a better investigative tool in colorectal clinics than the rigid sigmoidoscopy. Implementation of this idea can help in early diagnosis at first presentation and can certainly expedite the management of colorectal malignancies.
Binary Microlensing Events from the MACHO Project

We present the light curves of 21 gravitational microlensing events from the first six years of the MACHO Project gravitational microlensing survey that are likely examples of lensing by binary systems. These events were manually selected from a total sample of ~350 candidate microlensing events that were either detected by the MACHO Alert System or discovered through retrospective analyses of the MACHO database. At least 14 of these 21 events exhibit strong (caustic) features, and four of the events are well fit with lensing by large mass ratio (brown dwarf or planetary) systems, although these fits are not necessarily unique. The total binary event rate is roughly consistent with predictions based upon our knowledge of the properties of binary stars, but a precise comparison cannot be made without a determination of our binary lens event detection efficiency. Toward the Galactic bulge, we find a ratio of caustic crossing to noncaustic crossing binary lensing events of 12 : 4, excluding one event for which we present two fits. This suggests significant incompleteness in our ability to detect and characterize noncaustic crossing binary lensing. The distribution of mass ratios, N(q), for these binary lenses appears relatively flat. We are also able to reliably measure source-face crossing times in four of the bulge caustic crossing events, and recover from them a distribution of lens proper motions, masses, and distances consistent with a population of Galactic bulge lenses at a distance of 7 ± 1 kpc. This analysis yields two systems with companions of ~0.05 M☉.
Frequency and nature of drug‐drug interactions in the intensive care unit

Drug‐drug interactions (DDIs) may compromise patient safety. However, there are no good estimates of their frequency or understanding of their nature in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and nature of potential DDIs (pDDIs) in the ICU when assessed in light of documented and perceived clinical relevance.
Modeling the External Ear Acoustics for Insert Headphone Usage

Although the acoustics of the external ear has been studied extensively for auralization and hearing aids, the acoustical behavior of insert headphones is not equally well known. It is laborious to measure the sound pressure at the eardrum for individual insert headphone users. The present research focused on the effects of the outer ear on sound pressure at the eardrum during insert headphone listening. The main factors of interest were the length of the canal and the impedance of the eardrum. Ear canal simulators and a dummy head were constructed, and measurements were also performed with human ear canals. The study was carried out both with unblocked ear canals and when the canal entrance was blocked with an insert earphone. Special insert headphones with in-ear microphones were constructed for this purpose. Physics-based computational models were finally used to validate the approach. The different methods used to investigate the pressure inside the ear canal gave similar and accurate results. Hence the modeling techniques proved to be useful in estimating the pressure frequency responses at the eardrums of individual insert headphone users.
Voltage quality comparison of space vector PWM voltage source multilevel inverter under symmetric and nonsymmetric switching sequence variants: Voltage harmonics integral factors

The comparisons of the new offered optimum three-segment and the previously considered five-segment variants of the space vectors switching sequence are continued in values of the first three orders of the n-order integral voltage harmonics factors and in values of the first three orders of some unified indices, the so-called n-order aggregate switchings and integrated voltage harmonics factors. The corresponding dependencies on the amplitude modulation index are presented. The simulation results have proved the clear superiority of the new offered three-segment sequence in the main aggregate index values. The offered voltage source multilevel inverter space vector PWM algorithm of two delta voltages with the optimum three-segment vectors switching sequence variant can find industrial application due to its simplicity.
The Ste20-like Protein Kinase, Mst1, Dimerizes and Contains an Inhibitory Domain*

The human serine/threonine protein kinases, Mst1 and Mst2, share considerable homology to Ste20 and p21-activated kinase (Pak) throughout their catalytic domains. However, outside the catalytic domains there are no significant homologies to previously described Ste20-like kinases or other proteins. To understand the role of the nonhomologous regions, we performed a structure/function analysis of Mst1. A series of COOH-terminal and internal deletions indicates that there is an element within a central 63-amino acid region of the molecule that inhibits kinase activity. Removal of this domain increases kinase activity approximately 9-fold. Coimmunoprecipitation assays, the yeast two-hybrid procedure, and in vitro cross-linking analysis indicate that Mst1 homodimerizes and that the extreme COOH-terminal 57 amino acids are required for self-association. Size exclusion chromatography indicates that Mst1 is associated with a high molecular weight complex in cells, suggesting that other proteins may also oligomerize with this kinase. While loss of dimerization alone does not affect kinase activity, a molecule lacking both the dimerization and inhibitory domains is not as active as one which lacks only the inhibitory domain. Comparison of Mst1 and Mst2 indicates that both functional domains lie in regions conserved between the two molecules.