Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Ventral and Dorsal Cortical Visual Pathways Using Artificial Neural Networks

Abstract Although in conventional models of cortical processing, object recognition and spatial properties are processed separately in ventral and dorsal cortical visual pathways respectively, some recent studies have shown that representations associated with both objects' identity (of shape) and space are present in both visual pathways. However, it is still unclear whether the presence of identity and spatial properties in both pathways have functional roles. In our study, we have tried to answer this question through computational modeling. Our simulation results show that both a model ventral and dorsal pathway, separately trained to do object and spatial recognition, respectively, each actively retained information about both identity and space. In addition, we show that these networks retained different amounts and kinds of identity and spatial information. As a result, our modeling suggests that two separate cortical visual pathways for identity and space (1) actively retain information about both identity and space (2) retain information about identity and space differently and (3) that this differently retained information about identity and space in the two pathways may be necessary to accurately and optimally recognize and localize objects. Further, modeling results suggests these findings are robust and do not strongly depend on the specific structures of the neural networks.
Separation between buildings to avoid pounding during earthquakes

This paper presents an analytical investigation on the required separations between adjacent buildings to avoid pounding during earthquakes. Five wall buildings, having 3, 6, 10, 15, and 25 storeys, were designed for three different seismic zones in Canada: Montreal, Vancouver, and Prince Rupert. For each zone, an ensemble of code compatible ground motions was identified. Nonlinear time-step dynamic analyses were performed to determine the separations to avoid pounding between each building pair under each earthquake. The required separations, obtained by subtracting the time-histories of lateral displacements between adjacent floor levels, were compared with the requirements of the static method of the National Building Code of Canada. The results indicate that the static method of the code grossly overestimates the required separations. This is to be expected, since the static code procedure does not take full account of the intervening variables (periods, responses, and phases between building motions).
Teamwork in production: Implementation, its determinants, and estimates for German manufacturing

The progressive use of teamwork as an element of workplace practices orients researchers to dedicate important efforts to study the phenomenon and its depths. Although team research has focused on a large variety of aspects—human, psychological, positional, technical, and economico‐strategic—less is known about the factors influencing or determining the incidence of such concepts. Implementation rates and the degree of spreading, as well as variables mentioned by previous studies as determinants, were tested on a sample of 1,298 manufacturing firms located in Germany. The results show that almost 2/3 of manufacturing establishments use teamwork in production and, on average, more than 50% of employees are involved in normally four‐ to nine‐person teams. The results of this study also sustain the initial hypothesis on the positive relationship among flexibility, complexity, new products, organizational concepts, and teamwork implementation in production. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Daily sleep, well-being, and adult day services use among dementia care dyads

Abstract Objectives The study aimed to describe daily sleep characteristics for dementia care dyads in the context of adult day services (ADS) use and examine the associations with sleep quality and daytime functioning (fatigue, affect, and behavior problems). Methods Caregivers (CG; N = 173) reported daily bedtime, wake time, and sleep quality for themselves and the persons living with dementia (PLWD) across 8 consecutive days (N = 1359), where PLWD attended ADS at least 2 days of the week. On each day, caregivers also reported their own fatigue and affect and PLWD’s daytime behavior problems and nighttime sleep problems. Considering the context of ADS use, we compared mean differences in bedtime, wake time, and total time in bed on nights before versus after ADS use. We estimated multilevel models to examine daily sleep-well-being associations. Results On nights before an upcoming ADS day, care dyads went to bed and woke up earlier, and spent less time in bed. Further, PLWD had better sleep quality the night before an upcoming ADS day. Using ADS during the day buffered the negative impact of PLWD’s sleep problems in the previous night, reducing daytime negative affect for caregivers. For caregivers, using ADS yesterday attenuated the association between shorter than typical time in bed and daytime fatigue; it also attenuated the association between PLWD’s nighttime sleep problems and lowered daytime positive affect. Conclusions Regular ADS use may promote earlier sleep timing and protect against the adverse impact of sleep disturbances on daytime functioning for dementia care dyads.
SEISMIC SOIL-STRUCTURE INTERACTION: BENEFICIAL OR DETRIMENTAL?

The role of soil-structure interaction (SSI) in the seismic response of structures is reex-plored using recorded motions and theoretical considerations. Firstly, the way current seismic provisions treat SSI effects is briefly discussed. The idealised design spectra of the codes along with the increased fundamental period and effective damping due to SSI lead invariably to reduced forces in the structure. Reality, however, often differs from this view. It is shown that, in certain seismic and soil environments, an increase in the fundamental natural period of a moderately flexible structure due to SSI may have a detrimental effect on the imposed seismic demand. Secondly, a widely used structural model for assessing SSI effects on inelastic bridge piers is examined. Using theoretical arguments and rigorous numerical analyses it is shown that indiscriminate use of ductility concepts and geometric relations may lead to erroneous conclusions in the assessment of seismic performance. Numerical examples are presented which highlight critical issues of the problem.
Review of the Use of Swine Manure in Crop Production: Effects On Yield and Composition and On Soil and Water Quality

The world swine population produces about 1.7 billion tonnes of liquid manure annually. At an application rate of 20 tonnes per hectare, this could fertilize about 85 million hectares of land annually. Storage and disposal of this material presents a challenge to producers because of the potential for environmental pollution. However, because swine manure contains essential plant nutrients, use of swine manure as a soil amendment for crop production is a practical method to solve the disposal problem. The composition and effectiveness of swine manure as a source of plant nutrients depends on several factors including type of ration fed, housing system, method of manure collection, storage and handling. Research has shown that manure application increased soil N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. However, heavy or excessive application of manure increased leaching of NO3-N, P and Mg. Swine manure is reported to be effective in increasing the yields of cereals, legumes, oilseeds, vegetables and pastures, and in increasing plant nutrient concentration, especially N, P and K. The efficient use of swine manure can be an agronomically and economically viable management practice for sustainable crop production in temperate regions such as the Canadian prairies where the swine industry is expanding rapidly.
Evaluating posaconazole, its pharmacology, efficacy and safety for the prophylaxis and treatment of fungal infections

ABSTRACT Introduction Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. Safe and effective antifungal medications used for prophylaxis and treatment are pivotal in their management. Posaconazole is a promising triazole antifungal agent. Areas covered The authors discuss the pharmacological properties of posaconazole, including pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability profile, together with efficacy data for prophylaxis and treatment as well as its use in special populations based on current literature. Expert opinion Posaconazole has a favorable safety and tolerability profile; however, caution is advised when co-administered with agents that are CYP3A4 inhibitors, because their concentration may significantly increase, and their levels should be closely monitored. It has an extended spectrum of activity against yeasts and filamentous fungi. It is successfully used as prophylaxis for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)/myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). It is the first line treatment for oropharyngeal candidiasis and is also used as a salvage treatment for refractory IFDs. Currently available formulations include the oral suspension, delayed-release tablets and solution for intravenous infusion, all with different PK/PD properties and indications. Its use in children and adolescents is currently being examined in Phase-II clinical trials.
The Role of Sense of Belonging and Family Structure in Adolescent Adjustment

The present study adopted an ecological perspective, and examined effects of sense of belonging to multiple contexts in relation to adolescent adjustment, as well as possible differences between adolescents from intact and divorced families. Self‐report questionnaires were used to investigate perceptions of family, school, peer, and neighborhood belonging among 969 adolescents. Results showed that mean level differences in belonging exist based on family structure, and that levels of family and neighborhood belonging vary between post‐divorce maternal and paternal households. For all adolescents, sense of belonging predicted self‐reported well‐being, internalizing, and externalizing problems. Belonging was found to partly explain the relation between divorce and adjustment. Improving adolescents’ belonging could therefore be an important step in ensuring a better adjustment post‐divorce.
Advances in diet-induced rodent models of metabolically acquired peripheral neuropathy

ABSTRACT Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a severe complication that affects over 30% of prediabetic and 60% of type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. The metabolic syndrome is increasingly recognized as a major driver of PN. However, basic and translational research is needed to understand the mechanisms that contribute to nerve damage. Rodent models of diet-induced obesity, prediabetes, T2D and PN closely resemble the human disease and have proven to be instrumental for the study of PN mechanisms. In this Perspective article, we focus on the development, neurological characterization and dietary fat considerations of diet-induced rodent models of PN. We highlight the importance of investigating sex differences and discuss some of the challenges in translation from bench to bedside, including recapitulating the progressive nature of human PN and modeling neuropathic pain. We emphasize that future research should overcome these challenges in the quest to better mimic human PN in animal models.
Traveling Waves in Quasi-One-Dimensional Neuronal Minicolumns

Abstract Traveling waves of neuronal activity in the cortex have been observed in vivo. These traveling waves have been correlated to various features of observed cortical dynamics, including spike timing variability and correlated fluctuations in neuron membrane potential. Although traveling waves are typically studied as either strictly one-dimensional or two-dimensional excitations, here we investigate the conditions for the existence of quasi-one-dimensional traveling waves that could be sustainable in parts of the brain containing cortical minicolumns. For that, we explore a quasi-one-dimensional network of heterogeneous neurons with a biologically influenced computational model of neuron dynamics and connectivity. We find that background stimulus reliably evokes traveling waves in networks with local connectivity between neurons. We also observe traveling waves in fully connected networks when a model for action potential propagation speed is incorporated. The biological properties of the neurons influence the generation and propagation of the traveling waves. Our quasi-one-dimensional model is not only useful for studying the basic properties of traveling waves in neuronal networks; it also provides a simplified representation of possible wave propagation in columnar or minicolumnar networks found in the cortex.
Seeing the unseen with superb microvascular imaging: Ultrasound depiction of normal dermis vessels

Current color‐ and power‐Doppler techniques cannot demonstrate vascularization of the dermis. Aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether the new superb vascular imaging (SMI) technique improves the ultrasound (US) depiction of dermis vessels in healthy volunteers. SMI was compared side‐by‐side to conventional power‐Doppler (PD) imaging.
Distortional Buckling Formulas for Channel Columns

Explicit analytical expressions are derived to predict the distortional buckling stress of thin-walled channel section columns with a range of section geometries, including column types used for industrial storage racks. The analytical expressions are based on an approximate model of the distortional buckling mode. Simplified expressions are developed to allow explicit evaluation of the distortional buckling stress by designers. The simplified expressions are compared with an accurate finite strip analysis to check the validity and range of applicability. A simple design example is included in the study.
Identifying biomarkers for prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects based on “omics”

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most severe birth defects and the main cause of newborn death; posing a great challenge to the affected children, families, and societies. Presently, the clinical diagnosis of NTDs mainly relies on ultrasound images combined with certain indices, such as alpha‐fetoprotein levels in the maternal serum and amniotic fluid. Recently, the discovery of additional biomarkers in maternal tissue has presented new possibilities for prenatal diagnosis. Over the past 20 years, “omics” techniques have provided the premise for the study of biomarkers. This review summarizes recent advances in candidate biomarkers for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal NTDs based on omics techniques using maternal biological specimens of different origins, including amniotic fluid, blood, and urine, which may provide a foundation for the early prenatal diagnosis of NTDs.
Phytate as a Phosphorus Nutrient with Impacts on Iron Stress-Related Gene Expression for Phytoplankton: Insights from the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

PA is abundant in plants and cannot be digested by nonruminant animals. Hence, it is potentially a significant component of the DOP pool in coastal waters. ABSTRACT Phytoplankton have evolved a capability to acquire phosphorus (P) from dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) since the preferred form, dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP, or Pi), is often limited in parts of the ocean. Phytic acid (PA) is abundantly synthesized in plants and rich in excreta of animals, potentially enriching the DOP pool in coastal oceans. However, whether and how PA can be used by phytoplankton are poorly understood. Here, we investigated PA utilization and underlying metabolic pathways in the diatom model Phaeodactylum tricornutum. The physiological results showed that P. tricornutum could utilize PA as a sole source of P nutrient to support growth. Meanwhile, the replacement of PA for DIP also caused changes in multiple cellular processes, such as inositol phosphate metabolism, photosynthesis, and signal transduction. These results suggest that PA is bioavailable to P. tricornutum and can directly participate in the metabolic pathways of PA-grown cells. However, our data showed that the utilization of PA was markedly less efficient than that of DIP, and PA-grown cells exhibited P and iron (Fe) nutrient stress signals. Implicated in these findings is the potential of complicated responses of phytoplankton to an ambient DOP species, which calls for more systematic investigation. IMPORTANCE PA is abundant in plants and cannot be digested by nonruminant animals. Hence, it is potentially a significant component of the DOP pool in coastal waters. Despite this potential importance, there is little information about its bioavailability to phytoplankton as a source of P nutrient and the molecular mechanisms involved. In this study, we found that part of PA could be utilized by the diatom P. tricornutum to support growth, and another portion of PA can act as a substrate directly participating in various metabolism pathways and cellular processes. However, our physiological and transcriptomic data show that PA-grown cells still exhibited signs of P stress and potential Fe stress. These results have significant implications in phytoplankton P nutrient ecology and provide a novel insight into multifaceted impacts of DOP utilization on phytoplankton nutrition and metabolism.
Mechanistic discoveries and simulation‐guided assay optimization of portable hormone biosensors with cell‐free protein synthesis

Nuclear receptors (NRs) influence nearly every system of the body and our lives depend on correct NR signaling. Thus, a key environmental and pharmaceutical quest is to identify and detect chemicals which interact with nuclear hormone receptors, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), therapeutic receptor modulators, and natural hormones. Previously reported biosensors of nuclear hormone receptor ligands facilitated rapid detection of NR ligands using cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS). In this work, the advantages of CFPS are further leveraged and combined with kinetic analysis, autoradiography, and western blot to elucidate the molecular mechanism of this biosensor. Additionally, mathematical simulations of enzyme kinetics are used to optimize the biosensor assay, ultimately lengthening its readable window by five‐fold and improving sensor signal strength by two‐fold. This approach enabled the creation of an on‐demand thyroid hormone biosensor with an observable color‐change readout. This mathematical and experimental approach provides insight for engineering rapid and field‐deployable CFPS biosensors and promises to improve methods for detecting natural hormones, therapeutic receptor modulators, and EDCs.
Relationship between maternal mental status and social supports during pregnancy and until one month after childbirth in a local city.

The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between maternal mental status and social supports during pregnancy and until one month after childbirth in order to evaluate the actual situation in a local city. A survey was conducted on 78 pregnant women who completed the CES-D (depression score), STAI (anxiety score) and Social Support Scale. Data were collected four times : during the second trimester, the third trimester, postpartum hospitalization, and 1 month after childbirth. The CES-D and STAI scores were initially high during pregnancy and decreased during the postpartum period. The Social Support Scale score, however, was initially low during pregnancy and increased during the postpartum period. The CES-D and STAI scores was significantly and negatively correlated with The Social Support Scale score during all four time periods. Participants ≧ 35 years of age scored lower on The Social Support Scale than did participants < 35 years of age in the second trimester, third trimester, and 1 month after childbirth. These findings should assist with the implementation of a comprehensive support center and may be useful for a local city in Japan. J. Med. Invest. 68 : 265-270, August, 2021.
Effects of laser therapy on chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Non-specific low back pain is referred to as low back pain not attributable to any known specific pathology, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 60% in industrialized countries. Non-specific chronic low back pain is defined as non-specific low back pain lasting for >12 weeks. Various treatment options are available for non-specific chronic low back pain, including analgesics and nondrug treatments such as exercise, physical, psychosocial, and multidisciplinary therapies. Laser therapy is a noninvasive single-wavelength light source treatment, with effects including pain relief and inflammation reduction in various musculoskeletal disorders. The United States Food and Drug Administration has classified low-level laser therapy as Class III. Low-level laser emits a power of <0.5 W, thus producing no thermal sensations to patients due to less irradiance. Laser acupuncture, which can be considered a combination of traditional medicine and low-level laser therapy, stimulates conventional acupuncture points with a low-intensity laser. High-level laser therapy, by contrast, delivers a power of >0.5 W. Experimental studies have shown that low-level laser therapy is associated with vasodilation, transcription factor activation, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis. However, high-level laser therapy can penetrate deeper and may have a wider treatment coverage. Although both low-level and high-level laser therapy have been widely used, their mechanisms and therapeutic outcomes remain controversial, and the relationships between laser dosage and therapeutic effects remain ambiguous.5,7–9 Several randomized controlled trials studied the effectiveness of laser therapy in non-specific chronic low back pain decades ago, but
Genetically informed, multilevel analysis of the Flynn Effect across four decades and three WISC versions.

This study investigated the systematic rise in cognitive ability scores over generations, known as the Flynn Effect, across middle childhood and early adolescence (7-15 years; 291 monozygotic pairs, 298 dizygotic pairs; 89% White). Leveraging the unique structure of the Louisville Twin Study (longitudinal data collected continuously from 1957 to 1999 using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children [WISC], WISC-R, and WISC-III ed.), multilevel analyses revealed between-subjects Flynn Effects-as both decrease in mean scores upon test re-standardization and increase in mean scores across cohorts-as well as within-child Flynn Effects on cognitive growth across age. Overall gains equaled approximately three IQ points per decade. Novel genetically informed analyses suggested that individual sensitivity to the Flynn Effect was moderated by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.