Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Transient Focal Ischemia of Mouse Brain on Energy State and NAD Levels

Abstract: It has been proposed that NAD depletion resulting from excessive activation of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase is responsible for secondary energy failure after transient cerebral ischemia. However, this hypothesis has never been verified by measurement of ATP and NAD levels in the same tissue sample. In this study, we therefore investigated the effect of transient focal cerebral ischemia on the temporal profiles of changes in the levels of energy metabolites and NAD. Ischemia was induced in mice by occluding the left middle cerebral artery using the intraluminal filament technique. Animals were subjected to 1‐h ischemia, followed by 0, 1, 3, 6, or 24 h of reperfusion. During ischemia, ATP levels, total adenylate pool, and adenylate energy charge dropped to ∼20, 50, and 40% of control, respectively, whereas NAD levels remained close to control. Energy state recovered transiently, peaking at 3 h of recovery (ATP levels and total adenylate pool recovered to 78 and 81% of control). In animals subjected to reperfusion of varying duration, the extent of ATP depletion was clearly more pronounced than that of NAD. The results imply that depletion of NAD pools did not play a major role in secondary disturbances of energy‐producing metabolism after transient focal cerebral ischemia. Changes in ATP levels were closely related to changes in total adenylate pool (p < 0.001). The high energy charge after 6 h of reperfusion (0.90 versus a control value of 0.93) and the close relationship between the decline of ATP and total adenylate pool suggest that degradation or a washout of adenylates (owing to leaky membranes) rather than a mismatch between energy production and consumption is the main causative factor contributing to the secondary energy failure observed after prolonged recovery.
Radiometric normalization for multitemporal and multispectral high resolution satellite images using ordinal conversion

Radiometric normalization of multi-temporal satellite image is very important for change detection or image mosaic. In this paper, a simple and effective radiometric normalization approach is proposed for processing high resolution multispectral satellite images such as IKONOS or QuickBird. This approach involves three main steps: (1) extracting pixel values from image pairs, (2) sorting original pixel values of image pairs in ascending order, and (3) assigning each pixel a new value based on its reflectance value relative to all other pixels. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is confirmed with experimental results compared to other normalization methods.
Association of HPA axis genes with suicidal behaviour in schizophrenia

Family, adoption and twin studies show that genetics influences suicidal behaviour, but do not indicate specific susceptibility variants. Stress response is thought to be mediated by the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is known to be a regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathway (HPA). Alterations in HPA system have been related to impulsivity, aggression and suicidal behaviour, common feature in schizophrenia. CRH is the hypothalamic factor that stimulates the pituitary gland. To search for markers conferring genetic susceptibility to suicide, we typed six HPA axis genes (CRH, CRHR1, CRHR2, CRHBP, MC2R, NC3R1) in a cohort of 231 subjects with schizophrenia in which 81 attempted suicide. The genotype analyses yielded significant association between CRH binding protein (CRHBP) and suicide attempt (P = 0.035). The genotype analysis for quantitative measures of suicidal behaviour showed no association. The interaction analysis showed a significant interaction between CRH receptor type 1 (CRHR1) and CRH binding protein (CRHBP) in influencing suicide attempt and the severity of suicidal behaviour. Current results show that genetic variation in HPA axis genes could be associated with suicidal behaviour in schizophrenia. This is to our knowledge the first study on suicidal behaviour investigating the interaction among the HPA axis genes.
Plasmin degradation of the alpha chain of fibrinogen/fibrin: improved activation constant and activity determination in assays for tissue plasminogen activator

Materials and methods. Fibrinogen was purified from human plasma by repeating precipitation six times, using different concentrations of cold ethanol. Fibrinogen was converted to DesAAfibrinogen by degradation with bathroxobin. Human plasminogen was purified by affinity and ion-exchange chromatography, and activated to plasmin by incubation with urokinase. Digested DesAAfibrinogen was prepared by controlled digestion with plasmin.
Suberized Cell Walls of Cork from Cork Oak Differ from Other Species

Abstract Plants have suberized cells that act as protective interfaces with the environment or between different plant tissues. A lamellar structure of alternating dark and light bands has been found upon transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation of cork cells and considered a typical feature of the suberized secondary wall. We observed cork cells from periderms of Quercus suber, Quercus cerris, Solanum tuberosum, and Calotropis procera by TEM after uranyl acetate and lead citrate staining. A lamellated structure was observed in S. tuberosum and C. procera but not in Q. suber and Q. cerris where the suberized cell wall showed a predominantly hyaline aspect with only a dark dotted staining. Removal of suberin from Q. suber cells left a thinner secondary wall that lost the translucent aspect. We hypothesize that the species' specific chemical composition of suberin will result in different three-dimensional macromolecular development and in a different spatial location of lignin and other aromatics. A lamellated ultrastructure is therefore not a general feature of suberized cells.
Combining Command-Respond Model and ToBI in Analyzing Second Language English Sentence Prosody

The paper combines the Fujisaki command-response model and the ToBI convention to analyze the English sentence prosody produced by American native speakers and Korean and Chinese English learners. The model parameters were extracted by FujiParaEditor for nine short sentences produced by three groups of speakers. The ToBI-tanscribed results were compared with the model parameters. Results show that model-based approach is a valid complement for judging the pitch and break events in both native and nonnative speech. With the aid of model-generated parameters it is found that both groups of English learners produce shorter prosodic phrase in English sentences but with different prosodic strategies, which is indicative of native language transfer. The Korean subjects invariably produce H-phrasal accent but the Chinese subjects use L-accent in the sentence-medial position. The Chinese subjects accent all content words and sentence-final function words. But the F0 contour produced by Korean subjects shows a narrow pitch range. Both groups have difficulty in acquiring the canonical yes-no question contour (L* H-H%). The majority use L-H% tone for a yes-no question.
Decreased Infectivity in Borrelia burgdorferi Strain B31 Is Associated with Loss of Linear Plasmid 25 or 28-1

ABSTRACT Previous reports indicated a correlation between loss of plasmids and decreased infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi strain B31, suggesting that plasmids may encode proteins that are required for pathogenesis. In this study, we expand on this correlation. Using theB. burgdorferi genomic sequence, we designed primers specific for each plasmid, and by using PCR we catalogued 11 linear and 2 circular plasmids from 49 clonal isolates of a mid-passage B. burgdorferi strain B31, initially derived from infected mouse skin, and 20 clones obtained from mouse skin infected with a low-passage isolate of B. burgdorferi strain B31. Among the 69 clones analyzed, nine distinct genotypes were identified relative to wild-type B. burgdorferi strain B31. Among the nine clonal genotypes obtained, only the 9-kb circular plasmid (cp9), the 25-kb linear plasmid (lp25), and either the 28-kb linear plasmid 1 or 4 (lp28-1 and lp28-4, respectively) were missing, in different combinations. We compared the infectivity of the wild-type strain, containing all known B. burgdorferi plasmids, with those of single mutants lacking either lp28-1, lp28-4, or lp25 and a double mutant missing both cp9 and lp28-1. The infectivity data indicated thatB. burgdorferi strain B31 cells lacking lp28-4 were modestly attenuated in all tissues analyzed, whereas samples missing lp25 were completely attenuated in all tissues, even at the highest inoculum tested. Isolates without lp28-1 infected the joint tissue yet were not able to infect other tissues as effectively. In addition, we have observed a selection in vivo in the skin, bladder, and joint for cells containing lp25 and in the skin and bladder for cells containing lp28-1, indicating that lp25 and lp28-1 encode proteins required for colonization and short-term maintenance in these mammalian tissues. In contrast, there was no selection in the joint for cells containing lp28-1, suggesting that genes on lp28-1 are not required for colonization of B. burgdorferi within the joint. These observations imply that the dynamic nature of the B. burgdorferi genome may provide the genetic heterogeneity necessary for survival in the diverse milieus that this pathogen occupies in nature and may contribute to tropism in certain mammalian host tissues.
Data-Driven Optimization of Incentive-based Demand Response System with Uncertain Responses of Customers

Demand response is nowadays considered as another type of generator, beyond just a simple peak reduction mechanism. A demand response service provider (DRSP) can, through its subcontracts with many energy customers, virtually generate electricity with actual load reduction. However, in this type of virtual generator, the amount of load reduction includes inevitable uncertainty, because it consists of a very large number of independent energy customers. While they may reduce energy today, they might not tomorrow. In this circumstance, a DSRP must choose a proper set of these uncertain customers to achieve the exact preferred amount of load curtailment. In this paper, the customer selection problem for a service provider that consists of uncertain responses of customers is defined and solved. The uncertainty of energy reduction is fully considered in the formulation with data-driven probability distribution modeling and stochastic programming technique. The proposed optimization method that utilizes only the observed load data provides a realistic and applicable solution to a demand response system. The performance of the proposed optimization is verified with real demand response event data in Korea, and the results show increased and stabilized performance from the service provider’s perspective.
Adrenaline infusion evokes increased thromboxane B2 production by platelets in healthy men: the effect of beta‐adrenoceptor blockade

Abstract. The effects of direct adrenergic stimulation, achieved by 60‐min adrenaline infusion (0·1–0·2 μg kg‐1 min‐1), on thromboxane B2 (TxB2) production by platelets in whole blood ex vivo and on ADP‐induced platelet aggregation were studied in seven healthy male volunteers. The effects of two beta‐adrenergic blocking agents, pindolol and practolol, on the adrenaline‐induced changes were furthermore analyzed. Adrenaline administration resulted in an about ten‐fold elevation in plasma adrenaline, and an about threefold increase in TxB2 production by platelets at 30 min of infusion. The increased TxB2 production persisted throughout the entire adrenaline infusion, and up to 30 min of postinfusion period (recovery). Pindolol blunted markedly the effects of adrenaline on platelet TxB2 production, whereas practolol seemed to have only a weak effect. The sensitivity of platelets to ADP‐induced aggregation did not change during the 60 min of adrenaline infusion. However, at 60 min of recovery the platelets showed a significantly increased sensitivity to ADP. Correspondingly, pindolol treatment did not affect platelet sensitivity during the infusion period, but at 60 min of recovery it had caused a significantly decreased sensitivity of platelets to ADP‐stimulation. Plasma‐free fatty acids increased markedly during the adrenaline infusion. This increase was totally blocked by pindolol, but only partly by practolol. The present results demonstrate that adrenaline, at plasma levels seen for example, in complicated myocardial infarction, stimulates platelet TxB2 production and increases the sensitivity of platelets to ADP after the infusion. Pindolol, but not practolol, inhibits these adrenaline‐induced changes in platelet behaviour.
GENETIC AND COLOR INTERACTIONS AT A CONTACT ZONE OF ACANTHOCHROMIS POLYACANTHUS: A MARINE FISH LACKING PELAGIC LARVAE

Abstract. — Acanthochromis polyacanthus is an unusual tropical marine damselfish that uniquely lacks pelagic larvae and has lost the capacity for broad‐scale dispersal among coral reefs. Different color morphs exist in different regions of the Great Barrier Reef, and morphs from northern and southern regions are genetically distinct. In the Hydrographers Passage area, which is a large break through the reef matrix in the central Great Barrier Reef that may have acted as a bottleneck on the migration of these animals during sea level rise, three morphs recognized from other regions were found on neighboring reefs. The transition between them is abrupt with three loci (AAT‐2*, GPI‐1*, and PGM*) showing allelic frequency patterns close to fixation between opposite alleles within a few kilometers. On two reefs (Hyde, Bebe), a pair of morphs was found to coexist and exhibited a habitat partitioning pattern with each morph restricted to one side on the reef and steep transitions in between. Outside these transition zones, phenotypes and genotypes matched those on surrounding reefs without coexistence and were little changed from reefs several hundred kilometers away. An electrophoretic survey across one transition zone on Hyde Reef showed steep genetic gradients along one kilometer of reef slope. Significant linkage disequilibria in samples collected in Hyde Reef as a result of dispersal of parental combinations of alleles into the center or because parental combinations of alleles confer greater fitness, allowed us to estimate the dispersal rate (189 m/generation) and the selection pressure on the marker loci (0.411). Finally, we investigated models that could lead to such a steep transition in genotypic and phenotypic combinations. Both contact zones on each side of Hyde Reef were associated with geomorphological discontinuities in the reef structure.
Using fluidity regulation to control size distribution of lipid-coated bubbles

Lipid-coated bubbles exhibit oscillation responses that have led to them being utilized to enhance the sensitivity of ultrasound imaging by improving the contrast. Further improvements to performance enhancements by bubbles require control of their size distribution in order to promote the correspondence between the bubbles' resonance frequency and the applied ultrasound frequency. Here we describe a fluidity regulation technique that can naturally shift the size distribution with the steps of 0.5 μm.
Incorporation and retention of radiolabeled S-(+)-and R-(-)-methamphetamine and S(+)- and R(-)-N-(n-butyl)-amphetamine in mouse hair after systemic administration.

We examined the incorporation of unlabeled and tritiated enantiomers of methamphetamine (MA) and a more lipophilic analog N-(n-butyl)-amphetamine (BA) into the hair of pigmented (C57) and nonpigmented (Balb/C) mice after systemic administration. We also compared the ability of extraction methods to remove unlabeled and tritiated MA and BA enantiomers from the hair. R(-)-MA, S(+)-MA, [(3)H]R(-)-MA, [(3)H]S(+)-MA, R(-)-BA, S(+)-BA, [(3)H]R-(-)-BA, and [(3)H]S-(+)-BA were each administered to C57 and Balb/C mice (23 days of age) by i.p. injection at 8.8 mg/kg daily for 3 days. At 44 days of age, hair samples from the animals were treated with a brief methanol wash, a 24-h extraction with pH 6 phosphate buffer, and a final digestion in 1 N NaOH to free residual drugs from the hair. Labeled drugs in the extracts were quantitated by liquid scintillation counting. Unlabeled drugs were quantitated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). GC/MS analysis demonstrated MA and BA to be the major (>90%) species present in the blood during the 24 h after administration. Less than 10% of the MA was N-demethylated. No p-hydroxylated metabolites were found. Blood concentrations of tritiated MA and BA enantiomers measured by liquid scintillation counting agreed well with blood concentrations of unlabeled enantiomers measured by GC/MS. Hair concentrations of S(+)-MA were greater than those of R(-)-MA in both mouse strains, paralleling blood concentrations. There were no enantiomeric differences seen with BA hair accumulation in either strain of mouse. Significantly more MA and BA enantiomers were deposited in pigmented than in nonpigmented hair. With labeled and unlabeled compounds, approximately 30% of S(+)-MA and 60% of R(-)-MA in pigmented hair could be removed by a phosphate extraction. A significant amount of drug could not be removed from the hair by extraction. Greater amounts of drug could be extracted from nonpigmented hair than pigmented. Extracted and residual MA and BA concentrations in pigmented hair were significantly greater when labeled compounds were quantitated by liquid scintillation counting than when unlabeled compounds were quantitated by GC/MS. However, radiotracer and unlabeled drug concentrations were the same in nonpigmented hair. The results demonstrate that hair pigmentation is an important determinant in MA and BA deposition, and that MA and BA deposition is not enantioselective. The data demonstrate a significant amount of MA and BA accumulated is not easily amenable to exhaustive aqueous extraction from the hair. The use of tritiated MA and BA enantiomers demonstrates that a significant amount of MA and BA stored in pigmented hair is structurally different from parent MA and BA, perhaps associated with melanin components of hair.
Stable training method for echo state networks with output feedbacks

In applications of echo state network (ESN), the Wiener-Hopf solution is usually used to learn the ESN's output connection weights; however, the solution can hardly ensure the asymptotic stability of the ESNs running in a closed-loop generative mode. The reason is firstly analyzed. A sufficient condition of the asymptotic stability for the closed-loop running ESNs is proposed and proved. In addition, the output connection weight learning problem is translated into an optimization problem with a nonlinear restriction. Particle swarm optimization algorithm is explored to solve the optimization problem. The simulation experiment results show that the output weight adaptation alglrithm we proposed (we call it PSOESN) can not only result in the high-precision prediction outputs of the trained ESN, but also ensure its asymptotic stability.
SigMA: Signaling Framework for Decentralized Network Management Applications

The management of network infrastructures has become increasingly complex over time, which is mainly attributed to the introduction of new functionality to support emerging services and applications. To address this important issue, research efforts in the last few years focused on developing software-defined networking solutions. While initial work proposed centralized architectures, their scalability limitations have led researchers to investigate a distributed control plane. Controller placement algorithms and mechanisms for building a logically centralized network view are some examples of challenges addressed in this context. A critical issue that requires specific attention concerns the communication between distributed entities involved in decision-making processes. To this end, we propose SigMA, a signaling framework that supports communication between the different entities of a decentralized management and control system. We also define the communication primitives and interfaces involved in such a decentralized environment. The benefits of SigMA are illustrated through three realistic network resource management use cases with different communication requirements. Based on simulation, we demonstrate the flexibility and extensibility of our solution in satisfying these requirements, thus effectively supporting advanced decentralized decision-making processes.
Subword and Crossword Units for CTC Acoustic Models

This paper proposes a novel approach to create an unit set for CTC based speech recognition systems. By using Byte Pair Encoding we learn an unit set of an arbitrary size on a given training text. In contrast to using characters or words as units this allows us to find a good trade-off between the size of our unit set and the available training data. We evaluate both Crossword units, that may span multiple word, and Subword units. By combining this approach with decoding methods using a separate language model we are able to achieve state of the art results for grapheme based CTC systems.
Lapped transforms for efficient transform/subband coding

Two lapped transforms for subband/transform coding of signals are introduced: a version of the lapped orthogonal transform (LOT), which can be efficiently computed for any transform length; and the modulated lapped transform (MLT), which is based on a modulated quadrature mirror (QMF) bank. The MLT can also be efficiently computed by means of a type-IV discrete sine transform (DST-IV). The LOT and the MLT are both asymptotically optimal lapped transforms for coding an AR(1) signal with a high intersample correlation coefficient. The coding gains of the LOT and MLT of length M are higher than that of the discrete cosine transform (DCT) of the same length; they are actually close to the coding gains obtained with a DCT of length 2M. An MLT-based adaptive transform coder (ACT) for speech signals is simulated; the code is essentially free from frame rate noise and has a better spectral resolution that DCT-based ATC systems. >
Social Effects of Movement Synchrony: Increased Infant Helpfulness only Transfers to Affiliates of Synchronously Moving Partners

Interpersonal synchrony increases cooperation among adults, children, and infants. We tested whether increased infant helpfulness transfers to individuals uninvolved in the movement, but shown to be affiliates of a synchronously moving partner. Initially, 14-month-old infants (N = 48) watched a live skit by Experimenters 1 and 2 that either demonstrated affiliation or individuality. Infants in both groups were then randomly assigned to be bounced to music either synchronously or asynchronously with Experimenter 1. Infant instrumental helpfulness toward Experimenter 2 was then measured. If the two experimenters were affiliates, infants from the synchronous movement condition were significantly more helpful toward Experimenter 2 than infants from the asynchronous movement condition. However, if the two experimenters were not affiliated, synchrony effects on prosociality did not transfer to Experimenter 2. These results show the importance of musical synchrony for social interaction and suggest that infants may use an understanding of third-party social relationships when directing their own social behaviors.