Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basal ganglia volume and shape in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE Volumetric abnormalities of basal ganglia have been associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), especially in boys. To specify localization of these abnormalities, large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LDDMM) was used to examine the effects of ADHD, sex, and their interaction on basal ganglia shapes. METHOD The basal ganglia (caudate, putamen, globus pallidus) were manually delineated on magnetic resonance imaging from 66 typically developing children (35 boys) and 47 children (27 boys) with ADHD. LDDMM mappings from 35 typically developing children were used to generate basal ganglia templates. Shape variations of each structure relative to the template were modeled for each subject as a random field using Laplace-Beltrami basis functions in the template coordinates. Linear regression was used to examine group differences in volumes and shapes of the basal ganglia. RESULTS Boys with ADHD showed significantly smaller basal ganglia volumes compared with typically developing boys, and LDDMM revealed the groups remarkably differed in basal ganglia shapes. Volume compression was seen bilaterally in the caudate head and body and anterior putamen as well as in the left anterior globus pallidus and right ventral putamen. Volume expansion was most pronounced in the posterior putamen. No volume or shape differences were revealed in girls with ADHD. CONCLUSIONS The shape compression pattern of basal ganglia in boys with ADHD suggests that ADHD-associated deviations from typical brain development involve multiple frontal-subcortical control loops, including circuits with premotor, oculomotor, and prefrontal cortices. Further investigations employing brain-behavior analyses will help to discern the task-dependent contributions of these circuits to impaired response control that is characteristic of ADHD.
Survey of plasmids in various mycoplasmas.

Thirty-three strains representing 15 distinct Mycoplasma, Acholeplasma, and Spiroplasma species were examined for the presence of plasmid DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic patterns of the DNAs of three strains, Mycoplasma sp. strain 747, Spiroplasma mirum strain SMCA, and M. hominis strain 1257, suggested the presence of a plasmid with molecular weights of approximately 70, 10, and 9 megadaltons, respectively. The functions of these plasmids are currently unknown. ImagesFIG. 1
Peak modeling for Ion mobility spectrometry measurements

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), coupled with multicapillary columns (MCCs), is a technology for analyzing the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air or in exhaled breath. We introduce a new model-based method for peak description and thus for manifold data reduction. Depending on the number of peaks, we reduce the raw data by five orders of magnitude (about 250 000-fold). Each peak is described with seven parameters, which are estimated by an expectation maximization (EM) algorithm that copes well with overlapping peaks. We transform the parameters into robust and interpretable peak descriptors, which are suitable for downstream analysis steps.
Combining Feature Kernels for Semantic Music Retrieval

We apply a new machine learning tool, kernel combination, to the task of semantic music retrieval. We use 4 different types of acoustic content and social context feature sets to describe a large music corpus and derive 4 individual kernel matrices from these feature sets. Each kernel is used to train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier for each semantic tag (e.g., ‘aggressive’, ‘classic rock’, ‘distorted electric guitar’) in a large tag vocabulary. We examine the individual performance of each feature kernel and then show how to learn an optimal linear combination of these kernels using convex optimization. We find that the retrieval performance of the SVMs trained using the combined kernel is superior to SVMs trained using the best individual kernel for a large number of tags. In addition, the weights placed on individual kernels in the linear combination reflect the relative importance of each feature set when predicting a tag.
Design methodology of a self-priming PMMA valveless piezoelectric micro-pump

A design methodology for a self-priming PMMA valveless piezoelectric micro-pump has been proposed. A finite element-based software has been used to investigate the feasible device configurations. Both actuator and diffuser parameters have been studied. The experimental tests have shown that the proposed design approach yielded a low-cost and highly efficiency micro-pump.
Framework for robotics in education: Some experiences and case studies in test arena based projects

The utilization of robots as an educational medium in teaching and learning has in recent times become prominent. This paper presents a framework identifying the necessary constructs that establishes a sustainable model for using test arenas in educational robotics as an educational tool. Several successful implementation of this framework is demonstrated, covering projects and research activities ranging from advanced level software engineering courses to higher research degree. Areas of the project includes, search and rescue, intelligent navigation, search and detection and computer-aided learning (CAL) to design and build competitive dancing and soccer playing robots.
Ceramides Contained in LDL Are Elevated in Type 2 Diabetes and Promote Inflammation and Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance

Dysregulated lipid metabolism and inflammation are linked to the development of insulin resistance in obesity, and the intracellular accumulation of the sphingolipid ceramide has been implicated in these processes. Here, we explored the role of circulating ceramide on the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Ceramide transported in LDL is elevated in the plasma of obese patients with type 2 diabetes and correlated with insulin resistance but not with the degree of obesity. Treating cultured myotubes with LDL containing ceramide promoted ceramide accrual in cells and was accompanied by reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, Akt phosphorylation, and GLUT4 translocation compared with LDL deficient in ceramide. LDL-ceramide induced a proinflammatory response in cultured macrophages via toll-like receptor–dependent and –independent mechanisms. Finally, infusing LDL-ceramide into lean mice reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, and this was due to impaired insulin action specifically in skeletal muscle. These newly identified roles of LDL-ceramide suggest that strategies aimed at reducing hepatic ceramide production or reducing ceramide packaging into lipoproteins may improve skeletal muscle insulin action.
Analyzing the Persistence of Referenced Web Resources with Memento

Presentation for the 2011 International Conference on Open Repositories. This presentation discusses the results of a study into the persistence and availability of web resources referenced from papers in scholarly repositories. Memento makes it possible to automate discovery of archived resources and to consider the time between the publication of the research and the archiving of the reference URLs.
Thread-specific heaps for multi-threaded programs

Garbage collection for a multi-threaded program typically involves either stopping all threads while doing the collection or involves copious amounts of synchronization between threads. However, a lot of data is only ever visible to a single thread, and such data should ideally be collected without involving other threads. Given an escape analysis, a memory management system may allocate thread-specific data in thread-specific heaps and allocate shared data in a shared heap. Garbage collection of data in a thread-specific heaps can be done independent of other threads and of data in their thread-specific heaps. For multi-threaded programs, thread-specific heaps allow reduced garbage collection latency for active threads. On multi-processor computers, thread-specific heaps allow concurrent garbage collection of different thread-specific heaps with minimal synchronization overhead. We present an escape analysis and a sample memory management system using thread-specific heaps.
Modeling Macroscopic Shape Distortions during Sintering of Multi-layers

Constrained sintering of tubular bi-layered structures is being used in the development of various technologies. Due to mismatch in the densification rate between the layers in the tubular geometry, stresses develop and sometimes create various processing defects. An analytical model is developed to describe the densification and stress developments during constrained sintering of tubular bi-layered samples. The direct correspondence between linear elastic and linear viscous theories is used as a basis for the model development. The developed analytical model is first verified by finite element simulation for the constrained sintering of tubular bi-layer system. Furthermore, the analytical model is validated using densification results from sintering of bi-layered tubular supported ceramic oxygen membrane based on porous MgO and Ce0.9Gd0. 1O1.95-d layers. Model input parameters, such as the shrinkage kinetics and viscous parameters are obtained experimentally using optical dilatometry and thermomechanical analysis. Results from the analytical model are found to agree well with finite element simulations as well as measurements from sintering experiment.
Dodging the crisis of folding proteins with knots

Proteins with nontrivial topology, containing knots and slipknots, have the ability to fold to their native states without any additional external forces invoked. A mechanism is suggested for folding of these proteins, such as YibK and YbeA, that involves an intermediate configuration with a slipknot. It elucidates the role of topological barriers and backtracking during the folding event. It also illustrates that native contacts are sufficient to guarantee folding in ≈1–2% of the simulations, and how slipknot intermediates are needed to reduce the topological bottlenecks. As expected, simulations of proteins with similar structure but with knot removed fold much more efficiently, clearly demonstrating the origin of these topological barriers. Although these studies are based on a simple coarse-grained model, they are already able to extract some of the underlying principles governing folding in such complex topologies.
The impact of Trust and Reciprocal Expectations on Childcare Choice in Zimbabwean Villages ∗

This paper explores the impact of trust and reciprocal expectations on the choice of childcare when mothers decide to work in two different types of Zimbabwean villages. One type of villages are traditional communal villages with a tight social structures through family ties throughout the village. The second type of villages originates from land reallocation in the 1980s to selected families.
The inwardly rectifying K+ channel KIR7.1 controls uterine excitability throughout pregnancy

Abnormal uterine activity in pregnancy causes a range of important clinical disorders, including preterm birth, dysfunctional labour and post‐partum haemorrhage. Uterine contractile patterns are controlled by the generation of complex electrical signals at the myometrial smooth muscle plasma membrane. To identify novel targets to treat conditions associated with uterine dysfunction, we undertook a genome‐wide screen of potassium channels that are enriched in myometrial smooth muscle. Computational modelling identified Kir7.1 as potentially important in regulating uterine excitability during pregnancy. We demonstrate Kir7.1 current hyper‐polarizes uterine myocytes and promotes quiescence during gestation. Labour is associated with a decline, but not loss, of Kir7.1 expression. Knockdown of Kir7.1 by lentiviral expression of miRNA was sufficient to increase uterine contractile force and duration significantly. Conversely, overexpression of Kir7.1 inhibited uterine contractility. Finally, we demonstrate that the Kir7.1 inhibitor VU590 as well as novel derivative compounds induces profound, long‐lasting contractions in mouse and human myometrium; the activity of these inhibitors exceeds that of other uterotonic drugs. We conclude Kir7.1 regulates the transition from quiescence to contractions in the pregnant uterus and may be a target for therapies to control uterine contractility.
The role of metabolic and haemodynamic factors in podocyte injury in diabetes

Podocyte loss is a common feature in human diabetes as well as in experimental diabetes in rodents. Almost all components of the diabetic milieu lead to serious podocyte stress, driving the cells towards cell cycle arrest and hypertrophy, detachment and apoptosis. Common pathway components induced by high glucose and advanced glycation endproducts are reactive oxygen species, cyclin‐dependent kinases (p27$^{\rm{Kip1}}$) and transforming growth factor‐beta. In addition, mechanical stresses by stretch or shear forces, insulin deficiency or insulin resistance are independent components resulting in podocyte apoptosis and detachment. In this review, we discuss the common pathways leading to podocyte death as well as novel pathways and concepts of podocyte dedifferentiation and detachment that influence the progression of diabetic glomerulopathy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrokinetic treatment in the recovery of valuable metals from waste repositories: Metal speciation and transient behaviour of metals during EK

This paper reports a preliminary experimental programme on the application of electrokinetic processing to two different waste materials: a mine tailings deposit and a metallurgical dust. The speciation of Pb in particular is studied as it is of particular prevalence in these materials. Based on a selective sequential extraction method the different forms of chemical speciation of the metal are identified: Pb was mainly enriched in the exchangeable fractions and in the residual fraction for the mine tailings, while for the metallurgical dust it was mainly enriched on the carbonatic phase and in the residual fraction. Both materials show similar trends with respect to the Pb concentration movement between the 2 most mobile fractions. The increase in exchangeable fraction would suggest that availability of the lead is slightly enhanced by the application of an electric field. Change in pH is identified as being a critical factor.
Markers of inflammation and cardiovascular disease: application to clinical and public health practice: A statement for healthcare professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association.

In 1998, the American Heart Association convened Prevention Conference V to examine strategies for the identification of high-risk patients who need primary prevention. Among the strategies discussed was the measurement of markers of inflammation.1 The Conference concluded that “many of these markers (including inflammatory markers) are not yet considered applicable for routine risk assessment because of: (1) lack of measurement standardization, (2) lack of consistency in epidemiological findings from prospective studies with endpoints, and (3) lack of evidence that the novel marker adds to risk prediction over and above that already achievable through the use of established risk factors. ” The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines identified these markers as emerging risk factors,1a which could be used as an optional risk factor measurement to adjust estimates of absolute risk obtained using standard risk factors. Since these publications, a large number of peer-reviewed scientific reports have been published relating inflammatory markers to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several commercial assays for inflammatory markers have become available. As a consequence of the expanding research base and availability of assays, the number of inflammatory marker tests ordered by clinicians for CVD risk prediction has grown rapidly. Despite this, there has been no consensus from professional societies or governmental agencies as to how these assays of markers of inflammation should be used in clinical practice. On March 14 and 15, 2002, a workshop titled “CDC/AHA Workshop on Inflammatory Markers and Cardiovascular Disease: Applications to Clinical and Public Health Practice” was convened in Atlanta, Ga, to address these issues. The goals of this workshop were to determine which of the currently available tests should be used; what results should be used to define high risk; which patients should be tested; and the indications for which the tests would be most useful. These …
Dynamics and threshold behavior in polymer fiber Bragg grating creation

Photosensitivity has been observed and Bragg gratings have been created in various polymer optical fibres in recent years. Nevertheless the mechanisms of Bragg grating formation in polymer optical fibres are yet to be fully investigated and understood. We carried out experimental investigations on the dynamic growth of Bragg grating under various exposure conditions. For the first time, we observed clearly a threshold behaviour in the grating creation process. The threshold distinguishes two types of fibre gratings that have quite differently properties and performance.
An Efficient Access Forwarding Method Based On Caches On Storage Nodes

In this paper, we discuss access forwarding schemes for the replication that achieve balanced access load distribution for data replicas on multiple storage nodes. In parallel storage systems, it is significant to handle skew of accessrequest distribution. Although replication is commonly used to solve such problems, it decreases hit ratios of cache memories on each storage nodes. We first obtain a result that it uses cache memories efficiently to forward accesses that target at data in less demand with a simple experiment. We also propose a method that uses hit ratios of each cache to recognize the popularity of data with low costs. Results of experiments with the method show that it helps the replication use the limited cache space efficiently.
Using Big Data and sentiment analysis in product evaluation

When purchasing a product for the first time one usually needs to choose among several products with similar characteristics. Companies use to promote their brands and products pointing out good characteristics avoiding to mention the poor ones. The best way to choose the most suitable product is to rely upon the opinions of others. The system to be described here collects opinions about hotels from the web, evaluates them, aggregates these evaluations and offers cumulative, easy-to-understand information. Generated information is intended for the possible prospective customer, but also for the hotel managers providing them with additional guidance in future business development.
Pyruvate suppresses PGC1α expression and substrate utilization despite increased respiratory chain content in C2C12 myotubes

Sodium pyruvate can increase mitochondrial biogenesis in C2C12 myoblasts in a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC1α)-independent manner. The present study examined the effect of 72-h treatment with sodium pyruvate (5–50 mM) or sodium chloride (50 mM) as an osmotic control on the regulation of mitochondrial substrate metabolism and biogenesis in C2C12 myotubes. Pyruvate (50 mM) increased the levels of fatty acid oxidation enzymes (CD36, 61%, and β-oxidative enzyme 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, 54%) and the expression of cytochrome-c oxidase subunit I (220%) and cytochrome c (228%), consistent with its previous described role as a promoter of mitochondrial biogenesis. However, in contrast, pyruvate treatment reduced glucose transporter 4 (42%), phosphofructokinase (57%), and PGC1α (72%) protein content as well as PGC1α (48%) and PGC1β (122%) mRNA. The decrease in PGC1α was compensated for by an increase in the PGC1α-related coactivator (PRC; 187%). Pyruvate treatment reduced basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (41% and 31%, respectively) and palmitate uptake and oxidation (24% and 31%, respectively). The addition of the pyruvate dehydrogenase activator dichloroacetate (DCA) and the TCA precursor glutamine increased PGC1α expression (368%) and returned PRC expression to basal. Glucose uptake increased by 4.2-fold with DCA and glutamine and palmitate uptake increased by 18%. Coupled to this adaptation was an 80% increase in oxygen consumption. The data suggest that supraphysiological doses of pyruvate decrease mitochondrial function despite limited biogenesis and that anaplerotic agents can reverse this effect.
Thermomechanical Reliability of Low-Temperature Sintered Attachments on Direct Bonded Aluminum (DBA) Substrate for High-Temperature Electronics Packaging

This study focused on the development and evaluation of die-attach material and substrate technology for high-temperature applications. For the die-attach material, a low-temperature sintering technique enabled by a nanoscale silver paste was developed for attaching large-area (>100 mm) semiconductor chips. The nanoscale silver paste can be sintered at a much lower temperature (<300 C) than in the conventional sintering process (>800 C), and at the same time reached about 80 vol% bulk density. Analyses of the sintered joints by scanning acoustic imaging and electron microscopy showed that the attachment layer had a uniform microstructure with micron-sized porosity with the potential for high reliability under high temperature applications. We also investigated the effects of a large temperature cycling range on the reliability of direct bonded aluminum (DBA) substrate. DBA substrates with different metallization were thermally cycled between -55 C and 250 C. Unlike with the DBC substrate, no delamination of aluminum from the aluminum nitride ceramic base-plate was observed for the DBA substrates. However, aluminum surface became roughened during the thermal cycling test. It was believed that in the high-temperature regime, the significant amount of thermomechanical stress and grain-scale deformation would cause recrystallization and grain-boundary sliding in the aluminum layer, which would further lead to the observed increase in surface roughness. The influence of metallization over the aluminum surface on the extent of surface roughness was also characterized.
Sorting and convergence of primary olfactory axons are independent of the olfactory bulb

Primary olfactory axons expressing the same odorant receptor gene sort out and converge to fixed sites in the olfactory bulb. We examined the guidance of axons expressing the P2 odorant receptor when they were challenged with different cellular environments in vivo. In the mutant extratoes mouse, the olfactory bulb is lacking and is replaced by a fibrocellular mass. In these animals, primary olfactory axons form glomerular‐like loci despite the absence of normal postsynaptic targets. P2 axons are able to sort out from other axons in this fibrocellular mass and converge to form loci of like axons. The sites of these loci along mediolateral and ventrodorsal axes were highly variable. Similar convergence was observed for larger subpopulations of axons expressing the same cell surface carbohydrates. The sorting out and convergence of like axons also occurred during regeneration following bulbectomy. Olfactory axon behaviour in these models demonstrates that sorting and convergence of axons are independent of the target, which instead provides distinct topographic cues for guidance. J. Comp. Neurol. 464:131–140, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.