Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of hypohydration on gastric emptying and intestinal absorption during exercise.

Dehydration and hyperthermia may impair gastric emptying (GE) during exercise; the effect of these alterations on intestinal water flux (WF) is unknown. Thus the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hypohydration ( approximately 2.7% body weight) on GE and WF of a water placebo (WP) during cycling exercise (85 min, 65% maximal oxygen uptake) in a cool environment (22 degrees C) and to also compare GE and WF of three carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions (CES) while the subjects were hypohydrated. GE and WF were determined simultaneously by a nasogastric tube placed in the gastric antrum and via a multilumen tube that spanned the duodenum and the first 25 cm of jejunum. Hypohydration was attained 12-16 h before experiments by low-intensity exercise in a hot (45 degrees C), humid (relative humidity 50%) environment. Seven healthy subjects (age 26.7 +/- 1.7 yr, maximal oxygen uptake 55.9 +/- 8.2 ml . kg-1 . min-1) ingested either WP or a 6% (330 mosmol), 8% (400 mosmol), or a 9% (590 mosmol) CES the morning following hypohydration. For comparison, subjects ingested WP after a euhydration protocol. Solutions ( approximately 2.0 liters total) were ingested as a large bolus (4.6 ml/kg body wt) 5 min before exercise and as small serial feedings (2.3 ml/kg body wt) every 10 min of exercise. Average GE rates were not different among conditions (P > 0.05). Mean (+/-SE) values for WF were also similar (P > 0.05) for the euhydration (15.3 +/- 1.7 ml . cm-1 . h-1) and hypohydration (18.3 +/- 2.6 ml . cm-1 . h-1) experiments. During exercise after hypohydration, water absorption was greater (P < 0.05) with ingestion of WP (18.3 +/- 2. 6) and the 6% CES (16.5 +/- 3.7), compared with the 8% CES (6.9 +/- 1.5) and the 9% CES (1.8 +/- 1.7). Mean values for final core temperature (38.6 +/- 0.1 degrees C), heart rate (152 +/- 1 beats/min), and change in plasma volume (-5.7 +/- 0.7%) were similar among experimental trials. We conclude that 1) hypohydration to approximately 3% body weight does not impair GE or fluid absorption during moderate exercise when ingesting WP, and 2) hyperosmolality (>400 mosmol) reduced WF in the proximal intestine.
E-Shaped Microstrip Antenna on Rogers Substrate for WLAN Applications

This paper presents wideband E shaped MSA for high speed WLANs operating in the 5-6 GHz range. By using the slotted edge and changing the position of the probe bandwidth equal to 14.90% is achieved. The antenna is fed by coaxial probe feeding technique. The designed antenna operates in the WLAN frequency band i.e. 5.15 GHz -- 5.35 GHz and 5.725 GHz -- 5.825 GHz which is suitable for a tourist or traveler who is travelling in different parts of the world to gain access to different WLAN specification as the transceiver containing the designed antenna will cover the frequency range from 5.15 GHz to 5.825 GHz. The antenna is designed on the rogers substrate and simulated on the Zeland IE3D software.
Delivery of Human EV71 Receptors by Adeno-Associated Virus Increases EV71 Infection-Induced Local Inflammation in Adult Mice

Enterovirus71 (EV71) is now recognized as an emerging neurotropic virus in Asia and one major causative agent of hand-foot-mouth diseases (HFMD). However potential animal models for vaccine development are limited to young mice. In this study, we used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to introduce the human EV71 receptors P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (hPSGL1) or a scavenger receptor class-B member-2 (hSCARB2) into adult ICR mice to change their susceptibility to EV71 infection. Mice were administered AAV-hSCARB2 or AAV-hPSGL1 through intravenous and oral routes. After three weeks, expression of human SCARB2 and PSGL1 was detected in various organs. After infection with EV71, we found that the EV71 viral load in AAV-hSCARB2- or AAV-hPSGL1-transduced mice was higher than that of the control mice in both the brain and intestines. The presence of EV71 viral particles in tissues was confirmed using immunohistochemistry analysis. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines were induced in the brain and intestines of AAV-hSCARB2- or AAV-hPSGL1-transduced mice after EV71 infection but not in wild-type mice. However, neurological disease was not observed in these animals. Taken together, we successfully infected adult mice with live EV71 and induced local inflammation using an AAV delivery system.
Finite horizon H∞ control for a class of linear quantum systems: A dynamic game approach

In this paper, the finite horizon H∞ control problem is solved for a class of linear quantum systems using a dynamic game approach. The methodology adopted involves an equivalence between the quantum problem and an auxiliary classical stochastic problem. Then, by solving the finite horizon H∞ control problem for the equivalent stochastic problem using results from a corresponding deterministic problem following a dynamic game approach, the finite horizon H∞ control problem for the class of linear quantum systems under consideration is solved.
Genome-Wide Signatures of Transcription Factor Activity: Connecting Transcription Factors, Disease, and Small Molecules

Identifying transcription factors (TF) involved in producing a genome-wide transcriptional profile is an essential step in building mechanistic model that can explain observed gene expression data. We developed a statistical framework for constructing genome-wide signatures of TF activity, and for using such signatures in the analysis of gene expression data produced by complex transcriptional regulatory programs. Our framework integrates ChIP-seq data and appropriately matched gene expression profiles to identify True REGulatory (TREG) TF-gene interactions. It provides genome-wide quantification of the likelihood of regulatory TF-gene interaction that can be used to either identify regulated genes, or as genome-wide signature of TF activity. To effectively use ChIP-seq data, we introduce a novel statistical model that integrates information from all binding “peaks” within 2 Mb window around a gene's transcription start site (TSS), and provides gene-level binding scores and probabilities of regulatory interaction. In the second step we integrate these binding scores and regulatory probabilities with gene expression data to assess the likelihood of True REGulatory (TREG) TF-gene interactions. We demonstrate the advantages of TREG framework in identifying genes regulated by two TFs with widely different distribution of functional binding events (ERα and E2f1). We also show that TREG signatures of TF activity vastly improve our ability to detect involvement of ERα in producing complex diseases-related transcriptional profiles. Through a large study of disease-related transcriptional signatures and transcriptional signatures of drug activity, we demonstrate that increase in statistical power associated with the use of TREG signatures makes the crucial difference in identifying key targets for treatment, and drugs to use for treatment. All methods are implemented in an open-source R package treg. The package also contains all data used in the analysis including 494 TREG binding profiles based on ENCODE ChIP-seq data. The treg package can be downloaded at http://GenomicsPortals.org.
Angle closure glaucoma detection using fractal dimension index on SS-OCT images

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high resolution, rapid and non-invasive screening tool for angle closure glaucoma. In this paper, we propose a new strategy for automatic and landmark invariant quantification of the anterior chamber angle of the eye using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) images. Seven hundred and eight swept source optical coherence tomography SS-OCT images from 148 patients with average age of (59.48 ± 8.97) were analyzed in this study. The angle structure is measured by fractal dimension (FD) analysis to quantify the complexity or changes of angle recess. We evaluated the FD index with biometric parameters for classification of open angle and angle closure glaucoma. The proposed fractal dimension index gives a better representation of the angle configuration for capturing the nature of the angle dynamics involved in different forms of open and closed angle glaucoma (average FD (standard deviation): 1.944 (0.045) for open and 1.894 (0.043) for closed angle). It showed that the proposed approach has promising potential to become a computer aided diagnostic tool for angle closure glaucoma (ACG) disease.
Dysphagia Secondary to Anterior Osteophytes of the Cervical Spine

Study Design Retrospective case series. Objective Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) or Forestier disease involves hyperostosis of the spinal column. Hyperostosis involving the anterior margin of the cervical vertebrae can cause dysphonia, dyspnea, and/or dysphagia. However, the natural history pertaining to the risk factors remain unknown. We present the surgical management of two cases of dysphagia secondary to cervical hyperostosis and discuss the etiology and management of DISH based on the literature review. Methods This is a retrospective review of two patients with DISH and anterior cervical osteophytes. We reviewed the preoperative and postoperative images and clinical history. Results Two patients underwent anterior cervical osteophytectomies due to severe dysphagia. At more than a year follow-up, both patients noted improvement in swallowing as well as their associated pain. Conclusion The surgical removal of cervical osteophytes can be highly successful in treating dysphagia if refractory to prolonged conservative therapy.
Solution Intercalation and Relaxation Properties of Maleated Polypropylene/Organoclay Nanocomposites

In this work we report the investigation of the dynamics of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PPgMA) and PPgMA-based nanocomposites by means of dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). After characterization of neat PPgMA, we study the effect of organically modified silicate filler on the dynamics of PPgMA with dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Our results suggest that the β-relaxation process, corresponding to the glass transition of PPgMA, is affected by the clay loading. The glass-transition temperature of PPgMA increases in a composition with filler content of 30 wt. %, probably because of polymer-filler interactions, which reduces the polymer chain mobility. In the nanocomposite materials a separate high temperature process due to Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) polarization was observed with dielectric relaxation spectroscopy.
Clinical Validation of Computer-Assisted Navigation in Total Hip Arthroplasty

A CT-based navigation system is helpful to evaluate the reamer shaft and the impactor position/orientation during unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). The main objective of this study is to determine the accuracy of the Navitrack system by measuring the implant's true anteversion and inclination, based on pre- and postoperative CT scans (n = 9 patients). The secondary objective is to evaluate the clinical validity of measurements based on postop anteroposterior (AP) radiographs for determining the cup orientation. Postop CT-scan reconstructions and postop planar radiographs showed no significant differences in orientation compared to peroperative angles, suggesting a clinical validity of the system. Postoperative AP radiographs normally used in clinic are acceptable to determine the cup orientation, and small angular errors may originate from the patient position on the table.
Do patients with schizophrenia attribute mental states in a referential communication task?

Introduction. Many studies have reported that individuals with schizophrenia (SZ) may have impaired social cognition, resulting in communication disorders and theory of mind (ToM) impairments. However, the classical tasks used to assess impaired ToM ability are too complex. The aim of this study was to assess ToM ability using both a classical task and a referential communication task that reproduces a ‘‘natural’’ conversation situation. Methods. Thirty-one participants with schizophrenia and 29 matched healthy participants were tested individually on a referential communication task and on a standard ToM task. Results and Conclusion. The main results showed that SZ participants had difficulties using reference markers and attributing mental states in both ToM tasks. Contrary to healthy participants, they exhibited a tendency to ineffectively mark the information they used (indefinite articles for old information and/or definite articles for new information) and had problems using information they shared with the experimenter.
Ground-state statistics from annealing algorithms: quantum versus classical approaches

We study the performance of quantum annealing for systems with ground-state degeneracy by directly solving the Schrödinger equation for small systems and quantum Monte Carlo simulations for larger systems. The results indicate that naive quantum annealing using a transverse field may not be well suited to identify all degenerate ground-state configurations, although the value of the ground-state energy is often efficiently estimated. An introduction of quantum transitions to all states with equal weights is shown to greatly improve the situation, but with a sacrifice in annealing time. We also clarify the relation between the spin configurations in degenerate ground states and the probabilities that those states are obtained by quantum annealing. The strengths and weaknesses of quantum annealing for problems with degenerate ground states are discussed in comparison with classical simulated annealing.
Integrated Genomic and Proteomic Analyses of Gene Expression in Mammalian Cells*S

Using DNA microarrays together with quantitative proteomic techniques (ICAT reagents, two-dimensional DIGE, and MS), we evaluated the correlation of mRNA and protein levels in two hematopoietic cell lines representing distinct stages of myeloid differentiation, as well as in the livers of mice treated for different periods of time with three different peroxisome proliferative activated receptor agonists. We observe that the differential expression of mRNA (up or down) can capture at most 40% of the variation of protein expression. Although the overall pattern of protein expression is similar to that of mRNA expression, the incongruent expression between mRNAs and proteins emphasize the importance of posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms in cellular development or perturbation that can be unveiled only through integrated analyses of both proteins and mRNAs.
Functional Probes for Scanning Probe Microscopy

Functional probes for scanning probe microscopy (SPM) were fabricated with focused ion beam (FIB) method. Metal-tip cantilevers were fabricated for Kelvin probe force microscopy (KFM) and glass-coated tungsten tips were fabricated for scanning tunneling microscopy under irradiation of synchrotron-radiation light (SR-STM). Here we report the fabrication process and the characterization of those functional probes.
Peroneal Nerve Palsy: Evaluation and Management

Peroneal nerve palsy is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the lower extremity. Numerous etiologies have been identified; however, compression remains the most common cause. Although injury to the nerve may occur anywhere along its course from the sciatic origin to the terminal branches in the foot and ankle, the most common site of compressive pathology is at the level of the fibular head. The most common presentation is acute complete or partial foot drop. Associated numbness in the foot or leg may be present, as well. Neurodiagnostic studies may be helpful for identifying the site of a lesion and determining the appropriate treatment and prognosis. Management varies based on the etiology or site of compression. Many patients benefit from nonsurgical measures, including activity modification, bracing, physical therapy, and medication. Surgical decompression should be considered for refractory cases and those with compressive masses, acute lacerations, or severe conduction changes. Results of surgical decompression are typically favorable. Tendon and nerve transfers can be used in the setting of failed decompression or for patients with a poor prognosis for nerve recovery.
Time-Varying Multiproduct Hedge Ratio Estimation in the Soybean Complex: A Simplified Approach

In developing optimal hedge ratios for the soybean processing margin, many authors have illustrated the importance of considering the interactions between the cash and futures prices for soybeans, soybean oil, and soybean meal. Conditional as well as time-varying hedge ratios have been examined, but in the case of multiproduct time-varying hedge ratios, the difficulty in estimation has been found to often outweigh any improvement in hedging effectiveness. This research examines the hedging effectiveness of the Risk Metrics procedure for estimating a time-varying covariance matrix for developing optimal hedge ratios for the soybean processing margin. The Risk Metrics method allows for a time-varying covariance matrix while being considerably easier to implement than multivariate GARCH (MGARCH) procedures. The Risk Metrics procedure has been advocated for use in developing Value-at-Risk estimates. While it provided considerable out-of-sample improvement in hedging effectiveness relative to a constant correlation MGARCH procedure, the Risk Metrics method provided only minimal improvement over a naive (1-to-1) hedging strategy. However, this research does illustrate the potential for the Risk Metrics methodology as a viable alternative to MGARCH procedures in a multiproduct hedging context.
Incorporating Stock Index in a Support Vector Regression Model to Improve Short Term Load Forecasting Accuracy

Recently emerged Support Vector Regression (SVR) model which incorporated temperature and calendar factors as input variables performed well in short term load forecasting. However, lacking of enough economic information in the regression model leads to poor prediction accuracy in months affected by the worldwide economic slowdown effect during years 2008 and 2009. To overcome this problem and improve load forecasting accuracy to better account for this economic slowdown effect, this paper proposes a new SVR approach that further incorporates the Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index (TAIEX) as additional input variable to SVR model. The proposed SVR approach focuses on predicting island-wide hourly electricity load demand from year 2008 to 2009 in Taiwan. This paper also compares the results with conventional SVR approach, and reveals that the overall load forecasting accuracy, in the best condition, can be improved by 6.6% in average.
Graphical Authentication Based Techniques

The password techniques used in market are very insecure. The textual passwords which we normally use suffer with both security and usability problems. Therefore in this extended abstract, we have discussed different graphical password authentication systemssuch as Cued Click Points (CCP), a cued-recall graphical password technique and other techniques which uses sound signature for password authentication.Various techniques for password authentication have been discussed in details. Keywords-CCP; pass points;POI.
Computing the types of the relationships between autonomous systems

The problem of computing the types of the relationships between Internet autonomous systems is investigated. We refer to the model introduced in (ref.1), (ref.2) that bases the discovery of such relationships on the analysis of the AS paths extracted from the BGP routing tables. We characterize the time complexity of the above problem, showing both NP-completeness results and efficient algorithms for solving specific cases. Motivated by the hardness of the general problem, we propose heuristics based on a novel paradigm and show their effectiveness against publicly available data sets. The experiments put in evidence that our heuristics performs significantly better than state of the art heuristics.
The promise and pitfalls of systematic conservation planning

Systematic conservation planning continues to grow as a discipline, revealing both promise and pitfalls for conservation. The article by Kark et al. (1) in this issue of PNAS illustrates this promise, making a clear case for international coordination during conservation. However, it remains unclear how much faith conservationists should have in the utility of large-scale centralized planning exercises or the protected area strategy on which they are based.
Learning spatiotemporal T-junctions for occlusion detection

The goal of motion segmentation and layer extraction can be viewed as the detection and localization of occluding surfaces. A feature that has been shown to be a particularly strong indicator of occlusion, in both computer vision and neuroscience, is the T-junction; however, little progress has been made in T-junction detection. One reason for this is the difficulty in distinguishing false T-junctions (i.e. those not on an occluding edge) and real T-junctions in cluttered images. In addition to this, their photometric profile alone is not enough for reliable detection. This paper overcomes the first problem by searching for T-junctions not in space, but in space-time. This removes many false T-junctions and creates a simpler image structure to explore. The second problem is mitigated by learning the appearance of T-junctions in these spatiotemporal images. An RVM T-junction classifier is learnt from hand-labelled data using SIFT to capture its redundancy. This detector is then demonstrated in a novel occlusion detector that fuses Canny edges and T-junctions in the spatiotemporal domain to detect occluding edges in the spatial domain.
Sequencing and genomic annotation of the chicken (Gallus gallus) Hox clusters, and mapping of evolutionarily conserved regions

Hox genes encode transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of normal development and are mutated in some diseases and malformations. Chicken HOX genes have been extensively studied in the chick limb and other developmental models. To date while the chicken HOXA cluster has been completely sequenced many other chicken HOX genes are known only from partial mRNAs or unfinished genome assemblies. Furthermore, although a finished sequence of the HOXA cluster is available, the sequence has not yet been annotated. We have therefore manually annotated the available HOX sequences and improved the sequences by sequencing PCR fragments that bridge existing gaps in the genome sequences. These sequences complement the published sequences, including the currently incomplete WashUC Gallus_gallus-2.1 build, to give an improved coverage of the cluster. We used phylogenetic footprinting to map the genomic location of 398 Ultra Conserved Regions in the HOX complex 248 of which do not overlap with any known annotated coding exon. These included the hox-related microRNAs miR-10 and miR-196. The chicken HOX clusters appear to be broadly comparable to their human counterparts. A few human orthologues were not recovered from the chicken, presumably because of incomplete sequence.