Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solution Structure and Function of the “Tandem Inactivation Domain” of the Neuronal A-type Potassium Channel Kv1.4* 210

Cumulative inactivation of voltage-gated (Kv) K+ channels shapes the presynaptic action potential and determines timing and strength of synaptic transmission. Kv1.4 channels exhibit rapid “ball-and-chain”-type inactivation gating. Different from all other Kvα subunits, Kv1.4 harbors two inactivation domains at its N terminus. Here we report the solution structure and function of this “tandem inactivation domain” using NMR spectroscopy and patch clamp recordings. Inactivation domain 1 (ID1, residues 1–38) consists of a flexible N terminus anchored at a 5-turn helix, whereas ID2 (residues 40–50) is a 2.5-turn helix made up of small hydrophobic amino acids. Functional analysis suggests that only ID1 may work as a pore-occluding ball domain, whereas ID2 most likely acts as a “docking domain” that attaches ID1 to the cytoplasmic face of the channel. Deletion of ID2 slows inactivation considerably and largely impairs cumulative inactivation. Together, the concerted action of ID1 and ID2 may promote rapid inactivation of Kv1.4 that is crucial for the channel function in short term plasticity.
An analysis of coordination in Multi-Robot Systems

Multi-Robot Systems (MRS) are, nowadays, an important research area within Robotics and Artificial Intelligence and a growing number of systems have been recently presented in the literature. In this paper we present an analysis of the most relevant works on MRS by specifically examining their cooperative aspects. In particular, we propose a new taxonomy for a fine and precise analysis of the recent works on MRS and we describe some approaches which we consider representative in our taxonomy. We finally discuss the outcome of our analysis and try to highlight future trends of the research on MRS.
An Empirical Algorithm for Power Analysis in Deep Submicron Electronic Designs

An empirical algorithm applied to logic level power analysis in deep submicron VLSI designs is introduced in the paper. The method explores a static analysis strategy using unit functions to represent signal transitions. It can be extended to the use of a Register Transfer Level (RTL) power analysis after RTL codes are translated to Boolean equations. A new method for representing state-dependent power models is also introduced in the paper to reduce the complexity of power modeling and to improve the performance of power analysis. The modeling method supports not only the empirical power analysis, but also general simulation-based power analysis methods.
Ensemble Clustering Approaches Applied in Group-based Collaborative Filtering Supported by Multiple Users' Feedback

In this article, we extend our previous work based on group collaborative filtering to improve the quality of groups generated through clustering algorithms with different types of feedback. On the Web, users can interact with content in different ways, such as clicking, commenting or rating and recommender systems should be able to process and use all available information. A pre-processing step using ensemble clustering can be used to combine all this information to create a stronger recommender. In this work, we propose the use of two ensemble clustering approaches to consider different types of feedback and to improve the quality of the recommendations. Experimental results on two different datasets demonstrate that with our approaches the recommendation accuracy is significantly improved compared to well-known recommender algorithms and with our previous work.
Suspended nano scale QD-OLED on Si substrate

We report a fabrication method of nanoscale quantum-dot (QD) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) structure suspended on a monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) sheet on nano-hole-patterned SiO2/Si substrate. In our proposed OLED, the junction area is defined by a non-lithographically patterned oxide layer on Si substrate. We utilized self-organized gold nanoparticles to create nanoscale etch windows in alumina thin-film that is used as a dry etching mask. Previously, we demonstrated a carrier injection mechanism originating from the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) system available at the SiO2/Si interface [1]. The electron injection, as well as the resulting luminescence, is found to occur predominantly at the junction's periphery, not area, resulting in a low turn-on voltage (∼1–2 V). An efficient way to increase total device perimeter is to reduce the junction diameter. In this report, we demonstrated a cost-effective non-lithographic method to fabricate nanoscale OLEDs with a dense distribution that increases total device perimeter without requiring extra substrate area. In the later part we also suspended the OLED on nano-holes with a monolayer h-BN sheet to suppress area injection while utilizing the low-voltage carrier injection through the device periphery.
Role of Wnt inhibitory factor‐1 and Wnt/wingless signaling in choroid plexus tumors

Little is known on pathways involved in the pathogenesis of choroid plexus tumors (CPTs). The finding of overexpression of Wnt inhibitory factor‐1 (Wif‐1) prompted us to investigate the functional role of Wif‐1 as well as nuclear accumulation of beta‐catenin in CPT. In Z310 neoplastic choroid plexus epithelial cells, silencing of Wif1 expression increased proliferative activity not associated with increased canonical Wnt signaling. Nuclear beta‐catenin accumulation was also lacking in a series of 16 CPT. In conclusion, our data show that Wif‐1 inhibits proliferation of neoplastic choroid plexus epithelial cells, but argue against a role of canonical Wnt/wingless signaling in CPT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:1152–1155. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
User Data , Market Power and Innovation in Online Markets : Evidence from the Mobile App Industry ∗

We study how developers’ access to user data mediates the relationship between market power and product innovation in the mobile app industry. Developers with market power might more easily access user data through active data collection, which might imply less user privacy. Better access to user data might then facilitate more successful product innovations. Our empirical evidence is based on data on nearly 2 million apps from Google’s Play Store which we obtained quarterly in 2015 and 2016. We augment these data with information on apps’ privacy-intrusiveness (from PrivacyGrade.org), and on app-specific innovation activity and usage of code libraries (from AppBrain.com). First results suggest both a positive relationship between (1) market power and data access and (2) between data access and innovation. JEL Classification: D12, D22, L15, L86
Effect of the Herbicide Glyphosate on the Culturable Fraction of Glyphosate-tolerant Maize Rhizobacterial Communities Using Two Different Growth Media

A comparison was drawn between the effect of glyphosate (Roundup Plus), a post-emergence applied herbicide, and Harness GTZ, a pre-emergence applied herbicide, on the culturable fraction of the rhizobacterial communities of genetically modified NK603 glyphosate-tolerant maize. Two different non-selective rich media were used to grow fast-growing culturable bacteria, BHI and NB, as a more accurate estimation of the soil fast-growing culturable bacterial population would be obtained from the results of cultivating in more than one medium. The potential effect was monitored by direct amplification, cloning and sequencing of bacterial DNA encoding 16S rRNA, and high-throughput DNA pyrosequencing of the bacterial DNA coding for the 16S rRNA hypervariable V6 region from bacterial communities grown in the two different media. The estimated relative composition of the culturable maize rhizobacterial population varied considerably in accordance with the growth medium used. Both herbicides do, in fact, affect the maize rhizobacterial communities, glyphosate being, to a great extent, the less aggressive herbicide, regardless of the cultivation medium used. The pyrosequencing analysis of the fast-growing bacterial populations from the different soils represents a useful and invaluable tool to estimate the bacterial biodiversity of the culturable rhizobacteria of agricultural soils.
A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method to measure stable isotopic tracer enrichments of glycerol and glucose in human serum.

Stable isotopes are commonly used as tracers for the measurement of glycerol and glucose kinetics in metabolic studies. Traditionally, the analysis of these isotopes has been performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, which requires that the analytes first be derivatized. The derivatization process adds considerable complexity to the method. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) can measure many metabolites directly with limited sample preparation. We present a novel analytical method for the measurement of [1,1,2,3,3-(2)H(5)]glycerol (d(5)-glycerol) and [6,6-(2)H(2)]glucose (d(2)-glucose) isotopic tracer enrichments in human serum in a single run by LCMS. After a simple extraction step, the sample is separated isocratically by HPLC, and the isotopes are measured using positive electrospray ionization with selected ion monitoring of the sodium-adduct ions. The method is linear over a wide range of d(2)-glucose and d(5)-glycerol enrichments. The within-day standard deviation of measurement of serum samples was 0.05 mole% excess (MPE) for d(2)-glucose and 0.25 MPE for d(5)-glycerol. The variation of tracer enrichment among days was about double that measured within 1 day.
Evaluation of Hyponatremia among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Sudan

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality in clinical practice and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Decreased serum sodium levels are occasionally observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) due to numerous underlying pathogenesis mechanisms especially among patients with poorly controlled Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Therefore this cross sectional study designed to assess sodium level among T2DM in Sudan, who were over 5 years since got diagnosed with T2DM. Increased levels of glucose, HbA1c and decreased sodium level observed among uncontrolled T2DM than who were on control. As many studies results, in this one hypernatremia accompanied with T2DM.
Delay fault modelling/simulation using VHDL-AMS in multi-Vdd systems

With the growing density of very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, traditional digital fault simulation is no longer a viable option. This is because of analogue-like behaviour in digital circuits. The need for fast fault simulation is one of the main requirements in test pattern generation. The trade off between accurate simulations at transistor level, as in SPICE and fast simulation at gate level using a Hardware Descriptive Language (HDL) can be achieved by using behavioural modelling languages such as VHDL-AMS. In this paper, we have demonstrated that behavioural fault simulation for resistive faults can produce fast and accurate results.
Increases in Neuronal Bursting Recorded From the Chick Lobus Parolfactorius After Training Are Both Time‐dependent and Memory‐specific

Day‐old‐chicks can be trained in one trial to avoid a methylanthranilate‐coated bead (methyl‐chicks). The lobus parolfactorius of the chick forebrain is an important structure for memory of this avoidance response. To examine training‐induced electrophysiological changes in this structure, spontaneous neuronal bursting activity was measured from the lobus parolfactorius of anaesthetized, day‐old methyl‐ and water‐chicks (the latter chicks trained to peck at a water‐coated bead) over the period 1 – 10 h post‐test. Bursting was significantly higher in methyl‐chicks over this period. This post‐test increase was time‐dependent: bursting in methyl‐chicks was significantly higher only during the period 4–7 h post‐test. In a second experiment, methyl‐chicks were subjected to brief, subconvulsive electroshock 5 min post‐training. When tested 1 h later about half of these chicks showed recall (avoided the bead) and half were amnesic (pecked the bead). These chicks were anaesthetized and bursting was recorded from the lobus parolfactorius. Chicks that showed recall exhibited a significantly higher level of bursting over the period 1 – 10 h post‐test when compared to chicks that were amnesic. The time course of bursting was similar to that seen in non‐electroshocked methyl‐chicks. These results suggest that passive avoidance training induces a memory‐specific, time‐dependent increase in neuronal activity within the lobus parolfactorius of day‐old chicks. This increase may be directly associated with long‐term consolidation of memory for the task.
Estrogen rapidly modulates 5-hydroxytrytophan-induced visceral hypersensitivity via GPR30 in rats.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Sex hormones have been reported to modulate visceral hypersensitivity (VH). Estrogen regulates neurons not only by binding to estrogen receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta) to initiate transcription but also via the G-protein coupled receptor GPR30, which binds and rapidly mediates actions of estrogen. We examined the role of sex hormones in a VH model without colonic inflammation. METHODS 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) was injected subcutaneously into awake female rats to induce VH; the 5HT3 antagonist (granisetron) or saline (control) were injected 30 minutes later. Immunohistochemistry was used to quantify calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive (CGRP-IR) neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). 5HTP-induced VH was evaluated in ovariectomized rats injected with 17beta-estradiol, progesterone, or both. ER alpha/beta agonist, GPR30 agonist, ER antagonist (ICI-182,780) or GPR30 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide were given to 5HTP-primed, estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats. RESULTS Rats given 5HTP had increased VH that was inhibited by granisetron, accompanied by a decrease in CGRP-IR in the DRG. Ovariectomy eliminated 5HTP-induced VH, whereas estrogen and the combination of estrogen and progesterone, but not progesterone alone, restored the VH. The GPR30 agonist, but not the ERbeta agonist, rapidly restored VH. VH was preserved by coadministration of ICI-182,780 and estrogen but was absent after administration of the GPR30 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. GPR30 colocalized with 5HT3 in DRG neurons; no significant inflammation occurred in colonic mucosa. CONCLUSIONS In the absence of mucosal inflammation, estrogen can rapidly modulate 5HTP-induced VH. Loss of gonad hormones suppresses VH, whereas estrogen replacement restores it. Estrogen-mediated VH appears to act through GPR30.
Frequency Chirped SASE FEL

We present a statistical analysis of the temporal and spectral properties of SASE radiation from an energy-chirped electron beam passing through a long undulator. It is found that the coherence time is independent of the chirp, while the range of spectral coherence is linearly proportional to it. We consider the use of a monochromator to pick out a small temporal slice of the radiation output. For the filtered radiation pulse, we determine the pulse duration, the number of modes and the energy fluctuation. We apply our analysis to schemes proposed to generate short x-ray pulses at the LCLS [Linac Coherent Light Source].
Robot localization from minimalist inertial data using a Hidden Markov Model

Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) are applied to interoceptive data (in this case the sense of rotation by way of a gyroscope) acquired by a moving wheeled robot when contouring an indoor environment. We demonstrate the soundness of HMMs to solve the problem of robot localization in a topological model of the environment, particularly the kidnapped robot problem and position tracking. In this approach, the environment topology is described by the sequence of movements a robot executes when contouring the environment. Movements are described in a fuzzy domain using distance traveled and curvature as features.
Prolonged university outbreak of meningococcal disease associated with a serogroup B strain rarely seen in the United States.

BACKGROUND College students living in residential halls are at increased risk of meningococcal disease. Unlike that for serogroups prevented by quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines, public health response to outbreaks of serogroup B meningococcal disease is limited by lack of a US licensed vaccine. METHODS In March 2010, we investigated a prolonged outbreak of serogroup B disease associated with a university. In addition to case ascertainment, molecular typing of isolates was performed to characterize the outbreak. We conducted a matched case-control study to examine risk factors for serogroup B disease. Five controls per case, matched by college year, were randomly selected. Participants completed a risk factor questionnaire. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS Between January 2008 and November 2010, we identified 13 meningococcal disease cases (7 confirmed, 4 probable, and 2 suspected) involving 10 university students and 3 university-linked persons. One student died. Ten cases were determined to be serogroup B. Isolates from 6 confirmed cases had an indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pattern and belonged to sequence type 269, clonal complex 269. Factors significantly associated with disease were Greek society membership (matched odds ratio [mOR], 15.0; P = .03), >1 kissing partner (mOR, 13.66; P = .03), and attending bars (mOR, 8.06; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS The outbreak was associated with a novel serogroup B strain (CC269) and risk factors were indicative of increased social mixing. Control measures were appropriate but limited by lack of vaccine. Understanding serogroup B transmission in college and other settings will help inform use of serogroup B vaccines currently under consideration for licensure.
An unusual case of disseminated intravascular coagulation

Abstract The use of cardiac pacemakers is increasing worldwide. Infective endocarditis from a pacemaker lead is a rare, but one of the most severe complications of pacemaker insertion. The diagnosis of pacemaker-related infective endocarditis is usually delayed due to unspecific clinical signs and symptoms at presentation compared to native valve infective endocarditis. Several factors can increase the risk of cardiac pacemaker-related infective endocarditis including cachexia, malignancy, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression and corticosteroid treatment. This case report is about a 70-year-old diabetic male who presented to the emergency department with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), cardiac and liver failure. He was diagnosed with pacemaker infective endocarditis, which was ultimately fatal.
Physically-based active-passive modelling and retrieval for SMAP soil moisture inversion algorithm

The NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission is designed to produce high-resolution (9 km) global mapping of surface soil moisture based on L-band radar and radiometer measurements. The multi-scale measurements are combined using time-series of active passive microwave data to retrieve the statistical regression parameters (α, β) from successive overpasses. In this study, we introduce a physically-based forward model as well as data-based retrieval of the β-parameter. The forward model stems from analyses of the scattering and loss terms occurring during bare and vegetated soil scattering/emission and allows a physically-based modelling of the β-parameter. This provides possibilities to analyze the different influences of soil roughness as well as vegetation structure and moisture on the β-parameter under different environmental conditions. In addition, a physically-based retrieval of β from one active-passive SMAP acquisition couple is proposed, circumventing lengthy time-series regressions. The key operation enabling a single-pass retrieval of the β-parameter is the vegetation correction of the backscatter signal. This can be achieved by use of the measured cross-polarized backscatter signal together with an appropriate polarimetric vegetation volume model.
Molecular-scale structural and functional characterization of sparsely tethered bilayer lipid membranes

Surface-tethered biomimetic bilayer membranes (tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs)) were formed on gold surfaces from phospholipids and a synthetic 1-thiahexa(ethylene oxide) lipid, WC14. They were characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, neutron reflection (NR), and Fourier-transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (FT-IRRAS) to obtain functional and structural information. The authors found that electrically insulating membranes (conductance and capacitance as low as 1 μS cm−2 and 0.6 μF cm−2, respectively) with high surface coverage (>95% completion of the outer leaflet) can be formed from a range of lipids in a simple two-step process that consists of the formation of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and bilayer completion by “rapid solvent exchange. ” NR provided a molecularly resolved characterization of the interface architecture and, in particular, the constitution of the space between the tBLM and the solid support. In tBLMs based on SAMs of pure WC14, the hexa(ethylene oxide) tether region had low hydration even though FT-IRRAS showed that this region is structurally disordered. However, on mixed SAMs made from the coadsorption of WC14 with a short-chain “backfiller,” ß-mercaptoethanol, the submembrane spaces between the tBLM and the substrates contained up to 60% exchangeable solvent by volume, as judged from NR and contrast variation of the solvent. Complete and stable “sparsely tethered” BLMs (stBLMs) can be readily prepared from SAMs chemisorbed from solutions with low WC14 proportions. Phospholipids with unsaturated or saturated, straight or branched chains all formed qualitatively similar stBLMs.
A 2.4-GHz/5-GHz Low Power Pulse Swallow Counter in 0.18-μm CMOS Technology

This paper presents the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integer-N pulse-swallow counter for 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz 802.11 WLAN applications with 1.8V power supply. The pulse-swallow counter is designed with a TSMC 0. 18μm CMOS 1P6M technology process. The pulse-swallow counter consists of a prescaler, a programmable counter, and a swallow counter. In pulse-swallow counter, we use divide-by-2/3 prescaler and a proposed programmable counter to work in higher frequency in order to reduce power consumption. We complete the design of pulse-swallow counter for 2.4-GHz (seven channels) and the 5-GHz (four channels) application. The average power consumption of pulse-swallow counter is 2.6 mW and 3.275 mW for 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz WLAN application respectively
Fault tolerant algorithms for broadcasting on the star graph network

Fault tolerant algorithms are presented for broadcasting on the star graph. In our algorithm fault tolerance is achieved by constructing an isomorphism of the network such that the faulty nodes minimally disrupt the message passing sequence. It is shown that in the presence of r (1/spl les/r/spl les/k-2) faults at most r extra steps are required by our algorithm to perform a one-to-all broadcasting in the L-star network. Our algorithm has the same time complexity as an optimal algorithm.
Trade Costs , CO 2 , and the Environment

This paper quantifies how international trade affects CO2 emissions and analyzes the welfare consequences of regulating the CO2 emissions from shipping. To this end the paper describes a model of trade and the environment, compiles new data on the CO2 emissions from shipping, and estimates key parameters using panel data regressions. Results show that the benefits of international trade exceed trade’s environmental costs due to CO2 emissions by two orders of magnitude. While proposed regional carbon taxes on the CO2 emissions from shipping would increase global welfare and increase the implementing region’s GDP, they would also harm poor countries. JEL Codes: F18, F64, H23, Q56