Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuregulin-Dependent Regulation of Fast-Spiking Interneuron Excitability Controls the Timing of the Critical Period

Maturation of excitatory drive onto fast-spiking interneurons (FS INs) in the visual cortex has been implicated in the control of the timing of the critical period for ocular dominance plasticity. However, the mechanisms that regulate the strength of these synapses over cortical development are not understood. Here we use a mouse model to show that neuregulin (NRG) and the receptor tyrosine kinase erbB4 regulate the timing of the critical period. NRG1 enhanced the strength of excitatory synapses onto FS INs, which inhibited ocular dominance plasticity during the critical period but rescued plasticity in transgenics with hypoexcitable FS INs. Blocking the effects of endogenous neuregulin via inhibition of erbBs rescued ocular dominance plasticity in postcritical period adults, allowing recovery from amblyopia induced by chronic monocular deprivation. Thus, the strength of excitation onto FS INs is a key determinant of critical period plasticity and is maintained at high levels by NRG–erbB4 signaling to constrain plasticity in adulthood. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Despite decades of experimentation, the mechanisms by which critical periods of enhanced synaptic plasticity are initiated and terminated are not completely understood. Here we show that neuregulin (NRG) and the receptor tyrosine kinase erbB4 determine critical period timing by controlling the strength of excitatory synapses onto FS INs. NRG1 enhanced excitatory drive onto fast spiking interneurons, which inhibited ocular dominance plasticity in juveniles but rescued plasticity in transgenics with hypoexcitable FS INs. Blocking the effects of endogenous neuregulin via inhibition of erbBs rescued ocular dominance plasticity in adults, allowing recovery from amblyopia induced by chronic monocular deprivation. Thus, in contrast to prevailing views of the termination of the critical period, active maintenance of strong excitation onto FS INs constrains plasticity in adults.
Robust vision-based detection and grasping object for manipulator using SIFT keypoint detector

The ability for a manipulator to detect and grasp an object accurately and fast is very important. Vision-based manipulator using stereo vision is proposed in this paper in order able to detect and grasp an object in a good manner. We propose a framework, fast algorithm for object detection using SIFT(Scale Invariant Features Transform) keypoint detector and FLANN (Fast Library for Approximate Nearest Neighbor) based matcher. Stereo vision is used in order the system knows the position (pose estimation) of the object. Bayesian filtering implemented in order to reduce noise from camera and robust tracking. Experimental result presented and we analyze the result.
Endogenous retinoids in the zebrafish embryo and adult

Retinoic acid and its isoforms are considered to be endogenous compounds which regulate embryonic development. In the work reported here we have determined which retinoids are present in zebrafish embryos and how their levels change throughout development and into adulthood. All‐trans‐RA is present and its level does not change significantly during embryogenesis. We failed to detect other retinoic acid isomers such as 9‐cis‐RA and 4‐oxo‐RA, but we did observe a rapid rise in the level of didehydroretinol after gastrulation. The most striking result is that the zebrafish embryo, like Xenopus and tunicates, contains a vast excess of t‐retinal whereas the embryos of higher vertebrates have an excess of t‐retinol. However, as the zebrafish grows, the levels of t‐retinol rise so that by adulthood t‐retinol and t‐retinal concentrations are more equivalent, indicating a changing pattern of retinoid metabolism with growth. To examine the significance of the use of t‐retinal as a precursor of t‐RA we treated embryos with disulphiram, an inhibitor of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase. This resulted in embryos with an undulating notochord and correspondingly abnormal somites and ventral floor plate. In contrast to this effect, 4‐methylpyrazole, which inhibits alcohol dehydrogenases, had no effect on development. This effect of disulphiram suggests that t‐RA may be involved in the establishment of the anteroposterior axis of the embryo. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is There a Business Case for Magnet Hospitals? Estimates of the Cost and Revenue Implications of Becoming a Magnet

Background:Although Magnet hospitals (MHs) are known for their better nursing care environments, little is known about whether MHs achieve this at a higher (lower) cost of health care or whether a superior nursing environment yields higher net patient revenue versus non-MHs over an extended period of time. Objective:To examine how achieving Magnet status is related to subsequent inpatient costs and revenues controlling for other hospital characteristics. Data and Methods:Data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, Hospital Cost Reporting Information System reports collected by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and Magnet status of hospitals from American Nurses Credentialing Center from 1998 to 2006 were combined and used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics, propensity score matching, fixed-effect, and instrumental variable methods were used to analyze the data. Results:Regression analyses revealed that MH status is positively and significantly associated with both inpatient costs and net inpatient revenues for both urban hospitals and all hospitals. MH status was associated with an increase of 2.46% in the inpatient costs and 3.89% in net inpatient revenue for all hospitals, and 2.1% and 3.2% for urban hospitals. Conclusions:Although it is costly for hospitals to attain Magnet status, the cost of becoming a MH may be offset by higher net inpatient income. On average, MHs receive an adjusted net increase in inpatient income of $104.22–$127.05 per discharge after becoming a Magnet which translates to an additional $1,229,770–$1,263,926 in income per year.
The cost-effectiveness of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in HIV-infected children in Zambia

Objective:To assess the cost-effectiveness of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in HIV-infected children in Zambia, as implementation at the local health centre level has yet to be undertaken in many resource-limited countries despite recommendations in recent updated World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Design:A probabilistic decision analytical model of HIV/AIDS progression in children based on the CD4 cell percentage (CD4%) was populated with data from the placebo-controlled Children with HIV Antibiotic Prophylaxis trial that had reported a 43% reduction in mortality with cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in HIV-infected children aged 1–14 years. Methods:Unit costs (US$ in 2006) were measured at University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka. Cost-effectiveness expressed as cost per life-year saved, cost per quality adjusted life-year (QALY) saved, cost per disability adjusted life-year (DALY) averted was calculated across a number of different scenarios at tertiary and primary healthcare centres. Results:Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis was associated with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of US$72 per life-year saved, US$94 per QALY saved and US$53 per DALY averted, i.e. substantially less than a cost-effectiveness threshold of US$1019 per outcome (gross domestic product per capita, Zambia 2006). ICERs of US$5 or less per outcome demonstrate that cotrimoxazole prophylaxis is even more cost-effective at the local healthcare level. The intervention remained cost-effective in all sensitivity analyses including routine haematological and CD4% monitoring, varying starting age, AIDS status, cotrimoxazole formulation, efficacy duration and discount rates. Conclusion:Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in HIV-infected children is an inexpensive low technology intervention that is highly cost-effective in Zambia, strongly supporting the adoption of WHO guidelines into essential healthcare packages in low-income countries.
Ketamine Decreases Intracranial Pressure and Electroencephalographic Activity in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients during Propofol Sedation

Background: The potential adverse effects of ketamine in neurosurgical anesthesia have been well established and involve increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral blood flow. However, reexamination of ketamine is warranted because data regarding the effects of ketamine on cerebral hemodynamics are conflicting. Methods: Eight patients with traumatic brain injury were studied. In all patients, ICP monitoring was instituted before the study. Control of ICP (less than 25 mmHg), hemodynamic values, and blood gas tension (partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood between 35–38 mmHg) was obtained with propofol infusion (3 mg [center dot] kg sup ‐1 [center dot] h sup ‐1) and mechanical ventilation. The effects of three doses of ketamine, 1.5, 3, and 5 mg/ kg, respectively, on ICP, cerebral perfusion pressure, jugular vein bulb oxygen saturation, middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity, and electric activity of the brain (EEG) were measured. The three doses were administered intravenously at 6‐h intervals over 30 s through a central venous line. Systemic and cerebral hemodynamics and end‐tidal carbon dioxide were continuously monitored and recorded at 1‐min intervals throughout the 30‐min study periods. Results: Ketamine, in all three doses studied (1.5, 3, and 5 mg/kg) was associated with a significant decrease in ICP (mean +/‐ SD: 2 +/‐ 0.5 mmHg [P < 0.05], 4 +/‐ 1 mmHg [P < 0.05], and 5 +/‐ 2 mmHg [P < 0.05]) among the study patients regardless of the ketamine dose used. There were no significant differences in cerebral perfusion pressure, jugular vein bulb oxygen saturation, and middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity. Ketamine induced a low‐amplitude fast‐activity electroencephalogram, with marked depression, such as burst suppression. Conclusions: These results suggest that ketamine may not adversely alter cerebral hemodynamics of mechanically ventilated head‐trauma patients sedated with propofol. These encouraging results should be confirmed in larger groups of similar patients.
Genetic diversity and population structure in wild stands of cacao trees (Theobroma cacao L.) in French Guiana

The native cacao trees (Theobroma cacao L.) in south-eastern French Guiana represent a noteworthy fraction of the genetic diversity of this species. Several scientific surveys have led to the collection of numerous accessions, which provides an opportunity for investigating the pattern of genetic diversity in natural populations. Using a capillary electrophoresis genotyping system, we fingerprinted 189 wild trees in 18 natural populations. Based on the 15 loci SSR profiles, we analyzed the intra- and inter-population variation and their relationship with control clones. The global allelic richness was 4.87 alleles per locus, but was 2.4 on average within individual populations; gene diversity was 0.368 and observed heterozygosity was low (0.160). Major structuring was discovered in the metapopulation of French Guianan wild cacao trees (Fst = 0.20), which could be explained by the biological characteristics of the cacao tree and the climatic events that affected the Guianan forests in the Quaternary period. RésuméLes cacaoyers spontanés (Theobroma cacao L.) du sud-est de la Guyane française représentent une part notable de la diversité génétique de l’espèce. Plusieurs prospections ont permis la collection de nombreuses accessions, permettant l’étude de la structuration de la diversité dans les populations naturelles. Cent quatre-vingt-neuf cacaoyers spontanés, issus de 18 populations, ont été génotypes grâce à un séquenceur capillaire. Les profils obtenus avec 15 marqueurs SSR ont permis d’analyser les variations intra et inter populations, et leurs relations avec des clones témoins. La richesse allélique globale est de 4,87 allèles par locus, mais de 2,4 en moyenne dans les populations; la diversité génique est de 0,368 et l’hétérozygotie observée est faible (0,160). Une importante structuration existe dans la metapopulation de cacaoyers spontanés Guyanais, avec un Fst de 0,20, qui pourrait s’expliquer par les caractéristiques biologiques du cacaoyer et les événements climatiques ayant affecté les forêts guyanaises au Quaternaire.
Human Chromosome 2 Carries a Gene Required for Production of Infectious Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) replicates only in certain primate cells. In murine cells expressing cyclin T1, a posttranscriptional block exists such that small amounts of capsid and little infectious virus are released. This block is relieved in part by fusion with human cells. Here we have tested a panel of mouse-human somatic cell hybrids for production of infectious virus. Only those containing human chromosome 2 were permissive, which correlated with capsid production. The effect was specific to HIV in that release of murine leukemia virus was minimally affected by the presence of chromosome 2. Although expression of Vpu markedly increased capsid production in the absence of chromosome 2, it did not result in a corresponding increase in infectious HIV. The presence of chromosome 2 did not have consistent effects on the amount of unspliced viral RNA, whereas the amount of cell-associated Gag p55 was increased a fewfold. These results suggest that processing of HIV Gag can be corrected by one or more genes present on human chromosome 2 to allow production of infectious HIV from murine cells.
Sexual Behavior Patterns and PrEP Dosing Preferences in a Large Sample of North American Men Who Have Sex With Men

Introduction:Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), taken as a single daily coformulated pill containing tenofovir -emtricitabine, is a promising intervention to reduce the likelihood of HIV acquisition in at-risk individuals, including men who have sex with men. Little is known about the acceptability of less than daily, intermittent PrEP regimens. Methods:We conducted an online survey of North American men who have sex with men to characterize their sexual frequency and planning behaviors and correlate these with PrEP dosing preferences. Results:Of the 3217 respondents who completed the survey, 46% reported engaging in unplanned condomless anal intercourse (CAI) at least once in previous 3 months and 8% reported engaging in CAI more than once per week. In multivariable analysis, reporting unplanned CAI was associated with lower educational level, identifying as homosexual/gay as compared with bisexual, being in a monogamous relationship, having a higher self-perceived risk of HIV acquisition, reporting higher income, engaging in CAI more than five times in the last 3 months, and not having visited a health care provider in the previous year. Frequent CAI (>1 time per week) was associated with being younger, identifying as homosexual/gay as compared with bisexual, being in a monogamous relationship, and having a higher self-perceived risk of HIV. Having only planned sex over the last 3 months was associated with a preference for event-based PrEP, whereas having frequent or unplanned CAI was associated with a preference for daily or time-driven PrEP regimens, respectively. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that preferences for different PrEP regimens are associated with the sexual frequency and planning behaviors of potential users.
The influence of intravenous magnesium sulphate on the occurrence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery by-pass operation.

To examine the influence of magnesium (Mg) on hypomagnesaemia and atrial fibrillation (AF) following coronary artery by-pass surgery, 140 consecutive patients were randomized to receive 70 mmol of magnesium sulphate intravenously (n = 69) or placebo (n = 71). Serum magnesium concentrations fell to 0.77 +/- 0.10 mmol.l-1 in the control group but rose to 1.09 +/- 0.17 mmol.l-1 in the Mg group (P < 0.001). The incidence of AF was 29% in the Mg group and 26% in the placebo group (NS). The AF patients were older, more of them had had prior AF episodes, their sinus rates (SR) were slower (78 +/- 10 vs 86 +/- 12 beats.min-1; P < 0.01) and serum Mg concentrations higher (0.89 +/- 0.21 vs 0.80 +/- 0.11 mmol.l-1; P < 0.05). The incidence of AF was 43% in the highest quartile of serum Mg and 23% among the rest (P = 0.056). In patients experiencing AF during the first three post-operative days, serum Mg concentrations were higher and SR slower on each day compared with non-AF patients. SR increased post-operatively less with high Mg levels (P = 0.044). In the Mg group, serum Mg and SR were the only independent predictors of AF. In conclusion, the incidence of post-operative AF is not decreased with magnesium. High Mg levels are likely to provoke AF probably by mechanisms that modify SR.
Small-intestinal factors promote encystation of Giardia lamblia in vitro

Bile salts and fatty acids stimulated differentiation of cultured Giardia lamblia trophozoites into water-resistant cysts at the slightly alkaline pH of the small intestinal lumen. Maximum encystation occurred at pH 7.8. Thus, specific small-intestinal factors may influence encystation in vivo as well as in vitro.
Programming reality: from transitive materials to organic user interfaces

Over the past few years, a quiet revolution has been redefining our fundamental computing technologies. Flexible E-Ink, OLED displays, shape-changing materials, parametric design, e-textiles, sensor networks, and intelligent interfaces promise to spawn entirely new user experiences that will redefine our relationship with technology. This workshop invites researchers and practitioners to imagine and debate this future, exploring two converging themes. Transitive Materials focuses on how emerging materials and computationally-driven behaviors can operate in unison blurring the boundaries between form and function, human body and environment, structures and membranes. Organic User Interfaces (OUI) explores future interactive designs and applications as these materials become commonplace.
Physical Components Modeling in Quantum Key Distribution Towards Security Analysis

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), based on fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, plays an irreplaceable role in national defense, financial and government affairs. Security analysis of QKD system is of great importance. However, existing studies on modeling QKD system are theory analysis based. In this paper, we propose a Simulation System of Physical Components (SSPC) in QKD system which modeling the three key modules: single photon source, quantum channel and single photon detector. Its parameters of the physical components are configurable. Therefore, solution can be deployed in different QKD physical systems.
Natural 7DoF input for 3D navigation

As newer technology allows easier collection and display of increasingly complex 3D data, the need for more user-friendly interfaces to navigate and interact with such data grows. At the same time, there has been a jump in the capabilities and availability of natural interaction hardware. Anticipating the convergence of these two trends, this paper argues from interaction axioms to derive AeroSpace - our interaction technique for 7DoF spatial navigation that elegantly ties together the principles of direct, simultaneous and bimanual interaction into a small set of implementation requirements. We then show how we implemented these requirements with a simple glove design and our current software prototype built around NASA's World Wind SDK.
Purification and some properties of streptococcal protein G, a novel IgG-binding reagent.

Protein G, a bacterial cell wall protein with affinity for immunoglobulin G (IgG), has been isolated from a human group G streptococcal strain (G148). Bacterial surface proteins were solubilized by enzymatic digestion with papain. Protein G was isolated by sequential use of ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, gel filtration on Sephadex G-100, and affinity chromatography on Sepharose 4B-coupled IgG. The presence of protein G in various pools and fractions during the isolation was followed by their ability to inhibit the binding of radio-labeled IgG to G148 bacteria. A highly purified protein G was obtained. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, the apparent m.w. was 30,000, and on agarose gel electrophoresis the purified protein gave rise to a single band in the alpha 1-region. Protein G was found to bind all human IgG subclasses and also rabbit, mouse, and goat IgG. On the IgG molecule, the Fc part appears mainly responsible for the interaction with protein G, although a low degree interaction was also recorded for Fab fragments. IgM, IgA, and IgD, however, showed no binding to protein G. This novel IgG-binding reagent promises to be of theoretical and practical interest in immunologic research.
Fast Lyric Area Extraction from Images of Printed Korean Music Scores

In recent years, optical music recognition (OMR) has been extensively developed, particularly for use with mobile devices that require fast processing to recognize and play live the notes in images captured from sheet music. However, most techniques that have been developed thus far have focused on playing back instrumental music and have ignored the importance of lyric extraction, which is time consuming and affects the accuracy of the OMR tools. The text of the lyrics adds complexity to the page layout, particularly when lyrics touch or overlap musical symbols, in which case it is very difficult to separate them from each other. In addition, the distortion that appears in captured musical images makes the lyric lines curved or skewed, making the lyric extraction problem more complicated. This paper proposes a new approach in which lyrics are detected and extracted quickly and effectively. First, in order to resolve the distortion problem, the image is undistorted by a method using information of stave lines and bar lines. Then, through the use of a frequency count method and heuristic rules based on projection, the lyric areas are extracted, the cases where symbols touch the lyrics are resolved, and most of the information from the musical notation is kept even when the lyrics and music notes are overlapping. Our algorithm demonstrated a short processing time and remarkable accuracy on two test datasets of images of printed Korean musical scores: the first set included three hundred scanned musical images; the second set had two hundred musical images that were captured by a digital camera. key words: lyric detection, lyric extraction, lyric area, optical music recognition
An Isolated Pure Dislocation of Fifth Carpometacarpal Joint: Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction: Isolated pure dislocation of the fifth carpometacarpal (CMC) joint is a very rare injury and classified depending on displacement of the metacarpal base. This rare injury is often difficult to recognize and is liable to be overlooked. The purpose of this case report is to present a patient with an isolated dislocation of the fifth CMC joint that was satisfactorily treated with closed reduction and ulnar gutter pop slab. Case Report: A 21-year-old male presented with severe pain on the right carpus following a fall with injury to right hand. There was a mild swelling at fifth CMC joint region and a bony prominence was felt dorsally, little finger presented an abduction deformity, and there was apparent shortening of the fifth ray. A diagnosis of isolated dislocation of fifth CMC dislocation was made based on radiographs. Immediate closed reduction was done in emergency room by applying longitudinal traction and direct pressure on metacarpal base dorsally, reduction was stable and confirmed by postreduction radiographs. Conclusion: Isolated pure dislocation of the fifth CMC joint is very rare injury and is prone to be missed in emergency room and particular attention should be made to diagnose it in polytrauma patients.