Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HCN2 channels in the ventral tegmental area regulate behavioral responses to chronic stress

Dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are powerful regulators of depression-related behavior. Dopamine neuron activity is altered in chronic stress-based models of depression, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that mice subject to chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMS) exhibit anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, which was associated with decreased VTA dopamine neuron firing in vivo and ex vivo. Dopamine neuron firing is governed by voltage-gated ion channels, in particular hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels. Following CMS, HCN-mediated currents were decreased in nucleus accumbens-projecting VTA dopamine neurons. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated HCN2 knockdown in the VTA was sufficient to recapitulate CMS-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behavior in stress-naïve mice, whereas VTA HCN2 overexpression largely prevented CMS-induced behavioral deficits. Together, these results reveal a critical role for HCN2 in regulating VTA dopamine neuronal activity and depressive-related behaviors.
Impact of Topography and Tidal Height on ALOS PALSAR Polarimetric Measurements to Estimate Aboveground Biomass of Mangrove Forest in Indonesia

This study is focused on investigating the impact of topography and tidal height on ALOS PALSAR polarimetric measurements on HH and HV for estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) of mangrove forest in Indonesia. We used multitemporal ALOS PALSAR polarimetric measurement that covered mangrove zone in Banyuasin, Cilacap, and Teluk Bintuni and also collected tidal height data within the same acquisition date with multitemporal ALOS PALSAR polarimetric measurement. We analyzed the distribution of flooding and nonflooding areas based on tidal height and SRTM topography data, created three profiles as region of interest (ROI), and got characteristics of backscatter value on HH and HV with different tidal height. The result of this study showed backscatter of the open mangrove zones during high tide with HH value less than −20 dB and HV value less than −25 dB whereas during low tide it showed an HH value around −20 to −10 dB and HV value around −25 to −10 dB. Backscatter of the middle mangrove zones at Cilacap, with low and flat topography, showed a deviation of backscatter on HV value of 1.6 dB. Finally, the average AGB of mangrove forest in Indonesia was estimated based on ALOS PALSAR polarimetric measurements.
Post-radiation-induced soft breakdown conduction properties as a function of temperature

When a thin oxide is subjected to heavy ion irradiation, a large leakage current similar to the soft breakdown can be produced. In this work, we have studied the radiation soft breakdown (RSB) after 257 MeV Ag and I irradiation by using a quantum point contact (QPC) model, which also applies to hard and soft breakdown produced by electrical stresses. We have also studied the temperature dependence of RSB current from 98 K up to room temperature, and found that the gate current after irradiation is strongly reduced by decreasing temperature. It is shown that this behavior can be attributed to a temperature dependence of the carriers supplied from the cathode rather than to a temperature-induced modification of the size and/or shape of the oxide RSB paths.
Inter-Cluster Thread-to-Core Mapping and DVFS on Heterogeneous Multi-Cores

Heterogeneous multi-core platforms that contain different types of cores, organized as clusters, are emerging, e.g., ARM’s big.LITTLE architecture. These platforms often need to deal with multiple applications, having different performance requirements, executing concurrently. This leads to the generation of varying and mixed workloads (e.g., compute and memory intensive) due to resource sharing. Run-time management is required for adapting to such performance requirements and workload variabilities and to achieve energy efficiency. Moreover, the management becomes challenging when the applications are multi-threaded and the heterogeneity needs to be exploited. The existing run-time management approaches do not efficiently exploit cores situated in different clusters simultaneously (referred to as inter-cluster exploitation) and DVFS potential of cores, which is the aim of this paper. Such exploitation might help to satisfy the performance requirement while achieving energy savings at the same time. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a run-time management approach that first selects thread-to-core mapping based on the performance requirements and resource availability. Then, it applies online adaptation by adjusting the voltage-frequency (V-f) levels to achieve energy optimization, without trading-off application performance. For thread-to-core mapping, offline profiled results are used, which contain performance and energy characteristics of applications when executed on the heterogeneous platform by using different types of cores in various possible combinations. For an application, thread-to-core mapping process defines the number of used cores and their type, which are situated in different clusters. The online adaptation process classifies the inherent workload characteristics of concurrently executing applications, incurring a lower overhead than existing learning-based approaches as demonstrated in this paper. The classification of workload is performed using the metric Memory Reads Per Instruction (MRPI). The adaptation process pro-actively selects an appropriate V-f pair for a predicted workload. Subsequently, it monitors the workload prediction error and performance loss, quantified by instructions per second (IPS), and adjusts the chosen V-f to compensate. We validate the proposed run-time management approach on a hardware platform, the Odroid-XU3, with various combinations of multi-threaded applications from PARSEC and SPLASH benchmarks. Results show an average improvement in energy efficiency up to 33 percent compared to existing approaches while meeting the performance requirements.
Extension of the Contour Integral Method for the modeling of TE scattering in two-dimensional photonic structures using the duality principle

The Contour Integral Method (CIM) is a numerically efficient modeling technique for planar or infinitely extended two-dimensional (2-D) structures. In the optical regime, the CIM has already been adapted and applied for the modeling of TM<sub>0</sub><sup>z</sup>-mode scattering in photonic crystals. In this work the dual case of TE<sub>0</sub><sup>z</sup>-mode scattering is addressed. Making use of the duality principle, expressions for the behavior of the TE<sub>0</sub><sup>z</sup>-mode can be derived from the system matrices associated with the TE<sub>0</sub><sup>z</sup>-mode. This allows to reuse use formulas and program code written for the TE<sub>0</sub><sup>z</sup>-mode with minimal adjustments. The results are validated by comparison to full-wave simulations.
Liposomes composed of unsaturated lipids for membrane modification of human erythrocytes

Abstract Previous studies have shown that certain saturated lipids protect red blood cells (RBCs) during hypothermic storage but provide little protection during freezing or freeze-drying, whereas various unsaturated lipids destabilize RBCs during hypothermic storage but protect during freezing and freeze-drying. The protective effect of liposomes has been attributed to membrane modifications. We have previously shown that cholesterol exchange and lipid transfer between liposomes composed of saturated lipids and RBCs critically depends on the length of the lipid acyl chains. In this study the effect of unsaturated lipids with differences in their number of unsaturated bonds (18:0/18:1, 18:1/18:1, 18:2/18:2) on RBC membrane properties has been studied. RBCs were incubated in the presence of liposomes and both the liposomal and RBC fraction were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) after incubation. The liposomes caused an increase in RBC membrane conformational disorder at suprazero temperatures. The fluidizing effect of the liposomes on the RBC membranes, however, was found to be similar for the different lipids irrespective of their unsaturation level. The gel to liquid crystalline phase transition temperature of the liposomes increased after incubation with RBCs. RBC membrane fluidity increased linearly during the first 8 hours of incubation in the presence of liposomes. The increase in RBC membrane fluidity was found to be temperature dependent and displayed Arrhenius behaviour between 20 and 40°C, with an activation energy of 88 kJ mol-1. Taken together, liposomes composed of unsaturated lipids increase RBC membrane conformational disorder, which could explain their cryoprotective action.
New features of the INCL model for spallation reactions

The recent developments of the Liège intranuclear cascade model INCL are reviewed. The INCL4.6 version of this model was able when coupled with the ABLA07 de-excitation code, to describe rather well a huge set of experimental data in an incident energy range spanning between 200 MeV and 3 GeV, as it has been testified by an intercomparison of spallation codes organized by the IAEA. Since that time, the model has been implemented in several nuclear particle transport codes. Therefore, the possible applications of INCL have been enlarged to focus on diverse fields, and in the recent years, the model has been further developed to be applicable to these new issues and also to cope with remaining deficiencies. The new features include: i) a sophisticated dynamical model for light cluster emission (up to O ions), ii) the accommodation of light nuclei as projectiles, iii) a new procedure to take account of the fuzziness of the Fermi surface, and iv) an extension of the model to higher energy. The aim of this contribution is to present for the first time and to discuss the physics of the added features, and to give a hint about the performances of the new model.
Extremely Early Computed Tomography Signs in Hyperacute Ischemic Stroke as a Predictor of Parenchymal Hematoma

Background: In acute ischemic stroke, thrombolysis with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator is more effective when given within 90 min of onset compared to that given later than 90 min. However, the significance of early CT signs (ECTs) during such early periods has not yet been fully clarified. We investigated the usefulness of ECTs within 90 min for predicting parenchymal hematoma (PH) in patients without thrombolysis. Methods: We evaluated 212 consecutive patients with initial ischemic stroke in the anterior cerebral circulation who underwent the first CT within 6 h of onset. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the interval from onset to CT: within 90 min (group A, n = 90), 91–180 min (group B, n = 76) and 181–360 min (group C, n = 46). Patients who had received thrombolytic therapy were excluded. ECTs were evaluated according to the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). The relationships between ECTs and the subsequent development of PH were compared among the groups. Results: In patients with ASPECTS values between 0 and 7, PH was developed more frequently in group A (35%) than in groups B (14%) or C (15%) (group A vs. B: p = 0.036, group A vs. C: p = 0.094). In group A, atrial fibrillation, elevated pretreatment blood pressure and ASPECTS ≤7 were independent predictors of PH. Conclusions: The manifestation of ECTs as represented by ASPECTS ≤7 within 90 min after stroke appears to indicate a high risk of PH.
Rethinking the Tragedy of the Commons: The Integration of Socio-Psychological Dispositions

In current research there is increasing evidence on why and how common-pool resources are successfully, i.e. sustainably, managed without the force of (often unsuccessful) top-level policy regulations. G. Hardin argued in 1968 in his Tragedy of the Commons (Hardin 1968) that commons must become depleted if users are free to choose extraction and resource use levels. In this study, we propose that socio-psychological factors can explain the success of resource use of a common without any top-level regulations. We exemplify this behavior by a spatio-temporally dynamic agent-based model of the Tragedy of the Commons using behavioral game theory and Nash equilibria calculation. By providing a spatio-temporal representation of Hardin's dilemma, the model could verify his argument in a temporal way if socio-psychological influence is disregarded, and indicated that under its influence the common can be sustained. We illustrated how dispositions such as cooperativeness, positive reciprocity, fairness towards others, and risk aversion broadly can support sustainable use, while negative reciprocity, fairness towards oneself, and conformity can inhibit it. Though, we also showed that it would be dangerous to generalize this kind of behavior, as changes in one of these dispositions can result in opposite system behavior, in dependence on the other dispositions. Due to this general capacity to account for such complex behavior that real common-pool system usually exhibit, and its ability to model intermediate equilibria, the proposed modelling approach, i.e. combining game-theory solution concepts with agent-based modelling, may be worth an assessment of its capacity to model empirical phenomena.
Some Notes on the Physiology of Speech Production

Three different topics in speech research are discussed from the point of view of the physiology of the speech production mechanism. Concerning the problem of the laryngeal adjustments for the voicing distinction, fairly clear physiological evidence has been obtained about the abduction-adduction dimension of the glottis, while the tenseness feature of the vocal folds is still to be examined. Detailed analysis of the articulatory movements in syllable repetition is considered to be a promising approach for the study of articulatory dynamics in both normal and pathological cases. Neurophysiological studies of the cerebro-cerebellar communication system as a control mechanism of skilled voluntary movements should be referred to in the study of motor control of speech production.
The efficacy of various pyrethroid insecticides for use on odour‐baited targets to control tsetse

The efficacy of various pyrethroid insecticides for use on odour‐baited targets to control tsetse was compared in Zimbabwe. Formulations were applied to cotton cloth and polyester net and, at various intervals, the materials were bio‐assayed by exposing fed female Glossina pallidipes (Austen) (Diptera: Glossinidae) to cloth for 45 s or by inducing them to collide briefly with net. Trial formulations were compared with deltamethrin suspension concentrate (s.c.), the insecticide currently used in tsetse control operations in Zimbabwe. Applying 0.8% suspension of alphacypermethrin to cloth or net produced high mortalities for 9 months which was similar in performance to 0.4% suspension of deltamethrin s.c. Deltamethrin s.c. and β‐cyfluthrin s.c. applied to cloth as 0.1% suspensions were equally effective, producing high mortalities for 2 months during the wet season, and 0.8% suspension of β‐cyfluthrin was effective for 12 months. Suspensions of 0.1% lambdacyhalothrin capsule suspension or 0.1% lambdacyhalothrin wettable powder were significantly less effective than 0.1% deltamethrin s.c. Chemical analyses showed that increasing the concentration of insecticide applied to material increased the initial amount of insecticide on the material and decreased the subsequent rate of loss; 0.1% suspension of β‐cyfluthrin s.c. applied to cloth produced an initial concentration of ≈ 280 mg/m2 which declined by 94% in 12 months whereas 0.8% suspension showed no significant decrease in concentration (mean = 1304 mg/m2) over the same period. For controlling tsetse by means of pyrethroid‐treated targets, it is suggested that β‐cyfluthrin s.c. is as effective as deltamethrin s.c. but that alphacypermethrin s.c. should be used at twice the concentration of deltamethrin s.c. to obtain the same performance.
Does knee osteoarthritis differentially modulate proprioceptive acuity in the frontal and sagittal planes of the knee?

OBJECTIVE Impaired proprioception may alter joint loading and contribute to the progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Although frontal plane loading at the knee contributes to OA, proprioception and its modulation with OA in this direction have not been examined. The aim of this study was to assess knee proprioceptive acuity in the frontal and sagittal planes in patients with knee OA and healthy subjects. We hypothesized that proprioceptive acuity in both planes of movement will be decreased in patients with OA. METHODS The study group comprised 13 patients with knee OA and 14 healthy age-matched subjects. Proprioceptive acuity was assessed in varus, valgus, flexion, and extension using threshold to detection of passive movement (TDPM) tests. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess differences in TDPM values between the 2 groups and across movement directions. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the correlation of the TDPM between and within planes of movement. RESULTS The TDPM was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the group with knee OA compared with the control group for all directions tested, indicating reduced proprioceptive acuity. Differences in the TDPM between groups were consistent across all movement directions, with mean differences as follows: for valgus, 0.94° (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.20-1.65°); for varus, 0.92° (95% CI 0.18-1.68°); for extension, 0.93° (95% CI 0.19-1.66°); for flexion, 1.11° (95% CI 0.38-1.85°). The TDPM measures across planes of movement were only weakly correlated, especially in the group with knee OA. CONCLUSION Consistent differences in the TDPM between the group of patients with knee OA and the control group across all movement directions suggest a global, not direction-specific, reduction in sensation in patients with knee OA.
A Quantitative Molecular Model for Modulation of Mammalian Translation by the eIF4E-binding Protein 1*

Translation initiation is a key point of regulation in eukaryotic gene expression. 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) inhibit initiation by blocking the association of eIF4E with eIF4G, two integral components of the mRNA cap-binding complex. Phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 reduces its ability to bind to eIF4E and thereby to compete with eIF4G. A novel combination of biophysical and biochemical tools was used to measure the impact of phosphorylation and acidic side chain substitution at each potentially modulatory site in 4E-BP1. For each individual site, we have analyzed the effects of modification on eIF4E binding using affinity chromatography and surface plasmon resonance analysis, and on the regulatory function of the 4E-BP1 protein using a yeast in vivo model system and a mammalian in vitro translation assay. We find that modifications at the two sites immediately flanking the eIF4E-binding domain, Thr46 and Ser65, consistently have the most significant effects, and that phosphorylation of Ser65 causes the greatest reduction in binding affinity. These results establish a quantitative framework that should contribute to understanding of the molecular interactions underlying 4E-BP1-mediated translational regulation.
Social-norms interventions for light and nondrinking students

Social-norms approaches to alcohol prevention are based on consistent findings that most students overestimate the prevalence of drinking among their peers. Most interventions have been developed for heavy-drinking students, and the applicability of social-norms approaches among abstaining or light-drinking students has yet to be evaluated. The present research aimed to evaluate the impact of two types of online social-norms interventions developed for abstaining or light-drinking students. Identification with other students was evaluated as a moderator. Participants included 423 freshmen and sophomore college students who reported never or rarely drinking at screening. Students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (a) personalized-norms feedback, (b) social-norms marketing ads, or (c) attention control. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Results provided some support for both interventions but were stronger for social-norms marketing ads, particularly among participants who identified more closely with other students.
Predictive display of virtual beam for space teleoperation

Time delay reduced significantly the ability of teleoperation. This problem becomes especially serious in case of earth-to-space teleoperation, when the time delay is large. To overcome the problem, a predictive display technique has been proposed for non-contact tasks. However, the effectiveness of this technique has not been verified sufficiently. In this paper we propose a teleoperation system with time delay, based on the predictive display of a virtual beam, as well as on the concept of optimal approach velocity. The experimental results show that a peg-in-hole task, which includes a contact task, is realized very effectively by our method in spite of the long time delay. These results have been verified from various viewpoints such as task completion time, deviation of the task completion time, contact force, command, and integration of contact force and command.
A consensus approach for synthesizing the elements of comparison matrix in the Analytic Hierarchy Process

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has been widely utilized to solve multicriteria decision-making problems in synthesizing conflict opinions. Normally, AHP uses the geometric averaging approach to synthesize preference weights determined by decision-makers. This approach has been criticized by many researches since synthesis weight may not reach a consensus. To make the synthesis acceptable to all decision-makers, the study proposes a computer-aided approach to achieve a compromise for all the elements in the comparison matrix while implementing AHP. Accordingly, decision-makers can conveniently exchange trustful information, which is generated by the embedded genetic algorithm, sensitivity analysis and similarity measure of the judgements done by decision-makers. Consequently, the consensus of all the elements in the comparison matrix can be obtained through such an innovative approach to resolve the disparity of judgements within decisionmakers.
The replication factory targeting sequence/PCNA‐binding site is required in G1 to control the phosphorylation status of DNA ligase I

The recruitment of DNA ligase I to replication foci in S phase depends on a replication factory targeting sequence that also mediates the interaction with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in vitro. By exploiting a monoclonal antibody directed at a phospho‐epitope, we demonstrate that Ser66 of DNA ligase I, which is part of a strong CKII consensus site, is phosphorylated in a cell cycle‐dependent manner. After dephosphorylation in early G1, the level of Ser66 phosphorylation is minimal in G1, increases progressively in S and peaks in G2/M phase. The analysis of epitope‐tagged DNA ligase I mutants demonstrates that dephosphorylation of Ser66 requires both the nuclear localization and the PCNA‐binding site of the enzyme. Finally, we show that DNA ligase I and PCNA interact in vivo in G1 and S phase but not in G2/M. We propose that dephosphorylation of Ser66 is part of a novel control mechanism to establish the pre‐replicative form of DNA ligase I.