Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of rogue ryanodine receptors on Ca2+ sparks in cardiac myocytes

Ca2+ sparks and Ca2+ quarks, arising from clustered and rogue ryanodine receptors (RyRs), are significant Ca2+ release events from the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (JSR). Based on the anomalous subdiffusion of Ca2+ in the cytoplasm, a mathematical model was developed to investigate the effects of rogue RyRs on Ca2+ sparks in cardiac myocytes. Ca2+ quarks and sparks from the stochastic opening of rogue and clustered RyRs are numerically reproduced and agree with experimental measurements. It is found that the stochastic opening Ca2+ release units (CRUs) of clustered RyRs are regulated by free Ca2+ concentration in the JSR lumen (i.e. [Ca2+]lumen). The frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ sparks is remarkably increased by the rogue RyRs opening at high [Ca2+]lumen, but not at low [Ca2+]lumen. Hence, the opening of rogue RyRs contributes to the formation of Ca2+ sparks at high [Ca2+]lumen. The interplay of Ca2+ sparks and Ca2+ quarks has been discussed in detail. This work is of significance to provide insight into understanding Ca2+ release mechanisms in cardiac myocytes.
Uncertainty Quantification for Hyperbolic Conservation Laws with Flux Coefficients Given by Spatiotemporal Random Fields

In this paper hyperbolic partial differential equations with random coefficients are discussed. We consider the challenging problem of flux functions with coefficients modeled by spatiotemporal random fields. Those fields are given by correlated Gaussian random fields in space and Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes in time. The resulting system of equations consists of a stochastic differential equation for each random parameter coupled to the hyperbolic conservation law. We define an appropriate solution concept in his setting and analyze errors and convergence of discretization methods. A novel discretization framework, based on Monte Carlo Finite Volume methods, is presented for the robust computation of moments of solutions to those random hyperbolic partial differential equations. We showcase the approach on two examples which appear in applications: The magnetic induction equation and linear acoustics, both with a spatiotemporal random background velocity field.
The glia of the adult Drosophila nervous system

Glia play crucial roles in the development and homeostasis of the nervous system. While the GLIA in the Drosophila embryo have been well characterized, their study in the adult nervous system has been limited. Here, we present a detailed description of the glia in the adult nervous system, based on the analysis of some 500 glial drivers we identified within a collection of synthetic GAL4 lines. We find that glia make up ∼10% of the cells in the nervous system and envelop all compartments of neurons (soma, dendrites, axons) as well as the nervous system as a whole. Our morphological analysis suggests a set of simple rules governing the morphogenesis of glia and their interactions with other cells. All glial subtypes minimize contact with their glial neighbors but maximize their contact with neurons and adapt their macromorphology and micromorphology to the neuronal entities they envelop. Finally, glial cells show no obvious spatial organization or registration with neuronal entities. Our detailed description of all glial subtypes and their regional specializations, together with the powerful genetic toolkit we provide, will facilitate the functional analysis of glia in the mature nervous system. GLIA 2017 GLIA 2017;65:606–638
Understanding and Improving Pressure Sensitive Paint based on luminescence decay

3 INTRODUCTION 5 MOTIVATION AND OBJECTIVES 5 METHODOLOGY 6 OUTLINE 6 CHAPTER 1 PSP MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE 9 1.1 PSP BASICS 9 1.2 INTENSITY SYSTEMS 9 1.3 DECAY SYSTEMS 10 1.4 PSP LIMITATION 11 CHAPTER 2 PHYSICS OF LUMINESCENCE DECAY 13 2.1 EXCITATION 13 2.2 PHOTON EMISSION 14 2.3 OXYGEN QUENCHING 15 2.3.1 States 15 2.3.2 Bonding orbits 15 2.3.3 Bleaching 16 2.4 DEACTIVATION 16 2.5 JABLONSKI DIAGRAM 16 2.6 TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCY 18 CHAPTER 3 MODELLING THE DECAY PROCESS 21 3.1 ASSUMPTIONS 21 3.2 SINGLE CONTRIBUTION 21 3.2.1 Decay rate vs Intensity 22 3.2.2 Temperature contribution 23 3.3 MULTI CONTRIBUTION 24 3.3.1 Two contribution case 25 3.3.2 Multi contribution case 26 3.4 MODEL PREDICTION 27 CHAPTER 4 TEST SET-UP 29 4.
Study of Nano-particles Based on the Improvement of Lubrication

Due to the unique performance of nanoparticle,great progress has been made on improvement of lubrication.Through the description of characteristic of nanoparticle,the performance testing in lubricating and all kinds of outcomes people have made,the development of nanoparticle based on the improvement of lubrication is described,and lubrication mechanism of nanoparticle is illustrated.Furthermore,the inadequacy of current development is pointed out.
Design and performance study of phase‐locked loop using fractional‐order loop filter

The present work reports the realization of an analog fractional‐order phase‐locked loop (FPLL) using a fractional capacitor. The expressions for bandwidth, capture range, and lock range of the FPLL have been derived analytically and then compared with the experimental observations using LM565 IC. It has been observed that bandwidth and capture range can be extended by using FPLL. It has also been found that FPLL can provide faster response and lower phase error at the time of switching compared to its integer‐order counterpart. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
36H: A Novel Potent Inhibitor for Antimelanogenesis

N-Hydroxycinnamoylphenalkylamides (36H) exhibited both antioxidation and antityrosinase abilities. The compound was studied for its antioxidative properties, using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazul- (DPPH-) scavenging test, a ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) assessment, and a metal-chelating power assay. The results showed that 36H had antioxidative capabilities in the DPPH-scavenging and ferric-reducing power examinations but the chelating power assay did not demonstrate antioxidative capability. 36H was also measured for tyrosinase inhibitory activity applying various species platforms, including in vitro mushroom, B16F10 mouse melanoma, and human melanocyte cells. In terms of in vitro mushroom tyrosinase suppression, 36H restrained the melanogenesis processes. It is assumed that 36H blocked the tyrosinase active site as a competitive inhibitor for mushroom tyrosinase, hence not decreasing the human normal melanocyte cellular viability. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot discovered that 36H downregulated melanogenesis-related RNA and proteins, including pigment production (MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2), melanosome maturation (Rab27a), and melanosome transportation (Myo5a, MLPH and Mreg). Overall, 36H displayed the biofunctions of antioxidation and melanin suppression, so there was a possibility for its application as a food additive or a skin-whitening agent.
α2* Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors influence hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in adolescent mice

The absence of α2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in oriens lacunosum moleculare (OLM) GABAergic interneurons ablate the facilitation of nicotine-induced hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation and impair memory. The current study delineated whether genetic mutations of α2* nAChRs (Chrna2L9′S/L9′S and Chrna2KO) influence hippocampus-dependent learning and memory and CA1 synaptic plasticity. We substituted a serine for a leucine (L9′S) in the α2 subunit (encoded by the Chrna2 gene) to make a hypersensitive nAChR. Using a dorsal hippocampus-dependent task of preexposure-dependent contextual fear conditioning, adolescent hypersensitive Chrna2L9′S/L9′S male mice exhibited impaired learning and memory. The deficit was rescued by low-dose nicotine exposure. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated that hypersensitive α2 nAChRs potentiate acetylcholine-induced ion channel flux in oocytes and acute nicotine-induced facilitation of dorsal/intermediate CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation in Chrna2L9′S/L9′S mice. Adolescent male mice null for the α2 nAChR subunit exhibited a baseline deficit in learning that was not reversed by an acute dose of nicotine. These effects were not influenced by locomotor, sensory or anxiety-related measures. Our results demonstrated that α2* nAChRs influenced hippocampus-dependent learning and memory, as well as nicotine-facilitated CA1 hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
JMIR mHealth and uHealth

Background: Cancer survivors are at an elevated risk for several negative health outcomes, but physical activity (PA) can decrease those risks. Unfortunately, adherence to PA recommendations among survivors is low. Fitness mobile apps have been shown to facilitate the adoption of PA in the general population, but there are limited apps specifically designed for cancer survivors. This population has unique needs and barriers to PA, and most existing PA apps do not address these issues. Moreover, incorporating user preferences has been identified as an important priority for technology-based PA interventions, but at present there is limited literature that serves to establish these preferences in cancer survivors. This is especially problematic given the high cost of app development and because the majority of downloaded apps fail to engage users over the long term. Objective: The aim of this study was to take a qualitative approach to provide practical insight regarding this population’s preferences for the features and messages of an app to increase PA. Methods: A total of 35 cancer survivors each attended 2 focus groups; a moderator presented slide shows on potential app features and messages and asked open-ended questions to elicit participant preferences. All sessions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Three reviewers independently conducted thematic content analysis on all transcripts, then organized and consolidated findings to identify salient themes. Results: Participants (mean age 63.7, SD 10.8, years) were mostly female (24/35, 69%) and mostly white (25/35, 71%). Participants generally had access to technology and were receptive to engaging with an app to increase PA. Themes identified included preferences for (1) a casual, concise, and positive tone, (2) tools for personal goal attainment, (3) a prescription for PA, and (4) an experience that is tailored to the user. Participants reported wanting extensive background data collection with low data entry burden and to have a trustworthy source translate their personal data into individualized PA recommendations. They expressed a desire for app functions that could facilitate goal achievement and articulated a preference for a more private social experience. Finally, results indicated that PA goals might be best established in the context of personally held priorities and values. Conclusions: Many of the desired features identified are compatible with both empirically supported methods of behavior change and the relative strengths of an app as a delivery vehicle for behavioral intervention. Participating cancer survivors’ JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2017 | vol. 5 | iss. 1 | e3 | p.2 http://mhealth.jmir. org/2017/1/e3/ (page number not for citation purposes) Robertson et al JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
Mechanisms underlying a thalamocortical transformation during active tactile sensation

During active somatosensation, neural signals expected from movement of the sensors are suppressed in the cortex, whereas information related to touch is enhanced. This tactile suppression underlies low-noise encoding of relevant tactile features and the brain’s ability to make fine tactile discriminations. Layer (L) 4 excitatory neurons in the barrel cortex, the major target of the somatosensory thalamus (VPM), respond to touch, but have low spike rates and low sensitivity to the movement of whiskers. Most neurons in VPM respond to touch and also show an increase in spike rate with whisker movement. Therefore, signals related to self-movement are suppressed in L4. Fast-spiking (FS) interneurons in L4 show similar dynamics to VPM neurons. Stimulation of halorhodopsin in FS interneurons causes a reduction in FS neuron activity and an increase in L4 excitatory neuron activity. This decrease of activity of L4 FS neurons contradicts the "paradoxical effect" predicted in networks stabilized by inhibition and in strongly-coupled networks. To explain these observations, we constructed a model of the L4 circuit, with connectivity constrained by in vitro measurements. The model explores the various synaptic conductance strengths for which L4 FS neurons actively suppress baseline and movement-related activity in layer 4 excitatory neurons. Feedforward inhibition, in concert with recurrent intracortical circuitry, produces tactile suppression. Synaptic delays in feedforward inhibition allow transmission of temporally brief volleys of activity associated with touch. Our model provides a mechanistic explanation of a behavior-related computation implemented by the thalamocortical circuit.
Two-dimensional photonic crystal optical waveguides and their application to optical devices

We analyze propagation characteristics of two-dimensional photonic crystal optical waveguides numerically. Here we evaluate two types of photonic crystal waveguides constructed by circular dielectric pillars in air and circular air-hole in dielectric material. First, we check the dispersion relation of the waveguides and confirm the performance of a single mode propagation in both types of photonic crystal waveguides. Next we calculate the transmission characteristics of an L-shaped bent waveguide with additional dielectric-pillars/air-holes at the corner region and show that reflected waves from the right-angle corner can be completely eliminated due to resonant tunneling.
Clinical targeted exome-based sequencing in combination with genome-wide copy number profiling: precision medicine analysis of 203 pediatric brain tumors

Background Clinical genomics platforms are needed to identify targetable alterations, but implementation of these technologies and best practices in routine clinical pediatric oncology practice are not yet well established. Methods Profile is an institution-wide prospective clinical research initiative that uses targeted sequencing to identify targetable alterations in tumors. OncoPanel, a multiplexed targeted exome-sequencing platform that includes 300 cancer-causing genes, was used to assess single nucleotide variants and rearrangements/indels. Alterations were annotated (Tiers 1-4) based on clinical significance, with Tier 1 alterations having well-established clinical utility. OncoCopy, a clinical genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) assay, was also performed to evaluate copy number alterations and better define rearrangement breakpoints. Results Cancer genomes of 203 pediatric brain tumors were profiled across histological subtypes, including 117 samples analyzed by OncoPanel, 146 by OncoCopy, and 60 tumors subjected to both methodologies. OncoPanel revealed clinically relevant alterations in 56% of patients (44 cancer mutations and 20 rearrangements), including BRAF alterations that directed the use of targeted inhibitors. Rearrangements in MYB-QKI, MYBL1, BRAF, and FGFR1 were also detected. Furthermore, while copy number profiles differed across histologies, the combined use of OncoPanel and OncoCopy identified subgroup-specific alterations in 89% (17/19) of medulloblastomas. Conclusion The combination of OncoPanel and OncoCopy multiplex genomic assays can identify critical diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment-relevant alterations and represents an effective precision medicine approach for clinical evaluation of pediatric brain tumors.
mHealth Interventions for Health System Strengthening in China: A Systematic Review

Background With rapidly expanding infrastructure in China, mobile technology has been deemed to have the potential to revolutionize health care delivery. There is particular promise for mobile health (mHealth) to positively influence health system reform and confront the new challenges of chronic diseases. Objective The aim of this study was to systematically review existing mHealth initiatives in China, characterize them, and examine the extent to which mHealth contributes toward the health system strengthening in China. Furthermore, we also aimed to identify gaps in mHealth development and evaluation. Methods We systematically reviewed the literature from English and Chinese electronic database and trial registries, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, China National Knowledge of Infrastructure (CNKI), and World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. We used the English keywords of mHealth, eHealth, telemedicine, telehealth, mobile phone, cell phone, text messaging, and China, as well as their corresponding Chinese keywords. All articles using mobile technology for health care management were included in the study. Results A total of 1704 articles were found using the search terms, and eventually 72 were included. Overall, few high quality interventions were identified. Most interventions were found to be insufficient in scope, and their evaluation was of inadequate rigor to generate scalable solutions and provide reliable evidence of effectiveness. Most interventions focused on text messaging for consumer education and behavior change. There were a limited number of interventions that addressed health information management, health workforce issues, use of medicines and technologies, or leadership and governance from a health system perspective. Conclusions We provide four recommendations for future mHealth interventions in China that include the need for the development, evaluation and trials examining integrated mHealth interventions to guide the development of future mHealth interventions, target disadvantaged populations with mHealth interventions, and generate appropriate evidence for scalable and sustainable models of care.
How to Preserve User Anonymity in Password-Based Anonymous Authentication Scheme

SUMMARY A purpose of password-based anonymous authentication schemes is to provide not only password-based authentication but also user anonymity. In [19], Yang et al., proposed a password-based anonymous authentication scheme (we call it YZWB10 scheme) using the password-protected credentials. In this paper, we discuss user anonymity of the YZWB10 scheme[19] against a third-party attacker, who is much weaker than a malicious server. First, we show that a third-party attacker in the YZWB10 scheme can specify which user actually sent the login request to the server. This attack also indicates that the attacker can link di ﬀ erent login requests to be sent later by the same user. Second, we give an e ﬀ ective countermeasure to this attack which does not require any security for storing users’ password-protected credentials.
Gender Differences in the Association Between Leisure Activity in Adulthood and Cognitive Function in Old Age: A Prospective Longitudinal Population-Based Study

Abstract Objectives To examine the long-term association between leisure activities in adulthood and cognitive function in old age while recognizing gender differences in activity profiles. Methods The sample included 340 cognitively healthy twins enrolled in the OCTO-Twin Study, a longitudinal study on cognitive aging. Leisure activity was measured in midlife and cognitive function in old age (mean age 83). Leisure activities covered the domains of domestic, intellectual–cultural, and self-improvement activities. The cognitive assessments comprised 5 measurement occasions (2-year intervals) covering verbal ability, spatial ability, memory, and speed. The association between leisure activity and cognitive function was estimated separately for the genders using growth curve models, adjusting for age and education. Results Men and women had the same level of total leisure activity but differed in activity profiles and in the associations between activity and cognitive function. Higher engagement in self-improvement among men was related to higher level of cognitive functioning. Among women, intellectual–cultural activity was related to better verbal ability and memory. Concerning trajectories of cognitive function, domestic activity among men was related to less decline in speed, whereas for women it was related to steeper decline in spatial ability and memory. Further, higher intellectual–cultural activity among women was related to steeper decline in memory. Discussion Cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., self-improvement and intellectual–cultural), might increase cognitive reserve whereas less cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., domestic) do not. Gender differences should be considered when examining lifestyle factors in relation to cognitive aging.
ontologyX: a suite of R packages for working with ontological data

Summary: Ontologies are widely used constructs for encoding and analyzing biomedical data, but the absence of simple and consistent tools has made exploratory and systematic analysis of such data unnecessarily difficult. Here we present three packages which aim to simplify such procedures. The ontologyIndex package enables arbitrary ontologies to be read into R, supports representation of ontological objects by native R types, and provides a parsimonius set of performant functions for querying ontologies. ontologySimilarity and ontologyPlot extend ontologyIndex with functionality for straightforward visualization and semantic similarity calculations, including statistical routines. Availability and Implementation: ontologyIndex, ontologyPlot and ontologySimilarity are all available on the Comprehensive R Archive Network website under https://cran.r‐project.org/web/packages/. Contact: Daniel Greene dg333@cam.ac. uk Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Strong Flows of Viscoelastic Wormlike Micelle Solutions

The unique rheological properties of viscoelastic wormlike micelle solutions have led to their broad use as rheological modifiers in consumer products such as paints, detergents, pharmaceuticals, lubricants and emulsifiers. In addition, micelle solutions have also become increasingly important in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications including agrochemical spraying, inkjet printing, turbulent drag reduction and enhanced oil recovery. Until recently, our knowledge of the rheology and flow behavior of these fluids was limited to linear viscoelasticity measurements where wormlike micelle solutions have been shown to behave as ideal Maxwell fluids, and steady shear rheology measurements where wormlike micelles often demonstrate shear banding. In this review, we survey recent experimental and theoretical developments for nonlinear rheology of viscoelastic wormlike micelle solutions and the response of these complex fluids to strong flows. Specific emphasis will be placed on extensional rheology measurements and complex flows having strong extensional components. In many of these flows, viscoelastic wormlike micelle solutions behave in a manner very similar to polymer solutions. Wormlike micelle solutions demonstrate strain hardening of their extensional viscosity which can result in an increased resistance to complex flows such as the flow past a sphere or the flow through porous media. Additionally, the large extensional viscosity of these fluids has led to significant drag reduction in turbulent flows. However, wormlike micelles are self-assembled and as such are quite different than polymer solutions. Under large elastic stresses, wormlike micelles can break apart. This failure and the resulting morphological changes have been linked to a number of newly discovered elastic instabilities not present in polymer solutions. As this review will show, strong flows of wormlike micelle solutions hold a wealth of interesting flow phenomena much of which is yet to be explored.