Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute tryptophan depletion alters the effective connectivity of emotional arousal circuitry during visceral stimuli in healthy women

Objective Alterations in serotonin signalling within the brain–gut axis have been implicated in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and is a treatment target. Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) decreases brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) levels, and increases visceral perception and negative emotional bias in patients with IBS. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of ATD on brain activity and connectivity during visceral stimuli in healthy women, and to compare the ATD-induced brain connectivity of an arousal circuit in female patients with IBS without ATD. Methods 12 healthy females (19–25 years) were studied under placebo (PLA) conditions and ATD. Functional MRI measurements were performed during a rectal barostat protocol, consisting of random non-painful and maximal tolerable distensions. Partial least squares analyses and structural equation modelling were used to evaluate the effect of ATD on functional and effective brain connectivity during distension. Results in healthy controls under ATD were compared with the effective connectivity of brain responses to 45 mm Hg rectal distension in 14 female patients with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) (24–50 years). Results In healthy controls, ATD resulted in increased response of an extensive brain network to balloon distension, including the amygdala and nodes of emotional arousal and homeostatic afferent networks. The effect was greater during high inflation, suggesting greater engagement of the central serotonion system with more aversive visceral stimuli. Effective connectivity analysis revealed a profound effect of ATD on coupling between emotional arousal network nodes, resulting in loss of negative feedback inhibition of the amygdala. A near-identical pattern was identified in the patients with IBS-C. Conclusions The findings are consistent with an ATD-induced disinhibition of and increased connectivity within an emotional arousal network during aversive stimulation. Together with the previous demonstration of ATD-induced visceral hyperalgesia in healthy controls, and the near-identical effective connectivity pattern observed in patients with IBS-C, these findings suggest that dysregulation of this brain network may play a role in central pain amplification and IBS pathophysiology.
A drift-diffusion-based analytic description of the energy distribution function for hot-carrier degradation in decananometer nMOSFETs

We extend our drift-diffusion based model for the carrier energy distribution function (DF), which was derived to describe hot-carrier degradation in LDMOS transistors, for the case of decananometer nMOSFETs with a gate length of 65 nm. This approach is based on an analytical expression for the DF with parameters obtained from the drift-diffusion model. To approximately consider the important effect of electron-electron scattering on the shape of the distribution function, we solve the balance equation for the in- and out-scattering rates. We compare the DFs obtained from the suggested analytic approach with those calculated with a deterministic Boltzmann transport equation solver. Both sets of DFs are then used in our hot-carrier degradation model to calculate changes in the linear drain current as a function of stress time. Good agreement with experimental data is achieved for both versions of the model.
Attachment Style, Self-Concealment, and Interpersonal Distance among Japanese Undergraduates

The relationships among attachment style, self-concealment, and interpersonal distance were studied with 71 Japanese undergraduates (33 men and 38 women, ages 18 to 20 years, M = 18.7, SD = .6). Participants completed a questionnaire about Self-concealment and Attachment Styles (Secure, Anxious, and Avoidant). One week later, Interpersonal Distance, which individuals maintain between themselves and others, was measured by the stop-distance paradigm. Analysis showed that scores for more Anxious and Avoidant Attachment Styles were positively correlated with those for greater Self-concealment. Scores for greater Self-concealment and more Anxious Attachment Style were also correlated with longer Interpersonal Distance.
Disseminated Visceral Coccidiosis and Cloacal Cryptosporidiosis in a Japanese White-Naped Crane (Grus vipio)

A 4-mo-old male Japanese white-naped crane (Grus vipio) kept in an outdoor exhibit at the Everland Zoological Gardens in Korea became depressed and developed anorexia, weight loss, and diarrhea. Death of this bird was associated with an overwhelming systemic infection by an intracellular coccidian parasite, which resulted in necrosis and granulomatous inflammation in a number of major organs, including the intestine, liver, spleen, and kidney. Coccidian parasite–laden macrophages were commonly found in the blood vessels of these organs. Using electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction assays, the parasite was identified as Eimeria sp. The bird was also infected with Cryptosporidium sp. , which suggests an immunosuppressed state, although the cause of such suppression was not identified. Our findings suggest that an initial Eimeria sp. intestinal infection spread to other organs through the blood vessels, with the immunosuppressed state possibly contributing to a rapid hematogenous transmission. To our knowledge, this is the first report of disseminated visceral coccidiosis caused by Eimeria sp. in a captive Japanese white-naped crane.
The cytoplasmic domain of NrCAM binds to PDZ domains of synapse‐associated proteins SAP90/PSD95 and SAP97

NrCAM, a member of the L1 family of cell adhesion molecules, serves important functions during the development of the nervous system, e.g. in adhesion‐dependent processes such as neurite outgrowth and axonal pathfinding. Complex homo‐ and heterophilic binding and several extracellular ligands of NrCAM have been described, but less is known about intracellular interaction partners. The cytoplasmic carboxy‐terminus of NrCAM contains a typical sequence motif for binding to PDZ domains, making interactions with PDZ domain‐containing scaffolding proteins quite conceivable. In this study, we identified specific interactions of the intracellular domain of NrCAM with class I PDZ domains of the membrane‐associated guanylate kinases SAP90/PSD95 and SAP97. In contrast to NrCAM, the intracellular domains of the other mammalian L1 family molecules, e.g. L1, CHL1 and Neurofascin, did not interact with these PDZ domains. In transfected COS‐7 cells, NrCAM‐mediated recruitment of SAP97 to the plasma membrane was dependent on the PDZ binding motif. We show that NrCAM and SAP97 are colocalized, e.g. within photoreceptor terminals of the mammalian retina. In summary, our results confirm a functional PDZ domain binding motif at the carboxy‐terminus of NrCAM and support potential functions of NrCAM during the assembly of highly organized protein complexes at the cell membrane.
Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry studies of bone mineral status in newborn infants

We studied bone mineral status using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) on 150 singleton newborn infants with birth weights 1002–3990 g and gestational ages (GA) 27–42 weeks. Eighty‐five infants were preterm (<38 weeks), and 79 infants were low birth weight (≤2500 g). In addition, we aimed to determine the predictive value of anthropometric measurements, race, and gender on variability in bone mineral status. Data were acquired using a whole body DXA scanner with a pediatric platform. Scan analyses were performed with software version V5.64P. Results showed a highly significant (p < 0.001 for all comparisons) correlation among the continuous independent variables, gestational age, birth weight, study weight, study bare weight, and study length, and between independent and each of the dependent variables, total body bone mineral content (TB BMC), TB area, and TB bone mineral density (TB BMD). The best single determinant of bone mineral status is body weight, accounting for 95% of TB BMC and TB area and for 86% of TB BMD variation. Body length was the only additional significant predictor of TB area. Inclusion of postnatal age (during the first week after birth), race, gender, or season, either individually or in combination, failed to improve bone mineral status explanation. By term (GA 38–42 weeks, birth weight 2700–3990 g), the mean TB BMC was 68.2 g, TB area 307.6 cm2, and TB BMD 0.221 g/cm2. We conclude that DXA can be performed even in small preterm infants during the newborn period. Our results can be used as a basis for further studies in physiologic and pathologic situations that might affect bone mineralization in infants. (J Bone Miner Res 1996;11:997‐1002)
Herpes simplex virus type 1 latency‐associated transcripts are evidently not essential for latent infection.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) transcripts that can be detected during latent infection by Northern blot analysis in human and experimental animal sensory ganglia are encoded by diploid genes. To investigate their role in latent infection we studied HSV‐1 variant 1704, which has deleted most of the IRL copy of the coding region of these RNAs and has a 1.2‐kb deletion that is immediately upstream of the coding region of the TRL copy. During primary infection, 1704 replicated in trigeminal ganglia with kinetics similar to the parent virus (17+) and established latent infection. However, while explant reactivation of latent HSV‐1 from trigeminal ganglia was detected in 100% of 17+ infected mice within 7 days, the reactivation of 1704 was significantly delayed, and 31 days elapsed before eight out of nine mice became virus positive. The recognized HSV‐1 latency‐associated RNAs were not detected during the latent state of 1704 by Northern blot analysis or in situ hybridization, which implies that the 1.2‐kb deletion may contain the promoter or other important regulatory elements. The data indicate that detectable levels of these latency‐associated transcripts are not required for viral replication, establishment, or maintenance (greater than 6 weeks) of HSV‐1 latency in trigeminal ganglia, but suggest a role in reactivation.
Trends in Fracture Incidence: A Population‐Based Study Over 20 Years

To assess recent trends in fracture incidence from all causes at all skeletal sites, we used the comprehensive (inpatient and outpatient) data resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to estimate rates for Olmsted County, MN, USA, residents in 2009 to 2011 compared with similar data from 1989 to 1991. During the 3‐year study period, 2009 to 2011, 3549 residents ≥50 years of age experienced 5244 separate fractures. The age‐ and sex‐adjusted (to the 2010 US white population) incidence of any fracture was 2704 per 100,000 person‐years (95% confidence interval [CI] 2614 to 2793) and that for all fractures was 4017 per 100,000 (95% CI 3908 to 4127). Fracture incidence increased with age in both sexes, but age‐adjusted rates were 49% greater among the women. Overall, comparably adjusted fracture incidence rates increased by 11% (from 3627 to 4017 per 100,000 person‐years; p = 0.008) between 1989 to 1991 and 2009 to 2011. This was mainly attributable to a substantial increase in vertebral fractures (+47% for both sexes combined), which was partially offset by a decline in hip fractures (−25%) among the women. There was also a 26% reduction in distal forearm fractures among the women; an increase in distal forearm fractures among men aged 50 years and over was not statistically significant. The dramatic increase in vertebral fractures, seen in both sexes and especially after age 75 years, was attributable in part to incidentally diagnosed vertebral fractures. However, the fall in hip fracture incidence, observed in most age groups, continues the steady decline observed among women in this community since 1950. More generally, these data indicate that the dramatic increases in the incidence of fractures at many skeletal sites that were observed decades ago have now stabilized. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
SINR-Based DoS Attack on Remote State Estimation: A Game-Theoretic Approach

We consider remote state estimation of cyberphysical systems under signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio-based denial-of-service attacks. A sensor sends its local estimate to a remote estimator through a wireless network that may suffer interference from an attacker. Both the sensor and the attacker have energy constraints. We first study an associated two-player game when multiple power levels are available. Then, we build a Markov game framework to model the interactive decision-making process based on the current state and information collected from previous time steps. To solve the associated optimality (Bellman) equations, a modified Nash Q-learning algorithm is applied to obtain the optimal solutions. Numerical examples and simulations are provided to demonstrate our results.
Unpredictable Evolution in a 30-Year Study of Darwin's Finches

Evolution can be predicted in the short term from a knowledge of selection and inheritance. However, in the long term evolution is unpredictable because environments, which determine the directions and magnitudes of selection coefficients, fluctuate unpredictably. These two features of evolution, the predictable and unpredictable, are demonstrated in a study of two populations of Darwin's finches on the Galápagos island of Daphne Major. From 1972 to 2001,Geospiza fortis (medium ground finch) and Geospiza scandens (cactus finch) changed several times in body size and two beak traits. Natural selection occurred frequently in both species and varied from unidirectional to oscillating, episodic to gradual. Hybridization occurred repeatedly though rarely, resulting in elevated phenotypic variances in G. scandens and a change in beak shape. The phenotypic states of both species at the end of the 30-year study could not have been predicted at the beginning. Continuous, long-term studies are needed to detect and interpret rare but important events and nonuniform evolutionary change.
Development of organ‐specific donor risk indices

Because of the shortage of deceased donor organs, transplant centers accept organs from marginal deceased donors, including older donors. Organ‐specific donor risk indices have been developed to predict graft survival with various combinations of donor and recipient characteristics. Here we review the kidney donor risk index (KDRI) and the liver donor risk index (LDRI) and compare and contrast their strengths, limitations, and potential uses. The KDRI has a potential role in developing new kidney allocation algorithms. The LDRI allows a greater appreciation of the importance of donor factors, particularly for hepatitis C virus–positive recipients; as the donor risk index increases, the rates of allograft and patient survival among these recipients decrease disproportionately. The use of livers with high donor risk indices is associated with increased hospital costs that are independent of recipient risk factors, and the transplantation of livers with high donor risk indices into patients with Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores < 15 is associated with lower allograft survival; the use of the LDRI has limited this practice. Significant regional variations in donor quality, as measured by the LDRI, remain in the United States. We also review other potential indices for liver transplantation, including donor‐recipient matching and the retransplant donor risk index. Although substantial progress has been made in developing donor risk indices to objectively assess donor variables that affect transplant outcomes, continued efforts are warranted to improve these indices to enhance organ allocation policies and optimize allograft survival. Liver Transpl 18:395–404, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Evidence for a new pathway in the bacterial degradation of 4-fluorobenzoate

Six bacterial strains able to use 4-fluorobenzoic acid as their sole source of carbon and energy were isolated by selective enrichment from various water and soil samples from the Stuttgart area. According to their responses in biochemical and morphological tests, the organisms were assigned to the genera Alcaligenes, Pseudomonas, and Aureobacterium. To elucidate the degradation pathway of 4-fluorobenzoate, metabolic intermediates were identified. Five gram-negative isolates degraded this substrate via 4-fluorocatechol, as described in previous studies. In growth experiments, these strains excreted 50 to 90% of the fluoride from fluorobenzoate. Alcaligenes sp. strains RHO21 and RHO22 used all three isomers of monofluorobenzoate. Alcaligenes sp. strain RHO22 also grew on 4-chlorobenzoate. Aureobacterium sp. strain RHO25 transiently excreted 4-hydroxybenzoate into the culture medium during growth on 4-fluorobenzoate, and stoichiometric amounts of fluoride were released. In cell extracts from this strain, the enzymes for the conversion of 4-fluorobenzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate could be detected. All these enzymes were inducible by 4-fluorobenzoate. These data suggest a new pathway for the degradation of 4-fluorobenzoate by Aureobacterium sp. strain RHO25 via 4-hydroxybenzoate and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate.
Dynamic and static fusion gait of a quadruped walking vehicle on a winding path

The authors previously (1989) proposed the concept of dynamic and static fusion gait control and discussed a basic control scheme for the purpose of adaptive selection of these gaits during continuous walking. They extend the concept to walking at variable speeds along a winding path. The motion scheme is discussed on the basis of a generalized trot gait and incorporates stability control based on feedforward and feedback control; trajectory modification is based on the zero moment point concept. The validity of these discussions is verified by walking experiments with quadruped walking vehicles TITAN IV and TITAN VI; e.g., dynamic and static fusion gaits at velocities from zero to 400 mm/sec by TITAN IV, and walk with dynamic stability along a circular winding path at a velocity of 100 mm/sec by TITAN VI. At present, dynamic walk on rugged terrain is not possible, but it may be made possible by introducing feedback control as discussed. <<ETX>>
A rare form of limb girdle muscular dystrophy (type 2E) seen in an Iranian family detected by autozygosity mapping

Abstract Sarcoglycanopathies (SGPs) constitute a subgroup of autosomal recessive limb girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs) which are caused by mutations in sarcoglycan (SGs) genes. SG proteins form a core complex consisting of α, β, γ and δ sarcoglycans which are encoded by SGCA, SGCB, SGCG and SGCD genes, respectively. Genetic defect, in any of these SG proteins, results in instability of the whole complex. This effect can be helpful in interpreting muscle biopsy results. Autozygosity mapping is a gene mapping approach which can be applied in large consanguineous families for tracking the defective gene in most autosomal recessive disorders. In the present study, we used autozygosity mapping, to find the gene responsible for muscular dystrophy. Proband was a 10-year-old boy referred to our center for ruling out DMD (Duchenne muscular dystrophy). According to the pedigree and clinical reports, we assessed him for SGPs. Haplotyping, using the four short tandem repeat (STR) markers for each of the SG genes, showed that the phenotype may segregate with SGCB gene; and observing two crossing overs which occurred within the gene suggested that the mutation might be in the first two exons of SGCB gene. Mutation analysis showed a 26 bp duplication (10 bp before the initiation codon till 13 bp after the ATG start codon). This will cause a frameshift in protein synthesis.
The thermodynamic solvate difference rule: solvation parameters and their use in interpretation of the role of bound solvent in condensed-phase solvates.

Our earlier-established thermodynamic solvate difference rule encompasses thermodynamic relationships for the quantities P=DeltafH degrees, DeltafG degrees, DeltafS degrees, S degrees, Vm, and UPOT for pairs of condensed-phase solvates (including hydrates) having n and m moles, respectively, of bound solvent (including water, i.e., L=H2O), and can be written as P{MpXq.nL,p} approximately P{MpXq.mL,p}+(n-m). thetaP{L,p-p} (with m=0 for the corresponding thermodynamic quantity of the condensed-phase unsolvated parent, P{MpXq,p}), where thetaP{L,p-p} is the incremental contribution per mole of the bound solvent, L, to the property, P, of the solvate in condensed phase, p (where p=solid or liquid). We find that this rule can be extended to supercooled NaOH (and, probably, even more generally). Once established, the parameter thetaP{L,p-p} provides approximate values of the thermodynamic property, P, for the remaining solvates (hydrates) for which data are unknown. The difference rule is here further extended to heat-capacity data, Cp, for both hydrates and other solvates. For solid-phase hydrates, thetaCp{H2O,s-s} is determined to be 42.8 J K(-1) mol(-1). Further, the method is shown to apply also to the organic solvates, DMSO and DMF (the latter is based on a single example), leading to the (tentative) values thetaCp{DMSO,s-s} approximately 105 J K(-1) mol(-1) (at 255 K); approximately 161 J K(-1) mol(-1) (at 350 K), illustrating typical temperature dependence of the thetaCp values. thetaCp{DMF,s-s} approximately 84 J K(-1) mol(-1). For supercooled NaOH, thetaCp{NaOH,l-l}=77 J K(-1) mol(-1). The values of the solvate difference rule parameters provide us with insight into the bonding condition of the solvent molecule, leading to the conclusion that bound solvent water in an ionic environment is ice-like. The situation is more complex within zeolites because water may enter the solvate in a variety of ways. These latter considerations are also briefly discussed with respect to fullerenes.
Stability Analysis of Load Sharing Control for Distributed Generation Systems

This paper discusses the small-signal stability analysis of the combined droop and average power method for load sharing control of multiple distributed generation systems (DGS) in a stand-alone ac supply mode. The small-signal model is developed and its accuracy is verified from simulations of the original nonlinear model. It is shown that the small-signal model accurately predicts the stability of the parallel systems.
Structural characterization of peptide hormone/receptor interactions by NMR spectroscopy.

The structural characterization of peptide hormones and their interaction with G-protein (guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein) coupled receptors by high-resolution nmr is described. The general approaches utilized can be categorized into three different classes based on their target: the ligand, the receptor, and the ligand/receptor complex. Examples of these different approaches, aimed at facilitating the rational design of peptides and peptidomimetics with improved pharmacological profiles, based on work carried out in our own laboratory, are given. In the ligand-based approach, the high-resolution structures of bradykinin analogues allowing for the development of a structure-activity relationship for activation of the B1 receptor are described. Studies targeting the receptor are to a large extent theoretical, based on computational molecular modeling. However, experimentally based structural features provided by high-resolution nmr can be used to great advantage, providing insight into the mechanism of receptor function, as illustrated here with results from parathyroid hormone. A similar combination of theoretical methods, supplemented by high-resolution structures from nmr has been utilized to probe the formation and stabilization of the ligand/receptor complex both for parathyroid hormone and cholecystokinin. In each of these three approaches, the importance of well-designed peptide mimetics and accurate structural analysis by high-resolution nmr, will be highlighted.