Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Evaluation of 11C‐Labeled (S)‐Nicotine, (S)‐3‐Methyl‐5‐(1‐Methyl‐2‐Pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole, and (R,S)‐1‐Methyl‐2‐(3‐Pyridyl)azetidine as Nicotinic Receptor Ligands for Positron Emission Tomography Studies

Abstract: The binding characteristics of the novel 11C‐labeled nicotinic ligands (R,S)‐1‐methyl‐2‐(3‐pyridyl) azetidine (MPA) and (S)‐3‐methyl‐5‐(1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole (ABT‐418) were investigated in comparison with those of (S)‐[11C]nicotine in vitro in the rat brain to be able to predict the binding properties of the new ligands for positron emission tomography studies in vivo. The data from time‐resolved experiments for all ligands indicated fast binding kinetics, with the exception of a slower dissociation of [11C]MPA in comparison with (S)‐[11C]nicotine and [11C]ABT‐418. Saturation experiments revealed for all ligands two nicotinic receptor binding sites with affinity constants (KD values) of 2.4 and 560 nM and binding site densities (Bmax values) of 65.5 and 223 fmol/mg of protein for (S)‐[11C]nicotine, KD values of 0.011 and 2.2 nM and Bmax values of 4.4 and 70.7 fmol/mg of protein for [11C]MPA, and KD values of 1.3 and 33.4 nM and Bmax values of 8.8 and 69.2 fmol/mg of protein for [11C]ABT‐418. In competing with the 11C‐ligands, epibatidine was most potent, followed by cytisine. A different rank order of potencies was found for (−)‐nicotine, (+)‐nicotine, MPA, and ABT‐418 displacing each of the 11C‐ligands. Autoradiograms displayed a similar pattern of receptor binding for all ligands, whereby [11C]MPA showed the most distinct binding pattern and the lowest nonspecific binding. We conclude that the three 11C‐labeled nicotinic ligands were suitable for characterizing nicotinic receptors in vitro. The very high affinity of [11C]MPA to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, its low nonspecific binding, and especially the slower dissociation kinetics of the [11C]MPA from the putative high‐affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding site compared with (S)‐[11C]nicotine and [11C]ABT‐418 raise the level of interest in [11C]MPA for application in positron emission tomography.
Simulation of Flow and Dispersion on Pore-Space Images

We simulate flow and transport directly on pore-space images obtained from a microcomputed-tomography (micro-CT) scan of rock cores. An efficient Stokes solver is used to simulate lowReynolds-number flows. The flow simulator uses a finite-difference method along with a standard predictor/corrector procedure to decouple pressure and velocity. An algebraic multigrid technique solves the linear systems of equations. We then predict permeability, and the results are compared with lattice-Boltzmannmethod (LBM) numerical results and available experimental data. For solute transport, we apply a streamline-based algorithm that is similar to the Pollock algorithm common in field-scale reservoir simulation, but which uses a novel semianalytic formulation near solid boundaries to capture, with subgrid resolution, the variation in velocity near the grains. A random-walk method accounts for molecular diffusion. The streamline-based algorithm is validated by comparison with published results for Taylor-Aris dispersion in a single capillary with a square cross section. We then predict accurately the available experimental data in the literature for the longitudinal dispersion coefficient for a range of Peclet numbers (10 to 10). We introduce a characteristic length on the basis of the ratio of volume to pore/grain surface area that can be used for consolidated porous media to calculate the Peclet number.
Using multi-link grouping technique to achieve tight latency in network calculus

It is of great importance and a challenge to compute tighter upper bounds on the latency for flows in the avionics distributed real-time system with strict time constraint. A neglect of flows serialization on the link is one of the significant reasons for the untight latency estimation. This paper proposes a multi-link grouping technique in the Network Calculus to achieve tighter worst-case end-to-end latency for flows in the AFDX (Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet) network, with FIFO (First In First Out) and SP (Static Priority) assumptions. In addition, we demonstrate that such technique will only have influence on arrival curve but nothing to do with service curve with FIFO and SP scheduling policy, even though SP scheduling is closely associated with arriving characteristics of flows. In the end, tighter response latency bounds can be obviously observed in the comparison experiment with and without multilink grouping technique.
Task Trade and the Wage Effects of Import Competition

Do job characteristics modulate the relationship between import competition and the wages of workers who perform those jobs? This paper tests the claim that workers in occupations featuring highly routine tasks will be more vulnerable to low-wage country import competition. Using data from the US Census Bureau, we construct a pooled cross-section (1990, 2000, and 2007) of more than 1.6 million individuals linked to the establishment in which they work. Occupational measures of vulnerability to trade competition – routineness, analytic complexity, and interpersonal interaction on the job – are constructed using O*NET data. The linked employer-employee data allow us to model the effect of low-wage import competition on the wages of workers with different occupational characteristics. Our results show that low-wage country import competition is associated with lower wages for US workers holding jobs that are highly routine and less complex. For workers holding nonroutine and highly complex jobs, increased import competition is associated with higher wages. Finally, workers in occupations with the highest and lowest levels of interpersonal interaction see higher wages, while workers with medium-low levels of interpersonal interaction suffer lower wages with increased low-wage import competition. These findings demonstrate the importance of accounting for occupational characteristics to more fully understand the relationship between trade and wages, and suggest ways in which task trade vulnerable occupations can disadvantage workers even when their jobs remain onshore.
Synergy effect of M&A Heterogeneity and Alliance Homogeneity on stock market

Since Merger and Acquisition (M&A) and Strategic Alliance have been regarded as essential parts of successful strategies for profitable growth till date, none of previous researches investigated stock market? s response toward the synergy effect of M&A strategy and Strategic Alliance from the perspective of behavioral economics? more precisely? prospect theory. Therefore, by examining the synergy effect of M&A and Strategic Alliance and applying ? prospect theory? to stock price response, the goal of our research is to empirically test unconventional responses of stock market and ? synergetic relation? between M&A and Strategic Alliance. By doing so, this research will prove that two strategies can work together for better performance in the stock market.
Protection against immunopathological consequences of a viral infection by activated but not resting cytotoxic T cells: T cell memory without "memory T cells"?

Immunological memory is a key characteristic of specific immune responses. Persistence of increased levels of precursor T cells is antigen-independent and is often used as an indicator of T cell memory. This study documents that, depending on the chosen readout, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) memory against lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) appears long- or short-lived in the absence of persisting antigen. To study T cell memory in the absence of persisting antigen, either short-lived antigens were used for immunization or adoptive transfer methods were used to eliminate possibly persisting antigen. These experiments revealed that increased specific precursor frequencies and CTL-mediated protection against an i.v. infection with LCMV were long-lived. In contrast, CTL-mediated protection against a peripheral infection of the skin with LCMV, or of the ovary with recombinant vaccinia virus, was short-lived. These results show that maintenance of increased specific CTL precursor frequencies and central T cell memory in lymphoid tissue (where preexisting neutralizing antibodies usually provide protection anyway) is long-lived and antigen-independent. In contrast, in protection against peripheral viral infections, where the relative kinetics of virus growth and virus elimination by T cells are of key importance, T cell memory is short-lived in the absence of antigen. This indicates that peripheral T cell memory in antibody-inaccessible tissues is mediated by antigen-activated effector T cells and apparently not by specialized memory T cells.
Predicted avian responses to bioenergy development scenarios in an intensive agricultural landscape

Conversion of native prairie to agriculture has increased food and bioenergy production but decreased wildlife habitat. However, enrollment of highly erodible cropland in conservation programs has compensated for some grassland loss. In the future, climate change and production of second‐generation perennial biofuel crops could further transform agricultural landscapes and increase or decrease grassland area. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is an alternative biofuel feedstock that may be economically and environmentally superior to maize (Zea mays) grain for ethanol production on marginally productive lands. Switchgrass could benefit farmers economically and increase grassland area, but there is uncertainty as to how conversions between rowcrops, switchgrass monocultures and conservation grasslands might occur and affect wildlife. To explore potential impacts on grassland birds, we developed four agricultural land‐use change scenarios for an intensively cultivated landscape, each driven by potential future climatic changes and ensuing irrigation limitations, ethanol demand, commodity prices, and continuation of a conservation program. For each scenario, we calculated changes in area for landcover classes and predicted changes in grassland bird abundances. Overall, birds responded positively to the replacement of rowcrops with switchgrass and negatively to the conversion of conservation grasslands to switchgrass or rowcrops. Landscape context and interactions between climate, crop water use, and irrigation availability could influence future land‐use, and subsequently, avian habitat quality and quantity. Switchgrass is likely to provide higher quality avian habitat than rowcrops but lower quality habitat than conservation grasslands, and therefore, may most benefit birds in heavily cultivated, irrigation dependent landscapes under warmer and drier conditions, where economic profitability may also encourage conversions to drought tolerant bioenergy feedstocks.
A QVGA 143 dB Dynamic Range Frame-Free PWM Image Sensor With Lossless Pixel-Level Video Compression and Time-Domain CDS

The biomimetic CMOS dynamic vision and image sensor described in this paper is based on a QVGA (304×240) array of fully autonomous pixels containing event-based change detection and pulse-width-modulation (PWM) imaging circuitry. Exposure measurements are initiated and carried out locally by the individual pixel that has detected a change of brightness in its field-of-view. Pixels do not rely on external timing signals and independently and asynchronously request access to an (asynchronous arbitrated) output channel when they have new grayscale values to communicate. Pixels that are not stimulated visually do not produce output. The visual information acquired from the scene, temporal contrast and grayscale data, are communicated in the form of asynchronous address-events (AER), with the grayscale values being encoded in inter-event intervals. The pixel-autonomous and massively parallel operation ideally results in lossless video compression through complete temporal redundancy suppression at the pixel level. Compression factors depend on scene activity and peak at ~1000 for static scenes. Due to the time-based encoding of the illumination information, very high dynamic range - intra-scene DR of 143 dB static and 125 dB at 30 fps equivalent temporal resolution - is achieved. A novel time-domain correlated double sampling (TCDS) method yields array FPN of <;0.25% rms. SNR is >56 dB (9.3 bit) for >10 Lx illuminance.
A highly hydrophobic domain within hypervariable region 1 may be related to the entry of hepatitis C virus into cultured human hepatoma cells

Interaction of the envelope glycoprotein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with a cellular receptor(s) is thought to be essential for the initial steps of HCV infection. However, the mechanisms of HCV infection remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the features of HCV that enable efficient entry of the virus into human hepatocytes. Variations of hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) sequences in HCV inocula and in infected human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells were examined. Immunofluorescence of inoculated HepG2 cells with anti‐HCV core antibodies demonstrated that HCV structural proteins were expressed in the cytoplasm, and their entry into HepG2 cells was confirmed. When the HVR1 amino acid sequences were compared, HVR1 quasispecies in the inoculated cells showed more uniformity than those of the inocula. Although there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, hydrophobic residues were observed more frequently in the HVR1 amino acids from inoculated cells than in the HVR1 amino acids from the inocula. Results of hydropathy analysis revealed that highly hydrophobic domains exist in the middle of HVR1 in the inoculated cells in 7 of 10 patients. The results suggest that limited HCV populations are able to enter HepG2 cells and that the highly hydrophobic domain existing within the HVR1 may play an important role in the entry of HCV into cells. J. Med. Virol. 74:546–555, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Internet-delivered obesity treatment improves symptoms of and risk for depression

In‐person lifestyle interventions for obesity treatment yield significant improvements in depression. These improvements may be attributed to the excellent weight losses produced by in‐person interventions. In contrast, Internet programs yield more modest weight losses, and their effect on depression is unknown. This study is the first to examine whether Internet‐delivered obesity treatment impacts depressive symptoms.
Developmental dynamics of occipital and cervical somites

Development of somites leading to somite compartments, sclerotome, dermomyotome and myotome, has been intensely investigated. Most knowledge on somite development, including the commonly used somite maturation stages, is based on data from somites at thoracic and lumbar levels. Potential regional differences in somite maturation dynamics have been indicated by a number of studies, but have not yet been comprehensively examined. Here, we present an overview on the developmental dynamics of somites at occipital and cervical levels in the chicken embryo. We show that in these regions, the onset of sclerotomal and myotomal compartment formation is later than at thoracolumbar levels, and is initiated simultaneously in multiple somites, which is in contrast to the serial cranial‐ to‐ caudal progression of somite maturation in the trunk. Our data suggest a variant spatiotemporal regulation of somite development in occipitocervical somites.
Optimal fault-tolerant broadcasting in Wireless Mesh Networks

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) is an emerging communication paradigm to enable resilient, cost-efficient and reliable services for the future-generation wireless networks. In this paper, we study the broadcasting (one-to-all communication) in WMNs with known topology, i.e., where for each primitive the schedule of transmissions is precomputed based on full knowledge about the size and the topology of the network. We show that broadcasting can complete in D + O(log n) time units in the WMN with size n and diameter D. Furthermore, we explore the fault-tolerant broadcasting in WMN.We show an O(n)-time deterministic radio broadcasting schedule with large number of link failures. This is an optimal schedule in the sense that there exists a network topology in which the broadcasting cannot complete in less than Omega(n) units of time.
Determination of Plasma Levels of Tolbutamide (1-Butyl-3-p-Tolylsulfonylurea, Orinase∗)

Summary A procedure is presented for determination of Tolbutamide in plasma. The method consists of a chloroform extraction of weakly acidified plasma, concentration of the extract to dryness, dissolution of the residue in a measured volume of ethanol, treatment of the resulting solution with Darco G-60, and measurement of the absorbance of the resulting charcoal filtrate at 228 mμ. Recoveries of Tolbutamide from human and dog plasmas have been satisfactory and plasma levels determined by this procedure have correlated well with the hypoglycemic response elicited by the drug.
Mutations in Multidrug Efflux Homologs, Sugar Isomerases, and Antimicrobial Biosynthesis Genes Differentially Elevate Activity of the ςX and ςW Factors inBacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT The ςX and ςW extracytoplasmic function sigma factors regulate more than 40 genes in Bacillus subtilis. ςW activates genes which function in detoxification and the production of antimicrobial compounds, while ςX activates functions that modify the cell envelope. Transposon mutagenesis was used to identify loci which negatively regulate ςW or ςX as judged by up-regulation from the autoregulatory promoter site PW or PX. Fourteen insertions that activate PW were identified. The largest class of insertions are likely to affect transport. These include insertions in genes encoding two multidrug efflux protein homologs (yqgE and yulE), a component of the oligopeptide uptake system (oppA), and two transmembrane proteins with weak similarity to transporters (yhdP and yueF). Expression from PWis also elevated as a result of inactivation of at least one member of the ςW regulon (ysdB), an ArsR homolog (yvbA), a predicted rhamnose isomerase (yulE), and a gene (pksR) implicated in synthesis of difficidin, a polyketide antibiotic. In a parallel screen, we identified seven insertions that up-regulate PX. Remarkably, these insertions were in functionally similar genes, including a multidrug efflux homolog (yitG), a mannose-6-phosphate isomerase gene (yjdE), and loci involved in antibiotic synthesis (srfAB and possibly yogA and yngK). Significantly, most insertions that activate PW have little or no effect on PX, and conversely, insertions that activate PX have no effect on PW. This suggests that these two regulons respond to distinct sets of molecular signals which may include toxic molecules which are exported, cell density signals, and antimicrobial compounds.
Distributed Cooperative Multi-Channel Spectrum Sensing Based on Dynamic Coalitional Game

In this paper, a distributed cooperative multi-channel spectrum sensing scheme is proposed for the non-infrastructure based cognitive radio networks. The proposed scheme has iterative property and is carried out round-by-round. In each round, each secondary user selects a few primary channels as the candidates for sensing based on primary signal-to-noise ratio. Then, the users with the same selected channel collaboratively form coalitions through coalitional game and thereby multiple games are played concurrently over multiple channels. After generating stable coalitional structure, the best coalition on each channel is chosen to perform the cooperative spectrum sensing. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme can significantly increase the number of available channels, which can be sensed with predefined miss detection and false alarm probabilities.
Binaural Hearing and Systems for Sound Reproduction

Recent developments in models of binaural hearing can be usefully adapted and extedned to provide design tools for engineers engaged in the design of systems for sound reproduction. The particular focus of the work described is upon the development of models that give good statistical predictions of human sound localisation, based upon knowledge of the fluctuating acoustic pressures at the ears. Such models can be applied successfully to the prediction of stereophonic image localisation and reveal a number of important features of localisation relevant to audio system design. Developments will also be described in loudspeaker based systems for binaural reproduction that are finding their way into practical use. Binaural hearing models can be used to provide a preliminary evaluation of the performance of alternative designs. Finally, a brief review will be presented of multi‐channel loudspeaker‐based systems aimed at “full field” sound reproduction. Again, models of localisation provide some useful guidanc.
Social innovation model for business performance and innovation

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to develop a social innovation model and understand the levels of communication of different social actors at different points of a social innovation project (at Hewlett Packard). The paper also looks into the effect of communication networks and power of words in social interaction in social innovation projects. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper defines social innovation in the first part and how it differs from social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility and social business. The research focusses on the data available through the internet and the papers and articles related to social innovation experience of technology companies. A content analysis of the terminology that is used for social innovation projects during innovation process and the articles published will be the primary source for data analysis in the study. Findings - – The study did illuminate the power of certain words that are repeatedly used in e-mails and articles, related to the social innovation which can give researchers an idea about the power of words in social innovation. Research limitations/implications - – It is important for human resource managers and innovation leaders to look at innovation from the social motivational process and more strategic perspective rather than just from the science and technology perspective. The study concludes with the development of a model and partnership communication analysis for successful social innovation projects. Originality/value - – The research will add value to the area of social innovation by looking into the importance of concepts and words used in social innovation. The study is looking into a new perspective of social marketing which is the power of words in a social innovation project.
One size does not fit all: Implementation trade-offs for iterative stencil computations on FPGAs

Iterative stencils are kernels in various application domains such as numerical simulations and medical imaging, that merit FPGA acceleration. The best architecture depends on many factors such as the target platform, off-chip memory bandwidth, problem size, and performance requirements. We generate a family of FPGA stencil accelerators targeting emerging System on Chip platforms, (e.g., Xilinx Zynq or Intel SoC). Our designs come with design knobs to explore trade-offs. We also propose performance models to hone in on the most interesting design points, and show how they accurately lead to optimal designs. The optimal choice depends on problem sizes and performance goals.