Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corticomuscular Coherence Modulation With the Pattern of Finger Force Coordination

We assess the corticomuscular coherence (CMC) of the contralateral primary motor cortex and the hand muscles during a finger force-tracking task and explore whether the pattern of finger coordination has an impact on the CMC level. Six healthy subjects (three men and three women) were recruited to conduct the force-tracking tasks comprising two finger patterns, i.e., natural combination of index and middle fingers and unnatural combination of index and middle fingers (i.e., simultaneously producing equal force strength in index and middle finger). During the conducting of the tasks with right index and middle finger, MEG and sEMG signals were recorded from left primary motor cortex (M1) and right flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), respectively; the contralateral CMC was calculated to assess the neuromuscular interaction. Finger force-tracking tasks of Common-IM only induce beta-band CMC, whereas Uncommon-IM tasks produce CMC in both beta and low-gamma band. Compared to the force-tracking tasks of Common-IM, the Uncommon-IM task is associated with the most intensive contralateral CMC. Our study demonstrated that the pattern of finger coordination had significant impact on the CMC between the contralateral M1 and hand muscles, and more corticomuscular interaction was necessary for unnaturally coordinated finger activities to regulate the fixed neural drive of hand muscles.
Temperature-sensitive binding of alpha-glucans by Bacillus stearothermophilus

Bacillus stearothermophilus was found to bind strongly to starch and related alpha-glucans at 25 degrees C but not at 55 degrees C. The binding at the lower temperature could be assayed either by binding of fluorescein-labeled amylopectin to washed cell suspensions or through the reversible retention of bacteria by affinity chromatography in matrices containing immobilized starch. The bacteria exhibited amylopectin-dependent agglutination. The binding and agglutination were highest in bacteria grown on substrates containing alpha-1,4-glucosidic linkages such as maltose or dextrins. The binding affinity of cells was highest for maltohexaose, lower for maltose, and low or undetectable for glucose, isomaltose, cellobiose, or lactose. The reduced binding at the higher temperature was due to the rapid breakdown of the alpha-glucosides. The bacteria exhibited an extracellular alpha-amylase activity as well as a cell-associated alpha-glucosidase with high activity at 55 degrees C but undetectable activity at 25 degrees C. The inducibility, specificity, and protease sensitivity of the thermophilic alpha-glucosidase in whole cells were similar to those of the binding activity assayed at the lower temperature. Further evidence linking the binding and alpha-glucosidase activities came from a mutant, selected through affinity chromatography, which was reduced in starch binding at room temperature and also reduced in membrane-associated alpha-glucosidase activity at 55 degrees C. These results suggest a novel survival mechanism whereby a bacterium attaches to a macromolecular substrate under nonoptimal growth conditions for possible utilization upon a shift to more favorable conditions.
Understanding information system quality on public e-government service intention: an empirical study

The aim of this study is the proposition of a model for the understanding and examination of public satisfaction and intention towards e-government service. Based on the online survey of 366 e-government experienced participants, this study uses the structural equation modelling approach to test the research model. The results of analysis reflect that public intention use is significantly determined by public satisfaction, and perceived usefulness toward e-government, and information system quality (ISQ) is positively influenced by public intention usage directly, while public perceived usefulness directly is influenced by ISQ, and indirectly influenced through public confirmation of expectation. Other results indicate that public satisfaction is directly influenced by ISQ and indirectly influenced through public perceived usefulness. Finally, the findings of this research offers detailed theoretical, and managerial implications for scholars, governmental and software engineering.
Hox transcription factors influence motoneuron identity through the integrated actions of both homeodomain and non‐homeodomain regions

Background: Hox transcription factors play a critical role in the specification of motoneuron subtypes within the spinal cord. Our previous work showed that two orthologous members of this family, Hoxd10 and Hoxd11, exert opposing effects on motoneuron development in the lumbosacral (LS) spinal cord of the embryonic chick: Hoxd10 promotes the development of lateral motoneuron subtypes that project to dorsal limb muscles, while Hoxd11 represses the development of lateral subtypes in favor of medial subtypes that innervate ventral limb muscles and axial muscles. The striking degree of homology between the DNA‐binding homeodomains of Hoxd10 and Hoxd11 suggested that non‐homeodomain regions mediate their divergent effects. In the present study, we investigate the relative contributions of homeodomain and non‐homeodomain regions of Hoxd10 and Hoxd11 to motoneuron specification. Results: Using in ovo electroporation to express chimeric and mutant constructs in LS motoneurons, we find that both the homeodomain and non‐homeodomain regions of Hoxd10 are necessary to specify lateral motoneurons. In contrast, non‐homeodomain regions of Hoxd11 are sufficient to repress lateral motoneuron fates in favor of medial fates. Conclusions: Together, our data demonstrate that even closely related Hox orthologues rely on distinct combinations of homeodomain‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms to specify motoneuron identity. Developmental Dynamics 241:718–731, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microsporidia (Encephalitozoon cuniculi) in wild rabbits in Australia.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of infection with Encephalitozoon cuniculi in wild rabbit populations in Western Australia, and to isolate the organism from seropositive rabbits. DESIGN Serological screening of wild and clinically affected domestic rabbit populations. SAMPLE POPULATION Eighty-one wild rabbits from south-western Western Australia and 29 laboratory rabbits. PROCEDURE Indirect immunofluorescence antibody technique and in-vitro amplification of parasite isolates in fibroblast cultures. RESULTS Of the 81 wild rabbits and 29 laboratory rabbits, 20 and 22 respectively, had antibodies to E cuniculi. E cuniculi from the urine of one seropositive laboratory rabbit and from brain and kidney tissues of eight and five seropositive laboratory and wild rabbits respectively were isolated in fibroblast cultures. CONCLUSION E cuniculi infection has been shown for the first time to be prevalent in wild rabbits in Australia. Techniques have been developed for the isolation and culture of the causative agent. Comparative studies can now be undertaken to determine risk factors for clinical disease in domestic rabbits and the relationship among E cuniculi isolates from wild and domestic rabbits.
Screening for new yeast mutants affected in mannosylphosphorylation of cell wall mannoproteins

We have carried out a screen of 622 deletion strains generated during the EUROFAN B0 project to identify non‐essential genes related to the mannosylphosphate content of the cell wall. By examining the affinity of the deletants for the cationic dye alcian blue and the ion exchanger QAE‐Sephadex, we have selected 50 strains. On the basis on their reactivity (blue colour intensity) in the alcian blue assay, mutants with a lower phosphate content than wild‐type cells were then arranged in groups defined by previously characterized mutants, as follows: group I (mnn6), group II (between mnn6 and mnn9) and group III (mnn9). Similarly, strains that behaved like mnn1 (i.e. a blue colour deeper than wild‐type) were included in group VI. To confirm the association between the phenotype and a specific mutation, strains were complemented with clones or subjected to tetrad analysis. Selected strains were further tested for extracellular invertase and exoglucanase. Within groups I, II and III, we found some genes known to be involved in oligosaccharide biosynthesis (ALG9, ALG12, HOC1), secretion (BRE5, COD4/COG5, VPS53), transcription (YOL072w/THP1, ELP2, STB1, SNF11), cell polarity (SEP7, RDG1), mitochondrial function (YFH1), cell metabolism, as well as orphan genes. Within group VI, we found genes involved in environmentally regulated transduction pathways (PAL2 and RIM20) as well as others with miscellaneous or unknown functions. We conclude that mannosylphosphorylation is severely impaired in some deletants deficient in specific glycosylation/secretion processes, but many other different pathways may also modulate the amount of mannosylphosphate in the cell wall. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A phylogenetic Kalman filter for ancestral trait reconstruction using molecular data

MOTIVATION Correlation between life history or ecological traits and genomic features such as nucleotide or amino acid composition can be used for reconstructing the evolutionary history of the traits of interest along phylogenies. Thus far, however, such ancestral reconstructions have been done using simple linear regression approaches that do not account for phylogenetic inertia. These reconstructions could instead be seen as a genuine comparative regression problem, such as formalized by classical generalized least-square comparative methods, in which the trait of interest and the molecular predictor are represented as correlated Brownian characters coevolving along the phylogeny. RESULTS Here, a Bayesian sampler is introduced, representing an alternative and more efficient algorithmic solution to this comparative regression problem, compared with currently existing generalized least-square approaches. Technically, ancestral trait reconstruction based on a molecular predictor is shown to be formally equivalent to a phylogenetic Kalman filter problem, for which backward and forward recursions are developed and implemented in the context of a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampler. The comparative regression method results in more accurate reconstructions and a more faithful representation of uncertainty, compared with simple linear regression. Application to the reconstruction of the evolution of optimal growth temperature in Archaea, using GC composition in ribosomal RNA stems and amino acid composition of a sample of protein-coding genes, confirms previous findings, in particular, pointing to a hyperthermophilic ancestor for the kingdom. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The program is freely available at www.phylobayes. org.
Regional specific groundwater arsenic levels and neuropsychological functioning: a cross-sectional study

Background: The purpose of the study was to examine the link between geographic information system (GIS)-estimated regional specific groundwater levels and neuropsychological functioning in a sample of individuals with and without cognitive impairment. Methods: This cross-sectional study design analyzed data from 1390 participants (733 Alzheimer’s disease, 127 Mild Cognitive Impairment, and 530 with normal cognition) enrolled in the Texas Alzheimer’s Research and Care Consortium. GISs analyses were used to estimate regional specific groundwater arsenic concentrations using the Environmental Systems Research Institute and arsenic concentrations from the Texas Water Development Board. Results: In the full cohort, regional specific arsenic concentrations were positively associated with language abilities (p = 0.008), but associated with poorer verbal memory, immediate (p = 0.008), and delayed (p < 0.001), as well as poorer visual memory, immediate (p = 0.02), and delayed (p < 0.001). The findings varied by diagnostic category with arsenic being related with cognition most prominently among mild cognitive impairment cases. Conclusions: Overall, estimated regional specific groundwater arsenic levels were negatively associated with neuropsychological performance.
Alterations in skeletal muscle structure are minimized with steroid withdrawal after renal transplantation1

Background. Limitations in exercise capacity in kidney transplant recipients are thought to result in part from changes in muscle structure and function associated with immunosuppression therapy. Methods. We compared the percent distribution of skeletal muscle fiber types, cross-sectional areas, and ultrastructural morphologies in kidney transplant recipients treated with standard prednisone maintenance therapy (n=21) to those undergoing rapid withdrawal of prednisone using Simulect (interleukin 2 receptor inhibitor) (n=13). Skeletal muscle biopsy specimens from the vastus lateralis were analyzed at 3 and 12 months after transplantation and compared with sedentary controls (n=15). Results. Compared with the control group, the group receiving prednisone maintenance therapy had a significantly lower percentage of type I fibers and a higher percentage of type IIB/x fibers, evident at 3 and 12 months. Fiber type distribution in patients withdrawn from prednisone did not differ from controls. In patients withdrawn from prednisone, the cross-sectional areas of type I and IIA fibers were lower and the area of type IIB/x fibers was higher compared with controls. Likewise, ultrastructural studies revealed reduced volume densities of myofibrils and higher densities of interfibrillar and subsarcolemmal mitochondria. At 12 months there were no ultrastructural differences between the patients withdrawn from prednisone and controls. Conclusions. We conclude that prednisone maintenance therapy contributes to the lower exercise capacity by altering the ratio of type I to type IIB/x fibers and by reducing myofilament density. The increase in mitochondria in patients receiving prednisone may reflect a switch from carbohydrate to lipid metabolism resulting from the glucocorticoid therapy.
Visualizing neurons one‐by‐one in vivo: Optical dissection and reconstruction of neural networks with reversible fluorescent proteins

A great many axons and dendrites intermingle to fasciculate, creating synapses as well as glomeruli. During live imaging in particular, it is often impossible to distinguish between individual neurons when they are contiguous spatially and labeled in the same fluorescent color. In an attempt to solve this problem, we have taken advantage of Dronpa, a green fluorescent protein whose fluorescence can be erased with strong blue light, and reversibly highlighted with violet or ultraviolet light. We first visualized a neural network with fluorescent Dronpa using the Gal4‐UAS system. During the time‐lapse imaging of axonal navigation, we erased the Dronpa fluorescence entirely; re‐highlighted it in a single neuron anterogradely from the soma or retrogradely from the axon; then repeated this procedure for other single neurons. After collecting images of several individual neurons, we then recombined them in multiple pseudo‐colors to reconstruct the network. We have also successfully re‐highlighted Dronpa using two‐photon excitation microscopy to label individual cells located inside of tissues and were able to demonstrate visualization of a Mauthner neuron extending an axon. These “optical dissection” techniques have the potential to be automated in the future and may provide an effective means to identify gene function in morphogenesis and network formation at the single cell level. Developmental Dynamics 235:2192–2199, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microglia and neurons in the hippocampus of migratory sandpipers

The semipalmated sandpiper Calidris pusilla and the spotted sandpiper Actitis macularia are long- and short-distance migrants, respectively. C. pusilla breeds in the sub-arctic and mid-arctic tundra of Canada and Alaska and winters on the north and east coasts of South America. A. macularia breeds in a broad distribution across most of North America from the treeline to the southern United States. It winters in the southern United States, and Central and South America. The autumn migration route of C. pusilla includes a non-stop flight over the Atlantic Ocean, whereas autumn route of A. macularia is largely over land. Because of this difference in their migratory paths and the visuo-spatial recognition tasks involved, we hypothesized that hippocampal volume and neuronal and glial numbers would differ between these two species. A. macularia did not differ from C. pusilla in the total number of hippocampal neurons, but the species had a larger hippocampal formation and more hippocampal microglia. It remains to be investigated whether these differences indicate interspecies differences or neural specializations associated with different strategies of orientation and navigation.
IAA production by Bacillus sp. JH 2‐2 promotes Indian mustard growth in the presence of hexavalent chromium

Bacillus sp. strain JH 2‐2, isolated from the rhizosphere of plants at a multi‐metal contaminated mine site, has the potential to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and promote plant growth by reducing Cr toxicity and producing IAA. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Cr(VI) to Bacillus sp. JH 2‐2 was 1000 mg L−1 and the strain reduced 99% of 10 mg Cr(VI) L−1 to Cr(IV) within 24 h. Lower Cr(VI) stress (10 mg L−1) stimulated IAA production, but much less IAA was produced at 30 or 50 mg Cr(VI) L−1. Inoculation with Bacillus sp. JH 2‐2 increased the length of Brassica juncea L. roots by 364% and stems by 735% in the presence of 10 mg Cr(VI) L−1 from those of uninoculated control plants. These findings suggest potential use of Bacillus sp. JH 2‐2 to promote phytoremediation of soil contaminated with Cr(VI).
The role of domestic financial and economic development in financial integration

ABSTRACT Using two-step system generalized method-of-moments on an unbalanced panel of 75 countries from 1996 to 2010, this study shows that financial development’s effect on the pace of a country’s financial integration is conditional on economic development. Indeed, the results validate the observation that greater financial development conditioned on similar levels of economic development should precede closer financial integration.
Serratia marcescens producing SME carbapenemases: an emerging resistance problem in the UK?

1 Liu YY, Wang Y, Walsh TR et al. Emergence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance mechanism MCR-1 in animals and human beings in China: a microbiological and molecular biological study. Lancet Infect Dis 2016; 16: 161–8. 2 Skov RL, Monnet DL. Plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (mcr-1 gene): three months later, the story unfolds. Euro Surveill 2016; 21: pii=30155. 3 Schwarz S, Johnson AP. Transferable resistance to colistin: a new but old threat. J Antimicrob Chemother 2016; 71: 2066–70. 4 Snesrud E, He S, Chandler M et al. A model for transposition of the colistin resistance gene mcr-1 by ISApl1. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60: 6973–6.
Gender Gap, Capital Accumulation and the Demographic Transition

This paper focuses on explaining the demographic transition and some of the broad patterns that are associated with it. We present an endogenous growth model that incorporates altruism and son preference within the family as well as gender wage gap and gender wage discrimination in the labour market. We show that with the accumulation of physical capital and human capital, the output share of mental labour increases and the gender wage gap narrows. In the early stages of economic development, gender discrimination is becoming prevalent and the substitution effect of capital accumulation, which raises the cost of child rearing, is dominated by the income effect, so the growth rate of population increases with income. When the degree of gender wage discrimination starts to decline, the increased cost of child rearing induces families to invest more in the human capital of children and the growth rate of the population falls. The quantitative analysis shows that gender wage discrimination is indeed an important contributor to the demographic transition.
Soft robotic arm inspired by the octopus: I. From biological functions to artificial requirements

Octopuses are molluscs that belong to the group Cephalopoda. They lack joints and rigid links, and as a result, their arms possess virtually limitless freedom of movement. These flexible appendages exhibit peculiar biomechanical features such as stiffness control, compliance, and high flexibility and dexterity. Studying the capabilities of the octopus arm is a complex task that presents a challenge for both biologists and roboticists, the latter of whom draw inspiration from the octopus in designing novel technologies within soft robotics. With this idea in mind, in this study, we used new, purposively developed methods of analysing the octopus arm in vivo to create new biologically inspired design concepts. Our measurements showed that the octopus arm can elongate by 70% in tandem with a 23% diameter reduction and exhibits an average pulling force of 40 N. The arm also exhibited a 20% mean shortening at a rate of 17.1 mm s−1 and a longitudinal stiffening rate as high as 2 N (mm s)−1. Using histology and ultrasounds, we investigated the functional morphology of the internal tissues, including the sinusoidal arrangement of the nerve cord and the local insertion points of the longitudinal and transverse muscle fibres. The resulting information was used to create novel design principles and specifications that can in turn be used in developing a new soft robotic arm.
The effects of parental advice and financial literacy on asset accumulation among American youth

Financial literacy is an important body of knowledge and set of skills that consumers need to successfully navigate the 21 century economy. Prior research shows financial literacy bears a significant relationship, along with other factors, to the wealth outcomes of adults. While some of this research has examined how specific behaviors related to self-control affect wealth, few include the effects of parental socialization as measured through advice given from parents to children. This paper estimates an empirical relationship amongst wealth, literacy, and parental advice using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth’s 1997 Cohort (NLSY 97). I find financial literacy and parental advice are strongly related to wealth. I also find that women on average have lower wealth than men, even after controlling for literacy, advice, and other demographics. The source of the parental advice also proves statistically important.
Ivory: Early-stage design space exploration tool for integrated voltage regulators

Despite being employed in burgeoning efforts to improve power delivery efficiency, integrated voltage regulators (IVRs) have yet to be evaluated in a rigorous, systematic, or quantitative manner. To fulfill this need, we present Ivory, a high-level design space exploration tool capable of providing accurate conversion efficiency, static performance characteristics, and dynamic transient responses of an IVR-enabled power delivery subsystem (PDS), enabling rapid trade-off exploration at early design stage, approximately 1000x faster than SPICE simulation. We demonstrate and validate Ivory with a wide spectrum of IVR topologies. In addition, we present a case study using Ivory to reveal the optimal PDS configurations, with underlying power break-downs and area overheads for the GPU manycore architecture, which has yet to embrace IVRs.