Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurophysiological Correlates of Sevoflurane-induced Unconsciousness

Background:Recent studies of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness in humans have focused predominantly on the intravenous drug propofol and have identified anterior dominance of alpha rhythms and frontal phase–amplitude coupling patterns as neurophysiological markers. However, it is unclear whether the correlates of propofol-induced unconsciousness are generalizable to inhaled anesthetics, which have distinct molecular targets and which are used more commonly in clinical practice. Methods:The authors recorded 64-channel electroencephalograms in healthy human participants during consciousness, sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness, and recovery (n = 10; n = 7 suitable for analysis). Spectrograms and scalp distributions of low-frequency (1 Hz) and alpha (10 Hz) power were analyzed, and phase–amplitude modulation between these two frequencies was calculated in frontal and parietal regions. Phase lag index was used to assess phase relationships across the cortex. Results:At concentrations sufficient for unconsciousness, sevoflurane did not result in a consistent anteriorization of alpha power; the relationship between low-frequency phase and alpha amplitude in the frontal cortex did not undergo characteristic transitions. By contrast, there was significant cross-frequency coupling in the parietal region during consciousness that was not observed after loss of consciousness. Furthermore, a reversible disruption of anterior–posterior phase relationships in the alpha bandwidth was identified as a correlate of sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness. Conclusion:In humans, sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness is not correlated with anteriorization of alpha and related cross-frequency patterns, but rather by a disruption of phase–amplitude coupling in the parietal region and phase–phase relationships across the cortex.
Modelling the Venusian airglow

Context. Modelling of the Venusian ionosphere fluorescence is required, to analyse data being collected by the SPICAV instrument onboard Venus Express. Aims. We present the modelling of the production of excited states of O, CO and N 2 , which enables the computation of nightglow emissions. In the dayside, we compute several emissions, taking advantage of the small influence of resonant scattering for forbidden transitions. Methods. We compute photoionisation and photodissociation mechanisms, and the photoelectron production. We compute electron impact excitation and ionisation, through a multi-stream stationary kinetic transport code. Finally, we compute the ion recombination using a stationary chemical model. Results. We predict altitude density profiles for O( 1 S) and O( 1 D) states, and emissions corresponding to their different transitions. They are found to agree with observations. In the nightside, we discuss the different O( 1 S) excitation mechanisms as a source of green line emission. We calculate production intensities of the O( 3 S) and O( 5 S) states. ForCO, we compute the Cameron bands and the Fourth Positive bands emissions. For N 2 , we compute the LBH, first and Second Positive bands. All values are compared successfully to experiments when data are available. Conclusions. For the first time, a comprehensive model is proposed to compute dayglow and nightglow emissions of the Venusian upper atmosphere. It relies on previous works with noticeable improvements, both on the transport side and on the chemical side. In the near future, a radiative-transfer model will be used to compute optically-thick lines in the dayglow, and a fluid model will be added to compute ion densities.
Psychological Strain and Suicidal Ideation among Chinese Young People

Background: In China, suicide is one of the major causes of death among adolescents and young adults. Various factors affect suicidal ideation. Aim: The current study examined how psychological strains affected suicidal ideation. Method: A questionnaire survey study was conducted in a Chinese university, with a large sample of 979 undergraduate students. The multiple linear regression analysis was used to exam the possible risk factors for suicidal ideation. Results: Grade, religion, course attendance, appearance self-evaluation, depression, social support and psychological strains measured by differential values strain and relative deprivation strain were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Chinese young people? psychological strains were predictors of suicidal ideation with the important demographic variables controlled for.
Identification and sequence analysis of two related flagellin genes in Rhizobium meliloti

The genomic region that codes for the flagellin subunits of the complex flagellar filaments of Rhizobium meliloti was cloned and sequenced. Two structural genes, flaA and flaB, that encode 395- and 396-amino-acid polypeptides, respectively, were identified. These exhibit 87% sequence identity. The amino acid sequences of tryptic peptides suggest that both of these subunit proteins are represented in the flagellar filaments. The N-terminal methionine was absent from the mature flagellin subunits. Their derived primary structures show almost no relationship to flagellins from Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, or Bacillus subtilis but exhibit up to 60% similarity to the N- and C-terminal portions of flagellin from Caulobacter crescentus. It is suggested that the complex flagellar filaments of R. meliloti are unique in being assembled from heterodimers of two related flagellin subunits. The tandemly arranged flagellin genes were shown to be transcribed separately from unusual promoter sequences.
Plant allometry: is there a grand unifying theory?

The study of size and its biological consequences – called allometry – has fascinated biologists for centuries. Recent advances in this area of study have stimulated a renewed interest in these scaling phenomena, especially in terms of the search for mechanistic explanations that transcend mere descriptive phenomenology. These advances are reviewed in the context of plant biology. Allometric derivations are presented that predict how annual growth in total body biomass is partitioned to construct new leaf, stem, and root tissues at the level of an individual plant. Derivations are also presented to predict annual reproductive effort and to predict how the biomass of body parts changes as a function of the number of plants per unit area in communities. The predictions emerging from these derivations are then examined empirically by comparing predicted and observed scaling exponents for each relationship using a world‐wide data compendium gathered from the primary literature. These comparisons provide strong statistical support for each of the allometric predictions. This support is taken as evidence that a general unifying allometric theory for plant biology is near at hand. Nevertheless, the validation of this theory requires much additional work and raises a number of procedural and conceptual concerns that must be resolved before a single‘global’theory is accepted.
Ultrashort Laser Interaction with Dielectric Materials-- A Numerical Approach Based on a Plasma-Temperature Combined Model

Biography Xiao Jia graduated from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA) with B.S. degree in 2012, and Tongji University with M.S. degree in 2015, majoring in Automotive Engineering. He is now a second year PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University. His current research focuses on ultrashort laser-matter interaction, micro/nano-machining. He is a student member of APS.
A Low-Overhead Asynchronous Interconnection Network for GALS Chip Multiprocessors

A new asynchronous interconnection network is introduced for globally-asynchronous locally-synchronous (GALS)chip multiprocessors. The network eliminates the need for global clock distribution, and can interface multiple synchronous timing domains operating at unrelated clock rates. In particular, two new highly-concurrent asynchronous components are introduced which provide simple routing and arbitration/merge functions. Post-layout simulations in identical commercial 90nm technology indicate that comparable recent synchronous router nodes have 5.6-10.7x more energy per packet and 2.8-6.4x greater area than the new asynchronous nodes. Under random traffic, the network provides significantly lower latency and competitive throughput over the entire operating range of the 800 MHz network and through mid-range traffic rates for the 1.36 GHz network, but with degradation at higher traffic rates. Preliminary evaluations are also presented for a mixed-timing (GALS) network in a shared-memory parallel architecture, running both random traffic and parallel benchmark kernels, as well as directions for further improvement.
Unshielded magnetocardiography: Repeatability and reproducibility of automatically estimated ventricular repolarization parameters in 204 healthy subjects

Magnetocardiographic mapping (MCG) provides quantitative assessment of the magnetic field (MF) induced by cardiac ionic currents, is more sensitive to tangential currents, and measures vortex currents undetectable by ECG, with higher reported sensitivity of MCG ventricular repolarization (VR) parameters for earlier detection of acute myocardial ischemia. Aims of this study were to validate the feasibility of in‐hospital unshielded MCG and to assess repeatability and reproducibility of quantitative VR parameters, considering also possible gender‐ and age‐related variability.
Induced expression of bacterial β‐glucosidase activity in saccharomyces

The bglA gene which encodes a β‐glucosidase from Bacillus polymyxa, has been expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under control of the yeast CYC‐GAL promoter. Strains have been constructed which carry the gene in different locations: in a multicopy plasmid, a single integration at the URA3 locus, or multiple integrations at the RDN1 locus. Integrative transformation at RDN1 yielded genetically stable clones with a high level of β‐glucosidase activity. Coordinated overexpression of the GAL4 inducer protein further increased the level of enzyme activity, although eventually caused the lysis of the cultures. Diploid, triploid and tetraploid strains derived from the transformants with multiple integrations were constructed and expression of β‐glucosidase activity in different conditions of growth was assayed. While per‐cell activity increased with ploidy, specific activity was about the same in strains of equivalent genotype regardless of ploidy. Genetically stable and regulated expression in Saccharomyces of β‐glucosidase activity is interesting for the development of strains able to ferment β‐glycosidic sugars (i.e. cellobiose and lactose). From another point of view, the bglA product proved to be a convenient reporter enzyme to monitor heterologous gene expression.
Diabetes mellitus and extrapulmonary tuberculosis: site distribution and risk of mortality

SUMMARY Scarce data exist on the relationship between diabetes and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). We evaluated whether diabetes impacts site of TB and risk of death in patients with EPTB. We evaluated a cohort of TB cases from the state of Georgia between 2009 and 2012. Patients aged ⩾16 years were classified by diabetes status according to medical records. Site of EPTB was determined by culture and/or state TB classification. Death was defined by all-cause mortality. Of 1325 eligible reported TB cases, 369 (27·8%) had any EPTB including 258 (19·5%) with only EPTB and 111 (8·4%) with pulmonary TB and EPTB. Of all TB cases, 158 had diabetes (11·9%). In multivariable analysis, the odds of any EPTB was similar in patients with and without diabetes [adjusted odds ratio 1·04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·70–1·56]. The risk of death was 23·8% in patients with EPTB and diabetes vs. 9·8% in those with no diabetes (P < 0·01); after adjusting for covariates the difference was not significant (aRR 1·19, 95% CI 0·54–2·63). Diabetes was common in patients with EPTB and risk of death was high. Improved understanding of the relationship between diabetes and EPTB is critical to determine the extent that diabetes affects TB diagnosis and clinical management.
EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of life in a group of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma with special focus on the influences of socio-demographics and symptomatology. Material and Methods: The study was carried out at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar from 1st June 2010 to 31 Dec 2011.One hundred and two patients with Oral squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were evaluated in this study. For the collection of data, a specially designed Proforma based on European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire, version 3.0 was used containing functional and symptoms scales. The collected data and all relevant information were analysed using statistical package for social sciences version 17.0. Results: The gender distribution of patients revealed that out of total 102 patients, 56 ((54.90%) were male while 46(45.10%) were female, mostly in age group 66-70 years (26.48%) followed by age group 56-60 years (22.55%). The educational level of these patients showed that most of them (71.57%) were illiterate followed by middle passed (15.69%). The socioeconomic status was poor in 55.88% patients. Clinical tumour staging was such that most of the patients were in Stage IV (42.17%) and Stage III (38.24%). The quality of life assessment revealed that, poor quality of life was observed mostly in female gender, above 60 years age group and Stage IV tumours. Patients with poor and satisfactory socioeconomic groups scored better on functional scales but scored high on symptoms scales. Poor functional scoring was observed in the good socioeconomic group. Conclusion: Advanced age of the patient, advanced tumour stage and poor socioeconomic status has a negative influence on QoL in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity. A more specific differentiation in this area of research is desirable and further prospective studies must explore this topic with larger patient sample.
Role of Notch-1 intracellular domain in activation of rheumatoid synoviocytes.

OBJECTIVE Notch family proteins are transmembrane receptors that control cell fate and proliferation. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by activation and abnormal proliferation/differentiation of synoviocytes. We examined the expression of Notch-1 and its role in the activation of RA synoviocytes. METHODS The expression of Notch-1 protein was detected by a specific antibody raised against the Notch-1 intracellular domain. Notch-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in synoviocytes was analyzed by Northern blotting. Notch-1 protein expression was confirmed by Western blotting with anti-Notch-1 antibody. To analyze the role of Notch-1 in synoviocyte proliferation, we examined the effects of antisense Notch-1 oligonucleotides (ODNs) and MW167, a gamma-secretase inhibitor. RESULTS Notch-1 protein and mRNA were detected in synovium from all study subjects. The nucleus of RA synoviocytes showed strong staining with anti-Notch-1 antibody, whereas there was predominantly cytoplasmic staining of normal and osteoarthritis (OA) synoviocytes. Western blotting showed a distinct approximately 63-kd protein detected by anti-Notch-1 antibody in nuclear extracts from RA synoviocytes, indicating that nuclear staining of RA synovium and synoviocytes is likely to be the result of nuclear localization of Notch-1 intracellular domain (NICD). Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) increased NICD nuclear translocation in a dose-dependent manner. Antisense Notch-1 ODNs partially blocked the proliferation of RA synoviocytes and inhibited TNFalpha-induced proliferation in both OA and RA synoviocytes. In addition, gamma-secretase inhibitor, which blocks the production of NICD, also inhibited TNFalpha-induced proliferation of RA synoviocytes. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate the expression of Notch-1 in synoviocytes and the presence of Notch-1 fragment in the nuclei of RA synoviocytes and suggest the involvement of Notch-1 signaling in the TNFalpha-induced proliferation of RA synoviocytes.
Automated Unit Testing in Model-based Embedded Software Development

Automating software tests is generally desirable, and especially for the software of safety-critical real-time systems such as automotive control systems. For such systems, also conforming with the ISO 26262 standard for functional safety of road vehicles is absolutely necessary. These are embedded systems, however, which pose additional challenges with regard to test automation. In particular, the questions arise on which hardware platform the tests should be performed and by use of which workflow and tools. This is especially relevant in terms of cost, while still ensuring conformance with ISO 26262. In this paper, we present a practical approach for automated unit testing in model-based embedded software development for a safety-critical automotive application. Our approach includes both a workflow and supporting tools for performing automated unit tests. In particular, we analyze an as-is workflow and propose changes to the workflow for reducing costs and time needed for performing such tests. In addition, we present an improved tool chain for supporting the test workflow. In effect, without manually implementing each test case twice unit tests can be performed both in a simulation environment and on an open-loop test environment including the embedded platform target hardware.
Effects of Iodine on Global Gene Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

It is well documented that iodine kills microorganisms with a broad spectrum, but a systematic study of its mechanism of action has not yet been reported. Here we found the action of iodine on gene expression level, using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae with a DNA microarray. It was found that, like antimicrobial activity, iodine causes an immediate and dose-dependent (0.5 mM, 0.75 mM and 1 mM) transcriptional alteration in yeast cells. The effects of iodine continued after the first immediate response. Genes for c-compound and carbohydrate metabolism, for energy, and for cell rescue were continuously up-regulated. On the other hand, genes related to protein fate were induced especially at 0.5 h. The gene expression profile at 0.5 h was significantly different from that of a longer iodine exposed condition. The main reaction at 0.5 h after iodine addition might be due to oxidative toxicity, and the profile at 0.5 h was similar to that of an agricultural bactericide.
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 infects multiple lineage hematopoietic cells in vivo

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infects mainly CD4+CCR4+ effector/memory T cells in vivo. However, it remains unknown whether HTLV-1 preferentially infects these T cells or this virus converts infected precursor cells to specialized T cells. Expression of viral genes in vivo is critical to study viral replication and proliferation of infected cells. Therefore, we first analyzed viral gene expression in non-human primates naturally infected with simian T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (STLV-1), whose virological attributes closely resemble those of HTLV-1. Although the tax transcript was detected only in certain tissues, Tax expression was much higher in the bone marrow, indicating the possibility of de novo infection. Furthermore, Tax expression of non-T cells was suspected in bone marrow. These data suggest that HTLV-1 infects hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow. To explore the possibility that HTLV-1 infects hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), we analyzed integration sites of HTLV-1 provirus in various lineages of hematopoietic cells in patients with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and a HTLV-1 carrier using the high-throughput sequencing method. Identical integration sites were detected in neutrophils, monocytes, B cells, CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells, indicating that HTLV-1 infects HSCs in vivo. We also detected Tax protein in myeloperoxidase positive neutrophils. Furthermore, dendritic cells differentiated from HTLV-1 infected monocytes caused de novo infection to T cells, indicating that infected monocytes are implicated in viral spreading in vivo. Certain integration sites were re-detected in neutrophils from HAM/TSP patients at different time points, indicating that infected HSCs persist and differentiate in vivo. This study demonstrates that HTLV-1 infects HSCs, and infected stem cells differentiate into diverse cell lineages. These data indicate that infection of HSCs can contribute to the persistence and spread of HTLV-1 in vivo.
Bfx: Diagnosing Conflicting Requirements in Constraint-Based Recommendation

When interacting with constraint-based recommender applications, users describe their preferences with the goal of identifying the products that fit their wishes and needs. In such a scenario, users are repeatedly adapting and changing their requirements. As a consequence, situations occur where none of the products completely fulfils the given set of requirements and users need a support in terms of an indicator of minimal sets of requirements that need to be changed in order to be able to find a recommendation. The identification of such minimal sets relies heavily on the existence of (minimal) conflict sets. In this paper we introduce BFX (Boosted FastXplain), a conflict detection algorithm which exploits the basic structural properties of constraint-based recommendation problems. BFX shows a significantly better performance compared to existing conflict detection algorithms. In order to demonstrate the performance of BFX, we report the results of a comparative performance evaluation.
Volumetric Survey Speed: A Figure of Merit for Transient Surveys

Time-domain surveys can exchange sky coverage for revisit frequency, complicating the comparison of their relative capabilities. By using different revisit intervals, a specific camera may execute surveys optimized for discovery of different classes of transient objects. We propose a new figure of merit, the instantaneous volumetric survey speed, for evaluating transient surveys. This metric defines the trade between cadence interval and snapshot survey volume and so provides a natural means of comparing survey capability. The related metric of areal survey speed imposes a constraint on the range of possible revisit times: we show that many modern time-domain surveys are limited by the amount of fresh sky available each night. We introduce the concept of “spectroscopic accessibility” and discuss its importance for transient science goals requiring followup observing. We present an extension of the control time algorithm for cases where multiple consecutive detections are required. Finally, we explore how survey speed and choice of cadence interval determine the detection rate of transients in the peak absolute magnitude–decay timescale phase space.
Self-interacting dark matter with flavor mixing

The crisis of the cold dark matter and problems of the self-interacting dark matter models is resolved by postulating flavor mixing of dark matter particles. Flavor-mixed particles segregate in the gravitational field to form dark halos composed of heavy mass eigenstates. Since these particles are mixed in the interaction basis, elastic collisions convert some of heavy eigenstates into light ones which leave dense central regions of the halo. This annihilation-like process will soften dense central cusps of halos. The proposed model accumulates most of the attractive features of self-interacting and annihilating dark matter models, but does not suffer from their severe drawbacks. This model is natural; it does not require fine tuning.