Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability of and comparisons among three variations of the alternating cover test

One of the most commonly used methods for measuring heterophoria is the alternating cover test. Differences in specific procedures and observational criteria used by examiners may result in different measurements of heterophoria on the same patient. This study evaluated the inter‐examiner reliability of three different cover test techniques: the estimated cover test, the prism neutralized objective cover test, and the prism neutralized subjective cover test. Two examiners performed each technique on each of 72 subjects. Reliability was assessed using correlational methods and mean difference calculations. Although there were some inter‐examiner differences for the different techniques, all of these differences were within previously determined minimum detectable eye movement ranges. Therefore, when used by experienced clinicians, each of these techniques appears to be a reliable method of heterophoria determination, and their results are comparable.
Workshop on 'Measurement of energy expenditure.' Report of Macronutrient Metabolism Group Workshop.

Professor Ian Macdonald (Nottingham) described the indirect calorimetry techniques used to measure energy expenditure, the assumptions which underlie them and the potential errors which may be incurred. Indirect calorimetry can only be used to estimate energy expenditure accurately if the organism is dependent on aerobic metabolism for the release of energy. If the organism's metabolism is aerobic then energy expenditure can be estimated from measurement of res- piratory gas exchange and preferably, also, urinary N loss based on the following relation- ship: fuel and O2 combine and break down to produce C02, water, protein products and energy. The main complication in using this relationship to estimate energy expenditure is that the amounts of 02, C02 and energy involved are different for the various fuels which can be used. For accuracy, one can determine the actual quantities of different fuels being oxi- dized or instead use a predictive equation based on the mathematical relationship between 0, consumption, CO, production and the energy equivalents appropriate for the fuels being used. In most situations the fuels being used are carbohydrate, fat and protein; however, if other fuels are also being used (e.g. alcohol) then errors can arise unless the rate of utiliz- ation of the other fuel is determined. Different equations were described to calculate energy expenditure from 0, and C02 concentrations (Weir, 1949; Consolazio
Measuring the character strength of wisdom.

This study examined the psychosocial correlates and psychometric properties of the Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS). Seventy-three men and 98 women ranging in age from 17-92 years (Mean age = 42.77) completed an expanded, 40-item version of the SAWS, the Loyola Generativity Scale, and the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale. A new definition of wisdom is provided which is operationalized with the SAWS. Results indicated that the SAWS has excellent reliability (test-retest = .838; Cronbach's Alpha = .904). Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor analyses confirmed the five hypothesized dimensions of wisdom and the total SAWS score correlated in predicted directions with generativity (r(169) = . 448; p < . 01) and attachment avoidance (r(169) = -. 239, p < . 01) demonstrating construct validity.
Epitope specificities of murine monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies against enterobacterial lipopolysaccharides of the Re chemotype

Murine monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of Re mutants of Salmonella minnesota, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli were serologically characterized. Using natural Re LPS and natural and synthetic partial structures thereof, representing the 3-deoxy-D-manno-2-octulosonic acid (KDO) or lipid A region or both, the epitope specificities of four monoclonal antibodies were defined. Clones 20 (immunoglobulin M [IgM]) and 25 (IgG3) recognize a terminal alpha-pyranosidically linked KDO monosaccharide residue and the alpha-2,4-linked KDO disaccharide, respectively, as the immunodominant group. Therefore, these two antibodies are core antibodies which do not require the presence of lipid A constituents for binding. The minimal structure enabling binding of clone 17 (IgG2b) is a pseudotetrasaccharide of the sequence alpha-KDO-(2----4)-alpha-KDO-(2----6)-beta-glucosamine-(1----6)- glucosaminitol with two amide-linked 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid residues. The smallest structure with which clone 22 (IgG3) reacted was de-O-acylated Re LPS. Therefore, clones 17 and 22 are LPS antibodies requiring both the lipid A and the KDO region for binding. Phosphoryl residues of the lipid A moiety in Re LPS are dispensable for the reaction with clone 17, whereas they are necessary for that with clone 22. These four different antibody types were also detected in polyclonal rabbit antisera and could be distinguished from each other by absorption experiments. It was found that type 20 and 25 antibodies either were not present or were present only in small amounts and that the majority of the antibodies were of types 17 and 22. From these data, we conclude that the immunodominant structures of Re LPS comprise both the KDO and lipid A domains.
Dynamics of droplet fluctuations in pure and random Ising systems.

Long-lived droplet fluctuations can dominate the long-time equilibrium dynamics of long-range-ordered Ising systems, yielding nonexponential decay of temporal spin autocorrelations. For the two-dimensional pure Ising model the long-time decay is a stretched exponential, exp(- \ensuremath{\surd}t/\ensuremath{\tau} ), where t is time and \ensuremath{\tau} a correlation time. For systems with quenched random-exchange disorder the spatially averaged correlation decays as a power of time, ${t}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}x}$, with the exponent x in general being nonuniversal. For systems with quenched random-field disorder the decay is slower still, as exp[-k(lnt${)}^{(d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2)/(d\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1)}$], where k is a nonuniversal number and d is the dimensionality of the system. The low-frequency noise from this slow dynamics may be experimentally detectable, as is the analogous noise in spin-glass ordered phases.
FORMATION OF INTRACYTOPLASMIC MEMBRANE SYSTEM OF MYCOBACTERIA RELATED TO CELL DIVISION

Imaeda, Tamotsu (Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela) and Mitua Ogura. Formation of intracytoplasmic membrane system of mycobacteria related to cell division. J. Bacteriol. 85:150–163. 1963. —Mycobacterium leprae, M. lepraemurium, and a Mycobacterium sp. were observed with an electron microscope. In these bacilli, the three-dimensional structure of the intracytoplasmic membrane system consists of tubular infoldings of the invaginated plasma membrane. The moderately dense substance, presumably representing the cell-wall precursor, is found in the membranous system, especially in the rapid growth phase of mycobacteria. This system always shows an intimate relationship with cell division. A low-density zone, probably corresponding to the low-density substance which coats the cell wall, appears in the connecting regions of the system and in the longitudinal portion of the cell wall. These zones extend centripetally, and the separation of the cell wall occurs after the two zones meet. Based on these results, we hypothesize that the intracytoplasmic membrane system may produce cell-wall material during cell division of mycobacteria.
influx via TRPC channels induces NF-B-dependent A 20 expression to prevent thrombin-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells

Thippegowda PB, Singh V, Sundivakkam PC, Xue J, Malik AB, Tiruppathi C. Ca influx via TRPC channels induces NFB-dependent A20 expression to prevent thrombin-induced apoptosis in endothelial cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 298: C656–C664, 2010. First published December 23, 2009; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00456. 2009. —NFB signaling is known to induce the expression of antiapoptotic and proinflammatory genes in endothelial cells (ECs). We have shown recently that Ca influx through canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels activates NFB in ECs. Here we show that Ca influx signal prevents thrombin-induced apoptosis by inducing NFBdependent A20 expression in ECs. Knockdown of TRPC1 expressed in human umbilical vein ECs with small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed thrombin-induced Ca influx and NFB activation in ECs. Interestingly, we observed that thrombin induced 25% of cell death (apoptosis) in TRPC1-knockdown ECs whereas thrombin had no effect on control or control siRNAtransfected ECs. To understand the basis of EC survival, we performed gene microarray analysis using ECs. Thrombin stimulation increased only a set of NFB-regulated genes 3to 14-fold over basal levels in ECs. Expression of the antiapoptotic gene A20 was the highest among these upregulated genes. Like TRPC1 knockdown, thrombin induced apoptosis in A20-knockdown ECs. To address the importance of Ca influx signal, we measured thrombin-induced A20 expression in control and TRPC1knockdown ECs. Thrombin-induced p65/RelA binding to A20 promoter-specific NFB sequence and A20 protein expression were suppressed in TRPC1-knockdown ECs compared with control ECs. Furthermore, in TRPC1-knockdown ECs, thrombin induced the expression of proapoptotic proteins caspase-3 and BAX. Importantly, thrombin-induced apoptosis in TRPC1-knockdown ECs was prevented by adenovirus-mediated expression of A20. These results suggest that Ca influx via TRPC channels plays a critical role in the mechanism of cell survival signaling through A20 expression in ECs.
Monolayer cell culture of neonatal rat pancreas: light microscopy and evidence for immunoreactive insulin synthesis and release.

Pancreatic cells from neonatal rats, isolated by repeated exposure to a mixture of trypsin and collagenase, were cultured in monolayer for periods up to 19.5 days. This preparation was characterized by: (1) light microscopy combined with morphometric analysis; and (2) measurements of immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and protein content of cultured cells and of the amounts of IRI released into the culture medium. The major problem encountered was the rapid proliferation of fibroblastoid cells which tended to overgrow the culture. The decantation of the primary cell suspension after 14 hrs of culture produced a preparation enriched in epithelioid cells, which appeared as clusters. Contained in these clusters were aldehyde-thionin positive cells, presumably B cells. The number of clusters of epithelioid cells did not change over an 8.5 day culture period, but the size of the individual clusters diminished with time. The protein content of cultured cells, which probably reflects the degree of contamination by fib.
Phosphate Translocator of Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Chloroplasts of a C(4) Plant, Panicum miliaceum L. : Identification and Kinetic Characterization.

The phosphate translocator was identified in the envelope membranes of both mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts of Panicum miliaceum L. by labeling with [1,2-(3)H]1,2-(2,2' -disulfo-4,4' -diisothiocyano)diphenylethane ([(3)H]H(2)DIDS) and by using SDS-PAGE. Assay of (32)Pi uptake by the chloroplasts showed that the phosphate translocators of both types of chloroplasts have a higher affinity for phosphoenolpyruvate than the C(3) counterpart and can be regarded as C(4) types.
Interface-Trap Analysis by an Optically Assisted Charge-Pumping Technique in a Floating-Body Device

An optically assisted charge-pumping (CP) technique is proposed for the characterization of interface traps in floating-body (FB) devices. Even without a body contact, majority carriers can be supplied into the FB by light illumination, which contributes to enabling the CP process. Under a strong inversion enabled by a back gate, the front gate triggers the CP process with a designed pulse waveform. Consequently, modulation of the majority-carrier concentration at the front interface is monitored by the change of the drain current. Thus, the interface-trap density is extracted from the monitored drain current and the developed analytical model.
Recognition of protein coding genes in the yeast genome at better than 95% accuracy based on the Z curve.

The Z curve is a three-dimensional space curve constituting the unique representation of a given DNA sequence in the sense that each can be uniquely reconstructed from the other. Based on the Z curve, a new protein coding gene-finding algorithm specific for the yeast genome at better than 95% accuracy has been proposed. Six cross-validation tests were performed to confirm the above accuracy. Using the new algorithm, the number of protein coding genes in the yeast genome is re-estimated. The estimate is based on the assumption that the unknown genes have similar statistical properties to the known genes. It is found that the number of protein coding genes in the 16 yeast chromosomes is </=5645, significantly smaller than the 5800-6000 which is widely accepted, and much larger than the 4800 estimated by another group recently. The mitochondrial genes were not included into the above estimate. A codingness index called the YZ score (YZ OE [0,1]) is proposed to recognize protein coding genes in the yeast genome. Among the ORFs annotated in the MIPS (Munich Information Centre for Protein Sequences) database, those recognized as non-coding by the present algorithm are listed in this paper in detail. The criterion for a coding or non-coding ORF is simply decided by YZ > 0.5 or YZ < 0.5, respectively. The YZ scores for all the ORFs annotated in the MIPS database have been calculated and are available on request by sending e-mail to the corresponding author.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the Qinghai Plateau yak Bos grunniens (Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae)

Abstract The Qinghai Plateau yak Bos grunniens (Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) is an important primitive local breed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions. In this study, its complete mitochondrial genome sequence has been assembled and characterized from high-throughput Illumina sequencing data. This genome is 16 322 bp in length, and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and a non-coding D-loop or control region. The nucleotide composition is asymmetric (33.73% A, 25.79% C, 13.19% G, and 27.29% T) with an overall A + T content of 61.02%. The gene arrangement and the composition are similar to most other vertebrates. These data would contribute to our better understanding its population genetics and evolutionary history.
Effects of psychotherapy in schizophrenia

Abstract Effects of individual long‐term psychotherapy carried out by a single therapist with 14 schizophrenic male patients were studied 6 and 8 years after the start of therapy. The outcome measures were: time spent in hospital, ability to work, social contacts and symptoms, plus a total outcome score. The psychotherapy patients were compared with a control group of schizophrenic patients treated by conventional methods. The two groups were matched with regard to prognostically important variables (age, sex, time in hospital, ability to work) in order to obtain comparable groups. At the first follow‐up video‐taped personal interviews focusing on the patient's status the year before the investigation were performed, followed by ratings by “blind raters”. The psychotherapy patients had significantly more favourable scores on scales for hospitalization, work, symptoms and total outcome in spite of very low prescribed doses of neuroleptics in the last year. At the second follow‐up these differences were maintained. In addition, a difference between the two groups in the variable ‘social contacts’ had emerged.
Isolation of seven unique biogenic amine receptor clones from the honey bee by library scanning

The biogenic amine receptor genes constitute an ancient and highly divergent family within the larger superfamily of G‐protein‐coupled receptors. These receptors play a central role in modulating nerve cell activity and thus behaviour. Because the honey bee offers numerous advantages for behavioural studies we endeavoured to isolate as many members of this gene family as possible from the bee. We compared numerous approaches to gene isolation and found that PCR amplification from small subfractions of cDNA or genomic DNA libraries enabled us to isolate clones that are otherwise undetectable. In total we isolated seven biogenic amine receptor clones and identified five additional related sequences by low‐stringency Southern hybridization. Two clones, AmBAR4 and AmBAR6, are 84% and 72% identical to the Drosophila 5‐HT2 and D1b receptors, respectively, and probably represent orthologous genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that AmBAR5 clusters loosely with a variety of tyramine and octopamine receptors with which it shares <66% identity. The other four clones, AmBAR1, AmBAR2, AmBAR3 and AmBAR7, are weakly to moderately related (28–45% identical) to Drosophila dopaminergic or mammalian adrenergic receptors and probably represent receptors of these classes whose orthologues have not previously been isolated from any insect. The honey bee clones expand the size of the known insect biogenic amine receptor gene family to sixteen members. Therefore the size of the biogenic amine receptor gene family of insects approaches that of vertebrates. This is true despite the reduced behavioural and genetic complexity of the insects relative to vertebrate animals.
A stochastic framework for recursive computation of spline functions-Part I: Interpolating splines

The method for exploiting stochastic smoothing techniques to develop dynamical recursive algorithms for the deterministic problem of d interpolation (optimal curve fitting) is shown. A reproducing kernel Hilbert space approach is used to develop an explicit correspondence between spline interpolation and linear least-squares smoothing of a particular zero-mean random process. This random process is shown to be the output of a white-noise-driven dynamical system whose parameters and initial conditions are fixed by the functional form chosen for the spline. A recursive algorithm is then derived for this (nonstandard) smoothing problem, and thus also for the original spline interpolation problem.
Fast method of particular solutions for solving partial differential equations

FAST METHOD OF PARTICULAR SOLUTIONS FOR SOLVING PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS by Anup Raja Lamichhane December 2016 Method of particular solutions (MPS) has been implemented in many science and engineering problems but obtaining the closed-form particular solutions, the selection of the good shape parameter for various radial basis functions (RBFs) and simulation of the largescale problems are some of the challenges which need to be overcome. In this dissertation, we have used several techniques to overcome such challenges. The closed-form particular solutions for the Matérn and Gaussian RBFs were not known yet. With the help of the symbolic computational tools, we have derived the closed-form particular solutions of the Matérn and Gaussian RBFs for the Laplace and biharmonic operators in 2D and 3D. These derived particular solutions play an important role in solving inhomogeneous problems using MPS and boundary methods such as boundary element methods or boundary meshless methods. In this dissertation, to select the good shape parameter, various existing variable shape parameter strategies and some well-known global optimization algorithms have also been applied. These good shape parameters provide high accurate solutions in many RBFs collocation methods. Fast method of particular solutions (FMPS) has been developed for the simulation of the large-scale problems. FMPS is based on the global version of the MPS. In this method, partial differential equations are discretized by the usual MPS and the determination of the unknown coefficients is accelerated using a fast technique. Numerical results confirm the efficiency of the proposed technique for the PDEs with a large number of computational points in both two and three dimensions. We have also solved the time fractional diffusion equations by using MPS and FMPS.
ERI-MAC: An Energy-Harvested Receiver-Initiated MAC Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy harvesting technology potentially solves the problem of energy efficiency, which is the biggest challenge in wireless sensor networks. The sensor node, which has a capability of harvesting energy from the surrounding environment, is able to achieve infinitive lifetime. The technology promisingly changes the fundamental principle of communication protocols in wireless sensor networks. Instead of saving energy as much as possible, the protocols should guarantee that the harvested energy is equal to or bigger than the consumed energy. At the same time, the protocols are designed to have the efficient operation and maximum network performance. In this paper, we propose ERI-MAC, a new receiver-initiated MAC protocol for energy harvesting sensor networks. ERI-MAC leverages the benefit of receiver-initiated and packet concatenation to achieve good performance both in latency and in energy efficiency. Moreover, ERI-MAC employs a queueing mechanism to adjust the operation of a sensor node following the energy harvesting rate from the surrounding environment. We have extensively evaluated ERI-MAC in a large scale network with a realistic traffic model using the network simulator ns-2. The simulation results show that ERI-MAC achieves good network performance, as well as enabling infinitive lifetime of sensor networks.
Multi-view ToF Fusion for Object Detection in Industrial Applications

The use of time-of-flight (ToF) cameras in industrial applications has become increasingly popular due to the camera’s reduced cost and its ability to provide real-time depth information. Still, one of the main drawbacks of these cameras has been their limited field of view. We therefore propose a technique to fuse the views of multiple ToF cameras. By mounting two cameras side by side and pointing them away from each other, the horizontal field of view can be artificially extended. The combined views can then be used for object detection. The main advantages of our technique is that the calibration is fully automatic and only one shot of the calibration target is needed. Furthermore, no overlap between the views is required.
The Effects of a Short-Term Exercise Program on Movement, Pain, and Mood in the Elderly

Therapeutic effects of a short-term Tai Chi exercise program for the elderly were evaluated in a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. This pilot study evaluated changes in flexibility, balance, sway, pain, and mood after a short slow-motion exercise. The program consisted of a series of movements involving turning, shifting weight, bending, and arm movements in combination with diaphragmatic breathing with slow movements. The measured effects included improved balance, sway, range of motion, decreased perceived pain, and lessened trait anxiety. Participants included 11 elderly females. Instruments consisted of standard goniometry, the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List, stopwatch measures of single-leg stance and a tandem walk (sway), and visual analog measurement of pain. Findings included significant improvement (p = .05) in trait anxiety and pain perception. Improvements in mood, flexibility, and balance may have a profound effect on the incidence of falls, injuries, resulting disability, and overall quality of life.