Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conotruncal heart defects and common variants in maternal and fetal genes in folate, homocysteine, and transsulfuration pathways.

BACKGROUND We investigated the association between conotruncal heart defects (CTDs) and maternal and fetal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 60 genes in the folate, homocysteine, and transsulfuration pathways. We also investigated whether periconceptional maternal folic acid supplementation modified associations between CTDs and SNPs METHODS Participants were enrolled in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study between 1997 and 2008. DNA samples from 616 case-parental triads affected by CTDs and 1645 control-parental triads were genotyped using an Illumina® Golden Gate custom SNP panel. A hybrid design analysis, optimizing data from case and control trios, was used to identify maternal and fetal SNPs associated with CTDs RESULTS Among 921 SNPs, 17 maternal and 17 fetal SNPs had a Bayesian false-discovery probability of <0.8. Ten of the 17 maternal SNPs and 2 of the 17 fetal SNPs were found within the glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit (GCLC) gene. Fetal SNPs with the lowest Bayesian false-discovery probability (rs2612101, rs2847607, rs2847326, rs2847324) were found within the thymidylate synthetase (TYMS) gene. Additional analyses indicated that the risk of CTDs associated with candidate SNPs was modified by periconceptional folic acid supplementation. Nineteen maternal and nine fetal SNPs had a Bayesian false-discovery probability <0.8 for gene-by-environment (G × E) interactions with maternal folic acid supplementation. CONCLUSION These results support previous studies suggesting that maternal and fetal SNPs within folate, homocysteine, and transsulfuration pathways are associated with CTD risk. Maternal use of supplements containing folic acid may modify the impact of SNPs on the developing heart.
WAIS-R Subtest Profile and Cortical Perfusion in Alzheimer′s Disease

WAIS-R profiles were investigated in 28 Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 21 healthy elderly subjects. The Fuld subtest profile, previously reported to have potential as a diagnostic marker for AD, was observed in 35.7% of our AD patients and 4.8% of the controls. We compared AD patients with the Fuld profile (ADF+) to a group of patients without the profile (ADF-) with similar demographics and dementia severity and demographically matched normals using regional Cerebral Blood Flow. Both AD groups showed reduced blood flow in the parietotemporal cortex compared to normals, but the ADF+ patients had greater flow reductions than the ADF- group. Examination of WAIS-R performance indicated that the ADF+ group had lower scores than the ADF- patients on the Digit Symbol and Block Design subtests, and further, that these two subtests were associated with the parietotemporal perfusion deficit in our AD sample. Our findings do not support the use of the Fuld profile as a diagnostic marker for AD, but do provide physiological evidence for behavioral heterogeneity among AD patients based on WAIS-R subtest performance.
Efficient Modeling of Package Power Delivery Networks with Fringing Fields and Gap Coupling in Mixed Signal Systems

Full-wave EM simulations are computationally expensive given the complexity of packaging structures in modern mixed signal systems. Fast methods such as the transmission matrix method are inaccurate as they do not model discontinuities such as metal edges and gaps. In this paper, simple models for the edge effect and gap coupling are developed for the finite difference frequency domain method. Results are presented comparing the accuracy of the proposed method with full-wave simulations and measurements
Phobic spider fear is associated with enhanced attentional capture by spider pictures: a rapid serial presentation event-related potential study

The early posterior negativity (EPN) reflects early selective visual processing of emotionally significant information. This study explored the association between fear of spiders and the EPN for spider pictures. Fifty women completed a Spider Phobia Questionnaire and watched the random rapid serial presentation of 600 neutral, 600 negatively valenced emotional, and 600 spider pictures (three pictures per second). The EPN was scored as the mean activity in the 225–300-ms time window at lateral occipital electrodes. Participants with higher scores on the phobia questionnaire showed larger (i.e. more negative) EPN amplitudes in response to spider pictures. The results suggest that the attentional capture of spider-related stimuli is an automatic response, which is modulated by the extent of spider fear.
Clinical Evaluation of Back Optic Radius and Power Determination by Age in Pediatric Aphakia Due to Congenital Cataract Fitted with a Silicone Elaster Contact Lens

The purpose of this study was to provide optometrists with suggested base curves and powers for initial lens choice based on the infant's age. A retrospective chart review of 16 congenital cataract patients fitted at U.C. Davis Eye Clinic between July 1987 and May 1993 was performed. Patients with associated ocular pathologies were excluded. All patients were fitted with a Bausch & Lomb Silsoft lens, a Silicone Elastomer, set at a 3.00 D myopic posture, which was decreased with the child's increasing age and activity. This study provides a graphical approach to pediatric aphakic silicone elastomer contact lens fitting. Best-fit regression lines for both graphs have an r squared value better than 0.9. Optometrists will now be able to reference the Base Curve vs. Age and Power vs. Age graphs to determine the initial lens choice when keratometry is unachievable. Furthermore, the data suggest a need for an increased range of powers provided by the Silicone elastomer lens in order to approximate normal visual development.
Difficulty Overcoming Learned Non‐reward during Reversal Learning in Rats with Ibotenic Acid Lesions of Orbital Prefrontal Cortex

Abstract: Behavioral flexibility is a concept often invoked when describing the function of the prefrontal cortex. However, the psychological substrate of behavioral flexibility is complex. Its key components are allocation of attention, goal‐directedness, planning, working memory, and response selection. Furthermore, there is evidence that different regions of the prefrontal cortex might be implicated in these different components. In rule‐switching tasks, a distinction is made between errors that are perseverative (difficulty switching from a previously rewarded strategy) and errors due to learned‐irrelevance (difficulty switching to a strategy previously uncorrelated with reward). A similar distinction might be made for reversal learning, which involves inhibition of a previously rewarded response and activation of a previously unrewarded response. Damage to the orbital prefrontal cortex (OPFC) results in a deficit in reversal learning. The present study was designed to examine whether one or both of either perseveration or learned non‐reward might account for the deficit. Rats with bilateral ibotenic acid‐induced lesions of the OPFC were not impaired in acquisition of discriminations. They were impaired, relative to controls, only when they had to overcome learned non‐reward. They did not show enhanced perseveration. We conclude that an inability to overcome learned non‐reward significantly contributes to OPFC lesion‐induced deficits in behavioral flexibility.
A beam tracking algorithm for space-time Rake receiver with a new beamformer

A beamforming algorithm suitable for space-time Rake receiver in CDMA system is addressed. The algorithm is the optimal solution in the sense of minimum variance when interference number approaches to infinite. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm approximates to the Capon's MVDR (minimum variance distortionless response) beamformer when the interference number is much more than the number of array elements. In comparison with Capon's, the algorithm has the advantages of lower computation and no coherent problem. Based on the method described above, a space-time searcher and a spatial frequency detector are presented, by which a beam tracking algorithm is proposed. Simulation results demonstrate that the algorithm can efficiently track the direction of desired signals and has the advantages of lower static error and better dynamic tracking performance.
How the Informational Environment Shapes How Prey Estimate Predation Risk and the Resulting Indirect Effects of Predators

Prey often behaviorally respond to changes in the intensity of predation risk, and these responses can often significantly shape community dynamics, but flexible responses to changes in predation risk require that prey have accurate and timely estimates of predation risk. We present a model of how a prey’s environment should shape the cognitive rules they use to assess predation risk and present how these rules shape the effects predators have on prey and the prey’s resources. In the model, prey can rely on a combination of a fixed estimate of predation risk and a flexible estimate of predation risk shaped by their recent experience. Prey relied more on their experience to estimate predation risk when predator cues were more reliable and when predator densities were lower. In addition, when the prey cognitive rules favored a greater use of their experience to estimate predation risk, the presence of predators caused larger nonconsumptive effects and generally smaller consumptive effects on prey and the prey’s resources. These differences in prey cognition also altered the effects that alterations of cue reliability and predator densities had on prey and their resources.
SeDeM expert system a new innovator tool to develop pharmaceutical forms

Abstract Context: The SeDeM expert system is based on the experimental study and quantitative determination of the characterization parameters of powdered substances, the aim being to determine whether a substance is suitable for producing tablets by means of direct compression (DC) technology, thereby reducing the lead time for pre-formulation studies. Additionally, this expert system also provides formulations with a minimum number of excipients. Objective: We used this system to analyze suitable formulas for the production of orodispersible ibuprofen tablets. Method: Twenty-one disintegrants and ibuprophen were characterized using SeDeM methodology. Results: The results indicated that production of ibuprofen tablets by DC would require improvements in the dimension and compressibility factors of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. The expert system analysis provided the specific percentage of disintegrant needed to blend with ibuprofen and a standardized formula of lubricants in order to obtain a powder mix that would successfully produce tablets by DC. The eight formulas proposed by SeDeM were produced and tested in the laboratory. Conclusion: All eight formulas successfully produced tablets by DC, but only four of them could be considered suitable for use as an orodispersible tablet and accomplishes all the pharmaceutical quality parameters. So, in fact, the use of the SeDeM system reduced the time of medicine’s development and therefore the cost of the activity.
High-Speed 1550 nm VCSEL Data Transmission Link Employing 25 GBd 4-PAM Modulation and Hard Decision Forward Error Correction

Current short-range optical interconnects capacity is moving from 100 to 400 Gb/s and beyond. Direct modulation of several laser sources is used to minimize bandwidth limitations of current optical and electrical components. This total capacity is provided either by wavelength division multiplexing or parallel optics; it is important to investigate on the ultimate transmission capabilities of each laser source to facilitate current capacity standards and allow for future demands. High-speed four-level pulse amplitude modulation at 25 GBd of a 1.5 μ m vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is presented in this paper. The 20 GHz 3 dB-bandwidth laser is, at the time of submission, the largest bandwidth of a 1.5 μ m VCSEL ever reported. Forward error correction (FEC) is implemented to achieve transmission over 100 m virtually error free after FEC decoding. Line rate of 100 Gb/s is achieved by emulation polarization multiplexing using 50 Gb/s signal obtained from a single VCSEL.
Reverse Temperature Dependence of Circuit Performance in High- $\kappa$/Metal-Gate Technology

The temperature dependence of ring-oscillator delay of high-kappa /metal-gate (HKMG) and poly-Si/SiON technologies are analyzed. HKMG gate stacks drive significantly stronger threshold temperature dependence over poly-Si/SiON. This effect, together with the reduced mobility temperature sensitivity, result in higher drive current at elevated temperature for HKMG devices. This is in contrast to poly-Si/SiON technology where the low-driven current performance-limiting corner is typically at high temperature.
Co-evolutionary learning and hierarchical fuzzy control for the inverted pendulum

In this paper we examine the problem of learning a two layer hierarchical fuzzy controller for the control of the inverted pendulum (with nonlinear dynamics). The fuzzy rules are learned using cooperative co-evolution, whereby two distinct evolutionary populations are used: one defining the first fuzzy layer and the other defining the second fuzzy layer. We compare the results from the co-evolutionary algorithm with the results from a classical evolutionary algorithm.
Molecular diagnosis of haematological disorders using DNA from stored bone marrow slides

Summary. A method is described for the extraction of high molecular weight DNA from bone marrow slides which have been stored at room temperature for more than 10 years. This technique widens the scope of molecular analysis of haematological malignancies to include the investigation of cases where the original malignant cells are not otherwise available.
Vital signs monitoring using Ultra Wide Band pulse radar

The aim of this work is to describe how to realize a measurement setup to detect target heart and breath rate with the use of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) radar technology. Thanks to UWB wireless capabilities the detection is done contactless just standing still at a given distance dT. Contactless heart and breath rate detection can be achieved with the use of currently available commercial UWB radar devices. This is of interest for intensive-care patient monitoring, home monitoring, fast disease screening and remote vital signs monitoring. Our setup is composed by devices provided by PulsON: two PulsON 220RD UWB radars. We encountered an issue with time synchronization that is very critical in UWB detection techniques and therefore a custom built synchronization algorithm has been developed
Trends in all-cause five-year mortality after head and neck cancers diagnosed over a period of 33 years. Focus on estimated degree of association with human papillomavirus

Abstract Background: Factors influencing survival after head and neck cancer (HNC) include among others stage, age, and sex. More recently, human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity has been described as a favorable prognostic factor in relation to some HNCs. Material and methods: In this nationwide register-based cohort study of all 20 925 individuals diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) in Denmark 1978–2010, we investigate secular trends in all-cause five-year mortality after HNSCC according to the anticipated degree of association with HPV using a Cox proportional hazards model. Furthermore, we examine whether any trend over time differed according to sex, stage, and age at diagnosis. Results: All-cause five-year mortality after HNSCC has decreased over time. The greatest decrease was seen in the last decade (2000–2010) among patients with HNSCC at sites estimated to be strongly associated with HPV, i.e. the base of the tongue and the tonsils, where a 28% decrease per five years (e.g. HRbase of tongue/tonsils=0.72; 95% CI 0.64–0.81) was observed. When examining sex- and age-specific time trends, the decrease in mortality was most pronounced among male patients and patients below 60 years at diagnosis. In contrast, no clear pattern was observed when examining five-year all-cause mortality trends according to stage. Conclusion: All-cause five-year mortality after HNSCC has decreased significantly in Denmark from 1978 to 2010, especially for HNSCCs at sites anticipated to be strongly associated with HPV, possibly due to an increasing proportion of HPV-positive HNSCCs.
Electron-transfer‐mediated binding of optically active cobalt(III) complexes to horse heart cytochrome c

Optically active cobalt(II) complexes are used as reducing agents in the electron-transfer reaction involving horse heart cytochrome c. Analysis of the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of reaction products indicates that the corresponding cobalt(III) species of both enantiomers of [CoII(alamp)] (H2alamp=N,N′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(methylene)]-bis[alanine]) are partly attached to the protein during electron transfer by coordination to an imidazole unit of one of the histidine residues. His-26 and His-33 are both solvent exposed, and the results suggest that one of these histidine residues acts as a bridge in the electron transfer to and from the haem iron of cytochrome c. The reaction is enantioselective: the ratio of the relative reactivity at 15 °C is 2.9 in favour of the R,R-enantiomer. A small induced CD activity in the haem chromophore reveals that some structural changes in the protein occur consecutively with the binding of the cobalt(III) complex.
Exploring Differences in Household Debt across Euro Area Countries and the US

We use internationally comparable household-level data for the United States and 11 European economies to decompose cross-country differences in debt holdings into differences due to household characteristics and those arising from different economic environments. The data come from the US Survey of Consumer Finances and the newly available Household Finance and Consumption Survey. We find that US households show the highest prevalence of both collateralized and non-collateralized debt, and have comparatively large amounts of loans outstanding. Differences in household characteristics contribute relatively little to this outcome. In contrast, differences in economic environments play an important role, with US economic environment having been much more conducive to debt holdings. The Netherlands are the only European economy with, at least in parts, similarly favourable conditions.
Effect of the aqueous extract of entandrophragma utile bark on gastric acid secretion in ghosh and schild rat preparations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The reduction of aggressive factors such as gastric acid is considered a key target of gastrointestinal protection. We investigated the antisecretory effect of the aqueous bark extract of E. utile, a Nigerian traditional medicinal preparation used for ulcers. METHODS Male rats were anesthetized and cannulated for intragastric perfusion of saline and test agents as well as for infusion of histamine into the jugular vein. Gastric effluents were collected every 30 min and 10 ml aliquots were titrated against 0.01 N NaOH using phenol red indicator. Gastric acidity was deduced from titre values. Histamine in saline was infused for 2 h at a rate of 1 x 10(-4) g kg-1 min -1 to stimulate acid secretion. In one set of animals, cimetidine in saline was simultaneously perfused intragastrically for 2 h at the rate of 2.5 x 10(-3) g kg(-1) h(-1). Similarly, rats in other sets were simultaneously perfused intragastrically with either the aqueous fresh bark extract of E.utile or the decolorized extract for 2 h at a rate of 1.5 x 10(-3) g kg(-1) h(-1). The extract was also perfused in rats that had established peak gastric acid output with prior infusion of histamine. RESULTS Mean basal acid output per 0.5 h was 20.2 ± 1.9 mEq. Peak measurement fluctuated within a range of 114 - 117 mEq 0.5h(-1) and was maintained for more than 5 h. Cimetidine or E. utile prevented the rise to peak output that histamine produces. Using the 2-tailed paired t-test, the inhibitory effects of either cimetidine or E. utile was significant (p<0.05) at 60 min. E. utile significantly caused greater inhibition of histamine stimulated gastric acid output than cimetidine at 120 min (p<0.05). When the extract was given after establishment of peak output, the gastric acidity dramatically fell to below the basal level. CONCLUSION The aqueous bark extract of E. utile contains one or more active component(s) that can be developed as antisecretory medication for hypersecretory states or for protection of the compromised gastrointestinal mucosa.
Virtual Mentoring Program within an Online Doctoral Nursing Education Program: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of doctoral nursing education students who participated in a virtual mentoring program. A phenomenological design was used to enable the researchers to gain an understanding of the research phenomenon. The three patterns that emerged during the study were Confirmation of Mentoring, Building Communities, and Learning the Role of Doctoral Student. Under the pattern of Confirmation of Mentoring were the themes of Receiving Academic Support and Receiving Personal Support. Under the pattern of Building Communities were the themes of Getting to Know Mentors and Understanding the Importance of Relationships. Under the pattern of Learning of Role of Doctoral Student were the themes of Balancing Time and Learning Technology. Additional research is needed to more fully explore virtual mentoring within doctoral programs.
Age-Related Similarities in Contextual Cueing in the Presence of Unpredictive Distracters

ABSTRACT Contextual cueing effects of 6–8-year-old children, 10–12-year-old-children, and college students were compared under conditions in which some of the distracters in the search displays predicted the location of the target and other distracters did not. More specifically, the percent of distracters that predicted the location of the target varied across three conditions (100%, 67%, and 33%). Previous research had indicated that children are impacted more than adults when the percent of predictive distracters is relatively low. However, that research included new displays as well as repeated displays as participants were implicitly learning the association between the predictive distracters and the target. This re-evaluation did not introduce new display until a separate test phase. Results suggested that all three age groups demonstrated significant and comparable contextual cueing effects across all three signal-to-noise ratio conditions. Hence, children appear to possess the general ability to extract and remember information associated with spatial regularities in the presence of considerable spatial noise. In addition, contextual cueing effects were linked to improvements in search efficiency for all groups in this study, providing another degree of similarity across variations in age.
Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of a Duck Circovirus from Guangxi Pockmark Ducks

ABSTRACT We report here the complete genomic sequence of a novel duck circovirus (DuCV) strain, GX1104, isolated from Guangxi pockmark ducks in Guangxi, China. The whole nucleotide sequence had the highest homology (97.2%) with the sequence of strain TC/2002 (GenBank accession number AY394721.1) and had a low homology (76.8% to 78.6%) with the sequences of other strains isolated from China, Germany, and the United States. This report will help to understand the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of Guangxi pockmark duck circovirus in southern China.