Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Curcumin Mitigates Immune-Induced Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction by Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is the most common cause of foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide. The bacteria induce diarrhea and inflammation by invading the intestinal epithelium. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol from turmeric rhizome of Curcuma longa, a medical plant, and is commonly used in curry powder. The aim of this study was the investigation of the protective effects of curcumin against immune-induced epithelial barrier dysfunction in C. jejuni infection. The indirect C. jejuni-induced barrier defects and its protection by curcumin were analyzed in co-cultures with HT-29/B6-GR/MR epithelial cells together with differentiated THP-1 immune cells. Electrophysiological measurements revealed a reduction in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) in infected co-cultures. An increase in fluorescein (332 Da) permeability in co-cultures as well as in the germ-free IL-10−/− mouse model after C. jejuni infection was shown. Curcumin treatment attenuated the C. jejuni-induced increase in fluorescein permeability in both models. Moreover, apoptosis induction, tight junction redistribution, and an increased inflammatory response—represented by TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 secretion—was observed in co-cultures after infection and reversed by curcumin. In conclusion, curcumin protects against indirect C. jejuni-triggered immune-induced barrier defects and might be a therapeutic and protective agent in patients.
The mouse olfactory peduncle 4: Development of synapses, perineuronal nets, and capillaries

Olfaction is critical for survival in neonatal mammals. However, little is known about the neural substrate for this ability as few studies of synaptic development in several olfactory processing regions have been reported. Odor information detected in the nasal cavity is first processed by the olfactory bulb and then sent via the lateral olfactory tract to a series of olfactory cortical areas. The first of these, the anterior olfactory nucleus pars principalis (AONpP), is a simple, two layered cortex with an outer plexiform and inner cell zone (Layers 1 and 2, respectively). Five sets of studies examined age‐related changes in the AONpP. First, immunocytochemistry for glutamatergic (VGlut1 and VGlut2) and GABAergic (VGAT) synapses demonstrated that overall synaptic patterns remained uniform with age. The second set quantified synaptic development with electron microscopy and found different developmental patterns between Layers 1 and 2. As many of the interhemispheric connections in the olfactory system arise from AONpP, the third set examined the development of crossed projections using anterograde tracers and electron microscopy to explore the maturation of this pathway. A fourth study examined ontogenetic changes in immunostaining for the proteoglycans aggrecan and brevican, markers of mesh‐like extracellular structures known as perineuronal nets whose maturation is associated with the end of early critical periods of synaptogenesis. A final study found no age‐related changes in the density of vasculature in the peduncle from P5 to P30. This work is among the first to examine early postnatal changes in this initial cortical region of the olfactory system.
Arl13b Regulates Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion by Controlling Integrin-Mediated Signaling

Breast cancer is the first cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, according to the most recent estimates. This mortality is mainly caused by the tumors’ ability to form metastases. Cancer cell migration and invasion are essential for metastasis and rely on the interplay between actin cytoskeleton remodeling and cell adhesion. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which cancer cell invasion is controlled may provide new strategies to impair cancer progression. We investigated the role of the ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf)-like (Arl) protein Arl13b in breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro, using breast cancer cell lines and in vivo, using mouse orthotopic models. We show that Arl13b silencing inhibits breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro, as well as cancer progression in vivo. We also observed that Arl13b is upregulated in breast cancer cell lines and patient tissue samples. Moreover, we found that Arl13b localizes to focal adhesions (FAs) and interacts with β3-integrin. Upon Arl13b silencing, β3-integrin cell surface levels and FA size are increased and integrin-mediated signaling is inhibited. Therefore, we uncover a role for Arl13b in breast cancer cell migration and invasion and provide a new mechanism for how ARL13B can function as an oncogene, through the modulation of integrin-mediated signaling.
An efficient FPGA based NoC architecture for data communication

In today's real time world network on chip (NoC) plays a major role in fast communication between entities. The need for NoC hardware is in demand based on requirement for fast communication with large data bandwidth. In this paper, an efficient field programmable gate array (FPGA) based NoC architecture for data communication is proposed. The router is designed with 4 ports using proposed controller unit, novel first-in first-out (FIFO) architecture and XY routing logic. The proposed controller unit comprises of MUX based architecture to support the data transfer in East, West, North and South directions using respective select lines with flip-flops connected to the output of multiplexers to achieve delay synchronization. A novel FIFO architecture is designed using a counter and decision unit which are used to keep track of incoming data using signal mem_empty or mem_full. The XY routing logic is used to communicate between the routers and a test sample data is chosen to validate the routing path between source and destination using XY routing logic. The proposed routing architecture is tested on SPARTAN-6-XC6SLX45 board. It is observed that the performance parameters such as slice registers, power dissipation and maximum operating frequency are 290, 38.35 mW and 220.729 MHz respectively.
Medications and the larynx.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The larynx is a complex organ that houses some of the most intricate structures of the human body. Owing to its delicate nature, the larynx is affected by different medications to varying degrees. Many of these effects manifest in subjective complaints in one's voice or swallow. This review article invokes the present available literature to describe the effects different medical agents have on the functionality of the laryngeal structures. RECENT FINDINGS Multiple available studies explore the effects of inhaled corticosteroids on the larynx. While laryngeal candidiasis is a well known complication of chronic steroid use, other rarer fungal infections have also demonstrated themselves as risks. Among anesthetics, the literature suggests that sevoflurane in standard and high doses does not appear to significantly reduce the risk of laryngospasm. The use of topical and intravenous lidocaine appear to have conflicting evidence regarding their use in laryngospasm prevention, whereas postoperative sore throat, hoarseness, and cough may be prevented with preinduction nebulization of ketamine and magnesium sulfate or budesonide. SUMMARY Further study is warranted to explore the effects that these and other classes of agents, such as antibiotics, have on the structure and function of the larynx.
The standing and walking assessment tool for individuals with spinal cord injury: A qualitative study of validity and clinical use

Context/Objective: The Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Standing and Walking Assessment Tool (SWAT) combines stages of walking recovery with measures of balance and walking. It standardizes the timing and content of walking assessment in inpatient rehabilitation. The study aims were: (1) Evaluate the content validity of the SWAT stages of walking recovery, and (2) Understand physical therapists' (PTs) experiences using the SWAT to gauge acceptance, implementation and impact. Design: Qualitative, exploratory study. Setting: Nine Canadian rehabilitation hospitals. Participants: Thirty-four PTs who had used the SWAT ≥10 times. Interventions: Seven focus group meetings were completed. Semi-structured questions queried the content, order and spacing of SWAT stages, and current SWAT use (i.e. processes, challenges, facilitators, impact on practice). Meetings were audio-recorded and transcribed. Themes and categories were derived through a conventional content analysis. Outcome Measure: Not applicable. Results: PTs agreed with the ordering and content of the SWAT stages, but reported unequal spacing between stages. Three themes related to PTs’ use of the SWAT were identified: (1) Variable process: SWAT implementation varied across sites, PTs and patients. (2) Implementation challenges: unfamiliarity of the SWAT, lack of time, not required by place of work, and patients who are outliers or have poor gait quality. (3) Potential to influence clinical decision-making: the SWAT did not influence clinical decisions, but PTs recognized the potential of the tool to do so. Conclusions: Content validity of the SWAT stages was supported and implementation challenges identified. Variability in SWAT implementation may reflect the heterogeneity and person-centeredness of SCI rehabilitation.
Self-management program improves participation in patients with neuromuscular disease

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Energetic, a self-management group program combining aerobic training, energy conservation management, and relapse prevention to improve social participation in patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) and chronic fatigue. Methods In this multicenter, assessor-blinded, 2-armed randomized controlled trial with repeated measurements, 53 patients with various types of NMD and chronic fatigue were randomly allocated to Energetic, a 4-month group intervention, or to usual care. The primary endpoint was social participation assessed with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) performance scale immediately postintervention. Secondary outcomes included COPM satisfaction scale, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Checklist Individual Strength–subscale fatigue. Participants were followed for 11 months postintervention. Data were analyzed with linear models that account for repeated measurements. Results Directly after intervention, the mean group difference for COPM-performance was 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–2.4; p < 0.0001) in favor of the intervention group (n = 29), adjusted for baseline, sex, diagnosis, and work status. This effect was retained at 11 months follow-up (0.9; 95% CI 0.0–1.7; p = 0.049). The COPM satisfaction scale and 6MWT improved more in the intervention group compared to usual care. After 3 and 11 months follow-up, most beneficial effects on social participation and functional endurance were retained. Conclusion Energetic led to sustainable improvements in social participation and functional endurance compared to usual care in patients with NMD and chronic fatigue. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02208687. Classification of evidence This study provides Class III evidence that a combination of aerobic training, energy conservation management, and relapse prevention improves social participation in patients with NMD and chronic fatigue.
Ecophysiological Plasticity and Cold Stress Adaptation in Himalayan Alpine Herbs: Bistorta affinis and Sibbaldia procumbens

Plants have evolved several metabolic pathways as a response to environmental stressors such as low temperatures. In this perspective, it is paramount to highlight physiological mechanisms of plant responses to altitudinal gradients as a proxy to evaluate changing environments. Here, we aimed to determine the impact of elevation on the physiological attributes of two plant species along an altitudinal gradient. Our hypothesis was that the altitudinal gradient influences proline, protein, and sugar contents, as well as abscisic acid (ABA) and indole acetic acid (IAA) concentrations. We studied these physiological components in leaves collected from four different altitudinal ranges in Himalayan region of Pakistan from two native herbs, namely Bistorta affinis and Sibbaldia procumbens. Leaves were collected at the initial blooming phase from each altitudinal range, viz. 2850 m, 3250 m, 3750 m and 4250 m. We observed that most abiotic factors decrease with altitude which induces cold acclimation. A significant increase in the concentration of physiological components was observed as altitude increased, except for IAA, which decreased. Furthermore, we did not find variations in proline, ABA and IAA concentrations between species; only sugar and protein, with higher values for B. affinis. We conclude that altitudinal gradients significantly affect the physiological components of B. affinis and S. procumbens in Himalayan region. This result contributes to the understanding of how plants adapt to environmental pressures, acting as a proxy for the evaluation of impacts caused by climate changes.
Development of intelligent decision support system using fuzzy cognitive maps for migratory beekeepers

This study presents the development of an intelligent information system using fuzzy cognitive maps that provides information to migratory beekeepers about the nectar flow and climate conditions in the regions they will visit. Beekeeping is an agricultural activity essentially focused on honey production. High honey yields in beekeeping can be achieved through migratory beekeeping. Migratory beekeepers complete the honey production season by carrying their hives to regions with high nectar flow. Beekeepers decide on the regions they will visit based on their previous experiences. In this study, a software-based system that provides information to the beekeepers about the honey yield in the regions they will visit has been developed. It is an intelligent information system developed using fuzzy cognitive maps that helps the beekeepers in choosing the region they will visit.
Energy-efficient and High-bandwidth Density Monolithic Optical Transceivers in Advanced CMOS Processes

Author(s): Moazeni, Sajjad | Advisor(s): Stojanovic, Vladimir | Abstract: Today's conventional cloud computing and mobile platforms have been challenged by the advent of Machine Learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT). The performance and diversity requirements of these applications demand the shift towards hyper-scale data centers, Exascale high-performance computing (HPC), energy-efficient edge computing, and new sensing and imaging modalities. My research goal is to design and implement large-scale and energy-efficient integrated systems that answer these technological changes by merging state-of-the-art electronics with photonics. This thesis developes several monolithic photonics platforms in advanced CMOS technologies that were designed as key enablers for the next-generation of integrated systems: (1) Using unmodified CMOS in 32/45nm SOI nodes places photonics next to one of the fastest transistors and enhances integrated system applications beyond the Moore-scaling, while being able to offload major communication tasks from more deeply-scaled compute and memory chips without the complications of 3D integration approaches. (2) Poly-silicon based photonics in bulk CMOS as a path for embedding photonics in the most advanced CMOS nodes (sub-10nm). We demonstrate system results using these platforms for the immediate application area of high-performance optical transceivers. We elaborate on the electronic-photonic co-optimization opportunities on the example of optical interconnect application, a 40Gb/s optical transmitter achieving the world record energy and bandwidth density. Furthermore, we explain how deep insight into details of an advanced CMOS process can leverage photonic device design, enabling new degrees of freedom in a seemingly constrained environment. Lastly, we demonstrate the first monolithic integrated photonics platform in a commercial 300mm-wafer bulk CMOS technology. We implemented the photonic system-on-chip (SoC) in this platform for in-situ device characterization and process development, and demonstrated wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical transceivers. These integrated platforms and system design methodologies can unlock new functionalities in many applications such as HPC, high-bandwidth wireless connectivity, LiDAR, bio-sensing, etc.
Stochastic many-body perturbation theory for Moiré states in twisted bilayer phosphorene

We implement stochastic many-body perturbation theory for systems with 2D periodic boundary conditions. The method is used to compute quasiparticle excitations in twisted bilayer phosphorene. Excitation energies are studied using stochastic and partially self-consistent approaches. The approach is inexpensive; it is used to study twisted systems with unit cells containing >2700 atoms (>13 500 valence electrons), which corresponds to a minimum twisting angle of . Twisted bilayers exhibit band splitting, increased localization and formation of localized Moiré impurity states, as documented by band-structure unfolding. Structural changes in twisted structures lift band degeneracies. Energies of the impurity states vary with the twisting angle due to an interplay between non-local exchange and polarization effects. The mechanisms of quasiparticle energy (de)stabilization due to twisting are likely applicable to a wide range of low-dimensional Moiré superstructures.
Mμl: The Power of Dynamic Multi-Methods

Multi-methods are a straightforward extension of traditional (single) dynamic dispatch, which is the core of most object oriented languages. With multi-methods, a method call will select an appropriate implementation based on the values of multiple arguments, and not just the first/receiver. Language support for both single and multiple dispatch is typically designed to be used in conjunction with other object oriented features, in particular classes and inheritance. But are these extra features really necessary? M{\mu}l is a dynamic language designed to be as simple as possible but still supporting flexible abstraction and polymorphism. M{\mu}l provides only two forms of abstraction: (object) identities and (multi) methods. In M{\mu}l method calls are dispatched based on the identity of arguments, as well as what other methods are defined on them. In order to keep M{\mu}ls design simple, when multiple method definitions are applicable, the most recently defined one is chosen, not the most specific (as is conventional with dynamic dispatch). In this paper we show how by defining methods at runtime, we obtain much of the power of classes and meta object protocols, in particular the ability to dynamically modify the state and behaviour of 'classes' of objects.
Scheduling Stochastic Real-Time Coflows in Unreliable Computing Machines

—We consider a distributed computing network consisting of a master machine and multiple computing machines. The master machine is running multiple jobs. Each job stochastically generates real-time coﬂows with a strict coﬂows’ deadline. While a coﬂow is a collection of tasks that can be processed by the corresponding computing machines, it is completed only when all its tasks are completed within the deadline. Moreover, we consider unreliable computing machines, whose processing speeds are uncertain but limited. Because of the limited processing abilities of the computing machines, an algorithm for scheduling the coﬂows in the computing machines is critical to maximize the average number of completed coﬂows for each job. In this paper, we develop two scheduling algorithms, namely, a feasibility-optimal scheduling algorithm and an approximate scheduling algorithm . The feasibility-optimal scheduling algorithm can fulﬁll the largest region of jobs’ requirements for the average number of completed coﬂows. However, the feasibility-optimal scheduling algorithm suffers from high computational complexity when the number of jobs is large. To address the issue, the approximate scheduling algorithm is proposed with a guaranteed approximation ratio in the worst-case scenario. The approximate scheduling algorithm is also validated in the average-case scenario via computer simulations.
Beyond Optical Depth: Future Determination of Ionization History from the Cosmic Microwave Background

We explore the fundamental limits to which reionization histories can be constrained using only large-scale cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy measurements. The redshift distribution of the fractional ionization xe(z) affects the angular distribution of CMB polarization. We project constraints on the reionization history of the universe using low-noise full-sky temperature and E-mode measurements of the CMB. We show that the measured TE power spectrum, , has roughly one quarter of the constraining power of on the reionization optical depth τ, and its addition improves the precision on τ by 20% over using only. We also use a two-step reionization model with an additional high-redshift step, parameterized by an early ionization fraction , and a late reionization step at zre. We find that future high signal-to-noise measurements of the multipoles 10 ≤ ℓ < 20 are especially important for breaking the degeneracy between and zre. In addition, we show that the uncertainties on these parameters determined from a map with sensitivity 10 μK arcmin are less than 5% larger than the uncertainties in the noiseless case, making this noise level a natural target for future large sky area E-mode measurements.
A numerical method of computing Hadamard finite-part integrals with an integral power singularity at the endpoint on a half infinite interval

In this paper, we propose a numerical method of computing Hadamard finite-part integrals with an integral power singularity at the endpoint on a half infinite interval, that is, a finite value assigned to a divergent integral with an integral power singularity at the endpoint on a half infinite interval. In the proposed method, we express a desired finite-part integral using a complex integral, and we obtain the integral by evaluating the complex integral by the DE formula. Theoretical error estimate and some numerical examples show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On existence and regularity of a terminal value problem for the time fractional diffusion equation

In this paper we consider a final value problem for a diffusion equation with time-space fractional differentiation on a bounded domain D of Rk, k ≥ 1, which includes the fractional power Lβ, 0 < β ≤ 1, of a symmetric uniformly elliptic operator L defined on L2(D). A representation of solutions is given by using the Laplace transform and the spectrum of Lβ. We establish some existence and regularity results for our problem in both the linear and nonlinear case.
A CCG-based Compositional Semantics and Inference System for Comparatives

Comparative constructions play an important role in natural language inference. However, attempts to study semantic representations and logical inferences for comparatives from the computational perspective are not well developed, due to the complexity of their syntactic structures and inference patterns. In this study, using a framework based on Combinatory Categorial Grammar (CCG), we present a compositional semantics that maps various comparative constructions in English to semantic representations and introduces an inference system that effectively handles logical inference with comparatives, including those involving numeral adjectives, antonyms, and quantification. We evaluate the performance of our system on the FraCaS test suite and show that the system can handle a variety of complex logical inferences with comparatives.