Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human motor units in microfluidic devices are impaired by FUS mutations and improved by HDAC6 inhibition

Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) ensure proper communication between motor neurons and muscle through the release of neurotransmitters. In motor neuron disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), NMJs degenerate resulting in muscle atrophy, paralysis and respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to establish a versatile and reproducible in vitro model of a human motor unit to study the effect of ALS-causing mutations. Therefore, we generated a co-culture of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons and human primary mesoangioblast-derived myotubes in microfluidic devices. A chemotactic and volumetric gradient facilitated the growth of motor neuron neurites through microgrooves resulting in the interaction with myotubes and the formation of NMJs. We observed that ALS-causing FUS mutations resulted in a reduced neurite outgrowth and in a decreased NMJ number. Interestingly, the selective HDAC6 inhibitor, Tubastatin A, improved the neurite outgrowth and the NMJ morphology of FUS-ALS co-cultures, further prompting HDAC6 inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS.
Hologram with the enlarged depth of field captured by the commercial plenoptic camera

A method aiming at depth of field of light field based Fresnel hologram is proposed, which is generated by using the weighted type smart pixel mapping. The conventional integral holograms are generally generated through Fourier transforming the elemental images (EI) of II into hogels. However, the non-uniform compression along optical axial is inevitable within the generation of integral hologram. The weighted type smart pixel mapping is introduced to enhance the depth of field of light field-based Fresnel hologram while keeping a compact image size and being free from moving the lenslet array. The processed hologram can reconstruct the 3D image with the combined light fields of all the integral hologram sequences. Finally, the experiment of real 3D object is numerically and optically conducted. The high matching results among them confirm this work a better performance over the conventional methods.
Length-Weight Relationships of Nine Cyprinid Species from Inland Waters of Turkey

This study reports first estimation of length-weight relationships for nine Cyprinid species; Barbus niluferensis Turan, Kottelat and Ekmekçi, 2009, Capoeta baliki Turan, Kottelat, Ekmekçi and Imamoglu, 2006, Capoeta banarescui Turan, Kottelat, Ekmekçi and Imamoglu, 2006, Capoeta ekmekciae Turan, Kottelat, Kirankaya and Engin, 2006, Capoeta erhani Turan, Kottelat and Ekmekçi, 2008, Capoeta turani Özuluğ and Freyhof, 2008, Luciobarbus kottelati Turan, Ekmekçi, Ilhan and Engin, 2008, Squalius kottelati Turan, Yilmaz and Kaya, 2009 and Squalius seyhanensis Turan, Kottelat and Doğan, 2013 from inland waters of Turkey. Coefficient of determinations (r) ranged from 0.9951–0.9767 and b values ranged between 2.7895 and 3.1176. Allometric growth pattern was statistically observed for C. baliki (Pauly’s t test: t = 9.7098, P<0.001) and S. seyhanensis (Pauly’s t test: t = 6.5348, P<0.001).
Muscle sympathetic nerve activity during dynamic exercise in humans: contributions to blood flow responses

MUSCLE SYMPATHETIC NERVE ACTIVITY DURING DYNAMIC EXERCISE IN HUMANS: CONTRIBUTIONS TO BLOOD FLOW RESPONSES Connor John Doherty Advisor: University of Guelph, 2018 Dr. Philip J. Millar This study investigated muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and superficial femoral artery (SFA) blood flow during rhythmic handgrip (RHG), one-legged cycling, and concurrent arm and leg dynamic exercise. Thirty-five healthy young participants completed two study visits. MSNA was acquired during 3-minutes of RHG, one-legged cycling, and concurrent exercise. On a second day, SFA blood flow was assessed during identical exercise protocols. SFA blood flow and MSNA were both recorded from the inactive leg. SFA vascular conductance was unchanged during RHG but reduced similarly during concurrent and cycling exercise. RHG increased MSNA burst frequency but not burst amplitude or total MSNA. Cycling and concurrent exercise did not change MSNA burst frequency but increased burst amplitude, and total MSNA. With cycling and concurrent exercise, reductions in resting SFA vascular conductance occurred in parallel to increases in MSNA burst strength and total activity but not MSNA burst frequency.
MORPHOLOGY, REPRODUCTION, SEASONAL ACTIVITY AND HABITAT USE OF A NORTHERN POPULATION OF THE SMOOTH GREENSNAKE (OPHEODRYS VERNALIS)

The Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis) is a small, slender, oviparous, colubrid snake that is widely distributed in North America. Nonetheless, there have been few studies on this species, and little is known about Canadian populations. The objective of this study was to examine morphology, reproduction, seasonal activity and habitat use of a northern population of the Smooth Greensnake. Individuals were captured during the summers of 2007-2010 in southwestern Manitoba, Canada. Females were larger and relatively heavier than males, but clutch size did not consistently increase with body size. In addition, 59% (on average) of available adult females were gravid in any given year, suggesting that females may not reproduce each year. Males had relatively longer heads and longer tails than females. Males were more common in early August; otherwise, females were more common. The peak of male activity in August suggests that fall mating might occur in this species, but this was not confirmed. Finally, Smooth Greensnakes were most commonly found in grassland, and there were no differences in habitat use between the sexes. Further research on northern populations of Smooth Greensnakes would provide valuable information on this little-studied species.
Splicing and Multiple Binding Proteins in the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Stress System.

CRH directs the physiological and behavioral responses to stress. Its activity is mediated by CRH receptors (CRH-R) 1 and 2 and modulated by the CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP). Aberrant regulation of this system has been associated with anxiety disorders and major depression, demonstrating the importance of understanding the regulation of CRH activity. An mRNA splice variant of CRH-R2α (sCRH-R2α) was recently identified that encodes the receptor’s ligand-binding extracellular domain, but terminates prior to the transmembrane domains. It was therefore predicted to serve as a secreted decoy receptor, mimicking the ability of CRH-BP to sequester free CRH. Although the splice variant contains a premature termination codon, predicting its degradation by nonsense-mediated RNA decay, cycloheximide experiments and polysome profiles demonstrated that sCRH-R2α mRNA escaped this regulation and was efficiently translated. However, the resulting protein was unable to serve as a decoy receptor as it failed to traffic for secretion because of an ineffective signal peptide, and was ultimately subjected to proteosomal degradation. Several other truncated splice variants of GPCRs regulate the amount of full-length receptor expression through dimerization and misrouting; however, receptor binding assays and immunofluorescence of cells co-
Early Cytokine Induction Upon Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Murine Precision Cut Lung Slices Depends on Sensing of Bacterial Viability

Breathing allows a multitude of airborne microbes and microbial compounds to access the lung. Constant exposure of the pulmonary microenvironment to immunogenic particles illustrates the need for proper control mechanisms ensuring the differentiation between threatening and harmless encounters. Discrimination between live and dead bacteria has been suggested to be such a mechanism. In this study, we performed infection studies of murine precision cut lung slices (PCLS) with live or heat-killed P. aeruginosa, in order to investigate the role of viability for induction of an innate immune response. We demonstrate that PCLS induce a robust transcriptomic rewiring upon infection with live but not heat-killed P. aeruginosa. Using mutants of the P. aeruginosa clinical isolate CHA, we show that the viability status of P. aeruginosa is assessed in PCLS by TLR5-independent sensing of flagellin and recognition of the type three secretion system. We further demonstrate that enhanced cytokine expression towards live P. aeruginosa is mediated by uptake of viable but not heat-killed bacteria. Finally, by using a combined approach of receptor blockage and genetically modified PCLS we report a redundant involvement of MARCO and CD200R1 in the uptake of live P. aeruginosa in PCLS. Altogether, our results show that PCLS adapt the extent of cytokine expression to the viability status of P. aeruginosa by specifically internalizing live bacteria.
Self-Efficacy and Intensity of the Use of Social Media on Consumption Behavior: Case Study in the Economics Faculty of Yogyakarta State University

Abstract: This study aims to examine the effect of self-efficacy and the intensity of social media use on student consumption behaviour, both partially and simultaneously. It belongs to causal associative research with a quantitative approach. The population of this study was 476 undergraduate students batch of 2016 in the Faculty of Economics, Yogyakarta State University (YSU). A sample of 217 students was selected through a proportional cluster random sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaires that were previously tested for validity and reliability. The data analysis technique used a multiple regression. Keywords: consumption behavior, self-efficay, intensity of the use of social media Efikasi Diri dan Intensitas Penggunaan Media Sosial Terhadap Perilaku Konsumsi: Stadi Kasus di Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh efikasi diri dan intensitas penggunaan media sosial terhadap perilaku konsumsi mahasiswa, baik secara parsial maupun simultan. Penelitian ini termasuk penelitian asosiatif kausal dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Populasi penelitian ini adalah 476 mahasiswa Strata-1 Fakultas Ekonomi Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta angkatan 2016. Adapun jumlah sampel 217 mahasiswa yang diambil dengan teknik proportional cluster random sampling . Data dikumpulkan dengan kuisioner yang telah diuji validitas dan reliabilitasnya. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah regresi berganda. Kata kunci: perilaku konsumsi, efikasi diri, intensitas penggunaan media sosial
Actividad inmunológica de antígenos miceliales y levaduriformes de diferentes fases de crecimiento de Sporothrix schenckii

Sporothrix schenckii metabolic antigens are of great value in the diagnosis and prognosis of human sporotrichosis. The biological activity of these molecules may vary depending on the different strains and culture media used, antigen extraction methods and fungal morphology. In order to observe the effects of S. schenckii mycelial and yeast antigens from different growth phases on their immunological activity, the present study was undertaken. Metabolic antigens were obtained from culture medium filtrates from different fungal growth phases. They were tested by immunodiffusion (ID) and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) with sporotrichosis patients sera. Protein and carbohydrate concentrations were determined in all antigens. The results showed a gradual increase of the antigen's carbohydrate concentration during the logarithmic growth phase while the protein concentration remained constant. The immunological reactivity showed an increase in the number of precipitin bands with ID and CIE from antigens obtained from the initial stationary phase. Cross reactions were found only in ID with one histoplasmosis serum. The best results were observed with antigens from the late logarithmic growth phase.
Local Optimization for Robust Signed Distance Field Collision

Signed distance fields (SDFs) are a popular shape representation for collision detection. This is due to their query efficiency, and the ability to provide robust inside/outside information. Although it is straightforward to test points for interpenetration with an SDF, it is not clear how to extend this to continuous surfaces, such as triangle meshes. In this paper, we propose a per-element local optimization to find the closest points between the SDF isosurface and mesh elements. This allows us to generate accurate contact points between sharp point-face pairs, and handle smoothly varying edge-edge contact. We compare three numerical methods for solving the local optimization problem: projected gradient descent, Frank-Wolfe, and golden-section search. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of our method to a wide range of scenarios including collision of simulated cloth, rigid bodies, and deformable solids.
Ozonolyse d'éthers insaturés : études des mécanismes en phase gazeuse et de la formation d'aérosol organique secondaire

Ce travail porte sur l'etude de l'ozonolyse en phase gazeuse d'ethers insatures, dont une serie d'alkyl vinyl ethers (AVE, ROCH=CH2, R = C2H5, C3H7 et C4H9) et l'ethyl propenyl ether (EPE, C2H5OCH=CHCH3). Les experiences ont ete effectuees dans une chambre de simulation atmospherique en verre de volume 570 l (MPI Mainz, Allemagne). Les mecanismes reactionnels en phase gazeuse ont ete etudies par spectroscopie infrarouge a transformee de Fourier (IRTF) in situ et la formation d'aerosol organique secondaire (AOS) a ete suivie par granulometrie (SMPS). La composition chimique de l'AOS forme a ete determinee par spectrometrie de masse a ionisation par electrospray. Les constantes cinetiques sont de l'ordre de 10-16 cm³ molecule-1 s-1 pour les AVE. Les produits quantifies en phase gazeuse ont fourni les taux de branchement de la decomposition de l'ozonide primaire et des reactions secondaires des deux intermediaires Criegee, CH2O2 (AVE) et C2H4O2 (EPE) formes avec des rendements de 70 a 83 %. En presence de piegeurs d'intermediaires Criegee (HCOOH, H2O), une forte augmentation des concentrations des produits gazeux specifiques des reactions entre les intermediaires Criegee et leurs piegeurs a ete observee. La formation d'AOS a ete observee pour tous les ethers avec des rendements massiques de 1,5 a 4,7 %. En presence des piegeurs d'intermediaires Criegee (HCOOH, H2O), la formation d'AOS est fortement reduite ou supprimee. L'analyse chimique de l'AOS a mis en evidence la presence d'oligomeres de masses 200 u a 800 u comportant entre 2 a 12 chainons de masses correspondant a celles des intermediaires Criegee CH2O2 (AVE) et C2H4O2 (EPE).
Prediction of UCS and STS of Kaolin clay stabilized with supplementary cementitious material using ANN and MLR

The present study focuses on the application of artificial neural network (ANN) and Multiple linear Regression (MLR) analysis for developing a model to predict the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and split tensile strength (STS) of the fiber reinforced clay stabilized with grass ash, fly ash and lime. Unconfined compressive strength and Split tensile strength are the nonlinear functions and becomes difficult for developing a predicting model. Artificial neural networks are the efficient tools for predicting models possessing non linearity and are used in the present study along with regression analysis for predicting both UCS and STS. The data required for the model was obtained by systematic experiments performed on only Kaolin clay, clay mixed with varying percentages of fly ash, grass ash, polypropylene fibers and lime as between 10-20%, 1-4%, 0-1.5% and 0-8% respectively. Further, the optimum values of the various stabilizing materials were determined from the experiments. The effect of stabilization is observed by performing compaction tests, split tensile tests and unconfined compression tests. ANN models are trained using the inputs and targets obtained from the experiments. Performance of ANN and Regression analysis is checked with statistical error of correlation coefficient (R) and both the methods predict the UCS and STS values quite well; but it is observed that ANN can predict both the values of UCS as well as STS simultaneously whereas MLR predicts the values separately. It is also observed that only STS values can be predicted efficiently by MLR.
Self-Efficacy of Women Prisoners Who Are Infected By HIV

The problem is the number of cases of Prisoners/Detainees contracting/infected with HIV/AIDS in correctional institutions/detention in Indonesia and based on data on female prisoners in Semester II (June-November) in 2019, on average each month 1,112 people, of which 12% were female prisoners infected with HIV, as well as looking at the mental and psychological vulnerability of female prisoners, the authors are interested in researching about female prisoners infected with HIV. In this study, the authors examined the self-efficacy of female prisoners infected with HIV/AIDS and the role of prison officers in motivating and increasing prisoners' self-efficacy. The study was conducted using a comparative qualitative method that is conducting research at 2 (two) different loci to compare the results of each locus. The informants of the study selected 13 (thirteen) female prisoners infected with HIV, 2 (two) prison doctors and 2 (two) heads of the sub-section of Bimkemaswat. The study uses self-efficacy theory which has 4 (four) processes in the formation of self-efficacy and 4 (four) components of self-efficacy improvement. The process and components are used as a guide in interviewing informants. The results of the study, there are differences in the self-efficacy of prisoners at each locus, due to differences in treatment and social support that can increase the self-efficacy of prisoners. Based on the results of the analysis concluded that the self-efficacy of HIV-infected female prisoners in LPP Tangerang is better than female prisoners infected with HIV in LPP Jakarta.
Quantitative electron probe x-ray microanalysis of biological bulk specimens.

: X-ray microanalysis of thick biological specimens is of considerable practical interest. Quantitative analysis of this kind of specimens poses some difficulties, and quantitative methods are less well developed than for thin sections. In this tutorial, the various parts of the ZAF-corrections are examined in some detail, and special attention is given to possible problems with the use of the ratio model. In quantitative analysis of metals (Z greater than 20) in biological bulk specimens, attention should be given to secondary fluorescence by the continuum. Various types of standards are compared, both with respect to homogeneity and with respect to their effect of quantitation with the ZAF-correction method. In both respects, organic standards of the 'gelatin' or 'resin' type perform better than do crystal standards. The use of relative intensities (P/B-ratios) in quantitative analysis of biological bulk specimens is considered. In most, but not all, cases use of P/B-ratios has advantages over the use of absolute X-ray intensities.
Dietary supplementation with autochthonous Bacillus cereus
 improves growth performance and survival in tambaqui Colossoma macropomum

Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Castanhal, PA, Brazil Tiradentes University (UNIT), Farolândia, Aracaju, SE, Brazil Aquatic Organisms Health Laboratory (AQUOS), Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil Tropical Species Aquaculture Laboratory (LAET), Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pará (IFPA– Castanhal), Castanhal, PA, Brazil Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation – EMBRAPA Tabuleiros Costeiros, Aracaju, SE, Brazil
A Study on Advisory Online Comments for a Motivational Dialogue System

Title A Study on Advisory Online Comments for a Motivational Dialogue System [an abstract of dissertation and a summary of dissertation review] Author(s) Patrycja Swieczkowska EWA Citation 北海道大学. 博士(情報科学) 甲第14135号 Issue Date 2020-03-25 Doc URL http://hdl.handle. net/2115/78233 Rights(URL) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Type theses (doctoral abstract and summary of review) Additional Information There are other files related to this item in HUSCAP. Check the above URL. File Information Patrycja_Swieczkowska_review. pdf (審査の要旨)
Simulation of seawater intrusion and optimization of cutoff wall schemes based on surrogate model

Abstract In the present study, a 3-D variable density mathematical model for seawater intrusion (SI) was built in Longkou City, China. Based on the model, a cutoff wall construction scheme suitable for the study area was proposed, and the mathematical model was used to simulate and predict the effects of the cutoff wall. By introducing the seawater desalination technology into the construction of the cutoff wall, the optimization model was built with the minimum cost as the objective function, and the simulation model was embedded into the optimization model for calculation. To reduce the huge amounts of computations caused by calling the simulation model repeatedly, a surrogate model of the simulation model was built using the Kriging method. The optimal control plan was obtained by solving the optimization model. The results show the following: 1. The 3-D variable density groundwater intrusion model built with calibration and verification is a reliable method of risk assessment of SI. 2. The surrogate model can significantly reduce the computational load while ensuring accuracy. 3. Using the optimization model based on the surrogate model, the optimal solution can be quickly yielded for the design of the cutoff wall, and it is an effective way for the risk management of SI.
Relational Database Design and Multi-Objective Database Queries for Position Navigation and Timing Data

Performing flight tests is a natural part of researching cutting edge sensors and filters for sensor integration. Unfortunately, tests are expensive, and typically take many months of planning. A sensible goal would be to make previously collected data readily available to researchers for future development. The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has hundreds of data logs potentially available to aid in facilitating further research in the area of navigation. A database would provide a common location where older and newer data sets are available. Such a database must be able to store the sensor data, metadata about the sensors, and affiliated metadata of interest. This thesis proposes a standard approach for sensor and metadata schema and three different design approaches that organize this data in relational databases. Queries proposed by members of the Autonomy and Navigation Technology (ANT) Center at AFIT are the foundation of experiments for testing. These tests fall into two categories, downloaded data, and queries which return a list of missions. Test databases of 100 and 1000 missions are created for the three design approaches to simulate AFIT’s present and future volume of data logs. After testing, this thesis recommends one specific approach to the ANT Center as its database solution. In order to enable more complex queries, a Genetic algorithm and Hill Climber algorithm are developed as solutions to queries in the combined Knapsack/Set Covering Problem Domains. These algorithms are tested against the two test databases for the recommended database approach. Each algorithm returned solutions in under two minutes, and may be a valuable tool for researchers when the database becomes operational.