Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective synaptic current and motoneuron firing rate modulation.

1. We used a modified voltage-clamp technique to measure the steady-state effective synaptic currents (I(N)) produced by activating four different input systems to cat hindlimb motoneurons: Ia afferent fibers, Ia-inhibitory interneurons, Renshaw interneurons, and contralateral rubrospinal neurons. In the same motoneurons, we measured the slope of the firing rate-injected current (f-I) relation in the primary range. We then reactivated these synaptic inputs during steady, repetitive firing to assess their effects on motoneuron discharge rate. 2. Our measurements of I(N) were derived from recordings made near the resting membrane potential, whereas the effects of the synaptic inputs on repetitive discharge were evaluated at more depolarized membrane potentials. Thus we adjusted the I(N) values for these changes in driving force based on estimates of the synaptic reversal potential and the mean membrane potential during repetitive discharge. 3. We found that changes in the steady-state discharge rate of a motoneuron produced by these synaptic inputs could be reasonably well predicted by the product of the estimated value of I(N) during repetitive firing and the slope of the motoneuron's f-I relation. Although there was a high correlation between predicted and observed changes in firing rate for our entire sample of motoneurons (r = 0.93; P < 0.001), the slope of the relation between predicted and observed firing rate modulation was significantly greater than 1. 4. The systematic difference between predicted and observed firing rate modulation observed in the overall sample was primarily due to the fact that our predictions underestimated the changes in firing rate produced by Ia excitation and Ia inhibition. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Traffic Equilibrium Mapping Method with Energy Minimization for 3 D NoC-Bus Mesh Architecture

Abstract—Flit transmission in the vertical direction of 3D NoC (Network-on-Chip) -Bus mesh architecture just needs one hop and consumes less energy. To take advantage of that and to solve the defect of poor heat dissipation, a new traffic equilibrium and energy minimization mapping method for the architecture is proposed. The proposed method adjusts traffic among buses or layers, which provides a natural condition for heat balance in the mapping step, and ensures lower energy consumption which benefits from the characteristics of the architecture. Experimental results show that energy consumption is decreased and tradeoffs can be made between energy minimization and traffic equilibrium.
Research on cascading failure of complex system and its virus propation

The research of the cascading failure and the spread of the disease belong to two separate fields. However, in practice, there are many mutual effects between two processes each other. This paper first introduces some basic concepts of complex networks, and analyzes the application of cascading failure model and several typical virus transmission models. Then, based on a spreading model, the interaction of the models between the virus propagation and the cascading failure is established. Furthermore, the dynamic process of the node state and their interaction is analyzed for the interaction model. According to the dynamic process, the qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis are both carried out. Finally, the proportion on the different states of the nodes in the network is simulated and analyzed based on the equilibrium of the virus spreading when the cascading failure is over. The effectiveness and practicability of the model is verified by comparing the simulation value with the theoretical value. The work provides a guideline for designing and improving the security of the network system in real life.
Heart Rate Variability and 24-hour Minimum Heart Rate

Heart rate variability (HRV) indices based on 24-hr electrocardiograph recordings have been used in clinical research studies to assess the aggregate activity of the autonomic nervous system. Although 24-hr HRV is generally considered noninvasive, use in research protocols typically involves considerable data collection and processing expenses and substantial participant burden. The purposes of this research methods evaluation were to describe the relationships between 24-hr minimum heart rate (HR) and several 24-hr time domain HRV indices (Ln SDNN, Ln SDANN, Ln SDNNIDX, Ln RMSSD, and Logit50) across several research data sets (normal women, normal men, children enrolled in a study of recurrent abdominal pain, women with irritable bowel syndrome, sudden cardiac arrest survivors, and heart failure patients) and to explore the possibility that 24-hr minimum HR might serve as a simpler alternative or adjunct to HRV measures in some situations. The correlations of global HRV measures (e.g., Ln SDNN, Ln SDANN) with 24-hr minimum HR were consistently larger (typical r ~ -.80) than with average HR (typical r ~ -.50). In repeated measurements, change in minimum HR was also correlated with change in general HRV (typical r ~ -.60). However, modest differentiation of minimum HR and HRV measures was noted in patients taking certain classes of cardiac medications (e.g., anti-arrhythmics, beta blockers). Twenty-four-hour minimum HR is correlated with general time domain HRV measures and might be useful as a simpler proxy, surrogate, or auxiliary variable in some clinical research applications, especially those in which participants are not receiving cardiac medications.
Overexpression of calcium-activated potassium channels underlies cortical dysfunction in a model of PTEN-associated autism

Significance Advances in human genetics have identified many gene alterations that cause autism, but how these mutations lead to cortical dysfunction is not understood. Mutations in the gene phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome ten (PTEN) cause autism and intellectual disability. We have discovered that single-copy deletion of Pten results in overexpression of the small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel in cortical neurons. This overexpression leads to decreased sensitivity of cortical neurons to incoming inputs. In vivo, this diminished excitability leads to decreased primary visual cortical responsiveness to visual stimuli. We hypothesize that diminished cortical responses in primary sensory regions lead to poor recruitment of secondary sensory cortices, leading to sensory processing deficits. Our findings identify a unique target for potential pharmacological intervention. De novo phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome ten (PTEN) mutations are a cause of sporadic autism. How single-copy loss of PTEN alters neural function is not understood. Here we report that Pten haploinsufficiency increases the expression of small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels. The resultant augmentation of this conductance increases the amplitude of the afterspike hyperpolarization, causing a decrease in intrinsic excitability. In vivo, this change in intrinsic excitability reduces evoked firing rates of cortical pyramidal neurons but does not alter receptive field tuning. The decreased in vivo firing rate is not associated with deficits in the dendritic integration of synaptic input or with changes in dendritic complexity. These findings identify calcium-activated potassium channelopathy as a cause of cortical dysfunction in the PTEN model of autism and provide potential molecular therapeutic targets.
Fast-Group-Decodable STBCs via Codes over GF(4): Further Results

Recently, a framework was given to construct low ML decoding complexity Space-Time Block Codes (STBCs) via codes over the finite field $\mathbb{F}_4$. In this paper, we construct new full-diversity STBCs with cubic shaping property and low ML decoding complexity via codes over $\mathbb{F}_4$ for number of transmit antennas $N=2^m$, $m>1$, and rates $R>1$ complex symbols per channel use. The new codes have the least ML decoding complexity among all known codes for a large set of $(N,R)$ pairs. The new full-rate codes of this paper $(R=N)$ are not only information-lossless and fully diverse but also have the least known ML decoding complexity in the literature. For $N \geq 4$, the new full-rate codes are the first instances of full-diversity, information-lossless STBCs with low ML decoding complexity. We also give a sufficient condition for STBCs obtainable from codes over $\mathbb{F}_4$ to have cubic shaping property, and a sufficient condition for any design to give rise to a full-diversity STBC when the symbols are encoded using rotated square QAM constellations.
Effects of group-based versus individual-based exercise training on motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of group-based and individual-based motor skill training on motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder. DESIGN Randomized controlled pilot intervention study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS Twenty-three children (4 girls) with developmental coordination disorder (mean age (standard deviation (SD)) 8 years (1 year and 2 months)). METHODS Twelve children were randomly assigned to undergo a motor training programme once a week for 8 consecutive weeks in a group setting, and 11 children received the same training on an individual basis during the same period. Each child was also instructed to perform home exercises on a daily basis. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) was used to assess motor ability. Home exercise compliance and parental satisfaction with the programmes were also evaluated. RESULTS A significant reduction in the MABC total impairment score was found following both group-based (mean -4.4 (SD 5.0), p = 0.003) and individual-based training (mean -5.2 (SD 5.1), p = 0.016). However, the change in total impairment score did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (p = 0.379). There was similarly no significant between-group difference in home exercise compliance (p = 0.288) and parental satisfaction (p = 0.379). CONCLUSION Group-based training produced similar gains in motor performance to individual-based training. Group-based training may be the preferred treatment option due to the associated cost savings.
Microorganisms and cyanide.

The susceptibility of cytochrome oxidases to cyanide means that cyanide is toxic to living cells and cyanide pollution causes great damage to microbial and other ecosystems. Cyanide pollution comes from both industrial wastes and a number of plants, many of agricultural importance, which are cyanogenic and release cyanide into the soil. Despite some understanding of the pathway of cyanide assimilation by aerobic microorganisms, there is little known about cyanide assimilation by anaerobic microorganisms. The author discusses cyanide production, utilization, degradation, and resistance by microorganisms. He concludes that among the most primitive organisms were some that could metabolize cyanide, perhaps in conjunction with other carbon and nitrogen sources. 199 references, 4 figures, 2 tables.
STAT1 Is a Master Regulator of Pancreatic β-Cell Apoptosis and Islet Inflammation*

Cytokines produced by islet-infiltrating immune cells induce β-cell apoptosis in type 1 diabetes. The IFN-γ-regulated transcription factors STAT1/IRF-1 have apparently divergent effects on β-cells. Thus, STAT1 promotes apoptosis and inflammation, whereas IRF-1 down-regulates inflammatory mediators. To understand the molecular basis for these differential outcomes within a single signal transduction pathway, we presently characterized the gene networks regulated by STAT1 and IRF-1 in β-cells. This was done by using siRNA approaches coupled to microarray analysis of insulin-producing cells exposed or not to IL-1β and IFN-γ. Relevant microarray findings were further studied in INS-1E cells and primary rat β-cells. STAT1, but not IRF-1, mediates the cytokine-induced loss of the differentiated β-cell phenotype, as indicated by decreased insulin, Pdx1, MafA, and Glut2. Furthermore, STAT1 regulates cytokine-induced apoptosis via up-regulation of the proapoptotic protein DP5. STAT1 and IRF-1 have opposite effects on cytokine-induced chemokine production, with IRF-1 exerting negative feedback inhibition on STAT1 and downstream chemokine expression. The present study elucidates the transcriptional networks through which the IFN-γ/STAT1/IRF-1 axis controls β-cell function/differentiation, demise, and islet inflammation.
Single Breath Analysis of Endogenous Nitric Oxide in the Newborn

Nitric oxide (NO) is found in the exhaled gas of humans immediately after birth. However, variations of endogenous NO concentration during the breathing cycle have not been studied in newborns. We examined 24 newborns without acute respiratory compromise during spontaneous nasal breathing. Gas was sampled from the tip of a thin nasal catheter placed in the hypopharynx. Endogenous NO concentrations measured by chemiluminescence were assigned to the breathing cycle using synchronized CO2 recording. Exhaled NO could reproducibly be measured at 1.9 ± 0.2 parts per billion (ppb, mean ± SEM). Autoinhaled nasal NO peaks during regular breathing were 12.0 ± 1.7 ppb and reached intermittent maxima of 52.2 ± 5.8 ppb. During regular breathing 6 infants exhibited sudden decreases of nasal NO peaks to periods with <50% amplitude suggesting transient shortage of autoinhaled nasal NO. We conclude that tidal NO analysis can be used to assess upper and lower airway NO production noninvasively during spontaneous breathing in the newborn.
Multiobjective optimal power flow using strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm

In this paper, a novel multiobjective evolutionary algorithm for optimal power flow (OPF) problem is presented. The OPF problem is formulated as a nonlinear constrained multiobjective optimization problem where the fuel cost and the voltage stability index are to be minimized simultaneously. A new strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm (SPEA) based approach is proposed to handle the problem as a true multiobjective optimization problem with competing and non-commensurable objectives. A hierarchical clustering algorithm is imposed to provide the decision maker with a representative and manageable Pareto-optimal set. The results demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed approach to generate true and well-distributed Pareto-optimal nondominated solutions in one single run. The results also show the superiority of the proposed approach and confirm its potential to solve the multiobjective OPF problem.
RISK AND PROFITABILITY OF ANIMAL AND CROP PRODUCTION IN SLOVAK FARMS

The paper focuses on profitability and risk of crop and animal production based on an analysis of farms operating in Slovak Republic. The individual farm data used for the analysis are from the database of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic. For our analysis, data were selected according to the farm production orientation to the subset of crop farms and animal farms. The selecting criterion for production orientation was the percentage share of revenues from crop production, or revenues from animal production from the overall revenues from own products and services. We analyse profitability of farms divided into groups based on the type of production into crop and animal farms (according to the share in sales from crop or animal production). Using descriptive statistics and portfolio theory we simulate the total farm profitability and volatility of animal and crop production in Slovakia. The modified Markowitz portfolio theory approach was used to estimate the total risk of portfolios of crop and animal farms. Based on the results we conclude that in the long run crop farms are profitable and profit from crop production is used to cover the losses from animal production in mixed farms. Farms focused on animal production only are efficient and profitable, but the profitability is lower in comparison with crop farms. Animal farms results are less volatile than crop farms. Large farms tend to production with lower value added and can generate enough profit for the owner.
Effect of Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination upon Mycobacterium lepraemurium infection

Mice were infected with 10(8) Mycobacterium lepraemurium in the footpad (unsuppressed mice), and some of these animals were concurrently given 10(9) heat-killed M. lepraemurium intravenously (suppressed mice). These groups of mice were preimmunized with 10(7) viable organisms of Mycobacterium bovis BCG by several routes. BCG inhibited the proliferation of M. lepraemurium in the unsuppressed mice, but not in the suppressed mice. In effect, the intravenous administration of heat-killed M. lepraemurium suppressed the immunity to M. lepraemurium that BCG vaccination had engendered. BCG did not protect normal mice against intravenous infection with M. lepraemurium. It appears that normal mice against intravenous infection with M. lepraemurium. It appears that the inhibitory effect of BCG vaccination upon M. lepraemurium infection is due to cross-reactive immunity rather than to nonspecific immunity or immunopotentiation. Thus, the route of BCG vaccination was immaterial, and vaccination 12 weeks before M. lepraemurium infection was as beneficial as vaccination 4 weeks before infection. Moreover, spleen cells from M. lepraemurium-immunized mice conferred adoptive immunity to BCG. The implications of this study for the use of BCG as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent in human leprosy are discussed.
Distinct Regulation of Hepatitis B Virus Biosynthesis by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Coactivator 1α and Small Heterodimer Partner in Human Hepatoma Cell Lines

ABSTRACT The human hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7 have been used extensively to study hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcription and replication. Both cell lines support transcription of the 3.5-kb viral pregenomic RNA and subsequent viral DNA synthesis by reverse transcription. The effects of the coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) and corepressor small heterodimer partner (SHP) on HBV transcription and replication mediated by nuclear receptors were examined in the context of individual nuclear receptors in nonhepatoma cells and in hepatoma cells in an attempt to determine the relative contribution of the various nuclear receptors to viral biosynthesis in the hepatoma cells. PGC1α and SHP modulated viral biosynthesis differently in the human hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7, indicating distinct modes of transcriptional regulation. Consistent with this suggestion, it appears that retinoid X receptor α/farnesoid X receptor α and liver receptor homolog 1 or estrogen-related receptor β (ERRβ) may contribute to the majority of the viral replication observed in HepG2 cells, whereas ERRα and ERRγ are probably responsible for the majority of viral biosynthesis in Huh7 cells. Therefore, this approach indicates that the transcriptional regulation of HBV biosynthesis in HepG2 and Huh7 cells is primarily controlled by different transcription factors.
Impact of RDG Location on IDMT Overcurrent Relay Operation and Coordination in MV Distribution System

In recent years there has been an intensive effort to increase the participation of renewable sources of electricity in the fuel and energy balance of many countries. In particular, this relates to the power of wind farms attached to the power system at both the distribution network. However, in the presence of Renewable Dispersed Generation, (RDG) some problems in coordination of protection devices will occur, due to changes in fault current levels at different points. By installing RDG in power distribution networks, the fault current levels are changed and may lead to some miscoordination in IDMT Directional Over-Current Relay (DOCR). In this paper, a novel approach is presented to study the impact of RDG location (d RDG ) on IDMT characteristic curve of relay, fault current (I F ), operation time (T) for DOCR, and coordination time interval (CTI) between backup and primary relays and short circuit level index (ISC) in the presence there phase fault on medium voltage (MV) distribution network. This new approach has been implemented on the Algerian 10 kV distribution power system in Constantine.
Acoustic emission from partial discharges in cable termination

An investigation by computer modelling was carried out to determine the nature of acoustic signal from partial discharges (PDs) in a model insulation system containing materials commonly used in cable terminations. These were polyethylene (PE), ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) and silicon insulating fluid (SF). Two simple defect types were considered: spherical voids and fissures. Gaussian pulse point-source placed within the defect was used to model a PD event. The results showed that the relationship between the defect size and the acoustic signal frequency is governed by an inverse power law of the form f ~ 1/d in spherical defects and f ~ 1/(t0.45w0.48) in fissures. The frequency of sound emitted from defects of similar overall size was similar regardless of the shape.
Power Loss Analysis for Efficiency Estimation of a DC-DC Converter

Careful inspection of efficiency in a DC-DC converter and its dependence on different parameters have been key concerns for power electronic specialists for a long time ago. Although extensive research has been done on the estimation of power loss for different components in a DC-DC converter separately, there isn't any comprehensive study regarding power loss analysis in a DC-DC converter. In this research, detailed description and necessary considerations in order to analyze the power loss of all components in a Push-Pull DC-DC converter are presented. Push-Pull topology is the best choice for investigating efficiency issues, since it exhibits all different types of power loss that are usually encountered in DC-DC converters. This research proposes and verifies appropriate power loss models for all components in a DC-DC converter that dissipate power. For this purpose, conduction and switching loss models of all the relevant components are fully developed. The related equations are implemented in MATLAB environment to simulate all possible causes of power loss in the converter. In order to provide a test bed for evaluation of the proposed loss models and the converter efficiency, a 50W Push-Pull DC-DC converter was designed and implemented. The experimental results are in full accordance with the simulation results in different input voltages, load conditions and switching frequencies. It was finally shown that the proposed models accurately estimate the DC-DC converter's efficiency.
Haplotype Structure and Phenotypic Associations in the Chromosomal Regions Surrounding Two Arabidopsis thaliana Flowering Time Loci Sequence data from this article have been deposited with the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession nos. AY781906, AY785055.

The feasibility of using linkage disequilbrium (LD) to fine-map loci underlying natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated by looking for associations between flowering time and marker polymorphism in the genomic regions containing two candidate genes, FRI and FLC, both of which are known to contribute to natural variation in flowering. A sample of 196 accessions was used, and polymorphism was assessed by sequencing a total of 17 roughly 500-bp fragments. Using a novel Bayesian algorithm based on haplotype similarity, we demonstrate that LD could have been used to fine-map the FRI gene to a roughly 30-kb region and to identify two common loss-of-function alleles. Interestingly, because of genetic heterogeneity, simple single-marker associations would not have been able to map FRI with nearly the same precision. No clear evidence for previously unknown alleles at either locus was found, but the effect of population structure in causing false positives was evident.