Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeted Ablation of Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) 1 and 4 Indicates a Major Housekeeping Function for PMCA1 and a Critical Role in Hyperactivated Sperm Motility and Male Fertility for PMCA4*

The relative importance of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) 1 and PMCA4 was assessed in mice carrying null mutations in their genes (Atp2b1 and Atp2b4). Loss of both copies of the gene encoding PMCA1 caused embryolethality, whereas heterozygous mutants had no overt disease phenotype. Despite widespread and abundant expression of PMCA4, PMCA4 null (Pmca4-/-) mutants exhibited no embryolethality and appeared outwardly normal. Loss of PMCA4 impaired phasic contractions and caused apoptosis in portal vein smooth muscle in vitro; however, this phenotype was dependent on the mouse strain being employed. Pmca4-/- mice on a Black Swiss background did not exhibit the phenotype unless they also carried a null mutation in one copy of the Pmca1 gene. Pmca4-/- male mice were infertile but had normal spermatogenesis and mating behavior. Pmca4-/- sperm that had not undergone capacitation exhibited normal motility but could not achieve hyperactivated motility needed to traverse the female genital tract. Ultrastructure of the motility apparatus in Pmca4-/- sperm tails was normal, but an increased incidence of mitochondrial condensation indicated Ca2+ overload. Immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry showed that PMCA4 is the most abundant isoform in testis and sperm and that it is localized to the principle piece of the sperm tail, which is also the location of the major Ca2+ channel (CatSper) required for sperm motility. These results are consistent with an essential housekeeping or developmental function for PMCA1, but not PMCA4, and show that PMCA4 expression in the principle piece of the sperm tail is essential for hyperactivated motility and male fertility.
Analysis and solution of non-preemptive policies for scheduling readers and writers

The readers-writers problem is a classical one in the area of operating system and database. Although the problem has simple constraints, it has a feature that various scheduling policies can be applied to it. In this paper, we consider non-preemptive scheduling policies for solving the problem. In order to analyze detailed features of those policies, we define scheduling points and items of the readers-writers problem and present their semaphore-based solutions with a common style.
The Indian Ocean Dipole and Cholera Incidence in Bangladesh: A Time-Series Analysis

Background It has been reported that the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences the interannual variation of endemic cholera in Bangladesh. There is increased interest in the influence of the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD), a climate mode of coupled ocean–atmosphere variability, on regional ocean climate in the Bay of Bengal and on Indian monsoon rainfall. Objectives We explored the relationship between the IOD and the number of cholera patients in Bangladesh, controlling for the effects of ENSO. Methods Time-series regression was performed. Negative binomial models were used to estimate associations between the monthly number of hospital visits for cholera in Dhaka and Matlab (1993–2007) and the dipole mode index (DMI) controlling for ENSO index [NINO3, a measure of the average sea surface temperature (SST) in the Niño 3 region], seasonal, and interannual variations. Associations between cholera cases and SST and sea surface height (SSH) of the northern Bay of Bengal were also examined. Results A 0.1-unit increase in average DMI during the current month through 3 months before was associated with an increase in cholera incidence of 2.6% [(95% confidence interval (CI), 0.0–5.2; p = 0.05] in Dhaka and 6.9% (95% CI, 3.2–10.8; p < 0.01) in Matlab. Cholera incidence in Dhaka increased by 2.4% (95% CI, 0.0–5.0; p = 0.06) after a 0.1-unit decrease in DMI 4–7 months before. Hospital visits for cholera in both areas were positively associated with SST 0–3 months before, after adjusting for SSH (p < 0.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that both negative and positive dipole events are associated with an increased incidence of cholera in Bangladesh with varying time lags.
Assessment of Working Memory in Young Adults.

Background: Working memory is the system that actively holds multiple pieces of transitory information in the mind, where they can be manipulated. Working memory includes subsystems that store and manipulate visual images or verbal information, as well as a central executive that coordinates the subsystems. It includes visual representation of the possible moves, and awareness of the flow of information into and out of memory, all stored for a limited amount of time. The cognitive processes needed to achieve this include the executive and attention control of short-term memory, which permit interim integration, processing, disposal, and retrieval of information. Methods: 250 healthy young adults were tested in 3 sessions.20 set of mutually exclusive words were spoken to verbally, then written words and finally 20 visual objects were shown to the subjects for 30seconds each followed by 1 minute of discussion for distraction. Thereafter, the subjects wrote as many words as they could recall. Results: The mean test scores of each session were higher in case of females as compared to males; also they scored much higher values as compared to males. Verbal word testing can be a better method of assessment of working memory. Conclusion: Working memory can be a central problem for many people with AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Those with weak working memory are likely to have learning disorders, too. This can be used as a reliable indicator of such disorders.
Optimization of spatial join using constraints based- clustering techniques

Spatial joins are used to combine the spatial objects. The efficient processing depends upon the spatial queries. The execution time and input/output (I/O) time of spatial queries are crucial, because the spatial objects are very large and have several relations. In this article, we use several techniques to improve the efficiency of the spatial join; 1. We use R*-trees for spatial queries since R*-trees are very suitable for supporting spatial queries as it is one of the efficient member of R-tree family; 2. The different shapes namely point, line, polygon and rectangle are used for isolating and clustering the spatial objects; 3. We use scales with the shapes for spatial distribution. We also present several techniques forimproving its execution time with respect to the central processing unit (CPU) and I/O-time. In the proposed constraints based spatial join algorithm, total execution time is improved compared with the existing approach in order of magnitude. Using a buffer of reasonable size, the I/O time is optimal. The performance of the various approaches is investigated with the synthesized and real data set and the experimental results are compared with the large data sets from real applications. Key words: Spatial data mining, spatial clustering, spatial queries, spatial join
Axonal transport and cytoskeletal changes in the laminar regions after elevated intraocular pressure.

PURPOSE To investigate the axonal cytoskeleton changes occurring in the prelaminar region, lamina cribrosa, and postlaminar region of the porcine optic nerve after an acute increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and whether this corresponds with axonal transport abnormalities. METHODS Six white Landrace pigs were used. The left eye IOP was elevated to 40 to 45 mm Hg for 6 hours, and the right eye IOP was maintained between 10 and 15 mm Hg. Rhodamine-beta-isothiocyanate (RITC) was injected into the vitreous of each eye at the beginning of the experiment, to study axonal transport. After euthanasia, optic nerves were removed and prepared for axonal transport and cytoskeleton studies. Antibodies to phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (NFHp), phosphorylation-independent neurofilament heavy (NFH), neurofilament light (NFL), neurofilament medium (NFM), microtubule, and microtubule-associated protein (MAP) were used to study the axonal cytoskeleton. Montages of confocal microscopy images were quantitatively analyzed to investigate simultaneous changes in optic nerve axonal transport and cytoskeletal proteins in the high-IOP and control eyes. RESULTS Axonal transport of RITC was reduced in the prelaminar, lamina cribrosa, and proximal 400 mum of the postlaminar optic nerve regions in the high-IOP eye. NFHp, NFM, and NFH were significantly reduced in the prelaminar, lamina cribrosa, and proximal postlaminar regions in the high-IOP eye. No differences in NFL, MAP, and tubulin staining were detected. CONCLUSIONS Elevated IOP induced both axonal transport and cytoskeleton changes in the optic nerve head. Changes to the cytoskeleton may contribute to the axonal transport abnormalities that occur in elevated IOP.
Relación entre factores motivacionales y niveles de ansiedad en porristas en precompetencia

El presente estudio no experimental de tipo correlacional, analiza la relacion existente entre los factores motivacionales y los niveles de ansiedad tanto en porristas elite de la Seleccion Colombia como en porristas en formacion de la escuela deportiva de Mongui, la poblacion esta conformada por 20 porristas de nivel elite con un rango de edad entre los 14 y 25 anos y 20 porristas en formacion con edades comprendidas entre los 10 y 14 anos, los instrumentos de medicion utilizados son la Escala de Motivacion en Deporte (Sport Motivation Scale SMS) de Pelletier, Fortier, Vallerand, Briere, Tuson & Blais (1995) validada para poblacion colombiana por Losada & Rodriguez (2007) y el cuestionario STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), de Spilberger, Gorsuch & Lushne (1986) validado por American Psychological Association (APA), adaptado al espanol por (Bermudez, 1977). El analisis de resultados a traves del coeficiente de correlacion de Pearson y el paquete estadistico SPSS 17.0 muestra que existe una alta correlacion positiva entre los niveles de ansiedad y motivacion extrinseca para el grupo elite, mientras que para el grupo en formacion no se encontraron resultados significativos entre las variables objeto de estudio
Gait Synthesis for a biped robot

In this paper, the realization of biped walking on even floor, sloping surfaces, and stairs is studied. The motion trajectories for the biped's body and its two feet are modeled by piecewise cubic polynomials. The main features of the biped robot include two variable-length legs and a moving weight which can be positioned side-to-side for balance. The contribution of this paper is gait synthesis and is experimental verification.
Topic Based Sentiment Analysis Using Deep Learning

In this paper , we tackle Sentiment Analysis conditioned on a Topic in Twitter data using Deep Learning . We propose a 2-tier approach : In the first phase we create our own Word Embeddings and see that they do perform better than state-of-the-art embeddings when used with standard classifiers. We then perform inference on these embeddings to learn more about a word with respect to all the topics being considered, and also the top n-influencing words for each topic. In the second phase we use these embeddings to predict the sentiment of the tweet with respect to a given topic, and all other topics under discussion.
A multi-stage MPPT algorithm for PV systems based on golden section search method

This paper proposes a complete maximum power point tracking (MPPT) solution for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. The proposed MPPT algorithm is a multi-stage algorithm combined with the golden section search (GSS) method and two other commonly used methods: the perturb and observe (P&O) and the incremental conductance (INC). The GSS method is used for its fast convergence time and robustness. The GSS mechanism, as well as the whole multistage MPPT strategy, is described in this paper. Finally, the results of simulations and experiments are given to verify the good performance of the system.
Disease burden of Puumala virus infections, 1995–2008

SUMMARY Puumala virus (PUUV) causes mild haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, a rodent-borne zoonosis. To evaluate the disease burden of PUUV infections in Finland, we analysed data reported by laboratories to the National Infectious Disease Registry during 1995–2008 and compared these with data from other national registries (death, 1998–2007; hospital discharge, 1996–2007; occupational diseases, 1995–2006). A total of 22 681 cases were reported (average annual incidence 31/100 000 population); 85% were in persons aged 20–64 years and 62% were males. There was an increasing trend in incidence, and the rates varied widely by season and region. We observed 13 deaths attributable to PUUV infection (case-fatality proportion 0·08%). Of all cases, 9599 (52%) were hospitalized. Only 590 cases (3%) were registered as occupational disease, of which most were related to farming and forestry. The wide seasonal and geographical variation is probably related to rodent density and human behaviour.
An improved diffusion cell design for determining drug transport parameters across cultured cell monolayers.

An improved two-chamber diffusion cell was developed for the study of drug transport across cultured cell monolayers. The cell monolayer was grown on a horizontal support membrane of polycarbonate, which could be rotated providing theoretically predictable thicknesses of the diffusion boundary layer in the donor and the receiver solution as a function of rotation rate. Permeation measurements were performed using the support membrane with and without a cell monolayer. The Madin-Darby-Bovine-Kidney (MDBK) cell line was employed, and permeability coefficients of model solutes (salicylic acid, mannitol, testosterone) across the three distinct mass transport barriers (i.e., the cell monolayer, the support membrane, and the diffusion boundary layer) were determined. The permeability of the diffusion boundary layer followed the theoretical dependence on the rotation rate; absolute values, however, deviated from predictions. Permeability coefficients for all three transport barriers varied substantially between solutes. This variation was the strongest for the permeability coefficient for the cell monolayer and resulted in a varying relative significance of these three barriers in controlling permeation kinetics. This improved diffusion apparatus permits the measurement of unbiased permeability values of solutes across the cell monolayer, notably when the cell monolayer is not absolutely the rate-determining barrier.
Long-Term Protection against Tuberculosis following Vaccination with a Severely Attenuated Double Lysine and Pantothenate Auxotroph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT We report the safety and immunogenicity of a double lysine and pantothenate auxotroph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice. The ΔlysA ΔpanCD mutant is completely attenuated in immunocompromised SCID and gamma interferon knockout mice yet induces short-term and long-term protection in immunocompetent and CD4-deficient mice following single-dose subcutaneous vaccination.
Learning from Market Share when Consumers are Rationally Inattentive

We characterize the evolution of market share when agents freely observe past shares and also engage in costly private learning. We show that popular options may remain unchosen. Even among chosen goods, long run market shares skew toward ex ante popular items. This rationalizes market share policies that encourage experimentation. We show that an outside observer with rich data may be better able to understand preferences than are decision makers themselves. When learning costs are based on the reduction in Shannon entropy, a simple test reveals optimal choices by type. Hence preferences and learning costs may be separately identi ed from suitably rich data. We thank Nobuhiro Kiyotaki, Juan Pablo Nicolini, Alessandro Pavan, Chris Tonetti, and Xavier Vives for helpful discussions.
Effects of Coupling Delays on Synchronization in Lur'e Complex Dynamical Networks

This paper investigates the effects of coupling delays on synchronization in Lur'e complex dynamical networks. Every identical node in the network can be represented as a Lur'e system. Based on Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals and Lur'e–Postnikov Lyapunov functionals, some delay-dependant synchronization criteria are derived by employing a delay decomposition approach. A Lur'e complex dynamical network with Chua's circuit nodes and one numerical example are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the synchronization criteria.
Opioid-induced constipation negatively impacts pain management, productivity, and health-related quality of life: findings from the National Health and Wellness Survey.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the impact of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) on healthcare resource use, work productivity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients receiving chronic opioid therapy. DESIGN Data were collected via Internet questionnaires during the international National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS) 2004 from individuals aged > or = 18 years who reported taking opioids for > or = 6 months. Healthcare resource utilization, Work Productivity, and Activity Impairment, and Short-Form 8 (SF-8) questionnaire responses were compared between those who did or did not report OIC. RESULTS Data were available from 2,430 individuals receiving opioids, of whom 359 reported OIC. Participants with OIC reported significantly more physician visits (mean difference 3.84 visits; p < 0.05) and alternative care provider visits (mean difference 1.73 visits; p < 0.05) over the previous 6 months than those without OIC; however, no significant differences in emergency room visits or number of days of hospitalization were observed. Respondents with OIC also reported significantly greater time missed from work, impairment while working, overall work impairment, and activity impairment (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). HRQOL scores were significantly lower in the OIC group than those without OIC on both the physical and mental components of the SF-8 questionnaire (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS The survey results reflect a negative impact of OIC on individuals' HRQOL and on society in terms of healthcare resource use and work productivity beyond that imposed by patients' pain conditions. These findings indicate a need for effective treatment for opioid-induced constipation in patients receiving chronic opioid therapy.
FoxI1e activates ectoderm formation and controls cell position in the Xenopus blastula

The segregation of the vertebrate embryo into three primary germ layers is one of the earliest developmental decisions. In Xenopus, where the process is best understood, the endoderm is specified by a vegetally localized transcription factor, VegT, which releases nodal signals that specify the adjacent marginal zone of the blastula to become mesoderm. However, little is known about how the ectoderm becomes specified. In this paper, we show that the forkhead protein FoxI1e (also known as Xema) is required at the blastula stage for normal formation of both the central nervous system and epidermis, the two early derivatives of the ectoderm. In addition, FoxI1e is required to maintain the regional identity of the animal cells of the blastula, the cells that are precursors of ectodermal structures. In its absence, they lose contact with the animal cap, mix with cells of other germ layers and differentiate according to their new positions. Because FoxI1e is initially expressed in the animal region of the embryo and is rapidly downregulated in the neural plate, its role in neural and epidermal gene expression must precede the division of the ectoderm into neural and epidermal. The work also shows that FoxI1e plays a role in the embryo in the poorly understood process of differential adhesion, which limits cell mixing as primary germ layers become specified.
Assessing User Acceptance towards Virtual Museum: The Case in Kedah State Museum, Malaysia

This paper describes the testing analysis that has been done towards a prototype of virtual museum named ViSeum. The prototype was based on the real Kedah State Museum (KSM) at Northern Malaysia. This ViSeum was developed using non immersive virtual reality technique, whereas it focused to reduce cost development and maintenance, easy access and more interactive. The objective of this study is to present the result of the analysis based using Technology Acceptance Model on the survey. Perceived usefulness, perceive ease of use, and perceived enjoyment are the independent variables in testing intention to use by visitor.
Comprehensive analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation across human polycystic ovary syndrome ovary granulosa cell

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 7% of the reproductive-age women. A growing body of evidence indicated that epigenetic mechanisms contributed to the development of PCOS. The role of DNA modification in human PCOS ovary granulosa cell is still unknown in PCOS progression. Global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation were detected between PCOS’ and controls’ granulosa cell. Genome-wide DNA methylation was profiled to investigate the putative function of DNA methylaiton. Selected genes expressions were analyzed between PCOS’ and controls’ granulosa cell. Our results showed that the granulosa cell global DNA methylation of PCOS patients was significant higher than the controls’. The global DNA hydroxymethylation showed low level and no statistical difference between PCOS and control. 6936 differentially methylated CpG sites were identified between control and PCOS-obesity. 12245 differential methylated CpG sites were detected between control and PCOS-nonobesity group. 5202 methylated CpG sites were significantly differential between PCOS-obesity and PCOS-nonobesity group. Our results showed that DNA methylation not hydroxymethylation altered genome-wide in PCOS granulosa cell. The different methylation genes were enriched in development protein, transcription factor activity, alternative splicing, sequence-specific DNA binding and embryonic morphogenesis. YWHAQ, NCF2, DHRS9 and SCNA were up-regulation in PCOS-obesity patients with no significance different between control and PCOS-nonobesity patients, which may be activated by lower DNA methylaiton. Global and genome-wide DNA methylation alteration may contribute to different genes expression and PCOS clinical pathology.
Tailoring 3D Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Anchored to Indium Tin Oxide for Natural Cellular Uptake and Intracellular Sensing

The ability to monitor intracellular events in real time is paramount to advancing fundamental biological and clinical science. We present the first demonstration of a direct interface of vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (VASWCNTs) with eukaryotic cells, RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line. The cells were cultured on indium tin oxide with VASWCNTs. VASWCNTs entered the cells naturally without application of any external force and were shown to sense the intracellular presence of a redox active moiety, methylene blue. The technology developed provides an alluring platform to enable electrochemical study of an intracellular environment.