Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Communication Impairments in Mice Lacking Shank1: Reduced Levels of Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Scent Marking Behavior

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a strong genetic component. Core symptoms are abnormal reciprocal social interactions, qualitative impairments in communication, and repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior with restricted interests. Candidate genes for autism include the SHANK gene family, as mutations in SHANK2 and SHANK3 have been detected in several autistic individuals. SHANK genes code for a family of scaffolding proteins located in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. To test the hypothesis that a mutation in SHANK1 contributes to the symptoms of autism, we evaluated Shank1 −/− null mutant mice for behavioral phenotypes with relevance to autism, focusing on social communication. Ultrasonic vocalizations and the deposition of scent marks appear to be two major modes of mouse communication. Our findings revealed evidence for low levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent marks in Shank1 −/− mice as compared to wildtype Shank1 +/+ littermate controls. Shank1 −/− pups emitted fewer vocalizations than Shank1+/+ pups when isolated from mother and littermates. In adulthood, genotype affected scent marking behavior in the presence of female urinary pheromones. Adult Shank1 −/− males deposited fewer scent marks in proximity to female urine than Shank1+/+ males. Call emission in response to female urinary pheromones also differed between genotypes. Shank1+/+ mice changed their calling pattern dependent on previous female interactions, while Shank1 −/− mice were unaffected, indicating a failure of Shank1 −/− males to learn from a social experience. The reduced levels of ultrasonic vocalizations and scent marking behavior in Shank1 −/− mice are consistent with a phenotype relevant to social communication deficits in autism.
A 28GHz 41%-PAE linear CMOS power amplifier using a transformer-based AM-PM distortion-correction technique for 5G phased arrays

To fulfill the insatiable demand for high data-rates, the millimeter-wave (mmW) 5G communication standard will extensively use high-order complex-modulation schemes (e.g., QAM) with high peak-to-average power ratios (PAPRs) and large RF bandwidths. High-efficiency integrated CMOS power amplifiers (PA) are highly desirable for portable devices for improved battery life, reduced form factor, and low cost. To meet simultaneous requirements for high efficiency and reasonable linearity, PAs intended for use with complex modulation are often operated in Class-AB mode [1,2]. For small input amplitude in Class-AB, the device is turned-on and has an input capacitance (Cgs) of ∼(2/3)WLCox. As the input amplitude becomes large, the device turns-off for part of the RF cycle, thus reducing its effective input capacitance. This input capacitance-modulation effect creates an input-amplitude-dependent phase shift in Class-AB mode resulting in an amplitude-modulation to phase-modulation (AM-PM) distortion [2]. Consequently, it degrades linearity metrics (e.g., error vector magnitude (EVM), adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR)) in complex-modulation systems. External linearization techniques (e.g., digital pre-distortion) are often used in transmitters to meet linearity requirements, but they are complex in nature and expensive to implement. Apart from these, few works at low-GHz frequencies are reported to improve the PA's intrinsic linearity using a varactor-or PMOS-based AM-PM correction methods [1,2]. These works reduce the design overhead of external linearization systems; however, the inclusion of additional capacitive element to correct AM-PM degrades gain and efficiency, which is not optimal for mmW frequencies [1,2].
Developing a Nonstationary Computational Framework With Application to Modeling Dynamic Modulations in Neural Spiking Responses

Objective: This paper aims to develop a computational model that incorporates the functional effects of modulatory covariates (such as context, task, or behavior), which dynamically alter the relationship between the stimulus and the neural response. Methods: We develop a general computational approach along with an efficient estimation procedure in the widely used generalized linear model (GLM) framework to characterize such nonstationary dynamics in spiking response and spatiotemporal characteristics of a neuron at the level of individual trials. The model employs a set of modulatory components, which nonlinearly interact with other stimulus-related signals to reproduce such nonstationary effects. Results: The model is tested for its ability to predict the responses of neurons in the middle temporal cortex of macaque monkeys during an eye movement task. The fitted model proves successful in capturing the fast temporal modulations in the response, reproducing the spike response temporal statistics, and accurately accounting for the neurons’ dynamic spatiotemporal sensitivities, during eye movements. Conclusion: The nonstationary GLM framework developed in this study can be used in cases where a time-varying behavioral or cognitive component makes GLM-based models insufficient to describe the dependencies of neural responses on the stimulus-related covariates. Significance: In addition to being quite powerful in encoding time-varying response modulations, this general framework also enables a readout of the neural code while dissociating the influence of other nonstimulus covariates. This framework will advance our ability to understand sensory processing in higher brain areas when modulated by several behavioral or cognitive variables.
Evaluating Energy Expenditure Estimated by Wearable Technology During Variable Intensity Activity on Female Collegiate Athletes

Monitoring an athlete’s energy intake and energy expenditure (EE) is an important consideration of nutritional planning for sport conditioning and peak performance. In order to provide appropriate recommendations regarding nutritional requirements and caloric needs, an accurate determination of energy requirements is necessary. By knowing an individual’s EE, a coach, athletic performance staff or trainer can effectively determine training loads and volumes necessary for periodization and seasonal planning for a particular sport. The purpose of this study is to examine the accuracy of the BodyMedia Mini armband while measuring EE in female basketball players during various-intensity game-like conditions. This investigation required three testing sessions: an orientation session, and two randomized experimental trials. Trials included a maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run (Trial I) and 30-minute basketball skills session (Trial II). The independent variable for this investigation was EE estimated by the Mini armband. The dependent variable was EE determined by the Cosmed K4b2 indirect calorimetry (IC) method. EE assessed with the Mini and EE measured with the IC method was significantly correlated for both Trial I (r= 0.839) and Trial II (r= 0.833). EE calculated by the Mini was significantly underestimated in both Trial I (9.41 ± 26.1 total kcals) and Trial II (56.71 ± 14.1 total kcals). During Trial I the underestimation of EE increased with a rise in test level and intensity (p<.05). Due to the underestimation of EE by the Mini, the development of exercise specific algorithms to improve the estimation of EE during intermittent exercise in basketball players is warranted.
Enhanced Physical Layer Security for Ultra-Dense D2D Communications Underlaying Cellular Networks with Full-Duplex Users

In this paper, we investigate the security issues for ultra-dense Device-to-Device (D2D) communications underlaying cellular networks with eavesdroppers (Eves) overhearing D2D communications. As D2D links are vulnerable to security threats, we try to enhance the D2D security performance by introducing full-duplex cellular users (FD-CUEs), and the FD-CUEs intend to jam Eves by transmitting artificial noise while simultaneously receiving useful signal from its serving base station. Using stochastic geometry, the D2D connection probability, which refers to D2D users transmit signal successfully, the D2D secrecy probability, which refers to the probability that the transmitted secrecy information cannot be decoded by any Eve, and the FD-CUE connection probability are analyzed. Moreover, we propose an effective algorithm to improve the D2D secrecy probability subject to the security constraints. Our analytical results match well with the simulations. From the simulation results, it is clear that the D2D ergodic secrecy rate of the proposed scheme outperforms that of the traditional D2D underlaying cellular networks without FD-CUEs.
The production and properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) rods oriented by drawing through a conical die

Highly oriented poly(vinylidene fluoride) rods have been produced by drawing isotropic polymer through a conical die. A range of oriented products was obtained, depending on the drawing temperature and the deformation ratio achieved. At low draw temperatures the draw ratio and final modulus are comparatively low, but a high Form I crystal content is obtained. At high draw temperatures the Form I content varies greatly with draw ratio, reaching high values at large draw ratios, where the highest-modulus samples were obtained.
HIVsirDB: A Database of HIV Inhibiting siRNAs

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is responsible for millions of deaths every year. The current treatment involves the use of multiple antiretroviral agents that may harm patients due to their toxic nature. RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent candidate for the future treatment of HIV, uses short interfering RNA (siRNA/shRNA) for silencing HIV genes. In this study, attempts have been made to create a database HIVsirDB of siRNAs responsible for silencing HIV genes. Descriptions HIVsirDB is a manually curated database of HIV inhibiting siRNAs that provides comprehensive information about each siRNA or shRNA. Information was collected and compiled from literature and public resources. This database contains around 750 siRNAs that includes 75 partially complementary siRNAs differing by one or more bases with the target sites and over 100 escape mutant sequences. HIVsirDB structure contains sixteen fields including siRNA sequence, HIV strain, targeted genome region, efficacy and conservation of target sequences. In order to facilitate user, many tools have been integrated in this database that includes; i) siRNAmap for mapping siRNAs on target sequence, ii) HIVsirblast for BLAST search against database, iii) siRNAalign for aligning siRNAs. Conclusion HIVsirDB is a freely accessible database of siRNAs which can silence or degrade HIV genes. It covers 26 types of HIV strains and 28 cell types. This database will be very useful for developing models for predicting efficacy of HIV inhibiting siRNAs. In summary this is a useful resource for researchers working in the field of siRNA based HIV therapy. HIVsirDB database is accessible at http://crdd.osdd. net/raghava/hivsir/.
A method for reducing the variation in "on" resistance of a MOS sampling switch

Variation in the "on" resistance of a MOS sampling switch can introduce distortion into the front end of a switched-capacitor filter or analog-to-digital converter. We review three methods commonly used to linearize the resistance of a MOS switch and propose a new technique that addresses their limitations. A practical method for implementation is also suggested.
Can Hospitals Buy Referrals ? The Impact of Physician Group Acquisitions on Market-Wide Referral Patterns

In the United States, hospitals and multispecialty physician practices acquired over 1,100 primary care physician (PCP) practices between 2009 and 2013. These acquisitions increase the incentives acquired PCPs have to refer patients to specialists employed by the acquirer, altering referral flows in markets where physician group acquisitions take place. As a result, the acquisition of PCP practices may lead to an increase in the acquirer’s share in the market for specialty physician services. Using Medicare billing data, I construct a novel database of physician mergers, which I link to data on referral relationships for the universe of physicians accepting Medicare. Utilizing an event study framework that takes advantage of the structure of referral linkages to control for merger endogeneity, I find that the average acquired PCP increases referrals to specialists employed by the acquirer by 52 percent after acquisition. This comes at the expense of referrals to specialists employed by competitors rather than from demand inducement. Following integration, referrals from the average acquired PCP to specialists employed by competitors fall by 7 percent. These results suggest that the acquisition of PCP practices by hospitals or multispecialty practices may result in an increase in market share in specialty services for acquirers. However, I also find evidence that competitors recoup some of the lost referrals from other PCPs in the market. Therefore, the typical acquisition of a PCP practice results in the reshuffling of referral relationships in the market rather than only an increase in market share for the acquirer. ∗The author is at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This research was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health under the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award T32 MH18029.
Targeted delivery of anti-miR-155 by functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for colorectal cancer therapy

Introduction MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is an oncogenic microRNA, which is upregulated in many human cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). Overexpression of miR-155 has been found to regulate several cancer-related pathways, and therefore, targeting miR-155 may be an effective strategy for cancer therapy. However, effective and safe delivery of anti-miR-155 to tumors remains challenging for the clinical applications of anti-miR-155-based therapeutics. Methods In this study, we explored the expression of miR-155 and the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in CRC tissues and cell lines, and the possible relationship between miR-155 and NF-κB. We further report on anti-miR-155-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) modified with polymerized dopamine (PDA) and AS1411 aptamer (MSNs-anti-miR-155@PDA-Apt) for the targeted treatment of CRC. Results Results showed that miR-155 is overexpressed in CRC tissues and cell lines, and there is a positive feedback loop between NF-κB and miR-155. Compared to the control groups, MSNs-anti-miR-155@PDA-Apt could efficiently downregulate miR-155 expression in SW480 cells and achieve significantly high targeting efficiency and enhanced therapeutic effects in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-155 by MSNs-anti-miR-155@PDA-Apt can enhance the sensitivity of SW480 to 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy. Conclusion Thus, our results suggested that MSNs-anti-miR-155@PDA-Apt is a promising nanoformulation for CRC treatment.
Brain Training Game Improves Executive Functions and Processing Speed in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background The beneficial effects of brain training games are expected to transfer to other cognitive functions, but these beneficial effects are poorly understood. Here we investigate the impact of the brain training game (Brain Age) on cognitive functions in the elderly. Methods and Results Thirty-two elderly volunteers were recruited through an advertisement in the local newspaper and randomly assigned to either of two game groups (Brain Age, Tetris). This study was completed by 14 of the 16 members in the Brain Age group and 14 of the 16 members in the Tetris group. To maximize the benefit of the interventions, all participants were non-gamers who reported playing less than one hour of video games per week over the past 2 years. Participants in both the Brain Age and the Tetris groups played their game for about 15 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. Each group played for a total of about 20 days. Measures of the cognitive functions were conducted before and after training. Measures of the cognitive functions fell into four categories (global cognitive status, executive functions, attention, and processing speed). Results showed that the effects of the brain training game were transferred to executive functions and to processing speed. However, the brain training game showed no transfer effect on any global cognitive status nor attention. Conclusions Our results showed that playing Brain Age for 4 weeks could lead to improve cognitive functions (executive functions and processing speed) in the elderly. This result indicated that there is a possibility which the elderly could improve executive functions and processing speed in short term training. The results need replication in large samples. Long-term effects and relevance for every-day functioning remain uncertain as yet. Trial Registration UMIN Clinical Trial Registry 000002825
Selecting Temperature for Protein Crystallization Screens Using the Temperature Dependence of the Second Virial Coefficient

Protein crystals usually grow at a preferable temperature which is however not known for a new protein. This paper reports a new approach for determination of favorable crystallization temperature, which can be adopted to facilitate the crystallization screening process. By taking advantage of the correlation between the temperature dependence of the second virial coefficient (B 22) and the solubility of protein, we measured the temperature dependence of B 22 to predict the temperature dependence of the solubility. Using information about solubility versus temperature, a preferred crystallization temperature can be proposed. If B 22 is a positive function of the temperature, a lower crystallization temperature is recommended; if B 22 shows opposite behavior with respect to the temperature, a higher crystallization temperature is preferred. Otherwise, any temperature in the tested range can be used.
Comparative Genomics of the Mating-Type Loci of the Mushroom Flammulina velutipes Reveals Widespread Synteny and Recent Inversions

Background Mating-type loci of mushroom fungi contain master regulatory genes that control recognition between compatible nuclei, maintenance of compatible nuclei as heterokaryons, and fruiting body development. Regions near mating-type loci in fungi often show adapted recombination, facilitating the generation of novel mating types and reducing the production of self-compatible mating types. Compared to other fungi, mushroom fungi have complex mating-type systems, showing both loci with redundant function (subloci) and subloci with many alleles. The genomic organization of mating-type loci has been solved in very few mushroom species, which complicates proper interpretation of mating-type evolution and use of those genes in breeding programs. Methodology/Principal Findings We report a complete genetic structure of the mating-type loci from the tetrapolar, edible mushroom Flammulina velutipes mating type A3B3. Two matB3 subloci, matB3a that contains a unique pheromone and matB3b, were mapped 177 Kb apart on scaffold 1. The matA locus of F. velutipes contains three homeodomain genes distributed over 73 Kb distant matA3a and matA3b subloci. The conserved matA region in Agaricales approaches 350 Kb and contains conserved recombination hotspots showing major rearrangements in F. velutipes and Schizophyllum commune. Important evolutionary differences were indicated; separation of the matA subloci in F. velutipes was diverged from the Coprinopsis cinerea arrangement via two large inversions whereas separation in S. commune emerged through transposition of gene clusters. Conclusions/Significance In our study we determined that the Agaricales have very large scale synteny at matA (∼350 Kb) and that this synteny is maintained even when parts of this region are separated through chromosomal rearrangements. Four conserved recombination hotspots allow reshuffling of large fragments of this region. Next to this, it was revealed that large distance subloci can exist in matB as well. Finally, the genes that were linked to specific mating types will serve as molecular markers in breeding.
Burden of orofacial pain in a socially deprived and culturally diverse area of the United Kingdom

Abstract Little is known about the burden and impact of orofacial pain in deprived areas, and whether it mediates the relationship between socioeconomic position and impacts on daily life. We analysed data from a representative sample of 2168 adults, aged 16 to 65 years, from the East London Oral Health Inequality study. Participants completed a validated questionnaire on demographics, socioeconomic position (area deprivation), orofacial pain (by anatomical site) in the past month, and impacts related to oral conditions on daily life. Negative binomial regression models with robust variance estimator were fitted. The prevalence of orofacial pain was high (30.2%). The most common subset of orofacial pain was intraoral pain (27.5%). The prevalence of pain related to temporomandibular disorders was 6.8%. The most common subsets of intraoral pain were tooth (20.4%) and gingival (11.4%) pain. Orofacial pain, its subsets (intraoral and temporomandibular disorder–related pain), and intraoral pain subsets (tooth and gingival pain) consistently showed associations with all dimensions of impacts on daily life that were highly statistically significant: functional limitation, psychological discomfort, disabilities, and handicap. Socioeconomic inequalities were present in orofacial pain and some dimensions of impacts on daily life. Orofacial pain did not mediate the relationship between area deprivation and impacts on daily life. Our study demonstrated a substantial burden and impact of orofacial pain in a socially deprived and culturally diverse area of the United Kingdom. To address this burden, interventions that lie within the remit of health services are needed to improve access to dental care for adults with orofacial pain.
Cytochrome P 450 2 E 1 RsaI / PstI polymorphism is associated with urologic cancer risk : evidence from a meta-analysis

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is involved in the metabolic activation of various carcinogens. CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism has been identified in urologic cancer patients, while studies of the polymorphism have shown inconclusive trends in the risk of urologic cancers. Therefore, we performed this systematic review to provide a complete picture and conducted a meta-analysis to derive a precise estimation. We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science to identify eligible studies up to December 15, 2014. 12 studies with 2712 cases and 2977 controls were included in the meta-analysis.The odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to assess the strength of associations. We observed that the c2 allele of CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of urologic cancer under all genetic models (c2 vs. c1: OR = 0.742, 95% CI = 0.659-0.835); c2c2 vs. c1c1: OR = 0.516, 95% CI = 0.357-0.745; c1c2 vs. c1c1: OR = 0.748, 95% CI = 0.748 (0.648-0.863; c2c2 + c1c2 vs. c1c1: OR = 0.722, 95% CI = 0.629-0.829; c2c2 vs. c1c1 + c1c2: OR = 0.578, 95% CI = 0.401-0.832). In the subgroup analysis by cancer type, statistically significant associations were found in urothelial cancer in all genetic models. When stratified by ethnicity, a same trend was also indicated in Asians in all genetic models.To conclude, our results support the conclusion that the CYP2E1 RsaI/PstI polymorphism may be associated with urologic cancer susceptibility. The c2 allele is a low-penetrance risk factor for urologic cancer development.