Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracellular Neural Microstimulation May Activate Much Larger Regions than Expected by Simulations: A Combined Experimental and Modeling Study

Electrical stimulation of the central nervous system has been widely used for decades for either fundamental research purposes or clinical treatment applications. Yet, very little is known regarding the spatial extent of an electrical stimulation. If pioneering experimental studies reported that activation threshold currents (TCs) increase with the square of the neuron-to-electrode distance over a few hundreds of microns, there is no evidence that this quadratic law remains valid for larger distances. Moreover, nowadays, numerical simulation approaches have supplanted experimental studies for estimating TCs. However, model predictions have not yet been validated directly with experiments within a common paradigm. Here, we present a direct comparison between experimental determination and modeling prediction of TCs up to distances of several millimeters. First, we combined patch-clamp recording and microelectrode array stimulation in whole embryonic mouse spinal cords to determine TCs. Experimental thresholds did not follow a quadratic law beyond 1 millimeter, but rather tended to remain constant for distances larger than 1 millimeter. We next built a combined finite element – compartment model of the same experimental paradigm to predict TCs. While theoretical TCs closely matched experimental TCs for distances <250 microns, they were highly overestimated for larger distances. This discrepancy remained even after modifications of the finite element model of the potential field, taking into account anisotropic, heterogeneous or dielectric properties of the tissue. In conclusion, these results show that quadratic evolution of TCs does not always hold for large distances between the electrode and the neuron and that classical models may underestimate volumes of tissue activated by electrical stimulation.
The histochemical demonstration of myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase activity in fish muscle.

A technique for the demonstration of myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase activity (ATPase) used for mammalian muscle has been modified to suit fish muscle. The mammalian method involves selectively inhibiting fiber types by preincubation at either alkaline (pH 10.4) or acid (pH 4.3) pH before incubation for myofibrillar (ATPase) activity. Fish muscle fibers were found to be generally inactivated under these conditions. Preincubation at an acid pH was found to be unsuitable for fish muscle because of the indiscriminate inactivation of the fibers. The effects of preincubating at pH 10.4 and incubating tissue sections for different time periods and at different pH's and temperatures have been investigated. A differential staining of fiber types correlated with biochemical data on myofibrillar ATPase for red and white muscles was obtained by preincubating sections for short periods (1–2 min) at pH 10.4. Under these conditions the intermediately positioned pink fibers were found to stain similarly to the whi.
International Financial Markets

As the globalization of financial markets continues, we urgently need to understand the crises that have plagued these markets and the policies best suited to preventing such crises in the future. In this book, a prominent group of economists and policymakers blend conceptual analysis and policy discussion in seven well-integrated papers, analyzing the nature of capital flows, alternative exchange-rate regimes, and the roles of international financial institutions. After a guided tour by the editor and a historical exploration, some of the world's leading theorists and policy analysts examine the benefits and pitfalls of capital movements and controls. In the second portion, papers examine the recent experiences of Argentina and Mexico, with Charles Calomiris—whose proposals for a new world financial architecture have elicited wide attention—contributing a response. The volume concludes with a roundtable discussion of the report of the International Financial Institutions Advisory Commission, in which the chair of the commission, Allan H. Meltzer, both comments on the report and responds to questions about it. The material presented here will become a standard reference for analysts, policymakers, and the interested general public. Contributors: Leonardo Auernheimer, Matthew Bishop, Michael D. Bordo, Charles Calomiris, Guillermo A. Calvo, Augustin Carstens, Michael P. Dooley, Pablo E. Guidotti, T. Britton Harris, John P. Lipsky, Guillermo Ortiz Martinez, Allan H. Meltzer, Andrew Powell, Rene Stulz, Carl E. Walsh
INFLUENCE OF GROUND MOTION DURATION ON DEGRADING SDOF SYSTEMS

The influence of ground motion duration (GMD) in seismic response of structures is investigated using single degree of freedom (SDOF) systems with different constitutive laws to represent structures with different levels of degradation in strength and stiffness. Two different demand measures are considered to represent maximum and cumulative response. GMD influence is studying using two specific duration scenarios to consider short and long duration, each with 20 records. The study is divided in two parts, in the first part incremental dynamical analysis (IDA) is used to evaluate the influence of GMD in the seismic response of structures with different hysteretic behaviour for both demand measures used, and different levels of ground motion intensity. In the second part, fragility curves are obtained to evaluate the influence of GMD on structural failure probability of structures with different models of hysteretic behaviour.
A State Abstraction for Coordination in Java-like Languages

Objects’ state, intended as some abstraction over the value of fields, is always in the mind of a COOL (Concurrent Object-Oriented Language) programmer. In fact, as the state of an object changes so does its coordination behaviour. We introduce a language feature for expressing the notion of state in Java-like languages. The proposed feature takes the form of state class, a new kind of class, equipped with a static type and effect system guaranteeing that during the execution of a method on a receiver o: (1) Even though the state of o may vary through states with different parameters, no attempt will be made to access non-existing parameters, and (2) No method invoked on a receiver different from this may cause (through method calls on o) a change in the state of o.
Coloring maps and the Kowalski doctrine

It is attractive to regard an algorithm as composed of the logic determining what the results are and the control determining how the result is obtained. Logic programmers like to regard programming as controlled deduction, and there have been several proposals for controlling the deduction expressed by a Prolog program and not always using Prolog''s normal backtracking algorithm. The present note discusses a map coloring program proposed by Pereira and Porto and two coloring algorithms that can be regarded as control applied to its logic. However, the control mechanisms required go far beyond those that have been contemplated in the Prolog literature.
Molecular Determinants of Virulence, Cell Tropism, and Pathogenic Phenotype of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus

ABSTRACT Infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs), belonging to the familyBirnaviridae, exhibit a wide range of immunosuppressive potential, pathogenicity, and virulence for chickens. The genomic segment A encodes all the structural (VP2, VP4, and VP3) and nonstructural proteins, whereas segment B encodes the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (VP1). To identify the molecular determinants for the virulence, pathogenic phenotype, and cell tropism of IBDV, we prepared full-length cDNA clones of a virulent strain, Irwin Moulthrop (IM), and constructed several chimeric cDNA clones of segments A and B between the attenuated vaccine strain (D78) and the virulent IM or GLS variant strain. Using the cRNA-based reverse-genetics system developed for IBDV, we generated five chimeric viruses after transfection by electroporation procedures in Vero or chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells, one of which was recovered after propagation in embryonated eggs. To evaluate the characteristics of the recovered viruses in vivo, we inoculated 3-week-old chickens with D78, IM, GLS, or chimeric viruses and analyzed their bursae for pathological lesions 3 days postinfection. Viruses in which VP4, VP4-VP3, and VP1 coding sequences of the virulent strain IM were substituted for the corresponding region in the vaccine strain failed to induce hemorrhagic lesions in the bursa. In contrast, viruses in which the VP2 coding region of the vaccine strain was replaced with the variant GLS or virulent IM strain caused rapid bursal atrophy or hemorrhagic lesions in the bursa, as seen with the variant or classical virulent strain, respectively. These results show that the virulence and pathogenic-phenotype markers of IBDV reside in VP2. Moreover, one of the chimeric viruses containing VP2 sequences of the virulent strain could not be recovered in Vero or CEF cells but was recovered in embryonated eggs, suggesting that VP2 contains the determinants for cell tropism. Similarly, one of the chimeric viruses containing the VP1 segment of the virulent strain could not be recovered in Vero cells but was recovered in CEF cells, suggesting that VP1 contains the determinants for cell-specific replication in Vero cells. By comparing the deduced amino acid sequences of the D78 and IM strains and their reactivities with monoclonal antibody 21, which binds specifically to virulent IBDV, the putative amino acids involved in virulence and cell tropism were identified. Our results indicate that residues Gln at position 253 (Gln253), Asp279, and Ala284 of VP2 are involved in the virulence, cell tropism, and pathogenic phenotype of virulent IBDV.
Highly efficient differentiation of hESCs to functional hepatic endoderm requires ActivinA and Wnt3a signaling

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a valuable source of pluripotential primary cells. To date, however, their homogeneous cellular differentiation to specific cell types in vitro has proven difficult. Wnt signaling has been shown to play important roles in coordinating development, and we demonstrate that Wnt3a is differentially expressed at critical stages of human liver development in vivo. The essential role of Wnt3a in hepatocyte differentiation from hESCs is paralleled by our in vitro model, demonstrating the importance of a physiologic approach to cellular differentiation. Our studies provide compelling evidence that Wnt3a signaling is important for coordinated hepatocellular function in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we demonstrate that Wnt3a facilitates clonal plating of hESCs exhibiting functional hepatic differentiation. These studies represent an important step toward the use of hESC-derived hepatocytes in high-throughput metabolic analysis of human liver function.
Does Tramadol Have a Role in Pain Control in Palliative Care?

Background: The effectiveness of the step II of the World Health Organization analgesic ladder including tramadol has been questioned recently. Methods: Retrospective study of patients treated with tramadol admitted as inpatients to one palliative care unit between November 1, 2009, and October 30, 2012. Results: In the study period, 730 patients were admitted and 66 (9%) of them met the criteria for inclusion; 45 (68%) continued medication with tramadol until discharge from the unit, while 21 (32%) had to switch to an opioid for moderate to severe pain. The reason for switching was uncontrolled pain in 16 (76%) patients, and for 5 (24%) patients, the switch was made for other reasons. Conclusion: The data suggest that tramadol may have a role to play in the treatment of pain in palliative care.
EFFECTS OF XYLAZINE IMMOBILIZATION ON BIOCHEMICAL AND ENDOCRINE VALUES IN WHITE-TAILED DEER

The effect of xylazine hydrochloride on biochemical and endocrine parameters in plasma was examined in adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann)). In the first experiment, seven animals were injected intramuscularly via a blowgun dart with 0.65 mg/kg xylazine (100 mg/ml) and were bled 10, 20, 30, and 60 min post-injection. In the second experiment, eight animals were manually restrained for the first blood sampling and then injected manually and bled as before. Plasma calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were measured spectrophotometrically. Plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and Cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma PTH, CT, T4, T3, and AP activity did not differ (P > 0.05) during the 1 hr period studied in either experiment. Plasma Ca and P decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the second experiment, whereas Cortisol levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) 10 min post-injection in both experiments. The results may have been due to a drug effect or a combined drug and stress effect. It is suggested that xylazine may be safely used as an anesthetic in measuring PTH, CT, T4 and T3, and plasma AP up to 60 min post-injection in deer. Caution should be taken in using xylazine as an anesthetic to study adrenocortical function.
Perceived Stress of Dental Students

This study aimed to investigate the perceived stress of dental students at a South African medical facility. Data on stress levels in a dental school environment were collected from eighty eight students in their clinical years of study, using the Dental Environment Stress (DES) questionnaire (Acharya, 2003). Fifty six per cent of participants were female and the majority (94%) were Black. The data were descriptively analysed. Results indicated that male students, final year students, those with dentistry as their first career choice and single status students reported less stress than other cohorts. Students in less intensive clinical tracks also reported relatively less stress than peers in other training placements.
Influence of Arterial Input Function on Hypoperfusion Volumes Measured With Perfusion-Weighted Imaging

Background and Purpose— The arterial input function (AIF) is critical in determining hemodynamic parameters quantitatively with bolus-tracking MRI. We studied the effect of varying the location of measurement of AIF on the volume of hypoperfusion. We compared the volumes of hypoperfusion obtained with different AIFs with the final ischemic lesion volume. Methods— We included 13 patients with acute cerebral ischemia in the anterior circulation who underwent diffusion- (DWI) and perfusion (PWI)-weighted imaging within 8 hours after symptom onset and exhibited DWI lesion expansion between baseline and follow-up. AIF was measured at 4 locations: near both middle cerebral arteries (MCAs), in MCA branches adjacent to the largest DWI abnormality, and at the same level on the opposite hemisphere. Hypoperfusion lesion volumes were compared with the DWI volume at follow-up. Results— Large variations in PWI lesion size were found with different AIF locations. The largest PWI lesions were found when AIF was measured at the contralateral MCA. Smaller PWI lesions were found when AIF was measured in the other locations. There was no significant difference between PWI lesion area at baseline and follow-up DWI lesion when AIF was measured at the contralateral MCA. The other PWI lesions significantly underestimated follow-up DWI lesion size. Conclusions— AIF is an important determinant of the size of hypoperfusion lesions measured with PWI. PWI lesion volumes determined with AIF from the contralateral MCA are associated with follow-up lesion volume.
Quantification of the effects of haptic feedback during motor skills tasks in a simulated environment

This paper seeks to establish the quantitative effects of providing force feedback on user performance in human computer interaction. A reciprocal tapping test is employed in conjunction with Fitts' law in order to establish a measure of human performance in a simple target selection task. The test was performed using a PHANToM haptic interface, under conditions with and without the provision of force feedback. It was found that providing force feedback significantly improved subjects' movement times, but had no effect on the rate of information processing (IP) as defined by Fitts' law. However, it was shown that for conditions of ballistic movement (corresponding to a low task difficulty (ID)), there was a highly significant improvement in IP for the condition with force feedback, but no improvement when force feedback was not employed. This was deemed due to the fact that for the non-haptic condition no force cues were available, therefore the user had to rely on visual cues, hence, ballistic movement was not possible.
Retrospective Cohort Study of the Prevalence of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra in a Wide and Well-Represented Population

Purpose. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) in a well-represented general population. Methods. For a retrospective cohort study, abdominal radiographs of adult subjects were queried with clear visibility of the vertebral body articulation of the last rib, all lumbar transverse processes, and complete sacral wings. Exclusion criteria included any radiologic evidence of previous lumbosacral surgery that would block our view. A total of 6200 abdominal films were reviewed, and 3607 were identified as being suitable for the measurement of the desired parameters. Results. A total of 3607 subjects were identified as eligible for the study, and 683 (18.9%) were classified as positive for a lumbosacral transitional vertebra. The prevalence of sacralization and lumbarization was found as 17.2% and 1.7%, respectively. The average age at the time of the study was 39.5 ± 15.2 years (18–86 years). Conclusions. As a result of different opinions, LSTV retains its controversial status. Our prevalence study of the general population will provide assistance for resolution of the controversy. Prevalence studies of the general population with a wide participation will shed light on comparative studies.
CYP2A13: Variable Expression and Role in Human Lung Microsomal Metabolic Activation of the Tobacco-Specific Carcinogen 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone

CYP2A13 is the most efficient cytochrome P450 enzyme in the metabolic activation of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a tobacco-specific lung carcinogen. The aims of this study were to determine the levels of CYP2A13 protein in human lung microsomes and to ascertain whether CYP2A13 plays any role in lung microsomal NNK metabolic activation. The expression of CYP2A6 and CYP2A13 was examined using a high-resolution immunoblotting method, following immunopurification with an anti-CYP2A5 antibody. We found that, of 116 human lung microsomal samples analyzed, ∼90% had detectable CYP2A6, whereas only 12% had detectable CYP2A13 with a detection limit of ∼2 fmol of CYP2A/mg protein. For the majority of microsomal samples analyzed, the level of CYP2A13 was found to be lower than the level of CYP2A6; overall, the highest level of CYP2A13 found (∼20 fmol/mg protein) was ∼10-fold lower than the highest level of CYP2A6 detected. Quantitative RNA-polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed that the highly variable expression of the CYP2A proteins was consistent with variations in the levels of the corresponding CYP2A mRNAs in the same tissue samples. It is noteworthy that the level of CYP2A13, but not CYP2A6, was correlated with lung microsomal NNK metabolic activation activity. Furthermore, the addition of 8-methoxypsoralen, a CYP2A inhibitor, led to greater inhibition of NNK metabolic activation in microsomes containing relatively high levels of CYP2A13 than in samples containing no detectable CYP2A13. Taken together, these data indicate that human lung microsomal CYP2A13 is active in NNK metabolic activation. Therefore, individuals having relatively high levels of CYP2A13 expression will likely have an increased risk of developing smoking-related lung cancer.
Using Storage Class Memory Efficiently for an In-memory Database

Storage class memory (SCM) is an emerging class of memory devices that are both byte addressable, and persistent. There are many different technologies that can be considered SCM, at different stages of maturity. Examples of such technologies include NVDIMM-N, PCM, SttRAM, Racetrack, FeRAM, and others. Currently, applications rely on storage technologies such as Flash memory and hard disks as the physical media for persistency. SCM behaves differently and has significantly different characteristics than these existing technologies. That means there is a need for a fundamental change in the way we program data persistency in applications to fully realize the potential of this new class of device. Previous work such as [1] focuses on designing a filesystem optimized to run over SCM memory. Other projects such as Mnemosyne [4] provide a general purpose API for applications to use SCM memory. Mnemosyne however, does not provide a transaction mechanism flexible enough to allow different SCM updates spanning different parts of the code to be considered one transaction. Our work is focused on employing minimal changes needed to retrofit an existing key-value store to take advantage of SCM technology. We demonstrate these changes on Redis (REmote DIctionary Server) [3], which is a popular key-value store. We show how Redis can be modified to take advantage of these new abilities by allowing the application to manage its own storage in a unique way. Our approach is to use two types of memory technologies (DRAM and SCM) for different purposes in a single application. To optimize the system data capacity, we keep a minimal dataset in persistent memory, while keeping metadata (such as indexing) in DRAM, which can be rebuilt upon failures. Persistency in Redis is currently performed by logging all transactions to an append-only log file (AOF). These transactions can then be replayed to recover from a failure. The transactions are not made persistent until the AOF file is flushed to disk, which is very slow. Flushing after every transaction has a performance impact, but flushing periodically creates a risk of lost data. By using SCM instead of a disk, we can effectively flush every transaction without impacting performance. In order to change Redis to store data objects on the SCM, we must ensure consistency of persistent data even after an unexpected shutdown. To ensure consistency, a modified version of dlmalloc [2] is used for all allocations done on the SCM, and mfence commands are used to overcome unexpected reordering. We model the SCM using a memory mapped file backed on a ramdisk. We compared our changes to Redis using an AOF backed on a ramdisk. Although we don't take into account the latency overheads of accessing the SCM, this comparison gives us a good upper bound of performance benefits of using SCM memory. Our results demonstrate an average latency reduction of 43% and average throughput increase of 75%.
Mitochondrial DNA and karyotypic data confirm the presence of Mus indutus and Mus minutoides (Mammalia, Rodentia, Muridae, Nannomys) in Botswana

Abstract We use a combination of cytochrome b sequence data and karyological evidence to confirm the presence of Mus indutus and Mus minutoides in Botswana. Our data include sampling from five localities from across the country, including one site in northwestern Botswana where both species were captured in syntopy. Additionally, we find evidence for two mitochondrial lineages of M. minutoides in northwestern Botswana that differ by 5% in sequence variation. Also, we report that M. minutoides in Botswana have the 2n=34 karyotype with the presence of a (X.1) sex-autosome translocation.