Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semaphorin 6 A acts as a gate keeper between the central and the peripheral nervous system

Background: During spinal cord development, expression of chicken SEMAPHORIN6A (SEMA6A) is almost exclusively found in the boundary caps at the ventral motor axon exit point and at the dorsal root entry site. The boundary cap cells are derived from a population of late migrating neural crest cells. They form a transient structure at the transition zone between the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the central nervous system (CNS). Ablation of the boundary cap resulted in emigration of motoneurons from the ventral spinal cord along the ventral roots. Based on its very restricted expression in boundary cap cells, we tested for a role of Sema6A as a gate keeper between the CNS and the PNS. Results: Downregulation of Sema6A in boundary cap cells by in ovo RNA interference resulted in motoneurons streaming out of the spinal cord along the ventral roots, and in the failure of dorsal roots to form and segregate properly. PlexinAs interact with class 6 semaphorins and are expressed by both motoneurons and sensory neurons. Knockdown of PlexinA1 reproduced the phenotype seen after loss of Sema6A function both at the ventral motor exit point and at the dorsal root entry site of the lumbosacral spinal cord. Loss of either PlexinA4 or Sema6D function had an effect only at the dorsal root entry site but not at the ventral motor axon exit point. Conclusion: Sema6A acts as a gate keeper between the PNS and the CNS both ventrally and dorsally. It is required for the clustering of boundary cap cells at the PNS/CNS interface and, thus, prevents motoneurons from streaming out of the ventral spinal cord. At the dorsal root entry site it organizes the segregation of dorsal roots. Background During development of the nervous system, axons navigate long distances to connect to their targets. Along their trajectories they encounter a large variety of guidance cues that support their navigation [1,2]. Axon guidance cues are subdivided into long-range and short-range guidance cues. They belong to a relatively small number of protein families, the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules [3], the Eph/ephrins [4], the netrins [5,6], the semaphorins [7,8] and their receptors, plexins and Published: 18 December 2007 Neural Development 2007, 2:28 doi:10.1186/1749-8104-2-28 Received: 2 August 2007 Accepted: 18 December 2007 This article is available from: http://www.neuraldevelopment. com/content/2/1/28 © 2007 Mauti et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A New 10 Gbps Traffic Management algorithm for High-speed Networks

This paper presents a new traffic management algorithm able to meet the requirements of high speed networks where the speed of ingress traffic can exceeds 10 Gbps. Our newly algorithm, called HRED (high speed RED) is based on the well known algorithm RED (random early detection) algorithm with several enhancements. Unlike other existing enhancements for RED which are found in the literature, our proposed changes leads to an algorithm which outperforms the existing ones in terms of packet drops. The authors present in this paper a series of simulation results demonstrating this fact. Also, the authors developed an efficient heuristic used in the hardware implementation of the algorithm and proved that this heuristic diminishes the response time of the algorithm. The reason for which we claim it's suitability for high speed networks.
Comparison of in house polymerase chain reaction with conventional techniques for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in granulomatous lymphadenopathy

Aims—To evaluate the usefulness of the devR based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in lymph node aspirates and tissues of lymphadenitis and to compare PCR with conventional diagnostic techniques. Subjects and methods—Coded specimens of fine needle aspirates and biopsies from 22 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis, 14 patients with non-tubercular lymphadenitis, and nine patients with granulomatous lymphadenitis were processed and subjected to analysis by PCR, smear microscopy, M tuberculosis culture, histology, and cytology. Results—Tuberculous lymphadenitis was correctly diagnosed by PCR in 18 patients, by culture in five patients, by histology in 13 patients, and by cytology in seven patients. PCR gave two false positive results in 14 patients with non-tubercular lymphadenitis. The sensitivity of the conventional techniques was significantly higher with biopsies (17 of 22 specimens; 77%) than with fine needle aspirates (nine of 22 specimens; 41%). However, the sensitivity of PCR was not significantly higher with biopsies (68%) in comparison with fine needle aspirates (55%). The sensitivity of either biopsy PCR or fine needle aspirate PCR was not significantly different from that of either histology combined with culture or cytology combined with culture. The overall combined specificity of PCR was 86%. Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was detected in six of nine patients with granulomatous lymphadenitis. Conclusion—PCR is the most sensitive single technique available to date for the demonstration of M tuberculosis in specimens derived from patients with a clinical suspicion of tuberculous lymphadenitis. The value of PCR lies in its use as an adjunct test in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis, particularly in those patients where conventional methods fail. Because fine needle aspiration is not an invasive procedure, it is the procedure of choice, and PCR should be performed initially on these samples. Excisional biopsy histology and PCR should be recommended only for patients in whom fine needle aspirate PCR is negative or when there is discrepancy with the clinical impression.
Behavioral Modeling of IC Memories From Measured Data

This paper addresses the generation of behavioral models of digital integrated circuits (ICs) for signal and power integrity simulations. The proposed models are obtained by external measurements carried out at the device ports only and by the combined application of specialized state-of-the-art modeling techniques. The present approach exploits a behavioral formulation, leading to models reproducing all the behavior of the IC ports as the input/output buffers and the core power delivery network. The modeling procedure is demonstrated for a commercial nor Flash memory in 90-nm technology housed by a specifically designed test fixture.
Oxygen Use in Neonatal Care: A Two-edged Sword

In the neonatal period, the clinical use of oxygen should be taken into consideration for its beneficial and toxicity effects. Oxygen toxicity is due to the development of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as OH• that is one of the strongest oxidants in nature. Of note, generation of ROS is a normal occurrence in human and it is involved in a myriad of physiological reactions. Anyway an imbalance between production of oxidant species and antioxidant defenses, called oxidative stress, could affect various aspect of organisms’ physiology and it could determine pathological consequences to living beings. Neonatal oxidative stress is essentially due to decreased antioxidants, increased ROS, or both. Studies have demonstrated that antioxidant capacity is lower in preterm newborns than term babies. This well-known deficiency of antioxidant factors is only a piece of a cohort of factors, which can be involved in the neonatal oxidative stress and the increased production of ROS may be a main factor. Mechanisms of ROS generation are: mitochondrial respiratory chain, free iron and Fenton reaction, inflammation, hypoxia and/or ischemia, reperfusion, and hyperoxia. Oxidative stress following hyperoxia has been recognized to be responsible for lung, central nervous system, retina, red blood cell injuries, and possibly generalized tissue damage. When supplemental oxygen is needed for care, it would be prudent to avoid changes and fluctuations in SpO2. The definition of the safest level of oxygen saturations in the neonate remains an area of active research. Currently, on the basis of the published evidences, the most suitable approach would be to set alarm limits between 90 and 95%. It should allow to avoid SpO2 values associated with potential hypoxia and/or hyperoxia. Although the usefulness of antioxidant protection in the neonatal period is still under investigation, the risk of tissue damage due to oxidative stress in perinatal period should not be underestimated.
Towards a spirituality of open distance learning

This article suggests attention to the paideia of the soul as an educative corrective for preparing open distance learning students for living in the current technology-dependent world. This world is undergirded by a technology-rich knowledge society that privileges new informational epistemologies. In an attempt to suggest a spirituality of open distance learning that is based on the paideia (full-blown completeness) of the soul, use is made of the integrated interpretations of three relevant viewpoints. It is shown that spirituality in open distance learning is neither religion nor ethics; that it is essentially about the meaning in and of life, meaning-making and meaning-decoding, self-transcendence (especially as meaning-making), connection, engagement and a re-interrogation of all the major existentialist questions. It is a journey towards wholeness and compassion (as knowledge of love) of every student teacher.
Semicircular Slot-Tuned Planar Half-Ellipse Antenna With a Shallow Vee-Cavity in Vital Sign Detection

Ultrawideband (UWB) antenna is one critical part of the impulse radar system. In this paper, a shallow Vee-cavity shielded planar dipole antenna working at the center frequency of 400 MHz for UWB vital sign detection radar is investigated numerically and experimentally. It consists of two half-ellipse-shape arms tuned with four semicircular slots and a shallow Vee-cavity. The voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), input impedance, and radiation waveforms are all analyzed. The resistive and slot loading techniques for improving impulse radiation and reducing late-time ringing are adopted. Several important parameters of the designed antenna have been studied. The influence of a shallow rectangular cavity and the proposed Vee-cavity on the antenna characteristics is also under consideration. Finally, one prototype antenna is fabricated and applied to UWB vital sign detection radar system. The experimental results indicate that the proposed half-ellipse antenna with a Vee-cavity works satisfactorily in the radar system.
Bischof-Köhler ' s Universalist Perspective Comment : Culture-Specific Developmental Pathways to Prosocial Behavior : A Comment on

In her work, Doris Bischof-Köhler describes how empathically motivated prosocial behavior emerges during the second year of life. From a cross-cultural perspective we argue that this developmental pathway is prototypical for autonomy-oriented sociocultural contexts. BischofKöhler’s theory should be complemented by a theory of situational helping behavior based on shared intentional relations to provide an alternative developmental pathway for understanding toddlers’ prosocial behavior. Because this developmental pathway does not presuppose an understanding of self and others as autonomous intentional agents, it may be more typical for relatedness-oriented sociocultural contexts.
When silence is broken: polycomb group proteins in heart development.

See related article, pages 406–415 Heart morphogenesis is a complex process that involves orchestration of cardiac cell commitment, differentiation, proliferation, and migration. Much progress has been made toward understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate these events during normal development. However, the role of chromatin modification for heart development has received comparatively little attention, despite the fact that epigenetic modifications establish a cell-type–specific chromatin pattern that is of paramount importance for cell commitment and differentiation. The polycomb group proteins are key regulators of gene expression during development and differentiation, silencing genes via regulation of the chromatin structure (Figure). Polycomb group proteins act in complexes that have specific catalytic functions important for transcriptional repression. In mammals, 2 major Polycomb group complexes exist: Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and 2 (PRC2). Whereas PRC1 ubiquitylates histone H2A on Lys119,1 PRC2 catalyzes the dimethylation and trimethylation of H3 on Lys27, generating H3K27me2/3.2 Generally, the H3K27me2/3 mark is specifically recognized by the chromodomain of Polycomb (Pc), a subunit of PRC1 complexes,1 which provides a platform for PRC1 recruitment and Polycomb-mediated transcriptional repression. EZH1/2, SUZ12, and EED are core components of the PRC2 complex. The catalytic function of PRC2 requires either EZH1 or EZH2, both of which possess histone lysine methyltransferase activities. EZH1- and EZH2-containing complexes share an overlapping set of target genes, which suggests that they might have partially redundant functions.3,4 However, recent evidence suggests that EZH1 might catalyze trimethylation of H3 on Lys4, generating the active epigenetic mark H3K4me3, which calls into question the concept of redundancy between Ezh1 and Ezh2.5 In vitro, EZH2 has a higher …
Micralestes (Characiformes, Alestidae) of the lower Congo River, with a description of a new species endemic to the lower Congo River rapids in the Democratic Republic of Congo

A new dwarf alestid from the vicinity of Inga on the lower Congo River, Bas Congo Province, Democratic Republic of Congo is described. Assignment of the new taxon to the poorly defined genus, Micralestes, is discussed and justified on the basis of available morphological character data. With the recognition of Micralestes schelly sp. nov., a total of six Micralestes are now known to inhabit the 350 km stretch of the Congo River from Pool Malebo to Boma near the river’s estuary. These are Micralestes acutidens (Peters, 1852), Micralestes humilis Boulenger, 1899, Micralestes lualabae Poll, 1967, Micralestes holargyreus (Gunther, 1873), Micralestes stormsi Boulenger, 1902, and the new species Micralestes schelly. Of these Micralestes schelly and Micralestes holargyreus are considered herein as restricted-range endemics of the lower Congo River. An illustrated key to Micralestes of the lower Congo River is provided.
Achieving globalization of AACSB accounting programs with faculty-led study abroad education

ABSTRACT This paper is motivated by recommendations from the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Pathways Commission, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators to increase global exposure in the accounting curriculum. Some schools have responded to these demands by offering short-duration, faculty-led, study abroad programs. We explain how these programs play a vital role in fulfilling the educational advisory boards’ calls to internationalize the accounting curriculum and investigate the extent to which schools are incorporating these programs. This paper provides a review of the details from our hand-collected data on the short programs that are offered by AACSB-accredited institutions. We integrate the information from our collection of data on existing programs, prior literature, pronouncements from educational advisory boards, and select faculty interviews to offer an analysis of the course design and travel considerations for schools contemplating such an opportunity for students in their programs.
KLT-Based Interrogation Technique for FBG Multiplexed Sensor Tracking

The Karhunen–Loeve transform (KLT) is used to retrieve the wavelength information of several fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) that are acting as a multiplexed sensor. The modulated light of a broadband source is launched to the FBG cascade in order to capture the electrical frequency response of the system. Thanks to dispersive media, the wavelengths of the FBGs are mapped in radio-frequency delays. Wavelength changes are determined by the amplitude change of the samples in the impulse response, a change which is followed by the eigenvalue calculated by the KLT routine. The use of the KLT routine reduces by three orders of magnitude the amount of points needed to have a subdegree resolution in temperature sensing, while keeping the accuracy almost intact.
The Dawn Phenomenon, an Early Morning Glucose Rise: Implications for Diabetic Intraday Blood Glucose Variation

Eleven insulin-dependent (type I) diabetic subjects were studied during a 24-h period to assess intraday blood glucose (BG) variation and related free insulin (FI) levels. Ten patients exhibited the dawn phenomenon, a rise in early morning fasting blood glucose (123 ± 81.1 m/dl; mean ± SD). This increase was positively and significantly correlated with the morning postprandial BG peak (r = 0.723; P = 0.012). FI/BG ratios were highest during the night (0.717 and 0.666 at 2200 and 0400 h, respectively) and lowest during the early morning (0.294 at 0800 h) (P < 0.01). Three of the four observed hypoglycemic episodes occurred during the period when free insulin levels were high relative to BG. We conclude that the dawn phenomenon contributed directly and significantly to the BG maximum and indirectly, in some cases, to nocturnal hypoglycemia. It thus played an important role in the intraday blood glucose variation of such patients.
An Independent Component Analysis Mixture Model with Adaptive Source Densities

We propose an extension of the mixture of factor (or independent component) analyzers model to include strongly super-gaussian mixture source densities. This density model greater economy in the representation of densities with (multiple) peaked modes or heavy tails than using several Gaussians to represent these features. Subgaussian features can also be represented using Gaussian mixtures, which are a special case. We exploit an convexity-based inequality to derive an EM algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation of the model, and show that it converges globally to a local optimum of the actual nongaussian mixture model without requiring any approximations. We also propose adaptive Generalized Gaussian and Student’s t mixtures which adapt the shape parameters of the mixture component densities. Experiments verify the validity of the algorithm.
Address-value delta (AVD) prediction: increasing the effectiveness of runahead execution by exploiting regular memory allocation patterns

While runahead execution is effective at parallelizing independent long-latency cache misses, it is unable to parallelize dependent long-latency cache misses. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposes a novel technique, address-value delta (AVD) prediction. An AVD predictor keeps track of the address (pointer) load instructions for which the arithmetic difference (i.e., delta) between the effective address and the data value is stable. If such a load instruction incurs a long-latency cache miss during runahead execution, its data value is predicted by subtracting the stable delta from its effective address. This prediction enables the pre-execution of dependent instructions, including load instructions that incur long-latency cache misses. We describe how, why, and for what kind of loads AVD prediction works and evaluate the design tradeoffs in an implementable AVD predictor. Our analysis shows that stable AVDs exist because of patterns in the way data structures are allocated in memory. Our results show that augmenting a runahead processor with a simple, 16-entry AVD predictor improves the average execution time of a set of pointer-intensive applications by 12.1%.
Solving Metaphor Theory’s Binding Problem: An Examination of “Mapping” and Its Theoretical Implications

ABSTRACT While metaphor researchers commonly use the word “mapping” in explanations of various types of figurative language, there is a lack of recognition that the term is itself metaphorical. In fact, the term has two metaphor-based working definitions, the more commonly cited being that relating to mathematical set theory and the less common definition originating in cognitive neuroscience. Perhaps not coincidentally, terminological inconsistencies relating to mapping have led to theoretical problems both for single-domain theories of metonymy and attempts to examine Lakoff’s invariance hypothesis. This article will assert that expressing metonymic connectivity using the neuroscience term “binding” will both eliminate unnecessary theoretical confusion for cognitive linguists and provide common terminology to facilitate productive communication between cognitive linguists and cognitive neuroscientists.
An accurate combinatorial model for performance prediction of deterministic wormhole routing in torus multicomputer systems

Although several analytical models have been proposed in the literature for different interconnection networks with deterministic routing, very few of them have considered the effects of virtual channel multiplexing on network performance. This paper proposes a new analytical model to compute message latency in a general n-dimensional torus network with an arbitrary number of virtual channels per physical channel. Unlike the previous models proposed for toroidal-based networks, this model uses a combinatorial approach to consider all different possible cases for the source-destination pairs, thus resulting in an accurate prediction. The results obtained from simulation experiments confirm that the proposed model exhibits a high degree of accuracy for various network sizes, under different operating conditions, compared to a similar model proposed very recently, which considers virtual channel utilization in the k-ary n-cube network.
Simulating Intervention to Support Compensatory Strategies in an Artificial Neural Network Model of Atypical Language Development

Artificial neural networks have been used to model developmental deficits in cognitive and language development, most often by including sub-optimal inputoutput representations or computational parameters in these learning systems. The next step is to simulate intervention to alleviate developmental impairments, to inform the mechanistic basis of remediation. Here we used a sample model of atypical language development (in the well-explored domain of past tense acquisition) to investigate the extent to which alternative training regimes may induce short-term or long-term compensatory changes in underlying function, and the extent to which this depends on the timing of intervention. We present a new method to derive ‘intervention’ training sets as a simulation of behavioral interventions, and assess its adequacy in our sample model.
Detection of hydrogen peroxide with chemiluminescent micelles

The overproduction of hydrogen peroxide is implicated in the progress of numerous life-threatening diseases and there is a great need for the development of contrast agents that can detect hydrogen peroxide in vivo. In this communication, we present a new contrast agent for hydrogen peroxide, termed peroxalate micelles, which detect hydrogen peroxide through chemiluminescence, and have the physical/chemical properties needed for in vivo imaging applications. The peroxalate micelles are composed of amphiphilic peroxalate based copolymers and the fluorescent dye rubrene, they have a ‘stealth’ polyethylene glycol (PEG) corona to evade macrophage phagocytosis, and a diameter of 33 nm to enhance extravasation into permeable tissues. The peroxalate micelles can detect nanomolar concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (>50 nM) and thus have the sensitivity needed to detect physiological concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. We anticipate numerous applications of the peroxalate micelles for in vivo imaging of hydrogen peroxide, given their high sensitivity, small size, and biocompatible PEG corona.