Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of Resting State Connectivity in Patients with Stable Multiple Sclerosis

Given increasing efforts to use resting-state fMRI (rfMRI) as a biomarker of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) we here explored the reproducibility of longitudinal rfMRI over three months in patients with clinically and radiologically stable MS. To pursue this aim, two approaches were applied in nine rfMRI networks: First, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 3,1) was assessed for the mean functional connectivity maps across the entire network and a region of interest (ROI). Second, the ratio of overlap between Z-thresholded connectivity maps for each network was assessed. We quantified between-session functional reproducibility of rfMRI for 20 patients with stable MS and 14 healthy controls (HC). Nine rfMRI networks (RSNs) were examined at baseline and after 3 months of follow-up: three visual RSNs, the default-mode network, sensorimotor-, auditory-, executive control, and the left and right fronto-parietal RSN. ROI analyses were constrained to thresholded overlap masks for each individual (Z>0) at baseline and follow-up.In both stable MS and HC mean functional connectivity across the entire network did not reach acceptable ICCs for several networks (ICC<0.40) but we found a high reproducibility of ROI ICCs and of the ratio of overlap. ROI ICCs of all nine networks were between 0.98 and 0.99 for HC and ranged from 0.88 to 0.99 in patients with MS, respectively. The ratio of overlap for all networks was similar for both groups, ranging from 0.60 to 0.75. Our findings attest to a high reproducibility of rfMRI networks not only in HC but also in patients with stable MS when applying ROI analysis. This supports the utility of rfMRI to monitor functional changes related to disease progression or therapeutic interventions in MS.
Synthesis and Characterization of Fe3O4 @ Polyrhodanine Nanocomposite with Core–Shell Morphology

Core-shell magnetic nanoparticles have received significant attention recently and are actively investigated owing to their large potential for a variety of applications. In this study, the synthesis and characterization properties of magnetite @ polyrhodanine (Fe3O4 @ PRh) core–shell nanoparticles have been investigated. To monitor the morphology, size, structure, thermal stability, and magnetic properties of nanoparticles, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetic analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer were carried out. The results indicate that a thin film of polyrhodanine was coated on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The coated shell of polyrhodanine can protect the Fe3O4 cores from being oxidized. Also, the results presented the crystalline, small size, and high magnetization value for the core–shell structure.
An effective loop inductance model for general non-orthogonal interconnect with random capacitive coupling

We propose a first-ever analytic inductance model for practical on-chip interconnects with random signal lines. Validity of the effective loop inductance approach and determination of return paths through random capacitive coupling are investigated using a full-wave solver, leading to a frequency-dependent RLC model. Non-orthogonal interconnects are also investigated and included in our model.
Enigmatic, ultrasmall, uncultivated Archaea

Metagenomics has provided access to genomes of as yet uncultivated microorganisms in natural environments, yet there are gaps in our knowledge—particularly for Archaea—that occur at relatively low abundance and in extreme environments. Ultrasmall cells (<500 nm in diameter) from lineages without cultivated representatives that branch near the crenarchaeal/euryarchaeal divide have been detected in a variety of acidic ecosystems. We reconstructed composite, near-complete ~1-Mb genomes for three lineages, referred to as ARMAN (archaeal Richmond Mine acidophilic nanoorganisms), from environmental samples and a biofilm filtrate. Genes of two lineages are among the smallest yet described, enabling a 10% higher coding density than found genomes of the same size, and there are noncontiguous genes. No biological function could be inferred for up to 45% of genes and no more than 63% of the predicted proteins could be assigned to a revised set of archaeal clusters of orthologous groups. Some core metabolic genes are more common in Crenarchaeota than Euryarchaeota, up to 21% of genes have the highest sequence identity to bacterial genes, and 12 belong to clusters of orthologous groups that were previously exclusive to bacteria. A small subset of 3D cryo-electron tomographic reconstructions clearly show penetration of the ARMAN cell wall and cytoplasmic membranes by protuberances extended from cells of the archaeal order Thermoplasmatales. Interspecies interactions, the presence of a unique internal tubular organelle [Comolli, et al. (2009) ISME J 3:159–167], and many genes previously only affiliated with Crenarchaea or Bacteria indicate extensive unique physiology in organisms that branched close to the time that Cren- and Euryarchaeotal lineages diverged.
DAMPER: a platform for effortful interface development

This paper proposes that the physicality of an instrument be considered an important aspect in the design of new interfaces for musical expression. The use of Laban's theory of effort in the design of new effortful interfaces, in particular looking at effort-space modulation, is investigated, and a platform for effortful interface development (named the DAMPER) is described. Finally, future work is described and further areas of research are highlighted.
Novel Bioactive Poly(ε-caprolactone)-Gelatin-Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration

Today, porous nanocomposite scaffolds play a key role in tissue engineering approaches and new processing methods and materials are constantly being developed to cater for the wide range of specifications and requirements. In addition, providing a structural support while maintaining bioactivity is one of the most important goals for these scaffolds, i.e. applying bioceramic into polymeric structures, facilitating the formation of functional tissues. In the last few years, hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been widely investigated as scaffolding material, mainly for its ability to bond to both hard and soft tissues. In this research, new bioactive scaffolds were successfully developed using poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), cross-linked gelatin and nanoparticles of HAp. After synthesis of nano HAp powder via chemical precipitation technique, the nanocomposites were prepared through layer solvent casting and lamination techniques. According to the obtained results, the amount of ultimate stress, stiffness and elastic modulus increased by addition of PCL. Also, the in vitro biocompatibility and cytocompatibility of the scaffolds were tested using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and cells found to be attached to the scaffold walls.
Direct Tensile Tests of Individual WS2 Nanotubes

The Young’s modulus of WS2 nanotubes is an important property for various applications. Measurements of the mechanical properties of individual nanotubes are challenging because of the small size of the tubes. Lately, measurements of the Young’s modulus by buckling of an individual nanotube using an atomic force microscope1 resulted in an average value of 171GPa. Tensile tests of individual WS2 nanotubes were performed experimentally using a scanning electron microscope and simulated tensile tests of MoS2 nanotubes were performed by means of a densityfunctional tight-binding (DFTB) based molecular dynamics (MD) scheme. Preliminary results for WS2 nanotubes show Young’s modulus value of ca.162GPa, tensile strength value of ca. 13GPa and average elongation of ca. 12%. MD simulations resulted in elongation of 19% for zigzag and 17% for armchair MoS2 single wall nanotubes. Since MoS2 and WS2 nanotubes have similar structures the same behavior is expected for both, hence there is a good agreement regarding the elongation of WS2 nanotubes between experiment and simulation.
ON THE ASYMPTOTIC EXPANSION OF MAPS WITH DISCONNECTED JULIA SET

We study the asymptotic expansion of smooth one-dimensional maps. We give an example of an interval map for which the optimal shrinking of components exponential rate is not attained for any neighborhood of a certain fixed point in the boundary of a periodic Fatou component. As a complement, we prove a general result asserting that when this happens the components do shrink exponentially, although the rate is not the optimal one. Finally, we give an example of a polynomial with real coefficients, such that all its critical points in the complex plane are real, and such that its asymptotic expansion as a complex map is strictly smaller than its asymptotic expansion as a real map.
Efficient Summarization Based On Categorized Keywords

The information that exists on the World Wide Web is enormous enough in order to distract the users when trying to find useful information. In order to overcome the large amounts of data many personalization and summarization mechanisms have been presented. In this paper we propose a mechanism that applies summarization techniques on articles extracted from the web, based on the categorization procedure (also applied on the same articles). Through extensive experiments we proved that the summarization procedure can affect the categorization mechanism and vice versa. This means that when the results of the summarization mechanism seem to be weak, then the categorization can be used in order to provide a more efficient summary and on the other hand when the categorization procedure becomes too overloaded, the summarized articles can be used in order to categorize the article more efficiently. Moreover this paper introduces that the combination of summarization and categorization can lead to more efficient results not only for both mechanisms but for a personalized portal also. Finally, we propose a complete mechanism that can be used in order to provide the users with helpful tools in order to locate more easily the information they need.
Genetic Evidence That Nitric Oxide Modulates Homocysteine: The NOS3 894TT Genotype Is a Risk Factor for Hyperhomocystenemia

Objective—Mild hyperhomocystenemia is an independent, graded risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Genetic determinants of hyperhomocystenemia include functional polymorphisms in several folate/homocysteine metabolic enzymes. Nitric oxide may also modulate plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations, either by direct inhibition of methionine synthase or via an indirect effect on folate catabolism. Methods and Results—The hypothesis that the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) G894T polymorphism is a genetic determinant of tHcy concentrations was tested in 2 independent healthy adult populations. In both populations, NOS3 genotype was significantly associated with tHcy concentrations in nonsmokers with low folate (P =0.03 for each). Models were constructed to adjust for known determinants of tHcy concentrations and test for interactions between NOS3 genotype and these determinants in nonsmokers from each population. NOS3 genotype remained a significant determinant of tHcy concentrations after adjustment. Interactions between NOS3 genotype and serum folate were significant in both populations, and the interaction between NOS3 genotype and MTHFR C677T genotype was significant in the larger population. Conclusions—These data indicate that the NOS3 894TT genotype is a risk factor for elevated tHcy in healthy nonsmoking adults with low serum folate and supports the hypothesis that nitric oxide modulates homocysteine through an effect on folate catabolism.
A Study of Learning Effects in Different Cognitive Styles in PBL Animation Course

The purpose of this study was to explore different cognitive styles of learning effects in PBL animation courses. This study used qualitative and quantitative research methods mixed in 12-week experimental learning courses. Also the teaching method was designed and based on both problem-based and project-based learning (PBL) approach, providing students with online learning, discussing, and sharing environment. In addition, in the end of course each group will complete a group project. At the beginning of the first class, a standardized test called "Groups Embedded Figure Test(GEFT)" was implemented to understand student's cognitive style. During the teaching period, student's learning process was recorded along with teacher's own reflection. The results of this study are as follows: Although no significant differences of learning effects between different cognitive styles, but there is a significant impact on student's work style. Also, the analysis of group projects shows that field-independent students can integrate more strategies in problem solving to complete group project than field-dependent students.
Is There a Correlation Between Vascular Loops in the Cerebellopontine Angle and Unexplained Unilateral Hearing Loss?

Objective: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients who had received magnetic resonance imaging scans of the internal auditory canal (IAC) to evaluate unexplained asymmetric hearing loss. The study aimed to correlate structural features of vascular loops formed by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) within the cerebellopontine angle and IAC with asymmetric hearing loss. Study Design: High-resolution thin-section T2 fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging scans of 58 patients with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss were obtained; the structure of the AICA was graded on both sides using 2 scoring systems. The grading senior head and neck radiologist was blinded to the clinical history. The first scoring system used was the Chavda classification, which is based on the anatomic location of the AICA loop. This system identified 92 loops within the cerebellopontine angle; 22 loops extending less than halfway into the IAC and 2 loops extending more than halfway into the IAC. A second classification system was used simultaneously to describe the extent of contact between the AICA loop and the vestibulocochlear nerve. The second system identified 24 loops that were not in contact with the nerve, 60 in which the loop was running adjacent to the nerve but not displacing it; 12 loops were identified that were displacing the vestibulocochlear nerve, and 24 loops were identified running between the facial and the vestibulocochlear nerve. Four loops were classified as both displacing the vestibulocochlear nerve and running between the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. Tinnitus was present in addition to hearing loss. In 48 of the 58 patients, the statistical analysis was repeated for these patients. Results: No statistically significant association was found between loops classified by the Chavda system and hearing loss. No statistically significant association was present between loops that made no contact with the nerve, ran adjacent to the nerve, or displaced the nerve. A statistically significant association was found between loops that ran between the facial and vestibulocochlear nerve and hearing loss, with a p value of 0.0162. The subset who had tinnitus in addition to hearing loss had similar results, with the only significant association being found between loops running between the facial nerve and the vestibulocochlear nerve, and a p value of 0.0433 was obtained. Conclusion: A correlation between vascular loops and hearing loss did not exist in the majority of the patients in this study. The subset of patients that had a vessel between the facial and vestibular cochlear nerves deserve further investigation.
Human and mouse ZFY genes produce a conserved testis-specific transcript encoding a zinc finger protein with a short acidic domain and modified transactivation potential

Mammalian ZFY genes are located on the Y chromosome, and code putative transcription factors with 12–13 zinc fingers preceded by a large acidic (activating) domain. In mice, there are two genes, Zfy1 and Zfy2, which are expressed mainly in the testis. Their transcription increases in germ cells as they enter meiosis, both are silenced by meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) during pachytene, and Zfy2 is strongly reactivated later in spermatids. Recently, we have shown that mouse Zfy2, but not Zfy1, is involved in triggering the apoptotic elimination of specific types of sex chromosomally aberrant spermatocytes. In humans, there is a single widely transcribed ZFY gene, and there is no evidence for a specific role in the testis. Here, we characterize ZFY transcription during spermatogenesis in mice and humans. In mice, we define a variety of Zfy transcripts, among which is a Zfy2 transcript that predominates in spermatids, and a Zfy1 transcript, lacking an exon encoding approximately half of the acidic domain, which predominates prior to MSCI. In humans, we have identified a major testis-specific ZFY transcript that encodes a protein with the same short acidic domain. This represents the first evidence that ZFY has a conserved function during human spermatogenesis. We further show that, in contrast to the full acidic domain, the short domain does not activate transcription in yeast, and we hypothesize that this explains the functional difference observed between Zfy1 and Zfy2 during mouse meiosis.
Principal Component Pursuit with reduced linear measurements

In this paper, we study the problem of decomposing a superposition of a low-rank matrix and a sparse matrix when a relatively few linear measurements are available. This problem arises in many data processing tasks such as aligning multiple images or rectifying regular texture, where the goal is to recover a low-rank matrix with a large fraction of corrupted entries in the presence of nonlinear domain transformation. We consider a natural convex heuristic to this problem which is a variant to the recently proposed Principal Component Pursuit. We prove that under suitable conditions, this convex program guarantees to recover the correct low-rank and sparse components despite reduced measurements. Our analysis covers both random and deterministic measurement models.
Polyunsaturated fatty acyl-coenzyme As are inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis in zebrafish and mice

SUMMARY Lipid disorders pose therapeutic challenges. Previously we discovered that mutation of the hepatocyte β-hydroxybutyrate transporter Slc16a6a in zebrafish causes hepatic steatosis during fasting, marked by increased hepatic triacylglycerol, but not cholesterol. This selective diversion of trapped ketogenic carbon atoms is surprising because acetate and acetoacetate can exit mitochondria and can be incorporated into both fatty acids and cholesterol in normal hepatocytes. To elucidate the mechanism of this selective diversion of carbon atoms to fatty acids, we fed wild-type and slc16a6a mutant animals high-protein ketogenic diets. We find that slc16a6a mutants have decreased activity of the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr), despite increased Hmgcr protein abundance and relative incorporation of mevalonate into cholesterol. These observations suggest the presence of an endogenous Hmgcr inhibitor. We took a candidate approach to identify such inhibitors. First, we found that mutant livers accumulate multiple polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and PUFA-CoAs, and we showed that human HMGCR is inhibited by PUFA-CoAs in vitro. Second, we injected mice with an ethyl ester of the PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid and observed an acute decrease in hepatic Hmgcr activity, without alteration in Hmgcr protein abundance. These results elucidate a mechanism for PUFA-mediated cholesterol lowering through direct inhibition of Hmgcr.
The Evolution of Uniform Random Planar Graphs

Let $P_{n,m}$ denote the graph taken uniformly at random from the set of all planar graphs on $\{1,2, \ldots, n \}$ with exactly $m(n)$ edges. We use counting arguments to investigate the probability that $P_{n,m}$ will contain given components and subgraphs, finding that there is different asymptotic behaviour depending on the ratio ${m\over n}$.
Structure of the Human Erythrocyte Insulin Receptor

The structure of the insulin receptor in intact human erythrocytes was defined using the techniques of disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) cross-linking of 125I-insulin and surface [125I]iodination followed by receptor immunoprecipitation. In contrast to a recent report, we found the erythrocyte insulin receptor to be similar in structure to that in classic target tissues for insulin, consisting of at least three species of molecular weight approximately 295,000, 265,000, and 245,000, containing disulfide-linked subunits of molecular weight approximately 130,000 and 95,000. The interconversion of the three oligomeric forms could mediate changes in receptor affinity as postulated in other tissues. The 95,000 subunit was detected by immunoprecipitation only if surface iodination was performed in a Tris/Hepes buffer using lodogen and not if phosphate-buffered saline or lactoperoxidase iodination was used. These findings indicate that the lack of a bioeffect of insulin in erythrocytes is not explained by a gross defect in the structure of their insulin receptors. The apparent identity of the insulin receptor structure in erythrocytes and insulin target tissues provides a firmer basis for the use of erythrocytes in some circumstances to reflect insulin receptor status.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Antibodies and Increased Angiotensin II Sensitivity in Pregnant Rats

Pregnant women who subsequently develop preeclampsia are highly sensitive to infused angiotensin (Ang) II; the sensitivity persists postpartum. Activating autoantibodies against the Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptor are present in preeclampsia. In vitro and in vivo data suggest that they could be involved in the disease process. We generated and purified activating antibodies against the AT1 receptor (AT1-AB) by immunizing rabbits against the AFHYESQ epitope of the second extracellular loop, which is the binding epitope of endogenous activating autoantibodies against AT1 from patients with preeclampsia. We then purified AT1-AB using affinity chromatography with the AFHYESQ peptide. We were able to detect AT1-AB both by ELISA and a functional bioassay. We then passively transferred AT1-AB into pregnant rats, alone or combined with Ang II. AT1-AB activated protein kinase C-&agr; and extracellular-related kinase 1/2. Passive transfer of AT1-AB alone or Ang II (435 ng/kg per minute) infused alone did not induce a preeclampsia-like syndrome in pregnant rats. However, the combination (AT1-AB plus Ang II) induced hypertension, proteinuria, intrauterine growth retardation, and arteriolosclerosis in the uteroplacental unit. We next performed gene-array profiling of the uteroplacental unit and found that hypoxia-inducible factor 1&agr; was upregulated by Ang II plus AT1-AB, which we then confirmed by Western blotting in villous explants. Furthermore, endothelin 1 was upregulated in endothelial cells by Ang II plus AT1-AB. We show that AT1-AB induces Ang II sensitivity. Our mechanistic study supports the existence of an “autoimmune-activating receptor” that could contribute to Ang II sensitivity and possible to preeclampsia.