Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fractional Nonablative Laser Resurfacing: Is There a Skin Tightening Effect?

BACKGROUND Fractional photothermolysis, an approach to laser skin resurfacing that creates microscopic thermal wounds in skin separated by islands of spared tissue, was developed to overcome the high incidence of adverse events and prolonged healing times associated with full coverage ablative laser procedures. OBJECTIVE To examine whether fractional nonablative laser resurfacing induces skin tightening. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature review was performed to evaluate the clinical and histologic effects of fractional nonablative laser resurfacing and full coverage ablative resurfacing procedures. RESULTS Fractional nonablative lasers produce excellent outcomes with minimal risk and morbidity for a variety of clinical conditions, including photodamaged skin, atrophic scars, surgical and burn scars. Efforts to induce robust fibroplasia in histologic specimens and skin tightening in the clinical setting have yielded inconsistent results. CONCLUSION A better understanding of the histology of fractional laser resurfacing will help to optimize clinical outcomes.
A comparative study on gate leakage and performance of high-𝛋 nano-CMOS logic gates

This paper provides a novel attempt to evaluate the gate leakage and delay characteristics of CMOS transistors and logic gates with various alternative high-κ gate dielectrics, which are replacing SiO2 in traditional nanoscale MOSFETs. Results have been obtained for both fixed as well as variable loads. The assumption that all gates drive the same load is considered in order to provide a fair comparison of the effect of the variation of design and process parameters, especially that of different high-κ dielectrics on the gate direct tunnelling current and propagation delay. On the other hand, the variable loading effect considers a set of practical loading conditions for the logic gates. An exhaustive comparison of all cases finally presents concluding evidence that the tunnelling current is independent of the loading conditions. On the other hand, there is an increase in the delay as the dielectric constant of the gate material, and consequently the load on the device, increases. Ultimately, this paper presents fast and accurate models for on-the-fly calculation of tunnelling current and delay with the aim of integrating them into design automation tools.
Differential distribution of subsets of myofibrillar proteins in cardiac nonstriated and striated myofibrils

Cultured cardiac myocytes were stained with antibodies to sarcomeric alpha-actinin, troponin-I, alpha-actin, myosin heavy chain (MHC), titin, myomesin, C-protein, and vinculin. Attention was focused on the distribution of these proteins with respect to nonstriated myofibrils (NSMFs) and striated myofibrils (SMFs). In NSMFs, alpha-actinin is found as longitudinally aligned, irregular approximately 0.3-microns aggregates. Such aggregates are associated with alpha-actin, troponin- I, and titin. These I-Z-I-like complexes are also found as ectopic patches outside the domain of myofibrils in close apposition to the ventral surface of the cell. MHC is found outside of SMFs in the form of discrete fibrils. The temporal-spatial distribution and accumulation of the MHC-fibrils with respect to the I-Z-I-like complexes varies greatly along the length of the NSMFs. There are numerous instances of I-Z-I-like complexes without associated MHC-fibrils, and also cases of MHC-fibrils located many microns from I-Z-I-like complexes. The transition between the terminal approximately 1.7-microns sarcomere of any given SMF and its distal NSMF-tip is abrupt and is marked by a characteristic narrow alpha-actinin Z-band and vinculin positive adhesion plaque. A titin antibody T20, which localizes to an epitope at the Z-band in SMFs, precisely costains the 0.3-microns alpha-actinin aggregates in ectopic patches and NSMFs. Another titin antibody T1, which in SMFs localizes to an epitope at the A-I junction, typically does not stain ectopic patches and NSMFs. Where detectable, the T1- positive material is adjacent to rather than part of the 0.3-microns alpha-actinin aggregates. Myomesin and C-protein are found only in their characteristic sarcomeric locations (even in just perceptible SMFs). These A-band-associated proteins appear to be absent in ectopic patches and NSMFs.
Nutritional aspects and possible pathological mechanisms of hyperhomocysteinaemia: an independent risk factor for vascular disease

Numerous case–control and prospective studies have identified elevated plasma homocysteine as a strong independent risk factor for cerebovascular, cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. Homocysteine is formed as a result of the breakdown of the dietary amino acid methionine. Once formed, homocysteine is either remethylated to methionine, or undergoes a trans-sulfuration reaction to form cysteine. The re-methylation of homocysteine to methionine is dependent on three B-vitamins, i.e. riboflavin, vitamin B12 and folate. The second pathway of homocysteine metabolism is the trans-sulfuration pathway which requires both vitamin B6 and riboflavin for its activity. Thus, up to four B-vitamins are required for intracellular homocysteine metabolism. Many studies have noted strong inverse relationships between homocysteine levels and the status of both vitamin B12 and folate. However, the relationship between vitamin B6 status and homocysteine is still uncertain. Similarly, numerous intervention studies have demonstrated effective lowering of homocysteine levels as a result of folate and vitamin B12 supplementation, while the homocysteine-lowering ability of vitamin B6 is unclear. Even though riboflavin plays a crucial role in both the trans-sulfuration and remethylation pathways of homocysteine metabolism, the relationship between riboflavin status and homocysteine levels has not been investigated. The exact mechanism that explains the vascular toxicity of elevated homocysteine levels is unknown at present, studies indicate that it is both atherogenic and thrombogenic. To date, no randomized clinical trial has demonstrated that lowering of homocysteine levels is beneficial in terms of reducing the prevalence of vascular disease. It is probable, however, that optimal B-vitamin status is important in the prevention of vascular disease.
A Sociotechnical Study of a Community-based Rewards Program

Individual empowerment is defined as an increased sense of confidence and control over one's life. Empowerment is critical in low-income communities, and can be facilitated through the development of social, financial and human capital. We present a qualitative study of a community program that seeks to empower low-income neighborhood residents through a mobile application that connects them to local resources. Our findings highlight how the application and offline socio-organizational mechanisms worked in tandem to create gateways for capital building-sparking connections (to people and opportunities) that residents leveraged with varying motivations and outcomes. We also discuss how the interplay of newly-developed financial, social, and human capital contributed to residents' sense of empowerment and impacted their families. We contribute to CSCW by extending an existing community informatics framework, characterizing the value of sociotechnical systems that holistically build social, financial, and human capital amongst neighborhood residents.
The rehabilitation of motor and cognitive disorders after stroke

Following a stroke there can be a large range of different deficits, with poor motor function and cognition being particularly important for outcome. Rehabilitation of these deficits is thus an important priority for clinicians. In this thesis, I present 5 experimental chapters aiming to generate cognitive and motor benefits for the stroke survivor. In Chapter 2, prolonged Mirror Therapy was applied to chronic stroke survivors. In Chapter 3, Mirror Therapy was applied in a home based for chronic stroke survivors. In both these Chapters 2 and 3 benefits in unimanual performance of the affected limb and functional improvements of daily activities are being reported. Chapter 4 considered the application of Mirror Therapy to early subacute stroke participants and tested the neural correlates behind any effect. Changes in brain activation within both the ipsi- and contralesional hemispheres were noted. Functional Electrical Stimulation was applied to chronic stroke patients in Chapter 5. Improvements in motor performance were noted, along with the amelioration of visuomotor neglect. Linked changes in activity in the ipsi- and contralesional hemispheres were again noted. Finally, in Chapter 6, Computer Progressive Attention Training was applied in early subacute stroke patients, comparing performance with patients who received no extra intervention. Importantly, the training not only improved the tested functions but also other cognitive processes not targeted in training (e.g., long-term memory). Taken together, the experimental work provides evidence of strategies that can be followed by clinicians to improve functional ability after stroke. In the final chapter the above findings are being discussed together with clinical implications of motor and cognitive rehabilitation approaches.
On Downey's conjecture

Abstract We prove that the degree structures of the d.c.e. and the 3-c.e. Turing degrees are not elementarily equivalent, thus refuting a conjecture of Downey. More specifically, we show that the following statement fails in the former but holds in the latter structure: There are degrees f > e > d > 0 such that any degree u ≤ f is either comparable with both e and d, or incomparable with both.
Characterization of proton currents in neurones of the snail, Lymnaea stagnalis.

1. Internal perfusion voltage‐clamp and inside‐out patch‐clamp techniques were used to study the voltage‐dependent H+ currents in snail neurone cell bodies. 2. In whole cells the voltage‐activated outward H+ current was measured 60 ms after stepping to +40 mV with an internal pH (pHi) of 5.9 and no internal K+([K+]i = 0), and the delayed K+ current was measured 60 ms after stepping to +40 mV with pHi = 7.3 and [K+]i = 74 mM. The mean H+ and K+ current densities were 14.6 +/‐ 7.8 and 38.2 +/‐ 14.0 nA/nF, respectively, giving a mean ratio of the H+ to K+ current of 0.4 +/‐ 0.2. There is not a strong correlation between the densities of the two kinds of outward currents found in different cells. 3. Inside‐out patch studies reveal that the H+ and K+ currents are distributed quite differently in the membrane. While 85% of all patches had K+ current, only five out of thirty‐eight patches studied had H+ currents. In those five patches the H+ currents measured at +30 mV ranged from 10.7 to 21.0 pA, and the ratio of the H+ and K+ currents at +30 mV was 0.83 +/‐ 0.38. The mean H+ and K+ currents for all thirty‐eight patches were 1.9 +/‐ 4.9 and 10.5 +/‐ 7.9 pA, respectively. 4. The current distribution patterns demonstrate that the H+ current does not flow through the delayed K+ current channels even though the two currents have similar voltage dependence and time course. 5. The relative ability of various extracellular divalent cations to block the H+ current was found to be Cu2+ approximately equal to Zn2+ greater than Ni2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than Co2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Mg2+ = Ca2+ = Ba2+. Since 100 microM‐Zn2+ blocks the H+ current more than it blocks the Ca2+ current, it can be used to reduce the contamination of Ca2+ current measurements by the H+ current. 6. The magnitude of the H+ current has a stronger temperature sensitivity than does the magnitude of the delayed K+ current. The Q10 of the H+ current magnitude is 2.1 +/‐ 0.4, while the Q10 of the K+ current magnitude is 1.4 +/‐ 0.04. This suggests a higher activation energy may be involved in the conduction of the H+ current than for K+ current. 7. The smooth time course of the H+ current measured in patches indicates that the size of the unitary H+ current is very small. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Efficient Tracing of Global Isolates of Yersinia pestis by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis Using Three Insertion Sequences as Probes

ABSTRACT Yersinia pestis is the etiologic agent of plague, a disease that is transmitted from rodent to rodent and from rodent to humans by fleabites. Multiple copies of three insertion sequences (IS100, IS285, and IS1541) are scattered over the Y. pestis genome. The genomic instability generated by these insertion sequences (IS) creates a polymorphism of the hybridizing restriction fragments (restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP]) which can be used to subtype this relatively clonal species. The aim of this work was to evaluate and compare the potential of the three IS-RFLP techniques, individually or in combination, to define clusters of strains according to their focus of origin. The analysis of 61 Y. pestis isolates of worldwide origin indicated that no satisfactory strain clustering was observed with each IS-RFLP used individually. In contrast, the combination of the three IS-RFLP data (3IS-RFLP) resulted in both an efficient strain discrimination (D = 0.999) and a robust clustering of the isolates according to their biovar and geographical origin. This geographical clustering was observed even within the Orientalis group, although these strains had only a short period of time (one century) to diverge from the original clone that spread globally. Therefore, 3IS-RFLP is a technique that may be useful for addressing epidemiological problems and forensic issues. When plague reemerges after several decades of silence in a quiescent focus, it may help in determining whether the disease was reimported or reactivated. It may also be of value to identify the origin of a strain when plague cases appear in a previously plague-free region. Finally, this technique could be useful for the tracing of a Y. pestis isolate that has been used as a biological terrorism threat.
Timing, Storage, and Comparison of Stimulus Duration Engage Discrete Anatomical Components of a Perceptual Timing Network

The temporal discrimination paradigm requires subjects to compare the duration of a probe stimulus to that of a sample previously stored in working or long-term memory, thus providing an index of timing that is independent of a motor response. However, the estimation process itself comprises several component cognitive processes, including timing, storage, retrieval, and comparison of durations. Previous imaging studies have attempted to disentangle these components by simply measuring brain activity during early versus late scanning epochs. We aim to improve the temporal resolution and precision of this approach by using rapid event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging to time-lock the hemodynamic response to presentation of the sample and probe stimuli themselves. Compared to a control (color-estimation) task, which was matched in terms of difficulty, sustained attention, and motor preparation requirements, we found selective activation of the left putamen for the storage (encoding) of stimulus duration into working memory (WM). Moreover, increased putamen activity was linked to enhanced timing performance, suggesting that the level of putamen activity may modulate the depth of temporal encoding. Retrieval and comparison of stimulus duration in WM selectively activated the right superior temporal gyrus. Finally, the supplementary motor area was equally active during both sample and probe stages of the task, suggesting a fundamental role in timing the duration of a stimulus that is currently unfolding in time.
An Optimized Deadbeat Control Scheme Using Fuzzy Control in Three-Phase Voltage Source PWM Rectifier

Usually, the deadbeat control strategy is applied to three-phase voltage source PWM rectifiers. Often, deadbeat control uses a forward predictive algorithm of the reference current to compensate the control delay. Because of the uncertainty of reference variations, single predictive algorithm may cause large current overshoot or phase delay in different reference changes. The paper obtained the relationship among the prediction parameter, the current overshoot, and the phase delay after comparing and analyzing three commonly used predictive algorithms. Based on it, a new predictive algorithm was introduced using fuzzy control method. This algorithm chose appropriate prediction parameter according to different reference current changes, which was a tradeoff between current overshoot and phase delay. As a result, the maximum value of current overshoot was limited and the phase delay was optimized. Finally, an experimental prototype of a three-phase voltage source PWM rectifier controlled by a TMS320F2812 DSP was built and tested. The experimental results verified the validity of the proposed control approach.
Residual heat stress improves spatial rotation function, but does not modify attention

Background. We aimed to evaluate the effect on cognitive performance (spatial rotation ability, and working memory) after recovery from heat stress when body temperature naturally decreases to initial level. Methods. Whole body hyperthermia was induced with Finnish sauna bathing. Before (PRE) and 90 min after (POST) heat stress (EXP)/ rest (CON) participants assessed their own overall motivation, level of sleepiness and mood. Also Switching task with a combination of the Manikin (Man) and the Mathematical Processing (Math) test was performed. Results. Level of sleepiness significantly (p < .05) increased 90 min after sauna from 1.88 ± 0.30 (EXP PRE) to 3.44 ± 0.45 (EXP POST), but did not change significantly in CON (PRE 2.81 ± 0.53, POST 2.88 ± 0.30). Participants felt more fatigue (p < .05) during the POST measurements in both trials (CON 3.88 ± 0.79 and EXP 5.88 ± 1.03) compared with before values (CON 2.75 ± 0.66 and EXP 2.44 ± 0.87); 90 min after sauna fatigue was significantly higher (p < .05) in EXP compared with CON. During the EXP POST (1.49 ± 0.12 s) measurements response time in Man task significantly decreased (p < .05) compared with PRE (1.66 ± 0.16 s), and throughput significantly (p < .05) increased 90 min after sauna (EXP POST 42.09 ± 3.28) compared with before values (EXP PRE 38.96 ± 3.31). No other changes were found in Man ant Math task performance. Conclusion. Residual heat stress increases the level of sleepiness and induces higher feeling of fatigue, but that does not impair attention and concentration. Moreover, residual heat stress improves spatial rotation function.
Loving-Kindness Meditation Effects on Well-Being and Altruism: A Mixed-Methods Online RCT.

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that facilitating empathy could improve individuals' well-being. Loving-kindness meditation (LKM) could be a facilitator, and online delivery a cost-effective format. METHODS We conducted an internet-based randomised controlled trial recruiting 809 adults to test whether an LKM course improves well-being through evoking pleasant emotions, psychological resources, and altruism compared to a light physical exercise course (LE). Participants in both arms followed video-based instructions, completed post-intervention questionnaires, and used online diaries and forums. To measure altruism £10/$10 were offered to participants with a choice of donating all/half to charity. Thematic analysis was applied to diary/forum entries. RESULTS Both courses increased well-being without significant differences. LKM participants were less anxious than LE participants (ß = -0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-0.43, -0.02], p = . 03), and more likely to donate £5/$5 (Relative Risk = 3.57, 95%CI [0.82, 15.50], p = .09). Attrition was high (82%). Participants engaged in diary/forum usage. LKM was an emotionally intense experience, generating deep reflections and increased connectedness but difficult for some to process. LE led to gentle increases in relaxation, generating a sense of achievement. CONCLUSIONS Future research needs to confirm findings and devise ways of delivering online LKM effectively to diverse populations.
Incorporating Assortativity and Degree Dependence into Scalable Network Models

Due to the recent availability of large complex networks, considerable analysis has focused on understanding and characterizing the properties of these networks. Scalable generative graph models focus on modeling distributions of graphs that match real world network properties and scale to large datasets. Much work has focused on modeling networks with a power law degree distribution, clustering, and small diameter. In network analysis, the assortativity statistic is defined as the correlation between the degrees of linked nodes in the network. The assortativity measure can distinguish between types of networks---social networks commonly exhibit positive assortativity, in contrast to biological or technological networks that are typically disassortative. Despite this, little work has focused on scalable graph models that capture assortativity in networks. The contributions of our work are twofold. First, we prove that an unbounded number of pairs of networks exist with the same degree distribution and assortativity, yet different joint degree distributions. Thus, assortativity as a network measure cannot distinguish between graphs with complex (non-linear) dependence in their joint degree distributions. Motivated by this finding, we introduce a generative graph model that explicitly estimates and models the joint degree distribution. Our Binned Chung Lu method accurately captures both the joint degree distribution and assortativity, while still matching characteristics such as the degree distribution and clustering coefficients. Further, our method has subquadratic learning and sampling methods that enable scaling to large, real world networks. We evaluate performance compared to other scalable graph models on six real world networks, including a citation network with over 14 million edges.
Display of Virtual Braille Dots by Lateral Skin Deformation: A Pilot Study

When a progressive wave of localized deformations occurs tangentially on the ﬁngerpad skin, one typically experiences the illusion of a small object sliding on it. This eﬀect was investigated because of its potential application to the display of Braille. A device was constructed that could produce such deformation patterns along a line. This enabled us to test blind subjects’ ability to read the truncated Braille characters ‘ ◦◦ ’, ‘ ◦• ’, ‘ •◦ ’, and ‘ •• ’. While subjects could identify two-character strings with a high rate of success, several factors need to be addressed before a display based on this principle can become practical.
The surface-anchored NanA protein promotes pneumococcal brain endothelial cell invasion

In humans, Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPN) is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, a disease with high attributable mortality and frequent permanent neurological sequelae. The molecular mechanisms underlying the central nervous system tropism of SPN are incompletely understood, but include a primary interaction of the pathogen with the blood–brain barrier (BBB) endothelium. All SPN strains possess a gene encoding the surface-anchored sialidase (neuraminidase) NanA, which cleaves sialic acid on host cells and proteins. Here, we use an isogenic SPN NanA-deficient mutant and heterologous expression of the protein to show that NanA is both necessary and sufficient to promote SPN adherence to and invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs). NanA-mediated hBMEC invasion depends only partially on sialidase activity, whereas the N-terminal lectinlike domain of the protein plays a critical role. NanA promotes SPN–BBB interaction in a murine infection model, identifying the protein as proximal mediator of CNS entry by the pathogen.