Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Time Course of Changes in Motor Cortex Excitability Associated with Voluntary Movement

The excitability of the motor cortex is modulated before and after voluntary movements. Transcranial magnetic stimulation studies showed increased corticospinal excitability from about 80 and 100 ms before EMG onset for simple reaction time and self-paced movements, respectively. Following voluntary movements, there are two phases of increased corticospinal excitability from 0 to approximately 100 ms and from approximately 100 to 160 ms after EMG offset. The first phase may correspond to the frontal peak of motor potential in movement-related cortical potentials studies and the movement-evoked magnetic field I (MEFI) in magnetoencephalographic (MEG) studies, and likely represents a time when decreasing output from the motor cortex falls below that required for activation of spinal motoneurons, but is still above resting levels. The second phase of increased corticospinal excitability may be due to peripheral proprioceptive inputs or may be centrally programmed representing a subthreshold, second agonist burst. This may correspond to the MEFII in MEG studies. Corticospinal excitability was reduced below baseline levels from about 500 to 1,000 ms after EMG offset, similar to the timing of increase in the power (event-related synchronization, ERS) of motor cortical rhythm. Similarly, motor cortex excitability is reduced at the time of ERS of motor cortical rhythm following median nerve stimulation. These findings support the hypothesis that ERS represents an inactive, idling state of the cortex. The time course of cortical activation is abnormal in movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dystonia, reflecting abnormalities in both movement preparation and in cortical excitability following movement.
Climatic Factors Drive Population Divergence and Demography: Insights Based on the Phylogeography of a Riparian Plant Species Endemic to the Hengduan Mountains and Adjacent Regions

Quaternary climatic factors have played a significant role in population divergence and demography. Here we investigated the phylogeography of Osteomeles schwerinae, a dominant riparian plant species of the hot/warm-dry river valleys of the Hengduan Mountains (HDM), Qinling Mountains (QLM) and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (YGP). Three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions (trnD-trnT, psbD-trnT, petL-psbE), one single copy nuclear gene (glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; G3pdh), and climatic data during the Last Interglacial (LIG; c. 120–140 ka), Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; c. 21 ka), and Current (c. 1950–2000) periods were used in this study. Six cpDNA haplotypes and 15 nuclear DNA (nDNA) haplotypes were identified in the 40 populations of O. schwerinae. Spatial Analysis of Molecular Variance, median-joining networks, and Bayesian phylogenetic trees based on the cpDNA and nDNA datasets, all suggested population divergence between the QLM and HDM-YGP regions. Our climatic analysis identified significant heterogeneity of the climatic factors in the QLM and HDM-YGP regions during the aforementioned three periods. The divergence times based on cpDNA and nDNA haplotypes were estimated to be 466.4–159.4 ka and 315.8–160.3 ka, respectively, which coincide with the time of the weakening of the Asian monsoons in these regions. In addition, unimodal pairwise mismatch distribution curves, expansion times, and Ecological Niche Modeling suggested a history of population expansion (rather than contraction) during the last glaciation. Interestingly, the expansion times were found being well consistent with the intensification of the Asian monsoons during this period. We inferred that the divergence between the two main lineages is probably caused by disruption of more continuous distribution because of weakening of monsoons/less precipitation, whilst subsequent intensification of the Asian monsoons during the last glaciation facilitated the expansion of O. schwerinae populations.
1.2 The future of IC design innovation

One of the greatest achievements of human kind is undoubtedly its ability to build tiny machines that marry the functionalities of computers and wireless communication devices so cheaply that almost anyone in the world can afford them. Every one of us carries, at least, one such device in our pocket, yet we rarely think how in the world anyone could have created such a thing! Even the experts in our industry could not have predicted that this would have happened so quickly. What we have achieved in the course of the design and implementation of these sophisticated systems could be considered nothing short of a miracle, considering that billions of transistors have to work together flawlessly. (Well, sort of! ) The reality is that some of these devices are now so complex that we need thousands of engineers to design, validate, and support them, including recovery from inefficiencies and bugs along the way. But, despite their ever-increasing complexity, the way we build these devices has not changed much over the past decades. Integrated-circuit (IC) design engineers blindly do what they are told - integrate as much functionality into a single device, believing that more is better! This more-the-better mentality is not surprising because we saw in the past that the more completely we integrate the cheaper things become. However, the cost and complexity of building billions of transistors on a single device is finally taking a toll on our engineers, which calls for new paradigm shifts in designing complex devices. If chip-design engineers had considered the financial optimization of the overall design process, they would have built things differently. They would have realized that certain functions are better grouped into highly specialized integrated circuits that easily and seamlessly talk to each other without compromising the overall system cost and performance. The key to making this happen is what I call the Lego-Block approach of designing integrated circuits. However, in order for the Lego-Block approach to materialize, we need to change the way we architect our devices. For example, we need to define a new chip-to-chip interconnect protocol, take advantage of multi-chip-module packaging and high-speed SerDes technology, redefine the memory hierarchy to take advantage of 3D solid-state memory instead of blindly increasing the DRAM size, repartition DRAM to serve different logical functions instead of building gigantic single-die DRAM to serve every function, change the way we build DRAM so that they are optimized more for performance and power efficiency instead of capacity, and redefine what should be done in hardware versus software. In short, we need to change our way of thinking, and be brave enough to reject common wisdom! If we fail to take action, soon we will no longer see cost savings. On the other hand, if we succeed, we will see life beyond the end of Moore's Law!
Distinct Dynamin-dependent and -independent Mechanisms Target Structurally Homologous Dopamine Receptors to Different Endocytic Membranes

D1 and D2 dopamine receptors are structurally homologous G protein–coupled receptors that serve distinct physiological functions both in neurons and nonneural cell types. We have observed that these receptors are selectively endocytosed in HEK293 cells by distinct dynamin-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Although these endocytic mechanisms operate with similarly rapid kinetics, they differ in their regulation by agonist and deliver D1 and D2 receptors specifically to different primary endocytic vesicles. After this segregation into different endocytic membranes, both D1 and D2 receptors recycle to the plasma membrane. Similar results are observed in Neuro2A neuroblastoma cells coexpressing both receptors at high levels. These findings establish that “classical” dynamin-dependent and “alternative” dynamin-independent endocytic mechanisms differ in their physiological regulation, sort structurally homologous signaling receptors in the plasma membrane, and mediate distinct early endocytic pathways leading to recycling endosomes. Our results also refute the previous hypothesis that dynamin-independent endocytosis targets G protein–coupled receptors selectively to lysosomes, and they suggest a new role of endocytic sorting mechanisms in physically segregating structurally homologous signaling receptors at the cell surface.
Electrically adjustable thermotropic windows based on polymer gels

Several attempts have been made recently in order to develop “Smart” windows, which can moderate light and heat intensities. Based upon the phase transitions of polymer gels, a novel electrically adjustable window, which includes a gel layer, has been developed in our laboratory. Unlike other electrically controlled structures, the optical properties of the gel layer are abruptly modified by the Joule heat of audio frequency AC current. The so-called “gel-glass” becomes opaque when the temperature exceeds a critical value and changes back to its original transparent state when it is cooled down again. This method results in fast control and relatively low operational cost. Two types of gel-glasses—active and passive structures—have been developed and investigated. In this paper, we demonstrate the structural build-up and working of these novel electrically adjustable thermotropic windows. Experimental studies have been made at different frequencies and voltages. The optical properties, as well as the energy balance of the systems, have been reported. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictive value for malignancy of suspicious breast masses of BI-RADS categories 4 and 5 using ultrasound elastography and MR diffusion-weighted imaging.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of ultrasound elastography and MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to predict malignancy of breast masses, with subsequent recommendation for biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS For 115 breast masses classified as BI-RADS category 4 or 5, which were assessed according to combined findings of mammography, B-mode sonography, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, two radiologists retrospectively evaluated the elasticity scores using ultrasound elastography and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values using MR DWI. The diagnostic abilities of these two techniques were analyzed by using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS In the analysis of all 115 breast masses, the elasticity score was predictive of malignancy, whereas the ADC value was not independently predictive. In an analysis of the 52 masses assessed as BI-RADS category 4, the elasticity score was found to be a significant predictor of malignancy, compared with the ADC value, which was a nonsignificant predictor. In an analysis of the 63 masses assessed as BI-RADS category 5, neither the elasticity score nor the ADC value was a significant predictor of malignancy. CONCLUSION Our results show that elasticity imaging provides relatively reliable predictions for malignancy, especially in BI-RADS category 4 masses, compared with MR DWI.
Section Ii-exercise Physiology & Sports Medicine Changes in Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine Levels during Heptathlon Race in Professional Female Athletes

Authors submitted their contribution of the article to the editorial board. Acute strenuous exercise can induce a state of oxidative stress affecting the involved muscles. Heptathlon is a multi-event exercise of two days duration and can be considered an acute, intensive endurance exercise. The purpose of this study is to compare the oxidative stress response to heptathlon events day by day and to determine the impact of this type of exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers. The study subjects included eight heptathlon athletes who participated in the National First Class Republic competition in Egypt (October 19-21, 2011). Blood samples were collected at rest after exercise for two successive days and analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA). Morning urine samples were collected one hour after exercise for each day and were analyzed for 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Results revealed a significant increase (p<0.05) in both plasma MDA and urine 8-OHdG levels after exercise regardless of the day. We concluded that exercise generates higher MDA levels compared to DNA strand breaks and oxidative DNA damage in athletes with antioxidant supplementation.
Formation of Martian Gullies by the Action of Liquid Water Flowing Under Current Martian Environmental Conditions

[1] Geomorphic evidence suggests that recent gullies on Mars were formed by fluvial activity. The Martian gully features are significant because their existence implies the presence of liquid water near the surface on Mars in geologically recent times. Irrespective of the ultimate source of the fluid carving the gullies, we seek to understand the behavior of this fluid after it reaches the Martian surface. We find that contrary to popular belief, the fluvially carved Martian gullies are consistent with formation conditions such as now occur on Mars, outside of the temperature-pressure stability regime of liquid water. Our model of the action of flowing pure liquid water produces the observed gully length distribution only at surface pressures and temperatures below the triple point where liquid water simultaneously boils and freezes and thus suggests that gullies were formed under conditions similar to present-day Mars. Our results suggest a typical flow rate of 30 m 3 /s to carve the gully channels. At least 0.15 km 3 has flowed across the surface of Mars to carvethegullysystemsobservedtoday,andthiswouldrequireanaquifer recharge rate of � 10 � 13 –10 � 12 m/yr. The absence of gullies on Mars that are long enough to have been created above the triple point pressure argues that the atmospheric pressure has not been significantly larger than it is now since the origin of the gullies. This result may imply that Mars does not possess a significant reservoir of condensed CO2.
Tropism, Cytotoxicity, and Inflammatory Properties of Two Envelope Genes of Murine Leukemia Virus Type-Endogenous Retroviruses of C57BL/6J Mice

Envelope (env) proteins of certain endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) participate in various pathophysiological processes. In this study, we characterized pathophysiologic properties of two murine leukemia virus-type ERV (MuLV-ERV) env genes cloned from the ovary of C57BL/6J mice. The two env genes (named ENVOV1 and ENVOV2), with 1,926 bp coding region, originated from two MuLV-ERV loci on chromosomes 8 and 18, respectively. ENVOV1 and ENVOV2 were ~75 kDa and predominantly expressed on the cell membrane. They were capable of producing pseudotype murine leukemia virus virions. Tropism trait and infectivity of ENVOV2 were similar to the polytropic env; however, ENVOV1 had very low level of infectivity. Overexpression of ENVOV2, but not ENVOV1, exerted cytotoxic effects and induced expression of COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS. These findings suggest that the ENVOV1 and ENVOV2 are capable of serving as an env protein for virion assembly, and they exert differential cytotoxicity and modulation of inflammatory mediators.
Exact solution of the plane wave diffraction by multiple rectangular holes in a thin screen

The KP method is applied to rigorously formulate an electromagnetic field diffracted by multiple rectangular apertures in an infinite conducting screen with an infinitesimal thickness. The diffracted field is expanded in terms of the Weber-Schafheitlin (WS) integrals and the expansion coefficients are given in the form of the matrix equation whose elements consist of double infinite integrals that include the Bessel functions and trigonometric functions. Since the KP method yields a solution that satisfies all boundary conditions and the proper edge condition, we can obtain highly accurate and fast convergent numerical results. Therefore, the derived expression serves as the reference solution to evaluate the accuracy of conventional numerical techniques, such as the FDTD method.
Efficient implementation of pseudochaotic piecewise linear maps with high digitization accuracies

In this paper we discuss the efficient implementation of pseudochaotic piecewise linear maps with high digitization accuracies, taking the R'enyi chaotic map as a reference. The proposed digital architectures are based on a novel algorithmic approach that uses carry save adders for the nonlinear arithmetic modular calculations arising when computing piecewise linear maps with a finite precision. As a result, the system can be implemented by digital circuits obtaining high throughputs, which are not dependent on the digital resolution while involving a hardware complexity linearly proportional to the number of bits used for representing the discretized state. The proposed solutions result to be particularly suitable for the implementation of pseudorandom number generators based on pseudochaos, or for the definition of efficient digital blocks that can be integrated in most of the pseudochaotic cyphers proposed in the literature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Re-optimization Algorithm for Wrapper Scan Chains Balance Based on Twice-Assigned Method Using Dynamic Adjustment and Mean Value

Testing time of System on Chip (SoC) based on intellectual property (IP) has already become the bottleneck for the development of SoC. A new wrapper scan chain balance algorithm is proposed to minimize IP-core testing time. The balance algorithm is to find the standard-chain through the adjustment value and the mean-chain through the mean value. All the internal scan chains can be divided into two parts according to the length of standard-chain L: the scan chain set S≥ within the length no less than L and the remaining part S<;. Compute the difference D between S<; and the mean-chain. In the first assigned process, the scan chain set S≥ regarded as mean-chain are uniformly distributed. Sort the scan chain set S<; and the difference D in descending order. In the second assigned process, assign S<; and the positive D to the enable shortest wrapper scan chain and assign the negative D to the enable longest wrapper scan chain successively. Experimental results on ITC'02 test benchmarks illustrate that the balance algorithm proposed in this paper is more effective and can get more balanced results when compared to the existing methods.
Drug interactions in the management of HIV infection: an update

Improvement in the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy continues to reduce HIV morbidity and mortality. With more treatment choices and better accessibility, the extent of medication use among patients with HIV/AIDS continues to grow. ARV drugs are particularly prone to drug interactions as a consequence of their metabolic and pharmacokinetic properties. The recognition and management of drug interactions in patients on ARVs is a constant challenge to medical providers. Staying abreast of drug interaction knowledge is complicated by the rate at which new information becomes available through in vivo investigation, case reports and pharmacokinetic studies. In addition, distinguishing the clinical significance of an interaction is difficult due to the large interpatient variability in pharmacokinetics exhibited by most ARV agents. This review provides an update to a previous review article published in 2005, and is intended to improve the reader's knowledge of drug interactions in the management of HIV infection.
Tilt table testing in patients with suspected epilepsy

Background – Approximately 20–30% of patients with epilepsy are misdiagnosed and syncope often seems to be the mistaken cause. We re‐evaluated patients referred to an epilepsy clinic where suspicion of neurally mediated (reflex) syncope were raised using tilt table testing (HUT).
Viral fibroblast growth factor, matrix metalloproteases, and caspases are associated with enhancing systemic infection by baculoviruses

Most arthropod-borne and invertebrate viruses are orally ingested and commence infection in cells of the invertebrate intestine. Infection of secondary sites and eventual transmission to other hosts is hindered by basal lamina, a tightly interwoven and virus-impenetrable noncellular layer, lining the intestine and other organ cell layers. The mechanisms for viral escape across basal laminae are unknown. We describe an elegant mechanism mediated by a baculovirus-encoded fibroblast growth factor (vFGF) that signals a previously undescribed stepwise cascade of protease activation wherein matrix metalloproteases activate effector caspases, leading to remodeling of basal lamina lining tracheal cells associated with the intestine and culminating in the establishment of efficient systemic infections. Because FGFs coordinate diverse functions during development, metabolic processes, and tissue repair, it is plausible that the vFGF-mediated pathway described here is widely used during developmental and pathogenic processes that involve basal lamina remodeling.
Inhibited biofilm formation and improved antibacterial activity of a novel nanoemulsion against cariogenic Streptococcus mutans in vitro and in vivo

The aim of this study was to prepare a novel nanoemulsion loaded with poorly water-soluble chlorhexidine acetate (CNE) to improve its solubility, and specifically enhance the antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans in vitro and in vivo. In this study, a novel CNE nanoemulsion with an average size of 63.13 nm and zeta potential of −67.13 mV comprising 0.5% CNE, 19.2% Tween 80, 4.8% propylene glycol, and 6% isopropyl myristate was prepared by the phase inversion method. Important characteristics such as the content, size, zeta potential, and pH value of CNE did not change markedly, stored at room temperature for 1 year. Also, compared with chlorhexidine acetate water solution (CHX), the release profile results show that the CNE has visibly delayed releasing effect in both phosphate-buffered saline and artificial saliva solutions (P<0.005). The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of CHX for S. mutans (both 0.8 μg/mL) are both two times those of CNE (0.4 μg/mL). Besides, CNE of 0.8 μg/mL exhibited fast-acting bactericidal efficacy against S. mutans, causing 95.07% death within 5 minutes, compared to CHX (73.33%) (P<0.01). We observed that 5 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL CNE were both superior to CHX, significantly reducing oral S. mutans numbers and reducing the severity of carious lesions in Sprague Dawley rats (P<0.05), in an in vivo test. CNE treatment at a concentration of 0.2 μg/mL inhibited biofilm formation more effectively than CHX, as indicated by the crystal violet staining method, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The cell membrane of S. mutans was also severely disrupted by 0.2 μg/mL CNE, as indicated by transmission electron microscopy. These results demonstrated that CNE greatly improved the solubility and antimicrobial activity of this agent against S. mutans both in vitro and in vivo. This novel nanoemulsion is a promising medicine for preventing and curing dental caries.