Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plk4 and Aurora A cooperate in the initiation of acentriolar spindle assembly in mammalian oocytes

Establishing the bipolar spindle in mammalian oocytes after their prolonged arrest is crucial for meiotic fidelity and subsequent development. In contrast to somatic cells, the first meiotic spindle assembles in the absence of centriole-containing centrosomes. Ran-GTP can promote microtubule nucleation near chromatin, but additional unidentified factors are postulated for the activity of multiple acentriolar microtubule organizing centers in the oocyte. We now demonstrate that partially overlapping, nonredundant functions of Aurora A and Plk4 kinases contribute to initiate acentriolar meiosis I spindle formation. Loss of microtubule nucleation after simultaneous chemical inhibition of both kinases can be significantly rescued by drug-resistant Aurora A alone. Drug-resistant Plk4 can enhance Aurora A–mediated rescue, and, accordingly, Plk4 can phosphorylate and potentiate the activity of Aurora A in vitro. Both kinases function distinctly from Ran, which amplifies microtubule growth. We conclude that Aurora A and Plk4 are rate-limiting factors contributing to microtubule growth as the acentriolar oocyte resumes meiosis.
Do cognitive interventions improve general cognition in dementia? A meta-analysis and meta-regression

Objectives To review the efficacy of cognitive interventions on improving general cognition in dementia. Method Online literature databases and trial registers, previous systematic reviews and leading journals were searched for relevant randomised controlled trials. A systematic review, random-effects meta-analyses and meta-regression were conducted. Cognitive interventions were categorised as: cognitive stimulation (CS), involving a range of social and cognitive activities to stimulate multiple cognitive domains; cognitive training (CT), involving repeated practice of standardised tasks targeting a specific cognitive function; cognitive rehabilitation (CR), which takes a person-centred approach to target impaired function; or mixed CT and stimulation (MCTS). Separate analyses were conducted for general cognitive outcome measures and for studies using ‘active’ (designed to control for non-specific therapeutic effects) and non-active (minimal or no intervention) control groups. Results 33 studies were included. Significant positive effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were found for CS with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (g=0.51, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.69; p<0.001) compared to non-active controls and (g=0.35, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.65; p=0.019) compared to active controls. Significant benefit was also seen with the Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale-Cognition (ADAS-Cog) (g=−0.26, 95% CI −0.445 to −0.08; p=0.005). There was no evidence that CT or MCTS produced significant improvements on general cognition outcomes and not enough CR studies for meta-analysis. The lowest accepted minimum clinically important difference was reached in 11/17 CS studies for the MMSE, but only 2/9 studies for the ADAS-Cog. Additionally, 95% prediction intervals suggested that although statistically significant, CS may not lead to benefits on the ADAS-Cog in all clinical settings. Conclusions CS improves scores on MMSE and ADAS-Cog in dementia, but benefits on the ADAS-Cog are generally not clinically significant and difficulties with blinding of patients and use of adequate placebo controls make comparison with the results of dementia drug treatments problematic.
Lesion Location and Poststroke Depression: Systematic Review of the Methodological Limitations in the Literature

Background— It has been hypothesized that poststroke depression (PSD) results from left hemisphere lesions. However, attempts to systematically review the data investigating lesion location and PSD have yielded conflicting results. We sought to investigate the methodological differences across the literature studying the relationship between lesion location and PSD. Summary of Review— A MEDLINE literature search to retrieve articles investigating the association between PSD and lesion location was performed. Information sought included source population of samples, definition of depression, standardized measurement of stroke and depression, blinding, time since stroke onset, and study design. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated with the use of Review Manager and MetaView statistical software. Twenty-six original articles were reviewed. Much of the heterogeneity across studies reflected differences in methodology. The direction of association between left hemisphere lesion location and PSD varied depending on whether patients were sampled as inpatients (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.76) or from the community (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.92). Change in the direction of association was also observed across assessment interval from the acute stroke (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.50 to 3.04) to the chronic stroke (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.93) phase. Differences in the measurement of depression, study design, and presentations of results also may have contributed to the heterogeneity of the findings. Conclusions— Several key initiatives should be addressed before future research is undertaken, including the development of a comprehensive measure of PSD, optimal poststroke assessment intervals, and determination of a representative population reference.
Mechanistic Aspects of Inflammation and Clinical Management of Inflammation in Acute Gouty Arthritis

AbstractIt has been recently demonstrated that interleukin 1&bgr; (IL-1&bgr;) plays a central role in monosodium urate crystal–induced inflammation and that the NALP3 inflammasome plays a major role in IL-1&bgr; production. These discoveries have offered new insights into the pathogenesis of acute gouty arthritis. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which monosodium urate crystals induce acute inflammation and examine the mechanisms of action (MOAs) of traditional anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, and glucocorticoids) and biologic agents (e.g., the IL-1&bgr; antagonists anakinra, rilonacept, and canakinumab) to understand how their MOAs contribute to their safety profiles. Traditional anti-inflammatory agents may act on the IL-1&bgr; pathway at some level; however, their MOAs are broad-ranging, unspecific, and biologically complex. This lack of specificity may explain the range of systemic adverse effects associated with them. The therapeutic margins of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, and glucocorticoids are particularly low in elderly patients and in patients with cardiovascular, metabolic, or renal comorbidities that are frequently associated with gouty arthritis. In contrast, the IL-1&bgr; antagonists act on very specific targets of inflammation, which may decrease the potential for systemic adverse effects, although infrequent but serious adverse events (including infection and administration reactions) have been reported. Because these IL-1&bgr; antagonists target an early event immediately downstream from NALP3 inflammasome activation, they may provide effective alternatives to traditional agents with minimal systemic adverse effects. Results of ongoing trials of IL-1&bgr; antagonists will likely provide clarification of their potential role in the management of acute gouty arthritis.
Modelling of frictional and adhesive contacts at silicon/polymer interface for nanotechnological applications

The minimisation of friction and adhesion during sliding contacts is crucial for the industrial fabrication of many micro/nanodevices (e.g. MEMS/NEMS), as well as in nanotechnological processes, e.g. in nanoimprint lithography where a silicon mould is used to fabricate polymeric nanostructures by imprinting. We have conducted intensive research on the contact between the mould and PMMA polymeric resist film via advanced modelling and computer simulations. The properties of the contacting surfaces have been identified with the atomic force microscope and nanoindentation, as well as wettability tester applied for the identification of the surface free energy. A model of contact has been elaborated and adequate original software was used to calculate the frictional and adhesive forces in particular at the silicon mould/polymeric resist interface.
Effect of Aluminum and Titanium Content on Grain Growth, Texture and Magnetic Properties in 3%Si Non-Oriented Electrical Steel

The effect of annealing temperature on grain growth, texture development and magnetic properties of Al-free and Al-1% added non-oriented electrical steel were investigated. Normal grain growth occurred in Al-free steel. On the other hand, abnormal grain growth occurred in Al-added steel which was annealed at 800°C for 24h. Precipitates in these two steels were different. TiN precipitated in Alfree steel, but in the case of Al-added steel, AlN and TiC precipitated. The TiC in Al-added steel was so fine that it inhibited the normal grain growth and finally caused the abnormal grain growth. Main textures of both steels were near {111}<112>, but the intensity of near {111}<112> in the abnormal grain growth was higher than that in the normal grain growth. Magnetic flux density (B50/Bs) was decreased by the grain growth. Especially B50/Bs in the abnormal grain growth was lower than that in normal grain growth. B50/Bs in these steels can be estimated by their three-dimensional textures in vector method.
Subsurface properties of laser peened 6061–T6 Al weldments

Abstract A high power Q switched laser system has been used to laser shock process or ‘laser peen’ heat affected zones in a welded 6061–T6 aluminium alloy specimen. The effect of laser peening on hardness and elastic modulus versus depth and location with respect to the weld centre of the 6061–T6 specimen with 5083 and 5356 weld filler alloys has been analysed. Two laser energy densities, 100 and 200 J cm-2, with water as a containment layer, were used to laser peen the metal specimen. In addition to increasing the hardness of the metal the treatment also affected the elastic modulus, and the affected depth varied with respect to the distance from the weld centre.
Use of visual CO2 feedback as a retrofit solution for improving classroom air quality.

Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) sensors that provide a visual indication were installed in classrooms during normal school operation. During 2-week periods, teachers and students were instructed to open the windows in response to the visual CO2 feedback in 1 week and open them, as they would normally do, without visual feedback, in the other week. In the heating season, two pairs of classrooms were monitored, one pair naturally and the other pair mechanically ventilated. In the cooling season, two pairs of naturally ventilated classrooms were monitored, one pair with split cooling in operation and the other pair with no cooling. Classrooms were matched by grade. Providing visual CO2 feedback reduced CO2 levels, as more windows were opened in this condition. This increased energy use for heating and reduced the cooling requirement in summertime. Split cooling reduced the frequency of window opening only when no visual CO2 feedback was present.
Experiment-friendly kinetic analysis of single molecule data in and out of equilibrium

We present a simple and robust technique to extract kinetic rate models and thermodynamic quantities from single molecule time traces. SMACKS (Single Molecule Analysis of Complex Kinetic Sequences) is a maximum likelihood approach that works equally well for long trajectories as for a set of short ones. It resolves all statistically relevant rates and also their uncertainties. This is achieved by optimizing one global kinetic model based on the complete dataset, while allowing for experimental variations between individual trajectories. In particular, neither a priori models nor equilibrium have to be assumed. The power of SMACKS is demonstrated on the kinetics of the multi-domain protein Hsp90 measured by smFRET (single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer). Experiments in and out of equilibrium are analyzed and compared to simulations, shedding new light on the role of Hsp90’s ATPase function. SMACKS pushes the boundaries of single molecule kinetics far beyond current methods.
Farm Efficiency and Socioeconomic Determinants of Rain-Fed Rice Production in Myanmar: A Non-Parametric Approach

The rice sector in Myanmar is predominantly for local consumption, maintaining national food security and uplifting the rural economy. The objective of the study is to estimate the value of economic efficiency and its determinant factors on paddy production by across farm sizes. A total sample of 400 rice farm households was randomly collected from main growing areas, in which farms were divided into three strata: small ( 4.05 ha). Using Data Envelopment Approach, the empirical occurrence of efficiency analysis revealed that the average pure technical efficiency, allocative efficiency, economic efficiency, overall technical efficiency and scale efficiency of small farms were higher than other two farm size groups: medium and large farms size groups; therefore, small farms size groups were more economically benefits. Age of farmers, education level, extension visit, credit, seed replacements and frequency of fertilizer application were major factors affecting on efficiency scores. Policies leading to improving farmer knowledgeable level through provision of Workshops and training programs and helping to small farms by contribution input deliveries such good seeds, certified fertilizers are very important to enhance the achievement of total farms economic goals and increase farm efficiency in the area.
Poster: On the Quest for Representative Mobile Datasets

Mobile datasets are often incomplete or have heterogeneous spatiotemporal resolutions, e.g., a dataset is often aggregated or in lack of fields. We create a reliable dataset describing mobile data traffic in individual's spatiotemporal view. We focus on individuals having enough geographical information and merge their call records from one dataset with the data traffic records extracted from another dataset. The resulting dataset contains data session records associated with time and location fields.
Adaptively sampled distance fields: a general representation of shape for computer graphics

Adaptively Sampled Distance Fields (ADFs) are a unifying representation of shape that integrate numerous concepts in computer graphics including the representation of geometry and volume data and a broad range of processing operations such as rendering, sculpting, level-of-detail management, surface offsetting, collision detection, and color gamut correction. Its structure is uncomplicated and direct, but is especially effective for quality reconstruction of complex shapes, e.g., artistic and organic forms, precision parts, volumes, high order functions, and fractals. We characterize one implementation of ADFs, illustrating its utility on two diverse applications: 1) artistic carving of fine detail, and 2) representing and rendering volume data and volumetric effects. Other applications are briefly presented.
Vascular endothelial-cadherin and vascular stability

Purpose of reviewVascular integrity is characterized by a tight control of permeability to cells and solutes and by resistance to blood flow. In several pathologies including tumor angiogenesis, vascular malformations, hemorrhagic stroke and others, there is the need to stabilize the vessels and prevent undesired bleeding or edema. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on the role of endothelial cell-to-cell adherens junctions in maintaining vascular integrity. Recent findingsThe identification of several components of adherens junctions in endothelial cells helped understanding of the complex role of these structures not only in maintaining cell-to-cell adhesion but also in transferring intracellular signals. Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, an endothelial-specific adhesion protein at adherens junctions, was found to interact with several signaling partners that induce contact inhibition of growth, decrease in permeability, tight junction organization and others. Changes in VE-cadherin levels in vivo may significantly affect vascular permeability, and induce uncontrolled growth and vascular fragility. SummaryIn the past years, the research on angiogenesis was mostly directed to the definition of the mechanisms able to modulate vascular growth. We now understand that in many pathological conditions we do not simply need to increase or inhibit vascularization but we also need to develop tools able to stabilize organ perfusion and to avoid hemorrhages or edema.
Learning with a slowly changing distribution

In this paper, we consider the problem of learning a subset of a domain from randomly chosen examples when the probability distribution of the examples changes slowly but continually throughout the learning process. We give upper and lower bounds on the best achievable probability of misclassification after a given number of examples. If d is the VC-dimension of the target function class, t is the number of examples, and &Ugr; is the amount by which the distribution is allowed to change (measured by the largest change in the probability of a subset of the domain), the upper bound decreases as d/t initially, and settles to O(d2/3&Ugr;1/2) for large t. These bounds give necessary and sufficient conditions on &Ugr;, the rate of change of the distribution of examples, to ensure that some learning algorithm can produce an acceptably small probability of misclassification. We also consider the case of learning a near-optimal subset of the domain when the examples and their labels are generated by a joint probability distribution on the example and label spaces. We give an upper bound on &Ugr; that ensures learning is possible from a finite number of examples.
Relaxing join and selection queries

Database users can be frustrated by having an empty answer to a query. In this paper, we propose a framework to systematically relax queries involving joins and selections. When considering relaxing a query condition, intuitively one seeks the 'minimal' amount of relaxation that yields an answer. We first characterize the types of answers that we return to relaxed queries. We then propose a lattice based framework in order to aid query relaxation. Nodes in the lattice correspond to different ways to relax queries. We characterize the properties of relaxation at each node and present algorithms to compute the corresponding answer. We then discuss how to traverse this lattice in a way that a non-empty query answer is obtained with the minimum amount of query condition relaxation. We implemented this framework and we present our results of a thorough performance evaluation using real and synthetic data. Our results indicate the practical utility of our framework.
The Cervix Cancer Research Network: Increasing Access to Cancer Clinical Trials in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Introduction: The burden of cervical cancer is large and growing in developing countries, due in large part to limited access to screening services and lack of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. In spite of modern advances in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, outcomes from cervical cancer have not markedly improved in recent years. Novel clinical trials are urgently needed to improve outcomes from cervical cancer worldwide. Methods: The Cervix Cancer Research Network (CCRN), a subsidiary of the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup, is a multi-national, multi-institutional consortium of physicians and scientists focused on improving cervical cancer outcomes worldwide by making cancer clinical trials available in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. Standard operating procedures for participation in CCRN include a pre-qualifying questionnaire to evaluate clinical activities and research infrastructure, followed by a site visit. Once a site is approved, they may choose to participate in one of four currently accruing clinical trials. Results: To date, 13 different CCRN site visits have been performed. Of these 13 sites visited, 10 have been approved as CCRN sites including Tata Memorial Hospital, India; Bangalore, India; Trivandrum, India; Ramathibodi, Thailand; Siriaj, Thailand; Pramongkutklao, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center; the Hertzen Moscow Cancer Research Institute; and the Russian Scientific Center of Roentgenoradiology. The four currently accruing clinical trials are TACO, OUTBACK, INTERLACE, and SHAPE. Discussion: The CCRN has successfully enrolled eight sites in developing countries to participate in four randomized clinical trials. The primary objectives are to provide novel therapeutics to regions with the greatest need and to improve the validity and generalizability of clinical trial results by enrolling a diverse sample of patients.
Genital floor repair using polypropylene meshes :a comparative study

The past years, the use of polypropylene meshes for the correction of genital floor prolapse has become extremely polular throughout the world.We reviewed the results and complications of polypropylene mesh insertion for treatment of genital floor prolapse, with or without accompanying voiding dysfunction, and compared the results obtained with Gynemesh (Gynecare Ethicon) and Prolift (Gynecare Ethicon) repair systems.
Stochastic Quasi-Fejér Block-Coordinate Fixed Point Iterations with Random Sweeping

This work proposes block-coordinate fixed point algorithms with applications to nonlinear analysis and optimization in Hilbert spaces. The asymptotic analysis relies on a notion of stochastic quasi-Fejer monotonicity, which is thoroughly investigated. The iterative methods under consideration feature random sweeping rules to select arbitrarily the blocks of variables that are activated over the course of the iterations and they allow for stochastic errors in the evaluation of the operators. Algorithms using quasi-nonexpansive operators or compositions of averaged nonexpansive operators are constructed, and weak and strong convergence results are established for the sequences they generate. As a by-product, novel block-coordinate operator splitting methods are obtained for solving structured monotone inclusion and convex minimization problems. In particular, the proposed framework leads to random block-coordinate versions of the Douglas--Rachford and forward-backward algorithms and of some of their variant.
Analysis and measurements of brushless dc motor with magnetic circuit made of soft magnetic composite and ND-FE-B bonded magnet

Summary. Magnetic composites made of powder are more often applied in modern electric machines as magnetic circuits. These magnetic materials can be divided into two groups: soft magnetic composites and bonded permanent magnets. The main purpose of the work was to design, manufacture and measure parameters of a brushless DC motor with powder magnetic circuits. The powder magnetic core has been prepared from iron powder bonded by resin and 4 pole permanent magnet which has been prepared from powder of Nd-Fe-B melt-spun ribbon bonded also by resin. Permanent magnet DC brushless motor with nominal power of 250 W and rotational speed of 6000 rpm has been designed based on measured parameters of powder materials. Measurements of brushless DC motor supplied from commercially available electronic commutator have been done.