Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synchronized spontaneous spikes on multi-electrode array show development of cultured neuronal network

Spontaneous firing play an important role in development of neuronal network. Activity-dependent modification of synaptic efficacy is widely recognized as a cellular basis of learning, memory, and development plasticity. Little is known of the activity-dependent modification of the synchronized spontaneous firing of the hippocampal networks. Long-term recording of spontaneous activity in cultured hippocampal neuronal networks was carried out using substrates containing multi-electrode array (MEA). Spontaneous uncorrelated firing appeared within a week and transformed progressively into synchronized pattern. During the development, these synchronized firings became into oscillation pattern and the synchronization has little change. By paired stimulation from adjacent electrodes in the network, the synchronized firing form a larger network burst. These results suggest that synchronized spontaneous spikes show the development of neuronal network and electronical stimulation could change the development
Cigarette-Derived Nicotine is not a Medicine

Regular smokers feel better when smoking than not smoking, and empirical studies confirm that nicotine reinstatement relieves feelings of stress, depression and anger. These acute mood changes have led to the belief that cigarette-derived nicotine can provide medicinal benefits for smokers. However, prospective studies of adolescents who take up cigarette smoking find that they report increased levels of anxiety, stress and depression. Furthermore, adults who quit smoking report enduring mood improvements. Thus the prospective data shows that the nicotine derived from cigarettes leads to heightened distress. The empirical patterns of mood change reported by regular smokers show why nicotine dependency is psychologically damaging. Regular smokers report average moods when replete with nicotine, but suffer mood deteriorations in-between cigarettes. Thus the supposed mood gains of smoking only represent the temporary relief of withdrawal symptoms. This mood relief becomes conditioned with smoke inhalation, which is why cigarettes are regarded positively by smokers. However, the repetitive experience of irritability and other abstinence symptoms in between cigarettes paradoxically causes smokers to suffer worse daily moods than non-smokers. The stronger the nicotine dependency the greater the mood decrements, helping to explain why disadvantaged individuals often smoke heavily and find quitting difficult. In conclusion, there is no empirical evidence that cigarettes provide medicinal benefits, but extensive data showing that nicotine dependency heightens psychological distress in tobacco smokers.
Maternal directive and facilitative interaction styles: Associations with language and cognitive development of low risk and high risk toddlers

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of maternal interaction styles to the development of a sample of 56 toddlers (19 low risk, 37 high risk) seen at 12 and 24 months of age. At 12 months, videotapes of mother–child interaction were coded for directiveness, sensitivity, and elaborativeness. At 12 and 24 months, cognitive and language measures were collected. A directive maternal style was negatively correlated with sensitivity and elaborativeness, whereas sensitive and elaborative ratings were positively correlated, suggesting a facilitative style. Regression models significantly predicted receptive language and cognitive development at 24 months but not expressive language. Maternal directiveness at 12 months was negatively related to later receptive language skills, whereas elaborativeness at 12 months was positively predictive of later cognitive development. Child status variables and maternal interactional styles contributed about equally to the prediction of later cognitive and language outcomes.
Alteration of Photosynthate Partitioning by High-Level Expression of Phosphoglucomutase in Tobacco Chloroplasts

Plastidial phosphoglucomutase (PGM) plays an important role in starch synthesis and degradation. Nonetheless, the impact of enhanced plastidial PGM activity on metabolism in photosynthetic tissue is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we generated transplastomic tobacco plants overproducing Arabidopsis thaliana plastidial PGM (AtptPGM) in chloroplasts and analyzed the consequent metabolic and physiological parameters in the transplastomic plants. AtptPGM accumulated in the chloroplasts to up to 16% of total soluble protein in the leaves. PGM activity in leaves increased 100-fold relative to that of wild-type plants. The transplastomic plants were phenotypically indistinguishable in their growth rates, photosynthetic activities, and starch synthesis from wild-type plants, but hexose partitioning in the light period was dramatically different. Furthermore, alteration of extracellular invertase activity was observed in the lower leaves of the transplastomic plants. These observations suggest that high-level expression of plastidial PGM alters hexose partitioning in light periods via modification of extracellular invertase activity.
Water requirement and crop coefficient of irrigated sugarcane in a semi-arid region

The objective of this study was to determine the water requirement and crop coefficient of the irrigated sugarcane, variety RB 92-579, in the semi-arid region of the lower middle of São Francisco Valley. The experiment was carried out in a commercial area of sugarcane located in the municipality of Juazeiro in the State of Bahia. The crop water requirement was estimated with the Bowen Ratio Energy Balance method. The accumulated biomass and the photosynthetic active radiation intercepted (f PAR ) by the crop were monitored. The sugarcane evapotranspiration reached a mean value of 4.7 mm d in response to f PAR and accumulated biomass; however presented influence of the crop lodging during the maximum growth phase. The total water requirement of the sugarcane ratoon was 1710 mm. Crop coefficient reached a mean value of 1.10 in the phase of maximum growth. The equations adjusted for monthly crop coefficient, using the growing degree days and days after the harvest as independent variables presented good performance (R ~ 0.95 and 0.98) and, consider the reduction in the Kc values because
Iron-controlled infection with Neisseria meningitidis in mice

An iron-controlled infection was obtained after the intraperitoneal infection of Neisseria meningitidis strain M1011 into normal mice. The infection progressed rapidly but then disappeared in concert with the disappearance of plasma transferrin iron. Parenteral iron dextran enhanced and prolonged the infection in mice at dosages above 15 mg of Fe per kg. Studies on the distribution of iron dextran within the physiological iron pools and the importance of timing with the iron dextran addition indicated that high serum iron, available early during infection, was necessary to promote infection. High levels of iron in the reticuloendothelial system did not stimulate infection. A working hypothesis to explain the roles of iron in infection was developed: N. meningitidis obtains iron for growth from the transferrin pool, and iron dextran maintains transferrin iron levels during infection.
Heterotopic Ossification Following Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury

&NA; Heterotopic ossification associated with neurologic injury, or neurogenic heterotopic ossification, tends to form at major synovial joints surrounded by spastic muscles. It is commonly associated with traumatic brain or spinal cord injury and with other causes of upper motor neuron lesions. Heterotopic ossification can result in a variety of complications, including nerve impingement, joint ankylosis, complex regional pain syndrome, osteoporosis, and softtissue infection. The associated decline in range of motion may greatly limit activities of daily living, such as positioning and transferring and maintenance of hygiene, thereby adversely affecting quality of life. Management of heterotopic ossification is aimed at limiting its progression and maximizing function of the affected joint. Nonsurgical treatment is appropriate for early heterotopic ossification; however, surgical excision should be considered in cases of joint ankylosis or significantly decreased range of motion before complications arise. Patient selection, timing of excision, and postoperative prophylaxis are important components of proper management.
6-(2-Chlorobenzylamino)purinium tetrachlorido(dimethyl sulfoxide-κO)(nitrosyl-κN)ruthenate(III) monohydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title complex salt, (C12H11ClN5)[RuCl4(NO)(C2H6OS)]·H2O, contains a 6-(2-chlorobenzylamino)purinium cation, a tetrachlorido(dimethyl sulfoxide)nitrosylruthenate(III) anion and one solvent water molecule. The RuIII atom is octahedrally coordinated by four Cl atoms in the equatorial plane, and by a dimethyl sulfoxide O atom and a nitrosyl N atom in axial positions. The cation is an N3-protonated N7 tautomer. Intermolecular N–H⋯N hydrogen bonds connect two cations into centrosymmetric dimers, with an N⋯N distance of 2.821 (4) Å. The crystal structure also involves N—H⋯O, N—H⋯Cl and O—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds.
A general dynamic force distribution algorithm for multifingered grasping

A general dynamic force distribution (DFD) algorithm for multifingered grasping is presented. Based on the convexity and cone property of contact constraints, the optimal internal force is defined. Determination of the contact force is divided into two phases: (1) determine the direction of the optimal internal force during grasp planning and (2) determine the manipulation force and compensation factor during task manipulation. The total computation cost consists of off-line numerical iterations and on-line analytical computations. Only the latter is related to the real-time control. The algorithm can directly deal with the nonlinear and/or coupled constraints and well overcome the temporal discontinuity.
Human serum Paraoxonase/Arylesterase's retained hydrophobic N-terminal leader sequence associates with HDLs by binding phospholipids : apolipoprotein A-I stabilizes activity.

In serum, human paraoxonase/arylesterase (PON1) is found exclusively associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL) and contributes to its antiatherogenic properties by inhibiting low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Difficulties in purifying PON1 from apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) suggested that PON1's association with HDL may occur through a direct binding between these 2 proteins. An unusual property of PON1 is that the mature protein retains its hydrophobic N-terminal signal sequence. By expressing in vitro a mutant PON1 with a cleavable N-terminus, we demonstrate that PON1 associates with lipoproteins through its N-terminus by binding phospholipids directly rather than binding apoA-I. Nonetheless, apoA-I stabilized arylesterase activity more than did phospholipid alone, apoA-II, or apoE. Consequently, we studied the role of apoA-I in PON1 expression and HDL association in mice genetically deficient in apoA-I. Though present in HDL fractions at decreased levels, PON1 arylesterase activity was less stable than in control mice. Furthermore, PON1 could be competitively removed from HDL by phospholipids, suggesting that PON1's retained N-terminal peptide allows transfer of the enzyme between phospholipid surfaces. Thus, our data suggest that PON1 is stabilized by apoA-I, and its binding to HDL and physiological distribution are dependent on the direct binding of the retained hydrophobic N-terminus to phospholipids optimally presented in association with apoA-I.
Compressed sensing and defect-based dictionaries for characteristics extraction in mm-Wave non-destructive testing

In ultra-wideband non-destructive testing of large multilayered polymers, data collection and reduction can be achieved by applying compressed sensing techniques. In this work, using effective modelling of possible defects, such as air gaps between layers, we construct defect dictionaries and use them as support data for a signal similarity-based classifier, which will automatically extract the main characteristics of the inspected defect.
Methoxyamine Enhances 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Radiosensitization in Colon Cancer Cell Line HT29

Objective This study intended to observe the effects of methoxyamine (Mx) on cytotoxic effects and DNA damage caused by 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with gamma radiation in a human colon cancer cell line, HT29. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, HT29 cells were cultured as a monolayer and treated with different concentrations of 5-FU along with 1 mM Mx for 24 hours. Next, the cells were irradiated with 2 Gy gamma radiation. After the treatments, we assessed for DNA damage, cytotoxicity, and viability by alkaline comet, clonogenic survival, and trypan blue dye exclusion assays. Results Cytotoxicity and DNA damage increased with increasing 5-FU concentration. The 1 mM Mx concentration had no significant effect on cytotoxicity and DNA damage from 5-FU; however, it increased the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of different concentrations of 5-FU when used in combination with 2 Gy gamma radiation. Conclusion Mx combined with 5-FU enhanced the radiosensitivity of colon cancer cells.
Abraham Jacobi lecture. The study of tuberculosis in childhood. The evolution of pediatric pulmonology in North America.

While Abraham Jacobi is the recognized father and founder of American pediatrics, it is only in recent years that his wife, Mary Putnam Jacobi, has been acclaimed as an equally important pioneer in the promotion of the health and welfare of children. Perhaps, as has been suggested earlier, she should be recognized as the mother of American pediatrics. 1 ABRAHAM AND MARY JACOBI The backgrounds of this outstanding couple differed in the extreme. 2,3 Abraham Jacobi was born in a small German village, the son of an unsuccessful shopkeeper in an area in which both illiteracy and anti-Semitism flourished. On the other hand, Mary Putnam Jacobi was the daughter of a prominent New York and New England family. But both possessed one essential quality. Sir William Osler admired Mary Jacobi for what he called "heliotropic potency. " In his words, "Position, wealth, reputation, are as nothing, compared with this truly solar
Design for reliability: A low concentration PV case study

The reliability, availability and predictability of photovoltaic systems are becoming increasingly important as grid penetration increases and lifetime expectations are raised. Sandia National Laboratories and SunPower Corporation teamed up to implement a design for reliability process including Failure Modes and Effects Analyses, accelerated testing, prototype real-world testing, and initial performance analyses on SunPower's new C7 Tracker and solar concentrator. This paper outlines the design for reliability process and initial results.
The Effect of Motivation on Job Performance of State Government Employees in Malaysia

The bulk of the earlier research on performance has been conducted in the area of job performance. This study is to investigate the relationship between motivations towards state government employees. Applying similarity on the motivation in the earlier research on job performance, this study extends this research by examining the relationships between overall job performance and motivation dimensions of and their job performance. A positive relationship, as measured by possess annual salary progression, was found between affiliation motivation and performance. The results suggest that affiliation motivation and job performance is positively related. Conclusions, management strategies particularly can be formulated according to motivation level of employees.
Short‐term FSH treatment and sperm maturation: a prospective study in idiopathic infertile men

The standard FSH treatment is based on a 3 months period, after which both quantitative/qualitative improvement of sperm parameters and increased pregnancy rate were reported. In this prospective clinical trial, for the first time, we studied (i) Sperm hyaluronic acid binding capacity after highly purified FSH (hpFSH) treatment; (ii) the effect after short‐term and standard treatment on this functional parameter. As secondary objective, we analyzed three SNPs on FSHβ and FSHR genes to define their potential predictive value for responsiveness. From a total of 210 consecutive patients, 40 oligo‐ and/or astheno‐ and/or teratozoospermic patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Treatment consisted in hpFSH 75 IU/L every other day for 3 months. To avoid potential biases derived from the lack of placebo, we analyzed each patient after 4–6 months of ‘wash‐out’ period. After FSH treatment, we observed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) improvement of the percentage of hyaluronic acid bound spermatozoa from basal to T1 (after 1 month) and to T3 (after 3 months). Importantly, these values returned to near‐baseline value after the wash‐out. The same results were detected for total motile sperm count after 3 months with return to baseline after wash‐out. Forty‐two percent of patients responded to the therapy with increasing hyaluronic acid binding capacity above the double of the Intraindividual Variation (IV) while 24% of patients reached above the normal Sperm‐Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA) value. Further increase in ‘responders’ was observed at T3. The responsiveness to treatment resulted independent from FSHR/FSHβ polymorphisms. The significant positive effect on sperm maturity after 1 month opens novel therapeutic perspectives. In view of both the high cost and the relative invasiveness of treatment, the short protocol (1 month) could represent a viable FSH treatment option prior Assisted Reproductive Techniques since FSH, by acting on sperm maturation, increases the proportion of functionally competent cells.
In vitro evaluation of torsional strength of orthodontic mini-implants

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the maximum torsional strength of orthodontic mini-implants of different diameters. Methods: Eighteen mini-implants measuring 10 mm in length were divided into three groups (n = 6). G1, G2 and G3 had miniimplants of 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 mm in diameter, respectively. Mini-implants manufactured by SIN (Sistema de Implantes, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil) were used in all groups. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences (p G2>G1). Conclusion: Mini-implants with greater diameter should be used if increased torque is needed during orthodontic procedures.
Control Scheme for a Single-Phase Grid-Tied Voltage Source Converter With Reduced Number of Sensors

This paper proposes a grid voltage sensorless controller for single-phase voltage source converters. The controller is composed of an observer and a current control scheme. The proposed observer replaces the grid voltage measurement and is used to generate the current references and to compensate the perturbation effect of the actual grid voltage on the coupling inductor. This allows us to implement a simple proportional resonant current control algorithm. The proposed observer also estimates the grid frequency, allowing us to immunize the controller to grid frequency variations.
Numerical simulation of the effect of permeability on the hydrodynamics in a parallel-plate coculture flow chamber

To study the effect of the porous membrane permeability on the hydrodynamics in a parallel-plate coculture flow chamber (PPcFC), we demonstrated the permeability of the porous membrane as a function of some parameters, such as porosity, membrane thickness, pore size and shape of the membrane. The effect of permeability on the flow in the PPcFC was analysed using the commercial software – Fluent. Results showed that the permeability was directly proportional to the thickness, the porosity and the pore size of the membrane, and inversely proportional to the surface shape factor. To ensure the best flow pattern, the inlet velocity range was limited by the membrane permeability and fluid viscosity, and then restricted the available magnitudes of shear rate on the permeable membrane. Our findings are helpful in designing and preparing the biomaterials that have adequate mechanical properties for the functional vascular grafts production, and in using of the flow chamber in various investigations.
Cell-Type Specificity of the Expression of Os BOR1, a Rice Efflux Boron Transporter Gene, Is Regulated in Response to Boron Availability for Efficient Boron Uptake and Xylem Loading

We describe a boron (B) transporter, Os BOR1, in rice (Oryza sativa). Os BOR1 is a plasma membrane–localized efflux transporter of B and is required for normal growth of rice plants under conditions of limited B supply (referred to as -B). Disruption of Os BOR1 reduced B uptake and xylem loading of B. The accumulation of Os BOR1 transcripts was higher in roots than that in shoots and was not affected by B deprivation; however, Os BOR1 was detected in the roots of wild-type plants under -B conditions, but not under normal conditions, suggesting regulation of protein accumulation in response to B nutrition. Interestingly, tissue specificity of Os BOR1 expression is affected by B treatment. Transgenic rice plants containing an Os BOR1 promoter–β-glucuronidase (GUS) fusion construct grown with a normal B supply showed the strongest GUS activity in the steles, whereas after 3 d of -B treatment, GUS activity was elevated in the exodermis. After 6 d of -B treatment, GUS activity was again strong in the stele. Our results demonstrate that Os BOR1 is required both for efficient B uptake and for xylem loading of B. Possible roles of the temporal changes in tissue-specific patterns of Os BOR1 expression in response to B condition are discussed.
(Invited) Stress Simulations of Si- and Ge-Channel FinFETs for the 14 nm-Node and Beyond

This work studies the effectiveness of stressors for Si- and Ge-channel gate-last FinFETs in nested layouts with dimensions of the 14, 10 and 7 nm-nodes. P-type FinFETs with Si-channels can be efficiently boosted by SiGe source/drain (S/D) stressors, and provide higher mobility than relaxed Ge-channel pFinFETs. The highest pFET mobility is found for strained Ge-channels: in this case a SiGe Strain-Relaxed Buffer (SRB) with Ge < 90% leads to a channel mobility that is significantly higher than what is achievable with strained Si. For nFETs, a SiGe-SRB is the most efficient booster for Si-channels. Theoretically, the electron mobility of Ge fin sidewalls is very high, making Ge-channel nFinFETs a promising alternative, even without strain. SRBs are the most efficient stressors and are scalable beyond the 14 nm-node. Etching the fins in the S/D regions releases strain generated by the SRB, therefore raised S/D stressors are preferred over recessed for maximal mobility when combined with SRBs. Except for SRBs and S/D stressors, the other stressors studied in this work (contact etch-stop layers, stressed gates and contacts) are found to be inefficient in nested 14 nm-node layouts.