Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Biophysical Specialization in Cholinergic Modulation in Neurons of the Ventral Cochlear Nuclei

In contacting arrays of different types of neurons whose axons have differing targets in the brain stem, the auditory pathway is subdivided into parallel ascending pathways, each of which carries a different type of information. Several distinct arrays of neurons in the ventral cochlear nuclei have anatomical and biophysical specializations which enable them to extract differing facets of acoustic information and to convey it up the auditory pathway. T stellate cells have higher input resistances and have lower firing thresholds than bushy or octopus cells, enabling their firing to be modulated by small currents. Cholinergic currents, driven by neurons in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body that are likely to include medial olivocochlear efferents, excite T stellate cells, but have subtle effects on the firing of bushy cells, and have no detectable influence on octopus cells and D stellate cells. We suggest that cholinergic excitation of T stellate cells contributes toward shifting their acoustic dynamic ranges and increasing the encoding of spectral peaks in noisy conditions and in awake animals.
The implications of using the new diagnostic criteria in the Asian population

Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous metabolic syndrome that is characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia due to insulin resistance, insulin insufficiency, or both. With a better understanding of the pathophysiology and regulation of glucose metabolism, new classifications of diabetes based on aetiologies (Box 1) and clinical staging (Fig) have been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA). In particular, the previous classification of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus have now been replaced by type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, respectively, because of the considerable overlap in the clinical stages between the two types of diabetes. In clinical practice, the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus remains largely a clinical one and relies mainly on the measurement of plasma glucose (PG) levels with or without the presence of hyperglycaemic symptoms.
Nutrition and Cancer

The aim of this chapter is to provide a general overview of the effects of nutrition on cancer-promoting mechanisms and its contribution to cancer therapeutic regimens, as well as its supportive role in cancer survivors. The association of nutrition and cancer is very intricate as some foods have the potential to induce mutagenic changes but others show anticancer properties. Cancer-protective foods such as whole grains, fruits, non-starchy vegetables, fish, and dairy products contain nutrients and non-nutrient bioactive components that are involved in the mechanisms for enhancing immunologic function, inducing apoptosis, enhancing antiproliferative function, donating electron to free radicals, activating carcinogen-metabolizer enzymes, as well as synthesizing retinoic acid. On the other hand, there are types of foods with cancer-developing effects like red meat, processed and fast foods, alcohol, as well as sugar-sweetened beverages. They exert carcinogenic effects mostly by causing obesity and overweight, unbalanced hormones, inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. Cancer-preventing recommendations include keeping a healthy weight, having a physically active life, and following a diet rich in foods of plant sources and limited in red meat, fast foods, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened drinks. In spite of developments in the area of nutrition, immunity, and cancer, comprehensive studies are needed to detect the association between nutrients and immunological pathways contributed to cancer development especially according to ethnic, age, sex, and specific cancer exposures such as smoking, UV light radiation, and infections.
A light- and electron-microscopic investigation of the optic tectum of the frog, Rana pipiens, I: The retinal axons

Abstract There are several different groups of ganglion cells in the retina of the frog. Although their axons are thought to terminate in different layers of the optic tectum, little is known about the morphology of their terminal arbors or their synaptic targets. The present paper reports the results of a layer-by-layer study of horseradish peroxidase labeled retinal axons in the optic tectum of Rana pipiens. Light and electron microscopy was used to study the axon's laminar distribution, patterns of arborization, and synaptic contacts. Labeled retinal axons were found in all of the superficial layers of the tectum (A-G). From layer to layer, the retinal axons differed markedly in the diameter of their parent axons (0.2−3.0 μm) and in the morphology and horizontal extent of their terminal arbors. Five classes of synaptic terminals could be distinguished in the tectum. The retinal terminals belonged to class characterized by round, medium-sized synaptic vesicles. They made synaptic contact with dendrites and other axon terminals in each of the layers. They were always the presynaptic component. The postsynaptic dendrites were often the vertically oriented processes of cells located in the deeper layers. The postsynaptic terminals belonged to a class distinguished by their flat, medium-sized vesicles. These terminals in turn contacted what appeared to be dendrites. In layer eight, the retinal axons were often large, spoon-shaped boutons that ended in apposition with the somata of the layer.
Nonidentifiability of Population Size from Capture‐Recapture Data with Heterogeneous Detection Probabilities

Summary. Heterogeneity in detection probabilities has long been recognized as problematic in mark‐recapture studies, and numerous models developed to accommodate its effects. Individual heterogeneity is especially problematic, in that reasonable alternative models may predict essentially identical observations from populations of substantially different sizes. Thus even with very large samples, the analyst will not be able to distinguish among reasonable models of heterogeneity, even though these yield quite distinct inferences about population size. The problem is illustrated with models for closed and open populations.
Microrobotique et Micromécatronique pour la Réalisation de Tâches de Micro-Assemblage Complexes et Précises.

Ce document presente une synthese de mes contributions scientifiques aux domaines de la microrobotique et de la micromecatronique ainsi que des transferts effectues, tant a destination de l’industrie que de l’enseignement. Les travaux conduits sont orientes vers la realisation de tâches de micro-assemblage complexes, precises et automatisees par approche microrobotique et sont plus particulierement appliques aux MOEMS. L’echelle micrometrique consideree induit de nombreuses specificites qui se traduisent par un deficit notable de connaissances du comportement des systemes a cette echelle. Pour cela, une premiere partie des travaux est dediee a l’etude et a la modelisation multiphysique des systemes microrobotiques et micromecatroniques. Cette connaissance a conduit, dans une seconde partie des travaux, a la proposition de nouveaux principes de mesure et d’actionnement mais egalement au developpement de microsystemes complexes, instrumentes et integres (micro-banc-optique, micropince, plateformes compliantes). Enfin, des lois de commandes et des strategies d’assemblage originales ont ete proposees notamment une commande dynamique hybride force-position combinant une commande hybride externe et une commande en impedance. Celle-ci permet de maitriser la dynamique des transitions contact/non-contact critique a l’echelle micrometrique mais egalement d’automatiser des processus de micro-assemblage complexes. L’ensemble de ces travaux ont fait l’objet de validations experimentales permettant de quantifier precisement les performances obtenues (exactitude de positionnement, temps de cycle, robustesse…). Les perspectives de ces travaux portent sur la proposition de systemes microrobotiques et micromecatroniques compacts et integres utiles au micro-assemblage haute dynamique ainsi qu’a l’assemblage de composants nanophotoniques.
Fuzzy reinforcement learning for an evolving virtual servant robot

This work presents our research in the application of reinforcement learning algorithms for the generation of autonomous intelligent virtual robots, that can learn and enhance their task performance in assisting humans in housekeeping. For the control system architecture of the virtual agents, two algorithms, based on Watkins' Q(/spl lambda/) learning and the zeroth-level classifier system (ZLCS), are incorporated with fuzzy inference systems(FlS). Performance of these algorithms is evaluated and compared. A 3D application of a virtual robot whose task is to interact with virtual humans and offer optimal services on everyday in-house needs is designed and implemented. The learning systems are incorporated in the decision-making process of the virtual robot servant to allow itself to understand and evaluate the fuzzy value requirements and enhance its performance.
[Severe and terminal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Przewleklą obturacyjną chorobe pluc (POChP) definiuje sie jako schorzenie przebiegające z postepującym, slabo odwracalnym ograniczeniem przeplywu przez drogi oddechowe wynikającym z zapalenia toczącego sie w odpowiedzi na szkodliwe pyly i gazy. Chorobie tej czesto towarzyszą zmiany pozaplucne, ktore mogą niekorzystnie wplywac na jej przebieg. Przewlekla obturacyjna choroba pluc jest czwartą przyczyną zgonow na świecie [1]. W Polsce liczbe chorych szacuje sie na okolo 2 miliony. Wyniki ostatnich badan wskazują, ze chorzy na POChP stanowią okolo 10% leczonych w ramach podstawowej opieki, przy czym znaczący odsetek ma ciezką (15%) lub bardzo ciezką (3%) postac choroby [2]. Oznacza to, ze liczba chorych na zaawansowaną postac POChP w naszym kraju moze siegac niemal 400 000.
Statistical Estimation and Adaptation for Visual Compensation in Object Tracking

The multi-modal tracking model in [1] enables the on-the-fly error compensation with low complexity by adopting acoustic sensors for the main tracking task and visual sensors for correcting possible tracking errors. The visual compensation process in the model is indispensable to the accurate tracking task in a dynamic object movement. This article proposes an algorithm to approximate the successful visual compensation rate appearing in the multi-modal tracking system. The acoustic sampling interval of the object signal and the random occurrence of transmission delays of multi-modal data are critical to the compensation process. Therefore, by using the two key factors as parameters, the algorithm called SEA can estimate the successful visual compensation of a tracking system. After we build up a tracking system, it is required to maintain the system at a certain level of tracking accuracy. This task can be done by controlling the aforementioned parameters since the visual compensation influences the tracking accuracy. Thus, we propose another algorithm called SEA2 for the parameter adaptation. The algorithm controls only acoustic sampling interval due to the easiness of adjustment and having the main impact on the success of the visual compensation. From the algorithm validation, we show the SEA properly quantifies the visual compensation process successfully occurring in the tracking scenarios, and SEA2 is feasible for parameter adaptation and achieving the target level of accuracy.
A Thermal-Aware Device Design Considerations for Nanoscale SOI and Bulk FinFETs

Thermal performance characteristics of fin-shaped FETs (FinFETs) are studied and analyzed in this paper for sub-22-nm technologies using the well-calibrated TCAD simulations. In this paper, we show that bulk FinFETs have a relatively better thermal performance as compared with SOI FinFETs. In order to understand the isothermal characteristics of these devices because of thermal effects, we use pulse rise-time as well as ac conductance methods. We demonstrate that the ac conductance method fails to accurately capture thermal time constants for FinFETs, as self-heating and gate resistance regions are indistinguishable from each other. A pulse rise-time method gives isothermal characteristics of these devices. As verified from both these independent techniques, only at high frequencies (>1 GHz), FinFETs show a suppression of thermally induced degradation, which can be attributed to their higher surface-to-volume ratio. It is observed that bulk FinFETs will perform better than SOI FinFETs for small effective fin heights. However, as we show in this paper, increased body doping in bulk FinFETs will increase the self-heating effects. Channel length scaling in FinFETs, which shows a decrease in drain current degradation with heating, will be an important design parameter for sub-22-nm devices.
Quadrupole instabilities of relativistic rotating membranes

(February 1, 2008)We generalize recent study of the stability of isotropic(spherical) rotating membranes to the anisotropic ellipsoidalmembrane. We ﬁnd that while the stability persists for de-formations of spin l = 1, the quadrupole and higher spin de-formations (l ≥ 2) lead to instabilities. We ﬁnd the relevantinstability modes and the corresponding eigenvalues. Theseindicate that the ellipsoidal rotating membranes genericallydecay into ﬁnger-like conﬁgurations. PACS:11.27 +dI. INTRODUCTION
Expression of Aleutian mink disease parvovirus capsid proteins in defined segments: localization of immunoreactive sites and neutralizing epitopes to specific regions

The capsid proteins of the ADV-G isolate of Aleutian mink disease parvovirus (ADV) were expressed in 10 nonoverlapping segments as fusions with maltose-binding protein in pMAL-C2 (pVP1, pVP2a through pVP2i). The constructs were designed to capture the VP1 unique sequence and the portions analogous to the four variable surface loops of canine parvovirus (CPV) in individual fragments (pVP2b, pVP2d, pVP2e, and pVP2g, respectively). The panel of fusion proteins was immunoblotted with sera from mink infected with ADV. Seropositive mink infected with either ADV-TR, ADV-Utah, or ADV-Pullman reacted preferentially against certain segments, regardless of mink genotype or virus inoculum. The most consistently immunoreactive regions were pVP2g, pVP2e, and pVP2f, the segments that encompassed the analogs of CPV surface loops 3 and 4. The VP1 unique region was also consistently immunoreactive. These findings indicated that infected mink recognize linear epitopes that localized to certain regions of the capsid protein sequence. The segment containing the hypervariable region (pVP2d), corresponding to CPV loop 2, was also expressed from ADV-Utah. An anti-ADV-G monoclonal antibody and a rabbit anti-ADV-G capsid antibody reacted exclusively with the ADV-G pVP2d segment but not with the corresponding segment from ADV-Utah. Mink infected with ADV-TR or ADV-Utah also preferentially reacted with the pVP2d sequence characteristic of that virus. These results suggested that the loop 2 region may contain a type-specific linear epitope and that the epitope may also be specifically recognized by infected mink. Heterologous antisera were prepared against the VP1 unique region and the four segments capturing the variable surface loops of CPV. The antisera against the proteins containing loop 3 or loop 4, as well as the anticapsid antibody, neutralized ADV-G infectivity in vitro and bound to capsids in immune electron microscopy. These results suggested that regions of the ADV capsid proteins corresponding to surface loops 3 and 4 of CPV contain linear epitopes that are located on the external surface of the ADV capsid. Furthermore, these linear epitopes contain neutralizing determinants. Computer comparisons with the CPV crystal structure suggest that these sequences may be adjacent to the threefold axis of symmetry of the viral particle.
Left Subsectivity: How to Infer that a Round Peg is Round

A property modifier is a function that takes a property to a property. For instance, the modifier short takes the property being a Dutchman to the property being a short Dutchman. Assume that being a round peg is a property obtained by means of modification, round being the modifier and being a peg the input property. Then how are we to infer that a round peg is a peg? By means of a rule of right subsectivity. How are we to infer that a round peg is round? By means of a rule of left subsectivity. This paper puts forward two rules (one general, the other special) of left subsectivity. The rules fill a gap in the prevalent theory of property modification. The paper also explains why the rules are philosophically relevant.
Instrumentos de Evaluación Psicológica

en el primer tema, el desarrollo historico y los fundamentos teoricos y metodologicos que dan origen a la aparicion de los tests. Los diferentes tipos de tests. La Fiabilidad, Validez y las distinciones entre Psicometria y Psicodiagnostico. Se muestran las ventajas y limitaciones de su uso. En un segundo momento se hace referencia al procedimiento, condiciones y elaboracion del informe final. Se abordo el metodo de la Observacion durante la aplicacion de las pruebas psicologicas. Y tuvimos en cuenta presentar el Codigo de Etica de las pruebas y los instrumentos de evaluacion y diferenciar la Psicometria de la Evaluacion psicologica. Por ultimo, realizamos la presentacion de setenta tests, por considerar sumamente importante y necesario que el Tecnico Basico contara con los materiales con los cuales iniciaria su vida laboral y lo acompanaria a lo largo de su carrera en este nuevo Modelo Pedagogico. Cada una de las pruebas mostradas esta acompanada de su fundamentacion, protocolo y calificacion. Sin pretender alargar la presentacion me es muy grato reconocer que las co-autoras de este material docente, son Tecnicas en Psicometria con mas de 10 anos en la profesion y que hoy son estudiantes de la carrera de Psicologia, gracias a esta nueva modalidad en la formacion de profesionales.
The Inadequacy of the Sub-Gene Hypothesis of the Nature of the Scute Allelomorphs of Drosophila.

In a series of papers, Serebrovsky (1930), Dubinin (1929), Agol (1930) and their colleagues have described an extremely interesting group of bristle-reducing mutant genes lying at the scute locus of the X-chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. As a result of their careful studies of this material, they have elaborated an interpretation of the situation. According to this hypothesis, the normal allelomorph of the scute genes is not a single unit, but is made up of a series of "sub-genes" arranged in linear order, each sub-gene being concerned with the development of one or of a few bristles on the fly. The scute mutations involve changes in blocks of these sub-genes, but of different blocks. Scute 11, for example, represents mutation of a few sub-genes at the left end of the series; scute 4, of practically all the sub-genes not affected by scute 11; scute 5 of a few sub-genes near the right end. All the known allelomorphs may be described in such terms.
Effects of fermented plant product on growth performance, some blood variables, carcase characteristics, and intestinal histology in broilers

1. Fermented plant product (FPP) is a natural fermented food which is produced from a mixture of fermented fruit and vegetables, and rice bran (1:9). 2. To investigate the effects of FPP on growth performance, some blood variables, carcase characteristics and intestinal histology were determined in 192 broilers. They were divided into 4 groups, with 4 replicates of 12 chicks each; the chicks were provided ad libitum access to a diet consisting of 0, 0·5, 2·0 and 4·0% dietary FPP. 3. The crude protein and metabolisable energy concentrations of these diets were adjusted to 230 g CP/kg and 13·40 MJ ME/kg for the 7 to 21 d old chicks, and 200 g CP/kg and 13·40 MJ ME/kg for the 22 to 49 d old chicks, respectively. 4. At 49 d of age, feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency tended to increase with increase in FPP concentrations. Feed intake increased in the 4·0% dietary FPP group, BW gain increased in the 2·0% and 4·0% dietary FPP groups and feed efficiency increased in all experimental groups. 5. There were no differences among diets in the blood variables and carcase characteristics, except for total visceral organ weight, increased in all experimental groups. 6. Most of the intestinal villus heights, villus areas, epithelial cell areas and cell mitosis tended to increase with increase in FPP concentrations; duodenal villus height and cell mitosis in the 2·0 and 4·0% dietary FPP groups, and jejunal cell mitosis in all experimental groups were significantly increased. Compared with flat cells on the villus apical surface in the 0% FPP group, all experimental groups had protuberant cells in all intestinal parts. 7. In conclusion, hypertrophy of the villi and epithelial cells was observed in the present study, indicating improved growth performance, especially in the 4·0% dietary FPP group. Furthermore, increased total visceral organ weights suggested that FPP has no harmful effects on broilers.
Mutational spectrum of the iduronate 2 sulfatase gene in 25 unrelated Korean Hunter syndrome patients: Identification of 13 novel mutations

Hunter syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis type II, MPS2) is an X‐linked recessively inherited disease caused by a deficiency of iduronate 2 sulfatase (IDS). In this study, we investigated mutations of the IDS gene in 25 Korean Hunter syndrome patients. We identified 20 mutations, of which 13 mutations are novel; 6 small deletions (69_88delCCTCGGATCCGAAACGCAGG, 121‐123delCTC, 500delA, 877_878delCA, 787delG, 1042_1049delTACAGCAA), 2 insertions (21_22insG, 683_684insC), 2 terminations (529G>T, 637A>T), and 3 missense mutations (353C>A, 779T>C, 899G>T). Moreover, using TaqI or HindIII RFLPs, we found three gene deletions. When the 20 mutations were depicted in a 3‐dimensional model of IDS protein, most of the mutations were found to be at structurally critical points that could interfere with refolding of the protein, although they were located in peripheral areas. We hope that these findings will further the understanding of the underlying mechanisms associated with the disease. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.