Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrodeless, Non-Invasive Stimulation of Retinal Neurons Using Time-Varying Magnetic Fields

Conventional approaches for stimulating retinal neurons use microelectrode arrays and electronic devices, parts of which must be implanted in the eye requiring surgical procedures. For non-invasive neuronal stimulations, many researches have investigated the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation methods. However, the magnetic stimulation approaches so far have focused only on stimulating the bulk areas of the cortical region in the brain, and there has been no prior report on magnetically stimulating localized, thin layers of neurons from a sufficient distance that does not require a surgical implant. This paper proposes a surgically non-invasive retinal stimulation method by using time-varying magnetic fields for the first time. Retinal stimulations are achieved by inducing eddy currents on retinal ganglion cells with time-varying magnetic fields. The stimulator is developed using a voltage source, a voltage booster, a trigger circuit, a driver circuit, a storage capacitor bank, and a stimulating coil. In in vitro experiments, retinal responses are successfully evoked from a distance of up to 5 cm. The average number of the first spikes per pulse is 0.31 for the control, 0.38 for 270 V, 0.60 for 450 V, and 0.69 for 700 V. These results clearly indicate that the time-varying magnetic fields can elicit neural responses, and that more neural responses are evoked as the charging voltage is increased during short and medium latencies. The magnetic stimulation method allows the possibilities of a non-invasive retinal stimulation without using any surgically implanted devices.
Cell wall proteome analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana mature stems

Plant stems carry flowers necessary for species propagation and need to be adapted to mechanical disturbance and environmental factors. The stem cell walls are different from other organs and can modify their rigidity or viscoelastic properties for the integrity and the robustness required to withstand mechanical impacts and environmental stresses. Plant cell wall is composed of complex polysaccharide networks also containing cell wall proteins (CWPs) crucial to perceive and limit the environmental effects. The CWPs are fundamental players in cell wall remodeling processes, and today, only 86 have been identified from the mature stems of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. With a destructive method, this study has enlarged its coverage to 302 CWPs. This new proteome is mainly composed of 27.5% proteins acting on polysaccharides, 16% proteases, 11.6% oxido‐reductases, 11% possibly related to lipid metabolism and 11% of proteins with interacting domains with proteins or polysaccharides. Compared to stem cell wall proteomes already available (Brachypodium distachyon, Sacharum officinarum, Linum usitatissimum, Medicago sativa), that of A. thaliana stems has a higher proportion of proteins acting on polysaccharides and of proteases, but a lower proportion of oxido‐reductases.
Erosive lesions in patients with alcoholism.

BACKGROUND The authors conducted a study to determine the occurrence of erosive tooth lesions in patients with alcoholism and to establish the influence of salivary flow rates and pH levels on their appearance. METHODS The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in 140 participants (70 with clinically diagnosed alcoholism who were undergoing therapy for their addiction were in the test group and 70 who did not consume alcohol were in the control group). The authors determined the participants' salivary statuses by measuring the flow rates and pH levels of both unstimulated and stimulated saliva. RESULTS The authors found more erosive lesions in the test group (P < .01). They detected a higher number of erosive lesions in participants in the test group who had a pH range of 5 to 6 compared with a pH range of 6 to 7 (P = .01). They found a significant correlation between alcoholism and unstimulated salivary flow rate (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The salivary flow rate was similar in control and test groups. The prevalence of erosion in the test group was higher than that in the control group, which may be related to the decrease in salivary pH of both stimulated and unstimulated saliva in this group. The results of the study showed no connection between erosion prevalence and pH levels and stimulated salivary flow rates. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Patients with alcoholism may be at risk of developing erosive lesions on their teeth owing to the low pH level of their oral environment and decreased saliva levels.
Draft Genome Sequence of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC BAA-2128

ABSTRACT While a part of the native gut microflora, the Gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecalis can lead to serious infections elsewhere in the body. The draft genome of E. faecalis strain ATCC BAA-2128, isolated from piglet feces, was examined. This draft genome consists of 42 contigs, 12 of which exhibit homology to annotated plasmids.
Power to the People? The Initiative Process and Fiscal Discipline in City Governments

Does giving citizens the power to decide budget policies improve fiscal discipline in the local public sector? This study examines the effects of local initiatives on city budgetary solvency or the ability of city governments to generate revenues to meet their service and financial obligations in a fiscal year. Budgetary imbalance in the public sector has been blamed on self-interested bureaucrats and elected officials who desire budgets that are higher than that preferred by the median voter. The initiative gives citizens the power to directly decide budget issues. Research shows that voters are more fiscally conservative than government officials, which suggests that fiscal discipline will improve if citizens exercise greater control over budgeting. Using data from audited financial reports for midsized and large cities from 2006 to 2012, the empirical analysis indicates that initiative cities have weaker budgetary solvency compared with noninitiative cities.
Somatotopic organization of the facial lobe of the sea catfish Arius felis studied by transganglionic transport of horseradish peroxidase

To reveal the somatotopical organization of the facial lobe (FL), a primary medullary gustatory nucleus in the sea catfish Arius felis, the central projections of the peripheral rami of the facial nerve innervating taste buds located across the entire body surface and rostral oral regions were traced by means of horseradish peroxidase neurohistochemistry. The maxillary barbel, lateral mandibular barbel, medial mandibular barbel, and trunk‐tail branches project to four different longitudinal columns (i.e., lobules) extending rostrocaudally in the FL. The trunk‐tail lobule, which is located dorsolateral to the barbel lobules, lies in the anterior two‐thirds of the FL. The tail is represented in a more rostral portion of the trunk‐tail lobule than the trunk, indicating that the rostrocaudal trunk axis is represented in the trunk‐tail lobule in a posteroanterior axis. The pectoral fin branch ends in an intermediate region of the FL, whereas the hyomandibular, ophthalmic, lower lip, upper lip, and palatine branches terminate in discrete regions of the caudal one‐third of the FL. These results reveal a sharply defined somatotopical organization of the FL of Arius and support the hypothesis that the number and lengths of the barbel lobules within the FL of catfishes are directly related to the number and relative lengths of the barbels. An additional subcolumn, the intermediate nucleus of the FL (NIF), which develops in the medioventral region of the caudal two‐thirds of the FL, receives projections in a diffuse somatotopical fashion from the barbels, lower lip, and palatine branches. Trigeminal fibers of the barbel and lower lip branches project in a somatotopic fashion to the FL. The present findings suggest that the FL of Arius is highly organized somatotopically to detect, by tropotaxis, precise spatial information concerning taste and tactile stimuli in the environment. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CD8+ T Cells Accumulate in the Lungs of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Infected Kb−/−Db−/− Mice, But Provide Minimal Protection 1

Recent studies have shown that MHC class I molecules play an important role in the protective immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Here we showed that mice deficient in MHC class Ia, but possessing MHC class Ib (Kb−/−Db−/− mice), were more susceptible to aerosol infection with M. tuberculosis than control mice, but less susceptible than mice that lack both MHC class Ia and Ib (β2m−/− mice). The susceptibility of Kb−/−Db−/− mice cannot be explained by the failure of CD8+ T cells (presumably MHC class Ib-restricted) to respond to the infection. Although CD8+ T cells were a relatively small population in uninfected Kb−/−Db−/− mice, most already expressed an activated phenotype. During infection, a large percentage of these cells further changed their cell surface phenotype, accumulated in the lungs at the site of infection, and were capable of rapidly producing IFN-γ following TCR stimulation. Histopathologic analysis showed widespread inflammation in the lungs of Kb−/−Db−/− mice, with a paucity of lymphocytic aggregates within poorly organized areas of granulomatous inflammation. A similar pattern of granuloma formation has previously been observed in other types of MHC class I-deficient mice, but not CD8α−/− mice. Thus, neither the presence of MHC class Ib molecules themselves, nor the activity of a population of nonclassical CD8+ effector cells, fully restored the deficit caused by the absence of MHC class Ia molecules, suggesting a unique role for MHC class Ia molecules in protective immunity against M. tuberculosis.
Modélisation formelle de systèmes dynamiques autonomes : graphe, réécriture et grammaire. (Formal modeling of autonomous dynamical systems: graph rewriting and grammar)

Les systemes distribues modernes a large-echelle evoluent dans des contextes variables soumis a de nombreux aleas auxquels ils doivent s'adapter dynamiquement. Dans ce cadre, l'informatique autonome se propose de reduire (voire supprimer) les interventions humaines lentes et couteuse, en leur preferant l'auto-gestion. L'adaptabilite autonome d'un systeme repose avant tout sur une description adequate de ses composants, de leurs interactions et des differents aspects ou topologies qu’il peut adopter. Diverses approches de modelisation ont etes proposees dans la litterature, basees notamment sur des langages de descriptions specifiques (e.g., les ADLs) ou des modeles generiques plus ou moins formels (e.g., profils UML, graphes). Ces representations se concentrent en general sur certains aspects ou proprietes du systeme dynamique et ne permettent ainsi pas de repondre a chacune des problematiques inherentes a l'auto-gestion. Cette these traite de la modelisation basee graphes des systemes dynamiques et de son adequation pour la mise en œuvre des quatre proprietes fondamentales de l'informatique autonome : l'auto-optimisation, l'auto-protection, l'auto-guerison et l'auto-configuration. Cette these propose quatre principales contributions theoriques et appliquees. La premiere est une methodologie pour la construction et la caracterisation generative de transformations correctes par construction dont l'application preserve necessairement la correction du systeme. Le maintien d'une application dans un etat acceptable peut ainsi etre efficacement garanti lors de son adaptation. La seconde contribution consiste en une extension des systemes de reecriture de graphe permettant de representer, mettre a jour, evaluer et parametrer les caracteristiques d'un systeme aisement et efficacement. Ces affirmations sont soutenues par des exemples illustratifs concrets reposant sur DIET, un repartiteur de charge distribue. Une etude experimentale extensive revele un net gain d'efficacite vis a vis de methodes classiques, en particulier celles integrees nativement aux outils AGG et GMTE. La troisieme contribution s'articule autour de l'elaboration d'un module de gestion de bout en bout pour des requetes de traitement d'evenements complexes. Elle demontre l'interet des graphes en tant que representation abstraite et haut niveau dans un contexte applicatif comprenant de multiples solutions fragmentees. La quatrieme et derniere contribution reside dans le design d'un gestionnaire autonome apte a regenter tout systeme Machine-a-Machine se conformant au standard ETSI M2M. Elle illustre la methodologie relative a la correction par construction, mais egalement l'integration de la representation proposee a des approches multi-modeles incluant des problematiques de coherence interne. La faisabilite de l'approche est demontree experimentalement en s'appuyant sur une application de compteur intelligent pour la domotique.
Reliability of the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M) in high-functioning school-aged children and adolescents who have an acquired brain injury

Primary objective: To examine inter-rater, intra-rater and test–re-test reliability of the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M) and compare reliability in live vs videotape rating contexts for children with acquired brain injury (ABI). Research design: Repeated measures design. Methods and procedures: Seven physiotherapists (PTs) were trained as assessors. The primary assessor administered and scored baseline CB&M while the second assessor observed and scored independently (inter-rater reliability). Re-assessment occurred 3–10 days later by primary assessor (test–re-test reliability). Assessments were videotaped. Main outcomes and results: There were 32 participants with ABI (mean age = 14 years 1 month (SD = 2 years 1 month)). Baseline mean scores were 67.4% (18.2) and 66.7% (18.3) for primary and second assessor, respectively. Primary assessors’ re-test mean score was 69.3%. Inter-rater reliability ICC was 0.93 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87–0.97). Test–re-test ICC was 0.90 (95%CI = 0.81–0.95) and Bland-Altman plot indicated greatest test–re-test differences for mid-range CB&M scores. Minimum detectable change (MDC90) was 13.5% points. Conclusions: The CB&M showed excellent reliability in youth. Reliability was comparable for live and videotape rating approaches, meaning that the easier and less expensive live-rating can be recommended. Future work should focus on evaluation of responsiveness to change in rehabilitation centre and community intervention contexts.
An Analysis of the Impact of Real Effective Exchange Rate on Economic Growth of Nepal

This article is designed to assess the impact of real effective exchange rate (REER) on economic growth of Nepal. The study uses annual time series data for the period of 1975 to 2015. Engle- Granger residual based test and error correction model have been used to detect the impact of REER on real GDP of Nepal. The explanatory variables used in the study are real effective exchange rate, broad money supply, trade openness and gross fixed capital formation. The results of the study reveal that real effective exchange rate has positive impact on the real GDP of Nepal. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the transmission mechanism of REER through aggregate demand hold in case of Nepal and this result is compatible with the traditional approach to exchange rate. Finally, it is recommended that broad money supply continues to be relevant monetary policy for Nepal. Moreover, Nepal must use the real exchange rate as one of the macroeconomic policies. Pravaha Vol. 24, No. 1, 2018, page: 206-216
Communication skills training for oncology professionals.

PURPOSE To provide a state-of-the-art review of communication skills training (CST) that will guide the establishment of a universal curriculum for fellows of all cancer specialties undertaking training as oncology professionals today. METHODS Extensive literature review including meta-analyses of trials, conceptual models, techniques, and potential curricula provides evidence for the development of an appropriate curriculum and CST approach. Examples from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center CST program are incorporated. RESULTS A core curriculum embraces CST modules in breaking bad news and discussing unanticipated adverse events, discussing prognosis, reaching a shared treatment decision, responding to difficult emotions, coping with survivorship, running a family meeting, and transitioning to palliative care and end of life. Achievable outcomes are growth in clinician's self-efficacy, uptake of new communication strategies and skills, and transfer of these strategies and skills into the clinic. Outcomes impacting patient satisfaction, improved adaptation, and enhanced quality of life are still lacking. CONCLUSION Future communication challenges include genetic risk communication, concepts like watchful waiting, cumulative radiation risk, late effects of treatment, discussing Internet information and unproven therapies, phase I trial enrollment, and working as a multidisciplinary team. Patient benefits, such as increased treatment adherence and enhanced adaptation, need to be demonstrated from CST.
University-led innovation in and for peripheral urban areas: new approaches in Naples, Italy and Newark, NJ, US

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the spatial development problem of university-led innovation in peripheral urban areas. Highlighting issues of proximity, uneven geographic development, and multi-scalar urban governance as weaknesses of the regional innovation systems literature, we provide a novel synthesis of regional economics, innovation policy, and critical urban studies to assess the development roles of universities in concrete contexts. A comparative investigation of Naples and Newark, NJ captures the functional operation of regional innovation and urban development as a contested product of discourses, technologies (material and governance), and territorial arrangements. Our analysis demonstrates the significance of multi-scalar relationships in structuring innovation policy and practice in peripheral urban areas. The architecture of innovation is not simply rolled out into pre-determined spatial containers in places lacking established ‘institutional thickness’ or urban centrality. The spatial development of university-led innovation is a social product: material and governance infrastructures are essential components of the urban fabric and are essential to its co-constitution. Universities are shown to contribute differing resources dependent on their institutional strategic goals and the capacities and spatial imaginaries afforded to them by their situation in broader territorial governance regimes. We conclude by drawing comparative lessons and identifying directions for future research.
[Digital storage phosphor mammography in a magnification technic: experimental studies for spatial resolution and for detection of microcalcifications].

PURPOSE Since the routine use of storage phosphor systems for mammography has been limited by its inadequate spatial resolution of 5 linepairs/mm, a combination of a magnification mammography technique with storage phosphor plates was investigated to detect microcalcifications. MATERIAL AND METHODS A new mammography system with a microfocus tube using an anode of 0.05-0.12 mm allowed to obtain survey views of the breast with 1.7x magnification (m), and spot views with 4x magnification. The digital image receptor comprised a high resolution storage phosphor plate. To determine spatial resolution, contrast transfer curves were obtained, and the detection of microcalcifications was investigated by ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis. RESULTS Spatial resolution for digital survey views (m = 1.7) was 8 linepairs/mm and for spot views (m = 4) was 18 linepairs/mm. ROC analysis demonstrated a significantly higher performance of the digital magnification technique compared to the conventional screen-film mammography technique. CONCLUSIONS The limitations of digital mammography with respect to spatial resolution can be overcome by using a high magnification technique.
Study of differences in presentation, risk factors and management in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objectives: To compare clinical characteristics, treatment, and utilization of evidence-based medicines at discharge from hospital in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with or without diabetes at a tertiary care cardiac center in India. Methods: We performed an observational study in consecutive patients discharged following management of ACS. We obtained demographic details, comorbid conditions, and cardiovascular risk factors, physical and biochemical parameters, and management. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results: We enrolled 100 patients (diabetics = 28) with mean age of 59.0 ± 10.8 years (diabetics 59.3 ± 11.6, nondiabetics 58.9 ± 8.5). Forty-nine patients had ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (diabetics = 14, 28.7%) while 51 had nonSTEMI/unstable angina (diabetics = 14, 27.4%) (P = nonsignificant). Among diabetics versus nondiabetics there was greater prevalence (%) of hypertension (78.6% vs. 44.4%), obesity (25.0% vs. 8.3%), abdominal obesity (85.7% vs. 69.4%) and sedentary activity (89.2% vs. 77.8%), and lower prevalence of smoking/tobacco use (10.7% vs. 25.0%) (P < 0.05). In STEMI patients 28 (57.1%) were thrombolysed (diabetes 17.8% vs. 31.9%), percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) was in 67.8% diabetics versus 84.7% nondiabetics and coronary bypass surgery in 21.4% versus 8.3%. At discharge, in diabetics versus nondiabetics, there was similar use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (67.9% vs. 69.4%) and statins (100.0% vs. 98.6%) while use of dual antiplatelet therapy (85.7% vs. 95.8%) and beta-blockers (64.3% vs. 73.6%) was lower (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Diabetic patients with ACS have greater prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors (obesity, abdominal obesity, and hypertension) as compared to nondiabetic patients. Less diabetic patients undergo PCIs and receive lesser dual anti-platelet therapy and beta-blockers.
Vector incrimination of sand flies in the most important visceral leishmaniasis focus in Iran.

The prevalence, host preference, and rate of Leishmania spp. infection of sand fly species are important parameters for incrimination of parasite vectors. We applied polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods to detect Leishmania spp. parasites and blood meals within individual sand flies in the most important visceral leishmaniasis (VL) focus in northwestern Iran. Leishmania spp. minicircles (kinetoplast DNA) were found in 14 (0.9%) of 1,569 female specimens. Sequence analysis of 650 basepairs of an internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA gene identified L. infantum/L. donovani in 12 specimens and L. adleri-like parasites in 2 specimens. Nine (64.3%) of 14 of the Leishmania spp. -positive sand flies were Phlebotomus perfeliewi transcaucasicus. Blood meal identification of host DNA within sand flies by PCR-based and ELISA methods showed that 30% and 28%, respectively, were positive for human blood. Results of this study showed that P. perfeliewi transcaucasicus is the most prevalent, infected, and anthropophagic sand fly and plays a major role in VL transmission in the region studied.