Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ET-A Receptor Activity Restrains Coronary Blood Flow in the Failing Heart

Circulating levels of the potent vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) are increased in congestive heart failure (CHF). Coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) are decreased in some models of CHF. This study tested the hypothesis that ET-1 induced coronary vasoconstriction limits oxygen availability in the failing heart. The effects of selective ET-A receptor blockade with BQ610 (5 μg/min, intracoronary) and selective ET-B receptor blockade with BQ788 (5 μg/min, intracoronary) on coronary blood flow were examined at rest and during graded treadmill exercise in 8 dogs in which congestive heart failure (CHF) had been produced by rapid ventricular pacing for three to four weeks. In animals with CHF, ET-B receptor blockade caused no change in left ventricular (LV) pressure or coronary blood flow. In contrast, ET-A blockade with BQ610 resulted in modest significant increases of coronary blood flow at rest (from 22.4 ± 2.1 to 27.9 ± 3.0 mL/min) and during two exercise stages (from 26.9 ± 2.0 to 30.7 ± 1.9 during stage 1 exercise and from 28.5 ± 2.0 to 31.7 ± 1.3 mL/min during stage 2; all P < 0.05), with an upward shift in the relationship between coronary flow and rate-pressure product. The increase in coronary flow produced by ET-A blockade was not associated with an increase of either myocardial oxygen uptake or LV dP/dt. Thus, although ET-A receptor blockade caused a modest increase in coronary flow, this did not result in an increase of MVO2, implying that ET-A-mediated coronary vasoconstriction did not limit oxygen uptake by the failing heart.
Comparison of Two Image and Inertial Sensor Fusion Techniques for Navigation in Unmapped Environments

To enable navigation of miniature aerial vehicles (MAVs) with a low-quality inertial measurement unit (IMU), external sensors are typically fused with the information generated by the low-quality IMU. Most commercial systems for MAVs currently fuse GPS measurements with IMU information to navigate the MAV. However there are many scenarios in which an MAV might prove useful, but GPS is not available (e.g., indoors, urban terrain, etc.). Therefore several approaches have recently been introduced that couple information from an IMU with visual information (usually captured by an electro-optical camera). In general the methods for fusing visual information with an IMU utilizes one of two techniques: 1) applying rigid body constraints on where landmarks should appear in a set of two images (constraint-based fusion) or 2) simultaneously estimating the location of features that are observed by the camera (mapping) and the location of the camera (simultaneous localization and mapping-SLAM-based fusion). While each technique has some nuances associated with its implementation in a true MAV environment (i.e., computational requirements, real-time implementation, feature tracking, etc.), this paper focuses solely on answering the question "Which fusion technique (constraint- or SLAM-based) enables more accurate long-term MAV navigation? " To answer this question, specific implementations of a constraint- and SLAM-based fusion technique, with novel modifications for improved results on MAVs, are described. A basic simulation environment is used to perform a comparison of the constraint- and SLAM-based fusion methods. We demonstrate the superiority of SLAM-based techniques in specific MAV flight scenarios and discuss the relative weaknesses and strengths of each fusion approach.
Influence of Trisodium Phosphate on the Survival of Salmonella on Turkey Carcasses

Combating Salmonella in the environment is a difficult problem for those involved in livestock and food production. Table poultry are one of the main reservoirs of Salmonella. Contamination with Salmonella of up to 7% has been found in slaughter chickens immediately after stunning, while this figure has been observed to rise even to 48% in chickens prior to chilling (Mikolajczyk & Radkowski 2002a, 2002b). Despite numerous attempts to avoid secondary contamination by Salmonella on the slaughter line and during processing, there is an ongoing search for methods of rendering these bacteria harmless.
EZH2 and KDM6A Act as an Epigenetic Switch to Regulate Mesenchymal Stem Cell Lineage Specification

The methyltransferase, Enhancer of Zeste homology 2 (EZH2), trimethylates histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) on chromatin and this repressive mark is removed by lysine demethylase 6A (KDM6A). Loss of these epigenetic modifiers results in developmental defects. We demonstrate that Ezh2 and Kdm6a transcript levels change during differentiation of multipotential human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Enforced expression of Ezh2 in MSC promoted adipogenic in vitro and inhibited osteogenic differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo, whereas Kdm6a inhibited adipogenesis in vitro and promoted osteogenic differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of EZH2 activity and knockdown of Ezh2 gene expression in human MSC resulted in decreased adipogenesis and increased osteogenesis. Conversely, knockdown of Kdm6a gene expression in MSC leads to increased adipogenesis and decreased osteogenesis. Both Ezh2 and Kdm6a were shown to affect expression of master regulatory genes involved in adipogenesis and osteogenesis and H3K27me3 on the promoters of master regulatory genes. These findings demonstrate an important epigenetic switch centered on H3K27me3 which dictates MSC lineage determination. Stem Cells 2014;32:802–815
8-inch wafer-scale HfOx-based RRAM for 1S-1R cross-point memory applications

In this paper, a bipolar resistive random access memory (RRAM) device with a fab-friendly materials stack (TiN/Ti/HfO2/TiN) and process in a via-hole substrate with 200 nm cell size was successfully demonstrated on an 8-inch wafer scale. Furthermore, the robust device characteristics with reliable switching uniformity and stability were experimentally confirmed at the wafer level. Finally, from the standpoint of array architecture, the fabricated memory cell was evaluated with various selector devices such as a conventional silicon-based transistor and a newly developed tunneling-based diode device.
Interventions to prevent occupational noise-induced hearing loss: A Cochrane systematic review

Abstract Objective: To assess the effectiveness of interventions for preventing occupational noise exposure or hearing loss compared to no intervention or alternative interventions. Design: We searched biomedical databases up to 25 January 2012 for randomized controlled trials (RCT), controlled before-after studies and interrupted time-series of hearing loss prevention among workers exposed to noise. Study sample: We included 19 studies with 82 794 participants evaluating effects of hearing loss prevention programs (HLPP). The overall quality of studies was low to very low, as rated using the GRADE approach. Results: One study of stricter legislation showed a favorable effect on noise levels. Three studies, of which two RCTs, did not find an effect of a HLPP. Four studies showed that better use of hearing protection devices in HLPPs decreased the risk of hearing loss. In four other studies, workers in a HLPP still had a 0.5 dB greater hearing loss at 4 kHz (95% CI − 0.5 to 1.7) than non-exposed workers. In two similar studies there was a substantial risk of hearing loss in spite of a HLPP. Conclusions: Stricter enforcement of legislation and better implementation of HLPPs can reduce noise levels in workplaces. Better evaluations of technical interventions and long-term effects are needed.
The Unified Modeling Language: An inquiry into current practices and user perceptions

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) has become the de facto standard for systems development and has been promoted as a technology that will help solve some of the longstanding problems in the software industry. However, there is still little empirical evidence supporting the claim that UML is an effective approach to modeling software systems. Indeed, there is much anecdotal evidence suggesting the contrary, i.e. that UML is overly complex, inconsistent, incomplete and difficult to learn. This paper describes an investigation into the adoption and use of UML in the software development community. A web-based survey was conducted eliciting responses from users of UML throughout the world. Results indicate a wide diversity of opinion regarding UML, reflecting the relative immaturity of the technology as well as the controversy over its effectiveness. This paper discusses the results of the survey and charts the course for future research in UML usage.
Quasi-linear model reference tracking control of approaching non-cooperative target based on direct parametric control

In this paper, a robust integrated translation and rotation tracking controller is proposed base on model reference tracking of quasi-linear system and direct parametric control approach for approaching non-cooperative target under the presence of parameter uncertainty. A tracking controller is provided in quasi-linear framework, which consists of the feedback stabilizing controller and the feed-froward compensator controller such that relative location between servicing spacecraft and target and relative attitude between chaser and the Earth can asymptotically tracking the given signal, the servicing spacecraft can observe the operating state or determine the fault point hovering on the non-cooperative target, further the integrative thruster layout is taking into account. A numerical simulation demonstrates the effect of the designed control strategy.
Pharmacological Management of Sedation and Delirium in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients: Remaining Evidence Gaps and Controversies

Abstract Although pharmacotherapy remains the mainstay for the prevention and treatment of pain, anxiety, and delirium (PAD) in the intensive care unit (ICU), many of the PAD-related medications currently used may lead to unintended consequences, particularly when these agents are administered at excessive doses for prolonged periods. The method by which these medications are administered and titrated is increasingly being recognized as potentially affecting patient outcomes as much as the drug itself. Drugs once thought to have a pharmacologically desirable profile in reducing PAD have been shown to have either little benefit, the potential for significant risk associated with any benefit, or in some cases, the potential to worsen patient outcome. The recently published American College of Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) Pain, Agitation, and Delirium Clinical Practice Guidelines provide 12 medication-related recommendations surrounding the prevention and treatment of PAD. This paper (1) provides the ICU bedside clinician with more background on the most important, and in some cases most contentious and challenging areas, of sedation and delirium pharmacotherapy in the critical care setting; (2) provides an update on the most recent evidence surrounding the prevention and treatment of agitation and delirium in ICU; and (3) highlights areas that require further investigation and provide practical strategies by which to apply current evidence in this area to daily ICU practice.
Target detection in clutter for sonar imagery

This proposal is a direct response to Challenge 22: Target detection in clutter. The Oceans Systems laboratory have a large experience in Target Detection and Classification in high resolution sonar imagery using a variety of techniques based on target responses and highlight shadow pairs[1,2,3]. Experiments on real scenarios show that these techniques work well in benign environments (flat and small ripples seabed) but deteriorate dramatically in complex scenarios[4]. Our experience with seabed classification based on 2D textures [5,6] also highlights that targets, even in complex cases, can appear as local outliers in the texture field. Examples of such scenarios and associated detections are shown below:
Werner's syndrome protein (WRN) migrates Holliday junctions and co‐localizes with RPA upon replication arrest

Individuals affected by the autosomal recessive disorder Werner's syndrome (WS) develop many of the symptoms characteristic of premature ageing. Primary fibroblasts cultured from WS patients exhibit karyotypic abnormalities and a reduced replicative life span. The WRN gene encodes a 3′–5′ DNA helicase, and is a member of the RecQ family, which also includes the product of the Bloom's syndrome gene (BLM). In this work, we show that WRN promotes the ATP‐dependent translocation of Holliday junctions, an activity that is also exhibited by BLM. In cells arrested in S‐phase with hydroxyurea, WRN localizes to discrete nuclear foci that coincide with those formed by the single‐stranded DNA binding protein replication protein A. These results are consistent with a model in which WRN prevents aberrant recombination events at sites of stalled replication forks by dissociating recombination intermediates.
Probabilistic Forecasting of Photovoltaic Generation: An Efficient Statistical Approach

A novel efficient probabilistic forecasting approach is proposed to accurately quantify the variability and uncertainty of the power production from photovoltaic (PV) systems. Distinguished from most existing models, a linear programming-based prediction interval construction model for PV power generation is established based on an extreme learning machine and quantile regression, featuring high reliability and computational efficiency. The proposed approach is validated through the numerical studies on PV data from Denmark.
Evaluation of genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium in Korean- bred rice varieties using SSR markers

Background : In order to evaluate the variation among different rice types, the genetic diversity in a rice collection composed by 59 breeding lines, 23 landraces, 18 weedy rice lines, and 35 introduced lines that collected from countries worldwide was analyzed using 134 simple sequence repeat markers. Results : In total, 1264 alleles were identified (average, 9.43 per locus). Rare alleles made up a large portion (58.4%) of the detected alleles, and 29 unique alleles associated with rice accessions were also discovered. A model-based structural analysis revealed the presence of three subpopulations. The genetic relationships revealed by the neighbor-joining tree method were fairly consistent with the structure-based membership assignments for most of the accessions. A total of 105 accessions (79.5%) showed a clear relationship to each cluster, while the remaining 27 accessions (20.5%) were categorized as admixtures. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns and distributions are of fundamental importance for genome-wide association mapping. The mean r 2 value for all intrachromosomal loci pairs was 0.1286. The LD between linked markers decreased with the genetic distance between pairs of linked loci. Conclusions: These results will provide an effective aid for future allele mining, association genetics, mapping and cloning gene(s), germplasm conservation, and improvement programs.
Calibration of credibility of agnostic genome‐wide associations

Genome‐wide testing platforms are increasingly used to promote “agnostic” approaches to the discovery of gene variants associated with the risk of many common diseases and quantitative traits. The early track record of genome‐wide association (GWA) studies suggests that some proposed associations are replicated quite consistently with large‐scale subsequent evidence from multiple studies, others have a more inconsistent replication record, some have failed to be replicated by independent investigators and many more early proposed associations await further replication. An important question is how to calibrate the credibility of these postulated associations. A simple Bayesian method is applied here to achieve such calibration. The variability of the estimated credibility is examined under different assumptions. Empirical examples are drawn from existing GWA studies. It is demonstrated that the credibility of different proposed associations can cover a very wide range. The credibility of specific associations usually remains relatively robust when different plausible assumptions are made (within a reasonable range) for the prior odds of an association being true, or the magnitude of the anticipated effect size for genetic associations. Heterogeneity and bias assumptions can have a more major impact on the credibility estimates and thus they need very careful consideration in each case. Credibility calibration may be used in conjunction with qualitative criteria for the appraisal of the cumulative evidence that take into consideration the amount, consistency, and protection from bias in the data. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hemophilus influenzae meningitis. Is prophylaxis indicated?

Introduction There is no uniformity of opinion in pediatric circles concerning chemoprophylaxis of young children after intimate exposure to Hemophilus influenzae meningitis. The standard pediatric texts 1-3 offer no comment on this point, nor is there any mention of it in numerous reviews of bacterial meningitis. 4-7 A symposium on chemoprophylaxis of infection by Petersdorf 8 does not discuss this illness. In 3 major texts of infectious diseases, 9-11 there is a variation in emphasis on prophylaxis of H. influenzae disease. Krugman and Ward 9 state that prophylaxis is unnecessary, Top 10 makes no comment, but Stimson and Hodes 11 recommend prophylaxis. Since at present over 90% of deaths from H. influenzae meningitis occur under the age of 1 year, even though only 50% of the cases occur by this age, it is evident that this young age group should be managed differently from the older group. This paper will
Rapid evaluation of platelet function using the Multiplate® Analyzer

Abstract Rapid evaluation of platelet function may be advantageous in the setting of surgical and interventional procedures to tailor treatment of ongoing bleeding. We investigated if platelet function testing performed with the Multiplate® Analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) only 5 minutes after blood sampling yields reliable test results compared to analyses performed 30 minutes after sampling as currently recommended. We included 48 patients with type II diabetes and stable coronary artery disease treated with aspirin 75 mg daily and 50 healthy individuals not taking any medications. Platelet aggregometry by the Multiplate® Analyzer was performed 5 and 30 minutes after blood sampling using arachidonic acid (1.0 mM), collagen (3.2 µg/ml) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP; 6.5 µM) as agonists. Compliance with aspirin was verified by serum thromboxane B2 measurements. Aggregation levels assessed 5 minutes after blood sampling correlated strongly with those assessed after 30 minutes irrespective of the agonist used (r-values 0.75–0.89, p values <0.0001). Aggregation levels were 4–8% lower and displayed a larger standard deviation when measured 5 minutes after sampling, compared to 30 minutes after sampling. Weak, but significant correlations were observed between platelet aggregation and platelet count (r-values = 0.28–0.39; p values <0.01). The currently recommended 30-minute standing time can be omitted, when platelet aggregation is measured using the Multiplate® Analyzer. Platelet aggregation measured 5 minutes after blood sampling correlates strongly with aggregation measured 30 minutes after sampling, but yields slightly lower aggregation levels. The Multiplate® Analyzer enables rapid on-site evaluation of platelet function.
Human Liver-Specific Nanocarrier in a Novel Mouse Xenograft Model Bearing Noncancerous Human Liver Tissue

For the targeted delivery of genes and drugs to the human liver, hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope L particles, which form hollow nanoparticles and display a peptide that is indispensable for liver-specific infection by HBV in humans, should be a useful tool. To test the efficacy of these particles in vivo, in the present study we generated a small animal model harboring a functional human liver tissue xenograft. An anti-asialo GM1 antibody was administered to SCID mice to induce the depletion of natural-killer-cell-dependent immune responsibility and then the mice underwent transplantation of a noncancerous liver tissue originating in humans into the kidney capsule. Interestingly, human liver tissues were engrafted in 58% of the animals at least for 14 days shown by a human hepatocyte-specific antibody. The engineered HBV nanoparticles which contained fluorescent chemicals could selectively bind to the xenograft in these immune-deficient mice when they were administered systemically. These results suggested that the model animal was usable to demonstrate the efficacy of the nanoparticles that could deliver chemicals specific to the normal human liver tissue by systemic administration, which will facilitate the study of human liver cell biology, drug metabolism and infections with hepatotropic viruses.
Photonic Implementation of Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity and Learning Algorithms of Biological Neural Systems

The neurobiological learning algorithm, spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP), is demonstrated in a simple photonic system using the cooperative nonlinear effects of cross gain modulation and nonlinear polarization rotation, and supervised and unsupervised learning using photonic neuron principles are examined. An STDP-based supervised learning scheme is presented which is capable of mimicking a desirable spike pattern through learning and adaptation. Furthermore, unsupervised learning is illustrated by a principal component analysis system operating under similar learning rules. Finally, a photonic-distributed processing network capable of STDP-based unsupervised learning is theoretically explored.
Changes in fecal microflora induced by intubation of mice with Bacillus subtilis (natto) spores are dependent upon dietary components.

We examined changes in mouse fecal microflora after various dietary components and Bacillus subtilis (natto) spores were delivered by intubation. The administration of intact spores of Bacillus subtilis (natto) did not affect fecal Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus spp. in all three diet groups; on the other hand, it did affect fecal Bacteroidaceae and Lactobacillus spp. , depending upon the diets fed. The administration of autoclaved spores did not alter fecal microflora. In vitro cultures of Lactobacillus murinus obtained from mouse feces, together with Bacillus subtilis (natto) under aerobic conditions as a mixed culture, revealed that the growth of L. murinus was enhanced by the addition of intact spores of Bacillus subtilis (natto). This enhancement of growth was displayed only in media containing either sucrose, glucose, maltose, or fructose but not in media containing cornstarch, soluble starch, or microcrystalline cellulose. From these results it was evident that some metabolites of Bacillus subtilis (natto) produced during germination and (or) outgrowth of spores of this strain, requiring monosaccharides or oligosaccharides, participated in the enhancement of the growth of L. murinus.
Wealth effect of technological innovations on supply chains: An event study

The study conducted by the authors analyzed economic parameters related to the supply chain, in other words, test the wealth impact of the foundry that announce technology innovations (TI). And further, two key topics are including: the first one is the immediate impact of TI on the foundry¿s return on stock price, and the second one is its subsequent impacts on its partners on the supply chain. The results indicate that the immediate impacts of TI on foundry¿s return on stock price. As well as, on average, announcements of technology innovation are associated with positive excess returns. And the economic worth impacts had a relatively short time interval which is from (-10; 10) to (-2; 2) due to the technology transience over the industry.