Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An execution environment for flexible task-oriented software on multicore systems

The article addresses the challenges of software development for current and future parallel computers, which are expected to be dominated by multicore and many-core architectures. Using these multicore processors for cluster systems will create systems with thousands of cores and deep memory hierarchies. To efficiently exploit the tremendous parallelism of these hardware platforms, a new generation of programming methodologies is needed. This article proposes a parallel programming methodology exploiting a task-based representation of application software. For the specification of task-based programs, a coordination language is presented, which uses external variables to express the cooperation between tasks. For the actual execution of a task-based program on a specific parallel architecture, different dynamic scheduling algorithms embedded into an execution environment are introduced. Runtime experiments for complex methods from a numerical analysis are performed on different parallel execution platforms.
Frequency response of an atomic force microscope in liquids and air: Magnetic versus acoustic excitation

modulation AFM, a sharp probe is excited at a fixed frequency, usually near or at the first flexural resonance frequency while the probe is scanned in a raster fashion across the sample surface. The probe-surface interaction forces lead to a reduction of the amplitude of the oscillation from its free value. In the imaging mode, the amplitude reduction is used as a feedback parameter to map the topography of the surface. Two different cantilever driving methods are currently in use: mechanical also know as acoustic 5‐7 and magnetic. 8‐10
Rous Sarcoma Virus DR Posttranscriptional Elements Use a Novel RNA Export Pathway

ABSTRACT Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), a simple retrovirus, needs to export unspliced viral RNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, circumventing the host cell restriction on cytoplasmic expression of intron-containing RNA. The cytoplasmic accumulation of full-length viral RNA is promoted by two cis-acting direct repeat (DR) elements that flank the src gene; at least one copy of the DR sequence is necessary for viral replication. We show here that the DR mediates export of a reporter construct from the nucleus, suggesting it is a constitutive transport element (CTE). In contrast, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and other complex retroviruses encode accessory proteins, Rev or Rex, which promote export of incompletely spliced viral transcripts. This RNA export pathway is CRM1 dependent and can be blocked by the cytotoxic agent leptomycin B. We show here that DR-mediated export is CRM1 independent, suggesting that RSV uses a different export pathway from that of HIV-1 and other complex retroviruses. The simian retroviruses have a CTE which interacts with the cellular Tap export protein. However, we were unable to detect binding of the RSV DR RNA to Tap, suggesting it may use a different export pathway from that of the simian retroviruses. These data suggest that the RSV DR element uses a novel nucleocytoplasmic export pathway.
The role of serotonin in the antidyskinetic effects of deep brain stimulation: focus on antipsychotic-induced motor symptoms

Abstract Treatment with the classic antipsychotic drugs (APDs), such as haloperidol (HAL), is associated with both acute and chronic motor side effects. Acutely, these drugs may induce extrapyramidal symptoms, whereas a prolonged treatment may result in tardive dyskinesia (TD). Atypical antipsychotics have a lower incidence of motor side effects, which have been partially ascribed to the antagonism of serotonin (5-HT) receptors. Although there is currently no satisfactory pharmacotherapy for TD, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a promising therapy. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain largely unknown. DBS has been shown to affect several neurotransmitter systems, including 5-HT. In this review, we outline the involvement of 5-HT in the development of HAL-induced catalepsy and TD. We also discuss the evidence for DBS-induced alterations in 5-HT function and the relevance of serotonergic alterations to the antidyskinetic effects of DBS. The evidence suggests that the serotonergic mechanisms may be involved in the acute and chronic motor side effects of APDs as well as in adverse psychiatric effects that have been reported following DBS. However, the current evidence suggests that 5-HT alterations do not play an important role in the effectiveness of DBS in models of dyskinesias induced by chronic APDs.
Comparative proteome approach to characterize the high‐pressure stress response of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis DSM 20451T

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) exerts diverse effects on microorganisms, leading to stress response and cell death. While inactivation of microorganisms by lethal HHP is well investigated in the context of food preservation and the hygienic safety of minimal food processes, sublethal HHP stress response and its effect on adaptation and cross‐protection is less understood. In this study, the HHP stress response of Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis was characterized and compared with cold, heat, salt, acid and starvation stress at the proteome level by using 2‐DE so as to provide insight into general versus specific stress responses. Sixteen proteins were found to be affected by HHP and were identified by using N‐terminal amino acid sequencing and MS. Only one slightly increased protein was specific to the HHP response and showed homology to a clp protease. The other proteins were influenced by most of the investigated stresses in a similar way as HHP. The highest similarity in the HHP proteome was found to be with cold‐ and NaCl‐stressed cells, with 11 overlapping proteins. At the proteome level, L. sanfranciscensis appears to use overlapping subsets of stress‐inducible proteins rather than stereotype responses. Our data suggest that a specific pressure response does not exist in this bacteria.
Integration of a Low-Profile, Long-Term Evolution/Wireless Wide Area Network Monopole Antenna into the Metal Frame of Tablet Computers

This paper proposes an eight-band long-term evolution (LTE)/wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna design. The proposed antenna is <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$60 \times 7$ </tex-math></inline-formula> mm<sup>2</sup> in size, and covered all dual broadband operations at 698–960 MHz and 1710–2690 MHz in the LTE/WWAN bands of LTE700/GSM850/DCS/PCS/1900/UMTS/LTE2300/2500. The proposed antenna is a monopole antenna comprising strip 1, strip 2, and the shorting strip. The space used to allocate the antenna and the metal components surrounding the antenna (e.g., the ground plane and the metal frame) was incorporated into the design. The resonant modes of the antenna are excited, as well as those of the slot used to allocate the antenna. The proposed antenna is characterized by seamless integration with the surrounding metal components and its wide operating bandwidths in a small size with excellent antenna efficiency. The antenna efficiency of the proposed design ranged 51%–72% at low frequencies and 50%–67% at high frequencies, which complied with the basic antenna efficiency demand of 50%.
Prevalence of dental erosion and association with lifestyle factors in Swedish 20-year olds

Abstract Objective. To investigate the prevalence, distribution and severity of dental erosion and its association with lifestyle, oral and general health in young adults. Materials and methods. Four hundred and ninety-four individuals, 20-years of age, participated. Dental erosion in molars and maxillary incisors was evaluated. Caries, plaque and gingivitis were registered. Saliva samples were taken and the subjects were interviewed about behavioural and dietary habits and oral and general health. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The individuals were sub-divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of dental erosion: within the group with erosion was a sub-group of individuals with extensive erosion. Results. Of the individuals 25% had no erosion, 75% had erosion and 18% had extensive erosion. Erosion was found in molars in 74% of the individuals and on buccal and palatal surfaces in maxillary incisors in 4% and 7%, respectively. Cupping was seen in 65% of individuals and severe erosion in molars in 1.6%. Compared to subjects with no erosion, those with extensive erosion had a higher consumption of soft drinks (p = 0.05), caries prevalence (p < 0.01), prevalence of mutans Streptococci (p < 0.01) and BMI (p < 0.05). Furthermore, subjects with erosion had higher caries prevalence (p < 0.01) and BMI (p < 0.01) than those with no erosion. Conclusions. Swedish young adults have a high prevalence of dental erosion, but the level of severe erosion is low. The study disclosed a relationship between dental erosion and behavioural factors, oral health and BMI.
Body mass index, metabolic syndrome, and risk of type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.

CONTEXT Metabolic risk conferred by adiposity may be due to associated risk factor clustering. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess risk for diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD) stratified by body mass index (BMI) and the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) or insulin resistance (IR). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This was a community-based, longitudinal study of 2902 people (55% women, mean age 53 yr) without diabetes or CVD in 1989-1992 followed for up to 11 yr. We categorized subjects by normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m(2)), or obese (>30 kg/m(2)) and by the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel MetS or the top quartile of homeostasis model IR. We used proportional hazard models to estimate risk relative to normal weight and no MetS or IR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Incident type 2 diabetes (treatment or fasting glucose > or = 7 mmol/liter, 141 events) or CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, or claudication, 252 events) were measured. RESULTS Among 1056 normal-weight subjects, 7% had MetS and a risk factor-adjusted relative risk for diabetes of 3.97 (95% confidence interval, 1.35-11.6) and for CVD of 3.01 (1.68-5.41). Among 638 obese subjects, 37% did not have MetS or significantly increased risk. Obese subjects with MetS had an adjusted relative risk for diabetes of 10.3 (5.44-19.5) and for CVD of 2.13 (1.43-3.18). Results were similar in analyses of BMI-IR categories. CONCLUSIONS People with normal weight and MetS or IR or with obesity but no MetS or IR were not uncommon in our sample. Risk factor clustering or IR appear to confer much of the risk for diabetes or CVD commonly associated with elevated BMI.
Blazed Nanostructure Gratings for Electron and Atom Diffraction

Nanofabricated transmission gratings for electron diffraction are now available [1, 2] and may serve as coherent beam splitters for electron interferometry just as they already do for atom interferometry. For electron beams with kinetic energy less than 10 keV, nanostructures offer several advantages over solid crystal gratings, for example larger transmission, less inelastic scattering, and the possibility of engineering blazed diffraction gratings. Blazed gratings enhance the intensity of a particular diffraction order, and can be used to make more efficient beam splitters for interferometry. To design a blazed nanostructure grating, we must first understand and then control the phase shifts for matter waves that are caused by interactions with the nanostructure. To learn how different interactions (e.g. image charge or van der Waals potentials) affect the design, here we compare electron and atom diffraction from similar nanostructures. With simulations we show how phase shifts can lead to asymmetric diffraction patterns, and we present electron and atom diffraction data that supports this theory.
Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration technique: application and interpretation

Economic analysis suggests that there is a long run relationship between variables under consideration as stipulated by theory. This means that the long run relationship properties are intact. In other words, the means and variances are constant and not depending on time. However, most empirical researches have shown that the constancy of the means and variances are not satisfied in analyzing time series variables. In the event of resolving this problem most cointegration techniques are wrongly applied, estimated, and interpreted. One of these techniques is the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration technique or bound cointegration technique. Hence, this study reviews the issues surrounding the way cointegration techniques are applied, estimated and interpreted within the context of ARDL cointegration framework. The study shows that the adoption of the ARDL cointegration technique does not require pretests for unit roots unlike other techniques. Consequently, ARDL cointegration technique is preferable when dealing with variables that are integrated of different order, I(0), I(1) or combination of the both and, robust when there is a single long run relationship between the underlying variables in a small sample size. The long run relationship of the underlying variables is detected through the F-statistic (Wald test). In this approach, long run relationship of the series is said to be established when the Fstatistic exceeds the critical value band. The major advantage of this approach lies in its identification of the cointegrating vectors where there are multiple cointegrating vectors. However, this technique will crash in the presence of integrated stochastic trend of I(2). To forestall effort in futility, it may be advisable to test for unit roots, though not as a necessary condition. Based on forecast and policy stance, there is need to explore the necessary conditions that give rise to ARDL cointegration technique in order to avoid its wrongful application, estimation, and interpretation. If the conditions are not followed, it may lead to model misspecification and inconsistent and unrealistic estimates with its implication on forecast and policy. However, this paper cannot claim to have treated the underlying issues in their greatest details, but have endeavoured to provide sufficient insight into the issues surrounding ARDL cointegration technique to young practitioners to enable them to properly apply, estimate, and interpret; in addition to following discussions of the issues in some more advanced texts.
Development of a smartphone application for the objective detection of attentional deficits in delirium

ABSTRACT Background: Delirium is an acute, severe deterioration in mental functioning. Inattention is the core feature, yet there are few objective methods for assessing attentional deficits in delirium. We previously developed a novel, graded test for objectively detecting inattention in delirium, implemented on a computerized device (Edinburgh Delirium Test Box (EDTB)). Although the EDTB is effective, tests on universally available devices have potential for greater impact. Here we assessed feasibility and validity of the DelApp, a smartphone application based on the EDTB. Methods: This was a preliminary case-control study in hospital inpatients (aged 60–96 years) with delirium (N = 50), dementia (N = 52), or no cognitive impairment (N = 54) who performed the DelApp assessment, which comprises an arousal assessment followed by counting of lights presented serially. Delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method and Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98), and cognition with conventional tests of attention (e.g. digit span) and the short Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test (OMCT). Results: DelApp scores (maximum score = 10) were lower in delirium (scores (median(IQR)): 6 (4–7)) compared to dementia (10 (9–10)) and control groups (10 (10–10), p-values < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses revealed excellent accuracy of the DelApp for discriminating delirium from dementia (AUC = 0.93), and delirium from controls (AUC = 0.99, p-values < 0.001). DelApp and DRS-R98 severity scores were moderately well correlated (Kendall's tau = −0.60, p < 0.001). OMCT scores did not differ between delirium and dementia. Conclusions: The DelApp test showed good performance, supporting the utility of objectively measuring attention in delirium assessment. This study provides evidence of the feasibility of using a smartphone test for attentional assessment in hospital inpatients with possible delirium, with potential applications in research and clinical practice.
Object recognition impairment in Fmr1 knockout mice is reversed by amphetamine: involvement of dopamine in the medial prefrontal cortex

Fragile X syndrome is an X-linked form of mental retardation including, among others, symptoms such as stereotypic behaviour, hyperactivity, hyperarousal, and cognitive deficits. We hypothesized that hyperactivity and/or compromised attentional, cognitive functions may lead to impaired performance in cognitive tasks in Fmr1 knockout mice, the most widely used animal model of fragile X syndrome, and suggested that psychostimulant treatment may improve performance by acting on one or both components. Since hyperactivity and cognitive functions have been suggested to depend on striatal and prefrontal cortex dopaminergic dysfunction, we assessed whether amphetamine produced beneficial, positive effects by acting on dopaminergic corticostriatal systems. Our results show that Fmr1 knockout mice are not able to discriminate between a familiar object and a novel one in the object recognition test, thus showing a clear-cut cognitive impairment that, to date, has been difficult to demonstrate in other cognitive tasks. Amphetamine improved performance of Fmr1 knockout mice, leading to enhanced ability to discriminate novel versus familiar objects, without significantly affecting locomotor activity. In agreement with behavioural data, amphetamine produced a greater increase in dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex of Fmr1 knockout compared with the wild-type mice, while a weak striatal dopaminergic response was observed in Fmr1 knockout mice. Our data support the view that the psychostimulant ameliorates performance in Fmr1 knockout mice by improving merely cognitive functions through its action on prefrontal cortical dopamine, irrespective of its action on motor hyperactivity. These results indicate that prefrontal cortical dopamine plays a major role in cognitive impairments characterizing Fmr1 knockout mice, thus pointing to an important aetiological factor in the fragile X syndrome.
Out of the darkness: the impact of a mood disorder over time

Objective: Being diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder has a significant impact on an individual’s life. This paper reports data examining how patients view having had such a condition. Method: Patients attending the Black Dog Institute Depression Clinic were asked to complete questionnaires examining the impact of being diagnosed with a mood disorder and dealing with that condition over time. Results: Patient responses were analysed qualitatively (in terms of positive, negative and neutral responses) and their quantitative distribution was examined. Themes were relatively consistent across unipolar and bipolar patients. Negative themes included family and work consequences, social impairment and a loss of self-confidence. Positive themes included the development of stronger familial bonds, the provision of relief and hope, positive treatment outcomes and the explanatory benefits of receiving a diagnosis. Conclusions: Findings indicate quite contrasting courses reported by patients with mood disorders (irrespective of polarity), ranging from negative to very positive evaluations.
Congenital Insensitivity to Pain With Anhidrosis: Lack of Eccrine Sweat Gland Innervation Confirmed

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Putative Cancer Chemopreventive Agents of Dietary Origin—How Safe Are They?

Abstract As cancer chemopreventive agents are intended for use by healthy individuals as prophylactics to prevent or retard the development of cancer, they must be amenable to ingestion over prolonged periods without toxicity. Therefore, putative chemopreventive agents need to undergo stringent testing to ensure their safety with regard to chronic exposure in humans. The diet is thought to be a source of chemopreventive agents, and dietary compounds are generally considered to be of low hazard, albeit this notion has not often been put to the test. Here the safety information available for 5 dietary putative chemopreventive compounds, indole-3-carbinol (I3C), curcumin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and capsaicin is reviewed. For these agents, normal dietary intake, doses used in clinical trials, efficacious doses in rodents, and where available, toxic doses are compared. For curcumin, quercetin and capsaicin, toxicological data is only available from studies in rodents. Information on long-term effects in animals beyond 28 or 90 days is lacking for EGCG. Capsaicin and quercetin are suspected carcinogens. I3C and quercetin can modulate the absorption of other drugs given concomitantly. Without further investigation of their toxicology, it is difficult to recommend any of these agents for long-term use in the healthy population.
The Products of the spoVA Operon Are Involved in Dipicolinic Acid Uptake into Developing Spores of Bacillus subtilis

ABSTRACT Bacillus subtilis cells with mutations in the spoVA operon do not complete sporulation. However, a spoVA strain with mutations that remove all three of the spore’s functional nutrient germinant receptors (termed the ger3 mutations) or the cortex lytic enzyme SleB (but not CwlJ) did complete sporulation. ger3 spoVA and sleB spoVA spores lack dipicolinic acid (DPA) and have lower core wet densities and levels of wet heat resistance than wild-type or ger3 spores. These properties of ger3 spoVA and sleB spoVA spores are identical to those of ger3 spoVF and sleB spoVF spores that lack DPA due to deletion of the spoVF operon coding for DPA synthetase. Sporulation in the presence of exogenous DPA restored DPA levels in ger3 spoVF spores to 53% of the wild-type spore levels, but there was no incorporation of exogenous DPA into ger3 spoVA spores. These data indicate that one or more products of the spoVA operon are involved in DPA transport into the developing forespore during sporulation.