Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adult mice transplanted with embryonic retinal progenitor cells: New approach for repairing damaged optic nerves

Purpose Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and optic nerve degeneration are complex processes whose underlying molecular mechanisms are only vaguely understood. Treatments commonly used for optic nerve degeneration have little long-term value and only prolong degeneration. Recent advances in stem cell replacement therapy offer new ways to overcome RGC loss by transferring healthy cells into eyes of afflicted individuals. However, studies on stem cell replacement for optic nerve degeneration are hampered by limitations of the available animal models, especially genetic models. We have developed a mouse model in which RGCs are genetically ablated in adult mice with subsequent degeneration of the optic nerve. In the study reported here, we used this model to determine whether embryonic retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) removed from donor retinas when RPCs are committing to an RGC fate could restore lost RGCs. Methods We used the RGC-depleted model as a host for transplanting donor green fluorescent protein (GFP)–labeled RPCs from embryonic retinas that are maximally expressing Atoh7, a basic helix–loop–helix gene essential for RGC specification. Dissociated GFP-labeled RPCs were characterized in situ by immunolabeling with antibodies against proteins known to be expressed in RPCs at embryonic day (E)14.5. Dissociated retinal cells were injected into the vitreous of one eye of RGC-depleted mice at two to six months of age. The injected and non-injected retinas were analyzed for gene expression using immunolabeling, and the morphology of optic nerves was assessed visually and with histological staining at different times up to four months after injection. Results We demonstrate the successful transfer of embryonic GFP-labeled RPCs into the eyes of RGC-depleted mice. Many transplanted RPCs invaded the ganglion cell layer, but the efficiency of the invasion was low. GFP-labeled cells within the ganglion cell layer expressed genes associated with early and late stages of RGC differentiation, including Pou4f1, Pou4f2, NFL, Map2, and syntaxin. Several GFP-labeled cells were detected within the injected optic nerves of RGC-depleted mice, and in most cases, we observed a significant increase in the thickness of the RPC-injected optic nerves compared with non-injected controls. We also observed more bundled axons emanating from RPC-injected retinas compared with RGC-depleted controls. Conclusions The results offer a new approach for regenerating damaged optic nerves and indicate that a significant number of E14.5 RPCs are able to differentiate into RGCs in the foreign environment of the adult retina. However, the proportion of RPCs that populated the ganglion cell layer and contributed to the optic nerve was not sufficient to account for the increased thickness and higher number of axons. The results support the hypothesis that the injected E14.5 RPCs are contributing autonomously and non-autonomously to restoring damaged optic nerves.
Effects of Trimester and Fetal Sex on Face Recognition Memory and Hemispheric Asymmetry in Pregnancy

Date of acceptance: 16 January 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Although hemispheric asymmetries (HA) in face perception during menstrual cycle have been studied, there is no study about HA in face perception during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to find out if face perception changes during pregnancy and to test the effects of trimester and fetal sex on HA and face recognition memory. Methods: In the first experiment, we investigated HA of pregnant women (n=31) in a face-discrimination task by using visual half-field technique and compared their performance with non-pregnant (n=34) women who were in menstruation phase. Additionally, face recognition memory was tested. In the second experiment, we tested the effects of trimester and fetus sex on face perception of pregnant women (n=49). Results: Pregnant and non-pregnant participants showed right hemispheric dominance (RHD) in face discrimination F(1, 63) = 8.17, p = . 006, np = . 11; however, pregnant women (n = 31, M = 6.16, SD = 1.43) recognized more facial stimuli than non-pregnant women (n = 34, M = 5.24, SD = 1.77) F(1, 63) = 22,78, p = . 001, n = . 27. A RHD was observed in all trimesters F(1, 43) = 9.81, p = . 003, np = . 19. However, we found a trimester-fetus sex interaction in LVF/RH (left visual field/right hemisphere) performance F (2, 43) = 5.07, p = . 01, n = . 19. The performance in LVF/RH condition improved from the first trimester to the second trimester in pregnant women who had male fetus (p = .02) while it remained steady in pregnant women who had female fetus. Subjects in the third trimester recognized more stimuli than the subjects in the first trimester (p = .02). Conclusions: Right hemispheric pattern for face-discrimination is stable while the performance is affected by the trimester and fetal sex in pregnancy. Face recognition memory seems to be increased from the first trimester to the third trimester. The findings were discussed in the context of the cognitive effects of increasing hormone levels during pregnancy.
T Cells Exacerbate Lyme Borreliosis in TLR2-Deficient Mice

Infection of humans with the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, causes Lyme borreliosis and can lead to clinical manifestations such as arthritis, carditis, and neurological conditions. Experimental infection of mice recapitulates many of these symptoms and serves as a model system for the investigation of disease pathogenesis and immunity. Innate immunity is known to drive the development of Lyme arthritis and carditis, but the mechanisms driving this response remain unclear. Innate immune cells recognize B. burgdorferi surface lipoproteins primarily via toll-like receptor (TLR)2; however, previous work has demonstrated TLR2−/− mice had exacerbated disease and increased bacterial burden. We demonstrate increased CD4 and CD8 T cell infiltrates in B. burgdorferi-infected joints and hearts of C3H TLR2−/− mice. In vivo depletion of either CD4 or CD8 T cells reduced Borrelia-induced joint swelling and lowered tissue spirochete burden, whereas depletion of CD8 T cells alone reduced disease severity scores. Exacerbation of Lyme arthritis correlated with increased production of CXCL9 by synoviocytes, and this was reduced with CD8 T cell depletion. These results demonstrate T cells can exacerbate Lyme disease pathogenesis and prolong disease resolution possibly through dysregulation of inflammatory responses and inhibition of bacterial clearance.
Aided and Unaided Speech Perception by Older Hearing Impaired Listeners

The most common complaint of older hearing impaired (OHI) listeners is difficulty understanding speech in the presence of noise. However, tests of consonant-identification and sentence reception threshold (SeRT) provide different perspectives on the magnitude of impairment. Here we quantified speech perception difficulties in 24 OHI listeners in unaided and aided conditions by analyzing (1) consonant-identification thresholds and consonant confusions for 20 onset and 20 coda consonants in consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) syllables presented at consonant-specific signal-to-noise (SNR) levels, and (2) SeRTs obtained with the Quick Speech in Noise Test (QSIN) and the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT). Compared to older normal hearing (ONH) listeners, nearly all unaided OHI listeners showed abnormal consonant-identification thresholds, abnormal consonant confusions, and reduced psychometric function slopes. Average elevations in consonant-identification thresholds exceeded 35 dB, correlated strongly with impairments in mid-frequency hearing, and were greater for hard-to-identify consonants. Advanced digital hearing aids (HAs) improved average consonant-identification thresholds by more than 17 dB, with significant HA benefit seen in 83% of OHI listeners. HAs partially normalized consonant-identification thresholds, reduced abnormal consonant confusions, and increased the slope of psychometric functions. Unaided OHI listeners showed much smaller elevations in SeRTs (mean 6.9 dB) than in consonant-identification thresholds and SeRTs in unaided listening conditions correlated strongly (r = 0.91) with identification thresholds of easily identified consonants. HAs produced minimal SeRT benefit (2.0 dB), with only 38% of OHI listeners showing significant improvement. HA benefit on SeRTs was accurately predicted (r = 0.86) by HA benefit on easily identified consonants. Consonant-identification tests can accurately predict sentence processing deficits and HA benefit in OHI listeners.
A Metabolomic Approach to Understanding the Metabolic Link between Obesity and Diabetes

Obesity and diabetes arise from an intricate interplay between both genetic and environmental factors. It is well recognized that obesity plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. Yet, the exact mechanism of the connection between obesity and diabetes is still not completely understood. Metabolomics is an analytical approach that aims to detect and quantify small metabolites. Recently, there has been an increased interest in the application of metabolomics to the identification of disease biomarkers, with a number of well-known biomarkers identified. Metabolomics is a potent approach to unravel the intricate relationships between metabolism, obesity and progression to diabetes and, at the same time, has potential as a clinical tool for risk evaluation and monitoring of disease. Moreover, metabolomics applications have revealed alterations in the levels of metabolites related to obesity-associated diabetes. This review focuses on the part that metabolomics has played in elucidating the roles of metabolites in the regulation of systemic metabolism relevant to obesity and diabetes. It also explains the possible metabolic relation and association between the two diseases. The metabolites with altered profiles in individual disorders and those that are specifically and similarly altered in both disorders are classified, categorized and summarized.
How Indirect Questioning Techniques May Promote Democracy: A Preelection Polling Experiment

ABSTRACT Socially desirable responding may cause differences between preelection polls and election outcomes. Bias-free preelection polls are, however, important because they influence election outcomes. Benefiting from a unique opportunity, we experimentally controlled social desirability using the Crosswise Model in a poll prior to the German federal election in 2013. We found that due to strategic voting, outcome expectations were related to voting intentions; the election outcome was therefore likely distorted by social desirability bias in preelection polls. We recommend using indirect questioning techniques whenever a vote for at least one of the competing parties may be perceived as socially undesirable.
Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency – Benefits, Side Effects, and Risks of Growth Hormone Replacement

Deficiency of growth hormone (GH) in adults results in a syndrome characterized by decreased muscle mass and exercise capacity, increased visceral fat, impaired quality of life, unfavorable alterations in lipid profile and markers of cardiovascular risk, decrease in bone mass and integrity, and increased mortality. When dosed appropriately, GH replacement therapy (GHRT) is well tolerated, with a low incidence of side effects, and improves most of the alterations observed in GH deficiency (GHD); beneficial effects on mortality, cardiovascular events, and fracture rates, however, remain to be conclusively demonstrated. The potential of GH to act as a mitogen has resulted in concern over the possibility of increased de novo tumors or recurrence of pre-existing malignancies in individuals treated with GH. Though studies of adults who received GHRT in childhood have produced conflicting reports in this regard, long-term surveillance of adult GHRT has not demonstrated increased cancer risk or mortality.
Theory-Based Evaluation and Learning: Possibilities and Challenges

Originated in the 1970s, decried in the 1990s, theory-based evaluation recaptured debate at the European Evaluation Society conference in 2002. The promise is that the set-up, implementation, delivery and utilization of evaluation research may be facilitated by taking the assumptions and objectives of public policy as a starting point. In addition, a theory-based approach is considered to be valuable for a government that wants to learn, whilst potentially reconciling positivist and constructivist approaches. This article explores the rationale for a theory-based approach in policy development, debate, learning and evaluation utilization. It does so by confronting the–often paradoxical–dilemmas that haunt every evaluator (and policy maker). How can we do justice to societal complexity yet still maintain focus? How can we enter apparently closed policy systems? And how do we find a balance between mere improvement and innovative learning?
Competition between Exchanges: Euronext Versus Xetra

Exchanges in Europe are in a process of consolidation. After the failure of the proposed merger between Deutsche Borse and Euronext, these two groups are likely to become the nuclei for further mergers and co-operation with currently independent exchanges. A decision for one of the groups entails a decision for the respective trading platform. Against that background we evaluate the attractiveness of the two dominant continental European trading systems. Though both are anonymous electronic limit order books, there are important differences in the trading protocols. We use a matched-sample approach to compare execution costs in Euronext Paris and Xetra. We find that both quoted and effective spreads are lower in Xetra. When decomposing the spread we find no systematic differences in the adverse selection component. Realized spreads, on the other hand, are significantly higher in Euronext. Neither differences in the number of liquidity provision agreements nor differences in the minimum tick size or in the degree of domestic competition for order flow explain the different spread levels. We thus conclude that Xetra is the more efficient trading system.
Body analogy and sex differences in mental rotation

心的イメージ(mental imagery)は,物理的な刺激入 力がない状態での主観的な類知覚的経験と定義される (Kosslyn, Thompson, & Ganis, 2006 武田監訳 2009)。 例 えば,私たちは自分の部屋を思い浮かべて,実際にそ こにいなくても想像上で家具を配置したり,動かした りできる。 すなわちイメージの生成と操作が可能であ る。 心的イメージに関する実験課題として,心的回転 課題(mental rotation task)がある(Shepard & Metzler, 1971)。 この課題を用いた代表的研究では,画面の左 右に角度の異なる一対の立体図形が提示された(Figure 1)。 左の標準刺激と右のテスト刺激が同じかどうかを 判断する際,それらの間の角度差が増加するにつれて 反応時間も増加した。 この結果は,内的に図形が回転 させられることを示すと考えられる。 近年,認知と身体の感覚運動系との密接な関わりが 注目されている(embodied cognition: 総説として, Goldinger, Papesh, Barnhart, Hansen, & Hout, 2016; Wilson, 2002)。 その 1つのあり方に身体への類推(body analogy)がある。 Sayeki (1981)は,Shepard & Metzler (1971) が用いたようなキューブからなる立体図形の上 に,ヒトの頭部があるのを実験前に見る群と見ない群 での比較を行った。 結果,頭部を見ることで図形全体 を身体として想定できた群では,心的回転課題におけ る反応時間が短縮することを見出した。 また最近の研 究では(Amorim, Isableu, & Jarraya, 2006; Kruger, Amorim, & Ebersbach, 2014),キューブに実際に頭部や手足をつ けた研究が行われた。 頭部があるときの成績の向上は, 図形が模倣できない形状のとき,また手足が身体とし 心的回転における身体への類推と性差
Explanation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder on the Basis of Thought-Action Fusion

Objective: Thought-action fusion (TAF) refers to the tendency to assume incorrect causal relationship between one’s own thoughts and external reality, in which, thoughts and actions are treated as equivalents. This construct is present to development and maintenance of many psychological disorders. The aim of the present study was to predict obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its types, and major depressive disorder (MDD) with TAF and its levels. Methods: Two groups, included 50 persons with OCD and MDD, respectively, were selected by convenience sampling method in private and governmental psychiatric centers in Ardabil, Iran. Then, they responded to Beck Depression Inventory, Padua Inventory and TAF scale. Data were analysed using multiple regressions analysis by stepwise method. Results: TAF or its subtypes (moral TAF, likelihood-self TAF and likelihood-others TAF) can explain 14% of MDD variance (p < 0.01), 15% of OCD variance (p < 0.01), and 8-21% of OCD types variance (p < 0.05). Moral TAF had high levels in OCD and MDD. Conclusion: The construct of TAF is not specific factor for OCD, and it is present in MDD, too. Declaration of interest: None.
A Nearly Tight Lower Bound for Private Information Retrieval Protocols

We show that any 1-round 2-server Private Information Retrieval Protocol where the answers are 1-bit long must ask questions that are at least n− 2 bits long, which is nearly equal to the known n−1 upper bound. This improves upon the approximately 0.25n lower bound of Kerenidis and de Wolf while avoiding their use of quantum techniques.
CAVE-Speaker verification in bank and telecom services

The CAVE project aims at implementing and assessing two demonstration systems that are using speaker verification (SV) technology. In order to provide scientific grounds for the technological choices that are made for building these demonstrators a large number of available SV techniques have been investigated. The SV techniques have been evaluated using the YOHO and SESP databases and the results obtained are summarised in this paper. These experiments show promising results for the implementations to be made.
Beauty And The Beast: The Attractiveness Bias In An Online Peer Mentoring Program

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . vi LIST OF FIGURES . xi LIST OF TABLES . xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION . 13 Statement of the Problem . 13 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW . 18 What is Physical Attractiveness? 18 Attractiveness Theory . 20 What is Mentoring? 23 Formal Mentoring . 25 Formal Mentoring to Socialize Organizational Newcomers . 26 Peer Mentoring. 28 Electronic Mentoring . 29 Summary . 32 Hypotheses and Rationale . 33 Attractiveness within Mentoring. 33 Attractiveness and Mentor Perceptions . 34 Attractiveness and Gender Composition . 35 Attractiveness and the Impact of Visual Cues . 39 Protégé Behavior Associated with Attractiveness . 41 Outcomes of E-Mentoring . 45 Stress . 45 Academic Self-Efficacy . 46 Relationship Fulfillment . 47 Summary . 48 CHAPTER THREE: METHOD . 50 Experimental Design . 50 Power Analysis . 51 Participants . 51 Description of Participants . 51 Mentors . 52 Protégés . 53 Procedure . 53 Study Description. 53 Protégés . 54 Mentors . 55 Meeting Online . 55 Measures . 56 Demographic Information . 56 Personality Measures . 56
The Role of Selection in the Evolution of Human Mitochondrial Genomes

High mutation rate in mammalian mitochondrial DNA generates a highly divergent pool of alleles even within species that have dispersed and expanded in size recently. Phylogenetic analysis of 277 human mitochondrial genomes revealed a significant (P < 0.01) excess of rRNA and nonsynonymous base substitutions among hotspots of recurrent mutation. Most hotspots involved transitions from guanine to adenine that, with thymine-to-cytosine transitions, illustrate the asymmetric bias in codon usage at synonymous sites on the heavy-strand DNA. The mitochondrion-encoded tRNAThr varied significantly more than any other tRNA gene. Threonine and valine codons were involved in 259 of the 414 amino acid replacements observed. The ratio of nonsynonymous changes from and to threonine and valine differed significantly (P = 0.003) between populations with neutral (22/58) and populations with significantly negative Tajima's D values (70/76), independent of their geographic location. In contrast to a recent suggestion that the excess of nonsilent mutations is characteristic of Arctic populations, implying their role in cold adaptation, we demonstrate that the surplus of nonsynonymous mutations is a general feature of the young branches of the phylogenetic tree, affecting also those that are found only in Africa. We introduce a new calibration method of the mutation rate of synonymous transitions to estimate the coalescent times of mtDNA haplogroups.
Computationally efficient fine grained scalability for low bit rate video coding

Real time transmission of video contents of optimal quality over a varying bandwidth network like Internet is a challenging task. A codec, in this scenario, should be able to cope with the packet loss and bandwidth variation for the transmitted stream. Fine Granular Scalability (FGS) has been adopted in MPEG-4 standard to provide optimal video quality over a range of bandwidths. FGS is well suited to coping with varying bandwidths but it has the drawbacks of involving expensive computations and the fact that the enhancement layer adds considerably to the overall size of the coded bit stream. This may lead to congestion in a low bit rate connection. This paper suggests structural improvements in FGS codec so that it can be efficiently used for low bit rate connections in real time applications. The proposed scheme is based on open loop and closed loop enhancement predictions that can provide up to 35 times reduction in coding time.
Determinants of environmental domain of quality of life in economically active population living in Silesian agglomeration, Poland

ObjectivesThe aim of this paper is to identify the factors that determine the environmental domain of quality of life in economically active adults living in the industrial agglomeration in Poland.Materials and MethodsDuring the cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted among the economically active population aged 45–60, we used a short version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Respondents were recruited randomly from selected factories located in the Silesian Agglomeration. The statistical analysis used descriptive and analytical methods available in the Statistica 9.0 software.ResultsThe results confirmed the statistically significant association between marital status, type of occupational activity, declared health status, and the environmental domain of quality of life in economically active inhabitants of the Silesian Agglomeration. The best qualities of life in the environmental domain were those of married people, white collars, and persons who declared their health status to be the best.ConclusionsThe major determinants of environmental quality of life in economically active population living in the industrial agglomeration include non-occupational factors, such as marital status and current health status, while a significantly better quality of life was associated with being a white-collar worker and not living in the vicinity of the road with heavy traffic. The results may be useful for future planned activities intended to improve the health and the quality of working life.
Reliability and Validity of the C-BiLLT: A new Instrument to Assess Comprehension of Spoken Language in young Children with Cerebral Palsy and Complex Communication Needs

Abstract In clinical practice, a variety of diagnostic tests are available to assess a child's comprehension of spoken language. However, none of these tests have been designed specifically for use with children who have severe motor impairments and who experience severe difficulty when using speech to communicate. This article describes the process of investigating the reliability and validity of the Computer-Based Instrument for Low Motor Language Testing (C-BiLLT), which was specifically developed to assess spoken Dutch language comprehension in children with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs. The study included 806 children with typical development, and 87 nonspeaking children with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs, and was designed to provide information on the psychometric qualities of the C-BiLLT. The potential utility of the C-BiLLT as a measure of spoken Dutch language comprehension abilities for children with cerebral palsy and complex communication needs is discussed.