Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutation of CD2AP and SH3KBP1 Binding Motif in Alphavirus nsP3 Hypervariable Domain Results in Attenuated Virus

Infection by Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) of the Old World alphaviruses (family Togaviridae) in humans can cause arthritis and arthralgia. The virus encodes four non-structural proteins (nsP) (nsP1, nsp2, nsP3 and nsP4) that act as subunits of the virus replicase. These proteins also interact with numerous host proteins and some crucial interactions are mediated by the unstructured C-terminal hypervariable domain (HVD) of nsP3. In this study, a human cell line expressing EGFP tagged with CHIKV nsP3 HVD was established. Using quantitative proteomics, it was found that CHIKV nsP3 HVD can bind cytoskeletal proteins, including CD2AP, SH3KBP1, CAPZA1, CAPZA2 and CAPZB. The interaction with CD2AP was found to be most evident; its binding site was mapped to the second SH3 ligand-like element in nsP3 HVD. Further assessment indicated that CD2AP can bind to nsP3 HVDs of many different New and Old World alphaviruses. Mutation of the short binding element hampered the ability of the virus to establish infection. The mutation also abolished ability of CD2AP to co-localise with nsP3 and replication complexes of CHIKV; the same was observed for Semliki Forest virus (SFV) harbouring a similar mutation. Similar to CD2AP, its homolog SH3KBP1 also bound the identified motif in CHIKV and SFV nsP3.
The hippocampus and spatial constraints on mental imagery

We review a model of imagery and memory retrieval based on allocentric spatial representation by place cells and boundary vector cells (BVCs) in the medial temporal lobe, and their translation into egocentric images in retrosplenial and parietal areas. In this model, the activity of place cells constrain the contents of imagery and retrieval to be coherent and consistent with the subject occupying a single location, while the activity of head-direction cells along Papez's circuit determine the viewpoint direction for which the egocentric image is generated. An extension of this model is discussed in which a role for grid cells in dynamic updating of representations (mental navigation) is included. We also discuss the extension of this model to implement a version of the dual representation theory of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in which PTSD arises from an imbalance between weak allocentric hippocampal-mediated contextual representations and strong affective/sensory representations. The implications of these models for behavioral, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging data in humans are explored.
Oxygenated compounds in aged biomass burning plumes over the Eastern Mediterranean: evidence for strong secondary production of methanol and acetone

Abstract. Airborne measurements of acetone, methanol, PAN, acetonitrile (by Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry), and CO (by Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy) have been performed during the Mediterranean Intensive Oxidants Study (MINOS August 2001). We have identified ten biomass burning plumes from strongly elevated acetonitrile mixing ratios. The characteristic biomass burning signatures obtained from these plumes reveal secondary production of acetone and methanol, while CO photochemically declines in the plumes. Mean excess mixing ratios - normalized to CO - of 1.8%, 0.20%, 3.8%, and 0.65% for acetone, acetonitrile, methanol, and PAN, respectively, were found. By scaling to an assumed global annual source of 663-807Tg CO, biomass burning emissions of 25-31 and 29-35 Tg/yr for acetone and methanol are estimated, respectively. Our measurements suggest that the present biomass burning contributions of acetone and methanol are significantly underestimated due to the neglect of secondary formation within the plume. Median acetonitrile mixing ratios throughout the troposphere were around 150pmol/mol, in accord with current biomass burning inventories and an atmospheric lifetime of ~6 months.
Flower-shaped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by a novel approach at near-room temperatures with antibacterial and antifungal properties

Due to enormous applications of metal oxide nanoparticles in research and health-related applications, metal oxide nanoparticles are increasingly being developed through cheaper and more user-friendly approaches. We have formulated a simple route to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs) by a sol–gel method at near-room temperatures 25°C, 35°C, 55°C, and 75°C. The results are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy. The effect of different temperature conditions (25°C–75°C) on the particulate sizes (23.7–88.8 nm), pH levels (11.7–11.9), and morphologies (slender needle–broad arrow) of flower-shaped ZNP colonies is studied. A possible mechanism depicting the growth rates at different temperatures and of different facets, mainly towards the <0 0 0 I> and <0 I Ī 0> planes of the ZNPs has also been discussed. The values of λmax (293–298 nm) suggest that ZNPs prepared at 55°C are the most effective ultraviolet B absorbers, and that they can be used in sunscreens. Highly significant antimicrobial activity against medically important Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and fungi (Candida albicans) by these ZNPs was also revealed. As S. aureus and C. albicans are responsible for many contagious dermal infections such as abscesses, furuncles, carbuncles, cellulitis, and candidiasis, we can postulate that our fabricated ZNPs may be useful as antimicrobial agents in antiseptic creams and lotions for the treatment of skin diseases.
symTone: two-handed manipulation of tone reproduction curves

We present symTone, a dual-mouse, symmetric image manipulation application. symTone includes a symmetric method for manipulating a tone reproduction curve using two standard USB mice. The symTone technique is an important contribution because the two mice are manipulating a geometric object as a tool to improve the underlying digital image, thus a spatial object (the curve) is being used to manipulate non-spatial data (the image tones). Our empirical evaluation of the technique shows that symmetric interaction can be effective for manipulating non-spatial data. This novel technique offers a significant improvement in ease of use and is a precursor to more advanced symmetric tone-mapping applications.
Population-Based Screening for Language Delay: Let’s Talk STEPS Study

This study evaluates the reliability of two differently constructed screening instruments for language delay. Only few studies have addressed the question of early identification at population level. Data for this article were drawn from a Finnish cohort study, entitled the Steps to the Healthy Development and Well-Being of Children (the STEPS study, N = 9.936). The MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories (CDI-T), based on parent reported vocabulary, was used for screening at 24 months. At 36 months, child’s language skills were screened with the Fox Language Inventory (FLI) carried out by a clinical nurse. The Renfrew Word Finding Vocabulary Test and Reynell Developmental Language Scales III (language comprehension), served as outcome measures at 36 months. Receiver operating characteristic-analysis (ROC) was used to examine the cost and benefit of the two screening methods in decision making at 36 months. We found that expressive vocabulary at 24 months, can already foretell later language development. However, to reach even better predictivity, screening based on a structured language battery and age point of 36 months would be a valuable addition to clinical assessment. Further studies are needed to address to what extend early screening is able to predict atypical language during later preschool-years.
Temporal Intra-Individual Variation of Immunological Biomarkers in Type 1 Diabetes Patients: Implications for Future Use in Cross-Sectional Assessment

Multiple immune parameters such as frequencies of autoreactive CD4+, CD8+ T-cells and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T-cells have been explored as biomarkers in human T1D. However, intra-individual temporal variation of these parameters has not been assessed systematically over time. We determined the variation in each of these parameters in a cohort of T1D and healthy donors (HDs), at monthly intervals for one year. Despite low intra- and inter-assay co-efficient of variation (CV), mean CVs for each of the immune parameters were 119.1% for CD4+ T-cell-derived IFN-γ, 50.44% for autoreactive CD8+ T-cells, and 31.24% for CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T-cells. Further, both HDs and T1D donors had similar CVs. The variation neither correlated with BMI, age, disease duration or insulin usage, nor were there detectable cyclical patterns of variation. However, averaging results from multiple visits for an individual provided a better estimate of the CV between visits. Based on our data we predict that by averaging values from three visits a treatment effect on these parameters with a 50% effect size could be detected with the same power using 1.8–4-fold fewer patients within a trial compared to using values from a single visit. Thus, our present data contribute to a more robust, accurate endpoint design for future clinical trials in T1D and aid in the identification of truly efficacious therapies.
Language, communication and social activity: towards an analysis of the linguistic communicative aspects of social activities

L'A. developpe une theorie de la relation entre la structure sociale, le langage et la communication. Dix theses axiomatiques sur cette relation sont elaborees a travers une discussion sur les institutions sociales et les activites sociales a la lumiere d'une analyse de la communication basee sur l'activite
An Exponential Lower Bound on the Complexity of Regularization Paths

For a variety of regularized optimization problems in machine learning, algorithms computing the entire solution path have been developed recently. Most of these methods are quadratic programs that are parameterized by a single parameter, as for example the Support Vector Machine (SVM). Solution path algorithms do not only compute the solution for one particular value of the regularization parameter but the entire path of solutions, making the selection of an optimal parameter much easier. It has been assumed that these piecewise linear solution paths have only linear complexity, i.e. linearly many bends. We prove that for the support vector machine this complexity can be exponential in the number of training points in the worst case. More strongly, we construct a single instance of n input points in d dimensions for an SVM such that at least \Theta(2^{n/2}) = \Theta(2^d) many distinct subsets of support vectors occur as the regularization parameter changes.
Different Current Intensities of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Do Not Differentially Modulate Motor Cortex Plasticity

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive technique that modulates the excitability of neurons within the motor cortex (M1). Although the aftereffects of anodal tDCS on modulating cortical excitability have been described, there is limited data describing the outcomes of different tDCS intensities on intracortical circuits. To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying the aftereffects of M1 excitability following anodal tDCS, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to examine the effect of different intensities on cortical excitability and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI). Using a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design, with a one-week wash-out period, 14 participants (6 females and 8 males, 22–45 years) were exposed to 10 minutes of anodal tDCS at 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 mA. TMS was used to measure M1 excitability and SICI of the contralateral wrist extensor muscle at baseline, immediately after and 15 and 30 minutes following cessation of anodal tDCS. Cortical excitability increased, whilst SICI was reduced at all time points following anodal tDCS. Interestingly, there were no differences between the three intensities of anodal tDCS on modulating cortical excitability or SICI. These results suggest that the aftereffect of anodal tDCS on facilitating cortical excitability is due to the modulation of synaptic mechanisms associated with long-term potentiation and is not influenced by different tDCS intensities.
Wie sehen Parlamentarier den Einfluss der Medien? Ergebnisse einer Befragung der Bundestagsabgeordneten

Der . Bericht . des . Rechtsausschusses . gliederte . sich . in . zwölf . Unterpunkte, . die . der . Berichterstatter . verfasst . und . dem . Ausschuss . zur . Abstimmung . vorgelegt . hatte . Einer . wurde . einstimmig . verabschiedet, . alle . übrigen . wurden . von . der . Mehrheit . aus . SPD . und . FDP . beschlossen . Auf . der . Basis . dieser . Parlamentsdrucksachen . wurden . am . 17 . Mai . 1972 . die . Verträge . mit . Mehrheit . im . Plenum . beschlossen . Ein . großer . Teil . der . CDU/CSU-Fraktion . enthielt . sich . dabei . der . Stimme . Das . Protokoll . dieser . Plenarsitzung . enthält . die . größte . Zahl . Persönlicher . Bemerkungen, . die . in . der . Geschichte . des . Bundestages . von . einzelnen . Abgeordneten . zu . einzelnen . Abstimmungen . abgegeben . wurden . Eine . ganze . Anzahl . von . ihnen . ist . sogar . in . der . internationalen . Presse . nachgedruckt . und . kommentiert . worden . Meine . Bemerkungen . als . Berichterstatter . wurden . zum . Beispiel . von . fast . der . gesamten . polnischen . Presse . im . Wortlaut . wiedergegeben . Der . historische . Rang . dieser . Abstimmung . ließ . es . zudem . als . geboten . erscheinen, . die . Arbeit . des . Rechtsausschusses . an . diesen . Verträgen . international . breiter . bekannt . zu . machen . Dem . dienten . Vorträge . vor . auswärtigen . Gesellschaften . in . Wien, . Paris, . Kopenhagen . und . Oslo, . die . zum . Teil . in . den . außenpolitischen . Zeitschriften . der . entsprechenden . Staaten . nachgedruckt . wurden . 4 . In . der . sowjetischen . Zeitung . „Prawda“ . wurde . seinerzeit . ein . Interview . mit . dem . Berichterstatter . speziell . über . die . laufende . Arbeit . des . Rechtsausschusses . an . den . Ostverträgen . gedruckt . 5 . Und . heute, . fast . genau . 40 . Jahre . nach . der . Abstimmung . im . Deutschen . Bundestag, . gilt . es . daran . zu . erinnern, . welchen . Anteil . das . Parlament . und . seine . Arbeitsstrukturen . am . Gelingen . dieses . für . die . deutsche . Geschichte . so . bedeutenden . Vertragswerks . gehabt . haben .
Modeling individual and relative accuracy of screening tools in geriatric oncology

Background Classification probabilities reflect to what degree a screening test represents the true disease state and include true positive (TPF) and false positive fractions (FPF). With two tests, one can compare TPF and FPF using relative probabilities which offer advantages in terms of interpretation and statistical modeling. Our objective was to highlight how individual and relative TPF and FPF can be easily estimated and compared within a regression modeling framework. This allows the modeling of tests' accuracy while adjusting for multiple covariates, and thus provides valuable information in addition to the crude TPF and FPF. We illustrate our purpose with the G8 and VES-13 screening tests aimed at identifying elderly cancer patients in need for a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Methods Prospective cohort with a paired design. TPF and FPF of each test, as well as relative TPF and FPF were modeled using log-linear models. Results G8 detected patients in need for CGA better than VES-13 at the expense of misclassifying a large number of normal patients. Both tests had better TPF with older age and poorer performance status (PS), and for all cancer subtypes compared with prostate cancer. Effect of age and PS on TPF was more pronounced with VES-13. Age affected FPF, but not differentially. Conclusions Regression modeling helps provide a thorough assessment of the accuracy of diagnostic tests and should be used more frequently. In the context of screening, we encourage the use of G8 as failing to identify patients in need of a CGA might be more problematic than over-detection. Moreover, although we identified variables associated with the sensitivity of these tests, this association was less pronounced for the G8.
A Randomized, Open-Label, Multicenter Trial of Topical Tacrolimus for the Treatment of Pruritis in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Background Pruritis caused by atopic dermatitis (AD) is not always well controlled by topical corticosteroid therapy, but use of tacrolimus often helps to soothe such intractable pruritis in clinical settings. Objective To determine the anti-pruritic efficacy of topical tacrolimus in treating AD in induction and maintenance therapy. Methods Prior to the study, patients were randomly allocated into two groups, induction therapy followed by tacrolimus monotherapy maintenance, and induction therapy followed by emollient-only maintenance. In the induction therapy, the patients were allowed to use topical tacrolimus and emollients in addition to a low dose (<10 g/week) of topical steroids. Patients showing relief from pruritis were allowed to proceed to maintenance therapy. Recurrence of pruritis in maintenance therapy was examined as a major endpoint. Results Two-thirds of patients (44/68; 64.7%) showed relief from pruritis after induction therapy. Pruritis recurred in 23.8% (5/21) of the tacrolimus monotherapy group and in 100% (21/21) of the emollient group during maintenance period, a difference that was statistically significant. Conclusion Use of topical tacrolimus is effective in controlling pruritis of AD compared to emollient.
Probing the structure of dark matter in Galaxy haloes and clusters using supernovae

A new method for measuring gravitational lensing with high-redshift Type Ia supernovae is investigated. The method utilizes correlations between foreground galaxies and supernova brightnesses to substantially reduce possible systematic errors and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. It is shown that this lensing signal can be related to the mass, size and substructure of galaxy haloes and galaxy clusters if dark matter consists of microscopic particles. This technique may be particularly useful for measuring the size of dark matter haloes, a measurement to which the lensing of galaxies is not well suited, and for measuring the level of substructure in galaxy haloes, a problematic prediction of the cold dark matter model. The contributions to the signal from galaxy haloes and galaxy clusters are modelled and contributions to the noise from fluctuations in the galaxy number counts, galaxy redshift error, dispersion in SN luminosities and sample variance are estimated. The intrinsic distribution of supernova luminosities and its redshift evolution are removed as major sources of uncertainty. The method is found to be complimentary to galaxy–galaxy lensing. The required observations of ≳100 supernovae have already been proposed for the purposes of cosmological parameter estimation.
Cognitive Control Function and Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Functional and Structural Brain Correlates

■ Previous studies have demonstrated that stable and adaptive attention processes are mediated by partly overlapping, but distinct, brain areas. Dorsal medial PFC and anterior insula may form a “core network” for attention control, which is believed to operate on both temporal scales. However, both the existence of such a network as well as the unique functional topography for adaptive and stable attention processes is still highly debated. In this study, 87 healthy participants performed a clinical not-X continuous performance test optimized for use in a mixed block and event-related fMRI design. We observed overlapping activations related to stable and adaptive attention processes in dorsal medial PFC and anterior insula/adjacent cortex as well as in the right inferior parietal lobe and middle temporal gyrus. We also identified areas of activations uniquely related to stable and adaptive attention processes in widespread cortical, cerebellar, and subcortical areas. Interestingly, the functional topography within the PFC indicated a rostro-caudal distribution of adaptive, relative to stable, attention processes. There was also evidence for a time-on-task effect for activations related to stable, but not adaptive, attention processes. Our results provide further evidence for a “core network” for attention control that is accompanied by unique areas of activation involved in domain-specific processes operating on different temporal scales. In addition, our results give new insights into the functional topography of stable and adaptive attention processes and their temporal dynamics in the context of an extensively used clinical attention test. ■
Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease Using Cost-Sensitive Algorithms

One of the main causes of death the world over are cardiovascular diseases, of which coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major type. This disease occurs when the diameter narrowing of one of the left anterior descending, left circumflex, or right coronary arteries is equal to or greater than 50 percent. Angiography is the principal diagnostic modality for the stenos is of heart vessels, however, because of its complications and costs, researchers are looking for alternative methods such as data mining. This study conducts data mining algorithms on the Z-Alizadeh Sani dataset which has been collected from 303 random visitors to Tehran's Shaheed Rajaei Cardiovascular, Medical and Research Center. In this paper, the reason of effectiveness of a preprocessing algorithm on the dataset is investigated. This algorithm which has been merely introduced in our previous works, extracts three new features from the dataset. These features are then used to enrich the primary dataset in order to achieve more accurate results. Moreover, despite the fact that misclassification of diseased patients has more side effects than that of healthy ones, to the best of our knowledge cost-sensitive algorithms have yet to be used in this field. Therefore, in this paper 10-fold cross validation on cost-sensitive algorithms along with base classifiers of Naïve Bayes, Sequential Minimal Optimization (SMO), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and C4.5 were employed. As a result, the SMO algorithm has yield to very high sensitivity (97.22%) and accuracy (92.09%) rates, the likes of which have not been reported simultaneously in the existing literature.