Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Extinction of Chained Reflexes.

Let SI R' be a reflex (capable of further analysis) in which the response R' is the seizing, chewing and swallowing of food and in which the stimulus S1 is composed of tactual and olfactory stimulation arising from the food. Let R" be the approach to the food tray and S1' the stimulation arising from the tray and adjoining parts of the apparatus plus a differentiating component (D) supplied by the sound of a food magazine. Let R"I' be the pressing downward of a lever and SI,, the stimulation arising from the lever and adjoining parts of the apparatus. For our present purposes I-RI may be considered an unconditioned reflex. The second link is established as the conditioned reflex SO RI" by chaining RI' to SY.J A discrimination between SI' and S1' is then established, the response to SIl being extinguished.2 The initial link 511 _ R"'' is then conditioned by chaining R"' to SI' or, more exactly, to the differentiating member D. Then it is possible to extinguish the reflex in response to the lever (S'II R'II) by breaking the chain either at the juncture RI' SID (A) or at RI" > SI (B). We may consider the following cases: I. Breaking the chain at A we obtain the simple extinction of Y"I R"', since we establish the essential condition by removing the reinforcing stimulus SD. ' Our method does not supply information about SD R directly, since it measures only the rate of responding to the lever, but it is clear from inspection that SDRI remains fully conditioned. After deep extinction of SIII RI"' the sound of the magazine (completing ST) will evoke RII immediately. II. If we reestablish the connection at A, the first response to SY', reconditions the reflex, and if we then break the connection again, we obtain another extinction curve (page 306 in the second reference). III. If, now, we reconnect at A but break at B, we also get reconditioning of S,, R"I, because the presence of SYD is an adequate reinforcement, whether or not the later stages of the chain are reinforced (page 427 in reference 5). But as SD RI will now be extinguished, it will not continue to reinforce Y" RI"', and the latter reflex will decline in strength. 234 PROC. N. A. S.
Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Secretes Plasmid Encoded Toxin

Plasmid encoded toxin (Pet) is a serine protease originally described in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) prototype strain 042 whose entire characterization was essentially obtained from studies performed with the purified toxin. Here we show that Pet is not exclusive to EAEC. Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) strains, isolated from diarrhea cases, express Pet and its detection in supernatants of infected HEp-2 cells coincides with the appearance of cell damage, which, in turn, were similar to those described with purified Pet. Pet secretion and the cytotoxic effects are time and culture medium dependent. In presence of DMEM supplemented with tryptone cell rounding and detachment were observed after just 5 h of incubation with the bacteria. In the absence of tryptone, the cytotoxic effects were detected only after 24 h of infection. We also show that, in addition to the prototype EAEC, other pet+ EAEC strains, also isolated from diarrhea cases, induce cellular damage in the same degree as the aEPEC. The cytotoxic effects of EAEC and aEPEC strains were significantly reduced in the presence of a serine protease inhibitor or anti-Pet IgG serum. Our results show a common aspect between the aEPEC and EAEC and provide the first evidence pointing to a role of Pet in aEPEC pathogenesis.
Volunteering and Reemployment Status in Unemployed Emerging Adults

Given the alarming unemployment rates among emerging adults in the United States, this study investigates the relationships among volunteering, length of unemployment, likelihood/quality of reemployment, and job search strategies in a sample of emerging adults. Two hundred and sixty-five emerging adults aged between 21 and 29, all of whom were unemployed 6 months prior to taking the survey, completed an online survey. Results affirm positive associations between volunteering and likelihood of reemployment 6 months later. The number of hours spent volunteering was significantly related to reemployment status as was the length of unemployment. The use of an exploratory job search strategy, in contrast to the use of a focused or a haphazard job search strategy, was associated with reemployment. Implications of the findings and suggestions for further research are discussed along with the limitations of the present study.
Characterization of an antigen from Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes able to elicit protective responses in a murine model

Lymphoproliferative responses to an antigen from Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes with an apparent molecular mass of 30 kDa, termed p30, were evaluated with BALB/c mice. The p30 antigen was purified after separation of parasite extracts by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by electroelution. Lymphoproliferative responses to p30 were obtained by subcutaneous immunization of animals with L. amazonensis amastigote extracts, and maximal stimulation indices were observed at an antigen concentration of 5 microg/ml. Induction of lymphoproliferation by p30 is stage specific, and no differences in the responses to this antigen between mice susceptible and resistant to L. amazonensis were detected. The predominant T cells characterized in the lymphocyte cultures were CD4+. Lymphokine analysis of the supernatants from these cultures indicated that Th1 is the subset involved in the lymphoproliferative responses to the antigen. BALB/c mice immunized with p30 and challenged with L. amazonensis amastigotes showed a very low level of infection, indicating a protective role for p30 and a correlation between Th1 and protection. Further biochemical characterization studies showed that this antigen presents cysteine proteinase activity.
THE MICROCIRCULATION IN CRITICALLY-ILL PATIENTS

Abstract The microcirculation plays a major role in oxygen delivery and organ perfusion, and is largely involved in the pathophysiological alterations of shock states. It has been a focus of research for a long time, but human clinical and physiological studies have been limited by a lack of reliable techniques available at the bedside. Intravital microscopy, although of interest in experimental studies, is not feasible in human studies. Laser Doppler techniques can measure blood flow, but do not take into account the heterogeneity of the microcirculation. Recently, the Orthogonal Polarized Spectral (OPS) imaging technique has enabled the study of the microcirculation in humans. This technique has allowed a better definition of microcirculatory alterations in disease states, defined the role of some medical interventions, and been used to predict outcome. In this text, we briefly describe the techniques available to study the microcirculation and review experimental and human studies in this domain.
OFFSS: optimal fuzzy-valued feature subset selection

Feature subset selection is a well-known pattern recognition problem, which aims to reduce the number of features used in classification or recognition. This reduction is expected to improve the performance of classification algorithms in terms of speed, accuracy and simplicity. Most existing feature selection investigations focus on the case that the feature values are real or nominal, very little research is found to address the fuzzy-valued feature subset selection and its computational complexity. This paper focuses on a problem called optimal fuzzy-valued feature subset selection (OFFSS), in which the quality-measure of a subset of features is defined by both the overall overlapping degree between two classes of examples and the size of feature subset. The main contributions of this paper are that: 1) the concept of fuzzy extension matrix is introduced; 2) the computational complexity of OFFSS is proved to be NP-hard; 3) a simple but powerful heuristic algorithm for OFFSS is given; and 4) the feasibility and simplicity of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated by applications of OFFSS to fuzzy decision tree induction and by comparisons with three different feature selection techniques developed recently.
An Approach to the Equivalence Theorem by the Slavnov-Taylor Identities

We discus the Equivalence Theorem (ET) in the BRST formalism. In par- ticular the Slavnov-Taylor (ST) identities, derived at the formal level in the path-integral approach, are considered at the quantum level and are shown to be always anomaly free. Some discussion is devoted to the transformation of the flelds; in fact the existence of a local inverse (at least as a formal power expansion) suggests a formulation of the ET, which allows a nilpotent BRST symmetry. This strategy cannot be implemented at the quantum level if the inverse is non-local. In this case we propose an alternative formula- tion of the ET, where, by using Faddeev-Popov flelds, this di-culty is circumvented. In fact this approach allows the loop expansion both in the original and in the transformed theory. In this case the algebraic formulation of the problem can be simplifled by intro- ducing some auxiliary flelds. The auxiliary flelds can be eliminated by using the method of Batalin-Vilkovisky. We study the quantum deformation of the associated ST identity and show that a selected set of Green functions, which in some cases can be identifled with the physical observables of the model, does not depend on the choice of the transformation of the flelds. The computation of the cohomology for the classical linearized ST operator is performed by purely algebraic methods. We do not rely on power-counting arguments. In general the transformation of the flelds yields a non-renormalizable theory. When the equivalence is established between a renormalizable and a non-renormalizable theory, the ET provides a way to give a meaning to the last one by using the resulting ST identity. In this case the Quantum Action Principle cannot be of any help in the discussion of the ET. We assume and discuss the validity of a Quasi Classical Action Principle, which turns out to be su-cient for the present work. As an example we study the renormalizability and unitarity of massive QED in Proca's gauge by starting from a linear Lorentz-covariant gauge.
A novel variant 60-GHz CPW-fed patch antenna for broadband short range wireless communications

A 60 GHz coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed patch antenna is proposed. This antenna is implemented on a high dielectric constant substrate (epsivr = 9:9), which is close to the dielectric constant of commercial GaAs and CMOS process. The antenna structure combines the advantages of CPW with those of the aperture-coupled microstrip antenna and simplifies the structure of the antenna by reducing the number of metallization level, from three down to two. This feed design eliminates the competition for surface space between the antenna elements and the feed network. The proposed antenna demonstrates the efficiency of the approach based upon CPW series stub within a center conductor in order to get better performance and compactness. It has been shown that the use of CPW series stub printed on the center conductor is potentially effective to ensure that the antenna works at high efficiency in millimeter waves. Finally, the proposed antenna shows broad band characteristics such as 10 dB bandwidth of 4.7 GHz, from 58.3 GHz to 63 GHz.
The Quality of Online and Offline Relationships: The Role of Multiplexity and Duration of Social Relationships

Recent studies have shown that adolescents use the Internet not only to maintain social relationships with distant relatives and friends but also to create new relationships online; some of these friendships become integrated into their social circle. Research has focused mainly on the effect of the Internet on existing relationships or the nature of online-only ties, so studies comparing the quality of online and face-to-face relationships are missing. The goal of this study is to bridge this gap. In keeping with previous studies on social association, we argue that the quality of social relationships is dependent on duration and diversity of topics and activities carried together. Time is important, as it facilitates the development of a collective shared history and identity. Intimacy develops through the participation in shared activities and discussion of diverse issues of personal concern. Using a representative sample of the adolescent population in Israel, we find that closeness to a friend is a function of social similarity, content and activity multiplexity, and duration of the relationships. Friendships originated in the Internet are perceived as less close and supportive because they are relatively new and online friends are involved in less joint activities and less topics of discussion. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Cronkhite- Canada syndrome; a case report and review of the literature

Cronkhite- Canada syndrome (CCS) considered as a rare and non-hereditary disorder. Gastrointestinal polyposis and diarrhea along with some extra signs and symptoms such as hypoproteinemia, and epidermal manifestations are recognized in this syndrome. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is not completely understood and it seems that inflammatory processes may be involved. We present a 50 year-old man with hamartomatous polyps throughout the colon and long-lasting diarrhea not responding to typical therapies during three years.
Efficacy of combination chemotherapy using a novel oral chemotherapeutic agent, TAS-102, together with bevacizumab, cetuximab, or panitumumab on human colorectal cancer xenografts

TAS-102 is a novel oral nucleoside antitumor agent that consists of trifluridine (FTD) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI) at a molecular ratio of 1:0.5, and was approved in Japan in March 2014 for the treatment of patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer that is refractory to standard therapies. In the present study, we used colorectal cancer xenografts to assess whether the efficacy of TAS-102 could be improved by combining it with bevacizumab, cetuximab or panitumumab. TAS-102 was orally administered twice a day from day 1 to 14, and bevacizumab, cetuximab and panitumumab were administered intraperitoneally twice a week for 2 weeks. Growth inhibitory activity was evaluated based on the relative tumor volume (RTV) after 2 weeks of drug administration and time taken for the relative tumor volume to increase five-fold (RTV5). Tumor growth inhibition and RTV5 with TAS-102 and bevacizumab combination treatment were significantly better than those with TAS-102 or bevacizumab alone in the SW48 and HCT116 tumor models, and the concentration of phosphorylated FTD in tumors determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was higher in the TAS-102 and bevacizumab combination group than in the TAS-102 monotherapy group. The combination of TAS-102 and cetuximab or panitumumab was also significantly more effective than either monotherapy in the SW48 tumor model. There was no significant difference in the body weight between the mice treated with TAS-102 monotherapy and any of the combination therapies on day 29. Our preclinical findings indicate that the combination therapy of TAS-102, bevacizumab and cetuximab or panitumumab is a promising treatment option for colorectal cancer.
S100B Protein in Urine of Preterm Newborns with Ominous Outcome

Prematurity is an important cause of perinatal death, and no reliable biochemical/biophysical markers exist to identify newborns with an increased mortality risk. We aimed to use S100B concentrations in urine as an early indicator of risk of neonatal death. We did a cross-sectional study using urine obtained from 165 preterm newborns, of whom 11 suffered neonatal death within the first week, 121 displayed no overt neurologic syndrome, and 33 suffered neonatal hypoxia and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) but not ominous outcome. Urine S100B concentrations were determined at four time-points and corrected for gestational age by conversion to multiples of median (MoM) of healthy controls of the same gestational age. Ultrasound imaging was assessed within the first 72 h from birth. In infants that died within the first week, S100B levels in urine were already higher than controls at first urination and increased progressively between the 24 and 96-h time-points. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between urine S100B protein concentrations and the occurrence of neonatal death. An S100B concentration cut-off of 12.93 MoM at first urination had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97.8% for predicting an ominous outcome. The positive predictive value was 78.6%, the negative predictive value was 100%. Measurement of urine S100B protein levels in preterm newborns could be useful to identify newborns at higher risk of neonatal death.
The Intrinsic Shapes of Molecular Cloud Fragments over a Range of Length Scales

We decipher intrinsic three-dimensional shape distributions of molecular clouds, cloud cores, Bok globules, and condensations using recently compiled catalogs of observed axis ratios for these objects mapped in carbon monoxide, in ammonia, through optical selection, or in continuum dust emission. We apply statistical techniques to compare assumed intrinsic axis ratio distributions with observed projected axis ratio distributions. Intrinsically triaxial shapes produce projected distributions that agree with observations. Molecular clouds mapped in 12CO are intrinsically triaxial but more nearly prolate than oblate, while the smaller cloud cores, Bok globules, and condensations are also intrinsically triaxial but more nearly oblate than prolate.
Speech communication strategies in older children: acoustic-phonetic and linguistic adaptations to a hearing-impaired peer

This thesis examines the communication strategies used by both hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) children when interacting with a peer with hearing loss, focusing on the acoustic-phonetic and linguistic properties of their speech. To elicit frequent repetitions of segmental contrasts in HI children’s spontaneous speech in interaction, a new task was developed using minimal pair keywords in a communicative game context. In addition, another referential communication task, the ‘spot the difference’ Diapix task (Van Engen et al., 2010), was used. Eighteen NH and eighteen HI children between 9 and 15 years of age performed the two tasks in pairs, once with a friend with normal hearing (NH-directed speech) and once with a friend with a hearing-impairment (HI-directed speech). Task difficulty increased in interactions involving a HI interlocutor, implying a need for speaker- listener adaptations. Participants’ global acoustic-phonetic (articulation rate, F0 median and range, speech intensity and pausing), segmental (/p/-/b/, /s/- /ʃ/, and /i/-/ɪ/) and linguistic (phrase length, lexical frequency, lexical diversity and speech overlap) adaptations to a HI interlocutor were explored. Although HI speakers were found to differ from NH speakers in many aspects of their speech and language, the two groups used similar, mostly global and linguistic, strategies to adapt to the needs of their HI friend – and the HI children’s ability to adapt did not seem to be related to their own speech level. Only a subset of speakers was found to increase the discriminability of phonetic contrasts in speech, perhaps partly due to speakers using segmental and linguistic strategies as alternative methods in adaptation. Both NH and HI speakers appeared to adjust the extent of adaptations made to the specific needs of their HI interlocutor, therefore implying surprising sensitivity to listener needs. Implications to models of speech communication are discussed.
Diversity and Developmental Expression of L-type Calcium Channel β2 Proteins and Their Influence on Calcium Current in Murine Heart*

By now, little is known on L-type calcium channel (LTCC) subunits expressed in mouse heart. We show that CaVβ2 proteins are the major CaVβ components of the LTCC in embryonic and adult mouse heart, but that in embryonic heart CaVβ3 proteins are also detectable. At least two CaVβ2 variants of ∼68 and ∼72 kDa are expressed. To identify the underlying CaVβ2 variants, cDNA libraries were constructed from poly(A)+ RNA isolated from hearts of 7-day-old and adult mice. Screening identified 60 independent CaVβ2 cDNA clones coding for four types of CaVβ2 proteins only differing in their 5′ sequences. CaVβ2-N1, -N4, and -N5 but not -N3 were identified in isolated cardiomyocytes by RT-PCR and were sufficient to reconstitute the CaVβ2 protein pattern in vitro. Significant L-type Ca2+ currents (ICa) were recorded in HEK293 cells after co-expression of CaV1.2 and CaVβ2. Current kinetics were determined by the type of CaVβ2 protein, with the ∼72-kDa CaVβ2a-N1 shifting the activation of ICa significantly to depolarizing potentials compared with the other CaVβ2 variants. Inactivation of ICa was accelerated by CaVβ2a-N1 and -N4, which also lead to slower activation compared with CaVβ2a-N3 and -N5. In summary, this study reveals the molecular LTCC composition in mouse heart and indicates that expression of various CaVβ2 proteins may be used to adapt the properties of LTCCs to changing myocardial requirements during development and that CaVβ2a-N1-induced changes of ICa kinetics might be essential in embryonic heart.
The relative importance of ecology and geographic isolation for speciation in anoles

The biogeographic patterns in sexually reproducing animals in island archipelagos may be interpreted as reflecting the importance of allopatric speciation. However, as the forms are allopatric, their reproductive isolation is largely untestable. A historical perspective integrating geology and molecular phylogeny reveals specific cases where ancient precursor islands coalesce, which allows the application of population genetics to critically test genetic isolation. The Anolis populations on Martinique in the Lesser Antilles are one such case where species-level populations on ancient precursor islands (ca 6–8 Myr BP) have met relatively recently. The distribution of the mtDNA lineages is tightly linked to the precursor island, but the population genetic analysis of microsatellite variation in large samples shows no evidence of restricted genetic exchange between these forms in secondary contact. This tests, and rejects, the hypothesis of simple allopatric speciation in these forms. By contrast, Martinique has pronounced environmental zonation, to which anoles are known to adapt. The population genetic analysis shows restricted genetic exchange across the ecotone between xeric coastal habitat and montane rainforest. This does not indicate full ecological speciation in these forms, but it does suggest the relative importance of the role of ecology in speciation in general.