Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CREB and neuronal selection for memory trace

Despite considerable progress over the past several decades, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying memory encoding, storage, and expression in a complex neural network are far from complete. In particular, how some neurons rather than others are selectively engaged to encode memory remains largely unknown. Using virus-mediated gene delivery into a small subset of neurons in a given network, molecular imaging of neuronal activity, pharmacological perturbation of specific neurons' activity and animal behavior assays, recent studies have begun to provide insight into molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the selection of neurons for inclusion into a memory trace. Here, we focus on a review of recent findings supporting the hypothesis that the level of the transcription factor CREB (cAMP/Ca2+-response element binding protein) is a key factor governing which neurons are recruited to a given memory trace. These recent findings open a new perspective on memory trace at the neural circuit level and also raise many important questions. Future studies employing more advanced neurobiological techniques for targeting defined populations of neurons and manipulating their activity in time and space in a complex neural network will give answers to these newly emerging questions and extend our understanding of the neurobiological basis of the memory trace.
Quantifying Uncertainties in Climate System Properties with the Use of Recent Climate Observations

We derive joint probability density distributions for three key uncertain properties of the climate system, using an optimal fingerprinting approach to compare simulations of an intermediate complexity climate model with three distinct diagnostics of recent climate observations. On the basis of the marginal probability distributions, the 5 to 95% confidence intervals are 1.4 to 7.7 kelvin for climate sensitivity and −0.30 to −0.95 watt per square meter for the net aerosol forcing. The oceanic heat uptake is not well constrained, but ocean temperature observations do help to constrain climate sensitivity. The uncertainty in the net aerosol forcing is much smaller than the uncertainty range for the indirect aerosol forcing alone given in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Third Assessment Report.
Environment, damage and senescence: modelling the life-history consequences of variable stress and caloric intake

Summary 1Senescence is intimately connected with physiological state, which is affected by the environment. Two aspects of the environment – stress and caloric intake – are investigated in the context of senescence, particularly in the context of repair of damage caused by endogenous and exogenous stressors. 2In a simple life-history model, the organism is characterized by size (affecting reproductive success) and accumulated damage (affecting survival) at age. The modelled organism experiences an imprinting period, at the end of which it estimates the level of food and damaging sources in the environment. From those, an optimal life history is determined, assuming that reproduction is an allometric function of size. 3The optimal life history involves a behavioural trait (intensity of foraging) and an allocation process (amount of energy allocated to repair of damage). Subsequent to the imprinting period, the organism lives experiencing levels of stress or caloric intake that differ from those during the imprinting period. The mismatch is such that either the caloric intake is greater post-imprinting than during imprinting or environmental stress is smaller post-imprinting that during imprinting. 4Since reproduction is given allometrically and the organism cannot shrink, there is no reproductive senescence. In all cases, mortality increases with age. Senescence is caused by accumulated damage and we focus on the allocation of potential growth to repair and environmental mismatch. 5In the case of stress mismatch, the general qualitative result is that both the optimal level of activity and the allocation to repair are greater than their values in the case of no mismatch and they are positively correlated. For caloric mismatch, during the post-imprinting period the intensity of foraging is greater than that predicted if there were no mismatches. However, we predict either a negative correlation between genes characterizing activity and repair (for small mismatch), no correlation (for moderate mismatch) or positive correlation (for large mismatch). Furthermore, caloric mismatch is predicted to lead to a considerable reduction in lifetime reproduction, but stress mismatch is predicted to induce an increase in stress resistance throughout life with little cost to lifetime reproduction.
Differences in Motor and Cognitive Function in Patients With Parkinson's Disease With and Without Orthostatic Hypotension

ABSTRACT Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often present with orthostatic hypotension (OH) as a result of the dysautonomia associated with the disease or as a side effect of the dopaminergic medications used to treat the disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in motor and cognitive function in patients with PD with and without OH. Forty-four patients with a diagnosis of PD were evaluated and stratified by the presence of OH based on orthostatic blood pressure recordings. Both groups underwent assessments of motor and cognitive function. OH was present in 17 of 44 patients (39%) with PD. These patients with OH had significantly lower scores in gross motor, balance, and cognitive function (p < .05). No significant difference between groups was found in the finger tapping scores. These results suggest that patients with PD should be routinely screened for OH as it commonly occurs and may negatively impact gross motor, balance, and cognitive function.
Multi-User Private Keyword Search for Cloud Computing

Enterprises outsourcing their databases to the cloud and authorizing multiple users for access represents a typical use scenario of cloud storage services. In such a case of database outsourcing, data encryption is a good approach enabling the data owner to retain its control over the outsourced data. Searchable encryption is a cryptographic primitive allowing for private keyword based search over the encrypted database. The above setting of enterprise outsourcing database to the cloud requires multi-user searchable encryption, whereas virtually all of the existing schemes consider the single-user setting. To bridge this gap, we are motivated to propose a practical multi-user searchable encryption scheme, which has a number of advantages over the known approaches. The associated model and security requirements are also formulated. We further discuss to extend our scheme in several ways so as to achieve different search capabilities.
Subjective Rating of Cosmetic Treatment With Botulinum Toxin Type A: Do Existing Measures Demonstrate Interobserver Validity?

BackgroundThroughout the literature, investigators have assessed the cosmetic efficacy of botulinum toxin (BT) treatment by using various subjective, qualitative measures, including the Facial Wrinkle Scale (FWS) and Subject Global Assessment (SGA). The widely used FWS and SGA attempt to quantify both the magnitude and duration of cosmetic outcomes as assessed by physician and patient. We sought to determine the interobserver validity of these scales relative to the level of observer experience. MethodsBotulinum toxin injections were performed to cosmetic effect in 6 patients recruited as part of an institutional review board-approved investigation. Subjects were photographed at rest and during animation (raising eyebrows, frowning, and blinking) before treatment and at 1, 2, 4 weeks, and monthly with follow-up to 6 months. Standardized digital 8″ × 10″ prints were scored using the FWS by board-certified plastic surgeons (n = 5), general surgery residents (n = 3), and medical students (n = 4). Photographs at each time point were then compared to baseline using the SGA. Statistical analysis of observer data was performed using SPSS v19. Cohen &kgr; (FWS) and Spearman &rgr; (SGA) were calculated for each pairwise comparison of observer data, with a conservative &agr; of 0.01. ResultsThe FWS observer scores for the upper face overall were generally in agreement, with no negative &kgr; values. The distribution, even among members of a single group, was highly variable. Agreement among plastic surgeons was the greatest (&kgr;, 0.194–0.609). Resident concordance was moderate, and medical students displayed the most variable agreement. Spearman &rgr; for SGA scores was much higher, with surgeons approaching excellent agreement (&kgr;, 0.443–0.992). In comparisons between members of different groups, agreement was unpredictable for both the FWS and SGA. Comparisons using scores from individual areas of the face were least concordant. ConclusionsThe FWS and SGA represent the current standard of cosmetic outcomes measures; however, when subjected to scrutiny they display relatively unpredictable agreement even among plastic surgeons. Compared to the FWS, the SGA has a more acceptable user concordance, especially among plastic surgeons accustomed to using such scales. The interobserver variability of FWS and SGA scoring underlines the need to explore objective, quantitative cosmetic outcomes measures.
Generating Simplified Trapping Probability Models From Simulation of Optical Tweezers System

This paper presents a radial basis function based approach to generate simplified models to estimate the trapping probability in optical trapping experiments using offline simulations. The difference form of Langevin's equation is used to perform physically accurate simulations of a particle under the influence of a trapping potential and is used to estimate trapping probabilities at discrete points in the parameter space. Gaussian radial basis functions combined with kd-tree based partitioning of the parameter space are then used to generate simplified models of trapping probability. We show that the proposed approach is computationally efficient in estimating the trapping probability and that the estimated probability using the simplified models is sufficiently close to the probability estimates from offline simulation data.
Measurement of B2C E-Commerce Success: Test and Validation of a conceptual model of IS success among Asian consumers

From time to time, large numbers of researchers investigate the success factors of B2C e-commerce systems. However majority of those were conceptual studies. Though some empirically validated studies were published on B2C e-commerce systems, very few focused on Asian consumers. The study aims to fill this gap by studying ecommerce success factors among Asian online consumers. Another important objective of this study is to include factors such as perceived security, privacy, trust and perceived cost of transactions into the existing ecommerce success models. Based on the IS success model proposed by DeLone and McLean and its further respecification and validation attempts made by other researchers later, a revised conceptual model is formulated. The model is tested and validated using the data collected from 240 Asian online consumers living in Thailand. The research generated 8 inter related dimensions of e-commerce system success which are information quality, system quality, service quality, trust, perceived sacrifice, perceived value, online customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. Results show that the user satisfaction and perceived value are the two important factors influencing the individuals to repurchase products and services from online portals. Online customer satisfaction is influenced by trust, perceived value, service quality, information quality and system quality. On the other hand, three quality dimensions as well as the perceived sacrifice construct influence perceived value. This study also proved that user‟s trust in the system is influenced by system quality and service quality of the e-commerce system.
Detection of SARS Coronavirus RNA in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of a Patient with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a recently emerged disease caused by a novel coronavirus, the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) (1)(2). Although the respiratory manifestations of SARS are well recognized, the neurologic manifestations have been much less studied (1). Here we report a SARS patient with clinical and laboratory evidence of neurologic involvement. A 59-year-old woman with IgA nephropathy was admitted to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong in early May 2003 because of swinging fever, chills, productive cough, and diarrhea. She was previously admitted in April with fungal peritonitis related to her peritoneal dialysis. Despite antifungal and antibiotic therapy, her respiratory function deteriorated. She became increasingly dyspneic and required supplemental oxygen. High-resolution computer tomography …
Clinical, sociodemographic, and service provider determinants of guideline concordant colorectal cancer care for Appalachian residents.

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in Appalachia where high mortality from colorectal cancer is more prevalent. Adherence to treatment guidelines leads to improved survival. This paper examines determinants of guideline concordance for colorectal cancer. METHODS Colorectal cancer patients diagnosed in 2006-2008 from 4 cancer registries (Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina) were linked to Medicare claims (2005-2009). Final sample size after exclusions was 2,932 stage I-III colon, and 184 stage III rectal cancer patients. The 3 measures of guideline concordance include adjuvant chemotherapy (stage III colon cancer, <80 years), ≥12 lymph nodes assessed (resected stage I-III colon cancer), and radiation therapy (stage III rectal cancer, <80 years). Bivariate and multivariate analyses with clinical, sociodemographic, and service provider covariates were estimated for each of the measures. RESULTS Rates of chemotherapy, lymph node assessment, and radiation were 62.9%, 66.3%, and 56.0%, respectively. Older patients had lower rates of chemotherapy and radiation. Five comorbidities were significantly associated with lower concordance in the bivariate analyses: myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, respiratory diseases, dementia with chemotherapy, and diabetes with adequate lymph node assessment. Patients treated by hospitals with no Commission on Cancer (COC) designation or lower surgical volumes had lower odds of adequate lymph node assessment. CONCLUSIONS Clinical, sociodemographic, and service provider characteristics are significant determinants of the variation in guideline concordance rates of 3 colorectal cancer measures.
One size does not fit all: motivational predictors of contextual benefits of therapy.

BACKGROUND A common sense view in psychotherapy holds that there are individual differences in response to different treatments. However, despite considerable effort, no clear rationale exists to guide the selection of therapy for individual patients. OBJECTIVES Rather than focusing on specific components of therapy as a basis to predict interactions between patients and treatments, we draw on motivational concordance theory and a contextual model of psychotherapy to test whether, in an analogue study, perceived effectiveness of different therapy vignettes is related to human values. METHOD Two samples (undergraduates and members of the public) read short vignettes, informed by six therapies for depression (cognitive behaviour therapy, client-centred therapy, antidepressant medication, existential psychotherapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and a complementary medicine: Bach flower essences), provided ratings of perceived effectiveness, and completed questionnaire measures of dispositional motivations (Schwartz Values Scale and the Spiritual Connection Questionnaire-14). Responses were analysed using multidimensional scaling (MDS). RESULTS In both samples, expectancy for the cognitive behavioural-informed vignette was related to Self-direction and Stimulation, and was opposed to Tradition, Conformity and Security. Expectancies for the Drug vignette were associated with Power and Security. CONCLUSION People perceive therapies as more effective if the therapy is congruent with their values. These preliminary data suggest motivational concordance is a useful framework for predicting client-treatment interactions.
Bounds for performance characteristics : a systematic approach via cost structures

In this paper we present a systematic approach to the construction of bounds for the average costs in Markov chains with possibly infinitely many states. The technique used to prove the bounds is based on dynamic programming. Most performance characteristics of Markovian systems can be represented by the average costs for some appropriately chosen cost structure. Therefore, the approach can be used to generate bounds for relevant performance characteristics. The approach is demonstrated for the shortest queue model. It is shown how for this model several bounds for the mean waiting time can be constructed. We include numerical results to demonstrate the quality of these bounds
CD44 Signaling Mediates High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan-Induced Antihyperalgesia

We studied, in male Sprague Dawley rats, the role of the cognate hyaluronan receptor, CD44 signaling in the antihyperalgesia induced by high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMWH). Low molecular weight hyaluronan (LMWH) acts at both peptidergic and nonpeptidergic nociceptors to induce mechanical hyperalgesia that is prevented by intrathecal oligodeoxynucleotide antisense to CD44 mRNA, which also prevents hyperalgesia induced by a CD44 receptor agonist, A6. Ongoing LMWH and A6 hyperalgesia are reversed by HMWH. HMWH also reverses the hyperalgesia induced by diverse pronociceptive mediators, prostaglandin E2, epinephrine, TNFα, and interleukin-6, and the neuropathic pain induced by the cancer chemotherapy paclitaxel. Although CD44 antisense has no effect on the hyperalgesia induced by inflammatory mediators or paclitaxel, it eliminates the antihyperalgesic effect of HMWH. HMWH also reverses the hyperalgesia induced by activation of intracellular second messengers, PKA and PKCε, indicating that HMWH-induced antihyperalgesia, although dependent on CD44, is mediated by an intracellular signaling pathway rather than as a competitive receptor antagonist. Sensitization of cultured small-diameter DRG neurons by prostaglandin E2 is also prevented and reversed by HMWH. These results demonstrate the central role of CD44 signaling in HMWH-induced antihyperalgesia, and establish it as a therapeutic target against inflammatory and neuropathic pain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We demonstrate that hyaluronan (HA) with different molecular weights produces opposing nociceptive effects. While low molecular weight HA increases sensitivity to mechanical stimulation, high molecular weight HA reduces sensitization, attenuating inflammatory and neuropathic hyperalgesia. Both pronociceptive and antinociceptive effects of HA are mediated by activation of signaling pathways downstream CD44, the cognate HA receptor, in nociceptors. These results contribute to our understanding of the role of the extracellular matrix in pain, and indicate CD44 as a potential therapeutic target to alleviate inflammatory and neuropathic pain.
Efficient channel code rate selection algorithms for forward error correction of packetized multimedia bitstreams in varying channels

We study joint source-channel coding systems for the transmission of images over varying channels without feedback. We consider the situation where the channel statistics are unknown to the transmitter and focus on systems that enable good performance over a wide range of channel conditions. We first propose a linear-time channel code rate selection algorithm for a hybrid transmission system that combines packetization of an embedded wavelet bitstream into independently decodable packets and forward error correction with a concatenated cyclic redundancy check/rate-compatible punctured convolutional (RCPC) channel coder. We then consider an extension of this hybrid system with additional Reed-Solomon (RS) coding across the packets and give a linear-time algorithm for the efficient selection of both the RS and RCPC code rates. Experimental results for a wireline/wireless link modeled as the combination of a packet erasure channel and a Rayleigh flat-fading channel showed that our schemes significantly outperformed the best previous forward error correction systems in many situations where the actual channel parameter values deviated from the ones used in the optimization of the source-channel rate allocation.
Bayesian network model for diagnosis of psychiatric diseases

Because of numerous possible causes involved, it isn't easy for general physicians to identify the precise reason of the psychiatric diseases and to decide the correct treatment. Bayesian networks are recognized as efficient graphical models with significant capabilities for investigating biomedical data either to obtain relationships between variables, either for medical predictions. Our paper provides a Bayesian network-based analysis of psychiatric patient data, which have been gathered from a Romanian specialized clinic during a couple of years. The development of this Bayesian network led us to the identification of most significant factors that affect some important diseases and their correlations.
Techniques for Maximizing Efficiency of Solar Energy Harvesting Systems

Energy harvesting capabilities enable totally untethered operation of mobile and ubiquitous systems for extended periods of time without requiring battery replacement. This paper examines technical issues with solar energy harvesting. First, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques are compared in terms of solar cell model, tracking source, and controller style. For energy harvesting in conjunction with energy storage, this paper compares batteries and supercapacitors, and discusses trade-offs between complexity of charging circuitry and efficiency. Recent techniques for handling cold booting are also examined in terms of both hardware and software solutions. This paper assumes mainly small-scale photovoltaic sources, although many techniques apply to other sources as well. Together, the increase efficiency is expected to enable more compact, lower cost energy harvesters to bring longer, more stable operation to the systems.
Zoospore ultrastructure and phylogenetic position of Phlyctochytrium aureliae Ajello is revealed (Chytridiaceae, Chytridiales, Chytridiomycota)

From forest soils in Scotland Phlyctochytrium aureliae was observed and brought into pure culture. Previously included in a molecular phylogenetic study of Chytridiales as Phlyctochytrium sp. KP 061, the organism groups with Phlyctochytrium planicorne, P. bullatum, Chytridium olla and C. lagenaria in the family Chytridiaceae. Thallus morphology and development as well as zoospore ultrastructure are detailed herein. The sporangium is epibiotic, spherical or subspherical, apophysate or non-apophysate, and ornamented with dentate enations. The overall zoospore ultrastructural features are consistent with the Group II type zoospore that characterizes family Chytridiaceae in the Chytridiales, although the zoospore also has two character states unique to this taxon: the MLC cisterna fenestrations are one-third to one-half the diameter of fenestrations in other Chytridiaceae zoospores and an accumulation of electron-dense material (a kinetosome-associated structure, or KAS) proximal to the kinetosome and non-flagellated centriole is extensive and unique. This study verifies that zoospore ultrastructure of P. aureliae zoospores places this species in the Chytridiales and Chytridiaceae, as indicated in a previous molecular phylogenetic study.