Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiosensitizing effects of plumbagin in cervical cancer cells is through modulation of apoptotic pathway

Radiotherapy is the primary line of cancer treatment for cervical cancer and is known to induce cell death in tumors. Radiotherapy is however limited by the total dose that can be given without damaging normal tissue. Plumbagin, a naturally occurring naphthaquinone, has been reported to have free radical producing properties. Hence we hypothesized that plumbagin could also have properties that could modify effects of radiation on cervical cancer cells. Radiation in combination with plumbagin may thus have treatment augmenting effects. Results from our studies have shown that a lower dose of radiation in combination with plumbagin could induce apoptosis more effectively compared to a higher dose of radiation alone. Plumbagin in combination with 2 Gy of radiation was very effective in inducing apoptosis, when compared to a higher radiation dose of 10 Gy alone. This combination also showed a fivefold increase in the activation of caspase 3 in C33A cells. Activation of effector caspases confirms that the induction of apoptosis by irradiation and plumbagin involves caspase‐dependent pathways. Expression of apoptotic regulatory molecules Bcl‐2, Bax and Survivin was also modulated by plumbagin in combination with radiation. In summary, this study shows that a combination of plumbagin and radiation augmented cell growth inhibition compared to higher radiation dose alone, thus indicating that plumbagin may be a potential radiosensitizer acting through the induction of apoptosis. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Postmodernity and its Discontents

Introduction: Discontents -- Modern and Postmodern. 1. The Dream of Purity. 2. Making and Unmaking of Strangers. 3. The Strangers of the Consumer Era: from the Welfare State to Prison. 4. Morality Begins at Home: or the Rocky Road to Justice. 5. Parvenu and Pariah -- the Heroes and Victims of Modernity. 6. Tourists and Vagabonds -- the Heroes and Victims of Postmodernity. 7. Postmodern Art, or the Impossibility of the Avant--garde. 8. On the Meaning of Art and the Art of Meaning. 9. Culture as Consumer Co--operative. 10. On the Postmodern Deployment of Sex: Foucaulta s History of Sexuality Revisited. 11. Immortality, Postmodern Version. 12. Postmodern Religion? 13. On Communitarianism and Human Freedom, or How to Square the Circle. Afterword: The Last word -- and it Belongs to Freedom. Notes. Index.
3-D geometric morphometric analysis of the Scladina Neandertal child's mandible in a developmental context

T he Scladina specimen represents a subadult individual of an Early Neandertal, dated to the OIS 5. Age at death is estimated at close to 8 years (Toussaint & Pirson 2006; Smith et al., 2007 & Chapter 8). Morphology, both metric and nonmetric, closely aligns the child with Neandertals, as does the mtDNA sequences recovered from the specimen (Orlando et al., 2006). In this study we analyze the three-dimensional shape of the Scladina I-4A juvenile mandible and place it within a comparative developmental context of both modern human and Neandertal samples.
Relationships between inflammatory cytokine and cortisol responses in firefighters exposed to simulated wildfire suppression work and sleep restriction

The interplay between inflammatory and cortisol responses modulates an appropriate response to a stressor. Exposure to severe stressors, however, may alter the actions and relationships of these responses and contribute to negative health outcomes. Physical work and sleep restriction are two stressors faced by wildland firefighters, yet their influence on the relationship between inflammatory and cortisol responses is unknown. The aim of the present study was to quantify the relationship between the cytokine and cortisol responses to sleep restriction while performing simulated physical wildfire suppression work. Firefighters completed 3 days of simulated physical firefighting work separated by either an 8‐h (Control condition; n = 18) or 4‐h sleep (Sleep restriction condition; n = 17) opportunity on each of the two nights. Salivary cortisol and inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐4, and IL‐10) were measured throughout each day. An increase in morning IL‐6 was related to a rise (6.2%, P = 0.043) in evening cortisol among firefighters in the sleep restriction condition. Higher morning IL‐6 levels were related to increased (5.3%, P = 0.048) daily cortisol levels, but this relationship was not different between conditions. Less pronounced relationships were demonstrated between TNF‐α, IL‐10, IL‐4, and cortisol independent of the sleep opportunity, but relationships did not persist after adjusting for demographic factors and other cytokines. These findings quantify the relationship between cytokine and cortisol responses among wildland firefighters exposed to simulated occupational stressors. Potential disturbances to the IL‐6 and cortisol relationship among sleep‐restricted firefighters’ supports further investigations into the negative health effects related to possible imbalances between these systems.
The Physical Activity Environment and Academic Achievement in Massachusetts Schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND A supportive school-based physical activity environment (PAE) is integral to children's physical activity behaviors, but less understood is its association with academic achievement. We aimed to assess the association between PAE and academic performance and whether a stronger relationship exists in lower-income schools (LIS) compared to middle-income schools (MIS). METHODS Schoolchildren (grades 3rd to 5th) were recruited from 17 Massachusetts public schools. Schools were classified based on geographic characteristics and free/reduced-price lunch (FRPL) eligibility (LIS = 7, Median FRPL = 86%; MIS = 10, Median FRPL = 20%). PAE was measured using a 10-item survey. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to examine associations between PAE and scoring Advanced/Proficient on standardized Math and English Language Arts (ELA) tests. RESULTS Demographic characteristics differed between LIS (N = 278, 5% non-Hispanic white) and MIS (N = 297, 73% non-Hispanic white). In LIS, PAE was associated with Math (odds ratio = 5.40, 95% CI = 2.52-11.54 p < .001), but not ELA test scores (p > .05). There was no relationship between PAE and MIS test scores (p > .05). Schooltime moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was not associated with test scores (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS A beneficial relationship exists between a high-PAE and test scores among LIS children, suggesting that the PAE may be associated with a more supportive environment and may be more fundamentally important for lower-income students.
The role of autonomy in the relation between happiness and resource building

Happiness has been shown to be related to a myriad of positive outcomes in many areas, including personal relationships, performance, creativity and altruism (Lyubomirksy, King, & Diener, 2005). Such outcomes are viewed as resources that people can use to their advantage and the advantage of others. The Broaden-and-Build Theory (Fredrickson, 1998) explains these findings by proposing that positive emotions lead to a broadening of thought-action repertoires and, hence, the building of resources. This conceptualization does not differentiate between different types of happiness. The current investigation attempted to show that happiness experienced in conjunction with an experience of autonomy (Deci & Ryan, 1985b; Ryan & Deci, 2000) would lead to greater resource building than happiness coupled with a more controlling experience. Pilot Study 1 showed that those high on autonomy had a stronger relationship between happiness and need fulfillment than those low on autonomy. Pilot Study 2 showed that participants high on self-determination had a stronger relationship (compared to those who are low) on eudaimonia and creativity. In contrast, Study 1 failed to show any moderating effect of autonomy on the relationship between happiness and coping. Study 2 showed mixed support for the hypothesis that happiness based on autonomous activities leads to greater performance, perseverance, creativity, and altruism than happiness based on controlled pursuits or neutral affect. Overall, the results suggest that in some contexts, but not in others, autonomous happiness leads to greater resource building than controlled happiness. Future research may attempt to identify when autonomy enhances the resource-building function of happiness.
Comparison of laser and diode sources for acceleration of in vitro wound healing by low-level light therapy

Abstract. Low-level light therapy has been shown to improve in vitro wound healing. However, well-defined parameters of different light sources for this therapy are lacking. The goal of this study was (1) to determine if the wavelengths tested are effective for in vitro wound healing and (2) to compare a laser and a light-emitting diode (LED) source at similar wavelengths. We show four wavelengths, delivered by either a laser or LED array, improved in vitro wound healing in A549, U2OS, and PtK2 cells. Improved wound healing occurred through increased cell migration demonstrated through scratch wound and transwell assays. Cell proliferation was tested by the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-car-boxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) (MTS) assay and was found generally not to be involved in the wound healing process. The laser and LED sources were found to be comparable when equal doses of light were applied. The biological response measured was similar in most cases. We conclude that the laser at 652 (5.57 mW/cm2, 10.02 J/cm2) and 806 nm (1.30 mW/cm2, 2.334 J/cm2) (full bandwidth 5 nm), and LED at 637 (5.57 mW/cm2, 10.02 J/cm2) and 901 nm (1.30 mW/cm2, 2.334 J/cm2) (full bandwidth 17 and 69 nm respectively) induce comparable levels of cell migration and wound closure.
Neuroimaging of the developing brain: Taking “developing” seriously

With a few notable exceptions, many studies, be they behavioral, neuroimaging, or genetic, are snapshots that compare one child group to one adult group, which capture only two points in time and tell the scientist nothing about the mechanisms underlying neural trajectories over developmental time. Thus, a distinction needs to be drawn between child neuroimaging and developmental neuroimaging, the latter approach being relevant not just to children, but to adults and the ageing brain. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does the dark side of a calling exist? Examining potential negative effects

The present studies examined the potential dark side of perceiving and living a calling with diverse samples of employed adults. In Study 1, living a calling and life meaning were found to suppress the relation between perceiving a calling and life satisfaction, resulting in these variables being significantly, negatively related. This suggests that perceiving a calling may predict decreased well-being when it is not lived out and does not provide meaning. In Study 2, participants living a calling did not experience greater burnout, workaholism, or organizational exploitation. Additionally, counter to hypotheses, living a calling was found to be a significant buffer in the relation of burnout/exploitation and job satisfaction. Specifically, the slope of the relation between living a calling and job satisfaction was more pronounced with individuals experiencing high levels of burnout/exploitation. These findings suggest that living a calling may help individuals in difficult working conditions maintain job satisfaction.
Epilepsy Surgery in Children with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Presurgical Evaluation and Outcome

Summary: Purpose: Children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) benefit from excisional surgery if seizures can be localized to a single tuber. We evaluated the role of noninvasive studies to localize the epileptogenic tuber/region (ET/R) and the outcome of focal resection.
Physical fitness reference standards in French youth: The BOUGE program.

The aim of this study was to establish gender- and age-specific physical fitness percentiles in French youth. A sample of 11 186 children and adolescents (5 546 boys, 5 640 girls), ages 10-15 years, was assessed in the French national BOUGE study. Participants were tested on cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, speed, flexibility and agility using the following tests: 20-m shuttle run tests, curl ups test, 50-m sprint test, back-saver sit and reach test and 10 x 5 m shuttle run test. Percentile values were estimated for French youth as a function of age stratified by gender using the generalized additive model for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS). In general, physical fitness was better in boys than girls, except for the back-saver sit and reach test, in which girls performed better. Except for the back-saver sit and reach test and 10 x 5 m shuttle run test, physical fitness performance was significantly associated with age. Gender and age-specific normative values for physical fitness tests in French youth expressed as percentiles from the 5th to the 95th are provided. Reference values provide normative data for French youth. The data are useful in identifying special needs for appropriate intervention programs.
Efficient Evaluation of Resistance to Three Root-knot Nematode Species in Selected Sweetpotato Cultivars

Five sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. ) cultivars ('Beauregard', 'Excel', 'Jewel', 'Hernandez', and 'Porto Rico') were evaluated for resistance to three root-knot nematode species: Meloidogyne arenaria (Neal) Chitwood (race 2), M. incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood (race 3), and M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood. Resistance screening efficiency was assessed in both 400-cm 3 square pots and 150-cm 3 Conetainers ™ . Nema- tode infection was assessed as the percentage of root system galled, percentage of root system necrosis, and the number of nematode eggs produced per gram of root tissue. Means of these dependent variables were not different (P ≤ 0.05) between container types, with Conetainers ™ being more efficient to use. Root necrosis was not related to nematode infection, but was significant among cultivars (P = 0.0005). The resistance responses of the cultivars differed depending on the nematode species. All five cultivars were resistant to M. arenaria race 2. 'Hernandez', 'Excel', and 'Jewel' were also resistant to M. incognita race 3 and M. javanica.
Using Reinforcement Learning to Provide Stable Brain-Machine Interface Control Despite Neural Input Reorganization

Brain-machine interface (BMI) systems give users direct neural control of robotic, communication, or functional electrical stimulation systems. As BMI systems begin transitioning from laboratory settings into activities of daily living, an important goal is to develop neural decoding algorithms that can be calibrated with a minimal burden on the user, provide stable control for long periods of time, and can be responsive to fluctuations in the decoder’s neural input space (e.g. neurons appearing or being lost amongst electrode recordings). These are significant challenges for static neural decoding algorithms that assume stationary input/output relationships. Here we use an actor-critic reinforcement learning architecture to provide an adaptive BMI controller that can successfully adapt to dramatic neural reorganizations, can maintain its performance over long time periods, and which does not require the user to produce specific kinetic or kinematic activities to calibrate the BMI. Two marmoset monkeys used the Reinforcement Learning BMI (RLBMI) to successfully control a robotic arm during a two-target reaching task. The RLBMI was initialized using random initial conditions, and it quickly learned to control the robot from brain states using only a binary evaluative feedback regarding whether previously chosen robot actions were good or bad. The RLBMI was able to maintain control over the system throughout sessions spanning multiple weeks. Furthermore, the RLBMI was able to quickly adapt and maintain control of the robot despite dramatic perturbations to the neural inputs, including a series of tests in which the neuron input space was deliberately halved or doubled.
Developmental pruning of synapses and category learning

After an initial peak, the number of synapses in mammalian cerebral cortex decreases in the formative period and throughout adult life. However, if synapses are taken to reflect circuit complexity, the issue arises of how to reconcile pruning with the increasing complexity of the representations acquired in successive stages of development. Taking these two conflicting requirements as an architectural constraint, we show here that a simple topographic self-organization process can learn increasingly complex representations when some of its synapses are progressively pruned. By addressing the learning-theoretic properties of increasing complexity, the model indicates how pruning may be computationally advantageous. This suggests a novel interpretation of the interplay between biological and acquired patterns of neuronal activation determining topographic organization in the cortex.
Comparing Forecast Accuracy: A Monte Carlo Investigation

The size and power properties of several tests of equal Mean Square Prediction Error (MSPE) and of Forecast Encompassing (FE) are evaluated, using Monte Carlo simulations, in the context of dynamic regressions. For nested models, the F-type test of forecast encompassing proposed by Clark and McCracken (2001) displays overall the best properties. However its power advantage tends to become smaller as the prediction sample increases and for multi-step ahead predictions; in these cases a standard FE test based on Gaussian critical values becomes relatively more attractive. The ranking among the tests remains broadly unaltered for one-step and multi-step ahead predictions, for partially misspecified models and for highly persistent data. A similar setup is then used to analyze the case of non-nested models. Again it is found that FE tests have a significantly better performance than tests of equal MSPE for discriminating between correct and misspecified models. An empirical application evaluates the predictive ability of nested and non-nested models for GDP in Italy and the euro-area.
Clinical Prediction and Diagnosis of Neurosyphilis in HIV-Infected Patients with Early Syphilis

ABSTRACT The diagnosis of neurosyphilis (NS) is a challenge, especially in HIV-infected patients, and the criteria for deciding when to perform a lumbar puncture (LP) in HIV-infected patients with syphilis are controversial. We retrospectively reviewed demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from 122 cases of HIV-infected patients with documented early syphilis who underwent an LP to rule out NS, and we evaluated 3 laboratory-developed validated real-time PCR assays, the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay, the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS) assay, and the line immunoassay INNO-LIA Syphilis, for the diagnosis of NS from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of these patients. NS was defined by a reactive CSF-VDRL test result and/or a CSF white blood cell (WBC) count of >20 cells/μl. Thirty of the 122 patients (24.6%) had early NS. Headache, visual symptoms, a CD4 cell count of <500 cells/μl, and viremia, as defined by an HIV-1 RNA count of ≥50 copies/ml, were associated with NS in multivariate analysis (P = <0.001 for each factor). Blood serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titers were not associated with early NS (P = 0.575). For the diagnosis of NS, the PCR, FTA-ABS, TPPA, and INNO-LIA assays had sensitivities of 58%, 100%, 68%, and 100%, specificities of 67%, 12%, 49%, and 13%, and negative predictive values of 85%, 100%, 84%, and 100%, respectively. Visual disturbances, headache, uncontrolled HIV-1 viremia, and a CD4 cell count of <500 cells/μl were predictors of NS in HIV-infected patients with early syphilis, while blood serum RPR titers were not; therefore, RPR titers should not be used as the sole criterion for deciding whether to perform an LP in early syphilis. When applied to CSF samples, the INNO-LIA Syphilis assay easily helped rule out NS.
Chronic Progressive Nephropathy in Male F344 Rats in 90-Day Toxicity Studies

The occurrence and severity of spontaneous chronic progressive nephropathy (CPN) in control male F344 rats as well as the frequency of treatment-related CPN exacerbation were histopathologically reevaluated. A series of 43 National Toxicology Program (NTP) 90-day toxicity studies comparing the influence of NIH-07 or NTP-2000 diets was examined. Relationships between the histopathologic findings at 90 days and renal tubule proliferative lesions recorded in subsequent 2-year bioassays for 24 chemicals were statistically analyzed. CPN lesions were observed in 100% of the control male rats regardless of diet, but CPN was more severe in control rats fed NIH-07. Approximately one-third of the 90-day studies demonstrated a treatment-related exacerbation of CPN severity, which was independent of diet. For chemicals that proceeded to 2-year bioassays, all studies with a statistically significant increase in renal tubule tumors (RTT) at 2 years had treatment-related exacerbation of CPN in the 90-day and 2-year studies. These findings indicate that CPN occurs ubiquitously in young male F344 rats and that treatment-related exacerbation of CPN in 90-day studies is a relatively common occurrence, having the potential to be predictive of an increased incidence of RTT in subsequent 2-year bioassays.
Too Human To Be a Machine? Social robots, anthropomorphic appearance, and concerns on the negative impact of this technology on humans and their identity.

In this thesis I will talk about social robots, their appearance, and people’s concerns about potential negative impacts that social robotics technology could have on humans and their identity. The aim is to contribute to the understanding of why people fear social robots, and what the role of humanlike appearance is within this process. Social robots represent a new, fascinating technology. Research in social robotics not only develops new and better social robots but also tries to understand and prevent eventual problems that could arise when people and robots coexist. Moreover, the relations and reactions to social robots, especially those who highly resemble humans, is also an interesting topic from a social psychology point of view. Taking up professor Ishiguro’s words, developing androids opens up the question of “what is human? ”. The study of psychological processes related to machines that imitate real persons allows us to know more about ourselves as human beings.
Le laboratoire public de recherche : entre dépendance et autonomie stratégique

Jusqu'au debut des annees 1980, les laboratoires geraient les liens scientifiques tandis que les organismes de tutelle servaient d'interface entre l'environnement et le laboratoire. Aujourd'hui, sous la pression notamment de la contrainte budgetaire, les laboratoires entretiennent des relations avec divers environnements dont les entreprises, ce qui rend pertinente la question de leur autonomie strategique. La theorie de la dependance en ressources ainsi que les amendements que les AA. proposent permettent de comprendre la dynamique de la production scientifique. La competition scientifique tout comme la participation des laboratoires a l'innovation ne reposent pas seulement sur des echanges d'informations. Le laboratoire apparait comme le lieu ou se combinent differentes ressources de nature heterogene. Pour un acteur, est ressource tout ce qui lui permet de se conformer aux criteres de jugement ou d'evaluation. Les ressources circulent entre differents acteurs qui negocient leur echange. Un exemple precis permet de decrire la strategie des laboratoires et de montrer comment la theorie fondee sur les ressources peut etre utilisee pour forger un cadre general d'analyse