Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
N-cadherin as a therapeutic target in cancer

During tumor progression, cancer cells undergo dramatic changes in the expression profile of adhesion molecules resulting in detachment from original tissue and acquisition of a highly motile and invasive phenotype. A hallmark of this change, also referred to as the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, is the loss of E- (epithelial) cadherin and the de novo expression of N- (neural) cadherin adhesion molecules. N-cadherin promotes tumor cell survival, migration and invasion, and a high level of its expression is often associated with poor prognosis. N-cadherin is also expressed in endothelial cells and plays an essential role in the maturation and stabilization of normal vessels and tumor-associated angiogenic vessels. Increasing experimental evidence suggests that N-cadherin is a potential therapeutic target in cancer. A peptidic N-cadherin antagonist (ADH-1) has been developed and has entered clinical testing. In this review, the authors discuss the biochemical and functional features of N-cadherin, its potential role in cancer and angiogenesis, and summarize the preclinical and clinical results achieved with ADH-1.
Use of Radial Basis Functions and Rough Sets for Evolutionary Multi-Objective Optimization

This paper presents a new multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) which adopts a radial basis function (RBF) approach in order to reduce the number of fitness function evaluations performed to reach the Pareto front. The specific method adopted is derived from a comparative study conducted among several RBFs. In all cases, the NSGA-II (which is an approach representative of the state-of-the-art in the area) is adopted as our search engine with which the RBFs are hybridized. The resulting algorithm can produce very reasonable approximations of the true Pareto front with a very low number of evaluations, but is not able to spread solutions in an appropriate manner. This led us to introduce a second stage to the algorithm in which it is hybridized with rough sets theory in order to improve the spread of solutions. Rough sets, in this case, act as a local search approach which is able to generate solutions in the neighborhood of the few nondominated solutions previously generated. We show that our proposed hybrid approach only requires 2,000 fitness function evaluations in order to solve test problems with up to 30 decision variables. This is a very low value when compared with today's standards reported in the specialized literature
Neurophysiological Changes Induced by Chronic Toxoplasma gondii Infection

Although the parasite Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most pervasive neurotropic pathogens in the world, the host-parasite interactions during CNS infection and the consequences of neurological infection are just beginning to be unraveled. The chronic stages of infection have been considered dormant, although several studies have found correlations of infection with an array of host behavioral changes. These may facilitate parasite transmission and impact neurological diseases. During infection, in addition to the presence of the parasites within neurons, host-mediated neuroimmune and hormonal responses to infection are also present. T. gondii induces numerous changes to host neurons during infection and globally alters host neurological signaling pathways, as discussed in this review. Understanding the neurophysiological changes in the host brain is imperative to understanding the parasitic mechanisms and to delineate the effects of this single-celled parasite on health and its contribution to neurological disease.
Iterative Learning Control for Multi-Agent Systems With Finite-Leveled Sigma-Delta Quantization and Random Packet Losses

A quantized iterative learning control (QILC) for continuous-time multi-agent systems with finite-leveled sigma-delta (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Sigma \Delta$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) quantization and random packet losses is first proposed in this paper. To realize the digital communication between signals and utilize limited communication bandwidth effectively, we introduce the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Sigma \Delta$ </tex-math></inline-formula> quantizer with limited communication data rate (quantization bits) into the control field and for the design of the QILC in this paper. In addition, the packet losses are also first considered into the QILC, which makes the controller more close to the practical engineering applications. Since the nonlinearity and randomness introduced by the quantization and packet losses, a decreasing learning gain is utilized with the help of the non-smooth analysis and mathematical expectation for the analysis of convergence. Accurate tracking in the sense of expectation can be obtained based on randomly small number of quantization bits, even merely one bit of quantization information. Numerical simulations are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.
The Polo‐like kinase Cdc5p and the WD‐repeat protein Cdc20p/fizzy are regulators and substrates of the anaphase promoting complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Proteolysis mediated by the anaphase promoting complex (APC) has a crucial role in regulating the passage of cells through anaphase. Destruction of the anaphase inhibitor Pds1p is necessary for separation of sister chromatids, whereas destruction of the mitotic cyclin Clb2p is important for disassembly of the mitotic spindle, cytokinesis and re‐replication of the genome. Pds1p proteolysis precedes that of Clb2p by at least 15 min, which helps to ensure that cells never re‐replicate their genome before they have separated sister chromatids at the previous mitosis. What triggers Pds1p proteolysis and why does it not also trigger that of Clb2p? Apart from sharing a dependence on the APC, these two proteolytic events differ in their dependence on other cofactors. Pds1p proteolysis depends on a WD‐repeat protein called Cdc20p, whereas Clb2p proteolysis depends on another, related WD protein called Hct1/Cdh1p. On the other hand, destruction of Clb2p, but not that of Pds1p, depends on the Polo‐like kinase, Cdc5p. Cdc20p is essential for separation of sister chromatids, whereas Cdc5p is not. We show that both Cdc5p and Cdc20p are unstable proteins whose proteolysis is regulated by the APC. Both proteins accumulate during late G2/M phase and disappear at a late stage of anaphase. Accumulation of Cdc20p contributes to activation of Pds1p proteolysis in metaphase, whereas accumulation of Cdc5p facilitates the activation of Clb2p proteolysis.
Promoting self-esteem in the hospitalized adolescent: clinical interventions.

Self-concept is the single most important factor affecting behavior. Adolescence is a particularly critical period in which the self-concept is forming. Illness and hospitalization during this period can interfere with the adolescent's ability to achieve developmental tasks. The potential loss of independence and subjection to multiple traumatic experiences (both physical and psychological) that accompany hospitalization can be detrimental to the adolescent's ability to gain and maintain self-esteem. This article discusses some approaches that can be used by health-care professionals to assist adolescents in improving or maintaining their level of self-esteem while hospitalized.
Learning Personalized Product Recommendations with Customer Disengagement

Problem definition: We study personalized product recommendations on platforms when customers have unknown preferences. Importantly, customers may disengage when offered poor recommendations. Academic/practical relevance: Online platforms often personalize product recommendations using bandit algorithms, which balance an exploration-exploitation trade-off. However, customer disengagement—a salient feature of platforms in practice—introduces a novel challenge because exploration may cause customers to abandon the platform. We propose a novel algorithm that constrains exploration to improve performance. Methodology: We present evidence of customer disengagement using data from a major airline’s ad campaign; this motivates our model of disengagement, where a customer may abandon the platform when offered irrelevant recommendations. We formulate the customer preference learning problem as a generalized linear bandit, with the notable difference that the customer’s horizon length is a function of past recommendations. Results: We prove that no algorithm can keep all customers engaged. Unfortunately, classical bandit algorithms provably overexplore, causing every customer to eventually disengage. Motivated by the structural properties of the optimal policy in a scalar instance of our problem, we propose modifying bandit learning strategies by constraining the action space up front using an integer program. We prove that this simple modification allows our algorithm to perform well by keeping a significant fraction of customers engaged. Managerial implications: Platforms should be careful to avoid overexploration when learning customer preferences if customers have a high propensity for disengagement. Numerical experiments on movie recommendations data demonstrate that our algorithm can significantly improve customer engagement.
Post Hoc Power : Tables and Commentary

Post hoc power is the retrospective power of an observed effect based on the sample size and parameter estimates derived from a given data set. Many scientists recommend using post hoc power as a follow-up analysis, especially if a finding is nonsignificant. This article presents tables of post hoc power for common t and F tests. These tables make it explicitly clear that for a given significance level, post hoc power depends only on the P value and the degrees of freedom. It is hoped that this article will lead to greater understanding of what post hoc power is—and is not. We also present a " grand unified formula " for post hoc power based on a reformulation of the problem, and a discussion of alternative views.
VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-Selectin in IgA Nephropathy and Schönlein-Henoch Syndrome: Differences between Tissue Expression and Serum Concentration

The tissue expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1 (E-selectin-1) were investigated in biopsy specimens from 28 patients with different stages of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and 20 patients with acute renal failure (ARF) or chronic renal diseases (amyloidosis, Alport’s glomerulopathy) by immunohistochemistry. The results were compared with the serum levels of the three adhesion molecules. VCAM-1 expression was significantly increased on parietal/tubular epithelial cells in IgAN and ARF. Significantly elevated circulating VCAM-1 levels were measured in IgAN and amyloidosis, but did not correlate with renal function (creatinine clearance). Significantly increased glomerular endothelial/epithelial ICAM-1 expression was found in IgAN and ARF. Intense mesangial ICAM-1 expression was found in mild stages of IgAN and in Schönlein-Henoch syndrome. Circulating ICAM-1 was not significantly elevated in IgAN and different renal diseases. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expressions of interstitial infiltrating cells were significantly higher in severe than in mild IgAN and associated with an increased infiltration of inflammatory leukocytes. Patients with IgAN and different renal diseases had decreased mesangial and almost absent interstitial E-selectin expression as compared with controls. The circulating E-selectin levels were significantly elevated in ARF. In conclusion, the tissue expression of adhesion molecules in IgAN reflects a continuous inflammatory renal activity. However, only increased circulating VCAM-1 serum levels correlated significantly with the histological state of renal inflammation and could be used as a disease marker.
A controlled family history study of childhood-onset depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND We studied the family psychiatric history of 125 youths with childhood-onset depressive disorder (a portion of whom developed bipolar disorder) and 55 psychiatric controls with nonaffective disorder. METHODS Probands were classified according to prospectively observed clinical course in childhood. Family psychiatric history was determined by interviewers blind to probands' diagnosis, with mothers typically informing about themselves and about remaining first- and a all second-degree adult relatives. RESULTS Families of affectively ill juveniles had 5-fold greater odds of lifetime depressive disorder and 2-fold greater odds of recurrent unipolar depressive disorder than did families of psychiatric controls. The higher risk of depression was most evident in first-degree and female relatives. Mothers of affectively ill youths were younger at onset of depression than were mothers of controls. Alcoholism and substance use disorders were more prevalent in relatives of affectively ill probands than in controls and cosegregated with familial depression. However, other covariates were more important at predicting patterns of familial depression. Familial illness patterns also varied somewhat with proband characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Child probands with affective disorder identify families enriched with affective disorder (even compared with families of psychiatric controls), suggesting that juvenile- and adult-onset forms of this condition share the same diathesis. Rates of affective illness in the families of depressed youngsters also are notably higher than population-based estimates. The findings therefore indicate that very-early-onset affective disorder is familial and that pedigrees ascertained through affectively ill children are good candidates for family and genetic studies.
Inferior results with unilateral compared with bilateral brace in Ponseti-treated clubfeet

Purpose The Ponseti method for treating clubfoot was introduced in Norway in 2003, and a cohort of children has been followed for 8 to 11 years. In a previous study, we found good results after follow-up of two to five years, with 3% rate of extensive surgery (posterior release or posteromedial release). During 8 to 11 years of follow-up, the rate of extensive surgery increased to 11%. The children had been treated with a bilateral brace or a unilateral brace. In this multicentre study we aimed to compare these two post-corrective treatment methods. Methods In all, 94 children (133 feet) were initially treated according to the Ponseti method, and had post-corrective treatment with either a bilateral foot abduction brace or a unilateral above-the-knee brace. The children were examined at a mean age of 9.3 years (8 to 11) regarding flexibility and deformity of the foot and ankle. Information including type of brace, brace compliance and surgical procedures was obtained from the patient records. The parents answered questionnaires and radiographs were taken of the feet. Results Feet treated with a bilateral brace had better dorsal flexion (p = 0.008), plantar flexion (p = 0.02), external rotation (p = 0.001) and less forefoot adduction (p = 0.04) than feet treated with a unilateral brace. Children using a bilateral brace had a better Functional Rating System score (p = 0.005) and Disease Specific Instrument score (p = 0.02). Conclusion Children treated with a bilateral brace had better parent-reported outcomes and more flexible feet than children treated with a unilateral brace. Our results do not support the use of a unilateral foot abduction brace in clubfoot treatment.
Association of Fear Auras with Mood and Anxiety Disorders After Temporal Lobectomy

Summary: Purpose: Epilepsy has been associated with increased occurrence of behavioral disorders. Auras reflect abnormal stimulation of brain areas in close proximity to regions from which clinical seizures originate. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether fear auras are associated with a higher rate of mood and anxiety disorders before and 1 year after temporal lobectomy.
Flight paths of seabirds soaring over the ocean surface enable measurement of fine-scale wind speed and direction

Significance Monitoring ocean surface winds is essential for understanding ocean and atmosphere interactions and weather forecasts. However, wind measured by satellite scatterometers and buoys are spatially and temporally coarse, particularly in coastal areas. We deployed small global positioning system units on soaring seabirds to record their tracks. Seabirds were accelerated by tail winds or slowed down by head winds during flight, so their flight speed changed in relation to wind speed and direction. Taking advantage of these changes in flight speed, we reliably estimated wind speed and direction experienced by the seabirds. The wind observed by soaring seabird’s tracks complemented the conventional observation gaps in terms of both time and space, suggesting the possibility of using soaring seabirds as a living anemometer. Ocean surface winds are an essential factor in understanding the physical interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean. Surface winds measured by satellite scatterometers and buoys cover most of the global ocean; however, there are still spatial and temporal gaps and finer-scale variations of wind that may be overlooked, particularly in coastal areas. Here, we show that flight paths of soaring seabirds can be used to estimate fine-scale (every 5 min, ∼5 km) ocean surface winds. Fine-scale global positioning system (GPS) positional data revealed that soaring seabirds flew tortuously and ground speed fluctuated presumably due to tail winds and head winds. Taking advantage of the ground speed difference in relation to flight direction, we reliably estimated wind speed and direction experienced by the birds. These bird-based wind velocities were significantly correlated with wind velocities estimated by satellite-borne scatterometers. Furthermore, extensive travel distances and flight duration of the seabirds enabled a wide range of high-resolution wind observations, especially in coastal areas. Our study suggests that seabirds provide a platform from which to measure ocean surface winds, potentially complementing conventional wind measurements by covering spatial and temporal measurement gaps.
Level of Immersion in Virtual Environments Impacts the Ability to Assess and Teach Social Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract Virtual environments (VEs) may be useful for delivering social skills interventions to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Immersive VEs provide opportunities for individuals with ASD to learn and practice skills in a controlled replicable setting. However, not all VEs are delivered using the same technology, and the level of immersion differs across settings. We group studies into low-, moderate-, and high-immersion categories by examining five aspects of immersion. In doing so, we draw conclusions regarding the influence of this technical manipulation on the efficacy of VEs as a tool for assessing and teaching social skills. We also highlight ways in which future studies can advance our understanding of how manipulating aspects of immersion may impact intervention success.
Continuous Monitoring of Arterial Pressure Indicates Sinoaortic Denervated Rats Are Not Hypertensive

SUMMARY The mean arterial pressure (MAP) of nine sinoaortic denervated (SAD) and eight control rats housed in standard-sized metabolic cages was determined continuously via aortic cannuiae and computerized data collection over 24 hours. These continuous measurements were compared with direct, mean aortic pressure measurements and indirect, tail-cuff systolic pressure determinations made while these rats were resting in a Luclte restralner. Denerrated rats were studied 1 month after debuffering. Both types of measurements made during restraint indicated that the SAD rats were hypertensive; the MAP averaged 145 ± 3.4 mm Hg (mean ± SEM) in SAD rats compared with 119 ± 2.8 mm Hg in the control group (p < 0.001), and the tailcuff pressure in SAD rats was 156 ± 5.4 vs 121 ± 2.7 mm Hg in control rats (p < 0.001). In contrast, continuous monitoring showed that the SAD rats were normotensive; the MAP averaged 119 ± 4.7 mm Hg in the SAD group and 119 ± 3.1 mm Hg in the control group. Denervation increased pressure lability; the average 24-hour standard deviation of MAP was 19.0 ± 1.2 mm Hg in SAD rats vs 8.0 ± 0.7 mm Hg in control rats (p < 0.001). Apparently, arterial pressure is elevated during restraint in SAD rats because buffering by the baroreceptor reflex is absent, and pressure measurements made under these conditions give a false indication of hypertension.
Kinetic analysis of cytokine‐mediated receptor assembly using engineered FC heterodimers

A method for analyzing ligand–receptor binding kinetics is described, which is based on an engineered FC domain (FChk) that forms a covalent heterodimer. To validate the system, the type I IFN receptors (IFNAR1 and IFNAR2) were expressed as IFNAR1‐FChk, IFNAR2‐FCkh, and IFNAR1/IFNAR2‐FChk fusion proteins. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis of binary IFNα2a/IFNAR interactions confirmed prior affinity measurements, while the affinity of the IFNα2a/IFNAR1/IFNAR2‐FChk interaction reproduced the affinity of IFNα2a binding to living cells. In cellular assays, IFNAR1/IFNAR2‐FChk potently neutralized IFNα2a bioactivity with an inhibitory concentration equivalent to the KD measured by SPR. These studies suggest that FChk provides a simple reagent to evaluate the binding kinetics of multiple ligand–receptor signaling systems that control cell growth, development, and immunity.
Effect of two prostaglandin injections on days 5 and 6 in a timed AI protocol after estrus expression on pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows during cold or hot seasons of the year

Abstract The objective of this study was to test whether prostaglandin (PG) injection on day 30 postpartum (pp) and detection of estrus can affect the efficacy of injecting PG on days 5 and 6 in the timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol on pregnancy rate in a large dairy herd in hot or cold seasons. Out of 2235 cows, 1998 received an injection of PG at 30±3 d pp and estrus was observed. Cows that displayed estrus during the estrous observation period after PG injection were classified as estrus (E), while those that did not show estrus were classified as nonestrus (NE). Cows in each group were assigned to two treatments: CO-72 (control treatment) (ECO-72 and NECO-72) (day 44 GnRH, day 51 PGF2α, day 54 GnRH+TAI) or PG–PG (EPG–PG and NEPG–PG) (day 44 GnRH, day 49 PGF2α, day 50 PGF2α, day 52 GnRH+TAI). Pregnancy was diagnosed on days 33 and 47 after artificial insemination (AI). The proportion of cows in estrus on the day of TAI was higher (P≤0.05) for cows that received two PG than for cows that received one PG. Pregnancies per AI (P/AI) on days 33 and 47 for cows inseminated during and after a voluntary waiting period in the NEPG–PG treatment had higher rates than for cows in the EPG–PG, ECO-72 and NECO-72 treatments. Moreover, P/AI were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by parity. Primiparous had higher P/AI (37.0 %) than multiparous cows (31.6 %). Cows inseminated in cold months had higher P/AI and reduced PL (35.6 % and 20.8 %) than cows inseminated in hot months (29.1 % and 30.6 %, respectively). In conclusion, treatments with PG on days 5 and 6 after the first GnRH injection increased P/AI. Estrus detection before the beginning of TAI protocol did not affect fertility. To maximize P/AI cows exhibiting heat at any time during the synchronization protocol should be inseminated.