Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Cognition in Young Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Success in visuospatial tasks has often been demonstrated in teenagers with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, what has been tested in these studies, with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (Wechsler, 1974) performance scale, does not deal with the spatial capacities that co-occur with the advent of self-produced locomotion. Indeed, various studies have shown that occurrence of locomotion in infancy is correlated with the development of visuospatial cognitive competencies, suggesting that locomotor experience might play a central role in spatial development, especially in the realm of manual search for hidden objects. It is thus of interest to assess spatial search skills in SMA young children suffering total deprivation of locomotor experience. Twelve Type-2 SMA children with a mean age of 30 months were compared with controls with respect to their spatial search skills in a memory-for-locations task. In this search task, hiding containers were rotated 180° before search was permitted. The performance obtained with the SMA group did not differ from that obtained in the healthy control group. SMA patients searched correctly for a hidden object in the 3-choice search task. Locomotor impairment does not appear to be a key risk factor for dramatic slowing down or deviation in the development of spatial search skills, as assumed by some authors. Further research is needed to identify the alternative pathways to normal spatial development that are used by SMA young children.
Prenatal expression of the growth hormone (GH) receptor/binding protein in the rat: a role for GH in embryonic and fetal development?

Although fetal growth is generally considered to be independent of pituitary growth hormone (GH), it is possible that pituitary GH plays a modulatory role in organ development or that a GH-like substance of non pituitary origin may influence fetal growth through the GH receptor. Accordingly, we have used immunohistochemistry, northern blot analysis, the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and solution hybridization to study the ontogeny of the GH receptor/binding protein (BP) from the 12-day-old embryo (E12) to the E18 rat fetus. GH receptor/BP immunoreactivity was observed in all major organ systems of the E18 rat fetus and was not preferentially associated with any germ layer derivative. A general increase in GH receptor/BP immunoreactivity was evident from E12 to E18, with a marked increase occurring between E16 and E18. Hemangioblastic tissue was, however, strongly or intensely immunoreactive at all stages of development, as was the placenta. Most noteworthy of the other tissues expressing GH receptor/BP immunoreactivity by day 18 were skeletal and smooth muscle, chondroprogenitor cells, epithelial lining cells, neuronal ganglia, ependymal cells and the adrenal cortex. In the placenta, the most prominent immunoreactivity was associated with decidual cells. Total RNA was isolated from E12 to E18 rat fetuses and adult rat liver. Northern hybridization with a 35S-labelled rat GH receptor cRNA probe revealed that 3.9 kb and 1.2 kb transcripts complementary to the rat GH receptor riboprobe are present from at least E16. The existence of GH receptor mRNA at E12 and E14 was demonstrated by the polymerase chain reaction. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Microscale modelling of cleavage fracture at low temperatures: influence of heterogeneities at the granular scale

A methodology is proposed in this paper to compute local probability of fracture of a representative volume element from microstructural and fractographic information. A microscale approach is reported for cleavage fracture modelling of bainitic reactor pressure vessel steel. A fine metallographic and micro-mechanical characterization has been performed. Morphological information has been used to generate realistic three-dimensional (3D) aggregates and a suitable calibration process has been set up to identify an accurate crystal plasticity model for A508 bainitic steel. Simulation results have been successfully compared with macroscopic stress-strain curve. Taking benefits of a fine mechanical description of local stress and strain fields in aggregates, a post-processing has been implemented to compute stress to failure values, for several realizations of an experimental carbides sizes distribution. A cumulative probability of fracture is proposed for this steel.
Strategies for containing Ebola in West Africa

The ongoing Ebola outbreak poses an alarming risk to the countries of West Africa and beyond. To assess the effectiveness of containment strategies, we developed a stochastic model of Ebola transmission between and within the general community, hospitals, and funerals, calibrated to incidence data from Liberia. We find that a combined approach of case isolation, contact-tracing with quarantine, and sanitary funeral practices must be implemented with utmost urgency in order to reverse the growth of the outbreak. As of 19 September, under status quo, our model predicts that the epidemic will continue to spread, generating a predicted 224 (134 to 358) daily cases by 1 December, 280 (184 to 441) by 15 December, and 348 (249 to 545) by 30 December. A combination of hygienic practices could feasibly check Ebola within 6 months. Recharging Ebola mitigation measures Effective drugs and vaccines for Ebola virus are not available, so what can be done? Pandey et al. used a mathematical model to analyze transmission in different scenarios: the community, hospitals, and at funerals. Achieving full compliance with any single control measure, such as case isolation, is impossible under prevailing conditions. However, with a minimum of 60% compliance, a combination of case isolation, hygienic burial, and contact tracing could reduce daily case numbers to single figures in 5 to 6 months. Success will also require persistence and sensitivity to local customs. Science, this issue p. 991
The effects of AKD oligomers present in AKD wax on dispersion stability and paper sizing performance

AKD oligomers are the major components occurring as impurities or by-products in AKD waxes produced at industrial level. In this study, a model of AKD oligomers was prepared from a mixture of stearic and palmitic acid chlorides, and converted to dispersions containing a standard AKD wax and the AKD oligomers in various weight ratios. These AKD oligomers-containing dispersions were subjected to temperature-shock treatment and handsheet-making for evaluation of the effects of AKD oligomers present in AKD waxes on dispersion stability and paper sizing performances. The AKD oligomers prepared in this study had molecular mass values ranging from 800 to 10,000 with a weight average molecular mass of 2,300, which corresponded to 9 ketenes or 4.5 ketene dimers. Moreover, the AKD oligomers had melting points around 36°C, which was lower than that of AKD (ca. 50°C), and had crystallinity lower than that of AKD. AKD oligomers present in AKD waxes contributed to higher dispersion stability after temperature-shock treatment. Sizing efficiency slightly decreased, when the AKD oligomers-containing AKD dispersions were applied to making unfilled handsheets. However, the decreases in sizing degrees were not so remarkable. Scanning electron microscopic observation of the unfilled handsheet surfaces showed that AKD oligomers-containing dispersion particles had particle sizes smaller than that of the standard AKD wax dispersion and were evenly distributed with increasing frequency on pulp fiber surfaces. In contrast, the presence of AKD oligomers in AKD waxes clearly decreased sizing efficiency, when the dispersions prepared from these waxes were applied to the preparation of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC)-filled handsheets. Large agglomerates of dispersion particles were often formed in water at pH 10, where Ca(OH)2 was present. Thus, the presence of AKD oligomers in AKD wax dispersions has distinctly negative influences on sizing performance for PCC-filled paper.
The writing of economics

Essentially there are two kinds of economics papers : empirical papers, which run data through a model (a series of mathematical equations); and theoretical papers, which begin with a model based on certain premises and then prove that certain outcomes will ensue. These two kinds of papers reflect what the discipline considers to be legitimate economics. Yo u will not find qualitative studies, for instance, nor will you find papers without a mathematical model.
An Exploratory Study of the Relations Between Perceived Emotion Strength and Articulatory Kinematics

Acoustic and articulatory behaviors underlying emotion strength perception are studied by analyzing acted emotional speech. Listeners evaluated emotion identity, strength and confidence. Parameters related to pitch, loudness and articulatory kinematics are associated with a 2-level (strong/weak) representation of the emotion strength. Two-class discriminant analyses show averaged leave-one-out accuracies of 65.8% and 63.8% in the acoustic and articulatory domains, respectively. Two-factor ANOVA (emotion type/strength) indicates that the listeners assess the emotion strength based on the nature of perceived emotions in the arousal dimension. Only hot anger and happiness show significant differences in pitch use in the strength contrast. Such contrasts are also observed in tongue lowering and/or advancing. The strength contrast by listeners may mainly rely upon pitch and loudness. However, interactions between the acoustic and articulatory parameters in strength perception are complex.
An integrated two-level hierarchical system for decision making in radiation therapy based on fuzzy cognitive maps

Radiation therapy decision-making is a complex process that has to take into consideration a variety of interrelated functions. Many fuzzy factors that must be considered in the calculation of the appropriate dose increase the complexity of the decision-making problem. A novel approach introduces fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) as the computational modeling method, which tackles the complexity and allows the analysis and simulation of the clinical radiation procedure. Specifically this approach is used to determine the success of radiation therapy process estimating the final dose delivered to the target volume, based on the soft computing technique of FCMs. Furthermore a two-level integrated hierarchical structure is proposed to supervise and evaluate the radiotherapy process prior to treatment execution. The supervisor determines the treatment variables of cancer therapy and the acceptance level of final radiation dose to the target volume. Two clinical case studies are used to test the proposed methodology and evaluate the simulation results. The usefulness of this two-level hierarchical structure discussed and future research directions are suggested for the clinical use of this methodology.
Comparative Study of the Labial Gland Secretion in Termites (Isoptera)

Labial glands are present in all castes and developmental stages of all termite species. In workers, their secretion contains a food-marking pheromone and digestive enzymes, while soldier secretion plays a defensive role. However, these functions were studied only in a limited set of species, and do not allow drawing general conclusions. Hence, we have investigated the chemical composition of the labial gland extracts from soldiers and workers in 15 termite species belonging to 6 families using an integrative approach based on proteomic and small-molecule profiling. We confirmed the presence of hydroquinone and cellulase in the labial glands of workers, and we identified new toxic compounds in soldiers and workers of several species. Our results highlight the dual role of labial gland secretion, i.e. the defensive role in soldiers and workers of several termite species, and the digestive function in workers.
Mutational and gene fusion analyses of primary large cell and large cell neuroendocrine lung cancer

Large cell carcinoma with or without neuroendocrine features (LCNEC and LC, respectively) constitutes 3–9% of non-small cell lung cancer but is poorly characterized at the molecular level. Herein we analyzed 41 LC and 32 LCNEC (including 15 previously reported cases) tumors using massive parallel sequencing for mutations in 26 cancer-related genes and gene fusions in ALK, RET, and ROS1. LC patients were additionally subdivided into three immunohistochemistry groups based on positive expression of TTF-1/Napsin A (adenocarcinoma-like, n = 24; 59%), CK5/P40 (squamous-like, n = 5; 12%), or no marker expression (marker-negative, n = 12; 29%). Most common alterations were TP53 (83%), KRAS (22%), MET (12%) mutations in LCs, and TP53 (88%), STK11 (16%), and PTEN (13%) mutations in LCNECs. In general, LCs showed more oncogene mutations compared to LCNECs. Immunomarker stratification of LC revealed oncogene mutations in 63% of adenocarcinoma-like cases, but only in 17% of marker-negative cases. Moreover, marker-negative LCs were associated with inferior overall survival compared with adenocarcinoma-like tumors (p = 0.007). No ALK, RET or ROS1 fusions were detected in LCs or LCNECs. Together, our molecular analyses support that LC and LCNEC tumors follow different tumorigenic paths and that LC may be stratified into molecular subgroups with potential implications for diagnosis, prognostics, and therapy decisions.
Arthrodesis of the metatarso-phalangeal joint of the great toe.

1. A long term review of arthrodesis in the management of hallux valgus and rigidus is presented. 2. This is briefly compared with Keller9s operation. 3. Eighty-five per cent of patients had a satisfactory result. 4. The reasons for failure and the errors in operative technique are discussed.
Influence of screw profile and extrusion conditions on the microstructure of polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites

Direct melt mixing in a twin screw extruder is a simple and classical technique for preparing nanocomposites by dispersing organoclay in a thermoplastic matrix. In this paper, we focus on organoclay/polypropylene nanocomposites, using maleated polypropylene as compatibilizer. The objective of the work is to characterize the influence of screw profile and processing conditions on the microstructure of the nanocomposite (intercalation and exfoliation). Different screw profiles, more or less severe in terms of mixing elements, have been investigated. For each profile, different processing conditions (feed rate, screw speed) have been tested. Samples were collected both at die exit and all along the screw profiles and analyzed (X-ray diffraction and rheometry). Numerical simulations have been performed to quantify the thermomechanical treatment experienced by the material inside the extruder. For all profiles and operating conditions, a mixed intercalated/ exfoliated structure has been observed. Exfoliation increases linearly with the ratio of screw speed to feed rate, but is more important for the less severe profile. Except at low feed rate, intercalation and exfoliation do not change a lot along the screw profile. In many cases, the final microstructure is already obtained after the melting zone of the extruder.
Foxc Transcription Factors Directly Regulate Dll4 and Hey2 Expression by Interacting with the VEGF-Notch Signaling Pathways in Endothelial Cells

Background Recent studies have shown that in the developing embryo, arterial and venous identity is established by genetic mechanisms before circulation begins. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling and its downstream Notch pathway play critical roles in arterial cell fate determination. We have recently shown that Foxc1 and Foxc2, two closely related Fox transcription factors, are essential for arterial cell specification during development by directly inducing the transcription of Delta-like 4 (Dll4), a ligand for Notch receptors. However, the basic mechanisms whereby the VEGF and Notch signaling pathways control transcriptional regulation of arterial-specific genes have yet to be elucidated. Methodologies/Principal Findings In the current study, we examined whether and how Foxc transcription factors are involved in VEGF and Notch signaling in induction of Dll4 as well as the Notch target gene Hey2 in endothelial cells. We found that Foxc1 and Foxc2 directly activate the Hey2 promoter via Foxc binding elements. Significantly, Foxc2 physically and functionally interacts with a Notch transcriptional activation complex containing Su(H) and Notch intracellular domain to induce Hey2 promoter activity. Moreover, activation of the Dll4 and Hey2 promoters is induced by VEGF in conjunction with either Foxc1 or Foxc2 more than by either component alone. VEGF-activated PI3K and ERK intracellular pathways modulate the transcriptional activity of Foxc proteins in Dll4 and Hey2 induction. Conclusions/Significance Our new findings demonstrate that Foxc transcriptional factors interact with VEGF and Notch signaling to regulate arterial gene expression in multiple steps of the VEGF-Dll4-Notch-Hey2 signaling pathway.
Improved algorithmic versions of the Lovász Local Lemma

The Lovász Local Lemma is a powerful tool in combinatorics and computer science. The original version of the lemma was nonconstructive, and efficient algorithmic versions have been developed by Beck, Alon, Molloy & Reed, et al. In particular, the work of Molloy & Reed lets us automatically extract efficient versions of essentially any application of the symmetric version of the Local Lemma. However, with some exceptions, there is a significant gap between what one can prove using the original Lemma nonconstructively, and what is possible through these efficient versions; also, some of these algorithmic versions run in super-polynomial time. Here, we lessen this gap, and improve the running time of all these applications (which cover all applications in the Molloy & Reed framework) to polynomial. We also improve upon the parallel algorithmic version of the Local Lemma for hypergraph coloring due to Alon, by allowing noticeably more overlap among the edges.
Empirical coordination with two-sided state information and correlated source and state

The coordination of autonomous agents is a critical issue for decentralized communication networks. Instead of transmitting information, the agents interact in a coordinated manner in order to optimize a general objective function. A target joint probability distribution is achievable if there exists a code such that the sequences of symbols are jointly typical. The empirical coordination is strongly related to the joint source-channel coding with two-sided state information and correlated source and state. This problem is also connected to state communication and is open for non-causal encoder and decoder. We characterize the optimal solutions for perfect channel, for lossless decoding, for independent source and channel, for causal encoding and for causal decoding.
A Refined Analysis of the Poisson Channel in the High-Photon-Efficiency Regime

We study the discrete-time Poisson channel under the constraint that its average input power (in photons per channel use) must not exceed some constant ε. We consider the wideband, high-photon-efficiency extreme where ε approaches zero, and where the channel's dark current approaches zero proportionally with ε. Improving over a previously obtained first-order capacity approximation, we derive a refined approximation, which includes the exact characterization of the second-order term, as well as an asymptotic characterization of the third-order term with respect to the dark current. We also show that pulse-position modulation is nearly optimal in this regime.
Mechanism of the rejection of major histocompatibility complex class I- disparate murine skin grafts: rejection can be mediated by CD4+ cells activated by allo-class I + II antigen in CD8+ cell-depleted hosts

In the preceding article, we analyzed the immunohistochemical rejection mechanism of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (H-2K)- disparate murine skin grafts, and showed that only CD8+ cells infiltrated at the site of the epithelial tissue of MHC class I- disparate graft. We also showed that perfect survival of MHC class I- disparate grafts were attained in thymectomized recipients treated with anti-Lyt-2 monoclonal antibody. In this report, we showed that these long-surviving allo-class I grafts were rejected in the absence of CD8+ cells by stimulation with allo-MHC class I + II-disparate graft as the second stimulation. Furthermore, it was immunohistochemically revealed that under that condition, a large number of CD4+ cells infiltrated into the epithelial tissue of these long-surviving class I grafts, which were going to be rejected 2-5 d after the transplantation of a second graft with MHC class I + II difference. This result directly shows that CD4+ cells are able to became effectors for the rejection of allo-MHC class I (H-2K) skin graft.
Shexiang Baoxin Pills for Coronary Heart Disease in Animal Models: Preclinical Evidence and Promoting Angiogenesis Mechanism

Shexiang Baoxin Pill (SBP) originated from a classical TCM Fufang Suhexiang Pill for chest pain with dyspnea in the Southern Song Dynasty (1107–110 AD). Here, we aimed to evaluate preclinical evidence and possible mechanism of SBP for experimental coronary heart disease (CHD). Studies of SBP in animal models with CHD were identified from 6 databases until April 2016. Study quality for each included article was evaluated according to the CAMARADES 10-item checklist. Outcome measures were myocardial infarction area, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel count (MVC). All the data were analyzed by using RevMan 5.1 software. As a consequence, 25 studies with 439 animals were identified. The quality score of studies ranged from 2 to 5, with the median of 3.6. Meta-analysis of seven studies showed more significant effects of SBP on the reduction of the myocardial infarction area than the control (P < 0.01). Meta-analysis of eight studies showed significant effects of SBP for increasing VEGF expression compared with the control (P < 0.01). Meta-analysis of 10 studies indicated that SBP significantly improved MVC compared with the control (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these findings preliminarily demonstrated that SBP can reduce myocardial infarction area, exerting cardioprotective function largely through promoting angiogenesis.
Low-Density Graph Codes for Coded Cooperation on Slow Fading Relay Channels

We study Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes with iterative decoding on block-fading (BF) Relay Channels. We consider two users that employ coded cooperation, a variant of decode-and-forward with a smaller outage probability than the latter. An outage probability analysis for discrete constellations shows that full diversity can be achieved only when the coding rate does not exceed a maximum value that depends on the level of cooperation. We derive a new code structure by extending the previously published full-diversity root-LDPC code, designed for the BF point-to-point channel, to exhibit a rate-compatibility property which is necessary for coded cooperation. We estimate the asymptotic performance through a new density evolution analysis and the word error rate performance is determined for finite length codes. We show that our code construction exhibits near-outage limit performance for all block lengths and for a range of coding rates up to 0.5, which is the highest possible coding rate for two cooperating users.