Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Allelic polymorphism in the hamster oviductin gene is due to a variable number of mucin‐like tandem repeats

Oviductins are high‐molecular‐weight glycoproteins specifically secreted by the oviduct. These proteins bind to the zona pellucida of the ovulated oocyte and remain associated with the embryo during its transit in the oviduct. They may be involved in fertilization and early embryonic development. In order to explore their putative biological function, the cDNA sequence corresponding to oviductin in the golden hamster was determined. We found that the deduced amino acid sequence of this heavily O‐glycosylated protein presents characteristics typical of mucins, including serine‐ or threonine‐rich tandem repeats. Analysis of several cDNA clones and of genomic DNA revealed the presence of a single copy gene with two frequent alleles differing in the number of repeats. Comparison with oviductin sequences from other mammals indicates a high degree of conservation amongst species, except for the repeat region which shows divergence, notably in the number of repeats. Based on its biochemical and genetic properties, hamster oviductin can now be classified as a secretory mucin. This concept provides a new insight in the elucidation of its biological role: oviductin could possibly provide the oviduct and the oocyte with a protective coating ensuring normal tubal function and embryonic development. © 1995 wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An ERP Analysis of Recognition and Categorization Decisions in a Prototype-Distortion Task

Background Theories of categorization make different predictions about the underlying processes used to represent categories. Episodic theories suggest that categories are represented in memory by storing previously encountered exemplars in memory. Prototype theories suggest that categories are represented in the form of a prototype independently of memory. A number of studies that show dissociations between categorization and recognition are often cited as evidence for the prototype account. These dissociations have compared recognition judgements made to one set of items to categorization judgements to a different set of items making a clear interpretation difficult. Instead of using different stimuli for different tests this experiment compares the processes by which participants make decisions about category membership in a prototype-distortion task and with recognition decisions about the same set of stimuli by examining the Event Related Potentials (ERPs) associated with them. Method Sixty-three participants were asked to make categorization or recognition decisions about stimuli that either formed an artificial category or that were category non-members. We examined the ERP components associated with both kinds of decision for pre-exposed and control participants. Conclusion In contrast to studies using different items we observed no behavioural differences between the two kinds of decision; participants were equally able to distinguish category members from non-members, regardless of whether they were performing a recognition or categorisation judgement. Interestingly, this did not interact with prior-exposure. However, the ERP data demonstrated that the early visual evoked response that discriminated category members from non-members was modulated by which judgement participants performed and whether they had been pre-exposed to category members. We conclude from this that any differences between categorization and recognition reflect differences in the information that participants focus on in the stimuli to make the judgements at test, rather than any differences in encoding or process.
Nicotine Dependence and Reward Differ between Adolescent and Adult Male Mice

The present study defined age differences in several aspects of nicotine dependence using male mice of two age groups [postnatal day (PND) 28 and PND 70]. Adolescent and adult mice displayed differences in acute sensitivity to nicotine, rewarding and withdrawal effects, development of tolerance to nicotine, and nicotinic receptor function. In the condition place preference model, adolescent mice displayed a higher sensitivity to nicotine than adults. In addition, in spontaneous and mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal models, adolescent mice displayed fewer withdrawal signs than adults. In response to acute nicotine, it was found that adolescent mice displayed greater nicotine-induced antinociception compared with adult counterparts in the tail-flick test. Furthermore, differences in tolerance to nicotine were also noted in that adolescents developed a significantly higher degree of tolerance to nicotine in the hot-plate test compared with adults. Finally, using rubidium efflux assays, it was found that adolescent nicotinic receptors in different brain areas displayed significantly increased functionality compared with adult receptors. These data indicate that the underlying receptor mechanisms of nicotine dependence differ for adults and adolescents, suggesting that the effectiveness of smoking cessation therapies will differ for various age groups.
A Longitudinal Examination of the Adaptation to Poverty-Related Stress Model: Predicting Child and Adolescent Adjustment Over Time

This study tests key tenets of the Adaptation to Poverty-related Stress Model. This model (Wadsworth, Raviv, Santiago, & Etter, 2011) builds on Conger and Elder's family stress model by proposing that primary control coping and secondary control coping can help reduce the negative effects of economic strain on parental behaviors central to the family stress model, namely, parental depressive symptoms and parent–child interactions, which together can decrease child internalizing and externalizing problems. Two hundred seventy-five coparenting couples with children between the ages of 1 and 18 participated in an evaluation of a brief family strengthening intervention, aimed at preventing economic strain's negative cascade of influence on parents, and ultimately their children. The longitudinal path model, analyzed at the couple dyad level with mothers and fathers nested within couple, showed very good fit, and was not moderated by child gender or ethnicity. Analyses revealed direct positive effects of primary control coping and secondary control coping on mothers' and fathers' depressive symptoms. Decreased economic strain predicted more positive father–child interactions, whereas increased secondary control coping predicted less negative mother–child interactions. Positive parent–child interactions, along with decreased parent depression and economic strain, predicted child internalizing and externalizing over the course of 18 months. Multiple-group models analyzed separately by parent gender revealed, however, that child age moderated father effects. Findings provide support for the adaptation to poverty-related stress model and suggest that prevention and clinical interventions for families affected by poverty-related stress may be strengthened by including modules that address economic strain and efficacious strategies for coping with strain.
Acute Toxicity of Intravenously Administered Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Mice

Background With a wide range of applications, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are manufactured worldwide in large quantities. Recently, in the field of nanomedicine, intravenous injection of TiO2 nanoparticulate carriers directly into the bloodstream has raised public concerns on their toxicity to humans. Methods In this study, mice were injected intravenously with a single dose of TiO2 NPs at varying dose levels (0, 140, 300, 645, or 1387 mg/kg). Animal mortality, blood biochemistry, hematology, genotoxicity and histopathology were investigated 14 days after treatment. Results Death of mice in the highest dose (1387 mg/kg) group was observed at day two after TiO2 NPs injection. At day 7, acute toxicity symptoms, such as decreased physical activity and decreased intake of food and water, were observed in the highest dose group. Hematological analysis and the micronucleus test showed no significant acute hematological or genetic toxicity except an increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count among mice 645 mg/kg dose group. However, the spleen of the mice showed significantly higher tissue weight/body weight (BW) coefficients, and lower liver and kidney coefficients in the TiO2 NPs treated mice compared to control. The biochemical parameters and histological tissue sections indicated that TiO2 NPs treatment could induce different degrees of damage in the brain, lung, spleen, liver and kidneys. However, no pathological effects were observed in the heart in TiO2 NPs treated mice. Conclusions Intravenous injection of TiO2 NPs at high doses in mice could cause acute toxicity effects in the brain, lung, spleen, liver, and kidney. No significant hematological or genetic toxicity was observed.
EZH2 Inhibition Blocks Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth through Upregulation of Epithelial Tumor Suppressor Genes

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by marked heterogeneous genomic instability including frequent genetic alterations in epigenetic enzymes. In particular, the histone methyltransferase Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is overexpressed in multiple myeloma. EZH2 is the catalytic component of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), a master transcriptional regulator of differentiation. EZH2 catalyzes methylation of lysine 27 on histone H3 and its deregulation in cancer has been reported to contribute to silencing of tumor suppressor genes, resulting in a more undifferentiated state, and thereby contributing to the multiple myeloma phenotype. In this study, we propose the use of EZH2 inhibitors as a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of multiple myeloma. We demonstrate that EZH2 inhibition causes a global reduction of H3K27me3 in multiple myeloma cells, promoting reexpression of EZH2-repressed tumor suppressor genes in a subset of cell lines. As a result of this transcriptional activation, multiple myeloma cells treated with EZH2 inhibitors become more adherent and less proliferative compared with untreated cells. The antitumor efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors is also confirmed in vivo in a multiple myeloma xenograft model in mice. Together, our data suggest that EZH2 inhibition may provide a new therapy for multiple myeloma treatment and a promising addition to current treatment options. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(2); 287–98. ©2015 AACR.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase in tangle-bearing neurons of patients with Alzheimer's disease

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), affected neurons accumulate beta amyloid protein, components of which can induce mouse microglia to express the high-output isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) in vitro. Products of NOS2 can be neurotoxic. In mice, NOS2 is normally suppressed by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). Expression of TGF-beta 1 is decreased in brains from AD patients, a situation that might be permissive for accumulation of NOS2. Accordingly, we investigated the expression of NOS2 in patients with AD, using three monospecific antibodies: a previously described polyclonal and two new monoclonal antibodies. Neurofibrillary tangle-bearing neurons and neuropil threads contained NOS2 in brains from each of 11 AD patients ranging in age from 47 to 81 years. NOS2 was undetectable in brains from 6 control subjects aged 23-72 years, but was expressed in small amounts in 3 control subjects aged 77-87 years. Thus, human neurons can express NOS2 in vivo. The high-output pathway of NO production may contribute to pathogenesis in AD.
Synaptic mechanisms and network dynamics underlying spatial working memory in a cortical network model.

Single-neuron recordings from behaving primates have established a link between working memory processes and information-specific neuronal persistent activity in the prefrontal cortex. Using a network model endowed with a columnar architecture and based on the physiological properties of cortical neurons and synapses, we have examined the synaptic mechanisms of selective persistent activity underlying spatial working memory in the prefrontal cortex. Our model reproduces the phenomenology of the oculomotor delayed-response experiment of Funahashi et al. (S. Funahashi, C.J. Bruce and P.S. Goldman-Rakic, Mnemonic coding of visual space in the monkey's dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. J Neurophysiol 61:331-349, 1989). To observe stable spontaneous and persistent activity, we find that recurrent synaptic excitation should be primarily mediated by NMDA receptors, and that overall recurrent synaptic interactions should be dominated by inhibition. Isodirectional tuning of adjacent pyramidal cells and interneurons can be accounted for by a structured pyramid-to-interneuron connectivity. Robust memory storage against random drift of the tuned persistent activity and against distractors (intervening stimuli during the delay period) may be enhanced by neuromodulation of recurrent synapses. Experimentally testable predictions concerning the neural basis of working memory are discussed.
The urgency for effective user privacy-education to counter social engineering attacks on secure computer systems

Trusted people can fail to be trustworthy when it comes to protecting their aperture of access to secure computer systems due to inadequate education, negligence, and various social pressures. People are often the weakest link in an otherwise secure computer system and, consequently, are targeted for social engineering attacks. Social Engineering is a technique used by hackers or other attackers to gain access to information technology systems by getting the needed information (for example, a username and password) from a person rather than breaking into the system through electronic or algorithmic hacking methods. Such attacks can occur on both a physical and psychological level. The physical setting for these attacks occurs where a victim feels secure: often the workplace, the phone, the trash, and even on-line. Psychology is often used to create a rushed or officious ambiance that helps the social engineer to cajole information about accessing the system from an employee. Data privacy legislation in the United States and international countries that imposes privacy standards and fines for negligent or willful non-compliance increases the urgency to measure the trustworthiness of people and systems. One metric for determining compliance is to simulate, by audit, a social engineering attack upon an organization required to follow data privacy standards. Such an organization commits to protect the confidentiality of personal data with which it is entrusted. This paper presents the results of an approved social engineering audit made without notice within an organization where data security is a concern. Areas emphasized include experiences between the Social Engineer and the audited users, techniques used by the Social Engineer, and other findings from the audit. Possible steps to mitigate exposure to the dangers of Social Engineering through improved user education are reviewed.
A methodology for workload characterization of E-commerce sites

Performance analysis and capacity planning for e-commerce sites poses an interesting problem: how to best characterize the workload of these sites. Tradition al workload characterization methods, based on hits/set, page views/set, or visits/set, are not appropriate for e-commerce sites. In these environments, customers interact with the site through a series of consecutive and related requests, called sessions. Different navigational patterns can be observed for different groups of customers. In this paper, we propose a methodology for characterizing and generating e-commerce workload models. First, we introduce a state transition graph called Customer Behavior Model Graph (CBMG), that is used to describe the behavior of groups of customers who exhibit similar navigational patterns. A set of useful metrics, analytically derived from the analysis of the CBMG, is presented. Next, we define a workload model and show the steps required to obtain its parameters. We then propose a clustering algorithm to characterize workloads of e-commerce sites in terms of CBMGs. Finally, we present and discuss experimental results of the use of proposed methodology.
Spectral tilt as a perturbation-free measurement of noise levels in voice signals

Acoustic analysis of voice quality proves useful in the objective assessment of voice disorders and for motivating new components for use in improving voice synthesis. A commonly used quantitative spectral index is the harmonicsto-noise ratio (HNR), which gives gross information regarding speech signal periodicity. However, as the measure is sensitive to all forms of waveform aperiodicities (not simply the additive random noise component of turbulent origin), it lacks specificity. Furthermore, the HNR of the radiated speech waveform has a fundamental frequency (f0) -dependence, increasing with fundamental frequency (for equal noise levels of the glottal source). Two spectral tilt measurements are applied to synthetically generated, aperiodic voice signals to investigate their sensitivity to the various forms of aperiodicity. The tilt measures are found to provide perturbation(jitter and shimmer) free measures of noise levels in speech signals. However, for radiated speech waveforms the tilt measurements are strongly f0-dependent.
Is Cell Death a Critical End Point for Anticancer Therapies or Is Cytostasis Sufficient?

Since the discovery of conventional chemotherapy and the development of new target-based agents, the importance of cytostasis in anticancer activity has been debated. This review examines the relative importance of both cytostasis and cytotoxicity based on both preclinical data and clinical reports. Several limitations of our basic and clinical methods to evaluate cytostasis and cytotoxicity will be highlighted. Molecular mechanisms of cytostasis will be analyzed, including interference with the cell cycle as well as putative links with necrosis and autophagy. Finally, we will cite evidence that most older and newer compounds are both cytostatic and cytotoxic. The relative role of cytostasis and cytotoxicity on future drug screening and clinical development will be explored.
Polar codes with dynamic frozen symbols and their decoding by directed search

A novel construction of polar codes with dynamic frozen symbols is proposed. The proposed codes are subcodes of extended BCH codes, which ensure sufficiently high minimum distance. Furthermore, a decoding algorithm is proposed, which employs estimates of the not-yet-processed bit channel error probabilities to perform directed search in code tree, reducing thus the total number of iterations.
Quasi-Interpolating Spline Models for Hexagonally-Sampled Data

The reconstruction of a continuous-domain representation from sampled data is an essential element of many image processing tasks, in particular, image resampling. Until today, most image data have been available on Cartesian lattices, despite the many theoretical advantages of hexagonal sampling. In this paper, we propose new reconstruction methods for hexagonally sampled data that use the intrinsically 2-D nature of the lattice, and that at the same time remain practical and efficient. To that aim, we deploy box-spline and hex-spline models, which are notably well adapted to hexagonal lattices. We also rely on the quasi-interpolation paradigm to design compelling prefilters; that is, the optimal filter for a prescribed design is found using recent results from approximation theory. The feasibility and efficiency of the proposed methods are illustrated and compared for a hexagonal to Cartesian grid conversion problem
Cluster Analysis of Data Points using Partitioning and Probabilistic Model-based Algorithms

Exploring the dataset features through the application of clustering algorithms is a viable means by which the conceptual description of such data can be revealed for better understanding, grouping and decision making. Some clustering algorithms, especially those that are partitioned-based, clusters any data presented to them even if similar features do not present. This study explores the performance accuracies of partitioning-based algorithms and probabilistic model-based algorithm. Experiments were conducted using k-means, k-medoids and EM-algorithm. The study implements each algorithm using RapidMiner Software and the results generated was validated for correctness in accordance to the concept of external criteria method. The clusters formed revealed the capability and drawbacks of each algorithm on the data points.
Available potential energy and buoyancy variance in horizontal convection

We consider the mechanical energy budget for horizontal Boussinesq convection and show that there are two distinct energy pathways connecting the mechanical energy (i.e. kinetic, available potential and background potential energies) to the internal energy reservoir and the external energy source. To obtain bounds on the magnitudes of the energy transfer rates around each cycle, we first show that the volume-averaged dissipation rate of buoyancy variance χ ≡ κ 〈|∇b|2〉, where b is the buoyancy, is bounded from above by 4.57h−1κ2/3ν−1/3b7/3max. Here h is the depth of the container, κ the molecular diffusion, ν the kinematic viscosity and bmax the maximum buoyancy difference that exists on the surface. The bound on χ is used to estimate the generation rate of available potential energy Ea and the rate at which Ea is irreversibly converted to background potential energy via diapycnal fluxes, both of which are shown to vanish at least as fast as κ1/3 in the limit κ → 0 at fixed Prandtl number Pr = ν/κ. As a thought experiment, consider a hypothetical ocean insulated at all boundaries except at the upper surface, where the buoyancy is prescribed. The bounds on the energy transfer rates in the mechanical energy budget imply that buoyancy forcing alone is insufficient by at least three orders of magnitude to maintain observed oceanic dissipation rates and that additional energy sources such as winds, tides and perhaps bioturbation are necessary to sustain observed levels of turbulent dissipation in the world's oceans.
Towards optimal force distribution for walking excavators

This paper presents the successful implementation of force control strategies on a 12 ton walking excavator to optimize the ground reaction force distribution for better stability, less terrain damage and to reduce the operation complexity. Using cleverly arrange standard industrial valve components to separately control in- and out-flow of the hydraulic cylinders, we achieve accurate and fast joint torque control purely based on pressure feedback. On the full system level, we realize an automated force distribution to adjust the center of pressure and to level out the cabin of the machine. While the operator has still full control over the excavator, this assistance system guarantees permanent ground contact and ideal force distribution among the all four wheels independent of the level of the terrain. The proposed method significantly improves operability of the walking excavator in rough terrain.
The Psychology of Music Performance Anxiety

1. Phenomenology of Music Performance Anxiety 2. Conceptual framework 3. The Anxiety Disorders 4. Defining Music Performance Anxiety 5. Epidemiology of Music Performance Anxiety 6. Theoretical Contributions to Understanding Music Performance Anxiety 7. Treatment 8. Severe Music Performance Anxiety: Phenomenology and Theorizing 9. Common Themes in the lives of performing musicians 10. Prevention and Pedagogy