Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Progenitor cells derived from the adult human subcortical white matter disperse and differentiate as oligodendrocytes within demyelinated lesions of the rat brain

A distinct population of white matter progenitor cells (WMPCs), competent but not committed to generate oligodendrocytes, remains ubiquitous in the adult human subcortical white matter. These cells are present in both sexes and into senescence and may constitute as much as 4% of the cells of adult human capsular white matter. Transduction of adult human white matter dissociates with plasmids bearing early oligodendrocytic promoters driving fluorescent reporters permits the separation of these cells at high yield and purity, as does separation based on their expression of A2B5 immunoreactivity. Isolates of these cells survive xenograft to lysolecithin‐demyelinated brain and migrate rapidly to infiltrate these lesions, without extending into normal white matter. Within several weeks, implanted progenitors mature as oligodendrocytes, and develop myelin‐associated antigens. Lentiviral tagging with green fluorescent protein confirmed that A2B5‐sorted progenitors develop myelin basic protein expression within regions of demyelination and that they fail to migrate when implanted into normal brain. Adult human white matter progenitor cells can thus disperse widely through regions of experimental demyelination and are able to differentiate as myelinating oligodendrocytes. This being the case, they may constitute appropriate vectors for cell‐based remyelination strategies. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On multitarget jump-Markov filters

Multiple motion model (MMM) filters are a well-known approach for addressing rapidly maneuvering, noncooperative targets. Jump-Markov models provide the most well-known theoretical foundation for MMM filters. This paper addresses the problem of how to correctly generalize jump-Markov models to multitarget systems. Given this generalization, the jump-Markov version of the multisensor-multitarget Bayes filter is introduced. Then CPHD filter and PHD filter approximations of the jump-Markov multitarget Bayes filter are derived and compared with previous approaches.
Induction of myelin genes during peripheral nerve remyelination requires a continuous signal from the ingrowing axon

The effect of a permanent transection on myelin gene expression in a regenerating sciatic nerve and in an adult sciatic nerve was compared to establish the degree of axonal control exerted upon Schwann cells in each population. First, the adult sciatic nerve was crushed, and the distal segment allowed to regenerate. At 12 days post‐crush, the sciatic nerve was transected distal to the site of crush to disrupt the Schwann cell‐axonal contacts that had reformed. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels coding for five myelin proteins were assayed in the distal segment of the crush‐transected nerve after 9 days and were compared to corresponding levels in the distal segments of sciatic nerves at 21 days post‐crush and 21 days post‐transection using Northern blot and slot‐blot analysis. Levels of mRNAs found in the distal segment of the transected and crush‐transected nerve suggested that Schwann cells in the regenerating nerve and in the mature adult nerve are equally responsive to axonal influences. The crush‐transected model allowed the genes that were studied to be classified according to their response to Schwann cell‐axonal contact. The levels of mRNAs were (1) down‐regulated to basal levels (PO and MBP mRNAs), (2) down‐regulated to undetectable levels (myelin‐associated glycoprotein mRNAs), (3) upregulated (mRNAs encoding 2′3′‐cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and β‐actin), or (4) not stringently controlled by the removal of Schwann cell‐axonal contact (proteolipid protein mRNAs). This novel experimental model has thus provided evidence that the expression of some of the important myelin genes during peripheral nerve regeneration is dependent on continuous signals from the ingrowing axons. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Codes from Riemann-Roch spaces for y2 = xp - x over GF(p)

Let Χ denote the hyperelliptic curve y 2 = x p - x over a field F of characteristic p. The automorphism group of Χ is G = PSL(2, p). Let D be a G-invariant divisor on Χ(F). We compute explicit F-bases for the Riemann-Roch space of D in many cases as well as G-module decompositions. AG codes with good parameters and large automorphism group are constructed as a result. Numerical examples using GAP and SAGE are also given.
Detecting Visual Relationships with Deep Relational Networks

Relationships among objects play a crucial role in image understanding. Despite the great success of deep learning techniques in recognizing individual objects, reasoning about the relationships among objects remains a challenging task. Previous methods often treat this as a classification problem, considering each type of relationship (e.g. ride) or each distinct visual phrase (e.g. person-ride-horse) as a category. Such approaches are faced with significant difficulties caused by the high diversity of visual appearance for each kind of relationships or the large number of distinct visual phrases. We propose an integrated framework to tackle this problem. At the heart of this framework is the Deep Relational Network, a novel formulation designed specifically for exploiting the statistical dependencies between objects and their relationships. On two large data sets, the proposed method achieves substantial improvement over state-of-the-art.
Approximation and learning by greedy algorithms

We consider the problem of approximating a given element f from a Hilbert space H by means of greedy algorithms and the application of such procedures to the regression problem in statistical learning theory. We improve on the existing theory of convergence rates for both the orthogonal greedy algorithm and the relaxed greedy algorithm, as well as for the forward stepwise projection algorithm. For all these algorithms, we prove convergence results for a variety of function classes and not simply those that are related to the convex hull of the dictionary. We then show how these bounds for convergence rates lead to a new theory for the performance of greedy algorithms in learning. In particular, we build upon the results in [IEEE Trans. Inform. Theory 42 (1996) 2118-2132] to construct learning algorithms based on greedy approximations which are universally consistent and provide provable convergence rates for large classes of functions. The use of greedy algorithms in the context of learning is very appealing since it greatly reduces the computational burden when compared with standard model selection using general dictionaries.
Intragenic Recombination as a Mechanism of Genetic Diversity in Bluetongue Virus

ABSTRACT Bluetongue (BT), caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV), is an economically important disease affecting sheep, deer, cattle, and goats. Since 1998, a series of BT outbreaks have spread across much of southern and central Europe. To study why the epidemiology of the virus happens to change, it is important to fully know the mechanisms resulting in its genetic diversity. Gene mutation and segment reassortment have been considered as the key forces driving the evolution of BTV. However, it is still unknown whether intragenic recombination can occur and contribute to the process in the virus. We present here several BTV groups containing mosaic genes to reveal that intragenic recombination can take place between the virus strains and play a potential role in bringing novel BTV lineages.
Generalized TD Learning

Since the invention of temporal difference (TD) learning (Sutton, 1988), many new algorithms for model-free policy evaluation have been proposed. Although they have brought much progress in practical applications of reinforcement learning (RL), there still remain fundamental problems concerning statistical properties of the value function estimation. To solve these problems, we introduce a new framework, semiparametric statistical inference, to model-free policy evaluation. This framework generalizes TD learning and its extensions, and allows us to investigate statistical properties of both of batch and online learning procedures for the value function estimation in a unified way in terms of estimating functions. Furthermore, based on this framework, we derive an optimal estimating function with the minimum asymptotic variance and propose batch and online learning algorithms which achieve the optimality.
Extending query rewriting techniques for fine-grained access control

Current day database applications, with large numbers of users, require fine-grained access control mechanisms, at the level of individual tuples, not just entire relations/views, to control which parts of the data can be accessed by each user. Fine-grained access control is often enforced in the application code, which has numerous drawbacks; these can be avoided by specifying/enforcing access control at the database level. We present a novel fine-grained access control model based on authorization views that allows "authorization-transparent" querying; that is, user queries can be phrased in terms of the database relations, and are valid if they can be answered using only the information contained in these authorization views. We extend earlier work on authorization-transparent querying by introducing a new notion of validity, conditional validity. We give a powerful set of inference rules to check for query validity. We demonstrate the practicality of our techniques by describing how an existing query optimizer can be extended to perform access control checks by incorporating these inference rules.
Synergy between TLR9 and NOD2 innate immune responses is lost in genetic Crohn’s disease

Background: Nucleotide binding oligomerisation domain 2 (NOD2; also known as CARD15) mutations are associated with Crohn’s disease but how mutations cause disease is poorly understood. Innate immune responses are reportedly enhanced by combined NOD2 ligand (muramyl dipeptide, MDP) and Toll-like receptor 4 ligand (TLR4, lipopolysaccharide) stimulation. Intestinal TLR signalling has a dual role—maintaining intestinal homeostasis and protection from injury as well as initiating inflammatory responses. TLR9 is functional in the intestinal epithelium where it is most strongly expressed in Paneth cells. Aims: To study possible interactions between CpG DNA (TLR9 ligand) and MDP using primary human cells of differing NOD2 genotypes. Subjects: NOD2 wild-type healthy controls (n = 7) and NOD2 homozygous Crohn’s disease patients (n = 19), age and sex matched. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with CpG DNA and MDP. Cytokines were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) responses to CpG DNA were similar in NOD2 wild-type and homozygous mutant cells. Concomitant NOD2 stimulation had a marked synergistic effect on CpG DNA induced TNF-α responses at 10–100 ng/ml MDP. A mean 2.1-fold increase in CpG DNA induced TNF-α responses and a mean 3.7-fold increase in IL-8 responses were observed in NOD2 wild-type cells with 10 ng/ml MDP. This effect was abolished in NOD2 homozygous cells. Conclusions: NOD2 stimulation normally enhances innate immune responses to CpG DNA. This marked synergistic effect is lost in Crohn’s disease patients homozygous for NOD2 mutations, with implications for TLR mediated intestinal homeostasis and inflammation.
Language outcomes of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders: a two year follow‐up

Thirty‐seven children 15–25 months of age received clinical diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and were re‐evaluated two years later. All subjects were judged to have retained a diagnosis of ASD at the follow‐up evaluation. Communication scores for the group as a whole during the first visit were significantly lower than nonverbal IQ. However, by the second visit, verbal and nonverbal scores were no longer significantly different. The group was divided into two subgroups, based on expressive language (EL) outcome at the second visit. The two groups were similar in the second year of life in terms of expressive communication skills and autistic symptoms, except for a trend toward more stereotypic and repetitive behavior in the worse outcome group. By the second visit, however, the groups differed significantly on all standard measures of expression and reception, as well as on autistic symptomotology and nonverbal IQ. When assessed during their second year, children who ended up in the better outcome group showed higher average nonverbal cognitive level, receptive language (RL) scores, number of sounds and words produced, use of symbolic play schemes, and response to joint attention bids. Regression analysis revealed that the variables for which significant differences between the two outcome groups in their second year of life were found provided significant prediction of EL outcome at age four. Stepwise regression identified RL and presence of stereotypic and repetitive at the first visit as significantly associated with EL outcome. Implications of these findings for early identification and intervention are discussed.
Relationship of Internet addiction with self-esteem and depression in university students

Summary Background. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship of self-esteem and depression with Internet addiction in university students. Methods. The present descriptive-analytic correlation study involved 408 students (150 female and 258 male) who had been selected by means of a cluster sampling method from among all the students studying in Birjand Islamic Azad University. Students were evaluated through the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Cooper Smith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Results. The results indicated that 40.7% of the students had Internet addiction. A significant correlation emerged between depression, self-esteem and internet addiction. Regression analysis indicated that depression and self-esteem were able to predict the variance of Internet addiction to some extent. Conclusions. It may be important to evaluate self-esteem and depression in people with Internet addiction. These variables should be targeted for effective cognitive behavioral therapy in people with Internet addiction.
A variable inertial system for measuring the contractile properties of human muscle.

PURPOSE A flywheel system of variable inertia is described for inferring the mechanical properties of human muscle during a single explosive movement. METHODS The system consists of a lightweight aluminum disk mounted on a shaft onto which a driving cog is mounted. The inertia of the system can be varied from 0.024 to 0.69 kg.m(2) by attaching semicircular steel plates to the disk. A rotary encoder detects displacement of the wheel with a resolution of 1 degrees. Digital signals from the encoder are collected using an A/D converter interfaced to a PC. The data are then processed for the calculation of torque, velocity, power, work done, and acceleration. The mechanical properties of the muscles employed are inferred from calculations of flywheel displacement, time, and force. In addition, a pretension release mechanism can be incorporated into the system to allow isometric force to be developed before movement. This can increase power generation at the low inertias where the time of contraction is typically less than 200 ms. Seven subjects were test-retested using the device. Measures of both average and peak power were made. RESULTS When mounted in the apparatus described by Bassey and Short, the maximum values for peak and average power were on average 965 +/- 103 and 448 +/- 47 W, respectively. Upon retesting, these results were found to be reliable (cv = 3.3% and 3.0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The inertial system described has been shown to have validity in reproducibility and provided a suitable method of determining a number of muscle output properties during short-term single exertions. This tool could prove useful in a research or clinical setting and may also prove useful as a training device as it negates the need for a strain gauge or goniometer attachment.
From Randomness Extraction to Rotating Needles

The finite field Kakeya problem deals with the way lines in different directions can overlap in a vector space over a finite field. This problem came up in the study of certain Euclidean problems and, independently, in the search for explicit randomness extractors. We survey recent progress on this problem and describe several of its applications.
Source (or Part of the following Source): Type Article Title Affective Monitoring: a Generic Mechanism for Affect Elicitation Author(s) Hypothesis and Theory Article Affective Monitoring: a Generic Mechanism for Affect Elicitation

Copyright It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content licence (like Creative Commons). UvA-DARE is a service provided by the library of the University of Amsterdam (http://dare.uva.nl) In this paper we sketch a new framework for affect elicitation, which is based on previous evolutionary and connectionist modeling and experimental work from our group. Affective monitoring is considered a local match–mismatch process within a module of the neural network. Negative affect is raised instantly by mismatches, incongruency, disfluency, novelty, incoherence, and dissonance, whereas positive affect follows from matches, con-gruency, fluency, familiarity, coherence, and resonance, at least when an initial mismatch can be solved quickly. Affective monitoring is considered an evolutionary-early conflict and change detection process operating at the same level as, for instance, attentional selection. It runs in parallel and imparts affective flavor to emotional behavior systems, which involve evolutionary-prepared stimuli and action tendencies related to for instance defensive, exploratory, attachment, or appetitive behavior. Positive affect is represented in the networks by high-frequency oscillations, presumably in the gamma band. Negative affect corresponds to more incoherent lower-frequency oscillations, presumably in the theta band. For affect to become conscious, large-scale synchronization of the oscillations over the network and the construction of emotional experiences are required. These constructions involve perceptions of bodily states and action tendencies, but also appraisals as well as efforts to regulate the emotion. Importantly, affective monitoring accompanies every kind of information processing, but conscious emotions, which result from the later integration of affect in a cognitive context, are much rarer events.
Descending efferent connections of the sub‐pallidal areas in the cat: Projections to the subthalamic nucleus, the hypothalamus, and the midbrain

The efferent connections of the sub‐pallidal regions to the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, the subthalamic nucleus, the lateral hypothalamic area, and the midbrain were investigated in the cat, using Phaseolus vulgaris—leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) as an anterograde label. The results indicate that the sub‐pallidal regions of the cat project to the (dorso)medial tip of the subthalamic nucleus and the adjoining lateral hypotha‐lamic area as well as to the ventral tegmental area and the greater extent of the dorsolateral tier of the substantia nigra pars compacta. Extensive projections were also found to the peripeduncular nucleus. The central gray as well as the mesencephalic locomotor region receive some input from the basal forebrain too. In contrast only very limited projections were found to the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus. The results are discussed in view of the possible role of these output regions in oro‐facial dyskinesia. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The LuxR family protein SpnR functions as a negative regulator of N‐acylhomoserine lactone‐dependent quorum sensing in Serratia marcescens

Serratia marcescens SS‐1 produces at least four N ‐acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) which were identified using high‐resolution mass spectrometry and chemical synthesis, as N‐ (3‐oxohexanoyl) homo‐serine lactone (3‐oxo‐C6‐HSL), N ‐hexanoyl‐ (C6‐HSL), N ‐heptanoyl (C7‐HSL) and N ‐octanoyl‐ (C8‐HSL) homoserine lactone. These AHLs are synthesized via the LuxI homologue SpnI, and regulate via the LuxR homologue SpnR, the production of the red pigment, prodigiosin, the nuclease, NucA, and a biosurfactant which facilitates surface translocation. spnR overexpression and spnR gene deletion show that SpnR, in contrast to most LuxR homologues, acts as a negative regulator. spnI overexpression, the provision of exogenous AHLs and spnI gene deletion suggest that SpnR is de‐repressed by 3‐oxo‐C6‐HSL. In addition, long chain AHLs antagonize the biosurfactant‐mediated surface translocation of S. marcescens SS‐1. Upstream of spnI there is a gene which we have termed spnT . spnI and spnT form an operon and although database searches failed to reveal any spnT homologues, overexpression of this novel gene negatively affected both sliding motility and prodigiosin production.
Loss of Immunological Tolerance in Gimap5-Deficient Mice Is Associated with Loss of Foxo in CD4+ T Cells

Previously, we reported the abrogation of quiescence and reduced survival in lymphocytes from Gimap5sph/sph mice, an ENU germline mutant with a missense mutation in the GTPase of immunity-associated protein 5 (Gimap5). These mice showed a progressive loss of peripheral lymphocyte populations and developed spontaneous colitis, resulting in early mortality. In this study, we identify the molecular pathways that contribute to the onset of colitis in Gimap5sph/sph mice. We show that CD4+ T cells become Th1/Th17 polarized and are critically important for the development of colitis. Concomitantly, regulatory T cells become reduced in frequency in the peripheral tissues, and their immunosuppressive capacity becomes impaired. Most importantly, these progressive changes in CD4+ T cells are associated with the loss of Forkheadbox group O (Foxo)1, Foxo3, and Foxo4 expression. Our data establish a novel link between Gimap5 and Foxo expression and provide evidence for a regulatory mechanism that controls Foxo protein expression and may help to maintain immunological tolerance.