Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing similarity of emergent representations based on unsupervised learning

According to a connectionist view, mental states consist of the activations of neural units in a connectionist network. We consider the similarity of representations that emerge in unsupervised, self-organization process of neural lattices when exposed to color spectrum stimuli. Self-organizing maps (SOM) are trained with color spectrum input, using various vectorial encodings for representation of the input. Further, the SOM is used for heteroassociative mapping to associate color spectrum with color names. Recall of association between the spectra and colors is assessed. It shows that the SOM learns representations for both stimuli and color names, and is able to associate them successfully. The resulting organization is compared through correlation of the activation patterns of the neural maps when responding to color spectrum stimuli. Experiments show that the emerged representations for stimuli are similar with respect to the partitioning-of-activation-space measure almost independently of the encoding used for input representation. This adds a new example in favour of the usability of the state space semantics.
Nicotine increases ethanol preference but decreases locomotor activity during the initial stages of chronic ethanol withdrawal.

AIM The ability of nicotine to modify withdrawal symptoms in rats chronically treated with alcohol, with respect to locomotor activity and ethanol or nicotine preference, has been evaluated in these studies. METHODS AND RESULTS Preliminary studies showed that locomotor activity increased 8-9 h after withdrawal from chronic nicotine intoxication, which was dose specific; it occurred in rats administered 0.15 mg/kg or 0.6 mg/kg but not the 0.3 mg/kg nicotine dose. Administration of nicotine, either acutely (0.3 mg/kg) during ethanol withdrawal, or chronically (0.15, 0.3 or 0.6 mg/kg) during the chronic alcohol treatment procedure, diminished locomotor activity, which increases significantly, approximately 6-7 h after withdrawal, in rats chronically treated with alcohol. Rats which were chronically treated with alcohol alone or in combination with nicotine, 0.3 mg/kg, showed an increase in ethanol intake when the free choice was performed between ethanol 10% and tap water; on the contrary, when the free choice was performed between ethanol 10% versus nicotine, 0.3 mg/kg, results showed a decrease in ethanol preference and a concomitant increase in nicotine preference. CONCLUSION These studies clearly identified the modulatory effects of nicotine, at specific doses, on both motility and preference in rat chronically co-administered nicotine and ethanol.
L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) as a pathogenetic factor in endometriosis.

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a benign and progressive disease with a high prevalence. Women with endometriosis, especially with atypical endometriosis, have a higher probability for developing ovarian cancer compared with women without endometriosis. The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is over expressed in ovarian and endometrial carcinomas and is associated with a bad prognosis. Here, we have analysed L1CAM expression in endometriosis. METHODS AND RESULTS In our study with the samples from 79 patients with, and 37 patients without, endometriosis, we found that endometriosis cell lines and short-term cultures of endometrium from women with endometriosis expressed L1CAM at the mRNA and protein level. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that L1CAM was expressed at significantly higher level in the epithelial compartment from patients with endometriosis compared with healthy controls (P = 0.0126). By immunohistochemical staining, 15 of 31 ovarian endometriotic lesions (48%) were shown to have L1CAM-positive staining. Of these 15 L1CAM-positive samples, 13 were atypical endometriotic lesions. Soluble L1 present in the conditioned medium of epithelial endometrium cultures from women with endometriosis was able to stimulate neurite outgrowth as measured in a chicken ganglion assay. CONCLUSIONS We propose that L1CAM could promote endometriosis development by increasing enervation and aggravation. L1CAM expression is higher in atypical endometriosis compared with normal endometriosis.
Sources of East Asian Growth: Some Evidence from Cross-country Studies

The growth accounting analysis of this study confirms the importance of physical capital accumulation for the spectacular performance of East Asia. While total factor productivity growth (TFPG) of East Asia seems to be only moderate compared with developed countries, it is relatively high and sustained compared with other developing regions, which has not received due attention in the literature. Crosscountry regressions and the decomposition of regional output growth reveals the quantitative importance of policies, such as openness and institutions, in distinguishing East Asia from other developing regions, such as Latin America or Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the success of East Asia relative to developed regions can be attributed to the “convergence” effect, which has not been fully exploited due to differences in policies and institutions. The differences in policies and institutions are also useful for understanding the cross-country growth differential within East Asian region, with the role of institutional quality being quantitatively the most important. That is, a significant portion of aboveaverage performance of Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and below-average performance of Philippines and Indonesia are explained by the institutional quality alone. However, if we allow for the possibility that openness affects growth not only directly but also indirectly by improving institutional quality, then the quantitative importance of openness in explaining growth becomes much more pronounced. This evidence seems to indicate that openness is the most important factor behind East Asian growth, consistent with the view provided by Krueger (1990) that “the success of an outer-oriented trade strategy provides the momentum and impetus for further liberalization, which then permits further economic gains from the trade strategy. ”
Retail Investor Sentiment and IPO Valuation

We examine the impact of retail investor sentiment – measured as the abnormal search volume index (SVI) from Google Trends – on the initial valuation of an IPO as measured by the midpoint of the initial price range. Focusing on initial valuation allows us to separate retail investor sentiment from institutional investor sentiment since bookbuilding has not yet begun at the time of the initial valuation. Controlling for the valuations of comparable, matching companies, we find that abnormal SVI before the initial valuation is positively related to Price/Sales, Price/EBITDA, and Price/Assets. Our results are robust to using the low, midpoint, or high of the initial price range as our IPO valuation point estimate. Thus, retail investor sentiment influences IPO valuation. We conclude that the reward to institutional investors and underwriters for their respective roles during bookbuilding may be unjustified since they free-ride on information provided by retail investors, who are not rewarded in any way and instead forced to buy shares at higher prices, on average, in the after-market.
Improvement of Overhand Pass Learning Outcomes through Cooperative and Reciprocal Learning Models in Extracurricular Volleyball Games in High School

This study aims to determine the effect of cooperative learning model and reciprocal learning model on the results of learning overhand pass in the game of volleyball in extracurricular students in schools. This research uses experimental method with "randomized pretest-posttest design". The population in this study were students who participated in extracurricular volleyball activities with a total of 32 students. The attachment technique from population to sample using random sampling technique so that the sample used amounted to 30 students. The instrument used is the overhand pass accuracy. Data analysis using prerequisite test consisted of looking for group mean and standard deviation then normality test of all normal distributed data and homogeneity test of all data homogenous and t test. The result of the analysis shows that: (1) Cooperative learning model gives significant influence to the result of students’ overhand pass learning in game of volleyball. (2) The reciprocal learning model significantly influences the learning outcomes of students’ overhand pass in the game of volleyball. (3) The reciprocal learning model has more significant influence compared to the cooperative learning model on the overhand pass learning outcomes in the volleyball game of students who are tested in this research.
Valproic Acid as a Potential Inhibitor of Plasmodium falciparum Histone Deacetylase 1 (PfHDAC1): An in Silico Approach

A new Plasmodium falciparum histone deacetylase1 (PfHDAC1) homology model was built based on the highest sequence identity available template human histone deacetylase 2 structure. The generated model was carefully evaluated for stereochemical accuracy, folding correctness and overall structure quality. All evaluations were acceptable and consistent. Docking a group of hydroxamic acid histone deacetylase inhibitors and valproic acid has shown binding poses that agree well with inhibitor-bound histone deacetylase-solved structural interactions. Docking affinity dG scores were in agreement with available experimental binding affinities. Further, enzyme-ligand complex stability and reliability were investigated by running 5-nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations. Thorough analysis of the simulation trajectories has shown that enzyme-ligand complexes were stable during the simulation period. Interestingly, the calculated theoretical binding energies of the docked hydroxamic acid inhibitors have shown that the model can discriminate between strong and weaker inhibitors and agrees well with the experimental affinities reported in the literature. The model and the docking methodology can be used in screening virtual libraries for PfHDAC1 inhibitors, since the docking scores have ranked ligands in accordance with experimental binding affinities. Valproic acid calculated theoretical binding energy suggests that it may inhibit PfHDAC1.
Flower Pollen Extract and its Effect on the Prostate Identification of a Prostate Inhibitory Substance in a Pollen Extract

Recently, much attention has focused on the treatment of BPH with the pollen extract, Cernilton. The present investigation was designed to identify the active component in this agent which might be responsible for the symptomatic relief of BPH as previously reported [1,2]. Sequential purification of the active component present in the pollen extract was carried out by a combination of dialysis, gel filtration, and reverse phase chromatography. To monitor the biological activity of each of the purified fractions, a biological assay employing the human prostate cancer cell line DU145 was undertaken. While we have identified a number of constituent components in the pollen extract, only one fraction designated V-7 (FV-7) maintained a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of DU145 cells. The inhibition was timeand dose-dependent, and the concentrations of FV-7 required to reduce the cell numbers by 50% (IC50) after 2 days of exposure was 5 μg/ml. FV-7 was also inhibitory towards the primary culture of prostate stroma and epithelial cells, with the stroma/fibroblast showing greater sensitivity towards the HPLC-purified component. However, it should be noted that this inhibitory activity measured in the primary culture cells was only achieved at higher concentrations of FV-7. Preliminary characterization of the active ingredient identified FV-7 as DIBOA which is a cyclic hydroxamic acid. FV-7 and DIBOA induce similar inhibitory effects on the growth of DU145 cells.
An energy efficient knee locking mechanism for a dynamically walking robot

In this work, we present the design and the implementation of an innovative knee locking mechanism for a dynamically walking robot. The mechanism consists of a four-bar linkage that realizes a mechanical singularity for locking the knee when the leg is in the extended position. Once extended, the knee remains locked without energy consumption, while unlocking it only costs a small amount of energy. Tests showed that the robot walks robustly and that the energy consumption of the new system is low.
Diversity of 16S rRNA Genes within Individual Prokaryotic Genomes

ABSTRACT Analysis of intragenomic variation of 16S rRNA genes is a unique approach to examining the concept of ribosomal constraints on rRNA genes; the degree of variation is an important parameter to consider for estimation of the diversity of a complex microbiome in the recently initiated Human Microbiome Project (http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/hmp ). The current GenBank database has a collection of 883 prokaryotic genomes representing 568 unique species, of which 425 species contained 2 to 15 copies of 16S rRNA genes per genome (2.22 ± 0.81). Sequence diversity among the 16S rRNA genes in a genome was found in 235 species (from 0.06% to 20.38%; 0.55% ± 1.46%). Compared with the 16S rRNA-based threshold for operational definition of species (1 to 1.3% diversity), the diversity was borderline (between 1% and 1.3%) in 10 species and >1.3% in 14 species. The diversified 16S rRNA genes in Haloarcula marismortui (diversity, 5.63%) and Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis (6.70%) were highly conserved at the 2° structure level, while the diversified gene in B. afzelii (20.38%) appears to be a pseudogene. The diversified genes in the remaining 21 species were also conserved, except for a truncated 16S rRNA gene in “Candidatus Protochlamydia amoebophila. ” Thus, this survey of intragenomic diversity of 16S rRNA genes provides strong evidence supporting the theory of ribosomal constraint. Taxonomic classification using the 16S rRNA-based operational threshold could misclassify a number of species into more than one species, leading to an overestimation of the diversity of a complex microbiome. This phenomenon is especially seen in 7 bacterial species associated with the human microbiome or diseases.
Risk profiles for mild cognitive impairment and progression to dementia are gender specific

Objective: To examine risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and progression to dementia in a prospective community-based study of subjects aged 65 years and over. Methods: 6892 participants who were over 65 and without dementia were recruited from a population-based cohort in three French cities. Cognitive performance, clinical diagnosis of dementia, and clinical and environmental risk factors were evaluated at baseline and 2-year and 4-year follow-ups. Results: 42% of the population were classified as having MCI at baseline. After adjustment for confounding with logistic regression models, men and women classified as having MCI were more likely to have depressive symptomatology and to be taking anticholinergic drugs. Men were also more likely to have a higher body mass index, diabetes and stroke, whereas women were more likely to have poor subjective health, to be disabled, to be socially isolated, and to suffer from insomnia. The principal adjusted risk factors for men for progression from MCI to dementia in descending order were ApoE4 allele (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.7 to 5.7), stroke (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.9), low level of education (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.1), loss of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.5) and age (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.2). In women, progression is best predicted by IADL loss (OR = 3.5, 95% CI 2.1 to 5.9), ApoE4 allele (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.0), low level of education (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.6), subclinical depression (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.6), use of anticholinergic drugs (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.0) and age (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.2). Conclusions: Men and women have different risk profiles for both MCI and progression to dementia. Intervention programmes should focus principally on risk of stroke in men and depressive symptomatology and use of anticholinergic medication in women.
Virtual communities of inquiry (VCoI) for learning basic algorithmic structures with open simulator and Scratch4OS: a case study from the secondary education in Greece

The rapid penetration of "open source" virtual worlds (VWs) on the configuration and development of three-dimensional (3D) multi-user virtual platforms, in conjunction with interfaces of two-dimensional (2D) educational environments to learn novice users basic algorithmic structures were currently the central axis that exposed for investigation in our study. Notwithstanding the radical restructuring of instructional formats with VWs, like Open Simulator (Open Sim); however the disambiguation of students' presence indicators which are positively correlated to their meaningful engagement in Computer Science courses in a virtual community of inquiry (VCoI) is still lacking. In fact, for the requirements of these courses we had configured specific collaborative virtual areas in order to be explored and utilized from students a variety of non-uniform geometric solids from Open Sim and to be constructed a 3D (assembled) "mind trap" puzzle. Alongside, each piece of this puzzle was programmed according to a specific serial sequence with Scratch for Open Sim (Scratch4OS). The current case study seeks to present firstly a valuable framework for the implementation of the teaching and learning process in a VW, and subsequently the results from linear correlations between the cognitive, social and teaching presence of a VCoI from eighty-one (81) students of the Greek Secondary Education. The study findings indicated that the social presence (communication and cohesiveness of a group) don't only have a direct correlation with the cognitive presence (learning process for the construction of knowledge), but also has a positive association with the teaching presence (organization, planning and guidance of learning activities in the 3D space), and compulsory reinforced both of them. The added value of this study highlights the fundamental issues of the cooperation, socialization, retention and attendance rates between members of a VCoI which avouch multiple dimensions encircle or empower students' managerial and learning responsibilities based on the affordances that a 3D technology-enhanced environment can replicate.
Determining the hemispheric dominance of spatial attention: A comparison between fTCD and fMRI

Human brain mapping allows the systematic assessment of interindividual differences in functional brain anatomy. Functional transcranial Doppler sonography (fTCD) is an imaging tool that allows for fast and mobile assessment of hemispheric lateralization of task‐related brain activation. It is ideal to screen large cohorts of subjects. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether fTCD and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) determine hemispheric lateralization of brain activation related to visuospatial attention concordantly. Used together, fMRI and fTCD may then open up a wide range of potential applications in neuroscience. Fifteen subjects were examined both with fTCD and fMRI while they judged accuracy of line bisections (Landmark task). For fTCD, the maximal mean difference in stimulus‐related relative cerebral blood flow velocity changes in the left and right middle cerebral arteries was assessed as the lateralization index LIfTCD. For fMRI, two approaches were used to determine hemispheric dominance. First, we measured brain activity as the extent of the activated region, i.e., the number of activated voxels above a statistical threshold. Second, we calculated the magnitude of the fMRI signal change between the activation and the control task within a region of interest. Results of fTCD and fMRI were concordant in every single case. Therefore, scanning large cohorts with fTCD for hemispheric dominance during Landmark task will provide results consistent with fMRI. FMRI can then be used for in depth assessment of the specific patterns of activation. Hum Brain Mapp 23:168–180, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Based Plasma Metabolic Profiling of Dairy Cows with Fatty Liver

Fatty liver is a common metabolic disorder of dairy cows during the transition period. Historically, the diagnosis of fatty liver has involved liver biopsy, biochemical or histological examination of liver specimens, and ultrasonographic imaging of the liver. However, more convenient and noninvasive methods would be beneficial for the diagnosis of fatty liver in dairy cows. The plasma metabolic profiles of dairy cows with fatty liver and normal (control) cows were investigated to identify new biomarkers using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. Compared with the control group, the primary differences in the fatty liver group included increases in β-hydroxybutyric acid, acetone, glycine, valine, trimethylamine-N-oxide, citrulline, and isobutyrate, and decreases in alanine, asparagine, glucose, γ-aminobutyric acid glycerol, and creatinine. This analysis revealed a global profile of endogenous metabolites, which may present potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of fatty liver in dairy cows.
Management of Septic Shock: Current Concepts

Despite the availability of potent antibiotics and a myriad of investigational agents directed against inflammatory mediators, septic shock has remained the most common cause of mortality in the intensive care unit. However, substantial progress has been made in our understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical staging, diagnosis and risk assessment of sepsis and septic shock. Currently, early goal-directed resuscitation and monitoring for haemodynamic support, prompt diagnosis, and effective control of the source of infection has remained the mainstay of management. In this article, the current concepts of the pathophysiology, clinical staging and empirical choice of antibiotics in sepsis and septic shock are briefly reviewed, and the rationale and indications for the use of activated protein C, replacement doses of corticosteroids, and other investigational immunotherapies in severe sepsis and septic shock are discussed.
Astrocyte volume regulation during aging

5 List of Abbreviations. 8 Introduction . 11 Astrocytes . 12 Basic morphology and anatomical organization . 12 Molecular markers. 14 Development of CNS and astrocytes . 15 Signalling within astroglial syncytium. 15 CNS metabolism . 16 The tripartite synapse . 17 CNS homeostasis. 19 Glutamate . 19 Potassium . 21 Water . 22 Cell volume regulation . 24 Brain Aging . 30 Aging of the glial cells . 32 Astrocytes in the aging brain. 34 Aims of the study . 38 Materials and Methods . 39 Animals . 39
Comparison of different biomaterials for glaucoma drainage devices.

OBJECTIVES To compare the inflammatory reaction associated with the insertion of silicone and polypropylene endplates and endplates made of a new biocompatible polymer, Vivathane, in the rabbit subconjunctival space. METHODS Similar-sized endplates made of 3 different biomaterials were sutured to the sclera in the superotemporal quadrant of the rabbit eye. Thirty eyes of 15 albino New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to the 3 groups. Conjunctival vascular hyperemia was graded in a masked fashion among groups. At the end of 3 weeks, the enucleated eyes were examined histologically and using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS Polypropylene and Vivathane were associated with significantly more inflammation in clinical observations and based on histological grading. Silicone was associated with the least amount of inflammation. Three polypropylene and 1 Vivathane plate were extruded between the second and third week. CONCLUSIONS Silicone is the most inert of the 3 materials tested. Inflammation associated with biomaterials may contribute to the failure of the glaucoma drainage devices. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Bleb inflammation may be related to the biomaterial being used as the endplate. Endplates should be handled carefully during surgery to avoid creating rough spots.