Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors for Return to Work in Subjects with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective. To predict return to work (RTW) at 12 months for patients who either were sick-listed or were at risk to be sick-listed with persistent postconcussion symptoms (PCS) at six to eight weeks after injury. Method. A prospective cohort study of 151 patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) admitted consecutively to outpatient clinics at two University Hospitals in Norway. The study was conducted as part of a randomised clinical trial. Injury characteristics were obtained from the medical records. Sick leave data from one year before to one year after MTBI were obtained from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Service. Self-report questionnaires were used to obtain demographic and symptom profiles. Results. We observed a significant negative association between RTW at 12 months and psychological distress, global functioning, and being sick-listed at two months after MTBI, as well as having been sick-listed the last year before injury. Conclusion. Psychological distress, global functioning postinjury, and the sick leave trajectory of the subjects were negative predictors for RTW. These findings should be taken into consideration when evaluating future vocational rehabilitation models.
Effects of Exercise on Quality of Life in Stroke Survivors: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose— One of the major consequences after stroke is the deterioration in health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Three previous systematic reviews indicated that exercise has limited to no effect in improving HRQOL in stroke survivors. The objective of this meta-analysis was to update the evidence on exercise and HRQOL in stroke survivors with additional new information on randomized controlled trials that have been published since these 3 previous reviews. Methods— MEDLINE, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, and SportsDiscus databases were searched for randomized controlled trials reporting the effects of exercise on HRQOL in stroke survivors from 1950 to March 2010. The methodological quality of each study was appraised using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Standardized mean difference was used to compute effect size and subgroup analysis was conducted to test the consistency of results across the subgroups with different characteristics. Results— A total of 1101 citations was identified and 9 studies met all criteria for a total sample of 426 stroke survivors. Eight studies were rated as good quality (ie, Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale ≥5). This meta-analysis provided evidence that exercise can have a small to medium effect on HRQOL outcomes (standardized mean difference, 0.32, P<0.01) at postintervention but not at follow-up after exercise was terminated (standardized mean difference, 0.17, P=0.12). No adverse events related to exercise were reported. Conclusions— The results provide moderate support for the use of exercise to improve HRQOL in stroke survivors. However, the challenge for researchers is identifying effective strategies for sustaining these effects postintervention.
Neuron-specific restriction of a herpes simplex virus recombinant maps to the UL5 gene

We have previously shown that, when compared with either parent, a herpes simplex virus type 1/herpes simplex virus type 2 intertypic recombinant (R13-1) is attenuated by 10,000-fold with respect to neurovirulence in mice. Despite this, after intracranial inoculation, R13-1 replicated to titers of 10(5) PFU per brain. We present evidence that the restriction is specific for replication in neurons and have taken a three-step approach in determining the basis of the attenuation by (i) characterizing cellular tropism of the virus in both central and peripheral nervous systems, (ii) defining where in the viral replication cycle the restriction is manifest, and (iii) identifying the genetic basis of the restriction through marker rescue analysis. Following inoculation into the animal, R13-1 viral antigens predominate in nonneuronal cells, and the block to replication in neurons was found to be beyond the level of adsorption and penetration. Despite the restricted replication within neurons, the virus established a latent infection in spinal ganglia and could be reactivated by in vitro cocultivation of the ganglia. In studies carried out in cell culture, R13-1 was found to replicate normally in mouse embryo fibroblasts and primary mouse glial cells but was restricted by 1,000-fold in primary mouse neurons and PC12 cells. R13-1 appeared to produce normal levels of early RNA in these cells, but production of DNA and late RNA was less than that of the wild type. Marker rescue analysis localized the fragment responsible for restoring neurovirulence to UL5, a component of the origin-binding complex implicated in replication of the viral genome. Our results with this virus, with a cell-specific restriction, suggest that a neuron-specific component is involved in viral replication.
Absenteeism in Head Start and Children's Academic Learning.

Using nationally representative data from the Family and Child Experiences Survey 2009 cohort (n = 2,842), this study examined the implications of 3- and 4-year-old's absences from Head Start for their early academic learning. The findings from this study revealed that children who missed more days of school, and especially those who were chronically absent, demonstrated fewer gains in areas of math and literacy during the preschool year. Moreover, excessive absenteeism was found to detract from the potential benefits of quality preschool education and was especially problematic for the early learning of children who entered the Head Start program with a less developed skill set. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
A Simple Group Key Management Approach for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Securing communications among a group of nodes in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) is challenging due to the lack of trusted infrastructure. Group key management is one of the basic building blocks in securing group communications. A group key is a common secret used in cryptographic algorithms. Group key management involves creating and distributing the common secret for all group members. Change of membership requires the group key being refreshed to ensure backward and forward secrecy. In this paper, we extend our previous work with new protocols. Our basic idea is that each group member does not need to order intermediate keys and can deduce the group key locally. A multicast tree is formed for efficient and reliable message dissemination. *****
The cophylogeny of populations and cultures: reconstructing the evolution of Iranian tribal craft traditions using trees and jungles

Phylogenetic approaches to culture have shed new light on the role played by population dispersals in the spread and diversification of cultural traditions. However, the fact that cultural inheritance is based on separate mechanisms from genetic inheritance means that socially transmitted traditions have the potential to diverge from population histories. Here, we suggest that associations between these two systems can be reconstructed using techniques developed to study cospeciation between hosts and parasites and related problems in biology. Relationships among the latter are patterned by four main processes: co-divergence, intra-host speciation (duplication), intra-host extinction (sorting) and horizontal transfers. We show that patterns of cultural inheritance are structured by analogous processes, and then demonstrate the applicability of the host–parasite model to culture using empirical data on Iranian tribal populations.
Complex Immune Cell Interplay in the Gamma Interferon Response during Toxoplasma gondii Infection

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite of clinical importance, especially in immunocompromised patients. Investigations into the immune response to the parasite found that T cells are the primary effector cells regulating gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-mediated host resistance. However, recent studies have revealed a critical role for the innate immune system in mediating host defense independently of the T cell responses to the parasite. This body of knowledge is put into perspective by the unifying theme that immunity to the protozoan parasite requires a strong IFN-γ host response. In the following review, we discuss the role of IFN-γ-producing cells and the signals that regulate IFN-γ production during T. gondii infection.
Molecular analysis of Salamander family: the new alpine salamander Salamandra atra aurorae

Abstract A portion of the mitochondrial DNA from the 3’ terminal of gene 12S rRNA to the 5' extremity of 16S rRNA gene has been amplified by PCR from Salamandra atra aurorae genomic DNA in order to define the taxonomic position of S. atra aurorae within the Salamandra species. Analysis of the molecular data indicated that S. a. aurorae is quite different from S. salamandra, whereas S. a. aurorae and S. a. atra are more similar, although their mitochondrial DNA present several mutations. Our analysis suggested therefore that S. a. aurorae could really represent a new subspecies of alpine salamander. Finally, on the basis of the rate of sequence divergence, we could suggest that S. a. atra and S. a. aurorae diverged about three million years ago.
Design and exploration of novel boronic acid inhibitors reveals important interactions with a clavulanic acid-resistant sulfhydryl-variable (SHV) β-lactamase.

Inhibitor resistant (IR) class A β-lactamases pose a significant threat to many current antibiotic combinations. The K234R substitution in the SHV β-lactamase, from Klebsiella pneumoniae , results in resistance to ampicillin/clavulanate. After site-saturation mutagenesis of Lys-234 in SHV, microbiological and biochemical characterization of the resulting β-lactamases revealed that only -Arg conferred resistance to ampicillin/clavulanate. X-ray crystallography revealed two conformations of Arg-234 and Ser-130 in SHV K234R. The movement of Ser-130 is the principal cause of the observed clavulanate resistance. A panel of boronic acid inhibitors was designed and tested against SHV-1 and SHV K234R. A chiral ampicillin analogue was discovered to have a 2.4 ± 0.2 nM K(i) for SHV K234R; the chiral ampicillin analogue formed a more complex hydrogen-bonding network in SHV K234R vs SHV-1. Consideration of the spatial position of Ser-130 and Lys-234 and this hydrogen-bonding network will be important in the design of novel antibiotics targeting IR β-lactamases.
Fatigue data book : light structural alloys

This one volume consolidates fatigue data on aluminum, magnesium, and titanium alloys in a single, comprehensive source. You get over 500 tables and figures that cover much of the known S-N fatigue information for common light structural alloys. This book provides comprehensive coverage from several published and unpublished sources, including newly released fatigue data from the Naval Research Laboratory. Sections include: Aluminum Alloys Introductory article with information on new-quality (reduced porosity) aluminum alloys Data sheets with more than 80 tables consolidating Al-alloy S-N data from various sources More than 50 modified Goodman diagrams illustrating Al-alloy fatigue resistance at different stress ratios Selected S-N curves for key alloys Magnesium Alloys Introductory article on the metallurgy and fracture resistance of magnesium alloys Over 50 data sheets providing one of the most comprehensive collections ever on the fatigue resistance of Mg-Al Casting Alloys, Mg-Al Wrought Alloys, Mg-Zn Alloys, Titanium Alloys, and many more. Over 40 pages devoted exclusively to the fatigue behavior of Ti-6A1-4V.
Karyotypic conservatism in five species of Prochilodus (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae) disclosed by cytogenetic markers

The family Prochilodontidae is considered a group with well conserved chromosomes characterized by their number, morphology and banding patterns. Thence, our study aimed at accomplishing a cytogenetic analysis with conventional methods (Giemsa staining, silver staining of the nucleolus organizer regions-AgNOR, and C-banding) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 18S and 5S ribosomal DNA probes in five species of the Prochilodus genus (Prochilodus argenteus, Prochilodus brevis, Prochilodus costatus, Prochilodus lineatus and Prochilodus nigricans) collected from different Brazilian hydrographic basins. The results revealed conservatism in chromosome number, morphology, AgNORs 18S and 5S rDNAs location and constitutive heterochromatin distribution patterns. The minor differences observed in this work, such as an Ag-NOR on a P. argenteus chromosome and a distinct C-banding pattern in P. lineatus, are not sufficient to question the conservatism described for this group. Future work using repetitive DNA sequences as probes for FISH will be interesting to further test the cytogenetic conservatism in Prochilodus.
The Influence of Cross-Language Similarity on within- and between-Language Stroop Effects in Trilinguals

This study investigated effects of cross-language similarity on within- and between-language Stroop interference and facilitation in three groups of trilinguals. Trilinguals were either proficient in three languages that use the same-script (alphabetic in German–English–Dutch trilinguals), two similar scripts and one different script (Chinese and alphabetic scripts in Chinese–English–Malay trilinguals), or three completely different scripts (Arabic, Chinese, and alphabetic in Uyghur–Chinese–English trilinguals). The results revealed a similar magnitude of within-language Stroop interference for the three groups, whereas between-language interference was modulated by cross-language similarity. For the same-script trilinguals, the within- and between-language interference was similar, whereas the between-language Stroop interference was reduced for trilinguals with languages written in different scripts. The magnitude of within-language Stroop facilitation was similar across the three groups of trilinguals, but smaller than within-language Stroop interference. Between-language Stroop facilitation was also modulated by cross-language similarity such that these effects became negative for trilinguals with languages written in different scripts. The overall pattern of Stroop interference and facilitation effects can be explained in terms of diverging and converging color and word information across languages.
Speed Sensorless Induction Motor Drive With Predictive Current Controller

Today, speed sensorless modes of operation are becoming standard solutions in the area of electric drives. This paper presents a speed sensorless control system of an induction motor with a predictive current controller. A closed-loop estimation system with robustness against motor parameter variation is used for the control approach. The proposed algorithm has been implemented using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and a floating-point digital signal processor (DSP). Both computational elements have been integrated on a single board SH65L type and interfaced to the power electronic converter, and the use of proper FPGA and DSP optimizes the cost and computational properties. The novelty of the presented solution is the integration of a simple observer for both speed/flux and current control purposes, and the obtained results have been improved in comparison to the previous works. An overview of the test bench consisting of a digital control board, as well as computational algorithms and system benchmarks, is presented. All the tests were performed experimentally for 5.5-kW electric drives.
Measurement of Thermal Conductivity along the Radial Direction in a Vertical Cylindrical Packed Bed

Heat transfer in packed beds and their thermal response have been of great interest for scientists and engineers for the last several years, since they play a crucial role in determining design and operation of reactors. Heat transfer of a packed bed is characterised through lumped parameter, namely, effective thermal conductivity. In the present studies, experiments were performed to investigate the thermal conductivity of a packed bed in radial direction. The packed bed was formed using iron ore particles. To determine the effective thermal conductivity a new transient methodology is proposed. The results obtained were compared with the models proposed by ZBS and Kunii and Smith.
The role of nanoclay formations and wood fiber levels on central composite designed polyethylene composites

Central composite designed experiments are conducted to study the independent effects of maleated polyethylene, dicumyl peroxide and nanoclay in the forms of natural (Cloisite® Na+) and masterbatch (Nanoblend™ concentrates MB2001) on the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced PE composites with different fiber levels. The optimum values are predicted on the results of designed experiments and there are linear regressions between fiber content and their mechanical properties. The deposition and formation of nanoclay particles in PE composites are ascertained by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope observations. Both natural nanoclay and MB2001 can be delaminated and even exfoliated in polarized PE matrix. As wood fiber is introduced, natural nanoclay particles (nanoclay-natural) are deposited on fiber surface even loaded in fiber lumens, but the nanoclay particles of MB2001 (nanoclay-concentrate) are mostly dispersed in the matrix. In addition, the different reinforcements between nanoclay-natural and nanoclay-concentrates are also investigated to find out the influence of particle formation on the quality of composite materials.
Exact and quasi-exact solvability of two-dimensional superintegrable quantum systems. I. Euclidean space

In this article we show that separation of variables for second-order superintegrable systems in two-dimensional Euclidean space generates both exactly solvable (ES) and quasi-exactly solvable (QES) problems in quantum mechanics. In this article we propose the another definition of ES and QES. The quantum mechanical problem is called ES if the solution of Schroedinger equation, can be expressed in terms of hypergeometrical functions $_mF_n$ and is QES if the Schroedinger equation admit polynomial solutions with the coefficients satisfying the three-term or more higher order of recurrence relations
The von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein controls ciliogenesis by orienting microtubule growth

Cilia are specialized organelles that play an important role in several biological processes, including mechanosensation, photoperception, and osmosignaling. Mutations in proteins localized to cilia have been implicated in a growing number of human diseases. In this study, we demonstrate that the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein (pVHL) is a ciliary protein that controls ciliogenesis in kidney cells. Knockdown of pVHL impeded the formation of cilia in mouse inner medullary collecting duct 3 kidney cells, whereas the expression of pVHL in VHL-negative renal cancer cells rescued the ciliogenesis defect. Using green fluorescent protein–tagged end-binding protein 1 to label microtubule plus ends, we found that pVHL does not affect the microtubule growth rate but is needed to orient the growth of microtubules toward the cell periphery, a prerequisite for the formation of cilia. Furthermore, pVHL interacts with the Par3–Par6–atypical PKC complex, suggesting a mechanism for linking polarity pathways to microtubule capture and ciliogenesis.
Serotonin transporter genetic polymorphisms and harm avoidance in the Chinese

The association for the harm avoidance (HA) dimension, as assessed by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ), and the serotonin-transporter genetic polymorphisms has been investigated with controversial results. The aim of the present study was to replicate this investigation and to establish the association for a Chinese population. Two polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter (5HTT-LPR, serotonin transporter-linked polymorphism region; 5HTT-VNTR, variable number tandem repeat polymorphism in intron 2 of the serotonin transporter gene) were determined for 192 healthy Han Chinese who had completed the TPQ. No significant differences were demonstrated for TPQ HA scores, including the sub-scales, for subjects with different 5HTT-LPR genotypes. A significantly higher HA2 sub-score was demonstrated for subjects carrying the 10-12 5HTT-VNTR genotype, however, compared with those from the 12-12 genotype group, for the male population (P =0.007). Our findings suggest that the 5HTT genetic polymorphism may be associated with HA scores; however, the effect is influenced by ethnicity and gender.
Chua's Circuit: Control and Synchronization

Chaos-based data encryption is one of the most reliable methods used in secure communications. This implies a good control of a chaotic system and a good synchronization between the involved systems. Here, experimental results are shown on the control and synchronization of Chua's circuits. The control of the chaotic circuit was achieved by using the switching method. The influence of the control signal characteristics (amplitude, frequency and shape) on the system's states was also investigated. The synchronization of two similar chaotic circuits was studied, emphasizing the importance of the chaotic state characteristics of the Master system in respect to those of Slave system. It was shown that the synchronization does not depend on the chaotic state type, neither on the dimension (x, y or z) used for synchronization.
Modeling human endothelial cell transformation in vascular neoplasias

Endothelial cell (EC)-derived neoplasias range from benign hemangioma to aggressive metastatic angiosarcoma, which responds poorly to current treatments and has a very high mortality rate. The development of treatments that are more effective for these disorders will be expedited by insight into the processes that promote abnormal proliferation and malignant transformation of human ECs. The study of primary endothelial malignancy has been limited by the rarity of the disease; however, there is potential for carefully characterized EC lines and animal models to play a central role in the discovery, development and testing of molecular targeted therapies for vascular neoplasias. This review describes molecular alterations that have been identified in EC-derived neoplasias, as well as the processes that underpin the immortalization and tumorigenic conversion of ECs. Human EC lines, established through the introduction of defined genetic elements or by culture of primary tumor tissue, are catalogued and discussed in relation to their relevance as models of vascular neoplasia.