Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the Small RNA Transcriptomes of Androgen Dependent and Independent Prostate Cancer Cell Line by Deep Sequencing

Given the important roles of miRNA in post-transcriptional regulation and its implications for cancer, characterization of miRNA facilitates us to uncover molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of androgen-independent prostate cancer (PCa). The emergence of next-generation sequencing technologies has dramatically changed the speed of all aspects of sequencing in a rapid and cost-effective fashion, which can permit an unbiased, quantitive and in-depth investigation of small RNA transcriptome. In this study, we used high-throughput Illumina sequencing to comprehensively represent the full complement of individual small RNA and to characterize miRNA expression profiles in both the androgen dependent and independent Pca cell line. At least 83 miRNAs are significantly differentially expressed, of which 41 are up-regulated and 42 are down-regulated, indicating these miRNAs may be involved in the transition of LNCaP to an androgen-independent phenotype. In addition, we have identified 43 novel miRNAs from the androgen dependent and independent PCa library and 3 of them are specific to the androgen-independent PCa. Function annotation of target genes indicated that most of these differentially expressed miRNAs tend to target genes involved in signal transduction and cell communication, epically the MAPK signaling pathway. The small RNA transcriptomes obtained in this study provide considerable insights into a better understanding of the expression and function of small RNAs in the development of androgen-independent prostate cancer.
A Visual Analytics Approach for Extracting Spatio-Temporal Urban Mobility Information from Mobile Network Traffic

In this paper we present a visual analytics approach for deriving spatio-temporal patterns of collective human mobility from a vast mobile network traffic data set. More than 88 million movements between pairs of radio cells—so-called handovers—served as a proxy for more than two months of mobility within four urban test areas in Northern Italy. In contrast to previous work, our approach relies entirely on visualization and mapping techniques, implemented in several software applications. We purposefully avoid statistical or probabilistic modeling and, nonetheless, reveal characteristic and exceptional mobility patterns. The results show, for example, surprising similarities and symmetries amongst the total mobility and people flows between the test areas. Moreover, the exceptional patterns detected can be associated to real-world events such as soccer matches. We conclude that the visual analytics approach presented can shed new light on large-scale collective urban mobility behavior and thus helps to better understand the “pulse” of dynamic urban systems.
Data Mining Techniques for Software Effort Estimation: A Comparative Study

A predictive model is required to be accurate and comprehensible in order to inspire confidence in a business setting. Both aspects have been assessed in a software effort estimation setting by previous studies. However, no univocal conclusion as to which technique is the most suited has been reached. This study addresses this issue by reporting on the results of a large scale benchmarking study. Different types of techniques are under consideration, including techniques inducing tree/rule-based models like M5 and CART, linear models such as various types of linear regression, nonlinear models (MARS, multilayered perceptron neural networks, radial basis function networks, and least squares support vector machines), and estimation techniques that do not explicitly induce a model (e.g., a case-based reasoning approach). Furthermore, the aspect of feature subset selection by using a generic backward input selection wrapper is investigated. The results are subjected to rigorous statistical testing and indicate that ordinary least squares regression in combination with a logarithmic transformation performs best. Another key finding is that by selecting a subset of highly predictive attributes such as project size, development, and environment related attributes, typically a significant increase in estimation accuracy can be obtained.
Does migraine negatively affect cognitive functions? Alexandria University Students Hospital experience

Aim Studying the cognitive functions among Alexandria University Students Hospital patients, suffering from common migraine (either newly diagnosed or on regular treatment). Patients and methods A total of three groups were studied: the newly diagnosed migraine group (group I, 20 patients), the chronic migraine group (group II, 20 patients), and the control group (group III, 20 patients). Their cognitive functions were compared using Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Results The mean total intelligence quotient (IQ) scores of chronic migraine group (106.65±4.18) and newly diagnosed migraine group (106.90±4.95) were significantly lower than that of control group (111.35±6.47) (P=0.007). There was no significant difference between mean IQ scores of chronic and newly diagnosed migraine groups. The mean score of newly diagnosed migraine (6.80±1.54) in digit backward subtest was significantly higher than that of chronic migraine group (5.70±1.49) and control group (5.70±2.13) (P<0.05). Conclusion Patients with migraine have worse score than control in total IQ. However, this score is still within the normal limits. This difference may be related to the pain itself. This needs to be scientifically tested in further researches. On the contrary, newly diagnosed migraine group showed worse performance in working memory than chronic migraine group. No difference between chronic migraine patients and control. This denotes that adaptation can improve working memory of patients with migraine with the passage of time.
Physical Attractiveness and the Female Life-Cycle in Seventeenth-Century England

ABSTRACT This article draws on evidence from diaries and letters to discuss how women of the aristocracy, gentry and middling-sorts in seventeenth-century England conceptualised their own physical attractiveness and that of other women. Moving beyond histories of fashion and aesthetics, which have prioritised male opinions, the article demonstrates that women recognised the importance of maintaining an attractive appearance across the life-cycle. Particular attention was paid to the emergence of good looks during adolescence; the importance of physical appearance alongside other qualities in the marriage market; and the means by which physical changes and their psychological impacts were negotiated in later life.
Speech Comprehension: Theoretical Approaches and Neural Correlates Bachelor Degree Project in Cognitive Neuroscience 15 Ects Spring Term 2015

This review has examined the spatial and temporal neural activation of speech comprehension. Six theories on speech comprehension were selected and reviewed. The most fundamental structures for speech comprehension are the superior temporal gyrus, the fusiform gyrus, the temporal pole, the temporoparietal junction, and the inferior frontal gyrus. Considering temporal aspects of processes, the N400 ERP effect indicates semantic violations, and the P600 indicates re-evaluation of a word due to ambiguity or syntax error. The dual-route processing model provides the most accurate account of neural correlates and streams of activation necessary for speech comprehension, while also being compatible with both the reviewed studies and the reviewed theories. The integrated theory of language production and comprehension provides a contemporary theory of speech production and comprehension with roots in computational neuroscience, which in conjunction with the dual-route processing model could drive the fields of language and neuroscience even further forward.
Is bronchoscopic photodynamic therapy a therapeutic option in lung cancer?

This study addresses whether photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a valid therapeutic option in lung cancer treatment. A total of 24 articles were reviewed in two categories: advanced (G1) and early (G2) disease. Details considered included the following: 1) number of patients in each series; 2) staging; 3) methodology; 4) mortality; 5) morbidity; 6) survival; 7) relief of symptoms; and 8) concomitant treatments. G1 (636 patients) had severe endobronchial obstructive cancer and PDT was primarily for symptom relief. G2 (517 patients) had early stage cancer and were treated with PDT for curative intent. There was no procedure-related mortality in either group. G1 had a 5–28% incidence of skin sensitivity. Haemoptysis occurred in two series; one fatal, an incidence of 2.2%. Almost all patients had symptomatic relief. Patients with lower disease stage and better performance status had improved survival rates. G2 had a 8–28% incidence of sunburn. Three patients in one series (38 patients) had haemoptysis. Survival after 5 yrs in complete remission/response patients was 70%. This review suggests that bronchoscopic photodynamic therapy has indications in selected lung cancer patients with early or advanced stage disease. However, in the absence of a formal comparative study, no claim can be made of its superiority over other endobronchial therapies.
PENGEMBANGAN INDIKATOR SEKOLAH TANGGUH DBD

Latar belakang : Puskesmas Rowosari adalah puskesmas dengan IR DBD tertinggi di Kecamatan Tembalang. Penderita DBD pada tahun 2014 sampai 2016 mengalami peningkatan dan sebagian besar terjadi pada anak sekolah. Berdasarkan data pemantauan jentik, ditemukan 8 sekolah positif jentik di bak mandi, ember, dan penampung limbah kulkas. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui rancangan indikator Sekolah Tangguh DBD. Metode : Metode Research and Development pendekatan deskriptif kualitatif. Instrumen yang digunakan adalah lembar checklist, lembar validasi, lembar angket dan pedoman wawancara. Analisis data yaitu analisis deskriptif dan analisis kualitatif. Hasil: Indikator telah divalidasi oleh ahli dengan rata-rata penilaian 82,58 % yang artinya telah teruji dan dapat dilanjutkan. Uji coba skala kecil dilakukan pada 2 sekolah dasar dengan rata-rata 90,62 % yang artinya layak digunakan sebagai instrumen penilaian Sekolah Tangguh DBD. Hasil menunjukkan dari 15 sekolah dasar rata-rata penilaian Sekolah Tangguh DBD sebesar 72,53 % (kategori rawan risiko rendah DBD). Temuan untuk masing- masing indikator yaitu sarana dan prasarana 73%, praktik PSN 54%, keberadaan jumantik 70,67 %, kebijakan sekolah 82%, dan dukungan operasional 78,33%. Simpulan : Rancangan indikator Sekolah Tangguh DBD dalam penelitian ini meliputi sarana dan prasarana, praktik PSN, keberadaan jumantik, kebijakan sekolah dan dukungan operasional .
Potentiation of Exocytosis by Phospholipase C-Coupled G-Protein-Coupled Receptors Requires the Priming Protein Munc13-1

The vesicle priming protein Munc13-1 is regulated by diacylglycerol (DAG) and is therefore hypothesized to play a role in the control of neurotransmitter release by phospholipase C (PLC)-coupled receptors. We combined voltage-clamp recordings of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs) and high-resolution capacitance measurements to investigate the mechanism of receptor-mediated modulation of exocytosis in bovine chromaffin cells. Activation of endogenous H1 Gq-protein-coupled receptors (GqPCRs) by histamine potentiated stimulus-coupled secretion despite concurrently inhibiting Ca2+ influx through VGCCs. Histamine increased the size of the readily releasable pool of vesicles and in particular a subpool of fusion-competent vesicles localized in close proximity to VGCCs. Pharmacological characterization showed that potentiation of exocytosis depended on the activation of PLC but not protein kinase C. Overexpression of wild-type Munc13-1 by adenoviral infection had no effect on histamine-induced potentiation per se, whereas DAG-insensitive Munc13-1H567K completely abolished it. This is the first endogenous mammalian GqPCR signaling pathway identified that engages Munc13-1 to increase stimulus-coupled secretion by recruiting vesicles to the immediately releasable pool. GqPCRs are therefore able to control exocytosis at the level of SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) complex formation to produce rapid, short-term potentiation of the secretory output of neurons and endocrine cells.
An Abstract Framework for Counterexample Analysis in Active Automata Learning

Counterexample analysis has emerged as one of the key challenges in Angluin-style active automata learning. Rivest and Schapire (1993) showed for the L algorithm that a single sux of the counterexample was sucient to ensure progress. This sux can be obtained in a binary search fashion, requiring (log m) membership queries for a counterexample of length m. Correctly implementing this algorithm can be quite tricky, and its correctness sometimes even has been disputed. In this paper, we establish an abstract framework for counterexample analysis, which basically reduces the problem of nding a sux to nding distinct neighboring elements in a 0 =1 sequence, where the rst element is 0 and the last element is 1. We demonstrate the conciseness and simplicity of our framework by using it to present new counterexample analysis algorithms, which, while maintaining the worst-case complexity of O(logm), perform signicantly
Threat appraisal for skin cancer among rural farmers in Ilam, Iran

Background: Skin cancers are among the most prevalent malignancies in Iran. According to statistics, it is the most common cancer in the population of Ilam, west of Iran. The present study aimed to assess threat appraisal of skin cancer among rural farmers of Ilam in 2013-2014. Method: In this cross-sectional study, we used multistage random sampling. We collected the data through distribution of a researcher-developed questionnaire among 248 farmers from the rural areas of Ilam in June 2013. The items of the questionnaire were based on the protection motivation theory, and covered components included perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, and rewards. Result: We found a generally lower perceived vulnerability and severity and higher rewards among the farmers; 14.5 and 30.6 of the farmers displayed higher perceived vulnerability and severity, respectively. Only 15.7 of the farmers were low in extrinsic and intrinsic rewards for unprotected behaviours. We found 149 people (60.1) had unacceptable levels of threat appraisal; 2 people (0.8 ) had borderline levels; and 97 people (39.1) had acceptable levels. Also, there was a significant relationship between perceived vulnerability, severity, income, and education level of the participants (P<0.001), but an insignificant relationship was found between family size, threat appraisal (P<0.747), family size and perceived threat (P<0.247). Conclusion: The overall findings of the present study indicated unacceptable levels of psychological perception about skin cancer in farmers, which highlights the importance of designing, implementation, and evaluation of educational interventions related to the issue. © 2013 Iranian Society of Dermatology.
In vivo impact of presynaptic calcium channel dysfunction on motor axons in episodic ataxia type 2

Episodic ataxia type 2 is caused by mutations in CACNA1A, which encodes the pore-forming subunit of the voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.1. Tomlinson et al. reveal altered peripheral axonal excitability in patients compared to controls. The changes may reflect malformation of the nodes of Ranvier, as demonstrated in animal models.
Government Public Relation: Toward Media Richness and Interactivity

The development of information and communication technology disrupts the communication model of government institutions. The increasing penetration of social media users from year to year and the development of the "richness" aspect of social media as industry 4.0 progresses, encourage government public relations to focus more on social media management. Social media becomes the primary choice in publishing policies and disseminating information. One of the most distinctive social media rhetoric functions is its interactivity function. This study aims to evaluate the selection of social media by government public relations to run or engage its public relations activities and how government public relations as the institutions social media account manager address the interactivity of social media. The analysis was done with media richness theory and interactivity concept. The study used an interpretive paradigm with a qualitative approach. The study was evaluative, based on observation and literature study. The results of the study found that social media became the primary choice in publishing policy and dissemination of information with account management strategy customized to the “richness” of each social media and valence messages to be conveyed. In the evaluation of the use of interactivity aspects of social media by government public relations, it was found that although social media account manager skills are adequate but not always this interactivity technology is utilized optimally. It is therefore to be understandable as the impact of sociomaterial of social media management
Association between plasma soluble P-selectin elements and progressive ischemic stroke

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between plasma-soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) elements and progressive ischemic stroke (PIS) and to explore the pathogenesis of PIS. Patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted and hospitalized in the Department of Neurology between August 2010 and August 2011 were used as subjects in this study. The enrolled patients were divided into progressive (58 cases) and non-progressive groups (143 cases), based on changes in disease conditions. The normal control group included 40 cases. The sP-selectin levels and related risk factors of the three groups of patients were compared. sP-selectin levels in the progressive group showed the highest values on day 1 after progression and gradually decreased on days 3, 7 and 14. sP-selectin levels in the progressive and non-progressive groups on day 1 were higher compared with those in the control group (P<0.05) and the levels in the progressive group were higher compared with those in the non-progressive group (P<0.05). On days 3 and 7, levels in the progressive group were higher compared with those in the non-progressive group (P<0.05) and on day 14, levels in the progressive group remained higher compared with those in the non-progressive group (P>0.05). On days 1, 3 and 7, sP-selectin levels in the aortic atherosclerosis progressive group were higher compared with those in the aortic atherosclerosis non-progressive group (P<0.05), however on day 14, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). P-selectin levels had the most significant impact on the progressive group and the aortic atherosclerosis progressive group. P-selectin levels were high in patients with PIS and even higher in the aortic atherosclerosis progressive group and were closely correlated with the onset time of PIS.
Kinematic Control With Singularity Avoidance for Teaching-Playback Robot Manipulator System

A teaching-playback robot manipulator system whereby the user controls the manipulator through a teaching pendant has been used widely in industrial applications. Kinematic singularity issue becomes an important problem in the control of robot with a teaching-playback system. In this paper, we propose and investigate three singularity avoidance methods for a teaching-playback robot manipulator system. Nonredundancy singularity avoidance (NRSA) attempts to reduce both the position and orientation errors of the end-effector with the same priority. Redundancy singularity avoidance (RSA) attempts to reduce the position error of the end-effector with the first priority and reduce the orientation error of the end-effector with the second priority; Both NRSA and RSA are based on a modification of a Jacobian matrix. Point-to-point singularity avoidance (PTPSA) makes the end-effector pass through a singular region based on joint-interpolated control without maintaining the position and orientation of the end-effector. Experimental case studies are developed to investigate the manipulator performance when the end-effector approaches the wrist and shoulder singularity. The maximal end-effector trajectory error and users' feelings are statistically evaluated and analyzed in the experiment. The results of the experiment show the effectiveness and practice of the proposed methods.
The C-Terminal Extension of Ferrochelatase Is Critical for Enzyme Activity and for Functioning of the Tetrapyrrole Pathway in Synechocystis Strain PCC 6803

ABSTRACT Heme and chlorophyll (Chl) share a common biosynthetic pathway up to the branch point where magnesium chelatase and ferrochelatase (FeCH) insert either magnesium for Chl biosynthesis or ferrous iron for heme biosynthesis. A distinctive feature of FeCHs in cyanobacteria is their C-terminal extension, which forms a putative transmembrane segment containing a Chl-binding motif. We analyzed the ΔH324 strain of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803, which contains a truncated FeCH enzyme lacking this C-terminal domain. Truncated FeCH was localized to the membrane fraction, suggesting that the C-terminal domain is not necessary for membrane association of the enzyme. Measurements of enzyme activity and complementation experiments revealed that the ΔH324 mutation dramatically reduced activity of the FeCH, which resulted in highly upregulated 5-aminolevulinic acid synthesis in the ΔH324 mutant, implying a direct role for heme in the regulation of flux through the pathway. Moreover, the ΔH324 mutant accumulated a large amount of protoporphyrin IX, and levels of Chl precursors were also significantly increased, suggesting that some, but not all, of the “extra” flux can be diverted down the Chl branch. Analysis of the recombinant full-length and truncated FeCHs demonstrated that the C-terminal extension is critical for activity of the FeCH and that it is strictly required for oligomerization of this enzyme. The observed changes in tetrapyrrole trafficking and the role of the C terminus in the functioning of FeCH are discussed.
An investigation into the effect of vicarious contact on attitudes and intended friendship behaviour towards Irish travellers and perceived group norms about cross-group friendships among settled Irish children in the Republic of Ireland

The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of vicarious contact (the observation of an interaction between ingroup and outgroup members) on primary school children’s attitudes and intended friendship behaviour towards Traveller Irish children along with perceived group norms about the acceptability of intergroup friendship among settled children. Primary school children aged between 8 and 12 in the Republic of Ireland participated in a 3 week intervention where they read 3 stories (over 6 sessions) featuring settled Irish and Traveller Irish children in friendship contexts. Prior to the intervention participants completed measures of intergroup attitudes, intended friendship and perceived norms about intergroup friendship. Approximately 1 week after the last story session they were tested on the same measures. Results showed that those taking part in the intervention, compared to participants in the control group, revealed more positive friendship intentions towards Travellers. Those in the treatment group also expressed that more settled and Traveller children would approve of intergroup friendships. There was no significant effect of intervention on attitudes towards Travellers. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.