Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Abilities Associated with Verbal Fluency Performance in a Young, Healthy Population Are Multifactorial and Differ Across Fluency Variants

Numerous variants of verbal fluency tasks exist within clinical and research domains that purport to measure “executive function. ” However, to date, there has been a paucity of research examining what specific abilities are measured by these tasks. In this study, the relationships between a select group of cognitive constructs and phonemic, semantic, alternating, and excluded-letter verbal fluency tests were examined in 93 young healthy individuals (aged 18 to 35 years old). Forward-selection multiple regression analyses were performed for each fluency task. Phonemic fluency was associated with verbal intellectual function and processing speed; semantic fluency was associated with working memory and semantic word retrieval; excluded-letter fluency was associated with processing speed; and alternating fluency was associated with semantic word retrieval. These results highlight verbal intellectual function, processing speed, and semantic word-retrieval contributions to verbal fluency performances. The main conclusion from this study is that the abilities associated with verbal fluency performance in a young healthy population are multifactorial and differ across fluency variants. These findings progress our theoretical understanding of what is measured by different verbal fluency tasks and will assist interpretation of performance.
Immunohistochemical Localization of B7 Costimulating Molecules and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Antigen in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Background: Alveolar macrophages (AM) of sarcoidosis have an enhanced capacity to mediate antigen-induced T lymphocyte proliferation. To induce an effective immune response, antigen-presenting cells have to not only present antigenic peptide with MHC molecules to T lymphocytes, but also express B7 costimulating molecules. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of B7 and MHC molecules in lung tissues from patients with sarcoidosis. Methods: We performed immunohistochemistry for B7-1, B7-2 and MHC class II antigens using transbronchial lung biopsy specimens obtained from patients with sarcoidosis and normal lung parenchyma obtained by lobectomy for solitary pulmonary nodule as controls. Results: B7-1, B7-2 and MHC class II antigen were expressed in epithelioid cells in granulomas in 14 (93.3%), 2 (13.3%) and 9 (60.0%) of 15 patients with sarcoidosis, respectively. These were also expressed in AM in 14 (93.3%), 5 (33.3%) and 12 (80.0%) of 15 patients with sarcoidosis, respectively. The positivitiy of B7-1 was significantly higher than that of B7-2 in both epithelioid cells and AM in sarcoidosis (p < 0.01). Positive signals for B7-1, B7-2 and MHC class II antigen were also found in AM in 9 (90%), 8 (80%) and 8 (80%) of 15 of controls, respectively. However, the intensity of positive signals for B7-1, but not B7-2 or MHC class II antigen in AM was significantly increased in sarcoidosis compared to controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggested that epithelioid cells in granulomas and AM from patients with sarcoidosis had the capability to act as accessory cells and that the accessory function of these cells was shifted to B7-1 rather than B7-2 in sarcoidosis.
Standardization of the face-hand test in a Brazilian multicultural population: prevalence of sensory extinction and implications for neurological diagnosis

OBJECTIVE: The face-hand test is a simple, practical, and rapid test to detect neurological syndromes. However, it has not previously been assessed in a Brazilian sample; therefore, the objective of the present study was to standardize the face-hand test for use in the multi-cultural population of Brazil and identify the sociodemographic factors affecting the results. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study of 150 individuals. The sociodemographic variables that were collected included age, gender, race, body mass index and years of education. Standardization of the face-hand test occurred in 2 rounds of 10 sensory stimuli, with the participant seated to support the trunk and their vision obstructed in a sound-controlled environment. The face-hand test was conducted by applying 2 rounds of 10 sensory stimuli that were applied to the face and hand simultaneously. The associations between the face-hand test and sociodemographic variables were analyzed using Mann-Whitney tests and Spearman correlations. Binomial models were adjusted for the number of face-hand test variations, and ROC curves evaluated sensitivity and specificity of sensory extinction. RESULTS: There was no significant relationship between the sociodemographic variables and the number of stimuli perceived for the face-hand test. There was a high relative frequency of detection, 8 out of 10 stimuli, in this population. Sensory extinction was 25.3%, which increased with increasing age (OR=1.4[1:01–1:07]; p=0.006) and decreased significantly with increasing education (OR=0.82[0.71-0.94]; p=0.005). CONCLUSION: In the Brazilian population, a normal face-hand test score ranges between 8–10 stimuli, and the results indicate that sensory extinction is associated with increased age and lower levels of education.
Conserved Inhibitory Mechanism and Competent ATP Binding Mode for Adenylyltransferases with Fic Fold

The ubiquitous FIC domain is evolutionarily conserved from bacteria to human and has been shown to catalyze AMP transfer onto protein side-chain hydroxyl groups. Recently, it was predicted that most catalytically competent Fic proteins are inhibited by the presence of an inhibitory helix αinh that is provided by a cognate anti-toxin (class I), or is part of the N- or C-terminal part of the Fic protein itself (classes II and III). In vitro, inhibition is relieved by mutation of a conserved glutamate of αinh to glycine. For the class III bacterial Fic protein NmFic from Neisseria meningitidis, the inhibitory mechanism has been elucidated. Here, we extend above study by including bacterial class I and II Fic proteins VbhT from Bartonella schoenbuchensis and SoFic from Shewanella oneidensis, respectively, and the respective E->G mutants. Comparative enzymatic and crystallographic analyses show that, in all three classes, the ATP substrate binds to the wild-type FIC domains, but with the α-phosphate in disparate and non-competent orientations. In the E->G mutants, however, the tri-phosphate moiety is found reorganized to the same tightly bound structure through a unique set of hydrogen bonds with Fic signature motif residues. The γ-phosphate adopts the location that is taken by the inhibitory glutamate in wild-type resulting in an α-phosphate orientation that can be attacked in-line by a target side-chain hydroxyl group. The latter is properly registered to the Fic active center by main-chain β-interactions with the β-hairpin flap. These data indicate that the active site motif and the exposed edge of the flap are both required to form an adenylylation-competent Fic protein.
Passion for leisure activity contributes to pain experiences during rehabilitation

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the levels of obsessive passion (OP) and harmonious passion for a suspended leisure activity contribute to pain catastrophizing and pain intensity in patients undergoing the rehabilitation process. The secondary aim was to examine whether the levels of passion associated with a maintained leisure activity offset the contribution of having a leisure activity suspended to pain intensity and catastrophizing. Ninety-one outpatients from functional rehabilitation units (Mage=37, SD=13.44 years) completed measures of pain catastrophizing, pain intensity, and passion about valued leisure activities (one they were prevented from practicing and one they remained able to practice). Correlation analysis showed that the level of OP for a suspended valued leisure activity was positively associated with pain catastrophizing and pain intensity. Results showed that pain catastrophizing mediated the relationship between this level of passion and pain intensity. The levels of harmonious passion and OP for a maintained valued leisure activity did not offset the contribution of OP for a suspended leisure activity to pain-related outcomes. When prevented from practicing a valued leisure activity, only OP contributes to the prediction of pain catastrophizing and pain intensity. The contribution of pain catastrophizing provides a potential explanation for why the level of OP for a suspended leisure activity is related to pain intensity ratings. The benefits of maintaining a valued leisure activity during rehabilitation do not seem sufficient to counterbalance the maladaptive effects of being prevented from the practice of a previous/another valued leisure activity.
Intake of Dairy Products, Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus in Childhood and Age at Menarche in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Purpose Studies indicate that milk intake is associated with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentrations and height in childhood, whether milk and other dairy products promote puberty remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate influences of pre-pubertal intakes of milk, yogurt and cheese on menarcheal age in Tehranian girls. The associations of total dietary calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) with menarcheal age were also examined. Methods This prospective study was conducted on 134 pre-pubertal girls, aged 4-12 years at baseline, who participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), and were followed for a median of 6.5 years. Dietary intakes were determined at initiation of the study using two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls and the age of menarche was documented during the follow-up. Logistic regression was used to calculate the risk of reaching menarche ≤ 12 years according to pre-pubertal levels of dairy or mineral intakes. Results The risk of earlier menarche was higher in girls with higher intakes of milk [OR: 2.28 (95% CI: 1.03–5.05)], Ca [OR: 3.20 (95%CI: 1.39–7.42)], Mg [OR: 2.43 (95% CI: 1.12–5.27)] and P [OR: 3.37 (95 % CI: 1.44–7.87) after controlling for energy and protein intake, interval between the age at study initiation and the age of menarche, and maternal age at menarche (Model 1). Girls in the middle tertile of cheese intakes had a lower risk of reaching menarche ≤ 12 years than those in the lowest tertile after controlling for covariates in model 1. These associations remained significant after further adjustment of BMI Z-score at baseline. The relationship of Ca, Mg, and P with menarche remained after further adjustment for height Z-score at baseline, whereas the association between milk and cheese intakes became non-significant. Conclusions Pre-pubertal intake of milk, but not cheese and yogurt, may hasten age at menarche.
University ’ s repository of research publications and other research outputs Conversations with my washing machine : an inthe-wild study of demand-shifting with self-generated energy Conference Item

Domestic microgeneration is the onsite generation of lowand zero-carbon heat and electricity by private households to meet their own needs. In this paper we explore how an everyday household routine – that of doing laundry – can be augmented by digital technologies to help households with photovoltaic solar energy generation to make better use of self-generated energy. This paper presents an 8-month inthe-wild study that involved 18 UK households in longitudinal energy data collection, prototype deployment and participatory data analysis. Through a series of technology interventions mixing energy feedback, proactive suggestions and direct control the study uncovered opportunities, potential rewards and barriers for families to shift energy consuming household activities and highlights how digital technology can act as mediator between household laundry routines and energy demand-shifting behaviors. Finally, the study provides insights into how a “smart” energy-aware washing machine shapes organization of domestic life and how people “communicate” with their washing machine. Author
On the Dynamics of Regenerative Frequency Dividers

A comprehensive analytical study of regenerative frequency dividers (RFD) is presented. The study includes two fundamental modes of operation in RFDs, namely locked (or stable) and quasi-locked modes, and the study also covers the transition from free-running oscillation to quasi-locked, and ultimately to locked operation mode. Differential equations characterizing the RFD behavior for both operation modes as well as the transition between the two are derived. An RFD circuit for Bluetooth applications was designed and fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS process with a supply voltage of 1.2 V. Measurement results of the RFD prototype verify the accuracy of the proposed analytical models
Assessment of longitudinal tissue Doppler imaging of the left ventricular septum and free wall as an indicator of left ventricular systolic function in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the left ventricular (LV) free wall (FW) and ventricular septum (VS) as an indicator of LV systolic function in dogs. ANIMALS 7 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES Doses of dobutamine (5 and 10 microg/kg/min) and esmolol (50 and 100 microg/kg/min) were infused into the LV of each dog. With each dose, heart rate; myocardial performance index (MPI); transmitral inflow and ejection time (determined via pulsed-wave Doppler [PWD] echocardiography); and FW and VS velocities of the mitral valve annulus (determined via TDI during systole [S'], early diastole [E'], and late diastole [A']) were assessed. RESULTS With each dose, dobutamine significantly increased heart rate and the first derivatives of LV pressure (+dP/dt and -dP/dt), whereas esmolol significantly decreased the +dP/dt and -dP/dt values, compared with baseline. Esmolol (100 microg/kg/min) significantly decreased the VS-TDI-derived S' velocity and FW-TDI-derived E' velocity; dobutamine significantly increased transmitral inflow and TDI velocities. Regression coefficient between VS-TDI-derived S' velocity and +dP/dt was higher than that between FW-TDI-derived S' velocity and +dP/dt. Compared with baseline, the PWD- and VS-TDI-derived MPI were significantly decreased by dobutamine and significantly increased by esmolol at each dose. Values of FW-TDI-derived MPI were higher than values derived via the other techniques. Correlation between +dP/dt and VS-TDI-derived MPI was greater than that between +dP/dt and FW-TDI- or PWD-derived MPI. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In healthy dogs, the VS-TDI-derived S' velocity and MPI appear to be reliable assessments for evaluating LV systolic function.
A General Vandermonde Factorization of aHankel Matrix ?

It is shown that an innnite Hankel matrix of a nite rank (or a nite Hankel matrix) admits a generalized Vandermonde decomposition H = V T DV , where V is a generalized Vandermonde matrix, and D is a block diagonal matrix. The full structure of this decomposition was rst fully discussed by Vandevoorde 9], but the development here is based solely on linear algebra considerations, speciically the use of the Jordan Canonical Form.
A Conserved Motif in Tetrahymena thermophila Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Is Proximal to the RNA Template and Is Essential for Boundary Definition*

Background: Telomerase requires the interaction of conserved protein and RNA motifs. Results: Site-directed hydroxyl radical probing and mutagenesis identified an essential region of RNA-protein interactions. Conclusion: The conserved CP2 protein motif is proximal to a conserved telomerase RNA motif. Significance: Understanding how telomerase protein and RNA subunits interact allows us to begin constructing a more complete mechanistic model of telomerase function. The ends of linear chromosomes are extended by telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex minimally consisting of a protein subunit called telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA (TER). TERT functions by reverse transcribing a short template region of TER into telomeric DNA. Proper assembly of TERT and TER is essential for telomerase activity; however, a detailed understanding of how TERT interacts with TER is lacking. Previous studies have identified an RNA binding domain (RBD) within TERT, which includes three evolutionarily conserved sequence motifs: CP2, CP, and T. Here, we used site-directed hydroxyl radical probing to directly identify sites of interaction between the TERT RBD and TER, revealing that the CP2 motif is in close proximity to a conserved region of TER known as the template boundary element (TBE). Gel shift assays on CP2 mutants confirmed that the CP2 motif is an RNA binding determinant. Our results explain previous work that established that mutations to the CP2 motif of TERT and to the TBE of TER both permit misincorporation of nucleotides into the growing DNA strand beyond the canonical template. Taken together, these results suggest a model in which the CP2 motif binds the TBE to strictly define which TER nucleotides can be reverse transcribed.
False memory for context activates the parahippocampal cortex

Previous studies have reported greater activity in the parahippocampal cortex during true memory than false memory, which has been interpreted as reflecting greater sensory processing during true memory. However, in these studies, sensory detail and contextual information were confounded. In the present fMRI study, we employed a novel paradigm to dissociate these factors. During encoding, abstract shapes were presented in one of two contexts (i.e., moving or stationary). During retrieval, participants classified shapes as previously “moving” or “stationary. ” Critically, contextual processing was relatively greater during false memory (“moving” responses to stationary items), while sensory processing was relatively greater during true memory (“moving” responses to moving items). Within the medial temporal lobe, false memory versus true memory produced greater activity in the parahippocampal cortex, whereas true memory versus false memory produced greater activity in the hippocampus. The present results indicate that the parahippocampal cortex mediates contextual processing rather than sensory processing.
Murine Norovirus Transcytosis across an In Vitro Polarized Murine Intestinal Epithelial Monolayer Is Mediated by M-Like Cells

ABSTRACT Noroviruses (NoVs) are the causative agent of the vast majority of nonbacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Due to the inability to culture human NoVs and the inability to orally infect a small animal model, little is known about the initial steps of viral entry. One particular step that is not understood is how NoVs breach the intestinal epithelial barrier. Murine NoV (MNV) is the only NoV that can be propagated in vitro by infecting murine macrophages and dendritic cells, making this virus an attractive model for studies of different aspects of NoV biology. Polarized murine intestinal epithelial mICcl2 cells were used to investigate how MNV interacts with and crosses the intestinal epithelium. In this in vitro model of the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE), MNV is transported across the polarized cell monolayer in the absence of viral replication or disruption of tight junctions by a distinct epithelial cell with microfold (M) cell properties. In addition to transporting MNV, these M-like cells also transcytose microbeads and express an IgA receptor. Interestingly, B myeloma cells cultured in the basolateral compartment underlying the epithelial monolayer did not alter the number of M-like cells but increased their transcytotic activity. Our data demonstrate that MNV can cross an intact intestinal epithelial monolayer in vitro by hijacking the M-like cells' intrinsic transcytotic pathway and suggest a potential mechanism for MNV entry into the host.
U2 small nuclear RNA 3' end formation is directed by a critical internal structure distinct from the processing site

Mature U2 small nuclear RNA is generated by the removal of 11 to 12 nucleotides from the 3' end of the primary transcript. This pre-U2 RNA processing reaction takes place in the cytoplasm. In this study, the sequences and/or structures of pre-U2 RNA that are important for 3' processing have been examined in an in vitro system. The 7-methylguanosine cap, stem-loops I and II, the lariat branch site recognition sequence, the conserved Sm domain, and several other regions throughout the 5' end of U2 RNA have no apparent role in the 3' processing reaction. In fact, deletion of the entire first 104 nucleotides resulted in mini-pre-U2 RNAs which were efficiently processed. Similarly, deletion of the top two-thirds of stem-loop III or mutation of nucleotides in the loop of stem-loop IV had little effect on 3' processing. Most surprisingly, the precursor's 11- to 12-nucleotide 3' extension itself was of relatively little importance, since this sequence could be replaced with completely different sequences with only a minor effect on the 3' processing reaction. In contrast, we have defined a critical structure consisting of the bottom of stem III and the stem of stem-loop IV that is essential for 3' processing of pre-U2 RNA. Compensatory mutations which restore base pairing in this region resulted in normal 3' processing. Thus, although the U2 RNA processing activity recognizes the bottom of stem III and stem IV, the sequence of this critical region is much less important than its structure. These results, together with the surprising observation that the reaction is relatively indifferent to the sequence of the 11- to 12-nucleotide 3' extension itself, point to a 3' processing reaction of pre-U2 RNA that has sequence and structure requirements significantly different from those previously identified for pre-mRNA 3' processing.
A method for achieving rapidly steady-state blood concentrations of I.V. drugs.

The theoretical basis of a pharmacokinetic method to obtain rapidly and maintain a steady plasma concentration of an i. v. drug is described. Computer simulations of morphine disposition in man, using pharmacokinetic constants obtained from the literature, are provided as examples of steady-state dose regimens. The usefulness and potential limitations of the method are discussed.
lassically conditioned fear responses are preserved following unilateral emporal lobectomy in humans when concurrent US-expectancy atings are used

Previous lesion studies demonstrate that patients who underwent a unilateral temporal lobe resection show impaired skin conductance responding (SCR) to aversively conditioned stimuli. The aim of the current lesion study was to examine whether the amygdala is also critically involved in differential SCR during a more explicit form of fear learning. A simple discrimination task was presented to a unilaterally amygdala-damaged patient group and a control group, in which one neutral stimulus was always followed by an electric shock (CS+), whereas a second stimulus always appeared alone (CS−). To direct attention towards the stimulus contingencies, participants were asked to predict the occurrence of the shock continuously throughout the whole task. The results revealed that patients and controls rapidly