Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Astrocyte-Specific Deletion of Sox2 Promotes Functional Recovery After Traumatic Brain Injury

Injury to the adult brain induces activation of local astrocytes, which serves as a compensatory response that modulates tissue damage and recovery. However, the mechanism governing astrocyte activation during brain injury remains largely unknown. Here we provide in vivo evidence that SOX2, a transcription factor critical for stem cells and brain development, is also required for injury-induced activation of adult cortical astrocytes. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq analysis of mouse cortical tissues reveals that SOX2 binds to regulatory regions of genes associated with signaling pathways that control glial cell activation, such as Nr2e1, Mmd2, Wnt7a, and Akt2. Astrocyte-specific deletion of Sox2 in adult mice greatly diminishes glial response to controlled cortical impact injury and, most unexpectedly, dampens injury-induced cortical loss and benefits behavioral recovery of mice after injury. Together, these results uncover an essential role of SOX2 in somatic cells under pathological conditions and indicate that SOX2-dependent astrocyte activation could be targeted for functional recovery after traumatic brain injury.
Safety of the use of group A plasma in trauma: the STAT study

Use of universally ABO‐compatible group AB plasma for trauma resuscitation can be challenging due to supply limitations. Many centers are now using group A plasma during the initial resuscitation of traumatically injured patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of this practice on mortality and hospital length of stay (LOS).
Ultrasound measurements in bone using an array transducer

Osteoporosis is a prevalent bone disease, especially common among elderly individuals. It is characterized by increased fragility, caused by age-related resorption of the bone mineral content. In particular, osteoporotic resorption affects increase of porosity, decrease of elastic stiffness and thinning of the cortical wall. Osteoporotic fractures cause human suffering and heavy burdens to the economy, but the present clinical standard of diagnosing, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), cannot reliably predict whether an individual will later sustain a fracture. Moreover, these devices are expensive and do not permit screening. There is thus a call for alternative approaches. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) methods have shown promise in development of new alternative modalities for rapid, reliable and inexpensive screening and diagnosing of osteoporosis. As a part of this progress, this Thesis focuses on the development of a new array ultrasound probe, suitable for QUS assessment of the human radius and tibia. The new probe was tested in an in vivo study on preand postmenopausal females (n=254), whose fracture history was recorded and who were also measured by other techniques. The array probe was used to measure the first arriving signal (FAS). It was shown that ultrasound assessment with this device predicted well bone mineral density and cortical thickness at the bone sites analyzed, especially in the radius. In the subset of postmenopausal subjects, the ability of the method to differentiate fractures was consistent to that of X-ray-based bone densitometry (including DXA), and could thereby be used for screening of osteoporosis. Another emphasis in the Thesis relates to excitation and detection of a fundamental flexural guided wave (FFGW), a mode which is especially sensitive to cortical thickness. It is hard to detect this mode in vivo because it features weak amplitude and it is disturbed by other US modes which propagate in the layer of soft tissue on top of the bone. In one sub-study, a new signal processing method was introduced to determine the velocity of FFGW from signals measured by the array probe developed. In another sub-study, it was predicted by numerical simulations that this array probe can be configured as a phased array of sources. In particular, it was predicted that phased excitation can sufficiently gain the signalto-interference ratio of FFGW on top of the soft tissue coating, so as to enable in vivo assessment of this mode. In conclusion, results suggest that it is possible to develop a multi-mode QUS assessment utilizing both FAS and FFGW. Such a method would significantly improve the inference of different bone properties that determine its fracture toughness. Multi-mode QUS is thus expected to significantly improve the clinical relevance of US methods.
Childhood adversities and adult psychopathology in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys

Background Although significant associations of childhood adversities with adult mental disorders are widely documented, most studies focus on single childhood adversities predicting single disorders. Aims To examine joint associations of 12 childhood adversities with first onset of 20 DSM–IV disorders in World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys in 21 countries. Method Nationally or regionally representative surveys of 51 945 adults assessed childhood adversities and lifetime DSM–IV disorders with the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Results Childhood adversities were highly prevalent and interrelated. Childhood adversities associated with maladaptive family functioning (e.g. parental mental illness, child abuse, neglect) were the strongest predictors of disorders. Co-occurring childhood adversities associated with maladaptive family functioning had significant subadditive predictive associations and little specificity across disorders. Childhood adversities account for 29.8% of all disorders across countries. Conclusions Childhood adversities have strong associations with all classes of disorders at all life-course stages in all groups of WMH countries. Long-term associations imply the existence of as-yet undetermined mediators.
Do Macrophylogenies Yield Stable Macroevolutionary Inferences? An Example from Squamate Reptiles

&NA; Advances in the generation, retrieval, and analysis of phylogenetic data have enabled researchers to create phylogenies that contain many thousands of taxa. These “macrophylogenies”—large trees that typically derive from megaphylogeny, supermatrix, or supertree approaches—provide researchers with an unprecedented ability to conduct evolutionary analyses across broad phylogenetic scales. Many studies have now used these phylogenies to explore the dynamics of speciation, extinction, and phenotypic evolution across large swaths of the tree of life. These trees are characterized by substantial phylogenetic uncertainty on multiple levels, and the stability of macroevolutionary inferences from these data sets has not been rigorously explored. As a case study, we tested whether five recently published phylogenies for squamate reptiles—each consisting of more than 4000 species—yield congruent inferences about the processes that underlie variation in species richness across replicate evolutionary radiations of Australian snakes and lizards. We find discordance across the five focal phylogenies with respect to clade age and several diversification rate metrics, and in the effects of clade age on species richness. We also find that crown clade ages reported in the literature on these Australian groups are in conflict with all of the large phylogenies examined. Macrophylogenies offer an unprecedented opportunity to address evolutionary and ecological questions at broad phylogenetic scales, but accurately representing the uncertainty that is inherent to such analyses remains a critical challenge to our field. [Australia; macroevolution; macrophylogeny; squamates; time calibration. ]
High-order circular QAM constellation with high LDPC coding rate for phase noise channels

This paper proposes a design for a high-order circular quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellation using partial low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding associated with parallel double Gray mapping aiming at the application to a microwave radio backhaul to deal with time-varying phase noise channels. In the proposed circular QAM constellation design, we first design the best constellation in which the same number of signal points is mapped to all concentric rings. Then, we decrease the number of signal points in the inner rings and remap the signal points to the newly added rings outside the original rings while maintaining high affinity to the double Gray mapping feature. Computer simulation results show that partial LDPC coding with double Gray mapping decreases the required received signal-to-noise power ratio (SNR) at the bit error rate (BER) of 10−6 by approximately 0.2 dB compared to full LDPC coding for a high LDPC coding rate such as 0.9. We also show that the proposed circular 1024QAM decreases the required received SNR at the average BER of 10−6 by approximately 0.5 dB compared to that for rectangular 1024QAM.
Expected Stock Returns and Option-Implied Rate of Return

This paper examines the predictability of implied required rate of return (ROI) of individual stock in the cross-section of stock returns. The required rate of return of each stock is implied using its corresponding stock options and used in estimating the fundamental value of stock. The study finds that stocks with low price to fundamental value have higher future returns. The inferred ROI is compared with other required rate of return derived by CAPM and Fama-French three factor model in return prediction and trading. The findings indicate that the proposed model outperforms the other two models. The forward looking ROI provides a superior estimation of fundamental value than the other two back-looking models and is better able to predict future returns. The empirical results also evidence that the proposed model provides accurate trading signals compared with the other valuation models as well as value benchmarks like price to earnings and dividend yield ratios.
Cognitive and Graded Activity Training Can Alleviate Persistent Fatigue After Stroke: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background and Purpose— Fatigue is a common, persistent consequence of stroke, and no evidence-based treatments are currently available to alleviate fatigue. A new treatment combining cognitive therapy (CO) with graded activity training (GRAT), called COGRAT, was developed to alleviate fatigue and fatigue-related symptoms. This study compared the effectiveness of the COGRAT intervention with a CO-only intervention after a 3-month qualification period without intervention. Methods— This randomized, controlled, assessor-blind clinical trial was conducted in 8 rehabilitation centers. Eighty-three stroke patients (>4 months after stroke) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of CO or COGRAT after qualification. Seventy-three patients completed treatment and 68 were available at follow-up. Primary outcomes (Checklist Individual Strength–subscale Fatigue (CIS-f); self-observation list–fatigue (SOL-f)) and secondary outcomes (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Stroke-Adapted Sickness Impact Profile, SOL-pain, SOL-sleep-D, 6-minute walk test) were collected at baseline (before and after qualification period) and after treatment (immediate and 6-month follow-up). Results— The qualification period showed stable outcome measures. Both treatments showed significant beneficial effects on fatigue (CIS-f: &eegr;p2=0.48, P<0.001) and other outcomes (except pain and anxiety) with intention-to-treat analyses. Gains for the COGRAT group exceeded those in the CO group on number of individuals showing clinical improvement on the CIS-f (≥8 points: 58% versus 24%) and on physical endurance (&eegr;p2=0.20, P<0.001). Conclusions— A 12-week cognitive therapy program can alleviate persistent fatigue after stroke. The best results are obtained when cognitive therapy is augmented with graded activity training. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.trialregister. nl. Unique identifier: NTR2704.
Chloride Secretion by Bovine Ciliary Epithelium: a Model of Aqueous Humor Formation

PURPOSE. To study the physiological mechanisms of the Cl transport across the bovine ciliary body-epithelium (CBE). METHODS. Fresh isolated bovine CBE was mounted in an Ussing-type chamber. The effects of ion substitution and transport inhibitors on electrical measurements and Cl transport were investigated. RESULTS. The potential difference (PD) across the preparation was 0.55 Ϯ 0.04 mV and was consistently negative at the aqueous side. The short-circuit current (SCC) and tissue resistance (R t) were found to be 8.0 Ϯ 0.7 ␮A/cm 2 and 72 Ϯ 3 ⍀/cm 2 , respectively. Both the PD and the SCC of the bovine CBE were found to depend primarily on the concentration of the Cl bath and to a lesser extent on the Na or HCO 3 concentration. At 30 mM Cl, the polarity of the PD and the direction of the SCC were reversed. Reducing the extracellular Na or Cl concentration abolished the net Cl transport into the eye under the short-circuited condition. Bilateral bumetanide (0.1 mM), but not 4,4Ј-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2-2Ј-disulfonic acid (DIDS; 0.1 mM), greatly inhibited the Cl transport. Bumetanide, when applied to either side, inhibited the Cl transport. The effect, however, was three times greater on the stromal side than on the aqueous surface. Bilateral heptanol (3.5 mM) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB; 0.1 mM) on the aqueous side also inhibited the Cl transport by 80% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. The results suggest that the major Cl influx pathway at the basolateral border in pigmented epithelial cells is through the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, but not the Cl/HCO 3 and Na/H double exchangers. Intercellular gap junctions between the two cell layers and the NPPB-sensitive Cl channels at the basolateral surface in nonpigmented epithelial cells also play a crucial role in regulating the Cl movement across the functional syncytium. T he aqueous humor of the eye is secreted by the ciliary epithelium. Active cellular electrolyte secretion across this epithelium plays an important role in the aqueous secretion. 1 The ciliary epithelium comprises two epithelial layers: the outer pigmented epithelium (PE), which faces the ciliary stroma, and the inner nonpigmented epithelium (NPE), which faces the posterior chamber. These two epithelial layers are juxtaposed at their apical surfaces through gap junctions 2 and form a functional syncytium. 3 Earlier studies demonstrated active Cl secretion across the ciliary body of cat, 4 toad, 5 and rabbit, 6 although a subsequent study questioned the presence of any active Cl secretion. …
Effects of Introduced Small Wood in a Degraded Stream on Fish Community and Functional Diversity

Abstract Though the effects of introduced wood on fishes is widely studied for salmonids in upland coldwater streams, there are few studies on this topic conducted in the Coastal Plain of the southeastern US. This research gap is problematic because the introduction of wood is a critical component of efforts aimed at conserving the threatened fish diversity of the Coastal Plain, but managers lack data on the effects of installed wood on fish communities. Over a nearly 4-year study period, we contrasted the effects of introduced, small, wood bundles on the fish community in a channelized and deeply incised sand-bed Coastal Plain stream with an unmanipulated reference treatment. The central question was whether or not stream reaches with introduced wood had greater taxonomic and functional diversity than unmanipulated reference reaches within the same stream. The introduction of modest amounts of small wood had measurable and biologically significant positive impacts on fish community composition and perhaps functional diversity relative to stream reaches lacking wood. However, species-specific responses varied among treatments, suggesting the design of wood installations has an impact on whether or not managemen t goals are achieved.
Superconducting and Elastic Properties of PbBa2Y1-xCaxCu3O7+δ

PbBa2Y1-xCaxCu3O7+δ (x = 0.00, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.50) samples were prepared via solid state reaction. All samples except x = 0.50 exhibited various critical temperatures Tc. The X-ray diffraction patterns show all samples were in mixed phase. Longitudinal and shear ultrasonic velocities in these samples were measured using the pulsed-echo-overlap method with frequency 5-10 MHz in the temperature range 80-300 K. There are no obvious elastic anomalies which are usually observed in most high temperature superconductors were observed in any of the samples in both longitudinal and shear modes. Furthermore, there is no significant variation in the percentage of velocity change in both longitudinal and shear modes with the different content of x doped for all samples.
Survival of patients with hepatobiliary tract and duodenal cancer sites in Germany and the United States in the early 21st century

Hepatobiliary tract cancers (HBTCs) are a heterogeneous group of cancers with high mortality. Because most of these cancers, with the exception of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), are rare, few data are available concerning the population level survival expectations of patients with HBTC. Here, we describe survival of patients with HBTC in Germany with comparison to survival in the US. Therefore, data were extracted from 12 databases in Germany and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER13) database in the US. Period analysis and modeled period analysis were used to calculate 5‐year relative survival estimates for patients with HBTC diagnosed from 1997 to 2013. HCC was the most common HBTC in each database, accounting for over 1/3 of HBTC in Germany and about half of cases in the US. Overall age adjusted 5‐year relative survival for HBTC in 2006‐2013 was 19.1% in Germany and 20.6% in the US. Five‐year relative survival increased by 3.8% units in Germany and 4.5% units in the US between 2002–2005 and 2010–2013. Five‐year relative survival for individual types of HBTC ranged from 9.8% in Germany and 2.9% in the US for not otherwise specified biliary tract cancers to 44.4% and 50.1%, respectively, in Germany and the US for duodenal cancers. In conclusion, survival for HBTC remains poor in both Germany and the US, although a small increase in survival in the past decade was observed. Further work to find better treatment options for HBTC is needed to improve survival.
Practical Pharmacology of Methadone: A Long-acting Opioid

Methadone is a naturally long-acting analgesic with unique pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties compared to other opioids, available now in India, to treat severe pain. It has the potential to dramatically relieve suffering among patients with serious illness who are living with persistent physical pain. However, clinicians must appreciate its unique pharmacologic properties and its use in clinical practice safely and effectively. The available formulation in India is a racemic mixture of the S- and R-enantiomers, and as such, it will have a propensity for drug-drug and drug-genetic interactions that can increase the risk of Torsades de Point and respiratory depression. Appropriate patient selection, careful dosing and thorough monitoring of methadone will mitigate these risks.
Human-Human Interaction Forces and Interlimb Coordination During Side-by-Side Walking With Hand Contact

Handholding can naturally occur between two walkers. When people walk side-by-side, either with or without hand contact, they often synchronize their steps. However, despite the importance of haptic interaction in general and the natural use of hand contact between humans during walking, few studies have investigated forces arising from physical interactions. Eight pairs of adult subjects participated in this study. They walked on side-by-side treadmills at 4 km/h independently and with hand contact. Only hand contact-related sensory information was available for unintentional synchronization, while visual and auditory communication was obstructed. Subjects walked at their natural cadences or following a metronome. Limb kinematics, hand contact 3D interaction forces and EMG activity of 12 upper limb muscles were recorded. Overall, unintentional step frequency locking was observed during about 40% of time in 88% of pairs walking with hand contact. On average, the amplitude of contact arm oscillations decreased while the contralateral (free) arm oscillated in the same way as during normal walking. Interestingly, EMG activity of the shoulder muscles of the contact arm did not decrease, and their synergistic pattern remained similar. The amplitude of interaction forces and of trunk oscillations was similar for synchronized and non-synchronized steps, though the synchronized steps were characterized by significantly more regular orientations of interaction forces. Our results further support the notion that gait synchronization during natural walking is common, and that it may occur through interaction forces. Conservation of the proximal muscle activity of the contact (not oscillating) arm is consistent with neural coupling between cervical and lumbosacral pattern generation circuitries (“quadrupedal” arm-leg coordination) during human gait. Overall, the findings suggest that individuals might integrate force interaction cues to communicate and coordinate steps during walking.
The Value of Nothing: Asymmetric Attention to Opportunity Costs Drives Intertemporal Decision Making

This paper proposes a novel account of impatience: People pay more attention to the opportunity costs of choosing larger, later rewards than to the opportunity costs of choosing smaller, sooner ones. Eight studies show that when the opportunity costs of choosing smaller, sooner rewards are subtly highlighted, people become more patient, whereas when the opportunity costs of choosing larger, later rewards are highlighted this has no effect. This pattern is robust to variations in the choice task, to the participant population, and to whether the choices are incentivized or hypothetical. We argue that people are naturally aware of the opportunity costs of delayed rewards but pay less attention to those associated with smaller, sooner ones. We conclude by discussing implications for theory and policy. Data, as supplemental material, are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2016. 2547. This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, judgment and decision making.
Dynamic Potential of Feedback in Self-Regulated Learning and Motivation of Children with Mathematical Learning Difficulties

The present study was designed to examine the effects of feedback conditions on learning and motivation of children identified with mathematical learning difficulties (MLDs). The performance of 76 fifth-grade children on computational math skills and related task motivation was assessed. The groups of children were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: immediate corrective feedback or delayed conventional feedback on two occasions. Results showed that children performed significantly better when they were provided with the immediate corrective feedback than when they were provided with the delayed conventional feedback. The findings suggest that provision of the immediate corrective feedback also enhanced task motivation in children. In contrast, provision of the delayed conventional feedback had a negative impact on children’s task motivation and also on their performance in math. Moreover, the results indicated that in the long term, children’s subgroup (MLDs) and their previous math skills were powerful predictors of subsequent performance on a limited-time math task, whereas the change in task motivation did not contribute significantly to the same task.