Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New data identify an increasing sex ratio of multiple sclerosis in Sweden

Background: An increasing women-to-men ratio in later birth cohorts of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been observed in several populations and has been hypothesised to be due to one or several environmental factors of importance for disease aetiology. However, in a study based on data from the Swedish MS registry (SMSreg) this ratio was recently reported to be rather stable during the 20th century. Objective: The purpose of this study was to reinvestigate the women-to-men ratio in Sweden based on data from all available data sources, including deceased patients. Method: We combined data from the SMSreg with data from national patient registers. Results: In total we obtained information on 19,510 MS patients born 1931–1985, 13,321 women and 6189 men. The women-to-men ratio increased from 1.70 for patients born in the 1930s to 2.67 for patients born in the 1980s. When comparing the coverage of SMSreg to the full data set, a significantly higher proportion of women born 1931–1935 compared to men born in the same period were found in SMSreg, resulting in a sampling bias hiding the increasing sex ratio in the full material. Conclusion: The women-to-men ratio in MS has increased in Sweden during the 20th century similarly to observations in other western countries.
Properties of calcium stores and transient outward currents in single smooth muscle cells of rabbit intestine.

1. Single dispersed cells obtained by collagenase treatment of longitudinal muscle of rabbit small intestine were voltage clamped with low‐resistance patch pipettes and membrane current was measured. 2. In cells held at ‐20 or ‐30 mV, a discharge of spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) was usually seen; these are believed to represent the sporadic release of calcium from storage sites in the cell in relation to TEA‐sensitive, 4 AP‐resistant, calcium‐activated potassium channels. 3. Caffeine (20 mM) externally applied, accelerated and then abolished STOCs; carbachol (0.1 mM) had similar effects; the initial burst of STOCs was often carried on a large, temporary, outward current which could occur alone. This was suggested to be caused by the rapid release of stored calcium in relation to calcium‐activated potassium channels. 4. If STOCs were abolished by caffeine (or carbachol) then carbachol (or caffeine) did not evoke outward current indicating that these drugs act on the same calcium store but by different pathways. Inclusion of ryanodine (10(‐8)‐10(‐4) M) in the patch pipette abolished STOCs soon after establishing whole‐cell recording mode; afterwards, outward current to caffeine or to carbachol could not be evoked. 5. STOCs were quickly abolished in cells patched with pipettes filled with GTP gamma S (0.1‐1 mM) or Gpp(NH)p (0.1‐1 mM) but were large or normal in size in cells where GDP beta S (0.1‐1 mM) was included in the pipette. GTP gamma S or Gpp(NH)p in the cell abolished outward current to caffeine or to carbachol, but had no effect on calcium‐activated potassium channel activity in isolated patches or on a TEA‐sensitive, 4‐AP‐resistant, outward potassium current evoked in single cells by stepping positively from a ‐20 mV holding potential. These results suggest that the effect of guanine nucleotide analogues are on the calcium store rather than on calcium‐activated potassium channels. 6. The effects of GTP gamma S or Gpp(NH)p could be explained if they depleted calcium stores via a G‐protein mechanism; this effect may involve activation of phospholipase C enzyme (PLC) and D‐myo‐inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) production as well as a direct effect on stores. However a separate G‐protein‐independent pathway of activation of PLC by muscarinic receptor activation may exist as calcium release by carbachol was large or normal in cells filled with GDP beta S.
Ontogenic and morphological study of gonadal formation in genetically-modified sex reversal XYPOS mice

Mammalian sexual fate is determined by the presence or absence of sex determining region of the Y chromosome (Sry) in the “bipotential” gonads. Recent studies have demonstrated that both male and female sexual development are induced by distinct and active genetic pathways. Breeding the Y chromosome from Mus m. domesticus poschiavinus (POS) strains into C57BL/6J (B6J) mice (B6J-XYPOS) has been shown to induce sex reversal (75%: bilateral ovary, 25%: true hermaphrodites). However, our B6N-XYPOS mice, which were generated by backcrossing of B6J-XYPOS on an inbred B6N-XX, develop as males (36%: bilateral testis with fertility as well as bilateral ovary (34%), and the remainder develop as true hermaphrodites. Here, we investigated in detail the expressions of essential sex-related genes and histological features in B6N-XYPOS mice from the fetal period to adulthood. The onsets of both Sry and SRY-box 9 (Sox9) expressions as determined spatiotemporally by whole-mount immunohistochemistry in the B6N-XYPOS gonads occurred 2–3 tail somites later than those in B6N-XYB6 gonads, but earlier than those in B6J-XYPOS, respectively. It is possible that such a small difference in timing of the Sry expression underlies testicular development in our B6N-XYPOS. Our study is the first to histologically show the expression and ectopic localization of a female-related gene in the XYPOS testes and a male-related gene in the XYPOS ovaries. The results from these and previous experiments indicate that the interplay between genome variants, epigenetics and developmental gene regulation is crucial for testis development.
Personality Changes of American Teenage Participants in a Japanese Youth Exchange.

PERM/MLITT CF VAGES OF AMERICAN TEENAGE PARTICIPANTS IN A . 7APANESB NOTH lam= Michael Henry Stitsworth, EcI.O. Indiana University, 1987 The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in personali functianing occur in teenagers participating in a onemonth homestay in Japan. The sample consisted of 154 exchange participants and 112 control group members who were nominated by the exchange group but who did not travel abroad. The California Psychological Inventory Op was administered to both groups prior to the exchange, once again at its conclusion, and a third time four months later. A pre-exchange questionnaire was used to collect antecedent information frac both groups. Analysis of covariance was used to determine if the mean pretest and posttest scores for the exchange group and control group were significantly different. The MannWhitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA were used to determine if the personalities of certain overseas group antecedent sutpopulations changed differently. It was found that the overseas group increased in flexibility and independence and became less conventional as compared to the control group. Exchange participants who were the first member of their immediate family to travel abroad and those who personally paid a high percentage of their trip expenses experienced the most personality change. Overseas travelers who had studied a foreign language for one or two semesters experienced no significant changes; travelers who had not previously studied a language and those who had studied a language for three or four semesters changed significantly. Significant personality differences found between the exchange group and control group did not persist over time; however, certain differences between exchange group antecedent subpopulations which were present at the time of the posttest persisted four months after the conclusion of the exchange. Other differences not apparent at the time of the posttest became discernible four months later. It was concluded that certain personality changes associated with overseas experiences are immediately apparent while other changes become evident only after a period of time has passed. Same changes which appear in the short team may disappear over time. Approved and accepted by: 6////4014 (ih/ &164', Dr. William Wilkerson, Chairperson _216-e_AAAA--itst-41/4-4kAAA Dr. Golan Mannan, Director
Near-field photonic forces

A review of recent advancements in photonic forces is presented. We discuss in detail the interaction of light and sub–wavelength particles on a substrate illuminated by total internal reflection, and we study the optical forces experienced by the particles. The effects of plasmon–mode excitations on the resulting photonic forces on metallic particles are also addressed. Moreover, we explore the possibility of using the metallic tip of a classical apertureless microscope to create optical tweezers, and thus to achieve a selective manipulation of nanoparticles.
A model of entrepreneurial intention: An application of the psychological and behavioral approaches

Purpose – The field of entrepreneurship is dotted across different paradigms. Measuring entrepreneurial intention automatically needs to incorporate insights from the psychological approach and behavioural approach. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a comprehensive structural equation model which combines both psychological and behavioural perspectives aiming to identify what variables have influence on entrepreneurial intention of secondary students.Design/methodology/approach – This research was developed involving a sample of secondary students. The method of data collection was a survey by self‐administered questionnaire, to two secondary student classes, with several groups of questions related to demographic characteristics, behavioural and psychological constructs and entrepreneurial intention. Data was analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). Findings – The results show that need for achievement, self‐confidence, and personal attitude positively affect entrepreneurial int.
Modulation of the Major Paths of Carbon in Photorespiratory Mutants of Synechocystis

Background Recent studies using transcript and metabolite profiles of wild-type and gene deletion mutants revealed that photorespiratory pathways are essential for the growth of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under atmospheric conditions. Pool size changes of primary metabolites, such as glycine and glycolate, indicated a link to photorespiration. Methodology/Principal Findings The 13C labelling kinetics of primary metabolites were analysed in photoautotrophically grown cultures of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to demonstrate the link with photorespiration. Cells pre-acclimated to high CO2 (5%, HC) or limited CO2 (0.035%, LC) conditions were pulse-labelled under very high (2% w/w) 13C-NaHCO3 (VHC) conditions followed by treatment with ambient 12C at HC and LC conditions, respectively. The 13C enrichment, relative changes in pool size, and 13C flux of selected metabolites were evaluated. We demonstrate two major paths of CO2 assimilation via Rubisco in Synechocystis, i.e., from 3PGA via PEP to aspartate, malate and citrate or, to a lesser extent, from 3PGA via glucose-6-phosphate to sucrose. The results reveal evidence of carbon channelling from 3PGA to the PEP pool. Furthermore, 13C labelling of glycolate was observed under conditions thought to suppress photorespiration. Using the glycolate-accumulating ΔglcD1 mutant, we demonstrate enhanced 13C partitioning into the glycolate pool under conditions favouring photorespiration and enhanced 13C partitioning into the glycine pool of the glycine-accumulating ΔgcvT mutant. Under LC conditions, the photorespiratory mutants ΔglcD1 and ΔgcvT showed enhanced activity of the additional carbon-fixing PEP carboxylase pathway. Conclusions/Significance With our approach of non-steady-state 13C labelling and analysis of metabolite pool sizes with respective 13C enrichments, we identify the use and modulation of major pathways of carbon assimilation in Synechocystis in the presence of high and low inorganic carbon supplies.
A study of the Lamarckian evolution of recurrent neural networks

Training neural networks by evolutionary search can require a long computation time. In certain situations, using Lamarckian evolution, local search and evolutionary search can complement each other to yield a better training algorithm. This paper demonstrates the potential of this evolutionary-learning synergy by applying it to train recurrent neural networks in an attempt to resolve a long-term dependency problem and the inverted pendulum problem. This work also aims at investigating the interaction between local search and evolutionary search when they are combined; it is found that the combinations are particularly efficient when the local search is simple. In the case where no teacher signal is available for the local search to learn the desired task directly, the paper proposes a related local task for the local search to learn, and finds that this approach is able to reduce the training time considerably.
Spatiotemporal Expression of p63 in Mouse Epidermal Commitment

The embryonic surface ectoderm is a simple flat epithelium consisting of cells that express the cytokeratins K8/K18. Before stratification, K5/K14 expression substitutes K8/K18 expression, marking the event called epidermal commitment. Previous studies show that the transcription factor p63 plays an essential role in epidermal commitment. However, detailed expression information of p63 during early epidermal development in mice is still unclear. We systematically studied the expression pattern of p63 in mouse epidermal commitment, together with K8 and K5. We show that p63 expression could be detected as early as E8.5 in mouse embryos preceding epidermal commitment. p63 expression first appears near the newly formed somites and the posterior part of the embryo, further expanding to the whole embryonic surface with particular enrichment in the first branchial arches and the limb buds. ΔNp63 is the major class of isoforms expressed in this period. Relative expression intensity of p63 depends on the embryonic position. In summary, there is a sequential and regular expression pattern of K8, p63 and K5 in mouse epidermal commitment. Our study not only contributes to understanding the early events during epidermal development but also provides a basal tool to study the function of p63 in mammals.
Nocturnal Uptake and Assimilation of Nitrogen Dioxide by C3 and CAM Plants

Abstract In order to investigate nocturnal uptake and assimilation of NO2 by C3 and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants, they were fumigated with 4 μl I-115N-Iabeled nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for 8 h. The amound of NO2 and assimilation of NO2by plants were determined by mass spectrometry and Kjeldahl-nitrogen based mass spectrometry, respectively. C3 plants such as kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and ground cherry (Phy- salis alkekengi) showed a high uptake and assimilation during daytime as high as 1100 to 2700 ng N mg-1 dry weight. While tobacco and ground cherry strongly reduced uptake and assimilation of NO2 during nighttime, kenaf kept high nocturnal uptake and assimilation of NO2 as high as about 1500 ng N mg-1 dry weight. Stomatal conductance measurements indicated that there were no significant differences to account for the differences in the uptake of NO2 by tobacco and kenaf during nighttime. CAM plants such as Sedum sp. , Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (kalanchoe) and Aloe arborescens exhibited nocturnal uptake and assimilation of NO2. However, the values of uptake and assimilation of NO2 both during daytime and nighttime was very low (at most about 500 ng N mg-1 dry weight) as compared with those of above mentioned C3 plants. The present findings indicate that kenaf is an efficient phytoremediator of NO2 both during daytime and nighttime.
A Comparison of the Impregnation of Cellulose Insulation by Ester and Mineral oil

Ester oils have been successfully used in distribution transformers for many years as satisfactory substitutes for mineral oil. In high voltage transformers however their application has been much slower partly due to the fact that the high viscosity of ester oil and hence uncertainties in efficient impregnation of cellulose insulation. In this paper the characteristics of the impregnation of cellulose insulation by ester oils are assessed and compared with mineral oil. Studies are carried out on thick laminated pressboard blocks, typical of support insulation structures in high voltage transformers. The degree of oil impregnation with time at various temperatures is examined. It is shown that the factors governing the impregnation processes with ester and mineral oils are very similar, i.e. mainly viscosities and surface tensions, and if a higher impregnation temperature is used for ester oils the same degree of oil impregnation can be achieved as with mineral oils.
SCAN: self-organized network-layer security in mobile ad hoc networks

Protecting the network layer from malicious attacks is an important yet challenging security issue in mobile ad hoc networks. In this paper, we describe SCAN, a unified network-layer security solution for such networks that protects both routing and data forwarding operations through the same reactive approach. SCAN does not apply any cryptographic primitives on the routing messages. Instead, it protects the network by detecting and reacting to the malicious nodes. In SCAN, local neighboring nodes collaboratively monitor each other and sustain each other, while no single node is superior to the others. SCAN also adopts a novel credit strategy to decrease its overhead as time evolves. In essence, SCAN exploits localized collaboration and information cross-validation to protect the network in a self-organized manner. Through both analysis and simulation results, we demonstrate the effectiveness of SCAN even in a highly mobile and hostile environment.
The effect of hypoxia on intra-ocular, mean arterial, retinal venous and ocular perfusion pressures.

INTRODUCTION High altitude hypoxia is linked to decreased blood oxygen saturation with a related increase of Endothelin-1 (ET-1) blood plasma levels. As a consequence of such elevated ET-1 levels, alterations of retinal venous and ocular perfusion pressures are suspected. PURPOSE To measure the effect of hypoxia on intra-ocular pressure, mean arterial pressure, retinal venous pressure and to calculate ocular perfusion pressure. METHOD An experimental, prospective cohort study with 33 healthy subjects was conducted in which the subjects were confronted with long-term (days) environmental hypoxia at high altitudes. Mean arterial pressure, arterial blood oxygen saturation, intra-ocular pressure, retinal venous and ocular perfusion pressure were measured at 300 m/1'000 ft (baseline), 4200 m/13'800 ft and 6000 m/19'700 ft above sea level. RESULTS Arterial oxygen saturation (-13.06% ± 4.69, p = < 0.001; -23.46% ± 5.7,p = < 0.001), retinal venous pressure (+7.16 m Hg±8.2, p = < 0.001;+9.9 mm Hg±8.5, p = < 0.001) and ocular perfusion pressure (-8.49 mm Hg±10.6, p = < 0.001; -6.02 mm hg±11.2, p = 0.006) changed significantly from baseline at both high altitude of 4200 and 6000 m. Intra-ocular pressure did not change significantly at all altitudes (+1.16 mm Hg±4.5, p = 0.227; +0.84 mm Hg±4.8, p = 0.286) and mean arterial pressure changed significantly only at an altitude of 6000 m (+3,8 mm Hg±21.1, p = 0.005) from baseline. CONCLUSION As hypoxia increases with higher altitude, arterial oxygen saturation and ocular perfusion pressure decreased, retinal venous pressure increased, intra-ocular pressure remains stable and mean arterial pressure was elevated only at 6000 m.
Evaluation of weight perception during unimanual and bimanual manipulation of virtual objects

Design of haptic interfaces for precise bimanual manipulation should take into account how weight simulation is implemented when manipulation switches between one and two hands. The importance of this is apparent in tasks where the user requires to apply vertical forces to penetrate a surface with a tool or splice a fragile object using one and/or two hands. Accurate perception of simulated weight should allow the user to execute the task with high precision. Here, we evaluated unimanual and bimanual weight perception when lifting virtual boxes of different weights with precision grip in a coupled Master Finger 2 setup. Initial results with virtual weights are similar to results from studies which used real weights [1] even though the users appear to be less sensitive to virtual weights. Implications for haptic interface design are discussed.
Increased rates of white matter hyperintensities in late-onset bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have reported an increased frequency of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in association with late-onset (LO) depression, and this has supported the notion that vascular-related mechanisms may be implicated in the pathophysiology of LO mood disorders. Recent clinical studies have also suggested a link between LO bipolar disorder (LO-BD) and cerebrovascular risk factors, but this has been little investigated with neuroimaging techniques. In order to ascertain whether there could be a specific association between WMH and LO-BD, we directly compared WMH rates between LO-BD subjects (illness onset >or= 60 years), early-onset BD subjects (EO-BD, illness onset <60 years), and elderly healthy volunteers. METHODS T2-weighted MRI data were acquired in LO-BD subjects (n = 10, age = 73.60 +/- 4.09), EO-BD patients (n = 49, age = 67.78 +/- 4.44), and healthy subjects (n = 24, age = 69.00 +/- 7.22). WMH rates were assessed using the Scheltens scale. RESULTS There was a greater prevalence of WMH in LO-BD patients relative to the two other groups in the deep parietal region (p = 0.018) and basal ganglia (p < 0.045). When between-group comparisons of mean WMH scores were conducted taking account of age differences (ANCOVA), there were more severe scores in LO-BD patients relative to the two other groups in deep frontal and parietal regions, as well as in the putamen (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results provide empirical support to the proposed link between vascular risk factors and LO-BD. If extended in future studies with larger samples, these findings may help to clarify the pathophysiological distinctions between bipolar disorder emerging at early and late stages of life.
Muscimol Inactivation of the Dorsal Hippocampus Impairs Contextual Retrieval of Fear Memory

Some models of hippocampal function have suggested a role of the hippocampus in contextual memory retrieval. We have examined this hypothesis by assessing the impact of reversible inactivation of the dorsal hippocampus (DH) on the context-specific expression of latent inhibition, a decrement in conditional responding produced by preexposure to a to-be-conditional stimulus. In Experiment 1, rats received tone preexposure either in the context that would later be used for extinction testing (context A) or in a different context (context C); a third group of rats did not receive tone preexposure. All rats then received fear conditioning, which consisted of tone–footshock pairings, in a third distinct context (context B). The following day conditional fear to the tone was assessed in one of the preexposure contexts (context A) by measuring freezing during a tone extinction test. Rats preexposed and tested in the same context exhibited less freezing to the tone than either rats preexposed and tested in different contexts or nonpreexposed rats. These results indicate that the expression of latent inhibition is context specific. In Experiment 2, DH inactivation eliminated the context-specific expression of latent inhibition. Compared with saline-infused rats, rats infused with muscimol into the DH exhibited low levels of tone freezing independent of whether they had received tone preexposure in the test context or in a different context. Experiment 3 revealed normal contextual discrimination in rats after DH inactivation. These results suggest the DH is required for contextual memory retrieval in a latent inhibition paradigm.