Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of Toll-Like Receptors in Verruca and Molluscum Contagiosum

Recent studies indicate that several Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are implicated in recognizing viral structures and instigating immune responses against viral infections. The aim of this study is to examine the expression of TLRs and proinflammatory cytokines in viral skin diseases such as verruca vulgaris (VV) and molluscum contagiosum (MC). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining of skin samples were performed to determine the expression of specific antiviral and proinflammatory cytokines as well as 5 TLRs (TLR2, 3, 4, 7, and 9). In normal human skin, TLR2, 4, and 7 mRNA was constitutively expressed, whereas little TLR3 and 9 mRNA was detected. Compared to normal skin (NS), TLR3 and 9 mRNA was clearly expressed in VV and MC specimens. Likewise, immunohistochemistry indicated that keratinocytes in NS constitutively expressed TLR2, 4, and 7; however, TLR3 was rarely detected and TLR9 was only weakly expressed, whereas 5 TLRs were all strongly expressed on the epidermal keratinocytes of VV and MC lesions. In addition, the mRNA expression of IFN-β and TNF-α was upregulated in the VV and MC samples. Immunohistochemistry indicated that IFN-β and TNF-α were predominately localized in the granular layer in the VV lesions and adjacent to the MC bodies. Our results indicated that VV and MC skin lesions expressed TLR3 and 9 in addition to IFN-β and TNF-α. These viral-induced proinflammatory cytokines may play a pivotal role in cutaneous innate immune responses.
A Hybrid GP Approach for Numerically Robust Symbolic Regression

This article introduces a hybrid variant of genetic programming (GP) for doing symbolic regression. Instead of the usual interpretation of a parse tree, all top-level terms are identified and extended by multiplying them with locally optimized factors. These weighted terms are then linearly combined to form the resulting expression. When using the mean square error as fitness function, local optimization of the factors can be done efficiently by applying a robust variant of the method of least squares. Furthermore, the presented hybrid GP uses arbitrary precision arithmetic for evaluating each solution to detect major precision losses, numerical underflows, or overflows. A penalty according to the lost accuracy is added to the objective function to avoid such problems in the final solution. Various experiments indicate that the new hybrid GP finds numerically robust expressions with much smaller approximation errors faster and more reliably than traditional GP.
Early Periimplant Tissue Healing on 1-Piece Implants With a Concave Transmucosal Design: A Histomorphometric Study in Dogs

Introduction:The purpose of our study was to investigate the early healing phase of marginal bone and soft tissues around unloaded 1-piece implants with a concave transmucosal design, in a dog model. Methods:Twenty-four 1-piece implants with a concave transmucosal neck were inserted 1 mm subcrestally in the mandibular ridge of 8 beagle dogs. Four animals were sacrificed after 3 and 12 weeks of healing. Histomorphometric analysis was performed to measure the height of the periimplant tissues. Results and Discussion:The overall height of the periimplant mucosa was, respectively, 2.67 and 2.52 mm, after 3 and 12 weeks. In the connective tissue, a soft tissue O-ring seal was observed in the healing area provided by the transmucosal concavity, after 12 weeks. The location of the first bone-to-implant contact facing the implant shoulder was 0.00 and +0.18 mm, respectively, after 3 and 12 weeks of healing. Some bone apposition occurred on the implant shoulder during the healing. Conclusion:Within the limits of the present study, a concave transmucosal design in 1-piece implants was associated with a short vertical value of biological width and promoted a mechanical interlocking of the implant body at the connective tissue and marginal bone levels.
Language Models for Semantic Extraction and Filtering in Video Action Recognition

The paper addresses the following issues: (a) how to represent semantic information from natural language so that a vision model can utilize it? (b) how to extract the salient textual information relevant to vision? For a given domain, we present a new model of semantic extraction that takes into account word relatedness as well as word disambiguation in order to apply to a vision model. We automatically process the text transcripts and perform syntactic analysis to extract dependency relations. We then perform semantic extraction on the output to filter semantic entities related to actions. The resulting data are used to populate a matrix of co-occurrences utilized by the vision processing modules. Results show that explicitly modeling the co-occurrence of actions and tools significantly improved performance.
ZNF555 protein binds to transcriptional activator site of 4qA allele and ANT1: potential implication in Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is an epi/genetic satellite disease associated with at least two satellite sequences in 4q35: (i) D4Z4 macrosatellite and (ii) β-satellite repeats (BSR), a prevalent part of the 4qA allele. Most of the recent FSHD studies have been focused on a DUX4 transcript inside D4Z4 and its tandem contraction in FSHD patients. However, the D4Z4-contraction alone is not pathological, which would also require the 4qA allele. Since little is known about BSR, we investigated the 4qA BSR functional role in the transcriptional control of the FSHD region 4q35. We have shown that an individual BSR possesses enhancer activity leading to activation of the Adenine Nucleotide Translocator 1 gene (ANT1), a major FSHD candidate gene. We have identified ZNF555, a previously uncharacterized protein, as a putative transcriptional factor highly expressed in human primary myoblasts that interacts with the BSR enhancer site and impacts the ANT1 promoter activity in FSHD myoblasts. The discovery of the functional role of the 4qA allele and ZNF555 in the transcriptional control of ANT1 advances our understanding of FSHD pathogenesis and provides potential therapeutic targets.
Immunomodulatory effects of Potentilla indica and Dendrophthoe pentandra on mice splenocytes and thymocytes

Immunomodulators are agents that are able to stimulate or inhibit the immune response. The leaf extracts from Potentilla indica and Dendrophthoe pentandra were analyzed in vitro for immunomodulatory activity and an MTT colorimetric assay was conducted to determine the proliferation of mice splenocytes and thymocytes. A bromodeoxyuridine assay was performed to analyze DNA synthesis and the Trypan blue exclusion method was conducted to evaluate the changes in total cell population. The results indicated that treatment with P. indica and D. pentandra produced a time- and dose-dependent increase in cell viability and proliferation. Following 72 h of treatment with P. indica and D. pentandra, thymocyte proliferation was augmented by 18 and 41%, respectively and splenocyte proliferation increased by 35 and 42%, respectively, when compared with untreated cells. The present study demonstrated that these extracts may act as potential immunostimulants and, thus, represent an alternative source of immunomodulatory compounds for the treatment of human immune-mediated diseases.
Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography Versus Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Gallbladder

Ultrasonography (US) is currently the reference technique for evaluating gallbladder pathology. The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRCP) in evaluating the gallbladder, as compared with US. The study included 80 patients (mean age, 69.3 years; male-to-female ration, 1.3:1) who underwent prospective US and MRCP; 5 patients in whom MRCP was contraindicated were excluded. In all cases, US was performed before MRCP. Ultrasound was the reference technique for evaluating MRCP sensitivity and specificity. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography provided good image quality in 65 patients (81.2%) and poor image quality in 15 (mostly because of poor patient cooperation). Artefacts did not influence visualization of the gallbladder or evaluation of the background pathology. The sensitivity of MRCP in diagnosing gallbladder stones (43 patients; 97.7%) was comparable to US (44 patients). In contrast, MRCP diagnosed biliary sludge or microlithiasis in 13 patients, versus 5 in the case of US. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a good technique for diagnosing cholelithiasis and biliary sludge. However, its high cost, contraindications, and the need for patient cooperation limit the use of the technique in routine clinical gallbladder studies. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography could contribute to the diagnosis of microlithiasis, provided that future studies confirm its greater sensitivity versus US.
Mental toughness and overtraining behaviours

The idea of mental toughness (MT) is bewitching. The construct is consistently associated with success and being able to overcome great difficulties while demonstrating dogged perseverance regardless of adversity (Gucciardi, Gordon, & Dimmock, 2008; Jones, Hanton, & Connaughton, 2002). It is no wonder sport psychology researchers strive to understand how to develop and display MT. The increase in published research in this topic attests to the popularity of becoming mentally tough. A clear understanding of MT, what it does and does not enable athletes to do, however, has not yet arrived. The purpose of this thesis was to gain an understanding of MT, with specific attention paid to the relationship with stress/recovery imbalance (SRI).
Periodic plasma escape from the mass-loaded Kronian magnetosphere

[1] We use a single‐fluid global MHD model to study the solar wind control of large‐ scale mass loading and plasma release phenomena in the Kronian magnetosphere. We show that, at high solar wind dynamic pressure, the loss of plasma in the magnetotail is continuous. At medium dynamic pressure, plasmoids are pinched off periodically along an X‐line in the postmidnight sector through a cascade of helical reconnection. Plasmoids have a magnetic topology of a helical flux rope with its ends anchoring in the polar regions of Saturn. With decreasing dynamic pressure, the repetition period of plasmoids gradually increases. A higher mass‐loading rate or a higher axial tilt of Saturn makes the repetition period longer. At low dynamic pressure, the release of plasmoids becomes quasi‐periodic or chaotic. The pressure control of the repetition period is very similar to the behavior of a dripping faucet. The mass and volume of the closed magnetosphere are smaller at lower dynamic pressures because of a relatively longer X‐line. In our simulations, large‐scale plasmoids are responsible for less than 8% of the total mass loss, and the rest of the plasma is lost via cross‐field diffusion or other small‐scale mechanisms.
New High-Resolution Central Schemes for Nonlinear Conservation Laws and Convection—Diffusion Equations

Central schemes may serve as universal finite-difference methods for solving nonlinear convection? diffusion equations in the sense that they are not tied to the specific eigenstructure of the problem, and hence can be implemented in a straightforward manner as black-box solvers for general conservation laws and related equations governing the spontaneous evolution of large gradient phenomena. The first-order Lax? Friedrichs scheme (P. D. Lax, 1954) is the forerunner for such central schemes. The central Nessyahu? Tadmor (NT) scheme (H. Nessyahu and E. Tadmor, 1990) offers higher resolution while retaining the simplicity of the Riemann-solver-free approach. The numerical viscosity present in these central schemes is of order O((? x)2r/? t). In the convective regime where ? t~? x, the improved resolution of the NT scheme and its generalizations is achieved by lowering the amount of numerical viscosity with increasing r. At the same time, this family of central schemes suffers from excessive numerical viscosity when a sufficiently small time step is enforced, e.g., due to the presence of degenerate diffusion terms.In this paper we introduce a new family of central schemes which retain the simplicity of being independent of the eigenstructure of the problem, yet which enjoy a much smaller numerical viscosity (of the corresponding order O(? x)2r? 1)). In particular, our new central schemes maintain their high-resolution independent of O(1/? t), and letting ? t ? 0, they admit a particularly simple semi-discrete formulation. The main idea behind the construction of these central schemes is the use of more precise information of the local propagation speeds. Beyond these CFL related speeds, no characteristic information is required. As a second ingredient in their construction, these central schemes realize the (nonsmooth part of the) approximate solution in terms of its cell averages integrated over the Riemann fans of varying size.The semi-discrete central scheme is then extended to multidimensional problems, with or without degenerate diffusive terms. Fully discrete versions are obtained with Runge? Kutta solvers. We prove that a scalar version of our high-resolution central scheme is nonoscillatory in the sense of satisfying the total-variation diminishing property in the one-dimensional case and the maximum principle in two-space dimensions. We conclude with a series of numerical examples, considering convex and nonconvex problems with and without degenerate diffusion, and scalar and systems of equations in one- and two-space dimensions. Time evolution is carried out by the third- and fourth-order explicit embedded integration Runge? Kutta methods recently proposed by A. Medovikov (1998). These numerical studies demonstrate the remarkable resolution of our new family of central scheme.
Stability Analysis and Control Design of Discrete-Time Switched Affine Systems

This technical note focuses on stability analysis and control design of switched affine systems in discrete-time domain. The stability conditions are obtained by taking into account that the system trajectories, governed by a certain switching function, converge to a set of attraction <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> ${\boldsymbol{\mathcal V}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> containing a desired equilibrium point. These conditions follow from the adoption of a general quadratic Lyapunov function whose time variation is bounded above by a concave-convex function with center determined by minimax theory. Our main contribution is to provide a stabilizing state feedback switching function and an invariant set of attraction <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> ${\boldsymbol{\mathcal V}}_*$</tex-math></inline-formula> with minimum volume as far as this class of quadratic Lyapunov functions is adopted. The results are applied to sampled-data control of continuous-time switched affine systems with chattering avoidance. The speed control of a DC motor is presented.
Interferon Gamma Counteracts the Angiogenic Switch and Induces Vascular Permeability in Dextran Sulfate Sodium Colitis in Mice

Background:Interferon (IFN)-&ggr; is a central pathogenesis factor in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with pleiotropic effects on many different cell types. However, as yet, the immune modulatory functions of IFN-&ggr; in IBD have been predominantly investigated. Based on previous studies showing that IFN-&ggr; acts antiangiogenic in colorectal carcinoma, we investigated the effects of IFN-&ggr; on the vascular system in IBD. Methods:Colon tissues of patients with IBD and dextran sulfate sodium–induced colitis in mice were subjected to immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions, and in situ hybridization to quantify cell activation, angiogenesis, and immune responses. Vascular structure and permeability in mice were analyzed by ultramicroscopy and in vivo confocal laser endomicroscopy. Results:We showed a significantly increased blood vessel density in IBD and dextran sulfate sodium colitis. In mice, this was associated with a disorganized blood vessel structure and profound vascular leakage. As compared with genes associated with angiogenesis, genes associated with inflammatory cell activation including IFN-&ggr; were more strongly upregulated in colitis tissues. IFN-&ggr; exerted direct effects on endothelial cells in IBD tissues in vivo, as indicated by the expression of IFN-&ggr;–induced guanylate binding protein 1 (GBP-1). Neutralization of IFN-&ggr; in the acute dextran sulfate sodium colitis model demonstrated that this cytokine exerts endogenous angiostatic activity in IBD and contributes to increased vascular permeability. Conclusions:The dissection of the pleiotropic activities of IFN-&ggr; in IBD provides new insights to the pathological functions of this cytokine and may be of high relevance for the optimization of combination therapy approaches.
Nuevos datos sobre bastimentos y envases en armadas y flotas de la carrera

The preparation and provision of fleets was among the main concerns of the «Casa de Contratacion », which worked very hard at the service of the «Carrera de Indias». Cautions were taken for the round trip, which entailed a great and costly effort as regards nautical equipment, food provision, medicines, arms, ammunition, etc. This article is focused on topics of interest related with supplies for transoceanic navigation, such as typology of containers and prices of foodstuff most frequently used in nautical diet.
Supervision and clinical psychology : theory, practice and perspectives

I. Fleming, L. Steen, An Introduction. S. Wheeler, A Review of Supervisor Training in the UK. H. Beinart, Models of Supervision and the Supervisory Relationship and their Evidence Base. G. Turpin, J. Scaife, P. Rajan, Enhancing the Quality and Availability of Clinical Psychology Training Placements within the NHS. I. Fleming, Training Clinical Psychologists as Supervisors. D. Green, Organising and Evaluating Supervisor Training. N. Patel, Difference and Power in Supervision: The Case of Culture and Racism. M. Dennis, G. Aitken, Incorporating Gender Issues in Clinical Supervision. D. Cushway, J. Knibbs, Trainees' and Supervisors' Perceptions of Supervision. S. Matthews, A. Treacher, Therapy Models and Supervision in Clinical Psychology. I. Fleming, L. Steen, Conclusions and Future Perspectives.
Families of Elderly Stroke Patients

Elderly stroke patients and their families were studied to determine 1) the health effects of providing home care on family caregivers, 2) whether or not caregivers actually providing care in the home experience different effects than caregivers whose family members live in nursing homes, and 3) factors associated with any observed deleterious effects of caregiving. One hundred forty‐seven stroke patients were eligible for study. Of these, 101 were available for follow‐up; 89 family caregivers were interviewed (88%). Caregivers reported both positive and negative effects of providing home care. When actual home caregivers were compared with potential caregivers (those with family members in institutions), no differences in effects were seen. The relationship between each of three health effects (general, social, and emotional) and patient and caregiver attributes was explored. No factors were found to be related to poorer perceived general health. Dependent patient functional status and additional life stress were both associated with diminished social activity and emotional ill‐health. In the latter instance, insufficient social activity and help from family were additional risk factors. If policy is going to advocate home care, its consequences for family caregivers must be known.
A Pilot Study of the Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Parenting

Parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with parenting difficulties. Cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD (CBCT for PTSD) improves PTSD symptoms, relationship adjustment, and partners’ mental health functioning. However, the impact of CBCT for PTSD on parenting competency is unknown. In this pilot study, the effects of CBCT for PTSD on parenting competency were investigated in 14 individuals (6 patients with PTSD and 8 partners) who had children under age 18. Results suggested that most participants perceived themselves as competent in their parenting prior to treatment, and some enhancements in competency occurred following CBCT for PTSD. Moreover, changes in parenting competency were associated with improvements in patient-rated PTSD. Adjunctive interventions targeting parenting and goals for future research are discussed.
Manipulating Shape Cues in Dynamic Human Faces: Sexual Dimorphism is Preferred in Female but not Male Faces

Sexual dimorphism in the human face has been linked to attractiveness, and computer-graphic techniques have been useful in this field by allowing experimental manipulation of dimorphism. However, a limitation of much research is its reliance on static pictorial stimuli, whereas real faces are dynamic, as is much courtship behaviour throughout nature. Furthermore, little is known about possible interactions between static and dynamic facial cues and attractiveness. We adapted well-established face-morphing technology to manipulate sexual dimorphism in male and female dynamic facial displays depicting prosocial and antisocial behaviour. Masculinised and feminised versions of these videos were presented as a two-alternative forced choice task to measure preferences. Feminised female videos were preferred in both movement contexts, as expected. More surprisingly, no directional preference for masculinity or femininity was evident for the male videos in either context. Further analysis showed that the movement of the faces (prosocial vs. antisocial) had no effect on attractiveness ratings. Results were the same with static stimuli and did not conflict with findings from the wider literature using static faces. These findings suggest that the new technique we describe is a valid way to manipulate facial shape in videos and can now be widely applied to future studies of facial morphing.
Climate-change refugia in the sheltered bays of Palau: analogs of future reefs

Coral bleaching and mortality are predicted to increase as climate change-induced thermal-stress events become more frequent. Although many studies document coral bleaching and mortality patterns, few studies have examined deviations from the expected positive relationships among thermal stress, coral bleaching, and coral mortality. This study examined the response of >30,000 coral colonies at 80 sites in Palau, during a regional thermal-stress event in 2010. We sought to determine the spatial and taxonomic nature of bleaching and examine whether any habitats were comparatively resistant to thermal stress. Bleaching was most severe in the northwestern lagoon, in accordance with satellite-derived maximum temperatures and anomalous temperatures above the long-term averages. Pocillopora populations suffered the most extensive bleaching and the highest mortality. However, in the bays where temperatures were higher than elsewhere, bleaching and mortality were low. The coral-community composition, constant exposure to high temperatures, and high vertical attenuation of light caused by naturally high suspended particulate matter buffered the corals in bays from the 2010 regional thermal-stress event. Yet, nearshore reefs are also most vulnerable to land-use change. Therefore, nearshore reefs should be given high conservation status because they provide refugia for coral populations as the oceans continue to warm.