Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lack of LDL Receptor Enhances Amyloid Deposition and Decreases Glial Response in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model

Background Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a cholesterol carrier associated with atherosclerosis, is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) regulates ApoE levels in the periphery and in the central nervous system. LDLR has been identified on astrocytes and a number of studies show that it modulates amyloid deposition in AD transgenic mice. However these findings are controversial on whether LDLR deletion is beneficial or detrimental on the AD-like phenotype of the transgenic mice. Methodology/Principal Findings To investigate the role of LDLR in the development of the amyloid related phenotype we used an APP/PS1 transgenic mouse (5XFAD) that develops an AD-like pathology with amyloid plaques, astrocytosis and microgliosis. We found that 4 months old 5XFAD transgenic mice on the LDLR deficient background (LDLR-/-) have increased amyloid plaque deposition. This increase is associated with a significant decrease in astrocytosis and microgliosis in the 5XFAD/LDLR-/- mice. To further elucidate the role of LDLR in relation with ApoE we have generated 5XFAD transgenic mice on the ApoE deficient (ApoE-/-) or the ApoE/LDLR double deficient background (ApoE-/-/LDLR -/-). We have found that ApoE deletion in the 4 months old 5XFAD/ApoE-/- mice decreases amyloid plaque formation as expected, but has no effect on astrocytosis or microgliosis. By comparison 5XFAD/ApoE-/-LDLR -/- double deficient mice of the same age have increased amyloid deposition with decreased astrocytosis and microgliosis. Conclusions Our analysis shows that LDL deficiency regulates astrocytosis and microgliosis in an AD mouse model. This effect is independent of ApoE, as both 5XFAD/LDLR -/- and 5XFAD/ApoE-/- LDLR -/- mice show reduction in inflammatory response and increase in amyloid deposition compared to control mice. These results demonstrate that LDLR regulates glial response in this mouse model independently of ApoE and modifies amyloid deposition.
Feelings of Pride and Respect as Drivers of Ongoing Member Activity on Crowdsourcing Platforms

Crowdsourcing platforms are online organizations that organize work by sourcing tasks to their members. As participation on crowdsourcing platforms is completely voluntary, getting members to actively participate in tasks on an ongoing basis is essential for the survival of these online platforms. Why members would be active on an ongoing basis, however, is currently not well understood. To understand ongoing member activity on crowdsourcing platforms, we build on the group engagement model, which postulates that feelings of pride and respect influence engagement because they foster identification with the group. We argue that, although in general the nature of crowdsourcing platforms limits the effects of identification processes on member behaviour, feelings of pride and respect will still play central roles in such online organizations, because feelings of pride and respect can directly drive members’ cooperative behaviors towards the platform organization. Moreover, we posit that the way in which platform organizations communicate with their members affects these feelings of pride and respect. We test these ideas in a longitudinal, multisource field study and find that feelings of pride drive ongoing member activity on an online crowdsourcing platform directly and that platform management can increase members’ feelings of pride and respect by engaging in specific organizational communication practices.
Detailed Dimethylacetal and Fatty Acid Composition of Rumen Content from Lambs Fed Lucerne or Concentrate Supplemented with Soybean Oil

Lipid metabolism in the rumen is responsible for the complex fatty acid profile of rumen outflow compared with the dietary fatty acid composition, contributing to the lipid profile of ruminant products. A method for the detailed dimethylacetal and fatty acid analysis of rumen contents was developed and applied to rumen content collected from lambs fed lucerne or concentrate based diets supplemented with soybean oil. The methodological approach developed consisted on a basic/acid direct transesterification followed by thin-layer chromatography to isolate fatty acid methyl esters from dimethylacetal, oxo- fatty acid and fatty acid dimethylesters. The dimethylacetal composition was quite similar to the fatty acid composition, presenting even-, odd- and branched-chain structures. Total and individual odd- and branched-chain dimethylacetals were mostly affected by basal diet. The presence of 18∶1 dimethylacetals indicates that biohydrogenation intermediates might be incorporated in structural microbial lipids. Moreover, medium-chain fatty acid dimethylesters were identified for the first time in the rumen content despite their concentration being relatively low. The fatty acids containing 18 carbon-chain lengths comprise the majority of the fatty acids present in the rumen content, most of them being biohydrogenation intermediates of 18∶2n−6 and 18∶3n−3. Additionally, three oxo- fatty acids were identified in rumen samples, and 16-O-18∶0 might be produced during biohydrogenation of the 18∶3n−3.
Promoting academic integrity at a Midwestern University: Critical review and current challenges

This article reports on an institutional study of academic integrity based on two different sources: reporting of incidents over a six-year period (2001-2006) and a campus-wide survey administered in 2008. Findings are that academic dishonesty is widespread and increasing, yet 40% of the academic staff responding admitted they had taken no steps regarding a suspected incident of cheating due to insufficient proof. Among college students, freshmen and sophomores are more frequently reported for cheating than juniors and seniors, and international students are overrepresented compared with domestic students. The proportion of integrity charges against females was less than their proportion of student enrollment, and there exists a perception gap between students and academic staff in the seriousness of a number of actions. The most frequent offence was students working with peers when asked for individual work. This may be indicative of a change of the value systems of young people compared to older generations, and former strategies to promote integrity may be less valid today. More emphasis needs to be put on structural approaches to reduce or eliminate opportunities to cheat, and the educational aspect of dishonest actions should be further strengthened.
Self‐regulation of regional cortical activity using real‐time fMRI: The right inferior frontal gyrus and linguistic processing

Neurofeedback of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can be used to acquire selective control over activation in circumscribed brain areas, potentially inducing behavioral changes, depending on the functional role of the targeted cortical sites. In the present study, we used fMRI‐neurofeedback to train subjects to enhance regional activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) to influence speech processing and to modulate language‐related performance. Seven subjects underwent real‐time fMRI‐neurofeedback training and succeeded in achieving voluntary regulation of their right Brodmann's area (BA) 45. To examine short‐term behavioral impact, two linguistic tasks were carried out immediately before and after the training. A significant improvement of accuracy was observed for the identification of emotional prosodic intonations but not for syntactic processing. This evidence supports a role for the right IFG in the processing of emotional information and evaluation of affective salience. The present study confirms the efficacy of fMRI‐biofeedback for noninvasive self‐regulation of circumscribed brain activity. Hum Brain Mapp 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multidisciplinary approach to Wilms' tumor: 18 years of experience.

BACKGROUND The aim was to evaluate the characteristics of Wilms' tumor and the results of combined modality treatment obtained in our center in Turkey. METHODS From January 1978 to December 1996, 106 patients with Wilms' tumor were diagnosed. Of these 106 patients, 61 were male and 45 were female (M/F = 1,35); the median age at diagnosis was 39 months. The distribution of the 106 patients according to clinical stage was stage I 10%, stage II 42%, stage III 35%, stage IV 9% and stage V 4%. Histologically, 102 of the cases could be evaluated: favorable histology was diagnosed in 88.2% and unfavorable histology in 11.8% of the patients. Ninety-eight patients were treated according to NWTS and eight patients according to SIOP protocols. RESULTS The EFS and overall survival rates at 2 years were 74.2 and 79.5% respectively, and at 5 years 72.4 and 76.6% respectively. CONCLUSION As a developing country we evaluated our survival rates and report an improvement in treatment in recent years.
Detecting code smells in spreadsheet formulas

Spreadsheets are used extensively in business processes around the world and just like software, spreadsheets are changed throughout their lifetime causing maintainability issues. This paper adapts known code smells to spreadsheet formulas. To that end we present a list of metrics by which we can detect smelly formulas and a visualization technique to highlight these formulas in spreadsheets. We implemented the metrics and visualization technique in a prototype tool to evaluate our approach in two ways. Firstly, we analyze the EUSES spreadsheet corpus, to study the occurrence of the formula smells. Secondly, we analyze ten real life spreadsheets, and interview the spreadsheet owners about the identified smells. The results of these evaluations indicate that formula smells are common and that they can reveal real errors and weaknesses in spreadsheet formulas.
What is modelled during observational learning?

Abstract In this article, we examine the question of what information is processed during observational learning by evaluating a variety of methods, theories, and empirical data. Initially, we review work involving neuroimaging techniques and infant imitation. We then evaluate data from behavioural experiments involving adults, wherein a variety of attempts have been made to isolate the critical or minimal information constraining the acquisition of coordination. This body of research has included comparisons between video and point-light displays, manipulations to the amount and type of information presented in the display, the collection of point-of-gaze data, and manipulations to the task context in terms of outcome goals. We conclude that observational learning is governed by specific features of the model's action (i.e. motions of the end effector) and the task (i.e. outcome constraints) and, in contrast with traditional theoretical modelling, more global aspects of a model (i.e. the relative motions within and between joints) do not appear to be the primary method for constraining action execution.
Deployment psychology: Evidence-based strategies to promote mental health in the military.

The impact of combat on service members' mental health has received considerable attention both in the popular press and in scholarly publications. Yet few books have focused on systematic, evidence-based attempts at preventing mental health problems and enhancing service members' well-being and resilience. This book is intended to fill that gap. The editors have gathered leading clinicians and researchers in military mental health to examine how mental health providers and military leaders can best moderate the negative impact of combat. Contributors discuss the importance of individual screening, training, peer support, leadership and organizational policies, as well as the development and implementation of large-scale mental health programs that incorporate these elements and more. The editors promote a broad occupational health model of prevention and include the latest research on delivering mental health services in pre-deployment, in-theater settings, and VA hospitals. The psychological health of not only service members but also military families is approached as an integral aspect of deployment psychology. The result is a ground-breaking book that emphasizes what we know--and don't know--about evidence-based interventions. It represents the first comprehensive review of mental health interventions across the deployment cycle and will help guide the field of military psychology in developing a much-needed support system for service members in the years to come.
Music genre recognition using spectrograms

In this paper we present an alternative approach for music genre classification which converts the audio signal into spectrograms and then extracts features from this visual representation. The idea is that treating the time-frequency representation as a texture image we can extract features to build reliable music genre classification systems. The proposed approach also takes into account a zoning mechanism to perform local feature extraction, which has been proved to be quite efficient. On a very challenging dataset of 900 music pieces divided among 10 music genres, we have demonstrated that the classifier trained with texture compares similarly to the literature. Besides, when it was combined with other classifiers trained with short-term, low-level characteristics of the music audio signal we got an improvement of about 7 percentage points in the recognition rate.
Soil Classification Using Data Mining Techniques: A Comparative Study

Soil Classification deals with the systematic categorization of soils based on distinguished characteristics as well as criteria. We developed Data Mining techniques like: GATree, Fuzzy Classification rules and Fuzzy C - Means algorithm for classifying soil texture in agriculture soil data. In this paper, we give a comparative study of developed algorithms. The study is used to compare and analyze the soil data.
Thyroid Hormone Is a MAPK-Dependent Growth Factor for Human Myeloma Cells Acting via αvβ3 Integrin

Experimental and clinical observations suggest that thyroid hormone [l-thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3′-triiodo-l-thyronine (T3)] can support cancer cell proliferation. T3 and T4 promote both tumor cell division and angiogenesis by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) via binding to a hormone receptor on the αvβ3 integrin, overexpressed on many cancer cells. We have studied the responsiveness of several MM cell lines to T3 and T4 and characterized hormonal effects on cell survival, proliferation, and MAPK activation. Overnight T3 (1–100 nmol/L) and T4 (100 nmol/L) incubation enhanced, up to 50% (P < 0.002), MM cell viability (WST-1 assay) and increased cell proliferation by 30% to 60% (P < 0.01). Short exposure (10 minutes) to T3 and T4 increased MAPK activity by 2.5- to 3.5-fold (P < 0.03). Pharmacologic MAPK inhibition blocked the proliferative action of T3 and T4. Antibodies to the integrin αvβ3 dimer and αv and β3 monomers (but not β1) inhibited MAPK activation and subsequent cell proliferation in response to thyroid hormone, indicating dependence upon this integrin. Moreover, tetraiodothyroacetic acid (tetrac), a non-agonist T4 analogue previously shown to selectively block T3/T4 binding to αvβ3 receptor site, blocked induction of MAPK by the hormones in a dose-dependent manner. This demonstration of the role of thyroid hormones as growth factors for MM cells may offer novel therapeutic approaches. Mol Cancer Res; 9(10); 1385–94. ©2011 AACR.
Spatial and temporal variation in the infracommunity structure of helminths of Apodemus sylvaticus(Rodentia: Muridae)

Summary Mean species richness and diversity of the helminth infracommunity of Apodemus sylvaticus in woodland areas of Co. Down, Northern Ireland, varied in time and space. Variation in infracommunity structure among individual hosts, however, always accounted for more than 60% of the variation in the data from different places or different times. Helminth species richness increased with increasing population density, the percentage of the host population 16 weeks old or older, and the proportion of the host population with animal material in their stomachs, at two sites monitored over 33 months. The basis for spatial variation in infracommunity structure is less certain but host dynamics and differences in diet are likely to play some role. It is concluded that analysis at the infracommunity level focuses closely on the potential for species interactions and overlap in resource utilization. Infracommunity structure, at least in the case of A. sylvaticus, varies markedly in time and space and between individual hosts. Such variation should not be ignored in comparative studies.
The effect of identifiability on the relationship between risk attitudes and other-regarding concerns

Previous studies have shown that other-regarding concerns are weakened under risky situations. Daily experience also suggests that people care more about an identifiable than about an unidentifiable third person. We report on an experiment designed to explore whether rendering the other identifiable-via a speechless video and the revelation of personal information-affects the relationship between other-regarding concerns and risk preferences when there is risk to one's own and/or the other's payoff. We find that the acquisition of information about the other has no effect on behavior. Regardless of the treatment, most of the participants are other-regarding with respect to expected payoff but self-oriented with respect to risk allocation.
The Myth of Generational Conflict: The Family and State in Ageing Societies

1. Equity and solidarity across the generations Claudine Attias-Donfut and Sara Arber 2. The redistributive effects of generational transfers Claudine Attias-Donfut and Francois-Charles Wolff 3. Complementarity between private and public transfers Claudine Attias-Donfut and Francois-Charles Wolff 4. Wealth distribution between generations: A source of conflict or cohesion? Lars Gulbrandsen and Asmund Langsether 5. Families apart? Intergenerational transfers in East and West Germany Martin Kohli, Harald Kunemund, Andreas Motel and Marc Szydlik 6. Generational relations and the law Marjatta Marin 7. Discontinuous change and generational contracts Henk Becker 8. Gender, the generational contract and pension privatisation Jay Ginn and Sara Arber 9. Trail-blazers and path followers: Social reproduction and geographical mobility in youth Gill Jones 10. The transmission of life stories from ethnic minority fathers to their children: personal resource to promote social integration. Catherine Delcroix 11. Reinventing the generational contract: anticipating caregiving responsibilities of younger Germans and Turkish migrants Dagmar Lorenz-Meyer and Angela Grotheer 12. Continuity and change: The family and community life of older people in the 1990s. Miriam Bernard, Judith Phillips, Chris Phillipson and Jim Ogg
Modulation of Trypanosoma cruzi-specific T-cell responses after chemotherapy for chronic Chagas disease

The aim of this review is to describe the contributions of the knowledge of T-cell responses to the understanding of the physiopathology and the responsiveness to etiological treatment during the chronic phase of Chagas disease. T-helper (Th)1 and interleukin (IL)-10 Trypanosoma cruzi-specific T-cells have been linked to the asymptomatic phase or to severe clinical forms of the disease, respectively or vice versa, depending on the T. cruzi antigen source, the patient’s location and the performed immunological assays. Parasite-specific T-cell responses are modulated after benznidazole (BZ) treatment in chronically T. cruzi-infected subjects in association with a significant decrease in T. cruzi-specific antibodies. Accumulating evidence has indicated that treatment efficacy during experimental infection with T. cruzi results from the combined action of BZ and the activation of appropriate immune responses in the host. However, strong support of this interaction in T. cruzi-infected humans remains lacking. Overall, the quality of T-cell responses might be a key factor in not only disease evolution, but also chemotherapy responsiveness. Immunological parameters are potential indicators of treatment response regardless of achievement of cure. Providing tools to monitor and provide early predictions of treatment success will allow the development of new therapeutic options.
Nutritional composition of fufu analog flour produced from Cassava root (Manihot esculenta) and Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) tuber

Abstract Nutritional properties of fufu analog produced from co‐processing of cassava and cocoyam were studied. Cassava and cocoyam were fermented for 72 h, dried to obtain fufu flour. Proximate, functional, minerals, antinutritional factor, pasting properties, and sensory evaluation of various samples were determined. The results revealed that the moisture contents of the samples showed significant difference from control with values between 6.50 and 7.30%. The protein contents (1.68–4.98%), ash (1.84–4.01%), and crude fiber (1.42–4.56%) showed significant increase with increasing level of cocoyam, while the crude fat and carbohydrate reduced with increase in cocoyam. The minerals also increased with increase in cocoyam level with sample E having the highest value of Magnesium (32.15 mg/100 g). The antinutritional factors were very low and the pasting properties revealed the importance of cocoyam in the fufu analog produced. In conclusion, fufu produced from co‐processing of cassava and cocoyam has more nutritional qualities than the common fufu made from cassava alone.
Correlation of Ventricular Arrhythmogenesis with Neuronal Remodeling of Cardiac Postganglionic Parasympathetic Neurons in the Late Stage of Heart Failure after Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Ventricular arrhythmia is a major cause of sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Our recent study demonstrates that N-type Ca2+ currents in intracardiac ganglionic neurons are reduced in the late stage of CHF rats. Rat intracardiac ganglia are divided into the atrioventricular ganglion (AVG) and sinoatrial ganglion. Only AVG nerve terminals innervate the ventricular myocardium. In this study, we tested the correlation of electrical remodeling in AVG neurons with ventricular arrhythmogenesis in CHF rats. Methods and Results: CHF was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by surgical ligation of the left coronary artery. The data from 24-h continuous radiotelemetry ECG recording in conscious rats showed that ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) occurred in 3 and 14-week CHF rats but not 8-week CHF rats. Additionally, as an index for vagal control of ventricular function, changes of left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise (LV dP/dtmax) in response to vagal efferent nerve stimulation were blunted in 14-week CHF rats but not 3 or 8-week CHF rats. Results from whole-cell patch clamp recording demonstrated that N-type Ca2+ currents in AVG neurons began to decrease in 8-week CHF rats, and that there was also a significant decrease in 14-week CHF rats. Correlation analysis revealed that N-type Ca2+ currents in AVG neurons negatively correlated with the cumulative duration of VT/VF in 14-week CHF rats, whereas there was no correlation between N-type Ca2+ currents in AVG neurons and the cumulative duration of VT/VF in 3-week CHF. Conclusion: Malignant ventricular arrhythmias mainly occur in the early and late stages of CHF. Electrical remodeling of AVG neurons highly correlates with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in the late stage of CHF.