Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Corneal Stroma Organization With Wavefront Optimized Nonlinear Microscopy

Purpose: To investigate the organization of stromal collagen in healthy ex vivo corneas of different species from second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy images. Methods: A custom backscattered nonlinear microscope has been used to study the corneal structure of different species: porcine, bovine, rabbit, rat, chicken, and humans. The instrument uses a femtosecond laser for illumination, a scanning unit, and a photon-counting detection device. It also includes a wavefront aberration control module. SHG signals produced by collagen within the cornea were acquired. A motorized stage allowed optical sectioning across the entire corneal thickness. Samples were neither fixed nor stained, and they were fully scanned. Results: SHG images revealed the microscopic organization of the lamellae of collagen fibers. Despite absorption, for all corneal depths, images could be analyzed. The anterior stroma was similar in all samples, showing interwoven short bands of collagen randomly distributed. The lamellae at the central and posterior stroma were densely packed and often presented longer bundles lying predominantly parallel to the corneal surface with characteristic spatial distributions for each species. In particular, collagen bundles in bovine and porcine corneas were interweaved. In the chick cornea, the stromal arrangement had an orientation changing regularly with depth. In human corneas, lamellae were longer and had similar orientation than their neighbors. Conclusions: Using a unique wavefront aberration-controlled backscattered nonlinear microscope, changes in corneal morphology as a function of depth were characterized for different species (including humans). This allowed a direct comparison among species, which might help to establish the basis of collagen distribution in animal models or to understand diseased corneas.
Transition and Marginalization: Locating Spaces for Discursive Contestation in Post-Revolution Tunisia

Transitions to democracy nourish expectations for an expansion of space for political liberalization, redistribution and recognition. From 2011 to 2013, the landscape for civil society in Tunisia widened with the establishment of several thousand associations. However, during this period vulnerable groups, including sexual minorities, perceived and experienced increased degrees of marginalization. This article analyses the potentialities and boundaries for members of homosexual communities in Tunisia as they manoeuvre through a post-revolution transition characterized by rapid expansions and contractions of the public sphere. It highlights the competing priorities within the public sphere, in particular those voices left on the periphery as a multiplicity of issues are presented for discursive contestation and argues that some groups effectively stand to become more marginalized during the transition to democracy than previously under authoritarian rule.
Technical improvements of the Giraff telepresence robot based on users' evaluation

Telepresence robots are teleoperated robotic systems that allow users to virtually visit a remote place and interact with the environment through their sensorial and motor capabilities. This technology has a great potential to facilitate remote interaction and social communication with people, in particular with the elderly. This paper presents some technical improvements for one of such a robot: the Giraff telepresence platform. These improvements, raised by users' experience, are related to a safer and easier driving of the platform, including auto-docking to the recharging station, obstacle detection, and displaying the robot position in a sketch map of the visited place.
Fasting-mimicking diet and markers/risk factors for aging, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease

A periodic fasting diet improves markers of metabolic dysfunction, particularly in people already at risk. Fasting: More than a fad Mice that fast periodically are healthier, metabolically speaking. To explore whether fasting can help people as well, Wei et al. studied 71 people who either consumed a fasting-mimicking diet for 5 days each month for 3 months or maintained their normal diet for 3 months and then switched to the fasting schedule. The fasting-like diet reduced body weight and body fat, lowered blood pressure, and decreased the hormone IGF-1, which has been implicated in aging and disease. A post hoc analysis replicated these results and also showed that fasting decreased BMI, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, and C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation). These effects were generally larger in the subjects who were at greater risk of disease at the start of the study. A larger study is needed to replicate these results, but they raise the possibility that fasting may be a practical road to a healthy metabolic system. Calorie restriction or changes in dietary composition can enhance healthy aging, but the inability of most subjects to adhere to chronic and extreme diets, as well as potentially adverse effects, limits their application. We randomized 100 generally healthy participants from the United States into two study arms and tested the effects of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD)—low in calories, sugars, and protein but high in unsaturated fats—on markers/risk factors associated with aging and age-related diseases. We compared subjects who followed 3 months of an unrestricted diet to subjects who consumed the FMD for 5 consecutive days per month for 3 months. Three FMD cycles reduced body weight, trunk, and total body fat; lowered blood pressure; and decreased insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). No serious adverse effects were reported. After 3 months, control diet subjects were crossed over to the FMD program, resulting in a total of 71 subjects completing three FMD cycles. A post hoc analysis of subjects from both FMD arms showed that body mass index, blood pressure, fasting glucose, IGF-1, triglycerides, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and C-reactive protein were more beneficially affected in participants at risk for disease than in subjects who were not at risk. Thus, cycles of a 5-day FMD are safe, feasible, and effective in reducing markers/risk factors for aging and age-related diseases. Larger studies in patients with diagnosed diseases or selected on the basis of risk factors are warranted to confirm the effect of the FMD on disease prevention and treatment.
Whither Economics in a Black Studies Program?

ow can one formulate a Black Studies program that stresses scholarship, research, and historical analysis and at the same time contributes to the development of the Black community and racial pride? The task, as I see it, is not greater than that faced by those who promote Asian Studies, Mediterranean Studies, European Studies, Irish Studies or who establish centers for the study of violence, reptiles, and tropical fauna. If these and many more can qualify for separate studies, then there should be no prolonged dispute over the need for Black Studies. The important thingis that courses offered here should satisfy the above requirements and be scientifically presented to stand the test of time. The fame of Harvard, Yale, or Oxford Universities does not lie in their names, but in what happens within their precincts. It is the quality of their instructors, teaching, and publications that has made them world-renowned. In this connection, a Black Studies center should pursue a definite philosophy, among which are the provision of educational experiences that will rectify the omissions of history in relation to the Black; the development in students of a
Democratic or Gendered Domain: Communication and Learning Styles in the Online Classroom

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) within cyberspace has become a recent pedagogical phenomenon. Cyberspace creates a domain for new learning environments. Using the online classroom has the potential to break down gender barriers and erect a more democratic space for students. Even with this limitless potential, there are competing conceptions regarding these new and promising classrooms—will online education conform to the same standards that shape a gendered society, or will these classrooms create a more equitable environment for both male and female students? Because of the rising numbers of online female students, gender bias becomes an increasingly important research topic. Yet the past research remains inconclusive regarding the relationships between gender, communication styles, and learning styles in the online environment (Yukselturk & Bulut, 2009). The purpose of the current project was to investigate cyberspace through CMC to study the influence of both biological and psychological gender on self-reported communication styles, online communication styles, and learning styles. This project used a case study approach to investigate thirteen participants’ style preferences. Participants completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Communication Styles Q-Set, a demographic survey, the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, and McCrosky’s Self-Perceived Communication Competence Scale. As the researcher, I analyzed participants’ CMC in an online classroom using a developed Research Coding Scheme. I then compared participants’ CMC to the other measures through the calculations of mean scores.
Patient-perceived barriers to a screening program for depression: a patient opinion survey of hemodialysis patients

Abstract Background Depression is a prevalent, yet underdiagnosed, psychiatric disorder among patients with end-stage renal disease. Active case identification through routine screening is suggested; however, patient-related barriers may reduce the effectiveness of screening for, and treating, depression. This study aimed to explore the perceived barriers that limit patients from participating in screening and treatment programs for depression. Methods In a cross-sectional study of chronic maintenance hemodialysis patients, the Perceived Barriers to Psychological Treatment questionnaire, adapted to include screening, was used to measure perceived barriers. The two-item Patient Health Questionnaire was used to identify patients with depressive symptoms. Results Of 160 participants, 73.1% reported at least one barrier preventing them from participation [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 66.2–80.0%]. Patients with depressive symptoms were more likely to perceive at least one barrier to a screening program for depression compared with those without depressive symptoms (96% versus 68.9%, respectively; odds ratio = 10.8; 95% CI 1.4–82.8; P = 0.005). The association of the barrier scores with depressive symptoms remained significant after adjustment for patient’s characteristics. The most common barriers that patients expressed were concerns about the side effects of any antidepressant medications that may be prescribed (40%), concerns about having more medications (32%), feeling that the problem is not severe enough (23%) and perceiving no risk of depression (23%). Conclusions Negative perceptions about depression and its treatment among hemodialysis patients constitute an important barrier to identifying this condition and first need to be addressed before implementing a screening program in this population.
Effects of androstenedione, insulin and luteinizing hormone on steroidogenesis in human granulosa luteal cells.

BACKGROUND The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of androstenedione, insulin and LH on human granulosa cell oestrogen and progesterone production. We postulated that elevated concentrations of androstenedione, insulin and LH may be important modulators of granulosa cell steroidogenesis. METHODS Granulosa cells obtained in connection with IVF procedures were cultured for a total of 4 days in serum-free medium containing androstenedione (10(-6) mol/l). We tested the effect of androstenedione (10(-5) mol/l) on insulin (0-800 microIU/ml), LH (1-10 ng/ml) as well as on insulin + LH-stimulated oestrogen and progesterone production. RESULTS Insulin increased the basal secretion of steroid hormones, and furthermore augmented LH-stimulated oestrogen and progesterone accumulation in granulosa cell cultures. Androstenedione (10(-5) mol/l) stimulated basal oestrogen production, but significantly reduced (32-58%) insulin + LH-stimulated oestrogen and progesterone secretion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that high androstenedione concentrations may act directly to impair insulin augmentation of LH-stimulated oestradiol and progesterone production in cultured human granulosa luteal cells. This is compatible with the hypothesis that high androgen levels may inhibit oestrogen production in polycystic ovary follicles, and as such may contribute to anovulation and infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
The Effect of Lidocaine · HCl on the Fluidity of Native and Model Membrane Lipid Bilayers

The purpose of this study is to investigated the mechanism of pharmacological action of local anesthetic and provide the basic information about the development of new effective local anesthetics. Fluorescent probe techniques were used to evaluate the effect of lidocaine·HCl on the physical properties (transbilayer asymmetric lateral and rotational mobility, annular lipid fluidity and protein distribution) of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) isolated from bovine cerebral cortex, and liposomes of total lipids (SPMVTL) and phospholipids (SPMVPL) extracted from the SPMV. An experimental procedure was used based on selective quenching of 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) and 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) by trinitrophenyl groups, and radiationless energy transfer from the tryptophans of membrane proteins to Py-3-Py. Lidocaine·HCl increased the bulk lateral and rotational mobility of neuronal and model membrane lipid bilayes, and had a greater fluidizing effect on the inner monolayer than the outer monolayer. Lidocaine·HCl increased annular lipid fluidity in SPMV lipid bilayers. It also caused membrane proteins to cluster. The most important finding of this study is that there is far greater increase in annular lipid fluidity than that in lateral and rotational mobilities by lidocaine·HCl. Lidocaine·HCl alters the stereo or dynamics of the proteins in the lipid bilayers by combining with lipids, especially with the annular lipids. In conclusion, the present data suggest that lidocaine, in addition to its direct interaction with proteins, concurrently interacts with membrane lipids, fluidizing the membrane, and thus inducing conformational changes of proteins known to be intimately associated with membrane lipid.
Visualization of Chemokine Binding Sites on Human Brain Microvessels

The chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) aid in directing leukocytes to specific locales within the brain and spinal cord during central nervous system inflammation. However, it remains unclear how these chemokines exert their actions across a vascular barrier, raising speculation that interaction with endothelial cells might be required. Therefore, experiments were performed to determine whether binding domains for these chemokines exist along the outer surface of brain microvessels, a feature that could potentially relay chemokine signals from brain to blood. Using a biotinylated chemokine binding assay with confocal microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction, spatially resolved binding sites for MCP-1 and MIP-α around human brain microvessels were revealed for the first time. Binding of labeled MCP-1 and MIP-1α could be inhibited by unlabeled homologous but not heterologous chemokine, and was independent of the presence of heparan sulfate, laminin, or collagen in the subendothelial matrix. This is the first evidence of specific and separate binding domains for MCP-1 and MIP-1α on the parenchymal surface of microvessels, and highlights the prospect that specific interactions of chemokines with microvascular elements influence the extent and course of central nervous system inflammation.
Community College Student Awareness of Mental Health Problems and Resources

An exploratory survey study assessed community college student awareness of signs, risk factors, and resources for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The majority of the participants reported adequate awareness of mental disorders. Females were more likely than males and sophomores were more likely than freshmen to recognize signs and risk factors of mental illness. Half of the participants were unaware of campus mental health resources. Strategies for increasing student awareness of mental health problems, counseling, and other campus resources for mental illness are presented.
Representation and Reasoning for Pragmatic Navigation

This paper focuses upon features of two-dimensional space that facilitate and/or obstruct travel through it. Three kinds of facilitators and four kinds of obstructers ate identified. For each one, learning algorithms and navigational applications ate proposed. The program described here simulates a robot that learns such features as it encounters them, and then applies them to subsequent travel decisions. The resulting system travels pragmatically through a variety of twodimensional worlds.
Time for a thorough evaluation of patient-centered care.

Patient-centered care is now the goal for virtually all healthcare systems, but what is it, and how is it measured? The Institute of Medicine (IOM) considers care to be patient centered if it, is “respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values and ensures that patient values guide all clinical decisions. ”1 The IOM further separates patient-centered care into 8 dimensions, including respect for patient preferences, information, medication communication, coordination of care, emotional support, physical comfort, involvement of the family, continuity and transition, and access to care. The dominant metric used to measure patient-centered care is patient satisfaction, which is the measure that is most likely to be improved in trials of interventions aimed at 1 of these 8 dimensions.2 Given the past indifference to patient satisfaction, the paradigm shift toward the patient’s view is a welcome change. Hospitals and health care systems increasingly reward providers who obtain the highest rates of patient satisfaction. For many hospitals and clinics, it is their only measure of quality with a financial incentive. However, patient-centered care is only one aspect of quality of care as defined by the IOM.1 Other aspects include safety, effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. In the drive toward 100% patient satisfaction, it is possible that these other aspects of quality may suffer. Is the race to the top of patient satisfaction in the best interest of the health and well-being of the population? Without a thorough evaluation of patient-centered interventions, we cannot optimize the use of our limited resources to provide the best care for everyone. One common interpretation of patient-centered care is delivering the care patients want, when they want it, and where they want it. It can be argued that the epitome of such care was delivered to Michael Jackson.3 His personal …
Integrins at the neuromuscular junction are important for motoneuron survival

During development motoneurons depend on target contact for their survival. Following injury to the sciatic nerve in neonatal rats, a large proportion of motoneurons die. However, the same injury inflicted at 5 days of age results in no loss of motoneurons. This critical period of postnatal development coincides with the time during which there is a significant increase in the release of transmitter from the nerve terminals at the neuromuscular junction. We have proposed that the role of the target muscle cell during this period is to induce this up‐regulation of transmitter release from motor nerve terminals. It has been shown that stretch‐induced increase in transmitter release from frog motor nerve terminals is accomplished via an integrin‐dependent mechanism. In this study we examined the role of integrins at the rat neuromuscular junction in motoneuron survival. We found that blocking integrin binding at the developing neuromuscular junction delayed the increase in choline acetyltransferase activity that normally takes place during the early postnatal period, and resulted in motoneuron death. Furthermore, the maturation of those motoneurons that survived was delayed so they remained susceptible to subsequent nerve injury. These results support the possibility that integrins, by their involvement in modulating transmitter release, can influence motoneuron survival.
Inhibition of Bcl-xL overcomes polyploidy resistance and leads to apoptotic cell death in acute myeloid leukemia cells

Small molecular inhibitors or drugs targeting specific molecular alterations are widely used in clinic cancer therapy. Despite the success of targeted therapy, the development of drug resistance remains a challenging problem. Identifying drug resistance mechanisms for targeted therapy is an area of intense investigation, and recent evidence indicates that cellular polyploidy may be involved. Here, we demonstrate that the cell cycle kinase inhibitor, Oxindole-1 (Ox-1), induces mitotic slippage, causing resistant polyploidy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Indeed, Ox-1 decreases the kinase activity of CDK1 (CDC2)/cyclin B1, leading to inhibition of Bcl-xL phosphorylation and subsequent resistance to apoptosis. Addition of ABT-263, a Bcl-2 family inhibitor, to Ox-1, or the other polyploidy-inducer, ZM447439 (ZM), produces a synergistic loss of cell viability with greater sustained tumor growth inhibition in AML cell lines and primary AML blasts. Furthermore, genetic knockdown of Bcl-xL, but not Bcl-2, exhibited synergistic inhibition of cell growth in combination with Ox-1 or ZM. These data demonstrate that Bcl-xL is a key factor in polyploidization resistance in AML, and that suppression of Bcl-xL by ABT-263, or siRNAs, may hold therapeutic utility in drug-resistant polyploid AML cells.
Retinal ganglion cells with NADPH‐diaphorase activity in the chick form a regular mosaic with a strong dorsoventral asymmetry that can be modelled by a minimal spacing rule

We have identified a class of retinal ganglion cells in the chick retina that can be labelled by NADPH‐diaphorase histochemistry. These cells have a remarkable topographic distribution, being restricted to the dorsal hemiretina, and form a highly regular mosaic, as revealed by the analysis of nearest neighbour distribution and Delaunay triangulation. Autocorrelation analysis of the mosaic of NADPH‐diaphorase‐positive retinal ganglion cells shows that the mosaic spatial organization could be generated with the single constraint that two elements cannot be closer than a given minimal distance (dmin), which we confirmed by computer simulations. In contrast with what has been observed in other mosaics, here dmin varies with cell density. However, the observed variation of the exclusion area is consistent with an original assembly of the mosaic with a constant dmin (as is the case in other mosaics), followed by differential expansion of the retina during development.