Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spermatid development in XO male mice with varying Y chromosome short-arm gene content: evidence for a Y gene controlling the initiation of sperm morphogenesis

We recently used three XO male mouse models with varying Y short-arm (Yp) gene complements, analysed at 30 days post partum, to demonstrate a Yp gene requirement for the apoptotic elimination of spermatocytes with a univalent X chromosome at the first meiotic metaphase. The three mouse models were i) XSxraO in which the Yp-derived Tp(Y)1CtSxr-a sex reversal factor provides an almost complete Yp gene complement, ii) XSxrbO,Eif2s3y males in which Tp(Y)1CtSxr-b has a deletion completely or partially removing eight Yp genes – the Yp gene Eif2s3y has been added as a transgene to support spermatogonial proliferation, and iii) XOSry,Eif2s3y males in which the Sry transgene directs gonad development along the male pathway. In this study, we have used the same mouse models analysed at 6 weeks of age to investigate potential Yp gene involvement in spermiogenesis. We found that all three mouse models produce haploid and diploid spermatids and that the diploid spermatids showed frequent duplication of the developing acrosomal cap during the early stages. However, only in XSxraO males did spermiogenesis continue to completion. Most strikingly, in XOSry,Eif2s3y males, spermatid development arrested at round spermatid step 7 so that no sperm head restructuring or tail development was observed. In contrast, in XSxrbO,Eif2s3y males, spermatids with substantial sperm head and tail morphogenesis could be easily found, although this was delayed compared with XSxraO. We conclude that Sxra (and therefore Yp) includes genetic information essential for sperm morphogenesis and that this is partially retained in Sxrb.
Your Job Is Messing With Mine! The Impact of Mobile Device Use for Work During Family Time on the Spouse’s Work Life

The use of mobile technology for work purposes during family time has been found to affect employees’ work and family lives. Using a matched sample of 344 job incumbents and their spouses, we examined the role of mobile device (MD) use for work during family time in the job incumbent–spouse relationship and how this MD use crosses over to affect the spouse’s work life. Integrating the work–home resources model with family systems theory, we found that as job incumbents engage in MD use for work during family time, work-to-family conflict increases, as does the combined experience of relationship tension between job incumbents and spouses. This tension serves as a crossover mechanism, which then contributes to spouses’ experience of family-to-work conflict and, subsequently, family spills over to work outcomes for the spouse in the form of reduced job satisfaction and performance.
THE UNBEARABLE AUTOMATICITY OF BEING

What was noted by E. J. hanger (1978) remains true today: that much of contemporary psychological research is based on the assumption that people are consciously and systematically processing incoming information in order to construe and interpret their world and to plan and engage in courses of action. As did E. J. hanger, the authors question this assumption. First, they review evidence that the ability to exercise such conscious, intentional control is actually quite limited, so that most of moment-to-mom ent psychological life must occur through nonconscious means if it is to occur at all. The authors then describe the different possible mechanisms that produce automatic, environmental control over these various phenomena and review evidence establishing both the existence of these mechanisms as well as their consequences for judgments, emotions, and behavior. Three major forms of automatic self-regulation are identified: an automatic effect of perception on action, automatic goal pursuit, and a continual automatic evaluation of one's experience. From the accumulating evidence, the authors conclude that these various nonconscious mental systems perform the lion's share of the self-regulatory burden, beneficently keeping the individual grounded in his or her current environment. The strongest knowledge—that of the total unfreedom of the human will—is nonetheless the poorest in successes, for it always has the strongest opponent: human vanity. —Nietzsche, Human, All Too Human
Accuracy of clinical examination findings in the diagnosis of COPD.

OBJECTIVE Simple diagnostic methods can facilitate the diagnosis of COPD, which is a major public health problem. The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of clinical variables in the diagnosis of COPD. METHODS Patients with COPD and control subjects were prospectively evaluated by two investigators regarding nine clinical variables. The likelihood ratio for the diagnosis of COPD was determined using a logistic regression model. RESULTS The study comprised 98 patients with COPD (mean age, 62.3+/- 12.3 years; mean FEV1, 48.3 +/- 21.6%) and 102 controls. The likelihood ratios (95% CIs) for the diagnosis of COPD were as follows: 4.75 (2.29-9.82; p < 0.0001) for accessory muscle recruitment; 5.05 (2.72-9.39; p < 0.0001) for pursed-lip breathing; 2.58 (1.45-4.57; p < 0.001) for barrel chest; 3.65 (2.01-6.62; p < 0.0001) for decreased chest expansion; 7.17 (3.75-13.73; p < 0.0001) for reduced breath sounds; 2.17 (1.01-4.67; p < 0.05) for a thoracic index > or = 0.9; 2.36 (1.22-4.58; p < 0.05) for laryngeal height < or = 5.5 cm; 3.44 (1.92-6.16; p < 0.0001) for forced expiratory time > or = 4 s; and 4.78 (2.13-10.70; p < 0.0001) for lower liver edge > or = 4 cm from lower costal edge. Inter-rater reliability for those same variables was, respectively, 0.57, 0.45, 0.62, 0.32, 0.53, 0.32, 0.59, 0.52 and 0.44 (p < 0.0001 for all). CONCLUSIONS Various clinical examination findings could be used as diagnostic tests for COPD.
Internal impedance control helps information gain in embodied perception

Internal impedance is one of the key factors determining the quality of embodied perception and action in biological organisms and robots. Though the role of impedance control in robotic actuation has been well studied, its significance in the accuracy of proprioception with embodied sensors is not well known yet. Therefore, it is important to characterize the relationship between the entropy of sensor information and the impedance of their physical embodiment, through which sensors feel the internal state of the body and the environment. In this paper, we address the role of internal impedance in the accuracy of embodied perception. To investigate this, we pose the problem of using only torque data measured at the stationary base of a two link planar manipulator, to estimate the deflection caused by an external torque in the McKibben type pivot joint with variable stiffness. Based on analytical modelling and experimental validation, this paper presents, for the first time, that non-linear static memory primitives relating internal impedance, internal kinematic variables, and forces felt at the base of the manipulator - similar to the functionality of tendon organs of biological counterparts - can be used to tune optimal internal impedance parameters to maximize the accuracy of internal state estimation during external perturbations.
Structure and Expression of Class II Defective Herpes Simplex Virus Genomes Encoding Infected Cell Polypeptide Number 8

Defective genomes present in serially passaged virus stocks derived from the tsLB2 mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1 were found to consist of repeat units in which sequences from the UL region, within map coordinates 0.356 and 0.429 of standard herpes simplex virus DNA, were covalently linked to sequences from the end of the S component. The major defective genome species consisted of repeat units which were 4.9 × 106 in molecular weight and contained a specific deletion within the UL segment. These tsLB2 defective genomes were stable through more than 35 sequential virus passages. The ratios of defective virus genomes to helper virus genomes present in different passages fluctuated in synchrony with the capacity of the passages to interfere with standard virus replication. Cells infected with passages enriched for defective genomes overproduced the infected cell polypeptide number 8, which had previously been mapped within the UL sequences present in the tsLB2 defective genomes. In contrast, the synthesis of most other infected cell polypeptides was delayed and reduced. The abundant synthesis of infected cell polypeptide number 8 followed the β regulatory pattern, as evident from kinetic studies and from experiments in which cycloheximide, canavanine, and phosphonoacetate were used. However, in contrast to many β (early) and γ (late) viral polypeptides, the synthesis of infected cell polypeptide number 8 was only minimally reduced when cells infected with serially passaged tsLB2 were incubated at 39°C. The tsLB2 mutation had previously been mapped within the domains of the gene encoding infected cell polypeptide number 4, the function of which was shown to be required for β and γ viral gene expression. It is thus possible that the tsLB2 mutation affects the synthesis of only a subset of the β and γ viral polypeptides. An additional polypeptide, 74.5 × 103 in molecular weight, was abundantly produced in cells infected with a number of tsLB2 passages. This polypeptide was most likely expressed from truncated gene templates within the most abundant, deleted repeats of tsLB2 defective virus DNA.
Multilingual Metaphor Processing: Experiments with Semi-Supervised and Unsupervised Learning

Highly frequent in language and communication, metaphor represents a significant challenge for Natural Language Processing (NLP) applications. Computational work on metaphor has traditionally evolved around the use of hand-coded knowledge, making the systems hard to scale. Recent years have witnessed a rise in statistical approaches to metaphor processing. However, these approaches often require extensive human annotation effort and are predominantly evaluated within a limited domain. In contrast, we experiment with weakly supervised and unsupervised techniques—with little or no annotation—to generalize higher-level mechanisms of metaphor from distributional properties of concepts. We investigate different levels and types of supervision (learning from linguistic examples vs. learning from a given set of metaphorical mappings vs. learning without annotation) in flat and hierarchical, unconstrained and constrained clustering settings. Our aim is to identify the optimal type of supervision for a learning algorithm that discovers patterns of metaphorical association from text. In order to investigate the scalability and adaptability of our models, we applied them to data in three languages from different language groups—English, Spanish, and Russian—achieving state-of-the-art results with little supervision. Finally, we demonstrate that statistical methods can facilitate and scale up cross-linguistic research on metaphor.
Study on the Characteristics of a Scintillator for Beta-ray Detection using Epoxy Resin

A thin plate of a plastic scintillator for detecting a beta-ray was developed. The plastic scintillator was made using epoxy resin and organic scintillators such as 2.5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) and 1,4-bis [5-phenyl-2-oxazole] benzene (POPOP). The mixture ratio of epoxy resin and the organic scintillators was determined using their absorbance, transmittance, emission spectra, and transparency. Their optimal weight percentage of PPO and POPOP in the organic scintillators was adjusted to 0.2 wt%:0.01 wt%. The prepared plastic scintillator was used to measure the standard source of Sr-90. The pulse height spectra and total counts of the prepared plastic scintillator were similar to a commercial plastic scintillator. Based on the above results, a large-area plastic scintillator was prepared for rapid investigation of a site contaminated with Sr-90. The prepared large-area plastic scintillator was evaluated for the characteristics in the laboratory. The evaluation results are expected to be usefully utilized in the development of a large-area plastic scintillation detector. The large-area plastic scintillation detector developed on the basis of the evaluation results is expected to be utilized to quickly measure the contamination of Sr-90 in the grounds used as a nuclear power facility.
Evaluating the neural basis of temporal order memoryfor visual stimuli in the rat

Temporal order memory (memory for stimulus order) is crucial for discrimination between familiar objects and depends upon a neural circuit involving the perirhinal cortex (PRH) and medial pre‐frontal cortex. This study examined the role of glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmission in the encoding or retrieval of temporal order memory, using a task requiring the animals to discriminate between two familiar objects presented at different intervals. 6‐Cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline (CNQX) (AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist), scopolamine (muscarinic receptor antagonist) or 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5) (N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonist) was administered before sample phase 2 (to be active during encoding) or before test (to be active during retrieval). Unilateral CNQX administration into the PRH and pre‐limbic/infra‐limbic cortices (PL/IL) in opposite hemispheres, i.e. to disrupt neurotransmission within the circuit, impaired encoding and retrieval. Administration of scopolamine or AP5 in the PRH–PL/IL circuit impaired encoding. Drug effects in each brain region were then investigated separately. Intra‐PRH CNQX, scopolamine or AP5 disrupted encoding, such that the animals explored the recent object significantly more than the old object. In contrast, intra‐PL/IL CNQX, scopolamine or AP5 impaired memory performance such that the animals spent an equal amount of time exploring the objects. CNQX but not AP5 or scopolamine impaired retrieval. Furthermore, CNQX impaired novel object preference when infused into the PRH but not PL/IL following a 3 h delay. Thus, encoding of temporal order memory is mediated by plastic processes involving N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate and muscarinic receptors within the PRH–PL/IL circuit, but these two regions make qualitatively different cognitive contributions to the formation of this memory process.
A high performance sensorimotor beta rhythm-based brain–computer interface associated with human natural motor behavior

To explore the reliability of a high performance brain–computer interface (BCI) using non-invasive EEG signals associated with human natural motor behavior does not require extensive training. We propose a new BCI method, where users perform either sustaining or stopping a motor task with time locking to a predefined time window. Nine healthy volunteers, one stroke survivor with right-sided hemiparesis and one patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) participated in this study. Subjects did not receive BCI training before participating in this study. We investigated tasks of both physical movement and motor imagery. The surface Laplacian derivation was used for enhancing EEG spatial resolution. A model-free threshold setting method was used for the classification of motor intentions. The performance of the proposed BCI was validated by an online sequential binary-cursor-control game for two-dimensional cursor movement. Event-related desynchronization and synchronization were observed when subjects sustained or stopped either motor execution or motor imagery. Feature analysis showed that EEG beta band activity over sensorimotor area provided the largest discrimination. With simple model-free classification of beta band EEG activity from a single electrode (with surface Laplacian derivation), the online classifications of the EEG activity with motor execution/motor imagery were: >90%/∼80% for six healthy volunteers, >80%/∼80% for the stroke patient and ∼90%/∼80% for the ALS patient. The EEG activities of the other three healthy volunteers were not classifiable. The sensorimotor beta rhythm of EEG associated with human natural motor behavior can be used for a reliable and high performance BCI for both healthy subjects and patients with neurological disorders. Significance: The proposed new non-invasive BCI method highlights a practical BCI for clinical applications, where the user does not require extensive training.
Designing non-speech sounds to support navigation in mobile phone menus

This paper describes a framework for integrating non-speech audio to hierarchical menu structures where the visual feedback is limited. In the first part of this paper, emphasis is put on how to extract sound design principles from actual navigation problems. These design principles are then applied in the second part, through the design, implementation and evaluation of a set of sounds in a computer-based simulation of the Nokia 6110 mobile phone. The evaluation indicates that non-speech sound improves the performance of navigational tasks in terms of the number of errors made and the number of keypresses taken to complete the given tasks. This study provides both theoretical and practical insights about the design of audio cues intended to support navigation in complex menu structures
The Perceived Utility of Human and Automated Aids in a Visual Detection Task

Although increases in the use of automation have occurred across society, research has found that human operators often underutilize (disuse) and overly rely on (misuse) automated aids (R. Parasuraman & V. Riley, 1997). Nearly 275 Cameron University students participated in 1 of 3 experiments performed to examine the effects of perceived utility (M. T. Dzindolet, H. P. Beck, L. G. Pierce, & L. A. Dawe, 2001) on automation use in a visual detection task and to compare reliance on automated aids with reliance on humans. Results revealed a bias for human operators to rely on themselves. Although self-report data indicate a bias toward automated aids over human aids, performance data revealed that participants were more likely to disuse automated aids than to disuse human aids. This discrepancy was accounted for by assuming human operators have a "perfect automation" schema. Actual or potential applications of this research include the design of future automated decision aids and training procedures for operators relying on such aids.
The Anti-Porcine Parvovirus Activity of Nanometer Propolis Flavone and Propolis Flavone In Vitro and In Vivo

Objectives. The present study was conducted to evaluate the activity of nanometer propolis flavone (NPF) on inhibiting porcine parvovirus (PPV) in vitro and in vivo. Methods. In vitro, the effect of NPF on cellular infectivity of PPV was carried out before and after adding drug and simultaneous adding and PPV after being mixed. In vivo, the anti-PPV effect of NPF in guinea pigs was performed. Results. The results showed that NPF could significantly inhibit PPV infecting porcine kidney- (PK-) 15 cells compared with propolis flavone (PF), and the activity of NPF was the best in preadding drug pattern. NPF at high and medium doses was able to observably restrain PPV copying in lung, gonad, blood, and spleen, decrease the impact of PPV on weight of guinea pigs, and improve hemagglutination inhibition (HI) of PPV in serum. In addition, it could also increase the contents of IL-2 and IL-6 in serum after PPV challenge. Conclusion. These results indicated that NPF could significantly improve the anti-PPV activity of PF, and its high concentration possessed the best efficacy. Therefore, NPF would be expected to be exploited into a new-style antiviral drug.
Use of serum-specific immunoglobulins A and G for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with chronic gastritis by immunoblot analysis

Multiple invasive and noninvasive tests for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection are available. The current "gold standard" for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection requires histology and the rapid urease test. Our aim was to test the performance of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG immunoblot assays in comparison with that of the gold standard tests for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Ninety patients who underwent gastroscopy were analyzed in a prospective study. Fifty-nine of them were defined to be H. pylori positive by the gold standard tests. The IgA and IgG immunoblot assays correctly identified H. pylori infection in 17 and 58 of these patients, respectively, indicating that determination of IgA antibodies seems to be of low diagnostic value for H. pylori infection. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of the IgG immunoblot assay were 98 and 71%, respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 87 and 96%, respectively. Therefore, the IgG immunoblot assay proved to be a sensitive and useful, noninvasive test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Prognosis of fibrotic interstitial pneumonia: idiopathic versus collagen vascular disease-related subtypes.

BACKGROUND To investigate whether the better prognosis of interstitial pneumonias associated with collagen vascular disease (CVD) compared with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is due to higher frequency of the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pattern in CVD, we compared the outcomes of patients from these two groups with the same histopathologic pattern. SUBJECTS The clinical features and survival of 362 patients (269 with IIP and 93 with CVD) diagnosed using surgical lung biopsy were analyzed. RESULTS The mean survival of the CVD group (131.0 mo) was longer than that of the IIP group (80.5 mo) (p<0.0001). The patients with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern among the CVD group (n=36) was younger, female, and predominantly nonsmoking compared with the IIP group (n=203). Although baseline lung functions were not significantly different, the CVD group survived longer (mean, 177.0 mo) than the IIP group (mean, 66.9 +/- 6.5 mo; p=0.001). By multivariate analysis, younger age, better pulmonary function, and the presence of a CVD were independent prognostic factors. In NSIP pattern, no significant differences in survival, clinical features, or lung function were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the better prognosis of patients in the CVD group is not solely due to the predominance of the NSIP pattern. The prognosis of patients with the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern in CVD is better than in those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, despite the same pathologic pattern. In contrast, in those with an NSIP pattern, the prognosis is similar in both groups.