Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics-Based Reactive Synthesis and Automated Revisions for High-Level Robot Control

The aim of this work is to address issues where formal specifications cannot be realized on a given dynamical system subjected to a changing environment. Such failures occur whenever the dynamics of the system restrict the robot in such a way that the environment may prevent the robot from progressing safely to its goals. We provide a framework that automatically synthesizes revisions to such specifications that restrict the assumed behaviors of the environment and the behaviors of the system. We provide a means for explaining such modifications to the user in a concise, easy-to-understand manner. Integral to the framework is a new algorithm for synthesizing controllers for reactive specifications that include a discrete representation of the robot's dynamics. The new approach is demonstrated with a complex task implemented using a unicycle model.
Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment.

AIMS Nicotine is known to enhance aspects of cognitive functioning in abstinent smokers, but the effects on specific areas of executive functions and in non-smokers are inconclusive. This may be due in part to the poor sensitivity of tests used to assess executive functions. This study used a new virtual reality assessment of executive functions known as JEF (the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions) to address this issue. DESIGN A 2 × 2 design manipulating group (smokers and never-smokers) and drug [nicotine (4 mg for smokers; 2 mg for never smokers) versus placebo gum]. SETTING School of Psychology; University of East London. PARTICIPANTS Seventy-two participants (aged 18-54 years): 36 minimally deprived (2 hours) smokers and 36 never-smokers. MEASUREMENTS Components of executive function were measured using the virtual reality paradigm JEF, which assesses eight cognitive constructs simultaneously as well as providing an overall performance measure. FINDINGS Univariate analyses of variance revealed that nicotine improved overall JEF performance, time-based prospective memory and event-based prospective memory in smokers (P < 0.01), but not in never-smokers. Action-based prospective memory was enhanced in both groups (P < 0.01) and never-smokers out-performed smokers on selective thinking and adaptive thinking (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Executive functioning and prospective memory as aspects of cognitive performance can be enhanced by nicotine gum in smokers who have abstained for as little as 2 hours.
On the Physiology of Normal Swallowing as Revealed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Real Time

The aim of this study was to assess the physiology of normal swallowing using recent advances in real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore ten young healthy subjects underwent real-time MRI and flexible endoscopic evaluations of swallowing (FEES) with thickened pineapple juice as oral contrast bolus. MRI movies were recorded in sagittal, coronal, and axial orientations during successive swallows at about 25 frames per second. Intermeasurement variation was analyzed and comparisons between real-time MRI and FEES were performed. Twelve distinct swallowing events could be quantified by real-time MRI (start time, end time, and duration). These included five valve functions: oro-velar opening, velo-pharyngeal closure, glottal closure, epiglottic retroflexion, and esophageal opening; three bolus transports: oro-velar transit, pharyngeal delay, pharyngeal transit; and four additional events: laryngeal ascent, laryngeal descent, vallecular, and piriform sinus filling and pharyngeal constriction. Repetitive measurements confirmed the general reliability of the MRI method with only two significant differences for the start times of the velo-pharyngeal closure (t(8) = −2.4, P ≤ 0.046) and laryngeal ascent (t(8) = −2.6, P ≤ 0.031). The duration of the velo-pharyngeal closure was significantly longer in real-time MRI compared to FEES (t(8) = −3.3, P ≤ 0.011). Real-time MRI emerges as a simple, robust, and reliable tool for obtaining comprehensive functional and anatomical information about the swallowing process.
Effect of lamotrigine on cognition in children with epilepsy

Background: Lamotrigine does not affect cognition in healthy adult volunteers or adult patients with epilepsy, but its effect on cognition in children is uncertain. Objective: To compare the effect of lamotrigine and placebo on cognition in children with well-controlled or mild epilepsy. Method: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 61 children with well-controlled or mild epilepsy were randomly assigned to add-on therapy with either lamotrigine followed by placebo or placebo followed by lamotrigine. Each treatment phase was 9 weeks, the crossover period 5 weeks. A neuropsychological test battery was performed during EEG monitoring at baseline and at the end of placebo and drug phases. The paired Student’ t test was used for statistical analysis for neuropsychological data (two tailed) with a p value of 0.01 considered significant. Carryover and period effect were analyzed with generalized linear modeling (SPSS 10). Results: Forty-eight children completed the study. Seizure frequency was similar during both treatment phases. No significant difference was found in continuous performance, binary choice reaction time, verbal and nonverbal recognition, computerized visual searching task, verbal and spatial delayed recognition, and verbal and nonverbal working memory between placebo and lamotrigine treatment phase. There was no significant carryover and period effect when corrected for randomization. Conclusion: Lamotrigine exhibits no clinically significant cognitive effects in adjunctive therapy for children with epilepsy.
RPB5-Mediating Protein Suppresses Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Transcription and Replication by Counteracting the Transcriptional Activation of Hepatitis B virus X Protein in HBV Replication Mouse Model

Background: RPB5-Mediating protein (RMP) is associated with the RNA polymerase II subunit RPB5. This protein functionally counteracts the transcriptional activation of Hepatitis B Virus X protein (HBx) by competitively binding to the RPB5; however, the effects of RMP on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transcription and replication remain unknown. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of RMP on viral transcription and replication in vivo by using the hydrodynamic-based HBV replication mouse model. Materials and Methods: Male balb/c mice were transfected with wild type (1.2 wt) or the HBx minus HBV plasmids (1.2x (-)) with or without HBx and RMP, to establish an HBV replication mouse model by hydrodynamic injection through the tail vein. The HBV RNA and HBV DNA replication intermediates (RI) were analyzed in the liver. Results: RPB5-Mediating protein could inhibit HBV transcription and replication in groups transfected with the 1.2 wt and HBx. The inhibitory effect disappeared in the 1.2x (-) groups, yet it reappeared in the groups co-transfected with 1.2x (-) and HBx. An inhibitory effect was indicated at a low dose of RMP (0.3 ug, 0.5 ug and 0.7 ug) compared to the control group and groups that had received high doses of RMP. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that a low dose of RMP could inhibit HBV transcription and replication, which is dependent on the appearance of HBx in vivo.
College Grade Outcomes and Attrition: An Exploratory Study of Noncognitive Variables and Academic Background as Predictors.

House, I. Daniel College Grade Outcomes and Attrition: An Explorat.ory Study of Noncognitive Variables and Academic Background as Predictors. Nov 04 50p. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Illinois Association for Institutional Research (Lake Shelbyville, IL, November 3-4, 19941, Reports Research/Technical (143) Speeches/Conference Papers (150) MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. *Academic Achievement; *Academic Persistence; Class Rank; *College Freshmen; *Grade Point Average; *Gcade Prediction; Higher Education; Longitudinal Studies; Parent Background: *Predictor Variables; Racial Differences; Recognition (Psychology); Scores: Sex Differences; Social Attitudes; Standardized lest.s; Student Characteristics ACT Assessment This study investigated the efficacy of noncognitive variables and academic background for the prediction of college grade performance and persisLence. A total of 7,377 new first-year college students participated in the study, completing demographic questionnaires at the start of the school year. Data were also collected on American College Test (ACT) composite scoirs, high school rank, cumulative grade point average (GPA) after 1. 2, and 4 years in college, and enrollment status after 2 and 4 years in college. The study found that the combination of ACT composite scores and high 'school class rank alone explained 26 percent of the variance in college GPA after 1 year and 26.5 percent of the variance after 2 years. This variance effect was more pronounced for white students Chan for Hispanic, Asian, and black students. The study also found that students with higher financial and social goals exhibited, on average, lower grades and persistence rates than students with lower financial and social goals. The effects of ethnicity, gender, parent educational background, desire for recognition, and achievement expectancies are also considered. (Contains 39 references.) (MDM) College Grade Outcomes and Attrition: An Exploratory Study of Noncognitive Variables and Academic Background as Predictors J. Daniel House Northern Illinois University J. Daniel House U DEPARTMENT OP (DUCATION Once of Edvcaltonal Research snd Improvemahr EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document hall been reproduced as Mewed I tom th prfOn Of oroenuatIon or ovnattog Nfinor Changes hfioe bee t. made lo . m1ROoll teOrOdpclion qualty po,nts of o of optnOns lit111-0 in thts dour fnent do not nectrUartly refollteAI OR,Det OE RI position or policy Paper presented at the Illinois Association for Institutional Research Annual Meeting, Lake Shelbyville, Illinois, November 3-4, 1994
Self-distancing to reduce anger in high school students

ABSTRACT The present pilot study employed an experimental design to examine the efficacy of a self-distancing intervention for promoting adolescent’s reflective adaptation to anger inducing events. Recent experimental studies on college students, elementary school students, and couples have found that self-distancing interventions, as compared to self-immersion/reflection interventions or a no-treatment control, lead to adaptive responses to anger and reductions in future aggression. As adolescents are particularly prone to intense experiences of anger and are at high-risk of being perpetrators and victims of aggression, examining the potential of self-distancing to reduce anger has important implications for adults serving this population. However, contrary to the results of the literature examining self-distancing in adult and child populations, self-distancing was not found to reduce, and may have increased, implicit aggressive cognition, anger, and negative affect in the adolescent sample.
Electrophysiological Endophenotypes for Schizophrenia

AbstractEndophenotypes are quantitative, heritable traits that may help to elucidate the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying complex disease syndromes, such as schizophrenia. They can be assessed at numerous levels of analysis; here, we review electrophysiological endophenotypes that have shown promise in helping us understand schizophrenia from a more mechanistic point of view. For each endophenotype, we describe typical experimental procedures, reliability, heritability, and reported gene and neurobiological associations. We discuss recent findings regarding the genetic architecture of specific electrophysiological endophenotypes, as well as converging evidence from EEG studies implicating disrupted balance of glutamatergic signaling and GABAergic inhibition in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We conclude that refining the measurement of electrophysiological endophenotypes, expanding genetic association studies, and integrating data sets are important next steps for understanding the mechanisms that connect identified genetic risk loci for schizophrenia to the disease phenotype.
Hybridity and ethnic accents: A sociophonetic analysis of ‘Glaswasian’

This paper presents the results of acoustic phonetic analysis of two small scale studies of a regional ethnic accent, Glasgow Asian. Three accent features indicate patterning according to both ethnicity and local personal identity for these speakers. Fine-grained phonetic analysis of the data, particularly for the realization of /l/, support the extension of Harris' (2006) notion of 'Brasian' to the phonetic level, and so here, to 'Glaswasian', an accent which integrates features of Glaswegian and Asian heritage together.
Dendritic morphology, synaptic transmission, and activity of mature granule cells born following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in the rat

To understand the potential role of enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in the development of epilepsy, we quantitatively analyzed the geometry of apical dendrites, synaptic transmission, and activation levels of normotopically distributed mature newborn granule cells in the rat. SE in male Sprague-Dawley rats (between 6 and 7 weeks old) lasting for more than 2 h was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of pilocarpine. The complexity, spine density, miniature post-synaptic currents, and activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) expression of granule cells born 5 days after SE were studied between 10 and 17 weeks after CAG-GFP retroviral vector-mediated labeling. Mature granule cells born after SE had dendritic complexity similar to that of granule cells born naturally, but with denser mushroom-like spines in dendritic segments located in the outer molecular layer. Miniature inhibitory post-synaptic currents (mIPSCs) were similar between the controls and rats subjected to SE; however, smaller miniature excitatory post-synaptic current (mEPSC) amplitude with a trend toward less frequent was found in mature granule cells born after SE. After maturation, granule cells born after SE did not show denser Arc expression in the resting condition or 2 h after being activated by pentylenetetrazol-induced transient seizure activity than vicinal GFP-unlabeled granule cells. Thus our results suggest that normotopic granule cells born after pilocarpine-induced SE are no more active when mature than age-matched, naturally born granule cells.
Teaching about Being an Oppressor

In the US womens studies programs have seriously challenged every academic disciplines conceptualizations of gender ethnicity class and sexuality. It has been one of the fastest growing academic fields and has forever changed the face of academia. In this article Steven P. Schacht explores his own attempts as a White male professor to meaningfully contribute to the womens studies programs on the various campuses he has taught and to the larger feminist movement. Schacht notes that in all his classroom discussions he offers his own experiences of doing unearned male privilege and recognize the harm it inflicted on others--both female and male. Often male and female students also offer their experiences of dominance and being oppressed. This perspective demonstrates how all too common oppression is how harmful it is for so many and why women and men should join together to bring about its end.
Benefit from adrenocorticotrophin in myasthenia gravis

Twenty-one of 29 patients suffering from myasthenia gravis derived benefit from a short intensive course of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH). The mean duration of benefit was approximately six months. The best results were obtained in patients with a short history of myasthenia. Transient deterioration during the course of injections was encountered in some cases but necessitated assisted respiration only in patients with severe generalized weakness before treatment.
Structural basis for the evolution of vancomycin resistance D,D-peptidases

Significance Vancomycin is a powerful antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria that inhibits cell-wall synthesis by binding with high affinity to peptidoglycan precursors. Resistance to vancomycin is due to acquisition of operons encoding, among other enzymes, the zinc-dependent d,d-peptidases VanX, VanY, or VanXY, which catalyze the removal of the drug targets. Structural characterization of VanXY elucidates the molecular basis of their specificity toward vancomycin-susceptible precursors and explains the dual function of VanXY. These studies highlight the striking plasticity of peptidoglycan-modifying enzymes to evolve to antibiotic resistance proteins. They also provide the molecular framework for development of d,d-peptidase inhibitors that may help to curb vancomycin resistance. Vancomycin resistance in Gram-positive bacteria is due to production of cell-wall precursors ending in d-Ala-d-Lac or d-Ala-d-Ser, to which vancomycin exhibits low binding affinities, and to the elimination of the high-affinity precursors ending in d-Ala-d-Ala. Depletion of the susceptible high-affinity precursors is catalyzed by the zinc-dependent d,d-peptidases VanX and VanY acting on dipeptide (d-Ala-d-Ala) or pentapeptide (UDP-MurNac-l-Ala-d-Glu-l-Lys-d-Ala-d-Ala), respectively. Some of the vancomycin resistance operons encode VanXY d,d-carboxypeptidase, which hydrolyzes both di- and pentapeptide. The molecular basis for the diverse specificity of Van d,d-peptidases remains unknown. We present the crystal structures of VanXYC and VanXYG in apo and transition state analog-bound forms and of VanXYC in complex with the d-Ala-d-Ala substrate and d-Ala product. Structural and biochemical analysis identified the molecular determinants of VanXY dual specificity. VanXY residues 110–115 form a mobile cap over the catalytic site, whose flexibility is involved in the switch between di- and pentapeptide hydrolysis. Structure-based alignment of the Van d,d-peptidases showed that VanY enzymes lack this element, which promotes binding of the penta- rather than that of the dipeptide. The structures also highlight the molecular basis for selection of d-Ala–ending precursors over the modified resistance targets. These results illustrate the remarkable adaptability of the d,d-peptidase fold in response to antibiotic pressure via evolution of specific structural elements that confer hydrolytic activity against vancomycin-susceptible peptidoglycan precursors.
Evaluation of Cirrus Cloud Properties Derived from MODIS Data Using Cloud Properties Derived from Ground-Based Observations Collected at the ARM SGP Site

Abstract The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board the NASA Terra satellite has been collecting global data since March 2000 and the one on the Aqua satellite since June 2002. In this paper, cirrus cloud properties derived from ground-based remote sensing data are compared with similar cloud properties derived from MODIS data on Terra. To improve the space–time correlation between the satellite and ground-based observations, data from a wind profiler are used to define the cloud advective streamline along which the comparisons are made. In this paper, approximately two dozen cases of cirrus are examined and a statistical approach to the comparison that relaxes the requirement that clouds occur over the ground-based instruments during the overpass instant is explored. The statistical comparison includes 168 cloudy MODIS overpasses of the Southern Great Plains (SGP) region and approximately 300 h of ground-based cirrus observations. The physical and radiative properties of cloud lay.
Musical expertise induces neuroplasticity of the planum temporale

The present manuscript summarizes and discusses the implications of recent neuroimaging studies, which have investigated the relationship between musical expertise and structural, as well as functional, changes in an auditory‐related association cortex, namely, the planum temporale (PT). Since the bilateral PT is known to serve as a spectrotemporal processor that supports perception of acoustic modulations in both speech and music, it comes as no surprise that musical expertise corresponds to functional sensitivity and neuroanatomical changes in cortical architecture. In this context, we focus on the following question: To what extent does musical expertise affect the functioning of the left and right plana temporalia? We discuss the relationship between behavioral, hemodynamic, and neuroanatomical data obtained from musicians in light of maturational and developmental issues. In particular, we introduce two studies of our group that show to what extent brains of musicians are more proficient in phonetic task performance.
Parkinson’s Is Time on Your Side? Evidence for Difficulties with Sensorimotor Synchronization

There is lack of consistent evidence as to how well PD patients are able to accurately time their movements across space with an external acoustic signal. For years, research based on the finger-tapping paradigm, the most popular paradigm for exploring the brain’s ability to time movement, has provided strong evidence that patients are not able to accurately reproduce an isochronous interval [i.e., Ref. (1)]. This was undermined by Spencer and Ivry (2) who suggested a specific deficit in temporal control linked to emergent, rhythmical movement not event-based actions, which primarily involve the cerebellum. In this study, we investigated motor timing of seven idiopathic PD participants in event-based sensorimotor synchronization task. Participants were asked to move their finger horizontally between two predefined target zones to synchronize with the occurrence of two sound events at two time intervals (1.5 and 2.5 s). The width of the targets and the distance between them were manipulated to investigate impact of accuracy demands and movement amplitude on timing performance. The results showed that participants with PD demonstrated specific difficulties when trying to accurately synchronize their movements to a beat. The extent to which their ability to synchronize movement was compromised was found to be related to the severity of PD, but independent of the spatial constraints of the task.
Active RNA Polymerase I of Trypanosoma brucei Harbors a Novel Subunit Essential for Transcription

ABSTRACT A unique characteristic of the protistan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is a multifunctional RNA polymerase I which, in addition to synthesizing rRNA as in other eukaryotes, transcribes gene units encoding the major cell surface antigens variant surface glycoprotein and procyclin. Thus far, purification of this enzyme has revealed nine orthologues of known subunits but no active enzyme. Here, we have epitope tagged the specific subunit RPB6z and tandem affinity purified RNA polymerase I from crude extract. The purified enzyme was active in both a nonspecific and a promoter-dependent transcription assay and exhibited enriched protein bands with apparent sizes of 31, 29, and 27 kDa. p31 and its trypanosomatid orthologues were identified, but their amino acid sequences have no similarity to proteins of other eukaryotes, nor do they contain a conserved sequence motif. Nevertheless, p31 cosedimented with purified RNA polymerase I, and RNA interferance-mediated silencing of p31 was lethal, affecting the abundance of rRNA. Moreover, extract of p31-silenced cells exhibited a specific defect in transcription of class I templates, which was remedied by the addition of purified RNA polymerase I, and an anti-p31 serum completely blocked RNA polymerase I-mediated transcription. We therefore dubbed this novel functional component of T. brucei RNA polymerase I TbRPA31.