Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Electrophysiological Dynamics of Interference during the Stroop Task

If subjects are required to name the color of the word red printed in blue ink, interference between word meaning and ink color occurs, which slows down reaction time. This effect is well known as the Stroop effect. It is still an unresolved issue how the brain deals with interference in this type of task. To explore this question, an electroencephalogram (EEG) study was carried out. By analyzing several measures of EEG activity, two main findings emerged. First, the event-related potential (ERP) showed increased fronto-central negativity in a time window around 400 msec for incongruent items in contrast to congruent and neutral items. Source localization analysis revealed that a source in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) contributed most to the difference. Second, time-frequency analysis showed that theta oscillations (47 Hz) in the ACC increased linearly with increasing interference and that phase coupling between the ACC and the left prefrontal cortex was longer persistent for incongruent items compared to congruent and neutral items. These effects occurred at a time window around 600 msec. We conclude that interference between color naming and word meaning in the Stroop task manifests itself at around 400 msec and mainly activates the ACC. Thereafter, sustained phase coupling between the ACC and the prefrontal cortex occurs, which most likely reflects the engagement of cognitive control mechanisms.
The Mycoplasma-Derived Macrophage-Activating 2-Kilodalton Lipopeptide Triggers Global Immune Activation on Nasal Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissues

ABSTRACT A better knowledge on how immune responses are initiated in mucosal tissues would facilitate the design of new mucosal vaccines, as well as improve our understanding on host defense against infection. We investigated the mechanisms of adjuvanticity of the Mycoplasma-derived macrophage-activating 2-kDa lipopeptide (MALP-2), which binds to the heterodimer formed by the Toll-like receptors 2 and 6 (TLR2 and -6), at the level of the murine nasal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (NALT). TLR2 expression analysis demonstrated that several cell types from the nasal cavity were able to overexpress this receptor, either constitutively (such as B cells) or after stimulation (i.e., T cells). MALP-2 stimulated a strong B-cell activation. In addition, the antigen presentation capacity of dendritic cells was improved after in vivo loading with antigen in the presence of MALP-2. We also observed an up-regulated expression of activation markers and adhesion molecules on T cells, suggesting that they have enhanced responsiveness and interaction potential. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that MALP-2 administration resulted in the stimulation of a proinflammatory cascade. We observed an early up-regulated expression of IP-10, MCP-1, MCP-3, MIP-1α, MIP-2, and CCR-2 which was reversed within 36 h. The obtained results demonstrated that MALP-2 creates a reversible local microenvironment which promotes effective priming of T and B cells in the NALT.
Arms Transfers and Stability in the Developing World: A Causal Model

In recent years, several studies have emerged that seek to understand the nature, scope, and significance of arms transfers in the post-Cold War period. A common theme throughout this literature is the assertion that the collapse of the Soviet Union gave birth to a globalized, commercialized US arms industry dependent upon exports to the developing world in order to survive. Using pooled time-series data, this study tests this assertion via PraisWinsten panel-corrected standard errors regression. The relationship between such transfers and stability in the developing world is also explored. Using a nonrecursive simultaneous equation model, a new measure of stability is constructed accounting for political, economic and social indicators of stability. The study concludes that the global arms trade has been commercialized and that US producers are increasingly targeting countries in the developing world. Arms transfers are also seen to have a negative relationship to stability, as well as lead to lower levels of democracy in the importing state. These results are discussed with reference to US national security and the stated goals of American foreign policy.
Frequency of Neurological Disorders in Bullous Pemphigoid Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering skin disorder which occurs mostly in the elderly. Several studies have reported an association between BP and neurological disorders (ND). Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between BP and neurological disorders in Iranian patients. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 87 patients with BP were enrolled. They were compared to 184 controls. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS statistical software version 19. Results Out of 87 patients with BP, 17 (19.5%) had at least one neurological disease. Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) was the most common neurological disease that was seen in 7 patients (8.0%) in the case group and 4 (2.1%) in the control group. The incidence of CVA was significantly different between BP patients and the control group (P = 0.022). Dementia was observed in 6 patients in the case group (16.8%) and 2 (1.0%) in the control group. The incidence of dementia was significantly different between BP patients and the control group (P = 0.008). In this study, the incidences of Parkinson's disease (P = 0.830), epilepsy (P = 0.067), and multiple sclerosis (P = 0.326) were not statistically significant between the two groups. Conclusion The incidence of CVA and dementia in patients with BP compared to the control group was significantly higher.
Hematological Parameters, and Hematopoietic Growth Factors: Epo and IL-3 in Response to Whole-Body Cryostimulation (WBC) in Military Academy Students

The effects of extreme cold on the human body are not fully understood, there are also no reports on the effect of cryogenic temperatures on the levels of erythropoietin (EPO) and interleukin 3 (IL-3), two important factors that regulate hematopoiesis. Aim: determination of changes in peripheral blood cell counts and EPO and IL-3 levels induced by a series of 10, 20 and 30 standard whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) treatments. The study involved 45 men, experimental group (EXP, n = 30) subjected to 30 WBC treatments (−130°C, treatment duration: 3 minutes) and a control group (CON, n = 15). Blood samples were collected before the series of treatments and after 10, 20 and 30 treatments. After 10 and 20 treatments we observed lower red blood cell counts and hematocrit and hemoglobin levels compared to baseline (p<0.05) and the control group (p<0.05). Additionally we observed an increase in hemoglobin concentration in plasma (p<0.05), and bilirubin after 10 and 20 treatments, and a decrease in plasma concentration of haptoglobin after 10, 20 and 30 treatments (p<0.05). The number of leukocytes was higher after 10 and 20 WBC treatments compared to baseline and the CON group. EPO concentration in plasma was elevated and the concentration of IL-3 was lower after 10, 20 and 30 WBC treatments. The decrease in indices of the erythrocytic system, plasma hemoglobin and bilirubin, with a simultaneous decrease in haptoglobin concentrations after 10 and 20 WBC treatments, may be due to increased intravascular hemolysis. At the same time there was a small, but statistically significant increase in the concentration of EPO stimulated erythropoiesis which could facilitate a return of erythrocytic system indices to initial levels after 30 WBC treatments. Changes in the white blood cell system showed transient mobilization of this system under the influence of WBC.
Co-Movement, Spillovers and Excess Returns in Global Bond Markets?

This paper investigates global term structure dynamics using a Bayesian hierarchical factor model augmented with macroeconomic fundamentals. More than half of the variation in bond yields of seven advanced economies is due to global co-movement, which is mainly attributed to shocks to non-fundamentals. Global fundamentals, especially global inflation, affect yields through a ‘policy channel’ and a ‘risk compensation channel’, but the effects through two channels are offset. This evidence explains the unsatisfactory performance of fundamentals-driven term structure models. Our approach delineates asymmetric spillovers in global bond markets connected to diverging monetary policies. The proposed model is robust as identified factors has significant explanatory power of excess returns. The finding that global inflation uncertainty is useful in explaining realized excess returns does not rule out regime changing as a source of non-fundamental fluctuations.
Optimal assigner decisions in a hybrid predictive control of an autonomous vehicle in public traffic

The complex public traffic environment requires an autonomous vehicle to have the ability of planning and executing a sequence of different maneuvers, such as maintaining cruising speed, changing speed to follow a vehicle in front or to lead a vehicle in the rear, and changing a lane when necessary and possible. This paper presents a hierarchical hybrid predictive control framework that integrates the discrete optimization problem of maneuver selection with particle motion-based model predictive trajectory guidance for an autonomous road vehicle. To address the challenge of solving the resulting mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINP) problem efficiently for online implementation, a relaxation method is introduced that transforms the MINP problem into a nonlinear programming problem with improved feasibility for online implementation. The performance of the proposed framework is illustrated via simulations of the autonomous vehicle in highway scenarios.
ACL reconstruction with hamstrings: how different technique and fixation devices influence bone tunnel enlargement.

BACKGROUND Bone tunnel enlargement after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is well documented in the literature. The cause of this tunnel enlargement is unclear, but is thought to be multifactorial, with mechanical and biological factors playing a role. AIM The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate how the different techniques may affect the bone tunnel enlargement and clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-five consecutive patients undergoing ACL reconstruction with autologous doubled semitendinosus and gracilis tendons entered this study. They were randomly assigned to enter group A (In-Out technique, with cortical fixation and Interference screw) and group B (Out-In technique, metal cortical fixation on the femour and tibia). At a mean follow-up of 10 months, all the patients underwent CT scan exam to evaluate the post-operative diameters of both femoral and they underwent tibial tunnels clinical examination after 24 months. RESULTS The mean femoral tunnel diameter increased significantly from 9.05±0.3 mm to 10.01±2.3 mm in group A and from 9.04±0.8 mm to 9.3±1.12 mm in group B. The mean increase in femoral tunnel diameters observed in group A was significantly higher than that observed in group B (p < 0.05) The mean tibial tunnel diameter increased significantly from 9.03±0.04 mm to 10.68±2.5 mm in group A and from 9.04±0.03 mm to 10. ±0.78 mm in group B. The mean increase in tibial tunnel diameters observed in group A was significantly higher than that observed in group B (p < 0.05). No clinical differences were found between two groups and no correlations between clinical and radiological results were found in any patients of both groups. CONCLUSIONS Results of the study suggest that different mechanical fixation devices could influence tunnel widening. The lower stiffness of the fixation devices is probably responsible of the tunnel widening through the fixation devices's micromotions in the femoral and tibial tunnels.
Visual Analytics for the Detection of Anomalous Maritime Behavior

The surveillance of large sea areas often generates huge amounts of multidimensional data. Exploring, analyzing and finding anomalous behavior within this data is a complex task. Confident decisions upon the abnormality of a particular vessel behavior require a certain level of situation awareness that may be difficult to achieve when the operator is overloaded by the available information. Based on a visual analytics process model, we present a novel system that supports the acquisition of situation awareness and the involvement of the user in the anomaly detection process using two layers of interactive visualizations. The system uses an interactive data mining module that supports the insertion of the user's knowledge and experience in the creation, validation and continuous update of the normal model of the environment.
Changes in Photoperiod or Temperature Alter the Functional Relationships between Phytochromes and Reveal Roles for phyD and phyE1

The phytochromes are one of the means via which plants obtain information about their immediate environment and the changing seasons. Phytochromes have important roles in developmental events such as the switch to flowering, the timing of which can be crucial for the reproductive success of the plant. Analysis of phyBmutants has revealed that phyB plays a major role in this process. We have recently shown, however, that the flowering phenotype of thephyB monogenic mutant is temperature dependent. A modest reduction in temperature to 16°C was sufficient to abolish thephyB mutant early-flowering phenotype present at 22°C. Using mutants null for one or more phytochrome species, we have now shown that phyA, phyD, and phyE, play greater roles with respect to phyB in the control of flowering under cooler conditions. This change in the relative contributions of individual phytochromes appears to be important for maintaining control of flowering in response to modest alterations in ambient temperature. We demonstrate that changes in ambient temperature or photoperiod can alter the hierarchy and/or the functional relationships between phytochrome species. These experiments reveal new roles for phyD and phyE and provide valuable insights into how the phytochromes help to maintain development in the natural environment.
Velocity Estimation: Assessing the Performance of Non-Model-Based Techniques

The performance of modern motion control systems is strongly related to the resolution of the position sensor and to the digital filtering algorithm used to estimate the velocity. This brief discusses a systematic approach to analyze and assess the performance of non-model-based estimators. A new methodology for the analytical characterization of the velocity estimation error, both in the time and in the frequency domains, is proposed. A case study illustrates how this methodology can be exploited in the analysis of existing velocity measurement systems and/or in the design of a new one.
Nano-Strip Three-Terminal Superconducting Device for Cryogenic Detector Readout

A superconducting 3-terminal device based on NbN ultra-thin nano-strips has been realized. The device is capable of pulse discrimination and shaping and provides power gain with standard 50 Ω input and output impedance. It operates at 4.2 K and is well suited for the realization of output interfaces for superconducting digital circuits and as readout of cryogenic detectors. Successful realization of the integrated readout of a nano-strip single photon detectors is reported.
On Ultrametric Algorithmic Information

How best to quantify the information of an object, whether natural or artifact, is a problem of wide interest. A related problem is the computability of an object. We present practical examples of a new way to address this problem. By giving an appropriate representation to our objects, based on a hierarchical coding of information, we exemplify how it is remarkably easy to compute complex objects. Our algorithmic complexity is related to the length of the class of objects, rather than to the length of the object.
Cutting Edge: IL-2 Is Critically Required for the In Vitro Activation of CD4+CD25+ T Cell Suppressor Function

CD4+CD25+ T cells are potent immunoregulatory cells that suppress TCR-induced proliferation of CD4 and CD8 T cells in vitro by a cell contact-dependent mechanism. Addition of IL-2 or anti-CD28 abrogates CD4+CD25+-mediated suppression of proliferation and has been assumed to “break suppression. ” We examined IL-2 mRNA by quantitative PCR in cocultures of mouse CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25− T cells. Although IL-2 gene transcription was inhibited in the presence or absence of exogenous IL-2, the addition of anti-CD28 stimulated endogenous IL-2 production. Surprisingly, transcription of IL-2 mRNA was also restored in the cocultures in the presence of anti-IL-2. These results are most compatible with a model in which CD4+CD25+ T cells do not suppress the initial activation of CD4+CD25− T cells, but mediate their suppressive effects following production of IL-2 by the responder cells resulting in both the expansion of the CD4+CD25+ T cells and the induction of their suppressor function.
Effects on Insulin Action of Adding Low-Dose Thiazide to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor in Essential Hypertension

Concern exists regarding adverse metabolic effects of antihypertensive agents. In the United States, diuretics are recommended first-line but additional agents, usually angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, are often required to meet blood pressure targets. We have previously shown that the combination of low-dose diuretic with an ACE inhibitor has detrimental effects on insulin action compared with ACE inhibitor alone in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients. Our aim was to establish whether similar effects occur in nondiabetic hypertensive patients using this combination. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover design was used. After a 6-week run-in, when regular antihypertensive medications were withdrawn and placebo substituted, patients received captopril 50 mg twice daily with either bendroflumethiazide 1.25 mg (CB) or placebo (CP) for 12 weeks with a 6-week wash-out between treatments. Insulin action was assessed by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp after the 6-week run-in and at the end of each treatment period. There were no differences between treatments in fasting glucose or insulin concentrations. Glucose infusion rates required to maintain euglycemia were the same with each treatment (CP 22.1±2.2 vs CB 22.2±2.2 &mgr;mol/kg per minute). There was no difference in endogenous glucose production in the basal state (CP 8.9±0.5 vs CB 9.5±0.7 &mgr;mol/kg per minute; P=0.23) or during hyperinsulinemia (CP 2.2±0.6 vs CB 1.5±0.3 &mgr;mol/kg per minute; P=0.30). In contrast to the situation in type 2 diabetes mellitus, ACE inhibitor combined with low-dose thiazide diuretic does not adversely affect insulin action when compared with ACE inhibitor alone in nondiabetic hypertensive patients.
Repeat microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm

Objective: To report our experience with repeat microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) in patients who have failed their first operation. Methods: The authors describe 41 redo MVDs for HFS in 36 patients performed over a 3 year period. Seven patients underwent early re-operation after an aborted seventh nerve decompression. Eight patients underwent early re-operation for clinical failure. Eighteen patients underwent late re-operation for spasm recurrence long after their original MVD. Eight MVDs were performed on patients who had already undergone at least two prior operations. Results: Twenty four patients experienced complete spasm resolution (70.6%), eight patients had near total resolution (23.5%), and two patients failed re-operation (5.9%). Two patients were lost to follow up (5.6%). A favourable outcome was reported by 82.4% of patients at a mean follow up interval of 18 months. A total of 91.7% of patients 50 years of age or younger were cured at follow up versus 59.1% of patients older than 50 (p = 0.04). Patients undergoing early re-operation were significantly more likely to be cured or improved than patients undergoing late re-operation (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Repeat MVD for HFS is effective in experienced hands. Younger patients respond better to repeat MVD. Late repeat MVD for HFS is a reasonable treatment option, although results are less favourable than for early re-operation.
Hippocampal Atrophy and Ventricular Enlargement in Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia worldwide. Hippocampal atrophy and ventricular enlargement have been associated with AD but also with normal aging. We analyzed 1.5-T brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 46 cognitively normal elderly individuals (NC), 33 mild cognitive impairment and 43 AD patients. Hippocampal and ventricular analyses were conducted with 2 novel semiautomated segmentation approaches followed by the radial distance mapping technique. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the effects of age and diagnosis on hippocampal and ventricular volumes and radial distance. In addition, 3-dimensional map correction for multiple comparisons was made with permutation testing. As expected, most significant hippocampal atrophy and ventricular enlargement were seen in the AD versus NC comparison. Mild cognitive impairment patients showed intermediate levels of hippocampal atrophy and ventricular enlargement. Significant effects of age on hippocampal volume and radial distance were seen in the pooled sample and in the NC and AD groups considered separately. Age-associated differences were detected in all hippocampal subfields and in the frontal and body/occipital horn portions of the lateral ventricles. Aging affects both the hippocampus and lateral ventricles independent of AD pathology, and should be included as covariate in all structural, hippocampal, and ventricular analyses when possible.
Clinical studies in lysosomal storage diseases

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) consist of over 40 diseases, some of which are amenable to treatment. In this review, we consider the regulatory context in which LSDs studies are performed, highlight design specificities and explore operational challenges. Orphan drug legislations, both in Europe and US, were effective to stimulate LSDs drug development. However, regulators flexibilities toward approval vary leading to global discrepancies in access to treatments. Study designs are constrained because few patients can be studied. This implies LSDs treatments need to demonstrate large levels of clinical efficacy. If not, an appropriate level of evidence is difficult to achieve. While biomarkers could address this issue, none have been truly accepted as primary outcome. Enrichment of study population can increase the chance of success, especially with clinical outcomes. Adaptive designs are operationally challenging. Innovative methods of analysis can be used, notably using a patient as his/her own control and responder analysis. The use of extension phases and patient registries as a source of historical comparison can facilitate data interpretation. Operationally, few patients are available per centers and multiple centers need to be initiated in multiple countries. This impacts time-lines and budget. In the future, regulators flexibility will be essential to provide patients access to innovative treatments.