Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toxicity Assessment of Carbon Nanomaterials in Zebrafish during Development

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) are increasingly employed in nanomedicine as carriers for intracellular transport of drugs, imaging probes, and therapeutics agents, thanks to their unique optical and physicochemical properties. However, a better understanding about the effects of CNMs on a vertebrate model at the whole animal level is required. In this study, we compare the toxicity of oxidized carbon nano-onions (oxi-CNOs), oxidized carbon nano-horns (oxi-CNHs) and graphene oxide (GO) in zebrafish (Danio rerio). We evaluate the possible effects of these nanomaterials on zebrafish development by assessing different end-points and exposure periods.
Temperature-Dependent Requirement for Catalase in Aerobic Growth of Listeria monocytogenes F2365

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, psychrotrophic, facultative intracellular food-borne pathogen responsible for severe illness (listeriosis). The bacteria can grow in a wide range of temperatures (1 to 45°C), and low-temperature growth contributes to the food safety hazards associated with contamination of ready-to-eat foods with this pathogen. To assess the impact of oxidative stress responses on the ability of L. monocytogenes to grow at low temperatures and to tolerate repeated freeze-thaw stress (cryotolerance), we generated and characterized a catalase-deficient mutant of L. monocytogenes F2365 harboring a mariner-based transposon insertion in the catalase gene (kat). When grown aerobically on blood-free solid medium, the kat mutant exhibited impaired growth, with the extent of impairment increasing with decreasing temperature, and no growth was detected at 4°C. Aerobic growth in liquid was impaired at 4°C, especially under aeration, but not at higher temperatures (10, 25, or 37°C). Genetic complementation of the mutant with the intact kat restored normal growth, confirming that inactivation of this gene was responsible for the growth impairment. In spite of the expected impact of oxidative stress responses on cryotolerance, cryotolerance of the kat mutant was not affected.
Switching controller for stabilization of linear systems with switched time-varying delays

This paper considers interval time-varying delay systems with delayed estimation of the delay. This case is often encountered in the Networked Control Systems (NCS) field. Based on Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional methods and linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques, a switching state feedback controller is designed to guarantee the exponential stability. The controller switches according to the measured time-delay which is itself delayed. The global stability of the switching closed loop is guaranteed if some dwell time conditions are satisfied.
ERP Evidence for Flexible Adjustment of Retrieval Orientation and Its Influence on Familiarity

The assumption was tested that familiarity memory as indexed by a mid-frontal ERP old–new effect is modulated by retrieval orientation. A randomly cued category-based versus exemplar-specific recognition memory test, requiring flexible adjustment of retrieval orientation, was conducted. Results show that the mid-frontal ERP old–new effect is sensitive to the manipulation of study-test congruency—that is, whether the same object is repeated identically or a different category exemplar is presented at test. Importantly, the effect pattern depends on subjects' retrieval orientation. With a specific orientation, only same items elicited an early old–new effect (same > different = new), whereas in the general condition, the old–new effect was graded (same > different > new). This supports the view that both perceptual and conceptual processes can contribute to familiarity memory and demonstrates that the rather automatic process of familiarity is not only data driven but influenced by top–down retrieval orientation, which subjects are able to adjust on a flexible basis.
Critical psychology : voices for change

Acknowledgements Contributors Editor's Introduction Of Rainbows and Differences E.Sampson Critical Psychology in the Mainstream: A Struggle for Survival J.M. Ussher The Critical Psychology Project: Transforming Society and Transforming Psychology D. Fox Practising Critical Psychology Within a British Psychology Department W.Hollway Reflecting On Who We Are in a Technological World E. Schraube In Praise of Unclean Things: Critical Psychology, Diversity and Disruption S.Frosh Bridging Agency, Theory, and Action: Critical Links in Critical Psychology I.Prilleltensky Reflections on Critical Psychology: Psychology of Memory and Forgetting E.Lira Critical Psychology: A Sub-Saharan African Voice B.Nsamenang Connection With Difference: Being Critical in a Postmodern World J.Morss Critical Psychology, Subjectivity, and the Politics of a Lost Signifier K.Ror Malone A Central American Voice I.Dobles Critical Psychology as Critical Vision E.O'Sullivan Critically Speaking: 'Is it Critical? ' Discourse Unit To Overturn all Circumstances in Which the Human is a Degraded, a Subjugated, a Forsaken, a Contemptible Being T.Teo 'Is Doing Good Just Enough? ' Enabling Practice in a Disabling Discipline N.Drew, C.Sonn, B. Bishop, N.Contos My Postmodern Path to a Critical Psychology L.Shawver Thinking Critically About Psychology J.Kaye Critical Psychology or Critique of Psychology? Colectivo Contrapsicologico Esquicie The Critical Psychology of Everyday Life B.Duarte Esgalhado Epilogue Bibliography Index
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations With Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging

BACKGROUND:Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) can be sporadic or inherited, the latter characterized by multiple lesions. Novel imaging sequences have increased the sensitivity of detecting multiple CCMs. OBJECTIVE:To compare T2-weighted gradient echo (T2*GRE) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) sequences in familial and sporadic CCM to assess their respective sensitivity. METHODS:This prospective study included 23 consecutive cases grouped as multifocal/familial CCMs (n = 14), solitary/clustered sporadic CCMs with developmental venous anomaly (n = 8), and postirradiation CCMs (n = 1). Brain magnetic resonance imaging included T2*GRE and SWI sequences. Two radiologists independently counted the number of lesions on each sequence. The difference in the number of lesions on both sequences was compared, and interobserver agreement was evaluated. RESULTS:In multifocal/familial cases, a mean of 34.7 lesions were detected on T2*GRE and 66.9 on SWI (P = .001). The difference of lesion prevalence with the 2 techniques was significant (P = .006), with strong interobserver correlation for the T2*GRE sequence (P < .001) and SWI sequence (P < .001). Patients with solitary/clustered sporadic CCMs, including those associated with venous anomaly, had no difference in lesion prevalence in the 2 sequences. CONCLUSION:SWI is more sensitive than T2*GRE in detecting CCM in multifocal/familial CCMs. Among cases classified as solitary/clustered with conventional imaging, including those associated with venous anomaly, the SWI did not impart additional sensitivity or reveal occult lesions not evident on T2*GRE sequence. No case was changed from the solitary/clustered to the multifocal clinical category because of SWI.
The Diagnosis and Treatment of Optic Neuritis.

BACKGROUND Typical optic neuritis is often the presenting manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Its incidence in central Europe is 5 cases per 100 000 persons per year. METHODS This review is based on articles retrieved by a selective search of the PubMed database, on the pertinent guidelines, and on the authors' clinical experience. RESULTS The diagnosis of optic neuritis is based on a constellation of symptoms and signs. The onset is usually with pain on eye movement in one eye and subacute visual loss. In unilateral optic neuritis, the direct pupillary light reflex is weaker in the affected eye. One-third of patients with optic neuritis have a mildly edematous optic disc. The visual disturbance resolves in 95% of cases. A less favorable course may be evidence of neuromyelitis optica, and macular involvement may be evidence of neuroretinitis. High-dosed intravenous methylprednisolone therapy speeds recovery but does not improve the final outcome. The risk that a patient with optic neuritis will later develop multiple sclerosis can be assessed with an MRI scan of the brain. CONCLUSION Optic neuritis is easy to distinguish from otherv diseases affecting the optic nerve. Atypical forms of this disease and other optic nerve diseases require special treatment. For patients judged to be at high risk of developing multiple sclerosis, immune prophylaxis with beta- interferon or glatiramer acetate is recommended.
Evidence based cardiology: psychosocial factors in the aetiology and prognosis of coronary heart disease. Systematic review of prospective cohort studies.

Do psychosocial factors cause coronary heart disease or affect survival among patients with coronary heart disease? Here we use an explicit methodological quality filter to review systematically the prospective cohort studies testing specific psychosocial hypotheses. This review of the epidemiological literature identifies the psychosocial factors that have been most rigorously tested. Only four psychosocial factors met the quality filter: type A/hostility, depression and anxiety, work characteristics, and social supports. The importance of other study designs—for example, ecological1 or nested case-control2–4 studies—is acknowledged. The review should be seen as complementary to existing reviews5–8 on single psychosocial factors and as a challenge to investigators in the field to ensure that the systematic review is made unbiased, kept up to date, and used to guide future hypothesis testing. #### Summary points In healthy populations, prospective cohort studies show a possible aetiological role for type A/hostility (6/14 studies), depression and anxiety (11/11 studies), psychosocial work characteristics (6/10 studies), social support (5/8 studies) In populations of patients with coronary heart disease, prospective studies show a prognostic role for depression and anxiety (6/6 studies), psychosocial work characteristics (1/2 studies), and social support (9/10 studies); none of five studies showed a prognostic role for type A/hostility Although this review can not discount the possibility of publication bias, prospective cohort studies provide strong evidence that psychosocial factors, particularly depression and social support, are independent aetiological and prognostic factors for coronary heart disease A psychosocial factor may be defined as a measurement that potentially relates psychological phenomena to the social environment and to pathophysiological changes. The validity and reliability (precision) of the questionnaire based instruments used to measure psychosocial factors has been improved through the use of psychometric techniques. By avoiding the unhelpful general term of “stress,” recent work has developed theoretical models—for example, the …
Effects of Impedance Reduction of a Robot for Wrist Rehabilitation on Human Motor Strategies in Healthy Subjects during Pointing Tasks

Studies on human motor control demonstrated the existence of simplifying strategies (namely 'Donders' law') adopted to deal with kinematically redundant motor tasks. In recent research we showed that Donders' law also holds for the human wrist during pointing tasks and that it is heavily perturbed when interacting with a highly back-drivable state-of-the-art rehabilitation robot. We hypothesized that this depends on the excessive mechanical impedance of the pronation/supination (PS) joint of the robot and in this work we analyzed the effects of its reduction. To this end we deployed a basic force control scheme, which minimizes human–robot interaction force. This resulted in a 70% reduction of the inertia in the PS joint, and in decrease of 81 and 78% of the interaction torques during 1- and 3-d.o. f. tasks. To assess the effects on human motor strategies, pointing tasks were performed by three subjects with a lightweight handheld device, interacting with the robot using its standard PD control (setting impedance to zero) and with the force-controlled robot. We quantified Donders' law as two-dimensional surfaces in the three-dimensional configuration space of rotations. Results revealed that the subject-specific features of Donders' surfaces reappeared after the reduction of robot impedance obtained via the force control.
Decreased Functional Connectivity by Aging Is Associated with Cognitive Decline

Aging is related to cognitive decline, and it has been reported that aging disrupts some resting state brain networks. However, most studies have focused on the default mode network and ignored other resting state networks. In this study, we measured resting state activity using fMRI and explored whether cognitive decline with aging is related to disrupted resting state networks. Independent component analysis was used to evaluate functional connectivity. Notably, the connectivity within the salience network that consisted of the bilateral insula and the anterior cingulated cortex decreased with aging; the impairment of functional connectivity was correlated with measured decreases in individual cognitive abilities. Furthermore, certain internetwork connectivities (salience to auditory, default mode to visual, etc.) also decreased with aging. These results suggest that (1) aging affects not only the default mode network but also other networks, specifically the salience network; (2) aging affects internetwork connectivity; and (3) disruption of the salience network is related to cognitive decline in elderly people.
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as a Laboratory to Study Dementia in the Elderly

The steady and dramatic increase in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the lack of effective treatments have stimulated the search for strategies to prevent or delay its onset and/or progression. Since the diagnosis of dementia requires a number of established features that are present when the disease is fully developed, but not always in the early stages, the need for a biological marker has proven to be urgent, in terms of both diagnosis and monitoring of AD. AD has been shown to affect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that are a critical component of the immune system which provide defence against infection. Although studies are continuously supplying additional data that emphasize the central role of inflammation in AD, PBMCs have not been sufficiently investigated in this context. Delineating biochemical alterations in AD blood constituents may prove valuable in identifying accessible footprints that reflect degenerative processes within the Central Nervous System (CNS). In this review, we address the role of biomarkers in AD with a focus on the notion that PBMCs may serve as a peripheral laboratory to find molecular signatures that could aid in differential diagnosis with other forms of dementia and in monitoring of disease progression.
Analyzing touchless hand gestures performance

As part of a Natural User Interface we can use human body gestures, although they must be evaluated to get better results. We can evaluate them using a quantitative model. For this purpose, we begin the gesture analysis of touchless hand gestures with this work. Our analysis is based on significant gesture attributes. From the large number of possible attributes we select the trajectory. We propose to describe the trajectory by using distance units and directions. We then evaluate our proposal with two gesture data sets. We found that the proposal can be used to describe and quantify gesture trajectories. Moreover, we found that well-defined changes of directions (or corners) influence the speed for performing a gesture, thus users need more time to execute the gesture. The proposed method allows a trajectory to be quantified in a simple manner.
Optimization of an NALM Mode-Locked All-PM Er:Fiber Laser System

We present an improved design of a nonlinear amplifier loop mirror (NALM) mode-locked Er-fiber laser system with fiber amplifier and compressor contained in all polarization maintaining fiber architecture. Cooperated with a phase shifter in the NALM, the onset behaviors are investigated by optimizing the laser gain and net-cavity dispersion. As a result, the pulsation threshold is remarkably decreased and as short as 10-ms build-up time is achieved. In addition, with a single-stage bidirectional pumped Er-doped fiber amplifier, the self-started seed pulses of 2.6-mW average power, centered at 1576 nm, are nonlinearly compressed to 42-fs duration with single pulse energy of 2.2 nJ. Moreover, by appropriately optimizing the length of cavity gain and fiber in compressor, 28-fs duration with 3-nJ pulse energy is also achieved from a “morning call” pulse with 1567-nm central wavelength.
Born too small: who survives in the public hospitals in Lilongwe, Malawi?

Objective Malawi has the highest estimated preterm birth rate in the world. The survival rate of these babies is not known. The main objective of this study was to demonstrate the short-term survival of infants with birth weight below 2500 g nursed in Bwaila Hospital, a district hospital, and the tertiary level Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe. The specific objectives were to calculate birth weight specific survival rates, compare the two hospitals regarding the chances of survival and review the use of antenatal corticosteroids. Design 1496 babies were included prospectively in the study between June and November 2012. Survival was defined as discharge from the nursery or postnatal ward. Results Survival was 7% for extremely low birth weight infants, 52% for very low birth weight and 90% for low birth weight (1500–2499 g). There was a marked increase in survival from 1100 g. Survival was significantly higher in KCH only for babies weighing below 1200 g. The majority of deaths occurred within the first 3 days of life. Only 98 of the babies had a mother who had received antenatal corticosteroids. Conclusions With the current resources, we suggest focusing efforts on preventing early neonatal deaths in low birth weight infants above 1100 g in the hospitals in Lilongwe. The coverage of antenatal steroids for mothers at risk of preterm delivery can be improved. Further studies are needed on the quality of the obstetric and neonatal care at the hospitals and how to reduce the high rate of preterm birth in Malawi.
PREY SELECTIVITY IN WELS (Silurus glanis) AND AFRICAN CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus)

Summary The experiments aimed at prey selectivity in two Siluriformes predators — African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, and wels, Silurus glanis, were performed under laboratory conditions. Prey fish (12–22% TL of predator) were submitted to one–year–old African catfish (~220 g) and wels (~150 g) originating from intensive culture, ie with no previous experience with live fish food. In African catfish, negative selectivity (avoidance) was shown for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) whilst rudd(Scardinius erythrophthalmus) and sunbleak (Leucaspius delineatus) were preferred (positive selectivity). The intensity and efficiency of African catfish predation were quite low because its feeding strategy is based rather on prey searching than hunting. Prey fish, wounded and/or dead from its clumsy attacks, were sonsumed preferably overnight. Not one successful attack of African catfish on healthy prey fish was registered. The SGR and FCR of clarias fed live fish were 0.39%. day –1 and 4.73 respectively. In wels, strong negative selectivity (avoidance) was proved for roach (Rutilus rutilus) and topmouth gungeon, and lower avoidance for Prussian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) and chub (Leuciscus cephalus). Asp (Aspius aspius) were found to be low preferred but high preference was shown for sunbleak, rudd and bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus). Both catfishes preferred smaller prey fish during the 10–day experimental period whilst those which remained non–consumed belonged to the mean or above–mean size categories.
Formulation of Novel Layered Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Film Wound Dressings with Ibuprofen for Alleviating Wound Pain

Effective assessment and management of wound pain can facilitate both improvements in healing rates and overall quality of life. From a pharmacological perspective, topical application of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of film wound dressings may be a good choice. Thus, the aim of this work was to develop novel layered film wound dressings containing ibuprofen based on partially substituted fibrous sodium carboxymethylcellulose (nonwoven textile Hcel NaT). To this end, an innovative solvent casting method using a sequential coating technique has been applied. The concentration of ibuprofen which was incorporated as an acetone solution or as a suspension in a sodium carboxymethylcellulose dispersion was 0.5 mg/cm2 and 1.0 mg/cm2 of film. Results showed that developed films had adequate mechanical and swelling properties and an advantageous acidic surface pH for wound application. An in vitro drug release study implied that layered films retained the drug for a longer period of time and thus could minimize the frequency of changing the dressing. Films with suspended ibuprofen demonstrated higher drug content uniformity and superior in vitro drug release characteristics in comparison with ibuprofen incorporation as an acetone solution. Prepared films could be potential wound dressings for the effective treatment of wound pain in low exuding wounds.
Cortical pruning and the development of schizophrenia.

Hoffman and Dobscha's paper (1989) on "Cortical Pruning and the Development of Schizophrenia: A Computer Model" overlooked some earlier discussions of this possibility. I presented a similar hypothesis at the 1981 meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), which was later published in short form in the Psychopharmacology Bulletin (Feinberg 1982). An extended treatment of these issues, including a summary of evidence indicating that profound changes in brain physiology and function take place much later in life than had previously been thought, was published shortly afterward (Feinberg 1982/1983). A relation of cerebral metabolic rate to synaptic density, attributed by Hoffman and Dobscha to Phelps and Chugani (1988), was also suggested in these earlier papers (see also Feinberg 1988 and reply from Chugani et al. 1988). Hoffman and Dobscha propose that if a defect in synaptic pruning causes schizophrenia, it is likely to be "overzealous" pruning that is involved. They then construct a computer model to show that, given certain assumptions, excessive pruning could cause disturbances of thinking. However, I would not yet foreclose the alternative possibilities that, "as a result of some abnormality in this [regressive] process, too many, too few or the wrong synapses are eliminated. " I believe it is still the case that "we have no basis to choose among these possibilities" (Feinberg 1982/1983, p. 331). Although Hoffman and Dobscha's computer simulation shows that an overpruned neural net leads to schizophrenia-type aberrations, one could write other computer programs, containing different assumptions, in which elimination of the "wrong" synapses or of an insufficient number of synapses would give rise to metabolic abnormalities and behavioral symptoms. I do not believe that low rates of frontal blood flow and metabolism ("hypofrontality") compel the conclusion that excessive pruning has occurred. Such low rates could come about through elimination of the wrong or of too few synapses, which might lead to faulty shunting or diffusion of neural activity.