Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dysregulated Editing of Serotonin 2C Receptor mRNAs Results in Energy Dissipation and Loss of Fat Mass

RNA editing that converts adenosine to inosine replaces the gene-encoded Ile, Asn, and Ile (INI) of serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] receptor 2C (5-HT2CR) with Val, Gly, and Val (VGV). Up to 24 different 5-HT2CR isoforms are detected in different brain regions (Burns et al., 1997; Fitzgerald et al., 1999; Wang et al., 2000). To elucidate the physiological significance of 5-HT2CR mRNA editing, we derived mutant mouse lines harboring a knock-in INI or VGV allele, resulting in sole expression of one of two extremely different editing isoforms 5-HT2CR-INI (editing blocked) or -VGV (fully edited). Although INI mice grew normally, VGV mice had a severely reduced fat mass, despite compensatory hyperphagia, as a result of constitutive activation of the sympathetic nervous system and increased energy expenditure. Furthermore, serotonergic neurotransmission was oversensitized in VGV mice, most likely because of the increased cell surface expression of VGV receptors. Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) regulates energy homeostasis (Balthasar et al., 2005; Heisler et al., 2006; Lam et al., 2008), and Mc4r−/− mice are obese because of hyperphagia and reduced energy expenditure (Huszar et al., 1997). However, the elevated energy expenditure of VGV mice could not be rescued in the Mc4r−/− background, indicating the presence of a distinct signaling pathway mediated via 5-HT2CR-VGV that dominates the MC4R-dependent pathway in control of energy expenditure. Our results highlight the importance of regulated 5-HT2CR mRNA editing, because dysregulation could result in the pathological consequences such as growth retardation seen in VGV mice.
Overland flow modelling with the Shallow Water Equation using a well balanced numerical scheme: Adding efficiency or just more complexity?

Overland flow is a key process when considering sediment transfers and the redistribution of soils nutrients and chemicals. To develop and improve watershed and agricultural land management, it is essential to understand and correctly predict the flow location and the effects of surface morphology (topography, roughness) or soil properties (friction, infiltration capacity. . . ) on this process. To reflect complexity of the involved phenomena and spatial heterogeneity of soils factors, several modelling approaches, characterized with different resolution methods and different simplifications of the shallow water system (or Saint-Venant equations), have been developed. This study aims at comparing the predictive abilities of different models and evaluating the advantages of using a numerical scheme more complex. For this comparison, 3 codes have been elaborated: i) a first resolving shallow water equations with a well-balanced finite volume method, ii) a second which resolves shallow water equations with a MacCormack finite difference method and iii) a third which resolves the kinematic waves model with a finite volume method. To underline their main strengths and weak points, those three codes have been compared on different test cases. We have observed that, for cases with relatively simple configurations all the models give similar results, whereas in cases of more heterogeneous spatial configurations we have to make the resolution method more complex to obtain better results. When modelling at coarse resolution, i.e. when the model grid resolution is higher that the resolution at which processes occur, simple numerical methods may be sufficient.
Are Leadership Fairness, Psychological Distress, and Role Stressors Interrelated? A Two-Wave Prospective Study of Forward and Reverse Relationships

While previous research has mainly considered leadership as an antecedent to psychological distress and role stressors (i.e., role ambiguity and role conflict) among subordinates, a reverse relationship where these variables influence reports of leadership is also possible. To determine the directionality of the associations this two-wave prospective study assesses bidirectional relationships between fair leadership and role stressors and examines whether psychological distress mediates the reciprocal associations between fair leadership and the role stressors. Analyses were conducted in a sample of 6,790 Norwegian employees with a 2-year time-lag between measurement points. Fair leadership was associated with lower stability adjusted role ambiguity, but not role conflict, over time. Role conflict, but not role ambiguity, was related to subsequent reports of the immediate leader as less fair. Psychological distress did neither mediate the relationship between fair leadership and subsequent reports of role stressors, nor the association between role stressors and subsequent reports of fair leadership. The findings suggest that the fair leadership – role stressor association is not a one-directional process, but that exposure to role stressors also influence subordinates’ perceptions of leadership. An implication of the findings is that theoretical models of organizational leadership should include this reverse impact of role stressors. To reduce the effects of role stressors, organizations could set consistent, clear and attractive goals and provide employees with necessary information for conducting their work tasks in order to help workers understand and master their roles at the workplace.
An artificial neural network based approach for sentiment analysis of opinionated text

The Internet and Web 2.0 social media have emerged as an important medium for expressing sentiments, opinions, evaluations, and reviews. Sentiment analysis or opinion mining is becoming an open research domain due to the abundance of discussion forums, Weblogs, e-commerce portals, social networking and content sharing sites where people tend to express their opinions. Sentiment Analysis involves classifying text documents based on the opinion expressed being positive or negative about a given topic. This paper proposes a sentiment classification model using back-propagation artificial neural network (BPANN). Information Gain and three popular sentiment lexicons are used to extract sentiment representing features that are then used to train and test the BPANN. This novel approach combines the strength of BPANN in classification accuracy with utilizing intrinsic domain knowledge available in the sentiment lexicons. The results obtained on the movie-review corpora have shown that the proposed approach has been able to reduce dimensionality, while producing accurate sentiment based classification of text.
Interfacial Adhesion Characteristics of Kenaf Fibres Subjected to Different Polymer Matrices and Fibre Treatments

This study is aimed at determining the interfacial adhesion strength (IAS) of kenaf fibres using different chemical treatments in hydrochloric (HCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with different concentrations. Single fibre pullout tests (SFPT) were carried out for both untreated and treated fibres partially embedded into three different polymer matrices; polyester, epoxy, and polyurethane (PU) as reinforcement blocks and tested under dry loading conditions. The study revealed that kenaf fibres treated with 6% NaOH subjected to polyester, epoxy, and PU matrices exhibits excellent IAS while poor in acidic treatment. The effect of SFPT results was mainly attributed to chemical composition of the fibres, types of fibre treatments, and variation in resin viscosities. By scanning electron microscopy examination of the material failure morphology, the fibres experienced brittle and ductile fibre breakage mechanisms after treatment with acidic and alkaline solutions.
Definitive Management of Failure After Pyeloplasty.

INTRODUCTION Failure after pyeloplasty is difficult to manage. We report our experience managing pyeloplasty failures. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the case log of a single surgeon, from August 1996 to August 2014, to identify all patients undergoing a surgical procedure after failed pyeloplasty. We excluded patients without follow-up exceeding 1 year from initial postpyeloplasty procedure. Failure was defined as a need for additional definitive intervention. RESULTS Of 247 laparoscopic pyeloplasties, 68 endopyelotomies and 305 simple laparoscopic nephrectomies reviewed, 41 were performed after previous pyeloplasty and had sufficient follow-up. Laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed in nine patients. All three secondary laparoscopic pyeloplasties were successful. Of 29 secondary endopyelotomies, 10 (34%) were successful. Of the 19 failures after secondary endopyelotomy, 12 patients had tertiary pyeloplasty (5 laparoscopic and 7 open surgical), 5 (26%) underwent tertiary endopyelotomy, and 2 (11%) required nephrectomy. Our overall endopyelotomy success rate was 38% (13/34) vs 100% (11/11) for secondary or tertiary pyeloplasty (4 patients lost to follow-up). Median time to failure was 5 months for endopyelotomy. Median follow-up for patients free from intervention was 40.2 months. CONCLUSIONS Secondary pyeloplasty (including both laparoscopic and open surgical approach) is more than twice as successful as endopyelotomy after failed pyeloplasty. Secondary pyeloplasty is an excellent alternative to endopyelotomy in select patients with failure after initial pyeloplasty.
Novel Role for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Receptor-1 and Its Ligand VEGF-B in Motor Neuron Degeneration

Although vascular endothelial growth factor-B (VEGF-B) is a homolog of the angiogenic factor VEGF, it has only minimal angiogenic activity, raising the question of whether this factor has other (more relevant) biological properties. Intrigued by the possibility that VEGF family members affect neuronal cells, we explored whether VEGF-B might have a role in the nervous system. Here, we document that the 60 kDa VEGF-B isoform, VEGF-B186, is a neuroprotective factor. VEGF-B186 protected cultured primary motor neurons against degeneration. Mice lacking VEGF-B also developed a more severe form of motor neuron degeneration when intercrossed with mutant SOD1 mice. The in vitro and in vivo effects of VEGF-B186 were dependent on the tyrosine kinase activities of its receptor, Flt1, in motor neurons. When delivered intracerebroventricularly, VEGF-B186 prolonged the survival of mutant SOD1 rats. Compared with a similar dose of VEGF, VEGF-B186 was safer and did not cause vessel growth or blood–brain barrier leakiness. The neuroprotective activity of VEGF-B, in combination with its negligible angiogenic/permeability activity, offers attractive opportunities for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Rhythms of Consciousness: Binocular Rivalry Reveals Large-Scale Oscillatory Network Dynamics Mediating Visual Perception

Consciousness has been proposed to emerge from functionally integrated large-scale ensembles of gamma-synchronous neural populations that form and dissolve at a frequency in the theta band. We propose that discrete moments of perceptual experience are implemented by transient gamma-band synchronization of relevant cortical regions, and that disintegration and reintegration of these assemblies is time-locked to ongoing theta oscillations. In support of this hypothesis we provide evidence that (1) perceptual switching during binocular rivalry is time-locked to gamma-band synchronizations which recur at a theta rate, indicating that the onset of new conscious percepts coincides with the emergence of a new gamma-synchronous assembly that is locked to an ongoing theta rhythm; (2) localization of the generators of these gamma rhythms reveals recurrent prefrontal and parietal sources; (3) theta modulation of gamma-band synchronization is observed between and within the activated brain regions. These results suggest that ongoing theta-modulated-gamma mechanisms periodically reintegrate a large-scale prefrontal-parietal network critical for perceptual experience. Moreover, activation and network inclusion of inferior temporal cortex and motor cortex uniquely occurs on the cycle immediately preceding responses signaling perceptual switching. This suggests that the essential prefrontal-parietal oscillatory network is expanded to include additional cortical regions relevant to tasks and perceptions furnishing consciousness at that moment, in this case image processing and response initiation, and that these activations occur within a time frame consistent with the notion that conscious processes directly affect behaviour.
Developmentally Regulated Switch in Alternatively Spliced SNAP-25 Isoforms Alters Facilitation of Synaptic Transmission

Although the basic molecular components that promote regulated neurotransmitter release are well established, the contribution of these proteins as regulators of the plasticity of neurotransmission and refinement of synaptic connectivity during development is elaborated less fully. For example, during the period of synaptic growth and maturation in brain, the expression of synaptosomal protein 25 kDa (SNAP-25), a neuronal t-SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) essential for action potential-dependent neuroexocytosis, is altered through alternative splicing of pre-mRNA transcripts. We addressed the role of the two splice-variant isoforms of SNAP-25 with a targeted mouse mutation that impairs the shift from SNAP-25a to SNAP-25b. Most of these mutant mice die between 3 and 5 weeks of age, which coincides with the time when SNAP-25b expression normally reaches mature levels in brain and synapse formation is essentially completed. The altered expression of these SNAP-25 isoforms influences short-term synaptic function by affecting facilitation but not the initial probability of release. This suggests that mechanisms controlling alternative splicing between SNAP-25 isoforms contribute to a molecular switch important for survival that helps to guide the transition from immature to mature synaptic connections, as well as synapse regrowth and remodeling after neural injury.
Using image profiles and integral images for efficient calculation of sparse optical flow fields

We propose a novel efficient algorithm for the calculation of sparse optical flow fields. Our algorithm uses profiles of summed pixel values of the rows and columns of overlapping image regions. It exploits the fast area summation that is provided by integral images. We describe the development of the algorithm, its application to UAV control and navigation and examine its runtime behavior and complexity.
Evaluation of the Use and Reasons for Not Using a Helmet by Motorcyclists Admitted to the Emergency Ward of Shahid Bahonar Hospital in Kerman

Background: Motorcycle crashes are the cause of severe morbidity and mortality especially because of head injuries. It seems that wearing a helmet has an effective role in protection against head injuries. Nevertheless, motorcyclists usually have no tendency to wear a helmet when driving in cities and have several reasons for this behavior. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the use and reasons for not using a helmet by motorcyclists admitted to an emergency ward of a trauma hospital due to accident in Kerman, Iran. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out by recoding the opinions of motorcyclists who had been transferred to the emergency ward of Shahid Bahonar Hospital (Kerman/Iran). Since no data was available on the frequency of the use of helmets, a pilot study was carried out and a sample size of 377 was determined for the main study. Then a researcher-made questionnaire was used to investigate the motorcyclists’ reasons for not using a helmet. Results: Only 21.5% of the motorcyclists had been wearing helmets at the time of the accident. The most frequent reasons for not using a helmet were the heavy weight of the helmet (77%), feeling of heat (71.4%), pain in the neck (69.4%), feeling of suffocation (67.7%), limitation of head and neck movements (59.6%) and all together, physical discomfort was the main cause of not wearing a helmet during motorcycle rides. Conclusions: In general, it appears that it is possible to increase the use of helmets by eliminating its physical problems, and increasing the knowledge of community members in relation to the advantages of helmet use, which will result in a significant decrease in traumas resulting from motorcycle accidents.
The effects of azelnidipine and amlodipine in treatment of mild to moderate hypertension : a systematic review

Hypertension is an important risk factor for patients with cardiovascular disease. Long-acting calcium channel blockers are frequently used to treat patients with mild to moderate hypertension, among which azelnidipine and amlodipine are two dihydropyridine (DHP) type calcium channel blockers that are widely used in Japan and China. We offer a current evaluation and comparison of the efficacy and safety of azelnidipine with amlodipine. To confirm location of all relevant trials databases including Cochrane Handbook 5.1, CBM (1966 to December 2014), CNKI (1911 to December 2014), EMBASE (1966 to December 2014), and Medline (1950 to December 2014), were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the effects and safety of azelnidipine. Studies included were assessed using the RevMan 5.1. STATA 10.0 for meta-analysis. Based on study quality and other selection criteria, 19 of 405 studies were selected for the meta-analysis (subjects=1,482). Data show that lowered systolic pressure of azelnidipine were similar to those of amlodipine and there were no significant differences between azelnidipine and amlodipine for mild to moderate hypertension (relative risk=1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.92-1.10). Neither drug was different with respect to adverse events, either. Still, the limited number of RCTs suggests caution when interpreting data due to bias risk.
Biased accumulation of T lymphocytes with "memory"-type CD45 leukocyte common antigen gene expression on the epithelial surface of the human lung

Expression of alternatively spliced products of the CD45 leukocyte common antigen gene identifies two populations of blood T cells: "naive" T cells (containing CD45R-IV mRNA transcripts, CD45 220, 205 kD surface proteins detected with antibody 2H4) that respond poorly to recall antigens, and "memory" T cells (containing CD45R-0 mRNA transcripts, expressing CD45 180 kD protein, detected with antibody UCHL1) that respond promptly to recall antigens. While blood contains approximately equal numbers of "naive" and "memory" T cells, it is known that UCHL1+ "memory" T cells accumulate at sites of chronic inflammation. To test the concept that "memory" T cells are a feature of the T lymphocyte populations present in tissues chronically exposed to antigens in normals as well as in individuals with chronic inflammation, we evaluated T lymphocytes obtained from blood and the epithelial surface of the lower respiratory tract of normal individuals for the expression of specific CD45 surface protein isoforms and corresponding mRNA transcripts. Flow cytometric analysis of CD45 220, 205, and 180 kD surface proteins demonstrated that lung T cells of normals are dominated by UCHL1+ "memory" cells (86 +/- 2%) while autologous blood T cells have equal proportions of "memory" UCHL1+ and "naive" 2H4+ T cells. In addition, polymerase chain reaction analysis of CD45 mRNA transcripts revealed that the lung cells expressed CD45R-0 mRNA transcripts but 17-fold fewer CD45R-IV mRNA transcripts than autologous blood T cells (p less than 0.01). The pattern of lung T cells being dominated by CD45R-0 mRNA+, UCHL1+ "memory" T cells was also observed in individuals with chronic beryllium disease, an example of a chronic inflammatory disease in which antigen-specific T cells accumulate on the pulmonary epithelial surface. Like the normals, the lung T cells of the beryllium disease patients were dominated by CD45R- 0 mRNA transcript+, UCHL1+, T cells. However, on a quantitative basis, the beryllium patients contained far greater numbers of T cells, i.e., the T cell populations on the surface of the normal and inflamed lung are similar in character ("memory" T cells) but differ in numbers (there are far more in the chronic inflammatory state). Thus, T cell populations on the epithelial surface of the normal lung likely reflect the chronic exposure to a diverse set of antigens, with a pattern that is qualitatively similar to that observed among T cells accumulating in response to a single antigen.
Contextual Interference in Learning Precision Skills

This research studied the effect of different organisations of practice (blocked and random) on the learning of three different types of throwing. 35 male students practiced three precise throws for 3 wk. Initially the subjects were separated into two groups who trained under different conditions of practice (blocked and random). All subjects improved significantly from initial performance, with both blocked practice and random practice. At the end of acquisition no differences were found between the groups. No significant differences were found on retention tests carried out 48 hr. , 4 wk. , and 8 wk. after the training period.
Definable groups for dependent and 2-dependent theories

Let T be a (first order complete) dependent theory, C a kappa-saturated model of T and G a definable subgroup which is abelian. Among subgroups of bounded index which are the union of < kappa type definable subsets there is a minimal one, i.e. their intersection has bounded index. In fact, the bound is <= 2^{|T|} . We then deal with 2-dependent theories, a wider class of first order theories.
Priming Patterns Are Different in Masked Word Identification and Word Fragment Completion

Abstract Indirect tests of remembering have revealed two different patterns of priming following generation and reading tasks: (1) read words produce more priming than generated words, which produce little or no priming relative to new words, and (2) both read and generated words show reliable and equivalent priming. In a series of six experiments using both mixed and blocked presentation of encoding tasks, we confirmed that the word fragment completion task reliably produced the first pattern of results whereas we found that the masked word identification task almost always produced the second pattern of results. Only when three different tasks were presented in a blocked design during encoding did the identification task lead to less priming for generated than for read words. We conclude that the brief presentation of a whole word in the masked word identification task makes contact with an initial interpretive encoding that includes records of conceptual as well as perceptual operations performed during encoding.
Secukinumab, a fully human anti‐interleukin‐17A monoclonal antibody, exhibits minimal immunogenicity in patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis

The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)‐17A plays a pivotal role in psoriasis pathogenesis. Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody (mAb) that selectively targets IL‐17A, has been demonstrated to be highly efficacious for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis, starting at early time points, with a sustained effect and a favourable safety profile. mAb therapies may be associated with production of antidrug antibodies (ADAs) that can affect drug pharmacokinetics, diminish response or cause hypersensitivity reactions.