Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurements in the Blood of BDNF for RA Patients and in Response to Anti-TNF Treatment Help Us to Clarify the Magnitude of Centrally Related Pain and to Explain the Relief of This Pain upon Treatment

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin with functions related to neuronal survival/proliferation processes and inflammation. BDNF is also an important central pain mediator. The levels of BDNF have been found to be high for RA patients with severe disease and to become lowered in response to anti-TNF treatment. New information says that the levels of BDNF in the blood parallel the BDNF concentrations in the brain and that BDNF can pass the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, most of the circulating BDNF is produced in the brain. Habitual and regular exercise, in contrast to temporary exercise, does also lead to a lowering of BDNF blood levels. Both anti-TNF treatment and habitual and regular exercise do have pain-relieving effects. It might be that the pain-relieving effect of anti-TNF treatment is related to an affection of central neuronal regions, hereby influencing BDNF production. Measurements of BDNF in the blood help us to clarify the magnitude of centrally related pain for RA patients and help us to explain the relief of this pain in response to anti-TNF treatment.
Time lag in translation and interpreting: A methodological exploration

Time lag between the source text input and the interpreter’s target text is known as ear-voice span or decalage. Recently, time lag has also been measured in written translation based on eye-tracking and key-logging (hence called eye-key span). Time lag provides insight into the temporal characteristics of simultaneity in interpreting, speed of translation and also into the cognitive load and cognitive processing involved in the translation/interpreting process. Ear-voice span/eye-key span (EVS/EKS) thus have the potential to become very valuable measures in translation/interpreting process-oriented research, but more needs to be known about their properties and the information this metric yields. Several exploratory analyses were carried out to compare methods used in previous research and to address the questions of EVS/EKS variability among participants, stability of EVS/EKS over the course of an individual’s performance, and variation in EVS/EKS at different points of measurement and across different tasks performed by the same person. The results indicate that EVS/EKS is indeed a sensitive measure useful for process-oriented research. Finally, some methodological challenges and procedures for both interpreting and translation are discussed.
The distribution of power among EU institutions: who wins under codecision and why?

The codecision procedure was designed to change the distribution of power among the European Union (EU) institutions. In theory, the codecision procedure, at least the amended version introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty that came into effect in 1999, weakened the Commission and placed the Parliament on an equal footing with the Council. We assess how the codecision procedure works in practice using data on the preferences of legislative actors on a large number of proposals negotiated between 1999 and 2009. We also test theoretical propositions derived from Schelling regarding the effects of policy agreement within each chamber on the relative bargaining success of the Council and EP. Our findings suggest that, in comparison to the consultation procedure, codecision has strengthened the EP and weakened the Commission. However, the Council holds certain bargaining advantages over the EP, and as a result the EP has not achieved parity with the Council under codecision.
SynGAP Regulates ERK/MAPK Signaling, Synaptic Plasticity, and Learning in the Complex with Postsynaptic Density 95 and NMDA Receptor

At excitatory synapses, the postsynaptic scaffolding protein postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) couples NMDA receptors (NMDARs) to the Ras GTPase-activating protein SynGAP. The close association of SynGAP and NMDARs suggests that SynGAP may have an important role in NMDAR-dependent activation of Ras signaling pathways, such as the MAP kinase pathway, and in synaptic plasticity. To explore this issue, we examined long-term potentiation (LTP), p42 MAPK (ERK2) signaling, and spatial learning in mice with a heterozygous null mutation of the SynGAP gene (SynGAP−/+). In SynGAP−/+ mutant mice, the induction of LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region was strongly reduced in the absence of any detectable alteration in basal synaptic transmission and NMDAR-mediated synaptic currents. Although basal levels of activated ERK2 were elevated in hippocampal extracts from SynGAP−/+mice, NMDAR stimulation still induced a robust increase in ERK activation in slices from SynGAP−/+ mice. Thus, although SynGAP may regulate the ERK pathway, its role in LTP most likely involves additional downstream targets. Consistent with this, the amount of potentiation induced by stimulation protocols that induce an ERK-independent form of LTP were also significantly reduced in slices from SynGAP−/+ mice. An elevation of basal phospho-ERK2 levels and LTP deficits were also observed in SynGAP−/+/H-Ras−/−double mutants, suggesting that SynGAP may normally regulate Ras isoforms other than H-Ras. A comparison of SynGAP and PSD-95 mutants suggests that PSD-95 couples NMDARs to multiple downstream signaling pathways with very different roles in LTP and learning.
Hearing and seeing meaning in speech and gesture: insights from brain and behaviour

As we speak, we use not only the arbitrary form–meaning mappings of the speech channel but also motivated form–meaning correspondences, i.e. iconic gestures that accompany speech (e.g. inverted V-shaped hand wiggling across gesture space to demonstrate walking). This article reviews what we know about processing of semantic information from speech and iconic gestures in spoken languages during comprehension of such composite utterances. Several studies have shown that comprehension of iconic gestures involves brain activations known to be involved in semantic processing of speech: i.e. modulation of the electrophysiological recording component N400, which is sensitive to the ease of semantic integration of a word to previous context, and recruitment of the left-lateralized frontal–posterior temporal network (left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), medial temporal gyrus (MTG) and superior temporal gyrus/sulcus (STG/S)). Furthermore, we integrate the information coming from both channels recruiting brain areas such as left IFG, posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS)/MTG and even motor cortex. Finally, this integration is flexible: the temporal synchrony between the iconic gesture and the speech segment, as well as the perceived communicative intent of the speaker, modulate the integration process. Whether these findings are special to gestures or are shared with actions or other visual accompaniments to speech (e.g. lips) or other visual symbols such as pictures are discussed, as well as the implications for a multimodal view of language.
Experimental Study on Dynamic Crack Propagation of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

Current development in smart materials has improved the conventional composite materials in the ability of self-monitor during service. The massless sensor of micro-electro-mechanical system makes the work successful to embed the sensor into the composite material without changing the original system. For an ideal on-line identification, the measured values of sensors are obtained during service not from experiment. Due to this important reason, the study of the crack identification by using the static deformation as the input is gradually an interested research which will be different from the conventional non-destructive techniques such as, ultrasonics, magnetic flux leakage, X-rays, penetrant, eddy current, etc. To achieve the on-line identification, the artificial neural network is considered instead of the usual nonlinear optimization technique. An artificial neural network is a parallel, distributed information processing structure consisting of processing elements interconnected with weights. In this paper, a most popular learning scheme called the back-propagation neural network (BPN) will be applied for implementing the crack identification. A typical architecture of BPN contains three basic layers input, output and hidden layers. According to Kolmogorov's mapping theorem, any continuous function could be mapped exactly by a three-layer feedforward neural networks. The input pattern is propagated forward, and the calculated responses are obtained. The errors between the desired outputs and the calculated outputs then propagate backward through the network, providing vital information for weight adaptation. It is known that the crack effects are localized which may not be clearly reflected
On the implementation of autocorrelation-based feature detector

Emerging wireless systems demand more spectrum in order to provide high data rate services. It is known that most of the licensed frequency bands are underutilized because of the rigid spectrum allocation. Cognitive radios aim to relief the situation by identifying and exploiting the underutilized radio spectrum. A key task of the cognitive radio is spectrum sensing, which finds free spectrum and detects licensed spectrum user transmissions. This paper presents an FPGA implementation of an autocorrelation-based feature detector for OFDM-based primary user signals. The autocorrelation-based detection algorithm is optimized in order to achieve power and area efficient hardware realization. The algorithm is implemented in an FPGA evaluation environment, and the performance is verified with measurements.
Duplicate drug discovery using Hadoop

Rising healthcare costs in recent years has become a major issue for many countries. This is especially prominent as baby boomers reaching their retirement age and thus demanding large shares of a country's healthcare resources. Consequently, reducing healthcare cost or waste has become a top priority for many governments. However, integrating and analyzing large amount of healthcare data with variety of formats to identify cost saving opportunities is a very complex problem. To help addressing the problem, this paper proposes a Hadoop based approach that can efficiently discover duplicate drug usage by a patient in any given time period. Our experiment results show that our approach can discover cases of duplicate drug prescription much faster, up to 100 times faster, compared to a traditional approach using relational data warehouse.
The Semantic Network at Work and Rest: Differential Connectivity of Anterior Temporal Lobe Subregions

The anterior temporal lobe (ATL) makes a critical contribution to semantic cognition. However, the functional connectivity of the ATL and the functional network underlying semantic cognition has not been elucidated. In addition, subregions of the ATL have distinct functional properties and thus the potential differential connectivity between these subregions requires investigation. We explored these aims using both resting-state and active semantic task data in humans in combination with a dual-echo gradient echo planar imaging (EPI) paradigm designed to ensure signal throughout the ATL. In the resting-state analysis, the ventral ATL (vATL) and anterior middle temporal gyrus (MTG) were shown to connect to areas responsible for multimodal semantic cognition, including bilateral ATL, inferior frontal gyrus, medial prefrontal cortex, angular gyrus, posterior MTG, and medial temporal lobes. In contrast, the anterior superior temporal gyrus (STG)/superior temporal sulcus was connected to a distinct set of auditory and language-related areas, including bilateral STG, precentral and postcentral gyri, supplementary motor area, supramarginal gyrus, posterior temporal cortex, and inferior and middle frontal gyri. Complementary analyses of functional connectivity during an active semantic task were performed using a psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis. The PPI analysis highlighted the same semantic regions suggesting a core semantic network active during rest and task states. This supports the necessity for semantic cognition in internal processes occurring during rest. The PPI analysis showed additional connectivity of the vATL to regions of occipital and frontal cortex. These areas strongly overlap with regions found to be sensitive to executively demanding, controlled semantic processing. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Previous studies have shown that semantic cognition depends on subregions of the anterior temporal lobe (ATL). However, the network of regions functionally connected to these subregions has not been demarcated. Here, we show that these ventrolateral anterior temporal subregions form part of a network responsible for semantic processing during both rest and an explicit semantic task. This demonstrates the existence of a core functional network responsible for multimodal semantic cognition regardless of state. Distinct connectivity is identified in the superior ATL, which is connected to auditory and language areas. Understanding the functional connectivity of semantic cognition allows greater understanding of how this complex process may be performed and the role of distinct subregions of the anterior temporal cortex.
The Effect of Music Therapy on Joint Attention Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this study was to explore further whether children with Autism Spectrum Disorder displayed more joint attention behaviors—interacting and requesting joint attention—during music therapy, cooperative play, or independent play conditions. Joint attention is defined as the shifting of attention between an object or event and an individual. The effects of different types of music therapy interventions on these joint attention behaviors were also examined. Participants (n = 4) engaged in 3 session types: 1) cooperative music therapy, 2) cooperative play, and 3) independent play. Using a 15second observe, 5-second record time sampling method, intervals were coded for the presence or absence of interacting and requesting behaviors. Data were graphed and a visual analysis of the data revealed that a higher percentage of interacting behaviors occurred during music conditions than both cooperative and independent play conditions across participants. Data for requesting behaviors was inconsistent across participants, and therefore the results were inconclusive. Graphic analysis of the effects of music therapy intervention types on joint attention behaviors revealed that when the participant and researcher played the same instrument more interactions occurred, whereas when the researcher and participant played different instruments more requesting behaviors
Two Dimensional Zonoids and Chebyshev Measures

Abstract We give an alternative proof to the well known fact that each convex compact centrally symmetric subset of R 2containing the origin is a zonoid, i.e., the range of a two dimensional vector measure, and we prove that a two dimensional zonoid whose boundary contains the origin is strictly convex if and only if it is the range of a Chebyshev measure. We give a condition under which a two dimensional vector measure admits a decomposition as the difference of two Chebyshev measures, a necessary condition on the density function for the strict convexity of the range of a measure and a characterization of two dimensional Chebyshev measures.
Voriconazole metabolism, toxicity, and the effect of cytochrome P450 2C19 genotype.

BACKGROUND Prospective evaluation of the antifungal drug, voriconazole, is needed to determine whether drug toxicity correlates with CYP2C19 genotype or serum concentrations of voriconazole or its metabolites. METHODS We conducted a prospective study of 95 patients to determine voriconazole toxicity and its relationship to genotype and serum levels of voriconazole and its two metabolites. Efficacy was not evaluated because, in most cases, the drug was given for empirical or prophylactic therapy. RESULTS Hallucinations occurred in 16 patients (16.8%), visual changes in 17 (17.9%), photosensitivity in 10 (10.5%), and hepatotoxicity in 6 (6.3%). There was no correlation between photosensitivity or hepatotoxicity and levels of voriconazole or metabolites. Patients with hallucinations had higher average voriconazole levels (4.5 vs 2.5 μg/mL) but with extensive overlap. The recommended oral dose of 200 mg did not provide consistently detectable serum voriconazole levels in adults. CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 genotypes had a minor influence over levels, though the 4 patients homozygous for the 2C19*2 genotype had higher average levels for voriconazole (4.3 vs 2.5 μg/mL) and lower N-oxide levels (1.6 vs 2.5 μg/mL). CONCLUSIONS CYP2C19 and 2C9 genotypes were not major determinants of voriconazole metabolism. No toxic serum level of voriconazole or its metabolites could be identified.
Cervicovaginal Safety of the Formulated, Biguanide-Based Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Inhibitor NB325 in a Murine Model

Vaginal microbicides that reduce or eliminate the risk of HIV-1 sexual transmission must do so safely without adversely affecting the integrity of the cervicovaginal epithelium. The present studies were performed to assess the safety of the biguanide-based antiviral compound NB325 in a formulation suitable for topical application. Experiments were performed using a mouse model of cervicovaginal microbicide application, which was previously shown to be predictive of topical agent toxicity revealed in microbicide clinical trials. Mice were exposed vaginally to unformulated NB325 or NB325 formulated in the hydroxyethyl cellulose “universal placebo. ” Following exposures to formulated 1% NB325 for 10 min to 24 h, the vaginal and cervical epithelia were generally intact, although some areas of minimal vaginal epithelial damage were noted. Although formulated NB325 appeared generally safe for application in these studies, the low but observable level of toxicity suggests the need for improvements in the compound and/or formulation.
Empirical antibiotics against Gram-positive infections for febrile neutropenia: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES To assess the value of empirical anti-Gram-positive antibiotics for the treatment of febrile neutropenia. METHODS Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing antibiotics with anti-Gram-positive spectrum to control or placebo, in addition to the same baseline antibiotic regimen in both arms. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, the Cochrane Library, conference proceedings, and references. No restrictions on inclusion were imposed. Two reviewers independently applied selection criteria, carried out quality assessment, and extracted the data. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were pooled using the fixed effect model. The primary outcome assessed was all-cause mortality. RESULTS Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria, including 2392 participants. Glycopeptides were assessed in nine trials. Empirical anti-Gram-positive antibiotics were assessed for the initial treatment in 11 studies, and for persistent fever in two. No significant difference in all-cause mortality was seen [RR 0.86 (0.58-1.26), seven studies, 852 participants]. Overall failure at end of therapy occurred equally [RR 1.00 (0.79-1.27), six studies, 943 participants]. Failure associated with treatment modifications was more frequent in the control arm when empirical initial glycopeptides were assessed [RR 0.70 (0.61-0.80), five studies, 1178 participants]. Bacterial superinfections, mainly Gram-positive, were detected less frequently in the intervention arm. Adverse events were significantly more common with the additional antibiotic, and nephrotoxicity was significantly more common with additional glycopeptides [RR 1.88 (1.10-3.22), six studies, 1282 participants]. No significant heterogeneity was present in these comparisons. CONCLUSIONS The use of glycopeptides can be safely deferred until the documentation of a resistant Gram-positive infection.
Gab2 Promotes Hematopoietic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-Renewal Synergistically with STAT5

Background Grb2-associated binding (Gab) adapter proteins play major roles in coordinating signaling downstream of hematopoietic cytokine receptors. In hematopoietic cells, Gab2 can modulate phosphatidylinositol–3 kinase and mitogen associated protein kinase activities and regulate the long-term multilineage competitive repopulating activity of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Gab2 may also act in a linear pathway upstream or downstream of signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5), a major positive regulator of HSC function. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether Gab2 and STAT5 function in hematopoiesis in a redundant or non-redundant manner. Methodology/Principal Findings To do this we generated Gab2 mutant mice with heterozygous and homozygous deletions of STAT5. In heterozygous STAT5 mutant mice, deficiencies in HSC/multipotent progenitors were reflected by decreased long-term repopulating activity. This reduction in repopulation function was mirrored in the reduced growth response to early-acting cytokines from sorted double mutant c-Kit+Lin−Sca-1+ (KLS) cells. Importantly, in non-ablated newborn mice, the host steady-state engraftment ability was impaired by loss of Gab2 in heterozygous STAT5 mutant background. Fetal liver cells isolated from homozygous STAT5 mutant mice lacking Gab2 showed significant reduction in HSC number (KLS CD150+CD48−), reduced HSC survival, and dramatic loss of self-renewal potential as measured by serial transplantation. Conclusions/Significance These data demonstrate new functions for Gab2 in hematopoiesis in a manner that is non-redundant with STAT5. Furthermore, important synergy between STAT5 and Gab2 was observed in HSC self-renewal, which might be exploited to optimize stem cell-based therapeutics.
Self-harm and attempted suicide among UK Armed Forces personnel: Results of a cross-sectional survey

Aims: Little has been reported on self-harm among the UK Armed Forces, partly due to the difficulties in recording self-harm, within an often-difficult-to-reach population. This study assesses the lifetime prevalence of attempted suicide and self-harm within currently serving and ex-service personnel of the UK Armed Forces. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with 821 personnel who had previously participated in the King’s Centre for Military Health Research military health study. Within the telephone interview, participants were asked about attempted suicide and episodes of self-harm. Results: A lifetime prevalence of 5.6% for intentional self-harm (self-harm or attempted suicide) was reported. Intentional self-harm was associated with psychological morbidity (in particular, post-traumatic stress disorder) and adverse experiences in childhood. Ex-service personnel reported lifetime prevalence more than double that of serving personnel (10.5% vs 4.2%, respectively). Participants reporting intentional self-harm were younger (34.4 years vs 39.8 years). Conclusion: A lifetime prevalence of 5.6% for attempted suicide and self-harm is higher than previous research has suggested. Younger service personnel, those who have experienced adversity in childhood, those with other psychological morbidity, and ex-service personnel are more likely to report self-harm behaviours.