Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Ravens Show Consolation? Responses to Distressed Others

Background Bystander affiliation (post-conflict affiliation from an uninvolved bystander to the conflict victim) may represent an expression of empathy in which the bystander consoles the victim to alleviate the victim's distress (“consolation”). However, alternative hypotheses for the function of bystander affiliation also exist. Determining whether ravens spontaneously offer consolation to distressed partners may not only help us to understand how animals deal with the costs of aggressive conflict, but may also play an important role in the empathy debate. Methodology/Principal findings This study investigates the post-conflict behavior of ravens, applying the predictive framework for the function of bystander affiliation for the first time in a non-ape species. We found weak evidence for reconciliation (post-conflict affiliation between former opponents), but strong evidence for both bystander affiliation and solicited bystander affiliation (post-conflict affiliation from the victim to a bystander). Bystanders involved in both interactions were likely to share a valuable relationship with the victim. Bystander affiliation offered to the victim was more likely to occur after intense conflicts. Renewed aggression was less likely to occur after the victim solicited affiliation from a bystander. Conclusions/Significance Our findings suggest that in ravens, bystanders may console victims with whom they share a valuable relationship, thus alleviating the victims' post-conflict distress. Conversely victims may affiliate with bystanders after a conflict in order to reduce the likelihood of renewed aggression. These results stress the importance of relationship quality in determining the occurrence and function of post-conflict interactions, and show that ravens may be sensitive to the emotions of others.
Combination of oncolytic adenovirus and dacarbazine enhances antitumor ability against uveal melanoma cells via cell cycle block

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults; however, current therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, have not been successful. Oncolytic viruses serve as an emerging gene therapy tool for cancer treatment because they specifically kill tumor cells while sparing normal cells. The oncolytic virus H101 has been approved by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of certain malignancies. Unfortunately, the monotherapy of adenovirus has demonstrated limited efficacy in a clinical setting. Thus, novel treatment strategies in which an oncolytic virus is combined with existing chemicals are advancing toward potential clinical use. In this study, we chose the combination of oncolytic virus H101 and the alkylating agent dacarbazine (DTIC) to treat uveal melanoma cells in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the combination exerted a synergistic antitumor effect without enhanced toxicity to normal cells via a type of cell cycle block other than the induction of apoptosis. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the specific underlying mechanisms of this co-treatment therapy. Our study suggests the viro-chemo combination therapy is feasible and is a potentially promising approach for the treatment of uveal melanoma.
ASPHALT PAVEMENT PRESSURE DISTRIBUTIONS USING TEKSCAN MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

OF MSCE THESIS ASPHALT PAVEMENT PRESSURE DISTRIBUTIONS USING TEKSCAN MEASUREMENT SYSTEM As a nation that depends so heavily on its infrastructure, the United States continually seeks to better maintain the investment that it has made in its roadways. Asphalt pavements make up the majority of the paved roadways in the United States and ultimately contribute to the bulk of the expense of highway maintenance. The goal of this research was to develop a means for taking a simple measurement of pressure at various interfaces on and within an asphalt pavement structure in an effort to directly assess the damaging effects of different wheel loadings. It is well known that ever increasing wheel loads and other unusual wheel loading conditions are detrimental to the effort of maintaining the roadways. The results of the data can be compared to the classic empiricalistic and mechanistic approaches to asphalt pavement design and analysis, as well as the more modern finite-element computer modeling programs. The Tekscan measurement system, which utilizes a very thin matrix based pressure sensitive sensor, has been deemed applicable for measuring pavement pressures. Various types of wheel loadings have been considered throughout this study. It was determined that the type of tire, tire inflation pressure, applied load, and the asphalt itself all have an effect on the resultant pressures on the surface of and within an asphalt pavement structure. This research may contribute to the understanding of pressure distributions at the tire/asphalt interface depending on the type of tire, adjustments in tire inflation pressure, and varying the wheel load. The results may lead to a better understanding of pressure distributions at varying depths within an asphalt pavement structure. The ability to quantify these variables could assist designers when analyzing and designing asphalt pavements.
Computer Discovery and Analysis of Large Poisson Polynomials

ABSTRACT In two earlier studies of lattice sums arising from the Poisson equation of mathematical physics, it was established that the lattice sum 1/π · ∑m, n oddcos (mπx)cos (nπy)/(m2 + n2) = log A, where A is an algebraic number, and explicit minimal polynomials associated with A were computed for a few specific rational arguments x and y. Based on these results, one of us (Kimberley) conjectured a number-theoretic formula for the degree of A in the case x = y = 1/s for some integer s. These earlier studies were hampered by the enormous cost and complexity of the requisite computations. In this study, we address the Poisson polynomial problem with significantly more capable computational tools. As a result of this improved capability, we have confirmed that Kimberley’s formula holds for all integers s up to 52 (except for s = 41, 43, 47, 49, 51, which are still too costly to test), and also for s = 60 and s = 64. As far as we are aware, these computations, which employed up to 64,000-digit precision, producing polynomials with degrees up to 512 and integer coefficients up to 10229, constitute the largest successful integer relation computations performed to date. By examining the computed results, we found connections to a sequence of polynomials defined in a 2010 paper by Savin and Quarfoot. These investigations subsequently led to a proof, given in the Appendix, of Kimberley’s formula and the fact that when s is even, the polynomial is palindromic (i.e., coefficient ak = am − k, where m is the degree).
A fibronectin fragment induces type II collagen degradation by collagenase through an interleukin-1-mediated pathway.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of a fibronectin (FN) fragment containing the COOH-terminal heparin-binding domain (HBFN-f) on chondrocyte-mediated type II collagen (CII) cleavage by collagenase and proteoglycan (PG) degradation in articular cartilage in explant culture. METHODS Intact FN or HBFN-f was added to explant cultures of mature bovine articular cartilage. We investigated collagenase-mediated cleavage of CII caused by HBFN-f in explant cultures using a new immunoassay for detection and measurement of the primary collagenase cleavage site of CII. CII denaturation in cartilage was also measured using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Degradation of PG (principally aggrecan) was analyzed by a dye-binding assay. APMA and/or a matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) preferential inhibitor or interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) were added to some cultures to examine the presence of latent procollagenase or the involvement of MMP-13 or IL-1, respectively, in cartilage breakdown induced by HBFN-f. Secretion of MMP-3 and MMP-13 into media was detected by immunoblotting. RESULTS In contrast to intact FN, HBFN-f was shown to stimulate CII cleavage by collagenase in a dose-dependent manner following PG degradation, similar to cartilage breakdown induced by IL-1. Treatment with HBFN-f also resulted in elevated denaturation of CII. Immunoblotting demonstrated that HBFN-f enhanced pro-matrix metalloproteinase 13 (proMMP-13) production as well as that of proMMP-3. APMA, which activates latent proMMPs, enhanced the HBFN-f-mediated cleavage of CII by collagenase. An MMP-13 preferential inhibitor or IL-1Ra suppressed HBFN-f-induced collagen cleavage to control levels. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that HBFN-f can induce early PG degradation and subsequent CII cleavage. The latter is probably mediated by early proMMP-13 induction involving an IL-1-dependent pathway. Activation of latent collagenase is delayed. This new information, together with existing data on other FN fragments, reveals that increased levels of these fragments, found in diseased joints such as in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, may stimulate cartilage breakdown by mechanisms of the kind demonstrated in the present study.
Addendum to “Classification of generalized polarized manifolds by their nef values”

Let (M,E) be a generalized polarized manifold, i.e., a pair of an n-dimensional smooth projective variety and an ample vector bundle E of rank r on M. Let t be the nef value of a polarized manifold (M, det E), i.e., the minimum of the set of real numbers s such that K+s det E is nef; we have tr = 1; (2) n+1-tr< t <= 1.
Trends in Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control in an Adult Type 2 Diabetes Spanish Population between 2003 and 2009

In patients with type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of hypertension is higher than in non-diabetic subjects. Despite the high cardiovascular risk involving hypertension in these patients, its prevalence and control are not well known. The aims of this study were: to estimate the hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in Spanish adults with type 2 diabetes attended in Primary Care; and to analyse its time trend from 2003 to 2009. A serial cross-sectional study from 2003 to 2009 was performed in 21 Primary Care Centres in Madrid. The study population comprised all patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in their computerised medical history. Overall annual prevalence during the period 2003–2009 was calculated from and according to sex and age groups. Linear trend tests, regression lines and coefficients of determination were used. In 2003 89.78% (CI 87.92–91.64) of patients with type 2 diabetes suffered hypertension and 94.76% (CI: 92.85–96.67) in 2009. This percentage was greater for women and for patients over 65 years old. 30% of patients suffered previously undiagnosed hypertension in 2003 and 23.1% in 2009. 97% of diagnosed patients received pharmacological treatment and 28.79% reached the blood pressure objective in 2009. The average number of antihypertensive drugs taken was 2.72 in 2003 and 3.27 in 2009. Only 5.2% of patients with type 2 diabetes show blood pressure levels below 130/80 mmHg. Although significant improvements have been achieved in the diagnosis and control of hypertension in people with type 2 diabetes, these continue to remain far from optimum.
Myelin‐associated glycoprotein in multiple sclerosis lesions: A quantitative and qualitative analysis

Myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG), myelin basic protein (MBP), and proteolipid protein (PLP) were quantitated by immunoassays in nine plaque, inner periplaque, outer periplaque, and normal‐appearing white matter regions from brains of five multiple sclerosis patients and compared with the levels found in white matter samples of control subjects matched for age, postmortem time, and brain region. In plaque and inner periplaque regions, all three proteins were substantially reduced due to extensive myelin loss. In outer periplaque regions, MBP and PLP were close to control levels, but MAG was significantly reduced to a mean of 57% of control. All three proteins were close to control levels in the normal‐appearing white matter samples. MAG in the various regions was qualitatively examined on Western blots by binding of lectins and by immunostaining with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against carbohydrate and protein epitopes of MAG. Densitometric scanning of these blots did not reveal any qualitative differences in the oligosacharide or polypeptide moieties of MAG between samples from control subjects and those from multiple sclerosis patients. However, a high proportion of the MAG in the multiple sclerosis samples was often in the form of dMAG, a proteolytic derivative of MAG that is formed by a myelin‐associated, Ca2+‐activated, neutral protease. The preferential loss of MAG at the periphery of multiple sclerosis plaques may be initiated by its proteolytic conversion to dMAG.
Self modifying Cartesian Genetic Programming: Parity

Self Modifying CGP (SMCGP) is a developmental form of Cartesian Genetic Programming(CGP). It differs from CGP by including primitive functions which modify the program. Beginning with the evolved genotype the self-modifying functions produce a new program (phenotype) at each iteration. In this paper we have applied it to a well known digital circuit building problem: even-parity. We show that it is easier to solve difficult parity problems with SMCGP than either with CGP or Modular CGP, and that the increase in efficiency grows with problem size. More importantly, we prove that SMCGP can evolve general solutions to arbitrary-sized even parity problems.
Molecular, Cellular and Physiological Evidences for the Anorexigenic Actions of Nesfatin-1 in Goldfish

Background Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered anorexigen encoded in the precursor peptide, nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) in mammals. To date, nesfatin-1 has not been described in any non-mammalian species, although some information is available in the sequenced genomes of several species. Our objective was to characterize nesfatin-1 in fish. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, we employed molecular, immunohistochemical, and physiological studies to characterize the structure, distribution, and appetite regulatory effects of nesfatin-1 in a non-mammalian vertebrate. A very high conservation in NUCB2 sequences, especially in the nesfatin-1 region was found in lower vertebrates. Abundant expression of NUCB2 mRNA was detected in several tissues including the brain and liver of goldfish. Nesfatin-1-like immunoreactive cells are present in the feeding regulatory nucleus of the hypothalamus and in the gastrointestinal tract of goldfish. Approximately 6-fold increase in NUCB2 mRNA levels was found in the liver after 7-day food-deprivation, and a similar increase was also found after short-term fasting. This points toward a possible liver specific role for NUCB2 in the control of metabolism during food-deprivation. Meanwhile, ∼2-fold increase at 1 and 3 h post-feeding and an ∼3-fold reduction after a 7-day food-deprivation was observed in NUCB2 mRNA in the goldfish hypothalamus. In vivo, a single intraperitoneal injection of the full-length native (goldfish; gf) nesfatin-1 at a dose of 50 ng/g body weight induced a 23% reduction of food intake one hour post-injection in goldfish. Furthermore, intracerebroventricular injection of gfnesfatin-1 at a dose of 5 ng/g body weight resulted in ∼50% reduction in food intake. Conclusions/Significance Our results provide molecular, anatomical and functional evidences to support potential anorectic and metabolic roles for endogenous nesfatin-1 in goldfish. Collectively, we provide novel information on NUCB2 in non-mammals and an anorexigenic role for nesfatin-1 in goldfish.
Cycles, Gaps, and the Social Value of Information

What are the welfare effects of the information contained in macroeconomic statistics, central-bank communications, or news in the media? We address this question in a business-cycle framework that nests the neoclassical core of modern DSGE models. Earlier lessons that were based on "beauty contests" (Morris and Shin, 2002) are found to be inapplicable. Instead, the social value of information is shown to hinge on essentially the same conditions as the optimality of output stabilization policies. More precise information is unambiguously welfare-improving as long as the business cycle is driven primarily by technology and preference shocks--but can be detrimental when shocks to markups and wedges cause sufficient volatility in "output gaps. " A numerical exploration suggests that the first scenario is more plausible.
Transforming growth factor beta receptors and p27kip in thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of cell cycle regulators in the pathogenesis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. DESIGN Resistance to transforming growth factor beta-mediated inhibition is a well-known pathogenic mechanism in epithelial neoplasias. In a retrospective study, the expression of transforming growth factor beta receptors types I and II, cyclin D1, and the cyclin-dependent inhibitor p27kip, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results were interpreted in the context of clinicopathological data. Patient follow-up ranged from 1 to 18 years, with a mean of 4 years. MATERIALS Twenty conventional primary papillary carcinomas and their metastases were selected according to current pathologic criteria. Nonconventional papillary carcinomas (eg, tall-cell, columnar) were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS Cyclin D1 was expressed more intensely in the tumor than in adjacent nonneoplastic parenchyma. Within a given tumor, however, there was significant heterogeneity in expression intensity and percentage of positive cells, particularly in metastases. Type I receptors were strongly expressed in 90% of tumors, while 80% of the tumors revealed low to no expression of type II receptors. In 10% of tumors, type I receptors were absent and type II receptors expressed. Simultaneous absence of both receptors was not observed. While p27kip was strongly expressed in nonneoplastic thyroid, it was not detected in any of the primary tumors or their metastases. CONCLUSIONS The results strongly suggest that functional abnormalities in type II receptors result in increased levels of cyclin D1 and down-regulation of p27kip. This would maintain cells in a proliferative state and would promote tumor progression.
Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic Acid Motif Is Critical for Human Parechovirus 1 Entry

ABSTRACT The human parechovirus 1 RGD motif in VP1 was studied by mutagenesis. An RGD-to-RGE change gave only revertant viruses with a restored RGD, while deletion of GD was lethal and nonrevertable. Mutations at the +1 and +2 positions had some effect on growth properties and a +1 M-to-P change was lethal. These studies indicate that the RGD motif plays a critical role in infectivity, presumably by interacting with integrins, and that downstream amino acids can have an influence on function.
A study of experimental evaluations of neural network learning algorithms: current research practice

113 articles about neural network learning algorithms published in 1993 and 1994 are examined for the amount of experimental evaluation they contain. Every third of them does employ not even a single realistic or real learning problem. Only 6% of all articles present results for more than one problem using real world data.Furthermore, one third of all articles does not present any quantitative comparison with a previously known algorithm. These results indicate that the quality of research in the area of neural network learning algorithms needs improvement. The publication standards should be raised and easily accessible collections of example problems be built.
Predicting quality flaws in user-generated content: the case of wikipedia

The detection and improvement of low-quality information is a key concern in Web applications that are based on user-generated content; a popular example is the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. Existing research on quality assessment of user-generated content deals with the classification as to whether the content is high-quality or low-quality. This paper goes one step further: it targets the prediction of quality flaws, this way providing specific indications in which respects low-quality content needs improvement. The prediction is based on user-defined cleanup tags, which are commonly used in many Web applications to tag content that has some shortcomings. We apply this approach to the English Wikipedia, which is the largest and most popular user-generated knowledge source on the Web. We present an automatic mining approach to identify the existing cleanup tags, which provides us with a training corpus of labeled Wikipedia articles. We argue that common binary or multiclass classification approaches are ineffective for the prediction of quality flaws and hence cast quality flaw prediction as a one-class classification problem. We develop a quality flaw model and employ a dedicated machine learning approach to predict Wikipedia's most important quality flaws. Since in the Wikipedia setting the acquisition of significant test data is intricate, we analyze the effects of a biased sample selection. In this regard we illustrate the classifier effectiveness as a function of the flaw distribution in order to cope with the unknown (real-world) flaw-specific class imbalances. The flaw prediction performance is evaluated with 10,000 Wikipedia articles that have been tagged with the ten most frequent quality flaws: provided test data with little noise, four flaws can be detected with a precision close to 1.
Fish Oil Supplementation Reduces Heart Levels of Interleukin-6 in Rats with Chronic Inflammation due to Epilepsy

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a major cause of premature death related to epilepsy. The causes of SUDEP remain unknown, but cardiac arrhythmias and asphyxia have been suggested as a major mechanism of this event. Inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both epilepsy and ventricular arrhythmia, with interleukin-6 (IL-6) being recognized as a crucial orchestrator of inflammatory states. Our group previously reported that levels of IL-6 were increased in the hearts of epileptic rats. In this scenario, anti-inflammatory actions are among the beneficial effects of fish oil dietary supplementation. This investigation revealed that elevated levels of IL-6 in the heart were markedly reduced in epileptic rats that were treated in the long-term with fish oil, suggesting protective anti-inflammatory actions against dangerously high levels of IL-6. Based on these findings, our results suggest beneficial effects of long-term intake of fish oil in reducing the inflammation associated with chronic epilepsy.