Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Panning for gold: screening for potential live kidney donors.

BACKGROUND Living donation is one method of addressing the gulf between supply and demand for kidney transplants. However, few manage to complete the extensive work up procedure. This study reviews the reasons for failure to complete the live donor renal assessment and suggests options, which may improve the situation. METHODS Retrospective analysis of data collected over 5 years between 1997 and 2001 of all potential live donors entering the assessment programme. RESULTS 189 (103 female, 86 male) potential donors entered the assessment process. Thirty-four (18%) actually donated comprising 17 (50%) siblings, nine (26%) parents and eight (24%) unrelated donors. Of the 155 who did not donate, 46 (30%) had blood group or immunological incompatibility and 42 (27%) withdrew. Twenty-three (15%) were medically unfit, mostly due to cardiovascular disease and 16 (10%) had insufficient renal function for safe donation. CONCLUSION Live donor transplantation offers an attractive source of high quality organs, but considerable time and effort is required to realize this. Manipulation of immunological incompatibility, psychological assessment and counselling of those likely to withdraw may significantly enhance the yield. Support should also be provided for those unable to donate for whatever reason.
Noninvasive Molecular Imaging Sheds Light on the Synergy between 5-Fluorouracil and TRAIL/Apo2L for Cancer Therapy

Purpose: In a previous report, a recombinant luciferase reporter, activated during apoptosis via caspase-3 cleavage, was developed for imaging of apoptosis using bioluminescence. The ability to noninvasively image apoptosis in vivo could dramatically benefit the preclinical development of therapeutics targeting the apoptotic pathway. In this study, we examined the use of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) for sensitizing D54 tumors to tumor necrosis factor α–related apoptosis–inducing ligand (TRAIL) therapy by monitoring apoptotic activity in vivo using bioluminescence imaging. Experimental Design: Using our apoptosis imaging platform and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we monitored the antitumor effects of 5-FU, TRAIL, and 5-FU + TRAIL using D54 xenografts. Additionally, volumetric and histologic analyses were done for correlation with findings from bioluminescence imaging and diffusion MRI. Results: Bioluminescence imaging showed that therapy with TRAIL alone produced an initial 400% increase in apoptotic activity that rapidly diminished during the 10-day treatment period despite continued therapy. In contrast, concomitant 5-FU and TRAIL therapy elicited an apoptotic response that was sustained throughout the entire therapeutic course. Using diffusion MRI, an enhanced tumor response was detected when concomitant therapy was given versus TRAIL-alone therapy. Last, concomitant therapy resulted in a prolonged growth delay (∼9 days) compared with TRAIL alone (∼4 days). Conclusion: We showed that concomitant 5-FU and TRAIL therapy indeed enhanced apoptotic activity in vivo, which translated into greater tumor control. Moreover, this technique sheds light on the synergy of 5-FU and TRAIL as evidenced by differences in the temporal activation of caspase-3 resulting from the different therapeutic regimens.
Integrated CPU-GPU power management for 3D mobile games

Modern system-on-chips (SoC) integrate CPU and GPU for immersive 3D gaming experience. These games require both the CPU and GPU to work in tandem, resulting in high power consumption. In the past, Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS) has been exploited for embedded CPU to save power during game play; but it is only recently that embedded GPUs have attained DVFS capabilities that provide additional opportunities. In this paper, we propose a power management approach that takes a unified view of the CPU-GPU DVFS, resulting in reduced power consumption for latest 3D mobile games compared to an independent CPU-GPU power management approach.
Motion Trajectory Segmentation via Minimum Cost Multicuts

For the segmentation of moving objects in videos, the analysis of long-term point trajectories has been very popular recently. In this paper, we formulate the segmentation of a video sequence based on point trajectories as a minimum cost multicut problem. Unlike the commonly used spectral clustering formulation, the minimum cost multicut formulation gives natural rise to optimize not only for a cluster assignment but also for the number of clusters while allowing for varying cluster sizes. In this setup, we provide a method to create a long-term point trajectory graph with attractive and repulsive binary terms and outperform state-of-the-art methods based on spectral clustering on the FBMS-59 dataset and on the motion subtask of the VSB100 dataset.
Sex differences in the relationship of regional dopamine release to affect and cognitive function in striatal and extrastriatal regions using positron emission tomography and [18F]fallypride

The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in the correlations of d‐amphetamine (d‐AMPH) induced displacements of [18F]fallypride in striatal and extrastriatal regions in relation to affect and cognition. Seven male and six female healthy subjects, whose mean age was 25.9 years, underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fallypride at baseline and 3 h after a 0.43 mg/kg oral dose of d‐AMPH. Percent displacements in striatal and extrastriatal regions were calculated using regions of interest (ROI) analysis and on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis. Subjects underwent neuropsychological testing prior to the baseline PET study and one hour after d‐AMPH administration for the second PET. In order to examine the subjective effect of d‐AMPH, subjects rated PANAS at baseline and after administration of amphetamine. Correlations of changes in cognition and affect with regional dopamine (DA) release revealed several significant sex related differences. The results of this study demonstrate in vivo sex related differences in the relationship of regional DA release to affect and cognitive function. Synapse 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Significance of Learning Style with Respect to Achievement in First Year Programming Students

div class="user"≫This study investigates the relationship between the Kolb learning style of first-year programming students and their level of achievement. The method of data collection is described and the process of hypothesis testing is explained. The students in this study were predominately converger and accommodator learning styles. Statistical tests indicated no overall difference between the results of students with different learning styles but a difference was found along Kolb’s concrete-abstract axis. A number of possible impacts on teaching are discussed and suggestions made for future research.
Human Albumin Prevents 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Loss of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in In Vitro and In Vivo

Human albumin has recently been demonstrated to protect brain neurons from injury in rat ischemic brain. However, there is no information available about whether human albumin can prevent loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression of dopaminergic (DA) neurons induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) toxicity that is most commonly used to create a rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, two microliters of 1.25% human albumin were stereotaxically injected into the right striatum of rats one day before or 7 days after the 6-OHDA lesion in the same side. D-Amphetamine-induced rotational asymmetry was measured 7 days, 3 and 10 weeks after 6-OHDA lesion. We observed that intrastriatal administration of human albumin significantly reduced the degree of rotational asymmetry. The number of TH-immunoreactive neurons present in the substantia nigra was greater in 6-OHDA lesioned rats following human albumin-treatment than non-human albumin treatment. TH-immunoreactivity in the 6-OHDA-lesioned striatum was also significantly increased in the human albumin-treated rats. To examine the mechanisms underlying the effects of human albumin, we challenged PC12 cells with 6-OHDA as an in vitro model of PD. Incubation with human albumin prevented 6-OHDA-induced reduction of cell viability in PC12 cell cultures, as measured by MTT assay. Furthermore, human albumin reduced 6-OHDA-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis in cultured PC12 cells, as assessed by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis showed that human albumin inhibited 6-OHDA-induced activation of JNK, c-Jun, ERK, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling in PC12 cultures challenged with 6-OHDA. Human albumin may protect against 6-OHDA toxicity by influencing MAPK pathway followed by anti-ROS formation and anti-apoptosis.
The Role of Social Emotional Health on Academic Achievement of College Students

Research on positive psychology has widely grown since its emergence. The strength of the human becomes a key point of positive psychology to explore, such as self-efficacy, optimism, self-control, etc. This research applied positive psychology to evaluate the role of social-emotional health on the academic achievement of college students. There were 107 first year psychology students of the Islamic University of Indonesia participating this study. Data were collected using the Social Emotional Health Survey System (SEHS-S) developed by Jones, You, and Furlong (2012) and Grade Point Average (GPA) of students. Data analysis showed that Social Emotional Health was correlated with GPA. Three domains within Social Emotional Health Survey System such as belief in self, emotional competence, and engaged living were positively correlated with GPA. However, belief in others does not correlate with GPA.
Successful Access Rate and Risk Factor of Vascular Access Surgery in Arm for Dialysis

Purpose: Preservation of adequate vascular access is of vital importance for patients undergoing chronic dialysis in renal failure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the successful access rate and risk factors of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in the arm for dialysis at a single center. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing vascular access operation between January 2006 and December 2011 were retrospectively identified. Results: A total of 362 vascular access operations were performed. There were 338 autologous AVFs (93.4%) and 24 prosthetic grafts (6.6%). Men comprised 58.3% of all subjects. Mean age was 59.5±14.7 years. There were 187 diabetes mellitus patients (51.7%). There was a mean duration of 70.3±21.1 days between access creation to first cannulation. Overall successful access rate for dialysis was 95.9%. Of 338 autologous AVFs, 326 patients had patent AVFs for dialysis (96.4% surgical success rate), while 21 of 24 prosthetic grafts were patent (87.5% surgical success rate). A total of 141 patients (38.9%) came to surgery with preoperative central venous catheters (CVC) of which 130 (35.9%) AVFs had a patent fistula in the arm. The only risk factor related to successful access rate of AVF was preoperative CVC placement (P=0.012). Conclusion: Successful vascular access rate was 95.9%. The only risk factor related to patent access of AVF was preoperative CVC placement. At least 6 months prior to expected dialysis, AVF surgery is recommended, which may overcome the challenge of co-morbid conditions from having a preoperative CVC.
MIT Open Access

Switched systems, or systems whose control parameters include a continuous-valued input and a discrete-valued input which corresponds to the mode of the system that is active at a particular instance in time, have shown to be highly eﬀective in modeling a variety of physical phenomena. Unfortunately, the construction of an optimal control algorithm for such systems has proved diﬃcult since it demands some form of optimal mode scheduling. In a pair of papers, we construct a ﬁrst order optimization algorithm to address this problem. Our approach, which we prove in this paper converges to local minimizers of the constrained optimal control problem, ﬁrst relaxes the discrete-valued input, performs traditional optimal control, and then projects the constructed relaxed discrete-valued input back to a pure discrete-valued input by employing an extension to the classical chattering lemma that we formalize. In the second part of this pair of papers, we describe how this conceptual algorithm can be recast in order to devise an implementable algorithm that constructs a sequence of points by recursive application that converge to local minimizers of the optimal control problem for switched systems.
p32/gC1qR is indispensable for fetal development and mitochondrial translation: importance of its RNA-binding ability

p32 is an evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed multifunctional protein. Although p32 exists at diverse intra and extracellular sites, it is predominantly localized to the mitochondrial matrix near the nucleoid associated with mitochondrial transcription factor A. Nonetheless, its function in the matrix is poorly understood. Here, we determined p32 function via generation of p32-knockout mice. p32-deficient mice exhibited mid-gestation lethality associated with a severe developmental defect of the embryo. Primary embryonic fibroblasts isolated from p32-knockout embryos showed severe dysfunction of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, because of severely impaired mitochondrial protein synthesis. Recombinant p32 binds RNA, not DNA, and endogenous p32 interacts with all mitochondrial messenger RNA species in vivo. The RNA-binding ability of p32 is well correlated with the mitochondrial translation. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed the close association of p32 with the mitoribosome. We propose that p32 is required for functional mitoribosome formation to synthesize proteins within mitochondria.
Role of the Olivo-Cerebellar System in Timing

Timing has been proposed as a basic function of the cerebellar cortex (particularly the climbing fiber afferents and their sole source, the inferior olive) that explains the contribution of the cerebellum to both motor control and nonmotor cognitive functions. However, whether the olivo-cerebellar system mediates time perception without motor behavior remains controversial. We used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging to dissociate the neural correlates of the perceptual from the motor aspects of timing. The results show activation of multiple areas within the cerebellar cortex during both perception and motor performance of temporal sequences. The results further show that the inferior olive was activated only when subjects perceived the temporal sequences without motor activity. This finding is most consistent with electrophysiological studies showing decreased responsiveness of the inferior olivary neurons to sensory input during expected, self-produced movement. Our results suggest that the primary role of the inferior olive and the climbing fiber system in timing is the encoding of temporal information independent of motor behavior.
The differential destructive and enhancing effects of anti-H-2K, H-2D, and anti-Ia antisera on murine skin allografts

Nude (athymic) or anti-lymphocyte serum-treated mice have absent delayed graft rejection due to impaired T-cell responses. Nonetheless, these mice can reject skin grafts, acutely, when treated with anti-H-2 antibody and additional complement. Resolution of the components in the H-2 antisera, by either absorption or by selective production of antisera of restricted specificity has demonstrated that anti-H-2K or H- 2D antiser are graft destructive, and as shown elsewhere, are nonenhancing. By contrast, anti-Ia sera are not capable of causing allograft destruction even when used in extremely high doses and were previously noted to be enhancing. The mechanism of such differential effects is not apparent, but the findings are clearly of importance to transplantation in man, where sera reacting specifically with B cells may also be enhancing and nondestructive.
Turkish adaptation of the sport motivation scale II (SMS-II): Procedures of validity and reliability

Amac: Bu arastirma Pelletier ve digerleri, (2013) tarafindan gelistirilen 6 alt boyut ve 18 maddeden olusan Sporda Gudulenme Olcegi II’nin (SGO-II) Turkceye uyarlama calismasinin yapilarak, gecerlik ve guvenirliginin test edilmesini amaclamaktadir. Materyal ve Yontem: Calisma 14 farkli spor bransindan toplam (78 kadin ve 127 erkek) 205 sporcuyla yapilmistir. Olcegin alt boyutlari ve maddelerin dagilimlari oncelikle aciklayici faktor analizi (AFA) ile gozden gecirilmistir. Alt boyutlarin onceden ongorulebilmesi sebebiyle temel bilesenler analizi ve veri yapisinin basitlestirilmesi amaciyla egik dondurme metodu uygulanmistir. Ardindan AMOS 18 programi ile dogrulayici faktor analizi (DFA) yapilarak olcegin ortaya koydugu model uyum degerlerine gore test edilmistir. Bulgular: Alti faktorlu olcek toplam varyansin % 66’sini aciklamaktadir. Faktor yukleri 0,57 ile 0,94 arasinda degismektedir. Bu sonuclara gore alt boyutlarin guvenirlik katsayilari sirasiyla Icsel Gudulenme, Ozumseme, Ozdesim, Ice atim, Dissal Duzenleme, Gudulenmeme ve toplam olcek icin sirasiyla 0,72, 0,61, 0,81, 0,55, 0,73, 0,72 ve 0,76 olarak bulunmustur. Olcegin alt boyutlari arasi iliski duzeyi 0,4 ile 0,69 arasinda degismektedir. DFA sonuclarina bakildiginda ise uyum degerleri sirasiyla X²=181,3, df=120, X²/df=1,5, RMSA=0,05, CFI=0,96, NFI=0,88, NNFI=0,96 olarak karsimiza cikmaktadir. Sonuclar: Olcegin uyum degerleri kabul edilebilir degerler arasindadir. Bulgular Pelletier ve digerleri, (2013) tarafindan gelistirilen orijinal olcegin degerleriyle buyuk olcude benzerlikler gostermektedir. Ortaya konulan veriler SGO-II’nin Turkce formunun hem kavramsal hem de istatistiksel acidan gecerli ve guvenilir bir olcme araci olarak sporcularda gudulenme kavramini olcmek amaciyla kullanilabilecegini gostermektedir.
Vincamine Alleviates Amyloid-β 25–35 Peptides-induced Cytotoxicity in PC12 Cells

Objective: Vincamine is a plant alkaloid used clinically as a peripheral vasodilator that increases cerebral blood flow and oxygen and glucose utilization by neural tissue to combat the effect of aging. The main purpose of the present study is to investigate the influence of vincamine on amyloid-β 25-35 (Aβ25-35) induced cytotoxicityto gain a better understanding of the neuroprotective effects of this clinically used anti-Alzheimer′s disease drug. Materials and Methods: Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring malondialdehydeglutathioneand superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Cell viability was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell apoptosis detection was performed using an Annexin-V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined using an ROS Assay Kit. Western blot detection was carried out to detect the protein expression. Results: Our studies showed that pretreatment with vincamine could reduce Aβ25-35 induced oxidative stress. Vincamine markedly inhibited cell apoptosis dose-dependently. More importantlyvincamine increased the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt and Bcl-2 family protein ratios on preincubation with cells for 2 h. Conclusion: Above observation led us to assume that one possible mechanism of vincamine protects Aβ25-35-induced cell death could be through upregulation of SOD and activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Abbreviation used: Aβ25-35: Amyloid-β 25-35; AD: Alzheimer′s disease; BCA: Bicinchoninic acid; GSH: glutathione; PBS: Phosphate buffered solution; SDS: Sodium dodecylsulphate; SOD: Superoxide dismutase
The Association between the Phenotype of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Blood Pressure in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome

Objective Investigate the clinical features and the blood pressure (BP) pattern of the phenotype of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in OSAHS. Methods A total of 508 Chinese adults with suspected OSAHS were referred to our sleep laboratory from October 2009 to May 2012. On the same night of polysomnography (PSG), the levels of blood pressure were measured before sleeping (bedtime BP) and immediately after waking up in the next morning (morning BP). EDS was recognized as Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)≥9. Subjects were classified into four groups based on the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) from PSG as follows: control (simple snoring) group (control, n=104) with AHI<5; mild group (mild, n=89) with AHI≥5 and <15; moderate group (moderate, n=70) with AHI≥15 and<30; and severe group (severe, n=245) with AHI ≥30. The differences and correlations between BP and PSG parameters in EDS and non-EDS group of OSAHS patients were analyzed. Results In all subjects, ESS was positively correlated with morning diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and bedtime DBP (r=0.144, 0.102 and 0.114, respectively, each P value<0.05). In OSAHS patients, ESS was only positively correlated with morning DBP (r=0.137, P<0.05). OSAHS patients with EDS phenotype were younger and were more likely to have the symptom of waking up feeling tired (36.1% vs. 23.2%, p=0.023), who had lower MSaO2, longer SIT90 (the ratio of time of SpO2 below 90% in total sleep time) and higher DBP (bedtime as well as morning). In patients with AHI≥15, ESS was correlated positively with both bedtime and morning DBP after controlling the confounding effects of age, sex, BMI, AHI and nadir nocturnal oxygen saturation( r=0.126,0.143, respectively, both P values<0.05). And in OSAHS patients of EDS phenotype, the bedtime DBP, bedtime MAP, morning DBP, and morning MAP were 3~5 mm Hg higher than that in patients of non-EDS phenotype(P<0.05). In the moderate and severe OSAHS group, patients with EDS phenotype were younger and had a lower mean blood oxygen saturation (MSaO2), longer time of SpO2 below 90% and higher SIT90 than patients with non-EDS phenotype (P<0.05). In hypertensive OSAHS patients, patients with EDS were also younger and had higher micro-arousal index (MiI), as well as higher morning DBP, morning MAP and bedtime DBP than that in non-EDS group (P<0.05). Conclusions EDS in OSAHS patients is a special phenotype, which was characterized by younger age, higher DBP and more severe hypoxic load. This feature is mainly manifested in moderate and severe OSAHS patients. It is very important to identify the phenotype of EDS in patients with OSAHS, who may meet more benefits from effective treatment of OSAHS by correcting the intermittent nocturnal hypoxia and sleep fragmentation.
The Successor Representation and Temporal Context

The successor representation was introduced into reinforcement learning by Dayan (1993) as a means of facilitating generalization between states with similar successors. Although reinforcement learning in general has been used extensively as a model of psychological and neural processes, the psychological validity of the successor representation has yet to be explored. An interesting possibility is that the successor representation can be used not only for reinforcement learning but for episodic learning as well. Our main contribution is to show that a variant of the temporal context model (TCM; Howard & Kahana, 2002), an influential model of episodic memory, can be understood as directly estimating the successor representation using the temporal difference learning algorithm (Sutton & Barto, 1998). This insight leads to a generalization of TCM and new experimental predictions. In addition to casting a new normative light on TCM, this equivalence suggests a previously unexplored point of contact between different learning systems.