Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Different Intensities of Treadmill Exercise on Cognitive Function Deficit Following a Severe Controlled Cortical Impact in Rats

Exercise has been proposed for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the proper intensity of exercise in the early phase following a severe TBI is largely unknown. To compare two different treadmill exercise intensities on the cognitive function following a severe TBI in its early phase, rats experienced a controlled cortical impact (CCI) and were forced to treadmill exercise for 14 days. The results revealed that the rats in the low intensity exercise group had a shorter latency to locate a platform and a significantly better improvement in spatial memory in the Morris water maze (MWM) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The high intensity exercise group showed a longer latency and a mild improvement in spatial memory compared to the control group rats in the MWM; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and p-CREB protein levels in the contralateral hippocampus were increased significantly in the low intensity exercise group. Our results suggest that 2 weeks of low intensity of treadmill exercise is beneficial for improving cognitive function and increasing hippocampal BDNF expression after a severe TBI in its early phase.
Colocalization and Regulated Physical Association of Presynaptic Serotonin Transporters with A3 Adenosine Receptors

Activation of A3 adenosine receptors (A3ARs) rapidly enhances the activity of antidepressant-sensitive serotonin (5-HT) transporters (SERTs) in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. A3AR agonist stimulation of SERT activity is lost in A3AR knockout mice. A3AR-stimulated SERT activity is mediated by protein kinase G1 (PKGI)- and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-linked pathways that support, respectively, enhanced SERT surface expression and catalytic activation. The mechanisms by which A3ARs target SERTs among other potential effectors is unknown. Here we present evidence that A3ARs are coexpressed with SERT in midbrain serotonergic neurons and form a physical complex in A3AR/hSERT cotransfected cells. Treatment of A3AR/SERT-cotransfected Chinese hamster ovary cells with the A3AR agonist N6-(3-iodobenzyl)-N-methyl-5′-carbamoyladenosine (1 μM, 10 min), conditions previously reported to increase SERT surface expression and 5-HT uptake activity, enhanced the abundance of A3AR/SERT complexes in a PKGI-dependent manner. Cotransfection of SERT with L90V-A3AR, a hyperfunctional coding variant identified in subjects with autism spectrum disorder, resulted in a prolonged recovery of receptor/transporter complexes after A3AR activation. Because PKGI and nitric-oxide synthetase are required for A3AR stimulation of SERT activity, and proteins PKGI and NOS both form complexes with SERT, our findings suggest a mechanism by which signaling pathways coordinating A3AR signaling to SERT can be spatially restricted and regulated, as well as compromised by neuropsychiatric disorders.
Efficient query processing with associated horizontal class partitioning in an object relational data warehousing environment

In an Object Relational Data Warehousing (ORDW) environment, the semantics of data and queries can be explicitly captured, represented, and utilized based on is-a and class composition hierarchies, thereby resulting in more efficient OLAP query processing. In this paper, we show the efficacy in building semantic-rich hybrid class partitions by incorporating the Associated Horizontal Class Partitioning (AHCP) technique on the ORDW schema. Given a set of queries, we use primary and derived partitioning algorithms to select (near) optimal AHCPs, thereby embedding query semantics into the partitioned framework. Finally, by a cost model, we analyze the effectiveness of our approach visa-vis the unpartitioned approach.
Selective prefrontal serotonin depletion impairs acquisition of a detour‐reaching task

We have recently shown that serotonin in the primate orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) contributes to the flexible control of behaviour. 5,7‐dihydroxytryptamine‐induced 5‐HT depletions of OFC impair performance on a serial reversal discrimination task [ Clarke et al. (2004)Science, 304, 878–880]. The deficit is characterized by perseverative responding to the previously rewarded stimulus, a deficit similar to that seen following lesions of the intrinsic neurones of the OFC [ Dias et al. (1996)Nature, 380, 69–72]. The effect is neurochemically selective as dopaminergic lesions of the OFC, induced by 6‐hydroxydopamine, have no effect [ Clarke et al. (2006)Cerebral Cortex]. In order to test for the generality of the effect of serotonin on orbitofrontal processing and, in particular, its effects on flexible behaviour, the present study investigated the effects of serotonin depletions of OFC on performance of another task dependent upon an intact OFC, the detour‐reaching task [ Wallis et al. (2001)European Journal of Neuroscience, 13, 1797–1808]. Successful performance of this task requires inhibition of the animal's prepotent response tendency to reach directly along its line of sight to the reward. Compared with sham‐operated controls, we found that lesioned monkeys made significantly more barrier reaches directly along their line of sight to the visible reward during task acquisition. This finding provides further support for the role of prefrontal serotonin in inhibitory control processes specifically in tasks sensitive to OFC dysfunction.
A robust nonconforming H2-element

Finite element methods for some elliptic fourth order singular perturbation problems are discussed. We show that if such problems are discretized by the nonconforming Morley method, in a regime close to second order elliptic equations, then the error deteriorates. In fact, a counterexample is given to show that the Morley method diverges for the reduced second order equation. As an alternative to the Morley element we propose to use a nonconforming H 2 -element which is H 1 -conforming. We show that the new finite element method converges in the energy norm uniformly in the perturbation parameter.
Clustering of complex shaped data sets via Kohonen maps and mathematical morphology

Clustering is the process of discovering groups within the data, based on similarities, with a minimal, if any, knowledge of their structure. The self-organizing (or Kohonen) map (SOM) is one of the best known neural network algorithms. It has been widely studied as a software tool for visualization of high-dimensional data. Important features include information compression while preserving topological and metric relationship of the primary data items. Although Kohonen maps had been applied for clustering data, usually the researcher sets the number of neurons equal to the expected number of clusters, or manually segments a two-dimensional map using some a-priori knowledge of the data. This paper proposes techniques for automatic partitioning and labeling SOM networks in clusters of neurons that may be used to represent the data clusters. Mathematical morphology operations, such as watershed, are performed on the U-matrix, which is a neuron-distance image. The direct application of watershed leads to an oversegmented image. It is used markers to identify significant clusters and homotopy modification to suppress the others. Markers are automatically found by performing a multilevel scan of connected regions of the U-matrix. Each cluster of neurons is a sub-graph that defines, in the input space, complex and non-parametric geometries which approximately describes the shape of the clusters. The process of map partitioning is extended recursively. Each cluster of neurons gives rise to a new map, which are trained with the subset of data that were classified to it. The algorithm produces dynamically a hierarchical tree of maps, which explains the cluster's structure in levels of granularity. The distributed and multiple prototypes cluster representation enables the discoveries of clusters even in the case when we have two or more non-separable pattern classes.
PEMBELAJARAN BERBASIS MASALAH UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KEMAMPUAN DAN DISPOSISI BERPIKIR KRITIS MATEMATIK SISWA SMA

Latar belakang penelitian ini adalah pentingnya kemampuan dan disposisi berpikir kritis matematiksiswa, sedangkan tujuannya untuk mengetahui perbedaan peningkatan kemampuan dan disposisi berpikir kritis matematik siswa yang mendapatkan pembelajaran berbasis-masalah dan pembelajaran konvensional. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen dengan disain kelompok kontrol non-ekivalen menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Kelas eksperimen mendapat pembelajaran matematika berbasis-masalah dan kelas kontrol mendapat pembelajaran konvensional. Instrumen yang digunakan berupa tes kemampuan berpikir kritis, dan skala disposisi berpikir kritis. Penelitian ini dilakukan di salah satu sekolah menengah atas. Populasi penelitian ini adalah siswa SMA dengan sampel penelitian adalah siswa kelas X SMA Negeri di Tanjungpandan Bangka Belitung dengan responden penelitiannya adalah siswa kelas X sebanyak dua kelas yang dipilih secara acak dari enam kelas yang ada. Analisis data kemampuan dan disposisi berpikir kritis matematik menggunakan uji-t.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa peningkatan kemampuan berpikir kritis matematik siswa yang mendapat pembelajaran matematika berbasis- masalah lebih baik daripada siswa yang mendapat pembelajaran konvensional. Analisis data skala memperlihatkan bahwa peningkatan disposisi berpikir kritis matematik siswa yang mendapatkan pembelajaran berbasis-masalah tidak lebih baik daripada siswa yang mendapat pembelajaran konvensional. Pembelajaran berbasis-masalah memungkinkan sebagai alternatif pembelajaran untuk diimplementasikan di SMA.
Performance of Clinical Algorithms for Smear-Negative Tuberculosis in HIV-Infected Persons in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnosis in Vietnam relies on symptom screening, chest radiography (CXR), and acid fast bacilli (AFB) sputum smear which have a poor sensitivity in HIV patients. We evaluated the performance of clinical algorithms in screening and diagnosing AFB smear-negative TB in HIV patients. Methods. We enrolled 399 HIV-positive patients seeking care at a HIV clinic in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. Participants' demographics, medical history, common TB symptoms, CXR, and laboratory tests were collected. Results. Of 399 HIV patients, 390 had initial AFB-negative smears and 22/390 patients had positive cultures. Symptom screening missed 54% (12/22) of smear-negative pulmonary TB (PTB) cases. Multivariate analysis found CD4+ cell level and CXR were significant PTB predictors. An algorithm combining four TB symptoms and TST presented a high sensitivity (100%), but poorly specific (24%) diagnostic performance for smear-negative PTB. Conclusion. Up to 54% of PTB cases in the HIV-infected population may be missed in the routine screening and diagnostic procedures used in Vietnam. Symptom screening was a poor overall diagnostic measure in detecting smear-negative TB in HIV patients. Our study results suggest that routine sputum cultures should be implemented to achieve a more accurate diagnosis of TB in HIV patients.
Confirmed and Suspected Foreign Body Injuries in Children during 2008–2013: A Hospital-Based Single Center Study in Oulu University Hospital

Introduction: Foreign body injuries are common in children. Most of them are not serious but they can be fatal. A suspected foreign body injury in a child results in a high rate of hospitalizations, exposure to radiation, and need for intervention. This study aimed to analyze the current epidemiology of in-hospital or out of hospital treated foreign object injuries and suspected foreign body injuries in children. Material and Methods: All children <16 years of age (N = 152) who suffered or were suspected to suffer (N = 63) from a foreign body injury and were treated in a pediatric trauma unit of Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland, over a 6-year study period (2008–2013) were included. A comprehensive chart review was completed in order to evaluate injury history, age at the time of trauma, treatment and characteristics of the foreign objects. Results: The majority (57.9%, N = 88) of the injuries were found in children <3 years of age. There was a male predominance (60.5%, N = 92). The most common anatomical site where the foreign body was found was the nose (28.9%, N = 44), followed by the esophagus (20.4%, N = 31) and the eye (11.2%, N = 17). Foreign objects were also found in the lower airways (10.5%, N = 16), ear (10.5%, N = 16), bowel (9.9%, N = 15), throat (3.9%, N = 6), stomach (3.9%, N = 6), and urethra (0.7%, N = 1). Various household items were the most common foreign bodies (33.6%, N = 51). Toys in particular caused 22.4% (N = 34) of the injuries. In-hospital intervention was necessary for 38.5% of the patients (N = 58). Intervention was needed in 39.7% (N = 25/63) of the patients who were suspected to suffer from foreign body but did not. There were no fatalities. Conclusion: Foreign body injuries treated at the pediatric trauma unit were most common in the youngest children (<3 years of age). Majority (61.8%, N = 94) of the patients were treated non-operatively, without any in-hospital intervention.
Black Holes and White Rabbits: Metaphor Identification with Visual Features

Metaphor is pervasive in our communication, which makes it an important problem for nat-ural language processing (NLP). Numerous approaches to metaphor processing have thus been proposed, all of which relied on linguistic features and textual data to construct their models. Human metaphor comprehension is, however, known to rely on both our linguistic and perceptual experience, and vision can play a particularly important role when metaphorically projecting imagery across domains. In this paper, we present the ﬁrst metaphor identiﬁcation method that simultaneously draws knowledge from linguistic and visual data. Our results demonstrate that it outperforms linguistic and visual models in isolation, as well as being competitive with the best-performing metaphor identiﬁcation methods, that rely on hand-crafted knowledge about domains and perception.
Development of pVCR94ΔX from Vibrio cholerae, a prototype for studying multidrug resistant IncA/C conjugative plasmids

Antibiotic resistance has grown steadily in Vibrio cholerae over the last few decades to become a major threat in countries affected by cholera. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) spreads among clinical and environmental V. cholerae strains by lateral gene transfer often mediated by integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) of the SXT/R391 family. However, in a few reported but seemingly isolated cases, MDR in V. cholerae was shown to be associated with other self-transmissible genetic elements such as conjugative plasmids. IncA/C conjugative plasmids are often found associated with MDR in isolates of Enterobacteriaceae. To date, IncA/C plasmids have not been commonly found in V. cholerae or other species of Vibrio. Here we present a detailed analysis of pVCR94ΔX derived from pVCR94, a novel IncA/C conjugative plasmid identified in a V. cholerae clinical strain isolated during the 1994 Rwandan cholera outbreak. pVCR94 was found to confer resistance to sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol and to transfer at very high frequency. Sequence analysis revealed its mosaic nature as well as high similarity of the core genes responsible for transfer and maintenance with other IncA/C plasmids and ICEs of the SXT/R391 family. Although IncA/C plasmids are considered a major threat in antibiotics resistance, their basic biology has received little attention, mostly because of the difficulty to genetically manipulate these MDR conferring elements. Therefore, we developed a convenient derivative from pVCR94, pVCR94Δ X, a 120.5-kb conjugative plasmid which only codes for sulfamethoxazole resistance. Using pVCR94Δ X, we identified the origin of transfer (oriT) and discovered an essential gene for transfer, both located within the shared backbone, allowing for an annotation update of all IncA/C plasmids. pVCR94Δ X may be a useful model that will provide new insights on the basic biology of IncA/C conjugative plasmids.
The effects of noise on binocular rivalry waves: a stochastic neural field model

We analyze the effects of extrinsic noise on traveling waves of visual perception in a competitive neural field model of binocular rivalry. The model consists of two one-dimensional excitatory neural fields, whose activity variables represent the responses to left-eye and right-eye stimuli, respectively. The two networks mutually inhibit each other, and slow adaptation is incorporated into the model by taking the network connections to exhibit synaptic depression. We first show how, in the absence of any noise, the system supports a propagating composite wave consisting of an invading activity front in one network co-moving with a retreating front in the other network. Using a separation of time scales and perturbation methods previously developed for stochastic reaction–diffusion equations, we then show how extrinsic noise in the activity variables leads to a diffusive-like displacement (wandering) of the composite wave from its uniformly translating position at long time scales, and fluctuations in the wave profile around its instantaneous position at short time scales. We use our analysis to calculate the first-passage-time distribution for a stochastic rivalry wave to travel a fixed distance, which we find to be given by an inverse Gaussian. Finally, we investigate the effects of noise in the depression variables, which under an adiabatic approximation lead to quenched disorder in the neural fields during propagation of a wave.
Maternal Depression and Child Behavior Problems Among Children With or Without Intellectual Disability: Longitudinal and Transactional Relationships

Author(s): Zeedyk, Sasha Marie | Advisor(s): Blacher, Jan | Abstract: Few studies exist tracing maternal depressive symptoms longitudinally. This study identifies trajectories of depressive symptoms among mothers of children with or without intellectual disability (ID), including correlates of maternal depressive symptoms longitudinally and the transactional/bi-directional relationship between child behavior problems and maternal depressive symptoms across eight time points (child ages 3-9 and 13). Results of fitting a linear growth model to the data from child ages 3-9 indicated that child behavior problems, low income, high financial stress attributable to the child, and low dispositional optimism were all significant predictors of initial maternal depressive symptoms. Child behavior problems were a significant predictor of the changes in depressive symptoms over time, predicting above and beyond the child’s disability status. When looking from late childhood into early adolescence, hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed maternal depressive symptoms at child age 9 and perceived financial stress to significantly relate to maternal depressive symptoms at child age 13. Results of fitting the data to a cross-lag panel model indicated that from early to late childhood, total child behavior problems significantly contributed to the depression symptoms experienced by mothers at subsequent time points. Yet, the direction of effects shifted from late childhood into early adolescence, with mothers’ depressive symptoms in late childhood significantly predicting total behavior problems in early adolescence. Slight differences were observed in cross-lagged analyses examining child externalizing and internalizing separately. Implications for practice and future research directions are discussed.
Fundamental Assessment Principles for Teachers and School Administrators.

While several authors have argued that there are a number of "essential" assessment concepts, principles, techniques, and procedures that teachers and administrators need to know about (e.g. Calfee & Masuda,1997; Cizek, 1997; Ebel, 1962; Farr & Griffin, 1973; Fleming & Chambers, 1983; Gullickson, 1985, 1986; Mayo, 1967; McMillan, 2001; Sanders & Vogel, 1993; Schafer, 1991; Stiggins & Conklin, 1992 ), there continues to be relatively little emphasis on assessment in the preparation of, or professional development of, teachers and administrators (Stiggins, 2000). In addition to the admonitions of many authors, there are established professional standards for assessment skills of teachers (Standards for Teacher Competence in Educational Assessment of Students (1990), a framework of assessment tasks for administrators (Impara & Plake, 1996), the Code of Professional Responsibilities in Educational Measurement (1995), the Code of Fair Testing Practices (1988), and the new edition of Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (1999). If that isn’t enough information, a project directed by Arlen Gullickson at The Evaluation Center of Western Michigan University will publish standards for evaluations of students in the near future.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction Due to Lack of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Promotes Hepatocarcinogenesis

Abstract Aims: One of the cancer hallmarks is mitochondrial dysfunction associated with oxidative stress. Among the first line of defense against oxidative stress is the dismutation of superoxide radicals, which in the mitochondria is carried out by manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Accordingly, carcinogenesis would be associated with a dysregulation in MnSOD expression. However, the association studies available so far are conflicting, and no direct proof concerning the role of MnSOD as a tumor promoter or suppressor has been provided. Therefore, we investigated the role of MnSOD in carcinogenesis by studying the effect of MnSOD deficiency in cells and in the livers of mice. Results: We found that loss of MnSOD in hepatoma cells contributed to their conversion toward a more malignant phenotype, affecting all cellular properties generally associated with metabolic transformation and tumorigenesis. In vivo, hepatocyte-specific MnSOD-deficient mice showed changed organ architecture, increased expression of tumor markers, and a faster response to carcinogenesis. Moreover, deficiency of MnSOD in both the in vitro and in vivo model reduced β-catenin and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α levels. Innovation: The present study shows for the first time the important correlation between MnSOD presence and the regulation of two major pathways involved in carcinogenesis, the Wnt/β-catenin and hypoxia signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our study points toward a tumor suppressive role of MnSOD in liver, where the Wnt/β-catenin and hypoxia pathway may be crucial elements. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 23, 1059–1075.