Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prenatal immune challenge compromises the normal course of neurogenesis during development of the mouse cerebral cortex

Maternal infection during pregnancy is an environmental risk factor for the development of severe brain disorders in offspring, including schizophrenia and autism. However, little is known about the neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying the association between prenatal exposure to infection and the emergence of cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions in later life. By injecting viral mimetic polyriboinosinic‐polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) into mice, we investigated the influence of maternal immune challenge during pregnancy on the development of the cerebral cortex of offspring. Our previous study showed that stimulation of the maternal immune system compromised the expression properties of transcription factors and the synaptogenesis of cortical neurons in upper layers but not those in deeper layers. The objective of the current study was to examine further whether maternal immune challenge has an influence on the cellular–biological features of the cortical progenitors that generate distinct cortical neuronal subtypes. We found the following abnormalities in the cortex of mice given the prenatal Poly I:C injection during later stages of cortical neurogenesis. First, proliferative activity and the expression of Pax6, which is a master regulator of the gene expression of transcription factors, were significantly decreased in the cortical progenitors. Second, the laminar allocation and gene expression were significantly altered in the daughter neurons generated at the same birth dates. These results demonstrate that specific abnormalities in the cortical progenitors preceded deficits in neuronal phenotypes. These changes may underlie the emergence of psychiatric brain and behavioral dysfunctions after in utero exposure to an infection. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rickets in the Middle East: role of environment and genetic predisposition.

CONTEXT The Middle East has a high incidence of rickets, and it is also common in Europe-dwelling children of Middle Eastern origin. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to explore the mechanisms leading to rickets in children of the Middle East. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted a prospective study in 98 rachitic and 50 controls (aged 6 months to 4 yr) from university and community outpatient hospitals in Egypt and Turkey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We collected epidemiological, maternal, nutritional, radiographic, and biochemical parameters; markers of bone turnover; and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms. RESULTS Epidemiological factors had a key role in pursuit of rickets; Egyptian and Turkish patients had lower (P < 0.01) dietary calcium intake than controls and the recommended dietary intakes, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were reduced in patients, the difference with controls being significant (P < 0.001) only in Turkey, although rickets was more severe in Egypt as determined by the x-ray score (P < 0.05). In Turkey, the F VDR allele frequency was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in patients. The BB VDR genotype was associated with lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in both patients and controls and with severity of rickets. CONCLUSIONS In Turkey most patients had vitamin D deficiency, whereas in Egypt they had mostly calcium insufficiency combined with vitamin D deficiency. In this environ, VDR genotypes may predispose to rickets by increased frequency of the F allele. The unique environs and genetic predisposition have to be accounted for in the design of preventive measures, rather than using European or American recommended dietary intake for calcium and vitamin D.
Characterization of heart failure patients with mid‐range left ventricular ejection fraction—a report from the CHART‐2 Study

The new category of heart failure (HF), HF with mid‐range left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HFmrEF), has recently been proposed. However, the clinical features of HFmrEF, with reference to HF with preserved LVEF (HFpEF) and HF with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) in the same HF cohort, remain to be fully examined.
Genetic and epigenetic variation in a cosmopolitan grass Poa annua from Antarctic and Polish populations

Poa annua L. is the only non−native vascular plant that was successfully estab− lished in the maritime Antarctic. This project aimed to determine the amount of genetic and epigenetic variation within and between two populations of P. annua, one from South Shet− land Is. (Antarctic) and the other one from Central Europe. We applied two AFLP marker systems, using endonucleases that recognised the same restriction site but differed in their sensitivity towards methylation. The Antarctic population differed from the Polish one both at the genetic and epigenetic levels. Genetic variability in the Antarctic population was lower than in the Polish one. Some loci in the Antarctic population showed signs of selec− tion. The difference between Polish and Antarctic populations might be due to a weak bot− tleneck effect followed by population expansion. Using only epigenetic markers, the Ant− arctic population exhibited increased variation level compared to the Polish one. These may have resulted from plastic responses to environmental factors and could be associated with survival in extreme conditions.
Management of Bipolar Depression

Patients with bipolar disorder spend more time in a depressed than manic state, even with individualized treatment. To date, bipolar depression is often misdiagnosed and ineffectively managed both for acute episodes and residual symptoms. This review attempts to summarize the current status of available treatment strategies in the treatment of bipolar depression. For acute and prophylactic treatment, a substantial body of evidence supports the antidepressive efficacy of lithium for bipolar disorders and its antisuicidal effects. Among numerous anticonvulsants with mood-stabilizing properties, valproate and lamotrigine could be first-line options for bipolar depression. Due to receptor profile, mood-stabilizing properties of second-generation antipsychotics have been explored, and up to date, quetiapine and olanzapine appear to be a reasonable option for bipolar depression. The usefulness of antidepressants in bipolar depression is still controversial. Current guidelines generally recommend the cautious antidepressant use in combination with mood stabilizers to reduce the risk of mood elevation or cycle acceleration. Results from clinical trials on psychosocial intervention are promising, especially when integrated with pharmacotherapy. Most patients with bipolar depression need individualized and combined treatment, although the published evidence on this type of treatment strategy is limited. Future studies on the utility of currently available agents and modalities including psychosocial intervention are required.
A Unified Framework for Representing Logic Program Updates

As a promising formulation to represent and reason about agents' dynamic behavious, logic program updates have been considerably studied recently. While similarities and differences between various approaches were discussed and evaluated by researchers, there is a lack of method to represent different logic program update approaches under a common framework. In this paper, we continue our study on a general framework for logic program conflict solving based on notions of strong and weak forgettings (Zhang, Foo, & Wang 2005). We show that all major logic program update approaches can be transformed into our framework, under which each update approach becomes a specific conflict solving case with certain constraints. We also investigate related computational properties for these transformations.
Nitsche's method method for mixed dimensional analysis: conforming and non-conforming continuum-beam and continuum-plate coupling

A Nitche’s method is presented to couple dierent mechanical models. They include coupling of a solid and a beam and of a solid and a plate. Both conforming and non-conforming formulations are presented. In a non-conforming formulation, the structure domain is overlapped by a rened solid model. Applications can be found in multi-dimensional analyses in which parts of a structure are modeled with solid elements and others are modeled using a coarser model with beam and/or plate elements. Discretisations are performed using both standard Lagrange elements and high order NURBS (Non Uniform Rational Bsplines) based isogeometric elements. We present various examples to demonstrate the performance of the method.
Gravitationally lensed high redshift galaxies in the field of 1E0657-56

We present images and long-slit spectra obtained with FORS1 at UT1 of the VLT centered on the gravitational arc of the galaxy cluster 1E0657-56 (z =0 :296). The cluster is one of the hottest, most massive clusters known so far and acts as a powerful gravitational telescope, amplifying the flux of background sources by up to a factor of 20. We present photometric results together with the spectra of the gravitational arc (z =3 :24) and four additional amplied high redshift objects (z =2 :34 to 3.08) that were also included in the slit by chance coincidence. A magnication map has been obtained from a lens model derived from the multiple image systems. We compare our observed spectra with models and briefly discuss the stellar contents of these galaxies. Furthermore we measured the equivalent widths of the C iv 1550 and Si iv 1400 absorption lines for the objects behind 1E0657-56 studied here, as well as for some additional starburst galaxies (nearby and at high z). For C iv we nd an increasing absorption equivalent width with decreasing redshift. We discuss whether this correlation could be related to the increase of metallicity with the age of the universe.
Psychosexual development of children and adolescents with hypospadias.

INTRODUCTION Hypospadias is the most common malformation of the penis. Despite the common assumption that hypospadias may affect children's psychosexual development, only a few studies report on the patients' psychosexual adjustment during childhood and adolescence. AIM A comprehensive, cross-sectional investigation of the psychosexual development of boys operated on for hypospadias in comparison to a healthy control group. METHODS Sixty-eight children and adolescents (7-17 years) operated on for hypospadias were examined by means of a standardized interview assessing penile self-perception, gender-role behavior, sexual experiences, and sexual attitude. Scores were compared to an age-matched control group consisting of 68 boys after hernia repair. Predictive values of medical variables as well as the patients' knowledge of hypospadias were assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Pediatric Penile Perception Score, the Gender-Role Questionnaire by Ijntema and Cohen-Kettenis, and a self-developed questionnaire on first sexual experiences and sexual attitude comprised the standardized assessment instruments. RESULTS Boys with hypospadias did not significantly differ from the control subjects with regard to penile self-perception, gender-role behavior, first sexual experiences, and sexual attitude. Younger age and the patient's knowledge of hypospadias predicted a more positive penile self-perception, while a more pronounced masculine gender-role behavior was best predicted by younger age at final surgery. CONCLUSIONS Boys with corrected hypospadias may show a psychosexual development that is similar to healthy children. Puberty could be a critical time for the patients, however, during which they might require regular urological follow-ups and may benefit from age-appropriate information about their penile condition. Moreover, the later corrective surgery is completed, the more likely the patients may become insecure with regard to gender-role behavior.
Dendritic Cell-Induced Memory T Cell Activation in Nonlymphoid Tissues

Secondary lymphoid organs are dominant sites of T cell activation, although many T cells are subsequently retained within peripheral tissues. Currently, these nonlymphoid compartments are viewed as sites only of effector T cell function, without the involvement of renewed induction of immunity via the interactions with professional antigen-presenting cells. We describe a method of reactivation of herpes simplex virus to examine the stimulation of tissue-resident T cells during secondary challenge. The results revealed that memory CD8+ T cell responses can be initiated within peripheral tissues through a tripartite interaction that includes CD4+ T cells and recruited dendritic cells. These findings lend evidence for the existence of a sophisticated T cell response mechanism in extra-lymphoid tissues that can act to control localized infection.
High-Frequency Ultrasound Biomicroscopy versus Ultrasound and Optical Pachymetry for the Measurement of Corneal Thickness

The aim of this study was to correlate central corneal thickness measurements obtained using optical as well as ultrasound pachymeters and high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), assuming UBM as reference. Each measurement was performed on 32 patients (60 eyes) by three observers unaware of the other''s results, on 3 different days. Pearson correlation was used. A strong correlation was found between UBM and ultrasound pachymetry measurements (r=0.858), a weaker one between UBM and optical pachymetry (r=0.506). Optical versus ultrasound measurements were poorly correlated (r=0.540). Each correlation was statistically significant (p<0.001). UBM can be used as an accurate and reproducible method for determining corneal thickness.
Survey of Trypanosoma and Leishmania in Wild and Domestic Animals in an Atlantic Rainforest Fragment and Surroundings in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

ABSTRACT Trypanosoma and Leishmania infections affect wild and domestic animals and human populations. The growing process of deforestation and urbanization of Atlantic Rainforest areas has given rise to introduction of humans and domestic animals to the sylvatic cycles of Trypanosoma and Leishmania species. Serological, parasitological, and molecular surveys among wild and domestic animals in the Corrego do Veado Biological Reserve, which is an Atlantic Rainforest fragment in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, were evaluated. In total, 154 wild animals of 25 species and 67 domestic animals (47 dogs and 20 horses) were sampled. All the domestic animals were serologically negative for anti-Leishmania infantum chagasi antibodies and negative in parasitological approaches. Only the Order Chiroptera presented positive blood cultures and cryopreserved isolates. The phylogenetic trees based on SSU rDNA and gGAPDH genes confirmed the occurrence of Trypanosoma dionisii and provided the first record of Trypanosoma cruzi marinkellei in southeastern Brazil. The studies conducted in Atlantic Rainforest remaining trees provide the knowledge of parasite diversity or detect parasites that can accelerate the loss of hosts diversity.
Effect of PTFE Particle Size on Superhydrophobic Coating for Supercooled Water Prevention

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) chemically repels water droplets due to the nature of fluorine substituents. This paper presents an experimental study on the impact of PTFE particle size and temperature on the hydrophobicity of a surface. The present study analyzes hydrophobicity due to both the chemical properties of PTFE and the microstructure created by PTFE particles. Herein, studies of the contact angle and the sliding angle of these surfaces are described in supercooled-water conditions ranging from −10 to 0 °C. From the equations governing the surface tension and sliding angle of a droplet on a superhydrophobic surface, it is found that particle size has a much greater effect on hydrophobicity than temperature. An increase in the PTFE particle size greatly reduces the sliding angle, which indicates a lower amount of energy required to remove the droplet from the surface.
Identification and Functional Analysis of 20 Box H/ACA Small Nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) from Schizosaccharomyces pombe*

Considering all small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) enriched in the nucleolus, we generated a specialized cDNA library of small nuclear RNAs from Schizosaccharomyces pombe and isolated, for the first time, 20 novel box H/ACA snoRNAs. Thirteen of these were characterized as novel guides that were predicted to direct 19 pseudouridylations in 18 S and 25 S rRNAs. The remaining seven snoRNAs were considered as orphan guides that lack sequence complementarity to either rRNAs or snRNAs. We have experimentally demonstrated the function of the 10 novel snoRNAs by gene deletion in the fission yeast. The snoRNAs were shown to be dispensable for the viability of S. pombe, although an impact of snR94 depletion on yeast growth, especially at 23 °C, was revealed. A total of 30 pseudouridylation sites were precisely mapped in the S. pombe rRNAs, showing a distinctive pseudouridylation pattern in the budding yeast. Interestingly, the absence of pseudouridylation on U2347 in S. pombe 25 S rRNA pointed out a critical role for Ψ2345 in conferring a growth advantage for yeast. In contrast to the intron-encoded box C/D sno-RNAs in yeast, all box H/ACA snoRNAs appeared to be transcribed independently from intergenic regions between two protein-coding genes, except for snR35, which was nested in an open reading frame encoding for a hypothetical protein, although expressed from the opposite strand. Remarkably, snR90 was cotranscribed with an intron-encoded box C/D snoRNA, and this is the first demonstration of a non-coding RNA gene that encodes two different types of snoRNAs by its exon and intron. A detailed comparison of the S. pombe snoRNAs, with their functional homologues in diverse organisms, suggests a mechanism by which the snoRNAs have evolved in coordination with rRNAs to preserve the post-transcriptional modification sites among distant eukaryotes.
Fast Track Communication

According to Landauer’s principle, a minimum amount of energy proportional to temperature must be dissipated during the erasure of a classical bit of information compensating the entropy loss, thereby linking the information and thermodynamics. Here, we show that the Landauer limit of energy dissipation is achievable in a shape-anisotropic single-domain magnetostrictive nanomagnet having two mutually anti-parallel degenerate magnetization states that store a bit of information. We model the magnetization dynamics using the stochastic Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation in the presence of thermal fluctuations and show that on average the Landauer bound is satisfied, i.e. it is in accordance with the generalized Landauer’s principle for small systems with stochastic fluctuations.
Sensitivity of GABAergic Tonic Currents to Acute Ethanol in Cerebellar Granule Neurons is Not Age- or δ Subunit-Dependent in Developing Rats.

BACKGROUND The age of first exposure to ethanol (EtOH), as well as reduced sensitivity to its motor-impairing effects, are associated with a future predisposition to abuse EtOH. In adolescence, acute EtOH potentiates GABA transmission, including tonic inhibition mediated by δ-containing extrasynaptic GABAA receptors (GABAA Rs) in cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), an effect that likely contributes to EtOH-induced motor impairment. Prenatal EtOH exposure is strikingly prevalent and is associated with increased EtOH abuse later in life; however, the acute effects of EtOH on GABA transmission in developing CGNs are unknown. METHODS Using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques in acute brain slices, we examined the acute effects of EtOH on GABA transmission and functionally assessed the role of δ-containing GABAA Rs in CGNs of preweanling (postnatal day [P] 12 to 14) and postweanling (P28 to 30) male Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS The magnitude of basal tonic currents were similar at both ages. However, 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol hydrochloride, an agonist with preferential affinity for δ-containing GABAA Rs, significantly potentiated tonic currents to a larger magnitude in CGNs from postweanlings compared to preweanlings. Conversely, acute application of EtOH (80 mM) significantly increased tonic currents and the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents to a similar extent in CGNs from pre- and postweanlings. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the sensitivity of the developing cerebellum to EtOH. Furthermore, this study demonstrates age-dependent functional changes in a well-characterized circuitry that may contribute to the short- and long-term effects of prenatal exposure to EtOH.
Polarization Conversion for Specular Components of Surface Reflection

Certain characteristics of a material such as the surface reflectivities can be determined even without knowledge of its internal properties. In this letter, a direct relationship (Azzam relationship) and an analytical approximation (Azzam-Sohn-Hong (ASH) approximation) between the vertically and horizontally polarized reflectivities of specular surfaces are derived and validated using the refractive indices of water and metal in a variety of spectral regions. For the purpose of practical remote applications, land, sea water, sea ice, and oil surfaces are considered and compared using the Hong and ASH approximations. Consequently, ASH approximation has an advantage in a variety of spectral bands for materials with a small imaginary part of refractive index, while the Hong approximation does well in the microwave spectral region, or when the imaginary part of the reflective index is not neglected. Thus, a combination of the Hong and ASH approximations is suggested to improve upon previous studies that used only the Hong approximation in a variety of applications.
Constraint Logic Programming forComputational

In computational linguistics, we are often interested in developing grammar formalisms declaratively. However, tractability often becomes a problem then. Therefore, we want to argue for the use of constraint logic programming (CLP), and it is yet interesting to note that most logic based natural language systems have not attempted to employ CLP. Our framework and the prototype system UBS combines logic programming with constraint domains (e.g. typed feature structures and nite sets) and constraint techniques (e.g. coroutining). L'informatique linguistique souhaite souvent des formalismes grammaticaux de mani ere d eclarative. N eanmoins cela conduit souvent a des probl emes d'eecacit e. Nous voulons donc plaider pour l'utilisation de la programmation logique avec contraintes (CLP), et il est int eressant de remarquer qu'' a ce jour les syst emes logiques de traitement des langues naturelles n'ont pas encore essay e d'utiliser la programmation logique avec contraintes. Notre m ethode et le prototype UBS int egre a la programmation logique des domaines de contraintes (tels des structure de traits et des ensembles nis), et des techniques de contraintes (tel le coroutage). ]