Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Control and Adaptive Attentional Regulations for Robotic Task Execution

We propose a robotic cognitive control framework that exploits supervisory attention and contention scheduling for flexible and adaptive orchestration of structured tasks. Specifically, in the proposed system, top-down and bottom-up attentional processes are exploited to modulate the execution of hierarchical robotic behaviors conciliating goal-oriented and reactive behaviors. In this context, we propose a learning method that allows us to suitably adapt task-based attentional regulations during the execution of structured activities.
A sustained effect of electroconvulsive shock on the turnover of norepinephrine in the central nervous system of the rat.

Although the etiology of the depressive illnesses is unknown, evidence acquired over the past decade has suggested to many authors the hypothesis that these states may result, in part, from a diminished functional activity of norepinephrine in certain regions of the brain. Neurochemical, pharmacological, and behavioral studies have provided a number of findings compatible with this hypothesis. ' Reserpine, a hypotensive and tranquilizing agent which characteristically depletes the brain of norepinephrine and other amines,' has been found in a significant proportion of patients receiving it to result in a state closely resembling endogenous depression. 3 On the other hand, a number of drugs which elevate mood and have been found of value in the treatment of depression appear to act on central norepinephrine in ways which could increase its physiologically active concentration,4 either by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for its presynaptic deamination, by favoring its release, or by inhibiting its re-uptake, presumably at central synapses. Introduced by Cerletti and Bini in 1938,' two decades before modern drug treatments, electroconvulsive therapy has proved to be the most eff ective form of treatment of depressive illness: extensive clinical experience6 and a number of controlled studies7 agree that approximately 80 per cent of depressed patients experience significant, sustained improvement or disappearance of symptoms in the course of a series of electroconvulsive shocks given at intervals of one to a few days. Although there is general agreement on its efficacy, there is little knowledge with which to formulate an explanation of its mechanism of action. Central and peripheral biochemical effects have been observed which are inconstant or attributable to the acute functional disturbances attending the shock itself.8 If a deficiency of norepinephrine were involved in depressive illness, one would expect some change induced by electroconvulsive shock in the availability of this amine in the brain, compatible with one or another of the effects reported for the antidepressant drugs. Rosenblatt and co-workers9 have reported evidence for an increased permeability of the blood: brain barrier to norepinephrine after electroshock, but the elevation in blood norepinephrine which follows such treatment'0 is neither sufficiently great nor prolonged to affect brain concentrations appreciably. Schatalova and Antonov1' have reported no change in brain norepinephrine concentration after a single electrically induced convulsion, but reported a fall after repeated administrations. No effect of electroconvulsive shock has been found on norepinephrine in the brain which could lead to a persistent increase in the physiologically active concentration of that amine in the brain or to a plausible explanation of the sustained clinical improvement which is usually observed.
Toxicologic Aspects of Deaths Due to Falls From Height

A prospective study of 161 victims of falls from height is reported. The aim was to determine the interest of systematic qualitative and quantitative toxicological analysis in such fatalities. The primary cause of death was suicide (84.5%), followed by accidents (7%) and homicide (1%). In the remaining 7.5%, cause of death was undetermined. In the suicides, there was evidence of psychotropic medicines in 57% of the observations, with a much higher proportion of benzodiazepines and antidepressants in women than in men. Quantitative toxicologic analysis showed overdosing on medication in 16 suicide victims, with toxic levels in 11 of these. Systematic qualitative and quantitative toxicologic analysis made a significant contribution to the diagnosis of suicide by revealing either an unknown psychiatric treatment or a toxic level.
Consistent Chromosome Abnormalities in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva

Six squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva (SCV) were karyotyped in short‐term culture and in early passages as established cell lines. Each tumor was cytogenetically distinct, contained multiple chromosome rearrangements, and was karyotypically stable in culture. Heterogeneity within individual tumors was manifested by the presence of more than one clonal population, but the clones within each tumor were closely related to one another. Seven consistent chromosome abnormalities found in five of the six tumors were: losses of 3p 14‐cen, 8pter‐p 11, 22q 13.1 ‐q 13.2, and the short arm of the inactive X; chromosome gains involving 3q25‐qter and 11 q21; and rearrangement breakpoints at 5cen‐q 12. Ten additional chromosome changes were observed in four of the six SCVs, and together, 22 changes occurred in at least three of the tumors. Two specific losses, 10q23‐q25 and 18q22‐q23, were present in all four tumors that exhibited biologically aggressive behavior in vivo, but these losses were not found in the tumors of the two long‐term survivors. These findings indicate that: 1) SCVs are genetically complex, but homogeneous; 2) loss of 18q22‐q23 and loss of 10q23‐q25 may be associated with a poor prognosis; and 3) development and progression of SCV appear to result from cumulative effects of altered gene dosage at multiple, consistent loci.
BEX5/RabA1b Regulates trans-Golgi Network-to-Plasma Membrane Protein Trafficking in Arabidopsis[W]

A fluorescence imaging-based forward genetic screen that detects components of endocytic recycling is used to identify BEX5/RabA1b as a regulator of protein trafficking to the plasma membrane. Constitutive endocytic recycling is a crucial mechanism allowing regulation of the activity of proteins at the plasma membrane and for rapid changes in their localization, as demonstrated in plants for PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins, the auxin transporters. To identify novel molecular components of endocytic recycling, mainly exocytosis, we designed a PIN1-green fluorescent protein fluorescence imaging–based forward genetic screen for Arabidopsis thaliana mutants that showed increased intracellular accumulation of cargos in response to the trafficking inhibitor brefeldin A (BFA). We identified bex5 (for BFA-visualized exocytic trafficking defective), a novel dominant mutant carrying a missense mutation that disrupts a conserved sequence motif of the small GTPase, RAS GENES FROM RAT BRAINA1b. bex5 displays defects such as enhanced protein accumulation in abnormal BFA compartments, aberrant endosomes, and defective exocytosis and transcytosis. BEX5/RabA1b localizes to trans-Golgi network/early endosomes (TGN/EE) and acts on distinct trafficking processes like those regulated by GTP exchange factors on ADP-ribosylation factors GNOM-LIKE1 and HOPM INTERACTOR7/BFA-VISUALIZED ENDOCYTIC TRAFFICKING DEFECTIVE1, which regulate trafficking at the Golgi apparatus and TGN/EE, respectively. All together, this study identifies Arabidopsis BEX5/RabA1b as a novel regulator of protein trafficking from a TGN/EE compartment to the plasma membrane.
Early virologic failure in HIV-coinfected hepatitis C patients treated with the peginterferon-ribavirin combination: does abacavir play a role?

To the Editor: We carefully read the letter by Buchacz et al published in the December 15, 2006 issue of this journal. Although the letter did not show clear evidence of renal impairment in patients with advanced HIV diseases treated with tenofovir, we outline some considerations about the importance of the selection of antiretroviral drugs in patients who are candidates for liver transplantation. Tenofovir is currently one of the most frequently prescribed drugs worldwide as a part of combination antiretroviral therapy and has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of HIV-infected patients. Although it is generally well tolerated, several different kinds of kidney toxicity have been described with tenofovir, including Fanconi syndrome, diabetes insipidus, and acute renal failure. Proximal tubular damage (proximal tubular bicarbonate wasting), low-grade proteinuria, hypokalemia, and hypophosphatemia have been described. HIV coinfection accelerates the course of hepatitis viruses (hepatitis C virus [HCV] and hepatitis B virus [HBV]), inducing liver damage. The progression of liver fibrosis is faster in HIV-HBVHCV–coinfected patients, reducing the survival of patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), which has become the leading cause of death among coinfected subjects. HIV-infected patients are considered as candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). They have shown a survival rate comparable to that observed in monoinfected patients. In coinfected patients, the model end-stage liver disease (MELD) score is considered the best scoring system. The system has been designed to improve the organ allocation system in liver transplantation to ensure that available organs are directed to transplant candidates based on the severity of their liver disease rather than on the length of time they have been on the waiting list. The parameters considered for the calculation of the MELD score are serum creatinine, total bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR). Because the availability of liver organs is limited and OLT in HIV is particularly complex and expensive, the correct allocation of livers becomes fundamental. Any factor that could influence renal function, and thus serum creatinine, should modify the MELD score and change the organ allocation. The use of tenofovir in patients with ESLD and eligible for OLT may be a cause of increased serum creatinine and a subsequent MELD score modification. Therefore, tenofovir should be used cautiously in this category of patients, and when its use is mandatory, careful monitoring of renal function is needed.
Real-Time Analysis of Agonist-Induced Activation of Protease-Activated Receptor 1/Gαi1 Protein Complex Measured by Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer in Living Cells

G protein-coupled receptors transmit extracellular signals into the cells by activating heterotrimeric G proteins, a process that is often followed by receptor desensitization. Monitoring such a process in real time and in living cells will help better understand how G protein activation occurs. Energy transfer-based approaches [fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)] were recently shown to be powerful methods to monitor the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)-G protein association in living cells. Here, we used a BRET technique to monitor the coupling between the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and Gαi1 protein. A specific constitutive BRET signal can be measured between nonactivated PAR1 and the Gαi1 protein expressed at a physiological level. This signal is insensitive to pertussis toxin (PTX) and probably reflects the preassembly of these two proteins. The BRET signal rapidly increases upon receptor activation in a PTX-sensitive manner. The BRET signal then returns to the basal level after few minutes. The desensitization of the BRET signal is concomitant with β-arrestin-1 recruitment to the receptor, consistent with the known rapid desensitization of PARs. The agonist-induced BRET increase was dependent on the insertion site of fluorophores in proteins. Taken together, our results show that BRET between GPCRs and Gα proteins can be used to monitor the receptor activation in real time and in living cells. Our data also revealed that PAR1 can be part of a preassembled complex with Gαi1 protein, resulting either from a direct interaction between these partners or from their colocalization in specific microdomains, and that receptor activation probably results in rearrangements within such complexes.
Tunneling path based analytical drain current model for double gate Tunnel FET (DG-TFET)

This paper presents a 2D analytical model for symmetric double gate Tunnel Field Effect transistor (DG-TFET) based on tunneling path in the channel. The potential profile is obtained by solving 2D Poisson's equation in the rectangular coordinate system. The drain current is extracted by integrating the band to band tunneling generation rate, initial and final tunneling length. The primary focus is on initial tunneling length as it directly influence the drain current amplitude of the device. The DG-TFET shows ON-current improvement as compared with SG-TFET. The validation of analytical results with simulated results is done by TCAD device simulator.
Weight control behaviors among adult men and women: cause for concern?

OBJECTIVES To examine gender differences in weight control behaviors; their duration and the consistency of their use over a 3-year period; and variations of these behaviors by body mass index (BMI). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES The study population included 714 women and 229 men participating in a community-based weight gain prevention program who completed surveys about their weight control behaviors annually for 3 years. General dieting behaviors (e.g., current, regular, and past dieting), dietary restraint (using Restrained Eating subscale of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire), and specific weight control practices (e.g., increasing exercise, skipping meals, and taking laxatives) were assessed. RESULTS Women were more likely than men to report weight control behaviors, with particularly strong associations found between gender and "history of dieting" (odds ratio = 8.1) and "participation in an organized weight loss program" (odds ratio = 11.7). Among both genders, exercise was the most frequently reported specific weight loss practice (66% of women and 53% of men), followed by decreasing fat intake (62% of women and 48% of men). The use of at least one unhealthy weight control behavior over the past year was reported by 22% of the women and 17% of the men. Gender differences were not found for duration of use of most of the specific weight control practices over the past year, or for consistency of general dieting behaviors and dietary restraint over time. Although both gender and BMI were strongly associated with dieting behaviors, interactions between gender and BMI on prevalence rates of dieting were not significant. DISCUSSION Although weight control behaviors were more prevalent among women than men, in general, large gender differences were not found in the types of behaviors used and the duration and consistency of their use. The high percentages of adults using healthy methods of weight control was encouraging. However, there is still cause for concern, in that unhealthy weight control practices were also reported by a significant percentage of the population.
Loss of IL-7 Receptor α on CD4+ T Cells Defines Terminally Differentiated B Cell-Helping Effector T Cells in a B Cell-Rich Lymphoid Tissue1

IL-7 plays important roles in development and homeostatic proliferation of lymphocytes. IL-7 uses a receptor composed of IL-7Rα (CD127) and the common γ-chain (CD132) to transmit its signal. It has been unknown how CD127 is regulated during Th cell differentiation to the B cell-helping T cell lineage. In this study, we report that loss of CD127 defines terminally differentiated B cell-helping effector T cells in human tonsils. Although naive CD4+ T cells uniformly express CD127, the memory/effector (non-FOXP3+) CD4+ T cells are divided into CD127+ and CD127− cells. The CD127− T cells are exclusively localized within the germinal centers where B cells become plasma and memory B cells, whereas CD127+ T cells are found in T cell areas and the area surrounding B cell follicles. Consistently, the CD127− T cells highly express the B cell zone homing receptor CXCR5 with concomitant loss of CCR7. Compared with CD127+ memory T cells, CD127− T cells have considerably shorter telomeres, do not proliferate in response to IL-7, and are prone to cell death. The CD127− T cells produce a large amount of the B cell follicle-forming chemokine CXCL13 upon stimulation with B cells and Ags. Most importantly, they are highly efficient in helping B cells produce Igs of all isotypes in a manner dependent on CD40L and ICOS and inducing activation-induced cytidine deaminase and Ig class switch recombination. The selective loss of CD127 on the B cell-helping effector T cells would have implications in regulation and termination of Ig responses.
Chemical constituents of Citrus sinensis var. Shukri from Pakistan

The variety ‘Shukri’ is a new hybrid of Citrus sinensis and is frequently grown for its sweet edible fruits in the southern part of Pakistan. The leaves of this hybrid variety have been investigated in search of secondary metabolites for the first time. As a result of chromatographic analysis of the methanolic extract, a new ceramide along with a flavonone glycoside and two steroids has been isolated, which were spectroscopically characterized as (E)-N-(1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxyhexadecan-2-yl)dec-4-enamide (1), atripliside B (2), β-sitosterol (3), and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), respectively. Compound 1 was found to be a new addition in the list of natural products, whereas, to the best of our knowledge, compounds 2–4 have been isolated for the first time from this source.
TRENDS IN NEUROMOTOR BEHAVIOR OF PRETERM AND FULLTERM INFANTS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

A follow‐up study of 150 fullterm and preterm infants was conducted to determine the similarities and differences in neuromotor behavior during the first year of life. Three groups (healthy fullterm, healthy preterm, sick preterm) were compared at three, six, nine and 12 months of age. In general, fullterm infants were more similar in their responses to the Neuromotor Behavioral Inventory and more consistently advanced than some preterm infants at all four examinations. The greatest distinction between fullterm and both preterm groups occurred at three and six months. By nine and 12 months fullterm and healthy preterm infants had more similar development, but some sick preterm infants continued to develop differently. It appeared that the influence of prematurity on neuromotor behavior, regardless of whether the infant was healthy or sick, was greatest before nine months of age. After nine months, health appeared to be a contributing factor to the infants' development.
The ALPI Trial: The Italian/European Experience with Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Resectable Non–Small Lung Cancer

Postoperative treatments for lung cancer have been evaluated for more than two decades, but in the majority of the studies no significant and clinically meaningful effect on survival has been shown. In 1995, a meta-analysis of eight cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy trials in 1,394 patients with non–small cell lung cancer showed a 13% reduction in the risk of death (P = 0.08). The nonstatistically significant benefit reported in the meta-analysis prompted the planning of several randomized studies of platinum-based chemotherapy. Three studies addressed the issue of adjuvant chemotherapy in all the resected stages of non–small cell lung cancer (I-IIIA): the Italian/European study Adjuvant Lung Cancer Project Italy, the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer study, and the British Big Lung Trial. In contrast to the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer, the Adjuvant Lung Cancer Project Italy and the underpowered British Big Lung Trial failed to prospectively confirm a significant role of adjuvant chemotherapy in completely resected non–small cell lung cancer. In this article, we will discuss the findings of the Adjuvant Lung Cancer Project Italy study in the context of the International Adjuvant Lung Cancer and British Big Lung Trial.
Smoking and Parkinson's disease: Systematic review of prospective studies

We estimated the pooled risk of tobacco smoking for Parkinson's disease (PD). Inclusion criteria included systematic searches of MedLine, PsycLIT, Embase, Current Contents, previously published reviews, examination of cited reference sources, and personal contact and discussion with several investigators expert in the field. Published prospective studies on PD and cigarette smoking. When two or more studies were based on an identical study, the study that principally investigated the relationship or the study that was published last was used. Seven prospective studies were carried out between 1959 and 1997, of which six reported risk estimates. Four cohorts were based on standardised mortality rates, which were exclusively of male. Only one study included risk estimates for both males and females separately. The risk of ever smoker was 0.51 (95% confidence interval, 0.43 to 0.61). There was an obvious protective effect of current smoking in the pooled estimate (relative risk, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.26–0.47). Former smokers had lower risk compared with never smokers (relative risk, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.49–0.88). Although our pooled estimates show that smoking is inversely associated with the risk of PD, the four prospective studies that were based on follow‐up of mortality of smokers had many limitations. Further studies evaluating the association between smoking and PD in women are strongly needed. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
An adaptive anomaly detection system using data mining and an artificial immune system

An anomaly detection system (ADS) can be seen as a system that monitors patterns of normal data and identifies deviations from the normal patterns as potentially harmful anomalous behaviours. ADS is used as a way of ensuring security for today's demanding systems, that have automated most of their day-to-day activities. One approach taken to building anomaly detection systems is computational immunology (also known as artificial immune systems (AIS)). This thesis develops a hybrid AIS model (HAIS) for anomaly detection that combines immunological analogies with association rule mining. HAIS, is able to demonstrate dynamic learning through its generation of detectors for detecting anomalies and provide adaptability to changing environments. In addition, detection results using HAIS are shown to be more comprehensible. Two systems, static axtificial immune system (SAIS) and dynamic artificial immune system (DAIS) axe developed. It is demonstrated, using the KDD Cup '99 data set that SAIS improves on the accuracy of existing AlSs that employ a random detector generation process. DAIS extends on SAIS and uses multiple mechanisms inspired by the human immune system: detector tolerisation, detector turnover, thymus-independent activation, thymus-dependent activation and immunological memory. The effect of each mechanism is studied. DAIS is shown to be able to detect anomalies, continuously learn from new normal data and support detector turnover. Again, experimental evidence is shown using the KDD Cup '99 data set. In addition, it is demonstrated that the two activation mechanisms introduced into DAIS successfully reduce the false positive rate.