Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological correlates of multiple object processing

Several daily activities like walking in a crowded street depend on our ability to process multiple objects simultaneously. According to some theories this ability relies on at least two stages or mechanisms related respectively to visual attention and visual working memory (WM). The early stage of multiple object processing – individuation – is a function of attention that allows the visual system to represent multiple objects simultaneously by selecting a limited number of locations and binding them to basic visual features. A second later stage related to visual working memory encodes in greater detail the indexed objects leading to their full representation. In the present thesis I investigated the functioning of multiple object processing in a set of behavioral and electrophysiological studies focusing on the modulation of two component of the event-related potentials - N2pc and CDA – which have been associated respectively to individuation and visual working memory. In all the experiments of the present thesis I established that both N2pc and CDA were modulated by the number of relevant items during the execution of an enumeration task. I exploited this effect in each Chapter of the present thesis to investigate different aspects of multiple object processing. In particular, in the first and second experiment (Chapter 2) I assessed the existence of a capacity limit in simultaneous processing as predicted by theories of individuation. In Chapter 3 I investigated the role of distracting information in simultaneous individuation. In Chapter 4 I focused on whether high-level features (such as semantic information) are incorporated in the representations produced at the stage of individuation. Finally in Chapter 5 I assessed the role of awareness in multiple object processing using a masking paradigm. The results provided new information on the way early individuation and late WM stages interact for successful object perception, as well as on their functional dissociation during multiple object processing.
Evaluation of serum hs-CRP concentrations in reproductive women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Background: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder in reproductive women, which interferes body structure, menstruation and fertility. Objectives: The present study was to evaluate the high sensitivity C- reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in serum among women with PCOS and normal women in relation to insulin resistance (IR) and body mass index (BMI). Materials and Methods: Twenty-five women with PCOS with age 18-35 years were taken as cases and twenty-five age-matched, normal and fertile women were considered as controls after obtaining written informed consent from all of them. Blood Samples were collected for estimation of fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, insulin and hs-CRP levels along with BMI estimation among all of them. Results: Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were not significant between PCOS and control groups. The PCOS group had a significant higher BMI (p=0.008), Insulin (p=0.002), total cholesterol (TC) (p=0.04), triglycerides (TG) (<0.001), LDL (p=0.004) and hs-CRP (p ≤ 0.001) levels compared with the control group. hs-CRP levels were negatively correlated with low density lipoprotein (LDL) (r=-0.552, p=0.004) and TC (r=-0.569, p=0.003) in women with PCOS. Conclusion: The obese woman with PCOS has higher hs-CRP levels, which is an inflammatory marker, estimation of this may give information related to the cardiovascular system of the woman with PCOS and helps to prevent complications among them.
Quantifying the disease impact of cigarette smoking with SAMMEC II software.

Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Costs Software, Release II (SAMMEC II) has been developed for the Office on Smoking and Health, Public Health Service, to permit rapid calculation of deaths, years of potential life lost, direct health-care costs, indirect mortality costs, and disability costs associated with cigarette smoking. For the mortality-related measures, age-specific and age-adjusted rates are also calculated. The pivotal epidemiologic measure in these calculations is the smoking-attributable fraction, and attributal risk measure. A multiple-measure approach (attributable mortality and economic costs) to quantifying a health problem is termed "disease impact estimation. " Previously, national and State-specific estimates of smoking-attributable mortality and economic costs were calculated using SAMMEC software, the predecessor of SAMMEC II. SAMMEC II is completely menu-driven and operates within the Lotus 1-2-3 software as a set of linked spreadsheets. SAMMEC II adapts national epidemiologic methods for use by State and local health departments. Increased exposure of public health professionals to disease impact estimation techniques, as demonstrated by SAMMEC II, will lead to improvements in both methodology and the quality of smoking-related health data. The primary purpose of SAMMEC II, however, is to provide State or locality-specific data on the health consequences of smoking to policymakers and public health professionals in these jurisdictions.
The riddle of heterarchy: : power transitions in cross-functional teams

In this paper, we develop the concept of a power heterarchy, which is a conceptualization of power structures in groups that is more dynamic and fluid than traditional hierarchical structures. Through a study of 516 directional dyads in 45 teams, we demonstrate that heterarchical structures in which the expression of power actively shifts among team members to align team member capabilities with dynamic situational demands can enhance team creativity. Our results indicate that this positive effect of power heterarchies on team creativity is contingent on the team perceiving the shifts in interpersonal power expressions as legitimate. We discuss the implications of this heterarchical power structure for research on group functioning, power, and legitimacy in organizations.
Determinants of Success for Online Insurance Web Sites: The Contributions from System Characteristics, Product Complexity, and Trust

Few studies have considered the determinants of the success of electronic commerce Web sites from an integrated viewpoint, including the technical, psychological, and product-characteristic perspectives. By expanding DeLone and McLean's information system success model, this study develops a model of the impacts of system quality, information quality, perceived product complexity, trust, and satisfaction on repurchase intention in the context of online insurance Web sites. Data collected from 270 online-insurance-Web site consumers provide support for the model. The results indicate that perceived product complexity, trust, and satisfaction are determinants of repurchase intention. In addition, system quality and information quality significantly affect both perceived product complexity and trust. Furthermore, perceived product complexity is found to be a significant mediator of the indirect effects of system quality and information quality on customer satisfaction, and trust and satisfaction are statistically verified to be significant mediators of the indirect effects of system quality, information quality, and perceived product complexity on repurchase intentions. The research results provide online sellers with significant insights into the development of online systems and product/services that can better fulfill the needs of potential and repeat consumers. The theoretical and practical implications of this work are discussed.
Changes in the composition of detergent‐resistant membrane domains of cultured neurons following protein kinase C activation

Changes in the composition of cell fractions, and in particular of detergent‐resistant membranes (DRM) isolated from cultured rat cerebellar granule cells, were taken as possible changes in lipid raft composition during a signal transduction event. After activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol esters (PMA) or glutamate, the content of PKC and of proteins highly enriched (GAP43, Fyn, and PrPc) or not (MARCKS) in DRM was followed. PKC activation strongly increased its association with membranes (from 2% to 75%), causing its enrichment within DRM; the substrate GAP43, enriched in DRM, remained membrane associated, but its proportion in DRM dramatically decreased (from about 40% to 2.5%), suggesting its shift from raft to nonraft membranes, possibly as a consequence of phosphorylation by PKC. The distribution of Fyn and PrPc (DRM‐enriched) and of MARCKS (present mainly outside DRM) did not change. PKC activation was followed by an increase of GAP43 and MARCKS phosphorylation (about 7‐ and 8‐fold, respectively). Noteworthy was that, after cell treatment with the lipid raft‐disrupting drug methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin, PKC activation occurred normally, followed by MARCKS phosphorylation, but GAP43 phosphorylation did not occur. Taken altogether, these data suggest that the integrity of lipid rafts is necessary for PKC to affect GAP43 and catalyze its phosphorylation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Meiotic Telomere Distribution and Sertoli Cell Nuclear Architecture Are Altered in Atm- andAtm-p53-Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT The ataxia telangiectasia mutant (ATM) protein is an intrinsic part of the cell cycle machinery that surveys genomic integrity and responses to genotoxic insult. Individuals with ataxia telangiectasia as well as Atm−/− mice are predisposed to cancer and are infertile due to spermatogenesis disruption during first meiotic prophase. Atm −/−spermatocytes frequently display aberrant synapsis and clustered telomeres (bouquet topology). Here, we used telomere fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence (IF) staining of SCP3 and testes-specific histone H1 (H1t) to spermatocytes of Atm- and Atm-p53-deficient mice and investigated whether gonadal atrophy in Atm-null mice is associated with stalling of telomere motility in meiotic prophase. SCP3-H1t IF revealed that mostAtm−/− p53 −/− spermatocytes degenerated during late zygotene, while a few progressed to pachytene and diplotene and some even beyond metaphase II, as indicated by the presence of a few round spermatids. InAtm−/− p53 −/− meiosis, the frequency of spermatocytes I with bouquet topology was elevated 72-fold. Bouquet spermatocytes with clustered telomeres were generally void of H1t signals, while mid-late pachytene and diploteneAtm−/− p53 −/− spermatocytes displayed expression of H1t and showed telomeres dispersed over the nuclear periphery. Thus, it appears that meiotic telomere movements occur independently of ATM signaling. Atm inactivation more likely leads to accumulation of spermatocytes I with bouquet topology by slowing progression through initial stages of first meiotic prophase and an ensuing arrest and demise of spermatocytes I. Sertoli cells (SECs), which contribute to faithful spermatogenesis, in theAtm mutants were found to frequently display numerous heterochromatin and telomere clusters—a nuclear topology which resembles that of immature SECs. However,Atm −/− SECs exhibited a mature vimentin and cytokeratin 8 intermediate filament expression signature. Upon IF with ATM antibodies, we observed ATM signals throughout the nuclei of human and mouse SECs, spermatocytes I, and haploid round spermatids. ATM but not H1t was absent from elongating spermatid nuclei. Thus, ATM appears to be removed from spermatid nuclei prior to the occurrence of DNA nicks which emanate as a consequence of nucleoprotamine formation.
Differential changes in insulin‐like growth factors and their binding proteins following asphyxia in the preterm fetal sheep

1 The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in circulating concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I, IGF‐II, IGF‐binding protein (IGFBP)−1, IGFBP–2 and insulin following asphyxia in utero. 2 Fetal sheep at 90–93 days gestation underwent either sham occlusion (n = 7) or asphyxia (n = 6) induced by complete umbilical cord occlusion for 30 min. Fetal blood samples were taken before occlusion and 4, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h post‐occlusion. 3 During the early phase of recovery there was a substantial fall (80 %) in circulating plasma IGF‐I concentrations by 6 h post‐asphyxia (P < 0.001). This was associated with a rapid rise in IGFBP‐1 (P < 0.001), but no change in IGF‐II or IGFBP‐2. Insulin was significantly reduced at 4 h (P < 0.001) and glucose slightly elevated (P < 0.05), but insulin values returned to baseline by 6 h. Between 24 and 72 h of recovery, IGF‐I gradually increased, IGFBP‐1 returned to control values, and there was an increase in IGFBP‐2 after 24 h (P < 0.05) and in IGF‐II by 72 h (P < 0.05) after asphyxia. 4 These data demonstrate a differential effect of asphyxia on the IGF axis of the premature fetal sheep. A key finding was the large fall in circulating IGF‐I, but not IGF‐II, during the early phase of recovery. IGF‐I bioavailability was, in part, regulated by IGFBP‐1, but maximal changes in IGF‐I and IGFBP‐1 were independent of plasma insulin and glucose. 5 The impact of this substantial change in circulating IGF‐I on the fetus is unknown. It may facilitate metabolic requirements by promoting catabolism. Alternatively, as IGFs play a role in wound repair, the acute changes in IGF‐I and IGFBP‐1 may reflect transport of IGF‐I from the circulatory pool to injured tissues to promote wound repair.
Low-cost dual-mode asymmetric filters in rectangular waveguide

Dual-mode microwave filters are extensively used in modern communication equipment because they can implement sophisticated and selective filter transfer functions. Their most common implementation is based on circular-waveguide technology and generally requires a rather complex development procedure. In this paper we describe a new implementation of dual-mode filters in standard rectangular waveguide that can be used to produce asymmetric transfer functions. The proposed filter structure can be analyzed and optimized very efficiently using multimode equivalent network representations thus leading to a simple and rapid development procedure. In addition to theory, the measured performance of several filter structures are also presented thereby fully validating the proposed filter concept.
Ultrasonography measurement of carotid intima-media thickness in pediatric patients with obesity , familial hypercholesterolemia and type 1 diabetes

Resumen Propósito. Evaluar con ultrasonografía (US) el Espesor Medio Intimal (EMI) como marcador de riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) temprano en pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y de laboratorio de Hipercolesterolemia Familiar (HCF), Diabetes Tipo 1 (DBT-1) y Obesidad (OB), comparando con grupo control. Materiales y Métodos. Estudio prospectivo, descriptivo y de corte transversal. Evaluamos el EMI de las arterias carótidas comunes (CC) e incluimos en una sola variable dicotómica otras alteraciones estructurales de la pared (placas ateromatosas e irregularidades de la íntima). La US fue realizada en forma cegada al resultado de los exámenes de sangre, según las recomendaciones del consenso de Mannheim 2007, en 121 pacientes (de 6 a 18 años): 24 HCF, 40 DBT-1 y 43 OB; y 14 controles. Se excluyeron pacientes con otras patologías que pudieran alterar la pared arterial. Analizamos las variables con el programa Statistix 8. Resultados. Comparados con los controles, los 3 grupos tuvieron un mayor EMI, siendo las diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Los EMI Medio (mm) fueron en HCF: 0,59 (0,31-2,15), p: 0,006; IC: 0,06-0,36. Obesos: 0,48 (0,3-0,85), p: 0,001; IC: 0,06-0,14. DBT-1: 0,46 (0,25-0,65), p: 0,0004; IC: 0,03-0,13. Grupo control: 0,37 (0,30-0,45). Los pacientes con HCF presentaron la mayor diferencia. No se encontró asociación entre el valor de LDL-C y el EMI. El 62,5% recibían tratamiento farmacológico en el momento de la evaluación. En DBT-1 no se encontró asociación entre el EMI y los niveles de HbA1c y lípidos; y en el grupo OB no se encontró asociación entre el EMI y el Z score IMC. El 31% de HCF, el 8% de DBT-1 y el 6% de OB presentaron placas ateromatosas e irregularidades de la íntima. Conclusión. La US del EMI permitió demostrar que los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas, con RCV aumentado en edad adulta, presentaron alteraciones precoces de la íntima media carotídea en la etapa pediátrica. Esto permite aplicaciones clínicas preventivas y de orientación terapéutica. Palabras clave. Diabetes Tipo 1. Ecografía. Espesor Medio Intimal. Hipercolesterolemia Familiar. Niños. Obesidad. Riesgo Cardiovascular.
13 C NMR assessment of decomposition patterns during composting of forest and shrub biomass

A laboratory experiment was designed to investigate the degradation patterns of leaves from 12 forest and shrub species typical of Mediterranean ecosystems by solid-state C NMR. The spectral data have been compared with those for the major organic fractions, and elementary composition in three transformation stages (zero time, intermediated and advanced (168 d)). The plant material in general showed a selective depletion of lipid and water-soluble products and a concentration in acidinsoluble residue (Klason lignin fraction), but the increasing percentage of total alkyl carbons (not observed in pine leaves) suggests that recalcitrant aliphatic material accumulates in the course of the 168 d incubation, when the total weight losses were up to 660 g kgÿ1. This contrasts with the fact that the concentration of extractable alkyl C (i.e. the lipid fraction) decreased in all cases. The results for the dierent plants suggested some general transformation trends simultaneous to speci®c biodegradation patterns. The non-ameliorant, soil acidifying species (i.e. those a priori considered to favor the accumulation of humus with low biological activity) have high initial concentrations of extractives, alkyl structures and comparatively lower percentages of O-alkyl structures. The decay process in these species is not associated to the increase of the alkyl-to-O-alkyl ratio, which is shown by the ameliorant species. Superimposed on these major trends, the biomass of the dierent plants underwent divergent paths in the course of composting, leading to, for example, (i) accumulation of recalcitrant, nonhydrolyzable alkyl and aromatic structures (Retama, Genista ); (ii) enrichment of resistant O-alkyl structures such are stable fractions of carbohydrate and tannins (Pinus, Calluna ); and (iii) accumulation of aliphatic extractives with the lowest stabilization of protein in resistant forms (Arctostaphylos, Ilex ). In particular, in the acidifying species, the spectral patterns suggest that the apparent stability of the aromatic domain is compatible with selective preservation of tannins together with aliphatic structures. Such speci®c tendencies are also illustrated by the dierence spectra (0 vs 168 d) which suggest that early humi®cation processes are highly heterogeneous and distinct rather than the selective degradation of lipid and water-soluble fractions and carbohydrates, and they may include stabilization of tannins and aliphatic (cutinand protein-like) macromolecules. 7 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Intracellular Salmonella induces aggrephagy of host endomembranes in persistent infections

ABSTRACT Xenophagy has been studied in epithelial cells infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). Distinct autophagy receptors target this pathogen to degradation after interacting with ubiquitin on the surface of cytosolic bacteria, and the phagophore- and autophagosome-associated protein MAP1LC3/LC3. Glycans exposed in damaged phagosomal membranes and diacylglycerol accumulation in the phagosomal membrane also trigger S. Typhimurium xenophagy. How these responses control intraphagosomal and cytosolic bacteria remains poorly understood. Here, we examined S. Typhimurium interaction with autophagy in fibroblasts, in which the pathogen displays limited growth and does not escape into the cytosol. Live-cell imaging microscopy revealed that S. Typhimurium recruits late endosomal or lysosomal compartments that evolve into a membranous aggregate connected to the phagosome. Active dynamics and integrity of the phagosomal membrane are requisite to induce such aggregates. This membranous structure increases over time to become an aggresome that engages autophagy machinery at late infection times (> 6 h postentry). The newly formed autophagosome harbors LC3 and the autophagy receptor SQSTM1/p62 but is devoid of ubiquitin and the receptor CALCOCO2/NDP52. Live-cell imaging showed that this autophagosome captures and digests within the same vacuole the aggresome and some apposed intraphagosomal bacteria. Other phagosomes move away from the aggresome and avoid destruction. Thus, host endomembrane accumulation resulting from activity of intracellular S. Typhimurium stimulates a novel type of aggrephagy that acts independently of ubiquitin and CALCOCO2, and destroys only a few bacteria. Such selective degradation might allow the pathogen to reduce its progeny and, as a consequence, to establish persistent infections.
ALD-Assisted Multiorder Dispersion Engineering of Nanophotonic Strip Waveguides

We propose a new technique for the multiorder dispersion engineering of nanophotonic strip waveguides. Unlike other techniques, the method does not require wafers with customized parameters and is fully compatible with standard wafers used in nanophotonics. The dispersion management is based on the application of nanometer-thick TiO2 layer formed by atomic layer deposition. The method is simple and reliable and allows good control of dispersion up to the fourth-order terms. The additional advantages are the reduction of propagation losses and partial compensation of fabrication tolerances.
Hepatitis C virus replication in stably transfected HepG2 cells promotes hepatocellular growth and tumorigenesis

HepG2 cells stably transfected with a full‐length, infectious hepatitis C virus (HCV) cDNA demonstrated consistent replication of HCV for more than 3 years. Intracellular minus strand HCV RNA was present. Minus strand synthesis was NS5B dependent, and was sensitive to interferon alpha (IFNα) treatment. NS5B and HCV core protein were detectable. HCV stimulated HepG2 cell growth and survival in culture, in soft agar, and accelerated tumor growth in SCID mice. These mice became HCV RNA positive in blood, where the virus was also sensitive to IFNα. The RNA banded at the density of HCV, and was resistant to RNase prior to extraction. Hence, HCV stably replicates in HepG2 cells, stimulates hepatocellular growth and tumorigenesis, and is susceptible to IFNα both in vitro and in vivo. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Translocation of the Csk homologous kinase (Chk/Hyl) controls activity of CD36‐anchored Lyn tyrosine kinase in thrombin‐stimulated platelets

Chk/Hyl is a recently isolated non‐receptor tyrosine kinase with greatest homology to a ubiquitous negative regulator of Src family kinases, Csk. To understand the significance of co‐expression of Chk and Csk in platelets, we examined the subcellular localization of each protein. Chk, but not Csk, was completely translocated from the Triton X‐100‐soluble to the Triton X‐100‐insoluble cytoskeletal fraction within 10 s of thrombin stimulation. Chk and Lyn, but not Csk and c‐Src, co‐fractionated in the higher density lysate fractions of resting platelets, with Chk being found to localize close to CD36 (membrane glycoprotein IV)‐anchored Lyn. The kinase activity of co‐fractionated Lyn was suppressed 3‐fold. In vitro phosphorylation assays showed that Chk suppressed Lyn activity by phosphorylating its C‐terminal negative regulatory tyrosine. Upon stimulation of platelets with thrombin, the rapid and complete translocation of Chk away from Lyn caused concomitant activation of Lyn. This activation was accompanied by dephosphorylation of Lyn at its C‐terminal negative regulatory tyrosine in cooperation with a protein tyrosine phosphatase. These results suggest that Chk, but not Csk, may function as a translocation‐controlled negative regulator of CD36‐anchored Lyn in thrombin‐induced platelet activation.