Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Descriptive and experimental analyses of potential precursors to problem behavior.

UNLABELLED We conducted descriptive observations of severe problem behavior for 2 individuals with autism to identify precursors to problem behavior. Several comparative probability analyses were conducted in addition to lag-sequential analyses using the descriptive data. Results of the descriptive analyses showed that the probability of the potential precursor was greater given problem behavior compared to the unconditional probability of the potential precursor. Results of the lag-sequential analyses showed a marked increase in the probability of a potential precursor in the 1-s intervals immediately preceding an instance of problem behavior, and that the probability of problem behavior was highest in the 1-s intervals immediately following an instance of the precursor. We then conducted separate functional analyses of problem behavior and the precursor to identify respective operant functions. Results of the functional analyses showed that both problem behavior and the precursor served the same operant functions. These results replicate prior experimental analyses on the relation between problem behavior and precursors and extend prior research by illustrating a quantitative method to identify precursors to more severe problem behavior. DESCRIPTORS descriptive assessment, functional analysis, lag-sequential analysis, precursors, problem behavior, response-class hierarchies
Femtosecond laser correction of presbyopia (INTRACOR) in emmetropes using a modified pattern.

PURPOSE To evaluate functional results and corneal changes after femtosecond laser correction of presbyopia (INTRACOR, Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH) in emmetropes using a modified treatment pattern over a 12-month period. METHODS Twenty eyes from 20 emmetropic patients were treated with a modified intrastromal INTRACOR pattern consisting of 5 central rings and 8 radial cuts in a prospective, nonrandomized, uncontrolled, open, single-center, clinical study. Refraction, visual acuity, endothelial cell density, corneal pachymetry, total corneal power, and stray light were evaluated preoperatively and 1 (except endothelial cell density and stray light), 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Patients filled out a subjective questionnaire at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS Comparison of preoperative versus 12-month postoperative median values revealed a significant improvement in uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) from 0.60 (20/80) to 0.10 logMAR (20/25) (P<.0001) and a significant decrease in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) from -0.10 (20/16) to 0.00 logMAR (20/20), which equals a median loss of one line (P=.0005). Fifteen percent of patients lost two lines of CDVA in the treated eye. Subjective spherical equivalent refraction remained unchanged at 0.00 diopters (D) (P=.194). After INTRACOR treatment, significant corneal steepening of 1.40 D and midperipheral flattening of 0.50 D occurred (both P<.0001). Corneal pachymetry at the thinnest point and endothelial cell density did not change significantly (P=.829 and P=.058, respectively). CONCLUSIONS After 12 months, the modified INTRACOR pattern improved UNVA in emmetropic patients without inducing a myopic shift or significant changes in endothelial cell density or pachymetry.
The Profile of Abundant and Essential Fatty Acids in Depot Fat Varies More in Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) than in Other Avian Species

Direct and dendrographic comparison of the profiles of abundant fatty acids in depot fat was unable to separate 10 avian species on a basis of their overall proportions but was able to distinguish broad dietary groups or those in a habitat with distinctive nutritional characteristics such as avian marine carnivores. In all species considered, including North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), oleic (C18:1) and palmitic acids (C16:0) were most abundant. The relative proportions of linolenic (C18:3) acid were 4% or lower across all species, while the relative proportions of palmitoleic acid (C18:0) were less than 7% in nine of the avian species, with the exception being the insectivorous red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceous). The levels of linoleic acid (C18:2) were lower in avian marine carnivores than in avian herbivores, insectivores, and omnivores. Whilst the mean values of the individual fatty acids in fat from various avian species were separated by hierarchical cluster analysis, the wide range of values of each fatty acid precluded any correlation of clustering with any known variation in dietary items. Similarly, the wide range in fatty acid composition of kiwi fat rendered it unhelpful in determining the optimum composition of the captive diet.
Molecular analysis of two mouse dilute locus deletion mutations: spontaneous dilute lethal20J and radiation-induced dilute prenatal lethal Aa2 alleles

The dilute (d) coat color locus of mouse chromosome 9 has been identified by more than 200 spontaneous and mutagen-induced recessive mutations. With the advent of molecular probes for this locus, the molecular lesion associated with different dilute alleles can be recognized and precisely defined. In this study, two dilute mutations, dilute-lethal20J (dl20J) and dilute prenatal lethal Aa2, have been examined. Using a dilute locus genomic probe in Southern blot analysis, we detected unique restriction fragments in dl20J and Aa2 DNA. Subsequent analysis of these fragments showed that they represented deletion breakpoint fusion fragments. DNA sequence analysis of each mutation-associated deletion breakpoint fusion fragment suggests that both genomic deletions were generated by nonhomologous recombination events. The spontaneous dl20J mutation is caused by an interstitial deletion that removes a single coding exon of the dilute gene. The correlation between this discrete deletion and the expression of all dilute-associated phenotypes in dl20J homozygotes defines the dl20J mutation as a functional null allele of the dilute gene. The radiation-induced Aa2 allele is a multilocus deletion that, by complementation analysis, affects both the dilute locus and the proximal prenatal lethal-3 (pl-3) functional unit. Molecular analysis of the Aa2 deletion breakpoint fusion fragment has provided access to a previously undefined gene proximal to d. Initial characterization of this new gene suggests that it may represent the genetically defined pl-3 functional unit.
Escapes in copepods: comparison between myelinate and amyelinate species

ABSTRACT Rapid conduction in myelinated nerves keeps distant parts of large organisms in timely communication. It is thus surprising to find myelination in some very small organisms. Calanoid copepods, while sharing similar body plans, are evenly divided between myelinate and amyelinate taxa. In seeking the selective advantage of myelin in these small animals, representatives from both taxa were subjected to a brief hydrodynamic stimulus that elicited an escape response. The copepods differed significantly in their ability to localize the stimulus: amyelinate copepods escaped in the general direction of their original swim orientation, often ending up closer to the stimulus. However, myelinate species turned away from the stimulus and distanced themselves from it, irrespective of their original orientation. We suggest that faster impulse conduction of myelinated axons leads to better precision in the timing and processing of sensory information, thus allowing myelinate copepods to better localize stimuli and respond appropriately. Summary: Copepods that possess myelinated axons are better at localizing an abrupt hydromechanical stimulus than those that lack myelin. This advantage might have been a factor in the evolution of myelin.
Single‐Crystalline CdS Nanobelts for Excellent Field‐Emitters and Ultrahigh Quantum‐Efficiency Photodetectors

The single crystalline CdS nanobelts were synthesized by an improved vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process. Field emission measurements show that the nanostructures have a low turn-on field of 3.7 V&m-1 at a current density of 10 μA cm-1, a low threshold field of 9.3 V μm cm-1 and a high enhancement factor of 1298. When assembled into nanoscale visible light photodetectors, the CdS nanobelts showed good sensitivity and wavelength selectivity. The results imply that the present CdS nanobelts are excellent candidates for applications in high-performance field emitters and photodetectors.
Neuropsychological features of familial Alzheimer's disease

It has been proposed that early‐onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) have different causes, with FAD due to a single dominant gene with disease onset before the sixth decade, whereas sporadic AD has a later onset and is not associated with a dominant pattern of inheritance. Given these differences, we questioned whether these etiologically distinct forms of AD also differ neuropsychologically. In this study we performed neuropsychological evaluations on patients from two well‐documented families with FAD and a group of patients with sporadic AD. The groups were matched on global disease severity at entry. Two groups of education and age‐matched normal controls were recruited for comparison. The groups were analyzed for psychometric findings and pattern of deficits. Both patients with FAD and patients with sporadic AD showed a similar pattern of neuropsychological impairment relative to age‐matched controls, i.e., mildly to moderately impaired verbal performance and concentration, severely slowed psychomotor speed, and severely impaired delayed recall of verbal material. There were no differences in pattern suggestive of disproportionately severe anomia, amnesia, agnosia, or apraxia in the early onset FAD group, as has been reported previously.
Semipermissive Replication of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus of Autographa californica in a Gypsy Moth Cell Line

Several gypsy moth cell lines have been previously described as nonpermissive for the multiple-embedded nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Autographa californica (AcMNPV). In this report, we demonstrate the semipermissive infection of a gypsy moth cell line, IPLB-LD-652Y, with AcMNPV. IPLB-LD-652Y cells infected with AcMNPV produced classic cytopathic effects but failed to yield infectious progeny virus. Results of experiments employing DNA-DNA dot hybridization suggested that AcMNPV DNA synthesis was initiated from 8 to 12 h postinfection (p.i.), continued at a maximum rate from 12 to 20 h p.i. , and declined from 20 to 36 h p.i. The rate of AcMNPV DNA synthesis approximated that observed in the permissive TN-368 cell line. AcMNPV-infected IPLB-LD-652Y cells, pulse-labeled with [35S]methionine at various time intervals p.i. and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed four virus-induced proteins, one novel to the semipermissive system and three early α proteins, synthesized from 1 to 20 h p.i. Thereafter, both host and viral protein synthesis was completely suppressed. These results suggest that AcMNPV adsorbed, penetrated, and initiated limited macromolecular synthesis in the semipermissive gypsy moth cell line. However, the infection cycle was restricted during the early phase of AcMNPV replication.
Radiation response of primary human skin fibroblasts and their bystander cells after exposure to counted particles at low and high LET

Purpose: To investigate the dependence of bystander effects on linear energy transfer (LET) in the low dose region. Materials and Methods: The single-ion microbeam of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) was used to irradiate confluent primary human skin fibroblasts. Cells plated on a special irradiation dish were targeted with 10 MeV protons (LET ≈ 4.7 keV/μm) and 4.5 MeV α-particles (LET ≈ 100 keV/μm). During exposure, the cells were confluent allowing signal transfers through both gap junctions and diffusion. Results: For 10 MeV protons the clonogenic capability was significantly higher after exposure to 70 protons (0.31 Gy) compared with unirradiated cells. For higher doses the survival curve was exponential. Exposure of only 10% of all nuclei resulted in a similar radiation response in the low dose region. For higher doses up to 2.2 Gy no cell killing was observed. For 4.5 MeV α-particles an exponential survival curve was obtained. Irradiation of only 10% of all cell nuclei resulted in an survival curve as had been expected in the absence of any bystander effect. Conclusion: The type and extent of bystander effects turned out to be dependent on the particles' LET and are likely to depend also on the cell line used and the techniques applied.
Predicting and Treating the Sexual Difficulties of Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

Women treated for gynecologic cancer represent approximately 45% of cancer survivors. Many report significant sexual difficulties during follow-up, and data suggest these difficulties are direct consequences of their cancer treatments. Health care providers can identify at the time of initial therapy those women who will be at greater risk for problem development. Clinical observations are provided on the development of sexual problems for these women as they attempt to resume sexual intercourse, and the psychologic and behavioral therapies that can be used for treatment are discussed.
Effect of estrogen upon methamphetamine‐induced neurotoxicity within the impaired nigrostriatal dopaminergic system

In the present study, we investigated whether estrogen remains effective as a neuroprotectant within an impaired nigrostriatal dopaminergic (NSDA) system of gonadectomized female and male mice. In Experiment 1, mice were treated with four different regimens of methamphetamine (MA) to establish a protocol for an impaired NSDA system to be used in subsequent experiments. Based upon the results of Experiment 1, in Experiment 2 gonadectomized female mice received a treatment with either control (saline), low‐ or high‐dose of MA to produce an initial NSDA impairment. At one week post‐MA, mice received either estradiol benzoate (10 μg) or vehicle followed 24 h later with low‐MA or saline. Estrogen altered the toxic effects of the second invasion of MA as indicated by a significant decrease in striatal dopamine (DA) and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations. In addition, DA and DOPAC depletion was greater in high‐ vs. low‐dose MA. In gonadectomized male mice (Experiment 3), striatal DA and DOPAC concentrations showed greater decreases following high‐, vs. low‐doses of MA; however, estrogen did not alter these responses. These results demonstrate that the capacity for estrogen to protect or worsen MA‐induced neurotoxicity of dopaminergic neurons is limited to female mice and depends on the condition of the NSDA system. Synapse 60:354–361, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kaempferol Attenuates the Development of Diabetic Neuropathic Pain in Mice: Possible Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidant Mechanisms

Abstract BACKGROUND: Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is one of the most difficult types of pain to treat. Many studies emphasized on the role of microglial cells, oxidative stress (OS) and inflammatory cytokines (IC) in the development of diabetic neuropathy (DN). AIM: Present study was designed to evaluate the effect of kaempferol in attenuation of DN in mice. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in mice by i.p. injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (200 mg/kg). Cold allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and chemical hyperalgesia were assessed, as well as markers of inflammation and OS. RESULTS: Diabetic mice (DM) showed an increased pain sensation, IC and OS accompanied with reduced body weigh gain. Treatment of DM with kaempferol (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day/orally) attenuated the development of DN and reduced pain sensation. Moreover, it reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), lipid peroxidation and nitrite, concomitant with the improvement of antioxidant defense and body weight gain. In contrast, kaempferol (100 mg/kg) had no effects on the behavioral and biochemical parameters. Our results strongly suggest that activated microglia, IC and OS are involved in the development of DN. CONCLUSIONS: Kaempferol attenuates the development of DNP in mice probably by inhibition of neuroimmune activation of microglia and, partly mediated by reducing IC and OS.
Effects of a 48-h Fat Infusion on Insulin Secretion and Glucose Utilization

To determine the effects of prolonged elevation of plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) on insulin secretion, we infused Liposyn II (4.3 μmol · kg−1 · min−1) plus heparin (0.4 U · kg−1 · min−1) intravenously into six healthy volunteers for 48 h. Another six volunteers received saline infusions and served as control subjects. In all 12 subjects (11 men and 1 woman), plasma glucose was clamped at ∼8.6 mmol/l. Liposyn/heparin infusion resulted in a 9.4-fold increase in plasma FFA concentration (from 132 to 1,237 μmol/l), a 46% increase in insulin secretion rates (from 241 to 352 pmol/min, P < 0.05) (determined by deconvolution of plasma C-peptide concentration), and a 30% decrease, during the initial 24 h, in the rate of glucose infusion needed to maintain hyperglycemia (from 55.5 to 39.1 μmol · kg−1 · min−1, P < 0.02). This decrease disappeared during the second 24 h. In summary, we found that physiologically elevated plasma FFAs 1) potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion for 48 h and 2) initially caused peripheral insulin resistance that disappeared during the 2nd day, probably as a result of elevated circulating insulin levels. We conclude that in healthy volunteers under hyperglycemic conditions, fat infusion produced insulin resistance that was compensated for after ∼24 h by persistent hypersecretion of insulin.
Saveme: client-side aggregation of cloud storage

Nowadays, there are many cloud storage service providers and many of them provide significant amounts of free storage. It is desirable for users to be able to manage the storage space available to them as a single unified space. Otherwise, user files will be scattered over many different providers, negating the advantage of using cloud storage. Another important concern of users is that their data is at the disposal of the service providers. Lastly, in contrast to the hype of extremely high availability, accidents tend to happen and even the most available cloud services are not accessible many times per year or even per month. SaveMe is designed to solve all of these issues, providing aggregation, security, and higher availability purely from the client side. It is the first approach to address all three issues without any additional server component. To achieve these goals, SaveMe is building a single virtual volume by combining public and private cloud storage. In SaveMe, every file is fully encrypted, erasure coded, and distributed. For better security and privacy, all data processes are performed on the client side, unlike the case of conventional cloud storage services. The logical volume of SaveMe is extensible due to a flexible data and volume model. The authors also tested the performance of SaveMe in comparison with those of existing services. SaveMe showed above average performance in terms of the speeds of uploading or downloading files. Furthermore, data availability evaluation clearly demonstrates that the availability of SaveMe is an order of magnitude higher than those of other commercial cloud storage services.
Sertindole in schizophrenia: efficacy and safety issues

Introduction: Despite substantial progress in the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia, antipsychotic drugs are associated with insufficient effects on negative and cognitive symptoms, adverse events, poor compliance and drug discontinuation. Sertindole, first withdrawn from the market for cardiovascular safety concerns, is currently available in many countries. It has high affinity for dopamine D2, serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C and a1-adrenergic receptors, and a low potential for extrapyramidal symptoms. Areas covered: The pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability, and cost-effectiveness of sertindole are covered in this article, based on a literature review (PubMed) from 1990 to 2014. Expert opinion: The reviewed studies suggest a beneficial effect of sertindole on positive, negative and cognitive symptoms, and on relapse prevention. Although generally well tolerated, sertindole is associated with a dose-related QT-interval prolongation; thus, its administration requires electrocardiogram screening and monitoring. The presence of congenital long QT syndrome, prolongated QTc at baseline, cardiac disease and drug interactions should be carefully considered before prescribing sertindole. Further direct ‘head-to-head’ comparisons with other second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), trials on special populations and further clarification on cardiac safety are needed to better define the role of sertindole in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Commissioning Test of ATLAS End-Cap Toroidal Magnets

The system of superconducting toroids in the ATLAS experiment at CERN consists of three magnets. The Barrel Toroid was assembled and successfully tested in 2006. Next, two End-Cap Toroids have been tested on surface at 77 K and installed in the cavern, 100-m underground. The End Cap Toroids are based on Al stabilized Nb-Ti/Cu Rutherford cables, arranged in double pancake coils and conduction cooled at 4.6 K. The nominal current is 20.5 kA at 4.1 T peak field in the windings and the stored energy is 250 MJ per toroid. Prior to final testing of the entire ATLAS Toroidal system, each End Cap Toroid passed a commissioning test up to 21 kA to guarantee a reliable performance in the final assembly. In this paper the test results are described. It includes the stages of test preparation, isolation vacuum pumping and leak testing, cooling down, step-by-step charging to full current, training quenches and quench recovery. By fast discharges the quench detection and protection system was checked to demonstrate a safe energy distribution within the magnet after a quench or a triggered fast dump.
New uses for old copper-binding drugs: converting the pro-angiogenic copper to a specific cancer cell death inducer

Background: The conventional approach toward anticancer drug development is a time-consuming and expensive procedure. Objective/methods: One approach to expedite this process and achieve more affordable means is to discover new applications of existing drugs, since their pharmacokinetics and pharmacological profiles are well known. Results: Our encouraging findings in recent studies reveal anticancer activities of several copper-binding ligands including disulfiram (an antialcoholism drug), clioquinol (used to treat Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases) and diethyldithiocarbamate (an agent for HIV-1 infection treatment). Conclusion: These in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that these archaic drugs can target and react with tumor cellular copper, forming complexes that act as potent proteasome inhibitors and apoptosis inducers.
Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Evolving Literature and Implications for Future Practice

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, and represents a considerable financial burden to society. Historically, few prospective, randomized, double‐blinded trials have investigated the optimal management of ADHF, and most guideline recommendations are based primarily on expert opinion. However, in the last decade, a considerable amount of research has added to the understanding of the management of ADHF in both patients with fluid overload and low cardiac output. In addition, as mechanical circulatory support devices and heart transplantation continue to evolve, significant advances have also been made with regard to the proper selection of patients for advanced surgical options. Finally, several novel pharmacologic agents have shown promise in early trials and may represent the next steps in ADHF management. Although advances have been made over the past decade, many questions remain.