Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Affective response to architecture – investigating human reaction to spaces with different geometry

ABSTRACT A multidisciplinary research was carried out to reach an improved understanding of the connection between the geometry of space and human emotions. The research develops a framework and methodology to empirically examine and measure human reaction to various types of architectural space geometries. It involves two stages of investigations in which participants experience four spaces characterized by different geometries. Their reaction to the spaces was investigated by means of both qualitative and quantitative methods, which involved questionnaires in the first experiment and advanced sensors and data analysis in a second experiment. The experiments, which employ new virtual reality, electroencephalogram and data analysis methods, confirm the developed methodology. In the first stage of the investigation, participants showed different types of responses and preferences towards spaces. Results of the second stage’s experiment showed a difference in our mental reaction to different geometries of space.
The Use of Intra-articular Hylan G-F 20 in the Treatment of Symptomatic Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder

Background While hylan G-F 20 is an approved therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, there are few reports of its use in shoulder osteoarthritis. Hypothesis Hylan G-F 20 can reduce pain and improve function in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Thirty consecutive patients with idiopathic glenohumeral osteoarthritis who failed to respond to standard conservative measures were enrolled. Patients received 3 weekly intra-articular hylan G-F 20 injections in their affected shoulder and completed a visual analog scale for pain, the UCLA score, and the Simple Shoulder Test at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the third injection. Results Of the 30 patients, 3 withdrew during the washout period before treatment; the remaining patients (17 men and 10 women) had an average age of 62 years. The mean baseline visual analog scale score was 54, UCLA score was 15.7, and Simple Shoulder Test score was 5.7 (of 12 possible “yes” responses). At the 6-month follow-up, hylan G-F 20 significantly improved visual analog scale (mean 30, P < .001), UCLA (mean 24, P < .001), and Simple Shoulder Test (7.6 “yes” responses, P < .001) scores. More patients slept comfortably after treatment (56%) versus before treatment (15%). Nine patients had a visual analog scale improvement >40 points after 6 months. No device-related adverse events were observed. Conclusion Hylan G-F 20 may have a beneficial therapeutic effect on some symptomatic patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells co‐cultured with pancreatic islets display β cell plasticity

The direct co‐culturing effect of rat bone‐marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBM‐MSCs) on the pancreatic‐islets (PIs) was studied to obtain functional islet cells. MSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow and cultivated under standard conditions. Following their characterization, the rBM‐MSCs were directly (with cell–islet contact) co‐cultured with recovered PIs together with the single cell cultures of those cell cultures as a control. The effect of direct co‐cultures of rBM‐MSCs with the PIs of normal rats was investigated using immunophenotypical and functional methods. The change in the amount of insulin secretion was evaluated as an indicator for differentiation of rBM‐MSCs. One approache for in vitro differentiation to achieve reprogramming for differentiation into suitable cell types by changing the microenvironment of the cells to provide signals that might activate metabolic pathways is to use co‐cultures with the microenvironment of the specific cells of the desired cell type, tissue/organ extracts, extracellular matrix compounds or biologically absorbable materials. Differentiated rBM‐MSCs were found to be immunopositive for the specific insulin‐producing cell marker, insulin, but not in undifferentiated rBM‐MSCs. The functionality tests by ELISA confirmed that insulin secretion of co‐cultured MSCs with islets was higher than that of islets. These evidences indicated that PIs could be regarded as critical components of the stem cell niche, such that MSCs can be differentiated into insulin‐producing cells (IPCs). Moreover, direct cell‐to‐cell contact might provide additional and independent support. This approach would circumvent the need for PI‐stem cell co‐culture and could potentially facilitate the production of functional IPCs for future clinical applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of discount price announcements on consumer's behavior

La Teoria de Perspectiva desarrollada por Kahneman y Tversky y la teoria de contabilidad mental de Thaler fueron utilizadas como base y estructura teorica para elaborar este trabajo. Este estudio se propone evaluar el comportamiento de los consumidores cuando se ofrecen diferentes modelos de descuento (en el valor absoluto o porcentaje; descuentos mayores y menores). Los modelos de comportamiento fueron explorados en dos experimentos. Los resultados de dichos experimentos demostraron la presencia de un efecto de encuadramiento en terminos generales. Segun esa premisa, los tipos de opciones de los individuos en una muestra son diferentes. Debido a los cambios de estructura de la oferta, las tasas de descuento variable tuvieron un impacto en la influencia sobre la intencion de compra, las recomendaciones y la percepcion de la calidad.
Thyroid Hormone Regulates Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase Iα Gene Expression through Elements in the Promoter and First Intron*

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) catalyzes the transfer of long chain fatty acyl groups from CoA to carnitine for translocation across the mitochondrial inner membrane. CPT-Iα is a key regulatory enzyme in the oxidation of fatty acids in the liver. CPT-Iα is expressed in all tissues except skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, which express CPT-Iβ. Expression of CPT-Iα mRNA and enzyme activity are elevated in the liver in hyperthyroidism, fasting, and diabetes. CPT-Iα mRNA abundance is increased 40-fold in the liver of hyperthyroid compared with hypothyroid rats. Here, we examine the mechanisms by which thyroid hormone (T3) stimulates CPT-Iα gene expression. Four potential T3 response elements (TRE), which contain direct repeats separated by four nucleotides, are located 3000–4000 base pairs 5′ to the start site of transcription in the CPT-Iα gene. However, only one of these elements functions as a TRE. This TRE binds the T3 receptor as well as other nuclear proteins. Surprisingly, the first intron of the CPT-Iα gene is required for the T3 induction of CPT-Iα expression, but this region of the gene does not contain a TRE. In addition, we show that CPT-Iα is induced by T3 in cell lines of hepatic origin but not in nonhepatic cell lines.
An axiomatic basis for computer programming

In this paper an attempt is made to explore the logical foundations of computer programming by use of techniques which were first applied in the study of geometry and have later been extended to other branches of mathematics. This involves the elucidation of sets of axioms and rules of inference which can be used in proofs of the properties of computer programs. Examples are given of such axioms and rules, and a formal proof of a simple theorem is displayed. Finally, it is argued that important advantage, both theoretical and practical, may follow from a pursuance of these topics.
Efficacy and safety of adjunctive brexpiprazole 2 mg in major depressive disorder: a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study in patients with inadequate response to antidepressants.

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of brexpiprazole as adjunctive therapy to antidepressant treatments (ADTs) in adults with major depressive disorder (as defined by DSM-IV-TR criteria) and inadequate response to ADTs. METHOD Patients with historical inadequate response to 1-3 ADTs were enrolled. All patients entered a prospective 8-week phase on physician-determined, open-label ADT. Those with inadequate response were randomized to ADT + brexpiprazole 2 mg/d or ADT + placebo for 6 weeks. The study was conducted between July 2011 and May 2013. The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline to week 6 in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score. The key secondary end point was change from baseline to week 6 in Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) mean score. The efficacy population comprised all patients who had ≥ 1 dose of study drug in the double-blind phase and both baseline and ≥ 1 postrandomization MADRS scores. The efficacy population per final protocol included patients from the efficacy population who met amended randomization criteria of inadequate response throughout prospective treatment. RESULTS Brexpiprazole (n = 175) reduced mean MADRS total score versus placebo (n = 178) at week 6 in the efficacy population per final protocol (-8.36 vs -5.15, P = .0002). Brexpiprazole improved SDS mean score versus placebo (-1.35 vs -0.89, P = .0349). The most common treatment-related adverse events were weight gain (brexpiprazole, 8.0%; placebo, 3.1%) and akathisia (7.4% vs 1.0%). CONCLUSIONS Adjunctive brexpiprazole therapy demonstrated efficacy and was well tolerated in patients with major depressive disorder and inadequate response to ADTs. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01360645.
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors Suppress Airway Inflammation in Mice Through Down-Regulation of Chemokine Expression

Growing evidence demonstrates that inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is induced in the airways of asthmatic patients. However, the precise role of NO in the lung inflammation is unknown. This study investigated the effect of both selective and nonselective iNOS inhibitors in an allergen-driven murine lung inflammation model. OVA challenge resulted in an accumulation of eosinophils and neutrophils in the airways. Expression of iNOS immunostaining in lung sections together with an increase in calcium-independent NOS activity in lung homogenates was also observed after OVA challenge. Treatment with iNOS inhibitors from the day of challenge to the day of sacrifice resulted in an inhibition of the inflammatory cell influx together with a down-regulation of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production. In contrast, eosinophilic and neutrophilic inhibition was not observed with treatment during the sensitization. Both treatments induced an increased production of Th2-type cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) with a concomitant decrease in production of Th1-type cytokine (IFN-γ). In vitro exposure of primary cultures of murine lung fibroblasts to a NO donor, hydroxylamine, induced a dose-dependent release of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Our results suggest that lung inflammation after allergen challenge in mice is partially dependent on NO produced mainly by iNOS. NO appears to increase lung chemokine expression and, thereby, to facilitate influx of inflammatory cells into the airways.
Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Early Human Pregnancy

Objective: To examine changes in lymphocyte subpopulations in early pregnancy using a methodologically appropriate study design that addresses previous sources of bias. Methods: Thirty‐seven healthy women without risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reviewed when less than 9 weeks pregnant (median 51 days, range 44‐61) and again at least 4 weeks following termination of pregnancy. No woman took the oral contraceptive pill. Blood was taken on each occasion at the same time of day under the same conditions of rest and food intake, transported immediately to the laboratory, and directly prepared for analysis. Lymphocyte surface markers were determined by staining with dual‐colored, isotype‐matched monoclonal antibody fluorescent conjugates, followed by whole blood lysis and subsequent flow cytometric analysis. Results: Pregnancy was associated with a significant reduction in total lymphocytes (P < .0001) and also in CD4+ cells, whether expressed as a percentage of lymphocytes (P = .004), an absolute count (P = .0006), or a ratio (P = .01). Change was independent of the basal level except for lymphocytes, and almost all indices had significant correlations between pregnant and nonpregnant values. Conclusions: In this study design, each woman served as her own control and all factors remained constant except the pregnancy state. Early pregnancy causes a reduction in total lymphocytes of about 6% expressed as a percentage of total white cell count, and in CD4+ cells by 3% as a percentage of lymphocytes, or 100/mm3. We believe this fall can be accepted as definitive. (Obstet Gynecol 1994;83:941‐6)
GPS Interference Mitigation Using Derivative-free Kalman Filter-based RNN

The global positioning system (GPS) with accurate positioning and timing properties has become integral part of all applications around the world. Radio frequency interference can significantly decrease the performance of GPS receivers or even completely prohibit the acquisition or tracking of satellites. The approaches of system performances that can be further enhanced by preprocessing to reject the jamming signal will be investigated. A recurrent neural network (RNN) predictor for the GPS anti-jamming applications will be proposed. The adaptive RNN predictor is utilized to accurately predict the narrowband waveform based on an unscented Kalman filter (UKF)-based algorithm. The UKF algorithm as a derivative-free alternative to the extended Kalman filter (EKF) in the framework of state-estimation is adopted to achieve better performance in terms of convergence rate and quality of solution. The adaptive UKF-RNN filter can be successfully applied for the suppression of interference with a number of different narrowband formats, i.e. continuous wave interference (CWI), multi-tone CWI, swept CWI and pulsed CWI, to emulate realistic circumstances. Simulation results show that the proposed UKF-based scheme can offer the superior performances to suppress the interference over the conventional methods by computing mean squared prediction error (MSPE) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvements.
Human acrocentric chromosomes with transcriptionally silent nucleolar organizer regions associate with nucleoli

Human ribosomal gene repeats are distributed among five nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) on the p arms of acrocentric chromosomes. On exit from mitosis, nucleoli form around individual active NORs. As cells progress through the cycle, these mini‐nucleoli fuse to form large nucleoli incorporating multiple NORs. It is generally assumed that nucleolar incorporation of individual NORs is dependent on ribosomal gene transcription. To test this assumption, we determined the nuclear location of individual human acrocentric chromosomes, and their associated NORs, in mouse> human cell hybrids. Human ribosomal genes are transcriptionally silent in this context. Combined immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization (immuno‐FISH) on three‐dimensional preserved nuclei showed that human acrocentric chromosomes associate with hybrid cell nucleoli. Analysis of purified nucleoli demonstrated that human and mouse NORs are equally likely to be within a hybrid cell nucleolus. This is supported further by the observation that murine upstream binding factor can associate with human NORs. Incorporation of silent NORs into mature nucleoli raises interesting issues concerning the maintenance of the activity status of individual NORs.
Microwave sensor for non-invasive glucose measurements design and implementation of a novel linear

In this paper, a novel non-invasive sensor for the measurement of the glucose concentrations in blood is presented. By using a microstrip band pass filter, a wireless sensor is achieved. In the introduced design, the thumb is placed on the structure of the filter as a superstrate. The response of the filter is dependent on the permittivity of the superstrate. A compact size, linearity and cost effectiveness are the most important advantages of the proposed sensor. The linear behaviour of the filter in terms of the frequency is investigated and for a linear behaviour, a certain frequency for operation is selected. The introduced sensor can be used by diabetics for continuous self-monitoring of the glucose level. The structure of the proposed sensor is designed on the low-cost substrate, FR4, by compact dimensions of 50 mm × 40 mm × 1.6 mm. A prototype of the proposed filter was fabricated and the performance of the filter was investigated, experimentally.
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and Aerosols: Effects of Large Increases on Global Climate

Effects on the global temperature of large increases in carbon dioxide and aerosol densities in the atmosphere of Earth have been computed. It is found that, although the addition of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere does increase the surface temperature, the rate of temperature increase diminishes with increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. For aerosols, however, the net effect of increase in density is to reduce the surface temperature of Earth. Because of the exponential dependence of the backscattering, the rate of temperature decrease is augmented with increasing aerosol content. An increase by only a factor of 4 in global aerosol background concentration may be sufficient to reduce the surface temperature by as much as 3.5 � K. If sustained over a period of several years, such a temperature decrease over the whole globe is believed to be sufficient to trigger an ice age.
Structural and Functional Characterization of OmpF Porin Mutants Selected for Larger Pore Size

The effects on the channel characteristics of four single amino acid substitutions in OmpF porin and of a deletion mutant in the constriction loop L3 have been studied. These mutations are all located in the narrow section of the channel of the protein that forms pores across the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. The single channel conductance of the deletion mutant (Δ109-114) is decreased by one third, whereas the point mutations do not exhibit significant deviations from that of the wild-type protein. The mutants exhibit drastic changes in ion selectivities. In the wild-type protein, the critical threshold potential (Vc), above which channels close reversibly, exhibits a strong pH dependence, with a titration point of ∼ pH 7.7, which is abolished in all mutants studied here. Diffusion of six monosaccharides is little affected in the point mutants, while four disaccharides are taken up at highly increased rates by the deletion mutant. The functional results, presented here, are correlated to the x-ray structures of the mutants (Lou, K.-L., Saint, N., Prilipov, A., Rummel, G., Benson, S.A., Rosenbusch, J.P., and Schirmer, T. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 20669-20675). In most, but not all, cases, the structural changes explain the functional alterations observed.
Comparison of urine dipstick, sulfosalicylic acid, urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, and species-specific ELISA methods for detection of albumin in urine samples of cats and dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of dipstick, sulfosalicylic acid (SSA), and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UP:C) methods for use in detection of canine and feline albuminuria. DESIGN Evaluation study. SAMPLE POPULATION 599 canine and 347 feline urine samples. PROCEDURES Urine was analyzed by use of dipstick, SSA, and UP:C methods; results were compared with those for a species-specific ELISA to determine sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and positive and negative likelihood ratios. RESULTS Positive results for dipstick and SSA tests (trace reaction or greater) in canine urine had moderate specificity (dipstick, 81.2%; SSA, 73.3%) and poor PPV (dipstick, 34.0%; SSA, 41.8%). Values improved when stronger positive results (>or= 2+) for the dipstick and SSA tests were compared with ELISA results (specificity, 98.9% and 99.0% for the urine dipstick and SSA tests, respectively; PPV, 90.7% and 90.2% for the dipstick and SSA tests, respectively). Data obtained for cats revealed poor specificity (dipstick, 11.0%; SSA, 25.4%) and PPV (dipstick, 55.6%; SSA, 46.9%). Values improved slightly when stronger positive test results (>or= 2+) were used (specificity, 80.0% and 94.2% for the dipstick and SSA tests, respectively; PPV, 63.5% and 65.2% for the dipstick and SSA tests, respectively). The UP:C had high specificity for albuminuria in dogs and cats (99.7% and 99.2%, respectively) but low sensitivity (28.7% and 2.0%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Caution should be used when interpreting a positive test result of a dipstick or SSA test for canine or feline albuminuria.
Radiofrequency ablation for early oesophageal squamous neoplasia: outcomes form United Kingdom registry.

AIM To report outcomes on patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for early oesophageal squamous neoplasia from a National Registry. METHODS A Prospective cohort study from 8 tertiary referral centres in the United Kingdom. Patients with squamous high grade dysplasia (HGD) and early squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) confined to the mucosa were treated. Visible lesions were removed by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) before RFA. Following initial RFA treatment, patients were followed up 3 monthly. Residual flat dysplasia was treated with RFA until complete reversal dysplasia (CR-D) was achieved or progression to invasive Squamous cell cancer defined as infiltration into the submucosa layer or beyond. The main outcome measures were CR-D at 12 mo from start of treatment, long term durability, progression to cancer and adverse events. RESULTS Twenty patients with squamous HGD/ESCC completed treatment protocol. Five patients (25%) had EMR before starting RFA treatment. CR-D was 50% at 12 mo with a median of 1 RFA treatment, mean 1.5 (range 1-3). Two further patients achieved CR-D with repeat RFA after this time. Eighty per cent with CR-D remain dysplasia free at latest biopsy, with median follow up 24 mo (IQR 17-54). Six of 20 patients (30%) progressed to invasive cancer at 1 year. Four patients (20%) required endoscopic dilatations for symptomatic structuring after treatment. Two of these patients have required serial dilatations thereafter for symptomatic dysphagia with a median of 4 dilatations per patient. The other 2 patients required only a single dilatation to achieve an adequate symptomatic response. One patient developed cancer during follow up after end of treatment protocol. CONCLUSION The role of RFA in these patients remains unclear. In our series 50% patients responded at 12 mo. These figures are lower than limited published data.
Especial Skills in Experienced Archers

ABSTRACT Especial skills are skills that are distinctive by virtue of massive practice within the narrow contexts in which they are expressed. In the first demonstration of especial skills, Keetch, Schmidt, Lee, and Young (2005) showed that experienced basketball players are better at shooting baskets from the foul line, where they had massive amounts of practice, than would expected from their success at other locations closer to or farther from the basket. Similar results were obtained for baseball throwing. The authors asked whether especial skills hold in archery, a sport requiring less movement. If the emergence of especial skills depends on large-scale movement, one would expect archery to escape so-called especialism. But if the emergence of especial skills reflects a more general tendency for highly specific learning, experienced archers should show especial skills. The authors obtained evidence consistent with the latter prediction. The expert archers did much better at their most highly practiced distance than would be expected by looking at the overall function relating shooting score to distance. We offer a mathematical model to account for this result. The findings attest to the generality of the especial skills phenomenon.