Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Static Pressure Promotes Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation via Upregulation of Volume-Regulated Chloride Channel

Arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation is a key event in the development of hypertension associated vascular disease. Although previous studies have found that pressure itself can promote cell proliferation and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells, the mechanisms are not clear. Recent accumulating evidence indicate that volume-regulated chloride channel plays an important role in the regulation of cell proliferation induced by numerous mitogenic factors. However, whether volume-regulated chloride channel is involved in hypertension-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation remains to be determined. In this study, we found that static pressure promoted rat aortic smooth muscle cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Static pressure treatment increased volume-regulated chloride currents and ClC-3 expression. Inhibition of chloride channel with pharmacological blockers or knockdown of ClC-3 with ClC-3 antisense transfection attenuated pressure-evoked cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. Static pressure enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aortic smooth muscle cells. Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) or apocynin pretreatment inhibited pressure-induced ROS production as well as cell proliferation. Furthermore, DPI or apocynin attenuated the pressure-induced upregulation of ClC-3 protein and hypoosmolarity-activated chloride current. Our data suggest that volume-regulated chloride channel plays a critical role in static pressure-induced cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, suggesting the therapeutic importance of volume-regulated chloride channel for treatment of hypertension attendant vascular complications.
Deep Boltzmann machines for robust fingerprint spoofing attack detection

Biometrie systems present some important advantages over the traditional knowledge-or possess-oriented identification systems, such as a guarantee of authenticity and convenience. However, due to their widespread usage in our society and despite the difficulty in attacking them, nowadays criminals are already developing techniques to simulate physical, physiological and behavioral traits of valid users, the so-called spoofing attacks. In this sense, new countermeasures must be developed and integrated with the traditional biometric systems to prevent such frauds. In this work, we present a novel robust and efficient approach to detect spoofing attacks in biometric systems (fingerprint-based ones) using a deep learning-based model: the Deep Boltzmann Machine (DBM). By extracting and working with high-level features from the original data, DBM can deal with complex patterns and work with features that can not be easily forged. The results show the proposed approach outperforms other state-of-the-art techniques, presenting high accuracy in terms of attack detection and allowing working with less labeled data.
PENGARUH DESENTRALISASI DAN KARAKTERISTIK INFORMASI SISTEM AKUNTANSI MANAJEMEN TERHADAP KINERJA MANAJERIAL PADA PT (Persero) PELABUHAN INDONESIA III CABANG TANJUNG PERAK

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh faktor desentralisasi dan karakteristik informasi akuntansi manajemen terhadap kinerja manajerial. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah para manajer yang ada pada PT. Pelindo III cabanng Tanjung Perak. Sampel yang digunakan sebanyak 32 responden, yang ditentukan berdasarkan pruposive sampling. Alat analisis yang digunakan adalah regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian yang diperoleh adalah secara parsial baik varibel desentralisasi ataupun karakteristik informasi berpengaruh terhadap kinerja manajerial. Sementara itu, pada uji F diketahui bahwa Fhitung sebesar 4,948 dan lebih besar dari Ftabel sebesar 3,33 sehingga Ho ditolak dan Ha diterima, yang berarti bahwa secara keseluruhan faktorâ€“faktor variabel bebas (Desentralisasi dan Karakteristik informasi) berpengaruh terhadap variable terikat yaitu Kinerja manajerial.
The Stretching Method for Vibration‐Based Structural Health Monitoring of Civil Structures

This article newly proposes the application of the stretching method, that is used in geophysics for detecting variations in the velocity with which waves propagate in the earth's crust from seismic noise recordings, in the context of vibration‐based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of civil structures. The result is a computationally efficient long‐term vibration‐based SHM tool, that follows the current trend of using a very limited number of sensors permanently installed on site to measure operational structural responses for the purpose of damage detection. In the SHM setting, the proposed method aims at a direct identification of small permanent shifts in the natural frequencies of the structure in a changing environment, which is achieved by maximizing the correlation coefficient between a reference waveform, computed in a training reference period in which the structure is assumed to be undamaged, and a stretched version of the same waveform evaluated at the current time. The comparison is performed in the frequency domain and the waveform of interest is obtained from cross‐correlations of the ambient vibration measurements. More specifically, in the case of multiple sensors, the waveform can be either the cross‐power spectral density of the signals recorded by a pair of sensors, or the largest singular value of the spectral matrix of the measurements. It follows that the method can be regarded as an extension of the classic Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD). A key feature of the proposed stretching method is mitigating the effects of environmental fluctuations by time domain averaging of cross‐correlations over a proper period of time, before taking their Fourier transform to estimate the spectral densities. Such a time domain averaging is carried out in a relatively long period of time for estimating the reference waveform, whereas it is carried out in a shorter time for estimating the current waveform. The main features of the proposed methodology are its very low sensitivity to environmental fluctuations, resulting in a quite short training period length, and its low computational cost, which could be compatible with a direct integration within smart sensors with embedded electronics. The performance of the method is illustrated in the case study of an Italian historical monumental bell tower that has been monitored by the authors for more than 1 year.
Subjective and objective sleep quality in irritable bowel syndrome

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to compare subjective and objective measures of sleep quality in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and controls.METHODS:The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to measure subjective sleep quality, and polysomnography was performed during one night to obtain objective measures of sleep quality, including sleep efficiency, sleep latency, number of arousals, and percentage of slow-wave sleep. Participants were 15 IBS patients and 15 healthy controls.RESULTS:The results showed a significantly increased global PSQI score in patients, as well as significantly higher scores on several subcomponents of the PSQI (i.e., sleep quality, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction). Analysis of polysomnographic parameters revealed no significant group differences on any measure.CONCLUSIONS:Complaints of poor sleep quality in the absence of objective sleep abnormalities suggest altered sleep perception, and support that IBS involves exaggerated responses to normal internal or external stimuli.
Prader-Willi syndrome: the psychopathological phenotype in uniparental disomy

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurogenetic disorder resulting from the absence of a normal paternal contribution to the chromosome 15q11-13 region. The clinical manifestations of PWS are: reduced fetal activity during pregnancy, a transient severe hypotonia and feeding problems in the neonatal period, a variable degree of mental retardation, hyperphagia, obsessive compulsive features such as skin picking, and a variety of hypothalamic dysfunctions. The latter become manifest as hypogonadism, short stature, sleep disturbances, and defects in temperature regulation. In addition, post mortem studies reveal a significantly lower number of small oxytocin secreting neurones in the paraventricular hypothalamus and, in some cases, a reduction of vasopressin secreting neurones as well as diminished vasopressin precursor processing.1,2 Apart from the behavioural problems associated with food seeking and intellectual disability per se, PWS carries the risk of obsessive compulsive disorder, mood abnormalities and psychotic disorders.3–5 Given the high prevalence of these psychiatric symptoms,6 the term psychopathological phenotype is justified.7 Over the past seven years, 23 PWS patients (mean age 31 years) were referred for neuropsychiatric evaluation because of long lasting or recurrent behavioural problems and psychotic symptoms (mean age at onset 24 years). Part of the data on …
Relationship Between Type of Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Urban Children and Adolescents

This study examines the association between trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 157 help-seeking children (aged 8-17). Structured clinical interviews are carried out, and linear and logistic regression analyses are conducted to examine the relationship between PTSD and type of trauma exposure controlling for age, gender, and ethnicity. Confrontation with traumatic news, witnessing domestic violence, physical abuse, and sexual abuse are each significantly associated with PTSD. Witnessing a crime, being the victim of a crime, and exposure to accidents, fire, or disaster are not associated with PTSD. These findings underscore the association between interpersonal violence and childhood PTSD.
Jamming Resilient Cross-Layer Resource Allocation in Uplink HARQ-Based SIMO OFDMA Video Transmission Systems

The cross-layer resource assignment algorithm of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) video communication systems by Wang et al. allocates the power and subcarriers according to both the layer 1 channel state information and the layer 5 rate distortion function. We introduce the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in layer 2 and a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) anti-jamming technique in layer 1, and propose an anti-jamming power/subcarrier assignment scheme crossing layers 1, 2, and 5 for HARQ-based SIMO OFDMA uplink video communication networks. We derive the new optimal condition for anti-jamming cross-layer resource allocation analysis, and thus propose a novel resource allocation method crossing layers 1, 2, and 5 by considering the angle between the jammer channel vector and the sender (desired signal) channel vector. By HARQ, we can increase the target symbol error rate without increasing the rate of the packet error, more bits can be transmitted, and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) (the video quality) is improved. The results of the simulations show that the PSNR increases by 11.3 dB when we consider the angle between the jammer channel vector and the sender channel vector in the proposed resource allocation algorithm crossing layers 1, 2, and 5. The PSNR improves further by 1.8–2.6 dB when we add HARQ, when the average SNR = 18 dB and there are 12 users.
Involvement of the N‐terminus of Kir6.2 in the inhibition of the KATP channel by ATP

1 ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are composed of pore‐forming Kir6.2 and regulatory SUR subunits. A truncated isoform of Kir6.2, Kir6.2ΔC26, expresses ATP‐sensitive channels in the absence of SUR1, suggesting the ATP‐inhibitory site lies on the Kir6.2 subunit. 2 We examined the effect on the channel ATP sensitivity of mutating the arginine residue at position 50 (R50) in the N‐terminus of Kir6.2, by recording macroscopic currents in membrane patches excised from Xenopus oocytes expressing wild‐type or mutant Kir6.2ΔC26. 3 Substitution of R50 by serine, alanine or glycine reduced the Ki for ATP inhibition from 117 μm to 800 μm, 1.1 mm and 3.8 mm, respectively. The single‐channel conductance and kinetics were unaffected by any of these mutations. Mutation to glutamate, lysine, asparagine, glutamine or leucine had a smaller effect (Ki, ∼300–400 μm). The results indicate that the side chain of the arginine residue at position 50 is unlikely to contribute directly to the binding site for ATP, and suggest it may affect ATP inhibition by allosteric interactions. 4 Mutation of the isoleucine residue at position 49 to glycine (I49G) reduced the channel ATP sensitivity, while the mutation of the glutamate residue at position 51 to glycine (E51G) did not. 5 When a mutation in the N‐terminus of Kir6.2ΔC26 that alters ATP sensitivity (R50S; Ki, 800 μm) was combined with one in the C‐terminus (E179Q; Ki, 300 μm), the Ki for the apparent ATP sensitivity was increased to 2.8 mm. The Hill coefficient was also increased. This suggests that the N‐ and C‐termini of Kir6.2 may co‐operate to influence channel closure by ATP.
Weight loss in obese older adults increases serum sclerostin and impairs hip geometry but both are prevented by exercise training

We reported that weight loss induces bone loss which is prevented by exercise training; however, the mechanism for this observation remains unclear. Sclerostin, an inhibitor of bone formation, has been found to increase in states of unloading and may mediate the changes in bone metabolism associated with weight loss and exercise. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of lifestyle intervention in obese older adults on sclerostin levels, and on hip geometry parameters. A total of 107 obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) older (≥65 years) adults were randomly assigned to control, diet, exercise, and combined diet‐exercise for 1 year. Sclerostin levels were measured by ELISA at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months, while hip geometry parameters were obtained from bone mineral density (BMD) images done by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry using hip structure analysis at baseline and 12 months. Both the diet and diet‐exercise groups had significant decreases in body weight (−9.6% and −9.4%, respectively), whereas weight was stable in the exercise and control groups. Sclerostin levels increased significantly and progressively in the diet group (6.6% ± 1.7% and 10.5% ± 1.9% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, all p < 0.05), whereas they were unchanged in the other groups; in particular, they were stable in the diet‐exercise group (0.7% ± 1.6% and 0.4% ± 1.7% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, all p = 0.05). Hip geometry parameters showed significant decreases in cross‐sectional area, cortical thickness, and BMD; and increases in buckling ratio at the narrow neck, intertrochanter, and femoral shaft. These negative changes on bone geometry were not observed in the diet‐exercise group. Significant correlations between changes in sclerostin and changes in certain hip geometry parameters were also observed (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the increase in sclerostin levels with weight loss that was prevented by exercise may partly mediate the negative effects of weight loss on bone metabolism and the osteoprotective effect of exercise training. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A Prospective Longitudinal Model of Substance Use Onset Among South African Adolescents

Substance use onset among Colored adolescents between eighth and ninth grades in an urban area of Cape Town, South Africa was examined using latent transition analysis. Longitudinal self-report data regarding substance use (N= 1118, 50.9% female) were collected in 2004 and 2005. Results indicated that the pattern of onset was similar across genders; adolescents first tried either alcohol or cigarettes, followed by both, then dagga (cannabis), and then inhalants. The prevalence of lifetime cigarette use was slightly greater for females; dagga (cannabis) and inhalant use were greater for males. The similarity of developmental onset in the current sample to previous international work supports the promise of adapting prevention programs across contexts. The study's limitations are noted.
Bronchodilator effect of inhaled ipratropium bromide in wheezy toddlers

Airways obstruction was measured before and after inhaled ipratropium bromide in 32 wheezy children aged between 3 months and 2 years 8 months using a total body plethysmograph and a modification of the forced oscillation technique. No relationship was found between age and incidence of response. About 40% of those under age 18 months had an improvement in lung function. This form of treatment may have a place in the management of the wheezy infant too young to respond to beta-2 stimulants.
Self-reported competency – validation of the Norwegian version of the patient competency rating scale for traumatic brain injury

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at 12 months post-injury. Methods: Demographic and injury-related data were registered upon admission to the hospital in 148 TBI patients with mild, moderate, or severe TBI. At 12 months post-injury, competency in activities and global functioning were measured using the PCRS patient version and the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOSE). Descriptive reliability statistics, factor analysis and Rasch modeling were applied to explore the psychometric properties of the PCRS. External validity was evaluated using the GOSE. Results: The PCRS can be divided into three subscales that reflect interpersonal/emotional, cognitive, and activities of daily living competency. The three-factor solution explained 56.6% of the variance in functioning. The internal consistency was very good, with a Cronbach’s α of 0.95. Item 30, “controlling my laughter”, did not load above 0.40 on any factors and did not fit the Rasch model. The external validity of the subscales was acceptable, with correlations between 0.50 and 0.52 with the GOSE. Conclusion: The Norwegian version of the PCRS is reliable, has an acceptable construct and external validity, and can be recommended for use during the later phases of TBI. Implications for Rehabilitation The Patient Competency Rating Scale appears appropriate for measuring functional outcome across TBI severity groups. The instrument captures self-reported functional impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions. The PCRS may be applied as a measurement tool at a late phase post-injury and may thus be suited for long-term follow-up after TBI.
Service design attributes affecting diabetic patient preferences of telemedicine in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE Attempts to introduce telemedicine in South Korea have failed mostly, leaving critical questions for service developers and providers about whether patients would be willing to pay for the service and how the service should be designed to encourage patient buy-in. In this study, we explore patients' valuations and preferences for each attribute of telemedicine service for diabetes management and evaluate patient willingness to pay for specific service attributes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a conjoint survey to collect data on patients' stated preferences among telemedicine service alternatives. The alternatives for diabetes-related service differed in 10 attributes, including those related to price, type of service provider, and service scope. To estimate the relative importance of attributes, patients' willingness to pay for each attribute, and their probable choice of specific alternatives, we used a rank-ordered logit model. A total of 118 respondents participated in the survey. RESULTS All 10 attributes significantly affected patients' valuations and preferences, and demographic and disease characteristics, such as existence of complications and comorbidities, significantly affected patients' valuations of the attributes. Price was the most important attribute, followed by comprehensive scope of service, the availability of mobile phone-based delivery, and large general-hospital provided services. CONCLUSIONS The study findings have significant implications for adoption policy and strategy of telemedicine in diabetes management care. Further, the methodology presented in this study can be used to draw knowledge needed to formulate effective policy for adoption of the necessary technology and for the design of services that attract potential beneficiaries.
Role of Mitofusin-2 in High Mobility Group Box-1 Protein-Mediated Apoptosis of T Cells in Vitro

Background: High mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1), a ubiquitous nuclear protein, which is recognized as a danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) triggering activation of the innate immune system. Previous studies have shown that HMGB1 also plays a role in T cell-mediated immunity, but the effect of HMGB1 on apoptosis of T cells and its precise mechanism remain to be determined. Methods: Two kinds of apoptosis assay techniques were used, i.e., Annexin V-FITC conjunction with PI to identify early apoptotic cells, Hoechst 33342 staining for double-stranded DNA to observe nuclear fragmentation or apoptotic body. The activation status of caspase-3, caspase-8, as well as caspase-9 was examined by colorimetric assay. The dynamic changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored by flow cytometry. Overexpression of Mfn2 was preformed by lentiviral vector transfection. The mRNA and protein levels of Mfn2 were determined by RT-PCR and Western-blotting. Results: Treatment of Jurkat T cells with recombinant human HMGB1 (rhHMGB1) causes a significant dose-dependent increase in percentage of apoptotic cells. When T cells are incubated with HMGB1 they express decreased mitochondria fusion-related protein mitofusin-2 (Mfn2) and activate mitochondrial apoptotic pathway via elevation of [Ca2+]i, Bax insertion, and activation of caspase. Furthermore, overexpression of Mfn2 ameliorates the apoptosis of T cells induced by HMGB1. This occurs at least partly through Mfn2 keeps Ca2+ homeostasis in T cells evidenced by monitoring [Ca2+]i dynamics. Conclusion: HMGB1 can trigger apoptosis of T lymphocytes through mitochondrial death pathway associated with [Ca2+]i elevation. Mfn2 plays a pivotal role in this process, and it might be a novel therapeutic target in T cell apoptosis related disorders.
Distinct CD8 T Cell Functions Mediate Susceptibility to Histoplasmosis During Chronic Viral Infection1

It has long been recognized that some viral infections result in generalized immune suppression. In acute infections, this period of suppressed immunity is relatively short. However, chronic infections associated with a prolonged period of immune suppression present far greater risks. Here, we examined the role of CD8 T cell responses following viral infection in immunity to systemic histoplasmosis. Although wild-type mice with systemic histoplasmosis were able to control the infection, those simultaneously infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus clone 13 showed reduced immunity with greater fungal burden and high mortality. The immune suppression was associated with loss of CD4 T cells and B cells, generalized splenic atrophy, and inability to mount a granulomatous response. Removing the anti-viral CD8 T cells in the coinfected mice enabled them to reduce the fungal burden and survive the infection. Their lymphoid organs were replenished with CD4 T and B cells. In contrast to wild-type mice, perforin-deficient mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus clone 13 and Histoplasma showed an absence of immunopathology, but the animals still died. These results show that CD8 T cells can suppress immunity through different mechanisms; although immunopathology is perforin-dependent, lethality is perforin-independent.