Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of debriefing following deception experiments.

This study was designed to test the notion that deception experiments might be especially disturbing to a person already concerned about the area involved in the deception. Specifically, it was hypothesized that if a person who was extremely concerned about his adequacy in social situations was given false information about his adequacy as part of an experiment, it might not be easy to debrief him at the end of the experiment. In this experiment, degree of concern about one's social skills was varied in 2 ways: concern was manipulated; high-concern and low-concern Ss were selected on the basis of a personality test. Regardless of the way in which concern was varied, there is no evidence that high-concern Ss are more difficult to debrief than low-concern Ss. Unfortunately, however, there is evidence that (a) regardless of degree of concern, debriefing may not be effective immediately, and (b) debriefing may be ineffective, even after a longer time delay, for certain personality types.
Cyclin D1 (CCND1) genotype is associated with tumour grade in sporadic pituitary adenomas.

The cyclin D1 (CCND1) gene contains a frequent A/G polymorphism within the splice donor region of exon 4/intron 4. CCND1 genotype is associated with clinical outcome in a number of malignancies although prognostic significance varies with tumour type. We examined CCND1 allele frequencies and genotype distribution in 294 patients with sporadic pituitary adenomas of various histologies. CCND1 allele frequencies and distribution of genotypes were similar in the 294 cases compared with previously reported control populations. Analysis according to tumour subtype showed no statistical difference in allele frequencies compared with controls. However, CCND1 genotype distribution in the somatotrophinomas showed a significant difference compared with normal controls (P = 0.008). We next examined CCND1 allele frequencies and genotype distribution across the tumour grades. Within the total tumour cohort the CCND1 allele frequencies showed a significant inverse relationship across the tumour grades (P = 0.005). The CCND1 A allele progressively increased from grade 1 (0.37) through to grade 4 (0.62) tumours, whilst the CCND1 G allele frequency progressively decreased from grade 1 (0.63) through to grade 4 (0.38) tumours. Trend analysis of CCND1 genotypes showed a significant progressive increase in AA frequency from grade 1 (15%) through to grade 4 (46%) tumours (P = 0.005). The CCND1 GG genotype progressively decreased from grade 1 (41%) through to grade 4 (23%) tumours (P = 0.204). No statistical significance was observed between CCND1 AG genotype and tumour grades. While the functional significance of the observed segregation of the CCND1 A/G polymorphism and tumour grade is unclear, our data suggest that CCND1 allele frequencies and genotype distributions show significant differences between tumour grades in sporadic pituitary adenomas. Since CCND1 genotype may be determined by analysis of peripheral blood samples it may provide a useful predictive marker for those tumours likely to show invasive behaviour. This may be clinically useful in indicating which tumours should receive adjunctive treatment (e.g. radiotherapy) immediately after surgical resection.
Influence of Design Parameters in the Optimization of Linear Switched Reluctance Motor Under Thermal Constraints

The objective of this paper is to present an original study for optimizing the size of the longitudinal-flux double-sided linear switched reluctance motor (LSRM) under thermal and weight constraints. The performance is evaluated taken into account duty cycle operating conditions and thermal restrictions. The proposed approach couples finite element analysis for magnetic propulsion force computation and lumped-parameter thermal network for thermal transient analysis. The LSRMs design parameters are characterized by the number of phases and by their size denoted by the pole stroke. The operating conditions are the current density, the duty cycle and the admissible temperature rise of the insulation system. The grid search algorithm is used for solving the optimization problem. From the results, with the help of a novel multivariable optimization chart, a set of optimal configurations regarding to miniaturizations and downsizing of LSRMs is provided.
EEG-based decoding of declarative memory formation

This study examines the neural basis of long-term memory formation. Subjects are instructed to learn association pairs on a given day and their retention performance is recorded on the next. We perform statistical analysis as well as single-trial classification to investigate whether EEG is able to predict longterm memory formation in single trials. Our preliminary results confirm previous neurophysiological findings, and show that the prediction of long-term memory formation is possible.
Perspectives on immunomodulation early in life

To cite this article: Diesner SC, Förster‐Waldl E, Olivera A, Pollak A, Jensen‐Jarolim E, Untersmayr E. Perspectives on immunomodulation early in life. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 210–223.
Development of functional human blood and immune systems in NOD/SCID/IL2 receptor γ chainnull mice

Here we report that a new nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mouse line harboring a complete null mutation of the common cytokine receptor γ chain (NOD/SCID/interleukin 2 receptor [IL2r] γnull) efficiently supports development of functional human hemato-lymphopoiesis. Purified human (h) CD34+ or hCD34+hCD38– cord blood (CB) cells were transplanted into NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull newborns via a facial vein. In all recipients injected with 105 hCD34+ or 2 × 104 hCD34+hCD38– CB cells, human hematopoietic cells were reconstituted at approximately 70% of chimerisms. A high percentage of the human hematopoietic cell chimerism persisted for more than 24 weeks after transplantation, and hCD34+ bone marrow grafts of primary recipients could reconstitute hematopoiesis in secondary NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull recipients, suggesting that this system can support self-renewal of human hematopoietic stem cells. hCD34+hCD38– CB cells differentiated into mature blood cells, including myelomonocytes, dendritic cells, erythrocytes, platelets, and lymphocytes. Differentiation into each lineage occurred via developmental intermediates such as common lymphoid progenitors and common myeloid progenitors, recapitulating the steady-state human hematopoiesis. B cells underwent normal class switching, and produced antigen-specific immunoglobulins (Igs). T cells displayed the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–dependent cytotoxic function. Furthermore, human IgA-secreting B cells were found in the intestinal mucosa, suggesting reconstitution of human mucosal immunity. Thus, the NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull newborn system might be an important experimental model to study the human hemato-lymphoid system.
Isolation, cultivation and characterization of CD133+ stem cells from human glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE To establish the method of isolation and culture of human glioblastoma neurospheres, and the purification of their stem cells, followed by the process of obtaining tumor subspheres, immunophenotypically characterizing this clonogenic set. METHODS Through the processing of glioblastoma samples (n=3), the following strategy of action was adopted: (i) establish primary culture of glioblastoma; (ii) isolation and culture of tumor neurospheres; (iii) purify cells that initiate tumors (CD133+) by magnetic separation system (MACS); (iv) obtain tumor subspheres; (v) study the expression of the markers nestin, CD133, and GFAP. RESULTS The study successfully described the process of isolation and culture of glioblastoma subspheres, which consist of a number of clonogenic cells immunophenotypically characterized as neural, which are able to initiate tumor formation. CONCLUSION These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the process of gliomagenesis.
Systemic κ‐opioid receptor antagonism by nor‐binaltorphimine reduces dependence‐induced excessive alcohol self‐administration in rats

Altered dynorphin opioid peptide systems contribute to increased ethanol self‐administration during withdrawal following chronic alcohol exposure. We previously identified that the κ‐opioid receptor antagonist nor‐binaltorphimine (nor‐BNI) selectively reduced ethanol self‐administration in dependent animals. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) determine whether peripherally administered nor‐BNI could reduce dependence‐induced ethanol self‐administration and (2) confirm the selective κ‐opioid effects of nor‐BNI by administering it 24 hours prior to ethanol self‐administration sessions occurring during acute withdrawal. Nor‐BNI decreased ethanol self‐administration in ethanol‐dependent animals, with no effect in nondependent animals. Thus, the κ‐opioid/dynorphin system is a viable pharmacotherapeutic target for the treatment of alcoholism.
Estimating Distribution Functions from Survey Data Using Nonparametric Regression

Auxiliary information is often used to improve the precision of estimators of the finite population cumulative distribution function through the use of superpopulation models. A variety of approaches are available to construct such estimators, including design-based, model-based and model-assisted methods. The superpopulation modeling framework can be either parametric or nonparametric, and the estimators can be constructed as either linear or nonlinear functions of the observations. In this article, we argue that model-assisted estimators based on a nonparametric model are a good overall choice for distribution function estimators, because they have good efficiency properties and are robust against model misspecification. When such estimators are constructed as linear functions of the data, they are also easily incorporated into the existing survey estimation paradigm through the use of survey weights. Theoretical properties of nonparametric distribution function estimators based on local linear regression are derived, and their practical behavior is evaluated in a simulation study.
Relation of aromatase gene polymorphism and hormone replacement therapy to serum estradiol levels, bone mineral density, and fracture risk in early postmenopausal women*

BACKGROUND. After the menopause, estrogen synthesis from androgens and androgen precursors by aromatase is the main source of circulating estrogens. AIM. To evaluate whether aromatase gene (CYP19)polymorphism affects circulating estradiol (E[Formula: See Text])levels, bone mineral density (BMD), BMD change or fracture risk. METHODS. A 5-year randomized hormone replacement therapy (HRT) trial on 331 early postmenopausal women (mean baseline age 52.7 ± 2.3 years). The participants consisted of two treatment groups: the HRT group (n = 151) received a sequential combination of 2 mg estradiol valerate and 1 mg cyproterone acetate with or without vitamin D[Formula: See Text], 100-300 IU + 93 mg calcium as lactate/day, and the non-HRT group (n = 180) received 93 mg calcium alone or in combination with vitamin D[Formula: See Text], 100-300 IU/day for 5 years. BMD was measured from lumbar spine and proximal femur (DXA) before and after the 5-year trial. All new symptomatic, radiographically defined fractures were recorded during the follow-up. The polymorphism (intron 4 TTTA repeat) of CYP19 was evaluated after PCR amplification of the polymorphic site. CYP19 polymorphism was divided into three repeat groups: short (length of 7 or 8 in both alleles; n = 135), long (length of 11 or higher in both alleles; n = 47), and medium (rest of the values; n = 149). RESULTS. Of the baseline characteristics, only physical activity was associated with CYP19 polymorphism (P = 0.04) and a borderline significance was observed with previous fractures (P = 0.05). In the HRT or non-HRT groups, the 5-year serum E[Formula: See Text] change was not associated with CYP19 polymorphism (P = 0.87 and 0.74, respectively). Further, the polymorphism did not influence the calculated annual changes of lumbar or femoral neck BMD during the 5-year follow-up in the HRT (P = 0.60 and 0.17, respectively) or non-HRT (P = 0.92 and 0.80, respectively) groups. In all, 28 women sustained 33 fractures during the follow-up. The CYP19 polymorphism was not significantly associated with fracture risk (P = 0.89 and 0.23 respectively; Cox proportional hazards model) in the HRT or non-HRT groups. CONCLUSIONS.CYP19 polymorphism was not associated with circulating E[Formula: See Text] levels, BMD values, or fracture risk in these early postmenopausal Finnish women. If such an association exists in women, it may become apparent in older age groups.
Activation Kinetics of the Boron–oxygen Defect in Compensated n- and p-type Silicon Studied by High-Injection Micro-Photoluminescence

<italic>In</italic> <italic>situ</italic> measurement of the activation kinetics of the slowly forming recombination center (SRC) of the boron–oxygen defect in compensated n- and p-type silicon (n-Si and p-Si) under high-injection conditions is realized through micro-photoluminescence measurements. The high-injection conditions significantly accelerate the defect activation. Another advantage of this method is that the injection level can be kept almost constant during the defect activation and in differently doped samples, as the high-injection lifetime is dominated by Auger recombination. Courtesy of this, the activation time constant remains steady during the activation of the defects, and the activation time constant and defect concentration in differently doped samples can be compared more directly. The results confirm that the defect activation rate constant is the same at high-injection levels in both n- and p-type samples, and that it only depends on the hole concentration <italic>p</italic>, but not on [O <italic><sub>i</sub></italic>] or [B]. The effective saturated defect concentration normalized with [O<italic><sub>i </sub></italic>]<sup>2</sup> is independent of the doping in n-Si, and increases with the net doping in p-Si. The latent form reconfiguration model for the defect, instead of the B<italic><sub>s</sub></italic>–O<sub>2</sub> <italic><sub>i</sub></italic> model, is considered to be more compatible with these findings.
Daytime Preceding Vehicle Brake Light Detection Using Monocular Vision

Advanced vehicle safety is a recently emerging issue appealed from the explosive population of car owners. Increasing driver assistance systems have been developed for warning drivers of potential hazards by analyzing the surroundings with sensors and/or cameras. Issuing vehicle deceleration and potential collision, brake lights are particularly important warning signals, allowing of no neglect. In this paper, we propose a vision-based daytime brake light detection system using a driving video recorder, which tends to be widespread used. At daytime, visual features, motions, and appearances of vehicles are highly visible. However, brake lights, on the contrary, are hard to notice due to low contrast between the brakes lights and environments. Without the significant characteristic of light scattering as at night, the proposed system extracts preceding vehicles with taillight symmetry verification, and then integrates both luminance and radial symmetry features to detect brake lights. A detection refinement process using temporal information is also employed for miss recovery. Experiments are conducted on a test data set collected by front-mounted driving video recorders, and the results verify that the proposed system can effectively detect brake lights at daytime, showing its good feasibility in real-world environments.
Different expression of adhesion molecules on myeloid and B‐lymphoid CD34+ progenitors in normal bone marrow

Abstract: The expression of adhesion molecules was studied on B lymphoid and myeloid CD34+ precursors in normal bone marrow. Bone marrow aspirates were labelled in a double fluorescence procedure with the CD34 monoclonal antibody 43A1 and with antibodies directed against maturation and differentiation antigens and adhesion molecules. Three clusters of CD34+ cells could be distinguished by their light scatter characteristics in flow cytometry. The population with the lowest forward scatter contained B‐lymphoid precursors while the two others showed phenotypic characteristics of, respectively, early and late myeloid precursors. Nearly all CD34+ cells in the 3 subpopulations expressed VLA‐4, VLA‐5, LFA‐3 and H‐CAM. B‐lymphoid progenitors showed a higher density of VLA‐4 and VLA‐5 than the myeloid progenitors. Myeloid precursors, and particularly the late subset, expressed more HCAM than the B‐lymphoid progenitors. The majority of the CD34+ cells also expressed LFA‐1 and L‐selectin. Higher numbers of positive cells were found in the myeloid subset. The early myeloid subset showed the highest positivity for L‐selectin. We conclude that B lymphoid and early and late myeloid CD34+ precursors in normal bone marrow show a different profile of adhesion molecules. These profiles could reflect a higher tendency of the myeloid CD34+ precursors to circulate.
Internet-Delivered CBT for Children with Specific Phobia: A Pilot Study

Background: Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for specific phobia in youth, but not all affected seek or receive treatment. Internet-delivered CBT could be a way to increase the availability of empirically supported treatments. Aims: An open trial was conducted to evaluate Internet-delivered CBT for children with specific phobia. Method: Children (N = 30) aged 8–12, and their parents, with a principal diagnosis of specific phobia were recruited through media advertisement. Participants received six weeks of Internet-delivered CBT with therapist support. The treatment was aimed for the parents and the children, with the first part being only for the parents. The primary outcome measure was the Clinician Severity Rating (CSR), and secondary measures included clinician-rated global functioning and child- and parent-reported anxiety and quality of life. All assessments were made at pretreatment, posttreatment, and three-month follow-up. Results: At posttreatment, there were significant reductions on the CSR, with a large within-group effect size (Cohen's d = 1.0) and 35% of children no longer meeting criteria for specific phobia. Self-report measures from parents and children showed significant effects on anxiety, with small to moderate effect sizes. Effects were maintained at three-month follow-up. Conclusions: Results show that Internet-delivered CBT with therapist support for children with specific phobia has the potential to reduce symptom severity. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further evaluate this treatment format.
Effect of low Ca2+ solution on muscle contraction of developing, preclinical dystrophic (DY2J) mice

EDL muscles from normal and dystrophic (dy2j) mice aged 7 to 21 days of postnatal life were examined. Muscles were divided into 2 groups according to age, 7 to 14 days and 16 to 21 days postnatal, so as to assess age‐ and/or phenotype‐related differences in the muscle response to low Ca2+ solution. Tension production was already much impaired in “predystrophic” muscles. At this stage, however, there was essentially no difference in twitch kinetics between normal and dystrophic muscles. Upon exposure to low Ca2+ solution, twitch responses of both normal and dystrophic muscles declined in a similar manner. In the youngest animals studied (7 to 14 days), the tetanic responses of both normal and dystrophic muscles to low Ca2+ solution were also similar. In animals 15 to 21 days old, however, the tetanic tension developed in low Ca2+ solution by dystrophic muscles, was significantly less than that of normal. Moreover, under these conditions (i.e., in low Ca2+ solution), and following tetanic stimulation, the membrane potential of dystrophic muscles in this age group was significantly more depolarized than that of normal muscles. Our results suggest that the ability of the cell to deal with extracellular Ca2+ is normal in predystrophic muscles up to 21 days of postnatal life. The results also clearly point to the fragility of the membrane in these muscles.
Prognostic significance of DNA replication errors in young patients with colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE To determine the DNA replication error (RER) status in young patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and to compare the clinical and pathologic characteristics of RER-positive and RER-negative cases. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Recent studies suggest that patients with RER-positive CRC have an improved prognosis. Further data are required to confirm this observation in young CRC patients. METHODS All patients 40 years of age and younger with CRC admitted to the National Naval Medical Center between 1970 and 1992 were considered for inclusion in the study. After review, 36 patients for whom the original archived pathology specimen could be retrieved served as the study population. The RER status was determined using a previously described polymerase chain reaction-based assay. The clinical and pathologic features and survival data were compared to RER status. RESULTS RER-positive tumors were found in 17 cases (47%). There was no significant difference in Dukes' stage or histologic grade at the time of diagnosis between patients with RER-positive tumors compared to RER-negative tumors. Patients with RER-positive tumors were found to have an improved prognosis: the 5-year survival probability for patients with RER-positive tumors was 68%, as compared to 32% for patients with RER-negative tumors (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS RER-positive tumors are common in young patients with CRC, and patients with RER-positive tumors have a significantly improved prognosis. Because of their young age, survival data and prognosis play an important role in the overall treatment plan of young patients with CRC. Therefore, knowledge of RER status could affect initial therapy, postoperative chemotherapy, and follow-up.
3D CUDA FDTD based method for analysis of microstrip antennas

This paper presents a FDTD CUDA based implementation designed for microstrip antennas simulation. Aspects of geometry and also memory transactions are considered in the formulation of the parallel algorithm. As a result, an improvement in computational cost is achieved using the implementation proposed. Two microstrip antennas, a narrow band patch antenna and a UWB antenna, are simulated to validate the proposed algorithm.
Pulse Shape Discrimination With Selected Elpasolite Crystals

In recent years, a number of materials from the elpasolite crystal family have been under development for either or both gamma ray and neutron detection. The scintillators show good energy resolution and thermal neutron detection efficiency. The latter is achieved due to the fact, that the selected compositions contain Li-6 ions. In order to effectively and reliably register both types of radiation, it is necessary to separate them through particle identification schemes. This can be accomplished using either pulse height or/and pulse shape discrimination, with the latter being more reliable. In this paper, we summarize our work and provide current status of pulse shape discrimination in the selected elpasolite scintillators. These include Cs2LiYCl6 (CLYC), Cs2LiLaCl6(CLLC), Cs2LiLaBr6(CLLB), and Cs2LiYBr6(CLYB).