Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling Choices in Delay Discounting

In a recent article, Ericson and his colleagues (Ericson, White, Laibson, & Cohen, 2015) compared traditional utility-discounting models with a set of heuristic models of intertemporal choice. Traditional utility-discounting models assume that the greater the delay in receiving an option, the more its value is discounted, whereas heuristic models of intertemporal choice assume that decisions are based on simple rules involving attribute-based comparisons. Ericson et al. concluded from their cross-validation approach that heuristic models (specifically, the novel intertemporal choice heuristic, or ITCH, model) explain intertemporal choices better than discounting models do, a conclusion that is consistent with earlier reports (Dai & Busemeyer, 2014). More surprisingly, their results showed that all discounting models performed nearly at chance level and did not outperform even the baseline model (Fig. 1a). If these findings were valid, they would have major implications for hundreds of studies using discounting models. However, we demonstrate here that these conclusions are premature. Models of both classes are in fact rather good at predicting choice, and the jury is still out on which model—or which type of model—is best.
Unsuspected prophage‐like elements in Salmonella typhimurium

We present evidence for the existence of two large (≈50 kb) excisable segments in the chromosome of Salmonella typhimurium. The two elements — designated Gifsy‐1 and Gifsy‐2 — cover, respectively, the 57 units and the 24 units of the genetic map where they contribute indicative rare restriction sites. The two elements are closely interrelated and both contain a region of sequence similarity to the recE locus of the Rac prophage of Escherichia coli. Mutations within this region of Gifsy‐1 yield the classical ‘Sbc’ phenotype: they suppress the recombination defect of recB mutants, apparently by activating a normally silent recE‐like gene. At the same time, these ‘sbcE ’ mutations activate a Xis‐type function that promotes excision of one or other of the two elements. Predictably, curing of Gifsy‐1 results in the loss of recB mutant suppression. Surprisingly, the suppressor phenotype is also lost in cells cured for Gifsy‐2 even though the Gifsy‐1‐associated sbcE mutation is still present. Moreover, the excision frequency of Gifsy‐1 drops dramatically in Gifsy‐2‐cured cells. Thus, both elements must co‐operate in the activation of recombination and excision functions. Overall, the data presented here suggest that Gifsy‐1 and Gifsy‐2 are cryptic prophages. They are distinct from previously described Fels prophages. Unlike Fels, they are not specific to S. typhimurium strain LT2 since they are both also found in a virulent S. typhimurium isolate (ATCC 14028s).
A correlational study on academic stress and self - esteem among higher secondary students in selected schools of udupi district

This study identified the academic stress and self - esteem among higher secondary school students in selected private schools of Udupi district. It also found out the existing correlation between academic stress and self-esteem. Academic stress rating scale, constructed by the researcher and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used for the data collection. Questionnaires were completed by 96 first year higher secondary students of science batch. Academic stress rating scale was a four point scale which includes 32 statements regarding examination stress, stress from peers, intrapersonal stress, study habit and time management. The study found that 80.20% students have moderate stress, 13.5% have mild stress and 6.2% have severe stress. Among the subjects 82.30% were having normal self - esteem and 6.2% were having low self- esteem. Significant but low negative relationship is found between academic stress and self-esteem.
Self-Report Problem Scales and Subscales and Behavioral Ratings Provided by Peers

The relationship between children’s self-reported problems on the Personality Inventory for Youth (PIY) and peer descriptors derived from the Pupil Evaluation Inventory was examined in a regular education sample of 156 children in fourth through eighth grade. The relative contributions of the PIY scales and subscales to the prediction of peer ratings were compared. Peer ratings of withdrawn, disruptive, and prosocial behaviors were substantially correlated to self-report problem scales made up of logically related content. The addition of more content-specific PIY subscales contributed to the prediction made by PIY scales of peer-reported disruptive behaviors and withdrawal.
Effects of chronic illness on daily life and barriers to self-care for older women: A mixed-methods exploration

ABSTRACT This mixed-methods study examined the subjective experience of living with chronic illness and identified barriers to self-care. Community-dwelling older women with chronic illness completed an initial (N = 138) and follow-up mailed survey 6 months later (N = 130). On average, participants reported four comorbid health conditions and the corresponding physical pain, activities curtailed or relinquished, and time and energy focused on managing health. Only 34% of participants practiced all 10 key self-care behaviors. Reported barriers to self-management included pain, lack of financial resources, and worry. In the regression analysis, having more depressive symptoms was a significant predictor of challenges with self-care behaviors.
Evolution of the percutaneous penetration and distribution of uranyl nitrate as a function of skin-barrier integrity: an in vitro assessment

As recommended by OECD Guidelines, percutaneous penetration studies consider intact skin, but rarely injured skin. Recent years have witnessed a growing concern for these two types of dermal exposure in the industry, particularly in the nuclear industry. The aim of this study was to show that a method based on an in vitro device can be used to realistically assess how skin-barrier alterations caused by occupational accidents can modify the percutaneous penetration and distribution of radionuclides, particularly uranium. Wounds encountered in the nuclear industry (i.e., nitric acid burns and abrasion) were simulated on hairless rat skin. Skin-barrier alterations were characterized by means of a histological study and by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin thickness. The percutaneous penetration of uranyl nitrate through intact or injured skin biopsies was then measured in vitro. The maximum uranium flux values obtained for intact skin, skin abrasion with stratum corneum removal, and skin exposed to 2 N HNO3, 5 N HNO3, and 14 N HNO3 were, respectively, 0.6 ± 0.02, 1.2 ± 0.03, 1.2 ± 0.04, 42.0 ± 1.0, and 174.0 ± 8.7 ng.cm−2.h−1. These results demonstrated that the percutaneous absorption of uranium increased with the increased impairment of the stratum corneum. TEWL, combined with maximum uranium flux values measured in vitro, yielded a good prediction of the percutaneous penetration of uranium through injured skin, previously observed in vivo. To conclude, this in vitro assay provides a conservative estimate of the percutaneous diffusion of uranium through intact or injured skin, making it a good alternative method for toxicological studies and risk assessments.
Pituitary Adenomas – Clinico-Pathological, Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Study

Pituitary adenomas (PA) constitute about 10% of intracranial neoplasm. Most of them have its origin in adenohypophysis (Cury et al., 2009; Rosai, 1989). They occur most often in adults between the ages of 30 and 60 years, and may have slightly higher incidence in females in early life (20-45 years) and in males in later life (35-60 years) (Davis et al., 2001; McDowell et al., 2011). The majority of pituitary adenomas have a sporadic origin; familial cases represent 5% of all pituitary tumors (Vandeva et al., 2010; Tichomirowa et al., 2009). Couldwell and Cannon (2010) report strong evidence of genetic contribution for predisposition to symptomatic pituitary tumors.
Molecular mechanisms of the antiglycative and cardioprotective activities of Psidium guajava leaves in the rat diabetic myocardium

Abstract Context: Antiglycative potential of Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) leaves has been established. However, the molecular basis of its antiglycative potential remains unknown. Objective: The ethyl acetate fraction of P. guajava leaves (PGEt) was evaluated to determine the cardioprotective effect and its mechanism of action compared to quercetin. Materials and methods: After the induction of diabetes by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body weight), PGEt and quercetin (50 mg/kg body weight) was administered for 60 days. Rats were grouped as follows: Group C: Control, Group D: Diabetic, Group D + E: Diabetic rats treated with PGEt, Group D + Q: Diabetic rats treated with quercetin. The antiglycative potential was evaluated by assaying glycosylated haemoglobin, serum fructosamine and advanced glycation end product levels. The differential receptor for advanced glycation end products and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) protein levels was determined by western blot and the transcript level changes of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and TGF-β1 in heart tissue were assessed by RT-PCR analysis. Results: Glycated haemoglobin and serum fructosamine levels were found to be enhanced in diabetic rats when compared with control. Administration of PGEt significantly reduced the glycated haemoglobin and fructosamine levels to a larger extent than quercetin treated diabetic rats. PGEt reduced the translocation of NFκB from cytosol to nucleus when compared with diabetic rats. Expression of TGF-β1, CTGF and BNP was downregulated in PGEt treated groups compared with diabetic controls. Discussion and conclusion: Administration of PGEt ameliorated diabetes associated changes in the myocardium to a greater extent than quercetin.
Zebrafish Behavioral Profiling Links Drugs to Biological Targets and Rest/Wake Regulation

Behavioral Profiling The complexity of the brain makes it difficult to predict how a drug will affect behavior without direct testing in live animals. Rihel et al. (p. 348) developed a high-throughput assay to assess the effects of thousands of drugs on sleep/wake behaviors of zebrafish larvae. The data set reveals a broad conservation of zebrafish and mammalian sleep/wake pharmacology and identifies pathways that regulate sleep. Moreover, the biological targets of poorly characterized small molecules can be predicted by matching their behavioral profiles to those of well-known drugs. Thus, behavioral profiling in zebrafish offers a cost-effective way to characterize neuroactive drugs and to predict biological targets of novel compounds. The effects of most neuroactive drugs are conserved and can be detected by behavioral screening. A major obstacle for the discovery of psychoactive drugs is the inability to predict how small molecules will alter complex behaviors. We report the development and application of a high-throughput, quantitative screen for drugs that alter the behavior of larval zebrafish. We found that the multidimensional nature of observed phenotypes enabled the hierarchical clustering of molecules according to shared behaviors. Behavioral profiling revealed conserved functions of psychotropic molecules and predicted the mechanisms of action of poorly characterized compounds. In addition, behavioral profiling implicated new factors such as ether-a-go-go–related gene (ERG) potassium channels and immunomodulators in the control of rest and locomotor activity. These results demonstrate the power of high-throughput behavioral profiling in zebrafish to discover and characterize psychotropic drugs and to dissect the pharmacology of complex behaviors.
Genetic Modulation of Brugada Syndrome by a Common Polymorphism

Background: Brugada syndrome predisposes some subjects to ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Mutations in SCN5A gene have been associated with ∼25% of Brugada syndrome patients. A common variant in SCN5A, H558R has shown to improve sodium channel activity in mutated channels. We studied whether common variant H558R has any clinical implications in the phenotype of Brugada syndrome.
Helix kinks are equally prevalent in soluble and membrane proteins

Helix kinks are a common feature of α‐helical membrane proteins, but are thought to be rare in soluble proteins. In this study we find that kinks are a feature of long α‐helices in both soluble and membrane proteins, rather than just transmembrane α‐helices. The apparent rarity of kinks in soluble proteins is due to the relative infrequency of long helices (≥20 residues) in these proteins. We compare length‐matched sets of soluble and membrane helices, and find that the frequency of kinks, the role of Proline, the patterns of other amino acid around kinks (allowing for the expected differences in amino acid distributions between the two types of protein), and the effects of hydrogen bonds are the same for the two types of helices. In both types of protein, helices that contain Proline in the second and subsequent turns are very frequently kinked. However, there are a sizeable proportion of kinked helices that do not contain a Proline in either their sequence or sequence homolog. Moreover, we observe that in soluble proteins, kinked helices have a structural preference in that they typically point into the solvent. Proteins 2014; 82:1960–1970. © 2014 The Authors. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of Power Line Communication Equipment in Home Networks

In this paper, we examine the performance of power line communication equipments (ethernet-to-powerline adapters) that come from different vendors and are based on different technologies and standards. The scope is to investigate commercially available power line communications (PLC) equipment in their actual working environment under real conditions. Coexistence issues are studied, as well as the possible degradation of performance in case powerline adapters from different manufacturers and technologies are simultaneously operating in the powerline network under consideration. The influence of potential noise sources (ac adaptors, cell phone chargers), as well as plug-in cases that are not recommended by the manufacturers but are, however, convenient in domestic grids (power strips, extension cords), are also examined.
Surviving Sepsis Campaign.

•敗血症患者の管理を広め救命率を向上させるために,感染症および敗血症の診断と管理 に関する 11 の組織の国際専門家が,臨床医が使える最初の国際ガイドラインとして 2004 年に発表し,世界中に大きな影響を与えた. 2012 改訂版が最新バージョン. SSCG2012 改訂での成人での主な変更点 (1) 敗血症の定義は 2001 年の SCCM/ESICM/ACCP/ATS/SIS の定義とする(SIRS 基準は記載さ れず) (2) 乳酸値正常化を目指すことが明記 (3) 昇圧薬はノルアドレナリンが第一選択となり,ドパミンの推奨度はダウン (4) 活性化プロテイン C 製剤の推奨削除 (5) 目標血糖値は 180 mg/dL 以下 (6) 人工呼吸器関連肺炎の予防を明記 (7) ストレス潰瘍予防は H2受容体拮抗薬よりもプロトンポンプ阻害薬を優先する (8) 免疫グロブリン製剤は使用しない (9) 栄養管理の項目を追加 敗血症の定義 Sepsis:感染に起因した SIRS(systemic inflammatory response syndrome) 菌血症(Bacteremia):生きた菌体が血中に存在 重症敗血症(Severe Sepsis):敗血症に臓器不全,組織の低灌流または低血圧を伴った 場合 敗血症性ショック(Septic Shock):十分な補充療法にも関わらず,低血圧を伴った敗血症 敗血症の定義:2012
The Effects of Heuristics and Apophenia on Probabilistic Choice

Given a repeated choice between two or more options with independent and identically distributed reward probabilities, overall pay-offs can be maximized by the exclusive selection of the option with the greatest likelihood of reward. The tendency to match response proportions to reward contingencies is suboptimal. Nevertheless, this behaviour is well documented. A number of explanatory accounts have been proposed for probability matching. These include failed pattern matching, driven by apophenia, and a heuristic-driven response that can be overruled with sufficient deliberation. We report two experiments that were designed to test the relative effects on choice behaviour of both an intuitive versus strategic approach to the task and belief that there was a predictable pattern in the reward sequence, through a combination of both direct experimental manipulation and post-experimental self-report. Mediation analysis was used to model the pathways of effects. Neither of two attempted experimental manipulations of apophenia, nor self-reported levels of apophenia, had a significant effect on proportions of maximizing choices. However, the use of strategy over intuition proved a consistent predictor of maximizing, across all experimental conditions. A parallel analysis was conducted to assess the effect of controlling for individual variance in perceptions of reward contingencies. Although this analysis suggested that apophenia did increase probability matching in the standard task preparation, this effect was found to result from an unforeseen relationship between self-reported apophenia and perceived reward probabilities. A Win-Stay Lose-Shift (WSLS ) analysis indicated no reliable relationship between WSLS and either intuition or strategy use.
Occurrence of Chlamydiaceae, Mycoplasma Conjunctivae, and Pestiviruses in Alpine Chamois (Rupicapra r. Rupicapra) of Grisons, Switzerland

Because interactions between livestock and chamois occur on Alpine pastures, transmission of infectious diseases is considered possible. Thus, the occurrence of Chlamydiaceae, Mycoplasma conjunctivae, and pestiviruses in Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) of the Surselva region (eastern Swiss Alps) was investigated. In total, 71 sera, 158 eye swabs, 135 tissue samples, and 23 fecal samples from 85 chamois were analyzed. The sera were tested by 2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits specific for Chlamydophila abortus. Eye swabs, tissue, and fecal samples were examined by a Chlamydiaceae-specific realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive cases were further investigated by microarray method. One serum sample (1.4%) was positive in 1 of the ELISAs. Eye swabs of 3 chamois (3.8%) were positive for Chlamydiaceae. The microarray method revealed the presence of Chlamydophila abortus, C. pecorum, and C. pneumoniae. All tissue and fecal samples were negative. With real-time PCR, 3.9% of the chamois tested positive for Mycoplasma conjunctivae. One chamois had a simultaneous infection with M. conjunctivae and 2 chlamydial species (C abortus, C. pecorum). Skin and tongue tissue samples of 35 chamois were negative for pestivirus antigen by immunohistochemistry. It was concluded that in contrast to the findings in Pyrenean chamois (Capra p. pyrenaica) of Spain, the occurrence of Chlamydiaceae in Alpine chamois of the Surselva region is low, and the transmission between domestic and wild Caprinae seems not to be frequent. Comparably, persistent pestiviral infections do not seem to be common in chamois of the Surselva region.
Are the benefits of sentence context different in central and peripheral vision?

BACKGROUND Sentence context increases reading speed relative to reading unrelated words. Previous studies of normal peripheral retina and in patients with central field loss (CFL) have come to different conclusions regarding the benefits of sentence context for reading in peripheral retina. Studies of normal peripheral vision presented the text to inferior visual field; it is presumed that most of the patients fixated using retina lateral to their scotoma. The goal of the current study was to determine whether the location of the text on the retina interacts with the usefulness of sentence context. METHODS Normally sighted subjects read sentences and random lists of words presented at the fovea and at 50 to the left of and 50 inferior to fixation in visual field space. Texts were presented using rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP). RESULTS The ratio of reading rates for sentences to random words (context gain) was the same in the inferior field (2.7 +/- 0.20) and at the fovea (2.6 +/- 0.26); context gain was greater in the left field (7.2 +/- 1.22). CONCLUSIONS Sentence context increases reading speed regardless of the position of the text on the retina. Reading rates in peripheral retina are not decreased because of an inability to use sentence context.
High fitness population (HFP) with GA solution for solving unit commitment

This paper presents an improved solution to optimal unit commitment (UC) by seeding best initial high fitness population (HFP) near or equal to global optimum solution to Genetic algorithm (GA). To direct the limited minimization option left in HFP in better way, easy GA mutation scheme is proposed that produces constrained satisfied populations, handle typical spinning reserve/time constraints and increases diversity option for GA to work near global optimum. The proposed algorithm performance is verified for systems of one-day scheduling period for 10–100 generating units. The test results reveal solution very near or close to optimum value achieved in initial population before the GA iteration starts. Result demonstrate the superiority of proposed scheme in term of number of iteration, cost and computation time then any other conventional methods / other computing techniques.
Cisplatin and Pemetrexed Activate AXL and AXL Inhibitor BGB324 Enhances Mesothelioma Cell Death from Chemotherapy

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can promote or inhibit tumorigenesis. In mesothelioma, asbestos exposure to serous membranes induces ROS through iron content and chronic inflammation, and ROS promote cell survival signaling in mesothelioma. Moreover, a current chemotherapy regimen for mesothelioma consisting of a platinum and antifolate agent combination also induce ROS. Mesothelioma is notoriously chemotherapy-resistant, and we propose that ROS induced by cisplatin and pemetrexed may promote cell survival signaling pathways, which ultimately may contribute to chemotherapy resistance. In The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets, we found AXL kinase expression is relatively high in mesothelioma compared to other cancer samples. We showed that ROS induce the phosphorylation of AXL, which was blocked by the selective inhibitor BGB324 in VMC40 and P31 mesothelioma cells. We also showed that cisplatin and pemetrexed induce the phosphorylation of AXL and Akt, which was also blocked by BGB324 as well as by N-acetylcysteine antioxidant. AXL knockdown in these cells enhances sensitivity to cisplatin and pemetrexed. Similarly, AXL inhibitor BGB324 also enhances sensitivity to cisplatin and pemetrexed. Finally, higher synergy was observed when cells were pretreated with BGB324 before adding chemotherapy. These results demonstrate cisplatin and pemetrexed induce ROS that activate AXL, and blocking AXL activation enhances the efficacy of cisplatin and pemetrexed. These results suggest AXL inhibition combined with the current chemotherapy regimen may represent an effective strategy to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy in mesothelioma. This is the first study, to our knowledge, on chemotherapy-induced activation of AXL and cell survival pathways associated with ROS signaling.