Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental Enrichment Improves Behavioral Outcome in the AY-9944 Model of Childhood Atypical Absence Epilepsy

ABSTRACT Atypical absence seizures are drug resistant in the majority of children with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome and herald a poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Here we studied the effects of environmental enrichment, enriched housing conditions designed to stimulate sensory and motor systems in the brain, on behavioral outcome in mice treated with the cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor AY-9944 (AY), a clinically relevant model of atypical absence epilepsy. Beginning at postnatal day (P) 2, C3H mice were treated with AY (7.5 mg/kg) every 6 days until P20 and then weaned into enriched or standard cages. After 30 days (∼P50), AY mice from the enriched housing condition exhibited less behavioral hyperactivity and anxiety, improved olfactory recognition, and spatial learning, but no significant reduction in the number of ictal discharges in comparison with their non-enriched cohorts. The beneficial effects of environmental enrichment in AY model were in some behavioral tests gender-specific in favor of males suggesting that other, possibly hormonally mediated mechanisms, may interact with the therapeutic effects of enrichment. Taken together, these data provide a starting point to derive clinical occupational therapies for improving behavioral outcome in cases of intractable childhood seizures.
Expression of acyl‐CoA synthetase 5 reflects the state of villus architecture in human small intestine

Several disorders of the small intestine are associated with disturbances in villus architecture. Thus, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with the differentiation of villi represents an important step in the improvement of the understanding of small intestinal pathology. Screening of antibodies from a hybridoma library led to the identification of an acyl‐CoA synthetase 5‐specific monoclonal antibody. Protein synthesis, mRNA expression, and the enzyme activity of acyl‐CoA synthetase 5 were studied by several methods in human small intestinal tissues with Crohn's disease or coeliac disease, respectively. Acyl‐CoA synthetase 5 mRNA and protein levels were substantially reduced in injured small intestinal mucosa. Moreover, impaired synthesis of the acyl‐CoA synthetase 5 protein was reflected by a decrease in intramucosal enzyme activity. Subtle changes of the acyl‐CoA synthetase 5 pattern correlate with conversion of intestinal epithelial cells to a gastric phenotype. These results suggest that deranged acyl‐CoA synthetase 5 expression, synthesis, and activity are closely related to the state of villus architecture and epithelial homeostasis in human small intestine. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical Approach in Autism: Management and Treatment

The terms Autism and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) can be interchangeable in the clinical setting, and have been used to describe one of the most intriguing neurobehavioral syndromes, that include the so-called “triad of Wing”: problems in communication, social skills, and restrict repertoire of interests. However, it is somewhat difficult to precisely define autism, because of the imprecise boundaries between different kinds of ASD as well as the fact that there is no biological marker to date (Gottfried and Riesgo 2011).
Psychometric testing of an instrument designed to measure nutritional perceptions of hypertensive patients

Introduction: Measurement tools designed to ensure the achievements of studies’ objectives must be evaluated. Based on the health promotion model (HPM), the present study was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of the designed questionnaire of hypertensive patients’ nutritional perceptions. Methodology: In a cross-sectional study, the mentioned questionnaire was assessed based on opinions of 11 experienced faculty members and 671 hypertensive patients in rural areas in the year 2013. To evaluate the reliability, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was calculated. Concerning the validity of the questionnaire, its content and construct validity were examined. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Spearman-Brown and Cronbach's alpha coefficients results were acceptable in all constructs indicating a satisfactory reliability of the questionnaire. Questionnaire's questions were highly correlated with the total score signifying the internal consistency of the questions; therefore, all questions had a similar effect on the total score and the removal of each did no increase the alpha significantly (all questions had acceptable reliability). Factor analyses showed that all questions had acceptable factor loading and suitable validity. Moreover, the entire constructs of the questionnaire were approved by experts with high validity coefficient of 0.9. Conclusion: The designed questionnaire for assessment of the HPM constructs regarding hypertensive patients’ nutritional issues had appropriate psychometric characteristics. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire were also satisfactory and its overall structure was approved.
Are Groups More Rational than Individuals? A Review of Interactive Decision Making in Groups

Many decisions are interactive; the outcome of one party depends not only on its decisions or on acts of nature but also on the decisions of others. Standard game theory assumes that individuals are rational, self-interested decision makers-that is, decision makers are selfish, perfect calculators, and flawless executors of their strategies. A myriad of studies shows that these assumptions are problematic, at least when examining decisions made by individuals. In this article, we review the literature of the last 25 years on decision making by groups. Researchers have compared the strategic behavior of groups and individuals in many games: prisoner's dilemma, dictator, ultimatum, trust, centipede and principal-agent games, among others. Our review suggests that results are quite consistent in revealing that group decisions are closer to the game-theoretic assumption of rationality than individual decisions. Given that many real-world decisions are made by groups, it is possible to argue that standard game theory is a better descriptive model than previously believed by experimental researchers. We conclude by discussing future research avenues in this area. WIREs Cogn Sci 2012, 3:471-482. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1184 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
DELAYED RIPENING DOES NOT ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS OF INTERNAL BRUISING IN TOMATO FRUIT

The present work was carried out to evaluate the application of delayed ripening (employing controlled atmosphere (CA) storage) to minimize or alleviate the development of the ripening disorder known as internal bruising. Tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruits, cv. Solimar, were harvested in Bradenton (Florida) at the mature-green stage and gassed with 100 mL•L -1 of ethylene at 20 o C to screen out immature-harvested fruits. Breaker stage tomatoes were either dropped from a 40-cm height to induce internal bruising or not dropped. Half of the two treatments was stored in CA (3% O2; 4% CO2; balance N2) for 8 days at 20 C and 85-95% relative humidity, then transferred to air until completely ripe. The other tomatoes were stored continuously in air at the same temperature and RH. At the ripe stage, dropped tomatoes from CA or continuous air treatments exhibited visible symptoms of internal bruising in locule tissues. Storage atmosphere did not cause significant differences in vitamin C, or total carotenoids for bruised locule or pericarp tissues. However, bruised locule tissue from CA storage had titratable acidity 15% higher (about 162 meq citric acid•kg -1 ) than tissue from air storage (about 140 meq citric acid•kg -1 ), and was similar to air-stored, unbruised locule tissue (about 174 meq citric acid•kg -1 ). Pericarp tissue was also analyzed for electrolyte leakage (EL) and polygalacturonase (PG) activity. Pericarp tissue from the impacted region had similar PG activity for CA or air treatments (705 and 710 (µmol GA•kg -1 h -1 respectively). EL of bruised, pericarp tis sue was similar for CA and air storage (about 50%) and about 40% for unbruised tissues from either storage treatment. Internal bruising can be minimized only by reducing the number and intensity of drops during harvest and handling operations.
Are Peripheral Blood Cells From Patients With Alzheimer Disease More Sensitive to Apoptotic Stimuli?

One of the reasons for the increased susceptibility to infections in patients with Alzheimer disease may be enhanced apoptotic death of their peripheral leukocytes. If this is the case, the enhanced apoptosis may be due to components in the patients' sera or to an increased sensitivity of the cells to apoptotic stimuli. To examine this possibility, the percentage of apoptotic cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 12 patients with Alzheimer disease was compared with that of 12 age-matched non-demented persons and 12 middle-aged healthy control subjects. In addition, the effect of sera from subjects in the three groups on the apoptosis, interleukin (IL)-1&bgr;, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)&agr; production by peripheral blood cells from healthy control subjects was examined. It was found that the percentage of apoptotic PBMC from patients with Alzheimer disease was higher than that from the remaining two groups. However, incubation of control cells with sera from patients with Alzheimer disease and non-demented elderly persons did not affect the number of apoptotic cells. Sera from patients with Alzheimer disease and non-demented elderly subjects caused an increase in IL-2 and a decrease in IL-10 production by PBMC from middle-aged control subjects but did not affect IL-1&bgr;, IL-6, and TNF&agr; secretion, indicating alterations of the immune system related to aging.
How arguments are justified in the media debate on climate change in the USA and France

This paper examines the differences in the values that are evoked to justify arguments in the media debate on climate change in USA and France from 1997 to 2011. We find that climate change is more often discussed in terms of justice, democracy, and legal regulation in France, while monetary value plays a more important role as a justification for climate policy arguments in the USA. Technological and scientific arguments are more often made in France, and ecological arguments equally in both countries. We argue that understanding these national differences in argumentation at least partly as reflections of deep-seated cultural conceptions about what is worthy may help in understanding why disagreement persists in the global politics of climate change.
Données préliminaires sur la diversité du zooplancton du lac Nokoué (Sud-Bénin)

Objectif : L’etude de diversite et la repartition des organismes zooplanctoniques du Lac Nokoue a ete menee. Methodologie et resultats : Pour la comprehension de cette composante importante de l’ecosysteme, un echantillonnage mensuel a ete effectue sur 4 mois (juin a septembre 2015). Au cours de l’etude, 40 echantillons de zooplancton collectes au moyen d’un filet a plancton, dans 10 stations sont analyses. Au total, 31 taxa constitues de Copepodes, de Rotiferes et de Cladoceres ont ete identifies puis denombres. Les rotiferes ont ete le groupe le plus diversifie, avec une forte participation de la famille des Brachionidae. Sur le plan quantitatif, les nauplii de Copepodes ont ete dominants a toutes les stations et en toutes periodes de l’etude. En general, une faible densite de zooplancton a ete obtenue dans le lac. Toutefois, le mois de juillet et la station de Ganvie ont presente des richesses taxinomiques et des densites elevees. Cependant les indices biologiques calcules ont indique une mauvaise repartition des individus dans la diversite zooplanctonique disponible. De plus, l’analyse de redondance realisee entre les variables physico-chimiques et les principaux taxa a fait ressortir le taux de nitrate et celui d’ammonium comme les principaux parametres qui determinent les Copepodes et les Rotiferes. Conclusion et application des resultats : Ces donnees bien que preliminaires ont montre que la distribution dans le lac du zooplancton est regie par la presence de matieres organiques. Toutefois, une etude conduite sur une periode plus ou moins longue combinant les facteurs physico-chimiques et la collecte du zooplancton contribuera davantage a la comprehension de la dynamique de cette communaute biologique du lac Mots cles : Zooplancton, diversite, densite, distribution, Canoco, lac Nokoue.
RNA interference-mediated knockdown of a GATA factor reveals a link to anautogeny in the mosquito Aedes aegypti

Blood feeding tightly regulates the reproductive cycle in anautogenous mosquitoes. Vitellogenesis (the synthesis of yolk protein precursors) is a key event in the mosquito reproductive cycle and is activated in response to a blood meal. Before blood feeding, Aedes aegypti is in a state of reproductive arrest during which the yolk protein precursor genes (YPPs) are repressed. The regulatory region of the major YPP gene vitellogenin (Vg) has multiple GATA-binding sites required for the high expression level of this gene. However, a GATA factor (AaGATAr) likely acts as a repressor, preventing activation of this gene before a blood meal. Here we report in vivo data confirming the role of AaGATAr as a repressor of the Vg gene at the state of previtellogenic arrest. Using an RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated technique in conjunction with the Sindbis viral expression system, we show that knockdown of the AaGATAr gene results in an increased basal level of expression of the Vg gene and an elevated response to the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone in mosquitoes in a state of arrest. These experiments have revealed a component in the molecular mechanism by which anautogeny is maintained in A. aegypti.
Mitochondria: are they the seat of senescence?

The frequently quoted figure for the fractional univalent reduction of oxygen to superoxide in mitochondria is certainly too high by at least one order of magnitude. This is so because the higher number (2%) was derived from mitochondria whose cytochrome c oxidase was blocked with cyanide. Nevertheless, even the more correct number (0.1%) means that the production of and H2O2 in mitochondria is large and apt to result in damage to macromolecules in spite of such defensive enzymes as superoxide dismutases and glutathione peroxidase. The data available for nematodes and flies provide a compelling case for the view that the accumulation of oxidative damage to specific mitochondrial proteins leads to the progressive dysfunction that we see as senescence. The data available from work with mammals are much weaker and do not yet allow a strong position to be taken.
Ataxia and nystagmus induced by injection of local anesthetics in the neck

Vertigo, ataxia, and nystagmus were induced in animals and man by injecting local anesthetics into the neck. This presumably interrupted the flow of afferent information from neck muscle and joint receptors. Ataxia in man was associated with a broad‐based, staggering gait; hypotonia of the ipsilateral arm and leg; and a strong sensation of ipsilateral falling or tilting. Nystagmus was stronger in the rabbit and cat than in the monkey and was not induced in man. In the rabbit, section of the cervical roots on one siEN reactivated signs of a previous labyrinthectomy, regardless of the side of operation. Neck‐afferent nystagmus was not dependent on the cerebellum, and the activity responsible for it appeared to ascend ipsilaterally through ventral portions of the cervical spinal cord. The data demonstrate the dependence of neck‐afferent nystagmus on the vestibular system and suggest that in the presence of previous vestibular lesions, neck joint or muscle disorders may be a cause of clinical vertigo, ataxia, or nystagmus.
Dense Vertically Aligned Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Arrays as Thermal Interface Materials

Carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays are being considered as thermal interface materials (TIMs). Using a phase sensitive transient thermo-reflectance technique, we measure the thermal conductance of the two interfaces on each side of a vertically aligned CNT array as well as the CNT array itself. We show that the physically bonded interface by van der Waals adhesion has a conductance ~105W/m2K and is the dominant resistance. We also demonstrate that by bonding the free-end CNT tips to a target surface with the help of a thin layer of indium weld, the conductance can be increased to ~106W/m2K making it attractive as a TIM
Enhancing chemotherapeutic drug inhibition on tumor growth by ultrasound: an in vivo experiment

An in vivo study on enhancing epirubicin hydrochloride (EPI) inhibition on tumor growth by ultrasound (US) was reported. Five-week-old male nude mice were used and HL-60 cells were s.c. (subcutaneous injection) inoculated in axilla of these mice. Six groups were designed and five consecutive treatments were applied to investigate the inhibition on tumor growth and body weight growth. US applied locally to the tumor resulted in a substantially increased drug uptake in tumor cells. The inhibition on tumor growth depended on the position of drug injection and phospholipid-based microbubble (PMB) application. Tumor growth rate under group 1 (PMB+US) was similar to that of blank control. The order of the inhibition on tumor volume growth was: group 4 (s.c. EPI+PMB+US) > group 5 intraperitoneal (i.p. EPI+PMB+US) > group 2 (i.p. EPI) > group 3 (s.c. EPI+US) > group 1 (PMB+US). Similar conclusion was obtained from experimental measurements of tumor weight change. The order of animal survival status for EPI administration groups was: group 4 > group 5 > group 2 > group 3. Chemotherapeutic drug inhibition on tumor growth could be enhanced by local US combined with PMB, which might provide a potential application for US-mediated chemotherapy.
Reference quality upper-air measurements: GRUAN data processing for the Vaisala RS92 radiosonde

Abstract. The GCOS (Global Climate Observing System) Reference Upper-Air Network (GRUAN) data processing for the Vaisala RS92 radiosonde was developed to meet the criteria for reference measurements. These criteria stipulate the collection of metadata, the use of well-documented correction algorithms, and estimates of the measurement uncertainty. An important and novel aspect of the GRUAN processing is that the uncertainty estimates are vertically resolved. This paper describes the algorithms that are applied in version 2 of the GRUAN processing to correct for systematic errors in radiosonde measurements of pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind, as well as how the uncertainties related to these error sources are derived. Currently, the RS92 is launched on a regular basis at 13 out of 15 GRUAN sites. An additional GRUAN requirement for performing reference measurements with the RS92 is that the manufacturer-prescribed procedure for the radiosonde's preparation, i.e. heated reconditioning of the sensors and recalibration during ground check, is followed. In the GRUAN processing however, the recalibration of the humidity sensors that is applied during ground check is removed. For the dominant error source, solar radiation, laboratory experiments were performed to investigate and model its effect on the RS92's temperature and humidity measurements. GRUAN uncertainty estimates are 0.15 K for night-time temperature measurements and approximately 0.6 K at 25 km during daytime. The other uncertainty estimates are up to 6% relative humidity for humidity, 10–50 m for geopotential height, 0.6 hPa for pressure, 0.4–1 m s−1 for wind speed, and 1° for wind direction. Daytime temperature profiles for GRUAN and Vaisala processing are comparable and consistent within the estimated uncertainty. GRUAN daytime humidity profiles are up to 15% moister than Vaisala processed profiles, of which two-thirds is due to the radiation dry bias correction and one-third is due to an additional calibration correction. Redundant measurements with frost point hygrometers (CFH and NOAA FPH) show that GRUAN-processed RS92 humidity profiles and frost point data agree within 15% in the troposphere. No systematic biases occur, apart from a 5% dry bias for GRUAN data around −40 °C at night.
Gamma/Delta T-Cell Functional Responses Differ after Pathogenic Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Nonpathogenic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infections

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to functionally assess gamma/delta (γδ) T cells following pathogenic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of humans and nonpathogenic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of sooty mangabeys. γδ T cells were obtained from peripheral blood samples from patients and sooty mangabeys that exhibited either a CD4-healthy (>200 CD4+ T cells/μl blood) or CD4-low (<200 CD4 cells/μl blood) phenotype. Cytokine flow cytometry was utilized to assess production of Th1 cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and gamma interferon following ex vivo stimulation with either phorbol myristate acetate/ionomycin or the Vδ2 γδ T-cell receptor agonist isopentenyl pyrophosphate. Sooty mangabeys were observed to have higher percentages of γδ T cells in their peripheral blood than humans did. Following stimulation, γδ T cells from SIV-positive (SIV+) mangabeys maintained or increased their ability to express the Th1 cytokines regardless of CD4+ T-cell levels. In contrast, HIV-positive (HIV+) patients exhibited a decreased percentage of γδ T cells expressing Th1 cytokines following stimulation. This dysfunction is primarily within the Vδ2+ γδ T-cell subset which incurred both a decreased overall level in the blood and a reduced Th1 cytokine production. Patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy exhibited a partial restoration in their γδ T-cell Th1 cytokine response that was intermediate between the responses of the uninfected and HIV+ patients. The SIV+ sooty mangabey natural hosts, which do not proceed to clinical AIDS, provide evidence that γδ T-cell dysfunction occurs in HIV+ patients and may contribute to HIV disease progression.
Role of trust and customer loyalty in reducing perceived security risk in internet banking

Offering banking services in the virtual environment becomes more challenging for the marketing managers while encountering interception of security in internet banking. The purpose of this study is to probe how a loyal customer base can be built for internet banking services. The paper explores the interrelationship between the two dimensions – company orientation and customer outcomes by gauging their role in constructing customer loyalty, further reducing perceived security risk amongst the customers. The analysis supports positive relationships among customer orientation, customer service quality, customer satisfaction, trust, and customer loyalty. The results also depict that customer loyalty along with trust eventually reduces perceived security risk which is vital for further expansion of internet banking. The service providers need to offer consistent superior customer service according to the customers’ needs and preferences which can result in greater levels of customer satisfaction, develop tru.