Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prodromal features for Parkinson's disease – baseline data from the TREND study

A number of non‐motor features are known to precede motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease (PD). They are supposed to already represent the prodromal neurodegenerative state in those who later develop PD and are thus called prodromal markers. In this study, three prodromal markers, depression, rapid eye movement behaviour disorder (RBD) and hyposmia, were selected and were related to other prodromal features in elderly individuals without PD.
Detection of thyroglobulin mRNA as truncated isoform(s) in mouse thymus

Recent studies employing reverse transription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) have demonstrated the intrathymic presence of mRNA for various autoantigens, including thyroglobulin (Tg). Deliberations on the mechanisms of central tolerance usually assume that this approach detects intact mRNA transcripts that can be translated to express the whole autoantigen in the thymus. In the present study, we tested this assumption using mRNA transcripts of mouse Tg which encode at least 13 pathogenic peptides, scattered over a large (8·5 kb) sequence. We found that mRNA encoding 11 out of these 13 Tg peptides was present in both the thyroid and the thymus of CBA/J mice, with no apparent temporal fluctuations in expression from birth to 12 weeks of age. Interestingly, detection of these sequences was also demonstrable in the liver and kidney, but not in muscle. However, mRNA encoding two pathogenic peptides (amino acids 1–12 and amino acids 1579–1591) was detected intrathyroidally but not in the other tissues. Further analysis by RT–PCR showed that Tg mRNA transcripts in the thymus, liver and kidney lack segments within the 1–915 bp and 961–5013 bp regions, spANNing exons 1–7 and 9–22, respectively. These data strongly suggest that certain known and perhaps other, as yet unmapped, pathogenic T‐cell epitopes of Tg cANNot be encoded by the truncated isoform(s) of intrathymic Tg mRNA. These findings also imply that central tolerance to endogenous Tg produced by thymic epithelial cells may be incomplete.
PatchShuffle Regularization

This paper focuses on regularizing the training of the convolutional neural network (CNN). We propose a new regularization approach named ``PatchShuffle`` that can be adopted in any classification-oriented CNN models. It is easy to implement: in each mini-batch, images or feature maps are randomly chosen to undergo a transformation such that pixels within each local patch are shuffled. Through generating images and feature maps with interior orderless patches, PatchShuffle creates rich local variations, reduces the risk of network overfitting, and can be viewed as a beneficial supplement to various kinds of training regularization techniques, such as weight decay, model ensemble and dropout. Experiments on four representative classification datasets show that PatchShuffle improves the generalization ability of CNN especially when the data is scarce. Moreover, we empirically illustrate that CNN models trained with PatchShuffle are more robust to noise and local changes in an image.
The work of Leslie Valiant: alle die Strassen führen nach Strassen

This year Leslie VALIANT becomes sixty five years old; we celebrate his fest with this work in which we analyze some of his major achievements. We focus our attention on those of his works for which a strong influence of Volker Strassen can be easily detected. Strassen's work has had a strong and lasting influence on Valiant. It does not means, as the title could suggest, that the manyfaced, relevant and complex work of Leslie Valiant can be understood as a corollary to Strassen
Advanced dielectric properties of BaTiO3/polyvinylidene-fluoride nanocomposites with sandwich multi-layer structure

To endow excellent dielectric properties for embedded capacitors application, high-permittivity BaTiO3/polyvinylidene fluoride (BT/PVDF) nanocomposites with sandwich multi-layer structure were fabricated via a spin-coated and hot-molding technique. Dependences of dielectric properties of the BT/PVDF multi-layer nanocomposites on frequency and temperature were studied. Results show that concentration and dispersion of BT particles in multi-layer structure nanocomposites had an obvious influence on the final dielectric permittivity. Influence of the compatibility between adjacent layers on dielectric permittivity was also discussed. We use the effective-medium theory and capacitance series model to predict the theoretical values of the dielectric permittivity of the nanocomposites.
A Zebrafish Coxsackievirus and Adenovirus Receptor Homologue Interacts with Coxsackie B Virus and Adenovirus

ABSTRACT In this study, a zebrafish homologue of the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) protein was identified. Although the extracellular domain of zebrafish CAR (zCAR) is less than 50% identical to that of human CAR (hCAR), zCAR mediated infection of transfected cells by both adenovirus type 5 and coxsackievirus B3. CAR residues interacting deep within the coxsackievirus canyon are highly conserved in zCAR and hCAR, which is consistent with the idea that receptor contacts within the canyon are responsible for coxsackievirus attachment. In contrast, CAR residues contacting the south edge of the canyon are not conserved, suggesting that receptor interaction with the viral “puff region” is not essential for attachment.
The expression level of the 3a movement protein determines differences in severity of symptoms between two strains of tomato aspermy cucumovirus.

Two strains of tomato aspermy cucumovirus, 1-TAV and V-TAV, differ in the severity of the symptoms induced in Nicotiana tabacum: 1-TAV induces a severe chlorotic mottle that appears 5 days post inoculation (d.p.i.) in the second systemic leaf, while V-TAV-infected plants show a mild chlorotic mottle, unevenly distributed in the leaf lamina, that appears 7 d.p.i. in the third or fourth systemic leaf. The manipulation of full-length cDNA clones giving infectious transcripts of V-TAV RNAs 1, 2, and 3 and 1-TAV RNA 3 revealed that the slow, mild phenotype of V-TAV maps to the movement protein (MP) gene. By site-directed mutagenesis it was further shown that this phenotype co-segregates with a single nucleotide substitution that introduces an in-frame UAA stop codon at the fourth position of the MP open reading frame of V-TAV. The presence of this stop codon results in a diminished expression of the MP in both tobacco protoplasts and leaves. Analyses of the progress of infection and of the time course of MP and coat protein accumulation show that the low level of MP in V-TAV-infected leaves limits the rate of cell-to-cell movement and leads to the mild phenotype. Data from the infectivity of RNA 3 transcripts with or without this stop codon, plus data from in vitro translation of virion or transcript RNA 3, suggest that the small amount of MP observed in V-TAV-infected leaves is expressed from a minor RNA 3 subpopulation lacking the stop codon.
Cytoskeletal organization of rat oocytes during metaphase II arrest and following abortive activation: A study by confocal laser scanning microscopy

In metaphase II arrested rat oocytes (M il), microtubles were found in the taper‐shaped meiotic spindle and in the cytoplasm as asters and free microtubules. Whereas spindle microtubules were acetylated, those located in the cytoplasm were not. Cytoplasmic microtubules were also labile as assessed by mild cooling. In contast to mouse oocytes, rat microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) did not react with MPM‐2 antibody by immunofluorescence despite the fact that this antibody reacts with several proteins as shown by immunoblot. However, cytoplasmic MTOCs in M II‐arrested rat oocytes could be detected by their nucleating capacity in the presence of taxol, a drug that induced the formation of numerous cytoplasmic asters. In addition, taxol caused a change in the spindle shape and the formation of astral microtubules at the spindle poles. Meiotic spindles (as well as chromosomes devoid of microtubules after nocodazoletreatment) were overlaid by an actin‐rich domain. Spontaneous abortive activation led to the extrusion of the second polar body followed by another metaphase arrest— metaphase III; however, normal spindles did not form and dispersed chromosomes surrounded by microtubles were observed. Electron microscopic studies confirmed these observations and revealed that the kinetochores are located deep within the chromosomes in contrast to mouse kinetochores, and this might be responsible for the absence of a metaphase III spindle in the rat oocyte. Induced activation caused transition to interphase with the formation of a characteristic microtubule network. This study shows that there are several significant differences in the cytoskeletal organization of rat and mouse oocytes. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Policy and State in Complexity Economics

Complexity economics has developed into a powerful empirical, theoretical, and computational research program in the last three decades, advancing more realistic economics. It converges with long-standing heterodox schools, and its theoretical and empirical findings are consistent with older heterodox research interests and predictions. Economic complexity is characterized by path-dependence, idiosyncrasies, some self-organization capacity, structural emergence, and certain statistical distributions in economic topologies and motions, as complex economic systems move between building order and phases of sudden disorder. In agent-based systems, underlying “intentionality” of agents includes improving their performance, reducing perceived complexity, and generating social institutions. Boosted by the financial crisis 2008ff. , a surge to explore complexity-economics’ policy implications has emerged. This chapter will briefly review the literature on economic Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and derive implications for economic-policy interventions and the state to act upon socio-economic complexity. From an “evolution-of-cooperation” perspective, we exemplarily derive some more specific policy orientations, specified “framework-policy” or “interactive-policy” approaches, embedded in a conception that we call “new meritorics”. We consider some required structures and capacities that a modern effective state, capable of a strong and persistent, but learning and adapting “complexity policy”, should have.
Identification of the Lipooligosaccharide Biosynthesis Gene lic2B as a Putative Virulence Factor in Strains of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae That Cause Otitis Media

ABSTRACT Nontypeable (NT) strains of Haemophilus influenzae are an important cause of acute otitis media (OM). The pathogenic process by which NT H. influenzae strains cause OM is poorly understood. In order to identify specific virulence factors important for OM pathogenesis, genomic subtraction of the NT H. influenzae middle ear isolate G622 against H. influenzae strain Rd was conducted and the resulting subtraction products were used to screen a panel of H. influenzae isolates. Subtraction identified 36 PCR fragments unique to strain G622, which were used in a preliminary screen of 48 middle ear isolates and 46 nasopharyngeal and throat isolates to identify genes found more frequently among middle ear isolates. These experiments identified a PCR fragment with high homology to the lipooligosaccharide biosynthesis gene lic2B (originally identified in an H. influenzae type b strain) among 52% of the middle ear isolates and 9% of nasopharyngeal and throat isolates. The lic2B gene cloned from NT H. influenzae strain G622 was 99% identical at the amino acid level to that of the H. influenzae type b strain RM7004. The lic2B gene was used to screen a larger panel of H. influenzae isolates including the original 48 middle ear isolates, 40 invasive type b isolates, 90 NT H. influenzae throat isolates from children attending day care, and 32 NT H. influenzae nasopharyngeal clinical isolates. The lic2B gene was found 3.7 times more frequently among middle ear isolates than in throat isolates from children attending day care. These data suggest that a specific NT H. influenzae gene is associated with OM.
Traumatic Anterior Instability of the Pediatric Shoulder: A Comparison of Arthroscopic and Open Bankart Repairs

Background: Arthroscopic and open Bankart repairs have proven efficacy in adults with recurrent anterior shoulder instability. Although studies have included children in their analysis, none have previously compared functional outcomes or redislocation rates between these 2 methodologies for anteroinferior glenoid labrum repair in this young population. We hypothesize that open and arthroscopic Bankart repair in children will have similar functional outcomes and redislocation rates, but differing results from adults treated in a similar manner. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all Bankart repairs performed between 2006 and 2010 at a tertiary care children’s hospital. A shift in treatment modalities occurred in 2008 creating 2 cohorts, open and arthroscopic. Brachial plexus injury, congenital soft-tissue disorder, or incomplete charts were excluded. Demographics, age at surgery, follow-up length, and sport were recorded. Telephone interviews were then performed obtaining the most current QuickDASH (Disability Arm, Shoulder, or Hand), WOSI (Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index), SF-12 (Short Form 12), SANE (Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation), and verbal pain scores; as well as, inquiring about recurrent dislocation and further surgery. Results: Ninety-nine children (16.9±1.5 y) were included (28 open, 71 arthroscopic). There were no differences in preoperative demographics. Fifty-one patients completed the questionnaires (11 open, 40 arthroscopic). No significant differences in the outcomes scores were seen between the 2 groups. Of the 99 patients, 21 (21%) had redislocation or secondary surgery; there was no significant difference in failure rate between groups (4 open, 17 arthroscopic). A plotted survival curve demonstrated that the adolescent shoulder undergoing Bankart repair for recurrent traumatic anterior instability has a 2-year survival of 86% and a 5-year survival of only 49%, regardless of technique. Conclusions: In adolescents, there is no significant difference in functional outcomes or redislocation rates between open and arthroscopic Bankart repair, yet both demonstrate a very high risk of failure in this young, athletic population which contrasts the results in the historic adult population. Level of Evidence: Level III—retrospective comparative study.
Performance validation in anatomic pathology: successful integration of a new classification system into the practice setting using the updated lung non-small cell carcinoma recommendations.

CONTEXT The new, international, multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma, from the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society, presents a paradigm shift for diagnostic pathologists. OBJECTIVE To validate our ability to apply the recommendations in reporting on non-small cell lung cancer cases. DESIGN A test based on the new non-small cell lung cancer classification was administered to 16 pathology faculty members, senior residents, and fellows before and after major educational interventions, which included circulation of articles, electronic presentations, and live presentations by a well-known lung pathologist. Surgical and cytologic (including cell-block material) reports of lung malignancies for representative periods before and after the educational interventions were reviewed for compliance with the new guidelines. Cases were scored on a 3-point scale, with 1 indicating incorrect terminology and/or highly inappropriate stain use, 2 indicating correct diagnostic terminology with suboptimal stain use, and 3 indicating appropriate diagnosis and stain use. The actual error type was also evaluated. RESULTS The average score on initial testing was 55%, increasing to 88% following the educational interventions (60% improvement). Of the 54 reports evaluated before intervention, participants scored 3 out of 3 points on 15 cases (28%), 2 of 3 on 31 cases (57%), and 1 of 3 on 8 cases (15%). Incorrect use of stains was noted in 23 of 54 cases (43%), incorrect terminology in 15 of 54 cases (28%), and inappropriate use of tissue, precluding possible molecular testing, in 4 out of 54 cases (7%). Of the 55 cases after intervention, participants scored 3 out of 3 points on 46 cases (84%), 2 of 3 on 8 cases (15%), and 1 of 3 on 1 case (2%). Incorrect use of stains was identified in 9 of 55 cases (16% of total reports), and inappropriate use of tissue, precluding possible molecular testing, was found in 1 of the 55 cases (2%). CONCLUSIONS The study results demonstrated marked improvement in the pathologists' understanding and application of the new non-small cell lung cancer classification recommendations, which was sufficient to validate our use of the system in routine practice. The results also affirm the value of intensive education on, and validation of, pathologists' use of a classification or diagnostic algorithm.
Optimal portfolio under fractional stochastic environment

Rough stochastic volatility models have attracted a lot of attention recently, in particular for the linear option pricing problem. In this paper, starting with power utilities, we propose to use a martingale distortion representation of the optimal value function for the nonlinear asset allocation problem in a (non‐Markovian) fractional stochastic environment (for all values of the Hurst index H∈(0,1) ). We rigorously establish a first‐order approximation of the optimal value, when the return and volatility of the underlying asset are functions of a stationary slowly varying fractional Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process. We prove that this approximation can be also generated by a fixed zeroth‐ order trading strategy providing an explicit strategy which is asymptotically optimal in all admissible controls. Furthermore, we extend the discussion to general utility functions, and obtain the asymptotic optimality of this fixed strategy in a specific family of admissible strategies.
Sickle cell anemia and central nervous system infarction: A neuropathological study

CNS infarcts were demonstrated in 12 of 24 autopsied patients with sickle cell anemia. The infarcts occurred most extensively in the territory supplied by the distal branches of the internal carotid artery, especially the anterior–middle cerebral artery boundary zone. They were regularly associated with organizing and recanalizing thrombi involving the distal cervical and proximal intracranial divisions of the internal carotid system. On the basis of these findings, we infer that the pathogenesis of the infarction involves perfusion failure or intraarterial embolization in addition to intravascular sickling.
ATTITUDE OF DISTANCE LEARNERS TOWARDS MULTIMEDIA APPROACH TO INSTRUCTION

Distance education is fast emerging as an alternative method for course delivery, thereby increases access to higher education at the national and international level. Distance education adopts a multimedia approach to instruction which differentiates it from the conventional mode of teaching-learning. The present study was undertaken to examine the attitude of distance learners towards multimedia approach to instruction. Participants were enrolled at Indira Gandhi National Open University, in its various programmes. An adapted attitude scale (Thurstone type) was administered to 1200 students, of which only 243 responded. Data analysis revealed a mean attitude score of 7.17, indicating a favourable inclination of respondents to learn through the multimedia approach. Further research is warranted in this area to explore the attitude of learners in various other distance education settings. It would help distance educators to expand the outreach of education through distance mode, motivate learners and reduce attrition rates considerably.
How to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis early: impact of ECG, tissue Doppler echocardiography, and myocardial biopsy

Aims. To detect cardiac amyloidosis (CA) earlier, it is inevitable to improve diagnostic strategies. Methods and results. The impact of ECG, echocardiography including tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and strain, and myocardial biopsies was evaluated in 30 patients (63% (n = 19) men, mean age 66 ± 8 years, NYHA 3.0 ± 0.5, 73% with prior myocardial decompensation), in whom we proved CA. Amyloid was confirmed by apple-green birefringence under polarised light, and the causing protein by immunohistochemical examinations. Genetic analyses excluded familial CA. All patients (AL-lambda (n = 22), AL-kappa (n = 3), senile amyloidosis (n = 5)) had echocardiographic signs of restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), typical TDI and strain parameters (E'septal; E′ lateral < 8 cm/s; E/E′ > 8; S' ≤9 cm/s; global longitudinal strain (GLS) −7.9 ± 3.8%). Pericardial effusions were present in 63% of patients. ECGs were suspicious in many patients: 19 (63%) had low-voltage, 23 (77%) reduced R waves in V1–V4, and 57% both. Abnormalities, retrospectively had been present for 0.5–4 years. Twenty (67%) patients died 232 ± 268 [2–1020] days after CA was diagnosed, but 502 ± 333 [30–1440] days after the first symptom. Conclusion. Accurate ECG evaluations, careful echocardiographic search for RCM, reduced strain/strain rates, and general indications to myocardial biopsies with correct analyses are needed to diagnose CA.
Differential regulation of human T cell responsiveness by mucosal versus blood monocytes

Human intestinal T lymphocytes are constantly exposed to a large number of foreign antigens without developing a systemic immune response. One crucial mechanism leading to this intestinal hyporesponsiveness is based on impaired signal transduction through the T cell receptor/CD3 complex in lamina propria T lymphocytes (LP‐T). In this study, we addressed the question whether a lack of co‐stimulatory/progression signals might also contribute to LP‐T hyporesponsiveness. To this end, isolated human monocyte populations from the intestinal lamina propria were obtained and their phenotypes as well as their capacity to promote T cell activation studied. Here, we demonstrate that lamina propria macrophages (LP‐MO), in contrast to peripheral blood monocytes (PB‐MO), do not support proliferation of either LP‐T or PB‐T. This may be due to the low expression of ligands (CD54, CD58, CD80) for the T cell accessory receptors CD11/18, CD2 and CD28/CTLA‐4 on mucosal macrophages. Thus, down‐regulation of both recognition/competence and co‐stimulatory/progression signals contribute to intestinal hypo‐ or unresponsiveness.