Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Guidelines for the use of Animals in Biomedical Research

The last several years have seen a major increase in the activities of groups who are either strongly opposed to the use of animals in biomedical research or at least question its relevance. In many member countries such groups have become very well organized and have developed effective strategies in using the news media to promote their views. Moreover, there can be no doubt that, in some cases, they have managed to exert significant political influence as reflected by the substantial increase of legislative acts directed at restricting the use of animals in biomedical research. Both the unlawful activities of the more extreme element of the animal activist movement and the newly imposed legal restraints in some jurisdictions have and will continue to impede some areas of biomedical research. In consideration of this, the Subcommittee on Animal Models of Haemorrhagic and Thrombotic Disorders of the International Committee of Thrornbosis and Haemostasis has directed its attention to developing policies and strategies for the counselling of its members who face or may face such difficulties in the future. In approaching this task, we believe that we can constructively address the issues involved. There can be no doubt that the use of animals in the past has significantly aided research in developing our understanding of the pathophysiology and eventual therapy of haemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders. Whilst our ability to simulate the in vivo condition, either by such approaches as computer modelling or tissue culture techniques, is progressing rapidly, it is unlikely and perhaps even impossible that these alternatives will ever replace the whole animal system. As stated in the "International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals" of the Council for International Organisations of Medical Sciences, 1985: "An intact live animal is more than the sum of the response of isolated cells, tissues or organs ; there are complex interactions in the whole animal that cannot be reproduced by biological or non-biological 'alternative' methods". Moreover, the 1975 Tokyo
Diagnostic Value of Androgen Measurements in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A group of 51 women with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) were investigated. They were further classified into PCO Type I and PCO Type II based on clinical and laboratory investigations. Serum levels of unbound (free) and total testosterone, testosterone binding globulin (TBG), and androstenedione were measured in these women and compared with values in normal women. Mean levels of all these steroids were elevated in women with PCO. No difference in adrogen levels was found between women with PCO Type I and PCO Type II. Serum unbound testosterone concentrations correlated better with the presence and severity of hirsutism than did the total testosterone.
The z ∼ 6 Luminosity Function Fainter than −15 mag from the Hubble Frontier Fields: The Impact of Magnification Uncertainties

We use the largest sample of galaxies to date from the first four Hubble Frontier Fields clusters to set constraints on the shape of the luminosity functions (LFs) to fainter than mag. We quantify, for the first time, the impact of magnification uncertainties on LF results and thus provide more realistic constraints than other recent work. Our simulations reveal that, for the highly magnified sources, the systematic uncertainties can become extremely large fainter than −14 mag, reaching several orders of magnitude at 95% confidence at approximately −12 mag. Our new forward-modeling formalism incorporates the impact of magnification uncertainties into the LF results by exploiting the availability of many independent magnification models for the same cluster. One public magnification model is used to construct a mock high-redshift galaxy sample that is then analyzed using the other magnification models to construct an LF. Large systematic errors occur at high magnifications ( ) because of differences between the models. The volume densities we derive for faint (≳−17 mag) sources are ∼3–4× lower than one recent report and give a faint-end slope , which is 3.0–3. 5σ shallower (including or not including the size uncertainties, respectively). We introduce a new curvature parameter δ to model the faint end of the LF and demonstrate that the observations permit (at 68% confidence) a turn-over at in the range of −15.3 to −14.2 mag, depending on the assumed lensing model. The present consideration of magnification errors and new size determinations raise doubts about previous reports regarding the form of the LF at . We discuss the implications of our turn-over constraints in the context of recent theoretical predictions.
Probing the Chiroptical Response of a Single Molecule

Chirally sensitive measurement techniques have generally been restricted to bulk samples. Here, we report the observation of fluorescence-detected circular dichroism (FDCD) from single (bridgedtriarylamine) helicene molecules by using an excitation wavelength (457 nanometers) in the vicinity of an electronic transition that shows circular dichroism in bulk samples. The distributions of dissymmetry (g) parameters by analysis of signals from pure M- and P-type diastereomers are almost perfect mirror images of one another, each spanning a range of both positive and negative values. In addition, we observe a well-defined structure in the histogram of dissymmetry parameters suggestive of specific molecular orientations at the polymer interface. These single-molecule results highlight strong intrinsic circular dichroism responses that can be obscured by cancellation effects in ensemble measurements of a randomly oriented bulk sample.
Title Extending Interaction for Smart Watches : Enabling BimanualAround Device Control

The size of a smart watch limits the available interactive surface for the user. Most current smart watches use a combination of a touch screen and physical buttons. Unfortunately, a small touch screen’s usability is limited when it can be easily occluded, such as by a finger. In this paper, we look at extending the interactive surface for a smart watch to the back of the hand. Our approach reduces screen occlusion by enabling off-device gestural interaction. We define a range of supported bimanual gestures and present a prototype device.
Biometric identification of persons using sample entropy features of EEG during rest state

Biometric recognition of persons using brain waves has been identified as an attractive topic of research today. Existing popular biometric modalities of face, finger prints and voice signals are vulnerable to various kinds of attacks and spoofing techniques, whereas the emerging biometric trait extracted from brain wave is expected to act as an ideal biometric feature offering high degree of uniqueness, stability and universality. This paper analyses the efficacy of the complexity of Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals recorded during rest state for recognizing individuals from a publicly available EEG dataset consisting of 109 subjects. Sample entropy features extracted from delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma bands of 64 channel EEG have been evaluated for subject-identification in the proposed system. It is found that beta band entropy has the highest inter-subject variability. Based on a Mahalanobis distance based classifier, beta entropy gives an average correct recognition rate of 98.31%. It has also been observed that concatenation of entropy features with power spectral density (PSD) values improves the system performance. Further analysis is essential to investigate the stability of results over time and to optimize the recognition performance at a reduced number of channels.
Single-center experience with sirolimus therapy for vascular malformations

ABSTRACT Vascular malformations (VMs) are described as congenital malformations of the vasculature derived from capillaries, veins, lymphatic vessels, arteries, or a combination of these vessels. They can cause significant morbidity resulting from soft tissue hypertrophy-related disfiguration, bony abnormalities, and even organ compromise. They are usually treated with various interventional procedures to achieve local control; however, the chance of success decreases as the anatomical distribution of the malformation widens. Unfortunately, medical treatment options have been quite limited in these patients. Sirolimus is an antiangiogenetic and antiproliferative pharmacologic agent that has been used for the management of VM in the last decade. We report 6 pediatric patients (4 with capillary lymphaticovenous malformations, 1 with lymphaticovenous malformation, and 1 with venous malformation) seen at our clinic within the last 2 years with lesions covering wide anatomical areas. After the patients had unsuccessfully undergone various treatments at various centers, they were treated at our facility with peroral sirolimus. The mean duration of treatment was 13 months, but in 3 patients, tapered dosing continues. Five patients achieved partial responses. The response to sirolimus treatment increased as the lymphatic component of the VM increased. All patients tolerated sirolimus well; side effects were acceptable. Sirolimus is a safe and effective medical treatment for widely distributed VMs with significant lymphatic components and no further local treatment option.
Reducing Conductor Usage in Superconducting Machines by Multiple Power Supplies

This paper presents and applies a method of reducing the needed amount of superconductor in a superconducting machine by supplying the superconductor from multiple power supplies. The method is presented and validated experimentally in a constructed prototype. Thereafter, a superconducting tape is tested experimentally for allowable current density in a flux density spanning from 0 to 16 T and a temperature range from 5 K to 85 K. Using the experimental data from the superconductor, the proposed method is applied to minimize the usage of superconductor in a 10-MW superconducting direct drive wind turbine generator.
A novel multi-class fault diagnosis approach based on support vector machine of particle swarm Optimization and Huffman tree

Based on VC dimension theory and structural risk minimization principle of statistical learning theory, Support vector machine (SVM) has a prominent advantage in solving classification and fault prediction problems, specifically suitable for small sample, nonlinear and high dimensional pattern recognition problems. However, SVM is originally created for solving binary classification problems. The efficient application of SVM on multi-classification has always been a hotspot. This paper represents a novel approach to the multi-class fault diagnosis based on support vector machine of particle swarm optimization method. Besides the one-against-one, one-against-other, directed acyclic graph and binary tree, the Huffman tree is introduced, and the priority of the classification is determined by calculating dissimilarity degree of each two class. Thus, a multi-classification model based on Huffman tree is built. When the sample amount of each class varies greatly, using the same penalty parameter for each class will lower the classification accuracy. Thus, the penalty parameters of different class is optimized by particle swarm optimization method, which guarantee each SVM is the optimal result. Finally, a database of power transformer is used to demonstrate the superiority of this new method.
Making sense of enterprise systems in institutions: a case study of the re-implementation of an accounting system

Whereas previous research provides a number of accounts of failure prone enter- prise system (ES) implementations, empirical evidence of the re-implementation of an ac- counting system in a Scandinavian high-tech company shows how the system became highly integrated, accepted by its users, and well-aligned to the work processes. To learn from this case study, we investigate the interactive and dynamic relationships among the enterprise system, people and institutional properties. We investigate the institutional structures and the sensemaking processes at play to identify how the idea of an efficient accounting sys- tem travelled from a national to a local level, how the system moved from being highly cus- tomized to becoming a standard package and how the users' enactment of the system re- inforced existing institutional practices. Based on the findings, we frame our contributions into five lessons learned: (1) An ES implementation entails mutual adaptations between the organization, human actors and enterprise system; (2) "small is beautiful" is almost a truism but may turn out to be an appropriate starting point; (3) a certain level of resilience is es- sential to cope with future upgrades and enhancements; (4) the recognition of professional identity and roles is vital for ES adaptation; and (5) first customizing and then un-customiz - ing the ES may be a valuable approach towards integrating the system. We relate these les- sons to ES adaptations in general in discussing the study's contributions and implications.
Infection of Human Dendritic Cells by a Sindbis Virus Replicon Vector Is Determined by a Single Amino Acid Substitution in the E2 Glycoprotein

ABSTRACT The ability to target antigen-presenting cells with vectors encoding desired antigens holds the promise of potent prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer. Toward this goal, we derived variants of the prototype alphavirus, Sindbis virus (SIN), with differential abilities to infect human dendritic cells. Cloning and sequencing of the SIN variant genomes revealed that the genetic determinant for human dendritic cell (DC) tropism mapped to a single amino acid substitution at residue 160 of the envelope glycoprotein E2. Packaging of SIN replicon vectors with the E2 glycoprotein from a DC-tropic variant conferred a similar ability to efficiently infect immature human DC, whereupon those DC were observed to undergo rapid activation and maturation. The SIN replicon particles infected skin-resident mouse DC in vivo, which subsequently migrated to the draining lymph nodes and upregulated cell surface expression of major histocompatibility complex and costimulatory molecules. Furthermore, SIN replicon particles encoding human immunodeficiency virus type 1 p55Gag elicited robust Gag-specific T-cell responses in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that infected DC maintained their ability to process and present replicon-encoded antigen. Interestingly, human and mouse DC were differentially infected by selected SIN variants, suggesting differences in receptor expression between human and murine DC. Taken together, these data illustrate the tremendous potential of using a directed approach in generating alphavirus vaccine vectors that target and activate antigen-presenting cells, resulting in robust antigen-specific immune responses.
The Ghostliness of Strategy: Deconstructing Strategy Process Research

We argue that existing conceptualizations of the strategy process, while each affording valuable insights, offer only a limited understanding of process issues and leave many important questions un-addressed. This is because process research has gathered around an either/or-logic in which either thinking (decisions) or actions are seen as constitutive elements of strategy formation. The either/orlogic neglects the interrelationship of decisions and actions and therefore fails to take into account important process characteristics such as the double contingency of strategic decisions. To consider these characteristics adequately, we deconstruct the thinking/action opposition to show that thinking already is action and that there can be no thinking without action. The deconstruction of the thinking/action opposition shows that every decision – and thus every strategic decision – remains caught in a ghost that represents the undecidability of an open future. We extend this analysis by conceptualizing ‘thinking in action’ as being based on performative speech acts that constantly carve out the strategic reality of organizations. After all, this conceptualization conceives strategy as a social practice because speech acts represent linguistic practices. The paper closes with a number of research questions concerning the role of strategic decision-making in the overall strategy process.
Separase Regulates INCENP-Aurora B Anaphase Spindle Function Through Cdc14

The inner centromere-like protein (INCENP) forms a complex with the evolutionarily conserved family of Aurora Bkinases. The INCENP-Aurora complex helps coordinate chromosome segregation, spindle behavior, and cytokinesis during mitosis. INCENP-Aurora associates with kinetochores in metaphase and with spindle microtubules in anaphase, yet the trigger for this abrupt transfer is unknown. Here we show that the conserved phosphatase Cdc14 regulated the yeast INCENP-Aurora complex, Sli15-Ipl1. Cdc14 dephosphorylated Sli15 and thereby directed the complex to spindles. Activation of Cdc14 by separase was sufficient for Sli15 dephosphorylation and relocalization. Cdc14 not only regulates mitotic exit but also modulates spindle midzone assembly through Sli15-Ipl1.
Script-like attachment representations: Steps towards a secure base for further research

Abstract The secure base script method assesses the extent to which attachment relevant narratives reflect access to a secure base script. The reliability and (convergent, predictive) validity of the secure base script measure has been documented in the convergent findings of the various cross-national studies reported in this issue. The instrument’s easy administration and coding system promises larger studies focusing on psychometric and substantive questions following from the current set of studies. More specifically, future research with the secure base script may concern its incremental validity, explore scripts of so-called ‘earned secure adults’, and test the association between scriptedness and (disorganized) attachment in the Strange Situation Procedure.
Reproductive History and Nest Environment Are Correlated with Circulating Androgen and Glucocorticoid Concentrations in a Parental Care–Providing Teleost Fish

Using a long-term study population of wild smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in a connected river-lake system, we investigated whether circulating glucocorticoid (cortisol) and androgen (testosterone) concentrations are influenced by reproductive investment and nesting environment in fish providing nest-guarding paternal care. For all individuals, we collected measures of reproductive history and the value of current parental care. We assessed nest environment and monitored individuals to quantify seasonal reproductive success. Finally, we measured circulating cortisol concentrations following a standardized stressor and circulating testosterone concentrations. Using general linear models, we found that poststress circulating cortisol concentrations were positively related to water temperature and were higher in fish nesting in the river than in the lake. Circulating testosterone concentrations were negatively related to water temperature and were higher in reproductively experienced fish. When considering the factors that influence reproductive success, we found that only parental size was positively related to current nest success. In summary, the results demonstrate that nesting environment is correlated with parental stress responses during parental care, while reproductive history and nesting environment are correlated with circulating androgen concentrations. Collectively, these results offer insight into the roles of both glucocorticoid and androgen steroid hormones during parental care in teleost fish.
Extensible Programming for the 21st Century

In his keynote address at OOPSLA ’98, Sun Microsystems Fellow Guy L. Steele Jr. said, “From now on, a main goal in designing a language should be to plan for growth. ” Functions, user-defined types, operator overloading, and generics (such as C++ templates) are no longer enough: tomorrow’s languages must allow programmers to add entirely new kinds of information to programs, and control how it is processed. This article argues that next-generation programming systems can accomplish this by combining three specific technologies.
Membrane currents in retinal bipolar cells of the axolotl

By whole-cell patch-clamping bipolar cells isolated from enzymatically dissociated retinae, we have studied the nonsynaptic ionic currents that may play a role in shaping the bipolar cell light response and in determining the level of voltage noise in these cells. Between -30 and - 70 mV, the membrane current of isolated bipolar cells is time independent, and the input resistance is 1-2 G omega. Depolarization past -30 mV activates an outward current (in less than 100 ms), which then inactivates slowly (approximately 1 s). Inactivation of this current is removed by hyperpolarization over the range -20 to -80 mV. This current is carried largely by K ions. It is not activated by internal Ca2+. The membrane current of isolated bipolar cells is noisy, and the variance of this noise has a minimum between -40 and -60 mV. At its minimum, the standard deviation of the voltage noise produced by nonsynaptic membrane currents is at least 100 microV. The membrane currents of depolarizing bipolar cells in slices of retina were investigated by whole-cell patch-clamping. Their membrane properties were similar to those of isolated bipolar cells, but with a larger membrane capacitance and a smaller input resistance. Their membrane current noise also showed a minimum near -40 to -60 mV. The time- dependent potassium current in axolotl bipolar cells is not significantly activated in the physiological potential range and can therefore play little role in shaping the bipolar cells' voltage response to light. Differences in the waveform of the light response of bipolar cells and photoreceptors must be ascribed to shaping by the synapses between these cells. The noise minimum in the bipolar membrane current is near the dark potential of these cells, and this may be advantageous for the detection of weak signals by the bipolar cells.
Genomic identification, expression profiling, and functional characterization of CatSper channels in the bovine†

Abstract Cation channels of sperm (CatSper) are sperm-specific calcium channels with identified roles in the regulation of sperm function in humans, mice, and horses. We sought to employ a comparative genomics approach to identify conserved CATSPER genes in the bovine genome, and profile their expression in reproductive tissue. We hypothesized that CATSPER proteins expressed in bull testicular tissue mediates sperm hyperactivation and their rheotactic response in the reproductive tract of the cow. Bioinformatic analysis identified all four known CATSPER genes (CATSPER 1–4) in the bovine genome, and profiling by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction identified site-specific variation in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression for all four genes along the reproductive tract of the bull. Using a novel antibody against CATSPER 1, protein expression was confirmed and localized to the principal piece of bull sperm, in agreement with what has been reported in other species. Subsequent treatment of bull sperm with either the calcium chelator ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid;mibefradil, a specific blocker of CatSper channels in human sperm; or CATSPER1 antibody all significantly inhibited caffeine-induced hyperactivation and the rheotactic response, supporting the concept that the calcium influx occurs via CatSper channels. Taken together, the work here provides novel insights into expression and function of CatSper channels in bull testicular tissue and in the function of ejaculated sperm. Summary Sentence The effect of blocking calcium channels on hyperactivation and rheotactic response.