Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychological Profiles in the Prediction of Leukocyte Telomere Length in Healthy Individuals

Background Shorter telomere length (TL) may signal premature cellular aging and increased risk for disease. While depression and psychosocial stress have been associated with shorter telomeres, other psychological risk factors for cardiovascular disease have received less attention. Purpose To evaluate the association between TL and psychological risk factors (symptoms of anxiety and depression, hostility and defensiveness traits) for heart disease, and to examine whether chronological age and sex moderate the associations observed. Methods 132 healthy men and women (Mage = 45.34 years) completed the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory II, The Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale. Relative TL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of total genomic DNA samples. A series of hierarchical linear regressions were performed controlling for pertinent covariates. Results Shorter TL was observed among individuals high in defensiveness (β = -.221) and depressive symptoms (β = -.213), as well as in those with less hostility (β =.256) and anxiety (β =.220)(all Ps<.05). Psychological variables explained 19% of the variance over and above that explained by covariates (age, sex, exercise, alcohol consumption, systemic inflammation, and 24-hr mean arterial pressure). Age moderated the relation between TL and defensiveness (β =.179, p =.03). Sex did not influence any of the relations. Conclusions Telomere length is associated with psychological burden though the direction of effect differs depending on the psychological variables under study. Further research is needed to determine the reasons for and implications of these seemingly contradictory findings.
Current situation of the Mediterranean container ports regarding the operational, energy and environment areas

The 2020 Strategy in Europe commits to the consolidation of a SMART, SUSTAINABLE and INCLUSIVE Europe. Aligned with these priorities, the strategic importance of the smart-port holistic concept (emphasizing particularly operational and energy efficiency, competitiveness and environmental aspects) within the Mediterranean space is beyond doubt. Once defined the smart port concept, we search the data and information available in public resources about the main Mediterranean containers ports to try to describe their current situation regarding the smart-port concept. We found a significant lack of published data. Available data are often detected with different unit of measure, based on different time-scales and frequencies. The port authorities generally don't have a clear, exhaustive and updated overview of key performance indicators' data, with the exception of the operational KPIs. These aspects make difficult the results' comparison and require an ad hoc elaboration.
Bilateral corticospinal projections arise from each motor cortex in the macaque monkey: A quantitative study

The corticospinal projection is considered to influence fine motor function through nearly exclusively contralateral projections from the cortex in primates. However, unilateral lesions to this system in various species are frequently followed by significant functional improvement, raising the possibility that bilateral projections of this pathway may exist or emerge after injury. To examine the detailed anatomy and projections of the corticospinal motor neurons in rhesus monkeys (n = 4), we injected the high‐resolution anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into 126 sites centered about the right lower extremity (LE) primary motor cortex. Projection and termination patterns were quantified at lumbar levels L1, L4, and L7 and mapped by using serial‐section reconstructions. Notably, a mean of 10.1 ± 0.6% (± SEM) of corticospinal tract (CST) axons descended in the lateral CST ipsilateral to the cortical BDA injection, and 87.9 ± 1.0% of total CST axons projected in the contralateral lateral CST. The ipsilateral ventral CST contained only 1.0 ± 0% of all projecting CST axons, whereas the contralateral ventral CST contained 0.3 ± 0.2% of all axons. In addition, a minor dorsal column CST projection was identified. Measurement of BDA‐labeled terminals in the spinal cord gray matter revealed that 11.2 ± 2.2% of CST axons terminated ipsilateral to the side of cortical injection, and the remainder terminated contralaterally. As previously reported, most CST axons terminated in spinal cord laminae V–VIII, as well as the laterodorsal motoneuronal group of lamina IX (which innervates distal extremity muscles). Notably, many CST axons crossed the spinal cord midline (mean 19.9 ± 4.9 axons per 40‐μm‐thick section). Detailed single‐axon reconstructions revealed that most ipsilaterally projecting lateral CST axons terminated in ipsilateral gray matter. Notably, we found that the bouton‐like swellings of many ipsilateral CST axons descending in the dorsolateral tract were located within Rexed's lamina IX, in close proximity to motoneuronal somata. Thus, bilateral projections of corticospinal axons originating from a single motor cortex could contribute to bilateral control of spinal motor neurons and to the highly evolved degree of fine motor control in primates. Furthermore, bilateral CST projections from a single motor cortex could represent a potential source of plasticity after injury, as well as a target of therapeutic effort in neural regeneration strategies. J. Comp. Neurol. 473:147–161, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnosis of Eagle Syndrome With 3-Dimensional Angiography and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: Case Report

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:Elongated styloid processes sometimes compress the cervical carotid artery, causing transient ischemic attacks. Most patients with Eagle syndrome who experience transient ischemic attacks have bilateral elongated styloid processes; therefore, it is necessary to determine which side is causing the Eagle syndrome to treat it. This is the first report of the usefulness of 3-dimensional angiography and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the diagnosis of Eagle syndrome. CLINICAL PRESENTATION:A 40-year-old man experienced transient loss of consciousness when flexing his neck. On 3-dimensional computed tomography, bilateral elongated styloid processes were revealed. We were able to determine the side of concern using 3-dimensional angiography and NIRS. Three-dimensional angiography with his neck flexed showed a compressive dent in the cervical portion of the left internal carotid artery. On NIRS, during neck flexion, the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin and total hemoglobin decreased in his left motor area, which was resolved immediately when he returned his neck to its natural position. This led to decreased cerebral blood flow in the left hemisphere of his brain. After partial removal of left styloid process, he was symptom free, even when keeping his neck flexed. NIRS showed that the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin increased in the left motor area during neck flexion. CONCLUSION:We report the usefulness of 3-dimensional angiography and NIRS for diagnosing Eagle syndrome. Three-dimensional angiography and NIRS can visualize anatomic structures and provide hemodynamic information for an appropriate surgical strategy.
Big Data Analytics and Data Security in the Cloud via Fully Homomorphic Encryption

 Abstract —This paper describes the problem of building secure computational services for encrypted information in the Cloud Computing without decrypting the encrypted data; therefore, it meets the yearning of computational encryption algorithmic aspiration model that could enhance the security of big data for privacy, confidentiality, availability of the users. The cryptographic model applied for the computational process of the encrypted data is the Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme. We contribute a theoretical presentations in a high-level computational processes that are based on number theory and algebra that can easily be integrated and leveraged in the Cloud computing with detail theoretic mathematical concepts to the fully homomorphic encryption models. This contribution enhances the full implementation of big data analytics based cryptographic security algorithm.
Structure and expression of the follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor gene in a marsupial, Macropus eugenii

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is essential for folliculogenesis. The function of FSH is mediated through its receptor (FSHr) and modulation of the receptor is thought to be the mechanism by which the responsiveness of follicles to gonadotrophins is regulated. FSHr is alternatively spliced to produce several transcripts in all eutherian species studied. However, controversy exists over the significance of alternatively spliced transcripts. In this study, we cloned and characterised the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) FSHr gene and examined its expression. Comparison of gene structure and function between marsupials and eutherians enables identification of conserved features that are likely to be of functional significance. Tammar FSHr shares 94% amino acid similarity with human FSHr and is expressed in both the adult testis and ovary suggesting a similar function for this gene in both marsupials and eutherians. Tammar FSHr undergoes alternate splicing to produce four transcripts consistent with the splice variants seen in eutherians. These results strongly suggest that alternate splicing is of functional significance in the ovary since it has remained a highly conserved character of this gene for over 100 million years of divergent evolution.Mol. Reprod. Dev. 63: 24–31, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Imitation of Escherichia coli Aspartate Receptor Signaling in Engineered Dimers of the Cytoplasmic Domain

Transmembrane signaling by bacterial chemotaxis receptors appears to require a conformational change within a receptor dimer. Dimers were engineered of the cytoplasmic domain of the Escherichia coli aspartate receptor that stimulated the kinase CheA in vitro. The folding free energy of the leucine-zipper dimerization domain was harnessed to twist the dimer interface of the receptor, which markedly affected the extent of CheA activation. Response to this twist was attenuated by modification of receptor regulatory sites, in the same manner as adaptation resets sensitivity to ligand in vivo. These results suggest that the normal allosteric activation of the chemotaxis receptor has been mimicked in a system that lacks both ligand-binding and transmembrane domains. The most stimulatory receptor dimer formed a species of tetrameric size.
Functional Dynamics of Polo-Like Kinase 1 at the Centrosome

ABSTRACT Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) functions as a key regulator of mitotic events by phosphorylating substrate proteins on centrosomes, kinetochores, the mitotic spindle, and the midbody. Through mechanisms that are incompletely understood, Plk1 is released from and relocalizes to different mitotic structures as cells proceed through mitosis. We used fluorescence recovery after photobleaching to examine the kinetics of this process in more detail. We observed that Plk1 displayed a range of different recovery rates that differ at each mitotic substructure and depend on both the Polo-box domain and a functional kinase domain. Upon mitotic entry, centrosomal Plk1 becomes more dynamic, a process that is directly enhanced by Plk1 kinase activity. In contrast, Plk1 displays little dynamic exchange at the midbody, a process that again is modulated by the kinase activity of Plk1. Our findings suggest that the intrinsic kinase activity of Plk1 triggers its release from early mitotic structures and its relocalization to late mitotic structures. To assess the importance of Plk1 dynamic relocalization, Plk1 was persistently tethered to the centrosome. This resulted in a G2 delay, followed by a prominent prometaphase arrest, as a consequence of defective spindle formation and activation of the spindle checkpoint. The dynamic release of Plk1 from early mitotic structures is thus crucial for mid- to late-stage mitotic events and demonstrates the importance of a fully dynamic Plk1 at the centrosome for proper cell cycle progression. This dependence on dynamic Plk1 was further observed during the mitotic reentry of cells after a DNA damage G2 checkpoint, as this process was significantly delayed upon centrosomal tethering of Plk1. These results indicate that mitotic progression and control of mitotic reentry after DNA damage resides, at least in part, on the dynamic behavior of Plk1.
Activation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Within the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Amplifies Counterregulatory Hormone Responses in Rats With Defective Counterregulation

Defective counterregulatory responses (CRRs) to hypoglycemia are associated with a marked increase in the risk of severe hypoglycemia. The mechanisms leading to the development of defective CRRs remain largely unknown, although they are associated with antecedent hypoglycemia. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) amplifies the counterregulatory increase in glucose production during acute hypoglycemia. To examine whether activation of AMPK in the VMH restores defective CRR, controlled hypoglycemia (∼2.8 mmol/l) was induced in a group of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats, all of which had undergone a 3-day model of recurrent hypoglycemia before the clamp study. Before the acute study, rats were microinjected to the VMH with either 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICAR; n = 12), to activate AMPK, or saline (n = 12). In a subset of rats, an infusion of H3-glucose was additionally started to calculate glucose turnover. Stimulation of AMPK within the VMH was found to amplify hormonal CRR and increase endogenous glucose production. In addition, analysis of tissue from both whole hypothalamus and VMH showed that recurrent hypoglycemia induces an increase in the gene expression of AMPK α1 and α2. These findings suggest that the development of novel drugs designed to selectively activate AMPK in the VMH offer a future therapeutic potential for individuals with type 1 diabetes who have defective CRRs to hypoglycemia.
Knowledge, attitudes, perceived vulnerability of Chinese nurses and their preferences for caring for HIV-positive individuals: a cross-sectional survey.

AIMS The study was to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and perceived vulnerability with potential factors. BACKGROUND HIV/AIDS is a public health catastrophe in China. Nurses are expected to care for nurture, comfort and advocate for all patients regardless of their condition. However, in the area of HIV/AIDS, nurses suffer as a result of expectations put on them by their professional roles. DESIGN This was a descriptive, cross-sectional design that used a survey approach. METHOD Data were collected from Summer 2003-Winter 2004. RESULTS Nurses reported significant perceived severity of risk from occupational exposure. Many nurses were frequently exposed to being stuck by needles (86%) and being splashed by body fluids and more than half of them (59.7%) were concerned about contracting HIV/AIDS. Nurses who had experience of finger pricks worried about potentially contacting HIV and being unaware of it (odds ratio= 0.444, p = 0.004). Nurses demonstrated a lack of knowledge and training in infectious diseases which may be a result of the fact that the study location is not considered a 'concentrated area' for infectious disease transmission; therefore, the need for the infectious diseases training has not been considered urgent. CONCLUSIONS A well-designed educational programme on occupational hazards and risk behaviour should be implemented to educate nurses in suburban cities and the general public. Hospital administrators should implement on-site continuing education on HIV/AIDS throughout China. Armed with better knowledge of both transmission routes and precautions, nurses can protect themselves while providing care to patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses in China urgently need psychosocial and physical supports from families, friends, communities and their working environments while combating HIV epidemic. With good support system, nurses will better educate patients and their family members on how to prevent transmission not only of HIV/AIDS but of a wide range of other infectious diseases as well.
Visual Orienting in College Athletes: Explorations of Athlete Type and Gender

Abstract Covert orienting was measured in 50 college athletes and 51 nonathletes of both genders. Visual environments of the sports were both static (swimming, track) and dynamic (soccer, volleyball). Participants made speeded responses in a task measuring vigilance, alerting, automatic orienting, voluntary orienting, modulation of automatic orienting, and modulation of inhibition of return. Gender differences were found in the overall response times of nonathletes and in the alerting measures for all participants. However, all participants were similar in their automatic orienting. Sports-specific effects were seen in voluntary orienting and in the modulation of automatic orienting. These gender and sports-related findings are interpreted in light of the experience athletes have in the dynamic control of spatial attention.
Digital Tools for Learning, Engagement, and Research: An Argument for Student Affairs and Academic Libraries

The higher education landscape is changing rapidly, challenging academic professionals to think critically about their roles in the field. Digital tools can promote innovation, learning, and student engagement throughout such institutions and offer specific opportunities for the promotion of student learning outside the classroom. Moreover, digital tools provide ready-made research projects for faculty and staff in nontenure track fields, such as student affairs and academic libraries, which often are overlooked in the academic environment due to fewer required implicit or explicit expectations of scholarly productivity. This comparative discussion considers the use of social networking by student affairs and virtual reference by academic librarians in hopes of promoting additional student engagement and enhancing the respective roles of these professionals through academic output and opportunities.
Topographic Arrangement of 3D Design Components on 2D Maps by Unsupervised Feature Extraction

— As a result of the daily workflow in the design development departments of companies, databases containing huge numbers of 3D geometric models are generated. According to the given problem engineers create CAD drawings based on their design ideas and evaluate the performance of the resulting design, e.g. by computational simulations. Usually, new geometries are built either by utilizing and modifying sets of existing components or by adding single newly designed parts to a more complex design. The present paper addresses the two facets of acquiring components from large design databases automatically and providing a reasonable overview of the parts to the engineer. A unified framework based on the topographic non-negative matrix factorization (TNMF) is proposed which solves both aspects simultaneously. First, on a given database meaningful components are extracted into a parts-based representation in an unsupervised manner. Second, the extracted components are organized and visualized on square-lattice 2D maps. It is shown on the example of turbine-like geometries that these maps efficiently provide a well-structured overview on the database content and, at the same time, define a measure for spatial similarity allowing an easy access and reuse of components in the process of design development.
Prospective Evaluation of Prolonged Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Femoral Condyle

Background Focal articular cartilage lesions of the knee in young patients present a therapeutic challenge. Little information is available pertaining to the results after implantation of prolonged fresh grafts. Hypothesis Prolonged fresh osteochondral allografts present a viable option for treating large full-thickness articular cartilage lesions. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods This study presents the results of 25 consecutive patients who underwent prolonged fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation for defects in the femoral condyle. The average patient age was 35 years (range, 17-49 years). The average length of follow-up was 35 months (range, 24-67 months). Prospective data were collected using several subjective scoring systems, as well as objective and radiographic assessments. Results Statistically significant improvements (P < .05) were seen for the Lysholm (39 to 67), International Knee Documentation Committee scores (29 to 58), all 5 components of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (Pain, 43 to 73; Other Disease-Specific Symptoms, 46 to 64; Activities of Daily Living Function, 56 to 83; Sport and Recreation Function, 18 to 46; Knee-Related Quality of Life, 22 to 50), and the Short Form-12 physical component score (36 to 40). Overall, patients reported 84% (range, 25% to 100%) satisfaction with their results and believed that the knee functioned at 79% (range, 35% to 100%) of their unaffected knee. Radiographically, 22 of the grafts (88%) were incorporated into host bone. Conclusion Fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation is an acceptable intermediate procedure for treatment of localized osteochondral defects of the femur. At 2-year follow-up, it is well incorporated and offered consistent improvements in pain and function. Clinical Relevance Prolonged fresh allograft transplantation is a safe and effective technique for addressing symptomatic osteoarticular lesions in the knees of young patients.
Colloidal-gold Immunocytochemical Localization of Osteopontin in Avian Eggshell Gland and Eggshell

During mineralization of the avian eggshell, there is a sequential and orderly deposition of both matrix and mineral phases. Therefore, the eggshell is an excellent model for studying matrix–mineral relationships and the regulation of mineralization. Osteopontin, as an inhibitor of crystal growth, potently influences the formation of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate biominerals. The purpose of this study was to characterize matrix–mineral relationships, specifically for osteopontin, in the avian eggshell using high-resolution transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy to gain insight into how calcite crystal growth is structured and compartmentalized during eggshell mineralization. Osteopontin was localized at the ultrastructural level by colloidal-gold immunocytochemistry. In EDTA-decalcified eggshell, an extensive matrix network was observed by TEM and SEM throughout all regions and included interconnected fibrous sheets, irregularly shaped aggregates, vesicular structures, protein films, and isolated protein fibers. Osteopontin was associated with protein sheets in the highly mineralized palisades region; some of these features defined boundaries that compartmentalized different eggshell structural units. In fractured and un-decalcified eggshell, osteopontin was immunolocalized on the [104] crystallographic faces of calcite—its natural cleavage plane. The specific occlusion of osteopontin into calcite during mineralization may influence eggshell structure to modify its fracture resistance.