Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between the Met allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and impairments in decision making under ambiguity in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene has an important link to neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin, and seems to play a major role in emotional decision making. Impairment of decision making is an important feature of psychiatric disorders such as obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). We explore the link between decision making and the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism, which results in a reduction of BDNF activity, in a sample of Caucasian OCD patients. We used the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) to measure decision making in 122 OCD patients. All patients were assessed using the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Raven Progressive Matrices. Patients also performed the Continuous Performance Task (CPT‐II) and the Trail Making Test (TMT). We grouped Met‐allele carriers because these act in a dominant way. Met‐allele carries exhibited low performance on both halves of the IGT (first half –F = −2.51, df = 120, P = 0.01; second half –F = −2.32, df = 120, P = 0.02). However, logistic regression analyses showed that the influence of the Met allele seemed to be restricted to the first half of the IGT [first half –β = 0.55, df = 1, P < 0.01, odds ratio (OR) = 5.62; second half –β = 0.32, df = 1, P = 0.15, OR = 2.30]. No differences were observed in tests used to evaluate executive functions associated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (TMT and CPT‐II, df = 120, P > 0.05 for both). Met‐allele impairment may only be related to decisions made under ambiguous conditions. The null results involving TMT and CPT‐II are possibly related to the dysfunction of the orbitofrontal cortices that is associated with OCD.
Approaches to Define Antigen Receptor-induced Serine Kinase Signal Transduction Pathways*

In the present report we describe the properties of a novel phospho-specific antiserum that has opened a route to the characterization of antigen receptor-activated serine kinase pathways in lymphocytes. The basis for the present work was that Ser-21 in glycogen synthase kinase 3α is robustly phosphorylated following antigen receptor triggering. We predicted accordingly that antigen receptors would also stimulate phosphorylation of other proteins with a similar sequence. To test this idea we raised an antibody against the phospho-peptide RARTSpSFAEP, where pS is a phospho-serine corresponding to the glycogen synthase kinase 3α Ser-21 sequence. The resulting antiserum was called phospho antibody for proteomics-1 (PAP-1). The present study describes the properties of PAP-1 and shows that it can reveal quite striking differences in the phospho-proteome of different cell types and is able to pinpoint new targets in important signal transduction pathways. PAP-1 was used to map protein phosphorylations regulated by the antigen receptor in T cells. One of these PAP-1-reactive proteins was purified and revealed to be a previously unrecognized target for antigen receptor signal transduction, namely an “orphan” adapter SLY (Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-containing protein expressed in lymphocytes). The use of sera detecting specific phosphorylation sites is thus proved as a powerful method for the discovery of novel downstream components of antigen receptor signals in T cells.
Cutting Edge: Role of Toll-Like Receptor 1 in Mediating Immune Response to Microbial Lipoproteins1

The Toll-like receptor (TLR) family acts as pattern recognition receptors for pathogen-specific molecular patterns (PAMPs). TLR2 is essential for the signaling of a variety of PAMPs, including bacterial lipoprotein/lipopeptides, peptidoglycan, and GPI anchors. TLR6 associates with TLR2 and recognizes diacylated mycoplasmal lipopeptide along with TLR2. We report here that TLR1 associates with TLR2 and recognizes the native mycobacterial 19-kDa lipoprotein along with TLR2. Macrophages from TLR1-deficient (TLR1−/−) mice showed impaired proinflammatory cytokine production in response to the 19-kDa lipoprotein and a synthetic triacylated lipopeptide. In contrast, TLR1−/− cells responded normally to diacylated lipopeptide. TLR1 interacts with TLR2 and coexpression of TLR1 and TLR2 enhanced the NF-κB activation in response to a synthetic lipopeptide. Furthermore, lipoprotein analogs whose acylation was modified were preferentially recognized by TLR1. Taken together, TLR1 interacts with TLR2 to recognize the lipid configuration of the native mycobacterial lipoprotein as well as several triacylated lipopeptides.
Multigoal Heuristic Model Predictive Control Technique Applied to a Cascaded H-bridge StatCom

A multilevel H-bridge StatCom inherently contains redundancy in the available switching states. This paper develops a variation on the typical model predictive control scheme which is able to exploit this redundancy to simultaneously balance the H-bridge capacitor voltages, provide excellent current reference tracking, and minimize converter switching losses. The scheme consists of a dead-beat current controller that has been integrated with heuristic models of the voltage balancing and switching loss characteristics. The integration of a pulsewidth modulation scheme is also described. Simulation and experimental results are presented that confirm the correct operation of the control and modulation strategies. Comparison with traditional control and modulation schemes is provided in terms of the key performance indicators associated with multilevel H-bridge StatComs.
Lactulose improves cognitive functions and health‐related quality of life in patients with cirrhosis who have minimal hepatic encephalopathy

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) has a negative effect on patients' daily functioning. Thus far, no study has investigated the effect of treatment‐related improvement in cognitive functions on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). We measured psychometric performance by number and figure connection tests parts A and B, picture completion, and block design tests and HRQOL by the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) of 90 patients with cirrhosis on inclusion into the study and 3 months later. A Z score less than −2 on the neuropsychological (NP) tests was considered abnormal. Sixty‐one (67.7%) patients had MHE. They were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive treatment (lactulose) for 3 months (n = 31) or no treatment (n = 30) in a nonblinded design. The mean number of abnormal NP tests decreased significantly in patients in the treated group (baseline, 2.74 [95% CI 2.40‐3.08]; after 3 months, .75 [95% CI .36‐1.16]) compared with patients in the untreated group (baseline, 2.47 [95% CI 2.19‐2.74]; after 3 months, 2.55 [95% CI 2.16‐2.94]); multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) for time and treatment, P = 0.001. The mean total SIP score improved among patients in the treated group (baseline, 10.39 [95% CI 9.36‐11.43]; after 3 months, 3.77 [95% CI 2.52‐5.02]) compared with patients in the untreated group (baseline, 10.36 [95% CI 8.98‐11.73]; after 3 months, 10.39 [95% CI 8.36‐12.42]); MANOVA for time and treatment, P = 0.002. Improvement in HRQOL was related to the improvement in psychometry. Conclusion: Treatment with lactulose improves both cognitive function and HRQOL in patients with cirrhosis who have MHE. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:549–559.)
Information theoretic visualization of spiking neural networks

Visualization is a flexible way to analyze simulated data and serves as a means for scientific discovery. Large scale neural simulations using high performance and distributed computing techniques produce huge amount of data for which visual analysis is generally difficult to perform. In this paper, a spiking neuron simulation environment was created to model and simulate networks of neurons of the cerebellum. Traditional visualization techniques were used to highlight relevant findings from small scale cerebellar networks. Time varying volume visualization using traditional techniques was found infeasible as network size increased. New data abstractions were required to depict the data that changes over time. With large scale cerebellar networks, Information theoretic methods were used to reduce dimensionality and to extract valuable information from data. We suggested that, information theory can be used as an efficient scientific data analysis and visualization tool to evaluate and validate computational models of cerebellar like structures.
Two-point functions in (loop) quantum cosmology

The path-integral formulation of quantum cosmology with a massless scalar field as a sum-over-histories of volume transitions is discussed, with particular but non-exclusive reference to loop quantum cosmology. Exploiting the analogy with the relativistic particle, we give a complete overview of the possible two-point functions, pointing out the choices involved in their definitions, deriving their vertex expansions and the composition laws they satisfy. We clarify the origin and relations of different quantities previously defined in the literature, in particular the tie between definitions using a group averaging procedure and those in a deparametrized framework. Finally, we draw some conclusions about the physics of a single quantum universe (where there exist superselection rules on positive- and negative-frequency sectors and different choices of inner product are physically equivalent) and multiverse field theories where the role of these sectors and the inner product are reinterpreted.
Transcriptional malfunctioning of heat shock protein gene expression in spinocerebellar ataxias

Among the various dominantly-inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), at least seven of them belong to the polyglutamine disease group and are caused by glutamine-coding CAG triplet repeat expansion. The expanded coding CAG repeat translates into a polyglutamine stretch in the disease protein, which leads to late-onset and progressive neurodegeneration. Expanded polyglutamine adopts a misfolded protein conformation, and is itself a cellular Stressor which induces robust heat shock response (HSR). Under polyglutamine stress, heat shock proteins (Hsps) are produced in neurons to assist refolding and/or promote the degradation of misfolded proteins. Along with the progressive nature of polyglutamine degeneration, a gradual decline of HSR in degenerating neurons was observed. Such kind of reduction can be observed in a large familyof hsp gene expression, includinghsp22, 26, 27, and70. This underscores an intimate relationship between the inducibility ofhsp gene expression and the disease progression. In this review, we describe the current understandings ofhsp gene dysregulation in polyglutamine disease.
A New Method for Calculation of Corona Inception Voltage in Stranded Conductors of Overhead Transmission Lines

In this paper a new method for onset voltages calculation of negative and positive corona are presented. This method is based on considering electric field and pressure in adjacent of the surface of conductors. This algorithm is simulated for different pressure and radius of conductors. The configuration of conductors are considered stranded as like as overhead high transmission lines. The calculated onset voltages which are obtained by this method agree with primary experimental measured values by researchers.
Capability maturity models for collaborative networked organisations

Experiences in applying results from ECOLEAD on Collaborative Networked Organisations (CNOs) in real life have shown that the collaboration maturity level of SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), who joined these networks, are highly different. Soon it was found out that there are different process areas in which SMEs have strengths and weaknesses. This paper will introduce the essential process areas which should be assessed by standardised and well established assessment methods to be able to establish improvement programs out of the results. The process areas and the assessment methodology are derived from CMMI, which is nowadays the prevailing assessment method in the software development area, but is also enlarging it's scope to other constellations (e.g. Services). Process areas of CMMI (Capability Maturity Model Integrated) will be analyzed insofar, if they are appropriate for CNOs and how they should be extended or modified. Concerning the CMMI process areas Dynamic Virtual Organisations behave more or less like distributed projects and hence the most process areas of CMMI may be applied. Completely different is the situation in the case of long term networks of Virtual Breeding Environments. In this case every process area must be evaluated individually. In this paper it will be shown, how these issues will be tackled in the recently established FP7 project COIN defining a Capability Maturity Model for CNOs.
Biomechanical properties of keratoconus suspect eyes.

PURPOSE Measuring corneal biomechanical properties may help detect keratoconus suspect corneas and eliminate the risk of ectasia after LASIK. METHODS Data of 504 eyes separated into three groups were retrospectively reviewed: normal (n = 252), keratoconus suspect (n = 80), and keratoconus (n = 172). Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured with an ocular biomechanics analyzer. RESULTS Mean corneal hysteresis was 10.6 +/- 1.4 (SD) mm Hg in the normal group, compared with 10.0 +/- 1.6 mm Hg in the keratoconus suspect group and 8.1 +/- 1.4 mm Hg in the keratoconus group. The mean CRF was 10.6 +/- 1.6 mm Hg in the normal group compared with 9.7 +/- 1.7 in the keratoconus suspect group and 7.1 +/- 1.6 mm Hg in the keratoconus group. Mean CH and CRF were significantly different between the three groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS CH and CRF alone cannot be used to identify keratoconus suspect corneas. Analyzing signal curves obtained with the biomechanics analyzer may provide additional valuable information for selecting qualified patients for refractive surgery.
Electronic structure of CoPt based systems: from bulk to nanoalloys

An accurate description of the local electronic structure is necessary for guiding the design of materials with targeted properties in a controlled way. For complex materials like nanoalloys, self-consistent tight-binding calculations should be a good alternative to ab initio methods, for handling the most complex and large systems (hundreds to thousands of atoms), provided that these parameterized method is well founded from ab initio ones that they intend to replace. Ab initio calculations (density functional theory) enabled us to derive rules for charge distribution as a function of structural change and alloying effects in Co and Pt based systems, from bulk to nanoalloys. A general local neutrality rule per site, orbital and species was found. Based on it, self-consistent tight-binding calculations could be implemented and applied to CoPt nanoalloys. A very good agreement is obtained between tight-binding and DFT calculations in terms of local electronic structure.
A randomized, double-blind, active-control trial of the effectiveness of lumbar interlaminar epidural injections in disc herniation.

BACKGROUND Among the multiple nonsurgical modalities, epidural injections are one of the most commonly utilized treatment modalities in managing chronic low back and lower extremity pain due to disc herniation and radiculitis. There is a paucity of randomized trials from contemporary interventional pain management settings utilizing fluoroscopy with long-term follow-up. STUDY DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial with 2-year follow-up. SETTING An interventional pain management practice in the United States. OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess the effectiveness of lumbar interlaminar epidural injections of local anesthetic with or without steroids for managing chronic low back pain of disc herniation or radiculitis. METHODS Two groups of patients were studied, with 60 patients in each group receiving either local anesthetic only or local anesthetic mixed with betamethasone. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was defined as pain relief and functional status improvement of 50%. The outcomes were assessed by numeric rating scale (NRS) of pain and functional status with Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Secondary outcome measures included employment status and opioid intake. RESULTS Results showed significant improvement in 60% of patients in Group I and 70% of patients in Group II at the end of 2 years. In addition, in the successful groups, those with at least 3 weeks of relief (with the first 2 procedures), the improvement was 72% in Group I and 71% in Group II. Results were somewhat superior for pain relief at 6 months and functional status at 12 months in the steroid group. Thus, the results indicate that a patient's failure to respond to local anesthetic alone, may be treated with addition of steroids. LIMITATIONS The results of the study are limited by the lack of a placebo group. CONCLUSION Lumbar interlaminar epidural injections of local anesthetic with or without steroids is an effective modality, in patients with chronic function limiting low back and lower extremity pain secondary to disc herniation after failure of conservative modalities.
Accurate and efficient evaluation of fields radiated at arbitrary distances by numerically-defined currents residing on arbitrarily shaped objects

In numerical solution of radiation and scattering problems, the evaluation of the electromagnetic field produced by a set of induced currents lying on the surface of an object is almost always needed. There are some special cases where the a priori information about the nature of the surface and the type of illuminating source enables us to use either analytical or asymptotic methods for fast computation of the electromagnetic radiation. However, this is not the typical scenario in most applications, since the geometry of the object might be completely arbitrary and it may not be possible to represent the source in a convenient analytical form. Furthermore, an analytical representation of the induced current distribution is seldom ever available when a numerical technique, such as the Method of Moments (MoM) [1], is used to derive a solution for the current. In addition, the computation of the radiated field in the near-field zone might encounter difficulties because the Green's function is highly oscillatory in this region. A typical situation where the field needs to be evaluated at observation points very close to the object arises when we are interested in estimating the reaction between the fields produced by a set of currents and the currents themselves. Such a procedure is typically needed for the computation of the self-terms in the reduced matrix when applying the Characteristic Basis Function Method (CBFM) [2],[3].
HLA and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in chinese —A further study

This paper reports the results of 8 years of HLA typing of newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients among Chinese in Singapore, and compares the HLA profile of NPC cases with that of the normal Chinese population. Earlier results had indicated an association with A2 and BW46, but the heterogeneity of the earlier case series, which contained a proportion of long‐term survivors, obscured other aspects of the relationship. In this paper, the risk associated with A2 (relative risk = 1.5) and BW46 (relative risk = 1.9) is confirmed, showing a much higher relative risk in the presence of both antigens, and a risk is also demonstrated for B17 (relative risk = 2.1). Relative risks of less than unity are observed for All (relative risk = 0.5) and B13 (relative risk = 0.5). Data from family studies indicate the importance of the haplotype A2.BW46 in determining risk for NPC.
Subjective assessment of left ventricular preload using transesophageal echocardiography: corresponding pulmonary artery occlusion pressures.

OBJECTIVE To record pulmonary artery occlusion pressures (PAOPs) in patients whose left ventricular preload reserve was subjectively determined using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). DESIGN Prospective, blinded, nonrandomized. SETTING University hospital. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-three patients with well-preserved left ventricular function during nonemergent cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS After separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, patients received repeated boluses of fluid volume through the aortic inflow cannula while being monitored with TEE. The endpoint for this fluid administration was a plateau in left ventricular fractional area change and end-diastolic area. This point at which additional fluid failed to cause noticeable increases in left ventricular end-diastolic area and fractional area change was defined as the preload reserve volume. After reaching the preload reserve volume, the PAOP was measured, as were the systolic blood pressure, left ventricular fractional area change, and end-diastolic area. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The mean PAOP for all patients at the time of achieving preload reserve volume was 18.6 +/- 2.9 mmHg. In 8 patients, the PAOP corresponding to preload reserve volume was elevated (20 to 25 mmHg). The remaining 15 patients had PAOPs ranging from 13 to 19 mmHg. When these 2 groups were compared with respect to left ventricular end-diastolic area, fractional area change, and systolic blood pressure, there were no significant differences between groups. The left ventricular wall thickness was significantly greater, however, in the group with elevated PAOP (1.37 +/- 0.04 cm) when compared with the group with normal ventricular filling pressures (1.05 +/- 0.15 cm) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with well-preserved left ventricular function and normal wall thickness, preload reserve volumes subjectively determined by TEE corresponded to a range of filling pressures historically targeted to maximize cardiac performance (13 to 19 mmHg). In a subset of patients with increased wall thickness, however, subjective determination of preload reserve was associated with filling pressures that were higher than traditionally considered optimal (20 to 25 mmHg). Similarities in left ventricular fractional area change and end-diastolic area between these 2 groups suggest that patients with elevated filling pressures had decreased ventricular compliance and were managed correctly with higher than usual PAOPs.
Bis(2,4-dimethylpyridinium) tetrabromidomercurate(II)

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, (C7H10N)2[HgBr4], consists of one cation and one half-anion, bisected by a twofold rotation axis passing through the metal atom. The anion exhibits a distorted tetrahedral arrangement about the HgII atom. In the crystal, the cations and anions are linked by N—H⋯Br hydrogen-bonding interactions along [010]. Cation–cation π–π stacking and Br⋯Br intermolecular interactions are absent.
Path planning for autonomous mobile robot using the Potential Field method

This paper deals with the navigation of a mobile robot in cluttered environment. It presents in particular an approach based on the Potential Field method. This approach is widespread in the area of path planning thanks to its smartness mathematical analysis. Its mechanism is to consider the robot as a particle plunged in a force field. Thus, the robot will be attracted by an attractive force created by the target and repelled by a repulsive force created by the obstacles. Simulation results implemented with matlab show the performance of this approach in cluttered environment with spherical obstacles.