Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability and Change in Patterns of Peer Victimization and Aggression during Adolescence

This study identified classes of adolescents who differed in their patterns of reported aggression and victimization, examined the stability of these patterns, and explored factors associated with changes in patterns across time. Participants were 477 students from an urban and an adjoining county school system. The overall sample was 48% male and had an average age of 11.3 years. The urban sample was predominantly African American (80%); the county sample was primarily Caucasian (40%) and African American (38%). Self-report aggression and victimization measures completed at the beginning of sixth grade and the end of seventh grade were analyzed using latent class analyses and latent transition analyses. Support was found for four classes: nonvictimized aggressors, aggressive-victims, predominantly victimized, and well-adjusted youth. Emotion dysregulation, anxiety, and site were associated with membership in the aggressive-victim class in the expected direction, providing support for the validity of the classes. The well-adjusted class was the most stable in class membership over time; the predominantly victimized class was the least stable. In addition, nonvictimized aggressors and predominantly victimized youth were more likely than those in the well-adjusted class to transition into the aggressive-victim class. These findings suggest notable stability in aggressor/victim classes over time and emphasize the importance of developing prevention programs that target the unique needs of distinct aggressor/victim classes in adolescence.
Endoscopic Repair of the Injured Internal Carotid Artery Utilizing Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose and a Free Fascia Lata Graft

Objective:To introduce appropriate surgical procedures for the endoscopic repair of the internal carotid artery (ICA) injury. Methods:Two patients with ICA injury during the endoscopic endonasal approach surgery were reviewed. Results:Internal carotid artery injury during the endonasal skull-base approach was a rare complication. Once ICA injury occurred, 2 large bore suctions were placed immediately for drainage and the bleeding point was located. Then, an oxidized regenerated cellulose was quickly pressed onto the bleeding point and was held there to stop the bleeding. Afterward, a free graft of fascia lata was inserted and the free fat graft was compressed for repair. Absorbable packing materials were used for nasal packing. Conclusions:Endoscopic repair utilizing oxidized regenerated cellulose and a free fascia lata graft is a safe and feasible surgical option for ICA injury.
Statistical Context-Dependent Units Boundary Correction for Corpus-based Unit-Selection Text-to-Speech

In this study, we present an innovative technique for speaker adaptation in order to improve the accuracy of segmentation with application to unit-selection Text-To-Speech (TTS) systems. Unlike conventional techniques for speaker adaptation, which attempt to improve the accuracy of the segmentation using acoustic models that are more robust in the face of the speaker's characteristics, we aim to use only context dependent characteristics extrapolated with linguistic analysis techniques. In simple terms, we use the intuitive idea that context dependent information is tightly correlated with the related acoustic waveform. We propose a statistical model, which predicts correcting values to reduce the systematic error produced by a state-of-the-art Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based speech segmentation. Our approach consists of two phases: (1) identifying context-dependent phonetic unit classes (for instance, the class which identifies vowels as being the nucleus of monosyllabic words); and (2) building a regression model that associates the mean error value made by the ASR during the segmentation of a single speaker corpus to each class. The success of the approach is evaluated by comparing the corrected boundaries of units and the state-of-the-art HHM segmentation against a reference alignment, which is supposed to be the optimal solution. In conclusion, our work supplies a first analysis of a model sensitive to speaker-dependent characteristics, robust to defective and noisy information, and a very simple implementation which could be utilized as an alternative to either more expensive speaker-adaptation systems or of numerous manual correction sessions.
Multimodal Imaging of Neural Progenitor Cell Fate in Rodents

For clinical application of stem cell–based therapies, noninvasive detection of applied stem cells is of high importance. We report on the feasibility of detecting implanted neural progenitor cells (NPCs) noninvasively and follow their fate and functional status by sequential multimodal molecular imaging and reporter gene technology. We investigated C17.2 cells stably expressing herpes simplex virus type 1–thymidine kinase (HSV-1-tk) and green fluorescent protein (gfp) (C17.2-tkIRESgfp = C17.2-TIG) or HSV-1-tk, gfp, and firefly luciferase (luc) (C17.2-lucIREStkgfp = C17.2-LITG) and determined the detection sensitivity of positron emission tomography (PET) and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) for these cells in culture and in vivo in subcutaneous and intracranial glioma models. In addition, PET and BLI were used to further investigate and follow the fate of implanted C17.2-LITG cells in an intracranial glioma model. We show that both imaging modalities are sensitive in detecting reporter gene expressing NPCs; however, PET, by the use of 9-[4-[18F]fluoro-3-hydroxymethyl)butyl]guanine ([18F]FHBG), detects NPCs only at sites of disrupted blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, both imaging modalities can be used to detect stem cell fate and migration and indicate excessive proliferation and aberrant migration. In conclusion, multimodal imaging can be used for longitudinal noninvasive monitoring of grafted NPCs in rodents.
An electron microscope study of the rat endometrium during delayed implantation

The luminal and glandular epithelia of the rat uterus during delayed implantation have been studied with the electron microscope. The tall columnar cells of the luminal epithelium are characterized by a distinct zonation of organelles. On the free surface there are short microvilli and occasional cytoplasmic extrusions, with terminal bars joining adjacent cells at their apical margins. Beneath the free surface are numerous pinocytotic vesicles and mitochondria. Above the nucleus are a prominent Golgi apparatus with large dilated vacuoles, and numerous dense inclusion bodies. Large clusters of lipid droplets and aggregations of mitochondria occupy the basal zone of the cell.
Effects of hydroxyurea and L-arginine on the production of nitric oxide metabolites in cultures of normal and sickle erythrocytes

Abstract Previous in vitro studies suggest that erythrocytes may be a source of nitric oxide (NO) produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) or by oxyhemoglobin-mediated oxidation of hydroxyurea (HU). This study was performed to determine the roles of HU and NOS in the production of NO by normal and sickle erythrocytes. Red blood cells (RBCs) from normal adult hemoglobin (HbAA) and homozygous sickle cell subjects (HbSS) were incubated with PBS containing 0.2 mM hydrogen peroxide (control) for 2 h at 37°C in the presence and absence of L-arginine, the substrate for NOS, and with L-arginine plus HU in the presence and absence of L-NMMA, a specific inhibitor of NOS. The nitrate and nitrite metabolites of NO, expressed as [NOx], were measured. [NOx] in the HbAA and HbSS RBC cultures was not significantly different in the presence and absence of 1.0 mM L-arginine (p > 0.1). [NOx] in the HbAA and HbSS cultures treated with a clinically relevant dose of HU (1.0 mM) plus 1.0 mM L-arginine was significantly greater than that in controls incubated with PBS and with L-arginine p < 0.01. However, [NOx] in the HbAA and HbSS cultures treated with 50 μg/ml L-NMMA was not significantly different than that in the cultures treated with HU plus L-arginine in the absence of L-NMMA. These findings suggest that NOx production by erythrocytes may be increased by treatment with HU and may not be decreased by inhibiting NOS. Therefore, we conclude that a therapeutic dose of HU may increase the plasma concentration of NO by a mechanism that does not require erythrocytes NOS activity
The genetic differences with whole genome linkage disequilibrium mapping between responder and non‐responder in interferon‐α and ribavirin combined therapy for chronic hepatitis C patients

Interferon‐α and ribavirin combined therapy has been a mainstream treatment for hepatitis C infection. The efficacy of this combined treatment is around 30% to 60%, and the factors affecting the responsiveness are still poorly defined. Our study is intended to investigate the genetic differences between responder and non‐responder patients. The genome‐wide linkage disequilibrium screening for loci associated with genetic difference between two patient groups was conducted by using 382 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers involving 92 patients. We have identified 19 STR markers displaying different allele frequencies between the two patient groups. In addition, based on their genomic location and biological function, we selected the CD81 and IL15 genes to perform single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping. In conclusion, this study may provide a new approach for identifying the associated polymorphisms and the susceptible loci for interferon‐α and ribavirin combined therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
The development of animal infection models and antifungal efficacy assays against clinical isolates of Trichosporon asahii, T. asteroides and T. inkin

The present study developed Galleria mellonella and murine infection models for the study of Trichosporon infections. The utility of the developed animal models was demonstrated through the assessment of virulence and antifungal efficacy for 7 clinical isolates of Trichosporon asahii, T. asteroides and T. inkin. The susceptibility of the Trichosporon isolates to several common antifungal drugs was tested in vitro using the broth microdilution and the E-test methods. The E-test method depicted a lower minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for amphotericin and a slightly higher MIC for caspofungin, while MICs observed for the azoles were different but comparable between both methods. All three Trichosporon species established infection in both the G. mellonella and immunosuppressed murine models. Species and strain dependent differences were observed in both the G. mellonella and murine models. T. asahii was demonstrated to be more virulent than the other 2 species in both animal hosts. Significant differences in virulence were observed between strains for T. asteroides in the murine model. In both animal models, fluconazole and voriconazole were able to improve the survival of the animals compared to the untreated control groups infected with any of the 3 Trichosporon species. In G. mellonella, amphotericin was not able to reduce mortality in any of the 3 species. In contrast, amphotericin was able to reduce murine mortality in the T. asahii or T. inkin models, respectively. Hence, the developed animal infection models can be directly applicable to the future deeper investigation of the molecular determinants of Trichosporon virulence and antifungal resistance.
Nonpolar mutagenesis of the ipa genes defines IpaB, IpaC, and IpaD as effectors of Shigella flexneri entry into epithelial cells

A 31-kb fragment of the large virulence plasmid of Shigella flexneri is necessary for bacterial entry into epithelial cells in vitro. One locus of this fragment encodes the IpaA, -B, -C, and -D proteins, which are the dominant antigens of the humoral immune response during shigellosis. To address the role of the ipa genes, which are clustered in an operon, we constructed a selectable cassette that does not affect transcription of downstream genes and used this cassette to inactivate the ipaB, ipaC, and ipaD genes. Each of these nonpolar mutants was defective in entry and lysis of the phagocytic vacuole but was not impaired in adhesion to the cells. We showed that, like IpaB and IpaC, IpaD is secreted into the culture supernatant and that none of these proteins is necessary for secretion of the other two. This result differentiates the Ipa proteins, which direct the entry process, from the Mxi and Spa proteins, which direct secretion of the Ipa proteins. Moreover, lack of either IpaB or IpaD resulted in the release of larger amounts of the other Ipa polypeptides into the culture medium, which indicates that, in addition to their role in invasion, IpaB and IpaD are each involved in the maintenance of the association of the Ipa proteins with the bacterium.
Scale-Regularized Filter Learning

We start out by demonstrating that an elementary learning task, corresponding to the training of a single linear neuron in a convolutional neural network, can be solved for feature spaces of very high dimensionality. In a second step, acknowledging that such high-dimensional learning tasks typically benefit from some form of regularization and arguing that the problem of scale has not been taken care of in a very satisfactory manner, we come to a combined resolution of both of these shortcomings by proposing a form of scale regularization. Moreover, using variational method, this regularization problem can also be solved rather efficiently and we demonstrate, on an artificial filter learning problem, the capabilities of our basic linear neuron. From a more general standpoint, we see this work as prime example of how learning and variational methods could, or even should work to their mutual benefit.
Space-time Editing of 3D Video Sequences

A shape constrained Laplacian mesh deformation approach is introduced for interactive editing of mesh sequences. This allows low-level constraints, such as foot or hand contact, to be imposed while preserving the natural dynamics of the captured surface. The approach also allows artistic manipulation of motion style to achieve effects such as squash-and-stretch. Interactive editing of key-frames is followed by automatic temporal propagation over a window of frames. User edits are seamlessly integrated into the captured mesh sequence. Three spatio-temporal interpolation methods are evaluated. Results on a variety of real and synthetic sequences demonstrate that the approach enables flexible manipulation of captured 3D video sequences.
Foundations of advanced magnetic resonance imaging

SummaryDuring the past decade, major breakthroughs in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quality were made by means of quantum leaps in scanner hardware and pulse sequences. Some advanced MRI techniques have truly revolutionized the detection of disease states and MRI can now— within a few minutes—acquire important quantitative information noninvasively from an individual in any plane or volume at comparatively high resolution. This article provides an overview of the most common advanced MRI methods including diffusion MRI, perfusion MRI, functional MRI, and the strengths and weaknesses of MRI at high magnetic field strengths.
Food groups and risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: A multicenter, case‐control study in Italy

Incidence of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been rising worldwide, but the reasons are undefined. Dietary habits may play a role in the etiology of NHL by influencing the metabolic pathways of several cells of the immune system. This case‐control study investigated the relation between food consumption and NHL risk. Between 1999 and 2002, we conducted a hospital‐based case‐control study on NHL in 2 areas of Italy. Cases were 190 patients (median age 58 years) with incident NHL admitted to specialized and general hospitals. Controls were 484 patients (median age 63 years) with acute non‐neoplastic conditions admitted to the same hospitals network of cases. A validated food‐frequency questionnaire was used to assess habitual diet 2 years before interview. Unconditional multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), with allowance for energy intake, according to the residual model. Consumption of highest versus lowest quartile of pasta/rice (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.04–3.36) and cheese (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 0.98–2.83) were associated with a significantly increased NHL risk. Inverse association was found for vegetables (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28–0.87), fruits (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30–0.85), and egg consumption (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.36–0.97). The association of pasta/rice was also supported by an increased risk of high glycemic load levels (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.04–3.32). In conclusion, our results suggested that diet could affect NHL risk. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hybrid Precoder and Combiner Design With Low-Resolution Phase Shifters in mmWave MIMO Systems

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications have been considered as a key technology for next-generation cellular systems and Wi-Fi networks because of its advances in providing orders-of-magnitude wider bandwidth than current wireless networks. Economical and energy-efficient analog/digital hybrid precoding and combining transceivers have been often proposed for mmWave massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems to overcome the severe propagation loss of mmWave channels. One major shortcoming of existing solutions lies in the assumption of infinite or high-resolution phase shifters (PSs) to realize the analog beamformers. However, low-resolution PSs are typically adopted in practice to reduce the hardware cost and power consumption. Motivated by this fact, in this paper, we investigate the practical design of hybrid precoders and combiners with low-resolution PSs in mmWave MIMO systems. In particular, we propose an iterative algorithm which successively designs the low-resolution analog precoder and combiner pair, aiming at conditionally maximizing the spectral efficiency. Then, the digital precoder and combiner are computed based on the obtained effective baseband channel to further enhance the spectral efficiency. In an effort to achieve an even more hardware-efficient large antenna array, we also investigate the design of hybrid beamformers with one-bit resolution (binary) PSs, and present a novel binary analog precoder and combiner optimization algorithm. After analyzing the computational complexity, the proposed low-resolution hybrid beamforming design is further extended to multiuser MIMO communication systems. Simulation results demonstrate the performance advantages of the proposed algorithms compared to existing low-resolution hybrid beamforming designs, particularly for the one-bit resolution PSs scenario.
Improving the Effectiveness of Knowledge Based Recommender Systems Using Incomplete Linguistic Preference Relations

In the e-commerce arena new methods and tools have been recently developed to improve and customize the e-commerce web sites, according to users' necessities and preferences, that are usually vague and uncertain. The most successful tool in this field has been the Recommender Systems. Their aim is to assist e-shops customers to find out the most suitable products by using recommendations. Sometimes, these systems face situations where there is a lack of information or the information is vague or imprecise that yield unsuccessful results. Although several solutions have been proposed, they still present some limitations. In this paper, we present a Knowledge-Based Recommender System that manages and models the uncertainty related to users' preferences by using linguistic information. This system will overcome the problem of lack of information by computing recommendations through completing incomplete linguistic preference relations provided by the users.
Resveratrol and prostate cancer: promising role for microRNAs.

SCOPE Resveratrol (Res) has anticancer activity in prostate cancer (PCa), which can be attributed to modulation of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs). miRNAs/miRs are small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression. We have analyzed differential miRNA expression in PCa cells treated with Res. METHODS AND RESULTS Using miRNA microarrays we found that 23 miRNAs were significantly down-regulated and 28 miRNAs were significantly up-regulated after Res treatment. The down-regulated miRs included miR-17-92 and miR-106ab clusters with well recognized oncogenic properties while the up-regulated miRs included several tumor suppressors. Selected miRs were verified by qRT-PCR, including miR-17, miR-20a, miR-20b, miR-106a and miR106b. Since these miRNAs target PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10), we performed Western blot to confirm up-regulation of PTEN in PCa cells. In addition, using TargetScan database, we have identified putative mRNA targets for Res-induced down- and up-regulated miRs. Using a bioinformatics approach, we generated gene networks specifically altered by Res-regulated miRNAs. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the dietary compound Res may play an important role in prostate carcinogenesis through modulation of miRNA expression: Res down-regulated oncogenic miRs and up-regulated tumor suppressor miRs in PCa cells. Further in-depth studies are necessary in order to fully recognize the beneficial miRNA-mediated effects of Res in PCa.
Early, focal changes in cartilage cellularity and structure following surgically induced meniscal destabilization in the mouse

Post‐traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is an accelerated form of osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration affecting approximately 20–50% of patients experiencing joint injury. Currently PTOA is incurable; to better understand the etiology of PTOA and to develop rational anti‐osteoarthritic therapies, it is critical to understand the spatiotemporal initiation and the progression of PTOA. In this study, we employed semi‐quantitative histological scoring and quantitative damage analysis to examine disease progression in the murine destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model of PTOA from early (3 days) through late‐ (112 days) disease timepoints. We observed significant, progressive articular cartilage (AC) cellular, and structural changes in the medial compartments of injured joints as early as 3 days. Spatially within the joint, cartilage damage (erosions) were observed anteriorly at 84 days. Furthermore, a drastic loss in chondrocyte number (by 3 days), surface damage (at 7 days), and cartilage erosion (at 84 days) was found to co‐localize to the specific region of the medial tibial plateau AC that experienced a change in meniscal coverage due to meniscal extrusion following DMM. Taken together, these results suggest that DMM‐mediated extrusion of the medial meniscus leads to rapid, spatially dependent changes in AC cellularity and structure, and precipitates the focal degeneration of cartilage associated with PTOA. Importantly, this study suggests that joint instability injuries may trigger immediate (<3 days) processes within a small population of chondrocytes that directs the initiation and progression of PTOA, and that development of chondroprotective strategies for preventing and/or delaying PTOA‐related cartilage degeneration are best targeted toward these immediately early processes following joint injury. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:537–547, 2017.