Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emotional contagion and trait empathy in prosocial behavior in young people: The contribution of autonomic (facial feedback) and Balanced Emotional Empathy Scale (BEES) measures

The present research investigated first the facial feedback measured by EMG (electromyography) during decisions to engage in prosocial-helping behaviors and secondly the relation between this psychophysiological correlate and emotional empathy trait in young people. Thirty young subjects were invited to choose to adopt or not a prosocial behavior in response to social interactions. An increased zygomatic and corrugator muscle activity was found in response to prosocial interventions. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between empathic profile and the EMG modulation. These results highlight the role of emotions and empathy in prosocial behavior, induced by an “emotional contagion effect. ”
Cognitive and behavioral effects of multilayer-release methylphenidate in the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacodynamics of a new multilayer-release (MLR) formulation methylphenidate (MPH; Biphentin) with immediate-release (IR) MPH (Ritalin) in a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD Patients were randomized to equivalent doses of MPH as MLR (once per day), IR (twice per day) or placebo. Each treatment was taken for 1 week prior to repeated behavioral and cognitive laboratory evaluations on a single day in each phase of the crossover. RESULTS Two girls and 15 boys 6.8-15.3 years old (mean age 11.3 +/- 2.2 years) participated. Both MLR and IR MPH significantly reduced the Stop Signal Reaction Time (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0005), the Errors of Omission on the Continuous Performance Task (p = 0.0039, p = 0.0001), the IOWA-Conners Inattention/Overactivity Index (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001), and increased the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Efficacy Index (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0017) and reduced the CGI Global Improvement Index (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0006) compared to placebo. Mild adverse events were experienced by 4, 6, and 3 patients on placebo, IR, and MLR MPH, respectively. CONCLUSIONS MLR MPH given once daily produces equivalent improvements in behavioral and cognitive measures, and has a duration of effect at least as long as that of IR MPH given twice daily.
Superposition network coding for wireless cooperative communication

Cooperative diversity is an innovative approach to improve the reliability of communication. However, this technology is challenging in practice. Time and frequency synchronization of relay nodes in simultaneous based cooperative diversity protocols are very important. Hence, realization of such requirement is difficult. Although separation in transmission time of terminals in traditional time division multiple access (TDMA) method can solve the synchronization problems, but it leads to lower spectral efficiency. In this paper a cooperative strategy is proposed for asymmetric wireless networks that improves overall wireless communication performance in comparison with non-cooperative protocols with high spectral efficiency and non synchronization problems. In this technique, we use a combination of superposition coding and network coding to achieve incremental diversity in asymmetric wireless networks; hence the name superposition network coded cooperation (SNCC). The receiver structure is presented as simple as possible. The error performance of SNCC is analyzed by appropriate approximations and the analytical results are compared with simulation results. The results demonstrate improvement in error performance and the network lifetime.
Lessons learnt from recent endovascular stroke trials: finding a way to move forward

The advent of stentrievers provided momentum for endovascular stroke therapy. Hopes were dampened after three randomized trials showed no clear benefit of endovascular therapy. This review discusses the results of these trials results and shortcomings. A detailed discussion will follow on the design, conduct and analysis of current and future endovascular stroke trials. Steps to improve the workflow of acute stroke cases from the time they enter the emergency department until endovascular reperfusion is achieved can significantly shorten the time from onset to successful reperfusion. These factors in addition to using novel approaches to analyze data and minimize delays caused by the consent process are perceived to be sufficient to demonstrate the efficacy of endovascular stroke therapy.
Chloramphenicol: an Enzymological Microassay

A new assay for chloramphenicol in biological fluids has been developed that offers sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, economy, and ease of performance. The assay is based on the enzymological acetylation of chloramphenicol catalyzed by an R factor-mediated enzyme. [14C]acetyl coenzyme A serves as the donor of the labeled acetyl group, and the product, [14C]acetoxychloramphenicol, is separated from the labeled precursor by utilizing its preferential extraction into benzene. The product is then quantified by liquid scintillation counting. This assay measures chloramphenicol concentrations in both plasma and other biological specimens and in the presence of other antibiotics, hemolysis, or jaundice. Its rapidity and ease of performance are useful for clinical laboratories, and its sensitivity allows determinations on 10 μl of plasma.
A technique for analyzing EMC shielding effectiveness based on near-field measurement and equivalent dipole modeling

A simple method based on equivalent dipole modeling is used to characterize the emissions from within a metallic enclosure with apertures. Planes surrounding the surfaces of this enclosure are modeled as 2D problems and then combined. This enables the shielding effectiveness of PCB enclosures or other electrical and electronic enclosures to be estimated.
Six Degrees of Freedom Mobile Inductive Power Transfer by Crossed Dipole Tx and Rx Coils

Crossed dipole coils for the wide-range 3-D omnidirectional inductive power transfer (IPT) are proposed. Free positioning of a plane receiving (Rx) coil is obtained for an arbitrary direction within 1m from a plane transmission (Tx) coil. Both the Tx and Rx coils consists of crossed dipole coils with an orthogonal phase difference; hence, a rotating magnetic field is generated from the Tx, which enables the Rx to receive power vertically or horizontally. Thus, the 3-D omnidirectional IPT is first realized for both the plate type Tx and Rx coils, which is crucial for practical applications, where volumetric coil structure is highly prohibited. This optimized configuration of coils has been obtained through a general classification of power transfer and searching for mathematical constraints on multi-D omnidirectional IPT. Conventional loop coils are thoroughly analyzed, and verified to be inadequate for the plate-type omnidirectional IPT in this paper. Simulation-based design of the proposed crossed dipole coils for a uniform magnetic field distribution is provided, and the 3-D omnidirectional IPT is experimentally verified by prototype Rx coils for a wireless power' zone of 1 m3 with a prototype Tx coil of 1 m2 at an operating frequency of 280 kHz, meeting the power matters alliance. The maximum overall efficiency was 33.6% when the input power was 100 W.
Providing Decision Support for the Condition-Based Maintenance of Circuit Breakers Through Data Mining of Trip Coil Current Signatures

The focus of this paper centers on the condition assessment of 11-kV-33-kV distribution circuit breakers (CBs) from the analysis of their trip coil current signatures captured using an innovative condition monitoring technology developed by others. Using available expert knowledge in conjunction with a structured process of data mining, thresholds associated with features representing each stage of a CB's operation may be defined and used to characterize varying states of the CB condition. The knowledge and understanding of the satisfactory and unsatisfactory breaker condition can be gained and made explicit from the analysis of captured trip signature data and subsequently used to form the basis of condition assessment and diagnostic rules implemented in a decision support system, used to inform condition-based decisions affecting CB maintenance. This paper proposes a data mining method for the analysis of condition monitoring data, and demonstrates this method in its discovery of useful knowledge from trip coil data captured from a population of Scottish Power - Energy Networks' in-service CBs. This knowledge then forms the basis of a decision support system for the condition assessment of these CBs during routine trip testing
Research on A Quantitative Assessment Model Based on Visual Perception in Low-Altitude Remote Sensing

Abstract In order to evaluate the recovery effect of the visible light band in the low-altitude remote sensing, the sensitivity and significance of the visual perception of the restored image are selected and optimized by the perceptual characteristics of the human visual system. Finally, the effective detail retention ability, Structure information, multi - scale similarity and visual fidelity. A kind of image - based image fog quantification evaluation model QAMVP is proposed based on visual perception. The experimental results show that the model has a strong judgment force on the object group with obvious difference in the image quality evaluation. The accuracy rate of the sample group is 92% In the aspect of visual perception, , The MSE of the model index curve is obviously lower than the comprehensive evaluation method and the PSNR measurement method, which indicates that the model has certain advantages in the degree of visual perception and the correlation with the visual perception of the human eye. The results of the study can provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for the objective evaluation of the visible image in the low-altitude remote sensing.
Cholinergic innervation of cortex by the basal forebrain: Cytochemistry and cortical connections of the septal area, diagonal band nuclei, nucleus basalis (Substantia innominata), and hypothalamus in the rhesus monkey

The organization of projections from the cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain to neocortex and associated structures was investigated in the rhesus monkey with the help of horseradish peroxidase transport, acetyl‐cholinesterase histochemistry, and choline acetyltransferase immunohis‐tochemistry. Four groups of neurons contained cholinergic perikarya and were designated as Chl‐Ch4. The Ch1 group corresponds to the medial septal nucleus; about 10% of its neurons are cholinergic, and it provides a substantial projection to the hippocampus. The Ch2 group corresponds to the vertical nucleus of the diagonal band; at least 70% of its neurons are cholinergic, and it is the major source of innervation that the hippocampus and hypothalamus receive from the Chl‐Ch4 complex. The Ch3 group most closely corresponds to the horizontal nucleus of the diagonal band; only 1% of its neurons can definitely be shown to be cholinergic, and it is the major source of Chl‐Ch4 projections to the olfactory bulb. The Ch4 group most closely corresponds to the nucleus basalis of Meynert; at least 90% of its neurons are cholinergic, and it has projections to widespread areas of cortex and to the amygdala. In fact, the Ch4 group provides the single major source of cholinergic innervation for the entire cortical surface. In this respect, it is analogous to the raphe nuclei and to the nucleus locus coeruleus, which constitute the major sources of widespread cortical serotonergic and nor‐adrenergic innervation, respectively.
Activity of Deferasirox in Mucorales: Influences of Species and Exogenous Iron

ABSTRACT Differences in deferasirox susceptibility among members of the order Mucorales are unknown. Here we show that Cunninghamella bertholletiae (four isolates) and Mucor species (five isolates) display higher deferasirox MICs and minimal fungicidal concentrations compared to Rhizopus species (six isolates). Exogenous iron further attenuated the deferasirox susceptibility of Mucorales isolates with low MICs. Vital staining revealed damage to subapical compartments in susceptible strains.
Balancing Firm and Network-Based Resources to Gain Competitive Advantage: A Case Study of an Artisanal Musical Instruments Cluster in Germany

The question of whether firms gain competitiveness through local networks and clusters becomes more relevant than ever as globalization proceeds. This is particularly true for traditional and craft-based clusters, districts and business networks. A central question emerging for these types of networks is: (How) can they build competitive advantage using local production systems and network ties as core resources? The present article aims at shedding light on this issue by presenting a case study of an artisanal cluster operating in the manufacturing of classical musical instruments. Focusing on a resource-based perspective and using a qualitative research approach, the paper explores the critical resources necessary for generating competitive advantage through local networking. It critically investigates how competitive advantage is gained for the network and which are the drivers of sustaining competitive advantage in a dynamic view.
An improved digital polymerase chain reaction protocol to capture low‐copy KRAS mutations in plasma cell‐free DNA by resolving ‘subsampling’ issues

Genetic alterations responsible for the initiation of cancer may serve as immediate biomarkers for early diagnosis. Plasma levels of cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with cancer are higher than those in healthy individuals; however, the major technical challenge for the widespread implementation of cfDNA genotyping as a diagnostic tool is the insufficient sensitivity and specificity of detecting early‐stage tumors that shed low amounts of cfDNA. To establish a protocol for ultrasensitive droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) for quantification of low‐frequency alleles within a limited cfDNA pool, two‐step multiplex ddPCR targeting eight clinically relevant mutant KRAS variants was examined. Plasma samples from patients with colorectal (n = 10) and pancreatic cancer (n = 9) were evaluated, and cfDNA from healthy volunteers (n = 50) was utilized to calculate reference intervals. Limited cfDNA yields in patients with resectable colorectal and pancreatic cancers did not meet the requirement for efficient capture and quantification of rate mutant alleles by ddPCR. Eight preamplification cycles followed by a second‐run ddPCR were sufficient to obtain approximately 5000–10 000 amplified copies per ng of cfDNA, resolving the subsampling issue. Furthermore, the signal‐to‐noise ratio for rare mutant alleles against the extensive background presented by the wild‐type allele was significantly enhanced. The cutoff limit of reference intervals for mutant KRAS was determined to be ~ 0.09% based on samples from healthy individuals. The modification introduced in the ddPCR protocol facilitated the quantification of low‐copy alleles carrying driver mutations, such as oncogenic KRAS, in localized and early‐stage cancers using small blood volumes, thus offering a minimally invasive modality for timely diagnosis.
Secretion of Yop proteins by Yersiniae

Upon incubation at 37 degrees C in the absence of Ca2+ ions, pathogenic strains of the genus Yersinia cease growing and produce large amounts of a series of plasmid-encoded proteins involved in pathogenicity. These proteins, called Yops (for Yersinia outer membrane proteins), are detected in both the outer membrane fraction and the culture supernatant. We present here the nucleotide sequence of genes yop20 and yop25 from Yersinia enterocolitica O:9. Protein Yop25 is very similar to YopE, the corresponding protein from Yersinia pestis, Y. pseudotuberculosis, and Y. enterocolitica O:8 (A. Forsberg and H. Wolf-Watz, J. Bacteriol. 172:1547-1555, 1990). This is the first report of a yop20 sequence of yersiniae. We present evidences that Yops are not membrane proteins. Their detection in the membrane fraction results either from copurification of large aggregates of extracellular Yops with the membrane fraction or from the adsorption of released proteins to the cell surface. In contrast with Yops, protein P1 has characteristics of a true membrane protein. The release of Yops by Y. enterocolitica occurs by a novel secretion mechanism that does not involve the cleavage of a typical signal sequence or the recognition of a carboxy-terminal domain.
Fungal Endocarditis in Neonates: A Review of Seventy-one Cases (1971–2013)

Background: Fungal endocarditis (FE) remains an uncommon but life-threatening complication of invasive fungal infections. As data on neonatal FE are scant, we aimed to review all published experience regarding this serious infection. Methods: Neonatal FE cases published in PubMed (1971–2013) as single cases, or case series were identified using the terms “fungal endocarditis, neonates and cardiac vegetation. ” Data on predefined criteria including demographics, predisposing factors, mycology, sites of cardiac involvement, therapy and outcome were collected and analyzed. Results: The dataset comprised 71 neonates with FE. Median birth weight was 940 g [interquartile range (IQR): 609], median gestational age 27 weeks (IQR: 6) and median postnatal age at diagnosis 20 days (IQR: 20). Ninety-two percent of the patients were premature. Right atrium was the most common vegetation site (63%). Seventy-one percent of the cases reported were associated with previous central venous catheters. Candida albicans was the most predominant fungal species (59%). Amphotericin B monotherapy was used in 42.2% and fluconazole in 2.8%. Amphotericin B with flucytosine (25.3%) was the most frequent combined regimen. Surgical treatment was conducted in 28%. Overall mortality was 42.2%. Initiation with combined antifungal treatment was associated with lower mortality than monotherapy (24.2% vs. 51.7%, respectively, P = 0.036). Conclusions: Neonatal FE most frequently occurs in very premature infants and is associated with central venous catheters. C. albicans is the predominant fungus. Although outcome has been dismal, it may be improved with combined antifungal therapy.
Design of a digital closed control loop for the sense mode of a mode-matching MEMS vibratory gyroscope

This paper presents a digital closed loop control method for the sense mode of a mode-matching MEMS vibratory gyroscope. The sense closed loop system reported in our previous work is relatively complex and unreliable due to the existence of notch filter. In this work, a more simple and robust control system is realized with the help of mode-matching control. With a tuning voltage automatically applied on the tuning combs of the gyroscope, a frequency split of less than 0.3 Hz is achieved. Experimental results show that the mode-matched gyroscope achieves a scale factor of 18.5mV/deg/s with a nonlinearity of 0.088% and a bias instability of 2.7deg/h.
Mainland Immigrants in Hong Kong: social mobility over Twenty years

ABSTRACT Based on four decades, 1981-2016, of Hong Kong census data, the study explored the income differences between local-born residents and migrants before and after 1997. Using decomposition analysis, we found that the endowment difference between recent migrants and local-born residents play an increasingly significant role in expanding the income difference between the two groups while the role of the income return of the endowment difference has diminished since 1997 We suggested that recent immigrants who arrived after 1997 benefited from the subsequent reduction in penalty for immigrants status in the labor market.
Drug Burden Index and change in cognition over time in community-dwelling older men: the CHAMP study

Abstract Objective: Anticholinergic and sedative medications are associated with acute cognitive impairment, but the long-term impact on change in cognition is unclear. This study investigated the effect of anticholinergic and sedative medications, quantified using the Drug Burden Index (DBI), on change in cognition over time in community-dwelling older men. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of men aged ≥70 years in Sydney, Australia. DBI was assessed at baseline, 2, and 5 years. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) at each wave. Logistic quantile mixed-effects modelling was used to assess the adjusted effect of DBI on the median MMSE-time profile. Analyses were restricted to men with English-speaking backgrounds (n = 1059, 862, and 611 at baseline, 2, and 5 years). Results: Overall, 292 (27.7%), 258 (29.9%), and 189 (31.3%) men used anticholinergic or sedative medications at baseline, 2, and 5 years. There was a concave relationship between MMSE and time, where higher DBI corresponded to lower MMSE scores (coefficient: −0.161; 95% CI: −0.250 to −0.071) but not acceleration of declining MMSE over time. Conclusions: Exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications is associated with a small impairment in cognitive performance but not decline in cognition over time. KEY MESSAGES Exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications, quantified using the Drug Burden Index, is associated with small cross-sectional impairments in cognitive performance. There was no evidence that exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications is associated with accelerating decline in cognitive performance over a 5-year follow-up. Older people taking anticholinergic and sedative medications may derive immediate but small benefits in cognitive performance from clinical medication reviews to minimize or cease prescribing of these medications.
The Integrin-linked Kinase Regulates the Cyclin D1 Gene through Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β and cAMP-responsive Element-binding Protein-dependent Pathways*

The cyclin D1 gene encodes the regulatory subunit of a holoenzyme that phosphorylates and inactivates the pRB tumor suppressor protein. Cyclin D1 is overexpressed in 20–30% of human breast tumors and is induced both by oncogenes including those for Ras, Neu, and Src, and by the β-catenin/lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF)/T cell factor (TCF) pathway. The ankyrin repeat containing serine-threonine protein kinase, integrin-linked kinase (ILK), binds to the cytoplasmic domain of β1 and β3integrin subunits and promotes anchorage-independent growth. We show here that ILK overexpression elevates cyclin D1 protein levels and directly induces the cyclin D1 gene in mammary epithelial cells. ILK activation of the cyclin D1 promoter was abolished by point mutation of a cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)/ATF-2 binding site at nucleotide −54 in the cyclin D1 promoter, and by overexpression of either glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) or dominant negative mutants of CREB or ATF-2. Inhibition of the PI 3-kinase and AKT/protein kinase B, but not of the p38, ERK, or JNK signaling pathways, reduced ILK induction of cyclin D1 expression. ILK induced CREB transactivation and CREB binding to the cyclin D1 promoter CRE. Wnt-1 overexpression in mammary epithelial cells induced cyclin D1 mRNA and targeted overexpression of Wnt-1 in the mammary gland of transgenic mice increased both ILK activity and cyclin D1 levels. We conclude that the cyclin D1 gene is regulated by the Wnt-1 and ILK signaling pathways and that ILK induction of cyclin D1 involves the CREB signaling pathway in mammary epithelial cells.