Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between actigraphy-derived physical activity and cognitive performance in patients with schizophrenia

Background An association between low levels of physical activity and impaired cognitive performance in schizophrenia has been proposed, but most studies have relied on self-report measures of activity. This study examined the association between actigraphy-derived physical activity and cognitive performance adjusting for multiple covariates in patients with schizophrenia. Method Patients with schizophrenia (n = 199) were recruited from chronic psychiatric wards, and 60 age-, sex- and body mass index-matched comparison participants were recruited from the staff of two hospitals and universities. Physical activity was assessed objectively for 7 days using an ActiGraph. Cognitive performance was assessed with the Cognitrone test from the Vienna Test System and the Grooved Pegboard Test. Demographic variables, metabolic parameters, positive and negative symptoms, duration of illness and hospitalization, and medication use were included as covariates. Pearson correlations and multivariable linear regressions were conducted to examine the associations between physical activity levels and cognitive performance. Results Patients with schizophrenia were less physically active and had poorer performance on attention/concentration and speed of processing than the comparison group. Patients with schizophrenia who spent more time in light physical activity showed better performance on attention/concentration (β = 0.198, p = 0.020) and speed of processing (β= −0.169, p = 0.048) tasks than those who were less active. Cognitive performance was also associated with moderate-vigorous physical activity, but the effect was no longer significant once light physical activity had been taken into account. Conclusions This study provides evidence for a positive association between objectively measured light physical activity and cognitive performance in people with schizophrenia, after adjustment for multiple confounders.
The in vitro effects of H-89, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A, in the human colonic carcinoma cell line Caco-2

H-89 is a compound characterized in vitro as a potent and selective inhibitor of protein kinase A. In the present study, we observed that H-89 induced morphological transformation and caused growth inhibition of the human colon cancer cell line Caco-2 in a dose-dependent manner. However, another protein kinase A inhibitor, H-8, had no effect on Caco-2 cells. To evaluate the possible molecular mechanism of H-89-evoked effects in Caco-2 cells, we analysed the capacity of H-89 to regulate the protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) signalling pathway. H-89 treatment led to an activation of Akt/PKB in Caco-2 cells. This activation was phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-kinase-dependent and promoted survival of Caco-2 cells because the PI3 kinase inhibitor LY294002 inhibited the Akt/PKB activation and induced apoptosis of Caco-2 cells. To test whether Akt/PKB activity promoted resistance to H-89-induced effects, LY294002 was added in combination with H-89. LY294002 greatly potentiated the H-89-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis of Caco-2 cells. These results suggest that the H-89-induced growth inhibition of Caco-2 cells is associated with phosphorylation of Akt/PKB protein and that the cells become more sensitive to H-89 and die by apoptosis upon inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
The five-day workweek system and investor inattention*

Abstract In this paper, we show that work schedule is a key factor driving investor inattention to Friday earnings announcements using the introduction of the five-day workweek system in the financial sector of Korea in 2002 as a natural experiment. Our analyses show a stronger immediate response and a weaker delayed response to Friday news under the six-day workweek system. The trend was, however, reversed under the five-day workweek system. We also find out consistent evidence from the movement of trading volume. These findings demonstrate that the trade-off between weekend distraction and additional working hours during the weekend determines investors’ attention to Friday earnings announcements.
Considerations for the Evaluation of Plus Stutter for AmpFlSTR PCR Amplification Kits in Human Identification Laboratories

A new generation of AmpFlSTR® kits (e.g. the Identifiler® Plus, Identifiler® Direct, NGMTM kits) has been developed to address requirements for more capable multiplex systems. These kits use modified PCR cycling conditions for enhanced sensitivity, a new buffer formulation to improve performance with inhibited samples and an improved process for DNA synthesis and purification of the amplification primers to deliver a much cleaner electrophoretic background.
Rac GTPase-activating Protein (Rac GAP) α1-Chimaerin Undergoes Proteasomal Degradation and Is Stabilized by Diacylglycerol Signaling in Neurons*

α1-Chimaerin is a neuron-specific member of the Rho GTPase-activating protein family that selectively inactivates the small GTPase Rac. It is known to regulate the structure of dendrites and dendritic spines. We describe here that under basal conditions α1-chimaerin becomes polyubiquitinated and undergoes rapid proteasomal degradation. This degradation is partly dependent on the N-terminal region that is unique to this isoform. Mimicking diacylglycerol (DAG) signaling with a phorbol ester stabilizes endogenous α1-chimaerin against degradation and causes accumulation of the protein. The stabilization requires phorbol ester binding via the C1 domain of the protein and is independent of PKC activity. In addition, overexpression of a constitutively active Rac1 mutant is sufficient to cause an accumulation of α1-chimaerin through a phospholipase C-dependent mechanism, showing that endogenous DAG signaling can also stabilize the protein. These results suggest that signaling via DAG may regulate the abundance of α1-chimaerin under physiological conditions, providing a new model for understanding how its activity could be controlled.
Device-to-Device Communication in LTE-Advanced System: A Strategy-Proof Resource Exchange Framework

Device-to-device (D2D) communication could improve the efficiency of resource utilization in cellular networks by allowing nearby devices to communicate directly with each other. Nevertheless, one main challenge in D2D communication is resource allocation. We observed that the transmission quality in D2D communications can be significantly improved through a proper resource exchange. Based on this observation, we propose a novel D2D resource-allocation framework for a Long-Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced) system. We theoretically prove that any arbitrary algorithm, either distributed or centralized, will converge in the proposed framework whenever all performed exchanges are beneficial. Based on the concept of beneficial exchange, we propose a trader-assisted resource exchange (T-REX) mechanism, which is an exchange-based mechanism that converges in polynomial time and achieves Pareto optimality as an efficient and flexible solution to the D2D resource-allocation problem. The Evolved NodeB (eNodeB) regulates the D2D resource allocation through designing the trader preference functions in the T-REX mechanism. By applying game-theoretic analysis to the D2D communication system, we prove that all rational D2D pairs will truthfully report their information when the trader preference functions are properly designed. Finally, our simulation results show that the proposed T-REX mechanism significantly mitigates the interference experienced by D2D devices in LTE-Advanced systems.
Simultaneous Targeting of COX-2 and AKT Using Selenocoxib-1-GSH to Inhibit Melanoma

Melanoma is a highly metastatic and deadly disease. An agent simultaneously targeting the COX-2, PI3K/Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways that are deregulated in up to 70% of sporadic melanomas might be an effective treatment, but no agent of this type exists. To develop a single drug inhibiting COX-2 and PI3K/Akt signaling (and increasing MAPK pathway activity to inhibitory levels as a result of Akt inhibition), a selenium-containing glutathione (GSH) analogue of celecoxib, called selenocoxib-1-GSH was synthesized. It killed melanoma cells with an average IC50 of 7.66 μmol/L compared with control celecoxib at 55.6 μmol/L. The IC50 range for normal cells was 36.3 to 41.2 μmol/L compared with 7.66 μmol/L for cancer cells. Selenocoxib-1-GSH reduced development of xenografted tumor by approximately 70% with negligible toxicity by targeting COX-2, like celecoxib, and having novel inhibitory properties by acting as a PI3K/Akt inhibitor (and MAPK pathway activator to inhibitory levels due to Akt inhibition). The consequence of this inhibitory activity was an approximately 80% decrease in cultured cell proliferation and an approximately 200% increase in apoptosis following 24-hour treatment with 15.5 μmol/L of drug. Thus, this study details the development of selenocoxib-1-GSH, which is a nontoxic agent that targets the COX-2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in melanomas to inhibit tumor development. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(1); 3–15. ©2012 AACR.
Testing the autogenous–reactive model of obsessions

Two independent studies were conducted to examine the autogenous–reactive subtype model of obsessions [Lee and Kwon, 2003]. Study 1 demonstrated that 30 obsessive–compulsive (OCD) patients' responses to autogenous versus reactive obsessions differed significantly with respect to emotional reactions, cognitive appraisals, and control strategies. Study 2 compared OCD patients whose primary obsessions were of the autogenous subtype (n=13) with OCD patients whose primary obsessions were of the reactive subtype (n=14). Results revealed significant differences between these two groups on several OCD‐related domains including OCD symptom profiles, perfectionistic personality features, and dysfunctional beliefs. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Arginine-specific Regulation Mediated by the Neurospora crassa arg-2 Upstream Open Reading Frame in a Homologous, Cell-free in Vitro Translation System*

Translational control mediated by an upstream open reading frame (uORF) in the 5′-leader of the Neurospora crassa arg-2 mRNA was reconstituted in a homologous, cell-free in vitro translation system. A cell-free N. crassa system was developed that required the presence of cap and poly(A) on RNA for maximal translation and that was amino acid-dependent. The 24-codon arg-2 uORF, when placed in the 5′-leader region of capped and adenylated synthetic luciferase RNAs, conferred Arg-specific negative regulation in this system. Improving the uORF translation initiation context decreased luciferase production and only slightly increased the magnitude of Arg-specific regulation. Mutation of uORF Asp codon 12 to Asn, which eliminates Arg-specific regulation in vivo, eliminated regulation in vitro. Elimination of the uORF translation initiation codon also eliminated Arg-specific regulation. Arg-specific regulation in vitro appeared to be reversible. Control of RNA stability did not appear to be a primary component of Arg-specific regulation in vitro. Comparison of the effects of adding Arg to in vitro translation reactions with adding compounds related to Arg indicated that Arg-specific translational regulation was specific for L-arginine.
Anterior temporal lobes and hippocampal formations: normative volumetric measurements from MR images in young adults.

Volumes of the right and left anterior temporal lobes and hippocampal formations were measured from magnetic resonance images in 52 healthy volunteers, aged 20-40 years. Subjects were selected by age, sex, and handedness to evaluate possible effect of these variables. Data were normalized for variation in total intracranial volume between individuals. Right-left asymmetry in the volumes of the anterior temporal lobes and hippocampal formations was a normal finding. The anterior temporal lobe of the non-dominant (right) hemisphere was larger than the left by a small (mean right-left difference, 2.3 cm3) but statistically significant amount (P less than .005) in right-handed subjects. No significant effect of age or sex was seen in normalized right or left anterior temporal lobe volume. The right hippocampal formation was larger than the left for all subjects by a small (mean right-left difference, 0.3 cm3) but statistically significant amount (P less than .001). No effect of age, sex, or handedness was seen in normalized hippocampal formation volumes.
Entrepreneurial earnings and entrepreneurial choice in a search and matching model of the labor market

Empirical studies show that the monetary returns of entrepreneurship are not high and thus they cannot be the driving force of the individual's decision to start a business. However, it turns out that the entrepreneurial earnings are not low when using a stricter definition of entrepreneurship that rules out the so-called ‘necessity’ or defensive entrepreneurs, thus considering only the ‘offensive’ or bona fide entrepreneurs. Nevertheless, this seemingly straightforward approach may be wrongful, since the benefits that push an individual to become an entrepreneur are both monetary and non-monetary. In order to examine how the entrepreneurial gains affect the choice of entrepreneurship, this theoretical paper develops an extended version of the benchmark macroeconomic model of the labor market (namely, the search and matching model) that incorporates the notions of offensive and defensive entrepreneurs, and distinguishes between the value of an existing firm and the value of a new business. The main result of this paper is that the offensive entrepreneurs are cleverer in the development or management of incumbent firms, while the defensive entrepreneurs could be equally as clever as the offensive entrepreneurs in the creation of new firms.
A highly parallel SAD architecture for motion estimation in HEVC encoder

The high computational cost of the motion estimation module in the new HEVC standard raises the need for efficient hardware architectures that can meet the real-time processing constraint. In addition, targeting HD and UHD resolutions increases the motion estimation processing cost beyond the capabilities of the currently existing architectures. This paper presents a highly parallel sum of absolute difference (SAD) architecture for motion estimation in HEVC encoder. The proposed architecture has 64 PUs operating in parallel to calculate the SAD values of the prediction blocks. It processes block sizes from 4×4 up to 64×64. The proposed architecture has been prototyped, simulated and synthesized on Xilinx Virtix-7 XC7VX550T FPGA. At 458 MHz clock frequency, the proposed architecture processes 30 2K resolution fps with ±20 pixels search range. The prototyped architecture utilizes 7% of the LUTs and 5% of the slice registers in Xilinx Virtex-7 XC7VX550T FPGA.
Adaptive dynamic surface tracking control for DC-DC boost converter

For DC-DC boost power converter with parameter uncertainties and external disturbances, an extended dynamic surface control (EDSC) approach is proposed in this paper. The non-minimum phase feature of boost power converter makes it impossible to perform a direct output voltage control. Therefore, an indirect voltage control has been resorted-to. Compared with conventional backstepping methods, EDSC not only reduces the requirements to the controlled systems, but also overcomes the problem of explosion of complexity by using the differentiation of the first-order filter and uncertainty equivalence criterion. However, the robustness to external disturbances and adaptability to uncertain parameters of the controller are reserved. The features of the derived controller are discussed and illustrated by the simulation results. The analysis and simulation show that the obtained controller possesses good adaptability and robustness to system uncertainties.
Contextual possibilistic modeling of pixellic knowledge for tumor segmentation in mammographic images

In this paper a novel possibilistic knowledge modeling at the pixel level, is proposed. This model consists on the use of the spatial contextual information at the level of each pixel, in order to evaluate a local based possibility distribution, resuming the pixel information. The proposed possibilistic modeling approach performance is evaluated through a pixel classification of both synthetic image and 5 mammographic images. Its performance is compared with three relevant reference methods: classic Bayesian approach and Markov Random fields approach with two optimization technics: Iterated Conditional Modes (ICM) and simulated annealing (RS). Our approach outperforms the other methods, in terms of recognition rate, by 94.84%, against, respectively, 93.88%, 85.10% and 84.67%. In addition, the proposed possibilistic modeling approach showed an interesting behavior of stability and allowed a better visually classification quality compared to other methods.
The Social Evaluation of Income Distribution: An Assessment Based on Happiness Surveys

The paper investigates how the income distribution affects the subjective well-being of society. Starting from the concept of a social welfare function defined on income distributions it assesses the preference for equality in European countries. It examines how mean income and the distribution of income in a country (measured by an appropriate inequality measure) determine the subjective well-being of its inhabitants which is identified with social welfare. This issue is addressed under alternative assumptions concerning the adjustment of needs due to differences in household size. The results derived are relevant for the design and monitoring of redistribution policies.
Macroporous Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels with adjustable size "cut-off" for the efficient and reversible immobilization of biomacromolecules.

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) hydrogels with varied degree of crosslinking (DC) were synthesized by using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as an additive. A phase separated ("macroporous") morphology was formed when using PEG contents of > or = 20 wt. -%. Temperature-dependent degrees of swelling had been measured, and average mesh sizes of the swollen polymer network had been calculated. The loading of the hydrogels with labelled dextrans with various molar masses and bovine serum albumin (BSA)-via swelling of the shrunken gel in a cold solution-and their subsequent unloading-via immersion in hot water-were studied in detail. The loading efficiencies were close to zero for PNIPA prepared at PEG contents of < or = 10 wt. -%, and they increased sharply to about 100% for PNIPA prepared with PEG contents of > or = 20 wt. -%. A complete unloading was achieved as well. For macroporous PNIPA prepared at 40 wt. -% PEG content, the loading efficiency was a function of the DC, and the "cut-off" observed as a function of dextran or protein size correlated with the mesh size of the hydrogel. The function of these "smart" hydrogels can be explained by the temperature-induced "pumping" of the solution into the gel bulk via the permanent pores, along with an uptake into the adjacent hydrogel network. Those materials could be used as matrices for the efficient and reversible immobilization of (bio)macromolecules.
Profound changes in drug metabolism enzymes and possible effects on drug therapy in neonates and children

Introduction: There are profound changes that take place in drug metabolism enzymes during fetal and postnatal development. These changes may significantly impact drug therapy in children. Areas covered: A combination of focused and comprehensive literature searches using PubMed and reference lists (from inception to 7 November 2009) is undertaken to identify reports on in vitro and in vivo development of drug metabolism enzymes as well disposition of selected drugs and their effect in children. The article provides an update on development of drug metabolism enzymes and their impact on drug substrate disposition and disease, which may aid to improve clinical practice and optimally design clinical trials in children. Expert opinion: Drug metabolism enzyme activity changes profoundly throughout the continuum of postnatal development and often results in different disposition pathways than in adults. Genetics and co-morbidity interact significantly with these developmental changes. Translation of existing knowledge into age-adjusted dosing guidelines and clinical trial design is highly needed for there to be an improvement in drug therapy in children.
Regulation of hepatobiliary transport activity and noninvasive identification of cytokine-dependent liver inflammation.

UNLABELLED Many diseases are associated with cytokine release after inflammatory infiltration, which perturbs organ function. Radioligands capable of noninvasive tracking to assess the integrity of specific biochemical pathways offer potent ways to establish such perturbing mechanisms. METHODS To demonstrate regulation of hepatobiliary transport in disease, we used (99m)Tc-mebrofenin in a carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury model in Fischer 344 rats. Healthy rats served as control animals. Image analysis was used to determine (99m)Tc-mebrofenin handling. Liver tests and histologic analysis were used for grading liver injury and hepatic fibrosis. To address the role of inflammatory cytokines, we used in vitro assays with (99m)Tc-mebrofenin-loaded primary rat hepatocytes. RESULTS In healthy rats, (99m)Tc-mebrofenin was promptly excreted, and after 1 h only 20% +/- 5% (mean +/- SD) of peak (99m)Tc-mebrofenin activity remained in the liver. In contrast, rats treated with carbon tetrachloride for 1 or 3 mo showed 84% +/- 5% and 80% +/- 7% (mean +/- SD), respectively, of peak (99m)Tc-mebrofenin activity in the liver after 1 h (P < 0.001). Abnormal (99m)Tc-mebrofenin transport was associated with necroinflammatory activity and not hepatic fibrosis. This was examined directly in animals, where withdrawal of carbon tetrachloride for 2 wk after significant liver injury produced loss of inflammatory activity without affecting hepatic fibrosis. In this situation, (99m)Tc-mebrofenin transport returned to normal, indicating a central role of inflammatory activity in this process. In vitro assays showed impairment in (99m)Tc-mebrofenin excretion after incubation of cultured hepatocytes with interleukin-6 and further impairment with interleukin-6 plus tumor necrosis factor-alpha. CONCLUSION The findings indicate that inflammatory cytokines regulate (99m)Tc-mebrofenin transport. This cytokine-mediated process establishes a paradigm for identifying and monitoring organ inflammation, including in viral or alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, allograft rejection, and responses to gene therapy vectors.