Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decision Making in Interactive Learning Environments Towards an Integrated Model

Experimental research on decision making and learning in dynamic tasks with the use of computer-simulation-based interactive learning environments as DSS is analyzed. A conceptual model encompassing key elements of decision making: decision, decision maker, and decision making process is constructed. The model draws on two sources: (1) the dynamic decision making literature and (2) a relevant learning theory- cognitive apprenticeship. Departing from traditional dynamic decision making research focus on how poorly subjects perform in dynamic tasks, our model, through acquisition-of-expertise hypothesis, attempts to increase our understanding of the way in which expertise on dynamic decision making could be acquired through training with computer-simulation-based interactive learning environments.
Cognitive Decline in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa: Which Cognitive Domains are Most Vulnerable and Need to be Considered?

Objective: Besides physical complaints, patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) often suffer from cognitive problems. However, it is still a matter of debate whether a specific profile of cognitive disturbances underlies the disease, and if so, whether this profile contributes to the maintenance of the illness and also leads to the development of different subtypes of AN. The aim of the present study was to provide a more detailed knowledge on neuropsychological profiles in patients with AN using an extension of the Ravello Profile test-battery by working memory (WM) tests. Method: Twenty-nine AN patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) participated in the study. Neuropsychological performance was assessed by the Ravello Profile and WM tasks such as Digit Span and Corsi Blocks, 2- and 3-Back tasks, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Paced Auditory Serial and Addition Task, as well as the Verbal Learning and Memory Test. Results: AN patients showed subtle cognitive problems on certain measures including WM performance. Compared to HC, the AN group showed significantly worse performance in verbal short-term and long-term memory, visuospatial WM, inhibition, and switching abilities, subserving successful self-regulation. Discussion: Our results speak in favour of relevance for WM decline in the context of AN. Therefore, tasks assessing visuospatial WM and information processing speed (IPS) should be added to existing test batteries such as the Ravello Profile.
Assessing Between-Group Differences in Information Systems Research: A Comparison of Covariance-and Component-Based SEM

Multigroup or between-group analyses are common in the information systems literature. The ability to detect the presence or absence of between-group differences and accurately estimate the strength of moderating effects is important in studies that attempt to show contingent effects. In the past, IS scholars have used a variety of approaches to examine these effects, with the partial least squares (PLS) pooled significance test for multigroup becoming the most common (e.g., Ahuja and Thatcher 2005; Enns et al. 2003; Zhu et al. 2006). In other areas of social sciences (Epitropaki and Martin 2005) and management (Mayer and Gavin 2005; Song et al. 2005) research, however, there is greater emphasis on the use of covariance-based structural equation modeling multigroup analysis. This paper compares these two methods through Monte Carlo simulation. Our findings demonstrate the conditions under which covariance-based multigroup analysis is more appropriate as well as those under which there either is no difference or the component-based approach is preferable. In particular, we find that when data are normally distributed, with a small sample size and correlated exogenous variables, the component-based approach is more likely to detect differences between-group than is the covariance-based approach. Both approaches will consistently detect differences under conditions of normality with large sample sizes. With non-normally distributed data, neither technique could consistently detect differences across the groups in two of the paths, suggesting that both techniques struggle with the prediction of a highly skewed and kurtotic dependent variable. Both techniques detected the differences in the other paths consistently under conditions of non-normality, with the component-based approach preferable at moderate effect sizes, particularly for smaller samples.
Newly diagnosed and relapsed follicular lymphoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Newly diagnosed and relapsed follicular lymphoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up M. Dreyling, M. Ghielmini, R. Marcus, G. Salles & U. Vitolo On behalf of the ESMO Guidelines Working Group* Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Grosshadern, LMU Munich, Germany; Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Haematology, Kings College Hospital, Longon, UK; Service d’Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, Pierre-Benite, France; Haematology II, Centro Universitario Ricerca Oncologica Ospedale Molinette, Torino, Italy
Expression of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Glycoprotein E2 as a Soluble Secreted Form in a Mammalian Cell Line

ABSTRACT Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) membrane-anchored type I glycoprotein E2 is an ∼53-kDa immunodominant glycoprotein inducing the production of neutralizing antibodies in the animal host after natural infection or following immunization with live or killed vaccines. The E2 coding region lacking the transmembrane domain was constructed in a soluble secreted form (secE2) and expressed in the medium of a transiently transfected human cell line. The crude conditioned medium containing secE2 can be potentially employed to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antigen for the diagnosis of BVDV infection or for vaccine purposes.
Chaperone-mediated Autophagy Targets Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) for Lysosomal Degradation*

Background: Regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is focused on proteasomal degradation of the HIF-1α subunit. Results: Pharmacological and genetic approaches establish that HIF-1α binds to effectors of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) and is targeted for lysosomal degradation. Conclusion: CMA targets HIF-1α for lysosomal degradation. Significance: Lysosomal degradation of HIF-1α represents a novel mechanism of HIF-1 regulation and a potential therapeutic target. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a heterodimeric transcription factor that mediates adaptive responses to hypoxia. We demonstrate that lysosomal degradation of the HIF-1α subunit by chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is a major regulator of HIF-1 activity. Pharmacological inhibitors of lysosomal degradation, such as bafilomycin and chloroquine, increased HIF-1α levels and HIF-1 activity, whereas activators of chaperone-mediated autophagy, including 6-aminonicotinamide and nutrient starvation, decreased HIF-1α levels and HIF-1 activity. In contrast, macroautophagy inhibitors did not increase HIF-1 activity. Transcription factor EB, a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis, also negatively regulated HIF-1 activity. HIF-1α interacts with HSC70 and LAMP2A, which are core components of the CMA machinery. Overexpression of HSC70 or LAMP2A decreased HIF-1α protein levels, whereas knockdown had the opposite effect. Finally, hypoxia increased the transcription of genes involved in CMA and lysosomal biogenesis in cancer cells. Thus, pharmacological and genetic approaches identify CMA as a major regulator of HIF-1 activity and identify interplay between autophagy and the response to hypoxia.
Phosphoproteomic Analyses Reveal Early Signaling Events in the Osmotic Stress Response1[W][OPEN]

Rapid changes in protein phosphorylation across abiotic stress, hormone, and pathogen treatments reveal proteins undergoing phosphoregulation in response to dehydration. Elucidating how plants sense and respond to water loss is important for identifying genetic and chemical interventions that may help sustain crop yields in water-limiting environments. Currently, the molecular mechanisms involved in the initial perception and response to dehydration are not well understood. Modern mass spectrometric methods for quantifying changes in the phosphoproteome provide an opportunity to identify key phosphorylation events involved in this process. Here, we have used both untargeted and targeted isotope-assisted mass spectrometric methods of phosphopeptide quantitation to characterize proteins in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) whose degree of phosphorylation is rapidly altered by hyperosmotic treatment. Thus, protein phosphorylation events responsive to 5 min of 0.3 m mannitol treatment were first identified using 15N metabolic labeling and untargeted mass spectrometry with a high-resolution ion-trap instrument. The results from these discovery experiments were then validated using targeted Selected Reaction Monitoring mass spectrometry with a triple quadrupole. Targeted Selected Reaction Monitoring experiments were conducted with plants treated under nine different environmental perturbations to determine whether the phosphorylation changes were specific for osmosignaling or involved cross talk with other signaling pathways. The results indicate that regulatory proteins such as members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family are specifically phosphorylated in response to osmotic stress. Proteins involved in 5′ messenger RNA decapping and phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate synthesis were also identified as targets of dehydration-induced phosphoregulation. The results of these experiments demonstrate the utility of targeted phosphoproteomic analysis in understanding protein regulation networks and provide new insight into cellular processes involved in the osmotic stress response.
Low-dose exposure of silica nanoparticles induces cardiac dysfunction via neutrophil-mediated inflammation and cardiac contraction in zebrafish embryos

Abstract The toxicity mechanism of nanoparticles on vertebrate cardiovascular system is still unclear, especially on the low-level exposure. This study was to explore the toxic effect and mechanisms of low-dose exposure of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) on cardiac function in zebrafish embryos via the intravenous microinjection. The dosage of SiNPs was based on the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of malformation assessment in zebrafish embryos. The mainly cardiac toxicity phenotypes induced by SiNPs were pericardial edema and bradycardia but had no effect on atrioventricular block. Using o-Dianisidine for erythrocyte staining, the cardiac output of zebrafish embryos was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Microarray analysis and bioinformatics analysis were performed to screen the differential expression genes and possible pathway involved in cardiac function. SiNPs induced whole-embryo oxidative stress and neutrophil-mediated cardiac inflammation in Tg(mpo:GFP) zebrafish. Inflammatory cells were observed in atrium of SiNPs-treated zebrafish heart by histopathological examination. In addition, the expression of TNNT2 protein, a cardiac contraction marker in heart tissue had been down-regulated compared to control group using immunohistochemistry. Confirmed by qRT-PCR and western blot assays, results showed that SiNPs inhibited the calcium signaling pathway and cardiac muscle contraction via the down-regulated of related genes, such as ATPase-related genes (atp2a1l, atp1b2b, atp1a3b), calcium channel-related genes (cacna1ab, cacna1da) and the regulatory gene tnnc1a for cardiac troponin C. Moreover, the protein level of TNNT2 was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. For the first time, our results demonstrated that SiNPs induced cardiac dysfunction via the neutrophil-mediated cardiac inflammation and cardiac contraction in zebrafish embryos.
Recoverability of band-passed signals from non-zero threshold crossings

In this paper we consider the necessary condition for the recoverability with probability close to one (3 sigma criterion) of a band-limited band-passed signal from event-based samples. Specifically, we consider sampling events derived from non-zero level crossings of a stochastic differentiable signal on a finite time interval. Using a Fourier approach we write the system in matrix form allowing a sufficient condition of the recoverability of the signal to be specified. A necessary condition establishes a link between the number of Fourier amplitudes of the signal and the number of level crossings; a sufficient condition establishes a link between the number of Fourier amplitudes and the rank of a rectangular matrix.
Planar Dual-Band Circular Polarization Monopole Antenna for Wireless Local Area Networks

A novel planar dual-band circular polarization (CP) monopole antenna is proposed. By introducing an inverted L-shaped strip-sleeve shorted to the ground plane, the proposed dual-band CP antenna design easily achieves impedance bandwidths (RL ≥10 dB) approximating 1932/339 MHz and 3-dB axial-ratio bandwidths approximating 250/360 MHz in 2.4/5.2-GHz wireless local area networks (WLANs), respectively. Across all bandwidths, the measured peak gain and radiation efficiency approximate 2.4/2.8 dBic and 97%/65% in 2.4/5.2-GHz WLANs, respectively, with highly bidirectional patterns in the xz- and yz-planes.
Dynamic Scholarly Collaborator Recommendation via Competitive Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning

In an interdisciplinary environment, scientific collaboration is becoming increasingly important. Helping scholars make a right choice of potential collaborators is essential in achieving scientific success. Intuitively, the generation of collaboration relationship is a dynamic process. For instance, one scholar may first choose to work with Scholar A, and then work with Scholar B after accumulating additional academic credits. To address this property, we propose a novel dynamic collaboration recommendation method by adapting the multi-agent reinforcement learning technique to the coauthor network analysis. The collaborator selection is optimized from several different scholar similarity measurements. Unlike prior studies, the proposed method characterizes scholarly competition, a.k. a. different scholars will compete for potential collaborator at each iteration. An evaluation with the ACM data shows that multi-agent reinforcement learning plus scholarly competition modeling can be significant for collaboration recommendation.
The powerful impact of double-layered posterior rhabdosphincter reconstruction on early recovery of urinary continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The usefulness of posterior rhabdosphincter reconstruction (PR) during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has still been controversial. We investigated the association of several factors, including the Rocco original double-layered PR, with early recovery of urinary continence after RARP. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between August 2006 and April 2011, a single surgeon at Tokyo Medical University Hospital performed 206 RARPs. Of these 206 patients, 199 eligible patients were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively analyzed the correlation of several perioperative factors, including surgical techniques, with early recovery of urinary continence 1 month after catheter removal. Continence was defined as no use or the use of only one safety pad. RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that surgeon experience, lateral approach of bladder neck preservation, bladder neck reconstruction, anterior reconstruction, and the Rocco double-layered PR were significantly associated with early recovery of urinary continence 1 month after catheter removal. Preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, body mass index, and attempted nerve-sparing (NS) procedures, however, were not significantly associated with early recovery of urinary continence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the Rocco PR and attempted NS were the only independent predictive factors of urinary continence recovery 1 month after catheter removal (odds ratio [OR], 15.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.413-66.67; P=0.0003 and OR, 2.248; 95% CI, 1.048-4.975; P=0.0402, respectively). When we applied NS as well as the Rocco PR, the recovery rates of continence at 1 month after catheter removal was 85.3%. CONCLUSIONS The Rocco double-layered PR and attempted NS and not surgeon experience were the significant independent predictive factors of early recovery of urinary continence after RARP. NS procedures positively influenced early recovery of urinary continence only when they were applied with the PR technique.
A Small Ribosomal Subunit (SSU) Processome Component, the Human U3 Protein 14A (hUTP14A) Binds p53 and Promotes p53 Degradation

Ribosome biogenesis is required for normal cell function, and aberrant ribosome biogenesis can lead to p53 activation. However, how p53 is activated by defects of ribosome biogenesis remains to be determined. Here, we identified human UTP14a as an SSU processome component by showing that hUTP14a is nucleolar, associated with U3 snoRNA and involved in 18 S rRNA processing. Interestingly, ectopic expression of hUTP14a resulted in a decrease and knockdown of hUTP14a led to an increase of p53 protein levels. We showed that hUTP14a physically interacts with p53 and functionally promotes p53 turn-over, and that hUTP14a promotion of p53 destabilization is sensitive to a proteasome inhibitor but independent of ubiquitination. Significantly, knockdown of hUTP14a led to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Our data identified a novel pathway for p53 activation through a defect in rRNA processing and suggest that a ribosome biogenesis factor itself could act as a sensor for nucleolar stress to regulate p53.
Reliability theory for receptor–ligand bond dissociation

Cell adhesion in the presence of hydrodynamic forces is a critical factor in inflammation, cancer metastasis, and blood clotting. A number of assays have recently been developed to apply forces to small numbers of the receptor–ligand bonds responsible for adhesion. Examples include assays using hydrodynamic shear in flow chambers or elastic probe deflection assays such as the atomic force microscope or the biomembrane force probe. One wishes to use the data on the time distribution of dissociation from these assays to derive information on the force dependence of reaction rates, an important determinant of cell adhesive behavior. The dissociation process can be described using the theory developed for reliability engineering of electronic components and networks. We use this framework along with the Bell model for the reverse reaction rate (kr=kr0 exp[r0 f/kT], where f is the applied force and kr0 and r0 are Bell model parameters) to write closed form expressions for the probability distribution of break-.
A novel approach to assessing memory at the population level: vulnerability to semantic interference

ABSTRACT Background: There is increasing interest in identifying novel cognitive paradigms to help detect preclinical dementia. Promising results have been found in clinical settings using the Semantic Interference Test (SIT), a modification of an existing episodic memory test (Fuld Object Memory Evaluation) that exploits vulnerability to semantic interference in Alzheimer's disease. It is not yet known how broadly this work will generalize to the community at large. Methods: Participants aged ≥65 years from the Monongahela-Youghiogheny Healthy Aging Team (MYHAT) were administered the SIT at study entry. Independent of neuropsychological assessment, participants were rated on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, based on reported loss of cognitively driven everyday functioning. In individuals free of dementia (CDR <1), the concurrent validity of the SIT was assessed by determining its association with CDR using multiple logistic regression models, with CDR 0 (no dementia) vs. 0.5 (possible dementia) as the outcome and the SIT test variables as predictors. Results: Poorer performance on all SIT variables but one was associated with higher CDR reflecting possible dementia (Odds Ratios 2.24–4.79). Younger age and female gender also conferred a performance advantage. Years of education and reading ability (a proxy for quality of education) evidenced a very weak association with SIT performance. Conclusions: The SIT shows promise as a valid, novel measure to identify early preclinical dementia in a community setting. It has potential utility for assessment of persons who may be illiterate or of low education. Finally, we provide normative SIT data stratified by age which may be utilized by clinicians or researchers in future investigations.
Resting‐state functional connectivity of the rat brain

Regional‐specific average time courses of spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) MRI contrast at 9.4T in lightly anesthetized resting rat brain are formed, and correlation coefficients between time course pairs are interpreted as measures of connectivity. A hierarchy of regional pairwise correlation coefficients (RPCCs) is observed, with the highest values found in the thalamus and cortex, both intra‐ and interhemisphere, and lower values between the cortex and thalamus. Independent sensory networks are distinguished by two methods: data driven, where task activation defines regions of interest (ROI), and hypothesis driven, where regions are defined by the rat histological atlas. Success in these studies is attributed in part to the use of medetomidine hydrochloride (Domitor) for anesthesia. Consistent results in two different rat‐brain systems, the sensorimotor and visual, strongly support the hypothesis that resting‐state BOLD fluctuations are conserved across mammalian species and can be used to map brain systems. Magn Reson Med 59:1021–1029, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative Analysis of NPTX2 Hypermethylation Is a Promising Molecular Diagnostic Marker for Pancreatic Cancer

Objectives: Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration cytology or biopsy has been used for pathological confirmation in pancreatic cancer. Sometimes, it is difficult to approach the mass because of surrounding major vessels, and there is a risk of seeding. Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided pancreatic duct brush cytology is less invasive, its reliability is very low. Recently, aberrantly methylated genes were reported in pancreatic cancer tissue. This study was to develop a novel molecular diagnostic approach based on epigenetic characteristics. Methods: We enrolled pathologically proven 33 pancreatic cancer patients and 22 benign pancreaticobiliary disease patients. The ERCP-guided pancreatic duct brush cytology samples were obtained. Genomic DNA was extracted, and NPTX2 CpG island hypermethylation was examined quantitatively by real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification after chemical modification. Results: Pancreatic cancer cytology samples had statistically significant higher levels of NPTX2 methylation compared with benign diseases, and the optimal cutoff value of NPTX2 methylation was 1.2%. The sensitivity was 87%, and specificity was 80%, whereas pathological examination by ERCP-guided pancreatic duct brush cytology had a sensitivity of 38%. Conclusions: The quantitative analysis of NPTX2 hypermethylation may play a role in making highly sensitive and less invasive diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, NPTX2 hypermethylation could be a promising molecular diagnostic marker.