Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and cognitive performance in healthy adults

C-REACTIVE PROTEIN, HOMOCYSTEINE, AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY ADULTS by CHERYL L. DAHLE May 2010 Advisor: Dr. Naftali Raz Major: Psychology Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Elevated blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) have received a great deal of attention as biomarkers for the development of cardiovascular disease. Their utility in predicting cognitive function has also been assessed, though the findings are equivocal. The current study examined the relationship between elevated blood levels of CRP and Hcy and their effect on cognition across several cognitive domains. As baseline blood levels of CRP and Hcy and cognition are in part regulated by genetic factors, the impact of T carrier status for variants in the CRP -286 C>T>A and the MTHFR 677C>T alleles was also examined. In an exceptionally healthy aging population free of overt signs of cardiovascular disease, normal range elevations in blood levels of CRP or Hcy, either alone or in combination, were not associated with cognitive impairments in any domain. Moreover, T carriage for either SNP was unrelated CRP or Hcy blood levels, and was only related to cognition in a task and subpopulation specific manner. Namely, T carriers of the CRP gene had reduced processing speed, and among men, reduced ‘g’ performance. Whereas for the MTHFR gene, T carriage was associated with fewer prose items recalled among hypertensives.
Interpersonal Conflict Handling Styles: A Collectivist Co-workers' Perspective on its Causes and Effects

The present study examined causes and effects of interpersonal conflict handling styles (ICHS) in perspective of co-workers representing the collectivist cultural dimension. For testing the proposed model, collected data of 402 employees of service sector organizations were surveyed. Jehn’s (1995) scales for measuring task and relationship conflicts (causes were used). Constructs of trust, continuance, and normative commitments (effects) were measured by using Ayoko and Pekerti’s (2008) and Meyer and Allen’s (1997) scales, respectively. Interpersonal Conflict Handling Styles (ICHS) including integrating, obliging, dominating, avoiding, and compromising were measured by using paragraphs revealing scenarios (Zigarovich, 2007). Structural equation modeling technique was used for data analysis. The results revealed that task and relationship conflicts were correspondingly elevating integrating and avoiding behaviors at the most. Among ICHS, avoiding, dominating, and integrating styles were found to be the most influential ones for increasing levels of normative commitment, continuance commitment, and trust, respectively. For managers, the findings of the present study can be helpful in imparting training to the employees so that conflicts between co-workers could be converted into positive outcomes; and also for devising and implementing policies to develop employees’ organizational commitment and trust, and interpersonal conflict handling skills. Regarding theoretical contribution, the study attempted to provide evidence of using social identity theory as a catalyst to analyze how well individuals.
Optimization of Delta-Sigma ADC for Column-Level Data Conversion in CMOS Image Sensors

A delta-sigma analog-to-digital-converter (ADC) is designed, optimized and simulated for column-level data conversion in a CMOS image sensor. For a 0.18 mum process, the design achieves 80 dB of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), including a 10 dB margin for kTC noise not simulated, and consumes 210 muW of power at a 50 kHz sampling rate. Low power is realized mainly by using a first-order architecture and minimizing the capacitors. For the modulator, a boosted-folded-cascode operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) is optimized to achieve a gain of 90 dB with a unity-gain bandwidth of 300 MHz. The decimator is also optimized by placing part of the circuit at the chip level. Zero distortion is possible in the decimator due to the discrete-time nature of the input signal. The proposed ADC allows a reduction in the read-out nonlinearity of a CMOS image sensor, enabling a high SNR to be realized.
An HTTP-Based Infrastructure for Mobile Agents

Mobile agents are an emerging technology attracting interest from the fields of distributed systems, information retrieval, electronic commerce, and artificial intelligence. We present an infrastructure for mobile agents based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) which provides for agent mobility across heterogeneous networks as well as communications among agents. Our infrastructure supports the implementation and interoperation of agents written in various languages and takes advantage of current research in HTTP and the World Wide Web in general.
Non-invasive transcranial ultrasound therapy based on a 3D CT scan: protocol validation and in vitro results

A non-invasive protocol for transcranial brain tissue ablation with ultrasound is studied and validated in vitro. The skull induces strong aberrations both in phase and in amplitude, resulting in a severe degradation of the beam shape. Adaptive corrections of the distortions induced by the skull bone are performed using a previous 3D computational tomography scan acquisition (CT) of the skull bone structure. These CT scan data are used as entry parameters in a FDTD (finite differences time domain) simulation of the full wave propagation equation. A numerical computation is used to deduce the impulse response relating the targeted location and the ultrasound therapeutic array, thus providing a virtual time-reversal mirror. This impulse response is then time-reversed and transmitted experimentally by a therapeutic array positioned exactly in the same referential frame as the one used during CT scan acquisitions. In vitro experiments are conducted on monkey and human skull specimens using an array of 300 transmit elements working at a central frequency of 1 MHz. These experiments show a precise refocusing of the ultrasonic beam at the targeted location with a positioning error lower than 0.7 mm. The complete validation of this transcranial adaptive focusing procedure paves the way to in vivo animal and human transcranial HIFU investigations.
The Phylogenetic Component of Cooperative Breeding in Perching Birds: A Commentary

The study of behavioral and ecological evolution within a phylogenetic ontext (historical ecology; Brooks and McLennan 1991) is an important component of comparative studies in evolutionary biology. Although the number of historical ecological studies is growing rapidly, this research field is still in its infancy-an infancy whose maturation is hampered by the absence of rigorous phylogenetic hypotheses for many of the groups that have traditionally fascinated behavioral ecologists. In the absence of such critical information, behavioral ecologists are faced with the options either of forming cooperative groups with phylogenetic systematists or of investigating their ecological data based on "trees" reconstructed from old classification schemes or phenograms, neither of which produces a robust phylogenetic hypothesis of genealogy. Most researchers have opted for the second approach, prefacing their investigations with the caveat that the analysis and conclusions are only preliminary because of the unsatisfactory nature of the phylogenetic hypotheses available to them. The importance of a preliminary analysis cannot be underestimated for researchers who, recognizing the importance of incorporating phylogenetic information into evolutionary explanations, are frustrated by their inability to apply such an approach to their burgeoning data sets. It is, however, equally important o realize that a preliminary analysis can, at best, produce only tentative results (see, e.g., Sillen-Tullberg 1988). If the data themselves are both incomplete and ambiguous, this will compound the problems arising from an absence of a rigorous phylogenetic framework, which will produce a confusing picture of behavioral or ecological evolution. The article by Edwards and Naeem (1993) illustrates both aspects of a preliminary analysis and so is a valuable template for future research. Our intent here is not to critique their study exhaustively but to discuss briefly some methodological strengths and weaknesses of their study, recalling that the weaknesses are symptomatic of a fledgling (and enthusiastic) discipline and thus widespread throughout the literature. A phylogenetic analysis begins with the assumption that all characters that conform to nonphylogenetic riteria for homology, such as those proposed by Remane (1956), are, in fact, evolutionarily homologous. In some cases this will
SplayNet: Towards Locally Self-Adjusting Networks

This paper initiates the study of locally self-adjusting networks: networks whose topology adapts dynamically and in a decentralized manner, to the communication pattern σ. Our vision can be seen as a distributed generalization of the self-adjusting datastructures introduced by Sleator and Tarjan, 1985: In contrast to their splay trees which dynamically optimize the lookup costs from a single node (namely the tree root), we seek to minimize the routing cost between arbitrary communication pairs in the network. As a first step, we study distributed binary search trees (BSTs), which are attractive for their support of greedy routing. We introduce a simple model which captures the fundamental tradeoff between the benefits and costs of self-adjusting networks. We present the SplayNet algorithm and formally analyze its performance, and prove its optimality in specific case studies. We also introduce lower bound techniques based on interval cuts and edge expansion, to study the limitations of any demand-optimized network. Finally, we extend our study to multi-tree networks, and highlight an intriguing difference between classic and distributed splay trees.
Pasteurellaceae ComE1 Proteins Combine the Properties of Fibronectin Adhesins and DNA Binding Competence Proteins

A novel fibronectin-binding protein from Pasteurella multocida (PM1665) that binds to the fibronectin type III9-10 modules via two helix-hairpin-helix motifs has recently been described [1]. This protein shares homology with competence-related DNA-binding and uptake proteins (ComEA and ComE) from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we show that recombinant PM1665 (now designated ComE1) also binds to DNA through the same helix-hairpin-helix motifs required for fibronectin-binding. This binding to DNA is non sequence-specific and is confined to double-stranded DNA. We have cloned and expressed ComE1 proteins from five members of the Pasteurellaceae in order to further investigate the function(s) of these proteins. When expressed as recombinant GST-fusion proteins, all of the homologues bound both to fibronectin and to double-stranded DNA. Inactivation of the gene encoding the ComE1 homologue in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae indicates major roles for these proteins in at least two processes: natural transformation, and binding of bacteria to fibronectin.
Using metrics to identify design patterns in object-oriented software

Object-oriented design patterns are an emergent technology: they are reusable micro-architectures, high level building blocks. This paper presents a conservative approach, based on a multi-stage reduction strategy using OO software metrics and structural properties to extract structural design patterns from OO design or code. Code and design are mapped into an intermediate representation, called Abstract Object Language, to maintain independence from the programming language and the adopted CASE tools. To assess the effectiveness of the pattern recovery process a portable environment written in Java, remotely accessible by means of any Web browser, has been developed. Based on this environment, experimental results obtained on public domain and industrial software are discussed in the paper.
Molecular Investigation of the Postantibiotic Effects of Clarithromycin and Erythromycin on Staphylococcus aureus Cells

ABSTRACT The kinetics of recovery after inhibition of growth by erythromycin and clarithromycin were examined in Staphylococcus aureuscells. After inhibition for one mass doubling by 0.5 μg of the antibiotics/ml, a postantibiotic effect (PAE) of 3 and 4 h duration was observed for the two drugs before growth resumed. Cell viability was reduced by 25% with erythromycin and 45% with clarithromycin compared with control cells. Erythromycin and clarithromycin treatment reduced the number of 50S ribosomal subunits to 24 and 13% of the number found in untreated cells. 30S subunit formation was not affected. Ninety minutes was required for resynthesis to give the control level of 50S particles. Protein synthesis rates were diminished for up to 4 h after the removal of the macrolides. This continuing inhibition of translation was the result of prolonged binding of the antibiotics to the 50S subunit as measured by14C-erythromycin binding to ribosomes in treated cells. The limiting factors in recovery from macrolide inhibition in these cells, reflected as a PAE, are the time required for the synthesis of new 50S subunits and the slow loss of the antibiotics from ribosomes in inhibited cells.
SELF-ESTEEM AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION 1 Development of Self-Esteem and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples: Two Longitudinal Studies

We examined the effects of self-esteem development on the development of relationship satisfaction in two samples of couples. Study 1 used data from both partners of 885 couples assessed 5 times over 12 years, and Study 2 used data from both partners of 6,116 couples assessed 3 times over 15 years. The pattern of results was similar across the two studies. First, development of relationship satisfaction could be modeled as a couple-level process. Second, initial level of self-esteem of each partner predicted the initial level of the partners’ common relationship satisfaction, and change in self-esteem of each partner predicted change in the partners’ common relationship satisfaction. Third, these effects did not differ by gender and held when controlling for participants’ age, length of relationship, health, and employment status. Fourth, self-esteem similarity among partners did not influence the development of their relationship satisfaction. The findings suggest that the development of self-esteem in both partners of a couple contributes in a meaningful way to the development of the partners’ common satisfaction with their relationship.
Revealing Variations in Perception of Mental States from Dynamic Facial Expressions: A Cautionary Note

Although a great deal of research has been conducted on the recognition of basic facial emotions (e.g., anger, happiness, sadness), much less research has been carried out on the more subtle facial expressions of an individual's mental state (e.g., anxiety, disinterest, relief). Of particular concern is that these mental state expressions provide a crucial source of communication in everyday life but little is known about the accuracy with which natural dynamic facial expressions of mental states are identified and, in particular, the variability in mental state perception that is produced. Here we report the findings of two studies that investigated the accuracy and variability with which dynamic facial expressions of mental states were identified by participants. Both studies used stimuli carefully constructed using procedures adopted in previous research, and free-report (Study 1) and forced-choice (Study 2) measures of response accuracy and variability. The findings of both studies showed levels of response accuracy that were accompanied by substantial variation in the labels assigned by observers to each mental state. Thus, when mental states are identified from facial expressions in experiments, the identities attached to these expressions appear to vary considerably across individuals. This variability raises important issues for understanding the identification of mental states in everyday situations and for the use of responses in facial expression research.
Parallel Analysis of Transient Scattering by Lossless Dielectric Bodies Using Time Domain Integral Equation Method

This paper is concerned with the stability and accuracy of time domain integral equation (TDIE) methods for analysis of transient scattering by 3D dielectric objects. The time domain PMCHW integral equations are adopted with the equivalent surface polarization and magnetization as unknown sources. The RWG spatial basis functions and quadratic B-spline temporal basis functions are employed. Parallel computation is implemented for handling of large-size problems. Numerical examples show that the present approach is stable and accurate.
N-Glycosylation as Novel Strategy to Improve Pharmacokinetic Properties of Bispecific Single-chain Diabodies*

The therapeutic efficacy of recombinant antibodies such as single-chain Fv fragments and small bispecific or bifunctional molecules is often limited by rapid elimination from the circulation because of their small size. Here, we have investigated the effects of N-glycosylation on the activity and pharmacokinetics of a small bispecific single-chain diabody (scDb CEACD3) developed for the retargeting of cytotoxic T cells to CEA-expressing tumor cells. We could show that the introduction of N-glycosylation sequons into the flanking linker and a C-terminal extension results in the production of N-glycosylated molecules after expression in transfected HEK293 cells. N-Glycosylated scDb variants possessing 3, 6, or 9 N-glycosylation sites, respectively, retained antigen binding activity and bispecificity for target and effector cells as shown in a target cell-dependent IL-2 release assay, although activity was reduced ∼3–5-fold compared with the unmodified scDb. All N-glycosylated scDb variants exhibited a prolonged circulation time compared with scDb, leading to a 2–3-fold increase of the area under curve (AUC). In comparison, conjugation of a branched 40-kDa PEG chain increased AUC by a factor of 10.6, while a chimeric anti-CEA IgG1 molecule had the longest circulation time with a 17-fold increase in AUC. Thus, N-glycosylation complements the repertoire of strategies to modulate pharmacokinetics of small recombinant antibody molecules by an approach that moderately prolongs circulation time.
Towards biomarker-based tests that can facilitate decisions about prevention and management of preeclampsia in low-resource settings

Abstract In recent years, an increasing amount of literature is emerging on candidate urine and blood-based biomarkers associated with incidence and severity of preeclampsia (PE) in pregnant women. While enthusiasm on the usefulness of several of these markers in predicting PE is evolving, essentially all work so far has focused on the needs of high-resource settings and high-income countries, resulting primarily in multi-parameter laboratory assays based on proteomic and metabolomics analysis techniques. These highly complex methods, however, require laboratory capabilities that are rarely available or affordable in low-resource settings (LRS). The importance of quantifying maternal and perinatal risks and identifying which pregnancies can be safely prolonged is also much greater in LRS, where intensive care facilities that can rapidly respond to PE-related health threats for women and infants are limited. For these reasons, simple, low cost, sensitive, and specific point-of-care (POC) tests are needed that can be performed by antenatal health care providers in LRS and that can facilitate decisions about detection and management of PE. Our study aims to provide a comprehensive systematic review of current and emerging blood and urine biomarkers for PE, not only on the basis of their clinical performance, but also of their suitability to be used in LRS-compatible test formats, such as lateral flow and other variants of POC rapid assays.
La communication volontaire d'information par les entreprises en difficulté financière

Notre recherche examine l'etendue de la communication d'information de 59 societes americaines eprouvant des difficultes financieres entre 2001 et 2003. La detresse financiere, et eventuellement la faillite, offre un contexte interessant pour l'etude des motivations des dirigeants a communiquer leur information privee aux investisseurs externes. Nous utilisons la grille d'analyse de Botosan (1997) pour mesurer l'etendue de la divulgation volontaire d'information dans le rapport annuel. Nos resultats documentent que le niveau global de diffusion d'information ne differe pas entre l'echantillon d'entreprises en detresse financiere et celui d'un groupe de controle d'entreprises financierement saines. Toutefois, l'analyse des sous-categories de l'indice de communication de l'information montre que les entreprises en difficulte financiere divulguent davantage d'information dans le rapport d'analyse et de discussion de la direction relativement a leurs perspectives futures.
Downregulation of tonic GABA currents following epileptogenic stimulation of rat hippocampal cultures

Deficits in GABAergic inhibitory transmission are a hallmark of temporal lobe epilepsy and have been replicated in animal and tissue culture models of epilepsy. GABAergic inhibition comprises phasic and tonic inhibition that is mediated by synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, respectively. We have recently demonstrated that chronic stimulation with cyclothiazide (CTZ) or kainic acid (KA) induces robust epileptiform activity in hippocampal neurons both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we report a downregulation of tonic GABA inhibition after chronic epileptogenic stimulation of rat hippocampal cultures. Chronic pretreatment of hippocampal neurons with CTZ or KA resulted in a marked reduction in GABAergic inhibition, as shown by a significant decrease in whole‐cell GABA currents and in the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). Interestingly, synaptically localized GABAA receptors remained relatively stable, as evidenced by the unaltered amplitude of mIPSCs, as well as the unchanged punctate immunoreactivity of γ2 subunit‐containing postsynaptic GABAA receptors. In contrast, tonic GABA currents, assessed either by a GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline or a selective extrasynaptic GABAA receptor agonist THIP, were significantly reduced following epileptogenic stimulation. These results reveal a novel form of neural plasticity, that epileptogenic stimulation can selectively downregulate extrasynaptic GABAA receptors while leaving synaptic GABAA receptors unchanged. Thus, in addition to synaptic alteration of GABAergic transmission, regulation of tonic inhibition may also play an important role during epileptogenesis.