Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Shh Signaling Pathway Is Upregulated in Multiple Cell Types in Cortical Ischemia and Influences the Outcome of Stroke in an Animal Model

Recently the sonic hedgehog (shh) signaling pathway has been shown to play an important role in regulating repair and regenerative responses after brain injury, including ischemia. However, the precise cellular components that express and upregulate the shh gene and the cellular components that respond to shh signaling remain to be identified. In this study, using a distal MCA occlusion model, our data show that the shh signal is upregulated both at the cortical area near the injury site and in the adjacent striatum. Multiple cell types upregulate shh signaling in ischemic brain, including neurons, reactive astrocytes and nestin-expressing cells. The shh signaling pathway genes are also expressed in the neural stem cells (NSCs) niche in the subventricular zone (SVZ). Conditional deletion of the shh gene in nestin-expressing cells both at the SVZ niche and at the ischemic site lead to significantly more severe behavioral deficits in these shh iKO mice after cortical stroke, measured using an automated open field locomotion apparatus (Student’s t-test, p<0.05). In contrast, animals given post-stroke treatment with the shh signaling agonist (SAG) demonstrated less deficits in behavioral function, compared to vehicle-treated mice. At 7 days after stroke, SAG-treated mice showed higher values in multiple horizontal movement parameters compared to vehicle treated mice (Student’s t-test, p<0.05) whereas there were no differences in pre-stroke measurements, (Student’s t-test, p>0.05). In summary, our data demonstrate that shh signaling plays critical and ongoing roles in response to ischemic injury and modulation of shh signaling in vivo alters the functional outcome after cortical ischemic injury.
Robust Alpha-Reliable Network Design Problem under Distribution-free Demand

A general assumption in the reliable network design problem is that probability distributions of the sources of uncertainty are known. However, in reality, this distribution may be unavailable as we may have no (insufficient) data to calibrate the distribution. In this paper, we relax this assumption and present two robust alpha reliable network design models under distribution-free demand by adopting worst-case Value-at-Risk (WVaR) and worst-case conditional Value-at-risk (WCVR) risk measures, where only requires that the first m moments (m is a positive integer and associated with the form of link cost function) of demand to be known. We prove that the two models are equivalent to the same model under general distribution. The equivalent NDP model is formulated as mathematical programs with complementarity constraint (MPCC). A manifold sub optimization algorithm is developed to solve this alpha robust reliable network design problem (NDP). Numerical example is presented to illustrate the features of the proposed NDP model.
User fluctuation in communities: a forum case

Understanding fluctuation of users help stakeholders to provide a better support to communities. Below we present an experiment where we detect communities, their evolution and based on the data characterize users that stay, leave or join a community. Using a resulted feature set and logistic regression we operate with models of users that are joining and users that are staying in a community. In the related work we emphasize a number of features we will include in our future experiments to enhance train accuracy. This work represents a ? first from a series of experiments devoted to user fluctuation in communities.
Residential Crowding and Young Children's Social and Emotional Behaviors in a Burundian Refugee Community

Abstract:Residential crowding has been shown to negatively impact child social-emotional development and behavior. The current study used a mixed-method approach to examine residential crowding and young children's behavior among Burundian refugees in the U.S. through observations of 21 children in homes and interviews with primary caregivers. Caregivers' perceptions of crowding predicted children's positive and distress-related behaviors, whereas more traditional measures of crowding (i.e., people per room) did not predict children's behavior. Caregivers described crowding in relation to valuing large families, and their assessments of crowding were related to the child-to-adult ratio in their home and the age of their youngest child.
A role for Syk‐kinase in the control of the binding cycle of the β2 integrins (CD11/CD18) in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils

A fine control of β2 integrin (CD11/CD18)‐mediated firm adhesion of human neutrophils to the endothelial cell monolayer is required to allow ordered emigration. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that control this process, intracellular protein tyrosine signaling subsequent to β2 integrin‐mediated ligand binding was studied by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting techniques. The 72‐kDa Syk‐kinase, which was tyrosine‐phosphorylated upon adhesion, was found to coprecipitate with CD18, the β‐subunit of the β2 integrins. Moreover, inhibition of Syk‐kinase by piceatannol enhanced adhesion and spreading but diminished N‐formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe‐induced chemotactic migration. The enhancement of adhesiveness was associated with integrin clustering, which results in increased integrin avidity. In contrast, piceatannol had no effect on the surface expression or on the affinity of β2 integrins. Altogether, this suggests that Syk‐kinase controls alternation of β2 integrin‐mediated ligand binding with integrin detachment.
Dense stereo matching based on edge constraint and variable windows

We present a novel method on dense stereo matching; both high accuracy results and a handling of occlusions can be achieved with the edge constraint we prove in this paper. Though a lot of efforts had been made to solve the problems such as occlusions and disparity discontinuities, dense stereo matching is still very challenging in the field of stereo vision. Variable window methods seem to be a good solution, but the existing algorithms usually have complex estimation of an optimal window for each pixel. In our algorithm, the edges detected in the stereo image pair are selected and categorized into two classes to form an efficient constraint, namely edge constraint. By using the edge constraint, the optimal windows for each specific match can be determined and pixels within the windows would be matched with propagation. Compared to the existing window-based algorithms, our method not only can handle the problems caused by occlusions in the stereo image pair, but also can achieve the dense disparity map accurately. Experimental results show the good performance of our method.
A Systematic Review Exploring the Quality and Effectiveness of Tools Currently Utilized to Measure Attitudes Toward Prisoner Populations: Exploring Reliability and Validity

ABSTRACT It has been suggested that attitudes toward offender populations can impact upon a range of factors associated with prisoner care, reform, and rehabilitation. This study aims to systematically review the instruments developed and utilized to explore attitudes toward incarcerated offender populations in terms of their focus and psychometric properties. The ultimate aim is to highlight clinical practice implications associated with this area. Seven electronic databases and reference lists of relevant publications were searched. Inclusion criteria were applied to the identified publications. Included studies were quality assessed by two independent assessors using predefined quality assessment criteria prior to data extraction. Emphasis was placed upon measures of internal structure, reliability (internal consistency, test–retest and split-half) and validity (construct; convergent and divergent, and content). An electronic search yielded 534 hits. Of these, 483 were irrelevant, and 15 duplicate publications were excluded. Thirty two publications which did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. Following a hand search three publications were added. A total of seven publications were reviewed and three instruments were identified. The three instruments identified as exploring attitudes toward prisoner (ATP) populations varied in terms of study quality and psychometric properties. There was evidence of one commonly used, relatively robust tool (ATP; Melvin, Gramling, & Gardener, 1985). Despite this, the lack of other reliable and valid instruments designed to assess this population as a whole is highlighted here, in addition to specific subpopulations thought to be most at risk. This has implications regarding our ability to accurately measure, monitor, and subsequently improve ATP populations.
Macrophage component gp160, a major trypsin-sensitive surface glycoprotein

Macrophages secrete a large number of proteases, implying in vivo exposure of the cell surface to proteolytic conditions. Mild trypsin treatment of 125I-labeled guinea pig peritoneal macrophages preferentially cleaves one surface component of apparent 160,000 mol wt. Similar trypsin treatment of macrophages with 3H-labeled carbohydrate surface moieties also cleaves a single 3H-labeled 160,000 mol wt glycoprotein, referred to as gp160. Nonreducing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-electrophoresis established that gp160 of trypsinized cells remains assembled in the membrane as a multichain disulfide- bonded molecule. gp160 was purified by detergent extraction, L. culinaris lectin affinity chromatography and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The corresponding molecule from trypsinized cells was purified by the same procedure. Reducing SDS-electrophoresis of purified trypsinized 125I-labeled gp160 revealed two proteolytic fragments with apparent molecular weights of 85,000 and 71,000. Thus, mild trypsin treatment of macrophages preferentially cleaves a single surface protein, possibly at a single site. Because the two fragments of gp160 are accessible to lactoperoxidase and trypsin, both must be exposed on the membrane surface. The reactive carbohydrate site was found on the 85,000 mol wt fragment, which alone contains the 3H-label introduced into intact cells by neuraminidase, galactose, oxidase, and [3H]KBH4.
ZnFe2O4-TiO2 Nanoparticles within Mesoporous MCM-41

A novel nanocomposite ZnFe2O4-TiO2/MCM-41 (ZTM) was synthesized by a sol-gel method and characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry. The results confirmed the incorporation of ZnFe2O4-TiO2 nanoparticles inside the pores of the mesoporous MCM-41 host without destroying its integrity. ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles can inhibit the transformation of anatase into rutile phase of TiO2. Incorporation of ZnFe2O4-TiO2 within MCM-41 avoided the agglomeration of nanoparticles and reduced the band gap energy of TiO2 to enhance its visible light photocatalytic activity. UV-vis absorption edges of ZTM nanocomposites redshifted with the increase of Zn/Ti molar ratio. The nanocomposite approach could be a potential choice for enhancing the photoactivity of TiO2, indicating an interesting application in the photodegradation and photoelectric fields.
3 D FOREST STRUCTURE DERIVED FROM POLARIMETRIC MULTIBASELINE INSAR DATA AND ITS RELATION TO BIOMASS

In this paper, recently conceived polarimetric array signal processing techniques are applied for producing 3D images over forested scenes from multibaseline POL-InSAR observations. Subsequently, the optimal scattering mechanisms are investigated using polarimetric decomposition algorithms. The derived structural forest parameters serve as a basis for determining the biomass. This three-dimensional analysis is compared with the results achieved on the POLSAR images and validated by employing ground-truth measurements. The multibaseline Pol-InSAR datasets over tropical (INDREX-II), boreal (BIOSAR I and II), and temperate (TempoSAR) forests were acquired by the E-SAR system of DLR.
Predictive effects of temperament on motivation

Although temperament and motivation both reflect individual differences in what is perceived as rewarding or threatening, and what is to be approached and what avoided, respectively, we know rather little about how they are connected in educational settings. In this study, we examined how different aspects of temperament (reward and punishment sensitivities) predict the goals students seek to achieve in relation to learning and performance. In Study 1, four dimensions describing students’ temperament (sensitivity to punishment, intraindividual reward sensitivity, interindividual reward sensitivity, and positive expressiveness) were uncovered, and in Study 2, these were used to predict students’ achievement goal orientations (mastery-intrinsic, mastery-extrinsic, performance-approach, performance-avoidance, and avoidance). The results of exploratory structural equation modeling revealed significant predictions on all achievement goal orientations. In line with theoretical assumptions, sensitivity to punishment was predictive of performance orientations, intraindividual reward sensitivity of mastery orientations, and interindividual reward sensitivity of performance- and avoidance orientations. Positive expressiveness only had weak negative effects on performance orientations. The findings suggest that the goals and outcomes students seek to attain in an educational context are partly dictated by their sensitivity to different environmental cues and the kinds of affective and behavioral responses these typically incite.
The South African system of evaluating and rating individual researchers : its merits, shortcomings, impact and future

The former Foundation for Research Development (FRD) in South Africa has for the last 15 years developed and applied a unique research evaluation and rating system in the fields of the natural sciences, engineering and technology. A multi-dimensional, multi-phased evaluation process is followed to judge the quality and impact of research-based outputs. Individual researchers are ranked in terms of the FRD rating categories, and this is eventually one of the mechanisms used both to identify suitable candidates in whom to invest and to determine levels of investment. This article outlines the development and implementation/application of the system and describes some of the impacts of the approach on research development. The challenges facing the system in view of the mandate of the recently established National Research Foundation are outlined. Until April 1999, the Foundation for Research Development (FRD) was responsible for the funding of research in the natural sciences, engineering and technology (SET) in South Africa. At the heart of the research support of most programmes of the former FRD was the awarding of competitive peer-reviewed grants based on a two-tiered approach. This approach entailed, first, the ranking of applicants though a retrospective evaluation of their research outputs (namely the research evaluation rating system) and, second, an assessment of the research plans of rated candidates. This article focuses on the first aspect, the research evaluation rating system; and covers its development, implementation and impact on the natural science and engineering community in South Africa. Given the recent establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the research funding agency not only for SET, but also for the human, social and health sciences, the appropriateness of this approach within a broader context is assessed, taking into account changes and challenges apparent within the South African national system of innovation (NSI).
Nonlinear analysis of natural vs. HTS-based synthetic speech

Many investigations on speech nonlinearities have been carried out and these studies provide strong evidences to support nonlinear system modelling of speech production. The nonlinear characteristics that these studies point to are analogous to chaotic systems. This paper aims to provide evidence of chaotic nature of speech signal and use it for feature extraction to distinguish synthetic and natural speech. The feature used to extract chaos is Lyapunov Exponent (LE). The synthetic speech is found to have higher values of LE in comparison with natural speech. We propose a new feature based on LE for detection of synthetic speech. The synthetic speech used is from Hidden Markov Model (HMM)-based speech synthesis system (HTS) trained using low resource Indian language-Gujarati. This work may find its application for improving robustness of speaker verification (SV) systems against imposture attack using synthetic speech.
A Method-based Whole-Program Watermarking Scheme For Java Class Files

We outline a scheme to perform static watermarking on an entire Java class file, method by method. We show that our scheme offers a structural approach towards increased resistance against tampering attacks. We demonstrate how the watermark can be used to determine in what way the class file has been modified, if tampering has happened. We compare against other previously known watermarking schemes and show that our scheme provides watermarking with increased robustness and decreased visibility.
Focus on NF-κB and C/EBP transcription factors

" Targeting cytokine expression in rat primary glial cells by cellular delivery of an NF-κB decoy. " The CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) δ is differently regulated by fibrillar and oligomeric forms of the Alzheimer amyloid-β peptide. " Anchored FRET sensors detect local caspase activation prior to neuronal degeneration. " Molecular Neurodegeneration, 6:35 (2011) *The first two authors made equal contributions. vi vii Abstract Alzheimer " s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among elderly. The disease is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, loss of synapses and neurons and chronic neuroinflammation. The significance of neuroinflammatory processes in disease onset and progression has been debated since activated microglia and reactive astrocytes have been attributed both protective and damaging properties. However, patients systematically treated with anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to develop AD to a lesser extent than average. This indicates an important role of neuroinflammation in AD. This thesis focuses on two inflammatory related transcription factors , nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP). Both NF-κB and C/EBP are known regulators of many pro-inflammatory genes and may during certain circumstances dimerize with each other. In paper I we use a new strategy to inhibit NF-κB DNA binding activity in primary astro-microglial cell cultures treated with Aβ and IL-1β. By coupling the NF-κB decoy to a transport peptide both concentration and incubation time can be shortened in comparison to previous studies. Moreover, using the same in vitro model in paper II and III, we show members of the C/EBP family to be dysregulated during AD mimicking conditions. Additional focus was directed towards C/EBPδ, which was shown to respond differently to oligomeric and fibrillar forms of Aβ. Results were also confirmed in vivo using an AD mouse model characterized by high levels of fibrillar Aβ deposits. Finally, in order to get further insight in neurodegenerative processes, induced by Aβ or microglial activation, we present in paper IV a new set of anchored sensors for detection of locally activated caspases in neuronal cells. By anchoring the sensors to tau they become less dynamic and caspase activation can be detected early on in the apoptotic process, in a spatio-temporal and reproducible manner.
Two theorems on random polynomial time

The use of randomness in computation was first studied in abstraction by Gill [4]. In recent years its use in both practical and theoretical areas has become apparent. Strassen and Solovay [10]; Miller [7]; and Rabin [8] have used it to transform primality testing into a (for many purposes) tractible problem. We can see in retrospect that it was implicit in algorithms by Ber1ekamp [2], Lehmer [6], and Cippola [3] (1903! ). Where the traditional method of polynomial reduction has been inapplicable, randomness has been used in demonstrating intractibility by Adleman and Manders [1], and in showing problems equivalent by Rabin [9]. In light of these developments and the insights they provide, a new examination of randomness is in order.
Evaluation of broad-range 16S rRNA PCR for the diagnosis of bloodstream infections: two years of experience.

INTRODUCTION Diagnosis of bloodstream infections using bacteriological cultures suffers from low sensitivity and reporting delay. Advanced molecular techniques introduced in many laboratories provide rapid results and may show improvements in patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a molecular technique, broad-range 16S rRNA PCR followed by sequencing for the diagnosis of bloodstream infections, compared to blood culture in different patient groups. METHODOLOGY Conventional PCR was performed, using broad-range 16S rRNA primers, on blood cultures collected from different patients with suspected bloodstream infections; results were compared with those of blood culture. RESULTS Though blood culture is regarded as the gold standard, PCR evaluation showed sensitivity of 86.25%, specificity of 91.25%, positive predictive value of 76.67%, negative predictive value of 95.22%, and accuracy of 88.8%. CONCLUSIONS Molecular assays seem not to be sufficient to replace microbial cultures in the diagnosis of bloodstream infections, but they can offer a rapid, good negative test to rule out infection due to their high negative predictive value.
Obesity Indexes and Total Mortality among Elderly Subjects at High Cardiovascular Risk: The PREDIMED Study

Background Different indexes of regional adiposity have been proposed for identifying persons at higher risk of death. Studies specifically assessing these indexes in large cohorts are scarce. It would also be interesting to know whether a dietary intervention may counterbalance the adverse effects of adiposity on mortality. Methods We assessed the association of four different anthropometric indexes (waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and height) with all-cause mortality in 7447 participants at high cardiovascular risk from the PREDIMED trial. Forty three percent of them were men (55 to 80 years) and 57% were women (60 to 80 years). All of them were initially free of cardiovascular disease. The recruitment took place in 11 recruiting centers between 2003 and 2009. Results After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, intervention group, family history of coronary heart disease, and leisure-time physical activity, WC and WHtR were found to be directly associated with a higher mortality after 4.8 years median follow-up. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for mortality of WHtR (cut-off points: 0.60, 0.65, 0.70) were 1.02 (0.78–1.34), 1.30 (0.97–1.75) and 1.55 (1.06–2.26). When we used WC (cut-off points: 100, 105 and 110 cm), the multivariable adjusted Hazard Ratios (HRs) for mortality were 1.18 (0.88–1.59), 1.02 (0.74–1.41) and 1.57 (1.19–2.08). In all analyses, BMI exhibited weaker associations with mortality than WC or WHtR. The direct association between WHtR and overall mortality was consistent within each of the three intervention arms of the trial. Conclusions Our study adds further support to a stronger association of abdominal obesity than BMI with total mortality among elderly subjects at high risk of cardiovascular disease. We did not find evidence to support that the PREDIMED intervention was able to counterbalance the harmful effects of increased adiposity on total mortality. Trial Registration Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN35739639