Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomics of the Periinfarction Cortex after Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Understanding transcriptional changes in brain after ischemia may provide therapeutic targets for treating stroke and promoting recovery. To study these changes on a genomic scale, oligonucleotide arrays were used to assess RNA samples from periinfarction cortex of adult Sprague-Dawley rats 24 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusions. Of the 328 regulated transcripts in ischemia compared with sham-operated animals, 264 were upregulated, 64 were downregulated, and 163 (49.7%) had not been reported in stroke. Of the functional groups modulated by ischemia: G-protein–related genes were the least reported; and cytokines, chemokines, stress proteins, and cell adhesion and immune molecules were the most highly expressed. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of 20 selected genes at 2, 4, and 24 h after ischemia showed early upregulated genes (2 h) including Narp, Rad, G33A, HYCP2, Pim-3, Cpg21, JAK2, CELF, Tenascin, and DAF. Late upregulated genes (24 h) included Cathepsin C, Cip-26, Cystatin B, PHAS-I, TBFII, Spr, PRG1, and LPS-binding protein. Glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which is involved in mitochondrial reoxidation of glycolysis derived NADH, was regulated more than 60-fold. Plasticity-related transcripts were regulated, including Narp, agrin, and Cpg21. A newly reported lung pathway was also regulated in ischemic brain: C/EBP induction of Egr-1 (NGFI-A) with downstream induction of PAI-1, VEGF, ICAM, IL1, and MIP1. Genes regulated acutely after stroke may modulate cell survival and death; also, late regulated genes may be related to tissue repair and functional recovery.
SAFEMITS Distributed Services in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

Dynamic mobile ad hoc networks, such as those encountered on the battlefield or on today’s electronic roadway-the Internet, would benefit from a secure selforganizing mobile network infrastructure to gather and disseminate real-time information. In a large commercial or noncommercial network it is conceivable that a substantial number of highly mobile data sources and users may be scattered over a wide area with little or no fixed network support. These unstructured mobile ad-hoc networks (MANET) consist of a wide variety of information sources and require the use of distributed services and specialized networking protocols to address the challenges of mobility, dispersion, dynamic reconfiguration along with enhanced security systems to prevent against attack or intrusion. Our work described in this paper introduces the Secure Architecture For Extensible Mobile Internet Transport Services architecture based on three distributed services referred to as lookup, compositional and adaptation services. By incorporating multiple security mechanisms, it is possible to secure application specific network and system services defined in a distributed mobile ad-hoc network.
Commentary on “Canine Visitation (Pet) Therapy: Pilot Data on Decreases in Child Pain Perception”

T he purpose of the descriptive pilot study conducted by Sobo, Eng, and Kassity-Kritch (2005) was to explore the effectiveness of canine visitation therapy (CVT) in pediatric pain management. Children continue to suffer moderate to severe postoperative pain despite the current focus on effective pain management and pain management being considered a patient right (Bennett-Branson & Craig, 1993; Cohen, 1993; Kokki, 2004). Pharmacologic interventions for acute pain continue to be offered as the current standard therapy although the research shows that effective pain management requires an approach that includes pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been shown to have many positive benefits for a variety of adult populations and currently is practiced in about 600 hospitals in the United States (Roosevelt, 2001). Included among the ways that medical professionals may use animals therapeutically is animal visitation therapy
Predictors of Professional Nursing Practice Behaviors in Hospital Settings

BACKGROUND Many hospital nurses perform isolated, routine tasks, rather than use their professional training, because they are subject to control by organizational and medical divisions of labor. The environment may interfere with a nurse's ability to practice autonomously and according to professional standards. OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to explore how certain factors in the environment and personal characteristics interact to affect hospital nursing practice behaviors. METHODS The study used a nonexperimental, comparative design. Surveys were sent to a random sample of 500 nurses throughout the state of Michigan. Three instruments,measuring structural empowerment, self-efficacy for nursing practice, and professional practice behaviors,were included. Path analysis was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Three hundred sixty-four nurses responded (73%), of whom 251 provided usable protocols for the final analysis. Environmental factors (structural empowerment) contributed both directly to professional practice behaviors as well as indirectly through self-efficacy. Self-efficacy mainly exerted its effect as a mediator in the relationship between environmental factors and practice behaviors. Support for the proposed theoretical model was mixed, although the proposed model fit the data well (chi2 = 11.02 [(5, N = 251), p < . 05, CFI = . 999, NNFI = . 991, RMSEA = . 069]). An alternative model emerged from the data analysis. DISCUSSION Nurses may practice more professionally when the environment provides opportunities and power through resources, support, and information. Self-efficacy may contribute to professional practice behaviors, especially in an environment that has the requisite factors that provide empowerment.
Reading behaviour based user interests model and its application in recommender system

User interests model is a central issue for information recommender systems. Basically, a user interests model aims to describe a user's interests precisely in order to improve the quality of information access. However there are three challenges for developing a user interests model, i.e. initial user information acquisition, user profile representation and description of user interests evolution. In this paper, we try to solve the problems by employing tags. We propose a user interests model which creates users' profiles based on tags named interest tags and we implement a mechanism to dynamically update users' profiles through analyzing their reading behaviour. The proposed user interests model can distinguish between long-term interests and short-term interests. We also present how the model can be integrated into a recommender system to help analyze users' interests. We conduct experiments on massive text information collected from the Web and the results show the effectiveness of our model.
Caudal dysgenesis, sirenomelia, and situs inversus totalis: A primitive defect in blastogenesis

Caudal dysgenesis (CD) constitutes a heterogeneous spectrum of congenital caudal anomalies, including varying degrees of agenesis of the vertebral column, as well as anorectal and genitourinary anomalies. Sirenomelia, characterized by a fusion of the lower limbs, could represent the most severe end of this spectrum. The two main debated pathogenic hypotheses are an aberrant vascular supply versus a primary axial mesoderm defect. We present the autopsy findings of two fetuses of non‐diabetic mothers, with normal karyotype. Both fetuses presented situs inversus associated with a CD, in one case consisting of sirenomelia, establishing a very rare association profile that might be random. This association also suggests the occurrence of a common pathogenic mechanism, in accordance to recent genetic data, such as displayed in the Kif3A murine mutation phenotype. Some cases of sirenomelia and CD could represent developmental field defects of blastogenesis involving the caudal mesoderm, rather than being related to vascular insufficiency. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Running head : SELF-CONSCIOUS EMOTIONS IN CHRONIC PAIN 1 Self-Conscious Emotions in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain : A Brief Report

Objective The role of self-conscious emotions (SCEs) including shame, guilt, humiliation, embarrassment and pride are of increasing interest within health. Yet little is known about SCEs in the experience of chronic pain. This study explored the prevalence and experience of SCEs in chronic pain patients compared to controls and assessed the relationship between SCEs and disability in pain patients. Design and measures Questionnaire assessment comparing musculoskeletal pain patients (n=64) and pain free control participants (n=63). Pain was assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMPQ); disability using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); and six SCEs derived from three measures (i)Test of Self-Conscious Affect-3 (TOSCA-3) yielding subscales of shame, guilt, externalisation and detachment (ii) The Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNEB) and (iii) The Pain Self Perception Scale (PSPS) assessing mental defeat. Results Significantly greater levels of shame, guilt, fear of negative evaluation and mental defeat were observed in chronic pain patients compared to controls. In the pain group, SCE variables significantly predicted affective pain intensity; only mental defeat was significantly related to disability. Conclusion Findings highlight the prevalence of negative SCEs in the chronic pain experience and demonstrate the importance of considering SCEs in assessment and management of chronic pain. Future research may examine the role of mood, such as negative affect or depression, in these relations between SCE and chronic pain
Deriving a queueing network based performance model from UML diagrams

58 Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. To copy otherwise, to republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Proceedings of WOSP2000, Ottawa, Canada, 9/2000 (c) 2000 ACM. ISBN 1-58113-195-X. Permission to make digital or hard copies of part or all of this work or personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. To copy otherwise, to republish, to post on servers, or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee.
Blood vitamin E, selenium and glutathione peroxidase concentrations in heifers fed either on grass or on winter feed.

Summary Serum concentration of vitamin E, whole blood concentration of selenium, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activities were measured in groups of heifers which were fed indoors either on fresh spring grass or on winter feed containing an equal amount of vitamin E. The mean serum vitamin E concentrations in the two experimental groups were similar, indicating that vitamin E was absorbed equally from both feeds and that there was no significant loss of vitamin E before absorption. Both groups of heifers remained healthy, indicating that the group fed fresh spring grass did not receive sufficient polyunsaturated fatty acids from the grass to trigger the development of nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD). It was, therefore, concluded that factors other than the nutrient composition of the grass (e. g. sudden increase in locomotive muscular activity and inclement weather at turnout) must be also responsible for the development of NMD at turnout. Zusammenfassung Vitamin E-, Selen- und Glutathionperoxidase-Konzentrationen im Blut von Kalbinnen bei Futterung mit Gras oder bei Winterfutterung: Bei im Stall gehaltenen Kalbinnen, die bei gleicher Vitamin-E-Zufuhr entweder mit frisch gemahtem Fruhjahrs-Gras oder mit Winter-Futter gefuttert wurden, wurden die Vitamin-E-Konzentration im Serum, die Selen-Konzentration im Vollblut sowie die Glutathionperoxidase-Aktivitat in den Erythrozyten gemessen. Die mittleren Serum-Vitamin-E-Konzentrationen waren bei beiden Gruppen gleich, so das Vitamin E offenbar unter beiden Futterungsbedingungen gleich gut absorbiert wurde und keine praabsorptiven Vitamin-E-Verluste auftraten. Da die Kalbinnen beider Gruppen gesund blieben, durften der mit frisch gemahtem Fruhjahrs-Gras gefutterten Gruppe die fur die Auslosung der nutritiven Muskeldystrophie (NMD) masgebenden ungesattigten Fettsauren uber das Gras nicht in ausreichender Menge zugefuhrt worden sein. Es wurde daher geschlossen, das nicht nur die Nahrstoffzusammensetzung des Grases, sondern auch andere Faktoren (z. B. rasche Zunahme der Bewegungsaktivitat, kaltes Wetter beim Weideauftrieb) fur die Entwicklung der NMD beim Weideauftrieb verantwortlich sind.
A multi-objective particle swarm optimization based threshold approach for skin color detection

Skin detection plays an important role in a wide range of image processing applications such as face detection, tracking and recognition. Skin color is often considered to be a useful and discriminating image feature for facial area since it provides computationally effective yet, robust to variation in scale, orientation and partial occlusion. One of the simplest and common approaches is to identify a fixed decision boundary for different color space. Single or multiple threshold values are characterized for each color space components. Consequently an image pixel value falling within these predefined range(s) is classified as a skin pixel. In this paper, multi-objective particle swarm optimization is employed to determine the optimal threshhold ranges of each components in RGB-CbCrCg color spaces. The performance of the scheme was evaluated employing the ECU face and skin database.
Optimal Inhibition of X4 HIV Isolates by the CXC Chemokine Stromal Cell-derived Factor 1α Requires Interaction with Cell Surface Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans*

The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) is the natural ligand for CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). SDF-1 inhibits infection of CD4+ cells by X4 (CXCR4-dependent) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strains. We previously showed that SDF-1α interacts specifically with heparin or heparan sulfates (HSs). Herein, we delimited the boundaries of the HS-binding domain located in the first β-strand of SDF-1α as the critical residues. We also provide evidence that binding to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) determines the capacity of SDF-1α to prevent the fusogenic activity of HIV-1 X4 isolates in leukocytes. Indeed, SDF-1α mutants lacking the capacity to interact with HSPGs showed a substantially reduced capacity to prevent cell-to-cell fusion mediated by X4 HIV envelope glycoproteins. Moreover, the enzymatic removal of cell surface HS diminishes the HIV-inhibitory capacity of the chemokine to the levels shown by the HS-binding-disabled mutant counterparts. The mechanisms underlying the optimal HIV-inhibitory activity of SDF-1α when attached to HSPGs were investigated. Combining fluorescence resonance energy transfer and laser confocal microscopy, we demonstrate the concomitant binding of SDF-1α to CXCR4 and HSPGs at the cell membrane. Using FRET between a Texas Red-labeled SDF-1α and an enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged CXCR4, we show that binding of SDF-1α to cell surface HSPGs modifies neither the kinetics of occupancy nor activation in real time of CXCR4 by the chemokine. Moreover, attachment to HSPGs does not modify the potency of the chemokine to promote internalization of CXCR4. Attachment to cellular HSPGs may co-operate in the optimal anti-HIV activity of SDF-1α by increasing the local concentration of the chemokine in the surrounding environment of CXCR4, thus facilitating sustained occupancy and down-regulation of the HIV coreceptor.
Segmentation of confocal microscope images of cell nuclei in thick tissue sections

Segmentation of intact cell nuclei from three‐dimensional (3D) images of thick tissue sections is an important basic capability necessary for many biological research studies. However, segmentation is often difficult because of the tight clustering of nuclei in many specimen types. We present a 3D segmentation approach that combines the recognition capabilities of the human visual system with the efficiency of automatic image analysis algorithms. The approach first uses automatic algorithms to separate the 3D image into regions of fluorescence‐stained nuclei and unstained background. This includes a novel step, based on the Hough transform and an automatic focusing algorithm to estimate the size of nuclei. Then, using an interactive display, each nuclear region is shown to the analyst, who classifies it as either an individual nucleus, a cluster of multiple nuclei, partial nucleus or debris. Next, automatic image analysis based on morphological reconstruction and the watershed algorithm divides clusters into smaller objects, which are reclassified by the analyst. Once no more clusters remain, the analyst indicates which partial nuclei should be joined to form complete nuclei. The approach was assessed by calculating the fraction of correctly segmented nuclei for a variety of tissue types: Caenorhabditis elegans embryos (839 correct out of a total of 848), normal human skin (343/362), benign human breast tissue (492/525), a human breast cancer cell line grown as a xenograft in mice (425/479) and invasive human breast carcinoma (260/335). Furthermore, due to the analyst's involvement in the segmentation process, it is always known which nuclei in a population are correctly segmented and which not, assuming that the analyst's visual judgement is correct.
ALGEBRO-GEOMETRIC APPROACH TO THE YANG-BAXTER EQUATION AND RELATED TOPICS

We review the results of algebro-geometric approach to 4 × 4 solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation. We emphasis some further geometric properties, connected with the double-reflection theorem, the Poncelet porism and the Euler-Chasles correspondence. We present a list of classifications in Mathematical Physics with a similar geometric background, related to pencils of conics. In the conclusion, we introduce a notion of discriminantly factorizable polynomials as a result of a computational experiment with elementary n-valued groups.
A 12 mW Low Power Continuous-Time Bandpass ΔΣ Modulator With 58 dB SNDR and 24 MHz Bandwidth at 200 MHz IF

A 800 MS/s low power fourth-order continuous-time bandpass ΔΣ modulator (CTBPDSM) with 24 MHz bandwidth at a 200 MHz IF uses a novel power-efficient resonator with a single amplifier as a loopfilter. The single op-amp resonator employs positive feedback to increase the Q-factor. A new fourth-order architecture is introduced for system simplicity and power efficiency. Reducing the number of feedback DACs lowers the power consumption and simplifies the modulator structure. A prototype ADC achieves 58 dB SNDR, 60 dB DR and 65 dB IM3, with a total power consumption of 12 mW. The total die area in 65 nm CMOS is 0.2 mm2.
Effect of physical dimension of cavities on charging behavior and time-temperature stability of a new family of polymeric cellular electrets

Cellular polymers obtained from cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC) become electrets upon charging under high levels of electric field. Investigation of charging mechanisms is fundamental to reach optimization of electret and piezoelectric properties. This paper presents results and considerations relevant to the charging process of such materials and its dependence on partial discharges occurring in their cavities, as well as to time and temperature stability of electret properties. In particular, the effect of physical dimension of cavities on the charge process was investigated, focusing on the dependence on the stretching strength applied during the manufacturing process and the expansion rate.
The epidemiology of eating disorders

To understand a disorder we must know how common it is, who is at risk and what determines who becomes ill? The literature on the epidemiology of eating disorders is now well developed. We know a considerable amount about their prevalence, characteristics and natural history. Eating disorders have been described in western culture for centuries (Morton, 1694). It is only in the past 30 to 40 years, however, that our understanding of them has taken shape.
Nanomanipulation with 3D visual and force feedback using atomic force microscopes

Atomic force microscopes (AFM) have been widely used for nanomanipulation throughout the last decade. Due to the design of AFMs, forces exerted on the AFM-tip cannot be resolved in 3D and no visual feedback can be obtained during manipulation. In this paper, we present an augmented reality approach for nanomanipulation interfaces, in which nano-scale 3D topography and force information sensed by the AFM-probe are blended with real time simulations. The sample surface is modeled with a spline-based geometry model, upon which a collision detection algorithm determines, whether and how the spherical AFM-tip penetrates the surface. Based on these results, surface deformations can be simulated in real-time and - up to now impossible - decoupled 3D force sensing can be achieved.
Frequency-domain measurement of spontaneous emission lifetime in rare-earth-doped gain media

The spontaneous emission lifetime in Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>:Tm<sup>3+</sup> waveguides is measured to be 568 ± 48 μs, using a frequency-domain method. The method is studied and verified in Er<sup>3+</sup>-doped silica fiber, yielding a measured lifetime of 9.73 ± 0.08 ms.
The Primate Embryo Gene Expression Resource: A Novel Resource to Facilitate Rapid Analysis of Gene Expression Patterns in Non-Human Primate Oocytes and Preimplantation Stage Embryos1

Abstract Detailed molecular studies of preimplantation stage development in a suitable nonhuman primate model organism have been inhibited due to the cost and scarcity of embryos. To circumvent these limitations, we have created a new resource for the research community, designated as the Primate Embryo Gene Expression Resource (PREGER). The PREGER sample collection currently contains over 160 informative samples of oocytes, obtained from various sized antral follicles, and embryos obtained through a variety of different protocols. The PREGER makes it possible to undertake quantitative gene-expression studies in rhesus monkey oocytes and embryos through simple and cost-effective hybridization-based methods. The PREGER also makes available other molecular tools to facilitate nonhuman primate embryology. We used PREGER here to compare the temporal expression patterns of five housekeeping mRNAs and three transcription factor mRNAs between mouse and rhesus monkey. We observed noticeable differences in temporal expression patterns between species for some mRNAs, but clear similarities for others. Our results also provide new information related to genome activation and the effects of embryo culture conditions on gene expression in primate embryos. These results provide one illustration of how the PREGER can be employed to obtain novel insight into primate embryogenesis.