Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Astrocyte intermediate filaments in CNS pathologies and regeneration

Astroglial cells are the most abundant cells in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS), yet our knowledge about their function in health and disease has been limited. This review focuses on the recent work addressing the function of intermediate filaments in astroglial cells under severe mechanical or osmotic stress, in hypoxia, and in brain and spinal cord injury. Recent data show that when astrocyte intermediate filaments are genetically ablated in mice, reactive gliosis is attenuated and the course of several CNS pathologies is altered, while the signs of CNS regeneration become more prominent. GFAP is the principal astrocyte intermediate filament protein and dominant mutations in the GFAP gene have been shown to lead to Alexander disease, a fatal neurodegenerative condition in humans. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Edge effects on the blowfly fauna ( Diptera , Calliphoridae ) of the Tijuca National Park , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil

In this contribution we examine the diversity, abundance and species richness of Calliphoridae in the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Specimens were collected monthly between September 2009 and August 2010, using sardines as bait, in three points: A, on the forest edge (22°56’846”S 43°17’496”W), B, 700m from it (22°57’073”S 43°17’832”W) and C, 1,200m into the forest (22°57’321”S 43°18’031”W), evaluating the indicator species at each point and the anthropogenic influences and abiotic factors that determine species distribution. A total of 16,364 Calliphoridae were collected and 17 species were identified. Species abundance was strongly positively correlated with temperature. The greatest number of flies was collected at A, but in this point, diversity was lower and most individuals collected belonged to the dominant species. Point C, conversely, had the lower abundance and the highest diversity. Chrysomya megacephala, an urban and synanthropic species, was dominant at point A, whereas Laneela nigripes and Mesembrinella peregrina, typically forest species, were considered indicators at points B and C, respectively, showing that the anthropogenic influence is more intense at the forest edge.
Increased stromal-cell-derived factor 1 enhances the homing of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in dilated cardiomyopathy in rats.

BACKGROUND Stem cell transplantation has been shown to have beneficial effects on dilated cardiomyopathy. However, mechanism for stem cell homing to cardiac tissue in dilated cardiomyopathy has not yet been elucidated. METHODS Mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from rat bone marrow, expanded in vitro, and labeled with (99m)Tc. Cardiomyopathy model was induced by doxorubicin in rats. (99m)Tc labeled cells were infused into the left ventricles in cardiomyopathy and control rats. Sixteen hours after injection, animals were sacrificed and different tissues were harvested to measure specific radioactivity. By use of real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, mRNA and protein expressions for stromal-cell-derived factor 1 in cardiac tissue were measured. RESULTS Labeling efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells was (70.0 ± 11.2)%. Sixteen hours after mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, the heart-to-muscle radioactivity ratio was increased significantly in cardiomyopathy hearts as compared to control hearts. Both mRNA and protein expressions of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 were up-regulated in cardiomyopathy hearts as compared with control hearts. CONCLUSION In dilated cardiomyopathy induced by doxorubicin up-regulated expression of stromal-cell-derived factor 1 in heart may induce mesenchymal stem cells home to the heart.
Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Renal Proximal Tubular Cells with Only Two Transcription Factors, Oct4 and Sox2*

Background: The generation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) has raised expectations for disease modeling, drug discovery, and cell therapy. Results: VP16-polycistronic vectors display enhanced reprogramming capacity. Conclusion: Primary tubular renal cells are amenable for iPSC reprogramming in the absence of oncogenes. Significance: Kidney-derived iPSCs provide a reliable cellular platform for the study of kidney pathology and drug discovery studies. The tubular epithelium of the kidney is susceptible to injury from a number of different causes, including inflammatory and immune disorders, oxidative stress, and nephrotoxins, among others. Primary renal epithelial cells remain one of the few tools for studying the biochemical and physiological characteristics of the renal tubular system. Nevertheless, differentiated primary cells are not suitable for recapitulation of disease properties that might arise during embryonic kidney formation and further maturation. Thus, cellular systems resembling kidney characteristics are in urgent need to model disease as well as to establish reliable drug-testing platforms. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) bear the capacity to differentiate into every cell lineage comprising the adult organism. Thus, iPSCs bring the possibility for recapitulating embryonic development by directed differentiation into specific lineages. iPSC differentiation ultimately allows for both disease modeling in vitro and the production of cellular products with potential for regenerative medicine. Here, we describe the rapid, reproducible, and highly efficient generation of iPSCs derived from endogenous kidney tubular renal epithelial cells with only two transcriptional factors, OCT4 and SOX2. Kidney-derived iPSCs may provide a reliable cellular platform for the development of kidney differentiation protocols allowing drug discovery studies and the study of kidney pathology.
Stereotypical thinking as a mediating factor in the association between exposure to terror and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among Israeli youth

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives: The negative impact of exposure to terror on mental health, as well as on the perceptions of each side of the conflict toward the other, is well-documented. However, the association between stereotyping, concomitant with perceived threat, and anxiety, was rarely investigated. The current study examined information processing attributes and exposure to terror as predictors of PTSD symptoms among youth at inter-group conflict, with stereotypical thinking toward a threatening out-group as a possible mediator. Design: Cross-sectional, with exposure to terror, need for cognitive structure (NCS), efficacy at fulfilling the need for closure (EFNC) and self-esteem, predicting stereotypical thinking and PTSD symptoms. Method: Ninth graders (N = 263) from two residential areas in Israel, varying in their degree of exposure to terror, responded to a self-report questionnaire tapping the above variables. Results: Stereotypical thinking was found to mediate the association between exposure to terror and PTSD symptoms, but not the association between the NCS and EFNC interaction and PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: The findings support terror management theory, so that a negative and rigid perception makes it difficult to construct coherent world-view, thus contributing to aggregation of existential anxiety and PTSD symptoms.
Novel iterative equalization based on energy spreading transform

In this paper, a novel iterative equalization is proposed. Different from the existing turbo-like equalization, the proposed one uses an energy spreading transform (EST) instead of a (soft) channel decoder, which separates equalization and decoding. The complexity of the proposed equalization approach is comparable to that of decision-feedback equalization (DFE). However, analytical and simulation results demonstrate that its performance is very close to the matched filter bound (MFB) when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is above a threshold.
ProxiLens: Interactive Exploration of High-Dimensional Data using Projections

As dimensionality increases, analysts are faced with difficult problems to make sense of their data. In exploratory data analysis, multidimensional scaling projections can help analyst to discover patterns by identifying outliers and enabling visual clustering. However to exploit these projections, artifacts and interpretation issues must be overcome. We present ProxiLens, a semantic lens which helps exploring data interactively. The analyst becomes aware of the artifacts navigating in a continuous way through the 2D projection in order to cluster and analyze data. We demonstrate the applicability of our technique for visual clustering on synthetic and real data sets.
Formal Derivation of Lotka-Volterra-Haken Amplitude Equations of Task-Related Brain Activity in Multiple, Consecutively Performed Tasks

The Lotka–Volterra–Haken equations have been frequently used in ecology and pattern formation. Recently, the equations have been proposed by several research groups as amplitude equations for task-related patterns of brain activity. In this theoretical study, the focus is on the circular causality aspect of pattern formation systems as formulated within the framework of synergetics. Accordingly, the stable modes of a pattern formation system inhibit the unstable modes, whereas the unstable modes excite the stable modes. Using this circular causality principle it is shown that under certain conditions the Lotka–Volterra–Haken amplitude equations can be derived from a general model of brain activity akin to the Wilson–Cowan model. The model captures the amplitude dynamics for brain activity patterns in experiments involving several consecutively performed multiple-choice tasks. This is explicitly demonstrated for two-choice tasks involving grasping and walking. A comment on the relevance of the theoretical framework for clinical psychology and schizophrenia is given as well.
METABOLIC ADAPTATIONS TO ARSENIC-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ISATIS CAPPADOCICA

Arsenic is considered as one of the most important environmental contaminant elements. Some plant species can grow in arsenic contaminated soils and they are able to reduce arsenic toxicity. In this study, a hydroponic experiment was conducted on Isatis cappadocica, a newly-discovered As hyperaccumulator. Accordingly, we conducted this experiment to compare the interaction of effect of arsenic and phosphorus on total chlorophyll and antioxidant compounds (carotenoids, anthocyanin and proline) of I. cappadocica for better understanding the mechanisms applied by this species. Therefore, the plants were grown for 6 weeks in a medium, embedded with combinations of 50, 200, 800 and 1200 μmol l −1 arsenic and 5, 50, 200, 800 and 1600 μmol l −1 phosphorus, respectively. The highest concentration of arsenic was obtained in plants treated with 1200 μmol l −1 As and 5 μmol l −1 phosphorus. Increasing arsenic concentration in the medium led to increase in antioxidant compounds. The ability of Isatis to accumulate more than 700 mg kg -1 arsenic in the shoots, illustrates the high resistance of this plant to arsenic and the
[Preliminary results of the 1991 population and housing census].

"This article contains a brief commentary on already published preliminary census results [for Czechoslovakia]. The author paid special attention to the data on nationality.and to changes since 1980 and, above all, to the numbers of inhabitants of Moravian and Silesian nationality but also to smaller nationality groups, including their territorial distribution. " For the first time in 40 years, a question on religious affiliation was included in the Czech census, and consideration is given here to the responses. (SUMMARY IN ENG AND RUS)
Cadre Formel pour le Test de Robustesse des Protocoles de Communication. (A Framework for Robustness Testing of Communicating Protocols)

In the telecommunication field, protocols have to be seriously validated before their startup. Thus, it is necessary to test the conformance of a protocol, but it is also important to test its robustness in presence of unexpected events. Although a precise definition of robustness is somewhat elusive, functionally the meaning is clear : the ability of a system, conform to its nominal specification, to function in an acceptable way in the presence of hazards. The term "hazards" will be used to gather faults and stressful conditions. The aim of this document is to provide a formal framework for robustness testing for Internet protocols. In order to decide the robustness of an Implementation Under Test (IUT), a clear criterion is needed, taking into account the system behaviors in the presence of hazards. The main contributions of this document are : (1) A framework for robustness testing including an approach, a formal definition of robustness and a test generation method from system specification modelled by an IOLTS. Our approach consists in two methods : The method TRACOR deals with robustness testing in the presence of controllable and representable hazards. It consists in enriching the nominal specification (i.e. protocol standard specification) with invalid inputs, inopportune inputs, acceptable outputs and suspension traces in order to get an increased specification. The method TRACON deals with with robustness testing in the presence of controllable and unrepresentable hazards. It consists in enriching the nominal specification with acceptable outputs and suspension traces in order to obtain a half-increased specification. (2) In order to formalize the robustness of an implementation compared to the increased specification, we propose a binary relation, called Robust, based on the observation of outputs and quiescence of an implementation after executing of traces containing hazards. (3) In order to generate robustness test cases, we propose a specific method based on coloring of the increased specification (or the half-increased specification). This method allows to generate robustness test cases from the increased specification or the half-increased specification using robustness test purposes. (4) The theoretical background of our approach is implemented in the RTCG tool. This application provides three main interfaces, the first one permits to obtain the increased specification, the second one permits to generate robustness test cases using the method TRACOR, and the third one automates the method TRACON. (5) We show how to apply our approach in communicating protocols through a case study on the SSL protocol and TCP.
The Nanopore Connection to Cell Membrane Unitary Permeability

Artificial nanopores have recently emerged as versatile tools for analyzing and sorting single molecules at high speed. However, the biological cell has already developed a large set of sophisticated protein nanopores that are able to selectively translocate all types of molecules through membranes. Therefore, hybrid devices combining artifical solid‐state with biomimetic protein nanopores appear to us as a particularly promising approach to the creation of powerful diagnostic, preparative and therapeutic devices. Here, we discuss a technique, optical single‐transporter recording (OSTR), in which arrays of artificial micropores and nanopores are employed to analyze protein nanopores of cellular membranes. After briefly summarizing some salient features of OSTR, the technique is compared with the electrical patch clamp method and the first results of our efforts to amalgamate optical and electrical recording are described. Finally, prospects for combining OSTR with 4Pi microscopy, single‐molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy are discussed.
Optimum Cluster Size for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

In this paper, we are concerned with the optimum cluster size in underwater acoustic sensor networks. Due to the sparse deployment and channel property, the clustering characteristics of underwater acoustic sensor networks are different from those of terrestrial sensor networks. We show that the optimum cluster size is mainly determined by the working frequency of the acoustic transmission. In addition, the data aggregation also plays an important role in determining the optimum cluster size
Preliminary investigation of the Kitchen Picture Test (KPT): A new screening test of practical judgment for older adults

ABSTRACT Judgment is widely recognized as an important executive function, and deficits in judgment can lead to health risks, safety concerns, and hospitalizations. Surprisingly, relatively few tests of judgment have been developed specifically for older adults—a population particularly vulnerable to executive and functional declines. The Kitchen Picture Test (KPT) is a new screening measure of practical judgment. In two independent studies (Study 1, N = 99 nursing home patients; Study 2, N = 163 nursing home and assisted living patients), psychometric analyses confirmed strong evidence for reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated from sensitivity and 1-specificity values for diagnoses of dementia versus no dementia. A KPT cut score can be used for identifying persons to be referred to appropriate health-care professionals who have specific expertise in the evaluation and treatment of cognitive impairment.
Religiosity and Conservatism Revisited: Relating a New Religiosity Measure to the Two Main Conservative Political Ideologies

The relation between the two religiosity dimensions which Wulff (1997) described (Exclusion vs Inclusion of Transcendence and Literal vs Symbolic) and two conservative political ideologies (Cultural and Economic Conservatism) was investigated in a sample of 714 students, a heterogeneous sample of 262 adults, and a sample of 301 religiously affiliated adults gathered in Flanders (Belgium). Both Exclusion vs Inclusion of Transcendence and Literal vs Symbolic were expected to relate only to Cultural Conservatism. Analysis supported these hypotheses, providing further evidence for the close association between religiosity and Cultural Conservatism and the validity of the Post-Critical Belief scale as a measure of Wulff's dimensions of religiosity.
Adaptive clustering control for energy-harvesting WSNs with non-uniform energy harvesting rate

In cluster-based energy-harvesting wireless sensor networks (EH-WSNs), clustering schemes have been studied for prolonging the network lifetime. The EHGAF has been proposed to achieve this objective, however, this conventional scheme results in non-uniform residual power between cluster heads (CHs), leading to short network lifetime, under the conditions with geographical non-uniform energy-harvesting rate. To overcome the problem with the EHGAF, this paper proposes a clustering control scheme, which consists of adaptive cluster size control and adaptive backoff window control. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme extends the network lifetime compared with the conventional one.
Gigantic Bronchial Artery Aneurysm Treated With Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: A Case Report

Bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) is a rare condition. Rupture of BAA can cause critical hemorrhage, and intervention for BAA is thus recommended. A 69-year-old woman presented with BAA 70 mm in diameter in the right hilum of the lung. Transcatheter arterial embolization for afferent arteries of the BAA was performed and the BAA has subsequently been shrinking as observed by radiography. We present this case and a brief review of management of BAA based on the literature.
Anti‐inflammatory Strategies to Prevent Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease

Diabetes is a proinflammatory state and inflammation is crucial in the genesis of vascular complications. While there are many anti‐inflammatory strategies, most of which have been shown to reduce inflammation in diabetes, there is sparse data on reduction in cardiovascular events (CVEs). To date, the only anti‐inflammatory strategies that have been shown to reduce CVE in diabetes include statins, angiotensin receptor blockers, metformin, and pioglitazone. We also discuss the role of novel emerging therapies.
Fundamental Limits of Cloud and Cache-Aided Interference Management with Multi-Antenna Base Stations

In cellular systems, content delivery latency can be minimized by jointly optimizing edge caching, fronthaul transmission from a cloud processor (CP) with access to the content library, and wireless transmission. In this paper, this problem is studied from an information-theoretic viewpoint by making the following practically relevant assumptions: 1) the ENs have multiple antennas; 2) only uncoded fractional caching is allowed; 3) the fronthau llinks are used to send fractions of contents; and 4) the ENs are constrained to use one-shot linear precoding on the wireless channel. Assuming offline caching and focusing on a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) latency performance metric, the proposed caching and delivery policy is shown to be either exactly optimal or optimal within a multiplicative factor of 3/2. The results bring insights into the optimal interplay between edge and cloud processing in fog-aided wireless networks as a function of system resources, including the number of antennas at the ENs, the ENs' cache capacity and the fronthaul capacity.
A literature review exploring a meaning for the term 'curriculum leadership'

Research on leadership in education often focuses on school management, educational change or curricidum development. There is little research however, in the area of curriculum leadership. With the introduction of seven new curriculum documents in the last eight years in New Zealand, I believe it has become increasingly important to consider who our curriculum leaders are, what it is they are leading, and the characteristics these people have that influence the practices and activities of others. In this article I have explored the roles of those people who might be considered to be curriculum leaders (Ministry of Education, School Support Services, Principals, Teachers, Consultants and Parents), in an attempt to deflne some of their leadership characteristics. I conclude the article with a summary of these characteristics.
Maximum tolerated temperature in the rat tail: a broadly sensitive test of analgesic activity.

The methods most frequently employed for the study of analgesic activity of opiates are those based on thermal stimuli (hot-plate, tail-flick, TWR). These tests, however, are only sensitive for opiates which are pure agonists. In this work, we propose a modification of the TWR method capable of detecting analgesic activity in both agonist and agonist-antagonist opiates. In addition, non-opiate analgesics also show activity in this test. The ED50 (mg/kg, i.p.) of the substances studied, administered 30 min before commencement of the test, were as follows: buprenorphine: 0.02; methadone: 0.08; morphine: 1.9; pentazocine: 4.5; d-propoxyphene: 5.5; codeine: 7.6; pethidine: 9.2; zomepirac: 20.1; suprofen: 138.0; acetylsalicylic acid: 453.4. There was a statistically significant linear correlation between the results obtained by the proposed method (MTT) and those of some of the most frequently used methods for the study of analgesic agents (writhing induced by phenylbenzoquinone, acetic acid, acetylcholine bromide, hot-plate test and rat tail withdrawal test). The simplicity of the method makes it suitable for use in the battery of screening tests for analgesic activity of both narcotic and non-narcotic substances.