Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medial temporal lobe atrophy and white matter hyperintensities are associated with mild cognitive deficits in non-disabled elderly people: the LADIS study

Objective: To assess the associations of medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) with cognitive function in a large group of independently functioning elderly people. Methods: Data were drawn from the multicentre, multinational leukoaraiosis and disability (LADIS) project which is studying prospectively the role of WMH as an independent predictor of the transition to disability in non-disabled elderly people. In all, 639 participants were enrolled in the LADIS study. For the present analysis, data on 581 subjects were available. Cognitive function was assessed by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Visual ratings of WMH and MTA were undertaken on magnetic resonance images (MRI). Results: The presence of either severe WMH or MTA was associated with a modest but non-significant increase in frequency of mild cognitive deficits (severe WMH: odds ratio (OR) = 1.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0 to 3.7); MTA present: OR = 1.5 (95% CI, 0.8 to 2.8)). However, subjects with the combination of MTA and severe WMH had a more than fourfold increase in frequency of mild cognitive deficits (OR = 4.1 (95% CI, 2.3 to 7.4)). Analysis of variance with post hoc Bonferroni t tests showed that subjects with both MTA and severe WMH performed worse on MMSE than those with either no MRI abnormality or a single MRI abnormality (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results provide further evidence for the combined involvement of both Alzheimer type pathology and vascular pathology in the earliest stages of cognitive decline and suggest an additive effect of WMH and MTA.
Influencia y aplicación de papeles sintácticos e información semántica en la resolución de la anáfora pronominal en español

This Thesis presents a deep study of the influence and the use of syntactic roles ans semantic information in the pronominal anaphora resolution for Spanish and, specifically, the generated by personal, demonstrative, reflexive and omitted pronouns. A combination of both knowledge sources is proposed in order to propose a linguistic, scientific and methodologic base basis based on enriched information that integrates morphology, syntax and semantic.
Normal timing of oligodendrocyte development depends on thyroid hormone receptor alpha 1 (TRα1)

The timing of oligodendrocyte development is regulated by thyroid hormone (TH) in vitro and in vivo, but it is still uncertain which TH receptors mediate this regulation. TH acts through nuclear receptors that are encoded by two genes, TRα and TRβ. Here, we provide direct evidence for the involvement of the TRα1 receptor isoform in vivo, by showing that the number of oligodendrocytes in the postnatal day 7 (P7) and P14 optic nerve of TRα1−/− mice is decreased compared with normal. We demonstrate that TRα1 mediates the normal differentiation‐promoting effect of TH on oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs): unlike wild‐type OPCs, postnatal TRα1−/− OPCs fail to stop dividing and differentiate in response to TH in culture. We also show that overexpression of TRα1 accelerates oligodendrocyte differentiation in culture, suggesting that the level of TRα1 expression is normally limiting for TH‐dependent OPC differentiation. Finally, we provide evidence that the inhibitory isoforms of TRα are unlikely to play a part in the timing of OPC differentiation.
Stochastic orderings with respect to a capacity and an application to a financial optimization problem

Abstract By analogy with the classical case of a probability measure, we extend the notion of increasing convex (concave) stochastic dominance relation to the case of a normalized monotone (but not necessarily additive) set function also called a capacity. We give different characterizations of this relation establishing a link to the notions of distribution function and quantile function with respect to the given capacity. The Choquet integral is extensively used as a tool. In the second part of the paper, we give an application to a financial optimization problem whose constraints are expressed by means of the increasing convex stochastic dominance relation with respect to a capacity. The problem is solved by using, among other tools, a result established in our previous work, namely a new version of the classical upper (resp. lower) Hardy–Littlewood's inequality generalized to the case of a continuous from below concave (resp. convex) capacity. The value function of the optimization problem is interpreted in terms of risk measures (or premium principles).
Identification of a region of hantavirus nucleocapsid protein required for RNA chaperone activity

Sin Nombre hantavirus (SNV) is a New World hantavirus and causes hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. The viral nucleocapsid protein (N) is an RNA chaperone and has multiple functions important in virus replication. The three negative sense RNA segments of hantaviruses form panhandle structures through imperfect hydrogen bonding of the 5’ and 3’ termini, and the chaperone activity of N can mediate correct panhandle formation. N also functions during transcription and translation initiation and the chaperone activity of N is likely to be involved in aspects of these processes. Using a series of mutations in the N gene we identified a region of N required for chaperone activity. The N-terminal 100 amino acids of N contain a domain that is both necessary and sufficient for RNA chaperone activity. We propose that this region of N may reside in one of two potential states. First, the region may be highly disordered and function in N-mediated RNA chaperone activity. Alternatively, in trimeric form, the region likely becomes ordered and serves in high affinity vRNA panhandle recognition.
Feasibility Study of an Online Intervention to Support Male Spouses of Women With Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To evaluate the feasibility of a web-based psychosocial supportive intervention entitled Male Transition Toolkit (MaTT). DESIGN Randomized, controlled trial, mixed methods, concurrent feasibility design. SETTING Edmonton, a large metropolitan city in western Canada. SAMPLE 40 dyads (women with breast cancer and their spouse). METHODS Male spouse participants in the treatment group accessed MaTT for four weeks. Data on hope, quality of life, general self-efficacy, and caregiver guilt were collected at baseline and days 14, 28, and 56. Quality-of-life data were collected from the women with breast cancer at each time period. Qualitative data were collected from the usual care group in an open-ended interview and from the treatment group in an evaluation survey on days 14 and 28. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Feasibility, as measured by the MaTT questionnaire. FINDINGS Evaluation survey scores indicated that MaTT was feasible, acceptable, and easy to use. Male spouse quality-of-life scores were not significantly different between groups. As guilt scores decreased, male spouses' quality of life increased. CONCLUSIONS The findings provided useful information to strengthen MaTT and improve study design. Additional research is needed to determine its efficacy in improving male spouses' quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MaTT is a feasible intervention. Future research should evaluate MaTT with larger samples as well as determine the amount of time participants used MaTT.
Mutations in GJB2, GJB6, and mitochondrial DNA are rare in African American and Caribbean Hispanic individuals with hearing impairment

Autosomal recessive nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing impairment (ARNSHI) comprises 80% of familial hearing loss cases. Approximately half result from mutations in the connexin 26 (Cx26) gene, GJB2, in Caucasian populations. Heterozygous mutations in GJB2 occasionally co‐occur with a deletion of part of GJB6 (connexin 30; Cx30). It is estimated that approximately 1% of deafness is maternally inherited, due to mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Few studies have focused on the frequency of mutations in connexins or mtDNA in African American (AA) and Caribbean Hispanic (CH) admixture populations. In this study, we performed bidirectional sequencing of the GJB2 gene and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for the common GJB6 deletion, as well as PCR/RFLP analysis for three mutations in mtDNA (A1555G, A3243G, A7445G), in 109 predominantly simplex AA and CH individuals. Variations found were a 101T > C (M34T; 1/101 cases), 109G > A (V37I; 1/101), 35delG (mutation; 4/101, ¾ of non‐AA/CH ethnicity), 167delT (mutation; 1/101), 139G > T (mutation; E47X; 1/101 homozygote, consanguineous), −15C > T (1/101), 79G > A (V27I; 9/101), 380G > A (R127H; 4/101; Guyana, India, Pakistan ethnicity), 670A > C (Indeterminate; K224Q; 1/101), 503A > G (novel; K168R; 3/101) and 684C > A (novel; 1/101). All but one of the AA and CH patients had monoallelic variations. There were no hemizygous GJB6 deletions in those with monoallelic GJB2 variations. We also did not identify any patients with the three mutations in mtDNA. Bidirectional sequencing of the GJB2 gene was performed in 187 AA and Hispanic healthy individuals. Our results reveal that GJB2 mutations, GJB6 deletions, and mtDNA mutations may not be significant in these minority admixture populations. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetical studies on a new variant of serum cholinesterase detected by electrophoresis

1. At least four distinct zones with properties of serum cholinesterase (pseudocholinesterase) may be demonstrated by starch gel electrophoresis of normal serum or plasma. These have been called C1; C2, C3 and C4, and they have been observed in all the sera or plasmas studied. Most of the serum cholinesterase activity present is attributable to C4. C1( C2 and C3 are only minor components. In paper electrophoresis at pH 8·6, C1, C2, C3 and C4 have essentially the same mobility. Since they are well separated at this pH in starch gel electrophoresis it seems likely that they may represent a series of polymers of increasing molecular weight C1 < C3 < C4. C2 has a slightly greater mobility than C1, C3 and C4 in paper electrophoresis at pH 8·6.
Composition, efficacy, and safety of S/D‐treated plasma

The article by Roseff and colleagues, among others, raises concern about an increased risk of thrombosis after transfusion of S/D-treated plasma as a consequence of decreased concentrations of protein S activity and plasmin inhibitor (PI) activity. This concern is supported by reports of deep venous thromboses in three patients exchanged with S/D-treated plasma for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and a cluster of intraoperative deaths in patients transfused with S/D-treated plasma during liver transplantation. In contrast to these reports LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A solvation potential with improved contact definitions and optimized by extensive threading

Protein structural knowledge is essential to understanding the molecular basis of disease. Drug design and discovery are facilitated by understanding the three dimensional shape of relevant proteins, as will be future modes of disease intervention such as gene therapy. While identification of disease related protein sequences has dramatically increased through genome mapping efforts, the rate of determination of the associated structures remains relatively slow. Despite recent advancements, experimental methods of protein structure determination remain time consuming and labor intensive. Therefore, computational methods which can predict the correct protein structure for a given amino acid sequence would be a tremendous aid in biomedical research. Homology modeling is precluded if the sequence of interest has low similarity to proteins of known structure. For these sequences, structure prediction requires an energy potential which can identify the native structure out of any number of alternative conformations. We have developed a solvation energy potential which is optimized to identify the native structure as the lowest in energy. The potential has few adjustable parameters which are “trained” so the Protein Data Bank (PDB) structure for each protein in a training set is the lowest in energy when compared to a very large set of alternatives over lo5 alternatives on average. Intramolecular contact definitions are obtained for all possible amino acid pairs from a survey of protein structures and are continuous as a function of interresidue distance. Training with only 25 native proteins produces an energy potential which is quite successful in structure identification tests. Small proteins and those with prosthetic groups pose the greatest challenge.
Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Protein Mixtures at Low Levels Using Cleavable 13C-Isotope-coded Affinity Tag and Multidimensional Chromatography*

In order to identify and compare the protein content of very low quantity samples of high complexity, a protocol has been established that combines the differential profiling strength of a new cleavable 13C isotope-coded affinity tag (cICAT) reagent with the high sequence coverage provided by multidimensional liquid chromatography and two modes of tandem mass spectrometry. Major objectives during protocol optimization were to minimize sample losses and establish a robust procedure that employs volatile buffer systems that are highly compatible with mass spectrometry. Cleavable ICAT-labeled tryptic peptides were separated from nonlabeled peptides by avidin affinity chromatography. Subsequently, peptide samples were analyzed by nanoflow liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The use of two ionization/instrumental configurations led to complementary peptide identifications that increased the confidence of protein assignments. Examples that illustrate the power of this strategy are taken from two different projects: i) immunoaffinity purified complexes containing the prion protein from the murine brain, and ii) human tracheal epithelium gland secretions. In these studies, a large number of novel proteins were identified using stringent match criteria, in addition to many that had been identified in previous experiments. In the latter case, the ICAT method produced significant new information on changes that occur in protein expression levels in a patient suffering from cystic fibrosis.
Glucagon Stimulation Testing in Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency A 2014 Update

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in adults is characterized by alterations in body composition, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, bone mineral density, cardiovascular risk profile, and quality of life. Treatment with GH replacement has been shown to improve many, but not all, of these abnormalities. By contrast, untreated GHD is associated with increased mortality and morbidity that was previously observed in adults with hypopituitarism. These findings were substantiated in two large surveys based on national Danish registries, where the morbidity of adults with GHD was found to be approximately threefold higher than that of a healthy population. This result was independent of gender and applied to patients with childhood-onset and adult-onset GHD, with mortality of childhoodonset GHD far exceeding that of adult-onset GH deficient patients.
Visual environment mapping for mobile robot navigation

In order to successfully navigate mobile robots in an unknown environment, an appropriate navigation strategy must be employed. Such a strategy certainly relies on an effective navigation map based on which robot trajectories can be well planned. The navigation map can be built based on a sparse map constructed by a visual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM) algorithm. This paper presents a map conversion strategy to build a 3D navigation map employing a scout robot equipped with an onboard camera. According to the 3D navigation map, ground path planning can be accomplished by a proper navigation strategy. The proposed map conversion strategy has been successfully validated by experimenting with a mobile robot in an indoor laboratory environment.
Constructions of Formally Self-Dual Codes Over ℤ4 and Their Weight Enumerators

We present three explicit methods for construction of formally self-dual codes over $ {\mathbb Z}_{4}$ . We characterize relations between Lee weight enumerators of formally self-dual codes of length $n$ over $ {\mathbb Z}_{4}$ and those of length $n+2$ ; the first two construction methods are based on these relations. The last construction produces free formally self-dual codes over $ {\mathbb Z}_{4}$ . Using these three constructions, we can find free formally self-dual codes over $ {\mathbb Z}_{4}$ , as well as non-free formally self-dual codes over $ {\mathbb Z}_{4}$ of all even lengths. We find free or non-free formally self-dual codes over $ {\mathbb Z}_{4}$ of lengths up to ten using our constructions. In fact, we obtain 46 inequivalent formally self-dual codes whose minimum Lee weights are larger than self-dual codes of the same length. Furthermore, we find 19 non-linear extremal binary formally self-dual codes of lengths 12, 16, and 20, up to equivalence, from formally self-dual codes over $ {\mathbb Z}_{4}$ by using the Gray map.
Changes in the biocide susceptibility of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli cells associated with rapid attachment to plastic surfaces

Differences in opacity between wells of a microtitre plate containing different volumes of inoculated growth medium reflected planktonic growth without any contribution from cells attached at the well surface. Simple algebra and a knowledge of the dependence of optical density upon sample path length (volume) for suspensions of differing cell density enables the generation of growth curves for attached populations (biofilms). In this manner, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined at various stages of growth (0–20 h), both for cells growing attached to the bases of the plate wells and, simultaneously, for cells growing in suspension above them. Biocides included cetrimide, polyhexamethylene biguanide, peracetic acid, phenoxyethanol and chloroxylenol. Results, expressed as planktonic:biofilm MIC ratios, showed susceptibility to change, not only as a function of attachment and biofilm formation, but also with respect to the nature of the chemical agent. In some instances, changes in susceptibility greater than twofold occurred immediately on attachment and could occur in the presence of biocide concentrations which exceeded the MIC.
Prediction of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer by measuring thrombin generation: results from the Vienna Cancer and Thrombosis Study.

PURPOSE Patients with cancer are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Laboratory tests measuring the overall thrombophilic tendency might be useful to assess VTE risk. The aim of this study was to investigate thrombin generation, a key process in hemostasis, as predictor of cancer-associated VTE. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Vienna Cancer and Thrombosis Study (CATS) is a prospective observational cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed cancer or progression of disease after remission. The study end point is occurrence of objectively confirmed symptomatic or fatal VTE within a follow-up period of 2 years. Thrombin generation was measured with a commercially available assay. RESULTS One thousand thirty-three patients with malignancies of the breast (n = 151), lung (n = 148), upper (n = 44) and lower gastrointestinal tract (n = 125), pancreas (n = 67), kidney (n = 34), prostate (n = 122), and brain (n = 134) or lymphoma (n = 126), multiple myeloma (n = 26), and other tumor types (n = 56) were observed for a median observation period of 517 days. VTE occurred in 77 patients (7.5%). Patients with elevated peak thrombin (defined as values ≥ 611 nM thrombin, representing the 75th percentile of the total study population) had an increased risk of VTE with a hazard ratio of 2.1 (95% CI, 1.3 to 3.3, P = .002) in multivariable analysis including age, sex, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The cumulative probability of developing VTE after 6 months was significantly higher in patients with elevated peak thrombin than in those with lower peak thrombin (11% v 4%; log-rank test: P = .002). CONCLUSION Measurement of thrombin generation may help identify patients with cancer at high risk of VTE.
Analysis of the use of a robot to improve social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder

Introduction Autism Spectrum Disorder is a set of developmental disorders that imply in poor social skills, lack of interest in activities and interaction with people. Treatments rely on teaching social skills and in such therapies robotics may offer aid. This work is a pilot study, which aims to show the development and usage of a ludic mobile robot for stimulating social skills in ASD children. Methods A mobile robot with a special costume and a monitor to display multimedia contents was designed to interact with ASD children. A mediator controls the robot’s movements in a room prepared for interactive sessions. Sessions are recorded to assess the following social skills: eye gazing, touching the robot and imitating the mediator. The interaction is evaluated using the Goal Attainment Scale and Likert scale. Ten children were evaluated (50% with ASD), using as inclusion criteria children with age 7-8, without use of medication, and without tendency to aggression or stereotyped movements. Results It was observed that the ASD group touched the robot about twice more in average than the control group (CG). They also looked away and imitated the mediator in a quite similar way as the CG, and showed extra social skills (verbal and non-verbal communication). These results are considered an advance in terms of improvement of social skills in ASD children. Conclusions Our studies indicate that the robot stimulated social skills in 4/5 of the ASD children, which shows that its concepts are useful to improve socialization and quality of life.
Au Nanoparticle Light Scattering Enhanced Responsivity in Pentacene Phototransistor for Deep-UV Light Detection

In this letter, a pentacene thin-film phototransistor (PTFP) with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) decoration in bottom-gate structure was demonstrated. With the Au-NPs, this device is capable of scattering the free-space ultra-violet (UV) irradiation into the pentacene film. Therefore, the PTFP with Au-NPs exhibit 4.5-A/W responsivity with VGS = 0 V at the wavelength of 240 nm. Meanwhile, an ultimate 32.4-A/W responsivity can be achieved with VGS = -10 Vat the wavelength of 240 nm. Such an excellent spectral response suggests PTFP is capable for used in daily and disposable UV status assessment.
Recognition of Facial Expressions of Emotion by Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Fifty children and adolescents were tested for their ability to recognize the 6 basic facial expressions of emotion depicted in Ekman and Friesen's normed photographs. Subjects were presented with sets of 6 photographs of faces, each portraying a different basic emotion, and stories portraying those emotions were read to them. After each story, the subject was asked to point to the photograph in the set that depicted the emotion described. Overall, the children correctly identified the emotions on 74% of the presentations. The highest level of accuracy in recognition was for happiness, followed by sadness, with fear being the emotional expression that was mistaken most often. When compared to studies of children in the general population, children with ADHD have deficits in their ability to accurately recognize facial expressions of emotion. These findings have important implications for the remediation of social skill deficits commonly seen in children with ADHD.