Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fetal tectal or cortical tissue transplanted into brachial lesion cavities in rats: Influence on the regrowth of host retinal axons

Fetal neural tissue was transplanted into suction lesions of the left brachium and pretectal region in young rats. Tectal tissue was grafted into 6–18‐day‐old rats and cortical tissue was transplanted into 17–20‐day‐old animals. The aim was to determine whether grafts could potentiate the regrowth of damaged retinal axons and, as a consequence, stimulate the axons to reenter their host target, the superior colliculus (SC).
In situ bioreduction of uranium (VI) to submicromolar levels and reoxidation by dissolved oxygen.

Groundwater within Area 3 of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Remediation Sciences Program (ERSP) Field Research Center at Oak Ridge, TN (ORFRC) contains up to 135 microM uranium as U(VI). Through a series of experiments at a pilot scale test facility, we explored the lower limits of groundwater U(VI) that can be achieved by in-situ biostimulation and the effects of dissolved oxygen on immobilized uranium. Weekly 2 day additions of ethanol over a 2-year period stimulated growth of denitrifying, Fe(III)-reducing, and sulfate-reducing bacteria, and immobilization of uranium as U(IV), with dissolved uranium concentrations decreasing to low levels. Following sulfite addition to remove dissolved oxygen, aqueous U(VI) concentrations fell below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agengy maximum contaminant limit (MCL) for drinking water (< 30/microg L(-1) or 0.126 microM). Under anaerobic conditions, these low concentrations were stable, even in the absence of added ethanol. However, when sulfite additions stopped, and dissolved oxygen (4.0-5.5 mg L(-1)) entered the injection well, spatially variable changes in aqueous U(VI) occurred over a 60 day period, with concentrations increasing rapidly from < 0.13 to 2.0 microM at a multilevel sampling (MLS) well located close to the injection well, but changing little at an MLS well located further away. Resumption of ethanol addition restored reduction of Fe(III), sulfate, and U(VI) within 36 h. After 2 years of ethanol addition, X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) analyses indicated that U(IV) comprised 60-80% of the total uranium in sediment samples. Atthe completion of the project (day 1260), U concentrations in MLS wells were less than 0.1 microM. The microbial community at MLS wells with low U(VI) contained bacteria that are known to reduce uranium, including Desulfovibrio spp. and Geobacter spp. , in both sediment and groundwater. The dominant Fe(III)-reducing species were Geothrix spp.
Values and Ideologies of Norwegian Children's Sport as Perceived by the General Population

The increase can be explained by several factors. Stagnation in the number of memberships in the 1960s led the NCS in 1967 to launch the TRIM-campaign. Stressing social values, fitness and health in a non-competitive setting, TRIM appealed to large groups in the so-called inactive part of the population. Moreover, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, gender roles changed. Women entered arenas traditionally dominated by men, among them sports. Last, but not least, voluntary sport became an arena for Norwegian children and youth. In fact, in the early 1960s, around 15% of children and youth under the age of 17 were members of sports clubs compared to more than 50% in 1985
Ontology-Centred Design of an Ambient Middleware for Assisted Living : The Case of SOPRANO *

The aim of the EU-funded project SOPRANO is to assist older Europeans to lead a more independent life in their familiar environment by means of a next generation smart home with ambient intelligence. The core of the system in each house will be the SOPRANO Ambient Middleware (SAM), which receives the user commands and sensor inputs, enriches them semantically and triggers appropriate reactions via actuators in the house. In this paper, we present a novel approach of an ontology-centred design in order to create SAM as a reliable, deterministic and economically scalable component. Thus, the starting point is the development of a context ontology focussing on the concept of a state. This OWL-Lite ontology is then used as a central reference document during the design process as well as during runtime to abstract from concrete sensor inputs and actuator outputs.
Characterization of patients with infliximab‐induced lupus erythematosus and outcomes after retreatment with a second anti‐TNF agent

Background: Drug‐induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) due to infliximab therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an uncommon occurrence. It remains uncertain whether patients with infliximab‐induced DILE could tolerate another antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) agent without recurrent DILE. Methods: We reviewed the case records of patients with infliximab‐induced DILE diagnosed at our institute and noted details of their clinical and immunological profile at presentation. In addition, case notes of patients who were treated with a second anti‐TNF agent were examined for evidence of recurrent DILE. Results: Thirteen patients with infliximab‐induced DILE were identified with a female‐to‐male ratio of 11:2. Symmetric large joint arthralgias and high titers of antinuclear and antidouble‐stranded DNA antibody were noted in all patients. Eight patients were retreated with a second anti‐TNF agent (six certolizumab pegol and two adalimumab) of whom two patients (one adalimumab and certolizumab pegol each) developed recurrent DILE following 3 months of therapy with a second anti‐TNF agent. One patient discontinued therapy after 2 months despite no recurrence of DILE, due to fear of side effects. Five patients remain well with no recurrence of DILE after a median of 5 months (range 2–6) therapy. Conclusions: Rechallenge with a further anti‐TNF agent in patients who have developed DILE with infliximab is associated with a low rate of recurrence. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
Open label smoking cessation with varenicline is associated with decreased glutamate levels and functional changes in anterior cingulate cortex: preliminary findings

Rationale: Varenicline, the most effective single agent for smoking cessation, is a partial agonist at α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Increasing evidence implicates glutamate in the pathophysiology of addiction and one of the benefits of treatment for smoking cessation is the ability to regain cognitive control. Objective: To evaluate the effects of 12-week varenicline administration on glutamate levels in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and functional changes within the cognitive control network. Methods: We used single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the dACC and functional MRI (fMRI) during performance of a Stroop color-naming task before and after smoking cessation with varenicline in 11 healthy smokers (open label design). Using the dACC as a seed region, we evaluated functional connectivity changes using a psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis. Results: We observed a significant decrease in dACC glutamate + glutamine (Glx)/Cr levels as well as significant blood oxygen level-dependent signal (BOLD) decreases in the rostral ACC/medial orbitofrontal cortex and precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex. These BOLD changes are suggestive of alterations in default mode network (DMN) function and are further supported by the results of the PPI analysis that revealed changes in connectivity between the dACC and regions of the DMN. Baseline measures of nicotine dependence and craving positively correlated with baseline Glx/Cr levels. Conclusions: These results suggest possible mechanisms of action for varenicline such as reduction in Glx levels in dACC and shifts in BOLD connectivity between large scale brain networks. They also suggest a role for ACC Glx in the modulation of behavior. Due to the preliminary nature of this study (lack of control group and small sample size), future studies are needed to replicate these findings.
Estrogen Receptor Signaling and Its Relationship to Cytokines in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Dysregulation of cytokines is among the main abnormalities in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). However, although, estrogens, which are known to be involved in lupus disease, influence cytokine production, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly defined. Recent evidence demonstrates the presence of estrogen receptor in various cell types of the immune system, while divergent effects of estrogens on the cytokine regulation are thought to be implicated. In this paper, we provide an overview of the current knowledge as to how estrogen-induced modulation of cytokine production in SLE is mediated by the estrogen receptor while simultaneously clarifying various aspects of estrogen receptor signaling in this disease. The estrogen receptor subtypes, their structure, and the mode of action of estrogens by gene activation and via extranuclear effects are briefly presented. Results regarding the possible correlation between estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms and quantitative changes in the receptor protein to SLE pathology and cytokine production are reviewed.
Enhanced speed and current control of PMSM drives by perfect tracking algorithms

Speed and current closed loops control represent the heart of any advanced AC servo drive. These inner loops usually feature high-dynamic feedback control, with possible axes decoupling and a straight feedforward action of the back-electromotive force (back-EMF). More sophisticated techniques as single-rate or multi-rate control could be exploited for both speed and current closed loops, and their performances compared to that of the classic cascade feedback controllers. This represents the goal of the present work, focusing on permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives.
Coping with autism: stresses and strategies

This paper presents the results of a qualitative study of coping stresses and strategies among a sample of parents with autistic children. The most serious stresses that parents faced included problems with the lack of normal language, disruptive and violent behaviour, inappropriate eating and toileting and inappropriate sexual expression. Most parents used a variety of coping strategies, the most common of which included the use of service agencies, family support, social withdrawal, religion, normalisation, individualism and activism. Although no single coping strategy seemed to provide a definitively better outcome for the parents' adjustment, the use of services and family support appeared to provide the most successful strategy of coping for a substantial number of parents.
Oocyte cryopreservation for age-related fertility loss † ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law , including ,

The recent introduction of oocyte vitrification has significantly advanced the outcome of oocyte cryopreservation, leading to clinical results comparable to those achieved in IVF using fresh oocytes, as reported by experienced centres. This has lead to new debate, both in the professional community and in society at large, about the acceptability of offering this technology to reproductively healthy women who want to cryopreserve their oocytes against the threat of time. Given the many demands calling for simultaneous realization in a relatively short period of their lives, many women who want to have children feel to be under considerable pressure. The option of oocyte cryopreservation may in fact give them more breathing space. In this document, it is concluded that the arguments against allowing this application of the technology are not convincing. The recommendations include the need for adequate information of women interested in oocyte cryopreservation, also in order to avoid raising false hopes. The message must remain that women’s best chances of having a healthy child are through natural reproduction at a relative early age. Centres offering this service must have the necessary expertise to employ oocyte cryopreservation efficiently with the so far non-standardized protocols. As data about long-term safety is still lacking, centres also have a responsibility to contribute to the collection of these data.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone concentrations in human hair after chronic DHEA supplementation.

Endogenous anabolic steroids and their precursors in the form of dietary supplements have become widely available as over-the-counter tablets in the United States or through the Internet in other countries. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an endogenous steroid produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. As a precursor to testosterone and estrogen, DHEA can be converted peripherally to androstenedione, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone, and aromatized to estrogen. Recently, athletes have begun taking DHEA, theoretically hoping to derive some competitive benefit from its conversion to testosterone. However, in a few subjects (1)(2), no effect of DHEA on body weight, body mass, resting metabolic rate, total energy expenditure, or proteolysis was demonstrated. Late in 1996, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical Commission added DHEA to the list of prohibited compounds. In a study performed by Dehennin et al. (3), labeled DHEA was converted to testosterone, and therefore, some questions were received by our laboratory from sports federations concerning the potential increase of the urinary testosterone/epitestosterone ratio (T/E) through DHEA supplementation. According to Bosy et al.(4), the urinary T/E ratio is only slightly affected for a short period of time (2–5 h), without exceeding 6:1, the current acceptable ratio for the IOC. In their study, seven male volunteers ingested a daily DHEA dose of 50 mg each morning for 30 days. Urine specimens were collected before ingestion and 2–3 h after ingestion. Their urinary baseline …
Wx/ae Double-Mutant Brown Rice Prevents the Rise in Plasma Lipid and Glucose Levels in Mice

A wx/ae double-mutant rice is generated by crossing waxy mutant and amylose-extender mutant in rice. Wx/ae brown rice contains highly beneficial nutrients for lipid and glucose metabolism, including resistant starch, dietary fiber, and γ-oryzanol, when compared to Koshihikari brown rice, the non-waxy japonica cultivar. To examine the effects of wx/ae brown rice on glucose and lipid metabolism, type 2 diabetic NSY/Hos mice were fed a high-fat diet containing 25% of wx/ae brown rice or Koshihikari brown rice for 10 weeks. The plasma total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and non-esterified fatty acid levels of the wx/ae group were significantly lower than those of the Koshihikari group. Moreover, the fasting blood glucose level and pathological score of glycosuria of the wx/ae group were also significantly lower than those of the Koshihikari group. These results indicate that wx/ae brown rice has the potential to prevent the rise in plasma lipid and glucose levels.
Eight-Month-Old Infants' Perception of Possible and Impossible Events.

This study investigated 8-month-old infants' perception of object permanence in an extension of the rotating screen studies by Baillargeon (1987) and Baillargeon, Spelke, and Wasserman (1985). Using computer-animated stimuli similar to the "live" stimuli used by Baillargeon and her colleagues (Baillargeon, 1987; Baillargeon et al., 1985), 48 8-month-old infants were habituated to 1 of 4 computer-animated events and then tested on all 4 events. The events involved a screen that rotated in either a 180° or 120° arc*** and a block that either was sitting in the path of the rotating screen or absent from the event. The results provided no evidence that infants responded on the basis of the possibility or impossibility of the events as claimed by Baillargeon and her colleagues, but instead indicated that the infants responded on the basis of perceptual novelty. These results are consistent with the findings of Schilling (this issue) and Bogartz, Shinskey, and Schilling (this issue). Taken together, along with the findings of Rivera, Wakeley, and Langer (1999), these more recent findings suggest that Baillargeon's (1987; Baillargeon et al., 1985) results should not be interpreted as definitive evidence of object permanence in very young infants.
Filter Questions and Question Interpretation: Presuppositions at Work

Researchers frequently ask respondents to report how often they engage in a certain behavior or how often they have experienced a particular event. In these cases, filter questions are often used to sort out respondents for whom more detailed follow-up questions may not apply and should therefore not be asked. This filtering is done by asking, in a yes/no format, whether or not the respondents experienced the particular event in question. Follow-up questions are then only presented to respondents who endorse having experienced the event. This way the burden on respondents who have no experience with the issue is reduced and interviewing time is saved. This article argues that such filter questions present presuppositions that may change respondents' interpretations of the question. For example, respondents who are asked whether they have witnessed a crime need to determine what the researcher wants to include in the category "crime"-does this include graffiti and vandalism, or only major crimes like robbery or car theft? To infer the relevant meaning, respondents may turn to features of the question (see Schwarz [1996, chap. 5]; Sudman, Bradburn, and Schwarz [1996, chap. 3], for reviews). In the case of filter questions ("Did you experience X? "), asking whether or not a crime has been experienced during the reference period acknowledges that no relevant instances may have occurred, thus conveying that the researcher is interested in relatively rare events. In most domains, however, rare events are more extreme and serious than frequent events (see Schwarz et al. 1988). In contrast, a direct-frequency question of the type, "How often have you experienced X? " conveys that most people are likely to experience X in the respective time period, suggesting that the
Hyperhomocysteinemia Promotes Insulin Resistance by Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Adipose Tissue*

Background: ER stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, and HHcy induces insulin resistance in adipose tissue. Results: Hcy induced ER stress markers in adipose tissue both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: HHcy inhibited adipose insulin sensitivity by inducing ER stress, promoting proinflammatory cytokine production, and facilitating macrophage infiltration. Significance: This work reveals a new mechanism of HHcy-induced insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic inflammatory metabolic disease, the key point being insulin resistance. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Previously, we found that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) induced insulin resistance in adipose tissue. Here, we hypothesized that HHcy induces ER stress, which in turn promotes insulin resistance. In the present study, the direct effect of Hcy on adipose ER stress was investigated by the use of primary rat adipocytes in vitro and mice with HHcy in vivo. The mechanism and the effect of G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) were also investigated. We found that phosphorylation or expression of variant ER stress markers was elevated in adipose tissue of HHcy mice. HHcy activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), the downstream signal of ER stress in adipose tissue, and activated JNK participated in insulin resistance by inhibiting Akt activation. Furthermore, JNK activated c-Jun and p65, which in turn triggered the transcription of proinflammatory cytokines. Both in vivo and in vitro assays revealed that Hcy-promoted macrophage infiltration aggravated ER stress in adipose tissue. Chemical chaperones PBA and TUDCA could reverse Hcy-induced inflammation and restore insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and Akt activation. Activation of GPR120 reversed Hcy-induced JNK activation and prevented inflammation but not ER stress. Therefore, HHcy inhibited insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue by inducing ER stress, activating JNK to promote proinflammatory cytokine production and facilitating macrophage infiltration. These findings reveal a new mechanism of HHcy in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.
Star Formation, Supernova Feedback, and the Angular Momentum Problem in Numerical Cold Dark Matter Cosmogony: Halfway There?

We present a smoothed particle hydrodynamic simulation that reproduces a galaxy that is a moderate facsimile of those observed. The primary failing point of previous simulations of disk formation, namely, excessive transport of angular momentum from gas to dark matter, is ameliorated by the inclusion of a supernova feedback algorithm that allows energy to persist in the model interstellar medium for a period corresponding to the lifetime of stellar associations. The inclusion of feedback leads to a disk at a redshift z = 0.52, with a specific angular momentum content within 10% of the value required to fit observations. An exponential fit to the disk baryon surface density gives a scale length within 17% of the theoretical value. Runs without feedback, with or without star formation, exhibit the drastic angular momentum transport observed elsewhere.
Field experiments and methodological intolerance

The popularity of field experiments that utilize some form of random evaluation seems to be correlated with increased methodological intolerance. Since correlation is not causation, it may be useful to examine what this intolerance is, why it seems to have developed and how it can be defused. The intolerance takes at least four, related forms. First, there is an identification of the notion of an experiment with the use of some randomization. This is actually just a simple semantic confusion, but colors debate on many other issues. Second, there is an aggressive disconnect from theory, whether it be economic theory or econometric theory. Third, there is unquestioned worship to a narrow concept of causality defined solely in terms of things that can be directly observed. Finally, there is a dismissal of the role of laboratory experiments. I argue against all the four positions.
Detection via Recurrent Neural Networks

Author detection or author attribution is an important field in NLP that enables us to verify the authorship of papers or novels and allows us to identify anonymous authors. In our approach to this classic problem, we attempt to classify a broad set of literary works by a large number of distinct authors using traditional and deep-learning techniques, including Multinomial Naive Bayes, linear SVMs, and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN).
Minimization of decomposable in U-shaped curves functions defined on poset chains - algorithms and applications

This article is an overview of the doctoral thesis defended by Marcelo S. Reis at the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics of University of São Paulo. His thesis features the U-curve optimization problem, which can be applied to model the classical feature selection problem in Pattern Recognition, and proves that this problem is NP-hard. Besides, the thesis presents three algorithms to tackle the U-curve problem, namely the UCS, UBB and PFS algorithms. Finally, it provides theoretical and experimental evaluation of these three algorithms, from optimal and sub-optimal experiments on simulated and real-world data. This overview summarizes the objectives of the thesis and lists its main contributions.