Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current Advances in the Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis.

AC Autoimmune hepatitis has been recognized since the 1950s. Originally, it was described in young women with a phenotype that included obesity, acne, round facies, amenorrhea, and cirrhosis. When it was first recognized, autoimmune hepatitis was highly fatal; 50% of patients died within 3 years. Since that time, the diagnosis has been refined, in part due to the identification of serologic markers to exclude viral (eg, hepatitis A, B, and C infections), hereditary (eg, Wilson disease), and other immune conditions (eg, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis). Furthermore, drugs that can induce a clinical syndrome like autoimmune hepatitis are now recognized and properly monitored (eg, minocycline and diclofenac) or have been eliminated from clinical practice (eg, oxyphenisatin). Autoimmune hepatitis was initially called “lupoid hepatitis” because it shared serologic features with systemic lupus erythematosus and it was thought to evolve into that disease. This transition was subsequently discounted, and autoimmune hepatitis is now recognized as a valid subtype of chronic liver disease. It is characterized by major elevations of serum aminotransferase levels, hypergammaglobulinemia, interface hepatitis on histological examination, and autoantibodies. Interface hepatitis is the hallmark of the disease, and the presence of plasma cells within the inflammatory infiltrate strengthens the diagnosis (Figure 1). Panacinar (lobular) hepatitis and even centrilobular zone 3 necrosis have also been included in the histological spectrum. Diagnostic criteria have been codified to emphasize these aspects and to indicate its hepatitic rather than cholestatic nature. G&H What are some of the markers that have been identified?
Using role-based control to produce locomotion in chain-type self-reconfigurable robots

This paper presents a role-based approach to the problem of controlling locomotion of chain-type self-reconfigurable robots. In role-based control, all modules are controlled by identical controllers. Each controller consists of several playable roles and a role-selection mechanism. A role represents the motion of a module and how it synchronizes with connected modules. A controller selects which role to play depending on the local configuration of the module and the roles being played by connected modules. We use role-based control to implement a sidewinder and a caterpillar gait in the CONRO self-reconfigurable robot. The robot is made from up to nine modules connected in a chain. We show that the locomotion speed of the caterpillar gait is constant even with loss of 75% of the communication signals. Furthermore, we show that the speed of the caterpillar gait decreases gracefully with a decreased number of modules. We also implement a quadruped gait and show that without changing the controller the robot can be extended with an extra pair of legs and produce a hexapod gait. Based on these experiments, we conclude that role-based control is robust to signal loss, scales with an increased number of modules, and is a simple approach to the control of locomotion of chain-type self-reconfigurable robots.
Exercise behaviour in ankylosing spondylitis

Background Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an incurable, fluctuating, long-term condition for which prescribed exercise is central to management. However, many people with AS do not undertake prescribed exercises, the reasons for which are poorly-understood. Aims The project sought to develop a grounded understanding of the exercise beliefs of people with AS, the exercise behaviours they adopt, and the decision making processes they undergo when choosing exercise behaviours. Design Adopting a constructivist approach, 23 semi-structured interviews and 7 focus groups were undertaken with people with AS in the North West of England. In-depth data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding to inform the development of a conceptual model of exercise behaviour in AS. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Key findings 48 people participated in interviews and focus groups, with a disease duration ranging from 6 months to 29 years, and age range 19-62 (mean age 44.8 years ) there were 37 men and II women. Participants described the need to predict and respond to a changing disease trajectory and utilised a number of informed strategies for long- and short-term exercise management. Participants described a process of ongoing appraisal of their AS status and used approaches similar to cost—benefit analyses to make decisions about exercise behaviour. In the context of the patient journey, four discrete exercise behaviours (no prescribed exercise, other exercise, two tier behaviour, prescribed exercise), and four responses to changing disease status (no behaviour change, transient change, goal oriented change, non exercise change) were identified. Some key determinants of exercise behaviour were also revealed. Conclusion This study has led to the grounding of participant perspectives on exercise in AS, rendering the proposed model both relevant and understandable to people with AS, and may have use in helping people understand and plan their future exercise behaviour in AS and forms a baseline for future study.
Does Experiential Avoidance Mediate the Relationship Between Gender Role Conflict and Psychological Distress?

Psychological inflexibility or experiential avoidance (EA) is an important construct in the understanding of psychological distress. Both EA and many forms of masculinity can be characterized by inflexibility in men’s responses to negative intrapersonal experiences. The current cross-sectional, community-based study investigated whether experiential avoidance mediated the relationship between gender role conflict (GRC) and psychological distress (PD). A total of 120 men (M = 35.63, SD = 12.22) completed an online questionnaire measuring key study variables. Results indicated that experiential avoidance significantly mediated the relationship between each of the four recognized patterns of GRC and PD. These findings suggest that EA may be a potential mechanism through which GRC is associated with PD.
THE RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF KOREAN CONNERS PARENT AND TEACHER RATING SCALE

Objectives：The Purpose of this study is to investigate the reliability and validity of Korean Parent and Teacher Conners' Rating Scale. Methods：Randomly selected 1st to 6th graders of the two elementary schools(N=1044) in Anyang City participated in the study. Children diagnosed with ADHD(N=23) at the child and adolescent clinic at a university affiliated hospital were included in the study for the analysis of clinical validity of the scales. Parent and teacher completed Korean Conners' Rating Scale and Korean-ADHD Rating Scale(KARS). In addition, parents completed Korean-Children Behavior CheckList(K-CBCL). Descriptive statistics, t-test, and analysis of variance were performed. Results：Scores of Korean Conners' Parents Rating Scale were significantly correlated with those of Korean Conners Teacher Rating Scale. High internal consistency reliability were demonstrated in both parent and teacher rating scales. There were significant correlations among sub-scales of Conners' Rating Scales, K-CBCL and K-ARS. Factor analyses revealed that the K-CTRS had three-factor structure (Inattention-Passivity, Hyperactivity, Conduct Problem) and the K-CPRS had five-factor structure(Impulsive-Hyperactive, Conduct Problem I, Anxiety, Psychosomatic, Conduct Problem II). Conners' Rating Scales effectively distinguish children with ADHD from children without ADHD. Conclusion：Korean Parent and Teacher Conners' Rating Scales are valid and reliable instruments that are useful for screening and identifying childhood problem behaviors. Future studies are required with a larger number of sample sizes including adolescents from various geographic regions.
Stationary States and Asymptotic Behavior of Aggregation Models with Nonlinear Local Repulsion

We consider a continuum aggregation model with nonlinear local repulsion given by a degenerate power-law diffusion with general exponent. The steady states and their properties in one dimension are studied both analytically and numerically, suggesting that the quadratic diffusion is a critical case. The focus is on finite-size, monotone, and compactly supported equilibria. We also numerically investigate the long time asymptotics of the model by simulations of the evolution equation. Issues such as metastability and local/global stability are studied in connection to the gradient flow formulation of the model.
Future of power semiconductors

A brief history of power semiconductor devices, starting from its bipolar based origin to the present day IGBT Modules and intelligent power modules (IPMs), has been reviewed in the beginning of this paper. The review is then followed by an analysis of the changing requirements from the application fields and a projection of future growth for power semiconductors to comply with such needs. The paper particularly details the progresses made for near future options related to the IGBT chip technology, including a 'reverse-conducting type' and a 'reverse-blocking type' device concepts, and prospects of silicon carbide based power semiconductors for far future power conversion applications.
discussion papers FS IV 02 – 06 Multiplicative Background Risk

Multiplicative Background Risk by Günter Franke, Harris Schlesinger, Richard C. Stapleton We consider random wealth of the multiplicative form x ỹ, where x and ỹ are statistically independent random variables. We assume that x  is endogenous to the economic agent, but that ỹ is an exogenous and uninsurable background risk. Our main focus is on how the randomness of ỹ affects risk-taking behavior for decisions on the choice of x. We characterize conditions on preferences that lead to more cautious behavior. We also develop the concept of the affiliated utility function, which we define as the composition of the underlying utility function and the exponential function. This allows us to adapt several results for additive background risk to the multiplicative case.
Lead-free potassium sodium niobate piezoceramics for high-power ultrasonic cutting application: Modelling and prototyping

The motivation of this study was design, fabrication and characterization of bolt-clamped Langevin type transducers (BLT) from lead-free K0.5Na0. 5NbO3 (KNN) based piezoceramics for high-power ultrasonic cutting applications. Hard and lead-free KNN piezoceramics was obtained by adding K4CuNb8O23 (KCN) together with ZnO and SnO2. Densification and high-power characteristics of KNN-KCN piezoceramics were enhanced in the presence of ZnO and SnO2. BLTs made from hard PZT4 (commercial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) or Zn,Sn co-doped KNN-KCN piezoceramic rings (KNN-KCN-ZnSn) were modelled through ATILA finite element analysis software package. Simulated and experimentally measured impedance spectra, resonance modes and harmonic analysis results of BLTs were compared with each other. Longitudinal vibration displacement at the tip of the horns of BLTs at approximately 30 kHz was measured via photonic sensor device to compare their performances. At the end, based on the simulation and experimental results, a prototype ultrasonic cutting device was fabricated from lead-free KNN-KCN-ZnSn piezoceramic rings. Its cutting action on both plastic and ceramic materials was demonstrated for the first time. In summary, it was found that a hard KNN-KCN based lead-free piezoceramics were good potential replacements for their lead-based counterparts for commercial high-power BLT applications.
Combined pharmacotherapies and behavioral interventions for alcohol dependence: the COMBINE study: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Alcohol dependence treatment may include medications, behavioral therapies, or both. It is unknown how combining these treatments may impact their effectiveness, especially in the context of primary care and other nonspecialty settings. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of medication, behavioral therapies, and their combinations for treatment of alcohol dependence and to evaluate placebo effect on overall outcome. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized controlled trial conducted January 2001-January 2004 among 1383 recently alcohol-abstinent volunteers (median age, 44 years) from 11 US academic sites with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, diagnoses of primary alcohol dependence. INTERVENTIONS Eight groups of patients received medical management with 16 weeks of naltrexone (100 mg/d) or acamprosate (3 g/d), both, and/or both placebos, with or without a combined behavioral intervention (CBI). A ninth group received CBI only (no pills). Patients were also evaluated for up to 1 year after treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Percent days abstinent from alcohol and time to first heavy drinking day. RESULTS All groups showed substantial reduction in drinking. During treatment, patients receiving naltrexone plus medical management (n = 302), CBI plus medical management and placebos (n = 305), or both naltrexone and CBI plus medical management (n = 309) had higher percent days abstinent (80.6, 79.2, and 77.1, respectively) than the 75.1 in those receiving placebos and medical management only (n = 305), a significant naltrexone x behavioral intervention interaction (P = .009). Naltrexone also reduced risk of a heavy drinking day (hazard ratio, 0.72; 97.5% CI, 0.53-0.98; P = .02) over time, most evident in those receiving medical management but not CBI. Acamprosate showed no significant effect on drinking vs placebo, either by itself or with any combination of naltrexone, CBI, or both. During treatment, those receiving CBI without pills or medical management (n = 157) had lower percent days abstinent (66.6) than those receiving placebo plus medical management alone (n = 153) or placebo plus medical management and CBI (n = 156) (73.8 and 79.8, respectively; P<.001). One year after treatment, these between-group effects were similar but no longer significant. CONCLUSIONS Patients receiving medical management with naltrexone, CBI, or both fared better on drinking outcomes, whereas acamprosate showed no evidence of efficacy, with or without CBI. No combination produced better efficacy than naltrexone or CBI alone in the presence of medical management. Placebo pills and meeting with a health care professional had a positive effect above that of CBI during treatment. Naltrexone with medical management could be delivered in health care settings, thus serving alcohol-dependent patients who might otherwise not receive treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00006206.
The maize (Zea mays L.) roothairless3 gene encodes a putative GPI-anchored, monocot-specific, COBRA-like protein that significantly affects grain yield

Summary The rth3 (roothairless 3) mutant is specifically affected in root hair elongation. We report here the cloning of the rth3 gene via a PCR-based strategy (amplification of insertion mutagenized sites) and demonstrate that it encodes a COBRA-like protein that displays all the structural features of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. Genes of the COBRA family are involved in various types of cell expansion and cell wall biosynthesis. The rth3 gene belongs to a monocot-specific clade of the COBRA gene family comprising two maize and two rice genes. While the rice (Oryza sativa) gene OsBC1L1 appears to be orthologous to rth3 based on sequence similarity (86% identity at the protein level) and maize/rice synteny, the maize (Zea mays L.) rth3-like gene does not appear to be a functional homolog of rth3 based on their distinct expression profiles. Massively parallel signature sequencing analysis detected rth3 expression in all analyzed tissues, but at relatively low levels, with the most abundant expression in primary roots where the root hair phenotype is manifested. In situ hybridization experiments confine rth3 expression to root hair-forming epidermal cells and lateral root primordia. Remarkably, in replicated field trials involving near-isogenic lines, the rth3 mutant conferred significant losses in grain yield.
Tribute to P. L. Lutz: putting life on `pause' – molecular regulation of hypometabolism

SUMMARY Entry into a hypometabolic state is an important survival strategy for many organisms when challenged by environmental stress, including low oxygen, cold temperatures and lack of food or water. The molecular mechanisms that regulate transitions to and from hypometabolic states, and stabilize long-term viability during dormancy, are proving to be highly conserved across phylogenic lines. A number of these mechanisms were identified and explored using anoxia-tolerant turtles as the model system, particularly from the research contributions made by Dr Peter L. Lutz in his explorations of the mechanisms of neuronal suppression in anoxic brain. Here we review some recent advances in understanding the biochemical mechanisms of metabolic arrest with a focus on ideas such as the strategies used to reorganize metabolic priorities for ATP expenditure, molecular controls that suppress cell functions (e.g. ion pumping, transcription, translation, cell cycle arrest), changes in gene expression that support hypometabolism, and enhancement of defense mechanisms (e.g. antioxidants, chaperone proteins, protease inhibitors) that stabilize macromolecules and promote long-term viability in the hypometabolic state.
Characterization of Mammalian Sulfiredoxin and Its Reactivation of Hyperoxidized Peroxiredoxin through Reduction of Cysteine Sulfinic Acid in the Active Site to Cysteine*

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a family of peroxidases that reduce hydroperoxides. The cysteine residue in the active site of certain eukaryotic Prx enzymes undergoes reversible oxidation to sulfinic acid (Cys-SO2H) during catalysis, and sulfiredoxin (Srx) has been identified as responsible for reversal of the resulting enzyme inactivation in yeast. We have now characterized mammalian orthologs of yeast Srx with an assay based on monitoring of the reduction of sulfinic Prx by immunoblot analysis with antibodies specific for the sulfinic state. Sulfinic reduction by mammalian Srx was found to be a slow process (kcat = 0.18/min) that requires ATP hydrolysis. ATP could be efficiently replaced by GTP, dATP, or dGTP but not by CTP, UTP, dCTP, or dTTP. Both glutathione and thioredoxin are potential physiological electron donors for the Srx reaction, given that their Km values (1.8 mm and 1.2 μm, respectively) are in the range of their intracellular concentrations, and the Vmax values obtained with the two reductants were similar. Although its pKa is relatively low (∼7.3), the active site cysteine of Srx remained reduced even when the active site cysteine of most Prx molecules became oxidized. Finally, depletion of human Srx by RNA interference suggested that Srx is largely responsible for reduction of the Cys-SO2H of Prx in A549 human cells.
Energy-efficient Scalable Self-organizing Routing for Wireless Mobile Networks

The instant deployment without relying on an existing infrastructure makes the mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) an attractive choice for many dynamic situations. An efficient MANET protocol may be applied to other important emerging wireless technologies such as wireless mesh and sensor networks. This chapter proposes a hierarchical routing scheme that is scalable, energy-efficient, and self-organizing. This chapter presents a new algorithm: the Dynamic Leader Set Generation (DLSG). This algorithm dynamically selects leader nodes based on traffic demand, locality, and residual energy level, and deselects them based on residual energy. Therefore, energy consumption and traffic load are distributed throughout the network. The network also reorganizes itself surrounding the dynamically selected leader nodes. Time, space, and message complexities are formally analyzed; implementation issues are also addressed. Incorporating the IEEE 802.11 medium access control mechanism including the power saving mode, performance evaluation is carried out by simulating DLSG and four existing hierarchical routing algorithms. It shows that DLSG successfully extends network lifetime by 20-50% while achieves a comparable level of network performance.
NGF Inhibits M/KCNQ Currents and Selectively Alters Neuronal Excitability in Subsets of Sympathetic Neurons Depending on their M/KCNQ Current Background

M/KCNQ currents play a critical role in the determination of neuronal excitability. Many neurotransmitters and peptides modulate M/KCNQ current and neuronal excitability through their G protein–coupled receptors. Nerve growth factor (NGF) activates its receptor, a member of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) superfamily, and crucially modulates neuronal cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. In this study, we studied the effect of NGF on the neuronal (rat superior cervical ganglion, SCG) M/KCNQ currents and excitability. As reported before, subpopulation SCG neurons with distinct firing properties could be classified into tonic, phasic-1, and phasic-2 neurons. NGF inhibited M/KCNQ currents by similar proportion in all three classes of SCG neurons but increased the excitability only significantly in tonic SCG neurons. The effect of NGF on excitability correlated with a smaller M-current density in tonic neurons. The present study indicates that NGF is an M/KCNQ channel modulator and the characteristic modulation of the neuronal excitability by NGF may have important physiological implications.
Ambiguity Aversion and the Preference for Established Brands

We propose that ambiguity aversion, as introduced in the literature on decision making under uncertainty, drives a preference for established brands in multiattribute choices among branded alternatives. Established brands are those for which belief in quality is held with greater confidence, even if specific attributes might be inferior to those of competing, less-established brands. In five experiments, we examine the role of ambiguity aversion in the preference for dominated, established brands. We first show a correlation between ambiguity aversion (revealed through choices among monetary lotteries) and the preference for established brands. We then show that the preference for established brands is enhanced when ambiguity aversion is made more salient in unrelated preceding lottery choices. Thus, ambiguity aversion carries across choices. In addition, ambiguity aversion and the preference for established brands are both enhanced when subjects anticipate that others will evaluate their lottery choices. Finally, ambiguous information about brand attributes tends to increase the preference for established brands.
The Aging Cardiomyocyte: A Mini-Review

Background: Aging per se is a risk factor for reduced cardiac function and heart diseases, even when adjusted for aging-associated cardiovascular risk factors. Accordingly, aging-related biochemical and cell-biological changes lead to pathophysiological conditions, especially reduced heart function and heart disease. Objective: In this review, we summarize the changes that occur as the heart ages from youth to old age on the basis of the cardiac myocyte. Aging phenotypes and underlying mechanisms shall be discussed that affect cardiomyocyte repair, signaling, structure, and function. Methods: Review of the literature. Results: The following factors play vital roles in the aging of cardiomyocytes: oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular protection and repair, telomere integrity, survival and death, metabolism, post-translational modifications, and altered gene expression. Importantly, non-cardiomyocyte-based aging processes (vascular, fibroblast, extracellular matrix, etc.) in the heart will interfere with cardiomyocyte aging and cardiac function. Conclusion: Based on our analyses, we postulate that the physiological aging process of the heart and of the cardiomyocyte is primarily driven by intrinsic aging factors. However, extrinsic aging factors, e.g. smoking, also make an important contribution to pathologically accelerated aging of the heart.