Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glucose Tolerant ” OR “ Glucose Tolerance ” OR “ Glucose Intolerant ” OR “ Glucose Intolerance ” OR “ Insulin Resistant ” OR “ Insulin Resistance ” OR “ Metabolic Syndrome ” or “ Syndrome X ” )

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Ltd, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Ltd. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress. com/permissions.php Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy 2013:6 347–357 Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy Dovepress
New Targets for Old Drugs: Cardiac Glycosides Inhibit Atrial-Specific K2P3.1 (TASK-1) Channels

Cardiac glycosides have been used in the treatment of arrhythmias for more than 200 years. Two-pore-domain (K2P) potassium channels regulate cardiac action potential repolarization. Recently, K2P3.1 [tandem of P domains in a weak inward rectifying K+ channel (TWIK)–related acid-sensitive K+ channel (TASK)-1] has been implicated in atrial fibrillation pathophysiology and was suggested as an atrial-selective antiarrhythmic drug target. We hypothesized that blockade of cardiac K2P channels contributes to the mechanism of action of digitoxin and digoxin. All functional human K2P channels were screened for interactions with cardiac glycosides. Human K2P channel subunits were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and voltage clamp electrophysiology was used to record K+ currents. Digitoxin significantly inhibited K2P3.1 and K2P16.1 channels. By contrast, digoxin displayed isolated inhibitory effects on K2P3.1. K2P3.1 outward currents were reduced by 80% (digitoxin, 1 Hz) and 78% (digoxin, 1 Hz). Digitoxin inhibited K2P3.1 currents with an IC50 value of 7.4 µM. Outward rectification properties of the channel were not affected. Mutagenesis studies revealed that amino acid residues located at the cytoplasmic site of the K2P3.1 channel pore form parts of a molecular binding site for cardiac glycosides. In conclusion, cardiac glycosides target human K2P channels. The antiarrhythmic significance of repolarizing atrial K2P3.1 current block by digoxin and digitoxin requires validation in translational and clinical studies.
Identification of genes related to consecutive trauma-induced sepsis via gene expression profiling analysis

Abstract We aimed to identify crucial genes relevant to the development of consecutive trauma-induced sepsis. A microarray dataset was used to identify genes differentially expressed between peripheral blood samples from consecutive traumatized patients complicated with sepsis and not complicated with sepsis. The dataset GSE12624 was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus, containing 34 peripheral blood samples from consecutive traumatized patients complicated by sepsis and 36 consecutive traumatized controls. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using Linear Models for Microarray Data package. Then, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis for DEGs was performed by Onto-Express. Subsequently, the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and pathway enrichment analysis was performed by Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING). Furthermore, protein complexes in the PPI network were predicted by ClusterONE and validated through GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses, and protein domain analysis. Totally, 446 upregulated and 447 downregulated DEGs were identified. Some DEGs were related to acyl-CoA binding (eg, ACBD6), chromosome, and centromeric region (eg, CENPN). In the PPI network, some DEGs were enriched in renin-angiotensin system (RAS, eg, AGTR1 and AGTR2). Three predicted protein complexes were validated in the PPI network. Some genes composing protein complex A were associated with cell proliferation (eg, CDC20, CCNB1, MCM4, RPA2, and PRIM2), and several genes composing protein complex F were implicated in regulation of actin cytoskeleton (eg, PFN2, ARPC2, and WASL). The results suggest that those DEGs may be crucial in the etiology of consecutive trauma-induced sepsis, and they are expected to be therapeutic targets.
Chopped Symbolic Execution

Symbolic execution is a powerful program analysis technique that systematically explores multiple program paths. However, despite important technical advances, symbolic execution often struggles to reach deep parts of the code due to the well-known path explosion problem and constraint solving limitations. In this paper, we propose chopped symbolic execution, a novel form of symbolic execution that allows users to specify uninter-esting parts of the code to exclude during the analysis, thus only targeting the exploration to paths of importance. However, the excluded parts are not summarily ignored, as this may lead to both false positives and false negatives. Instead, they are executed lazily, when their effect may be observable by code under anal-ysis. Chopped symbolic execution leverages various on-demand static analyses at runtime to automatically exclude code fragments while resolving their side effects, thus avoiding expensive manual annotations and imprecision. Our preliminary results show that the approach can effectively improve the effectiveness of symbolic execution in several different scenarios, including failure reproduction and test suite augmentation.
Multi‐satellite measurements of large diurnal warming events

Diurnal warming events between 5 and 7 K, spatially coherent over large areas (∼1000 km), are observed in independent satellite measurements of ocean surface temperature. The majority of the large events occurred in the extra‐tropics. Given sufficient heating (from solar radiation), the location and magnitude of these events appears to be primarily determined by large‐scale wind patterns. The amplitude of the measured diurnal heating scales inversely with the spatial resolution of the different sensors used in this study. These results indicate that predictions of peak diurnal warming using wind speeds with a 25 km spatial resolution available from satellite sensors and those with 50–100 km resolution from Numerical Weather Prediction models may have underestimated warming. Thus, the use of these winds in modeling diurnal effects will be limited in accuracy by both the temporal and spatial resolution of the wind fields.
Market fluctuations Explained by dividends and Investor Networks

The inability of investors and academics to consistently predict, and understand the behavior of financial markets has forced the search for alternative analytical frameworks. Analyzing financial markets as complex systems is a framework that has demonstrated great promises, with the use of agent-based models (ABMs) and the inclusion of network science playing an important role in increasing the relevance of the framework. Using an artificial stock market created via an ABM, this paper provides a significant insight into the mechanisms that drive the returns in financial markets, including periods of elevated prices and excess volatility. The paper demonstrates that the network topology that investors form and the dividend policy of firms significantly affect the behavior of the market. However, if investors have a bias to following their neighbors then the topology becomes redundant. By successfully addressing these issues this paper helps refine and shape a variety of additional research tasks for the use of ABMs in uncovering the dynamics of financial markets.
Perception Enhancement for Bionic Vision - Preliminary Study on Object Classification with Subretinal Implants

The restored vision by using subretinal implants of patients suffering from a loss of photoreceptors, e.g., in retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, is, compared to healthy subjects, very limited. Therefore, we investigated, whether it is possible to enhance the perception of such patients by transforming the input images in a systematic manner. To this end, we propose a new image transformation network that is capable to learn plausible image transformations in an end-to-end fashion in order to enhance the perception of (virtual) patients with simulated subretinal implants. As a proof of concept, we test our method on an object classification task with three classes. Our results are promising. Compared to a baseline model, the overall object classification accuracy increased significantly from 67.4% to 81.1%. Furthermore, we discuss implications and limitations of our proof of concept and outline aspects of our work that can be improved and need to be subject of further research.
Postsynaptic BDNF‐TrkB signaling in synapse maturation, plasticity, and disease

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a prototypic neurotrophin that regulates diverse developmental events from the selection of neural progenitors to the terminal dendritic differentiation and connectivity of neurons. We focus here on activity‐dependent synaptic regulation by BDNF and its receptor, full length TrkB. BDNF‐TrkB signaling is involved in transcription, translation, and trafficking of proteins during various phases of synaptic development and has been implicated in several forms of synaptic plasticity. These functions are carried out by a combination of the three signaling cascades triggered when BDNF binds TrkB: The mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), the phospholipase Cγ (PLC PLCγ), and the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathways. MAPK and PI3K play crucial roles in both translation and/or trafficking of proteins induced by synaptic activity, whereas PLCγ regulates intracellular Ca2+ that can drive transcription via cyclic AMP and a protein kinase C. Conversely, the abnormal regulation of BDNF is implicated in various developmental and neurodegenerative diseases that perturb neural development and function. We will discuss the current state of understanding BDNF signaling in the context of synaptic development and plasticity with a focus on the postsynaptic cell and close with the evidence that basic mechanisms of BDNF function still need to be understood to effectively treat genetic disruptions of these pathways that cause devastating neurodevelopmental diseases. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010
Boundaries innovation through knowledge convergence-developing triad strategic communities

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the process of implementing a micro innovation strategy for the development of the company’s mainstay business at present (incremental innovation) and a future growth strategy (radical innovation) in an age when there are dramatic changes in the environment and the future is hard to predict from the perspective of boundaries innovation that the company should implement based on the creation of boundaries knowledge and convergence knowledge. To implement knowledge convergence processes, outstanding companies dynamically establish various project teams and diverse mixed teams, which are strategic communities, as well as network organisations that integrate these teams and continually generate new boundaries innovation. The paper presents a theoretical framework, a detailed case study, and new insights regarding combination of exploration and exploitation through triadic strategic community formations for boundaries innovation strategies where dynamic strategic communities that overcome and transcend various boundaries create boundaries knowledge from various different types of knowledge and dynamically converge these different types of knowledge to create new convergence knowledge (such as the development of new products and services and the development of new business models, etc.).
Image Correction via Deep Reciprocating HDR Transformation

Image correction aims to adjust an input image into a visually pleasing one. Existing approaches are proposed mainly from the perspective of image pixel manipulation. They are not effective to recover the details in the under/over exposed regions. In this paper, we revisit the image formation procedure and notice that the missing details in these regions exist in the corresponding high dynamic range (HDR) data. These details are well perceived by the human eyes but diminished in the low dynamic range (LDR) domain because of the tone mapping process. Therefore, we formulate the image correction task as an HDR transformation process and propose a novel approach called Deep Reciprocating HDR Transformation (DRHT). Given an input LDR image, we first reconstruct the missing details in the HDR domain. We then perform tone mapping on the predicted HDR data to generate the output LDR image with the recovered details. To this end, we propose a united framework consisting of two CNNs for HDR reconstruction and tone mapping. They are integrated end-to-end for joint training and prediction. Experiments on the standard benchmarks demonstrate that the proposed method performs favorably against state-of-the-art image correction methods.
Brain PET substrate of impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease: A metabolic connectivity study

Impulse control disorders (ICDs) have received increased attention in Parkinson's disease (PD) because of potentially dramatic consequences. Their physiopathology, however, remains incompletely understood. An overstimulation of the mesocorticolimbic system has been reported, while a larger network has recently been suggested. The aim of this study is to specifically describe the metabolic PET substrate and related connectivity changes in PD patients with ICDs. Eighteen PD patients with ICDs and 18 PD patients without ICDs were evaluated using cerebral 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. SPM‐T maps comparisons were performed between groups and metabolic connectivity was evaluated by interregional correlation analysis (IRCA; p < .005, uncorrected; k > 130) and by graph theory (p < .05). PD patients with ICDs had relative increased metabolism in the right middle and inferior temporal gyri compared to those without ICDs. The connectivity of this area was increased mostly with the mesocorticolimbic system, positively with the orbitofrontal region, and negatively with both the right parahippocampus and the left caudate (IRCA). Moreover, the betweenness centrality of this area with the mesocorticolimbic system was lost in patients with ICDs (graph analysis). ICDs are associated in PD with the dysfunction of a network exceeding the mesocorticolimbic system, and especially the caudate, the parahippocampus, and the orbitofrontal cortex, remotely including the right middle and inferior temporal gyri. This latest area loses its central place with the mesocorticolimbic system through a connectivity dysregulation.
A phenomenology of informal caregiving for HIV/AIDS in India: Exploring women's search for authoritative knowledge, self-efficacy and resilience

ABSTRACT Women provide informal caregiving across the world and are often expected to provide care even when ailing themselves. We explore the lived experience of 33 impoverished married Indian women living with HIV and caring for their husbands and/or children living with HIV. Drawing on concepts of authoritative knowledge (AK), self-efficacy and resilience, we found a trajectory that reveals barriers to accessing care, yet we also found that women developed strengths and resiliency. Women gather information, develop “environ-info,” and deliberatively weigh AK from health workers, family/friends' advice, and their own experiences. Over multiple iterations of this process, they build self-reliance and resilience.
The Effects of Avatars' Age on Older Adults' Self-Disclosure and Trust

Older adults are increasingly interacting with other people online via virtual avatars, yet little is known about how avatars affect older adults' behavior. This study examines how interacting avatars' age affects older adult's self-disclosure and trust in a relation-building context. Previous studies have found that users can take on behaviors consistent with characteristics of the avatars. In social interactions, people also assess their avatar in relation to other avatars for similarity or differences. We conducted a 2 (self-avatar: old vs. young) × 2 (other's avatar: old vs. young) experiment with older-adult participants aged 60+ (n = 95). The findings show that using younger avatars did not increase self-disclosure. However, the older-adult participants disclosed more information when their avatar's age matched their partner avatar's age (i.e., old to old, young to young). They also trust their partners more when the interacting avatars shared similar age. This study provides theoretical insights into the role of avatars in online relationship-building and extends our understanding of the avatar effects on older adults.
Instrumented Static and Dynamic Balance Assessment after Stroke Using Wii Balance Boards: Reliability and Association with Clinical Tests

Background and Objectives The Wii Balance Board (WBB) is a globally accessible device that shows promise as a clinically useful balance assessment tool. Although the WBB has been found to be comparable to a laboratory-grade force platform for obtaining centre of pressure data, it has not been comprehensively studied in clinical populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the measurement properties of tests utilising the WBB in people after stroke. Methods Thirty individuals who were more than three months post-stroke and able to stand unsupported were recruited from a single outpatient rehabilitation facility. Participants performed standardised assessments incorporating the WBB and customised software (static stance with eyes open and closed, static weight-bearing asymmetry, dynamic mediolateral weight shifting and dynamic sit-to-stand) in addition to commonly employed clinical tests (10 Metre Walk Test, Timed Up and Go, Step Test and Functional Reach) on two testing occasions one week apart. Test-retest reliability and construct validity of the WBB tests were investigated. Results All WBB-based outcomes were found to be highly reliable between testing occasions (ICC = 0.82 to 0.98). Correlations were poor to moderate between WBB variables and clinical tests, with the strongest associations observed between task-related activities, such as WBB mediolateral weight shifting and the Step Test. Conclusions The WBB, used with customised software, is a reliable and potentially useful tool for the assessment of balance and weight-bearing asymmetry following stroke. Future research is recommended to further investigate validity and responsiveness.
A People-as-Means Approach to Interpersonal Relationships

Interpersonal relationships and goal pursuit are intimately interconnected. In the present article, we present a people-as-means perspective on relationships. According to this perspective, people serve as means to goals—helping other people to reach their goals in a variety of ways, such as by contributing their time; lending their knowledge, skills, and resources; and providing emotional support and encouragement. Because people serve as means to goals, we propose that considering relationship processes in terms of the principles of goal pursuit can provide novel and important insights into the ways that people think, feel, and behave in these interpersonal contexts. We describe the principles of means-goals relations, review evidence for each principle involving people as means, and discuss implications of our approach for relationship formation, maintenance, and dissolution.
Esaim: Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Analysis a Roe-type Scheme for Two-phase Shallow Granular Flows over Variable Topography

We study a depth-averaged model of gravity-driven flows made of solid grains and fluid, moving over variable basal surface. In particular, we are interested in applications to geophysical flows such as avalanches and debris flows, which typically contain both solid material and interstitial fluid. The model system consists of mass and momentum balance equations for the solid and fluid components, coupled together by both conservative and non-conservative terms involving the derivatives of the unknowns, and by interphase drag source terms. The system is hyperbolic at least when the difference between solid and fluid velocities is sufficiently small. We solve numerically the one-dimensional model equations by a high-resolution finite volume scheme based on a Roe-type Riemann solver. Well-balancing of topography source terms is obtained via a technique that includes these contributions into the wave structure of the Riemann solution. We present and discuss several numerical experiments, including problems of perturbed steady flows over non-flat bottom surface that show the efficient modeling of disturbances of equilibrium conditions.
INFLUENCE OF WETTING-DRYING CYCLES ON HEAVE BEHAVIOUR OF FIBER-REINFORCED EXPANSIVE SOIL SPECIMENS

This paper is an experimental study on heave behaviour of fiber-reinforced remoulded expansive soil specimens subjected to wetting and drying cycles. Nylon fibers of length 15mm were used as random reinforcing inclusions in the samples. The diameter and thickness of the samples were kept constant at 100 mm and 33.33 mm (arbitrarily chosen). The samples were subjected to three cycles of wetting and drying for respective time periods of 10 days and 30 days. With increasing number of cycles of wetting and drying, swelling or heave decreased. The fibre content (fc) was increased as 0%, 1% and 2%.
In Vitro and In Vivo Osteogenic Activity of Titanium Implants Coated by Pulsed Laser Deposition with a Thin Film of Fluoridated Hydroxyapatite

To enhance biocompatibility, osteogenesis, and osseointegration, we coated titanium implants, by krypton fluoride (KrF) pulsed laser deposition, with a thin film of fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA). Coating was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM), while physicochemical properties were evaluated by attenuated reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Calcium deposition, osteocalcin production, and expression of osteoblast genes were significantly higher in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells seeded on FHA-coated titanium than in cells seeded on uncoated titanium. Implantation into rat femurs also showed that the FHA-coated material had superior osteoinductive and osseointegration activity in comparison with that of traditional implants, as assessed by microcomputed tomography and histology. Thus, titanium coated with FHA holds promise as a dental implant material.