Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex‐role reversal is reflected in the brain of African black coucals (Centropus grillii)

In most bird species males compete over access to females and have elevated circulating androgen levels when they establish and defend a breeding territory or guard a mate. Testosterone is involved in the regulation of territorial aggression and sexual display in males. In few bird species the traditional sex‐roles are reversed and females are highly aggressive and compete over access to males. Such species represent excellent models to study the hormonal modulation of aggressive behavior in females. Plasma sex steroid concentrations in sex‐role reversed species follow the patterns of birds with “traditional” sex‐roles. The neural mechanisms modulating endocrine secretion and hormone–behavior interactions in sex‐role reversed birds are currently unknown. We investigated the sex differences in the mRNA expression of androgen receptors, estrogen receptor α, and aromatase in two brain nuclei involved in reproductive and aggressive behavior in the black coucal, the nucleus taeniae and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. In the bed nucleus there were no sex differences in the receptor or aromatase expression. In the nucleus taeniae, however, we show for the first time, that females have a higher mRNA expression of androgen receptors than males. These results suggest that the expression of agonistic and courtship behavior in females does not depend on elevated blood hormone levels, but may be regulated via increased steroid hormone sensitivity in particular target areas in the brain. Hence, aggression in females and males may indeed be modulated by the same hormones, but regulated at different levels of the neuroendocrine cascade. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007
Perspectives on adolescent alcohol use and consideration of future consequences: results from a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Consideration of future consequences (CFC) is described as the attention that individuals pay to the potential outcomes of their behaviour, and how their behaviour is affected as a result of attention to these outcomes. Greater CFC has been associated with less alcohol use, thus indicating its potential utility in health-promotion initiatives. A focus group methodology was employed with 13–14 year olds (N = 129) in 16 high schools in Northern Ireland and Scotland to attain their thoughts on how adolescents in general consider the future consequences of alcohol consumption; and to provide some clarity on the nature of CFC and whether it is singular or dichotomous in nature (i.e. do individuals distinguish between immediate and long-term consequences and are they influenced by these in different ways). The participants indicated that the majority of adolescents do not consider the consequences of alcohol consumption at all; while to a lesser extent, some adolescents consider the consequences but ignore them. If adolescents do refrain from alcohol, immediate consequences are more influential in their decision-making than long-term consequences. These findings should help to inform and guide the development and delivery of health-promotion initiatives, and provide some clarity about the nature of CFC and the manner in which the construct should be examined or utilised during future research.
User Adaptive Methods for Interactive Analysis of Document Databases

The currently available document retrieval tools are usually still based on simple keyword search meth- ods and according result list or a static (hierarchical) classification of the considered document collection. Both ap- proaches neither allow a user to adapt the ranking or the classification to his needs, nor provide visualization methods to support the user in browsing or analysing a document collection. In this article we give a brief overview of our work on user adaptive methods for searching and browsing in document collections.
The Physiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Their Future Therapeutic Potential

Voltage-gated calcium channels are required for many key functions in the body. In this review, the different subtypes of voltage-gated calcium channels are described and their physiologic roles and pharmacology are outlined. We describe the current uses of drugs interacting with the different calcium channel subtypes and subunits, as well as specific areas in which there is strong potential for future drug development. Current therapeutic agents include drugs targeting L-type CaV1.2 calcium channels, particularly 1,4-dihydropyridines, which are widely used in the treatment of hypertension. T-type (CaV3) channels are a target of ethosuximide, widely used in absence epilepsy. The auxiliary subunit α2δ-1 is the therapeutic target of the gabapentinoid drugs, which are of value in certain epilepsies and chronic neuropathic pain. The limited use of intrathecal ziconotide, a peptide blocker of N-type (CaV2.2) calcium channels, as a treatment of intractable pain, gives an indication that these channels represent excellent drug targets for various pain conditions. We describe how selectivity for different subtypes of calcium channels (e.g., CaV1.2 and CaV1.3 L-type channels) may be achieved in the future by exploiting differences between channel isoforms in terms of sequence and biophysical properties, variation in splicing in different target tissues, and differences in the properties of the target tissues themselves in terms of membrane potential or firing frequency. Thus, use-dependent blockers of the different isoforms could selectively block calcium channels in particular pathologies, such as nociceptive neurons in pain states or in epileptic brain circuits. Of important future potential are selective CaV1.3 blockers for neuropsychiatric diseases, neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease, and resistant hypertension. In addition, selective or nonselective T-type channel blockers are considered potential therapeutic targets in epilepsy, pain, obesity, sleep, and anxiety. Use-dependent N-type calcium channel blockers are likely to be of therapeutic use in chronic pain conditions. Thus, more selective calcium channel blockers hold promise for therapeutic intervention.
Serial Hypoxia Imaging With 99mTc-HL91 SPECT to Predict Radiotherapy Response in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between 99mTc-HL91 (99mTc labeled 4,9-diaza-3,3,10,10-tetramethyldodecan-2,11-dione dioxime) SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) hypoxia imaging and the treatment outcome and also to assess changes in tumor oxygenation during the course of radiotherapy. Methods:There were 32 patients enrolled in the study with pathologically proven nonsmall cell lung cancer that received 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. A 99mTc-HL91 SPECT scan was performed in all patients 1 or 2 days before radiotherapy and repeated during and after radiotherapy completion in 18 patients. The radioactivity ratios of tumor to normal tissue (T/N) were calculated. Results:The relationship between T/N ratios at 4 hours images after injection that was shown as the best of 3 acquired images before radiotherapy and tumor response and over survival were analyzed for all 32 patients. The results of 99mTc-HL91 imaging of 32 patients correlate well with tumor response (P = 0.002) and also patient survival (P = 0.043). The T/N ratios of 18 patients were decreased before, during and after radiotherapy and there was significant statistic difference (P = 0.000.). Conclusions:HL91 SPECT imaging identified the hypoxia status and changes during radiotherapy in lung cancer. It was confirmed that hypoxia imaging with HL91 SPECT before radiotherapy may predict tumor response and patient survival.
Novel NMDA receptor modulators: an update

Introduction: The NMDA receptor is a ligand-gated ion channel that plays a critical role in higher level brain processes and has been implicated in a range of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Although initial studies for the use of NMDA receptor antagonists in neuroprotection were unsuccessful, more recently, NMDA receptor antagonists have shown clinical promise in other indications such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, pain and depression. Based on the clinical observations and more recent insights into receptor pharmacology, new modulatory approaches are beginning to emerge, with potential therapeutic benefit. Areas covered: The article covers the known pharmacology and important features regarding NMDA receptors and their function. A discussion of pre-clinical and clinical relevance is included, as well. The subsequent patent literature review highlights the current state of the art targeting the receptor since the last review in 2010. Expert opinion: The complex nature of the NMDA receptor structure and function is becoming better understood. As knowledge about this receptor increases, it opens up new opportunities for targeting the receptor for many therapeutic indications. New strategies and advances in older technologies will need to be further developed before clinical success can be achieved. First-in-class potentiators and subunit-selective agents form the basis for most new strategies, complemented by efforts to limit off-target liability and fine-tune on-target properties.
A Matrix Approach for Association Mining

Association Mining, a class of data mining techniques, is one of the most researched field in data mining, where algorithms are designed to discover rules that reflect dependencies among values of an attribute. Because of the vast amounts of data that businesses store, most association mining algorithms are computationally expensive, where many passes over data are performed. Besides working on the sequential processing environment, the implementation of data mining ideas should consider parallel computing environments. In this paper, a new technique is presented to perform association mining based on the matrix approach. The new technique can be applied on the sequential and parallel environments. In the proposed technique, the data records are only scanned once to construct a frequency vector and a binary association matrix. Two algorithms, one for generating only maximal large item-sets and the other for generating all large item-sets, are presented. The number of disk accesses, CPU time, and memory space needed for generating large item-sets are O(n), O(N 2 ) , and O(N), respectively, where n is the number of input transactions, and N is the number of transaction groups.
Voice pathology detection in continuous speech using nonlinear dynamics

A novel methodology, based on the estimation of nonlinear dynamics features, is presented for automatic detection of pathologies in the phonatory system considering continuous speech records (text-dependent). The proposed automatic segmentation and characterization of the voice registers does not require the estimation of the pitch period, therefore it doesn't depend on the gender and intonation of the patients. A robust methodology for finding the features that better discriminate between healthy and pathological voices and also for analyzing the affinity among them is also presented. An average success rate of 95% ± 3.54% in the automatic detection of voice pathologies is achieved considering only six features. The results indicate that nonlinear dynamics is a good alternative for automatic detection of abnormal phonations in continuous speech.
Lebensstil und gesundheitsrelevantes Verhalten im Jugendalter

Subject of this contribution is the analysis of young people's health relevant behavior using a performance related lifestyle concept. Data basis are 608 adolescents between 15 and 18. It was possible to determine five dimensions from the captured health relevant behaviors and four lifestyle groups from the lifestyle features. The various health relevant behavioral repertoires during adolescence were partially proved by highly significant life style connections. These were made on the basis of socio-structural and socio-cultural embeddings, which characterize indivual experience and behavior.
SGI® UV2: A fused computation and data analysis machine

UV2 is SGI's second generation data fusion system. UV2 was designed to meet the latest challenges facing users in computation and data analysis. Its unique ability to perform both functions on a single platform enables efficient, easy to manage workflows. This platform has a hybrid infrastructure, leveraging the latest Intel® EP processors providing industry leading computational power. Due to its high bandwidth, extremely low latency NUMALink®6 (NL6) interconnect, plus vectorized synchronization and data movement, UV2 provides industry leading data intensive capability. It supports a single operating system (OS) image up to 64TB and 4K threads. Multiple OS images can be deployed on a single NL6 fabric, which has a single flat address space up to 8PB and 256K threads. These capabilities allow for extreme performance on a broad range of programming models and languages including OpenMP[1], MPI, UPC[2], CAF[3] and SHMEM. The architecture, implementation and performance of UV2 are detailed.
SOLVING THE SAILING PROBLEM WITH A NEW PRIORITIZED VALUE ITERATION

In this paper we tackle the sailing strategies problem, a stochastic shortest-path Markov decision process. The problem of solving large Markov decision processes accurately and quickly is challenging. Because the computational effort incurred is considerable, current research focuses on finding superior acceleration techniques. For instance, the convergence properties of current solution methods depend, to a great extent, on the order of backup operations. On one hand, algorithms such as topological sorting are able to find good orderings, but their overhead is usually high. On the other hand, shortest path methods, such as Dijkstra's algorithm, which is based on priority queues, have been applied successfully to the solution of deterministic shortest-path Markov decision processes. Here, we propose improved value iteration algorithms based on Dijkstra's algorithm for solving shortest path Markov decision processes. The experimental results on a stochastic shortest-path problem show the feasibility of our approach.
A Self-Administered Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP) Improves Arm Function During Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation: A Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Purpose— More than 70% of individuals who have a stroke experience upper limb deficits that impact daily activities. Increased amount of upper limb therapy has positive effects; however, practical and inexpensive methods of therapy are needed to deliver this increase in therapy. Methods— This was a multi-site single blind randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a 4-week self-administered graded repetitive upper limb supplementary program (GRASP) on arm recovery in stroke. 103 inpatients with stroke were randomized to the experimental group (GRASP group, n=53) or the control group (education protocol, n=50). The primary outcome measure was the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI), a measure of upper limb function in activities of daily living. Secondary measures were used to evaluate grip strength and paretic upper limb use outside of therapy time. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Group differences were tested using analysis of covariance. Results— At the end of the 4-week intervention (approximately 7 weeks poststroke), the GRASP group showed greater improvement in upper limb function (CAHAI) compared to the control group (mean difference 6.2; 95% CI: 3.4 to 9.0; P<0.001). The GRASP group maintained this significant gain at 5 months poststroke. Significant differences were also found in favor of the GRASP protocol for grip strength and paretic upper limb use. No serious adverse effects were experienced. Conclusion— A self-administered homework exercise program provides a cost-, time-, and treatment-effective delivery model for improving upper limb recovery in subacute stroke.
In memoriam Paris C. Kanellakis

O ur colleague and dear friend, Paris C. Kanellakis, died tragically on December 20, 1995, together with his wife, Maria-Teresa Otoya, and their beloved young children, Alexandra and Stephanos. En route to Cali, Colom-bia, for an annual holiday reunion with his wife's family, their airplane strayed off course during the night, minutes before an expected landing, and crashed in the Andes. As individuals, we grieve over our tragic loss—of a friend who was regarded with great affection, and of a happy, thriving family whose warmth and hospitality were gifts appreciated by friends around the world. Their deaths create for us a void that cannot be filled. As researchers, we mourn the passing of a creative and thoughtful colleague who was respected for his many contributions, both technical and professional, to the computer science research community. Paris left unfinished several projects, including a paper on database theory intended for this special issue of Computing Surveys, to be written during his holiday visit to Colombia. Instead of that paper, we offer here a brief biography of Paris and a description of the research topics that interested him over the last few years, together with the contributions that he made to these areas. It is not our intention to give definitive surveys or histories of these areas, but rather to honor the significant recent research of our friend.Permission to make digital / hard copy of part or all of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that the copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage, the copyright notice, the title of the publication, and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of the ACM, Inc. To copy otherwise, to republish, to post on servers, or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and / or a fee.
Platelet Supernatant Suppresses LPS-Induced Nitric Oxide Production from Macrophages Accompanied by Inhibition of NF-κB Signaling and Increased Arginase-1 Expression

We previously reported that mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) that had been co-cultured with platelets exhibited lower susceptibility to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and produced lower levels of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6. The suppression of macrophage responses was mediated, at least in part, by platelet supernatant. In the present study, we assessed phenotypic changes of BMDMs induced by incubation with the supernatant from thrombin-activated platelets (PLT-sup) and found that BMDMs cultured with PLT-sup (PLT-BMDMs) expressed a lower level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and a higher level of arginase-1, both of which are involved in the L-arginine metabolism, upon stimulation with LPS or zymosan. We also examined possible modulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and observed suppression of IκBα phosphorylation and a decrease of NF-κB p65 expression in LPS-stimulated PLT-BMDMs. These results suggest that PLT-sup suppresses inflammatory responses of BMDMs via negative regulation of NF-κB signaling leading to lowered expression of iNOS and enhanced L-arginine catabolism by arginase-1.
Robust shape matching using global feature space representation of contours

The fundamental ingredient of content-based image retrieval is the selection of appropriate features to describe the content of the image. Shape of an object, represented by its contour, is the most important visual feature that is thought to be used by humans to determine the similarity of objects. In this paper, we present an effective representation of shape, using its boundary information, that is robust to arbitrary distortions and affine transformation. The contour representation of shape is converted into time series and is modeled using orthogonal basis function representations. Encoding contour representation of shapes in this manner leads to efficiency gains over existing approaches such as structural shape representation and techniques that use discrete point-based flow vectors to represent the contour. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the proposed shape representation and matching mechanism is effective, efficient and robust to different arbitrary and affine distortions.
Epipolar Contrained User Pushbutton Selection in Projected Interfaces

An almost ubiquitous user interaction in most HCI applications is the task of selecting one of out of a given list of options. For example, in common desktop environments, the user moves the mouse pointer to the desired option and clicks it. The analog of this action in projector-camera HCI environments involves the user raising her finger to touch one of the different virtual buttons projected on a display surface. In this paper, we discuss some of the challenges involved in tracking and recognizing this task in an projected immersive environment and present a hierarchical vision based approach to detect intuitive gesture-based "mouse clicks" in a front-projected virtual interface. Given the difficulty of tracking user gestures directly in a projected environment, our approach first tracks shadows cast on the display by the user and exploits the multi-view geometry of the camera-projector pair to constrain a subsequent search for the users hand position in the scene. The method only requires a simple setup step in which the projector's epipole in the camera’s frame is estimated. We demonstrate how this approach is capable of detecting a contact event as a user interacts with a virtual pushbutton display. Results demonstrate that camera-based monitoring of user gesture is feasible even under difficult conditions in which the user is illluminated by changing and saturated colors.
Landscaping personification technologies: from interactions to relationships

Personification technologies are technologies that encourage people to anthropomorphize. These technologies try to get people to form relationships with them rather than simply interact with them. They may do this through having behaviours that encourage people to attribute personality or emotion to them. They may be persuasive technologies in the sense of Fogg that aim to get people to do things they would rather not do. They may promote trust. The convergence of a number of technologies is making personification technologies possible. Speech as an interaction is finally becoming robust and useable and is very influential in people attributing intelligence to devices and systems. Human language technologies allow devices to understand, or appear to understand, conversation. Interactions are becoming more natural and engaging. Avatars appear more congenial and coordinated. Building on the experience of a previous project, and drawing on the experience of a four year multi-disciplinary project, called Companions, the authors are keen to build community relationships around the notion of personification technologies. This includes the design, engineering, research (including ethics and social issues) and usability communities.
A framework for information technology outsourcing risk management

This paper takes stock from several studies on Information Technology outsourcing risk. A definition of risk is offered, and an illustration from five case studies is used to show how risk can be managed. Results show that an active risk management approach can reduce risk exposure substantially while enabling the organizations to still reap the benefits associated with outsourcing.