Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Precursors and prodromata of schizophrenia: findings from the Edinburgh High Risk Study and their literature context

Background. In schizophrenia research, ‘high risk’ traditionally referred to studies of the offspring of schizophrenic parents at genetically enhanced risk of illness development. Sixteen major high-risk studies have been undertaken although only six followed through to formal illness so data on prediction remain weak. Recently, ‘high risk’ has widened to encompass individuals considered ‘at risk’ by having ‘high risk mental states’, regardless of family history, in whom initiation of early treatment is postulated to improve outcome. Method. The major familial high-risk studies are reviewed from the perspective of the Edinburgh High Risk Study of Schizophrenia (EHRS), with emphasis on prediction. Results. Familial high-risk studies have established multiple biological markers, the most reproducible of which relate to neuromotor development and cognition, especially aspects of memory/learning. Although most are probably not specific, they support a neurodevelopmental hypothesis. Family and environmental variables point largely to secondary or indirect associations. Pre-illness, non-specific affective symptomatology may be of greater predictive power than most psychotic phenomena. Conclusions. Traditional high-risk designs embody many problems but are able to distinguish non-specific markers from illness predictors, and are ideally suited to exploring the evolution of schizophrenia both clinically and biologically (especially with imaging techniques). The EHRS supports the view that greater specificity may accrue to cognitive domains as precursors of predictive utility.
Microbial Infection Prevent Development of Severe Sepsis after The Agonists of Formyl Peptide Receptors

Severe sepsis, a principal cause of death in intensive care units, occurs when host immune defenses fail to combat invading microbes. In this paper, we report that the administration of peptide agonists of formyl peptide receptors, including Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-D-Met (WKYMVm), protected against death by enhanced bactericidal activity and inhibition of vital organ inﬂammation and immune cell apoptosis in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) sepsis mouse model. The administration of WKYMVm also enhanced the production of type 1 (IFN- g and IL-12) and type 17 (IL-17 and TGF- b ) cytokines in CLP mice. In contrast, the administration of WKYMVm inhibited the production of proinﬂammatory cytokines (TNF- a , IL-1 b , and IL-6) in the CLP mice. The therapeutic and bactericidal effects of WKYMVm were partly reversed in IFN- g –deﬁcient mice, whereas target organ inﬂammation was not. Meanwhile, the therapeutic and anti-inﬂammatory effects of WKYMVm were partly reversed in IL-17–deﬁcient mice. In addition, the administration of WKYMVm also enhanced type 1 and type 17 Th cell responses in mice sensitized with LPS plus Ags. These results suggest that the agonists of formyl peptide receptors effectively prevent development of severe sepsis following microbial infection partly via augmentation of type 1 and type 17 immune responses. The Journal of Immunology , 2010, 185: 000–000.
Effects of Diet and Exercise on Obesity-Related Vascular Dysfunction in Children

Background—The prevalence of obesity in both adults and children is increasing rapidly. Obesity in children is independently associated with arterial endothelial dysfunction and wall thickening, key early events in atherogenesis that precede plaque formation. Methods and Results—To evaluate the reversibility of obesity-related arterial dysfunction and carotid intima-media thickening by dietary and/or exercise intervention programs, 82 overweight children (body mass index, 25±3), 9 to 12 years of age, were randomly assigned to dietary modification only or diet plus a supervised structured exercise program for 6 weeks and subsequently for 1 year. The prospectively defined primary end points were ultrasound-derived arterial endothelial function (endothelium-dependent dilation) of the brachial artery and intima-media thickness of common carotid artery. At 6 weeks, both interventions were associated with decreased waist-hip ratio (P <0.02) and cholesterol level (P <0.05) as well as improved arterial endothelial function. Diet and exercise together were associated with a significantly greater improvement in endothelial function than diet alone (P =0.01). At 1 year, there was significantly less thickening of the carotid wall (P <0.001) as well as persistent improvements in body fat content and lipid profiles in the group continuing an exercise program. Vascular function was significantly better in those children continuing exercise (n=22) compared with children who withdrew from the exercise program (n=19) (P <0.05). Conclusions—Obesity-related vascular dysfunction in otherwise healthy young children is partially reversible with diet alone or particularly diet combined with exercise training at 6 weeks, with sustained improvements at 1 year in those persisting with diet plus regular exercise.
Toward playmate robots that can play with children considering personality

It is difficult to design robotic playmates for introverted children. Therefore, we examined how a robot should play with such shy children. In this study, we hypothesized and tested an effective play strategy for building a good relationship with shy children. We conducted an experiment with 5- to 6-year-old children and a humanoid robot teleoperated by a preschool teacher. We developed a valid play strategy for shy children.
Interaction content design for information support based on robot partner

Recently, the development and research of robot partners are actively being carried out, and expectation for human-friendly robot partner has been increasing. In the development of a robot, it is necessary to consider development of robots for various needs according to the purpose of usage. Therefore, we propose design templates for easy design of conversation contents. This paper is organized as follows. First, we explain the robot partner system which has modular structure. This modular structure makes it easier to develop the robot partner. Next, we discuss the interaction system for robot partner and the design template to be applied to it. Finally, we show experimental results of the effectiveness of the interaction content design templates, and discuss the applicability of the proposed system for improving robot partner system.
Constitutive secretion of interleukin 1 by human monocytes

The constitutive and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced secretion of interleukin 1 (IL1) by cultured human monocytes and macrophages has been studied. Both freshly obtained monocytes and their culture‐derived macrophages were induced by LPS to secrete similar amounts of IL1. Such induction, however, was accompanied by the secretion of dialyzed inhibitory activity. Constitutive secretion of IL1 was detected in concentrated supernatants of monocyte cultures. The factor obtained constitutively did not manifest significant inhibitory activity. A method is described for the recovery of IL1‐containing supernatants in serum‐ and other stimulant‐free medium. The biological activities of the constitutively secreted IL1 were similar to the LPS‐induced activities.
3D reconstruction of underwater structures

Environmental change is a growing international concern, calling for the regular monitoring, studying and preserving of detailed information about the evolution of underwater ecosystems. For example, fragile coral reefs are exposed to various sources of hazards and potential destruction, and need close observation. Computer vision offers promising technologies to build 3D models of an environment from two-dimensional images. The state of the art techniques have enabled high-quality digital reconstruction of large-scale structures, e.g., buildings and urban environments, but only sparse representations or dense reconstruction of small objects have been obtained from underwater video and still imagery. The application of standard 3D reconstruction methods to challenging underwater environments typically produces unsatisfactory results. Accurate, full camera trajectories are needed to serve as the basis for dense 3D reconstruction. A highly accurate sparse 3D reconstruction is the ideal foundation on which to base subsequent dense reconstruction algorithms. In our application the models are constructed from synchronized high definition videos collected using a wide baseline stereo rig. The rig can be hand-held, attached to a boat, or even to an autonomous underwater vehicle. We solve this problem by employing a smoothing and mapping toolkit developed in our lab specifically for this type of application. The result of our technique is a highly accurate sparse 3D reconstruction of underwater structures such as corals.
Sucrose- and H+-Dependent Charge Movements Associated with the Gating of Sucrose Transporter ZmSUT1

Background In contrast to man the majority of higher plants use sucrose as mobile carbohydrate. Accordingly proton-driven sucrose transporters are crucial for cell-to-cell and long-distance distribution within the plant body. Generally very negative plant membrane potentials and the ability to accumulate sucrose quantities of more than 1 M document that plants must have evolved transporters with unique structural and functional features. Methodology/Principal Findings To unravel the functional properties of one specific high capacity plasma membrane sucrose transporter in detail, we expressed the sucrose/H+ co-transporter from maize ZmSUT1 in Xenopus oocytes. Application of sucrose in an acidic pH environment elicited inward proton currents. Interestingly the sucrose-dependent H+ transport was associated with a decrease in membrane capacitance (Cm). In addition to sucrose Cm was modulated by the membrane potential and external protons. In order to explore the molecular mechanism underlying these Cm changes, presteady-state currents (Ipre) of ZmSUT1 transport were analyzed. Decay of Ipre could be best fitted by double exponentials. When plotted against the voltage the charge Q, associated to Ipre, was dependent on sucrose and protons. The mathematical derivative of the charge Q versus voltage was well in line with the observed Cm changes. Based on these parameters a turnover rate of 500 molecules sucrose/s was calculated. In contrast to gating currents of voltage dependent-potassium channels the analysis of ZmSUT1-derived presteady-state currents in the absence of sucrose (I = Q/τ) was sufficient to predict ZmSUT1 transport-associated currents. Conclusions Taken together our results indicate that in the absence of sucrose, ‘trapped’ protons move back and forth between an outer and an inner site within the transmembrane domains of ZmSUT1. This movement of protons in the electric field of the membrane gives rise to the presteady-state currents and in turn to Cm changes. Upon application of external sucrose, protons can pass the membrane turning presteady-state into transport currents.
Sirolimus‐eluting stent implantation for treatment of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery lesions: Long‐term outcome and predictors of adverse cardiac events

Objectives: Acute and long‐term results after sirolimus‐eluting stent (SES) implantation of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) disease were evaluated. Background: Although SES has been used increasingly for the treatment of LAD disease, data regarding their safety and efficacy in a real‐world population are limited. Methods: We investigate the short‐ and long‐term results in 966 patients who underwent SES implantation for stenosis of proximal LAD. Results: The procedural success rate was 97.6%, and procedural non‐Q‐wave myocardial infarction (MI) rate was 14.5%. In‐hospital major complications occurred in five patients (0.5%), including three deaths and two Q‐wave MIs. During follow‐up (20.4 ± 8.9 months), there were 16 deaths (1.7%; 10 cardiac, 6 noncardiac), 2 Q‐wave MIs, and 22 target lesion revascularizations (2.3%). Late stent thrombosis occurred in two patients (0.2%), 14 and 23 months after the procedure. The event‐free survival rates for cardiac death/Q‐wave MI were 98.6% ± 0.4% at 1 year and 97.8% ± 0.6% at 2 years. The cumulative probabilities of survival without major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were 96.7% ± 0.6% at 1 year and 95.4% ± 0.8% at 2 years. In multivariate analysis, stented length (HR 1.04, 95%CI 1.01–1.07, P = 0.009) and infarct‐related artery (HR 5.18, 95%CI 1.09–24.64, P = 0.039) were independently related to cardiac death/Q‐wave MI. In addition, stented length (HR 1.04, 95%CI 1.02–1.06, P << 0.001) and left ventricular dysfunction (HR 2.66, 95%CI 1.07–6.63, P = 0.036) were significant independent predictors of MACE. Conclusions: SES implantation for proximal LAD disease appears safe and effective in a real‐world population, and the independent predictors of MACE included stented length and left ventricular dysfunction. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Populating Biomedical Ontologies from Natural Language Texts

Ontology population is a knowledge acquisition activity that relies on (semi-) automatic methods to transform unstructured, semi-structured and structured data sources into instance data. In this work, a semantic-role based process for ontology population is presented that provides a suitable framework for textual knowledge acquisition in the biological domain. In particular, with our approach, a given ontology can be enriched by adding instances gathered from biological natural language texts. Our system’s modular architecture provides a greater versatility than current approaches in the mentioned domain, as the process of ontology population is not directly dependent on the linguistic rules developed from the corpus.
A brain-machine interface using dry-contact, low-noise EEG sensors

Electroencephalograph (EEG) recording systems offer a versatile, non-invasive window on the brain's spatiotemporal activity for many neuroscience and clinical applications. Our research aims to improve the convenience and mobility of EEG recording by eliminating the need for conductive gel and creating sensors that fit into a scalable array architecture. The EEG dry-contact electrodes are created with micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) technology. Each channel of our analog signal processing front-end comes on a custom-built, dime-sized circuit board which contains an amplifier, Alters, and analog-to-digital conversion. A daisy-chain configuration between boards with bit-serial output reduces the wiring needed. A system consisting of seven sensors is demonstrated in a real- world setting. Consuming just 3 mW, it is suitable for mobile applications. The system achieves an input-referred noise of 0.28 muVrms in the signal band of 1 to 100 Hz, comparable to the best medical-grade systems in use. Noise behavior across the daisy-chain is characterized, alpha-band rhythms are detected, and an eye-blink study is demonstrated.
Polymer chromosome models and Monte Carlo simulations of radiation breaking DNA

MOTIVATION Chromatin breakage by ionizing radiation is relevant to studies of carcinogenesis, tumor radiotherapy, biodosimetry and molecular biology. This article focuses on computer analysis of chromosome irradiation in mammlian cells. METHODS Polymer physics and Monte Carlo numerical methods are used to develop a coarse-grained computational approach. Chromatin is modeled as a random walk on a cubic lattice, and the radiation tracks hitting the chromatin are modeled as straight lines hitting lattice sites. Each track can make a cluster of DSBs on a chromosome. RESULTS The results obtained replace conjectured DNA fragment-size distribution functions in the recently developed RLC formalism by more mechanistically motivated distributions. The discrete lattice algorithm reproduces features of current radiation experiments relevant to chromatin on large scales. It approximates the continuous formalism and experimental data with adequate precision. It was also found that assuming either fixed chromatin with correlations among different clusters of DSBs or moving chromatin with no such correlations gives virtually identical numerical predictions.
${\rm SPICE}^2$: Spatial Processors Interconnected for Concurrent Execution for Accelerating the SPICE Circuit Simulator Using an FPGA

Spatial processing of sparse, irregular, double-precision floating-point computation using a single field-programmable gate array (FPGA) enables up to an order of magnitude speedup (mean 2.8× speedup) over a conventional microprocessor for the SPICE circuit simulator. We develop a parallel, FPGA-based, heterogeneous architecture customized for accelerating the SPICE simulator to deliver this speedup. To properly parallelize the complete simulator, we decompose SPICE into its three constituent phases-model evaluation, sparse matrix-solve, and iteration control-and customize a spatial architecture for each phase independently. Our heterogeneous FPGA organization mixes very large instruction word, dataflow and streaming architectures into a cohesive, unified design to match the parallel patterns exposed by our programming framework. This FPGA architecture is able to outperform conventional processors due to a combination of factors, including high utilization of statically-scheduled resources, low-overhead dataflow scheduling of fine-grained tasks, and streaming, overlapped processing of the control algorithms. We demonstrate that we can independently accelerate model evaluation by a mean factor of 6.5 × (1.4-23×) across a range of nonlinear device models and matrix solve by 2.4×(0.6-13×) across various benchmark matrices while delivering a mean combined speedup of 2.8×(0.2-11×) for the composite design when comparing a Xilinx Virtex-6 LX760 (40 nm) with an Intel Core i7 965 (45 nm). We also estimate mean energy savings of 8.9× (up to 40.9×) when comparing a Xilinx Virtex-6 LX760 with an Intel Core i7 965.
Study on Intelligent Diagnosis Based on Medical Services

The intelligent diagnosis based on medical services is proposed in this paper. Medical knowledge on the relation between results of chemical examination and diseases is learned by Artificial Intelligent(AI), and medical knowledge is encapsulated as Web service, finally intelligent diagnosis platform based on medical services is established. Besides, the way on intelligent diagnosis based on medical services is proposed in this paper, and intelligent diagnosis can serve the patients in this way, which will improve the efficiency and accuracy for diagnosis.
Geometric Random Walks: a Survey

The developing theory of geometric random walks is outlined here. Three aspects—general methods for estimating convergence (the “mixing” rate), isoperimetric inequalities in R and their intimate connection to random walks, and algorithms for fundamental problems (volume computation and convex optimization) that are based on sampling by random walks—are discussed.
The Role of the Core Non-Homologous End Joining Factors in Carcinogenesis and Cancer

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are deleterious DNA lesions that if left unrepaired or are misrepaired, potentially result in chromosomal aberrations, known drivers of carcinogenesis. Pathways that direct the repair of DSBs are traditionally believed to be guardians of the genome as they protect cells from genomic instability. The prominent DSB repair pathway in human cells is the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, which mediates template-independent re-ligation of the broken DNA molecule and is active in all phases of the cell cycle. Its role as a guardian of the genome is supported by the fact that defects in NHEJ lead to increased sensitivity to agents that induce DSBs and an increased frequency of chromosomal aberrations. Conversely, evidence from tumors and tumor cell lines has emerged that NHEJ also promotes chromosomal aberrations and genomic instability, particularly in cells that have a defect in one of the other DSB repair pathways. Collectively, the data present a conundrum: how can a single pathway both suppress and promote carcinogenesis? In this review, we will examine NHEJ’s role as both a guardian and a disruptor of the genome and explain how underlying genetic context not only dictates whether NHEJ promotes or suppresses carcinogenesis, but also how it alters the response of tumors to conventional therapeutics.
Comparison of the vibriocidal antibody response in cholera due to Vibrio cholerae O139 Bengal with the response in cholera due to Vibrio cholerae O1

Vibrio cholerae serogroup O139, now considered to be the second organism capable of causing epidemic severe dehydrating cholera, contains a capsular polysaccharide which makes it difficult for it to be used in the conventional vibriocidal antibody assay optimized for V. cholerae O1. After modification of the procedure, which involved the use of specific bacterial strains, a lower bacterial inoculum, and increased amounts of complement, the vibriocidal antibody responses to V. cholerae O139 were measured in acute- and convalescent-phase sera from 33 V. cholerae O139-infected and 18 V. cholerae O1-infected patients and in single serum samples from 20 healthy control subjects. The responses in these individuals to V. cholerae O1 strains were also determined. Significant elevations in the homologous antibody response were found only in the convalescent-phase sera from both groups of patients with cholera. These findings may explain the basis for the lack of heterologous protection between the two serogroups of V. cholerae. Healthy controls had higher background levels of vibriocidal antibody to V. cholerae O1 than to V. cholerae O139.