Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Barthel Index for Measuring Activities of Daily Living Outcome After Ischemic Hemispheric Stroke: Does Early Poststroke Timing of Assessment Matter?

Background and Purpose— This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of the Barthel Index (BI) in 206 stroke patients, measured within 72 hours, for activities of daily living at 6 months and determined whether the timing of BI assessment during the first days affects the accuracy of predicting activities of daily living outcome at 6 months. Methods— Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the area under the curve and optimal cutoff points for BI at Days 2, 5, and 9. OR, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated to predict BI ≥19. Results— The area under the curve ranged from 0.785 on Day 2 to 0.837 and 0.848 on Days 5 and 9. Comparison of the receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the area under the curve was significantly different between Days 2 and 5 (P<0.001) and between Days 2 and 9 (P<0.001). No significant difference was found between Days 5 and 9 (P=0.08). Using a BI cutoff score of 7, the positive predictive value gradually increased from 0.696 on Day 2 to 0.817 on Day 2 to 0.864 on Day 9, whereas negative predictive value declined from 0.778 on Day 2 to 0.613 on Day 9. Conclusions— Assessment of the BI early poststroke showed good discriminative properties for final outcome of BI at 6 months. However, Day 5 proved to be the earliest time for making an optimal prediction of final outcome of activities of daily living. The BI should be measured at the end of the first week in hospital-based stroke units for early rehabilitation management.
On Rendering Emotions on a Robotic Face

Social Interaction with robots have made researchers pursue aspects that allow them to emote. Several robotic faces have been tried out which can provide a fair representation of their human counterpart. If a robot is to render what it feels at the moment it needs to internally generate emotions. In this paper we describe the use of an emotion engine to transduce emotions extracted out of a human face into their robotic equivalents using a robotic face. We show how these synthetic emotions play a significant role in rendering the human emotions in a near natural way.
A Twisted Loop Antenna to enhance HF RFID detection for different tag positioning

In this paper, a new LF/HF RFID reader loop antenna design is proposed and tested, in order to increase detection areas of the tags. The studied structure is a Twisted Loop Antenna (TLA) which is based on a modified distribution and orientation of the magnetic field lines. Our structure fruitfully uses the complementary antenna principle in a co-planar configuration. This offers more possibilities of tag detection whatever the tag position and orientation. The antenna performances are evaluated by optimizing the equivalent mutual inductance between reader antenna and tag antenna. Results are presented firstly in simulation (MATLAB and HFSS electromagnetic calculator) and secondly by experimental tests at different distances and misalignments, for the two possible tag orientations: parallel and perpendicular.
Network demonstration of low-cost and ultra-low-power environmental sensing with analog backscatter

Recent advances in antennas used as sensors have clearly demonstrated sensing capabilities. However, such approaches typically require manufacturing precision or high-sensitivity, expensive receivers. Furthermore, sensors that utilize communication by means of reflection have been proposed. However, such sensors typically suffer from small communication range. In sharp contrast to prior art, this work adopts analog bistatic backscatter radio principles and demonstrates a network of simultaneously operating sensors. Communication range on the order of 60m was achieved with commodity, low-cost receiver. Environmental humidity was measured with accuracy 1.9%RH RMS error, 0.5milliWatt power consumption and cost approximately 5€ per tag. Interesting tradeoff between measurement accuracy and number of sensors is briefly described.
Effects of Butorphanol on Morphine-induced Itch and Analgesia in Primates

Background:Butorphanol is an opioid analgesic with partial agonist actions at &mgr;- and &kgr;-opioid receptors (MOR and KOR). Previous studies have demonstrated that both MOR antagonists and KOR agonists are effective in alleviating intrathecal morphine–induced itch in primates. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of butorphanol as an antipruritic and to elucidate the receptor mechanisms underlying butorphanol’s antipruritic effect in primates. Methods:Adult rhesus monkeys were used in the behavioral assays for measuring itch/scratching and analgesia. The dose–response curves of butorphanol were studied using selective MOR and KOR antagonists. In addition, the effect of butorphanol as an antipruritic was studied on subcutaneous and intrathecal morphine–induced itch and analgesia. KOR-selective antagonists were further used to compare the degrees of MOR and KOR activation underlying the antipruritic effect of butorphanol. Results:Butorphanol alone produced analgesia with slight itch responses, and both effects were blocked by a MOR antagonist, clocinnamox (0.1 mg/kg). In contrast, a KOR antagonist, 5′-guanidinylnaltrindole (1 mg/kg), increased butorphanol-elicited itch. Systemic butorphanol (0.0032–0.032 mg/kg) dose-dependently attenuated systemic or intrathecal morphine–induced itch. In addition, butorphanol either potentiated or maintained morphine-induced analgesia without producing sedation. KOR-selective antagonists, 5′-guanidinylnaltrindole (1 mg/kg) and nor-binaltorphimine (3.2 mg/kg), only partially reversed the antipruritic effect of butorphanol with different durations of KOR antagonism. Conclusions:Butorphanol is effective in attenuating systemic or spinal morphine–induced itch without reducing morphine analgesia. This study provides functional evidence that both partial MOR and KOR agonist actions contribute to the effectiveness of butorphanol as an antipruritic in primates.
Modular function of long noncoding RNA, COLDAIR, in the vernalization response

The long noncoding RNA COLDAIR is necessary for the repression of a floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) during vernalization in Arabidopsis thaliana. The repression of FLC is mediated by increased enrichment of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and subsequent trimethylation of Histone H3 Lysine 27 (H3K27me3) at FLC chromatin. In this study we found that the association of COLDAIR with chromatin occurs only at the FLC locus and that the central region of the COLDAIR transcript is critical for this interaction. A modular motif in COLDAIR is responsible for the association with PRC2 in vitro, and the mutations within the motif that reduced the association of COLDAIR with PRC2 resulted in vernalization insensitivity. The vernalization insensitivity caused by mutant COLDAIR was rescued by the ectopic expression of the wild-type COLDAIR. Our study reveals the molecular framework in which COLDAIR lncRNA mediates the PRC2-mediated repression of FLC during vernalization.
JITScope: Protecting web users from control-flow hijacking attacks

Web browsers are one of the most important enduser applications to browse, retrieve, and present Internet resources. Malicious or compromised resources may endanger Web users by hijacking web browsers to execute arbitrary malicious code in the victims' systems. Unfortunately, the widely-adopted Just-In-Time compilation (JIT) optimization technique, which compiles source code to native code at runtime, significantly increases this risk. By exploiting JIT compiled code, attackers can bypass all currently deployed defenses. In this paper, we systematically investigate threats against JIT compiled code, and the challenges of protecting JIT compiled code. We propose a general defense solution, JITScope, to enforce Control-Flow Integrity (CFI) on both statically compiled and JIT compiled code. Our solution furthermore enforces the W⊕X policy on JIT compiled code, preventing the JIT compiled code from being overwritten by attackers. We show that our prototype implementation of JITScope on the popular Firefox web browser introduces a reasonably low performance overhead, while defeating existing real-world control flow hijacking attacks.
The actions of histamine on the mammalian heart.

The action of histamine was investigated in the heart-lung preparation of the dog. Low doses of histamine (0.1-10 mg), given as single injections into the venous inflow tubing, caused a) an increase in heart rate, b) a decrease in atrial pressures, c) a transient decrease followed by an increase in P-Q interval, d) an increase in airway pressure, and e) an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure. Coronary sinus outflow was increased markedly by histamine. Antihistamine agents (promethazine, 3-10 mg; diphenhydramine, 3-10 mg) blocked completely the slowing of atrio-ventricular impulse conduction and the effects on pulmonary arterial pressure and airway resistance. They attenuated but did not block the effects on heart rate and contractility. High doses of histamine (30-300 mg) caused a slow, dose-dependent increase in heart rate and decrease in atrial pressure which was absent in hearts from dogs pretreated with reserpine and was antagonized by the beta -adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol. Before such high doses of histamine, there was a net uptake of norepinephrine, measured in arterial and coronary venous blood by the trihydroxyindole method, by the heart muscle; after histamine (300 mg) there was a massive net release of norepinephrine from the heart. The interaction between the two amines might play a role in physiologic or pathologic conditions involving massive release of histamine.
Nanodissection and high-resolution imaging of the Rhodopseudomonas viridis photosynthetic core complex in native membranes by AFM

In photosynthesis, highly organized multiprotein assemblies convert sunlight into biochemical energy with high efficiency. A challenge in structural biology is to analyze such supramolecular complexes in native membranes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) with high lateral resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio, and the possibility to nanodissect biological samples is a unique tool to investigate multiprotein complexes at molecular resolution in situ. Here we present high-resolution AFM of the photosynthetic core complex in native Rhodopseudomonas viridis membranes. Topographs at 10-Å lateral and ≈1-Å vertical resolution reveal a single reaction center (RC) surrounded by a closed ellipsoid of 16 light-harvesting (LH1) subunits. Nanodissection of the tetraheme cytochrome (4Hcyt) subunit from the RC allows demonstration that the L and M subunits exhibit an asymmetric topography intimately associated to the LH1 subunits located at the short ellipsis axis. This architecture implies a distance distribution between the antenna and the RC compared with a centered location of the RC within a circular LH1, which may influence the energy transfer within the core complex. The LH1 subunits rearrange into a circle after removal of the RC from the core complex.
In Vitro Cytotoxicity of Cyclodextrin-bonded Birch Bark Extract

Abstract Triterpenoids from birch bark, like betulin, seem to have an anticancer potential which needs to be further investigated. Aim of this study was first to explore whether a cyclodextrin-solubilised triterpenoid extract (STE) from birch bark induces selective cytotoxic effects in primary liver cancer cells compared to healthy human hepatocytes. Second, selective cytotoxicity against several tumour cell lines should be analysed. For this purpose, human liver cancer cells derived from mouse xenografts (LIXF 575), healthy human hepatocytes, and 42 different human tumour cell lines were incubated with different concentrations of STE corresponding to 4.3 µM – 137.5 µM betulin (BE). Cytotoxicity was tested with the WST-1 cell proliferation assay, apoptosis with caspase 3/7-activity, and necrosis was determined by the propidiumiodid uptake assay. The pathway of cytotoxic effects was further investigated by immunoblotting of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) and p53. The monolayer assay was used to analyse selectivity of STE towards different tumour cell lines. STE significantly (p < 0.001) reduced viability and induced apoptosis of LIXF cells in low concentrations corresponding to 8.6 µM BE, while human hepatocytes were affected only in concentrations ≥ 68.8 µM. Cell death occurred in a p53 independent manner, and AIF was not involved. The mean IC50 in the 42 tumour cell lines corresponded to 4.3 µM BE and ranged from 2.05 µM to 8.95 µM BE content. Selectivity was, therefore, rather low. In conclusion, STE exhibits in low concentrations cytotoxicity in a broad spectrum of primary cancer cells and cancer cell lines, which is, at least in LIXF cells, induced by caspase 3/7 mediated apoptosis. STE is far less toxic in hepatocytes. The anticancer potential of STE should be further characterised and also investigated in animal models.
Transposome: a toolkit for annotation of transposable element families from unassembled sequence reads

MOTIVATION Transposable elements (TEs) can be found in virtually all eukaryotic genomes and have the potential to produce evolutionary novelty. Despite the broad taxonomic distribution of TEs, the evolutionary history of these sequences is largely unknown for many taxa due to a lack of genomic resources and identification methods. Given that most TE annotation methods are designed to work on genome assemblies, we sought to develop a method to provide a fine-grained classification of TEs from DNA sequence reads. Here, we present a toolkit for the efficient annotation of TE families from low-coverage whole-genome shotgun (WGS) data, enabling the rapid identification of TEs in a large number of taxa. We compared our software, Transposome, with other approaches for annotating repeats from WGS data, and we show that it offers significant improvements in run time and produces more precise estimates of genomic repeat abundance. Transposome may also be used as a general toolkit for working with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) data, and for constructing custom genome analysis pipelines. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The source code for Transposome is freely available (http://sestaton.github.io/Transposome), implemented in Perl and is supported on Linux.
T Cells + MHC-Restricted CD8 Cancer-Associated Antigen by Nonclassical Recognition of a Shared Human Prostate

To identify prostate cancer-associated Ags, tumor-reactive T lymphocytes were generated using iterative stimulations of PBMC from a prostate cancer patient with an autologous IFN- g -treated carcinoma cell line in the presence of IL-2. A CD8 1 T cell line and TCR ab 1 T cell clone were isolated that secreted IFN- g and TNF- a in response to autologous prostate cancer cells but not to autologous ﬁbroblasts or lymphoblastoid cells. However, these T cells recognized several normal and malignant prostate epithelial cell lines without evidence of shared classical HLA molecules. The T cell line and clone also recognized colon cancers, but not melanomas, sarcomas, or lymphomas, suggesting recognition of a shared epithelium-associated Ag presented by nonclassical MHC or MHC-like molecules. Although Ag recognition by T cells was inhibited by mAb against CD8 and the TCR complex (anti-TCR ab , CD3, V b 12), it was not inhibited by mAb directed against MHC class Ia or MHC class II molecules. Neither target expression of CD1 molecules nor HLA-G correlated with T cell recognition, but b 2 -microglobulin expression was essential. Ag expression was diminished by brefeldin A, lactacystin, and cycloheximide, but not by chloroquine, consistent with an endogenous/ cytosolic Ag processed through the classical class I pathway. These results suggest that prostate cancer and colon cancer cells can process and present a shared peptidic Ag to TCR ab 1 T cells via a nonclassical MHC I-like molecule yet to be deﬁned. The Journal of Immunology, 1999, 163: 6330–6337. it is sufﬁcient for recognition. These results further demonstrate the nonubiquitous nature of the Ag recognized by clone W3.9.
Graphene Oxide‐Templated Polyaniline Microsheets toward Simultaneous Electrochemical Determination of AA/DA/UA

Graphene oxide-templated polyaniline (GO-PAN) microsheets were prepared via oxidation polymerization of aniline with graphene oxide (GO) as template. By applying this approach, irregularly shaped GO-PAN microsheets were obtained which was revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurements demonstrated that the resulted GO-PAN was electroactive and could be further used as electrocatalyst in simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA) and together with uric acid (UA).
Retinoic acid, meiosis and germ cell fate in mammals

Although mammalian sex is determined genetically, the sex-specific development of germ cells as sperm or oocytes is initiated by cues provided by the gonadal environment. During embryogenesis, germ cells in an ovary enter meiosis, thereby committing to oogenesis. By contrast, germ cells in a testicular environment do not enter meiosis until puberty. Recent findings indicate that the key to this sex-specific timing of meiosis entry is the presence or absence of the signaling molecule retinoic acid. Although this knowledge clarifies a long-standing mystery in reproductive biology, it also poses many new questions, which we discuss in this review.
Attitudes towards mental health care in younger and older adults: Similarities and differences

It is commonly assumed that older and younger adults have very different attitudes about seeking mental health services and that this is a major factor in reducing the use of mental health services by the elderly. However, little evidence exists to illustrate how elders actually perceive mental health care. Responses from a survey of 474 older adults age 65 and over were compared with data from a national survey of 1001 persons age 21-65. Results indicate similarities in many attitudes including likelihood of seeking treatment for severe mental disorders, importance of mental health care, and concerns about cost and coverage as barriers to care. Differences included use of services, perceptions about less severe disorders, referral sources, and preferred providers. Clinical, policy and public education implications are discussed.
Cogs in a Cosmic Machine: A Defense of Free Will Skepticism and its Ethical Implications

Free will skepticism denies that humans possess the type of freedom required for moral responsibility (FMR). While not the most popular position in scientific, philosophical, or mainstream communities, I contend that this lack of acceptance is due not to flaws inherent in the position, but to misconceptions concerning its ethical and practical implications. In my dissertation, I endorse free will skepticism, beginning with a refutation of contrary positions, followed by a response to objections, and ending with a defense of social reforms necessitated by the denial of free will. Ultimately, I support Derk Pereboom’s optimism that a global acceptance of free will skepticism would result in societies that are more moral, beneficial, and just than those which perpetuate the illusion of free will. Because of flaws in the alternative positions, I argue that free will skepticism is the most feasible view to hold regarding free will. Libertarianism, which denies causal determinism and purports that humans possess FMR, is not compatible with our current scientific understanding of the universe. On the other hand, while compatibilism accepts causal determinism, it retains free will only by relaxing the requirements for it. I explain why accepting a position contrary to science, or accepting weakened definitions of freedom, is both untenable and unnecessary. Some object to free will skepticism not because they found something inherently wrong with the logic of the position but because of practical concerns. Their arguments against free will skepticism assert that if such a view is accepted, society will unravel, interpersonal relationships will become compromised, personal identity will be undermined, and life would lose all
MrBac: A web server for draft metabolic network reconstructions for bacteria

Genome-scale metabolic network reconstruction can be used for simulating cellular behaviors by simultaneously monitoring thousands of biochemical reactions, and is therefore important for systems biology studies in microbes. However, the labor-intensive and time-consuming reconstruction process has hindered the progress of this important field. Here we present a web server, MrBac (Metabolic network Reconstructions for Bacteria), to streamline the network reconstruction process for draft genome-scale metabolic networks and to provide annotation information from multiple databases for further curation of the draft reconstructions. MrBac integrates comparative genomics, retrieval of genome annotations, and generation of standard systems biology file format ready for network analyses. We also used MrBac to automatically generate a draft metabolic model of Salmonella enteric serovar Typhimurium LT2. The high similarity between this automatic model and the experimentally validated models further supports the usefulness and accuracy of MrBac. The high efficiency and accuracy of MrBac may accelerate the advances of systems biology studies on microbiology. MrBac is freely available at http://sb.nhri. org.tw/MrBac.
DETECTION OF BOVINE GENITAL CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS IN POPULATION OF HEIFERS IN POLAND

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of campylobacteriosis in population of heifers in Poland. An additional objective was to compare two independent methods used in diagnosis of the disease: culture and PCR. The 1,600 vaginal swabs from heifer origin from different farms of Poland were investigated using both methods. The results showed that the percentage of positive samples was 0.75% when the culture method was used, while the application of PCR method has shown 1.81% positive results.
Endoscopy in the Evaluation and Management of the Pediatric Airway

The airway starts at the anterior nasal vestibule and ends at the lung parenchyma. This includes the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx, trachea, and bronchi. When evaluating a child with noisy breathing, it is important to assess the airway in a systematic manner. A thorough history is important. This includes assessment of the severity or progression of symptoms, and whether the symptoms are worse with feeding or increased exertion. The severity determines the urgency of complete evaluation. Apparent life-threatening events (ALTE) warrant prompt multidisciplinary evaluation (McMurray, 1997). Inspiratory stridor generally originates from the larynx, while expiratory stridor from the trachea or bronchi. Stridor that is biphasic (both inspiratory and expiratory) typically indicates a fixed obstructive lesion is present. Depending on symptomatology, the addition of endoscopic evaluation of the airway to the basic physical examination can be extremely beneficial. A definitive diagnosis is critical to proper treatment intervention.