Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Kappa Effect With Only Two Visual Markers

The kappa effect is a spatiotemporal illusion where duration is overestimated with the increase of space. This effect is typically demonstrated with three successive stimuli marking two neighboring empty time intervals, and the classical imputed velocity model, in principle, does not help to predict any spatial effects when only two stimuli, marking single intervals, are presented on each trial. We thus conducted three experiments, examining requirements for the occurrence of the kappa effect with only two visual stimuli. An interstimulus interval between the two stimuli was 217 (short) or 283 ms (long), and participants categorized the presented interval as ‘short’ or ‘long’. The key finding is that participants tended to respond ‘short’ more frequently than ‘long’ when both stimuli were delivered from the same location, whereas the relative frequency of ‘long’ responses was increased when the two stimuli were delivered from different locations in most directions (i.e., horizontally, vertically, diagonally; Experiment 1). This kappa effect clearly occurred when each stimulus was located 8° apart from the fovea in visual angle, but it was reduced when each stimulus was further deviated from the fovea, regardless of whether the two stimuli were presented in the vertical or the horizontal direction (Experiments 2 and 3). Moreover, increasing the spatial distance between the two stimuli from 15 to 30 cm magnified the effect only in a limited condition (Experiment 3). Implications of these results were discussed in terms of the Bayesian model predicting the effects of spatial acuity.
Detecting At-Risk Alzheimer’s Disease Cases

While APOE ɛ4 is the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyloid dysmetabolism is an initial or early event predicting clinical disease and is an important focus for secondary intervention trials. To improve identification of cases with increased AD risk, we evaluated recruitment procedures using pathological CSF concentrations of Aβ42 (pAβ) and APOE ɛ4 as risk markers in a multi-center study in Norway. In total, 490 subjects aged 40–80 y were included after response to advertisements and media coverage or memory clinics referrals. Controls (n = 164) were classified as normal controls without first-degree relatives with dementia (NC), normal controls with first-degree relatives with dementia (NCFD), or controls scoring below norms on cognitive screening. Patients (n = 301) were classified as subjective cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment. Subjects underwent a clinical and cognitive examination and MRI according to standardized protocols. Core biomarkers in CSF from 411 and APOE genotype from 445 subjects were obtained. Cases (both self-referrals (n = 180) and memory clinics referrals (n = 87)) had increased fractions of pAβ and APOE ɛ4 frequency compared to NC. Also, NCFD had higher APOE ɛ4 frequencies without increased fraction of pAβ compared to NC, and cases recruited from memory clinics had higher fractions of pAβ and APOE ɛ4 frequency than self-referred. This study shows that memory clinic referrals are pAβ enriched, whereas self-referred and NCFD cases more frequently are pAβ negative but at risk (APOE ɛ4 positive), suitable for primary intervention.
Antitumoral Potency by Immunomodulation of Chloroform Extract from Leaves of Nitraria retusa, Tunisian Medicinal Plant, via its Major Compounds β-sitosterol and Palmitic Acid in BALB/c Mice Bearing Induced Tumor

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the antitumoral effect of Chloroform extract from Nitraria retusa leaves, via its major compounds β-sitosterols and palmitic acid. BALB/c mice were subcutaneously inoculated with B16-F10 cells, then treated intra-peritoneally after 7 days with the chloroform extract for 21 days. They were then euthanized, and the tumors were weighed. Lung parenchyma was analyzed. Lymphocyte and macrophages proliferation, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activities were evaluated using the MTT assay. Macrophage phagocytosis was evaluated by measuring the lysosomal activity and nitric oxide production. Antioxidant activity was studied by cellular antioxidant activity on macrophage and splenocytes and by lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity in liver cells, kidney, and serum. β-sitosterols and palmitic acid, major compounds of chloroform extract, impeded remarkably the expansion of the transplantable tumor, protected the lung parenchyma, and increased splenocytes proliferation and both CTL activities in tumor-bearing mice. β-sitosterols and palmitic acid were also seen to have enhanced lysosomal activity of host macrophages and antioxidant cellular activity. Also, they showed an inhibitory effect of lipid peroxidation. Our results suggest that antitumoral effect of β-sitosterols and palmitic acid from chloroform extract is related with its immunomodulatory activity, and opens the way for a nutrition application and coprocessing phytotherapy against cancer.
Editorial: The Parallel March of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood: A Multi-Perspective Approach

Clinica Pediatrica Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy, 2 Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Units, Third Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University General Hospital Attikon, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 3 Pediatric Allergy and Pulmonology Units, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca Bio-health Research Institute, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
The Remez algorithm for trigonometric approximation of periodic functions

In this paper we present an implementation of the Remez algorithm for trigonometric minimax approximation of periodic functions. There are software packages which implement the Remez algorithm for even periodic functions. However, we believe that this paper describes the first implementation for the general periodic case. Our algorithm uses Chebfun to compute with periodic functions. For each iteration of the Remez algorithm, to construct the approximation, we use the second kind barycentric trigonometric interpolation formula instead of the first kind formula. To locate the maximum of the absolute error, instead of dense sampling of the error function, we use Chebfun’s eigenvalue based root finding method applied to the Chebyshev representation of the derivative of the underlying periodic function. Our algorithm has applications for designing FIR filters with real but asymmetric frequency responses.
An origami-inspired, self-locking robotic arm that can be folded flat

A self-locking foldable mechanism enables a robotic arm to be folded flat and to maintain high stiffness when deployed. A foldable arm is one of the practical applications of folding. It can help mobile robots and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overcome access issues by allowing them to reach into confined spaces. The origami-inspired design enables a foldable structure to be lightweight, compact, and scalable while maintaining its kinematic behavior. However, the lack of structural stiffness has been a major limitation in the practical use of origami-inspired designs. Resolving this obstacle without losing the inherent advantages of origami is a challenge. We propose a solution by implementing a simple stiffening mechanism that uses an origami principle of perpendicular folding. The simplicity of the stiffening mechanism enables an actuation system to drive shape and stiffness changes with only a single electric motor. Our results show that this design was effective for a foldable arm and allowed a UAV to perform a variety of tasks in a confined space.
Factors influencing the adoption of telemedicine for treatment of military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND Military veterans returning from a combat zone often face mental health challenges as a result of traumatic experiences. The veteran in the United States has been underdiagnosed and underserved. Since its advancement in the 1990s, telemedicine has become a more prevalent means of delivering services for post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans in the United States, but its adoption is not ubiquitous. OBJECTIVE To clarify the association of telemedicine and the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder through identification of facilitators and barriers to the adoption of the modality. METHODS Reviewers analysed articles from CINAHL and PubMed databases, using relative key words, selecting the 28 most germane to the study objective. RESULTS The most common adoption facilitators were: improving access to rural populations of veterans (22%), effective treatment outcomes (16%), and decreased costs related to care (13%). The most prevalent barriers were: veterans lacking access to necessary modalities (25%), availability of physicians competent in post-traumatic stress disorder treatment (20%), and complications with technology (20%). Five themes surfaced for facilitators: accessibility, effectiveness, cost reduction, positive patient perception, and supportive community; and 5 themes for barriers: access to technology, technical complications, physician availability, negative patient perception, and uninformed patients. CONCLUSION This literature review identifies cost and outcomes-effectiveness. The association of telemedicine with the treatment of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder is feasible, beneficial and effective.
Pathways for maintenance of telomeres and common fragile sites during DNA replication stress

Oncogene activation during tumour development leads to changes in the DNA replication programme that enhance DNA replication stress. Certain regions of the human genome, such as common fragile sites and telomeres, are particularly sensitive to DNA replication stress due to their inherently ‘difficult-to-replicate’ nature. Indeed, it appears that these regions sometimes fail to complete DNA replication within the period of interphase when cells are exposed to DNA replication stress. Under these conditions, cells use a salvage pathway, termed ‘mitotic DNA repair synthesis (MiDAS)’, to complete DNA synthesis in the early stages of mitosis. If MiDAS fails, the ensuing mitotic errors threaten genome integrity and cell viability. Recent studies have provided an insight into how MiDAS helps cells to counteract DNA replication stress. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and regulation of MiDAS remain poorly defined. Here, we provide an overview of how DNA replication stress triggers MiDAS, with an emphasis on how common fragile sites and telomeres are maintained. Furthermore, we discuss how a better understanding of MiDAS might reveal novel strategies to target cancer cells that maintain viability in the face of chronic oncogene-induced DNA replication stress.
Meta-Analysis and Experimental Validation Identified FREM2 and SPRY1 as New Glioblastoma Marker Candidates

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive brain malignancy. Although some potential glioblastoma biomarkers have already been identified, there is a lack of cell membrane-bound biomarkers capable of distinguishing brain tissue from glioblastoma and/or glioblastoma stem cells (GSC), which are responsible for the rapid post-operative tumor reoccurrence. In order to find new GB/GSC marker candidates that would be cell surface proteins (CSP), we have performed meta-analysis of genome-scale mRNA expression data from three data repositories (GEO, ArrayExpress and GLIOMASdb). The search yielded ten appropriate datasets, and three (GSE4290/GDS1962, GSE23806/GDS3885, and GLIOMASdb) were used for selection of new GB/GSC marker candidates, while the other seven (GSE4412/GDS1975, GSE4412/GDS1976, E-GEOD-52009, E-GEOD-68848, E-GEOD-16011, E-GEOD-4536, and E-GEOD-74571) were used for bioinformatic validation. The selection identified four new CSP-encoding candidate genes—CD276, FREM2, SPRY1, and SLC47A1—and the bioinformatic validation confirmed these findings. A review of the literature revealed that CD276 is not a novel candidate, while SLC47A1 had lower validation test scores than the other new candidates and was therefore not considered for experimental validation. This validation revealed that the expression of FREM2—but not SPRY1—is higher in glioblastoma cell lines when compared to non-malignant astrocytes. In addition, FREM2 gene and protein expression levels are higher in GB stem-like cell lines than in conventional glioblastoma cell lines. FREM2 is thus proposed as a novel GB biomarker and a putative biomarker of glioblastoma stem cells. Both FREM2 and SPRY1 are expressed on the surface of the GB cells, while SPRY1 alone was found overexpressed in the cytosol of non-malignant astrocytes.
A feasibility and safety study of concurrent chemotherapy based on genetic testing in patients with high-risk salivary gland tumors

Background: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and safety of customized chemotherapy regimens based on the gene characteristics of salivary gland tumors. Methods: Patients were enrolled with histologically confirmed intermediate or high grade, stage T3–4, N1–3 disease, and T1–2, N0 patients with a close (⩽1 mm) or microscopically positive surgical margin were also enrolled in the study. All patients received radical surgery and postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy. To evaluate the responsiveness of therapies, the chemotherapy regimen was based on gene targets, &bgr;-tubulin III, ABCB1, STMN1, and CYP1B1 (for docetaxel) and TYMS (for pemetrexed). The primary endpoints were treatment compliance and acute toxicities. Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled between September 2013 and January 2016. The median age was 46 years (range: 23–70 years). Genetic testing showed that 8 patients may have been sensitive to docetaxel, 5 patients may have been sensitive to pemetrexed, and 7 patients sensitive to either docetaxel or pemetrexed. All patients received the full dose of radiation. A total of 19 patients (95%) completed 2 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy (CCT). One patient treated concurrently with pemetrexed experienced grade 3 neutropenia. Three patients experienced grade 3 oral mucositis, and 2 patients experienced grade 3 dermatitis. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that a CCT selecting method based on the gene targets associated with drug sensitivity was clinically feasible and safe. Further studies enrolled more patients with longer follow-up times are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of this CCT selecting method.
THE USE OF SCAFFOLDED READING EXPERIENCE STRATEGY TO TEACH READING COMPREHENSION OF SPOOF TEXTS

Abstract: The research was conducted to find out the effectiveness of using Scaffolded Reading Experience Strategy to teach English reading comprehension on spoof texts to Year-11 students of “SMA Wisuda Pontianak” in Academic Year 2015/2016. The research method was a quasi-experimental research with one group as experimental group and another group as the control group. The subject of the research was class XIIPA as experimental group and class XISOS as control group. The research data were collected by a test. Both groups were given pre-test and post-test to measure the students’ ability of reading comprehension. The data was analyzed by effect size formula. The obtained effect size was 0.95. It was larger than 0.51 but less than 1.00 and be categorized as moderate. Thus, the effectiveness of Scaffolded Reading Experience Strategy to teach English reading comprehension of Spoof texts to Year-11 students of “SMA Wisuda Pontianak” in Academic Year 2015/2016 was moderate. Key words: Scaffolded Reading Experience , Spoof Texts. Abstrak: Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui efektivitas dari strategi Scaffolded Reading Experience untuk mengajar pemahaman membaca bahasa Inggris pada teks deskriptif untuk siswa kelas sebelas "SMA Wisuda Pontianak" di tahun ajaran akademik 2015/2016. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah quasi-eksperimental dengan satu kelompok sebagai kelompok eksperimen dan kelompok lain sebagai kelompok kontrol. Subyek penelitian adalah kelas XIIPA sebagai kelompok eksperimen dan kelas XISOS sebagai kelompok kontrol. Data penelitian dikumpulkan dengan tes. Kedua kelompok diberi pre-test dan post-test untuk mengukur kemampuan siswa dari membaca pemahaman. Data dianalisis dengan rumus effect size. Effect size yang diperoleh adalah 0.95. Jumlah ini lebih besar dari 0.51 tetapi kurang dari 1.00 dan dikategorikan sebagai moderat atau sedang. Dengan demikian, efektivitas staretgi Scaffolded Reading Experience untuk mengajar pemahaman membaca bahasa Inggris pada teks deskriptif untuk siswa kelas sebelas "SMA Wisuda Pontianak" tahun ajaran akademik 2015/2016 adalah moderat atau sedang. Kata Kunci: Scaffolded Reading Experience , T eks Spoof .
Constraint based modeling of metabolism allows finding metabolic cancer hallmarks and identifying personalized therapeutic windows

In order to choose optimal personalized anticancer treatments, transcriptomic data should be analyzed within the frame of biological networks. The best known human biological network (in terms of the interactions between its different components) is metabolism. Cancer cells have been known to have specific metabolic features for a long time and currently there is a growing interest in characterizing new cancer specific metabolic hallmarks. In this article it is presented a method to find personalized therapeutic windows using RNA-seq data and Genome Scale Metabolic Models. This method is implemented in the python library, pyTARG. Our predictions showed that the most anticancer selective (affecting 27 out of 34 considered cancer cell lines and only 1 out of 6 healthy mesenchymal stem cell lines) single metabolic reactions are those involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Excluding cholesterol biosynthesis, all the considered cell lines can be selectively affected by targeting different combinations (from 1 to 5 reactions) of only 18 metabolic reactions, which suggests that a small subset of drugs or siRNAs combined in patient specific manners could be at the core of metabolism based personalized treatments.
Chemical Constituents from Cimicifuga dahurica and Their Anti-Proliferative Effects on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

This study was designed to search for novel anti-cancer compounds from natural plants. The 70% ethanolic extract from the rizhomes of Cimicifuga dahurica (Turcz.) Maxim. (Ranunculaceae) was found to possess significant in vitro anti-proliferative effects on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. A phytochemical investigation using assay-guided fractionation of the ethanolic extract of C. dahurica resulted in the isolation of one new phenolic amide glycoside 3, two new lignan glycosides 4 and 7, one new 9,19-cycloartane triterpenoid glycoside 6, and thirteen known constituents 1, 2, 5, and 8–17. The structures of 3, 4, 6, and 7 were established using contemporary NMR methods and from their HRESIMS data. The anti-proliferative effects of isolated compounds were evaluated using the BrdU-proliferation kit. Five among the 17 isolated compounds showed significant anti-proliferative effects (p ≤ 0.05), wherein compound 7 showed the most significant anti-proliferative and cell cycle arresting effect (p ≤ 0.05) which followed a dose dependent manner. Western blot protein expression analysis showed a down expression of c-Myc and cyclin D1 which further elucidated the anti-proliferation mechanism of compound 7 while apoptotic effects were found in association with Bcl-2 family protein expression variations. Conclusively this study reports the isolation and identification of 17 compounds from C. dahurica, including four novel molecules, in addition to the fact that compound 7 possesses significant anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in vitro that may require further exploration.
Descubrimiento de Modelos Procesos aplicando los algoritmos Escalador de Colinas y Estrategia Evolutiva

En el presente articulo se analiza y modela el problema del descubrimiento de modelos de procesos, con el f in de aplicarle los algoritmos metaheuristicos basados en un punto y en poblaciones. Existen dos razones principales para el creciente interes en mejorar la eficiencia de los algoritmos de descubrimiento en la mineria de procesos. Primeramente los sistemas de informacion que soportan los procesos de negocio en las organizaciones, registran la informacion detallada de las ejecuciones. Estas contienen un conocimiento potencial para la toma de decisiones. Ademas de la creciente necesidad de apoyar los procesos de negocios en ambientes competitivos y que cambian rapidamente. Para alcanzar el objetivo planteado se seleccionan l os algoritmos metaheuristicos que mas se ajusten al problema planteado: el Escalador de Colinas y Estrategia Evolutiva. El aporte principal consiste en la modelacion de una primera aproximacion al problema de descubrimiento de modelos utilizando las estrategias metaheuristicas.
Dependence of the adaptive full-order observer stability on parameter identification errors

This paper deals with the stability analysis of the well-known Adaptive Full-Order Observer for the speed estimation of induction motor drive in a motoring and regenerating mode, under motor parameter mismatch. The influence of the identification errors of the stator and rotor resistance and magnetizing inductance on unstable operating points regions of the estimator with the modified adaptation algorithm for the regenerating mode are discussed. The changes of stability regions and torque-speed characteristics of the drive under parameter uncertainties are shown and discussed in the paper for the observer with the speed adaptation law modified by the shift angle between the stator current error and rotor flux vectors. Simulation and experimental results confirming the theoretical analysis are presented.
Cocaine‐induced endocannabinoid release modulates behavioral and neurochemical sensitization in mice

The endocannabinoid system has been implicated in the development of synaptic plasticity induced by several drugs abused by humans, including cocaine. However, there remains some debate about the involvement of cannabinoid receptors/ligands in cocaine‐induced plasticity and corresponding behavioral actions. Here, we show that a single cocaine injection in Swiss‐Webster mice produces behavioral and neurochemical alterations that are under the control of the endocannabinoid system. This plasticity may be the initial basis for changes in brain processes leading from recreational use of cocaine to its abuse and ultimately to dependence. Locomotor activity was monitored with photobeam cell detectors, and accumbens shell/core microdialysate dopamine levels were monitored by high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Development of single‐trial cocaine‐induced behavioral sensitization, measured as increased distance traveled in sensitized mice compared to control mice, was paralleled by a larger stimulation of extracellular dopamine levels in the core but not the shell of the nucleus accumbens. Both the behavioral and neurochemical effects were reversed by CB1 receptor blockade produced by rimonabant pre‐treatments. Further, both behavioral and neurochemical cocaine sensitization were facilitated by pharmacological blockade of endocannabinoid metabolism, achieved by inhibiting the fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme. In conclusion, our results suggest that a single unconditioned exposure to cocaine produces sensitization through neuronal alterations that require regionally specific release of endocannabinoids. Further, the present results suggest that endocannabinoids play a primary role from the earliest stage of cocaine use, mediating the inception of long‐term brain‐adaptive responses, shaping central pathways and likely increasing vulnerability to stimulant abuse disorders.