Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variability of the characteristics of a migraine attack within patients

Background Migraine attacks may present different features in different patients and also within the same patient. The percentage of patients reporting stereotyped attacks and those reporting attacks with different phenotypes has not been the object of specific investigations. Objective The objective of this article is to evaluate the percentage of migraine patients reporting the same characteristics, in terms of phenotype and response to symptomatic medications on three consecutive migraine attacks. Methods Thirty patients with migraine without aura prospectively recorded the features of three consecutive attacks in a headache diary. Characteristics recorded were: pain intensity, presence of nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophophia, osmophobia, allodynia, cranial autonomic symptoms (at least one), and premonitory symptoms. Patients were allowed to take frovatriptan as symptomatic medication, whose efficacy was evaluated as the two hours pain-free status. Results None of the patients presented identical characteristics on the three studied attacks. This was still the case if we reduced the number of variables evaluated from 11 to seven of the eight core features indicated by the ICHD. Considering just six variables: unilaterality and quality of pain, presence/absence of nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia, only two patients (6%) had identical features on three consecutive attacks. With respect to the response to frovatriptan, 39% of patients had the same response, either positive (i.e. pain free after two hours) or negative (i.e. not pain free after two hours) on three consecutive attacks. Conclusion Migraine attacks show a high variability not just among patients, but also within the same patient. Our data indicate that stereotypy of attacks is uncommon, and reinforces the underlying logic of the current operational classification system.
IOL Calculations in Short, Long, and Postrefractive Eyes

IOL power calculation formulas fall into 2 major categories: regression formulas and theoretical formulas. Regression formulas are empiric formulas generated by averaging a large number of postoperative refractive results. The first theoretical formula, based on principles of geometric optics, was developed by Fedorov in 1967, by using keratometry and A-scan ultrasonography. The most well known of the first-generation regression formulas is the SRK I (by Sanders, Retzlaff, and Kraff). The SRK I formula is well known for its simplicity and ease of use and can be calculated easily as,
The Use of Quantitative Histological and Molecular Data for Risk Assessment and Biologically Based Model Development

In organs with diverse cell populations, it is not uncommon for one type of cell to respond while others are spared. Even in an organ with common cell types, such as hepatocytes within the liver, the population of cells may respond with different sensitivities for injury or for biochemical responses to toxicants. In the liver, many tumor promoters induce cytochrome P450 enzymes and other proteins in centrilobular cells at much lower doses than required to cause induction in periportal cells. In addition, these induction responses appear to occur at the level of individual cells—a 50% response of the liver for induction does not represent 50% induction in all cells. Instead, half of the cells are fully induced and half are unaffected. Cells “switch” from one phenotypic state to another. Over the past 10 years, several attempts have been made to model these cellular switches and to understand their relevance for hepatic tumor promotion and risk assessment. The data used for analyzing these switches include responses of the entire liver (total induction), responses of individual cells in the liver (regional induction), and cellular responses such as proliferation and apoptosis. This brief overview describes the development of biologically based, dose-response (BBDR) models for protein induction and tumor promotion in liver by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo -p-dioxin (TCDD) with emphasis on the role of specific types of histological and molecular data in providing insights about mechanisms for cellular switches and their implications for tumor promotion. As the biological basis of these switches become unraveled and incorporated into the models, these BBDR models should eventually serve to improve risk assessments with a variety of liver tumor promoters with receptor-based modes of action.
Allatotropin is a cardioacceleratory peptide in Manduca sexta.

Allatotropin is a neuropeptide that was originally isolated from the sphinx moth Manduca sexta, in which it stimulates the synthesis of juvenile hormone in adults (Kataoka et al. 1989). An antiserum raised against this peptide was characterized, shown to be specific for allatotropin and used in a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to demonstrate that allatotropin is present not only in the brain and retrocerebral complex but also in the ventral nerve cord of Manduca sexta (Veenstra and Hagedorn, 1993). In the present study, allatotropin-immunoreactive neurons were located using the allatotropin antiserum in a whole-mount immunofluorescence method adapted from Davis et al. (1989). Several cell types were found to be immunoreactive, including three pairs of intensely staining median neurons in abdominal ganglia 3–6 of the pharate adult. The location of these median pairs of cells in each ganglion is anterior, mid-dorsal and posterio-ventral (Fig. 1A). The cells project bilaterally via the ventral nerves of each ganglion to the next transverse nerve (Fig. 2), where their axons terminate in numerous superficial varicosities (Fig. 1D). It is well established that the transverse nerve is a neurohemal organ in Lepidoptera (Provansal, 1972; Taghert and Truman, 1982; Tublitz and Truman, 1985a–d). The location and projection pattern of these three pairs of median neurons indicate that they belong to a group of abdominal median neurosecretory cells identified previously (Taghert and Truman, 1982; Tublitz and Truman, 1985a). Using the nomenclature of Davis et al. (1993), these are the M1, M2 and M5 neurosecretory cells. The M1 and M2 cells mature during adult development, but the M5 cells are already differentiated in the larval stages (Taghert and Truman, 1982; Tublitz and Truman, 1985a). The M5 cells of larvae were not stained by the allatotropin antiserum and only became immunoreactive, along with the M1 and M2 cells, during adult metamorphosis. Two pairs of the abdominal median neurosecretory cells were not allatotropinimmunoreactive: (1) the M3 cells, which are ventral and mature during adult metamorphosis (Taghert and Truman, 1982); and (2) the M4 cells, which are already differentiated in the larval stages (Tublitz and Truman, 1985a). Previously, the abdominal median neurosecretory cells of adult M. sexta were reported
Maximizing the value of sensed information in underwater wireless sensor networks via an autonomous underwater vehicle

This paper considers underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) for submarine surveillance and monitoring. Nodes produce data with an associated value, decaying in time. An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is sent to retrieve information from the nodes, through optical communication, and periodically emerges to deliver the collected data to a sink, located on the surface or onshore. Our objective is to determine a collection path for the AUV so that the Value of Information (VoI) of the data delivered to the sink is maximized. To this purpose, we first define an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) model for path planning that considers realistic data communication rates, distances, and surfacing constraints. We then define the first heuristic for path finding that is adaptive to the occurrence of new events, relying only on acoustic communication for exchanging short control messages. Our Greedy and Adaptive AUV Path-finding (GAAP) heuristic drives the AUV to collect packets from nodes to maximize the VoI of the delivered data. We compare the VoI of data obtained by running the optimum solution derived by the ILP model to that obtained from running GAAP over UWSNs with realistic and desirable size. In our experiments GAAP consistently delivers more than 80% of the theoretical maximum VoI determined by the ILP model.
Reliability characteristics, including NBTI, of polysilicon gate HfO/sub 2/ MOSFET's

The performance of polysilicon gate HfO/sub 2/ MOSFET's is discussed in terms of gate leakage current and the effects of NH/sub 3/ surface nitridation on boron penetration and carrier mobility. Negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) on HfO/sub 2/ PMOSFET's was evaluated for the first time. Although surface nitridation enhanced NBTI degradation, HfO/sub 2/ PMOSFET's without nitridation show sufficient NBTI immunity.
RNA Polymerase 1-driven Transcription as a Mediator of BDNF-induced Neurite Outgrowth*

Neurite outgrowth is essential for development of the nervous system. Neurotrophins including BDNF are among extracellular signals that regulate neurite outgrowth. The ERK1/2 pathway contributes to intracellular signaling networks transducing the pro-neuritic effects of BDNF. In the nucleolus, RNA polymerase-1 (Pol1)-mediated transcription regulates ribosomal biogenesis, enabling cellular protein synthesis and growth. Hence, we tested the possibility that Pol1 is an effector for pro-neuritic signals such as BDNF. We report that Pol1-mediated nucleolar transcription was increased by BDNF in an ERK1/2-dependent manner in rat forebrain neurons. Conversely, in cultured hippocampal neurons, knockdown of a Pol1 coactivator, transcription initiation factor 1A (TIF1A), attenuated BDNF- or ERK1/2-induced neurite outgrowth. Also, upon overexpression, a constitutively active mutant of TIF1A strongly promoted neurite outgrowth, including increases in total neurite length and branching. Finally, overexpression of wild-type TIF1A enhanced the pro-neuritic effects of ERK1/2 activation. These observations indicate that the Pol1-mediated nucleolar transcription regulates neurite outgrowth and serves as a major pro-neuritic effector of the BDNF-activated ERK1/2 pathway. Thus, development of the nervous system appears critically dependent on the nucleolus.
State assignment algorithms for parallel controller synthesis

Algorithms for parallel controller synthesis that operate on a matrix representation of the controller are presented. This matrix is first simplified and then used to generate a state assignment with which the controller can be synthesized. Results show that a parallel controller often yields significant improvements in circuit area and speed, compared to its functionally equivalent finite-state machine. <<ETX>>
Possible therapeutic applications of antagonists of excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters.

The dicarboxylic amino acids, glutamate and aspartate, are excitatory neurotransmitters in many brain regions. Recent animal experiments with analogues of dicarboxylic amino acids that block their excitatory actions, suggest that such selective antagonists could have important therapeutic uses in neurology and psychiatry. The strongest evidence concerns epilepsy and disorders of the motor system. However, there are theoretical and experimental grounds for studying therapeutic applications in cerebral ischaemia and in chronic degenerative disorders. This review summarizes the experimental background, and proposes some key future studies.
Spatially Restricted Expression of Regulators of G-Protein Signaling in Primary Olfactory Neurons

The intracellular signal transduction machinery of heterotrimeric G-protein coupled odorant and putative pheromone receptors converts odorous information into a cellular response. We have investigated for the presence of 18 members of the family termed "regulators of G-protein signaling" (RGS) in primary olfactory sensory neurons of the main as well as the accessory (vomeronasal) system of the mouse. Unexpectedly, expression of a few RGS members show spatial restrictions correlating with the patterns described for G-protein coupled receptors in these two types of olfactory neurons. RGS3 was selectively coexpressed with the Galphai2 G-protein subunit in a subpopulation of vomeronasal neurons. The mutually exclusive spatial extents of RGS9 and RGSZ1 expression in main olfactory neurons corresponded precisely to that of certain odorant receptor zones. This renders these RGS members the first described intracellular signal transduction components with a potential role in the spatially organized sensory coding in the main olfactory system.
Studies on the scutellar bristles of Drosophila melanogaster. I. Basic variability, some temperature and culture effects, and responses to short-term selection in the Oregon-RC strain.

The results of short runs of disruptive and high selection for scutellar bristles in wild-type Drosophila are explained in terms of the hypothesis that canalization at four bristles is due to regulation of the major gene in the developmental system (Rendel, Sheldon, and Finlay 1965). Selection response has probably been due to selection for modifier (minor) genes rather than for isoalleles of the major gene or weak regulator alleles. Some environmental effects on the character, short runs of selection for low bristle number or different bristle types, and effects of relaxing selection are also reported.
Assessing person fit using l*z and the posterior predictive model checking method for dichotomous item response theory models

Person-fit assessment is employed to obtain additional information regarding the answering behaviour of persons (Glas and Meijer, 2003). The lz statistic (Drasgow et al., 1985) is one of the most popular person-fit statistics. The posterior predictive model checking method (e.g., Rubin, 1984) is a popular Bayesian tool for assessing the fit of item response theory (IRT) models (e.g., Sinharay, 2005; Sinharay et al., 2006). However, the use of lz (and its modifications) combined with the PPMC method led to a conservative person-fit assessment in de la Torre and Deng (2008) and Glas and Meijer (2003). The reason of the conservativeness of this combination is provided. The use of the l*z statistic (Snijders, 2001) along with the weighted likelihood estimate (WLE; Warm, 1989) of the examinee ability and the PPMC method is suggested. The suggested approach has satisfactory power and performs as well as the best approach of de la Torre and Deng (2008). The approach is then applied to an operational dataset.
Paciente autista: métodos e estratégias de condicionamento e adaptação para o atendimento odontológico

Introducao: O autismo consiste em uma desordem complexa, caracterizada por alteracoes do comportamento relacionadas ao convivio social, linguagem e limitacoes motoras. Objetivos: Apresentar as principais caracteristicas do autismo para o cirurgiao-dentista, abordar as diferentes formas de condicionamento odontologico, manejo e novos metodos e estrategias usadas para o atendimento desses pacientes; e ainda discutir a importância da prevencao das doencas bucais que deve ser iniciada o mais precocemente possivel. Fontes de dados: O presente estudo foi desenvolvido por meio da analise da producao bibliografica obtida nas bases de dados: BVS – Bireme, LILACS, IBECS, MEDLINE e BBO –, PubMed, SciELO, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertacoes (BDTD) e na base Periodicos Capes. As estrategias de busca utilizadas incluiram o uso dos termos: “autismo”; “assistencia odontologica”; “manejo”; “comportamento”; “saude bucal”. Selecao dos trabalhos: Apos a analise dos estudos, foram selecionadas 35 referencias entre os anos de 1997 e 2012. Conclusoes: O cirurgiao-dentista devera dispor dos metodos convencionais de manejo odontologico, alem de aprender estrategias de interacao, como estimulos audiovisuais e corporais utilizando metodos subjetivos (TEACCH, PECS, ABA e Son-Rise). Os detalhes que devem ser observados durante o atendimento desses pacientes incluem: eliminacao de estimulos sensoriais estressantes; ordens claras e objetivas; rotina de atendimento; anamnese minuciosa; diminuicao do tempo de espera na recepcao; cuidado com o uso de palavras que provoquem medo; e contencao fisica apenas com consentimento dos pais. Adicionalmente, destaca-se a necessidade de ter programas de prevencao para paciente autista, buscando a reducao de atendimentos sob anestesia geral.
Mouse Models in Prostate Cancer Translational Research: From Xenograft to PDX

Despite the advancement of clinical and preclinical research on PCa, which resulted in the last five years in a decrement of disease incidence by 3-4%, it remains the most frequent cancer in men and the second for mortality rate. Based on this evidence we present a brief dissertation on numerous preclinical models, comparing their advantages and disadvantages; among this we report the PDX mouse models that show greater fidelity to the disease, in terms of histopathologic features of implanted tumor, gene and miRNA expression, and metastatic pattern, well describing all tumor progression stages; this characteristic encourages the translation of preclinical results. These models become particularly useful in meeting the need of new treatments identification that eradicate PCa bone metastases growing, clarifying pathway of angiogenesis, identifying castration-resistant stem-like cells, and studying the antiandrogen therapies. Also of considerable interest are the studies of 3D cell cultures derived from PDX, which have the ability to maintain PDX cell viability with continued native androgen receptor expression, also showing a differential sensitivity to drugs. 3D PDX PCa may represent a diagnostic platform for the rapid assessment of drugs and push personalized medicine. Today the development of preclinical models in vitro and in vivo is necessary in order to obtain increasingly reliable answers before reaching phase III of the drug discovery.
Mastering the Nonlinear Brain

CHICAGO-- By applying concepts from mathematical physics, researchers hope to understand the collective dynamics of billions of neurons--and perhaps control them in epilepsy. Recordings of epileptic seizures, along with other studies of electrical activity in human and animal brains, are linking neuroscience with a rarefied branch of mathematics called nonlinear dynamics, which was developed to make sense of the complicated rhythms of everything from wildly swinging pendulums connected by springs, to the patterns formed by chemical reactions on a metal surface, to wave trains steepening and crashing on a beach. Now a coterie of neuroscientists, biophysicists, and mathematicians is finding that the same concepts can also help them understand the collective dynamics of billions of interconnected neurons in the brain.
The Effects of Daily Cost Feedback on Residential Electricity Consumption

Thirty families were divided into two groups of 15 families each (A and B). Following a 12-day baseline period, daily feedback was provided to Group A families. Subsequent daily meter readings revealed that these families consistently used less electricity than the 15 families who were not receiving feedback (Group B). After 52 days the conditions were reversed and Group B families were provided with daily cost feedback while Group A families received no feedback. Following an initial reversal in consumption, Group B families once again used more electricity. However, a within-group analysis of the consumption of Group B families revealed that on days of comparable temperature levels, consumption was lower on feedback days than days in which no feedback was received. The fact that reversal of conditions did not produce reversals in consumption was attributed to the possibility of carryover effects of the initial feedback provided to Group A families. The results suggest that feedback is an effective way of reducing electricity usage and that efforts to promote energy conservation may be more effective if they are made when demands for energy are low.
The vocal development of a girl who sings but does not speak

Background in music psychology The development of singing involves not only the acquisition of melodies and words but also precise attunement to the timing structure and melodic features given by the social environment, which leads to a considerable conventionalization of performance. Background in linguistics In the course of language development, children adapt their phonetic output to the sound patterns of the target language. In singing songs, the rendition of the lyrics naturally leans on these native language sound patterns, even if the semantic content of the lyrics plays little role. Aims We report a long-term study of a child with infantile autism and severe mental handicap who sings songs but has no language. The only aspect of speech she produces is the phonetic realization of the songs she sings. This exceptional case in which musical development is dissociated from language development bears relevance to the question of the interrelationship of singing and speaking. Method The material consists of two hours of audio data or 269 reproductions of familiar songs extracted from a long-term video documentation of the single case covering the period from age 3–15. Based on phonetic and musical transcriptions, the girl's musical abilities were qualitatively assessed by expert rating. Her phonetic repertoire was quantitatively assessed. Her vocal production (phonetic and musical) was examined longitudinally with respect to its approximation to the original songs. Results At three years the autistic girl displays precocious musical competence in singing, which, however, does not grow further from this initial level. Musical creativity and expressiveness grow to a peak in middle childhood and then decline again in adolescence. The girl's phonetic inventory of sounds is highly restricted and shows no progression, but her articulation grows more and more deliberate and, within her bounds, nearer to the original words. The non-verbal girl apparently has a mental representation of the lyrics. Conclusion Musical competence, creativity and expressiveness in singing can reach a high level even in the total absence of language, and by singing, some residual language-like capacity like articulatory control may be enhanced.
The Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model: A Conceptual Bridge Between Theory and Practice

Many theoretical models have been proposed to understand the factors influencing physical activity behavior; however. few have been specifically developed for children. The purpose of this paper is to describe a conceptual model of physical activity promotion that is based on the unique developmental, psycho1ogical, and behavioral characteristics children. The current model adopts a social-ecological framework by acknowledging the input of various personal, social, and environmental influences on children's physical activity. The model also unites constructs from competing theoretical frameworks to provide a conceptual basis for comparing various models. It is hoped that this model will serve as a bridge between theory and practice and will enhance the promotion of physical activity among children.
High order discretization schemes for the CIR process: Application to affine term structure and Heston models

This paper presents weak second and third order schemes for the Cox-Ingersoll-Ross (CIR) process, without any restriction on its parameters. At the same time, it gives a general recursive construction method to get weak second-order schemes that extends the one introduced by Ninomiya and Victoir~\cite{NV}. Combining these both results, this allows to propose a second-order scheme for more general affine diffusions. Simulation examples are given to illustrate the convergence of these schemes on CIR and Heston models. Algorithms are stated in a pseudocode language.