Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive imaging of mitochondrial dysfunction in dry age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are implicated in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Because increased flavoprotein fluorescence (FPF) is indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction, the authors attempted to detect mitochondrial dysfunction in eyes with AMD using FPF. PATIENTS AND METHODS Six nonexudative eyes with AMD, including three with geographic atrophy (GA), and age-matched control eyes were imaged with a FPF device. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted on the FPF images. RESULTS Five eyes with AMD, including all three eyes with GA, showed qualitative and/or quantitative FPF heterogeneity that was not present in control eyes. Mean FPF average intensities of eyes with AMD with (P = .044) and without (P = .00060) GA were significantly greater than those of control eyes. The standard deviations of FPF images were greater in eyes with AMD (P = .020). CONCLUSION In this small cluster of patients with AMD, retinal FPF is increased, suggesting elevated mitochondrial dysfunction. FPF heterogeneity indicates that an increased variability in mitochondrial dysfunction seems to be present in eyes with advanced disease.
Bundled-Optode Method in Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

In this paper, a theory for detection of the absolute concentrations of oxy-hemoglobin (HbO) and deoxy-hemoglobin (HbR) from hemodynamic responses using a bundled-optode configuration in functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is proposed. The proposed method is then applied to the identification of two fingers (i.e., little and thumb) during their flexion and extension. This experiment involves a continuous-wave-type dual-wavelength (760 and 830 nm) fNIRS and five healthy male subjects. The active brain locations of two finger movements are identified based on the analysis of the t- and p-values of the averaged HbOs, which are quite distinctive. Our experimental results, furthermore, revealed that the hemodynamic responses of two-finger movements are different: The mean, peak, and time-to-peak of little finger movements are higher than those of thumb movements. It is noteworthy that the developed method can be extended to 3-dimensional fNIRS imaging.
Measurement of Aging Anxiety: Development of the Anxiety about Aging Scale

This research is based on the premise that aging anxiety is an important mediating factor in attitudes and behavior toward elderly individuals as well as a mediating factor in adjustment to one's own aging processes. The combined concern and anticipation of losses centered around the aging process constitute aging anxiety. This article proposes a multidimensional aging anxiety model, develops a measurement of this model, and assesses the factorial validity of the model. The original eighty-four item Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS) was developed to assess four dimensions of aging and three types of fears. A principal components analysis of data collected from 312 adult volunteers revealed the presence of four interpretable factors: 1) Fear of Old People, 2) Psychological Concerns, 3) Physical Appearance, and 4) Fear of Loss. Items were eliminated to strengthen this factor structure and resulted in the retention of twenty items. Men were significantly more anxious about aging than were women on the AAS. Correlates of the four factors and implications for further research are discussed.
Deploying Top-k Specific Patterns for Relevance Feature Discovery

The quality of discovered patterns is important for relevance feature discovery in text documents because frequent pattern mining often produces many noisy patterns. In this paper, we propose a novel method for the summarization of discovered patterns in text documents, finding a smaller number of specific patterns for representing the large number of discovered patterns for a given topic. We also evaluate the proposed method by implementing a new pattern-based information filtering model. The experimental results show that the proposed method not only outperforms both the term-based approaches and pattern based approaches, but largely reduces the number of feature terms as well.
School Effects on Psychological Outcomes During Adolescence

Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used to examine school-level differences in the relations between school belonging and various outcomes. In Study 1, predictors of belonging were examined. Results indicated that belonging was lower in urban schools than in suburban schools, and lower in schools that used busing practices than those that did not. In Study 2, the relations between belonging and psychological outcomes were examined. The relations varied depending on the unit of analysis (individual vs. aggregated measures of belonging). Whereas individual students’ perceptions of belonging were inversely related to depression, social rejection, and school problems, aggregated belonging was related to greater reports of social rejection and school problems and to higher grade point average. Research on school-level differences during adolescence often has focused on nonpsychological outcomes, such as academic achievement and behavioral issues, instead of on psychological outcomes (Roeser, 1998). Indeed, research on school-level differences in nonacademic variables is quite rare. The purpose of the present research was to examine school-level differences in a variety of psychological outcomes, using a large nationally representative sample of adolescents.
Clonal origin of chemically induced papillomas: separate analysis of epidermal and dermal components.

A fundamental prediction of the hypothesis that critical events in tumour formation are rare is that the tumours develop by clonal expansion. This prediction has been tested by establishing the isozyme content of tumours induced in mosaic animals whose normal tissues contain two distinguishable isozyme activities. The observation that tumours contain activity associated with one or other of the two cell types present in non-neoplastic tissue has been taken to support the contention that the tumours are clonal in origin. Conversely, the presence of both isozyme activities has been taken to mean that the tumours are derived from a large number of cells. There are conflicting reports concerning the clonal origins of chemically induced epidermal tumours. In this report we present evidence that permits a critical resolution of this controversy. The neoplastic epidermal component of the tumours in mosaic animals was separated from the non-neoplastic dermal components. The neoplastic components were derived exclusively from one or other of the cell lineages present within the mosaic, while the dermal non-neoplastic tissue was shown to be derived from both cell lineages. The data support the view that, irrespective of dose or type of carcinogen, the neoplastic portion of a tumour is clonally derived and that analysis of unseparated tumours is confounded by non-neoplastic dermal tissue. The patch size (number of cells in aggregates of like cell type) was established in the target tissue, isolated epidermis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cell-Autonomous Inactivation of the Reelin Pathway Impairs Adult Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is thought to be essential for learning and memory, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several disorders. Although recent studies have identified key factors regulating neuroprogenitor proliferation in the adult hippocampus, the mechanisms that control the migration and integration of adult-born neurons into circuits are largely unknown. Reelin is an extracellular matrix protein that is vital for neuronal development. Activation of the Reelin cascade leads to phosphorylation of Disabled-1, an adaptor protein required for Reelin signaling. Here we used transgenic mouse and retroviral reporters along with Reelin signaling gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies to show that the Reelin pathway regulates migration and dendritic development of adult-generated hippocampal neurons. Whereas overexpression of Reelin accelerated dendritic maturation, inactivation of the Reelin signaling pathway specifically in adult neuroprogenitor cells resulted in aberrant migration, decreased dendrite development, formation of ectopic dendrites in the hilus, and the establishment of aberrant circuits. Our findings support a cell-autonomous and critical role for the Reelin pathway in regulating dendritic development and the integration of adult-generated granule cells and point to this pathway as a key regulator of adult neurogenesis. Moreover, our data reveal a novel role of the Reelin cascade in adult brain function with potential implications for the pathogenesis of several neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Screening for cognitive impairment in the elderly: Impact of physical function measures added to cognitive screening instruments

Abstract This study examines the relationship between cognitive impairment and impaired physical function to determine if the sensitivity and specificity of the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) can be improved by the addition of physical function measures. One hundred and sixty-two subjects from the Nova Scotia sample of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging were studied. Subjects were tested using the 3MS and physical function measures prior to undertaking a detailed clinical examination. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine optimal cutpoints for the 3MS and a new 3MS score which included physical function measures. While the 3MS distinguished demented from unimpaired subjects (.9618), it showed less efficiency for classification of unimpaired subjects and subjects who have cognitive impairment without dementia (.7536). the addition of physical function data increased performance of the 3MS in its ability to discriminate unimpaired from demented subjec.
Efficacy and Cost of an Exercise Program for Functionally Impaired Older Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background—Little is known about the optimum way to deliver exercise to older, functionally impaired patients with heart failure. We tested whether an exercise program tailored to the needs of these patients could improve exercise capacity and quality of life or reduce costs to the National Health Service. Methods and Results—The study design was a parallel-group, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Patients aged ≥70 years with symptomatic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction were randomized to either 24 weeks of exercise training or usual care. Six-minute walk distance was the primary outcome; markers of physical function, quality of life, health status, and daily activity were measured at baseline and 8 and 24 weeks. Carer strain and healthcare costs were also recorded. A total of 107 participants were randomized (mean age, 80 years; men, 72 [67%]). Six-minute walk distance did not improve compared to that of the control group at 8 weeks (−16.9 m; 95% CI, −41.8 to 7.9 m; P=0.18) or at 24 weeks (−5.3 m; 95% CI, −32.6 to 22.0 m; P=0.70). For secondary outcomes, only the sit-to-stand test improved significantly at 24 weeks (−6.4 s; 95% CI, −12.2 to 0.6 s; P=0.03); there was no difference in change for the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure score (0.1 points; 95% CI, −0.9 to 1.1 points; P=0.83) at 24 weeks. Carer strain did not decrease at 24 weeks (difference, −0.5 points; 95% CI, −8.3 to 7.3 points; P=0.80), and there was no difference in overall healthcare costs. Conclusions—This exercise intervention did not improve exercise capacity or quality of life in older patients with heart failure and was not cost saving to the National Health Service. Clinical Trial Registration—URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN51615566.
Three-dimensional structures of maturable and abortive capsids of equine herpesvirus 1 from cryoelectron microscopy

Cryoelectron microscopy and three-dimensional computer reconstruction techniques have been used to compare the structures of two types of DNA-free capsids of equine herpesvirus 1 at a resolution of 4.5 nm. "Light" capsids are abortive, whereas "intermediate" capsids are related to maturable intracellular precursors. Their T = 16 icosahedral outer shells, approximately 125 nm in diameter, are indistinguishable and may be described in terms of three layers of density, totalling 15 nm in thickness. The outermost layer consists of protruding portions of both the hexon and the penton capsomers, rising approximately 5 nm above a midlayer of density. The innermost layer, or "floor," is a 4-nm-thick sheet of virtually continuous density except for the orifices of the channels that traverse each capsomer. Hexon protrusions are distinctly hexagonal in shape, and penton protrusions are pentagonal. The structures of the three kinds of hexons (distinguished according to their positions on the surface lattice) are closely similar but differ somewhat in their respective orientations and in the shapes of their channels. The most prominent features of the midlayer are threefold nodules ("triplexes") at the trigonal lattice points. By analogy with other viral capsids, the triplexes may represent trimers of another capsid protein, possibly VP23 (36 kilodaltons [kDa]) or VP26 (12 kDa). Intermediate capsids differ from light capsids, which are empty, in having one or more internal components. In individual images from which the shell structure has been filtered away, these components are seen to have dimensions of 20 to 30 nm but to lack a visible substructure. This material--which is smeared out in the reconstruction, implying that its distribution is not icosahedrally symmetric or necessarily consistent from particle to particle--consists of aggregates of VP22 (46 kDa). From several lines of evidence, we conclude that this protein is located entirely within the capsid shell. These aggregates may be the remnants of morphogenetic cores retained in capsids interrupted in the process of DNA packaging.
No Gain, No Pain: Ethics and the Genomic Revolution

The mapping of the human genome and scientific discoveries regarding genetic contributions to disease hold great promise for the prevention and treatment of an array of conditions. Social workers and other professionals must keep abreast of these developments and the ethical dimensions of such progress. Familiar ethical provisions such as confidentiality, informed consent, self-determination, and social justice take on new meaning in light of innovations in genetic science. This article reviews ethical issues and practice implications emerging from advances in genetics knowledge, and it suggests mechanisms for continuing professional development and involvement in this important area.
Maternal age is not a risk factor for Parkinson's disease

The aging process is associated with an accumulation of oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). 1 2Mutations and deletions of mtDNA accumulate with aging in various tissues including germ lines.3 4 The resulting mitochondrial defects, if transmitted to offspring through the maternal line, could potentially play a part in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative illnesses including Parkinson's disease.5 In addition, advanced maternal age at the time of conception results in increased risk of genetic birth defects. This is in part due to chromosomal mutations and malfunctions within the ova which are in turn due to the increased age of the ovary and the ova. We examined the age of mothers at birth of patients with Parkinson's disease and controls to evaluate whether maternal age may be a risk factor in the development of Parkinson's disease. Subjects were recruited from the Movement Disorders Clinic at the University of Virginia. We interviewed 629 consecutive patients with Parkinson's disease and 376 consecutive spousal controls regarding their mother's age at the time of the subject's birth (maternal age). The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease was based on internationally accepted criteria. At least two of the following three criteria had to be present: rest tremor, …
Exposing the Nuclear Burning Ashes of Radius Expansion Type I X-Ray Bursts

We solve for the evolution of the vertical extent of the convective region of a neutron star atmosphere during a type I X-ray burst. The convective region is well mixed with ashes of nuclear burning, and its extent determines the rise time of the burst light curve. Using a full nuclear reaction network, we show that the maximum vertical extent of the convective region during photospheric radius expansion (RE) bursts can be sufficiently great that (1) some ashes of burning are ejected by the radiation-driven wind during the RE phase and (2) some ashes of burning are exposed at the neutron star surface following the RE phase. We find that ashes with mass numbers in the range A ~ 30-60 are mixed in with the ejected material. We calculate the expected column density of ejected and surface ashes in hydrogen-like states and determine the equivalent widths of the resulting photoionization edges from both the wind and the neutron star surface. We find that these can exceed 100 eV and are potentially detectable. A detection would probe the nuclear burning processes and might enable a measurement of the gravitational redshift of the neutron star. In addition, we find that in bursts with pure helium burning layers, protons from (α, p) reactions cause a rapid onset of the 12C(p, γ)13N(α, p)16O reaction sequence. The sequence bypasses the relatively slow 12C(α, γ)16O reaction and leads to a sudden surge in energy production that is directly observable as a rapid (~millisecond) increase in flux during burst rise.
T-S fuzzy controller design for a descriptor chaotic system

A four-dimensional descriptor chaotic system with six nonlinearities is put forward in this paper. A novel chaotic attractor can be generated from the nonlinear descriptor system. The system can be described as an appropriate T-S fuzzy system by analyzing a common state variable in all nonlinearities. By employing a linear matrix inequality approach, the closed-loop descriptor system is asymptotically stable by designing a T-S fuzzy controller. Corresponding numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the T-S fuzzy control approach.
Draft Genome Sequence of Marine-Derived Actinomycete Nocardiopsis sp. Strain TP-A0876, a Producer of Polyketide Pyrones

ABSTRACT Here we report the draft genome sequence of Nocardiopsis sp. strain TP-A0876, isolated from marine sediment, which produces polyketide-derived pyrones called nocapyrones. The genome contains three polyketide synthase (PKS) gene clusters, one of which was proposed to be responsible for nocapyrone biosynthesis. This genome sequence will facilitate the study of the potential for secondary metabolism in Nocardiopsis strains.
Functions, records and compatibility in the lN calculus

Subtyping, a fundamental notion for software reusability, establishes a classification of data according to a compatibility relationship. This relationship is usually associated with records. However, compatibility can be defined in other situations, involving for example enumerated types or concrete data types. We argue that the basic requirement for supporting compatibility is an interaction protocol between software components using names instead of positions. Based on this principle, an extension of the lambda calculus is proposed, which combines de Bruijn indices with names. In the extended calculus various subtyping situations mentioned above can be modelled; in particular, records are encoded in a straightforward way. Compatibility is formally defined in terms of an operational lattice based on observation of error generation. Unlike many usual orderings, errors are not identified with divergence; as a matter of fact, both are even opposite since they respectively correspond to the bottom and top elements of the lattice. Finally, we briefly explore a second extension of the calculus, providing meet and join operators through a simple operational definition, and opening interesting perspectives for type checking and concurrency.
Automatic Recovery of Camera Positions in Urban Scenes

Accuratecameracalibrationis crucial to thereconstructionof three-dimensional geometryandthe recovery of photometric sceneproperties.Calibration involves the determinationof intrinsic parameters(e.g. focal length,principal point, andradial lensdistortion)andextrinsic parameters (orientation and position). In urbanscenesandotherenvironmentscontainingsufficientgeometricstructure,it is possible to decoupleextrinsic calibrationinto rotationaland translationalcomponentsthat canbe treated separately , simplifying theregistrationproblem.Herewepresentsuchadecoupledformulationand describemethodsfor automaticallyrecoveringthepositionsof a largesetof camerasgivenintrinsic calibration, relati ve rotations, and approximate positions. Our algorithm first estimatesthe directionsof translation(up to an unknown scalefactor) betweenadjacentcamerapairsusingpoint featuresbut without requiringexplicit correspondence betweenthem.This techniquecombinesthe robustnessandsimplicity of a Houghtransformwith theaccuracy of MonteCarloexpectationmaximization.Wethenfind asetof distancesbetweenthe pairsthatproducesglobally-consistent camerapositions.Novel uncertaintyformulationsandmatch plausibility criteria improve reliability and accurac y. Weassessoursystem’ sperformanceusingbothsyntheticdataanda largesetof realpanoramic imagery. Thesystemproducescamerapositionsaccurateto within 5 centimetersin imagenetworks extending over hundreds of meters.
Identification by 2‐D DIGE of apoplastic proteins regulated by oligogalacturonides in Arabidopsis thaliana

Oligogalacturonides (OGs) are elicitors of plant defence responses released from the homogalacturonan of the plant cell wall during the attack by pathogenic micro‐organisms. The signalling pathway mediated by OGs remains poorly understood, and no proteins involved in their signal perception and transduction have yet been identified. In order to shed light into the molecular pathways regulated by OGs, a differential proteomic analysis has been carried out in Arabidopsis. Proteins from the apoplastic compartment were isolated and their expression compared between control and OG‐treated seedlings. 2‐D gels and difference in gel electrophoresis (DIGE) techniques were used to compare control and treated proteomes in the same gel. The analysis of subcellular proteomes from seedlings allowed the identification of novel and low abundance proteins that otherwise remain masked when total cellular extracts are investigated. The DIGE technique showed to be a powerful tool to overcome the high interexperiment variation of 2‐D gels. Differentially expressed apoplastic proteins were identified by MS and included proteins putatively involved in recognition as well as proteins whose PTMs are regulated by OGs. Our findings underscore the importance of cell wall as a source of molecules playing a role in the perception of pathogens and provide candidate proteins involved in the response to OGs.
Event detection in underwater domain by exploiting fish trajectory clustering

In this paper we propose a clustering-based approach for the analysis of fish trajectories in real-life unconstrained underwater videos, with the purpose of detecting behavioural events; in such a context, both video quality limitations and the motion properties of the targets make the trajectory analysis task for event detection extremely difficult. Our approach is based on the k-means clustering algorithm and allows to group similar trajectories together, thus providing a simple way to detect the most used paths and the most visited areas, and, by contrast, to identify trajectories which do not fall into any common clusters, therefore representing unusual behaviours. Our results show that the proposed approach is able to separate trajectory patterns and to identify those matching predefined behaviours or which are more likely to be associated to new/anomalous behaviours.