Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease

The degeneration of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system and parkinsonism (rest tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability/gait disorder) represent only one aspect of Parkinson’s disease (PD), a multifaceted and complex disorder. In addition to this typical motor dysfunction, non-motor symptoms (NMS) also significantly reduce of quality of life. Several non-motor features are associated with deficits in extranigral dopaminergic pathways (e.g. mesolimbic, mesocortical), while others involve non-dopaminergic systems in the nervous system (e.g. cholinergic, noradrenergic, serotoninergic). Sleep (e.g. rapid eye movement behaviour disorder), olfactory and autonomic dysfunction (e.g. constipation) may precede the onset of parkinsonism by many years, consistent with the debated notion that PD pathology starts in the lower brainstem and that midbrain (i.e. nigral) involvement represents stage three out of six pathological stages. Considering parkinsonism as just the tip of the iceberg of a multifaceted and complex disorder, PD might be better viewed as a ‘centrosympathomyenteric neuronopathy,’ as per Langston. In this article, various non-motor aspects of PD (see Table 1) are discussed.
An initial framework for research on pair programming

In recent years, several claims have been put forward in favour of pair programming, as opposed to individual programming. However, results from existing studies on pair programming contain apparent contradictions. The differences in the context in which the studies were conducted may be one explanation for such results. The paper presents an initial framework for research on pair programming. The aim is to support empirical studies and meta-analysis for developing theories about pair programming. The framework is based on: (1) existing studies on pair programming, (2) ongoing studies by the authors, and (3) theories from group dynamics.
Using Genetic Algorithms for Design and Reconfiguration of RBAC Schemes

During last years for Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) model there were suggested several variants of optimization problems for design of RBAC schemes. These problems have mappings ≪users--roles> and ≪roles--permissions> under different conditions, concerning numbers of roles and links, as well as accuracy of reproduction of the initial mapping ≪users--permissions>. Different methods were suggested for solving these problems. Nevertheless the problem of reconfiguration of RBAC schemes is not studied in known papers. This paper gives the problem statement for reconfiguration of RBAC schemes and suggests a unified approach to solve both problems (design and reconfiguration), based on genetic algorithms. The suggested genetic algorithms have several enhancements. They use two chromosomes for each individuals, use columns of matrices as genes of chromosomes and take into consideration in fitness-functions several criteria at the same time. The results of the experiments show sufficiently high efficiency of the suggested approach.
Effect of ovarian stimulation on the endometrial apoptosis at implantation period.

BACKGROUND Apoptosis is a process that plays an important role during early stage of implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of apoptosis in mice endometrium after ovarian stimulation at implantation period. METHODS NMRI female mice were divided into two groups: 1) control group, which were rendered pseudopregnant by vaginal stimulation and 2) experimental group, which were stimulated using an intrapritoneal injection of 10 IU hMG followed by another injection of 10 IU hCG after 48 h. In the evening of the second injection, the mice were rendered pseudopregnant the same as control group. Samples were obtained from 1/3 middle part of uterine horns during implantation period. Apoptosis was assessed in two groups at implantation period using light and electron microscopic studies, TUNEL staining and semiquantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS Our morphological and ultrastructural results showed apoptosis in both groups, while TUNEL analysis showed that the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells was higher in stimulated group than in the control group (P≤0.05). The expression of P53, Fas and FasL mRNA was similar in two groups but Bax and Bcl2 were much higher in control group than in the stimulated group (P≤0.05). The ratio of Bax/Bcl2 expression was much higher in stimulated group than in the control group (P≤0.05). CONCLUSION The ovarian stimulation could change the expression of some apoptosis-related genes and enhance the incidence of endometrial apoptosis at implantation period; thus, it could affect on the implantation rate and endometrial receptivity.
Early Activation of the Multicomponent Signaling Complex Associated With Focal Adhesion Kinase Induced by Pressure Overload in the Rat Heart

Mechanical overload elicits functional and structural adaptive mechanisms in cardiac muscle. Signaling pathways linked to integrin/cytoskeleton complexes may have a function in mediation of the effects of mechanical stimulus in myocardial cells. We investigated the tyrosine phosphorylation and the assembly of the multicomponent signaling complex associated with focal adhesion kinase (Fak) and the actin cytoskeleton in the overloaded myocardium of rats. Pressure overload induced a 3-fold increase in Fak tyrosine phosphorylation within 3 minutes after a 60-mm Hg rise in aortic pressure. A pressure stimulus that lasted for 60 minutes was accompanied by a 5-fold increase in the amount of tyrosine-phosphorylated Fak, and a stimulus as low as 10 mm Hg doubled the amount of tyrosine-phosphorylated Fak in the myocardium within 10 minutes. Pressure overload also induced a time-dependent association of actin with Fak and an increase in the amount of Fak detected in the cytoskeletal fraction of the myocardium. These events were paralleled by c-Src activation and binding to Fak and by an association of Grb2 and p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with Fak. Erk1/2 and Akt, two possible downstream effectors of Fak via Grb2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, were also shown to be activated in parallel with Fak. These findings show that pressure overload induced a rapid activation of the Fak multiple signaling complex in the myocardium of rats, which suggests that this mechanism may have a role in mechanotransduction in the myocardium.
Magnitude Squared of Coherence to Detect Imaginary Movement

This work investigates the Magnitude Squared of Coherence (MSC) for detection of Event Related Potentials (ERPs) related to left-hand index finger movement. Initially, ERP presence was examined in different brain areas. To accomplish that, 20 EEG channels were used, positioned according to the 10–20 international system. The grand average, resulting from 10 normal subjects showed, as expected, responses at frontal, central, and parietal areas, particularly evident at the central area (C3, C4, Cz). The MSC, applied to movement imagination related EEG signals, detected a consistent response in frequencies around 0.3–1 Hz (delta band), mainly at central area (C3, Cz, and C4). Ability differences in control imagination among subjects produced different detection performance. Some subjects needed up to 45 events for a detectable response, while for some others only 10 events proved sufficient. Some subjects also required two or three experimental sessions in order to achieve detectable responses. For one subject, response detection was not possible at all. However, due to brain plasticity, it is plausible to expect that training sessions (to practice movement imagination) improve signal-noise ratio and lead to better detection using MSC. Results are sufficiently encouraging as to suggest further exploration of MSC for future BCI application.
Can Supermassive Black Holes Form in Metal-enriched High-Redshift Protogalaxies?

Primordial gas in protogalactic DM halos with virial temperatures Tvir≳ 104 K begins to cool and condense via atomic hydrogen. Provided that this gas is irradiated by a strong UV flux and remains free of H2 and other molecules, it has been proposed that the halo with Tvir ∼ 104 K may avoid fragmentation and lead to the rapid formation of an SMBH as massive as M ≈ 105–106 M☉. This “head start” would help explain the presence of SMBHs with inferred masses of several times 109 M☉, powering the bright quasars discovered in the SDSS at redshift z≳ 6. However, high-redshift DM halos with Tvir ∼ 104 K are likely already enriched with at least trace amounts of metals and dust produced by prior star formation in their progenitors. Here we study the thermal and chemical evolution of low-metallicity gas exposed to extremely strong UV radiation fields. Our results, obtained in one-zone models, suggest that gas fragmentation is inevitable above a critical metallicity, whose value is between Zcr ≈ 3 × 10−4 Z☉ (in the absence of dust) and as low as Zcr ≈ 5 × 10−6 Z☉ (with a dust-to-gas mass ratio of about 0.01Z/Z☉). We propose that when the metallicity exceeds these critical values, dense clusters of low-mass stars may form at the halo nucleus. Relatively massive stars in such a cluster can then rapidly coalesce into a single more massive object, which may produce an intermediate-mass BH remnant with a mass up to M≲ 102–103 M☉.
Non-Isolated Three Stage Interleaved Boost Converter For High Voltage Gain

In this paper, three stage high step-up interleaved boost converter with voltage multiplier cells(VMCS) and three state switching cells(3SSC) is proposed. The new method has been examined under various scenarios, including the loss of switches, ripples and stress. In the proposed topology an additional stage of voltage multiplier i.e, three stages is added which will increase the voltage gain and efficiency, reduces switching and conduction loss, voltage and current stress across switches and ripples. Another important feature of this converter is the lower blocking voltage across the controlled switches compared to similar circuits, which allows the utilization of MOSFETs switches with lower conduction loss. The simulation of proposed converter was done using MATLAB and the stimulation result was validated.
Germline bias dictates cross-serotype reactivity in a common

Culshaw, Abigail, Ladell, Kristin, Gras, Stephanie, McLaren, James, Miners, Kelly, Farenc, Carine, van den Heuvel, Heleen, Gostick, Emma, Dejnirattisai, Wanwisa, Wangteeraprasert, Apirath, Duangchinda, Thaneeya, Chotiyarnwong, Pojchong, Limpitikul, Wannee, Vasanawathana, Sirijitt, Malasit, Prida, Dong, Tao, Rossjohn, Jamie, Mongkolsapaya, Juthathip, Price, David and Screaton, Gavin R 2017. Germline bias dictates cross-serotype reactivity in a common dengue-virus-specific CD8+ T cell response. Nature Immunology 18 (11) , pp. 1228-1237. 10.1038/ni.3850 filefilefilefilefilefilefilefilefilefilefilefilefilefile
Waveguide evanescent field scattering microscopy: bacterial biofilms and their sterilization response via UV irradiation

Waveguide Evanescent Field Scattering (WEFS) microscopy is introduced as a new and simple tool for label‐free, high contrast imaging of bacteria and bacteria sensors. Bacterial microcolonies and single bacteria were discriminated both by their bright field images and by their evanescent scattering intensity. By comparing bright field images with WEFS images, the proportion of planktonic: sessile (i.e., “floating”: attached) bacteria were measured. Bacteria were irradiated with UV light, which limited their biofilm forming capability. A quantitative decrease in attachment of individual, sessile bacteria and in attached, microcolony occupied areas was easily determined within the apparent biofilms with increasing UV dose. WEFS microscopy is an ideal tool for providing rapid quantitative data on biofilm formation. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Measurement of peptide-specific IgE as an additional tool in identifying patients with clinical reactivity to peanuts.

BACKGROUND Peanut allergy is one of the most common food allergies, often resulting in severe reactions. Diagnostic decision levels of food-specific IgE antibody concentrations have been described. However, many patients still need to undergo oral peanut challenges because their IgE levels are in the nondiagnostic level. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether differences exist in IgE-binding epitope recognition between sensitized children with and without symptomatic peanut allergy. METHODS Eight peptides representing the immunodominant sequential epitopes on Ara h 1, 2, and 3 were synthesized on SPOTs membranes. Individual patient labeling was performed with sera from 15 patients with symptomatic peanut allergy and 16 patients who were sensitized but tolerant. Ten of these 16 patients had "outgrown" their allergy. RESULTS Regardless of their peanut-specific IgE levels, most patients with symptomatic peanut allergy showed IgE binding to the 3 immunodominant epitopes on Ara h 2. In contrast, each of these epitopes was recognized by < 10% of the tolerant patients. In addition, tolerant patients did not recognize 2 immunodominant epitopes on Ara h 1. At least 93% of symptomatic, but only 12.5% of tolerant patients, recognized 1 of these "predictive" epitopes on Ara h 1 or 2. Moreover, the cumulative IgE binding to the peanut peptides was significantly higher in patients with peanut allergy than in tolerant patients. With up to 50% of patients with peanut-specific IgE levels below diagnostic decision levels still being clinically reactive, oral food challenges could be avoided in ~90% of these patients through determination of peptide-specific IgE. CONCLUSIONS Determination of epitope recognition provides an additional tool to diagnose symptomatic peanut allergy, especially in children with peanut-specific IgE below diagnostic decision levels.
RF MEMS - Enabling Technology for Millimeter-Waves

This paper presents high-performance millimeter-wave passive devices using MEMS technology. The purpose of this paper is to show the possibility of MEMS technology as an enabling technology for millimeter-waves. The loss and cost issues, which have been the inherent barrier for commercialization of mm-waves, can be solved by RF MEMS technology. Successful demonstrations of MEMS technology for mm-waves include novel CPW transmission lines, digital impedance tuners, analog tunable band-pass filters, reconfigurable low-pass filters, V-band digital distributed phase shifters and 2-D mechanical beam-steering antennas. All these circuits were implemented for 30-65 GHz frequency range, and show the state-of-the-art performance, which is beyond the limit set by the conventional technology.
Autorepression of RctB, an Initiator of Vibrio cholerae Chromosome II Replication

ABSTRACT The RctB protein binds to the origin of replication of Vibrio cholerae chromosome II (chrII) and is required for oriCIIVc-based replication. Here, we found that RctB acts as an autorepressor, inhibiting rctB transcription. Integration host factor promotes rctB transcription, while Dam and DnaA, factors required for replication of both V. cholerae chromosomes, influence RctB autorepression. Thus, RctB appears to regulate chrII replication as both an initiator and a transcription repressor, and its synthesis is modulated by factors that govern replication of both chromosomes.
Super-Resolution Image Reconstruction using the Discontinuity Adaptive ICM

We propose a Bayesian approach for the super resolution image reconstruction (SRIR) problem using a Markov random field (MRF) for image characterization. SRIR consists in using a set of low-resolution (LR) images from the same scene to generate a high-resolution (HR) estimate of the original object. Using a Bayesian formulation, it is possible to incorporate previously known spatial information about the HR image to be estimated. In our approach, the iterated conditional modes (ICM) algorithm is used to find the maximum a posteriori (MAP) solution, and a discontinuity adaptive framework is used to overcome the oversmoothness inherent to MAP-MRF formulations. To evaluate the capability of the algorithm in reconstructing the actual image, we used the universal image quality index (UIQI). According to this index, the proposed method produced accurate results.
Securing outsourced database: architecture for protected web resource

Outsourcing data and IT infrastructure can be profitable for business, but it raises severe privacy issues. Ordinary encryptions partially solve the problem, but they limits operations, which can be performed over encrypted data. In this paper, we propose solution focused on securing outsourced database content using proprietary developed Order Preserving and Fully Homomorphic encryptions, allowing us to conduct operations inside database. In order to show applicability of our approach we developed a theoretical model of protected Web resource and validated it through practical implementation, using most popular CMS WordPress. Theoretical and practical aspects of creating secure database backed Web resource will be discussed.
Replacement metal-gate NMOSFETs with ALD TaN/EP-Cu, PVD Ta, and PVD TaN electrode

This work reports the first replacement (damascene) metal gate NMOSFETs with atomic layer deposition (ALD) TaN/PVD and electroplated Cu as the stacked gate electrode. Transistors with PVD TaN and PVD Ta electrode are also fabricated. Our data show that ALD TaN has the right work function for the N-MOSFETs. The Cu damascene process can reduce the gate resistivity. The ALD process has the advantage of reducing the stress and radiation damage to the gate oxide. The damascene process flow bypasses high temperature steps (>600/spl deg/C)-critical for metal gate and high-k materials.
School Well-being and Its' Relationships with Self-perception of Competence and Personality in Adolescent

232 middle school students were investigated about their school well-being,self-perception of competence and personality.The characteristics of school well-being and its' relationships with self-perception of competence and personality were explored.The results showed:(1) The female students reported higher school satisfaction than the males.There was a tendency that the adolescents experienced lower school well-being with the increase of grades. (2) Neuroticism and extraversion mediated the causal relation between self-perception of competence and school well-being.Neuroticism mediated the relation between self-perception of competence and negative affect.Extraversion mediated the relation between self-perception of social competence and positive affect in school.
In silico approaches to microarray-based disease classification and gene function discovery

The automated analysis of transcriptional profiling data promises a wealth of information that may be used to develop a more complete understanding of gene function and interactions. Moreover, it may improve the effectiveness of complex diagnostic tasks. This article discusses important data mining and management techniques to analyse genome-wide expression data. It reviews some of the major discovery goals, methods and applications in a number of biomedical domains. Finally, this paper highlights key problems that need to be approached by a new generation of computational solutions.
Increased Diffusional Mobility of CFTR at the Plasma Membrane after Deletion of Its C-terminal PDZ Binding Motif*

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein is a cAMP-regulated Cl- channel expressed at the apical plasma membrane. It has been proposed that the C-terminal PDZ binding motif of CFTR is required for its apical membrane targeting and that PDZ-domain interactions may tether CFTR to the actin cytoskeleton via soluble proteins including EBP50/NHERF1 and ezrin. We measured the diffusional mobility of human CFTR in the plasma membrane of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells by photobleaching of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CFTR chimeras. After bleaching by a focused laser beam, GFP-CFTR fluorescence in the bleached membrane region recovered to ∼90% of its initial level, indicating that nearly all of the CFTR was mobile. The GFP-CFTR diffusion coefficient (D) was 0.99 ± 0.09 × 10-10 cm2/s at 37 °C, similar to that of other membrane proteins. GFP-CFTR diffusion was not altered by protein kinase A or C activators but was blocked by paraformaldehyde and filipin. CFTR mutants lacking functional PDZ-binding domains (GFPCFTR-ΔTRL and GFP-CFTR-ΔTRA) were also mobile with D significantly increased by ∼60% compared with GFP-CFTR. However, GFP-CFTR, GFP-CFTR-Δ TRL, and GFP-CFTR-ΔTRA had similar mobilities (D ∼12 × 10-10 cm2/s) at the endoplasmic reticulum in brefeldin A-treated cells. Agents that modulate the actin cytoskeleton (cytochalasin D and jasplakinolide) altered the plasma membrane mobility of CFTR but not CFTR- ΔTRL. EBP50 (NHERF1), a PDZ domain-containing protein that interacts with the C terminus of CFTR, diffused freely in the cytoplasm with a diffusion coefficient of 0.9 ± 0.1 × 10-7 cm2/s. EBP50 diffusion increased by ∼2-fold after deletion of its ezrin-binding domain. These results indicate that wild-type CFTR is not tethered statically at the plasma membrane but that its diffusion is dependent on PDZ-domain interactions and an intact actin skeleton. PDZ-domain interactions of CFTR are thus dynamic and occur on a time scale of seconds or faster.
Individual fitness versus whole-crop photosynthesis:solar tracking tradeoffs in alfalfa

Despite the optimism of some molecular biologists, natural selection among the wild ancestors of crops is unlikely to have missed simple genetic improvements that would consistently have enhanced individual fitness. Tradeoff‐free opportunities for further improvement of crop traits like photosynthetic efficiency or drought tolerance may therefore be elusive. Opportunities linked to acceptable tradeoffs may be abundant, however. Tradeoffs between individual competitiveness and the collective productivity of plant communities (e.g. those linked to height) have been key to past increases in yield potential. Solar tracking by leaves could involve such tradeoffs, if photosynthetic benefits to tracking leaves are outweighed by increased shading of leaves lower in the canopy. This hypothesis was tested using rotation in the horizontal plane to disrupt solar tracking in alfalfa. In sparse canopies, solar tracking increased net canopy photosynthesis, but rarely by more than 3%. As leaf area increased, solar tracking tended to decrease net canopy photosynthesis, despite edge effects in our 1‐m2 artificial communities, which probably exaggerated net photosynthetic benefits of tracking. Computer modeling suggested that the season‐long effects of solar tracking on community productivity can be negative. Solar tracking may have persisted, nonetheless, because individuals whose leaves track the sun increase shading of competitors.