Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor in mice with cerebral infarct and transplanted bone marrow stromal cells: an autoradiographic and histologic analysis.

UNLABELLED Recent studies have indicated that bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) have the potential to improve neurologic function when transplanted into animal models of central nervous system disorders. However, how the transplanted BMSC restore the lost neurologic function is not clear. In the present study, therefore, we aimed to elucidate whether BMSC express the neuron-specific gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor when transplanted into brain that has been subjected to cerebral infarction. METHODS The BMSC were harvested from green fluorescent protein-transgenic mice and were cultured. The mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. The BMSC or vehicle was transplanted into the ipsilateral striatum 7 d after the insult. Using autoradiography and fluorescence immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the binding of 125I-iomazenil and the expression of GABA receptor protein in and around the cerebral infarct 4 wk after transplantation. RESULTS Binding of 125I-iomazenil was significantly higher in the periinfarct neocortex in the BMSC-transplanted animals than in the vehicle-transplanted animals. Likewise, the number of the GABAA receptor-positive cells was significantly higher in the periinfarct neocortex in the BMSC-transplanted animals than in the vehicle-transplanted animals. A certain subpopulation of the transplanted BMSC expressed a neuron-specific marker, microtubule-associated protein 2, and the marker protein specific for GABAA receptor in the periinfarct area. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that BMSC may contribute to neural tissue regeneration through migrating toward the periinfarct area and acquiring the neuron-specific receptor function.
Dark Matter Candidates from Particle Physics and Methods of Detection

The identity of dark matter is a question of central importance in both astrophysics and particle physics. In the past, the leading particle candidates were cold and collisionless, and typically predicted missing energy signals at particle colliders. However, recent progress has greatly expanded the list of well-motivated candidates and the possible signatures of dark matter. This review begins with a brief summary of the standard model of particle physics and its outstanding problems. I then discuss several dark matter candidates motivated by these problems, including weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), superWIMPs, light gravitinos, hidden dark matter, sterile neutrinos, and axions. For each of these, I critically examine the particle physics motivations and present their expected production mechanisms, basic properties, and implications for direct and indirect detection, particle colliders, and astrophysical observations. Upcoming experiments will discover or exclude many of these candidates, and progress may open up an era of unprecedented synergy between studies of the largest and smallest observable length scales.
Interactive Debugging for Big Data Analytics

An abundance of data in many disciplines has accelerated the adoption of distributed technologies such as Hadoop and Spark, which provide simple programming semantics and an active ecosystem. However, the current cloud computing model lacks the kinds of expressive and interactive debugging features found in traditional desktop computing. We seek to address these challenges with the development of BIGDEBUG, a framework providing interactive debugging primitives and tool-assisted fault localization services for big data analytics. We showcase the data provenance and optimized incremental computation features to effectively and efficiently support interactive debugging, and investigate new research directions on how to automatically pinpoint and repair the root cause of errors in large-scale distributed data processing.
Assessment of health-related quality of life in Egyptian adolescents with type 1 diabetes: DEMPU survey

Abstract Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a serious chronic illness that imposes significant morbidity and mortality with a major impact on the quality of life (QoL) that became a core issue in diabetes care. Understanding the effect of diabetes on QoL is important for day-to-day clinical management and also for public health policy initiatives aiming at improving health outcomes for those with diabetes. The objective of the study was to assess the QoL in adolescents with T1D and assess the applicability of the use of the “Quality of Life for Youth” questionnaire at the Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolism Pediatric Unit (DEMPU) clinic. Methods: One hundred and fifty adolescents (82 males and 68 females) (10–18 years), with T1D of at least 1 years’ duration, completed the questionnaire that evaluated symptoms related to diabetes, treatment, activities, parent issues, worries about diabetes and health perception. Higher scores indicated a more negative impact of diabetes and poorer QoL. Results: Males showed a significantly better mean QoL score than females (p=0.004). Different age groups showed different QoL scores (p=0.047). Urban adolescents had a better QoL than rural counterparts (p=0.02). Adolescents with poor QoL had generally lower educational level (p=0.02). Better metabolic control was associated with a better QoL (p=0.01). However, duration of diabetes and body mass index (BMI) had no statistically significant effect on QoL. Conclusions: QoL had a variable significant association with certain socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of diabetics (sex, residence, educational level as well as metabolic control).
Feature tracking and aging

There are conflicting results regarding the effect of aging on second-order motion processing (i.e., motion defined by attributes other than luminance, such as contrast). Two studies (Habak and Faubert, 2000; Tang and Zhou, 2009) found that second-order motion processing was more vulnerable to aging than first-order motion processing. Conversely, Billino et al. (2011) recently found that aging affected first- and second-order motion processing by similar proportions. These three studies used contrast-defined motion as a second-order stimulus, but there can be at least two potential issues when using such a stimulus to evaluate age-related sensitivity losses. First, it has been shown that the motion system processing contrast-defined motion varies depending on the stimulus parameters. Thus, although all these three studies assumed that their contrast-defined motion was processed by a low-level second-order motion system, this was not necessarily the case. The second potential issue is that contrast-defined motion consists in a contrast modulation of a texture rich in high spatial frequencies and aging mainly affects contrast sensitivity at high spatial frequencies. Consequently, some age-related sensitivity loss to second-order motion could be due to a lower sensitivity to the texture rather than to motion processing per se. To avoid these two potential issues, we used a second-order motion stimulus void of high spatial frequencies and which has been shown to be processed by a high-level feature tracking motion system, namely fractal rotation (Lagacé-Nadon et al., 2009). We found an age-related deficit on second-order motion processing at all temporal frequencies including the ones for which no age-related effect on first-order motion processing was observed. We conclude that aging affects the ability to track features. Previous age-related results on second-order and global motion processing are discussed in light of these findings.
Effect of Solution pH on the Adsorption of Paracetamol on Chemically Modified Activated Carbons

Paracetamol adsorption in acidic, neutral and basic media on three activated carbons with different chemistry surfaces was studied. A granular activated carbon (GAC) was prepared from coconut shell; starting from this sample, an oxidized activated carbon (GACo) was obtained by treating the GAC with a boiling solution of 6 M nitric acid, so to generate a greater number of oxygenated surface groups. In addition, a reduced activated carbon (GACr) was obtained by heating the GAC at 1173 K, to remove the oxygenated surface groups. Paracetamol adsorption was higher for GACr due to the lower presence of oxygenated surface functional groups. Moreover, adsorption was highest at neutral pH. The magnitude of the interactions between paracetamol molecules and activated carbons was studied by measuring the immersion enthalpies of activated carbons in solution of paracetamol at different concentrations and pH values and by calculating the interaction enthalpy. The highest value was obtained for GACr in a paracetamol solution of 1000 mg L−1 at pH 7, confirming that paracetamol adsorption is favoured on basic activated carbons at pH values near to neutrality. Finally, the Gibbs energy changes confirmed the latter result, allowing explaining the different magnitudes of the interactions between paracetamol and activated carbons, as a function of solution pH.
Segmental Osteotomy to Reposition a Malposed Dental Implant in theAnterior Maxilla: A Clinical Report

A dental implant may be positioned unfavorably for a variety reasons. Solutions involve various prosthetic alternative treatments or surgical approaches, such as removing the implant and replacing it with bone grafting. This case report describes the use of a segmental osteotomy for repositioning a malposed dental implant. A 24-year-old man was referred with an unrestorable osseointegrated dental implant that had been placed in the region of the maxillary right central incisor. The implant was repositioned using a segmental osteotomy. The segment was stabilized with orthodontic brackets, a miniplate, and screws. Six months later, the brackets were removed and a permanent restoration was fabricated. This technique has been used for many years to reposition natural dentition; however this is the only report which has been used orthodontic brackets for stabilization the segment. It provides the dental practitioner with a treatment alternative that is time-effective, cost-effective, and predictable.
Effect of Structural Properties of Both Proteins and Stationary Phases to Adsorption Behavior of Proteins in Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography

A series of specially designed agarose-based HIC adsorbents were examined using human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and human serum albumin (HSA) as model proteins, to investigate the effects of structural properties of both proteins and stationary phases on the adsorption behavior in HIC. The adsorbents examined differ from each other in terms of ligand density, spacer arm and ligand type. Dynamic binding capacity (DBC) was determined to reflect the retention of proteins on adsorbents. The results showed that the adsorption behaviors of IgG and HSA on hydrophobic adsorbents were in different manner. HSA tended to be retained in a HIC adsorbent with high local hydrophobicity within a small area, and their interaction was strictly salt-dependent; whereas IgG was sensitive to spatial accessibility of hydrophobic ligands rather than ligand type. This manner of adsorption enabled IgG to be adsorbed on adsorbents with relatively high ligand density in absence of water-structuring salt. The results were ascribed to the different structural flexibility, hydrophobic surface distribution and size of IgG and HSA, two proteins with different types of structure.
Topic Tracker : Shape-based Visualization for Trend and Sentiment Tracking in Twitter

In recent years there has been a continuous development of social media services on the web. Unprecedented success and active usage of these services result in massive amounts of user-generated data. Visual representation of these large amounts of unevenly distributed time series data is a challenging task, especially while preserving access to individual data points. Our hypothesis is that shape-based visual representations have advantages over established time series compression visualizations like Two-Tone Pseudo Coloring or line graphs. In this paper we present a shape-based visualization for trend and sentiment tracking of user-defined topics in the Twitter data stream. We use glyphs to visualize the appearance and sentiment of tweets on a timeline and enable analysts to keep track of the trend of their defined topic and the corresponding sentiment expressed by the Twitter users.
Software Performance Engineering Then and Now: A Position Paper

Software Performance Engineering (SPE) is about developing software systems that meet performance requirements. It is a proactive approach that uses quantitative techniques to predict the performance of software early in design to identify viable options and eliminate unsatisfactory ones before implementation begins. Despite its effectiveness, performance problems continue to occur. This position paper examines the evolution of SPE. It often helps to re-examine history to see if it yields insights into the future. It concludes with some thoughts about future directions.
Diversity and Plasticity of Sex Determination and Differentiation in Fishes

Among vertebrates, fishes show an exceptional range of reproductive strategies regarding the expression of their sexuality. Fish sexualities were categorized into gonochorism, synchronous/sequential hermaphrodite, or unisexual reproduction. In gonochoristic fishes, sex is determined genetically or by environmental factors. After sex determination, the gonads are differentiated into ovary or testis, with the sex remaining fixed for the entire life cycle. In contrast, some sequential hermaphrodite fishes can change their sex from male to female (protandrous), female to male (protogynous), or serially (bi-directional sex change) in their life cycle. In many cases, sex change is cued by social factors such as the disappearance of a male or female from a group. This unique diversity in fishes provides an ideal animal model to investigate sex determination and differentiation in vertebrates. This review first discusses genetic-orientated sex determination mechanisms. Then, we address the gonadal sex differentiation process in a gonochoristic fish, using an example of the Nile tilapia. Finally, we discuss various types of sex change that occur in hermaphrodite fishes.
Dose Comparison And Side Effect Profile Of Metformin Extended Release Versus Metformin Immediate Release.

BACKGROUND Diabetes Mellitus type 2 is very common worldwide, with majority of cases in Asia Pacific region. Metformin is the first line therapy, along with lifestyle modification for all type 2 diabetics as recommended by ADA. Metformin is available as conventional Metformin Immediate Release (MIR) and Metformin Extended Release (MXR). Metformin XR has better gastrointestinal tolerability and fewer side effects as compared to Metformin IR, with similar efficacy regarding anti-hyperglycaemic effects. The objective of this study was to determine whether metformin XR is as effective as Metformin IR in maintaining glycaemic control at equivalent doses or even at reduced doses; and to compare the side effect profile of the two preparations. METHODS This randomized control trial was conducted at Medical and Endocrinology OPD of Jinnah Hospital Lahore. A total of 90 type 2 diabetics of both genders were recruited using nonprobability purposive sampling. Patients were randomized into 3 groups; 30 in each group. Group 1 received Metformin IR 1000 mg twice daily; group 2 received metformin XR 1000 mg twice daily; and group 3 received metformin XR 500 mg twice daily, for a period of three months. HbA1c was done at baseline and after three months of therapy along with fasting blood sugars and random blood sugars weekly. RESULTS The mean age of patients was 46±9 years, with 54% being males and 46% being females. There was a 1% reduction in HbA1c in group 1, 0.7% reduction in group 2 and only 0.4% reduction in group 3. Similarly, all three therapies were equally effective in reducing blood sugar fasting and blood sugar random at three months. Side effects namely diarrhoea, dyspepsia and flatulence were greatest with Metformin IR (40%) but less than half with Metformin XR at equivalent dose and negligible at half the dose. CONCLUSIONS All three Metformin groups were effective in reduction of HbA1C and glycaemic control clinically and there is no statistical difference in HbA1c reduction among groups at three months.
The Effect of Teaching PECS to a Child With Autism on Verbal Behaviour, Play, and Social Functioning

Abstract The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a widely used intervention strategy designed to teach communication skills to children with developmental delays, including autism. The Picture Exchange Communication System incorporates the teaching of mand initiations that are thought to be pivotal response behaviours, and have been demonstrated to lead to generalised improvements in other nontargeted behaviours. The aim of the present study was to assess the acquisition of PECS with a 3-year-old boy with autism using the established PECS training program, and to evaluate concomitant changes in spoken language, social–communicative behaviours, and functional play. Results indicated that the participant rapidly acquired the criterion behaviours for Phases 1 to 3 of the PECS program. Although PECS exchanges were rarely observed in the generalisation settings, clear increases were evident in verbal mands and other initiations in both home and kindergarten generalisation settings. Increases in spoken vocabulary and in the length of comprehensible spoken utterances in free-play were observed as were gains in time spent in developmentally appropriate play. Implications of these results and directions for future research are discussed.
Simulation of Frequency , Timing Acquisition , and Cell Search Algorithms for OFDMA Based Mobile WiMAX

Mobile WiMAX is based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access technique. It, therefore, inherited the frequency and timing offset problems which contribute to the loss of the transmitted data. To overcome these problems, the transmitter and receiver must be well synchronized. This paper addresses the Mobile Wimax concept and introduces synchronization algorithms for frequency, timing acquisition, and cell search. These algorithms have been simulated under adaptive white Gaussian noise and fading channel for different values of signal to noise ratio. The simulation results obtained show that most of the errors have been successfully illuminated. Keywordsmobile WiMAX; orthogonal frequency division multiple access synchronization algorithms
Constructing dense correspondences to analyze 3D facial change

This paper presents an improved method to construct dense correspondences for 3D facial analysis, which are capable of providing a full 3D description of a surface and extending the conventional landmark-based approaches. Based on the technique of elastic deformation, the dense correspondences are established by mapping a generic model onto the 3D surface of an individual. The method used here is accurate in driving the conformation of the generic model and efficient in dealing with outliers, which can appear during local deformation. The experiments indicate for open surfaces as face with this method, more than 95 percent of triangles on the deformed generic mesh are within the range of 1 mm to the original model and the average landmark errors are only 2 mm.
Ethnic differences in the clinical expression of systemic lupus erythematosus: A comparative study between African-Americans and Latin Americans

Since ethnic differences in the disease expression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been recognized, we compared the clinical and serological features in two different ethnic groups of patients with SLE. The study population consisted of 222 African-American and 300 Latin American (Colombian) SLE patients. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were obtained by chart review using a standard data collection form. African-American patients more commonly manifested discoid skin lesions, pulmonary fibrosis, and pleuritis, and less commonly manifested photosensitivity, livedo reticularis, and vascular thrombosis than did Latin Americans. In addition, there was a higher frequency of anti-Sm, anti-RNP, and anti-Ro positivity among African-American patients compared with Latin Americans. These results are additional evidence for the presence of ethnic differences in the clinical expression of SLE.
The concept of developmental reprogramming and the quest for an inclusive theory of evolutionary mechanisms

SUMMARY Evolutionary developmental biology has already made a major contribution to our understanding of evolutionary patterns, notably homology. However, while it has the potential to make an equally important contribution to our understanding of evolutionary mechanisms, and indeed to the integration of mechanism and pattern, it has not yet done so. This paper explores how this potential may be realized. In particular, I focus on the limitations of present‐day neo‐Darwinian theory, and indicate how a combination of the neo‐Darwinian and “evo‐devo” approaches provides a more inclusive view of evolutionary mechanisms with greater explanatory power. There is a particular focus on developmental reprogramming, which lies logically between mutation and selection, yet has been neglected in mainstream evolutionary theory. The inclusion of developmental reprogramming in the list of evolutionary mechanisms leads to a view that the direction of evolutionary change is determined by a combination of internal and external factors, rather than being controlled entirely by the environment.
Innate Resistance and Susceptibility to Norovirus Infection

The notion that certain individuals appear more or less susceptible to infections or to specific microbes is not new, but, until recently, it was assumed that clinical outcome of an infection was mainly owing to virulence factors of the microorganism. Relatively little attention has been given to host genetic factors involved in innate or adaptive immunity or expression of pathogen receptors. A remarkable example of susceptibility dependence is the strong Mendelian trait resistance to the most common noroviruses among individuals with a nonsense mutation in chromosome 19[1]. Norovirus is recognized as the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, affecting children and adults alike [2]. Noroviruses are highly contagious and genetically diverse RNA viruses, but not all individuals are susceptible to infection to the same norovirus genotypes. Presence of histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) on gut epithelial surfaces is essential for susceptibility to many norovirus genotypes. The synthesis of these HBGAs, specifically of the ABH and Lewis families, requires the use of several fucosyl and glycosyltransferases encoded by the FUT2, FUT3, and ABH genes. Polymorphisms in these genes vary considerably depending on ethnicity, with a homozygous nonsense mutation (individuals called non-secretors) in the FUT2 gene occurring in approximately 5%–50% of different populations worldwide [3–5]. Secretor status also affects gut microbiota composition, including HBGA-expressing bacteria and bacteria inducing fucosylation in the gut. These could be intermediary factors that govern norovirus susceptibility [6–9].