Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lactate Transporters in the Context of Prostate Cancer Metabolism: What Do We Know?

Metabolic changes during malignant transformation have been noted for many years in tumours. Otto Warburg first reported that cancer cells preferentially rely on glycolysis for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen, leading to the production of high levels of lactate. The crucial role of lactate efflux and exchange within the tumour microenvironment drew attention to monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs). MCTs have been recognized as promising targets in cancer therapy, and their expression was described in a large variety of tumours; however, studies showing how these isoforms contribute to the acquisition of the malignant phenotype are scarce and still unclear regarding prostate cancer. In this review, we focus on the role for MCTs in cell metabolism, supporting the development and progression of prostate cancer, and discuss the exploitation of the metabolic nature of prostate cancer for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.
The G5 domain: a potential N-acetylglucosamine recognition domain involved in biofilm formation

SUMMARY Biofilms are complex microbial communities found at surfaces that are often associated with extracellular polysaccharides. Biofilm formation is a complex process that is being understood at the molecular level only recently. We have identified a novel domain that we call the G5 domain (named after its conserved glycine residues), which is found in a variety of enzymes such as Streptococcal IgA peptidases and various glycosyl hydrolases in bacteria. The G5 domain is found in the Accumulation Associated Protein (AAP), which is an important component in biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus. A common feature of the proteins containing G5 domains is N-acetylglucosamine binding, and we attribute this function to the G5 domain. CONTACT agb@sanger.ac. uk.
The effect of condensation pressure on selected physical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate.

AIM To examine the effect of condensation pressure on surface hardness, microstructure and compressive strength of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). METHODOLOGY White ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Johnson City, TN, USA) was mixed and packed into cylindrical polycarbonate tubes. Six groups each of 10 specimens were subjected to pressures of 0.06, 0.44, 1.68, 3.22, 4.46 and 8.88 MPa respectively. The surface hardness of each specimen was measured using Vickers microhardness. Cylindrical specimens of 4 mm in diameter and 6 mm in height were prepared in polycarbonate cylindrical moulds for testing the compressive strength. Five groups of 10 specimens were prepared using pressures of 0.06, 0.44, 1.68, 3.22 or 4.46 MPa. Data were subjected to one-way anova. The microstructure was analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) after sectioning specimens with a scalpel. RESULT A trend was observed for higher condensation pressures to produce lower surface hardness values. A condensation pressure of 8.88 MPa produced specimens with significantly lower values in terms of surface hardness than other groups (P<0.001). A condensation pressure of 1.68 MPa conferred the maximum compressive strength; however, it was not statistically different. Higher condensation pressures resulted in fewer voids and microchannels when analysed with SEM. In specimens prepared with lower condensation pressures distinctive crystalline structures were observed. They tended to appear around microchannels. CONCLUSION Condensation pressure may affect the strength and hardness of MTA. Use of controlled condensation pressure in sample preparation for future studies is suggested.
STDMA based link scheduling algorithm evaluation for wireless mesh network

Recent developments in the various researches suggests that the mechanisms and algorithms in resource allocation is widely seen as a major new opportunity to improve the wireless networks performance. In the wireless mesh network which is now seen as a potential topology candidate in future networks, spatial reuse exploitation in scheduling is one solution to extend network capacity. This paper provides the evaluation of the performance of the scheduling algorithm in a mesh network based on time division multiple access method by spatial reuse exploitation, in comparison with another basic time division multiple access method. This paper was used as a basis to examine the possibility of developing a wireless mesh network performance through the mechanism of resource allocation, in WiMAX case.
The role of cellular competition in B cell survival and selection of B cell repertoires

We studied the competitive repopulation by different B cells of irradiated mice reconstituted with bone marrow from either congenic or Ig‐transgenic (TG) mice mixed at different ratios. We found that after reconstitution, the number of B cells recovered in the different chimeras is similar and independent of the ratio of injected cells. In chimeras hosting TG and non‐TG cells, the relative representation of the donor cell lineages diverges from the ratios present in the inoculum, i.e. at the periphery, non‐TG cells are preferentially selected. Selection of non‐TG cells only occurs when population growth plateaus, i.e. when resources become limiting and competition starts to operate. Selection of non‐TG cells depends on surface Ig expression, and they are selected because they have a longer survival. Finally, the life‐expectancy of the same B cell population differs depending upon the second population present. The present results show that the life‐span and the population size of each B cell clone can be altered (interfered with) by the presence of a second cell population, demonstrating the existence of cellular competition among B cells. Our findings establish the role of cellular competition in the selection of B cell repertoires and the existence of a hierarchy of B cell selection in the absence of antigenic stimulation. The implications of cellular competition on our understanding of the immune system are discussed.
How Successful Is Data Structure Analysis in Isolating and Analyzing Linked Data Structures

This report describes a set of experiments to evaluate qualitatively the effectiveness of Data Structure Analysis (DSA) in identifying properties of a program’s data structures. We manually inspected several benchmarks to identify linked data structures and their properties, and compared these against the results produced by DSA. The properties we considered are those that were the primary goals of DSA: distinguishing different kinds of data structures, distinct instances of a particular kind, type information for objects within an LDS, and information about the lifetime of such objects (particularly, those local to a function rather than global). We define a set of metrics for the DS graphs computed by DSA that we use to summarize our results concisely for each benchmark. The results of the study are summarized in the last section.
Regulation of 'haploid expressed genes' in male germ cells.

unmethylated in testis DNA of adult mice. In contrast, the sites detected by the same enzymes in the coding and flanking regions of the mouse PI and P2 genes were predominantly methylated in the testis of adult mice. Analysis of DNAs from isolated testicular cell types revealed that the methylation changes in the TP1, PI and P2 genes occurred in germ cells between the type spermatogonial stage and pachytene spermatocytes. Control genes showed no methylation changes in DNA from prepubertal and adult testes. These results demonstrate that a pre-meiotic switching of methylation patterns for temporally expressed testicular genes occurs early during germ cell development in the testis. The fact that the demethyla¬ tion of the mouse TP1 gene and the increased methylation states of the PI and P2 genes occur before their expression suggests that complex chromatin regulatory changes underlie methylation regulation in the mammalian testis.
Learning movement primitives for force interaction tasks

Kinesthetic teaching is a promising approach to acquire robot skills in an intuitive way. This paper focuses on learning skills that do not solely rely on kinematics but also need to take into account interaction forces. We present three novel concepts towards learning such force interaction skills. Firstly, we determine segments from a small number of continuous kinesthetic demonstrations using contact information. Secondly, we associate each segment with a movement primitive, and determine its composition, i.e., the control variables and reference frames that allow to reproduce the demonstrated task. Lastly, we propose a concept to determine the transitions between the primitives during reproduction. The proposed methods are evaluated on a box pulling and flipping task, and show very good generalization abilities for objects with different geometries, and situations with different object arrangements.
LES ATTRIBUTIONS CAUSALES DANS LA RHÉTORIQUE POLITIQUE

L’essentiel de la rhetorique politique consiste en des enonces de cause ou de consequence sur les problemes et decisions politiques. La theorie cognitive des attributions causales ouvre des perspectives nouvelles pour la theorie de l’argumentation, notamment dans le champ de l’argumentation politique. Les attributions causales dispositionnelles et contextuelles, les attributions auto-avantageuses, les differences d’attributions entre acteurs et observateurs, voila autant de procedes cognitifs et de biais argumentatifs qui meublent tout le discours politique. La valeur heuristique des hypotheses de la theorie des attributions dans le champ du discours politique est illustree par quelques exemples americain, quebecois, francais et russe.
The Acute Management of Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Clinical Review

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating disease with high rates of mortality and morbidity. The major risk factors for ICH include chronic arterial hypertension and oral anticoagulation. After the initial hemorrhage, hematoma expansion and perihematoma edema result in secondary brain damage and worsened outcome. A rapid onset of focal neurological deficit with clinical signs of increased intracranial pressure is strongly suggestive of a diagnosis of ICH, although cranial imaging is required to differentiate it from ischemic stroke. ICH is a medical emergency and initial management should focus on urgent stabilization of cardiorespiratory variables and treatment of intracranial complications. More than 90% of patients present with acute hypertension, and there is some evidence that acute arterial blood pressure reduction is safe and associated with slowed hematoma growth and reduced risk of early neurological deterioration. However, early optimism that outcome might be improved by the early administration of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has not been substantiated by a large phase III study. ICH is the most feared complication of warfarin anticoagulation, and the need to arrest intracranial bleeding outweighs all other considerations. Treatment options for warfarin reversal include vitamin K, fresh frozen plasma, prothrombin complex concentrates, and rFVIIa. There is no evidence to guide the specific management of antiplatelet therapy–related ICH. With the exceptions of placement of a ventricular drain in patients with hydrocephalus and evacuation of a large posterior fossa hematoma, the timing and nature of other neurosurgical interventions is also controversial. There is substantial evidence that management of patients with ICH in a specialist neurointensive care unit, where treatment is directed toward monitoring and managing cardiorespiratory variables and intracranial pressure, is associated with improved outcomes. Attention must be given to fluid and glycemic management, minimizing the risk of ventilator-acquired pneumonia, fever control, provision of enteral nutrition, and thromboembolic prophylaxis. There is an increasing awareness that aggressive management in the acute phase can translate into improved outcomes after ICH.
Perception and cognition in immersive Virtual Reality

In the next future, 3D-CAD methods will be extensively employed in conjunction with 3D immersive displays, so called Virtual Environments (VE). These may dramatically improve the possibilities of visualization and interaction offered by common 2D display CAD workstations. Thus, ergonomic evaluation needs to be made as to how the computer-generated object is represented on 3D immersive display (VE) during the design process and to evaluate the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) aided design applications on user's perceptive and cognitive system. Although it is known that monocular cues and stereopsis can contribute individually, or in combination, to an appreciation of the object threedimensional shape, there is little information on the relative merits of them. This is important in the case of virtual objects since incorporation of some visual cues is associated with a significant computational expense. For instance, the simulation of stereoscopic vision requires two display channels to be rendered in a frame interval. Thus, an understanding of the relative benefits of these monocular and binocular coding techniques helps in judging the overall value of including a particular cue. In so doing, virtual reality application can be tuned and optimised for real time performance. This chapter reports on three experiments performed to examine the effects of different visualization techniques of 3D computer-generated freeform surfaces on subjects’ perceptual and cognitive performance while doing CAD-related activities in an immersive VR system.
Advances in Medical Education and Practice Dovepress Teaching Surgical Skills in Obstetrics Using a Cesarean Section Simulator – Bringing Simulation to Life

Purpose: Cesarean section is the most common surgery performed in obstetrics. Incorporating a simulation model into training provides a safe, low-stress environment in which students can gain skills and receive feedback. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of obstetrics simulator training for medical students doing their internship. Methods: Twenty-five students posted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology received a formal lecture on cesarean section and demonstration of the procedure on a mannequin in the first week of their internship, The study group (n = 12) practiced their skills on an obstetrics simulator under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The control group received no simulator-based training (n = 13) or further instruction. All students were asked to complete a prevalidated questionnaire to assess their level of confidence in performing the procedure after the educational session. Results: Compared with their peers in the study, students in the simulator group were significantly more likely to define the steps of cesarean section (91% vs 61.5%), and were comfortable in assisting cesarean section (100% vs 46.15%) as they were able to identify the layers of abdomen opened during cesarean section. All 12 students reported this as an excellent experience. Conclusion: We were able to construct an inexpensive cesarean section trainer that facilitates instruction in cesarean section technique in a low-stress environment.
Effects of family structure and socialization on materialism: a life course study in Thailand

Consumer researchers have long been interested in understanding the development of materialistic attitudes and values in different cultural settings. The life course approach, which has developed recently as an interdisciplinary programme for studying various aspects of behaviour, was used as an overarching framework for studying the development of materialism in Thailand. Specifically, the paper first presents the general conceptual framework that serves as a blueprint for discussing theoretical perspectives. Next, hypotheses derived from life course perspectives are formulated, and a survey of young adults (ages 20 to 32) is used to test them. We found that family disruption influences materialism only among those young adults from lower social classes. Findings of this paper have implications for theory development and suggest directions for future research.
Use of Statistical And Neural Net Methods In Predicting Toxicity Of Chemicals: A Hierarchical QSAR Approach

A contemporary trend in computational toxicology is the prediction of toxicity endpoints and toxic modes of action of chemicals from parameters that can be calculated directly from their molecular structure. Topological, geometrical, substructural, and quantum chemical parameters fall into this category. We have been involved in the development of a new hierarchical quantitative structureactivity relationship (QSAR) approach in predicting physicochemical, biomedicinal and toxicological properties of various sets of chemicals. This approach uses incremsingly more complex molecular descriptors for model building in a graduated manner. In this paper we will apply statistical and neural net mettlods in the development of QSAR models for predicting toxicity of chemicals using topostructural, topochemical, geometrical, and quantum chemical indices. The utility and limitations of the approach will be discussed.
Corumination, interpersonal stress generation, and internalizing symptoms: Accumulating effects and transactional influences in a multiwave study of adolescents

Abstract This multiwave longitudinal study investigated potential transactional and accumulating influences among corumination, interpersonal stressors, and internalizing symptoms among a sample of early and middle adolescents (N = 350; 6th–10th graders). Youth completed self-report measures of corumination at Times 1, 2, and 4, and negative life events, internalizing symptoms (general depressive, specific anhedonic depressive, anxious arousal, general internalizing), and externalizing problems at all four time points (5 weeks between each assessment across 4 months). Results supported hypotheses. First, baseline corumination predicted prospective trajectories of all forms of internalizing symptoms but not externalizing problems. Second, baseline corumination predicted generation of interpersonal-dependent, but not interpersonal-independent or noninterpersonal stressors. Third, interpersonal-dependent events partially mediated the longitudinal association between baseline corumination and prospective internalizing symptoms. Fourth, a transactional, bidirectional set of associations was supported in that initial internalizing symptoms and stressors predicted later elevations in corumination, and in turn, corumination predicted later symptoms through the mediating role of interpersonal stressors to complete both streams in the transactional chain of influence. Fifth, girls and older adolescents exhibited higher corumination, but neither age nor sex moderated any associations. These findings are discussed within a transactional, developmental cascade model.
Exploring educational standard alignment: in search of 'relevance'

The growing availability of online K-12 curriculum is increasing the need for meaningful alignment of this curriculum with state-specific standards. Promising automated and semi-automated alignment tools have recently become available. Unfortunately, recent alignment evaluation studies report low inter-rater reliability, e.g., 32% with two raters and 35 documents. While these results are in line with studies in other domains, low reliability makes it difficult to accurately train automatic systems and complicates comparison of different services. We propose that inter-rater reliability of broadly defined, abstract concepts such as 'alignment' or 'relevance' must be expected to be low due to the real-world complexity of teaching and the multidimensional nature of the curricular documents. Hence, we suggest decomposing these concepts into less abstract, more precise measures anchored in the daily practice of teaching. This article reports on the integration of automatic alignment results into the interface of the Teach Engineering collection and on an evaluation methodology intended to produce more consistent document relevance ratings. Our results (based on 14 raters x 6 documents) show high inter-rater reliability (61 - 95%) on less abstract relevance dimensions while scores on the overall 'relevance' concept are (as expected) lower (64%). Despite a relatively small sample size, regression analysis of our data resulted in an explanatory (R2 = .75) and statistically stable (p-values < .05) model for overall relevance as indicated by matching concepts, related background material, adaptability to grade level, and anticipated usefulness of exercises. Our results suggest that more detailed relevance evaluation which includes several dimensions of relevance would produce better data for comparing and training alignment tools.
Distributed Pruning Methods for Stable Topology Information Dissemination in Ad Hoc Networks

We propose a component based modelling and design strategy for the Neighborhood Discovery Component (NDC) and the Selector of Topology Information to Disseminate Component (STIDC) of proactive ad hoc routing protocols. The NDC design strategy focuses on limiting the detection time and removing time of network good and bad links respectively. The STIDC strategy makes sure that only stable links with long life time are selected as the topology information that will be broadcasted in network. We provide analytic performance analysis methods for both components and show that using the proposed methodologies we can significantly reduce the overhead of information dissemination in proactive routing protocols such as OLSR.
A Weighted Color MRF Model for 3D Reconstruction from a Single Image

Image-based modeling problem is a tough and basic problem in computer vision and computer graphics. This paper provides an improved solution to generate a scene model from a single image based on the multi-scale Markov random field. We consider the different influence of the different color components in RGB color space when modeling through a single still image. In this paper, we proposed a weighted color model for 3D reconstruction and draw a conclusion that different color components contain different depth information, and by modifying the weight of different color components in the image we can get a better visual effects and more accurate 3D model. The output model of our solution then can be used to construct a virtual scene rapidly based on a scene image.
Safety Talk:

In the present political climates of Western democracies, the `criminology of the self' (Garland, 1996) dominates crime prevention literature. What this means for women, in effect, is that we are asked (and expected) to see the ordinary as risky. This article argues that conventional analyses of women's risk of violence, and `fear of crime' overlooks the effective self-regulation inherent in women's strategies of safekeeping. Women's safety talk demonstrates that men's violence operates as a `technology' of regulating the `self'.