Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A second genetic polymorphism in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) associated with decreased enzyme activity.

A common mutation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), C677T, results in a thermolabile variant with reduced activity. Homozygous mutant individuals (approximately 10% of North Americans) are predisposed to mild hyperhomocysteinemia, when their folate status is low. This genetic-nutrient interactive effect is believed to increase the risk for neural tube defects and vascular disease. In this communication, we characterize a second common variant in MTHFR (A1298C), an E to A substitution. Homozygosity was observed in approximately 10% of Canadian individuals. This polymorphism was associated with decreased enzyme activity; homozygotes had approximately 60% of control activity in lymphocytes. Heterozygotes for both the C677T and the A1298C mutation, approximately 15% of individuals, had 50-60% of control activity, a value that was lower than that seen in single heterozygotes for the C677T variant. No individuals were homozygous for both mutations. Additional studies of the A1298C mutation, in the absence and presence of the C677T mutation, are warranted, to adequately address the role of this new genetic variant in complex traits. A silent genetic variant, T1317C, was identified in the same exon. It was relatively infrequent (allele frequency 5%) in our study group, but was quite common in a small sample of African individuals (allele frequency 39%).
Methylation of the hMLH1 promoter in multiple gastric carcinomas with microsatellite instability

Hypermethylation of the hMLH1 promoter is observed in the majority of sporadic gastric carcinomas with high frequency microsatellite instability (MSI), and it contributes to the genesis of MSI‐positive gastric carcinoma. Multiple gastric carcinoma is known to have a higher frequency of MSI positivity than single gastric carcinoma. However, the molecular basis of MSI in these tumors remains obscure. We investigated the role of hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation in the genesis of multiple gastric carcinoma with MSI. We analyzed 33 tumors from 15 patients with multiple gastric carcinoma (12 double tumors and three triple tumors) for MSI, expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2, and hypermethylation of hMLH1 and hMSH2 promoters. High frequency MSI was found in seven out of 33 tumors (21%) in five out of 15 patients (33%). All of the tumors with high frequency MSI had a lack of hMLH1 expression, with the presence of hMSH2 expression, while all the tumors with no MSI or low frequency MSI were positive for both hMLH1 and hMSH2. All of the tumors with no expression of hMLH1 had hMLH1 hypermethylation, whereas hMLH1 hypermethylation was observed in two out of 26 (8%) tumors with no or low frequency MSI. None of the tumors showed hMSH2 hypermethylation. These results suggest that epigenetic changes in the hMLH1 promoter account for the genesis of multiple gastric carcinoma with high frequency MSI.
Vision, eye movements, and natural behavior

Abstract Historically, the principal function of vision has been to provide the information needed to support action. Visually mediated actions rely on three systems: the gaze system responsible for locating and fixating task-relevant objects, the motor system of the limbs to carry out the task, and the visual system to supply information to the other two. All three systems are under the control of a fourth system, the schema system, which specifies the current task and plans the overall sequence of actions. These four systems have separate but interconnected cortical representations. The way these systems interact in time and space is discussed here in relation to two studies of the gaze changes and manipulations made during two ordinary food preparation tasks. The main conclusions are that complex action sequences consist of a succession of individual object-related actions, each of which typically involve a turn toward the object (if needed), followed by fixation and finally manipulation monitored by vision. Gaze often moves on to the next object just before manipulation is complete. Task-irrelevant objects are hardly ever fixated, implying that the control of fixation comes principally from top-down instructions from the schema system, not bottom-up salience. Single fixations have identifiable functions (locating, directing, guiding, and checking) related to the action to be taken. Several variants of the basic object-related action scheme are discussed, including single-action events in ball sports involving only one anticipatory gaze shift, continuous production loops in text and music reading, and storage–action alternation in copying tasks such as portrait sketching.
Multidimensional encoding within the temporal microstructure of auditory displays. II.

Informational constraints were encoded within individual pulses of multivariate auditory displays. Sensitivity for the constraints was determined by forced‐choice discrimination tests. With a single informational constraint imposed upon a combination of display variables, discrimination is impaired as additional display variables contribute to the constraint. With multiple informational constraints, discrimination improves with the number of constraints, and thereby improves with the number of controlled display variables. The latter result is consistent with the identification of individual dimensions of multivariate auditory displays.
A New Subthreshold Current Model for Junctionless Trigate MOSFETs to Examine Interface-Trapped Charge Effects

On the basis of the effects of interface-trapped charges on the flat-band voltage, quasi-3-D scaling equation, and Pao-Sah's integral, a novel subthreshold current model is presented for the junctionless trigate (JLTG) MOSFETs to examine interface-trapped charge effects (ITCEs). It indicates that a thin gate oxide can effectively reduce the subthreshold current degradation caused by the ITCEs. In contrast to the thin gate oxide, a thick silicon is required to alleviate the subthreshold current degradation caused by the ITCEs. For the short-channel behavior, the positive-/negative-trapped charges can enhance/alleviate short-channel effects (SCEs) for the device. As opposed to SCEs, the long-channel JLTG transistor suffers severe ITCEs than the short-channel device. Besides, the JL double-gate device with less gate coverage of the channel can reduce more subthreshold current degradation caused by the ITCEs than both the JLTG and JL quadruple-gate devices. Due to its computational efficiency, the model can be easily used to explore the hot-carrier-induced current behavior for the fully depleted JLTG MOSFETs for its memory cell application.
Computational modeling of pedunculopontine nucleus deep brain stimulation

Objective. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) near the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) has been posited to improve medication-intractable gait and balance problems in patients with Parkinson's disease. However, clinical studies evaluating this DBS target have not demonstrated consistent therapeutic effects, with several studies reporting the emergence of paresthesia and oculomotor side effects. The spatial and pathway-specific extent to which brainstem regions are modulated during PPN-DBS is not well understood. Approach. Here, we describe two computational models that estimate the direct effects of DBS in the PPN region for human and translational non-human primate (NHP) studies. The three-dimensional models were constructed from segmented histological images from each species, multi-compartment neuron models and inhomogeneous finite element models of the voltage distribution in the brainstem during DBS. Main Results. The computational models predicted that: (1) the majority of PPN neurons are activated with −3 V monopolar cathodic stimulation; (2) surgical targeting errors of as little as 1 mm in both species decrement activation selectivity; (3) specifically, monopolar stimulation in caudal, medial, or anterior PPN activates a significant proportion of the superior cerebellar peduncle (up to 60% in the human model and 90% in the NHP model at −3 V); (4) monopolar stimulation in rostral, lateral or anterior PPN activates a large percentage of medial lemniscus fibers (up to 33% in the human model and 40% in the NHP model at −3 V) and (5) the current clinical cylindrical electrode design is suboptimal for isolating the modulatory effects to PPN neurons. Significance. We show that a DBS lead design with radially-segmented electrodes may yield improved functional outcome for PPN-DBS.
Two weeks' treatment with chlorpromazine, thioridazine, sulpiride, or bromazepam: actions and interactions with alcohol on psychomotor skills related to driving.

Subacute effects of C, T, S, or B, alone or in combination with A, were tested against P in two double-blind crossover trials with 37 healthy students. The drugs were given in capsules t.i. d. for 2 weeks each and the psychomotor performance (choice reaction, coordination, attention) was measured on the 7th and 14th days of treatment. At each session the subjects swallowed a capsule together with 0.5 g/kg of A or P drink, and the measurements were done, 30, 90, and 150 min thereafter. T alone did not differ from placebo in the doses used (10 mg t.i.d. for 7 days and 20 mg t.i.d. for the next 7 days). After C (dosing as above) and S (50 mg t.i.d.) both reactive and coordinative skills were slightly impaired. B (6 mg t.i.d.) clearly impaired both reactive skills and attention. T + A had no major combined effect on skills while C interacted with A resulting in impaired reactive and coordinative skills. After C + A the subjects were unable of compensating their coordination mistakes by slow driving. The interaction of S with A was mild, whereas B + A strongly impaired coordination and divided attention. No alterations were recorded in flicker fusion after any treatment.
[Malignant pleural mesothelioma. From diagnosis to prognosis].

EPIDEMIOLOGY The incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma has constantly increased over the past forty years. The recent measures of ban on the use of asbestos and the long latency of this tumor after exposure means that its peak incidence can be foreseen for the years 2010-2020. DIAGNOSIS Various health professionals are involved in the care of this tumor, which benefits equally from progresses in clinical and fundamental research. Some progress has been made in understanding its oncogenesis as well as its histopathologic analysis. PROGNOSIS Malignant pleural mesothelioma symptoms are rapidly invalidating and the patient's prognosis is bad at short-term. However, hope may come from the detection of early stages of the disease and from the individualization of good prognosis factors, permitting the selection of patients for whom some curative therapies are in course of evaluation.
Feral Information Systems and Workarounds: The Present Position

This chapter looks at the extent of feral information systems in organisations and provides some insights for the possible reason for their development in relation to the user resistance literature. The factors associated with FIS development relate to individual, system, organisational, and process issues, and the relationships to each of these issues are presented in the context of existing reserch that has been conducted in three different sites in three different countries, namely Australia, the United Kingdom, and Denmark.
2 Five-dimensional domain wall from resolved branes on

All previous Randall-Sundrum type models have required a Z2 identification source which does not have a known string theoretic origin. We show that the near-horizon of various resolved branes on an Eguchi-Hanson instanton dimensionally reduce to a fivedimensional domain wall that traps gravity, without an additional delta-function source. This brings us substantially closer to embedding infinite extra dimensions in M-theory. Also, this provides us with a brane world model for a strongly-coupled Yang-Mills field theory with quark-antiquark charge screening at finite separation distance. 1 This work is supported in part by the Francqui Foundation (Belgium), the Actions de Recherche Concertées of the Direction de la Recherche Scientifique Communauté Francaise de Belgique, IISN-Belgium (convention 4.4505.86).
Implementation and acceptability of Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy in women's substance use disorder treatment.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation and acceptability of Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT), a novel adjunctive approach to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The primary aims of the study were to examine implementation of MABT as an adjunct to addiction treatment, and MABT acceptability to study participants and treatment staff. METHODS MABT was delivered to participants randomly assigned to the intervention in a larger ongoing trial. This study focuses only on the implementation and acceptability of the intervention, as outcomes are not yet available. MABT was delivered once weekly for 8 weeks (1.5-hour sessions) and spanned inpatient and outpatient programs at a women-only treatment facility. Descriptive statistics were used to examine participant recruitment and retention to the intervention. To measure MABT acceptability, survey and written questionnaires were administered; analysis involved descriptive statistics and content analysis using Atlas.ti software. RESULTS Thirty-one (31) of the women enrolled in the study were randomized to MABT. Eighteen (18) participants completed 75%-100% of the MABT sessions. Intervention implementation required flexibility on the part of both the researchers and the clinic staff, and minor changes were made to successfully implement MABT as an adjunct to usual care. MABT was perceived to increase emotional awareness and provide new tools to cope with stress, and to positively influence SUD treatment by facilitating emotion regulation. CONCLUSIONS It was feasible to implement MABT and to recruit and retain women to MABT in women's chemical-dependency treatment. MABT acceptability and perceived benefit was high.
Motivations for implementation of ecological compensation areas on Swiss farms.

Ecological compensation areas are implemented on Swiss farms with the aim of encouraging biodiversity, but recent studies have found that the existing system of incentives for specific conservation measures is insufficient to halt biodiversity loss in the Swiss agricultural landscape. A project with the title “Score with biodiversity farmers encouraging nature” (MVP ) aims to contribute to a nature-friendly and economically strong agricultural sector, in which animal and plant species co-exist with agriculture in a way that is mutually beneficial. Two new instruments have been developed in the project. With a new points system, the performance of farms in the promotion of natural diversity is evaluated. The points system gives a clear indication to farmers where and how their contribution to biodiversity can be improved, and serves policy by enabling allocation of subsidies to be directed towards measures with quantifiable benefits for biodiversity. The second instrument is a new approach to consulting in which farmers collaborate directly with advisors to find the optimal measures to encourage biodiversity under the specific conditions of their farms. Farmers can then ensure their ecological measures are targeted to their local conditions and policy makers can be informed of which measures should be given priority support with incentives. As part of this collaboration, participating farmers were interviewed and asked questions about their attitudes toward nature conservation. It was found that farmers identities and their experiences with past nature conservation measures combine with their expectations of direct benefits, such as financial incentives, and their trust that the measures will produce the desired outcomes, to form a behavioural attitude. Swiss farmers display a strong sense of fairness, which drives them to comply with subjective norms, although they feel torn between a societal expectation to conserve nature and a wish to appear productive to their peers. We conclude by offering several persuasion strategies that are based on reconciling the apparent dichotomy between production and nature conservation. Furthermore, we recommend that any changes to the existing policy framework should be undertaken in a consultative process and that farmers be allowed the flexibility to implement measures that will produce the best conservation outcomes on their farms.
Clinicopathological concordance of dementia diagnoses by community versus tertiary care clinicians

Subjects enrolled in the Autopsy Program at the University of Southern California Alzheimer's Disease Research Center may receive clinical diagnoses from primary care providers in the community or from specialists in neurology. We reviewed the autopsy concordance rates for 463 subjects for diagnoses made by both groups of clinicians. Seventy-seven percent of the sample met neuropathological criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The overall diagnostic accuracy for this sample was 81 percent. Neurologists assessed 200 of the subjects (43 percent). The diagnostic accuracy for any clinical diagnosis among the non-neurologists was 84 percent, and 78 percent (p = 0.07) among neurologists. For AD, non-neurologists had a diagnostic concordance rate of 91 percent and neurologists 87 percent. Where neuropathological AD was missed, non-neurologists had failed to detect any cognitive impairment; neurologists had diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Erroneous clinical diagnoses of AD missed dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) or AD concurrent with Parkinson's disease (PD). Our findings identify specific foci for improving clinical diagnosis of dementia among all physicians managing dementia.
MoCrySIL - carry your cryptographic keys in your pocket

Today's applications need to share data and workload in heterogeneous device environments. Many of these handle sensitive data and need to make use of cryptography, which induces keys that have to be provisioned, stored and shared securely. Our Cryptographic Service Interoperability Layer (CrySIL) architecture addressed these challenges by storing the key material off-device in a central hardened service that provides cryptographic functions to arbitrary devices via standardised APIs. While CrySIL is typically deployed by a trusted entity utilising hardware-security-modules (HSMs), the setup of this central trusted instance might be too complex or not desired in SME/personal deployment scenarios. Therefore, we present MoCrySIL, an extension to CrySIL that omits the need for a thrusted third party by making use of hardware-backed key-storage facilities available in today's smart phones. We describe the MoCrySIL architectures and present a prototype that performs S/MIME based email encryption/signatures via a PKCS#11 library. We conduct a thorough security/risk analysis, and reflect on functional achievements and shortcomings.
Paths to Retention and Turnover in the IT Workforce: Understanding the Relationships Between Gender, Minority Status, Job and Organizational Factors

Pascale Carayon, Ph.D. (Principal Investigator) Professor of Industrial Engineering and Director of the Center for Quality and Productivity Improvement University of Wisconsin-Madison Co-investigators: Ray Aldag, Professor, School of Business Mary Vernon, Professor, Department of Computer Sciences University of Wisconsin-Madison Research staff: Peter Hoonakker, Research Scientist, Center for Quality and Productivity Improvement Ernesto Barrios, Computer Specialist, Center for Quality and Productivity Improvement Maria Brunette, Research Assistant, Center for Quality and Productivity Improvement Jen Schwarz, Research Assistant, Center for Quality and Productivity Improvement University of Wisconsin-Madison
Radar absorbing structures using carbon nano-composites: EM design and performance analysis

Low observability can be achieved by increasing absorption along with decreasing reflection and transmission. Most of the devices are made up of conducting materials which has high reflection characteristics. Radar absorbing structure (RAS) over such metallic objects can reduce the radar cross section (RCS) effectively. In this paper, carbon nano-composite is used in RAS design to achieve improved electromagnetic (EM) absorption over wide frequency range with optimum thickness. The results obtained through computations and full wave simulations are shown to be in good agreement. It is demonstrated that an optimized design and proper choice of material can provide an efficient RAS with minimum bulkiness.
The Usefulness of γ-Glutamyltransferase as a Marker of Cardiovascular Function in Africans and Caucasians: The SABPA Study

Aim. Serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is increasingly regarded as a marker of vascular function. However, the usefulness of this marker is in dispute. Gender and ethnic differences, as well as the serum level range where correlations with vascular function will emerge, may complicate the usefulness of GGT. The aim is to compare correlations with markers of vascular function between African and Caucasian groups. Methods. This cross-sectional target population study involved four groups of African and Caucasian men and women of 100 participants each. Fasting lipids, GGT, C-reactive protein (CRP), reactive oxygen species, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were determined as well as blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and left ventricular hypertrophy. Results. γ-Glutamyltransferase levels were significantly higher in Africans compared with Caucasians and also higher in men than in women. γ-Glutamyltransferase correlated with triglycerides in all four groups and after adjusting the correlations sustained in the male groups but disappeared in women. Correlations existed between GGT and blood pressure, except for the African women. After adjustments, CIMT correlated with GGT in Caucasian men (r = 0.29; P < .01). Glycosylated hemoglobin was associated with GGT in Caucasian women (r = 0.26; P = .01) as well as CRP (r = 0.36; P < .01). When the groups were divided into low and high GGT groups by median split, most of the correlations disappeared in the high GGT groups. Conclusions. Gender and ethnic-specific associations occurred regarding GGT and variables associated with cardiovascular function. With high levels of GGT the correlations diminished. The usefulness of GGT as a marker of vascular dysfunction seems limited.