Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of EEG features during overt visual attention during neurofeedback game

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is an emerging modality for direct communication between brain and computer, bypassing brain's conventional communication pathway of the nerves and muscles. Though BCI investigations have been targeting on the development of assistive devices for paralyzed patients initially, recent BCI research exploits the possibilities of BCI in entertainment and cognitive-skill enhancement through neurofeedback games also. Neurofeedback is an effective tool for boosting cognitive skills of both healthy and attention-deficit people based on real-time feedback and self-regulation of brain signals. This paper investigates the feasibility of employing EEG features related to sustained attention and overt visual attention-shift towards left or right visual periphery from a fixation point in the context of a neurofeedback game. Three healthy subjects have successfully played the proposed neurofeedback game by selecting the targets solely by EEG features related to overt visual attention, offering an average accuracy of 72.22%.
Diagnostyka neuropsychologiczna w atypowych zespołach parkinsonowskich

W zespolach parkinsonowskich objawom ruchowym czesto towarzyszą zaburzenia poznawcze i emocjonalne. Rozwijają sie one przed wystąpieniem pierwszych objawow ruchowych lub po ich wystąpieniu, a ich nasilenie moze byc lagodne bądź znaczne. Ocena tych zaburzen ma szczegolne znaczenie dla ustalenia rozpoznania, rokowania i planowania dalszego postepowania. W artykule przedstawiono problematyke rozpoznawania i roznicowania zaburzen poznawczych w atypowych zespolach parkinsonowskich, takich jak postepujące porazenie ponadjądrowe, zespol korowo-podstawny, otepienie czolowo-skroniowe z parkinsonizmem sprzezone z chromosomem 17, otepienie z cialami Lewy’ego oraz zanik wieloukladowy. Omowiono ogolną charakterystyke tych zaburzen, cechy roznicujące poszczegolne choroby, a takze zagadnienia doboru metod do oceny przesiewowej i badania neuropsychologicznego.
Fragmentación de sistemas finitos

En la presente tesis estudiamos procesos de fragmentacion de sistemas finitos, formados por constituyentes que interactuan de a pares a traves de potenciales de corto rango. Utilizamos tecnicas de dinamica molecular para simular experimentos de fragmentacion de sistemas confinados en volumen, de sistemas libres no-confinados y de procesos de produccion [. ]
Privacy vs. National Security: Where Do We Draw the Line?

Privacy is sacred and would normally be expected and preserved by an individual. Online privacy is no longer about the right to be left alone, but also includes the right not to be monitored. However, with the revelations made by United States National Security Agency former employee Edward Snowden that the government is spying on internet communications, individuals’ privacy can no longer be expected. Therefore, this paper is intended to evaluate law related to privacy protection in the digital domain, who should govern it and whether invasion to a person’s privacy is a necessary justification to preserve national security. Keywords—Cyberspace, data protection, national security, privacy.
Protocols for Authenticated Anonymous Communications

Anonymity and specifically sender anonymity have become essential requirements for many privacy-related applications (e.g. net counselling and whistle blowing). On the other hand, anonymity may be abused for various malicious activities (e.g. redistribution of copy-righted contents and illegal drug trading). In this paper, we address both by proposing protocols for authenticated anonymous communications channels. In such channels, the client can authenticate the authentication server while the latter can only authenticate the fact that the client is one of the qualified members that are eligible to use the network (e.g. WLAN hot spots, WiMAX). Our protocols are based on an efficient anonymous password-based authenticated key exchange protocol and on an anonymous IP address assignment and have the following advantages: (1) they can restrict the usage of the established anonymous channels to certain fair purposes; (2) they do not involve rerouting of the packets through a chain of intermediate nodes; (3) they are available right after registration of a normal password to an authentication server as for a classical non-anonymous authentication (e.g. EAP-TTLS and PEAP) and do not require any special registration procedures that would reveal initially to the authentication server that the client belongs to a small list of users of anonymous services. Each protocol fits in a different authentication framework (IEEE802.1x and PANA) and is different with respect to providing controlled IP address assignment.
Impaired Cytokine Production and Decreased TLR2-Mediated Signaling in Mouse Infant Macrophages

Infants are known to be more susceptible to pathogens. This might be due in part to the impaired function of macrophage. In the present study, we observed that macrophages from infant mice produced decreased levels of TNF-α and IL-6, but increased IL-10 after stimulation with toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) agonist zymosan. Moreover, zymosan-stimulated activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and ERK1/2 was significantly reduced in mouse infant macrophages. These effects could be reversed by using MAPK modulators. The findings suggest that the impaired cytokine production and decreased TLR2-mediated signaling in infant macrophages may contribute to the susceptibility of infants to bacterial infection.
Numerical Simulation of Gas Flow Over MicroScale

Flows over micro-scale airfoils are investigated using both particle and continuum approaches. An implementation of the information preservation technique based on the direct simulation Monte Carlo method is used to simulate flows over a flat plate of zero thickness at low Reynolds number (Re<100), and good agreement is obtained comparing with experimental data and theoretical results. Investigation shows that the aerodynamics of a 5% flat plate at Re=4 is quite different from that at Re=4,000 that were measured experimentally. A continuum approach with slip boundary conditions predicts a similar basic flow pattern as the IP method with differences in details, which may indicate that continuum approaches are not suitable for this kind of flow because of rarefied effects.
Compassion fatigue: how much can I give?

An increasing number of publications examine the disturbing effects on clinicians of witnessing or learning of trauma experienced by their patients. This vicarious traumatisation is described in various terms, including secondary victimisation, secondary survival, emotional contagion, counter-transference, burnout and compassion fatigue. It is generally accepted that, while they have significant similarities, there are also differences between these phenomena. Central to these processes is the use of empathy by clinicians. What is the role of empathy in the doctor)patient relationship?
The Selectivity of Regenerating Motor and Sensory Axons

Functional results of peripheral nerve repair have been hampered by misdirection of regenerating axons. The purpose of this study was to determine in a rat femoral nerve model whether regenerating motor and sensory axons from a proximal nerve stump select the appropriate distal motor or sensory branch. In two experiments, the proximal stump of the motor or sensory branches was sutured to the distal motor sensory stumps, so that the three branches were parallel and the three transected ends faced in the same direction. More regenerated axons from both the proximal motor and sensory stumps entered the distal sensory stump. The number of misdirected axons did not decrease over time. The selective regeneration of motor axons toward the distal motor stump could not be validated. In this study, neurotropism appeared to play a measurable role in sensory axon regeneration, but not in motor axon regeneration. Pruning of the misdirected axons was not demonstrated.
Effect of cushing response on systemic arterial pressure

This work investigates the complex relationships between cerebrovascular dynamics, intracranial pressure (ICP), Cushing response, and short-term systemic regulation via an original mathematical model. The model has been used to analyze the effects of Cushing response on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular quantities during constant ICP elevation and during the occurrence of ICP plateau waves and to investigate the conditions leading to system instability with the formation of slow (0.05-0.1 Hz) arterial pressure waves. The model may be of value to assist clinicians in finding the balance between clinical benefits of Cushing response and its shortcomings.
Comparative studies of the influence of dietary fat on plasma levels of isosorbide dinitrate from two sustained-release products.

The influence of dietary fat intake on the plasma levels and bioavailability of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) from two sustained-release formulations was examined in ten healthy volunteers by mean of an open crossover trial. Each subject orally received one mixed granule type product(formulation A) and one diffused-sustained-release type product (formulation B). The plasma level of ISDN rapidly increased to the maximum level within 3-5h after administration of each product in subjects on a fatty diet. The mean enhancements were 84.5% for formulation A and 61.2% for formulation B compared with the levels in subjects on fat-free diet. The area under the curve(AUC0-10) values of the former in subjects fed dietary fat were significantly greater than the preprandial figures, but no significant difference was observed with the latter product.
[Expert opinion on use of intravenous immunoglobulins in the management of neurological disorders].

1Klinika Neurologiczna, Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny, Centralny Szpital Kliniczny MON w Warszawie 2Zak3ad Transfuzjologii Klinicznej, Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny, Centralny Szpital Kliniczny MON w Warszawie 3Klinika Neurologii, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu 4Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii w Warszawie 5Zak3ad Neuroimmunologii Klinicznej, Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu 6Klinika Neurologii, Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny w Bia3ymstoku 7Klinika Neurologii Doros3ych, Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne w Gdañsku 8Klinika Neurologii, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
Fat and Heart Disease: Yes We Can Make a Change – The Case of North Karelia (Finland)

Background/Methods: The exceptionally high mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Finnish population in the 1970s ensued the initiation of preventive health interventions, which were first started in the Province of North Karelia and later on extended to all other regions of Finland. Their aim was to change population diets, especially with respect to the quality of fat: to reduce saturated and increase unsaturated fat intake. In addition, emphasis was placed on increased vegetable intake and salt reduction. The aim of this paper was to illustrate the effect of combined efforts of several stakeholders on CVD. This comprehensive action in Finland has involved health education programs, preventive measures in health services, actions at schools, broad collaboration with non-governmental and private sector organizations, government policies, population-based monitoring and evaluation, and international collaboration. Results: The combined efforts of all stakeholders have greatly helped people to reduce the intake of saturated fat and to replace this with unsaturated fat. This has been associated with an improved quality of the dietary fat (e.g. in 1972, over 90% of the population used butter on their bread compared to <5% at present) and a remarkable reduction in blood cholesterol levels. It has led to a 80% reduction in annual CVD mortality rates among the working aged population, to a major increase in life expectancy and to major improvements in functional capacity and health. Studies have shown that the reduction in blood cholesterol levels, explained by the target dietary changes, have had the greatest impact on these very favorable health changes. Conclusion: The Finnish experience shows both the feasibility and great potential of CVD prevention and heart health promotion through general dietary changes in the population.
Flexible and conductive MXene films and nanocomposites with high capacitance

Significance Two-dimensional transition metal carbides (MXenes) offer a quite unique combination of excellent mechanical properties, hydrophilic surfaces, and metallic conductivity. In this first report (to our knowledge) on MXene composites of any kind, we show that adding polymer binders/spacers between atomically thin MXenes layers or reinforcing polymers with MXenes results in composite films that have excellent flexibility, good tensile and compressive strengths, and electrical conductivity that can be adjusted over a wide range. The volumetric capacitances of freestanding Ti3C2Tx MXene and its composite films exceed all previously published results. Owing to their mechanical strength and impressive capacitive performance, these films have the potential to be used for structural energy storage devices, electrochemical actuators, radiofrequency shielding, among other applications. MXenes, a new family of 2D materials, combine hydrophilic surfaces with metallic conductivity. Delamination of MXene produces single-layer nanosheets with thickness of about a nanometer and lateral size of the order of micrometers. The high aspect ratio of delaminated MXene renders it promising nanofiller in multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. Herein, Ti3C2Tx MXene was mixed with either a charged polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) or an electrically neutral polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to produce Ti3C2Tx/polymer composites. The as-fabricated composites are flexible and have electrical conductivities as high as 2.2 × 104 S/m in the case of the Ti3C2Tx/PVA composite film and 2.4 × 105 S/m for pure Ti3C2Tx films. The tensile strength of the Ti3C2Tx/PVA composites was significantly enhanced compared with pure Ti3C2Tx or PVA films. The intercalation and confinement of the polymer between the MXene flakes not only increased flexibility but also enhanced cationic intercalation, offering an impressive volumetric capacitance of ∼530 F/cm3 for MXene/PVA-KOH composite film at 2 mV/s. To our knowledge, this study is a first, but crucial, step in exploring the potential of using MXenes in polymer-based multifunctional nanocomposites for a host of applications, such as structural components, energy storage devices, wearable electronics, electrochemical actuators, and radiofrequency shielding, to name a few.
Increased Type 1 Fimbrial Expression among Commensal Escherichia coli Isolates in the Murine Cecum following Catabolic Stress

ABSTRACT Although indigenous bacteria intimately colonize the intestinal mucosa, under normal conditions the intestinal epithelial cell is free of adherent bacteria. Nonetheless, commensal bacteria such asEscherichia coli adhere to and translocate across the intestinal epithelium in association with a number of pathologic states including hemorrhagic shock, immunosuppression, traumatic tissue injury, and lack of enteral feedings. The adhesins involved in the adherence of indigenous E. coli to the intestinal epithelium in vivo following catabolic stress are unknown. We have developed a mouse model to study the bacterial adhesins which mediate the increased intestinal adherence of E. coliafter partial hepatectomy and short-term starvation. Our studies demonstrated that hepatectomy and starvation in the mouse were associated with a 7,500-fold increase in the numbers of E. coli bacteria adhering to the cecum. In addition, erythrocyte agglutination studies, as well as immunostaining of fimbrial preparations and electron micrographs of the bacteria, revealed that surface type 1 fimbriae were more abundant in the commensal E. coli harvested from the ceca of the stressed mice. These E. coli isolates adhered to a mouse colon cell line and injected cecal loops in a mannose-inhibitable manner, which suggests a role for type 1 fimbriae in the adherence of the E. coli isolates to the cecum in vivo following host catabolic stress.
Current status of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer

Breast cancer is often hormone responsive, since growth or regression of tumors can often be modulated by appropriate endocrine manipulations. Estrogen and progesterone appear to be major hormones involved in regulation of breast tumor growth. It has been recently argued that a more accurate marker of hormonal responsiveness might result if an end product of an intact estrogen response system were measured instead of the initial hormone binding step. Progesterone receptor (PgR) has been investigated in this regard since it can be readily measured in human breast tumors and there is clear evidence in experimental breast tumor model systems that PgR is under acute estrogen control. PgR is rarely found in ER‐ metastatic breast tumors but is present in approximately 59% of ER+ metastatic tumors, especially in those tumors with high levels of ER. Preliminary clinical correlation of ER, PgR and response to endocrine therapy is encouraging. The response rate is significntly higher if the tumor contains both ER and PgR than if the tumor contains ER alone.
Erythropoietin in the central nervous system, and its use to prevent hypoxic‐ischemic brain damage

A new field of clinical and scientific interest has recently developed based on the discovery that the hematopoietic cytokine erythropoietin (Epo) has important non‐hematopoietic functions in the brain and other organs, particularly during development. The biological effects of Epo in the central nervous system (CNS) involve activation of its specific receptor and corresponding signal transduction pathways. Epo receptor expression is abundant in the developing mammalian brain, and decreases as term approaches. Epo has been identified as a neurotrophic and neuroprotective agent in a wide variety of experimental paradigms, from neuronal cell culture to in vivo models of brain injury. Several mechanisms by which Epo produces neuroprotection are recognized. Epo (i) decreases glutamate toxicity, (ii) induces the generation of neuronal anti‐apoptotic factors, (iii) reduces inflammation, (iv) decreases nitric oxide‐mediated injury, and (v) has direct antioxidant effects.
Contribution of standard programming languages to software quality

The paper examines the contribution that a standard programming language can make to the quality of the software written in that language. By means of an example, we show that there is a substantial difference in languages and their implementations in the assurance provided of the correctness of the resulting program. Demonstrating that a program is correct with respect to the semantics of the language is a useful step in quality assurance.
Muc 1 is protective during kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury

Núria M. Pastor-Soler,* Timothy A. Sutton,* Henry E. Mang, Carol L. Kinlough, Sandra J. Gendler, Cathy S. Madsen, Sheldon I. Bastacky, Jacqueline Ho, Mohammad M. Al-bataineh, Kenneth R. Hallows, Sucha Singh, Satdarshan P. Monga, Hanako Kobayashi, Volker H. Haase, and Rebecca P. Hughey Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; Department of Immunology and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona; Division of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; Medicine and Research Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, Tennessee; and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Role of NADPH Oxidase and Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Zinc-Induced Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Activation and Cell Death in Cortical Culture

In the present study, we examined the role and the mechanism of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) activation in zinc-induced cell death in cortical culture. After brief exposure to 400 microM zinc, cortical cells exhibited DNA fragmentation, increased poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, and decreased levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and ATP and subsequently underwent cell death. Inhibitors of PARP/PARG attenuated both zinc-induced NAD/ATP depletion and cell death, thereby implicating the PARP/PARG cascade in these processes. The zinc-inducible enzymes NADPH oxidase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) contributed to PARP activation as their inhibitors attenuated zinc-induced poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. Levels of nitric oxide and nitrites increased following zinc exposure, consistent with NOS activation. In addition, Western blots and RT-PCR analysis revealed that protein and mRNA levels of nNOS specifically increased following zinc exposure in a manner similar to that of NADPH oxidase. The present study demonstrates that induction of NADPH oxidase and nNOS actively contributes to PARP/PARG-mediated NAD/ATP depletion and cell death induced by zinc in cortical culture.
SAR Tomography for Forest Structure Characterization: Comparison of Temperate and Tropical Forests at L band

In order to contribute to a better understanding of Earth system processes, the need to extract 3D information of forests at a global scale has already been identified as a priority. Responding to this need, several spaceborne missions are planned to be launched in the next years aiming to shed light on several unknowns regarding global carbon cycle processes. Among these missions, special focus is driven here to the ones based on SAR systems at low frequencies, BIOMASS and Tandem-L missions, with a clear focus on biosphere applictions. Despite the essential differences between these two systems in terms of features, they both have the capability to monitor the 3D evolution of forest structure.