Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fine motor outcomes in preschool children who receive occupational therapy services.

OBJECTIVE This study examined preschool children's acquisition of fine motor skills and functional performance when occupational therapy services are included as part of the educational program. It also investigated the relationships among fine motor skills and functional performance in self-care, mobility, and social function. METHOD Twenty-six preschool children who received weekly occupational therapy were studied. Measurements of their in-hand manipulation, tool use, eye-hand coordination, grasping strength, and functional performance in self-care, mobility, and social function were taken at the beginning and end of the school year. RESULTS Raw and scaled scores showed significant improvements in all skill areas; standard scores showed slight improvement in eye-hand coordination and mobility function. Correlations of the motor skill tests with the functional performance scales using year-end data revealed significant correlations for in-hand manipulation, eye-hand coordination, and grasping strength with self-care function and mobility. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate the level of change that occurs in fine motor skill and self-care, mobility, and social function during the course of the school year for preschoolers with moderate fine motor delays. The relationships found in the year-end testing imply that performance in underlying fine motor skills as the focus of occupational therapy intervention is associated with self-care and mobility function.
Advances in Stem Cell Therapy: Specific Applications in the Treatment of Cutaneous Radiation Syndrome

The emergence of stem cell therapy and cellular engineering during the last 10 years has allowed new therapeutic strategies to be considered for the treatment of many wound repair disorders in bones, muscles and skin. The cutaneous radiation syndrome that is often associated with radiation burn may also take advantage of these scientific advances. This syndrome, characterized by inflammatory waves, incomplete wound healing and poor revascularization is the dramatic consequence of local irradiation exposure (above 15Gy). Until the late 90’s, the treatment schedule which exhibited poor efficacy consisted in excision followed by transient coverage of the wound bed and then by autologous skin grafts. Recently the local injection of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which favor wound healing and reduce pain, has achieved a major advance. However this strategy hampered by culture delays and requiring non-irradiated areas to harvest stem cells remains to be optimized. Autologous or allogeneic adipose tissue-derived stem cells, easy to collect and expand, may represent a valuable therapeutic alternative especially through pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Other proposed strategies including stem cell manipulation to produce trophic factors (transient gene therapy), bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells or adipose tissue derived stem cells culture media injection appear as valuable alternatives. In this review we report the latest scientific progresses in pre-clinical and clinical studies concerning stem cell therapy for cutaneous radiation syndrome.
Routes and mechanisms of post‐endosomal cholesterol trafficking: A story that never ends

Mammalian cells acquire most exogenous cholesterol through receptor‐mediated endocytosis of low‐density lipoproteins (LDLs). After internalization, LDL cholesteryl esters are hydrolyzed to release free cholesterol, which then translocates to late endosomes (LEs)/lysosomes (LYs) and incorporates into the membranes by co‐ordinated actions of Niemann‐Pick type C (NPC) 1 and NPC2 proteins. However, how cholesterol exits LEs/LYs and moves to other organelles remain largely unclear. Growing evidence has suggested that nonvesicular transport is critically involved in the post‐endosomal cholesterol trafficking. Numerous sterol‐transfer proteins (STPs) have been identified to mediate directional cholesterol transfer at membrane contact sites (MCSs) formed between 2 closely apposed organelles. In addition, a recent study reveals that lysosome‐peroxisome membrane contact (LPMC) established by a non‐STP synaptotagmin VII and a specific phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate also serves as a novel and important path for LDL‐cholesterol trafficking. These findings highlight an essential role of MCSs in intracellular cholesterol transport, and further work is needed to unveil how various routes are regulated and integrated to maintain proper cholesterol distribution and homeostasis in eukaryotic cells.
Alternative strategies for improving the fairness in an analytical model of DQDB networks

This study deals with the distributed queue dual bus (DQDB) (IEEE 802.6) network, and makes two independent contributions. First, the unfairness problem of DQDB is addressed, and several alternative solutions that can improve the network's fairness are proposed. They include (1) the proportional assignment scheme (PR); (2) the (multiple-request) FCFS (first come first served)-message-queue-based DQDB scheme (MD); and (3) a combination of MD and PR, denoted by MP. Implementation methods that require simple hardware in addition to the regular DQDB interface are outlined. The schemes are compared through simulation, and insights into their characteristics are gained. The performance of these schemes is also compared with that of regular DQDB and bandwidth balancing DQDB. The second contribution is the development of an analytical model of the DQDB network. By employing some constrained assumptions for analytical tractability, a Markov chain model for (an earlier version of) the entire DQDB network is formulated. The model is verified via simulation. <<ETX>>
Cell death caused by the synergistic effects of zinc and dopamine is mediated by a stress sensor gene Gadd45b – implication in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is not completely understood, Zinc (Zn2+) and dopamine (DA) have been shown to involve in the degeneration of dopaminergic cells. By microarray analysis, we identified Gadd45b as a candidate molecule that mediates Zn2+ and DA‐induced cell death; the mRNA and protein levels of Gadd45b are increased by Zn2+ treatment and raised to an even higher level by Zn2+ plus DA treatment. Zn2+ plus DA treatment‐induced PC12 cell death was enhanced when there was over‐expression of Gadd45b and was decreased by knock down of Gadd45b. MAPK p38 and JNK signaling was able to cross‐talk with Gadd45b during Zn2+ and DA treatment. The synergistic effects of Zn2+ and DA on PC12 cell death can be accounted for by an activation of the Gadd45b‐induced cell death pathway and an inhibition of p38/JNK survival pathway. Furthermore, the in vivo results show that the levels of Gadd45b protein expression and phosphorylation of p38 were increased in the substantia nigra by the infusion of Zn2+/DA in the mouse brain and the level of Gadd45b mRNA is significantly higher in the substantia nigra of male PD patients than normal controls. The novel role of Gadd45b and its interactions with JNK and p38 will help our understanding of the pathogenesis of PD and help the development of future treatments for PD.
Bis[2-(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)pyrimidinium] hexamolybdate

The title compound, (C8H8N5)2[Mo6O19], was prepared by reaction of Mo(CO)6 and dipyrimidylamine in refluxing toluene. The hexanuclear polyoxomolybdate anions lie on centres of inversion. Each 2-(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)pyrimidinium cation forms an intramolecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond and the cations are linked through self-complementary pairs of N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds into dimers across centres of inversion. The cations and anions are interlinked through C—H⋯O contacts.
A suppressor role for soluble endoglin in cancer

Elevated levels of a circulating form of the transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) coreceptor endoglin correlate with poor clinical outcome in different types of cancer. Soluble endoglin (Sol-Eng) is primarily produced by cleavage of cell-surface endoglin by the transmembrane metalloprotease MMP14 that releases most of its extracellular domain. Sol-Eng has been found to contribute to different cardiovascular pathologies, including preeclampsia, a severe hypertensive syndrome of pregnancy. While the anti-angiogenic and pro-hypertensive functions of Sol-Eng appear well established, its role in cancer has not been fully investigated. Recently, we reported that Sol-Eng strongly inhibits signaling through the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) tyrosine kinase receptor Met in mouse skin spindle carcinoma cells. Sol-Eng also blocked basal and HGF-mediated stimulation of carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Taken together, the above results and the anti-angiogenic function exerted by Sol-Eng suggest a suppressor role for Sol-Eng in cancer. This conclusion is discussed in the paradoxical context of Sol-Eng as a marker of poor prognosis and as a potential contributor to the decreased risk of preeclamptic mothers to develop breast cancer later in life.
Binary Response Models for Panel Data: Identification and Information

This paper considers a panel data model for predicting a binary outcome. The conditional probability of a positive response is obtained by evaluating a given distribution function (F) at a linear combination of the predictor variables. One of the predictor variables is unobserved. It is a random effect that varies across individuals but is constant over time. The semiparametric aspect is that the conditional distribution of the random effect, given the predictor variables, is unrestricted. Copyright 2010 The Econometric Society.
Progression of tremor in early stages of Parkinson’s disease: a clinical and neuroimaging study

Rest tremor is one of the cardinal signs of Parkinson's disease. Kinetic and postural tremors may also occur. The coexistence of these three types of tremor at disease onset and their subsequent progression could have important clinical and therapeutic implications but remain to be fully elucidated. We aimed to: (i) evaluate prevalence and progression of these three types of tremor in early stages of the disease; and (ii) investigate longitudinally the relationship between dopaminergic and serotonergic terminal dysfunction, rest tremor severity and its response to dopaminergic therapy. The Parkinson's Progressive Markers Initiative database provided the baseline and 2-year follow-up clinical ratings and 123ioflupane-fluoropropyl-carbomethoxy-3-beta-4-iodophenyltropane (123I-FP-CIT) single photon emission computed tomography images for this study. 123I-FP-CIT measured putamen dopamine transporter and median raphe serotonin transporter availability. A raphe/putamen uptake ratio was calculated for each patient as an index of relative involvement of these structures. Clinical analysis of tremor was conducted on 378 patients: 87.8% presented with tremor at baseline; rest tremor occurred in 69.6% of patients at baseline; and 67.9% at follow-up. Postural and kinetic tremors occurred in about 50% of patients at both baseline and follow-up. Over 20% of patients presenting with tremor did not exhibit a rest component at baseline. The number of patients with isolated rest tremor was halved at follow-up. In tremor predominant patients, rest tremor severity was inversely correlated with raphe serotonin transporter availability both at baseline and follow-up (baseline: constancy P < 0.05, tremor index P < 0.05; follow-up: amplitude P < 0.05, constancy P < 0.05, tremor index P < 0.05). In the entire cohort, more severe tremor scores correlated with lower raphe/putamen uptake ratio values, indicative of more severe raphe dysfunction (baseline: constancy P < 0.01, tremor index P < 0.05; follow-up: amplitude P < 0.01, constancy P < 0.001, tremor index P < 0.001). The percentage of improvement in rest tremor amplitude after acute dopaminergic therapy was smaller in patients with lower raphe/putamen uptake ratio values (P < 0.01). Rest tremor is the most represented type of tremor in early Parkinson's disease. However, postural and kinetic tremor can affect approximately half of these patients and can occur in absence of resting tremor. As disease progresses, both raphe serotonergic dysfunction and putamen dopamine depletion could contribute to the occurrence of rest tremor. The former is linked to more severe tremor scores and poorer response to dopaminergic therapy. Non-dopaminergic treatments might be beneficial for patients whose tremor is associated with a raphe-predominant dysfunction.
A Secure Scheme for Monitoring Safety in Vehicular Adhoc Network

Vehicle ad-hoc networks has significantly used in automobiles for an effective communication with one another. The de-centralized nature of this network provides an extensive range of applications which makes passenger safety and comfort. Providing security in a physical environment is considered to be the main issue to cope with. Vehicle-to-vehicle communication is the wireless transmission of data between the vehicles. It is more efficient and it enables 360 degree awareness of the surrounding threats. To overcome this issue a popular approach is recommended in VANET, is that cars are connected together via V2V,which are able to share data with one another, so that there is, less possibility of collision and other mischievous behavior i.e. drunken drive. Although there are many proposed solutions for improving securities in VANET but security still remains a delicate research subject. The main objectives of this paper are to improve the security issues in VANET. KeywordsVehicle Adhoc Networks (VANET), Vehicle to Vehicle Communication (V2V), Vehicle to Infrastructure Communication (V2I), Road side Unit (RSU).
Solder man

A story of creation, evolution and problem solving. After experiencing a problem with his creation, solder man looks to solve his dilemma the only way that he knows how, by soldering. With great effort he is successful, but finds himself in much worse shape. Then as luck or fate would have it, he stumbles across a substance that greatly expands his horizons. Life though is never without its problems, and in the end we are left wondering how much he has grown. Copyright held by creator.
Contextual Compound Screening for Improved Therapeutic Discovery

Cellular behaviors are governed by combinations of systemic and microenvironmental factors; together, these regulate cell signaling responses to growth factors. This contextual microenvironmental influence also determines drug sensitivity. Hence using in vitro systems that model contextual cellular behavior is highly beneficial for effective therapeutic development. Angiogenesis (formation of blood vessels) is driven by a series of dynamic endothelial cell signaling responses to growth factors under the influence of the vascular extracellular matrix and adjacent pericytes. In vitro primary human vascular cell co‐cultures self‐assemble into capillary‐like structures through reciprocal heterotypic interactions that mimic angiogenic context dynamics. By using temporal live‐cell imaging‐based analysis, unique angiogenic microenvironments can be delineated to quantify the contextual activity of compound inhibitors. We used this in vitro organotypic contextual screening approach to conduct structure–activity relationship analysis on a combretastatin A‐4 analogue series to identify novel compounds with potent vascular disrupting activity in vivo.
Pulmonary Physiology of the Morbidly Obese and the Effects of Anesthesia

The pulmonary physiology in morbidly obese patients differs from normal weight controls and the documented changes occur in a continuum with increasing weight. When do these changes begin to matter for the anesthesiologist? The determination of exact cut-off values for individual respiratory parameters when an impairment becomes a major perioperative concern has remained elusive. Therefore, it is useful to review the baseline pulmonary physiology of morbidly obese individuals before examining how it is affected by general anesthesia. Finally, key points for intraoperative management as presented in the recent scientific literature will be reviewed.
[Effects of icariin on the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of rat calvarial osteoblasts in vitro].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of icariin on the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROB). METHODS Segregated neonatal SD rat skull,enzyme digestion to obtain ROB. The culture medium was replaced every three days. Serial subcultivation proceeded when cells covered with 80% culture dish. Icariin was added into the culture at 1 x 10(-4), 1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-6), 1 x 10(-7) mol/L respectively. MTT method was adopted in proliferation analysis. The activity of ALP was assayed after 9 days' induced. Optimal concentration icariin was added into the medium, then the osteogenic differentiation markers including mineralized bone nodules, CFU-F(ALP) were compared between the icariin-added group and the control. Total RNA was isolated and the gene expressions of Runx-2 and Osterix were investigated by Real Time RT-PCR. Total protein was also isolated and the secretion of collagen I was examined by Western-blot. RESULTS The ROB proliferation was inhibited by icariin in a dose-dependent manner. But it evidently led to osteogenic process and maturation. 1 x 10(-5) mol/L was the best concentration. Icariin improved the secretion of collagen I, CFU-F(ALP) amounts and mineralized nodules significantly. It also enhanced the mRNA level of Runx-2 and Osterix. CONCLUSION The icariin with final concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol/L can enhance the osteogenic differentiation and maturation of ROB significantly, suggesting that icariin has the activity of inducing bone formation, it has the potential to be developed into a new drug of anti-osteoporosis.
Trading Running Time for Memory in Phylogenetic Likelihood Computations

The revolution in wet-lab sequencing techniques that has given rise to a plethora of whole-genome or wholetranscriptome sequencing projects, often targeting 50 up to 1000 species, poses new challenges for efficiently computing the phylogenetic likelihood function both for phylogenetic inference and statistical post-analysis purposes. The phylogenetic likelihood function as deployed in maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference programs consumes the vast majority of computational resources, that is, memory and CPU time. Here, we introduce and implement a novel, general, and versatile concept to trade additional computations for memory consumption in the likelihood function which exhibits a surprisingly small impact on overall execution times. When trading 50% of the required RAM for additional computations, the average execution time increase because of additional computations amounts to only 15%. We demonstrate that, for a phylogeny with species onlylog(n)+ 2 memory space is required for computing the likelihood. This is a promising result given the exponential growth of molecular datasets.
A Blended Transfer and Communications Center: Designing a State-of-the-Art Mission Control

Health systems frequently are challenged by barriers to patient flow and transfer intake processes. To achieve the goals of seamless entry of patients into the health system, coordination of the safest, most appropriate transport of these patients, and efficient management of hospital throughput needs, our tertiary health system created a central transfer and communications center. From the design of the center's physical space to the collaborative education efforts, the immediate synergies created by this new “Mission Control” model impacted throughput and customer service. Achievement of these goals is facilitated with state-of-the-art technology, including an electronic throughput and flow software system, which provides real-time capacity updates and status of confirmed and pending discharges. Because a centralized, information-centered approach to coordination has been such a success, expansion to other departments is underway. We are also finding that our operations center is playing a more central role in emergency operations and disaster management logistics at both the local and regional levels. Centralization of key throughput components of health systems is quickly becoming best practice. Revenue savings can be gained by combining departmental resources as well as supporting throughput efficiencies.
Low observability path planning for an unmanned air vehicle using mixed integer linear programming

Detection of an unmanned air vehicle by radar is dependent on many variables including range, altitude, and relative orientation. Given a radar location and appropriate model for the likelihood of detection, a path plan can be created for an unmanned air vehicle which constrains the probability of detection. In this paper such an approach is taken using a linearized detection model. The detection model and the unmanned air vehicle's dynamics are represented as a linear program subject to mixed integer constraints. This mixed integer linear program is then solved with commercial software which has been traditionally used by the operations research community. This approach searches for all feasible solutions and produces the best path plan based on the user specified parameters.
Serum Transferrin Receptors in Children with Hypochromic Microcytic Anaemia

Hypochromic microcytic anaemia includes iron deficiency, anaemia of chronic disorders, beta thalassemia trait and sideroblastic anaemia. To rule out the cause of hypochromic microcytic anaemia is a diagnostic difficulty. The conventional laboratory tests used for diagnosis have few disadvantages. Serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) is the most reliable method for assessment of body iron. Eighty four children were included in this study. They were further divided into four groups: iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), anaemia of chronic disorders (ACD), beta thalassemia trait (β TT) and controls. Children withIDAand ACD were diagnosed on the basis of history and serum iron profile. Subjects with β TT had HbA2 > 3.5%. sTfR were performed on all subjects. Level of sTfR in patients withIDAwas 5.79 μg/ml ± 1.3 μg/ml. In patients with anaemia of chronic disorders (ACD), β thalassemia trait and controls mean sTfR were 2.18 μg/ml ± 0.6 μg/ml, 2. 1μg/ml ± 0.5 μg/ml and 2.0 μg/ml ± 0.5 μg/ml respectively. These results show level of sTfR was raised in IDA when compared with controls or ACD and β TT (p value