Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural–metabolic coupling in the central visual pathway

Studies are described which are intended to improve our understanding of the primary measurements made in non-invasive neural imaging. The blood oxygenation level-dependent signal used in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reflects changes in deoxygenated haemoglobin. Tissue oxygen concentration, along with blood flow, changes during neural activation. Therefore, measurements of tissue oxygen together with the use of a neural sensor can provide direct estimates of neural–metabolic interactions. We have used this relationship in a series of studies in which a neural microelectrode is combined with an oxygen micro-sensor to make simultaneous co-localized measurements in the central visual pathway. Oxygen responses are typically biphasic with small initial dips followed by large secondary peaks during neural activation. By the use of established visual response characteristics, we have determined that the oxygen initial dip provides a better estimate of local neural function than the positive peak. This contrasts sharply with fMRI for which the initial dip is unreliable. To extend these studies, we have examined the relationship between the primary metabolic agents, glucose and lactate, and associated neural activity. For this work, we also use a Doppler technique to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) together with neural activity. Results show consistent synchronously timed changes such that increases in neural activity are accompanied by decreases in glucose and simultaneous increases in lactate. Measurements of CBF show clear delays with respect to neural response. This is consistent with a slight delay in blood flow with respect to oxygen delivery during neural activation. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Interpreting BOLD: a dialogue between cognitive and cellular neuroscience’.
Nefarmakologická léčba hypertrofické kardiomyopatie: je implantace pacemakeru přežitek z minulého tisíciletí nebo stále cenná léčebná strategie?

Popis případu Nemocná A. V. (1976) byla poprvé vyšetřena na naší klinice v říjnu 99 pro náhle vzniklou intenzivní dušnost, bolest na hrudi, palpitace a vertigo. Na elektrokardiogramu byla zachycena fascikulární komorová tachykardie o frekvenci 160/min tvaru bloku pravého raménka Tawarova (RBBB) (obrázek 1), která byla vertovaná aplikací 1 ampule verapamilu i.v. na sinusový rytmus (obrázek 2). I mimo tuto akutní ataku nemocná přiznávala nízkou toleranci námahy, dušnost a celkovou slabost s úlevou v klidu (funkční třída NYHA III). Echokardiografií byla zjištěna hypertrofická obstrukční kardiomyopatie (HoKMP) s difúzní hypertrofií svaloviny levé komory, nejvíce vyjádřenou v hrotu, a klidový gradient ve výtokovém traktu levé komory (LVOTG) 80 mmHg, po provokaci (nitroglycerin, Valsalvův manévr, několik dřepů) až 120 mmHg. Při zátěžové ergometrii byla reproducibilně při 80 W vyvolatelná klinická komorová tachykardie, vždy byla ukončená i. v. verapamilem. Pacientce jsme nasadili perorálně 240 mg verapamilu denně, při této terapii na ergometrii nebyla vyvolána komorová tachykardie, test byl ukončen při 95 W pro dušnost a subjektivní maximum, na echokardiografii klidový gradient mírně klesl na 65 mmHg. Nemocná byla propuštěna domů, nicméně již po 3 dnech byla rehospitalizována pro přetrvávající symptomatologii slabost, únavnost a dušnost při malé námaze s pocitem tíhy na prsou. Pacientka netolerovala pokusy o zvýšení dávek verapamilu ani o přidání betablokátoru; i když LVOTG klesal ke 30 mmHg, byla přítomna těžká symptomatická hypotenze a při vyšších dávkách verapamilu navíc nepříjemné otoky nohou. Tím jsme podle našeho názoru vyčerpali možnosti farmakologické terapie a v prosinci 1999 jsme nemocné zavedli dočasnou stimulaci jako terapeutický test před eventuální trvalou kardiostimulací. Za pomoci echokardiografie jsme optimalizovali atrioventrikulární (AV) zpoždění (delay), nejmenší LVOTG byl naměřen při 50 msec, kdy byl 30 mmHg, po provokaci 66 mmHg. Nemocná však subjektivně žádné zlepšení nepociťovala, podle ergometrie byla pracovní tolerance 80 W. Opět jsme zkusili zvýšit dávky léků, klidový NEFARMAKOLOGICKÁ LÉČBA HYPERTROFICKÉ KARDIOMYOPATIE: JE IMPLANTACE PACEMAKERU PŘEŽITEK Z MINULÉHO TISÍCILETÍ NEBO STÁLE CENNÁ LÉČEBNÁ STRATEGIE?
SU-E-J-111: The Contouring Error of the Parotids Based On the CT and MRI Images in Radiotherapy Planning for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

PURPOSE To analyze the variation of sketching the parotid for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent radiotherapy based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance(MR) images. METHODS 41 nasopharyngeal cancer patients were randomly selected. Each patient underwent MR and CT scanning. The Gross Tumor Volume and Organs at risk were contoured on both contrasted CT and T1-MR images. For each patient, one radiotherapist sketched the parotid on CT and MR images for 10 times, and 10 different radiotherapists were asked to sketching the parotid on CT and MR images only one time. The inter- and intra-observers volumes and outline variations were compared. RESULTS The volumes of parotid contoured by inter-observer on CT and MR images were 34.6±12.1cm3 (left),34.3±9.0cm3 (right) and 24.6±7.6cm3 (L),23.2±8.1cm3 (R); In the same way, for intra-observer on CT and MR images the volumes were 28.2±7.6cm3 (L),29.4±9.4cm3 (R) and 24.4±7.6cm3 (L),22.5±7.4cm3 (R), respectively. The variable ratios of volume on MR images were 4.7±0.7%(L),5.0±0.6%(R) for inter-observer and 2.3±0.4%(L),2.1±0.7%(R) for intra-observer. Similarly, The inter- and intra-observer ratios for contouring on CT images reached 18.0±4.8%(L),17.4±4.6%(R) and 6.3±1.5%(L),6.8±1.5%(R), respectively. CONCLUSION Contouring the parotids on MR images was more accurate and reproducible than that on CT images.
Eggs of Toxocara spp. in the environment and their public health implications

Abstract The high prevalence of Toxocara in cats, dogs and foxes results in the contamination of soil with infective eggs of Toxocara spp. which are found in soil samples from public and private places worldwide. In Poland the most contaminated areas were city backyards where 38–53% of soil samples were positive, especially in the spring. Human exposure to infection with Toxocara spp. was proportional to the prevalence of eggs in the samples examined but soil texture was not a critical factor in the degree of soil contamination. Eggs of Toxocara spp. placed on the ground penetrated a sand soil profile slowly. Their presence in the superficial layer of soils and the role of earthworms are instrumental in the dissemination of Toxocara eggs.
The CD8alpha gene locus is regulated by the Ikaros family of proteins.

Ikaros family members are important regulatory factors in lymphocyte development. Here we show that Ikaros may play an important role in CD4 versus CD8 lineage commitment decisions by demonstrating: (1) that it binds to regulatory elements in the endogenous CD8alpha locus in vivo using thymocyte chromatin immunoprecipitations, (2) that Ikaros suppresses position effect variegation of transgenes driven by CD8 regulatory elements, and (3) that mice with reduced levels of Ikaros and Aiolos show an apparent increase in CD4 populations with immature phenotype, i.e., cells that failed to activate the CD8alpha gene locus. We propose that Ikaros family members function as activators of the CD8alpha gene locus and that their associated activities are critical for appropriate chromatin remodeling transitions during thymocyte differentiation and lineage commitment.
Complete Genome Sequence of Paenibacillus polymyxa YC0573, a Plant Growth–Promoting Rhizobacterium with Antimicrobial Activity

ABSTRACT Paenibacillus polymyxa strain YC0573 is a plant growth–promoting rhizobacterium with antimicrobial activity, which was isolated from tobacco rhizosphere. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of P. polymyxa YC0573. Antifungal and antibacterial genes were discovered.
Helix-loop-helix proteins LYL1 and E2a form heterodimeric complexes with distinctive DNA-binding properties in hematolymphoid cells

LYL1 is a basic helix-loop-helix (HLH) protein that was originally discovered because of its translocation into the beta T-cell receptor locus in an acute lymphoblastic leukemia. LYL1 is expressed in many hematolymphoid cells, with the notable exceptions of thymocytes and T cells. Using the yeast two-hybrid system to screen a cDNA library constructed from B cells, we identified the E-box-binding proteins E12 and E47 as potential lymphoid dimerization partners for LYL1. The interaction of LYL1 with E2a proteins was further characterized in vitro and shown to require the HLH motifs of both proteins. Immunoprecipitation analyses showed that in T-ALL and other cell lines, endogenous LYL1 exists in a complex with E2a proteins. A preferred DNA-binding sequence, 5'-AACAGATG(T/g)T-3', for the LYL1-E2a heterodimer was determined by PCR-assisted site selection. Endogenous protein complexes containing both LYL1 and E2a bound this sequence in various LYL1-expressing cell lines and could distinguish between the LYL1 consensus and muE2 sites. These data demonstrate that E2a proteins serve as dimerization partners for the basic HLH protein LYL1 to form complexes with distinctive DNA-binding properties and support the hypothesis that the leukemic properties of the LYL1 and TAL subfamily of HLH proteins could be mediated by recognition of a common set of target genes as heterodimeric complexes with class I HLH proteins.
Unbalanced Threshold Based Distributed Data Collection Scheme in Multisink Wireless Sensor Networks

In multisink wireless sensor networks, synchronized data collection among multiple sinks is a significant and challenging task. In this paper, we propose an unbalanced threshold based distributed data collection scheme to reconstruct the synchronized sensed data of the whole sensor network in all sinks. The proposed scheme includes the unbalanced threshold based distributed top- K query algorithm and the distributed iterative hard thresholding algorithm. By computing unbalanced thresholds and pruning unnecessary element exchanging, each sink can synchronize the top- K aggregated values efficiently via the unbalanced threshold based distributed top- K query algorithm. After that, the synchronized sensed data of the whole sensor network can be reconstructed through the distributed iterative hard thresholding algorithm in a distributed and cooperative manner. We show through experiments that the proposed scheme can reduce the interaction times and decrease the number of transmitted data and that of computed data compared to the existing schemes while maintaining the similar data reconstruction accuracy. The communication and computational performances of the proposed scheme are also analyzed in detail in the paper.
Finite-element analysis of semiconductor devices: The FIELDAY program

The FIELDAY program simulates semiconductor devices of arbitrary shape in one, two, or three dimensions operating under transient or steady-state conditions. A wide variety of physical effects, important in bipolar and field-effect transistors, can be modeled. The finite-element method transforms the continuum description of mobile carrier transport in a semiconductor device to a simulation model at a discrete number of points. Coupled and decoupled algorithms offer two methods of linearizing the differential equations. Direct techniques are used to solve the resulting matrix equations. Pre- and post-processors enable users to rapidly generate new models and analyze results. Specific examples illustrate the flexibility and accuracy of FIELDAY.
A Sequence of the CIS Gene Promoter Interacts Preferentially with Two Associated STAT5A Dimers: a Distinct Biochemical Difference between STAT5A and STAT5B

ABSTRACT Two distinct genes encode the closely related signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins STAT5A and STAT5B. The molecular mechanisms of gene regulation by STAT5 and, particularly, the requirement for both STAT5 isoforms are still undetermined. Only a few STAT5 target genes, among them the CIS (cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein) gene, have been identified. We cloned the human CIS gene and studied the human CIS gene promoter. This promoter contains four STAT binding elements organized in two pairs. By electrophoretic mobility shift assay studies using nuclear extracts of UT7 cells stimulated with erythropoietin, we showed that these four sequences bound to STAT5-containing complexes that exhibited different patterns and affinities: the three upstream STAT binding sequences bound to two distinct STAT5-containing complexes (C0 and C1) and the downstream STAT box bound only to the slower-migrating C1 band. Using nuclear extracts from COS-7 cells transfected with expression vectors for the prolactin receptor, STAT5A, and/or STAT5B, we showed that the C1 complex was composed of a STAT5 tetramer and was dependent on the presence of STAT5A. STAT5B lacked this property and bound with a stronger affinity than did STAT5A to the four STAT sequences as a homodimer (C0 complex). This distinct biochemical difference between STAT5A and STAT5B was confirmed with purified activated STAT5 recombinant proteins. Moreover, we showed that the presence on the same side of the DNA helix of a second STAT sequence increased STAT5 binding and that only half of the palindromic STAT binding sequence was sufficient for the formation of a STAT5 tetramer. Again, STAT5A was essential for this cooperative tetrameric association. This property distinguishes STAT5A from STAT5B and could be essential to explain the transcriptional regulation diversity of STAT5.
Effects of segregation and selection on instability of plasmid pACYC184 in Escherichia coli B

We use a mathematical model to analyze the dynamics of loss of nonconjugative pACYC184 from populations of Escherichia coli B in glucose-limited continuous culture. This model incorporates both plasmid segregation and selection against plasmid carriage. It is concluded that there is intense selection against plasmid carriage (s = 0.3 per culture generation), which amplifies the frequency of segregants arising de novo.
Modulation of the interplay between p53, ICAM-1 and VEGF in drug-treated LoVo colon cancer cells

Uncontrolled cellular proliferation characterizes the tumor growth and metastasis, usually being the result of multiple genetic and epigenetic insults to the cell, particularly involving proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The angiogenesis process, inducted by a tumor, is a controlled process, influenced by angiogenic and angiostatic factors, that involves a complex interaction between tumor and endothelial cells. Tumor cell invasion and metastasis are promoted by the upregulation of angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or of cell adhesion molecules, like intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1). Angiogenesis may partially be regulated by the function of TP53, in terms of downregulation of angiogenic factor expression, whereas dysfunctional p53 stimulates angiogenesis by upregulating VEGF. Moreover, genotoxic activation of p53 leads to up-regulation of intracellular-adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA and protein. Contrast data are available on the anticancer effects of nutraceuticals, like resveratrol (Rsv) and curcumin (Crm) in colon cancer, for their potential clinical application when used in combination with anti-cancer drugs. Therefore, the aim of the present study focused on the investigation of the regulatory roles of resveratrol and curcumin on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and gene expression of selected apoptosis, angiogenesis or cellular adhesionrelated proteins in LoVo colon cancer cell line. The interplay between genes coding molecules associated to apoptosis, angiogenesis and adhesion were differentially modulated by single and combined treatments, and additive effects of Rsv and Crm to 5-FU treatments were observed.
Ozonaufnahme als Funktion der Kronentranspiration in Bestandesbäumen ( Fagus sylvatica L. und Picea abies (L.) Karst.): Integrative Kopplung durch den Stamm-Xylemfluss

Chronisch erhohte Ozon (O3) Konzentrationen haben Einfluss auf Physiologie und Wachstum von Baumen. Um die Menge an O3, die uber die Stomata von Baumen aufgenommen wird (= Ozon-Dosis), zu quantifizieren, wurde erstmalig die Methode der Xylemflussmessung im Stamm (THB) im Freiland-Begasungsexperiment „Kranzberger Forst“/Freising an adulten Buchen und Fichten angewandt. Im Gegensatz zu dem derzeit von der UNECE angewandten Modell zur Berechnung der O3-Aufnahme, erfasst der THB-Ansatz inharent alle Standortparameter in ihrer lokalen Bedeutung fur die O3-Aufnahme unter limitierenden Luftgrenzschichten. Der Vergleich der Methoden zeigte, dass das Modell die O3-Aufnahme uberschatzt. Ein konsistent limitierender Einfluss der Luftgrenzschichten auf die O3-Aufnahme konnte fur Buchen und Fichten nicht bestatigt werden. Aufgrund der umfassenden Berucksichtigung von standortlichen und baumspezifischen Parametern kann der THB-basierte Ansatz derzeit als die geeigneteste Methode zur Ermittlung der O3-Aufnahme angesehen werden. Fur die von der UNECE geplante Umstellung vom bisher gultigen O3-Expositions-Konzept in der Risikoeinschatzung fur Walder auf ein O3-Dosis-Konzept wurde mit dieser Studie eine zielfuhrende Basis geschaffen.
Comprehensive comparison of a current-source and a voltage-source converter for three-phase EV fast battery chargers

This paper presents a comprehensive comparison of a current-source converter and a voltage-source converter for three-phase electric vehicle (EV) fast battery chargers. Taking into account that the current-source converter (CSC) is a natural buck-type converter, the output voltage can assume a wide range of values, which varies between zero and the maximum instantaneous value of the power grid phase-to-phase voltage. On the other hand, taking into account that the voltage-source converter (VSC) is a natural boost-type converter, the output voltage is always greater than the maximum instantaneous value of the power grid phase-to-phase voltage, and consequently, it is necessary to use a dc-dc buck-type converter for applications as EV fast battery chargers. Along the paper is described in detail the principle of operation of both the CSC and the VSC for EV fast chargers, as well as the main equations of the power theory and current control strategies. The comparison between both converters is mainly established in terms of the total harmonic distortion of the grid current and the estimated efficiency for a range of operation between 10 kW and 50 kW.
Measurement of volume changes after sinus floor augmentation with a phycogenic hydroxyapatite.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was the determination of time-dependent volumetric changes of particulate sinus inlay grafts. A mixture of phycogenic hydroxyapatite (Algipore/C-Graft) and autologous bone collected from the surgical access area was used as the grafting material. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-three sinus floor augmentations using phycogenic hydroxyapatite combined with autologous bone collected at the augmentation site and venous blood were performed on 18 patients aged 57.4 +/- 12.5 years (mean +/- SD) with severe atrophy of the posterior maxilla. Graft volume was measured 1 to 14 days postoperatively and before the placement of dental implants 6.1 +/- 2.1 months later (mean +/- SD; range, 4 to 11 months) to evaluate the amount of time-dependent resorption of the implanted material on computerized tomographic (CT) images of the augmented region. The images were put into Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format and evaluated using the software library Analyze. The implanted bone replacement material was plotted manually on each CT slice, and the volume of the implanted material was calculated. RESULTS The average volume loss of the bone replacement material during the observation period was 13.9% +/- 1.9% (mean +/- SEM). All sinus floor augmentations healed without complications except for delayed membrane exposure in 2 cases. DISCUSSION The results indicate that the graft material, a mixture of Algipore, bone chips from the access area, and venous blood, exhibited a small volume loss over a period of approximately 6 months, thus providing predictable height for second-stage implant surgery. CONCLUSION Further investigations are needed to evaluate long-term stability and implant success.
Family-Centered Applied Behavior Analysis for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) services can improve the quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, not all children receive services based in ABA. The disconnect between available services and accessing services may be the result of families experiencing barriers. Online parent training addresses many of these barriers by connecting families with service providers that they otherwise would not have access to. Furthermore, this approach allows for a family centered approach that empowers parents. A combination of parent training modules and video conferencing sessions allow parents to learn techniques and try them out with the support of a service provider. This article provides service providers with guidelines and suggestions for developing and providing services online.
Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Crowe Type-4 Developmental Dysplasia

Background Developmental dysplasia of the hip is one of the most common causes of secondary osteoarthritis. The purpose of our study was to review clinical and radiological outcomes of reconstruction surgery using cementless total hip arthroplasty in patients with Crowe type-IV dysplastic hips. Methods This study included eighty-seven primary total hip arthroplasties performed between January 2005 and January 2010 at our clinic in 74 patients who had Crowe type-IV developmental dysplasia of the hip. Cementless total hip arthroplasty was applied in all hips. At the clinical status analysis, any limping, the Harris hip score, surgical approach, the use of bone grafts, the presence of femoral osteotomy, any component migration, union status of the osteotomy site (if present), and any osteolysis or heterotopic ossification were noted. Mean follow-up time was 4.8 years. Results Mean Harris hip score was improved from 41.8 points preoperatively to 86.2 points postoperatively (p<0.001). At the final clinical examination, none of the patients had severe limping. Restoration of the anatomical hip centre was achieved in all hips. Pseudoarthrosis of the femoral osteotomy site was seen in two hips (3.6%). Twelve hips (13.8%) underwent revision surgery. Neurological complications were seen in two hips (2.3%). Heterotopic ossification was detected in one hip. conclusion Cementless total hip arthroplasty with restoration of the anatomic hip centre resulted in satisfactory clinical outcomes in patients with secondary coxarthrosis due to Crowe type IV developmental dysplasia of the hip joint.
“ MENOSCA TERRITORY ” : A WIDER CONCEPT OF HERITAGE AS A CONTEXT FOR LEARNING

In this article we present the most important characteristics of an educational program based on m-learning technology for developing heritage and archeological learning in the ‘Menosca Territory’. We have structured the article into three parts: Firstly, we review the concept of museum territory and the educational implications of the cultural and natural environment (material and untouchable heritage). Secondly, we realize a discussion about the theoretical principles on museum learning; and thirdly, we explain Lurquest technology, on which our learning program has been created, and we explain the main dimensions of Lurquest program. We have also included several conclusions from the project’s pilot study.