Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgically relevant localization of the central sulcus with high-density somatosensory-evoked potentials compared with functional magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND Resection of abnormal brain tissue lying near the sensorimotor cortex entails precise localization of the central sulcus. Mapping of this area is achieved by applying invasive direct cortical electrical stimulation. However, noninvasive methods, particularly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are also used. As a supplement to fMRI, localization of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) recorded with an electroencephalogram (EEG) has been proposed, but has not found its place in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE To assess localization accuracy of the hand somatosensory cortex with SEP source imaging. METHODS We applied electrical source imaging in 49 subjects, recorded with high-density EEG (256 channels). We compared it with fMRI in 18 participants and with direct cortical electrical stimulation in 6 epileptic patients. RESULTS Comparison of SEP source imaging with fMRI indicated differences of 3 to 8 mm, with the exception of the mesial-distal orientation, where variances of up to 20 mm were found. This discrepancy is explained by the fact that the source maximum of the first SEP peak is localized deep in the central sulcus (area 3b), where information initially arrives. Conversely, fMRI showed maximal signal change on the lateral surface of the postcentral gyrus (area 1), where sensory information is integrated later in time. Electrical source imaging and fMRI showed mean Euclidean distances of 13 and 14 mm, respectively, from the contacts where electrocorticography elicited sensory phenomena of the contralateral upper limb. CONCLUSION SEP source imaging, based on high-density EEG, reliably identifies the depth of the central sulcus. Moreover, it is a simple, flexible, and relatively inexpensive alternative to fMRI.
Is there a role for microorganisms in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis?

du Bois RM, Goh N, McGrath D, Cullinan P (Royal Brompton Hospital and Imperial College, London, UK). Is there a role for microorganisms in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis (Minisymposium)? J Intern Med 2003; 253: 4–17.
Acitretin-induced pyogenic granuloma.

A 70-year-old man presented with a 3-week history of rapidly growing, painful raised lesions with sponta -neous bleeding, localized on the dorsum of the toenail of the first toes on both feet. He had been receiving acitretin (25 mg daily) for palmoplantar psoriasis for 4 months. The patient had no history of nail trauma or infection. Physical examination revealed erythema-tous, bleeding vascular tissue with a moist, friable sur -face on the lateral folds of both first toenails (Fig. 1). Physical examination was normal elsewhere, except for the psoriasis plaques. The tumors recurred rapidly at the same site after electrodessication, but complete resolution of the condition was noted after discontin-uation of acitretin therapy. A diagnosis of acitretin-induced pyogenic granuloma (PG) was made. The patient showed no relapse after 3 years of follow-up.PG is a common, acquired, benign vascular tumor that usually occurs on the distal extremities, especially the fingers and toes (1). It may be a drug-induced con-dition, especially when multiple locations are affected (2). Although acitretin is a frequently prescribed syn-thetic oral retinoid, fewer than 30 cases of acitretin-induced PG have been reported in the literature (3). Systemic retinoid therapy can have the same side effect as hypervitaminosis A (4). Vitamin A is essen-tial in the early stages of wound healing but hyper-vitaminosis A may cause the formation of an exces-sive granulation tissue. This effect occurs when the maximum limit at which the liver can store retinoids is exceeded (5). Figure 1. Erythematous, bleeding vascular tissue of the lateral nail folds of the first toes on both feet.
Social organization of a solitary carnivore: spatial behaviour, interactions and relatedness in the slender mongoose

The majority of carnivore species are described as solitary, but little is known about their social organization and interactions with conspecifics. We investigated the spatial organization and social interactions as well as relatedness of slender mongooses (Galerella sanguinea) living in the southern Kalahari. This is a little studied small carnivore previously described as solitary with anecdotal evidence for male associations. In our study population, mongooses arranged in spatial groups consisting of one to three males and up to four females. Male ranges, based on sleeping sites, were large and overlapping, encompassing the smaller and more exclusive female ranges. Spatial groups could be distinguished by their behaviour, communal denning and home range. Within spatial groups animals communally denned in up to 33% of nights, mainly during winter months, presumably to gain thermoregulatory benefits. Associations of related males gained reproductive benefits likely through increased territorial and female defence. Our study supports slender mongooses to be better described as solitary foragers living in a complex system of spatial groups with amicable social interactions between specific individuals. We suggest that the recognition of underlying ‘hidden' complexities in these apparently ‘solitary' organizations needs to be accounted for when investigating group living and social behaviour.
A Novel Genetic Algorithm for Designing Mimetic Peptides That Interfere with the Function of a Target Molecule

We designed a new computer program (MIMETIC), which generates a series of peptides for interaction with a target peptide sequence. The genetic algorithm employed ranks the sequences obtained from one generation to the next by “goodness of fit” to the target. MIMETIC designed recognition peptides to various regions of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase. Among ten peptide candidates synthesized, three inhibited reverse transcription in vitro. TLMA2993 and PSTW1594 both targeted the connection domain of reverse transcriptase and ESLA2340 targeted the thumb domain.
Who Chooses to Carpool and Why?

The debate over high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) and high-occupancy toll lane efficiency has raised questions about whether HOVs should be given preferential treatment on managed lanes and the potential impacts of different preferential treatments. This research questions why people choose their mode of travel by examining characteristics of carpoolers and single-occupancy vehicles, reasons for their travel mode choice, and carpool formation, on the basis of a survey of travelers in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston in Texas. Carpool users rated the ability to use HOV lanes as the most important factor in their decision to form a carpool. Enjoying traveling with others ranked second, followed by reasons such as saving time, helping the environment and society, and sharing vehicle costs. Carpool partner matching programs, employer carpool incentives, and preferred parking at work were generally the least important factors in travelers' consideration of carpooling. The importance of various factors changed significantly if the respondent was on a work or commute trip versus other trip modes. Travelers on work or commute trips ranked travel time savings and cost sharing much higher, as expected, because of their frequent travel during peak hours. The data also support evidence of a significant amount of “fampooling,” with nearly 75% of carpools consisting of family members. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Disturbance of Serum Interleukin-2 and Interleukin-8 Levels in Posttraumatic and Non-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Earthquake Survivors in Northern China

Objective: It is evident that immune cytokines are involved in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but results of different studies are still inconsistent. Here, serum interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were compared between earthquake survivors with PTSD, those with non-PTSD and normal controls to investigate whether there is any relationship between cytokine levels and PTSD. In addition, the relationship of these cytokines with psychological parameters of the disorder was examined as well. Methods: Thirty-four earthquake survivors with PTSD (according to DSM-IV criteria), 30 earthquake survivors with non-PTSD and 34 controls were recruited in northern China using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview instrument. Serum IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were compared. IL-2 levels were measured by radioimmunometric assay, while serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were measured using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Psychological symptoms were assessed using 3 subscales of the Symptoms Checklist (SCL-90-R), including depression, anxiety and somatization. Results: Only earthquake survivors diagnosed with PTSD had significantly lower serum IL-8 levels. Also, we found that earthquake survivors (either with PTSD or non-PTSD) had significantly lower serum IL-2 levels and more severe psychological symptoms. The severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms in earthquake survivors was positively related to serum IL-6 levels. Conclusions: PTSD may be associated with a reduced level of serum IL-8, and traumatic survivors may be associated with a lower level of serum IL-2.
Le numérique au service des entités dédiées à l’innovation de rupture

Plusieurs entreprises mettent en place des entites dediees a favoriser l’innovation de rupture. En nous appuyant sur l’analyse de huit entites1, nous identifions quatre types d’activites qui y sont menees et montrons comment certains outils numeriques favorisent leur execution. Il y a trois types d’outils : ceux qui font le lien avec l’environnement de l’entreprise pour s’approvisionner en idees et connaissances, ceux qui permettent d’identifier et developper les comportements intrapreneurs et ceux favorisant l’experimentation. Tous concilient la divergence creative de l’exploration avec la maitrise des couts et des delais et favorisent la coexistence de differentes formes d’ambidextrie organisationnelles.
Allopregnanolone and dehydroepiandrosterone response to corticotropin-releasing factor in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

OBJECTIVE Neurosteroids have been suggested to be involved in the regulation of cognitive performances. A major neurosteroid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist is allopregnanolone: the main source of circulating allopregnanolone is the adrenal cortex. Studies indicated that a disturbance of the central regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis occurs in both senile (Alzheimer's disease: AD) and vascular dementia (VD). DESIGN The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of circulating allopregnanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol and their response to corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) test in AD and VD. METHODS Three groups of 12 subjects were included in the study: AD, VD and age-matched control subjects. CRF test was performed in all subjects and allopregnanolone, DHEA and cortisol levels were measured every 15min for 2h. RESULTS Mean +/- s.e. m. allopregnanolone and DHEA basal levels were significantly lower in AD and VD than in controls, while cortisol levels were significantly higher than in controls (P<0.01). Allopregnanolone and DHEA levels increase in response to CRF test in all subjects but the area under curve (AUC) in patients was significantly lower than in controls (P<0.01). Cortisol secretion appeared to be very sensitive in response to CRF stimulation: in fact, cortisol response to CRF test in AD and VD subjects was higher (both as AUC and as % max increase) than in controls (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The present study firstly showed that allopregnanolone levels are reduced both in AD and in VD and that dementia has a preserved stimulated response of allopregnanolone to CRF. Overall, however, the total response of allopregnanolone to CRF remains reduced in respect to controls. Further studies are necessary for a better understanding of the role of neurosteroids in the regulation of cognitive function.
Thinking about the future: The role of spatial metaphors for time

People often use spatial language to talk about time, and this is known to both reflect and shape how they think about it. Despite much research on the spatial grounding of temporal language and thought, little attention has been given to how spatial metaphors influence reasoning about real events, especially those in the future. In a large online study (N=2362), we framed a discussion of climate change using spatial metaphors that varied on reference-frame (egovs. time-moving), speed of movement (fast vs. slow), and time horizon (near, medium, or far future). We found that describing climate change as approaching (time-moving frame) – versus something we approach – made the issue seem more serious, but also more tractable, at least when the rate of motion was fast (e.g., “it’s rapidly approaching”). These findings offer novel insights into the relationship between spatial metaphors and temporal reasoning and how we communicate about uncertain future events.
Construction, purification, and characterization of a hybrid protein comprising the DNA binding domain of the LexA repressor and the Jun leucine zipper: a circular dichroism and mutagenesis study.

An increasing number of eukaryotic transcription factors interacting specifically with DNA comprise a dimerization motif called the "leucine zipper". These leucine zipper proteins form homodimers and/or heterodimers with another protein containing a leucine zipper motif. The leucine zipper of the oncoprotein Jun is particular in that Jun may form homodimers as well as heterodimers with the oncoprotein Fos, which are however more stable than the Jun-Jun homodimers. Leucine zipper dimerization is thought to occur through a coiled-coil arrangement of parallel alpha-helices, but the rules governing the specificity of homo- and/or heterodimerization are still largely unknown. To address this question in the case of the Jun leucine zipper, we constructed a fusion protein containing the amino-terminal DNA binding domain of the LexA repressor from Escherichia coli fused to the Jun leucine zipper. This hybrid protein (LexA-JunZip) is stable in E. coli and confers much tighter repression in vivo than the DNA binding domain of LexA alone. DNA binding competition experiments with synthetic Jun and Fos leucine zipper peptides in vitro showed that the leucine zipper mediated dimerization of LexA-JunZip is essential for DNA binding of the fusion protein. The purified LexA-JunZip protein dimerizes in vitro with a dimerization constant of 2 x 10(7) M-1 at 5 degrees C. Dimerization is very sensitive to temperature, since the dimerization constant drops at 20 degrees C to 2 x 10(6) M-1 and at 30 degrees C to only 3 x 10(5) M-1. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mutations in the Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome Gene in Medulloblastomas

Purpose: Cerebellar medulloblastoma is a highly malignant, invasive embryonal tumor with preferential manifestation in children. Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) with NBS1 germ-line mutations is a rare autosomal recessive disease with clinical features that include microcephaly, mental and growth retardation, immunodeficiency, increased radiosensitivity, and predisposition to cancer. There may be functional interactions between NBS1 and the TP53 pathways. The objective of the present study is to assess whether NBS1 mutations play a role in the pathogenesis of sporadic medulloblastomas. Experimental Design: Forty-two cases of medulloblastomas were screened for mutations in the NBS1 gene (all 16 exons) and the TP53 gene (exons 5-8) by single-stranded conformational polymorphism followed by direct DNA sequencing. Results: Seven of 42 (17%) medulloblastomas carried a total of 15 NBS1 mutations. Of these, 10 were missense point mutations and 5 were intronic splicing mutations. None of these were reported previously as germ-line mutations in NBS patients. No NBS1 mutations were detected in peritumoral brain tissues available in two patients. Of 5 medulloblastomas with TP53 mutations, 4 (80%) contained NBS1 mutations, and there was a significant association between TP53 mutations and NBS1 mutations (P = 0.001). Conclusions: We provide evidence of medulloblastomas characterized by NBS1 mutations typically associated with mutational inactivation of the TP53 gene.
Evaluation of noninvasive oscillometric blood pressure monitoring in anesthetized boid snakes.

OBJECTIVE To determine the accuracy of a noninvasive oscillometric monitor in the measurement of arterial blood pressure in anesthetized boid snakes. DESIGN Evaluation study. ANIMALS 4 boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), 2 carpet pythons (Morelia spilota), and 2 reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus). PROCEDURES After induction of anesthesia with isoflurane, each snake was instrumented with an arterial catheter connected to a pressure transducer and oscilloscope to obtain invasive measurements of systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean (MAP) arterial blood pressure as well as a pressure waveform. A cuff connected to an oscillometric device was placed on the tail immediately distal to the vent for noninvasive measurements. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and invasive and noninvasive measurements of SAP, DAP, and MAP were obtained every 5 minutes for 45 minutes. Delivered isoflurane concentration was increased in 15-minute increments to induce hypotension. Repeatability of each device and fixed and proportional biases between devices were calculated. RESULTS Throughout most of the measured ranges of blood pressures, the oscillometric unit overestimated the SAP and underestimated the DAP and MAP, compared with respective direct measurements. When the invasively determined SAP was > 100 mm Hg, the oscillometric unit underestimated all 3 variables. Fixed bias was significant for SAP and DAP, and proportional bias was significant for SAP and MAP. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE When using an oscillometric blood pressure monitor on anesthetized boid snakes, veterinarians can potentially monitor changes in blood pressure, although the displayed readings may underestimate DAP and MAP and overestimate SAP. Indirect measurements of blood pressure made with the oscillometric device cannot substitute for direct measurements.
Chemical neuroanatomy of the fly's movement detection pathway

In Diptera, subsets of small retinotopic neurons provide a discrete channel from achromatic photoreceptors to large motion‐sensitive neurons in the lobula complex. This pathway is distinguished by specific affinities of its neurons to antisera raised against glutamate, aspartate, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), and a N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate type 1 receptor protein (NMDAR1). Large type 2 monopolar cells (L2) and type 1 amacrine cells, which in the external plexiform layer are postsynaptic to the achromatic photoreceptors R1–R6, express glutamate immunoreactivity as do directionally selective motion‐sensitive tangential neurons of the lobula plate. L2 monopolar cells ending in the medulla are accompanied by terminals of a second efferent neuron T1, the dendrites of which match NMDAR1‐immunoreactive profiles in the lamina. L2 and T1 endings visit ChAT and GABA‐immunoreactive relays (transmedullary neurons) that terminate from the medulla in a special layer of the lobula containing the dendrites of directionally selective retinotopic T5 cells. T5 cells supply directionally selective wide‐field neurons in the lobula plate. The present results suggest a circuit in which initial motion detection relies on interactions among amacrines and T1, and the subsequent convergence of T1 and L2 at transmedullary cell dendrites. Convergence of ChAT‐immunoreactive and GABA‐immunoreactive transmedullary neurons at T5 dendrites in the lobula, and the presence there of local GABA‐immunoreactive interneurons, are suggested to provide excitatory and inhibitory elements for the computation of motion direction. A comparable immunocytological organization of aspartate‐ and glutamate‐immunoreactive neurons in honeybees and cockroaches further suggests that neural arrangements providing directional motion vision in flies may have early evolutionary origins. J. Comp. Neurol. 468:6–23, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sistema de control interno en la gestión administrativa contable y financiera para la federación de organizaciones negras y mestizas del sur occidente de Esmeraldas, Atacames, Muisne (FONMSOEAM), de la cadena del cacao fino de aroma

Tello Hidalgo, Sheyla Vanessa. " Sistema de control interno en la gestion administrativa contable y financiera para la federacion de organizaciones negras y mestizas del sur occidente de Esmeraldas, Atacames, Muisne (FONMSOEAM), de la cadena del cacao fino de aroma". 122 p. Tesis de Ingenieria en Contabilidad y Auditoria. Escuela Contabilidad y Auditoria. 2014
Administrative Development: An Islamic Perspective , by al-Buraey Muhammad A.. Kegan Paul International, London1985. £30.00.

According to Badeeb, Nasir's ultimate goal was to obtain a predominant position in the Arabian peninsula by undermining the Saudi regime. Naturally, the Saudi monarchy could not stand by idly while Nasir pursued a policy designed to destabilize the regime, a policy that allegedly even included attempts to exterminate the Saudi royal family (p. 38). Concrete evidence, however, is sorely lacking for this latter assertion. Faced with such external threats, Riyad eventually had no choice but to become involved in the civil war by offering support to the royalist factions. This occurred after the new government in Sanaa had laid claim to Asir province in Saudi Arabia and after Egyptian forces had bombed Saudi border towns. Saudi assistance to Imam al-Badr commenced in April 1963, or seven months after the coup. In Badeeb's assessment, Nasir came out the real loser. Egypt became embroiled in a long and costly war that tied down a large Egyptian expeditionary force in a place some three thousand kilometers from Cairo. In 1967, Israel managed to take advantage of this preoccupation to defeat Egypt decisively in the Six Day War. But Badeeb readily admits that the Imamate had been an anachronistic institution, unwilling to come to grips with the modern world. In this regard, the coup leaders represented progress by Yemeni standards, and they could not have succeeded in bringing reforms to North Yemen without the benefit of Egyptian military intervention. Nasir, thus, did obtain at least this one strategic objective, the survival of the Yemeni revolution, although certainly at great cost to Egypt. All in all, Badeeb offers little new to the available literature on the conflict in North Yemen. He actually devotes only pages 26 to 90 to the subject and ends his study with over twenty pages on the strategic importance of North Yemen to Saudi Arabia today, a clear and unnecessary deviation from the stated thrust of the book. The subject of the Yemeni civil war still awaits an in-depth treatment of a scholarly nature, documented with ample evidence. GEORGE W. GAWRYCH U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
An electro-active nano-valve array for reusable drug delivery system

This paper presents a flexible and reusable drug delivery system controlled by a polypyrrole nano-valve array. Electro-active polymer working in aqueous medium has short response time and small power consumption. Polypyrrole is one of such electro-active polymers. Due to its stability, incorruptibility and micromachining compatibility, polypyrrole plays an important role in developing micro/nano-actuators. A novel method for depositing the polypyrrole is also demonstrated.