Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mapping Diabetic Sensory Neuropathy by Current Perception Threshold Testing

Detailed clinical neurological examinations were conducted on 44 nondiabetic volunteers and 59 diabetic subjects. The examinations focused particularly on sensory symptomatic and physical evaluation. Standardized assessment of symptoms and physical testing of light touch, pain, vibratory, and thermal sensation was performed at the hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle, and knee. A total symptom score and physical score were defined by summing test scores at each site. Current perception threshold (CPT) testing that used constant sine-wave-alternating current was conducted at the same anatomic sites. CPT correlations with the physical score gave r values of . 55 for 5 Hz, . 60 for 250 Hz, and . 62 for 2000 Hz (n = 618). Correlations with the symptom score were not as strong: r = . 45 for 5 Hz, . 46 for 250 Hz, and . 51 for 2000 Hz. The correlation with symptom score was due primarily to a strong relationship for the symptom of numbness (r = .53 for all 3 frequencies). Correlations with pain and paresthesia were much lower. CPTs for diabetic subjects at the three frequencies were higher at most locations than for the nondiabetic volunteers. However, CPTs were no different from normal values in diabetic subjects without evidence of neuropathy. CPT testing appears to be a useful technique for assessment of diabetic sensory neuropathy.
Impact of Maternal Exercise during Pregnancy on Offspring Chronic Disease Susceptibility

Maternal behaviors during pregnancy have been reported to impact offspring health in adulthood. In this article we explore the novel hypothesis that exercise during pregnancy can protect against chronic disease susceptibility in the offspring. To date, research has demonstrated that improvements in metabolic outcomes, cardiovascular risk, and cancer can occur in response to maternal exercise during pregnancy.
How can we make sense of leadership in the 21st century

Explores the development of thinking on leadership and places it in the context of the dominant discourses of the period in which studies were conducted. Argues that if a “sense making” paradigm is adopted. it becomes feasible to identify a model of leadership, which is relevant to the context of complexity and change facing organisations in the early twenty‐first century. The model emerges when the measure of effectiveness is changed from organisational success to the impact of the leader on followers and on building of capability. The argument for such a shift is underpinned by the movement of dominant organisational logic from a Weberian rational/analytical one to a logic which acknowledges emotional considerations. Within the leadership arena it has been proposed that emotional intelligence is a major factor underpinning success. Presents data from recent research, which empirically demonstrates linkages between emotional intelligence and leadership. These findings are examined in conjunction with the “Emergent model”.
The views of dentists, nurses and nutritionists on the association between diabetes and periodontal disease: a qualitative study in a Latino community.

OBJECTIVE To interview health professionals in a Latino community about the association between diabetes and periodontitis, and provide a basis to develop interventions for them to promote oral health and good glycemic control among patients with diabetes. METHODS Five dentists, seven nurses and two nutritionists were interviewed about their practices relevant to oral health and diabetes, knowledge about the association, beliefs about Latinos, recommendations on reaching others in their fields, and barriers. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed qualitatively. RESULTS Professionals identified policy, community and practice barriers for promoting diabetic control and oral health. CONCLUSIONS Producing a resource list, cross-educating professionals about diabetes and oral health, training professionals to better serve Latino patients, developing appropriate protocols for each profession regarding the association between diabetes and periodontitis, and educating the community about diabetic control, oral health and disease prevention were identified as potential strategies to improve oral health among Latino persons with diabetes.
CTLA4-Ig: a novel immunosuppressive agent

Activation of naive T-cells requires two signals: one is antigen-specific and based on T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition of a peptide-MHC complex and the second is antigen-nonspecific and delivered by specific T-cell receptors after ligation with their ligands (costimulatory molecules) expressed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Engagement of the B7 family of molecules on APCs with their T-cell associated ligands, CD28 and CTLA-4 (CD152), provides a pivotal costimulatoty signal in T-cell activation. The lack of costimulation after engagement of the T-cell receptor by antigen, results in a state of antigen-specific unresponsiveness, termed anergy. Manipulation of CD28/B7 pathway has therefore been envisioned as a potential strategy for achieving therapeutically useful immunosuppression or tolerance. CTLA4-Ig has been initially developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb as a competitive inhibitor of CD28/B7 pathway (BMS-188667). Thereafter, CTLA4-Ig was produced by Repligen and also in some individual laboratories. In various animal models, discussed in this paper, CTLA4-Ig has been shown to inhibit T-cell-dependent antibody responses, significantly prolong transplanted organ survival, induce long-term donor-specific tolerance in some models, slow progression of autoimmune disease and to have immunomodulatory function in several other immunological disease models. Recently, CTLA4-Ig has entered Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of psoriasis, a T-cell mediated skin disease and treatment of graft-versus-host disease in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Large clinical randomised trials on the use of CTLA4-Ig are missing, nevertheless, its immunosuppressive effects coupled with features such as specificity of interaction and low toxicity, make CTLA4-Ig a promising new therapeutic agent for induction of donor-specific immunological tolerance, the ultimate goal of clinical immunosuppression.
Observational Learning and Practice Variability.

Abstract Two factors said to influence motor learning are mode of information feedback and conditions of practice. The current investigation explored certain aspects of those factors for the specific purpose of gaining insight into processes underlying the observational learning of motor skills. Design was a practice (variable/constant) X information mode (modeling/physical) X trials factorial. Physical practice occurred in the absence of vision. Dependent variable was an angular positioning task. The acquisition phase consisted of 60 KR trials. The physical conditions received KR based on their own response outcomes, while the modeling groups heard model-contingent KR. Subsequent no-KR transfer to a new target located outside the range of previous practice supported the notion of the superiority of variable over constant practice during observational learning. The results also indicated that subjects who observed a model who had practiced under variable conditions were later able to perform in a manner q.
KRAS Mutation Analysis by PCR: A Comparison of Two Methods

Background KRAS mutation assays are important companion diagnostic tests to guide anti-EGFR antibody treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Direct comparison of newer diagnostic methods with existing methods is an important part of validation of any new technique. In this this study, we have compared the Therascreen (Qiagen) ARMS assay with Competitive Allele-Specific TaqMan PCR (castPCR, Life Technologies) to determine equivalence for KRAS mutation analysis. Methods DNA was extracted by Maxwell (Promega) from 99 colorectal cancers. The ARMS-based Therascreen and a customized castPCR assay were performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. All assays were performed on either an Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Dx or a ViiA7 real-time PCR machine (both from Life Technologies). The data were collected and discrepant results re-tested with newly extracted DNA from the same blocks in both assay types. Results Of the 99 tumors included, Therascreen showed 62 tumors to be wild-type (WT) for KRAS, while 37 had KRAS mutations on initial testing. CastPCR showed 61 tumors to be wild-type (WT) for KRAS, while 38 had KRAS mutations. Thirteen tumors showed BRAF mutation in castPCR and in one of these there was also a KRAS mutation. The custom castPCR plate included several other KRAS mutations and BRAF V600E, not included in Therascreen, explaining the higher number of mutations detected by castPCR. Re-testing of discrepant results was required in three tumors, all of which then achieved concordance for KRAS. CastPCR assay Ct values were on average 2 cycles lower than Therascreen. Conclusion There was excellent correlation between the two methods. Although castPCR assay shows lower Ct values than Therascreen, this is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Work environment and health in different types of temporary jobs

The aim of the study was to compare and analyse differences in work conditions and health between workers in permanent and temporary employment. The study group consisted of a representative, stratified sample of the Swedish working population (n = 2767). The data support the main hypothesis of the study, i.e., that temporary employed differ from permanent employed in control over their working life. With some exceptions, there were clear differences between these two categories with respect to a number of variables that can be regarded as central to both the individual's success at work and protection against job loss and exclusion from working life. Health differences were in favour of the permanent employed. There were also considerable differences between different sub-groups of temporary employees of such amplitude and consistency that they formed a distinct centre-periphery structure.
Gender differences in sport involvement: Applying the eccles' expectancy-value model

Abstract With the growth of the field of sport psychology has come a growing interest and concern over gender differences in achievement and participation in various sports. Why do girls and boys differ from one another in their participation rates and participation patterns in sports? Over the past 10 years, Eccles and her colleagues have put together a theoretical model for analyzing the motivational factors underlying individuals' decisions regarding achievement-related choices. This paper describes this theoretical model and uses data from two studies, one focusing on adolescents, and one focusing on elementary school-aged children, to evaluate the utility of this model for understanding gender differences in sport participation. It reaches the following conclusions: (a) the Eccles et al. model holds for sport as well as, if not better than, it does for academic subjects; (b) gender differences in children's attitudes toward sport are quite strong and emerge at a very young age; and (c) these gender d.
Reducing self-discrepancies or maintaining self-congruence? Uncertainty orientation, self-regulation, and performance.

Reducing discrepancies between performance and goals was predicted to motivate uncertainty-oriented people, but maintaining congruence was predicted to be more motivating for certainty-oriented people. Being motivated should lead to better performance when a person is focused on positive outcomes, or to worse performance if he or she is focused on negative outcomes (success-oriented vs. failure-threatened in Studies 1 and 2, ideal vs. ought discrepancy in Study 3). Three studies tested these hypotheses: an experiment that used bogus performance feedback, a field study of examination performance as a function of prior discrepancies from desired grades, and an experimental priming of standards associated with a discrepancy or with no discrepancy. All 3 studies revealed the predicted interaction, supporting the hypothesis that there are individual differences in motivation as a function of goal discrepancy or congruence
Feminists, Islamists, and Political Change in Turkey

This paper examines how some feminist and Islamist women in Turkey helped bring about change in political values during the past decade. The traditional political culture upheld statist, corporatist (as opposed to liberal, individualist) norms. The state controlled religion in the name of secularism and limited democracy within the confines of formal equality. Both feminists and Islamists contested traditional political values by insisting on their own definition of their interests, as opposed to those that were state-enforced. The feminists questioned the justice of formal equality as they sought substantive equality; Islamist women challenged the secular concept of equality as they insisted on the justice of male-female complementarity. Both groups engaged in active politics and expanded the parameters of democratic participation as they sought substantive equality beyond formal equality. Yet the patriarchal heritage of Islam defined the limits of Islamist women's search for liberation within the confines of religion.
A Multiple Merger Model for the Origin of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies

It has been often considered that the dissipative collapse caused by a merger of two gas-rich galaxies is responsible for the intense nuclear starbursts or the nonthermal quasar activity in ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIGs) because of the efficient fueling induced by it. It is also widely known that ULIGs are often found in merging systems. Some ULIGs, such as Arp 220, show two compact starburst regions that are considered to be associated with two galactic nuclei in the process of merging. However, since a merger between two galaxies may make only one compact starburst region, we suggest the possibility that double-nucleus ULIGs are composed of two merging nuclei, each of which contains a pair of galactic nuclei.
Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Feedback in the Southern Annular Mode

Abstract Previous studies have demonstrated that while the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) is an intrinsic feature of the atmosphere, it projects strongly onto the ocean and sea ice properties and circulation. This study investigates the extent of “back interaction” whereby these oceanic SAM anomalies feed back to the atmosphere. A comparison between atmosphere-only and full coupled climate models demonstrates that air–sea interactions in the coupled system act to increase the persistence of the SAM in the atmosphere. To identify the nature of feedback from the ocean to the atmosphere, ensemble experiments are carried out in both atmosphere-only and full coupled models whereby a continuous SAM-like sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly is imposed. Both coupled and uncoupled experiments show a direct thermal response that affects the lower-tropospheric temperature and surface meridional winds. An indirect upper troposphere–wide response is also seen whose characteristics are sensitive to the coupling. For the .
OECD's Brief Self-Report Measure of Educational Psychology's Most Useful Affective Constructs: Cross-Cultural, Psychometric Comparisons Across 25 Countries

Through a rigorous process of selecting educational psychology's most useful affective constructs, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) constructed the Students' Approaches to Learning (SAL) instrument, which requires only 10 min to measure 14 factors that assess self-regulated learning strategies, self-beliefs, motivation, and learning preferences. This study evaluated SAL responses from nationally representative samples of approximately 4,000 15-year-olds from each of 25 countries (N = 107,899)—OECD's Program For International Student Assessment database. In one of the largest and most powerful cross-cultural comparisons of diverse educational psychology constructs, this study used multiple group confirmatory factor analyses to show that SAL's a priori 14-factor solution is well defined and reasonably invariant across the 25 countries, as are relations between SAL factors and 4 criterion variables (gender, socioeconomic status, math achievement, and verbal achievement). The results support posited relations among constructs derived from different theoretical perspectives and their cross-cultural generalizability. The SAL provides a standard set of educational psychological measures that have been translated into many languages with nationally representative norms that have been validated across the world. These should be a useful focus or supplement in diverse educational psychology research settings, and should provide the longitude and latitude against which to map new and existing educational psychology constructs.
Adaptive Fuzzy Tracking Control Design for SISO Uncertain Nonstrict Feedback Nonlinear Systems

This paper investigates an adaptive fuzzy tracking control design problem for single-input and single-output uncertain nonstrict feedback nonlinear systems. For the cases of the states measurable and the states immeasurable, fuzzy logic systems are separately adopted to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions or model the uncertain nonlinear systems. In the unified framework of adaptive backstepping control design, both adaptive fuzzy state feedback and observer-based output feedback control design schemes are proposed. The stability of the closed-loop systems is proved by using Lyapunov function theory. The simulation examples are provided to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control methods.
Audio-Based Feedback Techniques for Teaching Touchscreen Gestures

While sighted users may learn to perform touchscreen gestures through observation (e.g., of other users or video tutorials), such mechanisms are inaccessible for users with visual impairments. As a result, learning to perform gestures without visual feedback can be challenging. We propose and evaluate two techniques to teach touchscreen gestures to users with visual impairments: (1) gesture sonification to generate sound based on finger touches, creating an audio representation of a gesture; and (2) corrective verbal feedback that combined automatic analysis of the user's drawn gesture with speech feedback. To refine and evaluate the techniques, we conducted three controlled laboratory studies. The first study, with 12 sighted participants, compared parameters for sonifying gestures in an eyes-free scenario. We identified pitch+stereo panning as the best combination. In the second study, ten blind and low-vision participants completed gesture replication tasks for single-stroke, multistroke, and multitouch gestures using the gesture sonification feedback. We found that multistroke gestures were more difficult to understand in sonification, but that playing each finger sound serially may improve understanding. In the third study, six blind and low-vision participants completed gesture replication tasks with both the sonification and corrective verbal feedback techniques. Subjective data and preliminary performance findings indicated that the techniques offer complementary advantages: although verbal feedback was preferred overall primarily due to the precision of its instructions, almost all participants appreciated the sonification for certain situations (e.g., to convey speed). This article extends our previous publication on gesture sonification by extending these techniques to multistroke and multitouch gestures. These findings provide a foundation for nonvisual training systems for touchscreen gestures.
Woman and Desire Why Women May Not Want to Want

Questioning why it is that female genitalia and desire are viewed in psychoanalytic theory as hidden, inaccessible, and lacking, the author examines 1) female genital representation, 2) girls' erotically desirous relationships to their mothers, and 3) the nature of women's experience in sexuality. The author proposes that the marker “absent” regarding female genitalia and desire may be a particular female form or protection against “castration” of sexual desire; males inflate whereas females may deflate their genital representation and desire. The author suggests that the female body lends itself-and, abetted by culture and psychoanalytic theory, is unconsciously used by females—to a specific form or protection of female desire.
Human Follicular Lymphoma CD39+-Infiltrating T Cells Contribute to Adenosine-Mediated T Cell Hyporesponsiveness1

Our previous work has demonstrated that human follicular lymphoma (FL) infiltrating T cells are anergic, in part due to suppression by regulatory T cells. In this study, we identify pericellular adenosine, interacting with T cell-associated G protein-coupled A2A/B adenosine receptors (AR), as contributing to FL T cell hyporesponsiveness. In a subset of FL patient samples, treatment of lymph node mononuclear cells (LNMC) with specific A2A/B AR antagonists results in an increase in IFN-γ or IL-2 secretion upon anti-CD3/CD28 Ab stimulation, as compared with that seen without inhibitors. In contrast, treatment with an A1 AR antagonist had no effect on cytokine secretion. As the rate limiting step for adenosine generation from pericellular ATP is the ecto-ATPase CD39, we next show that inhibition of CD39 activity using the inhibitor ARL 67156 partially overcomes T cell hyporesponsiveness in a subset of patient samples. Phenotypic characterization of LNMC demonstrates populations of CD39-expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which are overrepresented in FL as compared with that seen in normal or reactive nodes, or normal peripheral blood. Thirty percent of the FL CD4+CD39+ T cells coexpress CD25high and FOXP3 (consistent with regulatory T cells). Finally, FL or normal LNMC hydrolyze ATP in vitro, in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, with the rate of ATP consumption being associated with the degree of CD39+ T cell infiltration. Together, these results support the finding that the ATP-ectonucleotidase-adenosine system mediates T cell anergy in a human tumor. In addition, these studies suggest that the A2A/B AR as well as CD39 are novel pharmacological targets for augmenting cancer immunotherapy.
Probabilistic Models for Inference about Identity

Many face recognition algorithms use “distance-based” methods: Feature vectors are extracted from each face and distances in feature space are compared to determine matches. In this paper, we argue for a fundamentally different approach. We consider each image as having been generated from several underlying causes, some of which are due to identity (latent identity variables, or LIVs) and some of which are not. In recognition, we evaluate the probability that two faces have the same underlying identity cause. We make these ideas concrete by developing a series of novel generative models which incorporate both within-individual and between-individual variation. We consider both the linear case, where signal and noise are represented by a subspace, and the nonlinear case, where an arbitrary face manifold can be described and noise is position-dependent. We also develop a “tied” version of the algorithm that allows explicit comparison of faces across quite different viewing conditions. We demonstrate that our model produces results that are comparable to or better than the state of the art for both frontal face recognition and face recognition under varying pose.