Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explaining the Gap: The Interaction of Gender and News Enjoyment in Predicting Political Knowledge

This study investigated emotion as a potential explanation for the omnipresent gender gap in political knowledge. Past studies have examined methodological issues, socioeconomic attributes, and media use as possible contributors, but have not included enjoyment of media use as a factor in the relation between gender and political knowledge. Using 2007 data from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, it was found that, in line with uses and gratifications theory, enjoyment did indeed play a role in the acquisition of political information, and increased enjoyment resulted in higher political knowledge. This relation was stronger for women than for men.
Climate‐related vegetation characteristics derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) leaf area index and normalized difference vegetation index

[1] MODIS-based leaf area index (LAI) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are used to examine detailed information regarding actual growing season and total annual production for various regions. Overall, MODIS LAI has larger variability and demonstrates more information regarding the evolution and structure of the seasonal vegetation characteristics. In contrast, the NDVI saturates around 0.7 and tends to overestimate the growing season in regions where it is already long. Next, a climatic impact index (CII) is derived to provide additional information regarding the potential sensitivity of vegetation to changes in climatic variables by accounting for the length of growing season. By normalizing the growth rate to the biome-average growth rate, this index can identify fractional loss of annual production, as opposed to the absolute loss which may be strongly weighted by the overall growth rate for different ecosystems. Our index provides a quantitative framework for assessing the importance of the length of the growing season in determining climatic vulnerability. In the last part of the paper, we use the long time series AVHRR products as a substitute for the MODIS products and test the temporal characteristics of the CII. Major drought events are well-captured by the CII, suggesting potential use as a monitoring and evaluation tool. Furthermore, the strong positive correlation between the CII and the vegetation condition index (VCI) suggests that the CII can quantitatively identify the effects of climatic variability upon vegetation activity.
Towards an Affirmation Model of Disability

In this paper we argue that a new model of disability is emerging within the literature by disabled people and within disability culture, expressed most clearly by the Disability Arts Movement. For the purposes of discussion we call it the affirmative model. It is essentially a non-tragic view of disability and impairment which encompasses positive social identities, both individual and collective, for disabled people grounded in the benefits of lifestyle and life experience of being impaired and disabled. This view has arisen in direct opposition to the dominant personal tragedy model of disability and impairment, and builds on the liberatory imperative of the social model. Critiques of the latter have been consistently expressed as, or interpreted as, re-affirmations of personal tragedy, particularly in relation to impairment. In this analysis the affirmation model addresses the limitations of the social model through the realisation of positive identity encompassing impairment, as well as disability.
Regulation of Insulin Signaling through Reversible Oxidation of the Protein-tyrosine Phosphatases TC45 and PTP1B*

Many studies have illustrated that the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is important for optimal tyrosine phosphorylation and signaling in response to diverse stimuli. Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), which are important regulators of signal transduction, are exquisitely sensitive to inhibition after generation of ROS, and reversible oxidation is becoming recognized as a general physiological mechanism for regulation of PTP function. Thus, production of ROS facilitates a tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent cellular signaling response by transiently inactivating those PTPs that normally suppress the signal. In this study, we have explored the importance of reversible PTP oxidation in the signaling response to insulin. Using a modified ingel PTP assay, we show that stimulation of cells with insulin resulted in the rapid and transient oxidation and inhibition of two distinct PTPs, which we have identified as PTP1B and TC45, the 45-kDa spliced variant of the T cell protein-tyrosine phosphatase. We investigated further the role of TC45 as a regulator of insulin signaling by combining RNA interference and the use of substrate-trapping mutants. We have shown that TC45 is an inhibitor of insulin signaling, recognizing the β-subunit of the insulin receptor as a substrate. The data also suggest that this strategy, using ligand-induced oxidation to tag specific PTPs and using interference RNA and substrate-trapping mutants to illustrate their role as regulators of particular signal transduction pathways, may be applied broadly across the PTP family to explore function.
Phase‐based regional oxygen metabolism (PROM) using MRI

Venous oxygen saturation (Yv) in cerebral veins and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) are important indicators for brain function and disease. Although MRI has been used for global measurements of these parameters, currently there is no recognized technique to quantify regional Yv and CMRO2 using noninvasive imaging. This article proposes a technique to quantify CMRO2 from independent MRI estimates of Yv and cerebral blood flow. The approach uses standard gradient‐echo and arterial spin labeling acquisitions to make these measurements. Using MR susceptometry on gradient‐echo phase images, Yv was quantified for candidate vein segments in gray matter that approximate a long cylinder parallel to the main magnetic field. Local cerebral blood flow for the identified vessel was determined from a corresponding region in the arterial spin labeling perfusion map. Fick's principle of arteriovenous difference was then used to quantify CMRO2 locally around each vessel. Application of this method in young, healthy subjects provided gray matter averages of 59.6% ± 2.3% for Yv, 51.7 ± 6.4 mL/100 g/min for cerebral blood flow, and 158 ± 18 μmol/100 g/min for CMRO2 (mean ± SD, n = 12), which is consistent with values previously reported by positron emission tomography and MRI. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
C-reactive Protein in Nipple Aspirate Fluid Associated With Gail Model Factors

Background: The majority of breast cancers originate in the epithelial lining of the breast ductal system. Premalignant cell damage in this lining may produce biochemical signals that deliver inflammatory proteins to the site. The presence of C-reactive protein (CRP) in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) may reflect an inflammatory state indicative of a premalignant breast microenvironment. This study ascertained CRP's presence in NAF and evaluated if risk factors, as identified by the Gail model, were associated with NAF CRP levels among healthy women. Design: NAF CRP levels were assayed in 59 women. Results: CRP was present in NAF and significantly (p = .04) and positively related to breast cancer risk as predicted by the Gail model. Conclusion: CRP is differentially present in NAF and varies by Gail model risk factors. CRP in NAF holds promise as a noninvasive biomarker that detects a precarcinogenic breast ductal microenvironment and may contribute to the diagnosis of breast cancer early in the course of the disease when prognosis is most favorable.
On the structure of standardly stratified algebras

In the first part of the paper we give a characterization for an associative algebra to be standardly stratified in the sense of Cline, Parshall and Scott, generalizing a theorem of V. Dlab. In the second part of the paper we construct characteristic tilting modules for standardly stratified algebras and use them to estimate the finitistic dimension of such algebras. These tilting modules give rise to the Ringel duality concept for stratified algebras. We also define and investigate a generalization of the notion of properly stratified algebras to the above setup.
Initial clinical experience of ranibizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Purpose To describe the visual acuity and safety outcomes for the first 50 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with ranibizumab at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Methods A retrospective analysis of case notes from the first 50 consecutive patients with Primary Care Trust funding for ranibizumab therapy for nAMD. Visual acuity outcomes and adverse events were noted, as were service delivery-related indicators. Results The mean (±standard deviation) age of the 50 patients was 81 ± 17 years. The mean follow-up of patients was 13.6 ± 2 (range 7.7–18) months. The mean change in visual acuity ± standard error was +4.6 ± 2.2 letters at the end of follow-up, with 26% gaining 15 letters or more. The mean (median) number of injections was 4.7 (4.5) per 12-month period. The mean (median) delay in Primary Care Trust funding approval was 35 days (32 days) prior to the final appraisal document from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence. Conclusions The real-world outcomes of ranibizumab therapy in this initial cohort of patients with nAMD are comparable with those reported in the pivotal, randomized, controlled trials using fewer injections and a prn strategy of retreatment to achieve the gain in visual acuity.
Intrinsic motivation as a mediator between metacognition deficits and impaired functioning in psychosis.

OBJECTIVE Poor functioning has long been observed in individuals with psychosis. Recent studies have identified metacognition - one's ability to form complex ideas about oneself and others and to use that information to respond to psychological and social challenges-as being an important determinant of functioning. However, the exact process by which deficits in metacognition lead to impaired functioning remains unclear. This study first examined whether low intrinsic motivation, or the tendency to pursue novel experiences and to engage in self-improvement, mediates the relationship between deficits in metacognition and impaired functioning. We then examined whether intrinsic motivation significantly mediated the relationship when controlling for age, education, symptoms, executive functioning, and social cognition. DESIGN Mediation models were examined in a cross-sectional data set. METHODS One hundred and seventy-five individuals with a psychotic disorder completed interview-based measures of metacognition, intrinsic motivation, symptoms, and functioning and performance-based measures of executive functioning and social cognition. RESULTS Analyses revealed that intrinsic motivation mediated the relationship between metacognition deficits and impaired functioning (95% CI of indirect effect [0.12-0.43]), even after controlling for the aforesaid variables (95% CI of indirect effect [0.04-0.29]). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that intrinsic motivation may be a mechanism that underlies the link between deficits in metacognition and impaired functioning and indicate that metacognition and intrinsic motivation may be important treatment targets to improve functioning in individuals with psychosis. PRACTITIONER POINTS The findings of this study suggest that deficits in metacognition may indirectly lead to impaired functioning through their effect on intrinsic motivation in individuals with psychosis. Psychological treatments that target deficits in both metacognition and intrinsic motivation may help to alleviate impaired functioning in individuals with psychosis. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional design of this study is a limitation, and additional longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the direction of the findings and rule out rival hypotheses. Generalization of the findings may be limited by the sample composition. It may be that different relationships exist between metacognition, intrinsic motivation, and functioning in those with early psychosis or among those in an acute phase or who decline treatment.
c‐Src protein tyrosine kinase activity is required for muscarinic receptor‐mediated DNA synthesis and neurogenesis via ERK1/2 and c‐AMP‐responsive element‐binding protein signaling in neural precursor cells

The G protein‐coupled muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) isoforms have been identified in neural stem/progenitor (or precursor) cells. In previous studies, activation of these receptors induced elevations in intracellular Ca2+ signals and mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase activity that led to enhanced DNA synthesis along with neurogenesis in neural precursor cells. Here we report that the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase c‐src activity is required for the muscarinic receptor‐activated MAP kinase and cAMP‐responsive element‐binding protein (CREB). Stimulation of neural precursor cells dissociated from embryonic day 13 rat cortical neuroepithelium with the muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol (CCh) induced phosphorylations of c‐src that were detected by antibodies raised against phospho‐Tyr416 (Ptyr416), phospho‐Tyr527 (Ptyr527), and phospho‐Tyr215 (Ptyr215) of the kinase. Although an increase in Ptyr416 suggested direct activation of c‐src, Ptyr215 may serve as an alternative mechanism underlying activation of c‐src without dephosphorylation of Ptyr‐527. Both extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (Erk1/2) and CREB were significantly activated after CCh treatment indicated by increases in phosphorylation of these two proteins. The c‐Src inhibitor PP1 abolished the CCh‐induced activation of Erk1/2 and CREB in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, CCh stimulated expression of the neuronal specific marker MAP2, which was inhibited by PP1. Cell proliferation assays and immunocytochemistry revealed that PP1 inhibited the CCh‐induced DNA synthesis and MAP2+ production. These results suggest that c‐src activity is essential for the muscarinic receptor‐mediated proliferation and neurogenesis in neural precursor cells via Erk1/2 and CREB signaling pathways. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human Monocyte–Derived Dendritic Cells Induce Naive T Cell Differentiation into T Helper Cell Type 2 (Th2) or Th1/Th2 Effectors

The subset of dendritic cells (DCs) and the nature of the signal inducing DC maturation determine the capacity of DCs to generate polarized immune responses. In this study, we show that the ability of human monocyte-derived DCs (myeloid DC1) to promote T helper type 1 (Th1) or Th2 differentiation was also found to be critically dependent on stimulator/responder ratio. At a low ratio (1:300), mature DCs that have been differentiated after inflammatory (Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1 or lipopolysaccharide) or T cell–dependent (CD40 ligand) stimulation induced naive T cells to become Th2 (interleukin [IL]-4+, IL-5+, interferon γ) effectors. Th2 differentiation was dependent on B7–CD28 costimulation and enhanced by OX40–OX40 ligand interactions. However, high DC/T cell ratio (1:4) favored a mixed Th1/Th2 cell development. Thus, the fact that the same DC lineage stimulates polarized Th1 or Th2 responses may be relevant since it allows the antigen-presenting cells to initiate an appropriate response for the signal received at the peripheral sites. Controlling the number and the rate of DC migration to the T cell areas in lymphoid tissues may be important for the therapeutic use of DCs.
The relationship between lexical diversity and EFL writing proficiency

This study investigates the lexical dimension of EFL writing by exploring the relationship between lexical diversity and EFL writing proficiency. The relationship is explored through an analysis of forty-five email texts written by Chinese high school students that were taken from a Chinese National Matriculation English Test (NMET) practice writing test. Type-token ratio (TTR) and D (a measurement of lexical diversity through curve fitting) were used to establish indices of lexical diversity. The results showed that the lexical diversity of email texts graded at higher proficiency levels was not significantly different from the lexical diversity of email texts graded at lower proficiency levels, and that neither the TTR nor D measures had a statistically significant relationship with participants’ writing scores. These findings suggest that lexical diversity measures do not always offer a reliable basis for distinguishing between writing proficiency levels.
Speaking of books

The Art of Technical Writing: A Manual for Scientists, Engineers, and Students. Eugene Ehrlich and Daniel Murphy. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, Apollo Edition, 1969. 182 pp. $1.95 paper. A Primer on Food, Agriculture, and Public Policy. Earl O. Heady. New York: Random House, Inc., 1967. 169 pp. $4.95. Professional Education for Ministry. Edward E. Thornton. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1970. 301 pp. $7.50. Psychology and the Superior Athlete, Bryant J. Cratty and Miroslav Vanek. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1970. 212 pp. $6.95 cloth. The Slow Learner, edited by Joseph S. Roucek. New York: Philosophical Library, Inc., 1969. vi & 373 pp. $10.00. Storytelling and Creative Drama. Dewey W. Chambers. Dubuque, Iowa: William C. Brown, Publishers 1970. 92 pp. Turmoil and Transition: Higher Education and Student Politics in India. Philip G. Altbach, editor. New York: Basic Books, Inc., Publishers, 1968. 277 pp. $7.50 cloth.
An APC:WNT Counter-Current-Like Mechanism Regulates Cell Division Along the Human Colonic Crypt Axis: A Mechanism That Explains How APC Mutations Induce Proliferative Abnormalities That Drive Colon Cancer Development

APC normally down-regulates WNT signaling in human colon, and APC mutations cause proliferative abnormalities in premalignant crypts leading to colon cancer, but the mechanisms are unclear at the level of spatial and functional organization of the crypt. Accordingly, we postulated a counter-current-like mechanism based on gradients of factors (APC;WNT) that regulate colonocyte proliferation along the crypt axis. During crypt renewal, stem cells (SCs) at the crypt bottom generate non-SC daughter cells that proliferate and differentiate while migrating upwards. The APC concentration is low at the crypt bottom and high at the top (where differentiated cells reside). WNT signaling, in contrast, is high at the bottom (where SCs reside) and low at the top. Given that WNT and APC gradients are counter to one another, we hypothesized that a counter-current-like mechanism exists. Since both APC and WNT signaling components (e.g., survivin) are required for mitosis, this mechanism establishes a zone in the lower crypt where conditions are optimal for maximal cell division and mitosis orientation (symmetric versus asymmetric). APC haploinsufficiency diminishes the APC gradient, shifts the proliferative zone upwards, and increases symmetric division, which causes SC overpopulation. In homozygote mutant crypts, these changes are exacerbated. Thus, APC-mutation-induced changes in the counter-current-like mechanism cause expansion of proliferative populations (SCs, rapidly proliferating cells) during tumorigenesis. We propose this mechanism also drives crypt fission, functions in the crypt cycle, and underlies adenoma development. Novel chemoprevention approaches designed to normalize the two gradients and readjust the proliferative zone downwards, might thwart progression of these premalignant changes.
Source vs Data-driven Approach for Live P2P Streaming

Live streaming applications are increasing on the Internet. These applications are delay sensitive and need group communication. Presently, protocols designed for this kind of communication do not rely on the classical client/server model used in the Internet but organize the receivers into an overlay network, where they are supposed to collaborate with each other following the peer-to-peer model. Live p2p streaming protocols can be classified in three different categories: source-driven, receiver-driven and datadriven protocols. Each of them manages the overlay differently. In this paper we compare them by simulation to specify what is the most appropriate approach for these protocols. We implement a new simulator of p2p network and we choose two well-known protocols for simulations: a sourcedriven and a data-driven protocol. To our knowledge, our works are the first to compare with the same simulator and scenarii different approaches for live p2p streaming. Our simulations show that nodes organization on the overlay influences drastically network global performances, and data-driven approach seems to be the most appropriate approach for these protocols because it is less sensitive to dynamicity of nodes which is the main problem to resolve for these applications.
Symbolic- and response-related contributions to blindness to compatible stimuli

Blindness to compatible stimuli refers to poorer target identification (e.g., right-pointing arrowhead) following compatible stimuli (e.g., right arrows; Stevanovski, Oriet, & Jolicœur, 2003) and compatible responses (e.g., right key press; Müsseler & Hommel, 1997a and 1997b). To clarify the role of the response in this effect, we examined the impact of adding or removing an overt response. In three experiments, subjects saw an arrow cue (that sometimes required a response) followed by a brief, masked arrowhead, which was reported on all trials. In all experiments, making a response increased the magnitude of the blindness effect. Furthermore, “no response” performance was unaffected by whether subjects had previously responded to the cue. Results favour a two-factor symbolic- plus response-related activation model over a purely symbolic activation model.
B7-H1 on hepatocytes facilitates priming of specific CD8 T cells but limits the specific recall of primed responses.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The requirement for costimulation of CD8 T-cell priming and restimulation by nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells is unresolved. Here, we investigated whether B7-H1 (CD274, PD-L1) on hepatocytes (HC) is involved in the specific activation of naive CD8 T cells or activated CD8 T blasts. METHODS Naive or activated CD8 T cells from transgenic OT-I mice were primed/restimulated by peptide-pulsed HC, and their proliferation and effector response were determined. We used blocking monoclonal antibodies against B7-H1 and HC from B7-H1-deficient mice to assign a costimulatory or coinhibitory role to B7-H1 for CD8 T-cell priming/restimulation. RESULTS Blockade of B7-H1 on HC down modulated interferon (IFN)-gamma production and proliferation of HC-primed CD8 T cells, indicating a costimulatory role for B7-H1 in priming CD8 T cells. In contrast, the PD-1/B7-H1 interaction inhibited proliferation and interferon-gamma release of effector/memory CD8 T blasts specifically restimulated by peptide-pulsed HC. CONCLUSIONS B7-H1 differentially modulates the different stages of the specific CD8 T-cell response triggered by HC, and, whereas it costimulates priming and cytokine responses of naive CD8 T cells, it coinhibits their specific local recall of effector cytokine responses. The interaction of CD8 T cells with B7-H1(+) HC can thus fine-tune proliferative and effector responses of specific CD8 T cells reacting locally to nonprofessional antigen-presenting cells infected with hepatotropic agents.