Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
of Direct Antigraft Cytotoxicity Immunoregulatory Effects, Not to Inhibition Receptor 1-Deficient Recipients Is Due to Prolonged Allograft Survival in TNF

TNF- (cid:1) and lymphotoxin (LT) (cid:1) have been shown to be important mediators of allograft rejection. TNF-R1 is the principal receptor for both molecules. Mice with targeted genetic deletions of TNF-R1 demonstrate normal development of T and B lymphocytes but exhibit functional defects in immune responses. However, the role of TNF-R1-mediated signaling in solid organ transplant rejection has not been deﬁned. To investigate this question, we performed vascularized heterotopic allogeneic cardiac transplants in TNF-R1-deﬁcient (TNF-R1 (cid:2) / (cid:2) ) and wild-type mice. Because all allografts in our protocol expressed TNF-R1, direct antigraft effects of TNF- (cid:1) and LT (cid:1) were not prevented. However, immunoregulatory effects on recipient inﬂammatory cells by TNF-R1 engagement was eliminated in TNF-R1 (cid:2) / (cid:2) recipients. In our study, cardiac allograft survival was signiﬁcantly prolonged in TNF-R1 (cid:2) / (cid:2) recipients. Despite this prolonged allograft survival, we detected increased levels of CD8 T cell markers in allografts from TNF-R1 (cid:2) / (cid:2) recipients, suggesting that effector functions, but not T cell recruitment, were blocked. We also demonstrated the inhibition of multiple chemokines and cytokines in allografts from TNF-R1 (cid:2) / (cid:2) recipients including RANTES, IFN-inducible protein-10, lymphotactin, and IL-1R antagonist, as well as altered levels of chemokine receptors. We correlated gene expression with the physiologic process of allograft rejection using self-organizing maps and identiﬁed distinct patterns of gene expression in allografts from TNF-R1 (cid:2) / (cid:2) recipients. These ﬁndings indicate that in our experimental system TNF- (cid:1) and LT (cid:1) exert profound immunoregulatory effects through TNF-R1. The Journal of Immunology, 2002, 168: 483–489. /LT (cid:1) immunomodulatory effects, mediated by TNF-R1 on recipient cells.
The Effects of Sport Education and Fine Arts Education on Social Appearance Anxiety

The purpose of this study is to compare the social appearance anxiety levels of university students studying in different fields. Social appearance anxiety scales which were filled in by 481 students were assessed in the study. T-test and one way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis, while LSD tests were used to find out differences.Social appearance anxiety scale scores were found to be higher in male students when compared with female students. No statistically significant difference was found between social appearance anxiety scale scores in terms of genders (p>0.05). In terms of field of education, social appearance anxiety scale scores of students receiving sport education were found to be lower than the scores of students receiving art and music education and the highest social appearance anxiety scale scores were found in students in the department of educational sciences. Statistically significant difference was found between social appearance anxiety scale scores in terms of field of education (p<0.001). As a conclusion, it was found that sport education caused a higher decrease in social appearance anxiety when compared with fine arts education, while fine arts education caused a decrease in social appearance anxiety when compared with students who received neither sport nor fine arts education. In terms of social appearance contribution, it is thought that art and music education have similar effects to those of sport. Giving sport education to students who are not receiving sport education or making them do sport and giving those interested in sport a chance to be interested in art can be a factor in decreasing social appearance anxiety.
HOST GALAXIES OF LUMINOUS QUASARS: STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES AND THE FUNDAMENTAL PLANE

We present stellar velocity dispersion measurements in the host galaxies of ten luminous quasars (MV < −23) using the Ca H&K lines in off-nuclear spectra. We combine these data with effective radii and magnitudes from the literature to place the host galaxies on the fundamental plane (FP) where their properties are compared with other types of galaxies. We find that the radio-loud (RL) QSO hosts have similar properties to massive elliptical galaxies, while the radio-quiet (RQ) hosts are more similar to intermediate-mass galaxies. The RL hosts lie at the upper extreme of the FP due to their large velocity dispersions (〈σ*〉 = 321 km s−1), low surface brightness (〈μe(r)〉 = 20.8 mag arcsec−2), and large effective radii (〈Re〉 = 11.4 kpc), and have 〈M*〉 = 1.5 × 1012 M☉ and 〈M/L〉 = 12.4. In contrast, properties of the RQ hosts are 〈σ*〉 = 241 km s−1, 〈M*〉 = 4.4 × 1011 M☉, and M/L ∼ 5.3. The distinction between these galaxies occurs at σ*∼ 300 km s−1, Re∼ 6 kpc, and corresponding M* ∼ 5.9 ± 3.5 × 1011 M☉. Our data support previous results that Palomar-Green QSOs are related to gas-rich galaxy mergers that form intermediate-mass galaxies, while RL QSOs reside in massive early-type galaxies, most of which also show signs of recent mergers or interactions. Previous authors have drawn these conclusions by using estimates of the black hole mass and inferring host galaxy properties from that, while here we have relied purely on directly measured host galaxy properties.
Narrative Game-based Learning Objects for Story-based Digital Educational Games

This paper introduces the concept of Narrative Game-based Learning Objects (NGLOBs) as the basis for the creation and control of Story-based Digital Educational Games (DEGs). In the context of the European research project 80Days, section 1 describes major aims and challenges of Story-based DEGs and motivates for the introduction and use of NGLOBs. In the main part, section 2 provides an overview of the conceptualization of NGLOBs and their formalization within ICML as an XML-based format for Story-based applications and DEGs. In section 3 the theoretical results are set in context to the 80Days approach. Finally, the main results are summarized and further research activities are outlined.
The Revised Technology Acceptance Model and the Impact of Individual Differences in Assessing Internet Banking Use in Taiwan

The literature on Internet banking indicates that many researchers have been studying the determinant factors relating to a user’s acceptance or adoption behavior using the technology acceptance model. Little attention has been given, however, to exploring how external variables and perceptions of security, privacy, and confidentiality risks affect acceptance or adoption behavior, although these factors may play a significant role in Internet banking use. This study extends the technology acceptance model by introducing risk perceptions as a new construct to evaluate the determinants influencing Internet banking use behavior and to examine the influences of external variables such as individual differences. Based on data from a questionnaire survey of a sample of 788 experienced users in Taiwan, the results reveal that individual differences play a role in directly affecting perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived risk, and a role in indirectly affecting user behavior. The research results provide insightful recommendations for use in developing customer satisfaction policies that promote loyalty and future widespread and repeated use.
A new method of surgical treatment for recurrent labial adhesions in a pre-pubertal girl.

Labial fusion is a common paediatric gynecological problem and occurs more frequently between 3 months and 3 years [1]. Treatment options available are medical and surgical [2]. Recurrence is a common problem after both modalities of treatment [3]. We report a technique to prevent recurrent labial adhesions until epithelialisation occurs. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.4038/cmj.v57i4. 5086 Ceylon Medical Journal 2012; 57 : 168-169
Aging 5 Years in 5 Minutes

How old one feels—one’s subjective age—has been shown to predict important psychological and health outcomes. The current studies examined the effect of taking a standard memory test on older adults’ subjective age. Study 1 showed that older adults felt older after taking a standard neuropsychological screening test and participating in a free-recall experiment than they felt at baseline. Study 2 showed that the effect was selective to older adults: Younger adults’ subjective age was not affected by participating in the memory experiment. Study 3 showed that the subjective-aging effect was specific to memory, as taking a vocabulary test for a similar amount of time did not affect older adults’ subjective age. Finally, Study 4 showed that simply expecting to take a memory test subjectively aged older adults. The results indicate that being in a memory-testing context affects older adults’ self-perception by making them feel older.
Influence of the MBC/MIC ratio on the antibacterial activity of vancomycin versus linezolid against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in a pharmacodynamic model simulating serum and soft tissue interstitial fluid concentrations reported in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVES To explore serum and tissue pharmacodynamics of linezolid versus vancomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates with different MBC/MIC ratios. METHODS Five strains (vancomycin MIC/MBCs, mg/L) were used: TOL-1 (2/≥64), TOL-2 (1/16), LT-1 and LT-2 (1/8) and NT (1/2). The linezolid MIC/MBC for all strains was 2/≥64 mg/L. A two-compartment dynamic computerized device was used (inocula 10(7) cfu/mL). Free concentrations obtained in serum and interstitial fluid with twice-daily regimens of 1 g of vancomycin or 600 mg of linezolid were simulated over 48 h. ABBCs (differences between control growth curves and killing curves of bacteria exposed to antibiotics; log10 cfu × h/mL) and log10 reductions in initial inocula were calculated. RESULTS In serum simulations, vancomycin (AUC0-24/MIC = 251.8 for TOL-1 and 503.6 for the remaining strains) was bacteriostatic against strains with MBC/MIC ≥8, but bactericidal against NT. In interstitial fluid simulations (AUC0-24/MIC = 54.6 for TOL-1 and 109.2 for the remaining strains), initial inocula grew in all cases. Linezolid, both in serum (AUC0-24/MIC = 87.0) and in interstitial fluid (AUC0-24/MIC = 130.6) simulations, reduced initial inocula ≥2.2 log10 for all strains (apart from LT-1 in serum simulations that showed a bacteriostatic profile). ABBCs were similar in serum and interstitial fluid with linezolid, but significantly lower in interstitial fluid simulations with vancomycin. CONCLUSIONS From the pharmacodynamic perspective (serum concentrations), vancomycin tolerance should include MBC/MIC ≥8 since strains exhibiting this ratio showed bacteriostatic profiles similar to those obtained with isolates with MBC/MIC ratios of 16 or 32. Insufficient concentrations of vancomycin at the simulated infected site were linked to bacteriological failure. Free concentrations of linezolid at the infection site pharmacodynamically covered MRSA.
Context Integration for Smart Workflows

The usage of workflow technology to model and execute business processes is widespread in many enterprises and within the software industry. With the growing maturity of sensors, wireless communication, and distributed computing environments, we can enhance this approach to enable smart workflows, which are business processes crossing the boundary to the physical world. Applications for such processes can be found in many application domains, like logistics or in smart factory environments. To realize smart workflows, workflow engines can be coupled with existing context provisioning systems. However, there is a gap between the rather low- level provisioning of context (e.g., sensor data and stock information) and the concepts needed in smart workflows (e.g., "is a spare tool available? "). The main contribution of this paper is to bridge this gap: we show how integration processes can be used to provide context information at different semantical levels for smart workflows.
Learning Together: How Families Responded to Education Incentives in New York City’s Conditional Cash Transfer Program

Opportunity NYC-Family Rewards was a conditional cash transfer program that provided payments to low-income families for achieving specific health, education, and employment goals. Drawing on in-depth interviews, this report looks at how families viewed the education incentives, communicated about them with their children, reinforced educational rewards, and advanced their quality of life through the program.
Can Feedback from the Jumbo-Cd Market Improve Bank Surveillance?

We examine the value of jumbo certificate-of-deposit (CD) signals in bank surveillance. To do so, we first construct proxies for default premiums and deposit runoffs and then rank banks based on these risk proxies. Next, we rank banks based on the output of a logit model typical of the econometric models used in off-site surveillance. Finally, we compare jumbo-CD rankings and surveillance-model rankings as tools for predicting financial distress. Our comparisons include eight out-of-sample test windows during the 1990s. We find that rankings obtained from jumbo-CD data would not have improved on rankings obtained from conventional surveillance tools. More importantly, we find that jumbo-CD rankings would not have improved materially over random rankings of the sample banks. These findings validate current surveillance practices and, when viewed with other recent empirical tests, raise questions about the value of market signals in bank surveillance.
On the Dynamics of Finite-Gap Solutions in Classical String Theory

We study the dynamics of finite-gap solutions in classical string theory on R × S 3 . Each solution is characterised by a spectral curve, �, of genus g and a divisor, γ, of degree g on the curve. We present a complete reconstruction of the general solution and identify the corresponding moduli-space, M (2g) R , as a real symplectic manifold of dimension 2g. The dynamics of the general solution is shown to be equivalent to a specific Hamiltonian integrable system with phase-space M (2g) R . The resulting description resembles the free motion of a rigid string on the Jacobian torus J(�). Interestingly, the canonically-normalised action variables of the integrable system are identified with certain filling fractions which play an important role in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence.
The Use of Project-based Learning Focusing on Drama to Promote Speaking Skills of EFL Learners

This study focuses on the use of project-based learning focusing on drama to promote the speaking skills of EFL learners. It also aims to investigate how the use of project-based learning focusing on drama is beneficial to learners’ speaking skills. The participants of this study were EFL learners majoring in English who were enrolled in Learning English through Drama course. The data of the current study was collected quantitatively and qualitatively. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis revealed that learners’ speaking skills were improved as a result of the use of project-based learning focusing on drama. Moreover, the principles of project-based learning and drama are advantageous for learners’ language learning and speaking skills. Hence, the use of project-based learning focusing on drama is recommended for promoting speaking skills and affective factors. The present study also highlights the advantages of using project-based learning focusing on drama as an effective teaching method as it provides learners with opportunities to speak English and is seen as an enjoyable way for learners to learn a foreign language. Finally, the study recommends the use of project-based learning focusing on drama in the language classroom as it provides learners with opportunities to speak a foreign language in a communicative context.
Individual differences in working memory capacity affect false memories for missing aspects of events

Recently, Gerrie, Belcher, and Garry (2006) found that, when participants watch an event with parts missing, they falsely claim to have seen the missing parts—but they were more likely to claim they had seen less crucial parts than more crucial parts. Their results fit with a source-monitoring framework (SMF; Johnson, Hashtroudi, & Lindsay, 1993) explanation of false memories. In this paper we used individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC) to examine the SMF explanation of false memories for missing aspects of events. An accumulating body of research suggests that WMC is strongly related to controlling attention, including the ability to distinguish between sources of information. The primary purpose of the present study was to examine whether people with larger WMC are better able to ward off false memories for missing information than those with a smaller WMC. We showed that higher WMC reduced false recognition of crucial information, but did not change false recognition of noncrucial information. Additionally, we found that WMC had little effect on participants’ subjective experience of true and false recognition of events, regardless whether the information was crucial or not. These results provide further evidence that people's WMC is related to their source-monitoring ability.
Visual Properties of Transgenic Rats Harboring the Channelrhodopsin-2 Gene Regulated by the Thy-1.2 Promoter

Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), one of the archea-type rhodopsins from green algae, is a potentially useful optogenetic tool for restoring vision in patients with photoreceptor degeneration, such as retinitis pigmentosa. If the ChR2 gene is transferred to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which send visual information to the brain, the RGCs may be repurposed to act as photoreceptors. In this study, by using a transgenic rat expressing ChR2 specifically in the RGCs under the regulation of a Thy-1.2 promoter, we tested the possibility that direct photoactivation of RGCs could restore effective vision. Although the contrast sensitivities of the optomotor responses of transgenic rats were similar to those observed in the wild-type rats, they were enhanced for visual stimuli of low-spatial frequency after the degeneration of native photoreceptors. This result suggests that the visual signals derived from the ChR2-expressing RGCs were reinterpreted by the brain to form behavior-related vision.
Variables Psicosociales y Rendimiento Académico Asociados al Optimismo en Estudiantes Universitarios Españoles de Nuevo Ingreso

First-year students find difficulties at the beginning of their university studies, facing situations that generate a high level of stress, new academic and social challenges, or unfulfilled expectations. Among the psychosocial variables that intervene in the adaptation and contribute to overcoming the situation is dispositional optimism. The aim of this study has been to analyze which variables contribute to explaining the optimism with which first-year university students start their studies. Through survey procedures we have collected data on academic and psychosocial variables for a sample of 750 students of different degrees from the University of Seville at the time they started the first course in their respective degrees. We have used the calculation of basic descriptive statistics, along with techniques such as factor analysis, to explore the dimensionality of the optimism construct, and binary logistic regression to identify relevant variables in the differentiation between optimistic and pessimistic students. The results show how previous academic performance, perceived social support, self esteem and perceived self-efficacy are associated with the students? optimism. Based on these results, recommendations are derived for the orientation intervention concerning first-year university students to favor their adaptation to the university context.
Research on the Impact of the School Improvement Partnership Programme: Interim Report

The interim report on the evaluation of the impact of the School Improvement Partnership Programme (SIPP) by the Robert Owen Centre at the University of Glasgow is now available. Education Scotland is working with local authorities and university researchers to broker and facilitate partnerships within and across schools and local authorities. The SIPP adopts a solution-focused approach underpinned by systematic enquiry and the use of evidence to tackle Scotland’s attainment issues with a focus on collaboration and innovation to tackle educational inequality. The interim report has two key messages. Firstly, during this early phase SIPP has stimulated the imagination and creativity within a number of local authorities and their schools. This is often leading to the development of diverse and complex partnerships designed to tackle inequality in education. Secondly, there is emerging evidence to suggest that some of the partnerships are becoming embedded and putting in place interventions that reflect principles of effective collaborative enquiry and practice.
Phosphorylation of Histone H2A.X as an Early Marker of Neuronal Endangerment following Seizures in the Adult Rat Brain

The phosphorylated form of histone H2A.X (γ-H2AX) is a well documented early, sensitive, and selective marker of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Previously, we found that excessive glutamatergic activity increased γ-H2AX in neurons in vitro. Here, we evaluated γ-H2AX formation in the adult rat brain following neuronal excitation evoked by seizure activity in vivo. We found that brief, repeated electroconvulsive shock (ECS)-induced seizures (three individual seizures within 60 min) did not trigger an increase γ-H2AX immunostaining. In contrast, a cluster of 5–7 individual seizures evoked by kainic acid (KA) rapidly (within 30 min) induced γ-H2AX in multiple neuronal populations in hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. This duration of seizure activity is well below threshold for induction of neuronal cell death, indicating that the γ-H2AX increase occurs in response to sublethal insults. Moreover, an increase in γ-H2AX was seen in dentate granule cells, which are resistant to cell death caused by KA-evoked seizures. With as little as a 5 min duration of status epilepticus (SE), γ-H2AX increased in CA1, CA3, and entorhinal cortex to a greater extent than that observed after the clusters of individual seizures, with still greater increases after 120 min of SE. Our findings provide the first direct demonstration that DNA DSB damage occurs in vivo in the brain following seizures. Furthermore, we found that the γ-H2AX increase caused by 120 min of SE was prevented by neuroprotective preconditioning with ECS-evoked seizures. This demonstrates that DNA DSB damage is an especially sensitive indicator of neuronal endangerment and that it is responsive to neuroprotective intervention.
A Prokaryotic Twist on Argonaute Function

Argonaute proteins can be found in all three domains of life. In eukaryotic organisms, Argonaute is, as the functional core of the RNA-silencing machinery, critically involved in the regulation of gene expression. Despite the mechanistic and structural similarities between archaeal, bacterial and eukaryotic Argonaute proteins, the biological function of bacterial and archaeal Argonautes has remained elusive. This review discusses new findings in the field that shed light on the structure and function of Argonaute. We especially focus on archaeal Argonautes when discussing the details of the structural and dynamic features in Argonaute that promote substrate recognition and cleavage, thereby revealing differences and similarities in Argonaute biology.