Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel NKR-P1Bbright NK Cell Subset Expresses an Activated CD25+CX3CR1+CD62L−CD11b−CD27− Phenotype and Is Prevalent in Blood, Liver, and Gut-Associated Lymphoid Organs of Rats

The inhibitory NKR-P1B receptor identifies a subset of rat splenic NK cells that is low in Ly49 receptors but enriched for CD94/NKG2 receptors. We report in this study a novel NKR-P1Bbright NK subpopulation that is prevalent in peripheral blood, liver, and gut-associated lymphoid organs and scarce in the spleen, peripheral lymph nodes, bone marrow, and lungs. This NKR-P1Bbright NK subset displays an activated phenotype, expressing CD25, CD93, CX3CR1 and near absence of CD62-L, CD11b, and CD27. Functionally, NKR-P1Bbright NK cells are highly responsive in terms of IFN-γ production and exert potent cytolytic activity. They show little spontaneous proliferation, are reduced in numbers upon in vivo activation with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, and have poor survival in ex vivo cytokine cultures. Our findings suggest that NKR-P1Bbright NK cells are fully differentiated effector cells that rapidly die upon further activation. The identification of this novel rat NK cell subset may facilitate future translational research of the role of distinct NK cell subsets under normal physiological conditions and during ongoing immune responses.
Prospective comprehensive genomic profiling of advanced gastric carcinoma cases reveals frequent clinically relevant genomic alterations and new routes for targeted therapies.

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is a major global cancer burden and the second most common cause of global cancer-related deaths. The addition of anti-ERBB2 (HER2) targeted therapy to chemotherapy improves survival for ERBB2-amplified advanced GC patients; however, the majority of GC patients do not harbor this alteration and thus cannot benefit from targeted therapy under current practice paradigms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective comprehensive genomic profiling of 116 predominantly locally advanced or metastatic (90.0%) gastric cancer cases was performed to identify genomic alterations (GAs) associated with a potential response to targeted therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or targeted therapy-based clinical trials. RESULTS Overall, 78% of GC cases harbored one clinically relevant GA or more, with the most frequent alterations being found in TP53 (50%), ARID1A (24%), KRAS (16%), CDH1 (15%), CDKN2A (14%), CCND1 (9.5%), ERBB2 (8.5%), PIK3CA (8.6%), MLL2 (6.9%), FGFR2 (6.0%), and MET (6.0%). Receptor tyrosine kinase genomic alterations were detected in 20.6% of cases, primarily ERBB2, FGFR2, and MET amplification, with ERBB2 alterations evenly split between amplifications and base substitutions. Rare BRAF mutations (2.6%) were also observed. One MET-amplified GC patient responded for 5 months to crizotinib, a multitargeted ALK/ROS1/MET inhibitor. CONCLUSION Comprehensive genomic profiling of GC identifies clinically relevant GAs that suggest benefit from targeted therapy including MET-amplified GC and ERBB2 base substitutions.
A Genome-Wide Association Study of Vertical Cup-Disc Ratio in a Latino Population

Purpose Vertical cup-disc ratio (VCDR) is used as a clinical assessment measure to identify and monitor glaucomatous damage to the optic nerve. Previous genetic studies conducted in European and Asian populations have identified many loci associated with VCDR. The genetic factors in other ethnic populations, such as Latino, influencing VCDR remain to be determined. Here, we describe the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on VCDR in Latino individuals. Methods We conducted this GWAS on VCDR using 4537 Latino individuals who were genotyped by using either the Illumina OmniExpress BeadChip (∼730K markers) or the Illumina Hispanic/SOL BeadChip (∼2.5 million markers). Study subjects were 40 years of age and older. Linear regression, adjusting for age, sex, and principal components of genetic ancestry, was conducted to assess the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and VCDR. We imputed SNPs from the 1000 Genomes Project to integrate additional SNPs not directly genotyped. Results We replicated two previously reported SNPs that reached GWAS significance, rs1900005 and rs7916697, in the ATOH7-PBLD region, as well as identified two suggestive associations in the CDC7-TGFBR3 region on chromosome 1p22.1 and in the ZNF770-DPH6 region on chromosome 15q14. We discovered a novel SNP, rs56238729 (P = 1.22 × 10−13), in the ATOH7-PBLD region that is significantly associated with VCDR in Latino individuals. We replicated eight previously reported regions, including COL8A1, CDKN2B-CDKN2BAS, BMP2, and CHEK2 (P < 2.17 × 10−3). Conclusions Our results discovered a novel SNP that is significantly associated with VCDR in Latino individuals and confirmed previously reported loci, providing further insight into the genetic architecture of VCDR.
Effects of a DVD-Delivered Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Stress Reduction in Medical Students: A Randomized Controlled Study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a DVD-delivered mindfulness-based intervention for reducing stress among medical students in a Malaysian university. Methods: A total of 76 medical students participated in the intervention program (Mindful-Gym DVD). They were stratified according to year of studies and randomly allocated to intervention ( N = 38) and control groups ( N = 38). The following outcome variables were measured at pre- and post-intervention: mindfulness (with Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, MAAS); perceived stress (with Perceived Stress Scale, PSS); mental distress (with Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS); and self-efficacy (with General Self-efficacy Scale, GSE). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to analyse the effect of group (Intervention vs. Control) on changes in the outcome variables. Results: One week after the intervention, participants in the intervention group reported significantly greater improvements with small to medium effect sizes in self-reported levels of mindfulness (β = 0.19, ∆R 2 = 0.04, p = 0.028, f 2 = 0.07), perceived stress (β = -0.25, ∆R 2 = 0.06, p = 0.006, f 2 = 0.11), mental distress (β = -0.27, ∆R 2 = 0.07, p = 0.003, f 2 = 0.13), and self-efficacy (β = 0.27, ∆R 2 = 0.07, p = 0.003, f 2 = 0.13), compared to participants in the control group. The number needed to treat (NNT) to achieve ‘normal’ levels of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms (as indicated by the DASS scores) were 5, 8, and 6 respectively. Conclusions: This study found that the DVD-delivered mindfulness-based program is potentially a labour- and cost-effective and easily accessible stress reduction program for medical students.
An efficient key distribution scheme with self-healing property

The main property of the self-healing key distribution scheme is that users are capable of recovering lost group keys on their own, without requesting additional transmission from the group manager. In this paper, we propose a new self-healing key distribution scheme, which is optimal in terms of user memory storage and more efficient in terms of communication complexity than the previous results.
Developing an effective approach to measure emotional response to the sensory properties of beer

Emotion research in sensory and consumer science has gathered significant momentum over recent years and the development of effective emotion measurement methods is a priority in this rapidly growing area. The aim of this research was to advance the use of consumer-led emotion lexicons by using focus groups to increase the efficiency of lexicon generation and by decreasing the number of consumer response categories. In parallel, the ability of the newly generated reduced lexicon to discriminate emotional response across different gender and age groups, and across sensorially distinct beer samples, was evaluated. The new approach was largely effective at discriminating across samples and revealed significant differences in emotional response between genders and between age groups. The reduced lexicon was compared to a full lexicon to ascertain their relative efficacies. Whilst there were differences between the two form lengths, neither was convincingly more effective at sample discrimination than the other, although the full form better differentiated between age groups. The reduced form was also applied to cross-cultural comparisons through the generation of a reduced product-specific consumer-led emotion lexicon in Spain. As in the UK, the approach discriminated well between samples and was able to differentiate between consumer groups. Comparing Spanish and UK responses, ratings of emotions associated with pleasure/pleasantness were similar but there were differences in the use of emotions associated with arousal/engagement/activation. This new methodology was therefore demonstrated to be a valuable tool for investigating cross-cultural emotional response. The approach developed in this thesis provides researchers with an enhanced consumer-led emotion methodology for use with food and beverages. As well as being relatively quick, the approach has been proven to differentiate between products and reveal differences concerning emotional response across different consumer groups and between cultures. These attributes make this emotional measurement approach extremely valuable to this young research area.
The olivocerebellar projection in the monkey. Experimental studies with the method of retrograde tracing of horseradish peroxidase

Following injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in various lobes and lobules of the macaque cerebellum the occurrence of retrogradely labeled cells in the inferior olive was mapped. Only cortical areas showing staining of the molecular layer were considered as sites of uptake of HRP. To facilitate comparisons between cases and presentation of findings, a diagram of the macaque inferior olive as imagined unfolded was constructed (Fig. 1). Attempts were made to compare the findings made with data on the olivocerebellar projection in the cat and the pattern of a longitudinal zonal subdivision of the cerebellum.
Penile dimensions of newborns at obio cottage hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Determination of normal reference values for penile dimension may prevent overdiagnosis of micropenis and hence reduce unnecessary investigation and parental anxiety. Only a few data exist on the subject in Nigeria. Objectives: The study set out to document the stretched penile length (SPL) and penile diameter (PD) of male newborns in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methodology: Four hundred and eleven consecutively delivered male newborns were recruited for this study. SPL and PD were measured using the standard methods with a digital metal caliper. The mean values were determined and compared with other anthropometric parameters. Results: The mean (standard deviation) SPL from this study was 3.17 ± 0.5 cm and mean PD was 1.07 ± 0.17 cm. There was no significant correlation of the SPL with any of the studied anthropometric parameters, but the PD showed weak positive correlation with estimated gestational age (r = 0.104,P= 0.036), birth weight (r = 0.169,P= 0.001), birth length (r = 0.139,P= 0.006), and head circumference (r = 0.111,P= 0.025). The PD increased significantly across the different weight categories. The third and tenth percentiles for the SPL were 2.3 cm and 2.5 cm. Conclusion: It is concluded that the mean SPL and PD of newborns in Port Harcourt are 3.17 cm and 1.07 cm, respectively. A PL of <2.3 cm should be taken as representing micropenis.
PSSA-2, a Membrane-Spanning Phosphoprotein of Trypanosoma brucei, Is Required for Efficient Maturation of Infection

The coat of Trypanosoma brucei consists mainly of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins that are present in several million copies and are characteristic of defined stages of the life cycle. While these major components of the coats of bloodstream forms and procyclic (insect midgut) forms are well characterised, very little is known about less abundant stage-regulated surface proteins and their roles in infection and transmission. By creating epitope-tagged versions of procyclic-specific surface antigen 2 (PSSA-2) we demonstrated that it is a membrane-spanning protein that is expressed by several different life cycle stages in tsetse flies, but not by parasites in the mammalian bloodstream. In common with other membrane-spanning proteins in T. brucei, PSSA-2 requires its cytoplasmic domain in order to exit the endoplasmic reticulum. Correct localisation of PSSA-2 requires phosphorylation of a cytoplasmic threonine residue (T305), a modification that depends on the presence of TbMAPK4. Mutation of T305 to alanine (T305A) has no effect on the localisation of the protein in cells that express wild type PSSA-2. In contrast, this protein is largely intracellular when expressed in a null mutant background. A variant with a T305D mutation gives strong surface expression in both the wild type and null mutant, but slows growth of the cells, suggesting that it may function as a dominant negative mutant. The PSSA-2 null mutant exhibits no perceptible phenotype in culture and is fully competent at establishing midgut infections in tsetse, but is defective in colonising the salivary glands and the production of infectious metacyclic forms. Given the protein's structure and the effects of mutation of T305 on proliferation and localisation, we postulate that PSSA-2 might sense and transmit signals that contribute to the parasite's decision to divide, differentiate or migrate.
Problem-Based Learning in the Middle School: A Research Case Study of the Perceptions of At-Risk Females

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine problem-based learning (pbl) and how students in the middle grades math and science classroom perceived its effectiveness. Analysis of student perceptions of changes in their learning processes and self-efficacy was analyzed through student interviews. Data identified the components of changes in students’ learning processes and self-efficacy, which include self-confidence, group dynamics, and self-motivation. Data revealed that students’ perceptions indicated problem-based learning helped them to be more confident in taking control of their learning. Results indicated that problem-based learning enhances group dynamics and its effects on students at-risk. Noting positive changes in their self-confidence, students believed group involvement enabled them to be more successful in understanding their assignments.
Usage patterns of Punjab University Library website: a transactional log analysis study

Purpose – This paper aims to assess the usage patterns of a university library website to find out user’s behaviour of monthly use, its top most used resources and services and search phrases used to reach the library website. Design/methodology/approach – Transactional log analysis (TLA) – an unobtrusive research method – was used to identify and analyse data of website-using patterns. The log data of website use from January 2011 to March 2011 were analysed for this study. Findings – The findings of this study revealed that the university library website was heavily used on campus by users; however, it was used by a significant number of clients residing off-campus. Free scholarly journals, resources downloaded, e-journals, e-books and donated personal collections were among the top most used resources and services. However, free scholarly journals were used more than subscribed e-journals accessible on-campus only. Originality/value – This study first used the TLA method to trace user behaviour of website use in a local scenario. Assessing the usage of e-resources is imperative to determine the effectiveness of the library website in providing these services to its on-campus and distant users. The findings of this study are valuable for librarians and webmasters of the library website to redesign and reorient their services.
Sub-fF 130 nm MOS Varactor Characterization Using 6.8 GHz Interferometry-Based Reflectometer

Nanometer-scaled communication devices for microwave and millimeter wave applications motivated innovative techniques in modeling and characterization. In this letter, an interferometry-based reflectometer (IBR), comprising Vector Network Analyser (VNA) and commercial devices, is implemented. Using sub-fF 130 nm thick-oxide accumulation MOS varactors from ST Microelectronics, IBR and VNA measurements are compared to a silicon-based model. A capacitance from 0.9 to 1.6 fF around 6.8 GHz is estimated. IBR demonstrates a root-mean-squared (RMS) error related to silicon-based model of 60 aF, while VNA has 70 aF in its best case. The mean accuracy is estimated at 40 aF and 11 aF respectively for VNA best case and IBR in C-V measurements. This letter demonstrates that IBR solution has smaller RMS error and better accuracy for C-V measurements than VNA.
CSQ: five factors or fiction?

OBJECTIVE The Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), a rationally constructed pain coping assessment instrument, was conceived to measure the extent to which patients used six different cognitive coping strategies and two behavioral coping strategies. A number of studies have factor analyzed the original scales but have not found a reliable factor structure. Recent studies by Turtle et al. and Swartzman et al. have obtained a five-factor solution performing exploratory factor analysis on the individual items. Robinson and associates from the University of Florida performed an item level exploratory factor analysis on a much larger sample (n = 965) and found a six-factor solution that was relatively supportive of the original rationally derived scales. The purpose of the present investigation was to perform a confirmatory factor analysis using the LISREL structural equation modeling program to compare these three different factor structures. PATIENTS A sample of 472 chronic patients was used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that the Florida six-factor model was a better fit to the sample data than either of the five-factor models. Creation of the Coping Strategy Questionnaire Revised (CSQ-R), which retains 27 of the original items, is suggested.
Elimination of the musical noise phenomenon with the Ephraim and Malah noise suppressor

Presents a study of the noise suppression technique proposed by Ephraim and Malah (1984,1985). This technique has been used previously for the restoration of degraded audio recordings because it is free of the frequently encountered 'musical noise' artifact. It is demonstrated how this artifact is actually eliminated without bringing distortion to the recorded signal even if the noise is only poorly stationary. >
Allocating Production Capacity Among Multiple Products

We consider the problem of allocating production capacity among multiple items, assuming that a fixed proportion of overall capacity can be dedicated exclusively to the production of each item. Given a capacity allocation, production of each item follows a base-stock policy, i.e., each demand triggers a replenishment order to restore safety stocks to target levels. We present procedures for choosing base-stock levels and capacity allocations that are asymptotically optimal. Our objective is to minimize holding and backorder costs, or to minimize holding costs subject to a service-level constraint. Asymptotic optimality refers to large backorder penalties or stringent service-level constraints. Numerical results indicate that our rules perform very well even far from the asymptotic regime. A further approximation step results in allocation rules based on heavy-traffic limits; these, too, perform well.
Effects of restructuring on organization performance of mobile phone service providers

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of restructuring on an organization's performance specifically inquiring the frequency with which an organization carries out portfolio, financial and organization restructuring. The study location was in Kenya among the mobile phone service providers. The study adopted a causal research esign using questionnaires to collect data from the finance, human resources, information communication technology and marketing departments of the major mobile phone service providers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the findings reveal that changes in the firm's objectives, technological change and economic factors influence the decision to restructure.
The gene for a halophilic β‐galactosidase (bgaH) of Haloferax alicantei as a reporter gene for promoter analyses in Halobacterium salinarum

Investigations of transcriptional regulation and the characterization of promoters in homologous expression systems are most easily performed using suitable reporter genes. Presumably because of the high internal salt concentration in halophilic Archaea, the successful application of the commonly used reporter genes has not been reported so far. Recently, the gene for an extremely halophilic β‐galactosidase (bgaH) from Haloferax alicantei has become available. After transformation of Halobacterium salinarum with a vector‐carrying bgaH, the enzyme activity in cell lysates could be readily determined by a simple colorimetric assay and colonies could be screened for activity on plates containing Xgal substrate. Expression of bgaH under the control of various halobacterial promoters of known strength led to different specific β‐galactosidase activities in the lysates. Using Northern blot hybridization and semiquantitative RT‐PCR, it was shown that the bgaH transcript level corresponded to the specific enzyme activity. Therefore, the bgaH gene of Haloferax alicantei appears to be a useful tool for in vivo studies of gene expression in Halobacterium salinarum and possibly other halophilic Archaea.
Dissociation of Regional Adaptations to Ischemia and Global Myolysis in an Accelerated Swine Model of Chronic Hibernating Myocardium

Abstract— We tested the hypothesis that an acute critical limitation in coronary flow reserve could rapidly recapitulate the physiological, molecular, and morphological phenotype of hibernating myocardium. Chronically instrumented swine were subjected to a partial occlusion to produce acute stunning, followed by reperfusion through a critical stenosis. Stenosis severity was adjusted serially so that hyperemic flow was severely reduced yet always higher than the preocclusion resting level. After 24 hours, resting left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) wall thickening had decreased from 36.3±4.0% to 25.5±3.7% (P <0.05), whereas resting flow had remained normal (67±6 versus 67±8 mL/min, respectively). Although peak hyperemic flow exceeded the prestenotic value, resting flow (45±10 mL/min) and LAD wall thickening (17.0±5.0%) progressively decreased after 2 weeks, when physiological features of hibernating myocardium had developed. Regional reductions in sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins were present in hibernating myocardium but absent in stunned myocardium evaluated after 24 hours. Histological analysis showed an increase in connective tissue along with myolysis (myofibrillar loss per myocyte >10%) and increased glycogen typical of hibernating myocardium in the LAD region (33±3% of myocytes from animals with hibernating myocardium versus 15±4% of myocytes from sham-instrumented animals, P <0.05). Surprisingly, the frequency of myolysis was similar in normally perfused remote regions from animals with hibernating myocardium (32±7%). We conclude that the regional physiological and molecular characteristics of hibernating myocardium develop rapidly after a critical limitation in flow reserve. In contrast, the global nature of myolysis and increased glycogen content dissociate them from the intrinsic adaptations to ischemia. These may be related to chronic elevations in preload but appear unlikely to contribute to chronic contractile dysfunction.