Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An X-ray spectral study of 24 type 1 active galactic nuclei

I present a study of the X-ray spectral properties of a sample containing 24 type-1 active galactic nuclei using the medium spectral resolution of ``ASCA''. The sample consists of 20 radio-quiet objects and 4 radio-loud objects. A simple power-law continuum absorbed by Galactic material provides a very poor description of the spectra of most objects. Deviations from the power-law form are interpreted in terms of X-ray reprocessing/absorption processes. In particular, at least half of the objects show K-shell absorption edges of warm oxygen (O vii and O viii) characteristic of optically-thin, photoionized material along the line-of-sight to the central engine, the so-called warm absorber. It is found that objects with significant optical reddening display deep O vii edges. Coupled with other evidence, this suggests the existence of dusty warm plasma. A radiatively driven outflow originating from the molecular torus is probably the source of this plasma. Rapid variability of the warm absorber also points to there being another component closer to the central source and probably situated within the broad line region. Spectral features at energies characteristic of cold fluorescent iron K$\alpha$ emission are common. Radio-quiet objects have iron emission well described as originating from either the inner regions of an accretion disk or, in a small number of cases, from the molecular torus. Two of the radio-loud objects (3C~120 and 3C~382) have a much broader feature which presents problems for the relativistic disk model. The presence of radio-jets may be important in forming this spectral feature.
In vitro differentiation of human monocytes. Monocytes cultured on glass are cytotoxic to tumor cells but monocytes cultured on collagen are not

Cultivation of human blood monocytes on glass gives rise to cells nonspecifically cytotoxic to tumor cells. If the monocytes are cultured on collagen gels with no contact with glass, no such cytotoxic activity is induced. Killing appeared to be extracellular and probably contact dependent. The glass-induced cytotoxic activity was not related to protein content or cell viability. Rather, it appeared that the monocytes cultured on glass differentiated into cells resembling activated macrophages. On the other hand monocytes cultured on collagen differentiated into cells resembling resident tissue macrophages. These observations are compatible with numerous studies carried out in rodents, showing that activated macrophages, and not resident cells, are cytotoxic to tumor cells.
Regulation of Seed Size by Hypomethylation of Maternal and Paternal Genomes1

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification of cytosine that is important for silencing gene transcription and transposons, gene imprinting, development, and seed viability. DNA METHYLTRANSFERASE1 (MET1) is the primary maintenance DNA methyltransferase in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Reciprocal crosses between antisense MET1 transgenic and wild-type plants show that DNA hypomethylation has a parent-of-origin effect on seed size. However, due to the dominant nature of the antisense MET1 transgene, the parent with a hypomethylated genome, its gametophyte, and both the maternal and paternal genomes of the F1 seed become hypomethylated. Thus, the distinct role played by hypomethylation at each generation is not known. To address this issue, we examined F1 seed from reciprocal crosses using a loss-of-function recessive null allele, met1-6. Crosses between wild-type and homozygous met1-6 parents show that hypomethylated maternal and paternal genomes result in significantly larger and smaller F1 seeds, respectively. Our analysis of crosses between wild-type and heterozygous MET1/met1-6 parents revealed that hypomethylation in the female or male gametophytic generation was sufficient to influence F1 seed size. A recessive mutation in another gene that dramatically reduces DNA methylation, DECREASE IN DNA METHYLATION1, also causes parent-of-origin effects on F1 seed size. By contrast, recessive mutations in genes that regulate a smaller subset of DNA methylation (CHROMOMETHYLASE3 and DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLTRANSFERASES1 and 2) had little effect on seed size. Collectively, these results show that maternal and paternal genomes play distinct roles in the regulation of seed size in Arabidopsis.
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding toll-like receptor -2, -3, -4, and -9 in case-control study with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Genetic susceptibility to cancer is multifactorial, and it is known that impairment of the immune system could contribute to risk for getting cancer. AIM OF THE STUDY Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR9 genes, which are important for innate immunity, were analyzed for the association with breast cancer. METHODS The SNPs comprised TLR2 (c.597T>C), TLR2 (c.1350T>C), TLR3 (c.1377C>T), TLR4 (c.896A>G), and TLR9 (c.1635A>G). The allelic and genotypic frequencies of these TLR SNPs were compared between patients (n = 130) and controls (n = 101) in a case-control study from Croatia. RESULTS TLR SNPs were not significantly different. From the population genetics viewpoint, we found that a hypomorphic variant of TLR4 (p.Asp299Gly) allele has no specific allelic frequency (8.4%) in the Croatian population (n = 496) compared to other Caucasians (6.5-10%). CONCLUSION These results suggest that polymorphisms in tested TLR genes are not likely to be associated with increased risk for developing breast cancer.
Effects of Weighted Implement Training on Throwing Velocity

Thirty high school varsity male baseball pitchers were assigned randomly into an Over-weighted Implement Training Group (OITG), an Under-wighted Implement Training Group (UITG) or a Control Group (CON). During the 10-week training, OITG threw balls that systematically varied from 5 to 6 ounces and UITG threw balls that varied from 4 to 5 ounces. Throwing velocity of a standard ball was determined before and following training using electromagnetic radiation radar. Validation of the radar gun was performed prior to the experiment using a three-dimensional computerized motion analysis system. All three treatment groups showed various degrees of improvement in throwing velocity after 10 weeks of training. However, OITG and UITG showed significantly greater improvement than the CON when gain scores were compared (p < 0.05). The results of this study suggested that a much broader spectrum of weight traning methods may exist.
EFFECTS OF EXPANDING AND EQUAL SPACING ON SECOND LANGUAGE VOCABULARY LEARNING

Although expanding spacing is often regarded as the most effective practice schedule, studies comparing equal and expanding spacing have yielded mixed results. The present study set out to examine whether the amount of spacing and the retention interval may influence the effects of expanding and equal spacing on second language (L2) vocabulary learning. One hundred and twenty-eight Japanese college students studied 20 English-Japanese word pairs. The type of spacing (expanding and equal) and the amount of spacing (massed, short, medium, and long) were manipulated. Results demonstrated a limited, yet statistically significant, advantage of expanding spacing. The finding is significant because this is the first L2 study to find the superiority of expanding over equal spacing. The main effect of the amount of spacing was also significant, producing large effect sizes. Taken together, the results suggest that expanding spacing may facilitate vocabulary learning, although introducing spacing may have a larger effect.
Examining the Interaction of Daily Hassles Across Ecological Domains on Substance Use and Delinquency Among Low-Income Adolescents of Color

The increased risk for substance use and delinquency among adolescents of color has been partially attributed to increased exposure to daily hassles. Although a certain number of hassles are normative, especially among family and peers, adolescents of color experience more stressors in their neighborhood or directly related to fewer resources than their White counterparts. These hassles may interact across ecological systems to impact behavioral outcomes among adolescents. This may be especially true for young people living in public housing. Based on ecological systems theory, this study tests the relationship between experiences of hassles across multiple ecological levels and problem behaviors in a sample of 315 ethnically diverse early adolescents (Mage = 12; 51% female) living in public housing neighborhoods in two large metropolitan areas in the United States. A positive relationship was found between family hassles and both substance use and delinquency, as well as between school hassles and substance use. When the interactions between family, peer, school, and neighborhood/resource hassles were considered, five statistically significant interactions were found. The study results reinforce the role of contextual factors, such as living in low-income neighborhoods and the complexity of hassles interacting at multiple levels of a young person’s daily ecology, on adolescent outcomes.
Molecular interactions between the coactivator CBP and the human T-cell leukemia virus Tax protein.

The oncoprotein Tax, encoded by the human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I), is required for high-level viral transcription and is strongly linked to HTLV-I-associated malignant transformation. Recent evidence suggests that Tax stimulates HTLV-I transcription through recruitment of the cellular coactivator protein CBP to the HTLV-I promoter, promoting high-level viral replication via the transcriptional activation properties associated with CBP. Tax directly contacts the KIX domain of CBP to stably anchor the coactivator to nucleoprotein complexes at the promoter. Here, we identify KIX amino acid residues 588 to 683 as the minimal region sufficient for interaction with Tax. This region is similar to the minimal KIX amino acid residues necessary for strong interaction with phosphorylated CREB, and is composed of a structural domain that forms an extensive hydrophobic core. We further show that a double point mutation in KIX differentially affects the binding of Tax and phosphorylated CREB, suggesting that these transcription factors may recognize unique amino acid residues within the KIX domain. These observations suggest that Tax directly contacts the hydrophobic core of KIX, and provides a structural framework to further define the molecular interactions between Tax and CBP.
An Innovative Program for Primary ESL Students in Quebec

An innovative intensive ESL program in Quebec is the focus of this article. As a background to the presentation of research carried out within this program, the context and conditions of ESL teaching in Quebec's French-language schools are briefly described. In these schools, where all subject matter instruction is normally provided in French, the program gives some students in Grade 5 or Grade 6 access to intensive instruction in ESL. For 5 months of 1 school year, the students spend virtually full school days engaged in English language activities. They do not receive subject matter instruction through English but participate in communicative activities and projects whose goal is to develop their ability to understand and speak English. This article reports on the findings of some research in these intensive ESL classes: descriptive studies of patterns of classroom interaction and instruction, the development of fluency and accuracy in learner language, and the long-term effects of the program. In addition, experimental studies have explored the effects of introducing some greater focus on form within or in addition to the communicative activities typical of most of the classes.
Least said, soonest mended?: Responses of primary school teachers to the perceived support needs of bereaved children

Every 22 minutes in the United Kingdom, a child is bereaved of a parent, making up some 24,000 a year. An even greater number experience the loss of a grandparent. There is a limited, but growing, body of research into the impact of grief and bereavement on young children and how their support needs might be met. This article expands upon research with primary school teachers articulating something of their knowledge and experience in encountering bereaved children. The mixed methodology research includes quantitative and qualitative data that incorporate teachers’ responses to the fictionalised narrative of a bereaved 6-year-old. The discussion elucidates teachers’ confidence – or reluctance – in broaching the topic, highlighting the lack of specific training within teacher education for understanding and supporting bereaved children. Compassionate understanding is offered to some children, but many others detect a wall of silence, which, when encountered in early childhood, can have detrimental consequences for their personal, social and academic development. The article calls for policy and practice that will ameliorate this situation.
Citalopram, a specific inhibitor of serotonin reuptake in treatment of psychotic and borderline patients

The case histories of four psychotic patients and four borderline patients with chronic incapacitating impulsiveness, aggressivity, and anxiety are presented. Traditional therapeutic efforts were ineffective and unsuitable for these patients. Citalopram (20–60 mg/day) added to the previous neuroleptic treatment of the psychotic patients clearly improved the clinical condition of these patients, and a marked decrease in anxiety as well as in aggressive and impulsive behaviour was recorded. At the same time, the dose of neuroleptics could be reduced. No clinically significant adverse effects were noted in three of the psychotic patients, whereas neurologic side-effects were observed in one female patient. In the same manner anxiety symptoms and impulsive and uncontrolled behavioural traits were reduced in the borderline patients, and their psychosocial coping was clearly improved. Thus it seems obvious that in some so-called treatment-resistant psychiatric conditions marked especially by anxiety and aggress.
The Social Work Role in Assisted Conception

Eric Blyth is an adoptive parent, a member of the British Association of Social Workers Project Group on Assisted Reproduction (PROGAR) and a founder member of the British Infertility Counselling Association. He has undertaken a number of research studies connected with assisted conception, including the welfare of the child, surrogacy arrangements and access to genetic origins information and is the author of Infertility and Assisted Conception: Practice Issues for Counsellors (BASW, 1995). SUMMARY The provision of assisted conception has become a major industry in most industrialized countries, buttressed by powerful professional and commercial interests. Assisted conception has significant implications not only for those directly involved or affected, but also for wider society. The paper summarizes the contribution social work has made to the debate and to service development, especially in the UK. The author argues that the ethical values underpinning social work, and the knowledge and skills possessed by social workers, provide both an opportunity and a mandate for social workers to influence the development of assisted conception services, in particular to ensure that the human implications of providing children for people who are involuntarily childless are not subordinated to the pursuit of technical efficacy.
Genotypic Analysis of the V3 Region of HIV from Virologic Nonresponders to Maraviroc-Containing Regimens Reveals Distinct Patterns of Failure

ABSTRACT Changes in HIV tropism from R5 to non-R5 or development of drug resistance is often associated with virologic failure in patients treated with maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist. We sought to examine changes in HIV envelope sequences and inferred tropism in patients who did not respond to maraviroc-based regimens. We selected 181 patients who experienced early virologic failure on maraviroc-containing therapy in the MOTIVATE trials. All patients had R5 HIV by the original Trofile assay before entry. We used population-based sequencing methods and the geno2pheno algorithm to examine changes in tropism and V3 sequences at the time of failure. Using deep sequencing, we assessed whether V3 sequences observed at failure emerged from preexisting subpopulations. From population genotyping data at failure, 90 patients had R5 results, and 91 had non-R5 results. Of the latter group, the geno2pheno false-positive rate (FPR) value fell from a median of 20 at screening to 1.1 at failure. By deep sequencing, the median percentage of non-R5 variants in these patients rose from 1.4% to 99.5% after a median of 4 weeks on maraviroc. In 70% of cases, deep sequencing could detect a pretreatment CXCR4-using subpopulation, which emerged at failure. Overall, there were two distinct patterns of failure of maraviroc. Patients failing with R5 generally had few V3 substitutions and low non-R5 prevalence by deep sequencing. Patients with non-R5 HIV who were failing developed very-high-prevalence non-R5 HIV (median, 99%) and had very low geno2pheno values.
Can Computers Assist Treatment? Virtual Reality as a Possible Cue Exposure Technique With Adolescent Substance Abusers

Can Computers Assist Treatment? Virtual Reality as a Possible Cue Exposure Technique With Adolescent Substance Abusers by Jacqueline Renée Hersh Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ John F. Curry, Supervisor ___________________________ M. Zachary Rosenthal ___________________________ Timothy J. Strauman ___________________________ John G. Looney An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Psychology & Neuroscience in the Graduate School of Duke University 2014
Achieving conceptual and curriculum coherence in high-stakes school examinations in Physical Education

Background: In earlier papers, some of the teaching, learning and attainment issues encountered by Physical Education (PE) teachers and students in a high-stakes school examination, Higher Still Physical Education in Scotland, were analysed. A review of results and comparisons with Advanced Level awards in England and Board of Senior Secondary School Studies Senior Physical Education in Queensland, Australia highlights the need for further conceptual and curriculum coherence within these three awards if the quest for rich learning environments and high levels of authentic attainment is to be achieved. Purpose: The paper begins with an analysis of the conceptual and curriculum adequacy of the three awards noted, and, thereafter outlines the promise of phenomenology, as a philosophically informed approach for locating students' active practical experiences at the centre of learning and assessment in high-stakes school examinations. Suitably framed, such curriculum developments could, it is argued, complement rather than contradict current practice. Conclusions: The paper concludes with a discussion of why previous attempts to resolve conceptual coherence issues through a narrow adherence to the strictures of mind–body dualism have limited the development of policy and practice. Consequently, there is a need to ensure that greater conceptual and curriculum coherence in high-stakes school examinations is achieved, and that PE does not become unnecessarily constrained by developments in examination awards.
Obtaining blood samples from peripheral intravenous catheters: best practice?

Occasionally, nurses perform phlebotomy via intravenous catheters, especially to improve efficiency in short-stay or procedural units. The intent of this practice is to reduce the number of venipunctures and thus increase patients’ comfort. However, obtaining laboratory specimens from peripheral intravenous catheters may hemolyze the specimens, and can even dislodge catheters and necessitate restarts. Both of these scenarios may lead to multiple needle sticks and delayed treatment, not only reducing patients’ satisfaction but also increasing costs of care. 1
Why is Organizational Change Related to Workplace Bullying? Role Conflict and Job Insecurity as Mediators

Although organizational change has often been cited as an important cause of workplace bullying, only few studies have investigated this relationship. The current article aims to address this issue by exploring a direct as well as indirect relationship (i.e. mediation by various job and team-related stressors) between organizational change and bullying. Data were collected in 10 private organizations in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium (N = 1260). Results show a significant relationship between organizational change and bullying. Role conflict, job insecurity, workload, role ambiguity, frequency of conflict, social support from colleagues and social leadership are all related to bullying. Regression analyses reveal a relationship between change and role conflict as well as job insecurity. The other stressors were not associated with organizational change and, hence, do not mediate. Finally, regression analysis shows that the relationship between organizational change and bullying is fully mediated by role conflict and job insecurity.
Delving below the surface

There is increasing evidence that racial and ethnic minority patients receive lower quality interpersonal care than white patients. Therapeutic relationships constitute the interpersonal milieu in which patients are diagnosed, given treatment recommendations, and referred for tests, procedures, or care by consultants in the health care system. This paper provides a review and perspective on the literature that explores the role of relationships and social interactions across racial and ethnic differences in health care. First, we examine the social and historical context for examining differences in interpersonal treatment in health care along racial and ethnic lines. Second, we discuss selected studies that examine how race and ethnicity influence clinician-patient relationships. While less is known about how race and ethnicity influence clinician-community, clinician-clinician, and clinician-self relationships, we briefly examine the potential roles of these relationships in overcoming disparities in health care. Finally, we suggest directions for future research on racial and ethnic health care disparities that uses a relationship-centered paradigm.
The learning organization : towards an integrated model

This article presents an integrated model of the learning organization. It is based on empirical research of the learning organization literature, as well as on practitioners’ understandings of the concept where learning organizations were often described in terms of four distinct individual aspects – no more and no less. This article argues these aspects cannot be treated as separate, and that the four aspects have to be combined in order to create a true learning organization. The four aspects are: learning at work; organizational learning; developing a learning climate; and creating learning structures. The article suggests that only those organizations that have implemented all of the aspects should be called “learning organizations”, and those organizations that have implemented only one aspect should be called “partial learning organizations”.