Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RB loss abrogates cell cycle control and genome integrity to promote liver tumorigenesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The retinoblastoma (RB) tumor suppressor is functionally inactivated in most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), although the mechanisms by which RB suppresses liver tumorigenesis are poorly defined. We investigated the impact of RB loss on carcinogen-induced liver tumorigenesis. METHODS Mice harboring liver-specific RB ablation and normal littermates were exposed to the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN). The influence of RB loss on liver tumorigenesis was assessed by evaluating tumor multiplicity, proliferation, and genome integrity within tumors arising in RB-deficient and wild-type livers. In silico analyses were used to probe the association between gene expression signatures for RB loss and chromosomal instability and the ability of genes up-regulated by RB loss to predict the survival of human HCC patients. RESULTS RB deficiency significantly increased tumor multiplicity in livers exposed to DEN. Although hepatocytes in nontumor regions of DEN-exposed livers were quiescent regardless of RB status, tumors arising in RB-deficient livers were significantly more proliferative than those in normal livers and expressed high levels of RB/E2F target genes. Analysis of genes up-regulated by RB loss demonstrated significant overlap with a gene expression signature associated with chromosomal instability. Correspondingly, tumors arising in RB-deficient livers were significantly more likely to harbor hepatocytes exhibiting altered ploidy. Finally, gene expression analysis of human HCCs demonstrated that elevated expression of RB-regulated genes independently predicts poor survival. CONCLUSIONS RB deletion in the mouse liver enhances DEN-induced tumorigenesis, associated with increased hepatocyte proliferation and compromised genome integrity. Evaluation of RB status may be a useful prognostic factor in human HCC.
Handedness of children determines preferential facial and eye movements related to hemispheric specialization.

BACKGROUND Despite repeated demonstrations of asymmetries in several brain functions, the biological bases of such asymmetries have remained obscure. OBJECTIVE To investigate development of lateralized facial and eye movements evoked by hemispheric stimulation in right-handed and left-handed children. METHOD Fifty children were tested according to handedness by means of four tests: I. Mono-syllabic non-sense words, II. Tri-syllabic sense words, III. Visual field occlusion by black wall, and presentation of geometric objects to both hands separately, IV. Left eye and the temporal half visual field of the right eye occlusion with special goggles, afterwards asking children to assemble a three-piece puzzle; same tasks were performed contra-laterally. RESULTS Right-handed children showed higher percentage of eye movements to right side when stimulated by tri-syllabic words, while left-handed children shown higher percentages of eyes movements to left side when stimulated by the same type of words. Left-handed children spent more time in recognizing non-sense mono-syllabic words. Hand laterality correlated with tri-syllabic word recognition performance. Age contributed to laterality development in nearly all cases, except in second test. CONCLUSION Eye and facial movements were found to be related to left- and right-hand preference and specialization for language development, as well as visual, haptic perception and recognition in an age-dependent fashion in a complex process.
Spinnability and Characteristics of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)-based Bicomponent Fibers with a Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Modified Polypropylene Core for Piezoelectric Applications

This research explains the melt spinning of bicomponent fibers, consisting of a conductive polypropylene (PP) core and a piezoelectric sheath (polyvinylidene fluoride). Previously analyzed piezoelectric capabilities of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) are to be exploited in sensor filaments. The PP compound contains a 10 wt % carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and 2 wt % sodium stearate (NaSt). The sodium stearate is added to lower the viscosity of the melt. The compound constitutes the fiber core that is conductive due to a percolation CNT network. The PVDF sheath’s piezoelectric effect is based on the formation of an all-trans conformation β phase, caused by draw-winding of the fibers. The core and sheath materials, as well as the bicomponent fibers, are characterized through different analytical methods. These include wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) to analyze crucial parameters for the development of a crystalline β phase. The distribution of CNTs in the polymer matrix, which affects the conductivity of the core, was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal characterization is carried out by conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Optical microscopy is used to determine the fibers’ diameter regularity (core and sheath). The materials’ viscosity is determined by rheometry. Eventually, an LCR tester is used to determine the core’s specific resistance.
Women and Alcoholism: A Psychosocial Approach

This article contends that the unequal allocation of resources for women alcoholics is partly a result of the failure of models of addiction to take into account the special features of alcoholism in women. It discusses the problems of the medical and moral models for women alcoholics and argues that the psychosocial model is a more robust alternative for describing the addictive process and for creating effective interventions.
Mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law : the effects of proximity on conflict and stress

Relations between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are often depicted as conflictual despite a paucity of research on their interaction. A 1985 exploratory study of 44 mothers-in-law and 55 daughters-in-law in two-generation farm or ranch families found that differences in goals and values and lack of communication skills were frequent problems. Contrary to expectations, however, living in close proximity did not increase the stress levels of either group of women. These and other findings should be useful to extension agents and other applied professionals as they plan programs for and counsel these individuals. In addition, these data provide a base for future research.
GIRLS' IDENTITY DILEMMAS: SPACES DEFINED BY DEFINITIONS OF WORTH

Many of the models and metaphors that underlie research on eating disorders reflect a modernist version of the self and, quite often, one that was developed in the early 1900s. Psychoanalytic theories persist despite new "postmodern" theories of the self that challenge these older theories by paying close attention to the processes of self-creation in relation to culture or discourse. I suggest using newer theories of the self in research and practice so that health care professionals may increase their understanding of how identities are formed in postmodern societies. In particular, I discuss how health professionals can work with adolescent girls to address the phenomenon of eating disorders and related health concerns. Whether one-to-one, in groups, in schools, or other settings, the strategies suggested can be used by nurses, educators, counselors, child and youth care workers, and psychologists.
Some Effects of "Social Desirability" in Survey Studies

This paper is concerned with social desirability as a source of bias and invalidity in survey studies. Two components of social desirability-"trait desirability" and "need for siscal approval"-are examined to assess the extent to which they effect people's responses to several sociological measures (e.g., happiness, religiosity). This analysis reveals that both components of a social-desirability response set, while generally unrelated to one another, are independently related to our dependent variables, people's responses on the various measures. The more important of the two components, trait desirability, is then examined with regard to its effect on the relationship between people's sexual status and the dependent variables. This introduction to the analysis of trait desirability as a test factor tends to specify both the magnitude and the direction of the original relationships involving sexual status. Finally, the results are discussed with regard to their implications for the validity of various sociological measures and the validity of the sociological investigator's findings.
Sutureless cataract surgery with nucleus extraction: outcome of a prospective study in Nepal

Aim: To report the short and medium term outcome of a prospective series of sutureless manual extracapsular cataract extractions (ECCE) at a high volume surgical centre in Nepal. Methods: Cataract surgery was carried out, on eyes with no co-existing diseases, in 500 consecutive patients who were likely to return for follow up. The technique involved sclerocorneal tunnel, capsulotomy, hydrodissection, nucleus extraction with a bent needle tip hook, and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation according to biometry findings. Surgical complications, visual acuity at discharge, 6 weeks, and 1 year follow up, and surgically induced astigmatism are reported. Results: The uncorrected visual acuity at discharge was 6/18 or better in 76.8% of eyes, and declined to 70.5% at 6 weeks’ follow up, and 64.9% at 1 year. The best corrected visual acuity was 6/18 or better in 96.2% of eyes at 6 weeks and in 95.9% at 1 year. Poor visual outcome (<6/60) occurred in less than 2%. Intraoperative complications included 47 (9.4%) eyes with hyphaema, and one eye (0.2%) with posterior capsule rupture and vitreous in the anterior chamber. Surgery led to an increase in against the rule astigmatism, which was the major cause of uncorrected visual acuity less than 6/18. Six weeks postoperatively, 85.5% of eyes had against the rule astigmatism, with a mean induced cylinder of 1.41 D (SD 0.8). There was a further small increase in against the rule astigmatism of 0.66 D (SD 0.41) between 6 weeks and 1 year. The mean duration of surgery was 4 minutes and the average cost of consumables, including the IOL, was less than $10. Conclusion: Rapid recovery of good vision can be achieved with sutureless manual ECCE at low cost in areas where there is a need for high volume cataract surgery. Further work is required to reduce significant postoperative astigmatism, which was the major cause of uncorrected acuity less than 6/18.
Prognostic Significance of Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia among Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE Abnormal serum sodium levels (hyponatremia and hypernatremia) are frequently observed during the acute period after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and may worsen cerebral edema and mass effect. We performed this study to determine the prognostic significance of serum sodium concentration abnormalities. METHODS We analyzed prospectively collected data for the placebo treatment group in a clinical trial conducted at 54 neurosurgical centers in North America. The presence of hypernatremia (serum sodium concentration of >145 mmol/L) and hyponatremia (serum sodium concentration of <135 mmol/L) was determined with serum sodium measurements obtained at admission and 3, 6, and 9 days after SAH. The effects of hypernatremia and hyponatremia on the risk of symptomatic vasospasm and on 3-month outcomes were analyzed after adjustment for the following potential confounding factors: age, sex, preexisting hypertension, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, initial mean arterial pressure, subarachnoid clot thickness, intraventricular blood or intraparenchymal hematoma, ventricular dilation, and aneurysm size and location. RESULTS Of 298 patients in the analysis, 58 (19%) developed hypernatremia and 88 (30%) developed hyponatremia. Hypernatremia was significantly associated with poor outcomes (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–6.1). A positive correlation was observed between the highest sodium values recorded and Glasgow Outcome Scale scores at 3 months (P < 0.0001 by analysis of variance). Hyponatremia was not associated with 3-month outcomes (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.9–4.3). Neither hypernatremia nor hyponatremia was associated with the risk of symptomatic vasospasm. CONCLUSION Hyponatremia seems to be more common than hypernatremia after SAH. However, hypernatremia after SAH is independently associated with poor outcomes, and this association is independent of previously identified outcome predictors, including age and admission Glasgow Coma Scale scores. Further studies are needed to define the underlying mechanism of this association.
Impulse and Constraint: Perspectives From Personality Psychology, Convergence With Theory in Other Areas, and Potential for Integration

A behavioral dimension of impulse versus constraint has long been observed by personality psychologists. This article begins by reviewing processes underlying this dimension from the perspectives of several personality theories. Some cases of constraint reflect inhibition due to anxiety, but some theories suggest other roots for constraint. Theories from developmental psychology accommodate both possibilities by positing 2 sorts of control over action. These modes of influence strongly resemble those predicated in some personality theories and also 2 modes of function that are asserted by some cognitive and social psychological theories. Several further literatures are considered, to which 2-mode models seem to contribute meaningfully. The article closes by addressing questions raised by these ideas, including whether the issue of impulse versus constraint applies to avoidance as well as to approach.
The relation between experiential avoidance, alexithymia and emotion regulation in inpatient adolescents

Recently, efforts have been made to better understand constructs that are associated with difficulties in emotion regulation in hopes of identifying underlying mechanisms that may be valuable targets for intervention. Against this background, the present study had two aims. Firstly, we wanted to explore the relation between emotion regulation, experiential avoidance and alexithymia by determining whether adolescents with elevated scores on a measure of alexithymia would report deficits in emotion regulation and experiential avoidance. Secondly, we sought to evaluate the role of experiential avoidance as a mediator in the relation between alexithymia and emotion regulation. The sample (N = 64) consisted of adolescents recruited from an inpatient facility of which approximately 30% were classified as having alexithymia. The results of this study indicate that adolescents with alexithymia report deficits in emotion regulation and elevated experiential avoidance. Experiential avoidance mediated the relation between alexithymia and emotion regulation, indicating that while the inability to effectively use language to identify and describe emotional states is strongly correlated with difficulties in regulating one’s emotions, this relation is mediated by the unwillingness to tolerate aversive private experiences. Limitations and strengths of the present study are also noted.
Genotypic variation in the transforming growth factor-beta1 gene: association with transforming growth factor-beta1 production, fibrotic lung disease, and graft fibrosis after lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is a profibrogenetic cytokine that has been implicated in the development of fibrosis in transplanted tissues. In this study, we have analyzed the genetic regulation of TGF-beta1 production in lung transplant recipients. METHOD A polymerase chain reaction-single-stranded conformational polymorphism technique was used to detect polymorphisms in the TGF-beta1 gene from genomic DNA. Polymorphisms were shown to correlate with in vitro TGF-beta1 production by stimulated lymphocytes. A single-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization method was devised to screen for these polymorphisms in lung transplant groups and controls. RESULTS We have identified five polymorphisms in the TGF-beta1 gene: two in the promoter region at positions -800 and -509, one at position +72 in a nontranslated region, and two in the signal sequence at positions +869 and +915. The polymorphism at position +915 in the signal sequence, which changes codon 25 (arginine-->proline), is associated with interindividual variation in levels of TGF-beta1 production. Stimulated lymphocytes of homozygous genotype (arginine/arginine) from control individuals produced significantly more TGF-beta1 in vitro (10037+/-745 pg/ml) compared with heterozygous (arginine/proline) individuals (6729+/-883 pg/ml; P<0.02). In patients requiring lung transplantation for a fibrotic lung condition, there was an increase in the frequency of the high-producer TGF-beta1 allele (arginine). This allele was significantly associated with pretransplant fibrotic pathology (P<0.02) (n=45) when compared with controls (n=107) and with pretransplant nonfibrotic pathology (P<0.004) (n=50). This allele was also associated with allograft fibrosis in transbronchial biopsies when compared with controls (P<0.03) and with nonallograft fibrosis (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The production of TGF-beta1 is under genetic control, and this in turn influences the development of lung fibrosis. Hence, the TGF-beta1 genotype has prognostic significance in transplant recipients.
Moral Address, Moral Responsibility, and the Boundaries of the Moral Community*

When we hold someone morally responsible for her actions, we are acknowledging, reiterating, or perhaps even making it the case that, among other things, she’s a member of a particular sort of club, namely, the moral community. Members of the club are eligible for such assessments, and nonmembers are exempt. But what does it take to be or to become a member? Why are assessments of moral responsibility intelligible and appropriate only for those on the inside? And what does it take to lose membership or not to be a member in the first place? It is my aim in this article to address these questions by advancing a theory of the relation between moral responsibility, moral address, and moral community. I will simply take it for granted, following Peter Strawson, Lawrence Stern, Gary Watson, Stephen Darwall, and many others, that there is an important relation between these features. This is in part because our practices in voicing the praise and blame expressive of holding someone morally responsible, in the paradigm case, consist of an interplay between at least two agents, one who addresses a moral demand to the
Adolescents' Communicative Goals for Problematic Events: Defining Content and Examining the Influence of Identity Processing Orientations

This two-stage investigation identified the domain of adolescents' communicative intentions and examined the influence of identity development on the importance of single and multiple communication goals for problematic events in adolescents' close friend and romantic relationships. In Stage 1, 100 high schoolers described a problematic event and provided descriptions of their communicative intentions after the situation. A cluster analysis of the intention descriptions indicated that adolescents might pursue one of eight communication goals. In Stage 2, 180 high schoolers completed measures of identity processing orientation and communication goals for managing a problematic event. Results indicated that, to an extent, identity processing orientation influences judgments of the importance of particular—but not multiple—goals after problematic events in adolescents' close relationships.
Evaluation in Complex Policy Systems

The renewed emphasis in the UK on ‘evidence-based policy making’ has sharpened the focus on the utilization debate in the evaluation community. Traditionally, the emphasis is placed on methodological concerns but this article argues for a sharper focus on the underpinning theoretical bases of policy evaluation, both in terms of its role in policy making and in terms of the substantive theories which inform policy development and implementation. In particular, the article seeks to assess the implications of complexity theory for our theoretical assumptions about policy systems. It is argued that, together with ‘new institutionalist’ thought and recent work on policy implementation structures, notions of complexity have substantial ramifications for the way in which we approach policy evaluation, given the contemporary concern to address ‘cross-cutting’ social problems through ‘joined-up’ policy initiatives. It is suggested that our thinking about evaluation reflects the broader reaction against ‘modernist’ conceptions of the role of social science in our quest to change and improve the world.
Ocean-wide tracking of pelagic sharks reveals extent of overlap with longline fishing hotspots

Significance Shark populations are declining worldwide because of overexploitation by fisheries with unknown consequences for ecosystems. Although the harvest of oceanic sharks remains largely unregulated, knowing precisely where they interact with fishing vessels will better aid their conservation. We satellite track six species of shark and two entire longline fishing vessel fleets across the North Atlantic over multiple years. Sharks actively select and aggregate in space-use “hotspots” characterized by thermal fronts and high productivity. However, longline fishing vessels also target these habitats and efficiently track shark movements seasonally, leading to an 80% spatial overlap. Areas of highest overlap between sharks and fishing vessels show persistence between years, suggesting current hotspots are at risk, and arguing for introduction of international catch limits. Overfishing is arguably the greatest ecological threat facing the oceans, yet catches of many highly migratory fishes including oceanic sharks remain largely unregulated with poor monitoring and data reporting. Oceanic shark conservation is hampered by basic knowledge gaps about where sharks aggregate across population ranges and precisely where they overlap with fishers. Using satellite tracking data from six shark species across the North Atlantic, we show that pelagic sharks occupy predictable habitat hotspots of high space use. Movement modeling showed sharks preferred habitats characterized by strong sea surface-temperature gradients (fronts) over other available habitats. However, simultaneous Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of the entire Spanish and Portuguese longline-vessel fishing fleets show an 80% overlap of fished areas with hotspots, potentially increasing shark susceptibility to fishing exploitation. Regions of high overlap between oceanic tagged sharks and longliners included the North Atlantic Current/Labrador Current convergence zone and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge southwest of the Azores. In these main regions, and subareas within them, shark/vessel co-occurrence was spatially and temporally persistent between years, highlighting how broadly the fishing exploitation efficiently “tracks” oceanic sharks within their space-use hotspots year-round. Given this intense focus of longliners on shark hotspots, our study argues the need for international catch limits for pelagic sharks and identifies a future role of combining fine-scale fish and vessel telemetry to inform the ocean-scale management of fisheries.
Efficiency and Bargaining Power in the Interbank Loan Market

Using detailed transactions-level data on interbank loans, we examine the efficiency of an overnight interbank lending market and the bargaining power of its participants. Our analysis relies on the equilibrium concept of the core, which imposes a set of no-arbitrage conditions on trades in the market. For Canada's Large Value Transfer System, we show that although the market is fairly efficient, systemic inefficiency persists throughout our sample. The level of inefficiency matches distinct phases of both the Bank of Canada's operations as well as phases of the 2007–8 financial crisis. We find that bargaining power tilted sharply toward borrowers as the financial crisis progressed and (surprisingly) toward riskier borrowers.