Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Different Game, Different Frame?: Black Counterdiscourses and Depictions of Immigration in Atlanta's African-American and Mainstream Press

This article compares the discourse on immigration found in Atlanta's African-American press (Atlanta Daily World) to that found in Atlanta's mainstream press (Atlanta Journal-Constitution). The Daily World's black counterdiscourse situates immigration within a racial frame, discussing Latinos and immigrants interchangeably and casting African Americans as deserving yet excluded citizens. Immigrants appear in the Daily World as either allies in the struggle for civil rights or as competitors for jobs. Although the Daily World crime frames focus on concerns about racial profiling, the Journal-Constitution often depicts immigrants as criminals or discusses immigration in terms of legal status and policy.
Introduction of the Ratio of the Hardness to the Reduced Elastic Modulus for Abrasion

Modeling the wear rate is a complex process. The several possibilities of chemical, physical and mechanical changes at the interface are the most probable reasons for this [1]. In this manner, it is reasonable to consider the wear rate as a stochastic process [2, 3], and indeed this approach was taken into account by Archard [4], when he formulated his well-known model. Since then, the majority of available models are based on his proposition, independent on the characteristics of mechanical system. Considering a sharp contact, both Torrance [5] and YiLing & Zi-Shan [6] for sliding and rolling abrasion, respectively, modified Archard’s equation based on elastic effects, and the ratio of the hardness (H) to the Young’s modulus (E) was the main parameter of the models. In a tribological system with dissimilar materials, for example a ceramic abrading a metal, one material can experience the yielding and the other the brittle failure. This difference in the mechanical behaviors can be decisive for the final performance to wear.
Secondary Caries Development in in situ Gaps next to Composite and Amalgam

This in situ study investigated the secondary caries development in dentin in gaps next to composite and amalgam. For 21 days, 14 volunteers wore a modified occlusal splint containing human dentin samples with an average gap of 215 µm (SD = 55 µm) restored with three different materials: Filtek Supreme composite, Clearfil AP-X composite and Tytin amalgam. Eight times a day, the splint with samples was dipped in a 20% sucrose solution for 10 min. Before and after caries development, specimens were imaged with transversal wavelength independent microradiography, and lesion depth (LD) and mineral loss (ML) were calculated. The LD and ML of the three restoration materials were compared within patients using paired t tests (α = 5%). In total 38 composite samples (Filtek n = 19 and AP-X n = 19) and 19 amalgam samples could be used for data analysis. AP-X composite presented the highest mean values of LD and ML of the three restorative materials. Amalgam showed statistically significantly less ML (Δ = 452 µm × vol%) than the combined composite materials (p = 0.036). When comparing amalgam to the separate composite materials, only AP-X composite showed higher ML (Δ = 515 µm × vol%) than amalgam (p = 0.034). Analysis of LD showed the same trends, but these were not statistically significant. In conclusion, amalgam showed reduced secondary caries progression in dentin in gaps compared to composite materials tested in this in situ model.
Vertical Parallax Radiology to Localize an Object in the Anterior Part of the Maxilla

An evaluation has been made of four techniques of assessing, from radiographs, the position of unerupted maxillary teeth, using radio-opaque markers placed in various positions on the maxilla of a dried skull. Application of the parallax principle in a vertical plane, for which only two radiographs are needed, was found to produce as many correct conclusions as other methods.
30-Day Potentially Avoidable Readmissions Due to Adverse Drug Events

Objective To analyze the patterns of potentially avoidable readmissions due to adverse drug events (ADEs) to identify the most appropriate risk reduction interventions. Methods In this observational study, we analyzed a random sample of 534 potentially avoidable 30-day readmissions from 10,275 consecutive discharges from the medical department of an academic hospital. Readmissions due to ADEs were reviewed to identify the causative drugs and the severity and interventions to prevent them. Results Seventy cases (13.1%) of readmission were partially or predominantly due to ADEs, of which, 58 (82.9%) were serious ADEs. Overall, 65 (92.9%) of the ADEs have been confirmed to be preventable. Inappropriate prescribing was identified as the cause of ADE in 34 cases (48.6%) mainly involving diuretics, analgesics, or antithrombotics: misprescribing n = 19 (27.1%), underprescribing n = 8 (11.4%), and overprescribing n = 7 (10.0%). The remaining half of preventable ADEs (n = 36; 51.4%) were related to suboptimal patient monitoring/education, such as adherence issues (n = 6; 8.6%) or lack of monitoring (n = 31; 44.3%). In 64 cases (91.4%), the readmission could have been potentially prevented by better monitoring for drug efficacy/disease control, or for predictable side effect. Thirty-three (97.1%) of the 34 ADEs due to inappropriate prescribing could have also been prevented by better monitoring. Conclusions Adverse drug events accounted for approximately 13% of 30-day preventable readmissions. A half were due to prescription errors involving mainly diuretics, analgesics, or antithrombotics, and the other half were due to suboptimal patient monitoring/education, most frequently with antineoplastics. Both these avoidable causes may represent opportunities to reduce the total drug-related adverse events.
Small heat shock proteins mediate cell-autonomous and -nonautonomous protection in a Drosophila model for environmental-stress-induced degeneration

ABSTRACT Cell and tissue degeneration, and the development of degenerative diseases, are influenced by genetic and environmental factors that affect protein misfolding and proteotoxicity. To better understand the role of the environment in degeneration, we developed a genetic model for heat shock (HS)-stress-induced degeneration in Drosophila. This model exhibits a unique combination of features that enhance genetic analysis of degeneration and protection mechanisms involving environmental stress. These include cell-type-specific failure of proteostasis and degeneration in response to global stress, cell-nonautonomous interactions within a simple and accessible network of susceptible cell types, and precise temporal control over the induction of degeneration. In wild-type flies, HS stress causes selective loss of the flight ability and degeneration of three susceptible cell types comprising the flight motor: muscle, motor neurons and associated glia. Other motor behaviors persist and, accordingly, the corresponding cell types controlling leg motor function are resistant to degeneration. Flight motor degeneration was preceded by a failure of muscle proteostasis characterized by diffuse ubiquitinated protein aggregates. Moreover, muscle-specific overexpression of a small heat shock protein (HSP), HSP23, promoted proteostasis and protected muscle from HS stress. Notably, neurons and glia were protected as well, indicating that a small HSP can mediate cell-nonautonomous protection. Cell-autonomous protection of muscle was characterized by a distinct distribution of ubiquitinated proteins, including perinuclear localization and clearance of protein aggregates associated with the perinuclear microtubule network. This network was severely disrupted in wild-type preparations prior to degeneration, suggesting that it serves an important role in muscle proteostasis and protection. Finally, studies of resistant leg muscles revealed that they sustain proteostasis and the microtubule cytoskeleton after HS stress. These findings establish a model for genetic analysis of degeneration and protection mechanisms involving contributions of environmental factors, and advance our understanding of the protective functions and therapeutic potential of small HSPs. Summary: A Drosophila model for environmental-stress-induced degeneration exhibits key features for genetic analysis of degenerative disease mechanisms and reveals new forms of protection mediated by small heat shock proteins.
Multi criteria preventive maintenance scheduling through Arena based simulation modeling

Line performance and equipment utilization have been major points of interest for many companies due to their direct impact on productivity. Achieving the highest possible utilization while maximizing throughput will improve the line performance; will also show significant increase on the line productivity. There are many variables that affect the line utilization and performance and preventive maintenance schedule is one of them. In this paper a multi criteria decision making approach will be implemented to select the preventive maintenance schedule that gives the best utility and performance values. To demonstrate the selection process a bread packaging line is used as a case study. Environmental conditions and line behavior are developed and simulated by using an Arena-based simulation model. The Arena model is to be used as a support tool for the multi criteria decision making process.
Effects of high-intensity training on performance and physiology of endurance athletes

Sportscience 8, 25-40, 2004 (sportsci.org/jour/04/cdp.htm) Centre for Sport and Exercise Science, The Waikato Institute of Technology, Hamilton; Email. Sport and Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1020, New Zealand. Reviewers: Philo Saunders and David Pyne, Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, PO Box 176, Belconnen, ACT 2616, Australia; Carl Foster, Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601.
Nebulized Racemic Adrenaline for Wheezy Bronchitis

Despite investigations showing no bronchodilating effects in children below 18-20 months (l), P-receptor stimulators are widely used at paediatric departments in the treatment of wheezy bronchitis. However, recent studies have demonstrated responders to nebulized P2-stimulators also in the young age group ( 2 , 3). Considering the assumed importance of the oedema component in the obstruction in the low age range, a logical approach would be to treat these children with a combined Pand areceptor agonist, e.g. adrenaline, instead of a selective P2-agonist. The a-receptor stimulation should reduce microvascular leakage mainly by causing constriction of precapillary bronchial arterioles, thus reducing capillary and postcapillary hydrostatic pressure, reversing fluid leakage to resorption, and diminishing bronchial mucosal oedema. Focusing on the low age group, in this study we aimed to test the effects of inhaled racemic adrenaline. Racemic adrenaline is a mixture of the dextroand laevorotatory forms of adrenaline. Naturally occurring adrenaline is in the I-form. The d-form blocks the cardiovascular P1-adrenergic receptors, rather than stimulating them. Therefore, racemic adrenaline should have less cardiac effects.
Imino Sugars Are Potent Agonists of the Human Glucose Sensor SGLT3

Imino sugars are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus [miglitol (Glyset)] and lysosomal storage disorders [miglustat (Zavesca)] based on the inhibition of α-glucosidases and glucosyltransferases. In this substrate specificity study, we examined the interactions of imino sugars with a novel human glucose sensor, sodium/glucose cotransporter type 3 (hSGLT3), using expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes and electrophysiology. The results for hSGLT3 are compared with those for α-glucosidases and human SGLT type 1 (hSGLT1), a well characterized sodium/glucose cotransporter of the SGLT family. In general, substrates have lower apparent affinities (K0.5) for hSGLT3 than hSGLT1 (d-glucose, α-methyl-d-glucose, 1-deoxy-d-glucose, and 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-d-glucose exhibit K0.5 values of 19, 21, 43, and 17 mM, respectively, for hSGLT3, and 0.5, 0.7, 10, and 0.07 mM, respectively, for hSGLT1). However, specificity of hSGLT3 binding is greater (d-galactose and 4-deoxy-4-fluoro-d-galactose are not hSGLT3 substrates, but have hSGLT1 K0.5 values of 0.6 and 1.3 mM). An important deviation from this trend is potent hSGLT3 activation by the imino sugars 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), N-hydroxylethyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (miglitol), N-butyl-1-deoxynojirimycin (miglustat), N-ethyl-1-deoxynojirimycin, and 1-deoxynojirimycin-1-sulfonic acid, with K0.5 values of 0.5 to 9 μM. The diastereomer 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin activates hSGT3 with a K0.5 value of 11 mM, a 3000-fold less potent interaction than is observed for DNJ (4 μM). These imino sugar binding characteristics are similar to those for α-glucosidases, but there are no interactions with hSGLT1. This work provides insights into hSGLT3 and -1 substrate binding interactions, establishes a pharmacological profile to study endogenous hSGLT3, and may have important ramifications for the clinical application of imino sugars.
A retrospective quasi-experimental study of a community crisis house for patients with severe and persistent mental illness

Objective: There is increasing international evidence that crisis houses can reduce the time spent in acute psychiatric inpatient units for patients with severe and persistent mental illness, at a lower cost and in an environment preferable to patients. We evaluated the Alternatives to Hospitalisation (AtH) program, a crisis house operating in outer suburban Brisbane. Methods: One hundred and ninety-three AtH patients were compared to 371 matched controls admitted to a peer hospital district acute psychiatric unit. Hospitalisations, demographics and illness acuity were compared one year before and after an acute index episode of residential care involving hospital and/or AtH. Hospital bed-days during the index episode were compared between AtH participants and controls. The cost of bed-days averted was compared to the cost of providing the AtH program. Results: AtH participants spent 5.35 fewer days in hospital during the index episode than controls, after adjustment for illness acuity, living conditions, marital status and emergency department (ED) presentations. Per patient cost of averted psychiatric inpatient bed-days, $5948.22, was higher than the per patient cost of providing AtH, $3071.44. AtH participants had higher levels of illness acuity, ED presentations and acute psychiatric admissions than controls in the year after the index episode. Conclusions: For acutely unwell, stably housed patients, able to be managed outside of a secure facility, a crisis house program can reduce acute psychiatric bed-days, providing a cost saving for mental health services.
Partial melting in an upwelling mantle column

Decompression melting of hot upwelling rock in the mantle creates a region of partial melt comprising a porous solid matrix through which magma rises buoyantly. Magma transport and the compensating matrix deformation are commonly described by two-phase compaction models, but melt production is less often incorporated. Melting is driven by the necessity to maintain thermodynamic equilibrium between mineral grains in the partial melt; the position and amount of partial melting that occur are thus thermodynamically determined. We present a consistent model for the ascent of a one-dimensional column of rock and provide solutions that reveal where and how much partial melting occurs, the positions of the boundaries of the partial melt being determined by conserving energy across them. Thermodynamic equilibrium of the boundary between partial melt and the solid lithosphere requires a boundary condition on the effective pressure (solid pressure minus melt pressure), which suggests that large effective stresses, and hence fracture, are likely to occur near the base of the lithosphere. Matrix compaction, melt separation and temperature in the partially molten region are all dependent on the effective pressure, a fact that can lead to interesting oscillatory boundary-layer structures.
Metabotropic glutamate and dopamine receptors co‐regulate AMPA receptor activity through PKA in cultured chick retinal neurones: effect on GluR4 phosphorylation and surface expression

Glutamate receptor phosphorylation has been implicated in several forms of modulation of synaptic transmission. It has been reported that protein kinase A (PKA) can phosphorylate the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptor subunit GluR4 on Ser842, both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we studied the regulation of GluR4 phosphorylation and intracellular trafficking by PKA and by metabotropic receptors coupled to adenylyl cyclase (AC), in cultured chick retinal amacrine‐like neurones, which are enriched in GluR4. The regulation of AMPA receptor activity by PKA and by metabotropic AC‐coupled receptors was also investigated by measuring the [Ca2+]i response to kainate in Na+‐free medium. Stimulation of AC with forskolin (FSK), or using the selective agonist of dopamine D1 receptors (±)‐1‐phenyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐(1H)‐3‐benzazepine‐7,8‐diol (SKF38393), increased the [Ca2+]i response to kainate, GluR4 phosphorylation at Ser842 and GluR4 surface expression. Pre‐incubation of the cells with (2S,2′R,3′R)‐2‐(2′,3′‐dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG‐IV), an agonist of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), which are coupled to inhibition of AC, inhibited the effect of FSK and of SKF38393 on AMPA receptor activity, GluR4 phosphorylation and expression at the plasma membrane. These results indicate that there is a functional cross‐talk between dopamine D1 receptors and group II mGluR in the regulation of GluR4 phosphorylation and AMPA receptor activity. Our data show that GluR4 phosphorylation at Ser842 by PKA, and its recruitment to the plasma membrane upon phosphorylation, is regulated by metabotropic receptors.
Mutagenesis of the conserved 51-nucleotide region of Sindbis virus

We have constructed 25 site-specific mutations in a domain of 51 nucleotides in Sindbis virus that is highly conserved among all alphaviruses sequenced to date. These 51 nucleotides are capable of forming two hairpin structures and are found from nucleotides 155 to 205 in Sindbis virus within the region encoding nsP1. Of the mutations, 21 were silent and did not lead to a change in the amino acid sequence encoded. These silent mutations changed not only the linear sequence but also the stability of the hairpins in most cases. Two double mutants that were constructed led to the replacement of one base pair by another so that the linear sequence was altered but the nature of the hairpins was not. All of the mutants with silent mutations were viable, but 19 of the 21 mutants were severely impaired for growth in both chicken and mosquito cells. Compared with the parental virus, they grew slowly and produced virus at rates of 10(-1) to 10(-4) times the parental rate. Surprisingly, however, the plaques produced by these mutants were indistinguishable from those produced by the parental virus. Two of the silent mutations, found within the first hairpin structure, produced virus at a faster rate than the parental virus. It is clear that the exact sequence of this region is important for some aspect of virus replication. We suggest that one or more proteins, either virus encoded or cellular, bind to the hairpin structures in a sequence-specific fashion in a step that promotes replication of the viral RNA. Of the mutations that resulted in a change of coding, only one of four was viable, suggesting that the amino acid sequence encoded in this domain is essential for virus replication.
SDPhound, a Mutual Information-Based Method to Investigate Specificity-Determining Positions

Considerable importance in molecular biophysics is attached to influencing by mutagenesis the specific properties of a protein family. The working hypothesis is that mutating residues at few selected positions can affect specificity. Statistical analysis of homologue sequences can identify putative specificity determining positions (SDPs) and help to shed some light on the peculiarities underlying their functional role. In this work, we present an approach to identify such positions inspired by state of the art mutual information-based SDP prediction methods. The algorithm based on this approach provides a systematic procedure to point at the relevant physical characteristics of putative SPDs and can investigate the effects of correlated mutations. The method is tested on two standard benchmarks in the field and further validated in the context of a biologically interesting problem: the multimerization of the Intrinsically Fluorescent Proteins (IFP).
cAMP-activated Na+ current of molluscan neurons is resistant to kinase inhibitors and is gated by cAMP in the isolated patch

The cAMP-dependent Na+ current (INa,cAMP) modulates excitability in many molluscan neurons. Rapid activation of INa,cAMP by cyclic nucleotide, its ion dependence, and its blockade by divalent cations resemble cyclic nucleotide-activated cation currents in vertebrate photoreceptors and olfactory receptors, where activation has been found to be independent of kinase activity. We tested the phosphorylation dependence of INa,cAMP in neurons of the feeding and locomotory networks of the predatory marine snail Pleurobranchaea. Identified neurons of pedal and buccal ganglia were axotomized for recording the INa,cAMP response to iontophoretic injection of cAMP under two- electrode voltage clamp. Intracellular injections of specific peptide inhibitor of protein kinase A had no blocking effects on activation of INa,cAMP by iontophoretic injection of cAMP. Inward single-channel currents were activated in excised inside-out patches during exposure to cAMP in salines without added ATP. Sodium was the major current carrying ion. Two distinct types of INa,cAMP channel activity were observed, where opening probability and open times differed, but conductance was similar, 36.7 pS. These observations suggest that INa,cAMP activation occurs by direct binding of cAMP to a regulatory site at the channel, rather than by phosphorylation.