Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MHC class II super-enhancer increases surface expression of HLA-DR and HLA-DQ and affects cytokine production in autoimmune vitiligo

Significance Vitiligo is a classic autoimmune disease genetically associated with SNPs in the MHC class II region. To date, the impact of HLA molecules on autoimmunity has focused on structural diversity of antigen presentation. Here, we describe the properties of a 47-nucleotide high-risk haplotype of three SNPs within an intergenic “super-enhancer” located between the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQA1 genes, localized by a genome-wide association study of 2,853 subjects with vitiligo. Monocytes from healthy subjects homozygous for the high-risk haplotype have increased surface expression of HLA-DR and -DQ, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from high-risk subjects produce more IL-1β and IFN-γ upon engagement of dectin-1, mannose, and Toll-like receptors. This study underscores the importance of transcriptional regulation of HLA genes to the risk of developing an autoimmune disease. Genetic risk for autoimmunity in HLA genes is most often attributed to structural specificity resulting in presentation of self-antigens. Autoimmune vitiligo is strongly associated with the MHC class II region. Here, we fine-map vitiligo MHC class II genetic risk to three SNPs only 47 bp apart, located within a predicted super-enhancer in an intergenic region between HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQA1, localized by a genome-wide association study of 2,853 Caucasian vitiligo patients. The super-enhancer corresponds to an expression quantitative trait locus for expression of HLA-DR and HLA-DQ RNA; we observed elevated surface expression of HLA-DR (P = 0.008) and HLA-DQ (P = 0.02) on monocytes from healthy subjects homozygous for the high-risk SNP haplotype. Unexpectedly, pathogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects homozygous for the high-risk super-enhancer haplotype exhibited greater increase in production of IFN-γ and IL-1β than cells from subjects homozygous for the low-risk haplotype. Specifically, production of IFN-γ on stimulation of dectin-1, mannose, and Toll-like receptors with Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis was 2.5- and 2.9-fold higher in high-risk subjects than in low-risk subjects, respectively (P = 0.007 and P = 0.01). Similarly, production of IL-1β was fivefold higher in high-risk subjects than in low-risk subjects (P = 0.02). Increased production of immunostimulatory cytokines in subjects carrying the high-risk haplotype may act as an “adjuvant” during the presentation of autoantigens, tying together genetic variation in the MHC with the development of autoimmunity. This study demonstrates that for risk of autoimmune vitiligo, expression level of HLA class II molecules is as or more important than antigen specificity.
Morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of layer V neurons of the rat lateral entorhinal cortex

The intrinsic electrophysiological and morphological properties of lateral entorhinal area (LEA) layer V neurons were investigated by sharp electrode intracellular recording and biocytin labeling in vitro. The morphological analysis revealed that layer V of the LEA contains three distinct subtypes of principal neurons, which were classified as pyramidal, horizontal, and polymorphic neurons. Pyramidal cells were the most abundant subtype (57%) and could be further subdivided into neurons with large, small, and star‐like somas. Similarly to pyramidal cells, horizontal neurons (11%) had a prominent apical dendrite. However, their distinctive basal dendritic plexus extended primarily in the horizontal plane. Polymorphic neurons (32%) were characterized by a multipolar dendritic organization. Electrophysiological analysis of neurons in the three categories demonstrated a diversity of electrophysiological profiles within each category and no significant differences between groups. Neurons in the three subgroups could display instantaneous and/or time‐dependent inward rectification and different degrees of spike frequency adaptation. None of the recorded cells displayed an intrinsic oscillatory bursting discharge. Many neurons in the three subgroups, however, displayed slow (3.5–14 Hz), sustained, subthreshold membrane potential oscillations. The morphological and electrophysiological diversity of principal neurons in the LEA parallels that previously reported for the medial entorhinal area and suggests that, with respect to the deep layers, similar information processing is performed across the mediolateral extent of the entorhinal cortex. Layer V of the entorhinal cortex may undertake very complex operations beyond acting as a relay station of hippocampal processed information to the neocortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 451:45–61, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alterations in SPARC and VEGF immunoreactivity in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), is a matricellular protein that modulates cell adhesion and growth. It is thought to play a decisive role in tissue remodeling and angiogenesis. Alterations in SPARC expression have been observed in a variety of solid tumors; however, no consistent pattern of deregulation has been characterized. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has emerged as an important regulator of tumor neovascularization. Recent work has shown that SPARC modulates the mitogenic activity of VEGF in normal endothelium. While its role in malignant transformation remains elusive, SPARC may contribute to tumor propagation and invasion. This study examines the immunoreactivity of SPARC and VEGF associated with neoplastic transformation of the ovary. METHODS Immunostaining for VEGF and SPARC protein was performed on 62 archival specimens. RESULTS Fourteen normal ovaries and 48 ovarian carcinomas were evaluated. SPARC was detected in the stroma of 63% of ovarian carcinomas. In contrast, SPARC was observed in the stroma of only 29% of normal ovaries (P = 0.02). Furthermore, SPARC was limited in normal ovaries to premenopausal patients, juxtaposed either with vesiculated follicles or within the corpus luteum. VEGF was observed in 42% of ovarian carcinomas with immunoreactivity confined to tumor cells. The level of VEGF immunoreactivity was significantly higher in ovarian carcinoma compared to normal ovary epithelium (42 vs 7%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Immunoreactivity of SPARC and VEGF is heightened in association with ovarian carcinoma, with a distinct distribution of SPARC in the stroma of neoplastic ovaries and VEGF within tumor cells. No obvious pattern of coincident SPARC and VEGF immunoreactivity was detected. These results indicate the possibility of an aberration in the interaction that has been described in normal endothelium between SPARC and VEGF in association with malignant transformation.
Cultural Appropriation, Performance, and Agency in Mexicana Parent Involvement

Parental agency is examined in the creation of a dance performance by a group of Mexican immigrant mothers that combined a mixture of genres into an educational message. The folklórico performance resulted from a process of cultural appropriation involving linguistic, cultural, and experiential “translations. ” This process was concerned with communicating a message of parental involvement in a culturally relevant form to Latino parents. The performance developed by the mothers can be understood as a definitional ceremony that rejected marginalization in favor of images of self-representation that represented Mexican mothers as they viewed themselves and as they desired to be viewed.
What is it about bilingualism that affects Boston Naming Test performance? A reply to commentaries

We reported that bilingualism affects BNT performance, and that people who are “more bilingual” show larger “bilingual effects” on naming. The commentators suggested the interesting possibilities that degree of bilingualism may not be as critical as immersion in two different language environments over the course of a lifetime (Bialystok & Craik, this issue), and that proficiency in Spanish (or lack thereof in English-dominant speakers; Acevedo & Lowenstein, this issue) may be more powerful predictors of the effects we reported. In our response, we use the literature on bilingualism, and additional exploratory analyses of the data we published in this issue to predict that our findings will generalize (a) to bilinguals who speak languages other than Spanish and English, and perhaps even to (b) English-dominant bilinguals who were educated in an English speaking environment. (JINS, 2007, 13, 215–218.)
The anti‐inflammatory profile of fluticasone propionate

Fluticasone propionate is a new corticosteroid based on the androstane nucleus. It is more lipophilic than beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and budesonide, and binds more avidly to human lung tissue. It has an absolute affinity (KD) of 0.5 nM for the glucocorticoid receptor and a relative receptor aflinity 1.5‐ and 3.0‐times greater than that of beclomethasone‐17‐monopropionate (17‐BMP) and budesonide, respectively. The rate of association with the receptor is faster and the rate of dissociation slower than with standard corticosteroids. As a result, the half‐life of the corticosteroid‐receptor complex is >10 h. Fluticasone propionate is also highly selective for the glucocorticoid receptor, with little or no activity at other steroid receptors. Pretreatment with fluticasone propionate signiflcantly inhibits the increase in mast cell numbers in the nasal mucosa of rats chronically exposed to toluene di‐isocyanate (TDI), and suppresses TDI‐induced mast cell degranulation. It is more potent in vitro than dexamethasone, BDP and budesonide in inhibiting anti‐CD3‐induced human T‐lymphocyte proliferation, in attenuating tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression, and in increasing secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor levels in airway epithelial cells. It is also more potent and longer‐acting than other corticosteroids in inhibiting oedema formation, interleukin‐5 (IL‐5)‐induced blood eosinophilia, and IL‐5‐ or platelet activating factor‐stimulated eosinophil accumulation in the lung. Fluticasone propionate therefore has increased intrinsic glucocorticoid potency and high topical anti‐inflammatory activity.
Modification and standardisation of Arabic version of the Comprehensive Aphasia Test

Background: The Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT) is a new standardised test designed to assess a wide range of language functions in participants with acquired aphasia. In its present state, the CAT is not suitable to be used with Arabic-speaking participants due to language, cultural and regional differences. Aims: The aim of this article is to present a modified and standardised version of the CAT in order to provide a thorough assessment of aphasia among Arabic-speaking aphasic participants and to target intervention towards the disability associated with it. Methods and Procedures: The CAT was translated into Arabic and some subtests were modified to be socio-culturally suitable to the Egyptian population. The modified CAT was tested on a sample of 100 adult participants with aphasia due to stroke or post-traumatic damage attending the out-patients clinic of the Phoniatric Unit of Ain Shams University Hospitals and the Hearing and Speech Institute. A control group of 50 normal, adult, healthy volunteers was also tested. Outcomes and Results: Test–retest reliability checks as well as diverse validity checks were undertaken and their findings showed that the modified CAT is psychometrically well constructed and reveals a high degree of reliability and validity. Conclusions: The modified CAT provides an overview of the linguistic abilities and impairments of an aphasic person through a quick but comprehensive and standardised profile of language performance. Analyses showed the usefulness of the modified CAT battery as a reliable and valid tool for diagnosing aphasia and for targeting therapy towards specific goals.
Whole genome sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae U25, a hypermucoviscous, multidrug resistant, biofilm producing isolate from India

Klebsiella pneumoniae U25 is a multidrug resistant strain isolated from a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, India. Here, we report the complete annotated genome sequence of strain U25 obtained using PacBio RSII. This is the first report of the whole genome of K. pneumoniaespecies from Chennai. It consists of a single circular chromosome of size 5,491,870-bp and two plasmids of size 211,813 and 172,619-bp. The genes associated with multidrug resistance were identified. The chromosome of U25 was found to have eight antibiotic resistant genes [blaOXA-1,blaSHV-28, aac(6’)1b-cr,catB3, oqxAB, dfrA1]. The plasmid pMGRU25-001 was found to have only one resistant gene (catA1) while plasmid pMGRU25-002 had 20 resistant genes [strAB, aadA1,aac(6’)-Ib, aac(3)-IId,sul1,2, blaTEM-1A,1B,blaOXA-9, blaCTX-M-15,blaSHV-11, cmlA1, erm(B),mph(A)]. A mutation in the porin OmpK36 was identified which is likely to be associated with the intermediate resistance to carbapenems in the absence of carbapenemase genes. U25 is one of the few K. pneumoniaestrains to harbour clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems. Two CRISPR arrays corresponding to Cas3 family helicase were identified in the genome. When compared to K. pneumoniaeNTUHK2044, a transposase gene InsH of IS5-13 was found inserted.
Integrating Information and Communication Technologies Into the Early Childhood Curriculum: Chinese Principals' Views of the Challenges and Opportunities

This study investigated the challenges and opportunities associated with the introduction of information and communication technologies (ICT) into the early childhood curriculum in Hong Kong kindergartens. Thirty-one principals completed questionnaires before they implemented a new curriculum initiative plan that involved the integrating of ICT into children's learning activities. They completed the same questionnaire and were interviewed within 1 month after they had implemented the curriculum. Findings indicated that the main problems were as follows: the low level of teachers' ICT competence, hardware and software problems, the lack of resources and technical support, and parental level of ICT competence. In-service training was regarded as the pivotal solution to these problems. The 5 levels of ICT transformation of the educational and learning processes (Mooij & Smeets, 2001) were evident in the participating schools. Most of the principals admitted that they were just "technology learners" (Yee, 1999), with regard to their information technology leadership. Sociocontextual accounts and implications of these findings are discussed.
Neuropeptide Y inhibits Ca2+ influx into cultured dorsal root ganglion neurones of the rat via a Y2 receptor

1 The identity of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor associated with the observed inhibition of neuronal Ca2+ currents (ICa) in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells has been established on the basis of agonist responses to analogues and carboxy terminal (C‐terminal) fragments of the NPY molecule. 2 Whole cell barium currents (IBa) in DRG cells were reversibly inhibited by 100 nm NPY, 100 nm PYY and C‐terminal fragments of NPY in a manner that correlated with the length of the NPY fragments (for inhibition of the IBa NPY = PYY > NPY2–36 > NPY13–36 > NPY16–36 > NPY18–36 ≫ NPY25–36). 3 C‐terminal fragments of NPY were also effective in reversibly reducing the ICa, the associated increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the increased [Ca2+]i produced by evoked action potentials in the DRG cells. In addition, a Ca2+‐activated Cl− conductance was also reversibly reduced by NPY fragments only when accompanied by a reduction in Ca2+ entry. 4 We conclude that the Y2 receptor for neuropeptide Y is coupled to inhibition of Ca2+ influx via voltage‐sensitive calcium channels in DRG cells.
Measures for Dealing with Competence and Integrity Violations of Interorganizational Trust at the Corporate and Operating Levels of Organizational Hierarchy

We examine how partners in an interorganizational relationship can repair violated trust, and if that is impossible, how they can preserve the collaborative relationship. We also consider under what circumstances exit from the relationship is the only viable option. We propose that the effectiveness of legalistic and non-legalistic measures in response to a trust violation is a function of the hierarchical level at which the violation occurred (corporate vs. operating), the character of the violation (competence vs. integrity), the frequency and severity with which it occurred, the organizational context in which boundary spanners are embedded, and the degree of dependence between the partners. Based on these factors, we explore how the way in which violation of trust is dealt with at one hierarchical level might affect trust at the other level. Our theoretical model reveals that prior findings on trust repair in inter-personal context may not hold in the interorganizational context.
Shifting Ideologies ? Re-examining Media Bias . Research Note ∗

This research note engages the current research on measuring media bias. I present a reanalysis of the results found in Groseclose and Milyo (2005) and show that the original parameter estimates of the ideological positions of media outlets are not stable over time. Using the same data but analyzed over different periods of time, I find a different conclusion than the previous article. I examine four-year rolling time periods and find that the data produce different parameter estimates in the earlyto mid-1990s as compared to after 2000, with all analyzed outlets appearing more moderate or conservative in later time periods. My results indicate that the estimated positions are sensitive observations in the data and the time period of observation of the outlet. The question of media bias can elicit strong and diverse opinions. While there seems to be no consensus if there is a liberal or conservative bias, the American Society of Newspaper Editors reports that 78% of the public believe there is a bias in news reporting (ASNE 1999). While crucial to understanding the “Fourth Estate,” there have been relatively few replicable large-n empirical studies of the ideology of media outlets. Much of the scholarly work uses content analysis to study this topic. There is certainly a large value added to these studies, but their replication costs make them less desirable. Nonetheless, understanding the political positions of media is key. If media outlets are a primary mechanism for voters to learn about policy options, then there is a serious concern that the information might be tainted by the ideological views of an outlet. ∗I would like to thank Fred Boehmke, Tim Groseclose, Jeff Milyo, Kevin Quinn, Jesse Shapiro and two anonymous referees for their helpful comments and feedback †Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, 5032 Forbes Ave # 1070, Pittsburgh, PA, 15289. http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/∼gasper, (862) 438-5841, gasper@andrew.cmu.edu
An Approach to Fuzzy Modeling of Magnetic Levitation Systems

This paper proposes an approach to fuzzy modeling of magnetic levitation systems. These unstable and nonlinear processes are first linearized around several operating points, and next stabilized by a State Feedback Control System (SFCS) structure. Discrete-time Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy models of the stabilized processes are derived on the basis of the modal equivalence principle, and the rule consequents contain the state-space models of the local SFCS structures. Optimization problems are defined which aim the minimization of objective functions defined as the squared modeling error considered as the difference between the real-world process output and the fuzzy model output. The variables of the objective functions are represented by a part of the parameters of the input membership functions. Simulated Annealing algorithms are implemented to solve these optimization problems and to obtain optimal T-S fuzzy models. Real-time experimental results validate the fuzzy modeling approach and the new optimal T-S fuzzy models for a Magnetic Levitation System with Two Electromagnets (MLS2EM) laboratory equipment.
Zero Shot Hashing

This paper provides a framework to hash images containing instances of unknown object classes. In many object recognition problems, we might have access to huge amount of data. It may so happen that even this huge data doesn't cover the objects belonging to classes that we see in our day to day life. Zero shot learning exploits auxiliary information (also called as signatures) in order to predict the labels corresponding to unknown classes. In this work, we attempt to generate the hash codes for images belonging to unseen classes, information of which is available only through the textual corpus. We formulate this as an unsupervised hashing formulation as the exact labels are not available for the instances of unseen classes. We show that the proposed solution is able to generate hash codes which can predict labels corresponding to unseen classes with appreciably good precision.
‘Sometimes they just want to cry for their mum’: couples' negotiations and rationalisations of gendered divisions in infant care

This study investigates how couples negotiate and rationalise gendered divisions in infant care. We take a social constructivist approach to analysing qualitative data from 11 couples with infants (aged 6 to 8 months). We find that even where fathers are actively involved in infant care there are strong gendered divisions in the types of care that parents provide. These divisions are rationalised by gendered discourses regarding mother's superior ability to care for and nurture infants and embedded in the ‘silences’ or taken-for-granted gendered assumptions within couple's accounts. Dominant gendered discourses implicitly defend a father's decision to opt out of infant care tasks they find more difficult, such as soothing an irritable infant. Our study contributes to work and family policy by capturing couples' care negotiations in the early stages of the parent-child relationship. This is a critical time when gendered care patterns are established within families.
Parent Perspectives on Role Engagement

This exploratory study employed qualitative methodology to analyze intervieW data that emerged from face-to-face intervieWs With eight parents of four children With autism spectrum disorder. The study focused on the roles these parents played as they monitored their children's educational programs and interacted With school professionals. The findings revealed that parent participants, especially mothers, consistently engaged in four roles: (a) negotiator, (b) monitor, (c) supporter, and (d) advocate. In addition, the degree of perceived parental trust in education professionals affected the extent of their engagement in the roles of negotiator, monitor, and supporter. The data also indicated that parents' education monitoring Was mediated by the trust the parents placed on the education professionals. The authors discuss the implications of the findings for the improvement of parent—professional interactions and offer recommendations for future research.