Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Esophageal Leiomyoma: Radiologic Findings in 12 Patients

Objective The aim of our study was to describe and compare the radiologic findings of esophageal leiomyomas. Materials and Methods The chest radiographic (n = 12), esophagographic (n = 12), CT (n = 12), and MR (n = 1) findings of surgically proven esophageal leiomyomas in 12 consecutive patients [ten men and two women aged 34 - 47 (mean, 39) years] were retrospectively reviewed. Results The tumors, surgical specimens of which ranged from 9 to 90 mm in diameter, were located in the upper (n = 1), middle (n = 5), or lower esophagus (n = 6). In ten of the 12 patients, chest radiography revealed the tumors as mediastinal masses. Esophagography showed them as eccentric, smoothly elevated filling defects in 11 patients and a multilobulated encircling filling defect in one. In 11 of the 12 patients, enhanced CT scans revealed a smooth (n = 9) or lobulated (n = 2) tumor margin, and attenuation was homogeneously low (n = 7) or iso (n = 4). In one patient, the tumor signal seen on T2-weighted MR images was slightly high. Conclusion Esophageal leiomyomas, located mainly in the middle or distal esophagus, are consistently shown by esophagography to be mainly eccentrically elevated filling defects and at CT, lesions showing homogeneous low or isoattenuation are demonstrated.
Beilinson-Flach elements and Euler systems II: The Birch-Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture for Hasse-Weil-Artin -series

Let E be an elliptic curve over Q and let % be an odd, irreducible two-dimensional Artin representation. This article proves the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture in analytic rank zero for the Hasse-Weil-Artin L-series L(E, %, s), namely, the implication L(E, %, 1) 6= 0 ⇒ (E(H)⊗ %)Gal(H/Q) = 0, where H is the finite extension of Q cut out by %. The proof relies on p-adic families of global Galois cohomology classes arising from Beilinson-Flach elements in a tower of products of modular curves.
Transmembrane signal transduction by peptide hormones via family B G protein-coupled receptors

Although family B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) contain only 15 members, they play key roles in transmembrane signal transduction of hormones. Family B GPCRs are drug targets for developing therapeutics for diseases ranging from metabolic to neurological disorders. Despite their importance, the molecular mechanism of activation of family B GPCRs remains largely unexplored due to the challenges in expression and purification of functional receptors to the quantity for biophysical characterization. Currently, there is no crystal structure available of a full-length family B GPCR. However, structures of key domains, including the extracellular ligand binding regions and seven-helical transmembrane regions, have been solved by X-ray crystallography and NMR, providing insights into the mechanisms of ligand recognition and selectivity, and helical arrangements within the cell membrane. Moreover, biophysical and biochemical methods have been used to explore functions, key residues for signaling, and the kinetics and dynamics of signaling processes. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the signal transduction mechanism of family B GPCRs at the molecular level and comments on the challenges and outlook for mechanistic studies of family B GPCRs.
Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Neurological Disorders Caused by Cytomegalovirus in Aids Patients for the European Union Concerted Action on Virus Meningitis and Encephalitis*

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are common and severe complications of HIV infection. The virus involves the nervous system, causing encephalitis, polyradiculomyelitis and peripheral neuropathies. Due to their limited sensitivity, traditional virological approaches, such as virus isolation or antigen detection in the CSF are useful only in limited instances, e.g. CMV polyradiculopathy. The aetiological diagnosis of these disorders relies on the analysis of cerebrospinal ¯uid by PCR and quantitative PCR may be important to establish the extent of CNS lesions and to monitor the ef®cacy of antiviral treatments. CMV is susceptible to various antivirals, including ganciclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir. CMV infections of the nervous system, in particular encephalitis, however, show only a poor response to standard treatments. Drug combination treatments i.e. ganciclovir plus foscarnet, are currently under evaluation in clinical trials.
Effects of a multimedia enhanced reading buddies program on kindergarten and Grade 4 vocabulary and comprehension

ABSTRACT Reading buddies programs, which pair older and younger students to read books together on a regular basis, are common in many U.S. elementary schools. Yet, the research base on these programs is limited. Therefore, we conducted a quasiexperimental study of a reading buddies program targeting vocabulary and comprehension. The program we studied paired fourth-grade students with kindergarten students to read, talk, play, and write together. In all, 16 Grade 4 classrooms and 16 kindergarten classrooms participated in the treatment group and in the comparison group. The treatment included 10 one-hour sessions implemented over the course of roughly 10 weeks. Analyses revealed effects of treatment on proximal measures of vocabulary for both kindergarteners and fourth-grade students. However, there were no effects on distal measures for either group. Teachers' perceptions of the program are presented, and findings are discussed in light of the extant literature.
Improved Myocardial &bgr;-Adrenergic Responsiveness and Signaling With Exercise Training in Hypertension

Background—Cardiac responses to &bgr;-adrenergic receptor stimulation are depressed with pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy. We investigated whether exercise training could modify &bgr;-adrenergic receptor responsiveness in a model of spontaneous hypertension by modifying the &bgr;-adrenergic receptor desensitizing kinase GRK2 and the abundance and phosphorylation of some key Ca2+ cycling proteins. Methods and Results—Female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; age, 4 months) were placed into a treadmill running (SHR-TRD; 20 m/min, 1 h/d, 5 d/wk, 12 weeks) or sedentary group (SHR-SED). Age-matched Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were controls. Mean blood pressure was higher in SHR versus WKY (P<0.01) and unaltered with exercise. Left ventricular (LV) diastolic anterior and posterior wall thicknesses were greater in SHR than WKY (P<0.001) and augmented with training (P<0.01). Langendorff LV performance was examined during isoproterenol (ISO) infusions (1×10−10 to 1×10−7 mol/L) and pacing stress (8.5 Hz). The peak LV developed pressure/ISO dose response was shifted rightward 100-fold in SHR relative to WKY. The peak ISO LV developed pressure response was similar between WKY and SHR-SED and increased in SHR-TRD (P<0.05). SHR-TRD showed the greatest lusitropic response to ISO (P<0.05) and offset the pacing-induced increase in LV end-diastolic pressure and the time constant of isovolumic relaxation (&tgr;) observed in WKY and SHR-SED. Improved cardiac responses to ISO in SHR-TRD were associated with normalized myocardial levels of GRK2 (P<0.05). SHR displayed increased L-type Ca2+ channel and sodium calcium exchanger abundance compared with WKY (P<0.001). Training increased ryanodine receptor phosphorylation and phospholamban phosphorylation at both the Ser16 and Thr17 residues (P<0.05). Conclusions—Exercise training in hypertension improves the inotropic and lusitropic responsiveness to &bgr;-adrenergic receptor stimulation despite augmenting LV wall thickness. A lower GRK2 abundance and an increased phosphorylation of key Ca2+ cycling proteins may be responsible for the above putative effects.
Suspended Opportunities? A Multi-level Analysis of the Role of School Climate and Composition in Shaping Racial Differences in School Punishment

i Acknowledgments . iii Vita . iv List of Tables . vi List of Figures . vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND . 1 CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH ON SCHOOL CONTEXT AND PUNISHMENT OUTCOMES . 17 The Role of School Organization in Shaping Punishment . 17 Racial Inequality in School Punishment . 33 Current Study and Hypotheses . 51 CHAPTER 3: DATA AND METHODS . 59 Analytic Strategy . 70 Descriptive Results . 75 CHAPTER 4: EFFECTS OF SCHOOL CLIMATE ON PUNISHMENT . 86 CHAPTER 5: THE ROLE OF RACE IN SHAPING PUNISHMENT . 106 CHAPTER 6: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION . 128 Findings and Theoretical Implications . 128 Social and Policy Implications . 132 Limitations and Directions for Future Research . 135 References . 138 Appendix A . 151 Appendix B . 155
Rapid rounding of human epidermoid carcinoma cells A-431 induced by epidermal growth factor

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces rapid rounding of A-431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells in Ca(++)-free medium. Cell rounding is not induced by a variety of other polypeptide hormones, antiserum to cell membranes, local anesthetics, colchicine, cytochalasin B, or cyclic nucleotides. However, trypsin, like EGF, induces rounding of A- 431 cells in the absence of Ca(++). Both trypsin- and EGF-induced rounding are temperature dependent, appear to be energy dependent, and are inhibited by cytochalasins, suggesting that the active participation of microfilaments in cell rounding. However, a medium transfer experiment suggests that EGF-induced rounding is not attributable to secretion of a protease, and a number of serine protease inhibitors have no effect on the EGF-induced rounding process. Cell rounding is not attributable to the slight stimulation by EGF of the release of Ca(++) that is observed in the Ca(++)-free medium, as stimulation of such release by the ionophore A23187 neither induces cell rounding nor blocks EGF-induced rounding. Cells that have rounded up after treatment with EGF or trypsin spread out upon addition of Ca(++) to the medium, even in the continuing presence of EGF or typsin. Like the cell-rounding process, the cell-spreading process is temperature dependent, appears to be energy dependent, and is inhibited by cytochalasin B. Thus, EGF does not destroy the ability of the cell to spread; rather, in the presence of the EGF (or trypsin), cell spreading and the maintenance of the flattened state become dependent on external Ca(++). Because untreated cells remain flattened in the absence of Ca(++), the data suggest that EGF may disrupt Ca(++)-independent mechanisms of adhesion normally present in A-431 cells.
Heat stroke: implications for critical care and anaesthesia.

Heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, are relatively uncommon in temperate climates. Much of the clinical experience comes from Saudi Arabia (where there is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca) and the military. Case reports and review articles are not commonly seen in anaesthesiarelated journals. The intention of this article is to review the available literature on heat stroke and to discuss its relationship with other hyperthermic syndromes, such as malignant hyperthermia.
Trade and Uncertainty

Abstract We offer a new explanation as to why international trade is so volatile in response to economic shocks. Our approach combines the idea of uncertainty shocks with international trade. Firms order inputs from home and foreign suppliers. In response to an uncertainty shock firms disproportionately cut orders of foreign inputs due to higher fixed costs. In the aggregate, this leads to a bigger contraction in international trade flows than in domestic activity, a magnification effect. We confront the model with newly compiled US import and industrial production data. Our results help to explain the Great Trade Collapse of 2008–2009.
Pure as the angels, wise as the dead: Perceptions of infants’ agency in a Zambian community

This article is focused on concepts of agency in relation to unborn and newly born babies in a Zambian community. Through an exploration of local perceptions of unborn and newly born babies’ spirituality and personhood, as well as their developing bodies, I problematize dominating theoretical definitions of children’s agency. The article calls for more relational assessments of children’s agencies that not only focus on children as independent social actors in their own right but also integrate experiences of dependency and vulnerability.
Responsive Boronic Acid-Decorated (Co)polymers: From Glucose Sensors to Autonomous Drug Delivery

Boronic acid-containing (co)polymers have fascinated researchers for decades, garnering attention for their unique responsiveness toward 1,2- and 1,3-diols, including saccharides and nucleotides. The applications of materials that exert this property are manifold including sensing, but also self-regulated drug delivery systems through responsive membranes or micelles. In this review, some of the main applications of boronic acid containing (co)polymers are discussed focusing on the role of the boronic acid group in the response mechanism. We hope that this summary, which highlights the importance and potential of boronic acid-decorated polymeric materials, will inspire further research within this interesting field of responsive polymers and polymeric materials.
A high-resolution imaging algorithm without derivatives based on waveform estimation for UWB pulse radars

UWB pulse radars are promising as high-resolution imaging techniques, which are required for target positioning systems of rescue robots moving in a dark smoke, for example. It can be also applied to a non-destructive measurement for industrial products (e.g. antennas and vehicles), in order to detect small surface defects. These applications require a fast, robust, and high-resolution imaging algorithm. We have already proposed a robust and fast imaging algorithm with an envelope of circles. This method utilizes the principle that the target boundaries are expressed as the envelopes of circles with the radius corresponding to the time delays. Our method can realize robust imaging even in a noisy environment. However, the error of the estimated image is at least about 1/10 of the center wavelength of the pulse because the image is distorted especially around sharp edges. This is because we assume that the scattered waveform is the same as the transmitted one. In this paper, we utilize the shape estimation method together with a waveform estimation in order to enhance the resolution of the image. An imaging algorithm based on this idea has been published. However, the earlier study utilizes a parametric approach and can be applied only to a simple polygon. In this paper, we extend this idea to general convex targets including smooth curves and edges. Numerical simulations and experiments show that the proposed method accomplishes a high-resolution imaging.
Therapeutic Role of Ursolic Acid on Ameliorating Hepatic Steatosis and Improving Metabolic Disorders in High-Fat Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Rats

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent liver diseases around the world, and is closely associated with obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance. Ursolic acid (UA), an ubiquitous triterpenoid with multifold biological roles, is distributed in various plants. This study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanisms of UA against hepatic steatosis in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) rat model. Methodology/Principal Findings Obese NAFLD model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by 8-week HFD feeding. Therapeutic role of UA was evaluated using 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5% UA-supplemented diet for another 6 weeks. The results from both morphologic and histological detections indicated that UA significantly reversed HFD-induced hepatic steatosis and liver injury. Besides, hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α was markedly up-regulated at both mRNA and protein levels by UA. Knocking down PPAR-α significantly inhibited the anti-steatosis role of UA in vitro. HFD-induced adverse changes in the key genes, which participated in hepatic lipid metabolism, were also alleviated by UA treatment. Furthermore, UA significantly ameliorated HFD-induced metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress. Conclusions/Significance These results demonstrated that UA effectively ameliorated HFD-induced hepatic steatosis through a PPAR-α involved pathway, via improving key enzymes in the controlling of lipids metabolism. The metabolic disorders were accordingly improved with the decrease of hepatic steatosis. Thereby, UA could be a promising candidate for the treatment of NAFLD.
POW: System-wide Dynamic Reallocation of Limited Power in HPC

Current trends for high-performance systems are leading us towards hardware over-provisioning where it is no longer possible to run each component at peak power without exceeding a system or facility wide power bound. In such scenarios, the power consumed by individual components must be artificially limited to guarantee system operation under a given power bound. In this paper, we present the design of a power scheduler capable of enforcing such a bound using dynamic system-wide power reallocation in an application-agnostic manner. Our scheduler is expected to achieve better job runtimes than a naive power scheduling approach without requiring a priori knowledge of application power behavior.
Reversing the Resistance Phenotype of the Biomphalaria glabrata Snail Host Schistosoma mansoni Infection by Temperature Modulation

Biomphalaria glabrata snails that display either resistant or susceptible phenotypes to the parasitic trematode, Schistosoma mansoni provide an invaluable resource towards elucidating the molecular basis of the snail-host/schistosome relationship. Previously, we showed that induction of stress genes either after heat-shock or parasite infection was a major feature distinguishing juvenile susceptible snails from their resistant counterparts. In order to examine this apparent association between heat stress and snail susceptibility, we investigated the effect of temperature modulation in the resistant snail stock, BS-90. Here, we show that, incubated for up to 4 hrs at 32°C prior to infection, these resistant snails became susceptible to infection, i.e. shedding cercariae at 5 weeks post exposure (PE) while unstressed resistant snails, as expected, remained resistant. This suggests that susceptibility to infection by this resistant snail phenotype is temperature-sensitive (ts). Additionally, resistant snails treated with the Hsp 90 specific inhibitor, geldanamycin (GA) after heat stress, were no longer susceptible to infection, retaining their resistant phenotype. Consistently, susceptible snail phenotypes treated with 100 mM GA before parasite exposure also remained uninfected. These results provide direct evidence for the induction of stress genes (heat shock proteins; Hsp 70, Hsp 90 and the reverse transcriptase [RT] domain of the nimbus non-LTR retrotransposon) in B. glabrata susceptibility to S. mansoni infection and characterize the resistant BS-90 snails as a temperature-sensitive phenotype. This study of reversing snail susceptibility phenotypes to S. mansoni provides an opportunity to directly track molecular pathway(s) that underlie the B. glabrata snail's ability to either sustain or destroy the S. mansoni parasite.
TGF-α Expression as a Potential Biomarker of Risk Within the Normal-appearing Colorectal Mucosa of Patients with and without Incident Sporadic Adenoma

Background: Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), a stimulatory growth factor and member of the epidermal growth factor family, is a mediator of oncogenesis and malignant progression in colorectal carcinogenesis. Limited evidence suggests its utility as a growth-related biomarker of risk for colorectal cancer. Methods: We measured expression of TGF-α in biopsies of normal-appearing colorectal mucosa using automated immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis in a subsample of 29 cases and 31 controls from a colonoscopy-based case-control study (n = 203) of biomarkers of risk for incident sporadic colorectal adenoma. Diet, lifestyle, and medical history were assessed with validated questionnaires. Results: TGF-α expression in the rectum was 51% higher in cases compared with controls (P = 0.05) and statistically significantly associated with accepted risk factors for colorectal neoplasms (36% lower among nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users, 49% lower among women using hormone replacement therapy, 79% higher among persons with a family history of colorectal cancer). Conclusions: TGF-α expression in the normal-appearing rectal mucosa shows promise as an early, potentially modifiable biomarker of risk for colorectal cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(1):65–73)
A practical case study exploring how flipped learning affects the development of problem solving skills in two different disciplines

This study explores how a flipped learning pedagogy was introduced to two separate student groups, within different disciplines, law and computing and compares the findings that have begun to emerge in relation to the development of a range of skills in particular the development of problem solving skills. Analytical and problem solving skills are not only the key skills for both law students and computing students, but are key skills for any graduate. The findings suggest the flipped classroom approach can increase student participation, engagement, supports the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills and promotes deeper levels of learning. The findings also support that this method of teaching and learning encourages the development of independent study skills and provides opportunities for students to develop and practice the core skills required of their discipline. This paper will also explore the perceived challenges and benefits experienced by both students and academics working with a flipped teaching and learning strategy during the academic year 2014/15.