Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Platelets Amplify Inflammation in Arthritis via Collagen-Dependent Microparticle Production

Platelet Microparticles Drive Inflammatory Arthritis Platelets are best known for their critical role in blood clot formation during wound repair, but an appreciation for their role in inflammatory processes is growing. Platelet-derived cellular microparticles (MPs) are small membrane vesicles released from platelets in response to cell activation that can transport biomolecules throughout the body that have also been implicated in inflammatory processes. Boilard et al. (p. 580; see the Perspective by Zimmerman and Weyrich) have now found that platelet-derived MPs probably contribute to the inflammatory processes underlying rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease. The majority of MPs in synovial fluid from patients with various types of inflammatory arthritis were platelet-derived and, importantly, platelet-derived MPs were lacking in synovial fluid from osteoarthritis patients. Furthermore, platelet depletion abrogated disease development in a mouse model of inflammatory arthritis. Microparticles released by platelets contribute to inflammation underlying rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to their pivotal role in thrombosis and wound repair, platelets participate in inflammatory responses. We investigated the role of platelets in the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. We identified platelet microparticles—submicrometer vesicles elaborated by activated platelets—in joint fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis, but not in joint fluid from patients with osteoarthritis. Platelet microparticles were proinflammatory, eliciting cytokine responses from synovial fibroblasts via interleukin-1. Consistent with these findings, depletion of platelets attenuated murine inflammatory arthritis. Using both pharmacologic and genetic approaches, we identified the collagen receptor glycoprotein VI as a key trigger for platelet microparticle generation in arthritis pathophysiology. Thus, these findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for platelets and their activation-induced microparticles in inflammatory joint diseases.
Clinical issues in the management of patients with myelodysplasia.

The management of patients with myelodysplasia (MDS) can be quite complex and varies according to both the clinical manifestations in individual patients as well as complicating medical conditions. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment, but because of the older age of the patient population must be applied selectively, particularly in those with lower risk MDS as well as in patients whose clinical course is more frankly "preleukemic. " Issues pertinent to the use of 5-azacytidine, decitabine and lenalidomide in patients with both higher and lower International Prognostic Staging System (IPSS) stage disease are discussed.
Courting disaster: How diversification rate affects fitness under risk

Life is full of risk. To deal with this uncertainty, many organisms have evolved bet‐hedging strategies that spread risk through phenotypic diversification. These rates of diversification can vary by orders of magnitude in different species. Here we examine how key characteristics of risk and organismal ecology affect the fitness consequences of variation in diversification rate. We find that rapid diversification is strongly favored when the risk faced has a wide spatial extent, with a single disaster affecting a large fraction of the population. This advantage is especially great in small populations subject to frequent disaster. In contrast, when risk is correlated through time, slow diversification is favored because it allows adaptive tracking of disasters that tend to occur in series. Naturally evolved diversification mechanisms in diverse organisms facing a broad array of environmental risks largely support these results. The theory presented in this article provides a testable ecological hypothesis to explain the prevalence of slow stochastic switching among microbes and rapid, within‐clutch diversification strategies among plants and animals.
Childhood Traits and Conditions of Eminent African American Women

As part of a quarter-century investigation of eminent men and women, the childhood psychological traits and conditions of eminent African American women were contrasted with those of other eminent women in a variety of fields. African American women's eminence appears fostered by psychological traits and conditions generally similar to those that benefit other eminent men and women. African American women, however, appeared significantly more often advantaged with respect to several psychological traits, including independence, perseverance, single-mindedness, and alertness to novelty. Given the discrimination and limited opportunities for African Americans and women during the first half of this century, eminence among the women in the sample probably required outstanding force of character.
The Risk and Protective Factors of Violent Juvenile Offending

Understanding the etiology of violent juvenile offending is critical for prevention and intervention efforts. The risk factors examined included marital status of parents, marital conflict, substance use, age of first substance use, learning difficulties, and school failure. The protective factors assessed included parenting styles, academic achievement, attitudes unfavorable toward violence, having a mentor, positive relationships with peers, and being involved in extracurricular activities. One hundred and twenty-four participants between the ages 14 and 18 years were assessed. A discriminant functions analysis revealed that multiple risk and protective factors were significant in predicting group membership. The nondelinquent group had significantly more protective factors than the other two groups. Significant gender differences were also found.
JOR: A Journal-guided Reconstruction Optimization for RAID-Structured Storage Systems

This paper proposes a simple and practical RAID reconstruction optimization scheme, called JOurnal-guided Reconstruction (JOR). JOR exploits the fact that significant portions of data blocks in typical disk arrays are unused. JOR monitors the storage space utilization status at the block level to guide the reconstruction process so that only failed data on the used stripes is recovered to the spare disk. In JOR, data consistency is ensured by the requirement that all blocks in a disk array be initialized to zero (written with value zero) during synchronization while all blocks in the spare disk also be initialized to zero in the background. JOR can be easily incorporated into any existing reconstruction approach to optimize it, because the former is independent of and orthogonal to the latter. Experimental results obtained from our JOR prototype implementation demonstrate that JOR reduces reconstruction times of two state-of-the-art reconstruction schemes by an amount that is approximately proportional to the percentage of unused storage space while ensuring data consistency.
Dissecting a locus control region: facilitation of enhancer function by extended enhancer-flanking sequences

Using transgenic mice, we have defined novel gene regulatory elements, termed "facilitators. " These elements bilaterally flank, by up to 1 kb, a 200-bp T-cell-specific enhancer domain in the human adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene. Facilitators were essential for gene copy-proportional and integration site-independent reporter expression in transgenic thymocytes, but they had no effect on the enhancer in transfected T cells. Both segments were required. Individual segments had no activity. A lack of facilitator function caused positional susceptibility and prevented DNase I-hypersensitive site formation at the enhancer. The segments were required to be at opposed ends of the enhancer, and they could not be grouped together. Reversing the orientation of a facilitator segment caused a partial loss of function, suggesting involvement of a stereospecific chromatin structure. trans-acting factor access to enhancer elements was modeled by exposing nuclei to a restriction endonuclease. The enhancer domain was accessible to the 4-cutter DpnII in a tissue- and cell-type-specific fashion. However, unlike DNase I hypersensitivity and gene expression, accessibility to the endonuclease could occur without the facilitator segments, suggesting that an accessible chromatin domain is an intermediate state in the activational pathway. These results suggest that facilitators (i) are distinct from yet positionally constrained to the enhancer, (ii) participate in a chromatin structure transition that is necessary for the DNase I hypersensitivity and the transcriptional activating function of the enhancer, and (iii) act after cell-type-specific accessibility to the enhancer sequences is established by factors that do not require the facilitators to be present.
An advanced field prediction model including diffuse scattering

Ray tracing (RT) models are now widely adopted for field prediction in urban environment. Nevertheless, conventional RT tools still suffer for excessive central processing unit (CPU) time and inaccuracy in wide-band prediction. By increasing the maximum number of successive interactions (reflections, diffractions) little improvement in wide-band results can be usually achieved while CPU time increases exponentially. In the present paper, it is shown that by integrating reflection/diffraction with diffuse scattering, good narrow-band and wide-band results can be obtained with a low number of interactions. The adopted scattering model is a simple ray-based model, which has been embedded in a three-dimensional (3-D) RT program. The impact of diffuse scattering on narrowband and wide-band parameters is analyzed in the paper and the complete model is compared with measurements in a variety of cases, showing the validity of the approach.
Redressing racism, communicating citizenship: state legitimation techniques in the multicultural metropolis

Apolitical social marketing communications, however intendedly neutral, acquire political capabilities when metropolitan states in search of legitimacy use them to market multiculturalism. European metropoles are under pressure to reconcile their colonial histories with the contemporary need to engage minority ethnic citizens. Yet, in the communication of cultural belonging, antiracist state redress must also enlist the consent of majority ethnic citizens. Official antiracism defines ‘racism’ according to this dual need. Our focus is One Scotland, Many Cultures – the devolved Scottish polity's ₤1-million antiracist social marketing campaign launched in 2002 under the Blair government's UK-wide race strategy. Interviews with key actors responsible for the initial campaign, and content analysis of campaign advertisements, reveal that official antiracism attempts to engage disaffected multiethnic constituencies. The proposed political sociology of ethnicity and communication which informs this analysis alert.
IS THERE METHOD TO THE MADNESS?

This study examines worldwide media representations of female terrorists, specifically focusing on journalistic explanations for their involvement in political violence. Content analysis of 236 news articles, a census of articles focusing on female terrorism published in major international English-language newspapers from 2001 through 2005, revealed that rationalizations were found in nearly one-third of all articles. These frames varied from religious fundamentalism to feminist pride; the leading explanations used to frame female motivations for terrorism given in these articles were nationalism and revenge. Journalists themselves were the leading source for these explanations, and a disparity between motive frames given by the female terrorists and by journalists suggests that the media's portrayal of female terrorists is a misrepresentation of reality. Audiences of these major international newspapers may learn about female terrorist motives through the secondary opinion of journalists rather than from perspective from the actual players involved in female terrorism. This study also found geographic differences in the volume and framing of female terrorism reporting.
La Crosse Encephalitis Virus Habitat Associations in Nicholas County, West Virginia

Abstract Aedes triseriatus(Say) population density patterns and La Crosse encephalitis virus infection rates were evaluated in relation to a variety of habitat parameters over a 14-wk period. Ovitraps and landing collections were used in a La Crosse virus-enzootic area in Nicholas County, WV. Study sites were divided into categories by habitat type and by proximity to the residences of known La Crosse encephalitis cases. Results demonstrated thatAe. triseriatuspopulation densities were higher in sugar maple/red maple habitats than in hemlock/mixed hardwood habitats or in a site characterized by a large number of small red maple trees. Sites containing artificial containers had higher population densities than those without. La Crosse virus minimum infection rates in mosquitoes collected as eggs ranged from 0.4/1,000 to 7.5/1,000 in the 12 study sites, but did not differ significantly among sites regardless of habitat type or proximity to human case residences. La Crosse virus infection rates in landingAe. triseriatusmosquitoes ranged from 0.0/1,000 to 27.0/1,000. La Crosse virus was also isolated from host-seekingAe. canadensis(Theobald) in two study sites, at rates similar to those found in theAe. triseriatuspopulations. TheAe. triseriatusoviposition patterns and La Crosse virus infection rates suggest that this mosquito species disperses readily in the large woodlands of central West Virginia. The La Crosse enzootic habitats in Nicholas County, WV, are contrasted with those studied in other geographic regions where La Crosse virus is found.
Screening of Bacteria with Antiviral Activity from Fresh Water Salmonid Hatcheries

Bacteria isolated from two salmonid hatcheries were screened for antiviral activity against infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) to ascertain the presence of bacteria with anti‐IHNV activity in the aquatic environment. Out of 710 bacterial isolates from the water and sediment samples, 190 strains showed anti‐IHNV activities of more than 50% plaque reduction. These antiviral activities were detected predominantly in Pseudomonas, Aeromonas/Vibrio, and coryneforms. In one hatchery, the bacteria with antiviral activities were more prevalent in sediment samples than in water samples. Seventy‐seven percent of the isolates with higher antiviral activities (>90% plaque reduction) belonged to Pseudomonas.
Nonlinear model predictive glycemic control of critically ill patients using online identification of insulin sensitivity

In critically ill patients suffering from hyperglycemia, it has been recently shown that mortality and morbidity can be reduced by keeping blood glucose within the range of 80-110 mg/dL. However, maintaining glycemia within such range is difficult due to the time variability in insulin sensitivity in critically ill patients. In this paper, we propose a novel glycometabolism model of critically ill patients with an insulin sensitivity parameter and develop a nonlinear model predictive glycemic control system with online identification of insulin sensitivity at one-hour intervals. Simulation results show that our system keeps 70% of BG measurements within the range of 80-110 mg/dL without any severe hypoglycemic incidents, which indicates the effectiveness and safety of our system.
ASSESSMENT OF A COMMUNITY: PROMOTING AN EQUITABLE SOCIETY THROUGH INCLUSION AND EMPOWERMENT

To adhere to the new developmental welfare policy of South Africa, the Department of Social Work at the Rand Afrikaans University (South Africa) in co-operation with the African Self-Help Association (ASHA), a non-profit organisation, conducted a needs assessment for Soweto among all the families connected with the 40 preschool creches of ASHA. Findings from participatory action research indicated a need for four different programmes: programmes for preschool children; programmes to enhance community leadership; family enrichment programmes; and special delivery programmes regarding HIV/AIDS, disability, crime and violence, illiteracy, poverty alleviation and substance abuse. Through the principle of inclusion, people took ownership of these programmes, which in turn had an empowering effect on them.
The future problem solving program: an investigation of effects on problem-solving ability

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the Future Problem Solving Program on gifted students′ ability to solve futuristic problems similar to those used in the program. The first research question dealt with the effects of the Future Problem Solving Program on subjects total score on an ill-structured problem. The second question asked which components of the Future Problem Solving process differed across groups. Subjects (n = 61) were fourth- and fifth-grade gifted children in a suburban school district. Thirty-three participated in the Future Problem Solving Program for at least 6 months, while 28 did not participate in this program. All subjects completed a problem booklet. Interrater reliability was high, and there was a significant overall effect for the Future Problem Solving Program on the solution of the futuristic problem and significant differences on four of the six component scores across groups.
Esophageal rupture during balloon dilation of strictures of benign or malignant causes: prevalence and clinical importance.

PURPOSE To review the prevalence and clinical importance of esophageal rupture during balloon dilation for treatment of esophageal stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fluoroscopically guided esophageal balloon dilation was performed within 9 years in 96 consecutive patients with esophageal strictures. Esophageal rupture was classified into three types: type 1 was intramural; type 2, transmural; and type 3, transmural with mediastinal leakage. RESULTS Each patient underwent one to seven procedures, for a total of 191 procedures. Esophageal rupture occurred in 20 patients (21%). Type 1 esophageal rupture occurred in eight patients, type 2 in 11, and type 3 in one. All esophageal ruptures were detected immediately after the procedure. Sixteen patients were treated with fasting, parenteral alimentation, and antibiotics; two were treated surgically; and two were treated with stent placement. No treatment-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSION The overall prevalence of esophageal rupture was 21%. A substantial number of patients who developed type 1 rupture had associated clinical symptoms, such as pain and fever, but responded to conservative management and are thus included as having complications of esophageal balloon dilation.
Reliability and validity of the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ) in young and old people: A Japanese study

The higher performance of older people in prospective memory (PM) tasks in a naturalistic setting rather than in a laboratory setting is well known in cognitive aging research and is called the “age prospective memory paradox”. The mechanism of the paradox is poorly understood. To clarify this complex phenomenon, testing of the contribution of candidate variables that may influence PM performance in older adults is needed. To identify possible variables, this study used the Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ; Smith, Della Sala, Logie, & Maylor, 2000) which was developed to evaluate PM and retrospective memory (RM) failure in daily life. In this large-sample survey study (n = 2610) we verified the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the PRMQ in young (n = 459), young-old (n = 1291) and old-old (n = 860) people. First, we found high reliability for both the PM and RM dimensions of the PRMQ in all age groups. Second, the validity was confirmed not by the simple score on PM items but with a subtraction score (PM score minus RM score). In addition, our results also provide knowledge of how personality and lifestyle relate to self-rated memory failures.
Virtual Learning Simulations in High School: Effects on Cognitive and Non-cognitive Outcomes and Implications on the Development of STEM Academic and Career Choice

The present study compared the value of using a virtual learning simulation compared to traditional lessons on the topic of evolution, and investigated if the virtual learning simulation could serve as a catalyst for STEM academic and career development, based on social cognitive career theory. The investigation was conducted using a crossover repeated measures design based on a sample of 128 high school biology/biotech students. The results showed that the virtual learning simulation increased knowledge of evolution significantly, compared to the traditional lesson. No significant differences between the simulation and lesson were found in their ability to increase the non-cognitive measures. Both interventions increased self-efficacy significantly, and none of them had a significant effect on motivation. In addition, the results showed that the simulation increased interest in biology related tasks, but not outcome expectations. The findings suggest that virtual learning simulations are at least as efficient in enhancing learning and self-efficacy as traditional lessons, and high schools can thus use them as supplementary educational methods. In addition, the findings indicate that virtual learning simulations may be a useful tool in enhancing student’s interest in and goals toward STEM related careers.
Endocrine-Related Cancer ( 2003 ) 10 437 – 450 Genetics of neuroendocrine and carcinoid tumours

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) originate in tissues that contain cells derived from the embryonic neural crest, neuroectoderm and endoderm. Thus, NETs occur at many sites in the body, although the majority occur within the gastro-entero-pancreatic axis and can be subdivided into those of foregut, midgut and hindgut origin. Amongst these, only those of midgut origin are generally argentaffin positive and secrete serotonin, and hence only these should be referred to as carcinoid tumours. NETs may occur as part of complex familial endocrine cancer syndromes, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), although the majority occur as non-familial (i.e. sporadic) isolated tumours. Molecular genetic studies have revealed that the development of NETs may involve different genes, each of which may be associated with several different abnormalities that include point mutations, gene deletions, DNA methylation, chromosomal losses and chromosomal gains. Indeed, the foregut, midgut and hindgut NETs develop via different molecular pathways. For example, foregut NETs have frequent deletions and mutations of the MEN1 gene, whereas midgut NETs have losses of chromosome 18, 11q and 16q and hindgut NETs express transforming growth factor-α and the epidermal growth factor receptor. Furthermore, in lung NETs, a loss of chromosome 3p is the most frequent change and p53 mutations and chromosomal loss of 5q21 are associated with more aggressive tumours and poor survival. In addition, methylation frequencies of retinoic acid receptor-β, E-cadherin and RAS-associated domain family genes increase with the severity of lung NETs. Thus the development and progression of NETs is associated with specific genetic abnormalities that indicate the likely involvement of different molecular pathways. Endocrine-Related Cancer (2003) 10 437–450