Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial activity of phosphanilic acid, alone and in combination with trimethoprim

We explored the antibacterial activity of phosphanilic acid (P), an analog of sulfanilic acid, alone and in combination with trimethoprim (T; TP, 1:5) with sulfamethoxazole (S) and co-trimoxazole, the combination of this sulfonamide with trimethoprim (TS, 1:5) as the reference. P resembled S in spectrum but, in addition, had significant activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The overall frequency and degree of synergism with TP were lower than with co-trimoxazole. P, like S, was strongly affected by changes in inoculum size and was not bactericidal. P was well absorbed parenterally but not orally in mice. Despite low (but prolonged) blood levels, P, given orally to mice, was effective in treating infections caused by P. aeruginosa. However, against most experimental infections the therapeutic effectiveness of P, as well as that of TP, administered either intramuscularly or orally was unimpressive. Based on in vivo data, the therapeutic application of P or TP would appear to be limited.
GENETIC PRIVACY: A CHALLENGE TO MEDICO-LEGAL NORMS

Genetic discoveries offer great promise in medicine for the 21st century, and beyond. The palpable excitement and anticipation among molecular geneticists—who now hold new and powerful tools for deciphering not just the location of disease genes but the nuances between function and dysfunction at the molecular level—is no less than breathtaking. The mapping and sequencing of the human genome, along with those of a variety of model organisms (more practical for research purposes), has given scientists and non-scientists alike reason to look forward to a future approach to health care that is more personalized and tailored to each individual’s own genetic profile. Along with the promise of improved health, advancing genetic capabilities and knowledge bring new challenges. Analysis of DNA can reveal the secrets of our identity, our true parentage, and our risk of developing a wide range of diseases. It holds information not only about our medical past but also about our medical future. In spite of the complex and seemingly mysterious character of the science of genetics, the lay public understand that the information contained within DNA is of a highly sensitive and personal
Model-Based Satellite Image Fusion

A method is proposed for pixel-level satellite image fusion derived directly from a model of the imaging sensor. By design, the proposed method is spectrally consistent. It is argued that the proposed method needs regularization, as is the case for any method for this problem. A framework for pixel neighborhood regularization is presented. This framework enables the formulation of the regularization in a way that corresponds well with our prior assumptions of the image data. The proposed method is validated and compared with other approaches on several data sets. Lastly, the intensity-hue-saturation method is revisited in order to gain additional insight of what implications the spectral consistency has for an image fusion method.
Type-safe diff for families of datatypes

The UNIX diff program finds the difference between two text files using a classic algorithm for determining the longest common subsequence; however, when working with structured input (e.g. program code), we often want to find the difference between tree-like data (e.g. the abstract syntax tree). In a functional programming language such as Haskell, we can represent this data with a family of (mutually recursive) datatypes. In this paper, we describe a functional, datatype-generic implementation of diff (and the associated program patch). Our approach requires advanced type system features to preserve type safety; therefore, we present the code in Agda, a dependently-typed language well-suited to datatype-generic programming. In order to establish the usefulness of our work, we show that its efficiency can be improved with memoization and that it can also be defined in Haskell.
Tumor Uptake of Anti-CD20 Fabs Depends on Tumor Perfusion

Antibodies have become an established treatment modality in cancer therapy during the last decade. However, these treatments often suffer from an insufficient and heterogeneous response despite validated antigen or target receptor expression in the tumor. In fact, therapeutic success depends on both the presence of the tumor antigen and its accessibility by the antibody. In search of a suitable preclinical animal model to evaluate the mechanisms of tumor heterogeneity and hemodynamics, we characterized two exemplary non-Hodgkin lymphoma subtypes with comparable CD20 expression and metabolism, SUDHL-4 and Granta-519, using multimodal imaging techniques. Methods: To investigate in vivo biodistribution, two differently modified αCD20 antigen-binding fragments (Fab), prepared by PASylation with a 200-residue polypeptide tag comprising Pro, Ala, and Ser (PAS200) and by fusion with an albumin-binding domain (ABD), were radiolabeled with 125I and intravenously injected into immunocompromised mice bearing corresponding xenografts. Results: Validation with 18F-FDG revealed a similar distribution in vital tumor tissue 1 h after injection. However, large differences in tumor uptake were observed when the CD20-specific radiotracers 125I-Fab-ABD and 125I-Fab-PAS200 were applied (respective percentages injected dose per gram at 24 h after injection: 12.3 and 2.4 for Granta-519 vs. 5.8 and 1.2 for SUDHL-4). Three-dimensional light-sheet fluorescence microscopy with Cy5-Fab-PAS200 confirmed better tracer extravasation in the Granta-519 tumors. Moreover, dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI revealed significantly reduced perfusion in the SUDHL-4 tumors. Conclusion: Tracer uptake was highly dependent on local tumor perfusion and Fab permeation in the SUDHL-4 and Granta-519 tumors. Thus, the SUDHL-4 xenograft offers an excellent model for investigating the influence of therapies affecting tumor angiogenesis.
Linking Specific Heterotrophic Bacterial Populations to Bioreduction of Uranium and Nitrate in Contaminated Subsurface Sediments by Using Stable Isotope Probing

ABSTRACT Shifts in terminal electron-accepting processes during biostimulation of uranium-contaminated sediments were linked to the composition of stimulated microbial populations using DNA-based stable isotope probing. Nitrate reduction preceded U(VI) and Fe(III) reduction in [13C]ethanol-amended microcosms. The predominant, active denitrifying microbial groups were identified as members of the Betaproteobacteria, whereas Actinobacteria dominated under metal-reducing conditions.
Why We Need to Explore Development in Its Cultural Context

Cultural context should be taken into account in our research so that we characterize how people behave in their everyday lives, not just a sterile laboratory environment. Much developmental research treats children as though they group in a sociocultural vacuum. Such research misses important points about development. The article illustrates the importance of cultural context by giving examples from implicit-theoretical and explicit-theoretical lines of research.
Impact of a new integrated medicine program on students’ approaches to learning

This paper presents the results of a study on the impact of a new integrated medical educational design on students’ approaches to learning. Although the new program was based on curriculum features identified in the research literature as likely to promote deeper approaches to learning, the results revealed a more complex response from students. While a proportion of students reacted as expected and changed to deeper approaches, a significant subgroup moved in the opposite direction and adopted more surface approaches. Further analysis revealed that specific features of the new curriculum – integration of content, requirement for both independent and collaborative learning – were likely to polarise students. The findings suggest that shifting students towards deeper approaches to learning may be a more complex task than previously understood. The authors suggest some ways in which such major curriculum change may be moderated so that all learners are more likely to benefit.
The issue of gender in multiple language acquisition

The present article focuses on the issue of perception of gender in the case of multiple language acquisition. Each language displays a variation of gender system that is culturally determined and unique. There are languages in which the role of grammatical category of gender is predominant, whereas other display reduced gender systems or they are completely devoid of this feature (Corbett 1991). Since the grammatical category of gender is still the most confusing for many linguists, the authors decided to explore the relation between complex gender systems of Polish and German, and the reduced gender system of English in the process of acquisition. The article has a twofold structure: first the theoretical framework is provided to outline the gender systems of the above mentioned languages, and then the research is described and discussed. The main purpose of the conducted research was to investigate to what extent a native language and a second language influ ence perception of the gender system of a third language. Though it is generally acknowledged that English is devoid of a typical gender system, the authors of the article believe that the learners of English ascribe subconsciously gender to some English nouns transferring gender either from L1 or L2. The problem may seem irrelevant for any discussions for native speakers of English, who indeed perceive concepts without ascribing any gender to them.
Values of Forestry Professionals and their Implications for the Applicability of Policy Instruments

In the last few years, the European countries have created a whole arsenal of regulatory, financial and informational instruments with the objective of enhancing sustainable forest management (SFM). In the course of this policy development effort, so far, the targets of governance have been more or less neglected. This article argues that a forest manager's values have a major influence on the perception of and the reaction to different types of public policy instruments. The results of a mail survey carried out among Austrian forestry professionals show that the persons in charge of putting SFM into practical action can be characterized by specific value patterns. By means of cluster analysis, forestry professionals were classified into six value types. Each of the six types identified is expected to respond to policy instruments in a specific way. Based on these findings, I finally discuss if and how policy instruments can be designed and implemented in a more target-group oriented way.
1 Interpersonal Problems in People with Bulimia Nervosa and the Role of Interpersonal Psychotherapy

The term ‘interpersonal’ encompasses not only the patterns of interaction between the individual and significant others, but also the process by which these interactions are internalised and form part of the self-image (Sullivan, 1953). Interpersonal functioning is considered crucial to good mental health. According to Klinger (1977), when people are asked what makes their lives meaningful, most will mention their close relationships with others. Being involved in secure and fulfilling relationships is perceived by most individuals as critical to wellbeing and happiness (Berscheid & Peplau, 1983). Maladaptive interpersonal functioning is considered central to several psychiatric disorders, such as depression (e.g. Petty, et al, 2004), anxiety (e.g. Montgomery et al, 1991), schizophrenia (e.g. Sullivan & Allen, 1999) and autistic spectrum disorders (e.g. Travis & Sigman, 1998). Interpersonal skill deficits may cause vulnerability to developing mental health problems and may also play a role in maintaining it. This is the chicken and egg question: are interpersonal problems vulnerability factors for the development of a psychiatric disorder or are they the result of this disorder?
A Pilot Study on Adolescents With Depression and Insomnia: Qualitative Findings From Focus Groups

Nonpharmacological treatments for insomnia in adolescents with depression are lacking. This qualitative study was a thematic analysis of the unique characteristics of and preferences for an insomnia treatment in a group of depressed adolescents. Fourteen adolescents with insomnia (age range = 14–19, mean = 17, SD ± 1.7; 71% female) and depression completed a 90-min focus group. Information was elicited about sleep disruptions, insomnia’s impact on mood, and preferences for insomnia treatments. Themes included poor daytime functioning affecting sleep, lack of benefit from sleep medication, and bedtime rumination. Most identified sleep diaries as a barrier to treatment regardless of mode of delivery. Participants also preferred an in-person therapy. Insomnia therapy in adolescents should consider the unique characteristics of depression. Larger studies are warranted.
Low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Does Not Enhance Distraction Callus in a Rabbit Model

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound has been reported to have a positive effect when applied during the consolidation phase of distraction osteogenesis and bone transportation, but the optimal application time has not been determined. We used a rabbit model to determine whether low-intensity pulsed ultrasound applied during the distraction and early consolidation phases of tibial lengthening would have a positive effect on regenerated bone formation. Radiographic analysis showed no differences in regenerated callus area or in percent of callus mineralization between treated and control tibias immediately after distraction or at 1, 2, or 3 weeks after distraction. Similarly, we observed no differences in structural stiffness or maximal torque to failure at 1.5 or 3 weeks after distraction. We detected no differences in bone mineral appositional rates or percent tissue composition measured histologically between groups. Our data do not support the application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound to regenerated bone during distraction osteogenesis.
Unleash Physical Limitations: Virtual Emergency Preparedness Planning Simulation Training, Methodology and a Case Study

Simulation is perhaps the most widely used method for training emergency management workers. Despite its wide application, traditional simulation suffers from several constraints and limitations, which motivate us to pursue a different way – virtual simulation, as an alternative and supplement for the traditional training method. Utilization of groupware, network, and other information technologies makes virtual simulation more flexible and easier to prepare. Although virtual simulation can overcome some of the constraints related to physical simulation, so far there are little evidences that this new method can achieve similar or even better training effects compared with traditional simulation training method. To test the effects of this new training approach and the methodology to run it, several pilot trials have been conducted in the U.S. and Europe. This article is an exploratory study of a pilot emergency preparedness planning virtual simulation conducted in NJIT in late 2004. This study will help us understand the nature of virtual simulation, and help us improve the theories and designs of virtual simulation for emergency preparedness.
Leadership in social dilemmas: The effects of group identification on collective actions to provide public goods

Two experimental studies investigated the role of group identification in the selection of and cooperation with leaders to manage public good dilemmas. The findings of the 1st study revealed that there was a general preference to select leaders with a legitimate power base (i.e., democratic, elected, and internal leaders), but these preferences were particularly pronounced when people's identification with their group was high rather than low. The 2nd study complemented these findings by showing that when group identification was low, an instrumental leader (i.e., who punishes noncontributing members) was far more efficient than a relational leader (i.e., who builds positive intragroup relations) in raising contributions. Yet, when group identification was high, both leader types appeared to be equally efficient.
Effects of task- and ego-achievement goals on information seeking during task engagement

Two studies tested the proposal that information seeking is affected by achievement goals and by stages of skill acquisition (D. N. Ruble & K. S. Frey, 1991). College students (N=188) worked on problems in a task- or an ego-goal condition and could request task (best solutions), objective, normative, or no information after each. As expected, task-goal Ss requested more task information, which predicted subsequent performance, and requested normative information mainly for later problems. Ego-goal Ss made more normative requests also for early problems, and information requests were modified by skill level
M-type channels selectively control bursting in rat dopaminergic neurons

Midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, pars compacta and ventral tegmental area are critically important in many physiological functions. These neurons exhibit firing patterns that include tonic slow pacemaking, irregular firing and bursting, and the amount of dopamine that is present in the synaptic cleft is much increased during bursting. The mechanisms responsible for the switch between these spiking patterns remain unclear. Using both in‐vivo recordings combined with microiontophoretic or intraperitoneal drug applications and in‐vitro experiments, we have found that M‐type channels, which are present in midbrain dopaminergic cells, modulate the firing during bursting without affecting the background low‐frequency pacemaker firing. Thus, a selective blocker of these channels, 10,10‐bis(4‐pyridinylmethyl)‐9(10H)‐anthracenone dihydrochloride, specifically potentiated burst firing. Computer modeling of the dopamine neuron confirmed the possibility of a differential influence of M‐type channels on excitability during various firing patterns. Therefore, these channels may provide a novel target for the treatment of dopamine‐related diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and drug addiction. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the influence of M‐type channels on the excitability of these slow pacemaker neurons is conditional upon their firing pattern.
Validity of individual test items of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) in stroke

Aims:The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) have poor validity for detecting cognitive impairment in stroke patients. The aim was to determine whether a combination of individual items could identify stroke patients with overall cognitive impairment or domain specific impairment as well as the full test. Method:Data was analysed from 34 stroke patients who completed the ACE-R and a neuropsychological test battery. Results:No individual items were found to reliably identify overall cognitive impairment. A combination of nine items from the ACE-R were as effective at identifying overall cognitive impairment and domain specific impairment as the MMSE and the full ACE-R. However these items were not an effective screening measure when compared to the results of the neuropsychological test battery. Conclusion:The ACE-R can be reduced to a nine item test with no loss of information but this is still not an adequate cognitive screening measure for det.
Epithelioid Angiosarcoma of the Skin: A Study of 18 Cases With Emphasis on its Clinicopathologic Spectrum and Unusual Morphologic Features

We report 18 cases of cutaneous angiosarcoma with predominant or exclusive epithelioid morphology. Both sexes were similarly affected. Patients' ages ranged from 2 to 97 years, median 77.5 years; 2 were pediatric patients. In elderly patients scalp or facial lesions and cutaneous lesions arising within irradiated breast skin predominated. Limb lesions were seen in younger patients. Microscopically, the tumors were composed of packed polygonal cells with focal evidence of endothelial differentiation. Diverging phenotypes included syncytial growth of large cells with clear nuclei and prominent nucleoli, micronodules of tumor cells scattered in dermis, predominance of discohesive plasmacytoid polygonal cells with abundant bright eosinophilic cytoplasm, sheets of clear cells with coarse granular cytoplasm, trabecular and cord arrangement of tumor cells splaying the dermal collagen, or a pseudoglandular appearance owing to clear cell tubular arrangement with open lumina. These cases posed further diagnostic challenges simulating lymphoma, melanoma, lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, adnexal carcinoma, and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Immunohistochemical studies showed positivity for CD31 and CD34; no immunoreactivity was documented for other tested antigens including cytokeratins, S100 protein, melanocytic antigens, leukocyte common antigen, and desmin. Therapeutic modalities included combined local excision, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, depending on patient clinical status. Of the 9 patients available for follow-up, 5 were alive and apparently well, 2 had recurrent disease, and 2 had died of tumor. Our data show that epithelioid cutaneous angiosarcoma may have a broad morphological spectrum, raising interpretive challenges on microscopy. In addition, its clinical presentation seems to differ in nonelderly patients, with lesions likely related to lymphedema or vascular malformations.
Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase during silibinin-protected, isoproterenol-induced apoptosis in rat cardiac myocytes is tyrosine kinase pathway-mediated and protein kinase C-dependent

AbstractAim:To investigate the mechanism of silibinin-protected isoproterenol-induced apoptosis in rat cardiac myocytes.Methods:The viability of rat cardiac myocytes was measured by MTT method. The apoptotic ratio was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling. Protein kinase C (PKC) activity assay was carried out according to the instructions of the PepTag non-radioactive protein kinase C assay kit. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the level of Ras, Raf-1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression.Results:The protective effects of silibinin were significantly suppressed by inhibitors, including genistein, manumycin A and GW5074 [inhibitors for protein tyrosine kinases (PTK), Ras and Raf-1, respectively]. The exposure of rat cardiac myocytes to isoproterenol alone caused decreased PKC activity, which was prevented by pretreatment with silibinin dose-dependently. Simultaneously, the increased expression of Ras and Raf-1 activated by silibinin were blocked by the PKC inhibitor, stauroporine. In addition, the extracellularly responsive kinase (ERK) inhibitor, PD98059, suppressed silibinin-protected apoptosis, whereas the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, protected cardiac myocytes from isoproterenol-induced injury, and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, SP600125 had no protective effects. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that the expression of phosphorylated ERK was increased by silibinin, the expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK was decreased and total ERK, p38, JNK and phosphorylated JNK MAPK did not change after treatment with both isoproterenol and silibinin. Furthermore, pretreatment of cardiac myocyte with PKC, Ras and Raf inhibitors significantly blocked ERK phosphorylation.Conclusion:Silibinin is suggested to protect isoproterenol-induced rat cardiac myocyte apoptosis by activating the tyrosine kinase pathway, PKC and MAPK pathways.