Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Black feminist photovoice: Fostering critical awareness of diverse families and communities in early childhood teacher education

ABSTRACT In an undergraduate families and communities course situated at a university in the borderlands of the United States and Mexico, early childhood majors have used Black feminist thought combined with photovoice to generate projects that explore family and community experiences with power and oppression. As a professor, teaching assistant, and student enrolled in the course, we share our conceptualization of Black feminist photovoice, student trends and issues engaging with photovoice throughout the semester, and provide an example culminating project that focuses on colonization. By describing students’ engagement with Black feminist photovoice, we illustrate how transformative spaces can be forged in early childhood teacher education, where students critically examine the struggles and empowerment of marginalized communities, and generate possibilities to serve as agents of social justice and change.
Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of Acetaminophen in Pharmaceuticals by Poly[2, 5-di(2-Thiophenyl)-1-p-(Tolyl)Pyrrole] Modified Pencil Graphite Electrode

A novel and highly sensitive sensor based on poly[2, 5-di(2-thiophenyl)-1-p-(tolyl)pyrrole] was developed and successfully applied for the electrochemical determination of acetaminophen (AC) in pharmaceutical samples. The voltammetric behaviors of AC on modified pencil graphite electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry in phosphate buffer solution. The voltammetric studies reveal that the polymer modified pencil graphite electrode possesses a remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward acetaminophen compared with the unmodified pencil graphite electrode. A linear dynamic range from 0.025 to 5~μM and a correlation coefficient of 0.997 with a slope (sensitivity) of 23 mA M-1 were obtained for AC. The detection limit (S/N= 3) was determined as 1.94 nM, which shows a high sensitivity of the developed sensor for AC.
A 1μA linear regulator with programmable NMOS pass device

A low power linear regulator architecture implemented with floating-gate transistors is presented. The proposed circuit allows for a bandgap-less implementation, output voltage modification and circuit performance improvement after fabrication. A floating-gate nMOS pass transistor was adopted for threshold modification. The proposed approach increases the overdrive voltage of the pass device without the need of charge pumps or refreshing floating capacitor, hence drop-out voltage reduction can be obtained with no additional power consumption. Prototypes fabricated in 0. 5μm CMOS process operate with 1μA of quiescent current and minimum supply of 1.8V. Experimental results show output voltage programmability from 0.8V to 1.4V, maximum load of 1mA, line regulation of 4.7mV/V, load regulation of 45mV/mA, and a maximum temperature coefficient of 60.2ppm/°C.
Processing of the gp55-116 envelope glycoprotein complex (gB) of human cytomegalovirus

The processing pathway of the major envelope glycoprotein complex, gp55-116 (gB), of human cytomegalovirus was studied using inhibitors of glycosylation and endoglycosidases. The results of these studies indicated that the mature gp55-116 is synthesized by the addition of both simple and complex N-linked sugars to a nonglycosylated precursor of estimated Mr 105,000. In a rapid processing step, the Mr 105,000 precursor is glycosylated to a protein of Mr 150,000 (gp150) which contains only endoglycosidase H-sensitive sugar linkages. The gp150 is then processed relatively slowly to a Mr 165,000 to 170,000 species (gp165-170), which is then cleaved to yield the mature gp55-116. Monensin prevented the final processing steps of the gp150, including cleavage, suggesting that transport through the Golgi apparatus is required for complete processing. Digestion of the intracellular forms of this complex as well as the virion forms confirmed the above findings and indicated that the mature virion form of gp55 contains 8,000 daltons of N-linked sugars. The virion gp116 contains some 52,000 to 57,000 daltons of N-linked carbohydrates and approximately 5,000 daltons of O-linked sugars.
HER-2 immunohistochemical expression as prognostic marker in high-grade T1 bladder cancer (T1G3).

OBJECTIVES To evaluate if the Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) expression levels may be used as potential prognostic marker in high grade T1 blad- der cancer (T1G3) METHODS: Specimens from transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) of 103 patients with high-grade T1 bladder cancer were collected. This pathologic database was reviewed. Four-year follow-up data were matched with pathologic data. Eighty-three patients entered the study. HER-2 staining was performed. Patients were grouped for HER-2 status. Statistical analysis included Kaplan Meier survival analysis and Log-rank test. RESULTS Pathological review of TURBT specimens confirmed high-grade T1 transitional cell bladder cancer in all patients. Median follow-up was 12 months (mean 23,5; range 3-48). Twenty-one patients (25.4%) present strong HER-2 expression (3+), 28 (33.7%) moderate expression (2+), 26 (33.7%) weak staining (1+) and 8 (9.6%) negative expression (0). Thirty- one patients of 83 (37.4%) had not evidence of disease, 41 (49.4%) recurred, 11 (13.2%) had a progression of disease. Forty-one patients had high grade T1 recurrence. Patients with HER-2 status 0 did not showed progression of disease. Patients with HER-2 status 3+, undergoing cys- tectomy because progression of disease, had a pathological stage > pT2 and a nodal involve- ment. Median Disease-Free Survival (DFS) for all patients was 12 months (DFS probability (pDFS) = 49.3%; 95% CI, -11.1/+10.1). Median DFS in HER-2 groups was 8 (pDFS 37.5%; 95% CI,-28.8/+29.9), 24 (pDFS 46.1%; 95% CI,-19.5/+17.5), 20 (pDFS 46.4%; 95% CI,-18.8/+16.9) and 10 months (pDFS 47.6%; 95% CI,-21.9/+19.1) respectively in HER-2 status 0,1+,2+,3+. Log-Rank test is not statistically significant (p = 0,39). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that HER-2 expression does not represent a prognostic mark- er of recurrence/progression of disease in high-grade T1 bladder cancer.
Microvolt T‐Wave Alternans with Exercise in Pediatrics and Congenital Heart Disease: Limitations and Predictive Value

Background: Microvolt t‐wave alternans (TWA) in early exercise is a noninvasive marker of life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmia in some adult cardiac populations. The incidence and potential significance of sustained TWA in pediatric and congenital heart disease (CHD) populations has not been well defined.
Messenger ribonucleic acid expression profile in peripheral blood cells from RA patients following treatment with an anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, infliximab.

OBJECTIVES We monitored the mRNA expression profiles of peripheral blood cells during treatment with a TNF-alpha inhibitor, infliximab, in patients with RA. Using a DNA microarray analysis, we demonstrated a unique set of genes, with distinct baseline and post-treatment changes in expression between responders and non-responders to infliximab treatment. METHODS Using a customized low-density cDNA microarray with 747 genes and a reliable data collection system, we monitored the mRNA expression profiles of whole blood cells from 18 RA patients before and after the infusion of infliximab for up to 22 weeks. The clinical response to treatment with infliximab was determined using the ACR response criteria, the disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28), and individual clinical parameters. The patients were classified as responders or non-responders based on their ACR50% response at 22 weeks. RESULTS Approximately 15% of the total genes were found to exhibit a >1.5-fold change, compared with their reference values, at one or more time points during the 22 weeks of infliximab therapy. The expression of inflammatory genes, such as IFN-related genes, was strongly correlated with the serum level of CRP and the DAS28. The increased expression of inflammatory genes in responders was normalized within 2 weeks and then remained at a normal level during the treatment period. In contrast, in the non-responders, the elevated expression at baseline, although it was significantly decreased at 2 weeks, returned to the baseline level after 14 weeks. In addition to inflammatory genes, we identified several groups of genes with distinct differences in expression between the responders and non-responders. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that a customized low-density microarray is useful for monitoring mRNA expression profiles in peripheral blood cells, enabling us to identify a unique set of genes with differentially regulated expressions in responders and non-responders to a TNF inhibitor among patients with RA.
Tests of the Expectations Hypothesis: Resolving the Campbell-Shiller Paradox

One of the more puzzling results in the expectations hypothesis (EH) testing literature is the Campbell-Shiller paradox (CSP). In an influential paper, Campbell and Shiller (1991) found that "the slope of the term structure almost always gives a forecast in the wrong direction for the short-term change in the yield on the longer bond, but gives a forecast in the right direction for long-term changes in short rates. " This paper provides an econometric resolution to the CSP. Specifically, it shows that, by their construction, these tests can generate results consistent with the CSP if the EH does not holdÑwhatever the reason. Monte Carlo experiments confirm that this explanation can account for Campbell and Shiller's paradoxical results for most pairings of short-term and long-term rates considered.
The Biphasic Role of the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl-4-Hydroxylase, PHD2, in Modulating Tumor-Forming Potential

Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors. The cellular response to hypoxic stress is controlled by a family of prolyl hydroxylases (PHD) and the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1). To investigate the relationship between PHD and HIF1 activity and cellular transformation, we characterized the expression levels of PHD isoforms across a lineage of cell strains with varying transformed characteristics. We found that PHD2 is the primary functional isoform in these cells and its levels are inversely correlated to tumor-forming potential. When PHD2 levels were altered with RNA interference in nontumorigenic fibroblasts, we found that small decreases can lead to malignant transformation, whereas severe decreases do not. Consistent with these results, direct inhibition of PHD2 was also shown to influence tumor-forming potential. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of PHD2 in malignant fibroblasts leads to loss of the tumorigenic phenotype. These changes correlated with HIF1α activity, glycolytic rates, vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and the ability to grow under hypoxic stress. These findings support a biphasic model for the relationship between PHD2 activity and malignant transformation. (Mol Cancer Res 2008;6(5):829–42)
Critical Properties of Complex Fitness Landscapes

Evolutionary adaptation is the process that increases the fit of a population to the fitness landscape it inhabits. As a consequence, evolutionary dynamics is shaped, constrained, and channeled, by that fitness landscape. Much work has been expended to understand the evolutionary dynamics of adapting populations, but much less is known about the structure of the landscapes. Here, we study the global and local structure of complex fitness landscapes of interacting loci that describe protein folds or sets of interacting genes forming pathways or modules. We find that in these landscapes, high peaks are more likely to be found near other high peaks, corroborating Kauffman's "Massif Central" hypothesis. We study the clusters of peaks as a function of the ruggedness of the landscape and find that this clustering allows peaks to form interconnected networks. These networks undergo a percolation phase transition as a function of minimum peak height, which indicates that evolutionary trajectories that take no more than two mutations to shift from peak to peak can span the entire genetic space. These networks have implications for evolution in rugged landscapes, allowing adaptation to proceed after a local fitness peak has been ascended.
Least squares surface reconstruction from measured gradient fields

This paper presents a new method for the reconstruction of a surface from its x and y gradient field, measured, for example, via Photometric Stereo. The new algorithm produces the unique discrete surface whose gradients are equal to the measured gradients in the global vertical-distance least-squares sense. We show that it has been erroneously believed that this problem has been solved before via the solution of a Poisson equation. The numerical behaviour of the algorithm allows for reliable surface reconstruction on exceedingly large scales, e.g., full digital images; moreover, the algorithm is direct, i.e., non-iterative. We demonstrate the algorithm with synthetic data as well as real data obtained via photometric stereo. The algorithm does not exhibit a low-frequency bias and is not unrealistically constrained to arbitrary boundary conditions as in previous solutions. In fact, it is the first algorithm which can reconstruct a surface of polynomial degree two or higher exactly. It is hence the first viable algorithm for online industrial inspection where real defects (as opposed to phantom defects) must be identified in a robust manner.
The effect of misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis on clinical outcome in melanomas of the foot.

BACKGROUND Melanoma of the foot is often discussed as an uncommon tumor which, when it occurs, presents in nonwhite races. STUDY DESIGN The tumor registry of a 650 bed community teaching hospital and the Connecticut Tumor Registry were retrospectively reviewed for the nine-year period from July 1980 to July 1989. Patient age, race, sex, incidence of misdiagnosis, and delay until definitive therapy were recorded. Tumor location, size, staging, follow-up, recurrence, and disease-free survival rates were also recorded and correlated with initial disease, stage, and misdiagnosis or delay. RESULTS Twenty-six cases were identified at Bridgeport Hospital, and 140 cases were identified in the Connecticut Tumor Registry. Significant delay in diagnosis occurred in 68 percent of the cases from the hospital and at least 16 percent of the cases in the state tumor registry. Regardless of stage, melanoma of the foot had a worse prognosis than melanoma of the thigh and lower leg. Delays in diagnosis had no demonstrable effect on clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS Melanoma of the foot is not as rare as commonly suspected, and constituted 3 percent of the 4,562 melanomas reported in the state tumor registry for the nine-year period. The majority were in fair-skinned individuals, and misdiagnosis was common. It is the inherent aggressiveness of the tumor rather than the delay in diagnosis that accounts for the poor clinical outcome.
Guest Editorial, part of a Special Feature on Scale and Cross-scale Dynamics Scale and Cross-Scale Dynamics: Governance and Information in a Multilevel World

The empirical evidence in the papers in this special issue identifies pervasive and difficult cross-scale and cross-level interactions in managing the environment. The complexity of these interactions and the fact that both scholarship and management have only recently begun to address this complexity have provided the impetus for us to present one synthesis of scale and cross-scale dynamics. In doing so, we draw from multiple cases, multiple disciplines, and multiple perspectives. In this synthesis paper, and in the accompanying cases, we hypothesize that the dynamics of cross-scale and cross-level interactions are affected by the interplay between institutions at multiple levels and scales. We suggest that the advent of co-management structures and conscious boundary management that includes knowledge co-production, mediation, translation, and negotiation across scale-related boundaries may facilitate solutions to complex problems that decision makers have historically been unable to solve.
Apoptosis-induced cell death due to oleanolic acid in HaCaT keratinocyte cells--a proof-of-principle approach for chemopreventive drug development.

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid in food materials and is a component of the leaves and roots of Olea europaea, Viscum album L. , Aralia chinensis L. and more than 120 other plant species. There are several reports validating its antitumor activity against different cancer cells apart from its hepatoprotective activity. However, antitumor activity against skin cancer has not been studied well thus far. Hence the present study of effects of OA against HaCaT (immortalized keratinocyte) cells--a cell-based epithelial model system for toxicity/ethnopharmacology-based studies--was conducted. Radical scavenging activity (DPPH·) and FRAP were determined spectrophotometrically. Proliferation was assessed by XTT assay at 24, 48 and 72 hrs with exposure to various concentrations (12.5-200 μM) of OA. Apoptotic induction potential of OA was demonstrated using a cellular DNA fragmentation ELISA method. Morphological studies were also carried out to elucidate its antitumor potential. The results revealed that OA induces apoptosis by altering cellular morphology as well as DNA integrity in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner, with comparatively low cytotoxicity. The moderate toxicity observed in HaCaT cells, with induction of apoptosis, possibly suggests greater involvement of programmed-cell death-mediated mechanisms. We conclude that OA has relatively low toxicity and has the potential to induce apoptosis in HaCaT cells and hence provides a substantial and sound scientific basis for further validation studies.
Theoretical Analysis of Heuristic Search Methods for Online POMDPs

Planning in partially observable environments remains a challenging problem, despite significant recent advances in offline approximation techniques. A few online methods have also been proposed recently, and proven to be remarkably scalable, but without the theoretical guarantees of their offline counterparts. Thus it seems natural to try to unify offline and online techniques, preserving the theoretical properties of the former, and exploiting the scalability of the latter. In this paper, we provide theoretical guarantees on an anytime algorithm for POMDPs which aims to reduce the error made by approximate offline value iteration algorithms through the use of an efficient online searching procedure. The algorithm uses search heuristics based on an error analysis of lookahead search, to guide the online search towards reachable beliefs with the most potential to reduce error. We provide a general theorem showing that these search heuristics are admissible, and lead to complete and ε-optimal algorithms. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the strongest theoretical result available for online POMDP solution methods. We also provide empirical evidence showing that our approach is also practical, and can find (provably) near-optimal solutions in reasonable time.
Emotional Intelligence and risk taking in investment decision-making

Previous work on investment decision-making suggested that emotions prevent investors from taking risks and from investing in a rational way, whereas other work found that there is great variability in people’s ability to manage and use emotional feedbacks. We hypothesized that people with high trait emotional intelligence should be more willing, than people with low trait emotional intelligence, to accept risks when making an investment. Data supported a model in which trait emotional intelligence predicted willingness to invest both when the expected value is positive and when it is negative. The effect of trait emotional intelligence was significant even controlling for other variables, like attitude toward economic risk and money attitude. We believe that these results help improving the understanding of how emotions influence investors’ behavior and show that their role is not always detrimental but depends on the interplay between individual differences and situational factors.
An analysis of humor orientation on Facebook: A lens model approach

Abstract This article presents the results of a mixed method analysis of the use and perception of humor orientation (HO) on Facebook (FB) profiles (N = 100). Results of the lens model analysis suggest that a variety of profile cues, not just those directly related to humor, are used by FB users to demonstrate HO and by observers to perceive HO. Cues used by profile owners and perceived by strangers as indicative of a humorous disposition include: status updates that contained relational talk, humor in profile pictures, humor in quotes, the number of times FB friends “liked” status updates, and the number of unique friends who commented on status updates. Additionally, political talk in status updates was negatively related to users' HO and observers' impressions of users' HO. A qualitative thematic analysis of the FB profiles was then conducted. Those analyses suggested that cues diagnostic of users' HO thematically focused on daily life events, popculture references, and selfrelated anecdotes. Implications for the expression of and perception of humor on FB are discussed.
A Nonparametric Estimate of the Mass of the Central Black Hole in the Galaxy

We estimate the mass of the central black hole in our Galaxy from stellar kinematic data published by Ghez et al. and Genzel et al. For this we develop a method, related to that presented by Merritt in 1993, for nonparametrically reconstructing the mass profile and the stellar distribution function in the central region of the Galaxy from discrete kinematic data, including velocity errors. Models are searched using the Metropolis algorithm. We assume that the mass distribution is spherical and the stellar velocity distribution is isotropic, and we devise a test of this assumption. From proper motions we obtain an enclosed mass of (2.0 ± 0.7) × 106 M⊙ within the inner 0.0044 pc, from radial velocities we obtain a mass of 2.2 × 106 M⊙ within 0.046 pc, and from three-dimensional velocities we obtain 1.8 × 106 M⊙ within 0.046 pc.