Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebral ischemia: Are the memory deficits associated with hippocampal cell loss?

The long‐standing notion that damage restricted to the hippocampal formation is sufficient to produce a significant global memory deficit derives from clinical data. Specifically, it is based on the observation that transient global ischemia, which leads to partial cell loss within the hippocampal formation but not in other brain areas important for memory, can produce global amnesia in humans. This view is, however, challenged by a number of experimental findings. First, in both monkeys and rats, there is evidence that ischemia disrupts delayed object recognition, a memory process found to be largely intact following selective hippocampal lesions. These findings indicate that damage confined to the hippocampal formation cannot account for all aspects of the ischemia‐induced memory impairments. Second, although some groups of hippocampal neurons are the most prone to degeneration following ischemia, a wide array of extra‐hippocampal damage has been observed in all species, for which the precise extent and distribution may well be underestimated by conventional histological evaluations of ischemic brains. Partial neuronal degeneration reported in regions such as the rhinal areas, medial dorsal thalamic nucleus, or cingulate cortex may contribute to varying degrees to ischemia‐induced memory deficits. Third, experimental studies have failed to generate a general consensus on the correlation between extent of hippocampal cell loss and memory performance. In sum, the experimental studies do not, as yet, support the view that hippocampal damage is solely responsible for ischemia‐induced memory deficits. Rather, they suggest that both the intra‐ and extra‐hippocampal damage contribute to the pattern of memory impairments observed following ischemia. Consequently, although animals with global and focal ischemia represent valuable models for neuropathological and therapeutic studies, they may not be so useful in assessing the role of the hippocampal formation and its sub‐components in memory processes. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Personalizing Research: Special Educators’ Awareness of Evidence-Based Practice

ABSTRACT Although evidence-based practices are considered critical to student success, a research-to-practice gap exists. This qualitative study examined practicing special education teachers’ perceptions of their use of evidence-based practices. Special education teachers were interviewed and their classroom practices examined. Major themes emerged and findings revealed that (a) teachers believe they are using evidence-based practices, (b) teachers’ awareness of research varies, and (c) teachers’ personalization of research varies by awareness level. Awareness levels of credible evidence-based practices ranged from Aware, Partially Aware, and Unaware. Sources of evidence varied greatly from university coursework, research articles, co-workers’ ideas, and self-generated ideas. Personalization of evidence-based practices consisted of teachers adapting and modifying practices to meet their own needs, rather than relying on fidelity of treatment measures. Implications for the special education classroom are discussed.
Processing of the cerebellum in speech production by functional magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND: The right hemisphere of the cerebellum was involved in linguistic function was disputed. In addition,there was no research report which suggested that the left hemisphere of the cerebellum participated in language processing as same as the right hemisphere. OBJECTIVE: To explore the activation of fight cerebellar hemisphere involved in speech production as well as to discuss the role of left cerebellar hemisphere in speech by means of examining the activated brain regions related the processing of speech production. DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING: Comparison observation,performed at Department of Magnetic Resonance,the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between June and July 2008.PARTICIPANTS: Eight normal undergraduate with right-handed but without achromatopsia or hypochromatopsia volunteered to participate in the study. METHODS: Block design was used in this study. Subjects were required to generate a verb related to the Chinese 2-word noun represented visually and the functional scans were performed at the same time,and then the functional data were dealt with analysis of functional neuroimages (AFNI) and analyzed by drawing region of interest (ROI). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The activation location,coordinate,voxel and the brain activation picture. RESULTS: Verb generation not only activated the right cerebellar hemisphere,but also the left cerebellar hemisphere.And the volumes activated in the left were larger than in the right. CONCLUSION: The lingual function of cerebellum is not only limited in the right,the left cerebellar,hemisphere may be engaged the processing of lingual function.
Race, Employment Hardship, and Inequality in the American Nonmetropolitan South

The present study (1) examines changing levels of employment-related hardship among southern nonmetropolitan blacks for 1970-85, (2) compares the employment circumstances of nonmetropolitan black men and women with those of whites and blacks in the metropolitan South and in the North, and (3) assesses the contribution of black deficits in human capital and job characteristics to persistent racial inequality in rural employment adequacy. Data from the March annual demographic files of the Current Population Survey indicate that black employment hardship continues to be felt in nonmetropolitan areas, where two out of every five blacks are without jobs, cannotfind a full-time job, or cannot earn enough to raise themselves significantly above poverty thresholds. Employment hardship among nonmetropolitan blacks continues to exceed that of blacks elsewhere, despite the comparatively rapid deterioration in employment conditions for northern and southern metropolitan blacks in the past decade. Finally, racial inequality in nonmetropolitan employment adequacy remains substantial in the 1980s and cannot be explained away by black deficits in human capital or by the disproportionate concentration of blacks in declining industrial sectors or in blue-collar occupations.
Monoclonal Antibodies Directed toward the Hepatitis C Virus Glycoprotein E2 Detect Antigenic Differences Modulated by the N-Terminal Hypervariable Region 1 (HVR1), HVR2, and Intergenotypic Variable Region

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 form a heterodimer and mediate receptor interactions and viral fusion. Both E1 and E2 are targets of the neutralizing antibody (NAb) response and are candidates for the production of vaccines that generate humoral immunity. Previous studies demonstrated that N-terminal hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) can modulate the neutralization potential of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), but no information is available on the influence of HVR2 or the intergenotypic variable region (igVR) on antigenicity. In this study, we examined how the variable regions influence the antigenicity of the receptor binding domain of E2 spanning HCV polyprotein residues 384 to 661 (E2661) using a panel of MAbs raised against E2661 and E2661 lacking HVR1, HVR2, and the igVR (Δ123) and well-characterized MAbs isolated from infected humans. We show for a subset of both neutralizing and nonneutralizing MAbs that all three variable regions decrease the ability of MAbs to bind E2661 and reduce the ability of MAbs to inhibit E2-CD81 interactions. In addition, we describe a new MAb directed toward the region spanning residues 411 to 428 of E2 (MAb24) that demonstrates broad neutralization against all 7 genotypes of HCV. The ability of MAb24 to inhibit E2-CD81 interactions is strongly influenced by the three variable regions. Our data suggest that HVR1, HVR2, and the igVR modulate exposure of epitopes on the core domain of E2 and their ability to prevent E2-CD81 interactions. These studies suggest that the function of HVR2 and the igVR is to modulate antibody recognition of glycoprotein E2 and may contribute to immune evasion. IMPORTANCE This study reveals conformational and antigenic differences between the Δ123 and intact E2661 glycoproteins and provides new structural and functional data about the three variable regions and their role in occluding neutralizing and nonneutralizing epitopes on the E2 core domain. The variable regions may therefore function to reduce the ability of HCV to elicit NAbs directed toward the conserved core domain. Future studies aimed at generating a three-dimensional structure for intact E2 containing HVR1, and the adjoining NAb epitope at residues 412 to 428, together with HVR2, will reveal how the variable regions modulate antigenic structure.
Personal values' influence on e-shopping attitude and behaviour

A value‐attitude‐behaviour model was applied to investigate the roles of personal values in e‐shopping consumer behaviour. Structural equation modelling identified that personal values (self‐direction values, enjoyment values and self‐achievement values) were significantly related to positive attitudes toward e‐shopping. Individual attitudes toward e‐shopping were a direct predicator of e‐shopping behaviour and mediated the relationship between personal values and behaviour. This hierarchical relationship among personal values, attitudes and behaviour may be exploited by e‐tailers to position e‐shops and provide a persuasive means for e‐shoppers to satisfy their needs.
Doped Calcium Silicate Ceramics: A New Class of Candidates for Synthetic Bone Substitutes

Doped calcium silicate ceramics (DCSCs) have recently gained immense interest as a new class of candidates for the treatment of bone defects. Although calcium phosphates and bioactive glasses have remained the mainstream of ceramic bone substitutes, their clinical use is limited by suboptimal mechanical properties. DCSCs are a class of calcium silicate ceramics which are developed through the ionic substitution of calcium ions, the incorporation of metal oxides into the base binary xCaO–ySiO2 system, or a combination of both. Due to their unique compositions and ability to release bioactive ions, DCSCs exhibit enhanced mechanical and biological properties. Such characteristics offer significant advantages over existing ceramic bone substitutes, and underline the future potential of adopting DCSCs for clinical use in bone reconstruction to produce improved outcomes. This review will discuss the effects of different dopant elements and oxides on the characteristics of DCSCs for applications in bone repair, including mechanical properties, degradation and ion release characteristics, radiopacity, and biological activity (in vitro and in vivo). Recent advances in the development of DCSCs for broader clinical applications will also be discussed, including DCSC composites, coated DCSC scaffolds and DCSC-coated metal implants.
The Effects of Training in Music and Phonological Skills on Phonological Awareness in 4- to 6-Year-Old Children of Immigrant Families

Children of immigrant families often have great difficulties with language and disadvantages in schooling. Phonological problems appear especially common. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether music training has a positive effect on the phonological awareness in these children. The effects of a music program were compared with an established phonological skills program and with a sports control group. Preschoolers of immigrants (19 boys, 20 girls) were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. All groups were trained three times a week for 20 min each, over a period of 14 weeks. Phonological awareness was tested prior to the beginning of the training and after the training phase. At the pre-test, no differences between the groups were found regarding phonological awareness and control variables (age, gender, intelligence, socioeconomic status, language background, music experience). At the post-test, the music group and the phonological skills group showed a significant increase in phonological awareness of large phonological units. The effect size of the music training was larger compared to the phonological skills program. In contrast, the sports control group showed no significant increase in phonological awareness. The current results indicate that a music program could be used as an additional opportunity to promote phonological skills in children of immigrant families.
The perils of global signal regression for group comparisons: a case study of Autism Spectrum Disorders

We have previously argued from a theoretical basis that the standard practice of regression of the Global Signal from the fMRI time series in functional connectivity studies is ill advised, particularly when comparing groups of participants. Here, we demonstrate in resting-state data from participants with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and matched controls that these concerns are also well founded in real data. Using the prior theoretical work to formulate predictions, we show: (1) rather than simply altering the mean or range of correlation values amongst pairs of brain regions, Global Signal Regression systematically alters the rank ordering of values in addition to introducing negative values, (2) it leads to a reversal in the direction of group correlation differences relative to other preprocessing approaches, with a higher incidence of both long-range and local correlation differences that favor the Autism Spectrum Disorder group, (3) the strongest group differences under other preprocessing approaches are the ones most altered by Global Signal Regression, and (4) locations showing group differences no longer agree with those showing correlations with behavioral symptoms within the Autism Spectrum Disorder group. The correlation matrices of both participant groups under Global Signal Regression were well predicted by our previous mathematical analyses, demonstrating that there is nothing mysterious about these results. Finally, when independent physiological nuisance measures are lacking, we provide a simple alternative approach for assessing and lessening the influence of global correlations on group comparisons that replicates our previous findings. While this alternative performs less well for symptom correlations than our favored preprocessing approach that includes removal of independent physiological measures, it is preferable to the use of Global Signal Regression, which prevents unequivocal conclusions about the direction or location of group differences.
Telling Interviewers About Sexual Abuse

This study aims to identify characteristics that predict full disclosure by victims of sexual abuse during a forensic interview. Data came from agency files for 987 cases of sexual abuse between December 2001 and December 2003 from Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) and comparison communities within four U.S. states. Cases of children fully disclosing abuse when interviewed were compared to cases of children believed to be victims who gave no or partial disclosures. The likelihood of disclosure increased when victims were girls, a primary caregiver was supportive, and a child's disclosure instigated the investigation. The likelihood of disclosure was higher for children who were older at abuse onset and at forensic interview (each age variable having an independent effect). Communities differed on disclosure rate, with no difference associated with having a CAC. Findings suggest factors deserving consideration prior to a forensic interview, including organizational and community factors affecting disclosure rates.
Differential neutrophil infiltration contributes to regional differences in brain inflammation in the substantia nigra pars compacta and cortex

Brain inflammation is a suggested risk factor for neurodegenerative disease. Interestingly, severe inflammation in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) accelerates the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease. In this study, we examined the underlying mechanisms of severe inflammation in the SNpc by comparing the inflammatory process with that in the cortex. In intact brain, the densities of CD11b+ microglia were similar in the SNpc and cortex. However, lipopolysaccharide injection enhanced the CD11b+ cell number in the SNpc, but not in the cortex. Previously, we reported that CD11b and myeloperoxidase (MPO) double‐positive neutrophils infiltrate the SNpc following LPS injection (GLIA 55:1577–88). Notably, the MPO+ neutrophil number increased dramatically in the SNpc, but only slightly in the cortex. The extent of neutrophil infiltration appeared to correlate with neuronal damage. We confirmed that loss of neurons in the SNpc was significantly reduced in neutropenic rats versus normal rats following LPS injection. In addition, the densities of astrocytes were much lower in the intact SNpc, compared with the cortex. Furthermore, after LPS injection, damage of endothelial cells and astrocytes, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability was more pronounced in the SNpc. These results collectively suggest that excessive neutrophil infiltration and environmental factors, such as lower astrocyte density and higher BBB permeability, contribute to severe inflammation and neuronal death in the SNpc. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Burkholderia pseudomallei Interferes with Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Production: A Possible Mechanism of Evading Macrophage Killing

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a causative agent of melioidosis, a life threatening disease which affects humans and animals in tropical and subtropical areas. This bacterium is known to survive and multiply inside cells such as macrophages. The mechanism of host defense against this bacterium is still unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that B. pseudomallei exhibited unique macrophage activation activity compared with Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. The mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) infected with B. pseudomallei at MOI of 0.1:1, 1:1 and 10:1 did not express a detectable level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Moreover, the B. pseudomallei infected cells released TNF‐α only when they were infected with high MOI (10:1). Unlike the cells infected with B. pseudomallei, the cells infected with E. coli, and S. typhi expressed iNOS even at MOI of 0.1:1. These infected cells also released a significantly higher level of TNF‐α at the low MOI ratio. The cells that were preactivated with IFN‐γ prior to being infected with B. pseudomallei exhibited an enhanced production of iNOS and TNF‐α release. The increased macrophage activation activity in the presence of IFN‐γ also correlated with the restriction of the intracellular bacteria survival. Moreover, IFN‐γ also prevented cell fusion and multinucleated cell formation induced by B. pseudomallei, a phenomenon recently described by our group. Altogether, these results indicate that internalization of B. pseudomallei failed to trigger substantial macrophage activation, a phenomenon which could prolong their survival inside the phagocytic cells and facilitate a direct cell to cell spreading of B. pseudomallei to neighboring cells.
Cyber-Senga: Ugandan youth preferences for content in an internet-delivered comprehensive sexuality education programme.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain Ugandan youth access to complete information about sexual health and identify preferences for website design and content for a comprehensive sexuality education program. METHODS Qualitative focus group discussions with 15 youth enrolled in secondary school, levels S1-S3 RESULTS Youth get inconsistent information about sexual health that is incomplete at best and erroneous at worst. Information sources of information include family members, teachers and peers. Ugandan youth perceive the concept of receiving Internet-based sexuality information as a way to obtain private and credible information. They appreciate content that is tailored to the Ugandan culture, particularly the use of a Senga to deliver information. The Senga is the name given to a paternal Aunt, who traditionally is charged with teaching and advising on matters related to marriage and adulthood. CONCLUSIONS With increasing access to and use of the Internet in Sub-Saharan Africa, coupled with continued high rates of HIV prevalence, using the Internet to deliver comprehensive sexual health information is feasible and acceptable. Ugandan youth like the idea and have particular appreciation for a program that offers information that is culturally relevant for them.
Music Educator Vacancies in Faith-Based K–12 Schools in the United States

The purpose of this study was to analyze and summarize characteristics of music educator vacancies in faith-based K–12 schools in the United States for the 2013–2014 academic year. Data extracted from placement notices and supplemental sources included demographic information, job responsibilities, and employment requirements for 153 listings in 41 states and the District of Columbia. The majority of openings sought music teachers capable of articulating a personal faith and working with multiple grade levels (elementary, middle school, high school) and content areas (general, choral, instrumental). Additional findings related to full-time equivalent status, nonmusic duties, and required/preferred applicant certification, experience, and faith/denominational membership. This research will help specify requirements and expectations for music teachers in faith-based schools to (a) identify qualified candidates, (b) aid potential applicants in the job search process, and (c) inform music teacher educators how best to advise and prepare students for these educational settings.
A Proteomic Analysis of Human Cilia

Cilia play an essential role in protecting the respiratory tract by providing the force necessary for mucociliary clearance. Although the major structural components of human cilia have been described, a complete understanding of cilia function and regulation will require identification and characterization of all ciliary components. Estimates from studies of Chlamydomonas flagella predict that an axoneme contains ≥ 250 proteins. To identify all the components of human cilia, we have begun a comprehensive proteomic analysis of isolated ciliary axonemes. Analysis by two-dimensional (2-D) PAGE resulted in a highly reproducible 2-D map consisting of over 240 well resolved components. Individual protein spots were digested with trypsin and sequenced using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Peptide matches were obtained to 38 potential ciliary proteins by this approach. To identify ciliary components not resolved by 2-D PAGE, axonemal proteins were separated on a one-dimensional gel. The gel lane was divided into 45 individual slices, each of which was analyzed by LC/MS/MS. This experiment resulted in peptide matches to an additional 110 proteins. In a third approach, preparations of isolated axonemes were digested with Lys-C, and the resulting peptides were analyzed directly by LC/MS/MS or by multidimensional LC/MS/MS, leading to the identification of a further 66 proteins. Each of the four approaches resulted in the identification of a subset of the proteins present. In total, sequence data were obtained on over 1400 peptides, and over 200 potential axonemal proteins were identified. Peptide matches were also obtained to over 200 human expressed sequence tags. As an approach to validate the mass spectrometry results, additional studies examined the expression of several identified proteins (annexin I, sperm protein Sp17, retinitis pigmentosa protein RP1) in cilia or ciliated cells. These studies represent the first proteomic analysis of the human ciliary axoneme and have identified many potentially novel components of this complex organelle.