Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced Connexin43 Expression Inhibits Atherosclerotic Lesion Formation in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor–Deficient Mice

Background—Gap junctions allow the direct exchange of ions and small molecules between cells in contact, thus coordinating physiological processes such as cell growth and differentiation. We have recently demonstrated increased expression of the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) in specific subsets of cells in atherosclerotic lesions. Because the development of atherosclerosis depends critically on paracrine cell-to-cell interactions, we hypothesized that direct intercellular communication via gap junctions may be another factor controlling atherogenesis. Methods and Results—The role of Cx43 in atherogenesis was examined by use of both a genetic and a pharmacological approach. First, atherosclerosis-susceptible LDL receptor–deficient (LDLR−/−) mice with normal (Cx43+/+) or reduced (Cx43+/−) levels of Cx43 were fed a cholesterol-rich diet for 14 weeks. The progression of atherosclerosis was reduced by 50% (P <0.01) in the thoracoabdominal aorta and in the aortic roots of Cx43+/−LDLR−/− mice compared with Cx43+/+LDLR−/− controls. Atheroma in Cx43+/−LDLR−/− mice contained fewer inflammatory cells and exhibited thicker fibrous caps with more collagen and smooth muscle cells. Next, we observed that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, or “statins,” lipid-lowering drugs well known for their pleiotropic antiatherogenic effects, reduced Cx43 expression in primary human vascular cells in vitro. Atheroma of LDLR−/− mice treated orally with pravastatin contained fewer inflammatory cells and exhibited thicker fibrous caps than controls. This was associated with reduced Cx43 expression in lesions of statin-treated mice. Conclusions—These data indicate a critical role for Cx43-mediated gap junctional communication in atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Reductive Theories of Modality

Logic begins but does not end with the study of truth and falsity. Within truth there are the modes of truth, ways of being true: necessary truth and contingent truth. When a proposition is true, we may ask whether it could have been false. If so, then it is contingently true. If not, then it is necessarily true; it must be true; it could not have been false. Falsity has modes as well: a false proposition that could not have been true is impossible or necessarily false; one that could have been true is merely contingently false. The proposition that some humans are over seven feet tall is contingently true; the proposition that all humans over seven feet tall are over six feet tall is necessarily true; the proposition that some humans are over seven feet tall and under six feet tall is impossible, and the proposition that some humans are over nine feet tall is contingently false. Of these four modes of truth, let us focus on necessity, plus a fth: possibility. A proposition is possible if it is or could have been true; hence propositions that are either necessarily true, contingently true, or contingently false are possible. Notions that are similar to the modes of truth in being concerned with what might have been are called modal. Dispositions are modal notions, for example the disposition of fragility. Relatedly, there are counterfactual conditionals, for example “if this glass were dropped, it would break. ” And the notion of supervenience is modal.1 But let us focus here on necessity and possibility. Modal words are notoriously ambiguous (or at least context-sensitive2). I may reply to an invitation to give a talk in England by saying “I can’t come; I have to give a talk in California the day before”. This use of “can’t” is perfectly appropriate. But it would be equally appropriate for me to say that I could cancel my talk in California (although that would be rude) and give the talk in England instead. What I cannot do is give both talks. But wait: it also seems appropriate to say, in another context, that given contemporary transportation,
Exploiting the past and the future in protein secondary structure prediction

MOTIVATION Predicting the secondary structure of a protein (alpha-helix, beta-sheet, coil) is an important step towards elucidating its three-dimensional structure, as well as its function. Presently, the best predictors are based on machine learning approaches, in particular neural network architectures with a fixed, and relatively short, input window of amino acids, centered at the prediction site. Although a fixed small window avoids overfitting problems, it does not permit capturing variable long-rang information. RESULTS We introduce a family of novel architectures which can learn to make predictions based on variable ranges of dependencies. These architectures extend recurrent neural networks, introducing non-causal bidirectional dynamics to capture both upstream and downstream information. The prediction algorithm is completed by the use of mixtures of estimators that leverage evolutionary information, expressed in terms of multiple alignments, both at the input and output levels. While our system currently achieves an overall performance close to 76% correct prediction--at least comparable to the best existing systems--the main emphasis here is on the development of new algorithmic ideas. AVAILABILITY The executable program for predicting protein secondary structure is available from the authors free of charge. CONTACT pfbaldi@ics.uci. edu, gpollast@ics.uci. edu, brunak@cbs.dtu. dk, paolo@dsi.unifi. it.
Early clinical and haemodynamic results after aortic valve replacement with the Freedom SOLO bioprosthesis (experience of Italian multicenter study).

OBJECTIVES The present study investigates early clinical and haemodynamic results with the Freedom SOLO bioprosthesis (FSB) for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in eight Italian institutions. METHODS From 2004 to 2008, a total of 229 patients [139 females (60.7%); mean age 74 ± 8 years, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction >40%] underwent AVR with FSB. One hundred and four patients underwent preoperatively, at 1-3 and at 12 months after AVR resting transthoracic echocardiography with the effective orifice area index (EOAi) assessment, peak and mean transvalvular pressure gradients and the LV mass index (LVMi) measurement. A subset of 34 patients underwent exercise stress echocardiography at a mean of 9.6 months after AVR. RESULTS Post-operative mortality was 3.1%. At 1-3 months, FSB showed a significant increase in the EOAi (0.39 ± 0.17 to 1.04 ± 0.17 cm(2)/m(2); P < 0.0001), a reduction in the mean gradient (43.2 ± 16.9 to 4.3 ± 2.3 mmHg; P < 0.0001) and a significant regression of the LVMi (147.6 ± 30.5 to 121.6 ± 27.4 g/m(2); P < 0.0001). During exercise stress echocardiography, the mean aortic gradients increased from 4.4 ± 1.7 at rest to 7.0 ± 2.7 mmHg at peak stress (P < 0.001). The EOA increased from 1.74 ± 0.33 to 1.80 ± 0.36 cm(2) (P = 0.0291). Mean gradients at peak stress had better correlation with resting EOAi (r = -0.74; P < 0.001) than with the prosthesis size (r = 0.43; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The supra-annular implantation of FSB offers excellent haemodynamic performance both at rest and during exercise and is associated with the rapid regression of the LV.
Disciplinary differences in the use of academic social networking sites

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to detect and describe disciplinary differences in the users and use of several social networking sites by scientists. Design/methodology/approach – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) (Spanish National Research Council) researchers registered in the most currently relevant academic social network sites (Google Scholar Citations, Academia.edu, ResearchGate (RG) and Mendeley) were analysed. In total, 6,132 profiles were classified according the eight research areas of the CSIC. Findings – Results show that Academia.edu is massively populated by humanists and social scientists, while RG is popular among biologists. Disciplinary differences are observed across every platform. Thus, scientists from the humanities and social sciences and natural resources show a significant activity contacting other members. On the contrary, biologists are more passive using social tools. Originality/value – This is the first study that analyses the disciplinary perform.
Binaural beat effect on brainwaves based on EEG

This research focuses on the effects of binaural beat entrainment to delta and theta brainwaves. This paper presents the results that were collected from an experiment performed on 33 subjects. The EEG signals recorded from the experiment are based on two stages, specifically when the subjects are doing nothing (before binaural beat) and after binaural beats entrainment. Theta wave relates with deep relaxation, day-dreaming and memory. Meanwhile Delta wave associates with deep sleep. Stress is a challenging condition that commonly happens in human life. There are various ways to cope with stress and one of them is to spend time for relaxation. Besides that, binaural beat can be used as a substitute for meditation to alleviate the stress. Binaural beat is the rhythmic stimulus which is generated to produce the desired audio frequency with the intention to make brainwave to follow that frequency. In the end of our research, the result shows that Theta brainwave increases after listening to binaural beat. Although the Delta brainwave is not really affected in this experiment, there is still an increment of delta brainwave after listening to binaural beat. The result shows that binaural beat affected on delta and theta brainwaves.
Validity and reliability of measures assessing social-cognitive determinants of physical activity in low-active Australian adults

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study of 504 community-dwelling Australian adults (328 females, 176 males, mean age 50.8 ± 13.0 years) sought to examine the reliability and validity of measurement scales for physical activity (PA) self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Participants completed demographic and anthropometric measurements, and a 23-item psychosocial questionnaire pertinent to an intervention target of 10,000 steps per day. Exploratory (n = 252) and confirmatory (n = 252) factor analyses were conducted to determine psychometric properties of the measures. Based on theory and goodness-of-fit indices, six factors were extracted from the questionnaire: PA self-efficacy; PA barriers self-efficacy (including general, personal, and conflict); and physical and mental outcome expectations. From confirmatory factor analysis, the model demonstrated good data fit in four out of five indices: CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.99; SRMR = 0.03; RMSEA = 0.03, 90%CI = 0.01–0.05, χ2 = 113.14 (88), p = 0.04; including good fit by sex, age, weight status, education, and birth country. PA interventions can employ our psychometrically sound social cognitive measures.
Cullin 3 Promotes Proteasomal Degradation of the Topoisomerase I-DNA Covalent Complex

DNA topoisomerase I (TOP1)-DNA covalent complexes are the initial lesions produced by antitumor camptothecins (CPTs). The TOP1-directed drugs stimulate degradation of TOP1 via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. We found that proteasome inhibition prevents degradation of DNA-bound TOP1 and sustains high levels of covalent complexes, thus enhancing CPT-induced cell death. Consistent with this, increased degradation of TOP1-DNA covalent complexes was seen in acquired CPT-resistant cells. We found that the resistant cells showed elevated expressions of Cul3, a member of the cullin family of E3 ubiquitin ligases. The reduction in Cul3 expression by small interfering RNA decreased degradation of TOP1-DNA covalent complexes. Conversely, Cul3 overexpression by stable transfection promoted covalent complex degradation and reduced CPT-induced cell death without affecting basal TOP1 expression levels. These results indicate that Cul3, by promoting proteasomal degradation of TOP1-DNA covalent complexes, becomes an important regulator for cellular CPT sensitivity.
Building Semantic Networks: The Impact of a Vocabulary Intervention on Preschoolers’ Depth of Word Knowledge

In this study, the authors examined the impact of a vocabulary intervention designed to support vocabulary depth, or the building of semantic networks, in preschool children ( n = 30). The authors further investigated the effect of specific instructional strategies on growth in vocabulary depth. The intervention employed shared book reading and guided play methods to teach words in conceptually linked categories, such as taxonomic and thematic groups. Using a within- subjects design, analyses indicated that the intervention had significant positive effects on children’s depth of vocabulary knowledge. Children showed significantly greater growth in vocabulary depth for words taught in taxonomies as compared with words taught in themes. Three types of semantic information were learned more deeply for taxonomy words as compared with theme words: information about category member-ship, perceptual features, and object function. Results suggest that fostering deep vocabulary knowledge involves not only teaching single word entities but also introducing systems of conceptually related words to build semantic networks.
Examining Teacher Verbal Immediacy and Sense of Classroom Community in Online Classes

This study used quantitative measures to gather data from online students to analyze the effects of perceptions about teacher verbal immediacy and classroom community on stu dents’ level of satisfaction, perceived learning, and online discussion frequency. Using convenience sampling, 214 stu dents were recruited from undergraduate and graduate online courses. A bivariate correlation, multiple linear regression, and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. The Pearson coefficients demonstrated the effects of teacher verbal immediacy and sense of classroom community on satisfaction and perceived learning were posi tive. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sense of class room community was the only significant factor able to explain variability of satisfaction and perceived learning. Teacher verbal immediacy was shown to be the only signifi cant predictor of online discussion frequency. The ANOVA results indicated that students in person-oriented courses per ceived higher degree of teacher verbal immediacy and sense of classroom community, regardless of their gender. Results of this study suggested that the development of sense of class room community is critical to enhance students’ satisfaction and perceived learning. In addition, the role of teacher verbal immediacy is important in online discussion. Teachers should develop communication behaviors that reduce social and psy chological distance in the online learning environment.
Membrane Environment Modulates the pKa Values of Transmembrane Helices

In this work, we apply the recently developed constant pH molecular dynamics technique to study protonation equilibria of titratable side chains in the context of simple transmembrane (TM) helices and explore the effect of pH on their configurations in membrane bilayers. We observe that, despite a significant shift toward neutral states, considerable population of different side chains stay in the charged state that give rise to pKa values around 9.6 for Asp and Glu and 4.5 to 6 for His and Lys side chains, respectively. These charged states are highly stabilized by favorable interactions between head groups, water molecules, and the charged side chains that are facilitated by substantial changes in the configuration of the peptides. The pH dependent configurations and the measured pKa values are in good agreement with relatively recent solid state NMR measurements. Our results presented here demonstrate that all-atom constant pH molecular dynamics can be applied to membrane proteins and peptides to obtain reliable pKa values and pH dependent behavior for these systems.
Relational and physical victimization, friendship, and social and school adjustment in Taiwan

This short-term longitudinal study examined the differential pathways from relational and physical victimization to internalizing and externalizing problems and academic achievement as well as the roles of friendships and friendship quality in these pathways with a Taiwanese sample (N = 471; 53.3% boys; mean age = 9.95 years). A multi-informant approach was used to collect the data. Relational and physical victimization and the number of friendships were assessed via peer nominations. Adjustment problems, achievement, and friendship quality were measured by mother, teacher, and child reports, respectively. Results of Structural Equation Modeling showed that the paths from relational victimization to adjustment problems were indirectly influenced by positive or negative friendship quality. Specifically, relational victimization was associated with negative friendship quality indexed by high levels of exclusivity and conflict, which in turn resulted in more severe internalizing and externalizing adjustment problems 6 months later. Lower levels of relational victimization were linked to positive friendship quality indexed by high levels of companionship, help, closeness, and intimacy, which in sequence contributed to better academic achievement. These indirect effects were not evidenced for the number of friendships or the paths from physical victimization to adjustment problems and achievement. There were no gender differences in the measurement or structural part of the model. These findings are discussed from developmental, social, and cultural perspectives.
The rTPJ’s overarching cognitive function in networks for attention and theory of mind

Abstract Cortical networks underpinning attentional control and mentalizing converge at the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ). It is debated whether the rTPJ is fractionated in neighboring, but separate functional modules underpinning attentional control and mentalizing, or whether one overarching cognitive mechanism explains the rTPJ’s role in both domains. Addressing this question, we combined attentional control and mentalizing in a factorial design within one task. We added a social context condition, in which another individual’s mental states became apparently task-relevant, to a spatial cueing paradigm. This allowed for assessing cue validity- and context-dependent functional activity and effective connectivity of the rTPJ within corresponding cortical networks. We found two discriminable rTPJ subregions, an anterior and a posterior one. Yet, we did not observe a sharp functional dissociation between these two, as both regions responded to attention cueing and social context manipulation. The results suggest that the rTPJ is part of both the ventral attention and the ToM network and that its function is defined by context-dependent coupling with the respective network. We argue that the rTPJ as a functional unit underpins an overarching cognitive mechanism in attentional control and mentalizing and discuss how the present results help to further specify this mechanism.
THERAPEUTIC AND IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF MICE WITH MENINGEAL LEUKEMIA (L1210) TO CHALLENGE WITH AN ANTIFOLIC-RESISTANT VARIANT.

Augmentation of the therapeutic effectiveness of 3′-bromo-5′-chloroamethopterin (BCM) against the BCM-resistant variant of leukemia L1210 was demonstrated in mice given preinoculations intracerebrally of the sensitive parental line of leukemia L1210. Substantial increases in survival time were obtained, and in some cases these increases were almost as extensive as those observed when mice with sensitive leukemia L1210 alone were treated. The results indicated that the defense mechanism of the host in response to the preinoculation of L1210 contributed to the therapeutic efficacy of the drug against the resistant variant. Mice immunized with x-radiated leukemia L1210 were capable of suppressing both subcutaneous and intracerebral inoculations of L1210. Substantial increases in survival time occurred, and several tumor-free survivors were obtained. Pathological study of meningeal leukemia showed that the leukemic deposits tended to be more localized in the immunized animals than in the nonimmunized animals. Leukemic cell infiltration into the retro-orbital tissues produced proptosis of the eyes in a few of the immunized mice. When immunity was induced by the preinoculation of x-radiated leukemic cells there was a considerable enhancement of the effectiveness of chemotherapy. The combination of immunization and chemotherapy produced more extensive increases in survival time and a higher percentage of apparently tumor-free survivors than did either chemotherapy alone or immunization alone.
Astrophysical Gyrokinetics: Basic Equations and Linear Theory

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence is encountered in a wide variety of astrophysical plasmas, including accretion disks, the solar wind, and the interstellar and intracluster medium. On small scales, this turbulence is often expected to consist of highly anisotropic fluctuations with frequencies small compared to the ion cyclotron frequency. For a number of applications, the small scales are also collisionless, so a kinetic treatment of the turbulence is necessary. We show that this anisotropic turbulence is well described by a low-frequency expansion of the kinetic theory called gyrokinetics. This paper is the first in a series to examine turbulent astrophysical plasmas in the gyrokinetic limit. We derive and explain the nonlinear gyrokinetic equations and explore the linear properties of gyrokinetics as a prelude to nonlinear simulations. The linear dispersion relation for gyrokinetics is obtained, and its solutions are compared to those of hot-plasma kinetic theory. These results are used to validate the performance of the gyrokinetic simulation code GS2 in the parameter regimes relevant for astrophysical plasmas. New results on global energy conservation in gyrokinetics are also derived. We briefly outline several of the problems to be addressed by future nonlinear simulations, including particle heating by turbulence in hot accretion flows and in the solar wind, the magnetic and electric field power spectra in the solar wind, and the origin of small-scale density fluctuations in the interstellar medium.
The Development of a Bi-Lingual Assessment Instrument to Measure Agentic and Communal Consumer Motives in English and French

Consumer behavior is driven, in part, by the degree to which goods and services appeal to underlying motives for agency and communion. The purpose of this research was to develop a brief individual differences measure of these motivations for use in behavioral research and theoretical and applied consumer psychology and marketing studies. We employed a bi-lingual scale development procedure to create the 10-item Agentic and Communal Consumer Motivation Inventory (ACCMI) in English and French. Two studies show that the ACCMI is language invariant, demonstrates convergent and discriminant validity with consumer, motivational, and interpersonal constructs, and predicts evaluations of products described in agentic and communal terms, respectively, in both languages. The general conclusion of this research is that agency and communion provide a useful framework for understanding and studying consumer buying motivations. Discussion focuses on the relevance of motivational factors for studying human behavior and the applied utility of the ACCMI.