Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A murine model for retinopathy of prematurity identifies endothelial cell proliferation as a potential mechanism for plus disease.

PURPOSE To characterize the features and possible mechanism of plus disease in the mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model for retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS Wild-type and Adam (A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase) knockout mice were exposed to 75% oxygen from postnatal day 7 to 12 (P7 to P12) (hyperoxia), then returned to normal air (relative hypoxia). Live fundus imaging and fluorescein angiography at P17 were compared to immunofluorescence analysis of flat-mounted retinas. Two hallmarks of plus disease, arterial tortuosity and venous dilation, were analyzed on fixed retinas (P12-P17). The length of tortuous vessels was compared to a straight line between two points; the diameter of retinal vessels was determined using ImageJ software, and bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling was used to visualize proliferation of retinal vascular cells. RESULTS Mice developed retinal arterial tortuosity and venous dilation after exposure to OIR, which was visible in live fundus images and fixed whole-mounted retinas. Vein dilation, arterial tortuosity, and BrdU incorporation gradually increased over time. Moreover, Adam8(-/-) and Adam9(-/-) mice and mice lacking Adam10 in endothelial cells were partially protected from plus disease compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS The mouse OIR model can be used to study the pathogenesis of plus disease and identify potential therapeutic targets. The severity of plus disease increases over time following OIR and correlates with increased proliferation of endothelial cells, suggesting that proliferation of vascular cells may be a mechanism underlying the development of plus disease. Moreover, our findings suggest that ADAMs 8, 9, and 10 could be targets for treatment of plus disease.
The Quality Dimension. Evaluating Quality of Service and Quality of Life in Human Services

SUMMARY This paper addresses the issues, for those involved in planning and managing human services, of evaluating the quality of such services as part of the service provision process. It begins by examining the nature of quality itself and moves on to look at the links between quality of life and quality of service in human services. It then assesses existing models of evaluation which might be applied and highlights their strengths and limitations. The paper argues that many of the models have their roots in areas outside of direct service provision and consequently are not appropriate for implementation in this context. It concludes by reviewing some principles to guide the evaluation of service quality by service managers, and suggests how these might be applied in practice to the evaluation of the quality of human services. The 'quality dimension' has been placed firmly on the agenda for human services in the 1990s. This has resulted largely from national political imperatives and resultant legislative changes, though professional groups would also say that they have long been pursuing this as a key issue in the provision of human services. Whichever is your preferred explanation, the result is to require human service managers and plan ners to take a hard look at the issue of quality and its measurement in service provision. This paper addresses the implications of this for those involved in the process. In doing so, it focuses on the evaluation of quality as an ongo ing part of the service provision process rather than as an external, and
The predictive value of job demands and resources on the meaning of work and organisational commitment across different age groups in the higher education sector

ABSTRACT This study examines the predictive value of job demands and resources on the meaning of work and organisational commitment across three age groups; young workers (<30 years), a middle age group of workers (30–49 years) and older workers (>50 years). Data were collected from a survey conducted among university employees (N = 3066). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to test the relationship between the antecedent variables and the meaning of work and organisational commitment in the age groups separately. Age differences in the experience of these two variables were tested by one-way ANOVA. Both job demands and resources were related to the meaning of work and organisational commitment, however, the relative importance of demands and resources varied across the groups. Overall, older workers reported higher scores on the meaning of work and organisational commitment. The results suggest that different interventions should be considered when aiming to improve the meaning of work and commitment among different age groups.
Exploratory Study of a Scale of Emotional State for Children with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (EREEP)

ABSTRACT We are proposing to build a Scale of Emotional Feeling for Children with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (EREEP—French acronym for Echelle de la Representation Emotionnelle de l’Enfant Polyhandicape) in order to assess their subjective emotional feeling, based on video films of their facial expressions. We hypothesize that the “actual” emotional states of such children are not in line with the representations that their entourage have. For that purpose, we conducted a research in a day school for children with Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities with 7 children aged 6 to 13 years old. Our main results are discussed.
Neural evidence for enhanced error detection in major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE Anomalies in error processing have been implicated in the etiology and maintenance of major depressive disorder. In particular, depressed individuals exhibit heightened sensitivity to error-related information and negative environmental cues, along with reduced responsivity to positive reinforcers. The authors examined the neural activation associated with error processing in individuals diagnosed with and without major depression and the sensitivity of these processes to modulation by monetary task contingencies. METHOD The error-related negativity and error-related positivity components of the event-related potential were used to characterize error monitoring in individuals with major depressive disorder and the degree to which these processes are sensitive to modulation by monetary reinforcement. Nondepressed comparison subjects (N=17) and depressed individuals (N=18) performed a flanker task under two external motivation conditions (i.e., monetary reward for correct responses and monetary loss for incorrect responses) and a nonmonetary condition. After each response, accuracy feedback was provided. The error-related negativity component assessed the degree of anomaly in initial error detection, and the error positivity component indexed recognition of errors. RESULTS Across all conditions, the depressed participants exhibited greater amplitude of the error-related negativity component, relative to the comparison subjects, and equivalent error positivity amplitude. In addition, the two groups showed differential modulation by task incentives in both components. CONCLUSIONS These data implicate exaggerated early error-detection processes in the etiology and maintenance of major depressive disorder. Such processes may then recruit excessive neural and cognitive resources that manifest as symptoms of depression.
Envelope Structure on 700 AU Scales and the Molecular Outflows of Low-Mass Young Stellar Objects

Aperture synthesis observations of HCO+ J = 1-0,13CO 1-0, and C18O 1-0 obtained with the Owens Valley Millimeter Array are used to probe the small-scale (5'' ≈ 700 AU) structure of the molecular envelopes of a well-defined sample of nine embedded low-mass young stellar objects in Taurus. The interferometer results can be understood in terms of: (1) a core of radius ≲1000 AU surrounding the central star, possibly flattened and rotating; (2) condensations scattered throughout the envelope that may be left over from the inhomogeneous structure of the original cloud core or that may have grown during collapse; and (3) material within the outflow or along the walls of the outflow cavity. Masses of the central cores are 0.001-0.1 M☉, and agree well with dust continuum measurements. Averaged over the central 20'' (3000 AU) region, an HCO+ abundance of 4 × 10-8 is inferred, with a spread of a factor of 3 between the different sources. Reanalysis of previously presented single-dish data yields an HCO+ abundance of (5.0 ± 1.7) × 10-9, which may indicate an average increase by a factor of a few on the smaller scales sampled by the interferometer. Part of this apparent abundance variation could be explained by contributions from extended cloud emission to the single-dish C18O lines, and uncertainties in the assumed excitation temperatures and opacities. The properties of the molecular envelopes and outflows are further investigated through single-dish observations of 12CO J = 6-5, 4-3, and 3-2,13CO 6-5 and 3-2, and C18O 3-2 and 2-1, obtained with the James Clerk Maxwell and IRAM 30 m telescopes, along with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. Ratios of the mid-J CO lines are used to estimate the excitation temperature, with values of 25-80 K derived for the gas near line center. The outflow wings show a similar range, although Tex is enhanced by a factor of 2-3 in at least two sources. In contrast to the well-studied L1551 IRS 5 outflow, which extends over 10' (0.4 pc), seven of the remaining eight sources are found to drive 12CO 3-2 outflows over ≤1' (0.04 pc); only L1527 IRS has a well-developed outflow of some 3' (0.12 pc). Estimates are obtained for the outflow kinetic luminosity, Lkin, and the flow momentum rate, FCO, applying corrections for line opacity and source inclination. The flow force FCO correlates with the envelope mass and with the 2.7 mm flux of the circumstellar disk. Only a weak correlation is seen with Lbol, while none is found with the relative age of the object as measured by ∫ Tmb(HCO+ 3-2)dV/Lbol. These trends support the hypothesis that outflows are driven by accretion through a disk, with a global mass infall rate determined by the mass and density of the envelope. The association of compact HCO+ emission with the walls of the outflow cavities indicates that outflows in turn influence the appearance of the envelopes. It is not yet clear, however, whether they are actively involved in sweeping up envelope material, or merely provide a low-opacity pathway for heating radiation to reach into the envelope.
ATLIEKŲ RŪŠIAVIMO PROGNOZAVIMAS Į PLANUOTO ELGESIO TEORIJĄ ĮTRAUKUS MORALĖS NORMAS

The theory of planned behavior is a popular and well grounded model of predicting and explaining behavior; however, some researchers propose that in the case of sustainable behavior the model could benefit from the inclusion of moral norms as an additional variable. A paper-and-pencil survey has been carried out to test the assumption that the addition of moral norms can improve the theory of planned behavior in the case of recycling behavior. A sample of 142 university students participated in the study, their mean age was 20 years (SD = 2.5). Participants filled in questionnaires that measured constructs of the theory of planned behavior and moral norms regarding recycling. The results have shown that in the case of recycling behavior, the addition of moral norms to the theory of planned behavior increases the amount of explained behavioral variance. These findings suggest that when using the theory of planned behavior for recycling and perhaps sustainable behavior in general, researchers should consider adding moral norms as an additional predictor of behavioral intention and perhaps behavior as well.
Everyday Editorial Practices and the Public Sphere: Analysing the Letters to the Editor Page of a Regional Newspaper

This paper investigates the social construction of a site of public discourse: the letters to the editor page of an Australian regional daily newspaper, The Daily News.1 Of key concern are the processes through which public discourse is constructed and mediated by those who select and edit letters for publication. Drawing on a content analysis of the letters page and in-depth interviews with the editorial staff, it is demonstrated how routine practices and the social knowledge of media workers play a specific and discernible role in shaping public dialogue. In light of the findings presented, the concluding section discusses the relationship between editorial practices and the public sphere.
Small GTPase Rab21 regulates cell adhesion and controls endosomal traffic of β1-integrins

Dynamic turnover of integrin cell adhesion molecules to and from the cell surface is central to cell migration. We report for the first time an association between integrins and Rab proteins, which are small GTPases involved in the traffic of endocytotic vesicles. Rab21 (and Rab5) associate with the cytoplasmic domains of α-integrin chains, and their expression influences the endo/exocytic traffic of integrins. This function of Rab21 is dependent on its GTP/GDP cycle and proper membrane targeting. Knock down of Rab21 impairs integrin-mediated cell adhesion and motility, whereas its overexpression stimulates cell migration and cancer cell adhesion to collagen and human bone. Finally, overexpression of Rab21 fails to induce cell adhesion via an integrin point mutant deficient in Rab21 association. These data provide mechanistic insight into how integrins are targeted to intracellular compartments and how their traffic regulates cell adhesion.
Palliative care and quality of life in neuro-oncology

Health-related quality of life has become an important end point in modern day clinical practice in patients with primary or secondary brain tumors. Patients have unique symptoms and problems from diagnosis till death, which require interventions that are multidisciplinary in nature. Here, we review and summarize the various key issues in palliative care, quality of life and end of life in patients with brain tumors, with the focus on primary gliomas.
The vestibular system: a spatial reference for bodily self-consciousness

Self-consciousness is the remarkable human experience of being a subject: the “I”. Self-consciousness is typically bound to a body, and particularly to the spatial dimensions of the body, as well as to its location and displacement in the gravitational field. Because the vestibular system encodes head position and movement in three-dimensional space, vestibular cortical processing likely contributes to spatial aspects of bodily self-consciousness. We review here recent data showing vestibular effects on first-person perspective (the feeling from where “I” experience the world) and self-location (the feeling where “I” am located in space). We compare these findings to data showing vestibular effects on mental spatial transformation, self-motion perception, and body representation showing vestibular contributions to various spatial representations of the body with respect to the external world. Finally, we discuss the role for four posterior brain regions that process vestibular and other multisensory signals to encode spatial aspects of bodily self-consciousness: temporoparietal junction, parietoinsular vestibular cortex, ventral intraparietal region, and medial superior temporal region. We propose that vestibular processing in these cortical regions is critical in linking multisensory signals from the body (personal and peripersonal space) with external (extrapersonal) space. Therefore, the vestibular system plays a critical role for neural representations of spatial aspects of bodily self-consciousness.
Corn Silk (Stigma Maydis) in Healthcare: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review

Corn silk (Stigma maydis) is an important herb used traditionally by the Chinese, and Native Americans to treat many diseases. It is also used as traditional medicine in many parts of the world such as Turkey, United States and France. Its potential antioxidant and healthcare applications as diuretic agent, in hyperglycemia reduction, as anti-depressant and anti-fatigue use have been claimed in several reports. Other uses of corn silk include teas and supplements to treat urinary related problems. The potential use is very much related to its properties and mechanism of action of its plant’s bioactive constituents such as flavonoids and terpenoids. As such, this review will cover the research findings on the potential applications of corn silk in healthcare which include its phytochemical and pharmacological activities. In addition, the botanical description and its toxicological studies are also included.
FFT transformed quantitative EEG analysis of short term memory load

Background The EEG is considered as building block of functional signaling in the brain. The role of EEG oscillations in human information processing has been intensively investigated. Purpose To study the quantitative EEG correlates of short term memory load as assessed through Sternberg memory test. Methods The study was conducted on 34 healthy male student volunteers. The intervention consisted of Sternberg memory test, which runs on a version of the Sternberg memory scanning paradigm software on a computer. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded from 19 scalp locations according to 10–20 international system of electrode placement. EEG signals were analyzed offline. To overcome the problems of fixed band system, individual alpha frequency (IAF) based frequency band selection method was adopted. The outcome measures were FFT transformed absolute powers in the six bands at 19 electrode positions. Results Sternberg memory test served as model of short term memory load. Correlation analysis of EEG during memory task was reflected as decreased absolute power in Upper alpha band in nearly all the electrode positions; increased power in Theta band at Fronto-Temporal region and Lower 1 alpha band at Fronto-Central region. Lower 2 alpha, Beta and Gamma band power remained unchanged. Conclusion Short term memory load has distinct electroencephalographic correlates resembling the mentally stressed state. This is evident from decreased power in Upper alpha band (corresponding to Alpha band of traditional EEG system) which is representative band of relaxed mental state. Fronto-temporal Theta power changes may reflect the encoding and execution of memory task.
N-glycosylation Dictates Proper Processing of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B1

Organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATPs) have been extensively recognized as key determinants of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of various drugs, xenobiotics and toxins. Putative N-glycosylation sites located in the extracellular loops 2 and 5 is considered a common feature of all OATPs and some members have been demonstrated to be glycosylated proteins. However, experimental evidence is still lacking on how such a post-translational modification affect the transport activity of OATPs and which of the putative glycosylation sites are utilized in these transporter proteins. In the present study, we substituted asparagine residues that are possibly involved in N-glycosylation with glutamine residues and identified three glycosylation sites (Asn134, Asn503 and Asn516) within the structure of OATP1B1, an OATP member that is mainly expressed in the human liver. Our results showed that Asn134 and Asn516 are used for glycosylation under normal conditions; however, when Asn134 was mutagenized, an additional asparagine at position 503 is involved in the glycosylation process. Simultaneously replacement of all three asparagines with glutamines led to significantly reduced protein level as well as loss of transport activity. Further studies revealed that glycosylation affected stability of the transporter protein and the unglycosylated mutant was retained within endoplasmic reticulum.
Growth potential of different zones of the growth plate—an experimental study in rabbits

Despite clinical efforts to treat growth disturbances only little is known about the growth potential of the different zones of the growth plate. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth potential of different zones of the growth plate. A total of 20 New Zealand White rabbits were used for this experiment. The right and left ulna of each animal were used resulting in a total of 40 ulnae. Animals were assigned into five groups. In groups I and II resection of the metaphyseal (n = 12) or the epiphyseal (n = 6) segment of the growth plate was performed. In group III resection of the growth plate and re‐implantation was performed (n = 6). In group IV the growth plate was resected and re‐implanted after a 180° rotation (n = 6). Animals in group V served as controls. Histologic and radiologic examinations were performed to evaluate the growth process at 1, 2, 4, and 12 weeks following surgery. In group I, III, and IV temporary growth disturbance which was compensated within a short time was observed. Resection of the epiphyseal part resulted in growth arrest of the distal ulna in combination with normal growth of the radius which led to and valgus deformity of the limb. The results of this study indicate the importance of the reserve zone for the functioning of the growth plate. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:162–168, 2012
Hooking injury, physiological status and short-term mortality of juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion bevirostris) following catch-and-release recreational angling

Juvenile lemon sharks were angled and hooking injury, physiological stress, reflex impairment and short-term post-release mortality were quantified. Fight time was correlated with the level of physiological disturbance, but not post-release mortality. Four sharks (12.5%) died following release, and mortality was related to water temperature and body size.
Cold Storage of Adult Gonatocerus ashmeadi (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) and Effects on Maternal and Progeny Fitness

Abstract Storage of Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) adults at 2, 5, and 10°C showed that these parasitoids do not survive at 2°C for 5 d, and exposure to 5 and 10°C shortens their life span. The lethal time (LT)50 (i.e., length of storage time for 50% wasp survival) at 5°C was 14 d for males and ≈29 d for females, whereas at 10°C was 32 and 39 d, respectively. Effects of adult storage at 10°C on other factors indicating fitness, such as fecundity, developmental time, parasitism, emergence, and sex ratio, were examined on female wasps and their progeny at 10-d intervals for up to 60 d. Glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar), eggs were used as hosts for propagation of this wasp and for assessing its oviposition and fecundity. Increasing adult storage time decreased the length of the ovipositional period for the maternal generation, and oviposition was decreased by 90% after 60-d storage. A significant reduction in maternal lifetime fecundity occurred after 20-d storage and in the incidence of parasitism after 40 d. We also found a carryover effect caused by storage of the maternal generation that was expressed in the F1 generation. When cold storage of the adult parents was ≥20 d, we observed delayed development, decreased fecundity, reduced longevity, and increased male production occurring in the F1 generation. Reduced fitness of the F1 generation was also expressed as a decrease in net reproductive rate (R0) and an increase in mean generation time (Tc). However, none of these deleterious effects were evident in the F2 progeny that descended from grandparents that had experienced cold storage. Damage caused by indirect chilling injury and/or induced maternal aging occurring during storage can account for the decreased fitness of maternal and F1 generations. Providing that the limits of cold tolerance of G. ashmeadi as defined in this study are not exceeded, our results show that short-term cold storage of adults could be used in a mass-rearing program.