Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Introducing StatHand: A Cross-Platform Mobile Application to Support Students’ Statistical Decision Making

Although essential to professional competence in psychology, quantitative research methods are a known area of weakness for many undergraduate psychology students. Students find selecting appropriate statistical tests and procedures for different types of research questions, hypotheses and data types particularly challenging, and these skills are not often practiced in class. Decision trees (a type of graphic organizer) are known to facilitate this decision making process, but extant trees have a number of limitations. Furthermore, emerging research suggests that mobile technologies offer many possibilities for facilitating learning. It is within this context that we have developed StatHand, a free cross-platform application designed to support students’ statistical decision making. Developed with the support of the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching, StatHand guides users through a series of simple, annotated questions to help them identify a statistical test or procedure appropriate to their circumstances. It further offers the guidance necessary to run these tests and procedures, then interpret and report their results. In this Technology Report we will overview the rationale behind StatHand, before describing the feature set of the application. We will then provide guidelines for integrating StatHand into the research methods curriculum, before concluding by outlining our road map for the ongoing development and evaluation of StatHand.
Neuromodulation in the Olfactory Bulb

Neuromodulation of olfactory circuits by acetylcholine (ACh) plays an important role in odor discrimination and learning. Early processing of chemosensory signals occurs in two functionally and anatomically distinct regions, the main and accessory olfactory bulbs (MOB and AOB), which receive significant cholinergic input from the basal forebrain. Here we explore the regulation of AOB and MOB circuits by ACh, and how this modulation influences olfactory mediated behaviors. Surprisingly, despite the presence of a conserved circuit, activation of muscarinic ACh receptors revealed marked differences in cholinergic modulation of output neurons: excitation in the AOB and inhibition in the MOB. Granule cells (GCs), the most abundant intrinsic neuron in the OB, also exhibited a complex muscarinic response. While GCs in the AOB were excited, MOB GCs exhibited a dual muscarinic action, a hyperpolarization and an increase in excitability uncovered by cell depolarization. Furthermore, ACh had a different effect on the input/output relationship of MCs in the AOB and MOB, showing a net effect on gain in MCs of the MOB, but not in the AOB. Interestingly, despite the striking differences in neuromodulatory actions on output neurons, chemogenetic inhibition of ACh release produced similar perturbations in olfactory behaviors mediated by these two regions. Decreasing ACh in the OB disrupted the natural discrimination of molecularly related odors and the natural investigation of odors associated with social behaviors. Thus, the distinct neuromodulation by ACh in these circuits could underlie different solutions to the processing of general odors and semiochemicals, and the diverse olfactory behaviors they trigger.
Examining the Relative Influence of Risk and Control on Intention to Adopt Risky Technologies

For technologies such as electronic commerce, mobile payments, internet and mobile banking etc. customers are concerned about security issues that arise as a result of adoption of these technologies. However, in practice, we find that customers forgo their considerations of risk in the technology, if the benefits of using the technology overpower the risks involved in using the technology. Understanding their relative roles in technology adoption will help technology developers focus their efforts on either of them to improve technology adoption. Results of this study reveal that in adopting a technology, customers are guided more by the perception of control rather than by the perception of risk. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Goniolactone C, a Styryl Lactone Derivative, Inhibits PDGF-BB-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Proliferation via PDGFR/ERK Signaling

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and its downstream effector, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) MAP kinase, initiate a multitude of biological effects, including vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration, which are critical events in the initiation and development of restenosis following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Styryl lactones are natural products that have been demonstrated to possess anti-proliferative activities. Goniolactone C is a styryl lactone derivative that was first extracted from Goniothalamus cheliensis Hu. In the present study, we investigated the effects of goniolactone C on VSMC migration and proliferation. We found that goniolactone C preferentially interacted with cellular systems that rely on PDGF signaling but not those that rely on epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) signaling. Goniolactone C strongly inhibited PDGF-BB-induced VSMC migration and proliferation. goniolactone C-mediated inhibition of VSMC proliferation was associated with cell cycle arrest, while goniolactone C-mediated inhibition of VSMC migration was associated with the suppression of adhesion molecule expression. In addition, goniolactone C directly inhibited PDGFR-β kinase activity, thereby blocking the downstream effector of PDGF-BB. Thus, the results of the present study suggest a novel adjunctive pharmacological strategy that may be used to prevent angioplasty-related restenosis.
Pregabalin for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome

This last article in a three-part series on approved medications for managing fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) reviews pregabalin (Lyrica®). Pregabalin was the first drug approved for FMS management and, as an anticonvulsant, differs from the other approved agents that are antidepressants. Pregabalin inhibits presynaptic excitatory neurotransmitter release by blocking α2δ calcium channels. Five randomized, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated pregabalin reduces pain and improves sleep and health-related quality of life in FMS patients. While indicated dosing is 300–450 mg divided twice daily, initial dosing of 25–50 mg at night is recommended owing to side effects including somnolence, dizziness, and cognitive dysfunction. Since side effects such as weight gain and peripheral edema are dose-related, uptitration in weekly increments based on tolerability and therapeutic response is recommended. Due to its lack of protein binding and negligible hepatic metabolism, pregabalin can be safely combined with other medications and used in patients with renal failure when the dose is appropriate. Pregabalin may worsen sedation when combined with central nervous system depressants. Pregabalin should be discontinued gradually. Pregabalin-treated patients should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior. Pregabalin in combination with the other approved medications may be synergistic in treating FMS.
Brain‐specific fatty acid‐binding protein is elevated in serum of patients with dementia‐related diseases

Background: There is a need for biomarkers in accessible matrices, such as blood, for the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to measure the serum levels of brain‐type fatty acid‐binding protein (FABP) and heart‐type FABP in patients with dementia‐involving diseases.
The anti-apoptotic PON2 protein is Wnt/β-catenin-regulated and correlates with radiotherapy resistance in OSCC patients

Aberrant Wnt signaling and control of anti-apoptotic mechanisms are pivotal features in different types of cancer to undergo cell death programs. The intracellular human enzyme Paraoxonase-2 (PON2) is known to have anti-apoptotic properties in leukemia and oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC) cells. However, the distinct regulating pathways are poorly understood. First, we present a so far unknown regulation of PON2 protein expression through the Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway in leukemia and OSCC cells. This was confirmed via in silico analysis, promoter reporter studies and treatment of multiple cell lines (K562, SCC-4, PCI-13) with different Wnt ligands/inhibitors in vitro. Ex vivo analysis of OSCC patients revealed a correlation between PON2 and β-catenin expression in tumor tissue. Higher PON2 expression in OSCC is associated with relapse independently of treatment (e.g. surgery/radio-/chemotherapy). These results emphasize the clinical impact of the newly described regulation of PON2 through Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin. More importantly, the study revealed the fundamental finding of an overall Wnt/GSK3β/β-catenin dependent regulation of PON2 in different cancers, which was confirmed by systematic and multimethodological approaches. Thus, the herein presented mechanistic insight contributes to a better understanding of tumor specific escape from cell death strategies and suggests PON2 as a new potential biomarker for therapy resistance or as a prognostic tumor marker.
High expression of EGFR predicts poor survival in patients with resected T3 stage gastric adenocarcinoma and promotes cancer cell survival

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an essential regulator and biomarker of several types of cancer. However, the association between its expression and prognosis in patients with resected T3 stage gastric adenocarcinoma (RT3-GA) remains to be determined. In total, 683 patients with resectable T3-GA who underwent surgery were retrospectively included in the present study, and their immunohistochemical data for EGFR expression were collected. The associations between the patients' clinicopathologic characteristics and EGFR immunohistochemistry data were analyzed by multiple statistical methods. Annexin V apoptosis and MTT cell viability assays were performed to explore the effect of EGFR on AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cell survival. EGFR expression levels were categorized into two groups: low (406 cases) and high (277 cases). High EGFR was demonstrated to be significantly associated with distant metastasis (P=0.043) and severely decreased median overall survival time (MOST) and recurrence-free survival time (MRFST). MOST and MRFST in the low EGFR group were 39 and 37 months, respectively; whereas in the high EGFR group these values were only 18 and 13 months (P=3.10×10−9 and P=6.74×10−8, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed that high EGFR expression levels were associated with poor survival, which was associated with significantly increased recurrence risk and ~2-fold elevation in mortality risk [hazard ratio (HR), 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.43–2.10; P=2.37×10−8 and HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.50–2.17; P=3.80×10−10]. Inhibiting EGFR with AG1478 suppressed its effect on promoting AGS cell survival. These results suggest that high EGFR expression indicates poor survival in patients with RT3-GA, which may be correlated with EGFR promoting GA cell survival.
Etiology and epidemiology of verminous encephalitis in an emu.

Verminous encephalitis was reported in 1978 in an emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) from Indiana (8). The bird was the second of two emus that had developed severe ataxia followed by bilateral leg paralysis, which resulted in natural death of the first bird. The second emu was presented alive but unable to stand to the Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. No gross lesions were found, but on histologic examination, focal malacic lesions and inflammatory changes were seen in the cerebellum, in association with an ascarid larva. No generic or specific identification of the parasite was made, nor was information presented concerning the possible source or mode of infection of the birds. Of the four other known outbreaks or cases of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in avian species (1,3,4,5), the two most extensive were positively linked to migrating larvae of Baylisascaris procyonis, the common roundworm of raccoons (3,4). In one of these, 622 chickens died following a single exposure to contaminated bedding (4), and in the other, all 85 quail died following exposure to a contaminated run (3). A third case involved central nervous system (CNS) disease in a chukar partridge; B. procyonis was suggested as the cause (5). In the fourth case, no identification was made of the ascarid species responsible for CNS disease in tumbler pigeons (1). The present report is based on a retrospective evaluation of a case of verminous encephalitis in an emu (8). New information is presented concerning the etiology and epidemiology of the parasite involved. Examination of sections of cerebellum revealed an ascarid larva within a focus of reactive malacia. The larva had prominent
Rips Induction: Index of the dual lamination of an $\R$-tree

Let $T$ be a $\R$-tree in the boundary of the Outer Space CV$_N$, with dense orbits. The $Q$-index of $T$ is defined by means of the dual lamination of $T$. It is a generalisation of the Euler-Poincar\'e index of a foliation on a surface. We prove that the $Q$-index of $T$ is bounded above by $2N-2$, and we study the case of equality. The main tool is to develop the Rips Machine in order to deal with systems of isometries on compact $\R$-trees. Combining our results on the $\CQ$-index with results on the classical geometric index of a tree, we obtain a beginning of classification of trees. As a consequence, we give a classification of iwip outer automorphisms of the free group, by discussing the properties of their attracting and repelling trees.
Testing the Hypothesis of Collusive Behavior Among Opec Members

This paper presents a test to discriminate among collusive and competitive behavior by producers of exhaustible resources. In contrast to previous studies (Griffin, 1985; Jones, 1990), which are based on static models, our approach is based on of the dynamic implications of the optimization problem faced by a competitive producer. We use this framework to test the hypothesis of collusive behavior within OPEC between 1983 and 1991. The existence of future markets allows us to sidestep the difficult issues related to the estimation of future prices and demand.
Characterization and Role of the Branched-Chain Aminotransferase (BcaT) Isolated from Lactococcus lactissubsp. cremoris NCDO 763

ABSTRACT In Lactococcus lactis, which is widely used as a starter in the cheese industry, the first step of aromatic and branched-chain amino acid degradation is a transamination which is catalyzed by two major aminotransferases. We have previously purified and characterized biochemically and genetically the aromatic aminotransferase, AraT. In the present study, we purified and studied the second enzyme, the branched-chain aminotransferase, BcaT. We cloned and sequenced the corresponding gene and used a mutant, along with the luciferase gene as the reporter, to study the role of the enzyme in amino acid metabolism and to reveal the regulation of gene transcription. BcaT catalyzes transamination of the three branched-chain amino acids and methionine and belongs to class IV of the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent aminotransferases. In contrast to most of the previously described bacterial BcaTs, which are hexameric, this enzyme is homodimeric. It is responsible for 90% of the total isoleucine and valine aminotransferase activity of the cell and for 50 and 40% of the activity towards leucine and methionine, respectively. The original role of BcaT was probably biosynthetic since expression of its gene was repressed by free amino acids and especially by isoleucine. However, in dairy strains, which are auxotrophic for branched-chain amino acids, BcaT functions only as a catabolic enzyme that initiates the conversion of major aroma precursors. Since this enzyme is still active under cheese-ripening conditions, it certainly plays a major role in cheese flavor development.
Exploring forms of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB): antecedents and outcomes

An extensive body of research has studied the relationship between Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (OCB), environment-supporting efforts, and individual task performance rating. Empirical studies have found a significant positive relationship among these factors. While these findings have proven both interesting and useful, questions remain regarding whether OCB focused on others and OCB focused on the organization are related differently to certain individual-level causes and consequences of OCB. From the perspectives of work-family conflict and personality theory, we propose a roadmap for future research to more fully distinguish the forms of OCB and their various antecedents and outcomes.
A Comparison of Clinical Features between Community-Associated and Healthcare-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Keratitis

Purpose. To compare the clinical features of community-associated (CA) and healthcare-associated (HA) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) keratitis. Methods. Patients presenting with culture-proven MRSA keratitis between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2010, at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, were included in this study. The patients' demographic and clinical information were reviewed retrospectively. Antibiotic susceptibility was verified using the disk diffusion method. Results. Information on 26 patients with MRSA keratitis was collected, including 12 cases of CA-MRSA and 14 cases of HA-MRSA. All MRSA isolates were susceptible to vancomycin; the only difference in drug susceptibility was that CA-MRSA isolates were more susceptible to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole than HA-MRSA (P = .034). The most common risk factor for MRSA keratitis was ocular surface disease. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of clinical features, treatments, and visual outcomes. Conclusion. In Taiwan, CA-MRSA rivals HA-MRSA as a critical cause of MRSA keratitis. Furthermore, CA-MRSA isolates are multidrug resistant. CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA keratitis are clinically indistinguishable, although larger studies are warranted to further evaluate this association.
(TTAGGG)n telomeric sequence in selachian chromosomes

The distribution of telomeric sequence (TTAGGG)n in the genomes of Chondrichthian species at different stages of evolution was investigated both by DNA genomic hybridization, and by fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) of metaphase chromosomes. The sequence is highly conserved in all the species examined. FISH revealed a label uptake only by the telomeres in Raja asterias. However, in Torpedo ocellata, we revealed pericentromeric and interstitial sequence localization on some chromosome pairs in addition to the hybridization signal on telomeres. These findings confirm that the karyotype evolution of these fish began by Robertsonian fusion.
The cosmopolitan perspective: sociology of the second age of modernity*

‘Second age of modernity’ is a magical password that is meant to open the doors to new conceptual landscapes. The whole world of nation sovereignty is fading away – including the ‘container theory of society’ on which most of the sociology of the first age of modernity is based upon. In this article I propose a distinction between ‘simple globalization’ and ‘reflexive cosmopolitization’. In the paradigm of the first age of modernity, simple globalization is interpreted within the territorial compass of state and politics, society and culture. This involves an additive, not substitutive, conception of globalization as indicated for example by ‘interconnectedness’. In the paradigm of the second age of modernity globalization changes not only the relations between and beyond national states and societies, but also the inner quality of the social and political itself which is indicated by more or less reflexive cosmopolitization as an institutionalized learning process – and its enemies.
A New Group of Hepadnaviruses Naturally Infecting Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)

ABSTRACT A high prevalence (42.6%) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was suspected in 195 formerly captive orangutans due to a large number of serum samples which cross-reacted with human HBV antigens. It was assumed that such viral infections were contracted from humans during captivity. However, two wild orangutans were identified which were HBV surface antigen positive, indicating that HBV or related viruses may be occurring naturally in the orangutan populations. Sequence analyses of seven isolates revealed that orangutans were infected with hepadnaviruses but that these were clearly divergent from the six known human HBV genotypes and those of other nonhuman hepadnaviruses reported. Phylogenetic analyses revealed geographic clustering with Southeast Asian genotype C viruses and gibbon ape HBV. This implies a common origin of infection within this geographic region, with cross-species transmission of hepadnaviruses among hominoids.
Low CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Values in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Adults in Botswana

ABSTRACT CD4+-lymphocyte counts (LCs) play a crucial role in the management and monitoring of HIV infection. Variability in CD4+ LCs has been reported to occur as a result of measurement techniques and/or biological variations. We report on the CD4+ LCs of healthy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative adults in Botswana. Samples were obtained from HIV-seronegative blood donors. The median CD4+ LC was 726 cells/mm3 (for females, 782 cells/mm3; for males, 698 cells/mm3). The median CD8+ LC was 488 cells/mm3 (for females, 494 cells/mm3; for males, 485 cells/mm3). The median CD4+-to-CD8+ ratio was 1.57 (for females, 1.66; for males, 1.51). Our findings of low CD4+ LCs among HIV-negative adults in Botswana are significant and have important implications for the management of HIV disease in the population of this sub-Saharan African country.
Practical Applications of Digital Pathology.

BACKGROUND Virtual microscopy and advances in machine learning have paved the way for the ever-expanding field of digital pathology. Multiple image-based computing environments capable of performing automated quantitative and morphological analyses are the foundation on which digital pathology is built. METHODS The applications for digital pathology in the clinical setting are numerous and are explored along with the digital software environments themselves, as well as the different analytical modalities specific to digital pathology. Prospective studies, case-control analyses, meta-analyses, and detailed descriptions of software environments were explored that pertained to digital pathology and its use in the clinical setting. RESULTS Many different software environments have advanced platforms capable of improving digital pathology and potentially influencing clinical decisions. CONCLUSIONS The potential of digital pathology is vast, particularly with the introduction of numerous software environments available for use. With all the digital pathology tools available as well as those in development, the field will continue to advance, particularly in the era of personalized medicine, providing health care professionals with more precise prognostic information as well as helping them guide treatment decisions.