Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
H-2-linked genetic control of murine T-cell-mediated lympholysis to autologous cells modified with low concentrations of trinitrobenzene sulfonate

Spleen cells from B10.BR and C57BL/10 (B10) mice were compared for their ability to generate primary in vitro cytotoxic responses to syngeneic cells modified with different concentrations (from 10 to 0.031 mM) of trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) (TNP-self). Although both strains generated effector cells to TNP-self in the range of 10-0.25 mM TNBS modification, effector activity of B10 cells was weaker than that of B10.BR cells. B10 spleen cells did not respond to syngeneic stimulating cells modified at 0.1 mM or lower, whereas B10.BR cells generated effector activity even when stimulated by TNP-self modified with as low as 0.031 mM TNBS. Fluorescence analysis of the modified cells using the FACS II indicated that equivalent quantities of TNP were conjugated to the surfaces of B10.BR and B10 spleen cells for any given concentration of TNBS modification. Similar strain-dependent differences were observed when the TNP was diluted out in the cultures by reducing the number of stimulating cells modified with 10 mM TNBS. These response patterns were verified by stimulating cultures of B10.BR and B10 spleen cells either with TNP conjugated to bovine serum albumin or bovine gamma globulin (B10.BR but not B10 cells responded to TNP- conjugated proteins) or with TNBS-modified glass-adherent spleen cells. The strain-dependent differences could also be detected at the effector phase, because optimally stimulated B10.BR, but not B10 effector cells, could lyse 0.1 mM TNBS-modified syngeneic target cells. The genetic parameters associated with the response and nonresponse patterns of B10.BR and B10 mice were further investigated by comparing the cytotoxic responses to low doses of TNP-self of spleen cells from the following strains: (a) C3H/HeJ (H-2k) and C3H.SW (H-2b); (b) BALB.K (H- 2k) and BALb.b (h-2b); and (c) B10.A (H-2a) and B10.D2 (H-2d). The H-2k and H-2a, but not the H-2b and H-2d, strains generated cytotoxic responses to TNP-self when the syngeneic stimulators were modified with 0.1 mM TNBS. Further studies using (B10 X B10.BR)F1 responding cells and parental or F1-modified stimulating cells, indicated that the F1 cells generated cytotoxic activity to low doses of TNP in association with H-2k but not in association with H-2b self products. The results of this study indicate that H-2-linked genetic factors, expressed in the target as well as in the responding and/or stimulating cell populations, control the ability of inbred mouse strains to generate cytotoxic effector cells to low doses of TNP-self. Such dose-dependent genetic effects may be important in the regulation of immune responses activated in vivo by chronic exposure to infectious agents.
The diabetes mellitus medication choice decision aid: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Patient involvement in the choice of antihyperglycemic agents could improve adherence and optimize glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS We conducted a pilot, cluster randomized trial of Diabetes Medication Choice, a decision aid that describes 5 antihyperglycemic drugs, their treatment burden (adverse effects, administration, and self-monitoring demands), and impact on hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) levels. Twenty-one clinicians were randomized to use the decision aid during the clinical encounter and 19 to dispense usual care and an educational pamphlet. We used surveys and video analysis to assess postvisit decisional outcomes, and medical and pharmacy records to assess 6-month medication adherence and HbA(1c) levels. RESULTS Compared with usual care patients (n = 37), patients receiving the decision aid (n = 48) found the tool more helpful (clustered-adjusted mean difference [AMD] in a 7-point scale, 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.72); had improved knowledge (AMD, 1.10 of 10 questions; 95% CI, 0.11-2.09); and had more involvement in making decisions about diabetes medications (AMD, 21.8 of 100; 95% CI, 13.0-30.5). At 6-month follow-up, both groups had nearly perfect medication use (median, 100% of days covered), with better adherence (AMD, 9% more days covered; 95% CI, 4%-14%) and persistence (AMD, 12 more days covered; 95% CI, 3-21 days) in the usual care group, and no significant impact on HbA(1c) levels (AMD, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.49 to 0.50). CONCLUSION An innovative decision aid effectively involved patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in decisions about their medications but did not improve adherence or HbA(1c) levels. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00388050.
Bacterial adaptation to sublethal antibiotic gradients can change the ecological properties of multitrophic microbial communities

Antibiotics leak constantly into environments due to widespread use in agriculture and human therapy. Although sublethal concentrations are well known to select for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, little is known about how bacterial evolution cascades through food webs, having indirect effect on species not directly affected by antibiotics (e.g. via population dynamics or pleiotropic effects). Here, we used an experimental evolution approach to test how temporal patterns of antibiotic stress, as well as migration within metapopulations, affect the evolution and ecology of microcosms containing one prey bacterium, one phage and two protist predators. We found that environmental variability, autocorrelation and migration had only subtle effects for population and evolutionary dynamics. However, unexpectedly, bacteria evolved greatest fitness increases to both antibiotics and enemies when the sublethal levels of antibiotics were highest, indicating positive pleiotropy. Crucially, bacterial adaptation cascaded through the food web leading to reduced predator-to-prey abundance ratio, lowered predator community diversity and increased instability of populations. Our results show that the presence of natural enemies can modify and even reverse the effects of antibiotics on bacteria, and that antibiotic selection can change the ecological properties of multitrophic microbial communities by having indirect effects on species not directly affected by antibiotics.
What Mediates Infants' and Adults' Superior Processing of the Major over the Augmented Triad?

In this paper, the claim that the major triad has special status for infant as well as adult listeners is evaluated. In Experiment 1, infants and adults were required to detect a downward semitone change in a fivenote melody based on the major triad and in another five-note melody based on the augmented triad. Both infants and adults performed significantly better on the major triad melody. In Experiment 2, infants and adults were evaluated on their detection of a downward semitone change in a five-note melody that incorporated a perfect fifth or augmented fifth relation but that also contained non-Western intervals. Again, infants and adults performed significantly better on the melody that incorporated the perfect fifth relation. These findings imply that enhanced processing of perfect fifth relations may account for infants9 and adults9 effective processing of the major triad.
Information Sharing in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings: An Evaluation of Hospice Goals

The author observed interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings of “Town Hospice” to examine how the company goal of providing for the “psychosocial needs of the patient and their loved ones” is addressed. More specifically, she used an ethnographic approach to explore how case managers negotiate the addition of psychosocial information about patients during IDT meetings. She found that psychosocial information on patients was primarily limited to three types of information sharing: (a) information related to care goals, (b) family issues related to bereavement and caretaking, and (c) the request of additional help from team members. Furthermore, she understood that the addition of psychosocial information creates a dialectical tension for the team.
Hybrid deformable model for aneurysm segmentation

Automatic extraction of aortic aneurysm thrombus is a non-trivial challenge for existing segmentation algorithms. Due to similar intensity, the boundary to surrounding tissue is characterized by a small gradient. On the other hand, the aneurysm contains calcification spots that introduce wrong gradients. Therefore, purely intensity- or gradient-based methods fail to give optimal results. In this paper, we present a hybrid deformable model approach that integrates local and global image information and combines it with shape constraints. By the use of NURBS surfaces and distance functions, segmentation leakage into adjacent structures is prevented. The results of several experiments were evaluated by standard measures and expert inspection.
Characterization of focal right atrial appendage tachycardia.

AIMS Though right atrial appendage tachycardia (RAAT) has been described, no studies to date have focused on its clinical characterization. The aim of the present study was to analyze its clinical, electrocardiographic (ECG), and electrophysiologic (EP) characteristics and the results of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in RAAT. METHODS AND RESULTS Out of 186 consecutive patients undergoing RFA for AT, 15 (8%) had focal RAAT. Mapping was performed using conventional catheters or a 3D electroanatomic mapping system. Patients with RAAT were more likely to be male (66 vs. 38%; P= 0.013) and younger (32 +/- 12.6 vs. 55 +/- 13.2 years; P < 0.001) than patients with AT originating elsewhere. They were also more likely to have dyspnea (27 vs. 7.6%; P = 0.03), incessant tachycardia (53 vs. 16%; P < 0.001), and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (27 vs. 5%; P = 0.018). RFA was effective in all patients (100 vs. 75%; P = 0.022) and no recurrences (0 vs. 8%; P = 0.31) were observed during a mean follow-up of 37 +/- 36 months. A specific ECG pattern was identified, consisting of negative P-waves in leads V1-V2 and a transition to positivity in the rest of the precordial leads. This ECG pattern correctly identified RAAT with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 98%, a positive predictive value of 88%, and a negative predictive value of 100%. CONCLUSION Right atrial appendage tachycardia is more prevalent in young male patients and is commonly associated with tachycardiomyopathy. RFA is effective over long-term follow-up. A characteristic ECG pattern identifies RAAT with a very high sensitivity and specificity.
Emotion Prediction from Physiological Signals: A Comparison Study Between Visual and Auditory Elicitors

Unlike visual stimuli, little attention has been paid to auditory stimuli in terms of emotion prediction with physiological signals. This paper aimed to investigate whether auditory stimuli can be used as an effective elicitor as visual stimuli for emotion prediction using physiological channels. For this purpose, a well-controlled experiment was designed, in which standardized visual and auditory stimuli were systematically selected and presented to participants to induce various emotions spontaneously in a laboratory setting. Numerous physiological signals, including facial electromyogram, electroencephalography, skin conductivity and respiration data, were recorded when participants were exposed to the stimulus presentation. Two data mining methods, namely decision rules and k-nearest neighbor based on the rough set technique, were applied to construct emotionpredictionmodelsbasedonthefeaturesextractedfromthephysiologicaldata.Experimental results demonstrated that auditory stimuli were as effective as visual stimuli in eliciting emotions in terms of systematic physiological reactivity. This was evidenced by the best prediction accuracy quantified by the F1 measure (visual: 76.2% vs. auditory: 76.1%) among six emotion categories (excited, happy, neutral, sad, fearful and disgusted). Furthermore, we also constructed culturespecific (Chinese vs. Indian) prediction models. The results showed that model prediction accuracy was not significantly different between culture-specific models. Finally, the implications of affective auditory stimuli in human‐computer interaction, limitations of the study and suggestions for further research are discussed. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS • Emotions can be predicted accurately based on physiological data using computational models. • Prediction accuracy was on the same level for auditory and visual stimuli. • Auditory stimuli can thus have potential in affective human–computer interaction applications.
VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH SUCCESSFUL PROBATION COMPLETION

This study is an attempt to determine characteristics associated with successful probation completion among 266 Tennessee felony probationers whose cases had been "closed" due to completion of probation, revocation, absconsion or sentence for a new offense between January 1,1980 and December 3 1,1989. Those who completed their probation terms were termed as successes, while those who were revoked, absconded or sentenced for a new offense were termed as failures. Results indicate that, of the 266 probationers, 184 (69%) completed their probation terms successfully, while 82 (31%) failed. The variables marital status, employment, educational attainment, gender, prior criminal record, level of supervision, and length of supervision were significantly related to probation outcome through Chi-square analysis.
Enhancing Virus-Specific Immunity In Vivo by Combining Therapeutic Vaccination and PD-L1 Blockade in Chronic Hepadnaviral Infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence is facilitated by exhaustion of CD8 T cells that express the inhibitory receptor programmed cell death-1 (PD-1). Improvement of the HBV-specific T cell function has been obtained in vitro by inhibiting the PD-1/PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1) interaction. In this study, we examined whether in vivo blockade of the PD-1 pathway enhances virus-specific T cell immunity and leads to the resolution of chronic hepadnaviral infection in the woodchuck model. The woodchuck PD-1 was first cloned, characterized, and its expression patterns on T cells from woodchucks with acute or chronic woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection were investigated. Woodchucks chronically infected with WHV received a combination therapy with nucleoside analogue entecavir (ETV), therapeutic DNA vaccination and woodchuck PD-L1 antibody treatment. The gain of T cell function and the suppression of WHV replication by this therapy were evaluated. We could show that PD-1 expression on CD8 T cells was correlated with WHV viral loads during WHV infection. ETV treatment significantly decreased PD-1 expression on CD8 T cells in chronic carriers. In vivo blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway on CD8 T cells, in combination with ETV treatment and DNA vaccination, potently enhanced the function of virus-specific T cells. Moreover, the combination therapy potently suppressed WHV replication, leading to sustained immunological control of viral infection, anti-WHs antibody development and complete viral clearance in some woodchucks. Our results provide a new approach to improve T cell function in chronic hepatitis B infection, which may be used to design new immunotherapeutic strategies in patients.
Effects of a specific numeracy educational program in kindergarten children: A pilot study

The present study compared the relative effects of 2 educational programs on kindergarten children. The experimental group took part in a numeracy-specific program, which focused on conceptual knowledge. Children were taught basic numerical skills such as understanding and handling numbers and their relations as well as counting principles. The control group participated in a more general program which involved training in procedural skills. Results revealed significant learning effects in the children who participated in the numeracy program particularly for counting sequences and mental calculation. Since neither group was explicitly trained in mental calculation, our findings suggest that a learning transfer took place in the experimental group.
Soft collisions in relativistic runaway electron avalanches

This paper reports the first application of the relativistic binary-encounter-Bethe (RBEB) electron impact ionization model for studies of relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREA) phenomenon at different pressures in air, which is believed to be the root cause of the hard x-rays and terrestrial gamma-ray flashes observed in the Earth's atmosphere in association with lightning activity. The model allows robust and accurate description of ionization over a wide range of energies (from the ionization threshold to megaelectronvolts), that is especially important for studies of thermal runaway electrons. A direct comparison between RREA rates obtained using classic Møller and the new RBEB differential ionization cross sections demonstrates that the dipole interaction between primary electrons and K-shell electrons of oxygen and nitrogen has an impact on the rates for relatively low applied electric fields comparable to or higher than 20 kV cm−1 at ground pressure. Implications of non-similarity of the runaway process developing at different altitudes due to the Swann–Fermi density effect are discussed.
Paraganglioma of the filum terminale mimicking neurinoma: Case report

Background: Paraganglioma of the filum terminale is an uncommon tumor of cauda equina region. Lumbar radiculopathies are revelations that can get complicated from cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the diagnosis without distinguishing it from a neurofibroma. Only histopathological study can bring certainty in the diagnosis. The treatment of choice is a complete removal. Case Description: We report a case of paraganglioma of the filum terminale in a 74-year-old female patient, admitted for cauda equina syndrome, which has been progressing for 2 years. MRI of medulla objectified an extramedullary lesion at L3–L4, diagnosed as neurinoma. A complete resection of the tumor was performed with a section of the filum terminale, which she was taking since birth. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma. The clinical course was characterized by a complete recovery of the deficit. Conclusion: Through this case report, the authors discuss clinical and radiological aspects of this tumor, as well as the management in the light of published data.
Surgical Infection Prophylaxis for Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is commonly administered to patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgeries to prevent infectious complications. However, optimal surgical infection prophylaxis (SIP) for LVAD surgeries is not well defined. Methods: We conducted an electronic survey to characterize LVAD SIP used at different centers performing LVAD implantation. Results: Responses were received from 23 of 85 centers (27%). Of 21 centers that provided usable data about their LVAD SIP regimens for nonpenicillin allergic patients, 42.9% reported using a four‐drug regimen (three antibiotics plus fluconazole), 23.8% reported using a three‐drug regimen (three antibiotics or two antibiotics plus fluconazole), 23.8% reported using a regimen of two antibiotics, and 9.5% reported using vancomycin alone. A similar pattern was observed among SIP regimens for penicillin‐allergic patients. Criteria for discontinuation of SIP and use of decolonization strategies also varied widely across centers. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate wide variability in LVAD SIP regimens and underscore the lack of consensus regarding best practice. (J Card Surg 2011;26:440‐443)
‘…the world was getting smaller’: women, agoraphobia and bodily boundaries

Drawing on individual and group interviews with agoraphobic women, this paper explores sufferers' accounts of agoraphobia as entailing apparent dysfunctions in spatial awareness. In particular, it examines the effects of agoraphobic anxiety on the lived boundaries of body and self and relates this to agoraphobics' contrasting experiences of the relative 'security' of the home and the unheimlich and disturbing architecture of the shopping mall.
Unraveling Protein Networks with Power Graph Analysis

Networks play a crucial role in computational biology, yet their analysis and representation is still an open problem. Power Graph Analysis is a lossless transformation of biological networks into a compact, less redundant representation, exploiting the abundance of cliques and bicliques as elementary topological motifs. We demonstrate with five examples the advantages of Power Graph Analysis. Investigating protein-protein interaction networks, we show how the catalytic subunits of the casein kinase II complex are distinguishable from the regulatory subunits, how interaction profiles and sequence phylogeny of SH3 domains correlate, and how false positive interactions among high-throughput interactions are spotted. Additionally, we demonstrate the generality of Power Graph Analysis by applying it to two other types of networks. We show how power graphs induce a clustering of both transcription factors and target genes in bipartite transcription networks, and how the erosion of a phosphatase domain in type 22 non-receptor tyrosine phosphatases is detected. We apply Power Graph Analysis to high-throughput protein interaction networks and show that up to 85% (56% on average) of the information is redundant. Experimental networks are more compressible than rewired ones of same degree distribution, indicating that experimental networks are rich in cliques and bicliques. Power Graphs are a novel representation of networks, which reduces network complexity by explicitly representing re-occurring network motifs. Power Graphs compress up to 85% of the edges in protein interaction networks and are applicable to all types of networks such as protein interactions, regulatory networks, or homology networks.
The Effects of High School Organization on Dropping Out: An Exploratory Investigation

A hierarchical linear model analysis (Raudenbush & Bryk, 1986) is used to investigate directly the effects of structural and normative features of schools on both the probability of dropping out and the strongest behavioral predictor of dropping out, absenteeism. We hypothesized that high levels of internal differentiation within high schools and weak normative environments contribute to the problems of absenteeism and dropping out. Conversely, these student behaviors should be less problematic in school contexts where there is less differentiation among students and strong normation. The empirical results reported in this paper support these hypotheses. No single factor makes schools effective in sustaining student interest and commitment. Rather, a constellation of both structural and normative features appears to be involved. The analyses also provide some support for the contention that special benefits accrue to disadvantaged and at-risk youth from attending certain kinds of schools.
Building Brains for Rooms: Designing Distributed Software Agents

This paper argues that complex, embedded software agent systems are best constructed with parallel, layered architectures. These systems resemble Minskian Societies of Mind and Brooksian subsumption controllers for robots, and they demonstrate that complex behaviors can be had via the aggregates of relatively simple interacting agents. We illustrate this principle with a distributed software agent system that controls the behavior of our laboratory's Intelligent Room.