Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Post-infarct treatment with an erythropoietin-gelatin hydrogel drug delivery system for cardiac repair.

AIMS We investigated the effect of an erythropoietin (EPO)-gelatin hydrogel drug delivery system (DDS) applied to the heart on myocardial infarct (MI) size, left ventricular (LV) remodelling and function. METHODS AND RESULTS Experiments were performed in a rabbit model of MI. The infarct size was reduced, and LV remodelling and function were improved 14 days and 2 months after MI but not at 2 days after MI in the EPO-DDS group. The number of cluster of differentiation 31(CD31)-positive microvessels and the expression of erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt), phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (p-GSK-3beta), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-Stat3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) were significantly increased in the myocardium of the EPO-DDS group. CONCLUSION Post-MI treatment with an EPO-DDS improves LV remodelling and function by activating prosurvival signalling, antifibrosis, and angiogenesis without causing any side effect.
The Journey of LGBT Rights: Norm Diffusion and its Challenges in EU Seeking States: Bosnia and Serbia

ABSTRACT: This article investigates and compares the extent to which LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) rights norms have diffused and become empowered within Bosnia and Serbia as part of their European Union (EU) accession process across three particular arenas: institutional/legal, state authority, and civil society. It inquires as to whether EU candidate status and a “credible membership incentive” affect norm empowerment, given that Serbia is an official EU candidate state, while Bosnia is not. Building upon models of human rights norm diffusion and the most recent scholarship on LGBT rights and Europeanization, this article finds that LGBT rights have moved from a period of systematic denial and indifference to a “tactical concessions” phase of greater empowerment and visibility, while domestic challenges to these rights still persist. EU conditionality and pressure have played important roles in pushing forward new LGBT friendly legislation in both countries and indirectly increasing the visibility of LGBT organizations and rights. Serbia has gone farther due to a greater EU membership incentive and a stronger domestic LGBT civil society. Bosnia has responded less to EU pressure, and its domestic ethno-political dynamics have made LGBT rights diffusion more challenging. As post-war states still struggling with questions of identity and democracy, Bosnia and Serbia are critical cases to examine the ability of controversial new norms to diffuse in states that are seeking membership to the European Union.
Comparative Computational Study of Interaction of C60-Fullerene and Tris-Malonyl-C60-Fullerene Isomers with Lipid Bilayer: Relation to Their Antioxidant Effect

Oxidative stress induced by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in the etiology of many human diseases. It has been reported that fullerenes and some of their derivatives–carboxyfullerenes–exhibits a strong free radical scavenging capacity. The permeation of C60-fullerene and its amphiphilic derivatives–C3-tris-malonic-C60-fullerene (C3) and D3-tris-malonyl-C60-fullerene (D3)–through a lipid bilayer mimicking the eukaryotic cell membrane was studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The free energy profiles along the normal to the bilayer composed of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) for C60, C3 and D3 were calculated. We found that C60 molecules alone or in clusters spontaneously translocate to the hydrophobic core of the membrane and stay inside the bilayer during the whole period of simulation time. The incorporation of cluster of fullerenes inside the bilayer changes properties of the bilayer and leads to its deformation. In simulations of the tris-malonic fullerenes we discovered that both isomers, C3 and D3, adsorb at the surface of the bilayer but only C3 tends to be buried in the area of the lipid headgroups forming hydrophobic contacts with the lipid tails. We hypothesize that such position has implications for ROS scavenging mechanism in the specific cell compartments.
Validating an adapted questionnaire to determine perceptions of the clinical learning environment

The clinical learning environment is a key component of undergraduate medical students’ curriculum. At our institution there was a need for an electronic instrument to evaluate student perceptions of their clinical learning environment. Methodology The Uppsala Instrument, which had previously been used to improve student perceptions of their clinical learning environments, was adapted for the context of a South African Academic Hospital by a panel of experts and then completed by a group of students. The results were then used to determine the validity and reliability of the instrument using principal component analysis. The instrument proved to be highly reliable at measuring a single underlying component, ‘ perception of the clinical learning environment ‘, and due to this, further determination of validity was limited. The ﬁndings were similar to those reached by other authors’ studies of instruments evaluating the clinical learning environment in that most variance in responses were attributable to a single component. The fact that the instrument measures the clinical environment as a whole is useful, however it does not allow for deeper analysis of educational constructs within the clinical learning environment.
DYNAMIC WEIGHT FUNCTIONS FOR A MOVING CRACK

Dynamic weight functions are discussed, for arbitrary time-dependent loading of a plane semi-innnite crack extending at constant speed in an innnite isotropic elastic body. Then, the weight function appropriate to the case of general normal (or Mode I) loading is constructed explicitly, employing Fourier transforms to develop and solve a Wiener-Hopf problem. Transforms are inverted by a variant of Cagniard's technique. The weight function is then employed to develop a relationship, in the framework of rst-order perturbation theory, between the Mode I stress intensity factor and a small but otherwise arbitrary time-varying deviation from straightness of the edge of the crack. 1. INTRODUCTION Weight functions were introduced into elastostatics by Bueckner (1970). They provide weights for the loads applied to the crack surfaces, such that their weighted integrals over the crack surfaces provide the stress intensity factors at a chosen point. Thus, they are related to Green's functions for the crack: they are, in fact, the stress intensity factors associated with concentrated point loading of the crack surfaces but they can also be constructed as solutions of the equations of equilibrium (or of motion) with zero tractions on the crack surfaces but with an unphysical singularity at the crack edge. For plane cracks in two-dimensional elastostatics, weight functions are relatively easy to nd: it is necessary only to have available one physical solution to a crack problem, for arbitrary crack length a, and then to diierentiate this with
Evaluating physiological responses of plants to salinity stress

Background Because soil salinity is a major abiotic constraint affecting crop yield, much research has been conducted to develop plants with improved salinity tolerance. Salinity stress impacts many aspects of a plant’s physiology, making it difficult to study in toto. Instead, it is more tractable to dissect the plant’s response into traits that are hypothesized to be involved in the overall tolerance of the plant to salinity. Scope and conclusions We discuss how to quantify the impact of salinity on different traits, such as relative growth rate, water relations, transpiration, transpiration use efficiency, ionic relations, photosynthesis, senescence, yield and yield components. We also suggest some guidelines to assist with the selection of appropriate experimental systems, imposition of salinity stress, and obtaining and analysing relevant physiological data using appropriate indices. We illustrate how these indices can be used to identify relationships amongst the proposed traits to identify which traits are the most important contributors to salinity tolerance. Salinity tolerance is complex and involves many genes, but progress has been made in studying the mechanisms underlying a plant’s response to salinity. Nevertheless, several previous studies on salinity tolerance could have benefited from improved experimental design. We hope that this paper will provide pertinent information to researchers on performing proficient assays and interpreting results from salinity tolerance experiments.
Performance evaluation and design trade-offs for network-on-chip interconnect architectures

Multiprocessor system-on-chip (MP-SoC) platforms are emerging as an important trend for SoC design. Power and wire design constraints are forcing the adoption of new design methodologies for system-on-chip (SoC), namely, those that incorporate modularity and explicit parallelism. To enable these MP-SoC platforms, researchers have recently pursued scaleable communication-centric interconnect fabrics, such as networks-on-chip (NoC), which possess many features that are particularly attractive for these. These communication-centric interconnect fabrics are characterized by different trade-offs with regard to latency, throughput, energy dissipation, and silicon area requirements. In this paper, we develop a consistent and meaningful evaluation methodology to compare the performance and characteristics of a variety of NoC architectures. We also explore design trade-offs that characterize the NoC approach and obtain comparative results for a number of common NoC topologies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first effort in characterizing different NoC architectures with respect to their performance and design trade-offs. To further illustrate our evaluation methodology, we map a typical multiprocessing platform to different NoC interconnect architectures and show how the system performance is affected by these design trade-offs.
Multicultural Matters: An Investigation of Key Assumptions of Multicultural Education Reform in Teacher Education

Five decades of rhetoric and reform in teacher education underscore the importance of multicultural education in preparing teachers to meet the needs of all students. State and national policy initiatives targeting multicultural education build on two assumptions: first, that preservice teachers lack the multicultural awareness to function as culturally responsive educators, and second, that higher levels of multicultural awareness correspond with increased pedagogical proficiency. Few studies have examined variation in multicultural awareness across preservice candidates, or the link between multicultural awareness and prospective teachers’ measured competencies. Using a novel dataset of 2,500 preservice teachers’ beliefs and student teacher performance assessments, we find that Black and Latino candidates report greater multicultural awareness, while Asian Americans report less, compared with their White counterparts. Prior experience working with nondominant populations is linked with higher levels of awareness, particularly for minority respondents. Propensity score matching analyses reveal that multicultural awareness is tied to candidates’ competence in creating nurturing classroom environments.
First Evidence for Substrate Channeling between Proline Catabolic Enzymes

Background: PRODH and P5CDH from Thermus thermophilus are monofunctional enzymes in proline catabolism. Results: Steady-state kinetics and intermediate trapping data show the PRODH and P5CDH reactions are coupled by a channeling step. Conclusion: Substrate channeling in monofunctional enzymes is achieved via weak interactions. Significance: Evidence for substrate channeling between monofunctional proline catabolic enzymes is shown and confirms the Rosetta Stone hypothesis. Proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C) dehydrogenase (P5CDH) catalyze the four-electron oxidation of proline to glutamate via the intermediates P5C and l-glutamate-γ-semialdehyde (GSA). In Gram-negative bacteria, PRODH and P5CDH are fused together in the bifunctional enzyme proline utilization A (PutA) whereas in other organisms PRODH and P5CDH are expressed as separate monofunctional enzymes. Substrate channeling has previously been shown for bifunctional PutAs, but whether the monofunctional enzymes utilize an analogous channeling mechanism has not been examined. Here, we report the first evidence of substrate channeling in a PRODH-P5CDH two-enzyme pair. Kinetic data for the coupled reaction of PRODH and P5CDH from Thermus thermophilus are consistent with a substrate channeling mechanism, as the approach to steady-state formation of NADH does not fit a non-channeling two-enzyme model. Furthermore, inactive P5CDH and PRODH mutants inhibit NADH production and increase trapping of the P5C intermediate in coupled assays of wild-type PRODH-P5CDH enzyme pairs, indicating that the mutants disrupt PRODH-P5CDH channeling interactions. A dissociation constant of 3 μm was estimated for a putative PRODH-P5CDH complex by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Interestingly, P5CDH binding to PRODH was only observed when PRODH was immobilized with the top face of its (βα)8 barrel exposed. Using the known x-ray crystal structures of PRODH and P5CDH from T. thermophilus, a model was built for a proposed PRODH-P5CDH enzyme channeling complex. The structural model predicts that the core channeling pathway of bifunctional PutA enzymes is conserved in monofunctional PRODH-P5CDH enzyme pairs.
Construction of hyperelliptic function fields of high three-rank

We present several explicit constructions of hyperelliptic function fields whose Jacobian or ideal class group has large 3-rank. Our focus is on finding examples for which the genus and the base field are as small as possible. Most of our methods are adapted from analogous techniques used for generating quadratic number fields whose ideal class groups have high 3-rank, but one method, applicable to finding large l-ranks for odd primes l ≥ 3, is new and unique to function fields. Algorithms, examples, and numerical data are included.
Kruppel-associated box (KRAB) proteins in the adaptive immune system

The ability of adaptive immune system to protect higher vertebrates from pathogens resides in the ability of B and T cells to express different antigen specific receptors and to respond to different threats by activating distinct differentiation and/or activation pathways. In the past 10 years, the major role of epigenetics in controlling molecular mechanisms responsible for these peculiar features and, more in general, for lymphocyte development has become evident. KRAB-ZFPs is the widest family of mammalian transcriptional repressors, which function through the recruitment of the co-factor KRAB-Associated Protein 1 (KAP1) that in turn engages histone modifiers inducing heterochromatin formation. Although most of the studies on KRAB proteins have been performed in embryonic cells, more recent reports highlighted a relevant role for these proteins also in adult tissues. This article will review the role of KRAB-ZFP and KAP1 in the epigenetic control of mouse and human adaptive immune cells.
Educational Administrators’ Perceptions about Critical Pedagogy

Abstract It has now become clear to all that the divergence of educational methods and goals are becoming widespread. Therefore, having sustained attention as an institution of culture by some anthropologists, the educational institution should become involved in emancipation practices. The aim of this paper is to analyze educational administrators’ perceptions about critical pedagogy, which advocates emancipation in education practices, along with considering of some demographic variables. The present study applies a screening model. The study group includes 204 educational administrators work at public schools in Beylikduzu (Istanbul) during the 2014- 2015 academic year. The study aimed at determining educational administrators’ perceptions in three subdimensions, that is, “Education System”, “Functions of School” and “Emancipator School”. Educational administrators agree with the following item the most, that is, “Teachers must question themselves when students criticize” and with the following item the least, that is, “The mission of the school is to prepare children for the community”.
Parkinson's Disease and Homocysteine: A Community-Based Study in a Folate and Vitamin B12 Deficient Population

Background. Homocysteine (Hcy) levels were higher in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This could be partially explained by levodopa treatment. Whether untreated PD patients have higher Hcy levels is contradictory. Methods. A community-based study was conducted using a two-stage approach for subjects ≥ 55 years to find PD patients in 3 towns of Lüliang City. Blood samples were collected. Serum Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 concentrations were measured. For each untreated PD patient, 5 controls were selected matched with age and sex to evaluate the relationship between Hcy levels and PD. Results. Of 6338 eligible residents, 72.7% participated in the study. 31 PD cases were identified. The crude prevalence of PD for people ≥ 55 years was 0.67%. Blood samples were collected from 1845 subjects, including 17 untreated PD patients. There was no difference for concentrations of serum Hcy, folate, and vitamin B12 between cases and controls (P > 0.05). In univariate and multivariate analysis, there was significant inverse relation between PD and current smoking (P < 0.05). No other factor was significant statistically. Conclusions. The prevalence of PD was comparable to earlier studies in China. Hyperhomocysteinemia was not a risk factor of PD, as well as folate and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Disparities in the receipt of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: between-hospital and within-hospital analysis using 2009–2011 California inpatient data

Objectives Despite the rapid proliferation of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), little attention has been paid to patient utilisation of this newest surgical innovation and barriers that may result in disparities in access to RARP. The goal of this study is to identify demographic and economic factors that decrease the likelihood of patients with prostate cancer (PC) receiving RARP. Design, setting and participants A retrospective, pooled, cross-sectional study was conducted using 2009–2011 California State Inpatient Data and American Hospital Association data. Patients who were diagnosed with PC and underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) from 225 hospitals in California were identified, using ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure codes. Primary outcome measures Patients’ likelihood of receiving RARP was associated with patient and hospital characteristics using the two models: (1) between-hospital and (2) within-hospital models. Multivariate binomial logistic regression was used for both models. The first model predicted patient access to RARP-performing hospitals versus non-RARP-performing hospitals, after adjusting for patient and hospital-level covariates (between-hospital variation). The second model examined the likelihood of patients receiving RARP within RARP-performing hospitals (within-hospital variation). Results Among 20 411 patients who received RP, 13 750 (67.4%) received RARP, while 6661 (32.6%) received non-RARP. This study found significant differences in access to RARP-performing hospitals when race/ethnicity, income and insurance status were compared, after controlling for selected confounding factors (all p<0.001). For example, Hispanic, Medicare and Medicaid patients were more likely to be treated at non-RARP-performing hospitals versus RARP-performing hospitals. Within RARP-performing hospitals, Medicaid patients had 58% lower odds of receiving RARP versus non-RARP (adjusted OR 0.42, p<0.001). However, there were no significant differences by race/ethnicity or income within RARP-performing hospitals. Conclusions Significant differences exist by race/ethnicity and payer status in accessing RARP-performing hospitals. Furthermore, payer status continues to be an important predictor of receiving RARP within RARP-performing hospitals.
Tau Phosphorylation at Serine 396 Residue Is Required for Hippocampal LTD

Tau is required for the induction of long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. Here we probe the role of tau in LTD, finding that an AMPA receptor internalization mechanism is impaired in tau KO mice, and that LTD causes specific phosphorylation at the serine 396 and 404 residues of tau. Surprisingly, we find that phosphorylation at serine 396, specifically, is critical for LTD but has no role in LTP. Finally, we show that tau KO mice exhibit deficits in spatial reversal learning. These findings underscore the physiological role for tau at the synapse and identify a behavioral correlate of its role in LTD.
Comprehending text versus reading words in young readers with varying reading ability: distinct patterns of functional connectivity from common processing hubs.

Skilled reading depends on recognizing words efficiently in isolation (word-level processing; WL) and extracting meaning from text (discourse-level processing; DL); deficiencies in either result in poor reading. FMRI has revealed consistent overlapping networks in word and passage reading, as well as unique regions for DL processing; however, less is known about how WL and DL processes interact. Here we examined functional connectivity from seed regions derived from where BOLD signal overlapped during word and passage reading in 38 adolescents ranging in reading ability, hypothesizing that even though certain regions support word- and higher-level language, connectivity patterns from overlapping regions would be task modulated. Results indeed revealed that the left-lateralized semantic and working memory (WM) seed regions showed task-dependent functional connectivity patterns: during DL processes, semantic and WM nodes all correlated with the left angular gyrus, a region implicated in semantic memory/coherence building. In contrast, during WL, these nodes coordinated with a traditional WL area (left occipitotemporal region). In addition, these WL and DL findings were modulated by decoding and comprehension abilities, respectively, with poorer abilities correlating with decreased connectivity. Findings indicate that key regions may uniquely contribute to multiple levels of reading; we speculate that these connectivity patterns may be especially salient for reading outcomes and intervention response.