Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domains of tau protein and interactions with microtubules.

The role of the neuronal microtubule-associated protein tau has been studied by generating a series of tau constructs differing in one or several of its subdomains: length and composition of the repeat domains, extensions of the repeats in the N- or C-terminal direction, constructs without repeats, assembly vs projection domain, and number of N-terminal inserts. The interaction of the mutant tau proteins with microtubules was judged by several independent methods. (i) Direct binding assays between tau and taxol-stabilized microtubules yield dissociation constants and stoichiometries. (ii) Light scattering and X-ray scattering of assembling microtubule solutions reflect the capacity of tau to promote microtubule nucleation, elongation, and bundling in bulk solution. (iii) Dark field microscopy of assembling microtubules allows one to assess the efficiency of nucleation and bundling separately. The repeat region alone, the N-terminal domains alone, or the C-terminal tail alone binds only weakly to microtubules. However, binding is strongly enhanced by combinations such as the repeat region plus one or both of the flanking regions which could be viewed as "jaws" for tau on the microtubule surface (the proline-rich domain P upstream of the repeats and the "fifth" repeat R' downstream). Such combinations make tau's binding productive in terms of microtubule assembly and stabilization, while the combination of the flanking regions without repeats binds only unproductively. Efficient nucleation parallels strong binding in most cases, i.e., when a construct binds tightly to microtubules, it also nucleates them efficiently and vice versa. In addition, the proline-rich domain P in combination with the repeats R or the flanking domain R' causes pronounced bundling. This effect disappears when the N-terminal domains (acidic or basic) are added on, suggesting that the tau isoforms are not "bundling proteins" in the proper sense. In spite of the wide range of binding strength and nucleation efficiency, the stoichiometries of binding are rather reproducible (around 0.5 tau/tubulin dimer); this is in remarkable contrast to the effect of certain types of phosphorylation which can strongly reduce the stoichiometry.
Oxidative Stress-Related Genetic Polymorphisms Are Associated with the Prognosis of Metastatic Gastric Cancer Patients Treated with Epirubicin, Oxaliplatin and 5-Fluorouracil Combination Chemotherapy

Background Oxidative stress genes are related to cancer development and treatment response. In this study, we aimed to determine the predictive and prognostic roles of oxidative stress-related genetic polymorphisms in metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods In this retrospective study, we genotyped nine oxidative stress-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NQO1, SOD2, SOD3, PON1, GSTP1, GSTT1, and NOS3 (rs1800566, rs10517, rs4880, rs1799895, rs662, rs854560, rs1695, rs2266637, rs1799983, respectively) in 108 consecutive MGC patients treated with epirubicin, oxaliplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (EOF) regimen as the first-line chemotherapy and analyzed the association between the genotypes and the disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results We found that, in addition to a lower pathological grade (p = 0.017), NQO1 rs1800566 CT/TT genotype was an independent predictive factor of poor PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23–3.16; p = 0.005). PON1 rs662 AA/AG genotype was significantly associated with poor OS (HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.07–3.54; p = 0.029). No associations were detected between the nine SNPs and DCR. Conclusions NQO1 rs1800566 is an independent predictive factor of PFS for MGC patients treated with EOF chemotherapy, and PON1 rs662 is a noteworthy prognostic factor of OS. Information on oxidative stress-related genetic variants may facilitate optimization of individualized chemotherapy in clinical practice.
MULTIPLE DURAL LESIONS MIMICKING MENINGIOMAS IN PATIENTS WITH CCM3/PDCD10 MUTATIONS

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) are in most cases located within the brain parenchyma. Familial forms of CCM (FCCM) are characterized by an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance and the presence of multiple cerebral lesions.1 Three CCM genes have been identified: CCM1/KRIT1 , CCM2/MGC4607 , and CCM3/PDCD10 . 1,2 They are involved in 53%, 15%, and 10% of patients with FCCM.3 All mutations lead to premature stop codons. Herein, we identified, within a series of 197 index patients with CCM mutations, four patients with multiple dural-based lesions mimicking meningiomas. All four index patients carried a mutation in CCM3 . ### Methods and results. A consecutive cohort of 267 CCM index patients with either multiple lesions or an affected relative who gave written informed consent were screened for mutations within the three CCM genes as previously reported.3 This study was approved by our local ethics committee. Genetic screening identified a deleterious mutation in 197 of these index patients, which constituted our study group. Clinical manifestations and mutations of 128 of these index patients were previously reported.2 A total of 129 out of the 197 index patients had a CCM1 mutation (65.4%), 39 had a CCM2 mutation (19.7%), and 29 had a CCM3 mutation (14.7%) (data not shown). Multiple intracranial dural-based lesions were detected in four index patients whose main imaging features are shown in the figure. Briefly, these four patients (three women/one man; mean age: 48 years, range: 42–64) show the following: 1) …
Rudeness and status effects during group problem solving: Do they bias evaluations and reduce the likelihood of correct solutions?

Rudeness and status can affect group-problem-solving processes. Eighty high school students completed a questionnaire and were videotaped doing an algebra problem in groups of 4. A new statistical method for analyzing group processes was used to analyze predictors of agreement and solution score. As expected, the previous speaker's correctness predicted agreement. In successful groups, agreement was also affected positively by academic status and negatively by justifications. In unsuccessful groups, however, agreement was affected positively by recent agreements and negatively by recent rude actions. Solution score was predicted positively by academic grade and percentage of correct turns but negatively by rudeness. Thus, rudeness negatively biased agreement and made a correct solution less likely, but biases from academic status were relatively benign. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Navigating Large-Scale Desk-Top Virtual Buildings: Effects of Orientation Aids and Familiarity

Two experiments investigated components of participants' spatial knowledge when they navigated large-scale virtual buildings using desk-top (i.e., nonimmersive) virtual environments (VEs). Experiment 1 showed that participants could estimate directions with reasonable accuracy when they traveled along paths that contained one or two turns (changes of direction), but participants' estimates were significantly less accurate when the paths contained three turns. In Experiment 2 participants repeatedly navigated two more complex virtual buildings, one with and the other without a compass. The accuracy of participants' route-finding and their direction and relative straight-line distance estimates improved with experience, but there were no significant differences between the two compass conditions. However, participants did develop significantly more accurate spatial knowledge as they became more familiar with navigating VEs in general.
The human neural cell adhesion molecule L1 functions as a costimulatory molecule in T cell activation

L1 is a neural cell adhesion molecule (CAM) known to be important for normal neurological development. Despite being described as a neural CAM, we have documented L1 expression by antigen‐presenting cells of myelomonocytic origin. Here we demonstrate that L1 can function as a costimulatory molecule in T cell activation. A monoclonal antibody that abrogates L1‐L1 homophilic binding significantly reduced mixed leukocyte responses initiated by allogeneic L1+ dendritic cells. Autologous T cell activation in response to phytohemagglutinin was also inhibited by blockade of L1. In accordance with these results, transfection of human L1 into a murine myeloma cell line significantly increased the capacity of these cells to stimulate xenogeneic T cell responses. As a costimulatory ligand L1 could represent a novel target for immunotherapeutic intervention and may act as an important intermediary in neuroimmunological processes and disease.
Homozygosity mapping: One more tool in the clinical geneticist's toolbox

Consanguinity increases the coefficient of inbreeding, which increases the likelihood of presence of pathogenic mutations in a homoallelic state. Although this is known to have an adverse outcome by increasing the risk of autosomal recessive disorders, this very phenomenon has also made homozygosity mapping the most robust gene discovery strategy in the recent history of human genetics. However, homozygosity mapping can also serve as an extremely powerful tool in the clinical genetics setting as well. In particular, this method is highly suited in the setting of genetically heterogeneous conditions and inborn errors of metabolism that require sophisticated biochemical testing that may not be readily available. This article is meant to highlight the clinical utility of this strategy using illustrative clinical examples from the author's own clinical genetics practice.
Neuroblastoma: changing incidence and survival in young people aged 0-24 years. A report from the North of England Young Persons' Malignant Disease Registry.

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURE Population based data for neuroblastoma in children and young adults under 25 years at diagnosis were ascertained from the Northern Region Young Persons' Malignant Disease Registry for the period 1968-1995. Age-standardised incidence rates were calculated (ASR) and changes in incidence and survival were investigated. Over the study period 144 patients were registered, of these 136 were children under 15 years at diagnosis (median age: 2.2 years, ASR: 8.6 cases per million children per year), and 8 were 15-24 years (ASR 0.6). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Incidence of childhood neuroblastoma in the North of England increased significantly over time; ASRs were 5.8 for 1968-1981 and 9.5 for 1982-1995 (rate ratio: 1.6, 95%; CI 1.2-2.3). The increase in incidence was seen in both infants and older children, and in both low stage and advanced disease. Overall 5 year survival was 15% for 1968-1981 and 40% for 1982-1995 (P < 0.0001). Significant improvements in survival were documented across different stage and age-groups, including those over 1 with stage 4 disease (0% versus 18%, P < 0.0001). Further research is needed to investigate the reasons for the increasing incidence of neuroblastoma.
Reproducibility of R2* and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) reconstruction methods in the basal ganglia of healthy subjects

The basal ganglia are key structures for motor, cognitive and behavioral functions. They undergo several changes with aging and disease, such as Parkinson's or Huntington's disease, for example. Iron accumulation in basal ganglia is often related to these diseases, which is conventionally monitored by the transverse relaxation rate (R2*). Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a novel contrast mechanism in MRI produced by adding information taken from the phase of the MR signal to its magnitude. It has been shown to be more sensitive to subtle changes in Parkinson's disease. In order to be applied widely to various pathologies, its reproducibility must be evaluated in order to assess intra‐subject variability and to disseminate into clinical and pharmaceutical studies. In this work, we studied the reproducibility and sensitivity of several QSM techniques. Fourteen subjects were scanned four times, and QSM and R2* images were reconstructed and registered. An atlas of the basal ganglia was used to automatically define regions of interest. We found that QSM measurements are indeed reproducible in the basal ganglia of healthy subjects and can be widely used as a replacement for R2* mapping in iron‐rich regions. This reproducibility study could lead to several lines of research in relaxometry and susceptibility measurements, in vivo iron load evaluation as well as pharmacological assessment and biomarker development. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Personality Dynamics: Insights From the Personality Social Cognitive Literature

Psychodynamic and social cognitive approaches to personality assessment converge now more so than at any time in the history of experimental psychology. This contribution seeks to make this point. First, the trait of neuroticism predisposes one to multiple adverse outcomes, a point not sufficiently captured by the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. [DSM–IV]; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Second, though, self-reported levels of neuroticism are insufficient in understanding problematic outcomes for multiple reasons. Third, there are ways of experimentally modeling the many processes of interest to psychodynamic theorists such as unconscious affective biases, implicit representations of self and other, and underlying deficits in self- and emotion regulation. Implicit approaches to assessment also provide clues to interventions targeting the processes of interest, a point that will be made as well.
Stochastic Analysis of the Packet-Pair Bandwidth Probing Event under Heterogeneous Cross-Traffic

An analytical model of packet-pair bandwidth-probing under heterogeneous traffic is compared with a discrete-event simulation. The arrival of each packet-type is governed by an independent Poisson process, such that the aggregate distribution is approximately Gaussian. The waiting-time can be resolved into two components: A transient component representing the emptying process, and an equilibrium component representing the return to a steady-state distribution. The simulated waiting-time and dispersion characteristics agree closely the model’s predictions.
The Successful Student-Teaching Experience: Thoughts from the Ivory Tower

teachers. tudent eaching has been called the keystone xperience for the undergraduate, the most crucial phase of teaching preparation.1 Much has been written on the importance of this experience in the life cycle of a music educator. (See the Recommended Reading sidebar for examples.) Despite the intense academic and musical groundwork that college music education programs furnish, as an undergraduate preparing for student teaching, you may lack realistic expectations about the impending experience. This article offers advice for navigating the student-teaching experience and identifies vital qualities for student teachers. These recommendations-offered by two collegiate music education supervisors-are based on a combined two decades of teaching experience in the public school music room, plus additional experience in the three major roles of the student-teaching drama: student teacher, cooperating classroom teacher, and university music education supervisor. Though directed toward those preparing to begin student teaching, this article and the principles offered within it may also be useful to mentors, cooperating teachers, college supervisors, and others who can share these ideas with those who are embarking on this crucial phase.
Beliefs, Attitudes and Practices in Mathematics Teaching: Perceptions of Scottish primary school student teachers

Attitudes towards and feelings about mathematics and mathematics teaching of first and final year primary student teachers in Scotland are reported. While overall reasonably confident and positive towards teaching mathematics, they tend to be relatively unadventurous in their teaching, lack strong personal views of their own, think of mathematics teaching as unexciting and in relation to other curricular areas difficult and worrying. They may have an over-optimistic view of their mathematical abilities and understanding. It is suggested that the mathematical component of teacher education courses in Scotland may not be fully adequate for its task.
Methodological and Validity Issues Involved in the Collection of Sensitive Information From Children in Foster Care

ABSTRACT The Illinois Child Well-Being Study (ICWBS) established a red-flag reporting system (RFRS) embedded in the Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI) portion of its child survey to flag reports of violence toward the child, suicidality, neglect, and/or sexual exploitation. When those RFRS questions were positively answered, the reported incident was relayed to the child's caseworker and investigated. This study describes the RFRS, the analysis of the children's reports, and a content analysis of the caseworkers' investigation. In this study, 166 children were interviewed and 28 children reported 36 RFRS incidents. On investigation, only 6 RFRS incidents were verified; most RFRS incidents were reported in error. The results of this study may help researchers using similar RFRS protocols.
Aard van die geloofsgemeenskap in Nehemia 9

The character of the community of faith in Nehemiah 9. In this study the prayer in Nehemiah 9:5b-37 is compared with Psalm 106 and investigated within its literary and social context. The conclusion is reached that the community of faith portrayed in this prayer is a cultic community standing in a relationship with God which expresses its guilt as well as its finn belief in God's power to change its circumstances.
Chronic N-Acetylcysteine Administration Prevents Development of Hypertension in Nω-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester-Treated Rats: The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of superoxide anions as well as their role in the induction and/or maintenance of high blood pressure in rats with Nω-nitro- L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertension. In the preventive study, we compared adult Wistar rats treated with L-NAME for 4 weeks with L-NAME-treated rats that were simultaneously given N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in their drinking water. Basal blood pressure, superoxide production, conjugated dienes concentration and NO synthase (NOS) activity were measured at the end of the experiment. Chronic NOS inhibition by L-NAME treatment increased blood pressure, enhanced superoxide production in the aorta and elevated the concentration of conjugated dienes in the heart and kidney. All these changes were prevented by simultaneous NAC administration, which augmented NOS activity in L-NAME-treated rats. In the therapeutic study, the effects of chronic NAC treatment were studied in rats with established hypertension which developed during 4 weeks of L-NAME administration. The blood pressure effects of chronic NAC treatment in established L-NAME hypertension were only moderate, although this treatment also restored NOS activity and lowered conjugated dienes in the heart and kidney. Since chronic NAC treatment had better preventive than therapeutic effects, it seems that reactive oxygen species play a more important role in the induction than in the maintenance of L-NAME hypertension.
Maternal exposure to magnetic fields from high‐voltage power lines and the risk of birth defects

The issue of adverse human health effects due to exposure to electromagnetic fields is still unclear, and congenital anomalies are among the outcomes that have been inconsistently associated with such exposure. We conducted a population‐based, case–control study to examine the risk of congenital anomalies associated with maternal exposure to magnetic fields (MF) from high‐voltage power lines during pregnancy in a community in northern Italy. We identified 228 cases of congenital malformations diagnosed in live births, stillbirths, and induced abortions among women living in the municipality of Reggio Emilia during the period 1998–2006, and a reference group of healthy newborns was matched for year of birth, maternal age, and hospital of birth. We identified maternal residence during early pregnancy and used Geographic Information System to determine whether the residences were within geocoded corridors with MF ≥0.1 µT near high‐voltage power lines, then calculated the relative risk (RR) of congenital anomalies associated with maternal exposure. One case and 5 control mothers were classified as exposed, and the RR associated with MF ≥0.1 µT was 0.2 (95% CI: 0.0–2.0) after adjusting for maternal education. While small or moderate effects may have gone undetected due to low statistical power, the results of this study overall do not provide support for major effects of a teratogenic risk due to exposure to MF during early pregnancy. Bioelectromagnetics 33:405–409, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi-task Gaussian Process Prediction

In this paper we investigate multi-task learning in the context of Gaussian Processes (GP). We propose a model that learns a shared covariance function on input-dependent features and a "free-form" covariance matrix over tasks. This allows for good flexibility when modelling inter-task dependencies while avoiding the need for large amounts of data for training. We show that under the assumption of noise-free observations and a block design, predictions for a given task only depend on its target values and therefore a cancellation of inter-task transfer occurs. We evaluate the benefits of our model on two practical applications: a compiler performance prediction problem and an exam score prediction task. Additionally, we make use of GP approximations and properties of our model in order to provide scalability to large data sets.
Performance Measurement Challenges in Nonprofit Human Service Organizations

This qualitative study examines the experiences of four nonprofit human service organizations engaging in performance measurement processes to satisfy accountability requirements and increase organizational and program effectiveness. Nonprofits are increasingly required to respond to performance measurement mandates issuing from multiple sources. However, many of the recommended strategies have been developed in the for-profit and public sectors, and are less appropriate or feasible for nonprofit organizations. Three central findings emerged from interviews, focus groups, and review of archival data. First, the complexity of human change processes and the variation among individual clients complicate efforts to define client outcomes. Second, staff skills play a critical role in effective utilization of data systems. Third, organizational strategies to support performance measurement include incorporating user perspectives into system design and providing adequate staff access to data.