Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Involvement of H-2L gene products in virus-immune T-cell recognition. Evidence for an H-2L-restricted T-cell response

The H-2L locus is closely linked to H-2D and codes for antigenic specificities present on a 45,000 mol wt glycoprotein that is distinct from the molecule which bears the D region private specificity. It was found that BALB/c-H-2db mice, which lack detectable cell-surface H-2L gene products, were able to generate influenza- and vaccinia-immune cytotoxic T cells which lyse D region-compatible target cells, although they have been reported to be incapable of making a similar response to ectromelia virus (7). Thus, the lack of H-2L antigenic specificities does not produce a general loss of responsiveness for other viruses even when a highly cross-reactive pox virus (vaccinia) was studied. Antisera-blocking experiments utilizing sera specific for either L or D molecules indicated that BALB/c mice generate influenza virus-immune cytotoxic T-cell subsets which independently recognize H-2L and H-2D gene products in association with viral antigens. These results are the first indication that products of the H-2L locus can operate analogously to H-2K/D gene products in virus-immune T-cell recognition.
Associations of religious behavior and experiences with extent of regional atrophy in the orbitofrontal cortex during older adulthood

Abstract The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a region of the brain that has been empirically linked with religious or spiritual activity, and atrophy in this region has been shown to contribute to serious mental illness in late life. This study used structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the association between religious or spiritual factors and volume of the OFC. Change in the volume of participants' left and right OFC was measured longitudinally over a period of 2–8 years. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that religious or spiritual factors were related to extent of atrophy in the left OFC. Significantly less atrophy of the left OFC was observed in participants who reported a life-changing religious or spiritual experience during the course of the study, and in members of Protestant religious groups who reported being born-again when entering the study. Significantly greater atrophy of the left OFC was also associated with more frequent participation in public religious worship. No significant relationship was observed between religious or spiritual factors and extent of atrophy in the right OFC. These results support the presence of a long-term relationship between religious or spiritual experience and brain structure, which may have clinical implications.
INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF CHOLINE OR CDP-CHOLINE IMPROVES PLATELET COUNT AND PLATELET CLOSURE TIMES IN ENDOTOXIN-TREATED DOGS

This study was performed to assess the effects of intravenous choline chloride and cytidine-5′-diphosphate choline (CDP-choline) treatments on circulating platelet, white blood cell, and red blood cell counts and platelet functions in response to endotoxin. Saline (0.2 mL/kg), choline chloride (20 mg/kg), or CDP-choline (70 mg/kg) were given intravenously three times at 4-h intervals, and endotoxemia was induced by endotoxin (E. coli 055:B5, 20 μg/kg) infusion, 5 min after the first treatment. Blood samples were collected before and at multiple time points after the challenge, for a panel of hematologic parameters and platelet closure times measured by PFA-100™. In saline-treated dogs, circulating platelet counts decreased by 85% (P < 0.001) at 0.5 h and remained low by 36%-80% (P < 0.5-0.001) 1-12 h after endotoxin. Circulating WBC counts decreased by 80%-90% (P < 0.001) at 0.5-2 h, and increased (P < 0.001) by 190% 12 h after the endotoxin. In response to endotoxin, RBCs increased by 10%-13% (P < 0.05) at 1-12 h. Endotoxin-induced decline in circulating platelets was attenuated at 0.5 h (P < 0.05-0.01) and reversed at 1-12 h (P < 0.05-0.001) by choline. Platelet closure times were shortened from 81 ± 10 s and 135 ± 10 s to 29 ± 5 s (P < 0.001) and 60 ± 3 s (P < 0.001) at 0.5 h, and prolonged (P < 0.001) at 1-8 h after endotoxin induction. Endotoxin-induced shortening in platelet closure times was attenuated (P < 0.05) and blocked (P < 0.01) by choline and CDP-choline, respectively. These results showed that choline and CDP-choline treatments improved circulating platelet counts and platelet function during endotoxemia in dogs.
Galleria mellonella Model Identifies Highly Virulent Strains among All Major Molecular Types of Cryptococcus gattii

Cryptococcosis is mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. However, the number of cases due to C. gattii is increasing, affecting mainly immunocompetent hosts. C. gattii is divided into four major molecular types, VGI to VGIV, which differ in their host range, epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility and geographic distribution. Besides studies on the Vancouver Island outbreak strains, which showed that the subtype VGIIa is highly virulent compared to the subtype VGIIb, little is known about the virulence of the other major molecular types. To elucidate the virulence potential of the major molecular types of C. gattii, Galleria mellonella larvae were inoculated with ten globally selected strains per molecular type. Survival rates were recorded and known virulence factors were studied. One VGII, one VGIII and one VGIV strain were more virulent (p <0.05) than the highly virulent Vancouver Island outbreak strain VGIIa (CDCR265), 11 (four VGI, two VGII, four VGIII and one VGIV) had similar virulence (p >0.05), 21 (five VGI, five VGII, four VGIII and seven VGIV) were less virulent (p <0.05) while one strain of each molecular type were avirulent. Cell and capsule size of all strains increased markedly during larvae infection (p <0.001). No differences in growth rate at 37°C were observed. Melanin synthesis was directly related with the level of virulence: more virulent strains produced more melanin than less virulent strains (p <0.05). The results indicate that all C. gattii major molecular types exhibit a range of virulence, with some strains having the potential to be more virulent. The study highlights the necessity to further investigate the genetic background of more and less virulent strains in order to recognize critical features, other than the known virulence factors (capsule, melanin and growth at mammalian body temperature), that maybe crucial for the development and progression of cryptococcosis.
Views on Female Under-Representation in Physics: Retraining Women or Reinventing Physics?

Female under-representation in physics is a growing concern in the physics and science education communities. In this position paper, three viewpoints will be offered from the literature regarding the beliefs of physicists and science educators as to why there is a dearth of females in physics. These viewpoints are usually not held exclusively but are generally held to varying degrees by people in these fields. The viewpoints assign different causes to the problem, namely, 1) inherent differences between males and females, 2) socialized differences between males and females, and 3) a biased culture within the field. The first two viewpoints are limited because they find differences associated with a student's gender to be at the root of the problem. Neither biological predisposition nor socialization of the genders is easily changed. The third viewpoint, the position taken by the authors, argues that modes of research and understanding in physics are invented by its practitioners rather than vice versa. Thus, in order to include more females, the structure of the physics community has to be reinvented with their input.
The Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test as a test for executive function: Validity in patient groups and norms for older adults

Abstract Impairments in executive functioning frequently occur after acquired brain damage, in psychiatric disorders, and in relation to aging. The Brixton Spatial Anticipation Test is a relatively new measure for assessing the ability to detect and follow a rule, an important aspect of executive functioning. To date, normative data on this task are limited, particularly concerning the elderly. This study presents age- and education-adjusted regression-based norms obtained in a group of healthy older participants (n = 283; mean age 67.4 ± 8.5 years). The applicability and validity of these norms were further examined in different groups of patients with stroke (n = 106), diabetes mellitus (n = 376), MCI/early dementia (n = 70), psychiatric disorders (n = 63), and Korsakoff’s syndrome (n = 41). The results showed that patients with Korsakoff’s syndrome, stroke, and psychiatric disorders performed significantly worse than healthy controls. Test-retest correlation (n = 83), learning effects, and correlations with other neuropsychological tests were also explored. Based on the present study, the Brixton test appears a useful addition to existing measures of executive functioning. Moreover, the test can be reliably applied in different groups of clinical patients. (JINS, 2009, 15, 695–703.)
The Impact of Superintendent Turnover on Student Achievement in Rural Districts

The field has gained knowledge in the area of superintendent influence on student achievement; however, more research on superintendent turnover and its impact on organizational performance in a rural context is needed. Student achievement measures have become the primary indicator of school, principal, teacher, and student success (New York: Race to the Top State Scope of Work, 2011) and has become a measure of the superintendent’s performance. Using time series data analysis with twelve years of district data across the 21 schools studied, results indicated that superintendent turnover did impact student achievement. The motive of the superintendent, examined in this study through Carlson’s (1961) theory of internal versus external hire, suggested that superintendents hired from inside the district increased rural student achievement by 10.8 percent more than external hires. The means of the superintendent, examined in this study through Boyne and Dahya’s theory of Executive Succession, suggested that dependence of a school district on state aid served as a moderator. Student achievement in districts that are reliant on state aid as a revenue source were less impacted. The smaller the school, the less change in passing rates across succession events was observed. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/157 The Impact of Superintendent Turnover on Student Achievement in Rural Districts
Fabrication of Gas Sensors based on Carbon Nanotube for CH 4 and CO 2 Detection

This study was carried out to investigate the adsorption effect of CH4 and CO2 on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) based gas sensors by measuring the variation of their electrical resistance. The CNTs were synthesized by Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor Deposition (FC-CVD) method on quartz substrate under benzene bubble at temperature of 700 ̊C. Then, they were tested for gas detection. Upon exposure to gaseous molecules, the electrical resistance of CNTs dramatically increased for both CH4 and CO2 gases with short response time and high sensitivity. In addition, the recovery of the sensors and mechanism of gas sensing procedure are discussed. Keywords-carbon nanotubes; chemical vapor deposition; gas sensor; quartz substrate
Seismic Hazard in Tien Shan: Basement Structure Control Over the Deformation Induced by Indo-Eurasia Collision

The Tien Shan are an active intracontinental mountain belt that is part of the Central Asian Orogenic System (fig. 1). In general the mountain belt is composed of E-W trending ranges, separated by (sub)-parallel intramontane depressions. The western part of the Tien Shan is for a large extent situated in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, while the eastern part is located in China. The Tien Shan can be regarded as a mobile belt between two rigid micro-continent or microplates: to the south this is the Tarim plate, to the north, the Aktyuz-Boordin (which in fact represents the southern part of Kazakhstan-Junggar plate) (fig. 2). The Tien Shan belt was formed during the Palaeozoic closure of the Turkestan Ocean [Allen et al., 1992; Gao et al., 1998; Chen et al., 1999; Brookfield, 2000]. Island-arc systems and micro-plates converged with the northern margin of Tarim and were accreted to Tarim in the Middle to Late Palaeozoic. Final closure of the Turkestan oceanic basin was accomplished in the Late Palaeozoic, in the Permian, when the Tarim and Tien Shan units collided with the Kazakhstan-Junggar plate [Laurent-Charvet et al., 2002; Van der Voo et al., 2006; Yang et al., 2007]. At this time, in the Permo-Triassic, this entire assemblage was also docked to the Siberian continent further north in present-day co-ordinates [Carroll et al., 1995; Levashova et al. 2007] and together these amalgamated terranes formed one of the nuclei of the current Asian continent. This Palaeozoic collision-accretion produced two ophioliteand UHP-rock bearing suture zones [Allen et al., 1992; Zhang et al., 1993; Gao et al., 1998; Zhang et al 2002a; 2002b; Bazhenov et al., 2003; John et al., 2008]. During the various subduction and accretion episodes, the Tien Shan units were vastly intruded by granitoids [Solomovich & Trifonov, 2002; Mao et al., 2004; Konopelko et al., 2007; Solomovich, 2007; Pirajno et al., 2008; Van der Voo et al., 2006; Kröner et al., 2008]. An example of these is the extensive northern Kyrgyz granitoid batholith that is mainly of Ordovician – Silurian age, although smaller Permian plutons are found as well. The basement of the Tian Shan consists of the Issyk-Kul (or Central Tien Shan or Ili) and Aktyuz-Boordin microcontinents. They are composed of Paleoproterozoic strongly metamorphosed rocks, covered by Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic volcanogenic-sedimentary and sedimentary rocks [Buslov et al., 2003; Mao et al., 2004; Konopelko et al., 2007; Solomovich, 2007; Wang et al., 2007a; 2007b]
P‐selectin‐ and heparanase‐dependent antimetastatic activity of non‐anticoagulant heparins

Vascular cell adhesion molecules, P‐ and L‐selectins, facilitate metastasis of cancer cells in mice by mediating interactions with platelets, endothelium, and leukocytes. Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that degrades heparan sulfate of extracellular matrix, thereby promoting tumor invasion and metastasis. Hep‐arin is known to efficiently attenuate metastasis in different tumor models. Here we identified modified, nonanticoagulant species of heparin that specifically inhibit selectin‐mediated cell‐cell interactions, hepara‐nase enzymatic activity, or both. We show that selective inhibition of selectin interactions or heparanase with specific heparin derivatives in mouse models of MC‐38 colon carcinoma and B16‐BL6 melanoma attenuates metastasis. Selectin‐specific heparin derivatives attenu‐ated metastasis of MC‐38 carcinoma, but heparanase‐specific derivatives had no effect, in accordance with the virtual absence of heparanase activity in these cells. Heparin derivatives had no further effect on metastasis in mice deficient in P‐ and L‐selectin, indicating that selectins are the primary targets of heparin antimeta‐static activity. Selectin‐specific and heparanase‐specific derivatives attenuated metastasis of B16‐BL6 melanomas to a similar extent. When mice were injected with a derivative containing both heparanase and selectin inhibitory activity, no additional attenuation of metastasis could be observed. Thus, selectin‐specific heparin derivatives efficiently attenuated metastasis of both tumor cell types whereas inhibition of heparanase led to reduction of metastasis only in tumor cells producing heparanase. —Hostettler N. , Naggi, A. , Torri, G. , Ishai‐Michaeli, R. , Casu, B. , Vlodavsky, I. , Borsig L. P‐selectin‐ and heparanase‐dependent antimetastatic activity of non‐anticoagulant heparins. FASEB J. 21, 3562–3572 (2007)
On the Electrophilic Character of Molecules Through Its Relation with Electronegativity and Chemical Hardness

Electrophilicity is an intrinsic property of atoms and molecules. It probably originates logistically with the involvement in the physical process of electrostatics of soaked charge in electronic shells and the screened nuclear charge of atoms. Motivated by the existing view of conceptual density functional theory that similar to electronegativity and hardness equalization, there should be a physical process of equalization of electrophilicity during the chemical process of formation of hetero nuclear molecules, we have developed a new theoretical scheme and formula for evaluating the electrophilicity of hetero nuclear molecules. A comparative study with available bench marking reveals that the hypothesis of electrophilicity and equalization, and the present method of evaluating equalized electrophilicity, are scientifically promising.
Sociopsychotechnological Predictors of Individual’s Social Loafing in Virtual Team

The rapid development of technology and the demands of the workers to be productive have made efficiency and effectiveness of virtual team collaboration is becoming increasingly urgent lately. Therefore, it is important to identify the variables undermining the efficiency and effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate the role of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and perceived playfulness of online collaboration tool (as elements of technology acceptance) and xenophobia in predicting social loafing (at the individual level)─a social psychological phenomenon that shows the declining performance of the individual when working in the group. The contribution of this research is its attempt to combine social psychological and technological factors in explaining human performance in the context of the group when interacting with technology. The research design was correlational predictive, with multiple linear regression data analysis technique. Participants of this study were 80 students and employees (43 males, 37 females; mean of age = 25.58 years of old, standard deviation of age = 4.92 years) who work using online collaboration tool in a virtual team. The results showed that the perceived playfulness, perceived ease of use, and xenophobia were able to predict an individual’s social loafing, but the perceived usefulness is not able to predict it. Implications of the results of research in order to prevent social loafing are stated in the Discussion section.
Lone parent obligations : following lone parents’ journeys from benefits to work

As part of Lone Parent Obligations (LPO), since November 2008, lone parents have progressively lost entitlement to Income Support (IS) solely on the grounds of being a lone parent, based on the age of their youngest child. By May 2012, the age of the youngest child had reduced to five. Lone parents no longer eligible for IS have been able to claim other benefits, as appropriate, including Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). The JSA regime has been amended to include flexibilities for these parents, for example, in the hours of work they are required to seek.
Treatment of tinea unguium with medium and high doses of ultramicrosize griseofulvin compared with that with itraconazole

Toenail tinea is a very recalcitrant dermatosis. Griseofulvin at > or = 500 mg/day is the current medication of choice, but it is minimally successful. In a controlled open trial ultramicrosize griseofulvin (UMSG) at doses of 660 and 990 mg/day was compared with itraconazole at 100 mg/day in 109 patients. At 4-week intervals, the patients were evaluated for their clinical and mycological statuses and adverse reactions. Treatment was given for up to 18 months. Compliance was checked by tablet counting. Response (cure, partial cure, marked improvement) was analyzed by the intent-to-treat method. Cured and partially cured patients were followed up. Except for one early dropout, the toenails (mean, 6 to 7) were involved. Cure or partial cure was found in 6% (UMSG at 660 mg), 14% (UMSG at 990 mg), and 19% (itraconazole at 100 mg) of patients (P = 0.2097); marked improvement was found in 36, 44, and 39% of patients in the three treatment groups, respectively. Most patients had to be treated for 18 months. Failure was related to short medication periods (adverse drug reactions, dropout). While stable cure was not obtained with UMSG at 660 mg, the higher dose of UMSG and itraconazole gave stable cures in the other patients. Side effects of nausea, diarrhea, and headache were found in 20, 26, and 11 patients, respectively (P = 0.0028), and the numbers in whom medication had to be discontinued differed, too (P = 0.0137). While there was no major difference with glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and gamma-GT, total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels declined slightly in the itraconazole group (P = 0.0357 and P = 0.0639, respectively, at 3 months). More than 70% of the patients had an average compliance of > or = 90%; four patients (two dropouts) were poor compliers. In conclusion, it appears questionable whether griseofulvin can continue to be considered the "gold standard" in the treatment of toenail tinea. At present, itraconazole at 100 mg shows better efficacy and is better tolerated.
Chemotherapy alone is an alternative treatment in treating localized primary ocular adnexal lymphomas

This study investigated the treatment efficacy and long-term adverse effects of various treatment modalities for primary ocular adnexal lymphomas (POALs). We retrospectively reviewed 107 patients who received first-line chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other treatment modalities from 1990 to 2015. Nighty-three (87%) patients were diagnosed with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, with the orbit being the most common site (49 patients, 46%). Among 91 patients with stage I–IIE1 disease, 26 underwent chemotherapy, 34 underwent radiotherapy, and 31 received other treatment modalities. For chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other treatment modalities, the 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rates were 90.0%, 89.7%, and 85.8% and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 100%, 90.4%, and 87.5%, respectively. Moreover, among 80 patients with stage I–IIE1 MALT lymphoma, the complete remission, 5-year EFS and OS rates were not significantly different between patients receiving chemotherapy and those receiving radiotherapy. Among 16 patients with stage IIE2–IVE disease, the 5-year EFS rates for chemotherapy alone (n = 11) and combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy (n = 5) were 61.7% and 80%, respectively, whereas the 5-year OS rate for both groups was 80.0%. Neutropenia (15.2%) was the most common side effect in patients who received chemotherapy, whereas cataract (16.3%) was the most common late sequela in patients who received radiotherapy. Multivariate analysis revealed that old age (> 60 y) and an advanced stage (stage III/IV) were prognostic factors for poor OS. Our results indicate that chemotherapy yields satisfactory disease control and fewer side effects, and acts as an alternative therapy for patients with localized POALs.