Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma controls inflammation-induced myocardial depression via sequential cAMP and iNOS signalling.

AIMS Sepsis-induced myocardial depression (SIMD), an early and frequent event of infection-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), is characterized by reduced contractility irrespective of enhanced adrenergic stimulation. Phosphoinositide-3 kinase γ (PI3Kγ) is known to prevent β-adrenergic overstimulation via its scaffold function by activating major cardiac phosphodiesterases and restricting cAMP levels. However, the role of PI3Kγ in SIRS-induced myocardial depression is unknown. This study is aimed at determining the specific role of lipid kinase-dependent and -independent functions of PI3Kγ in the pathogenesis of SIRS-induced myocardial depression. METHODS AND RESULTS PI3Kγ knockout mice (PI3Kγ(-/-)), mice expressing catalytically inactive PI3Kγ (PI3Kγ(KD/KD)), and wild-type mice (P3Kγ(+/+)) were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation and assessed for survival, cardiac autonomic nervous system function, and left ventricular performance. Additionally, primary adult cardiomyocytes were used to analyse PI3Kγ effects on myocardial contractility and inflammatory response. SIRS-induced adrenergic overstimulation induced a transient hypercontractility state in PI3Kγ(-/-) mice, followed by reduced contractility. In contrast, P3Kγ(+/+) mice and PI3Kγ(KD/KD) mice developed an early and ongoing myocardial depression despite exposure to similarly increased catecholamine levels. Compared with cells from P3Kγ(+/+) and PI3Kγ(KD/KD) mice, cardiomyocytes from PI3Kγ(-/-) mice showed an enhanced and prolonged cAMP-mediated signalling upon norepinephrine and an intensified LPS-induced proinflammatory response characterized by nuclear factor of activated T-cells-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase up-regulation. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals the lipid kinase-independent scaffold function of PI3Kγ as a mediator of SIMD during inflammation-induced SIRS. Activation of cardiac phosphodiesterases via PI3Kγ is shown to restrict myocardial hypercontractility early after SIRS induction as well as the subsequent inflammatory responses.
Prosodic Rhythm in Ontario French

This article presents the results of a study of rhythm in Ontario French in local minority and majority contexts. To determine whether French in a minority situation shows a less syllabic rhythm due to English influence than it does in a majority situation, we used the following rhythm measurements: %V, ΔV, ΔC, VarcoV, VarcoC and nPVI-V. The results suggest no effect of language contact on the minority setting data where we find even more syllable-timed rhythm than in the majority variety. In addition, we observe that women and older speakers exhibit a more syllabic rhythm than men and younger speakers.
Conversion of Tyrosine to the Inflammation-Associated Analog 3′-Nitrotyrosine at Either TCR- or MHC-Contact Positions Can Profoundly Affect Recognition of the MHC Class I-Restricted Epitope of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Glycoprotein 33 by CD8 T Cells1

Immunohistochemical detection of increased levels of protein-associated nitrotyrosine has become widely used as a surrogate marker of in situ inflammation. However, the potential consequences of protein-associated nitrotyrosine formation in terms of cellular immune recognition has received surprisingly little attention. Using a well-defined I-EK-restricted epitope of pigeon cytochrome c, we previously demonstrated that conversion of a single tyrosine residue to nitrotyrosine can have a profound effect on recognition by CD4 T cells. In this study, we used the MHC class I-restricted epitope of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein (gp33) to demonstrate that conversion of tyrosine to nitrotyrosine can also profoundly affect recognition of MHC class I-restricted epitopes. Conversion of the Y4 residue of the gp33 epitope to nitrotyrosine completely abrogated recognition by gp33-specific T cells from P14 TCR-transgenic mice. In contrast, CD8+ T cells specific for “nitrated gp33” (NY-gp33) can be readily elicited in C57BL/6 mice after immunization with NY-gp33 peptide. Interestingly, T-T hybridomas specific for NY-gp33 peptide were found to fall into two distinct subsets, being specific for NY-gp33 presented in the context of either H-2Db or H-2Kb. This latter result is surprising in light of previous structural studies showing that Y4 comprises a critical TCR-contact residue when presented by H-2Db but that the same residue points downward into the peptide-binding groove of the MHC when presented by H-2Kb. Together, these results indicate that nitrotyrosine formation can impact T cell recognition both directly, through alteration of TCR-contact residues, or indirectly, through alterations in MHC-contact positions.
Dialogic argumentation as a bridge to argumentative thinking and writing / La argumentación dialógica como puente para el pensamiento y la escritura argumentativa

Abstract Argumentation has been claimed to be ‘the more general human process of which more specific forms of reasoning are a part’. The educational context in which argument is most often practised and assessed is individual expository writing — a skill that teachers routinely report as their most challenging to teach and one in which students typically perform poorly. It becomes increasingly important with advancing grade and by the post-secondary level is crucial to academic success. We describe the dialogic method we have developed to foster young adolescents’ argument skills. Its essence is to engage students in rich and extended dialogues with one another on significant topics. We review evidence that the method, implemented in extended form over two or more years, produces positive outcomes in argumentative discourse, in individual writing and in meta-level understandings of argumentative discourse and evaluations of argument. In this study, we elaborate on these results and on the promise and challenges the method poses.
Optimal laboratory panel for predicting preeclampsia

Objective. This study was undertaken to investigate the usefulness of standard biochemical and hematological parameters measurement at third trimester of pregnancy for the individual prediction of preeclampsia. Methods. A retrospective designed study included 113 patients with preeclampsia and a control group of 95 normal, uncomplicated pregnancies. Patients were recruited in the third trimester of pregnancy at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, General Hospital Celje, Slovenia, EU. Erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, body mass index, parity, and age were evaluated to predict the occurrence of preeclampsia based on multivariate logistic regression model. Results. When parameters such as uric acid and urea were included into logistic regression model, we correctly classified 79.6% patients. With additional four parameters (thrombocytes, hematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase and leukocytes) we correctly classified 83.8% patients with preeclampsia. Conclusion. Our findings confirmed that several standard biochemical and hematological parameters, when used as laboratory test panel have significant prognostic value in the prediction of preeclampsia.
Methods of frequency tuning vibration based micro-generator

A vibration based micro-generator is an energy harvesting device that couples a certain transduction mechanism to the ambient vibration and converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. In order to maximize available power, micro-generators are typically inertial devices that operate at a single resonant frequency. The maximum output power is generated when the resonant frequency of the generator matches the ambient vibration frequency. The output power drops significantly if these two frequencies do not match due to the high Q-factor of the generator. This thesis addresses possible methods to overcome this limit of vibration based micro-generators, in particular, method of tuning the resonant frequency of the generator to match the ambient vibration frequency. This thesis highlights mechanical and electrical methods of resonant frequency tuning of a vibration based micro-generator. The mechanical frequency tuning is realized by applying an axial tensile force to strain the cantilever structure of the generator. A tunable micro-generator with a tuning range from 67.6 Hz to 98Hz and a maximum output power of 156.6? W at a constant low vibration acceleration level of 0.59m·s-2 was designed and tested. The tuning mechanism was found not to affect the damping of the generator. A closed loop frequency tuning system as well as the frequency searching algorithms has been developed to realize automatic frequency tuning using the proposed mechanical tuning method. The model of duty cycle of the system was established and it was proved theoretically that a reasonable duty cycle can be achieved if the generator and tuning system is designed properly. The electrical tuning method is realized by changing the load capacitance of the generator. Models of piezoelectric and electromagnetic generators using electrical tuning methods were derived. The model of the electromagnetic generator has also been experimentally verified. The electrically tunable generator tested has a maximum 3dB bandwidth of 4.2Hz. In conclusion, resonant frequency tuning using mechanical methods presented in the thesis have larger tuning range than that using electrical methods. However, frequency tuning using electrical tuning methods consumes less power than that using mechanical methods for the same amount of tuning range.
Synthesis and Thermomechanical Properties of Polyurethanes and Biocomposites Derived from Macauba Oil and Coconut Husk Fibers

This work reports on a very effective route to produce bio-based polyurethanes (PUs) and composites with high content of renewable carbon sources. The PUs are prepared with polyols synthesized from macauba oil (Acrocomia aculeata) and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, at different [NCO]/[OH] molar ratios. Later, biocomposites are prepared with the as-obtained PUs reinforced with coconut husk fibers. The successful synthesis of natural oil-based polyols is ascribed to the hydroxylation and consumption of carbon-carbon double bonds in the fatty acid chains of the original starting oil as attested by FTIR spectroscopy. According to different thermal analysis techniques (TG, DTG, and DTA), the increase in the [NCO]/[OH] molar ratio improves the thermal stability of PUs, likely due to an increase of crosslinks. Dynamic mechanical analysis evidences the reinforcement effect of coconut husk fibers in bio-based PUs. The present PUs and composites are of low-cost and environmentally friendly materials for structural applications.
How Communication Improves Efficiency in Bargaining: Reconciling Theory with Evidence

An improved material for finishing athletic court, commercial, and residential floor surfaces of wood, linoleum, terrazzo, concrete, or other smooth surface includes at least one elongated sheet having a layer of a uniform flexible film of clear plastic material of between about 1 mil and 25 mils thickness and a continuous layer of adhesive material releasably adhering the flexible film onto the floor surface. The elongated sheet is provided in a self-adhesive roll and is applied to the floor surface by unrolling the sheet from the roll, with the adhesive side down, aligning an end portion on a predetermined corresponding portion on the floor, and pressing the total length of the sheet against the floor to adhere the sheet to the floor surface. Additional sheets may be unrolled successively, with a slight overlap to assure an sealed joint. If the sheets are thick enough to create a perceptible ridge, a close fitting butt joint can be created by making a thin knife cut longitudinally through the overlapped edges and stripping away the resulting two edge strips.
Pulsus Alternans in Aortic Stenosis: Hemodynamic Observations in 50 Patients Studied by Left Heart Catheterization

Alternation in the strength of left ventricular contractions was noted relatively frequently in patients with acquired aortic stenosis, but not in patients with congenital aortic stenosis of similar severity. The product of left ventricular systolic pressure and heart rate, an index of the myocardial oxygen requirement, was significantly higher in those patients who exhibited persistent pulsus alternans.
The Roles of Task Significance and Social Perceptions in Job Stress and Employee Engagement

The present study combined literature in task significance (Hackman and Oldham, 1976; 2010) and social perceptions (Grant, 2008) in order to help explain employee engagement in its two dimensions: job and organization engagement (Saks, 2006). The study further investigated the mediating effects of challenge and hindrance stressors (Cavanaugh, Boswell, Roehling, & Boudreau, 2000) between task significance and employee engagement. A total of 337 faculty members at Concordia and McGill universities participated in this study. A moderated mediation and a multiple mediation analyses were performed which showed that task significance is a predictor of job and organization engagement. Additionally, the multiple mediation analysis showed that challenge stressors mediate the relationship between task significance and job engagement whereas hindrance stressors are negatively related to organization engagement. Moreover, the interaction between task significance and perceived social impact and worth explained the variance in hindrance stressors as demonstrated by the moderated mediation analyses. The results fill a gap in the literature when it comes to explaining the direct and indirect effects of task significance in explaining employee engagement. The major contribution of the study is that it showed that task significance on its own predicts employee engagement regardless of the other job characteristics, it also supported the dual dimension of employee engagement, and it emphasized the importance of challenge stressors in explaining job engagement. Practical implications and directions for future research are highlighted. Keywords: task significance, perceived social impact, perceived social worth, challenge stressors, hindrance stressors, job and organization engagement
Persistence of Brain Injury Misconceptions Among Speech- Language Pathology Graduate Students

166 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN COMMUNICATION SCIENCE AND DISORDERSVolume 36 • 166-173 • Fall 2009 ABSTRACT: Purpose: Despite the prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States, members of the lay public and health care professionals endorse misconcep- tions about TBI in general as well as specific information about coma, memory problems, and the recovery process. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether typical collegiate programs for training graduate-level speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are effective in dispel-
Drag reduction in wave-swept macroalgae: alternative strategies and new predictions.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Intertidal macroalgae must resist extreme hydrodynamic forces imposed by crashing waves. How does frond flexibility mitigate drag, and how does flexibility affect predictions of drag and dislodgement in the field? METHODS We characterized flexible reconfiguration of six seaweed species in a recirculating water flume, documenting both shape change and area reduction as fronds reorient. We then used a high-speed gravity-accelerated water flume to test our ability to predict drag under waves based on extrapolations of drag recorded at slower speeds. We compared dislodgement forces to drag forces predicted from slow- and high-speed data to generate new predictions of survivorship and maximum sustainable frond size along wave-swept shores. KEY RESULTS Bladed algae were generally "shape changers", limiting drag by reducing drag coefficients, whereas the branched alga Calliarthron was an "area reducer", limiting drag by reducing projected area in flow. Drag predictions often underestimated actual drag measurements at high speeds, suggesting that slow-speed data may not reflect the performance of flexible seaweeds under breaking waves. Several seaweeds were predicted to dislodge at similar combinations of velocity and frond size, suggesting common scaling factors of dislodgement strength and drag. CONCLUSIONS Changing shape and reducing projected area in flow are two distinct strategies employed by flexible seaweeds to resist drag. Flexible reconfiguration contributes to the uncertainty of drag extrapolation, and researchers should use caution when predicting drag and dislodgement of seaweeds in the field.
Behavioral Interventions to Reduce the Pica of Persons with Developmental Disabilities

The consumption of nonfood items (i. e., pica) frequently occurs in persons with developmental disabilities. Pica may result in the puncture or blockage of the digestive tract, infestation by gastrointestinal parasites, and can interfere with an individual’s daily learning, occupational performance, and quality of life. Twenty-six published studies have examined the efficacy of behavioral-intervention packages (e. g., differential reinforcement of other behavior, noncontingent attention, or overcorrection) on the pica of persons with developmental disabilities. This article reviews those studies and discusses the effectiveness, generality, and acceptability of the various intervention packages used to reduce pica. Additionally, this article highlights the recent clinical advancements that have been made in the treatment of the pica of persons with developmental disabilities.
Theca-derived BMP4 and BMP7 down-regulate connexin43 expression and decrease gap junction intercellular communication activity in immortalized human granulosa cells.

CONTEXT Connexin43 (Cx43)-coupled gap junctions in granulosa cells play important roles in follicular and oocyte development and may be modulated by theca cell-derived bone morphogenic protein (BMP) 4 and BMP7. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the effects of BMP4 and BMP7 on Cx43 expression in human granulosa cells and its potential mediation by the Smad-dependent pathway. DESIGN An immortalized human granulosa (SVOG) cell was used to investigate Cx43 expression and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) activity after exposure to BMP4 and BMP7. A BMP type I inhibitor, dorsomorphin, and small interfering RNAs targeting Smad4 were used to verify the specificity of the effects. SETTING The study was conducted in an academic center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Extracts were prepared from cultured cells, the Cx43 mRNA levels were examined using RT-quantitative real-time PCR, and the levels of Cx43 protein and phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 were assayed using Western blot analyses. GJIC activities between SVOG cells were evaluated using a scrape loading and dye transfer assay. RESULTS Treatment with BMP4 and BMP7 significantly decreased Cx43 mRNA and protein levels, as well as GJIC activities. These suppressive effects were attenuated by cotreatment with the BMP type I receptor inhibitor dorsomorphin. Furthermore, Smad4 knockdown reversed the effects of BMP4 and BMP7 on Cx43 expression. CONCLUSION Theca cell-derived BMP4 and BMP7 down-regulate Cx43 expression and decrease GJIC activity in human granulosa cells. Our findings indicate that this biological effect is most likely mediated by a Smad-dependent pathway.
Promoting Perceived Benefits of Group Projects

Group projects are often used in psychology courses to prepare students for future collaborative work. However, psychology alumni report that their education did not adequately prepare them for collaborative work. To better understand these perceptions, this study examined how instructor contributions (involvement and evaluation techniques) promote the benefits of group projects by positively influencing intragroup processes. In this study of current psychology majors, mediation analyses revealed an indirect effect of instructor involvement through goal orientation, as well as the direct effect of instructor evaluation techniques on perceptions of group projects. Moreover, instructor contributions positively predicted group cohesion, communication, goal orientation, and planning. Results suggest ways in which instructors can improve psychology majors’ collaborative experiences for experiential learning.
STRENGTH SYMMETRY AND IMPRECISE SENSE OF EFFORT IN KNEE EXTENSION

To verify the asymmetry in strength and the sense of effort between the preferred and non-preferred leg as well as differences between perceived and real workload achieved during trials for a maximal one-repetition knee extension, 32 subjects, all physically active (24 males and 8 females) performed one-repetition tests for knee extension (1 RM) with their preferred and non-preferred leg. The subjects reported the sense of effort by means of the Borg’s scale for subjective perceived effort. Asymmetry was quantified for the workload and the sense of effort. We found similar strength and sense of effort for both legs. There were differences between the perceived and real workload when normalized by the maximal effort, mostly for higher intensities. Similar strength could be achieved between the preferred and non-preferred leg; however, the subjects’ perception about the workload can be imprecise, which may lead to mistakes when controlling training overload by means of the sense of effort.
Functional neuroimaging of psychotherapeutic processes in anxiety and depression: from mechanisms to predictions

Purpose of review The review provides an update of functional neuroimaging studies that identify neural processes underlying psychotherapy and predict outcomes following psychotherapeutic treatment in anxiety and depressive disorders. Following current developments in this field, studies were classified as ‘mechanistic’ or ‘predictor’ studies (i.e., informing neurobiological models about putative mechanisms versus aiming to provide predictive information). Recent findings Mechanistic evidence points toward a dual-process model of psychotherapy in anxiety disorders with abnormally increased limbic activation being decreased, while prefrontal activity is increased. Partly overlapping findings are reported for depression, albeit with a stronger focus on prefrontal activation following treatment. No studies directly comparing neural pathways of psychotherapy between anxiety and depression were detected. Consensus is accumulating for an overarching role of the anterior cingulate cortex in modulating treatment response across disorders. When aiming to quantify clinical utility, the need for single-subject predictions is increasingly recognized and predictions based on machine learning approaches show high translational potential. Summary Present findings encourage the search for predictors providing clinically meaningful information for single patients. However, independent validation as a crucial prerequisite for clinical use is still needed. Identifying nonresponders a priori creates the need for alternative treatment options that can be developed based on an improved understanding of those neural mechanisms underlying effective interventions.