Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical and immunopathological features of 159 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis: an Italian experience.

AIM The aim of this paper to report the main clinical and immunopathological findings of our case series of 159 patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). METHODS All DH patients that were diagnosed from 1995 to 2012 at the Section of Dermatology of the University of Florence were included in the study. Clinical data were collected for each patient. Moreover, histopathological examination on both the skin and the small bowel, direct immunofluorescence on perilesional skin as well as the search for anti-endomysium and anti-tissue transglutaminsase antibodies (tTG) were performed. RESULTS A total of 159 patients with a male predominance were enrolled. About 36% of the patients were below the age of 20. The most frequent clinical features seen in our DH patients were represented by figurate erythema, wheals, papules and scratching lesions, while the knees, elbows and buttocks were the most commonly involved sites. All the 22 patients that underwent a bowel biopsy showed the typical alterations found in celiac disease. Moreover, 100% of the patients showed granular IgA deposits at the papillary tips. Finally, anti-endomysium and anti-tTG antibodies were present in 90% and 96% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSION We reported one of the largest case series of patients with DH from a single center. Our study confirmed most of the data from the Literature, and in particular the association of DH to histologically proven CD in all the biopsied cases. Another interesting finding of our study is the high prevalence of DH within pediatric patients, that is usually underreported.
Geminin Overexpression Promotes Imatinib Sensitive Breast Cancer: A Novel Treatment Approach for Aggressive Breast Cancers, Including a Subset of Triple Negative

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype that affects 10–25% mostly African American women. TNBC has the poorest prognosis of all subtypes with rapid progression leading to mortality in younger patients. So far, there is no targeted treatment for TNBC. To that end, here we show that c-Abl is one of several tyrosine kinases that phosphorylate and activate geminin’s ability to promote TNBC. Analysis of >800 breast tumor samples showed that geminin is overexpressed in ∼50% of all tumors. Although c-Abl is overexpressed in ∼90% of all tumors, it is only nuclear in geminin overexpressing tumors. In geminin-negative tumors, c-Abl is only cytoplasmic. Inhibiting c-Abl expression or activity (using imatinib or nilotinib) prevented geminin Y150 phosphorylation, inactivated the protein, and most importantly converted overexpressed geminin from an oncogene to an apoptosis inducer. In pre-clinical orthotopic breast tumor models, geminin-overexpressing cells developed aneuploid and invasive tumors, which were suppressed when c-Abl expression was blocked. Moreover, established geminin overexpressing orthotopic tumors regressed when treated with imatinib or nilotinib. Our studies support imatinib/nilotonib as a novel treatment option for patients with aggressive breast cancer (including a subset of TNBCs)-overexpressing geminin and nuclear c-Abl.
Implementation of an UWB-based module designed for wireless intra-spacecraft communications

Traditionally, intra-spacecraft data distribution is performed using wired data-handling systems. However, this approach increases the complexity and dry mass of the satellite harness. Therefore, extensive research is done to replace, complement or extend the wired communications with wireless ones. In this context, this paper presents the UWB-based solution developed within the WiSAT project funded by ESA. Considering the determined set of requirements for intra-spacecraft wireless communications, the proposed VN360 UWB module implements a custom software stack of the ISA-100.11a protocol over the IEEE 802.15. 4 UWB PHY layer. The solution is tested and validated in different laboratory environmental conditions (TRL 4), including the satellite mock-up built within WiSAT. The results prove the capacity of the VN360 UWB module to establish a reliable intra-spacecraft UWB connection.
Chronic Wasting Disease Drives Population Decline of White-Tailed Deer

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an invariably fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, and moose. Despite a 100% fatality rate, areas of high prevalence, and increasingly expanding geographic endemic areas, little is known about the population-level effects of CWD in deer. To investigate these effects, we tested the null hypothesis that high prevalence CWD did not negatively impact white-tailed deer population sustainability. The specific objectives of the study were to monitor CWD-positive and CWD-negative white-tailed deer in a high-prevalence CWD area longitudinally via radio-telemetry and global positioning system (GPS) collars. For the two populations, we determined the following: a) demographic and disease indices, b) annual survival, and c) finite rate of population growth (λ). The CWD prevalence was higher in females (42%) than males (28.8%) and hunter harvest and clinical CWD were the most frequent causes of mortality, with CWD-positive deer over-represented in harvest and total mortalities. Survival was significantly lower for CWD-positive deer and separately by sex; CWD-positive deer were 4.5 times more likely to die annually than CWD-negative deer while bucks were 1.7 times more likely to die than does. Population λ was 0.896 (0.859–0.980), which indicated a 10.4% annual decline. We show that a chronic disease that becomes endemic in wildlife populations has the potential to be population-limiting and the strong population-level effects of CWD suggest affected populations are not sustainable at high disease prevalence under current harvest levels.
Bioenergetics and diving activity of internesting leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Costa Rica

SUMMARY Physiology, environment and life history demands interact to influence marine turtle bioenergetics and activity. However, metabolism and diving behavior of free-swimming marine turtles have not been measured simultaneously. Using doubly labeled water, we obtained the first field metabolic rates (FMRs; 0.20–0.74 W kg–1) and water fluxes (16–30% TBW day–1, where TBW=total body water) for free-ranging marine turtles and combined these data with dive information from electronic archival tags to investigate the bioenergetics and diving activity of reproductive adult female leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea. Mean dive durations (7.8±2.4 min (±1 s.d.), bottom times (2.7±0.8 min), and percentage of time spent in water temperatures (Tw) ≤24°C (9.5±5.7%) increased with increasing mean maximum dive depths (22.6±7.1 m; all P≤0.001). The FMRs increased with longer mean dive durations, bottom times and surface intervals and increased time spent in Tw≤24°C (all r2≥0.99). This suggests that low FMRs and activity levels, combined with shuttling between different water temperatures, could allow leatherbacks to avoid overheating while in warm tropical waters. Additionally, internesting leatherback dive durations were consistently shorter than aerobic dive limits calculated from our FMRs (11.7–44.3 min). Our results indicate that internesting female leatherbacks maintained low FMRs and activity levels, thereby spending relatively little energy while active at sea. Future studies should incorporate data on metabolic rate, dive patterns, water temperatures, and body temperatures to develop further the relationship between physiological and life history demands and marine turtle bioenergetics and activity.
The Effect of Statin Therapy in Stroke Outcome: A Double Blind Clinical Trial

Background: Through a clinical trial we evaluated statin therapy benefits over stroke outcome. Methods: All patients with moderate stroke in Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) were registered during February 2006 to February 2008, in Al Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Among 55 patients who were enrolled in the present study, 25 subjects received 20 mg lovastatin daily, for 90 days after stroke attack (group 1) and 30 patients received no treatment (group 2). Patients were assessed at admission, 7 and 90 days after stroke. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was recorded in the day 1 and 7 in the hospital with a questionnaire and BARTHEL index was estimated 90 days after stroke incidence by a telephone survey or in an outpatient visit. Data were analyzed by means of χ2, ‘t’ test and Independent ‘t’ test. Results: NIHSS score measured in first day immediately after stroke attack and following 7 days, did not differ significantly in two groups. Moreover, BARTHEL index recorded within 90 days was not also different comparing group 1 and 2. After 90 days, no mortality was recorded in group 2, while one patient expired in group treating with statins (P-value>0.05). Discussion: We did not find statins administration to play any role in stroke recovery and consequent long-term prognosis. More researches with larger samples are needed to establish the possible favorable outcome of statins when administered in cerebrovascular diseases.
The Young Population of the Chamaeleon II Dark Cloud

We discuss the results of the optical spectroscopic follow-up of pre-main-sequence (PMS) objects and candidates selected in the Chamaeleon II dark cloud based on data from the Spitzer Legacy survey “From Molecular Cores to Planet Forming Disks” (c2d) and from previous surveys. Our sample includes both objects with infrared excess selected according to c2d criteria and referred to as young stellar objects and other cloud members and candidates selected from complementary optical and near-infrared data. We characterize the sample of objects by deriving their physical parameters. The vast majority of objects have masses M ⩽ 1 M☉ and ages <6 Myr. Several of the PMS objects and candidates lie very close to or below the hydrogen-burning limit. A first estimate of the slope of the initial mass function in Cha II is consistent with that of other T associations. The star formation efficiency in the cloud (1%-4%) is consistent with our own estimates for Taurus and Lupus, but significantly lower than for Cha I. This might mean that different star formation activities in the Chamaeleon clouds may reflect a different history of star formation. We also find that the Cha II cloud is turning some 8 M☉ into stars every megayear, which is less than the star formation rate in the other c2d clouds. However, the star formation rate is not steady and evidence is found that the star formation in Cha II might have occurred very rapidly. The Hα emission of the Cha II PMS objects, as well as possible correlations between their stellar and disk properties, is also investigated.
Haemodynamic responses to sevoflurane compared with halothane during inhalational induction in children

We studied the haemodynamic changes during induction of anaesthesia in 50 ASA I and II children (1–12 yrs) undergoing minor elective surgery. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive either halothane (n=25) or sevoflurane (n=25) in a mixture of O2 and N2O (40:60) for mask induction of anaesthesia. Induction of anaesthesia was performed with an overpressure technique by administering rapid increases of gas concentrations, in increments of 1% up to 7% for sevoflurane and of 0.5% up to 3% for halothane. Induction was smooth and rapid in both groups but characterized by increases in heart rate and systolic blood pressure up to 20% especially in the sevoflurane group (P<0.05); these increases in the latter group were significant compared with baseline and the halothane group (P<0.05). No serious complications were observed. The authors conclude that more children experienced heart rate and blood pressure increases during the early stage of inhalational induction with sevoflurane compared with halothane.
Degradation of the HilC and HilD regulator proteins by ATP‐dependent Lon protease leads to downregulation of Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 gene expression

Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1) enables infecting Salmonella to cross the small intestinal barrier and to escape phagocytosis by inducing apoptosis. Several environmental signals and transcriptional regulators modulate the expression of hilA, which encodes a protein playing a central role in the regulatory hierarchy of SPI1 gene expression. We have previously shown that Lon, a stress‐induced ATP‐dependent protease, is a negative regulator of hilA, suggesting that it targets factors required for activating hilA expression. To elucidate the mechanisms by which Lon protease negatively regulates SPI1 transcription, we looked for its substrate proteins. We found that HilC and HilD, which are positive regulators of hilA expression, accumulate in Lon‐depleted cells, and that the enhancement of SPI1 expression that occurs in a lon‐disrupted mutant is not observed in the lon hilC hilD triple null mutant. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the half‐lives of HilC and HilD are, respectively, about 12 times and three times longer in the Lon‐depleted mutant, than in the Lon+ cells, suggesting that Lon targets both of HilC and HilD. In view of these findings, we suggest that the regulation of SPI1 expression is negatively controlled through degradation of the HilC and HilD transcriptional regulators by Lon.
A Case Study of Extensive Reading with an Unmotivated L2 Reader.

Extensive reading is gaining credibility as an effective way of boosting students’ affect especially in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context where access to a second language (L2) input is minimal. This study uses a pattern-matching, single case study research design to examine an adult reader’s motivation and anxiety shifts towards second language reading. Motivation and anxiety were measured through three selfreported questionnaires, three interviews, and observations in 24 extensive reading sessions over an 8-week period. A total of 174 minutes of interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed through content analysis. Results suggest that pleasure reading lowered the participant’s fears while increasing motivation towards second language reading. Moreover, the contributing factors for anxiety reduction (confidence, comfort or ease, and enjoyment) and motivation enhancement (convenience or accessibility, satisfaction, comfort or ease, enjoyment, and usefulness) as well as the pedagogical implications for teaching unmotivated readers are discussed.
The More (Social Group Memberships), the Merrier: Is This the Case for Asians?

While previous studies have consistently shown that belonging to multiple groups enhances well-being, the current research proposes that for Asians, multiple group memberships (MGM) may confer fewer well-being benefits. We suggest that this is due, in part, to Asian norms about relationships and support seeking, making Asians more reluctant to enlist social support due to concerns about burdening others. Overall, MGM was associated with enhanced well-being in Westerners (Study 2), but not Asians (Studies 1–3). Study 2 showed that social support mediated the relationship between MGM and well-being for Westerners only. In Study 3, among Asians, MGM benefited the well-being of those who were least reluctant to enlist support. Finally, reviewing the MGM evidence-base to date, relative to Westerners, MGM was less beneficial for the well-being of Asians. The evidence underscores the importance of culture in influencing how likely individuals utilize their group memberships as psychological resources.
Children's Goals and Standards for Work: Evaluation in a First Grade Classroom.

Research indicates that the goals and evaluative standards held by young children are influenced by developmental factors and the classroom context. This study investigated the goals held by first grade students as they undertake classroom activities and the criteria by which they evaluate their work. The larger purpose was to explore the specificity of goals and standards in classrooms for young children and the ways in which teachers help students construct functional views of classroom expectations. The subjects were 19 students attending a pre-K and first grade school located on a southeastern military base. Data were collected through weekly observations and through individual student interviews in which subjects were asked why they chose to complete certain learning centers within the classroom and also to evaluate work from their portfolio. The results indicated that classroom practices and teacher statements were influential in students' perception of goals and standards in their classroom. In addition, different students described different criteria, suggesting that there was not uniformity in the class's understanding of standards. High achievers were more likely than low achievers to make evaluative differentiations among subject areas such as math, writing, and art. It appeared that many standards were inferred by the students on the basis of teacher feedback and whether or not work (for example, math versus art) was checked for accuracy. (Contains 27 references.) (MOK) *************IA:c.A***. A********k**********;:****AAi. ************* Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. **********************************************W**A*. , A A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as eceived from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. C) C71 ° Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent CZ, official OERI position or policy. O
Learning Mixtures of Plackett-Luce Models

In this paper we address the identifiability and efficient learning problems of finite mixtures of Plackett-Luce models for rank data. We prove that for any k ≥ 2, the mixture of k Plackett-Luce models for no more than 2k-1 alternatives is non-identifiable and this bound is tight for k = 2. For generic identifiability, we prove that the mixture of k Plackett-Luce models over m alternatives is generically identifiable if k ≤ ⌊m-2/2⌋! We also propose an efficient generalized method of moments (GMM) algorithm to learn the mixture of two Plackett-Luce models and show that the algorithm is consistent. Our experiments show that our GMM algorithm is significantly faster than the EMM algorithm by Gormley & Murphy (2008), while achieving competitive statistical efficiency.
The hierarchical organization of impulse control: Implications for decision making

The Hierarchical Organization of Impulse Control: Implications for Decision Making by Christopher Gilbert Coutlee Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Duke University Date:_______________________ Approved: ___________________________ Scott A. Huettel, Supervisor ___________________________ Tobias Egner ___________________________ Rick H. Hoyle ___________________________ Sarah H. Lisanby An abstract of a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience in the Graduate School of Duke University 2014
Essays on Executive Compensation

Acknowledgements I can gladly thank many people whose support during the last five years was very helpful to me. First of all I am grateful to my advisor Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Günter Franke for supervising my dissertation. His detailed comments and our discussions about the research projects improved my papers tremendously. I thank Prof. Dr. Jens Jackwerth for his comments in the PhD seminars and for agreeing to be on the evaluation committee. Two of my papers are joint work with Moritz Heimes and I really enjoyed working together on these articles. Without Moritz' contribution it would have been impossible to pursue these projects. who made sure that life outside University was never boring. I am very grateful to Anne, who is always there for me. Her love and support are invaluable. Last and most importantly, I want to thank my family for their unconditional support and encouragement along the way. I am deeply indebted to my parents who gave me the opportunity to study and pursue my dissertation at the University of Konstanz.
Indoor Air Bacterial Load and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates in Operating Rooms and Surgical Wards at Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Background Surgical site infection is the second most common health care associated infection. One of the risk factors for such infection is bacterial contamination of operating rooms' and surgical wards' indoor air. In view of that, the microbiological quality of air can be considered as a mirror of the hygienic condition of these rooms. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the bacterial load and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates in operating rooms' and surgical wards' indoor air of Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted to measure indoor air microbial quality of operating rooms and surgical wards from October to January 2009/2010 on 108 indoor air samples collected in twelve rounds using purposive sampling technique by Settle Plate Method (Passive Air Sampling following 1/1/1 Schedule). Sample processing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done following standard bacteriological techniques. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 and interpreted according to scientifically determined baseline values initially suggested by Fisher. Results The mean aerobic colony counts obtained in OR-1(46cfu/hr) and OR-2(28cfu/hr) was far beyond the set 5–8cfu/hr acceptable standards for passive room. Similarly the highest mean aerobic colony counts of 465cfu/hr and 461cfu/hr were observed in Female room-1 and room-2 respectively when compared to the acceptable range of 250–450cfu/hr. In this study only 3 isolates of S. pyogenes and 48 isolates of S. aureus were identified. Over 66% of S. aureus was identified in Critical Zone of Operating rooms. All isolates of S. aureus showed 100% and 82.8% resistance to methicillin and ampicillin respectively. Conclusion Higher degree of aerobic bacterial load was measured from operating rooms' and surgical wards' indoor air. Reducing foot trafficking, improving the ventilation system and routine cleaning has to be made to maintain the aerobic bacteria load with in optimal level.