Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in the Skin Microcirculation of Patients with Septic Shock

The evidence for endothelial dysfunction in sepsis is mostly restricted to animal models. We investigated endothelial function in the skin microcirculation of eight patients hospitalized for septic shock in an intensive care unit (ICU). All patients required adrenergic support. Twelve hemodynamically stable ICU patients without sepsis who did not receive any vasoactive medication were used as controls. The two groups were of similar age and sex ratio. For additional reference, 16 healthy, nonsmoking subjects matched for age and sex to the first two groups were also studied. The evaluation of endothelial function was based on the comparison of skin blood flow responses to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine (Ach, an endothelium-dependent vasodilator) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, an endothelium-independent vasodilator). Skin blood flow was measured on the volar face of the forearm using laser Doppler imaging. Before application of Ach or SNP, the mean baseline skin blood flow was below 100 perfusion units (PU) in all subjects and did not differ between groups. The maximal increase in blood flow elicited by both agents was significantly depressed in the patients with sepsis (Ach: 167 ± 63 PU; SNP: 138 ± 34 PU, mean ± SD) compared with the ICU control patients (Ach: 291 ± 135 PU, P < 0.05; SNP: 261 ± 121 PU, P < 0.01) and the healthy, nonsmoking groups (Ach: 336 ± 98 PU, P < 0.01; SNP: 304 ± 81 PU, P < 0.01). The ratio of responses to Ach and SNP did not significantly differ between groups (septic: 1.22 ± 0.40; ICU control 1.18 ± 0.46, healthy, nonsmoking 1.12 ± 0.24, P = 0.86). Thus, sepsis was not associated with a selective depression of the endothelium-dependent response. These results suggest that the capacity of the endothelium to produce signals for vasorelaxation remains intact in the skin microcirculation of patients with septic shock.
An Analog Approach to Suppressing In-Band Narrow-Band Interference in UWB Receivers

Due to the huge bandwidth of ultra-wide-band (UWB) systems, in-band narrow-band interference (NBI) may hinder receiver performance. Sources of potential NBI that lie within the IEEE 802.15. 3a UWB bandwidth are presented. To combat interference in multi-band orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MB-OFDM) UWB systems, an analog notch filter is designed to be included in the UWB receive chain. The filter's architecture is based on feedforward subtraction of the interference, and includes a least-mean-square (LMS) tuning scheme to match amplitudes of the two paths. An 8-bit discrete control is used to adjust the filter's center frequency across the UWB baseband. It was fabricated in TSMC's 0.18-mum process, and experimental results are provided
Proteomic characterization of the human sperm nucleus

Generating a catalogue of sperm nuclear proteins is an important first step towards the clarification of the function of the paternal chromatin transmitted to the oocyte upon fertilization. With this goal, sperm nuclei were obtained through CTAB treatment and isolated to over 99.9% purity without any tail fragments, acrosome or mitochondria as assessed by optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The nuclear proteins were extracted and separated in 2‐D and 1‐D gels and the 2‐D spots and 1‐D bands were excised and analysed to identify the proteins through LC‐MS/MS. With this approach, 403 different proteins have been identified from the isolated sperm nuclei. The most abundant family of proteins identified are the histones, for which several novel members had not been reported previously as present in the spermatogenic cell line or in the human mature spermatozoa. More than half (52.6%) of the proteins had not been detected in the previous human whole sperm cell proteome reports. Of relevance, several chromatin‐related proteins, such as zinc fingers and transcription factors, so far not known to be associated with the sperm chromatin, have also been detected. This provides additional information about the nuclear proteins that are potentially relevant for epigenetic marking, proper fertilization and embryo development.
The Hip‐Hop club scene: Gender, grinding and sex

Hip‐Hop culture is a key social medium through which many young men and women from communities of colour in the USA construct their gender. In this study, we focused on the Hip‐Hop club scene in New York City with the intention of unpacking narratives of gender dynamics from the perspective of young men and women, and how these relate to their sexual experiences. We conducted a three‐year ethnographic study that included ethnographic observations of Hip‐Hop clubs and their social scene, and in‐depth interviews with young men and young women aged 15–21. This paper describes how young people negotiate gender relations on the dance floor of Hip‐Hop clubs. The Hip‐Hop club scene represents a context or setting where young men's masculinities are contested by the social environment, where women challenge hypermasculine privilege and where young people can set the stage for what happens next in their sexual and emotional interactions. Hip‐Hop culture therefore provides a window into the gender and sexual scripts of many urban minority youth. A fuller understanding of these patterns can offer key insights into the social construction of sexual risk, as well as the possibilities for sexual health promotion, among young people in urban minority populations.
Metabolic regulation of endogenous adenosine release from single neurons

THE mechanisms that regulate adenosine release in the brain are not well understood. The present study investigated the hypothesis that individual neurons can generate and release sufficient adenosine to regulate their synaptic inputs. We utilized the whole-cell recording technique to apply enzyme inhibitors and nucleotides directly into the cytoplasm of single rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Cytoplasmic delivery of adenosine induced the release of sufficient adenosine to inhibit excitatory synaptic inputs. However, intracellular delivery of nucleotides and enzyme inhibitors failed to increase adenosine receptor-mediated inhibition. These data suggest that while pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus are capable of releasing large amounts of adenosine into the extracellular space, they do not readily form adenosine from endogenous sources.
Thermal structure and response to long‐term climatic changes in Lake Qiandaohu, a deep subtropical reservoir in China

Using the vertical temperature profiles of Lake Qiandaohu from January 2010 to April 2013, we evaluated the monthly and seasonal variations of water temperature and thermocline parameters, and developed empirical models among thermocline depth (TD), thickness (TT), and strength (TS). We also developed empirical models between TD, TT, TS, and surface‐water temperature (0–2 m) (T0–2 m), and transparency (Secchi disk depth, SDD). Additionally, we assessed the changes in TD, TT, and TS over the past 62 yr, based on our empirical models, air temperature data from 1951 to 2012, and SDD data from 1987 to 2012. Lake Qiandaohu is warm monomictic, with a long period of thermal stratification from April until January, and only a short period of mixing in the winter or spring (February or March). There were significant correlations between SDD and TD (positive), and between SDD and TT (negative). There was a significant negative correlation between T0–2 m and TD during the stratification weakness period (July—February), and a significant positive correlation between T0–2 m and TT for all data, including the stratification formation and weakness periods. Air temperature near the lake rose 1.2°C between 1951 and 2012, corresponding to a 0.8°C increase in T0–2 m, and a 0.78 m decrease in SDD between 1987 and 2012. The increase in air temperature and the decrease in SDD caused a decrease in TD and an increase in TT, facilitating the thermal stratification and stability of the lake; therefore, climate warming has had a significant effect on the thermal regime of Lake Qiandaohu.
Strategy for Working With Adolescents in Difficulty: Motivation Through a Humanitarian Work Project

Adolescents who are placed in residential care with child welfare services have many personal and family problems. They also tend to have notable difficulties with social skills. The Centre jeunesse de Québec-Institut universitaire (CJQ-IU) in partnership with the local school system, conducted a humanitarian work project in Peru with teenagers in residential care. The project’s goals were to help adolescents develop their self-esteem and succeed in overcoming challenges at the individual and interpersonal levels. This article presents the results of an evaluative study conducted as part of the project. In many respects, the information gathered confirms the importance of being creative and innovative when working with adolescents in difficulty and developing partnerships with the different practitioners who work with them. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the possibilities that social work approaches based on adventure, travel to different cultures, and humanitarian work can offer.
Corneal higher order aberrations: a method to grade keratoconus.

PURPOSE To use the anterior corneal surface higher order aberrations as a tool to detect and grade keratoconus using corneal map analysis videokeratoscopy. METHODS A prospective observational comparative study of 80 eyes was performed. The eyes were divided into two groups. Group A comprised 40 eyes of 20 asymptomatic individuals with no ocular pathology. Mean sphere was -0.03 diopters (D) (range: +0.75 to -0.75 D), mean cylinder was -0.27 D, mean average K was 43.28 D, and mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 1.01. Group B comprised 40 eyes of 25 patients with keratoconus. Mean sphere was -3.70 D (range: +2.00 to -10.00 D), mean cylinder was -3.82 D, mean average K was 49.29, and mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 0.61. RESULTS In group A, mean root-mean-square (RMS) of spherical (Z4 and Z6), coma-like (Z3, Z5, and Z7), and higher order aberrations (Z3-7) were 0.38 microm, 0.35 microm, and 0.52 microm, respectively. In group B, mean RMS of spherical, coma-like, and higher order aberrations were 1.06 microm, 2.90 microm, and 3.14 microm, respectively, for a 6.0-mm simulated pupil diameter. Mean RMS differences between the two groups were 0.68 microm (P < or = .0002), 2.55 microm (P < or = .0001), and 2.61 microm (P < or = .0001) for spherical, coma-like, and total higher order aberrations, respectively. In group B, according to Amsler-Krumeich classification, the mean RMS of coma-like aberration was 1.87 microm in grade I (14 eyes), 2.97 microm in grade II (11 eyes), 3.46 microm in grade III (12 eyes), and 5.20 microm in grade IV (3 eyes). CONCLUSIONS Corneal higher order aberrations, especially coma-like aberrations, are significantly higher in eyes with keratoconus than normal eyes. Coma-like aberrations, with the aid of a corneal aberrometry map, are good indicators for early detection and grading of keratoconus.
DNA methylation-mediated silencing of matricellular protein dermatopontin promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by α3β1 integrin-Rho GTPase signaling

Dermatopontin (DPT), a tyrosine-rich, acidic matricellular protein, has been implicated in several human cancers. However, its biological functions and molecular mechanisms in cancer progression, particular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), remain unknown. We demonstrated that DPT was significantly down-regulated in 202 HCC clinical samples and that its expression level was closely correlated with cancer metastasis and patient prognosis. The overexpression of DPT dramatically suppressed HCC cell migration in vitro and intrahepatic metastasis in vivo. We further revealed that the down-regulation of DPT in HCC was due to epigenetic silencing by promoter DNA methylation. And the inhibitory effects of DPT on HCC cell motility were associated with dysregulated focal adhesion assembly, decreased RhoA activity and reduced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and c-Src tyrosine kinase (Src) phosphorylation, and all of these alterations required the involvement of integrin signaling. Furthermore, we determined that the inhibitory effects of DPT on HCC cell motility were primarily mediated through α3β1 integrin. Our study provides new evidence for epigenetic control of tumor microenvironment, and suggests matricellular protein DPT may serve as a novel prognostic marker and act as a HCC metastasis suppressor.
PIK3CA Mutations in Advanced Cancers: Characteristics and Outcomes

PIK3CA mutations are frequently diagnosed in diverse cancers and may predict response to PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors. It remains unclear whether they are associated with other characteristics. We analyzed characteristics and outcome of 90 consecutive patients with diverse advanced tumors and PIK3CA mutations and 180 wild-type PIK3CA controls matched by tumor type, gender, and age referred to the Clinical Center for Targeted Therapy. PIK3CA and MAPK mutations (KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF) were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-based DNA sequencing. The most frequent PIK3CA mutations were E545K (31/90, 34%), E542K (16/90, 18%) in exon 9, and H1047R (20/90, 22%) in exon 20. PIK3CA mutations compared to wild-type PIK3CA were associated with simultaneous KRAS (p=0.047) and MAPK mutations (p=0.03), but only MAPK mutations were confirmed as having an independent association in multivariate analysis. Rates of lung, bone, liver and brain metastases were similar in PIK3CA-mutant and wild-type patients. Patients with PIK3CA mutations treated on trials with PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors had a higher partial/complete response (PR/CR) rate than wild-type PIK3CA patients treated with their best phase I therapy (10/56, 18% vs. 12/152, 8%; p=0.045), but not a prolonged progression-free survival. Patients with H1047R PIK3CA mutations had a higher PR/CR rate with PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors compared to wild-type PIK3CA patients treated with their best phase I therapy (6/16, 38% vs. 12/152, 8%; p=0.003). In conclusion, PIK3CA mutations in diverse cancers were not associated with clinical characteristics, but were correlated with MAPK mutations. PIK3CA mutations, especially, H1047R, were associated with attaining a PR/CR to PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors.
The barbarians at the gate. Playing the higher education game: observations from the periphery of the field

Higher education is considered by some to be synonymous with learning gained in an institution named as a university. The credentials gained from learning in such locations allow the holders to enter into the elite, which reproduces social exclusion to the benefit of that elite. In England, policy reform has opened up access to higher education to a level of almost mass participation. This has largely been achieved by funding higher education in colleges. However, following the implementation of this recommendation, a recurring criticism is that such learning is not ‘real’ higher education (HE). This article seeks to examine this notion of ‘real’ HE using Bourdieu’s tools of field, habitus and capital. The questions framing the enquiry are: is the field of higher education populated only by institutions named as universities? Has a new field been created? If the field has changed, has the game of higher education changed as new players have entered the field, or does the traditional doxa still prevail? What are the implications of the field games for institutional habitus and capital? Drawing upon the experiences of a college of further education located in the periphery of the field, the questions posed are considered in this context.
TRANSFER OF TRAINING: A REVIEW AND DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

Transfer of training is of paramount concern for training researchers and practitioners. Despite research efforts, there is a growing concern over the “transfer problem. ” The purpose of this paper is to provide a critique of the existing transfer research and to suggest directions for future research investigations. The conditions of transfer include both the generalization of learned material to the job and the maintenance of trained skills over a period of time on the job. The existing research examining the effects of training design, trainee, and work-environment factors on conditions of transfer is reviewed and critiqued. Research gaps identified from the review include the need to (1) test various operationalizations of training design and work-environment factors that have been posited as having an impact on transfer and (2) develop a framework for conducting research on the effects of trainee characteristics on transfer. Needed advancements in the conceptualization and operationalization of the criterion of transfer are also discussed.
Multi-Graph Matching via Affinity Optimization with Graduated Consistency Regularization

This paper addresses the problem of matching common node correspondences among multiple graphs referring to an identical or related structure. This multi-graph matching problem involves two correlated components: i) the local pairwise matching affinity across pairs of graphs; ii) the global matching consistency that measures the uniqueness of the pairwise matchings by different composition orders. Previous studies typically either enforce the matching consistency constraints in the beginning of an iterative optimization, which may propagate matching error both over iterations and across graph pairs; or separate affinity optimization and consistency enforcement into two steps. This paper is motivated by the observation that matching consistency can serve as a regularizer in the affinity objective function especially when the function is biased due to noises or inappropriate modeling. We propose composition-based multi-graph matching methods to incorporate the two aspects by optimizing the affinity score, meanwhile gradually infusing the consistency. We also propose two mechanisms to elicit the common inliers against outliers. Compelling results on synthetic and real images show the competency of our algorithms.
Talking about Music: Interviews with Disabled and Nondisabled Children

The purpose of this study was to describe, categorize, and compare data concerning music preferences, experiences, and skills obtained from interviews with 228 students labeled “disabled” (n = 73) or “nondisabled” (n = 155). A structured assessment interview was used by university student proctors to collect information from the students in four age-groups. Students identified by their respective schools as eligible for special education services constituted the group labeled “disabled. ” Questions developed for the interview focused on listening preferences and experiences, musical instrument preferences and performance, and singing and clapping (steady beat) performance. Following procedures consistent with naturalistic inquiry, audiotapes and transcriptions of the interviews were content-analyzed, and categories were developed from the responses. Perhaps the most notable outcome of this study is the similarity of responses between students with disabilities and their nondisabled peers. Results are discussed specific to music curriculum development, the integrated music classroom, and peer/teacher acceptance.
The legacy of Derrick Bell and Latino/a education: a critical race testimonio

In this article, we trace Bell’s influence in our lives from graduate students to teacher educators and engaged scholars, and note how we have always read Bell alongside and inseparable from Latino/a Studies and Latina/Chicana feminist thought. We highlight the powerful and fruitful tensions of these interconnections in addressing our curricular struggles and innovations, professional identities and scholarly trajectories. We address Bell’s theory of interest convergence to discuss the tensions and possibilities of personal ‘success’ in the academy by interweaving our testimonios with Critical Race and Latino Critical Race (LatCrit) scholarship in Latino/a education. Latina feminist scholars have re-worked the Latin American tradition of testimonio as a way to link individual stories to a collective story of Latina/o racialization in the US, and to epistemological racism in the academy. Our collective story centers the intersections of race with indigeneity, class, citizenship, language, gender and sexuality. We begin from the earliest influence of Bell’s counterstorytelling method for examining Latino/a students’ racializing experiences in higher education and move through other critical race work in Latino education that both directly and indirectly addresses Bell’s scholarship as these intersect with our intellectual journeys. Finally, we offer a story of the complex legacy of Bell’s anti-subordination and social justice scholarship for intellectual alliances, coalition building, and inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinary engaged scholarship.
The Price of Correlation Risk: Evidence from Equity Options

We study whether exposure to marketwide correlation shocks affects expected option returns, using data on S&P100 index options, options on all components, and stock returns. We find evidence of priced correlation risk based on prices of index and individual variance risk. A trading strategy exploiting priced correlation risk generates a high alpha and is attractive for CRRA investors without frictions. Correlation risk exposure explains the cross-section of index and individual option returns well. The correlation risk premium cannot be exploited with realistic trading frictions, providing a limits-to-arbitrage interpretation of our finding of a high price of correlation risk. Copyright (c) 2009 The American Finance Association.
The deep oval window

Abstract This article presents the results of an analysis of the variable and surgically important relationship between the oval window, the fossular walls and the related posterior tympanic recesses in 50 temporal bones. The visual impressions of superficial and deep oval windows seem to correspond fairly closely to the depth of the inferior wall of the fossula fenestra vestibuli (FFV). The depth of the superior and anterior walls of the FFV by themselves, did not appear to have such a dominating relationship in determining the deep oval window. There does not appear to be a well defined posterior wall in the vast majority of the specimens (86 percent). In the event of scar tissue forming between the superior, inferior and anterior walls, the gap between the postero-superior part of the promontory and the posterior tympanic wall (posterior communication) could allow aeration of the region of the deep oval window in such an instance. Closure of this gap by a solid shelf of ponticulus or scar tissue could cause a localized malaeration of the fossula in most cases of deep oval windows. This is an entirely new concept of the likely problems of malaeration of a deep oval window which could arise due to anatomical variations and of the possible safety valve mechanism which could prevent such malaeration and its consequences.
Functional Characteristics of the High Affinity IgG Receptor, FcγRI

IgG FcRs are important mediators of immunity and play a key role during Ab-based immunotherapy. Within the leukocyte IgG receptor family, only FcγRI is capable of IgG binding with high affinity. FcγRI exists as a complex of a ligand binding α-chain and an FcR γ-chain. The receptors’ α-chain can, furthermore, elicit several functions independent of the ITAM-bearing FcR γ-chain. Functional implications of high-affinity IgG binding and mechanisms underlying FcR γ-chain–independent signaling remain unclear to this day. In this paper, we provide an overview of past literature on FcγRI and address the implications of recently described interactions between cytosolic proteins and the FcγRI α-chain, as well as cytokine-enhanced FcγRI immune complex binding. Furthermore, an analysis of potential polymorphisms within the FCGR1A gene is provided.