Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
E1A-mediated paclitaxel sensitization in HER-2/neu-overexpressing ovarian cancer SKOV3.ip1 through apoptosis involving the caspase-3 pathway.

HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells are more resistant to the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel (Taxol) than low-HER-2/neu-expressing breast cancer cells, and the adenoviral type 5 EIA can down-regulate HER-2/neu overexpression. Therefore, in this study, we asked (a) whether EIA might sensitize response to paclitaxel in human HER-2/neu-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells, and, if so, what is the mechanism responsible; and (b) whether this enhanced chemosensitivity would translate into a therapeutic effect in an ovarian cancer xenograft model. Consequently, we demonstrated that: (a) adenovirus type 5 E1A could enhance the sensitivity of paclitaxel in paclitaxel-resistant HER-2/neu-overexpressing human ovarian cancer cells in vitro by inducing apoptosis, (b) this induction was heavily dependent on activation of the caspase-3 pathway, and (c) nude mice bearing i.p. HER-2/neu-overexpressing human ovarian cancer cells and treated with both paclitaxel and E1A gene therapy survived significantly longer than did mice treated only with paclitaxel or E1A gene therapy. Thus, we concluded that the E1A gene enhanced both the in vitro and in vivo sensitivity of paclitaxel in paclitaxel-resistant HER-2/ neu-overexpressing ovarian cancer SKOV3.ipl cells. Because a Phase I clinical trial using E1A gene targeted to HER-2/neu down-regulation has recently been completed, the current study also provided a scientific basis to further develop a novel therapy that combines paclitaxel and E1A gene therapy and its testing in a Phase II trial.
Music-evoked autobiographical memories, emotion regulation, time perspective, and mental health

The intriguing phenomenon by which songs trigger the recall of self-defining moments in one’s past is called music-evoked autobiographical memories (MEAMs). This study examines if various types of MEAMs can partially mediate the impact that emotion regulation (reappraisal and suppression) and time perspective (past positive and past negative) can have on mental health (internalizing symptoms and happiness) in youth. To this end, we developed the Music Evoked Memory Orientation Scale (MEMOS), which was specifically designed to assess the phenomenological characteristics of MEAMs. The sample consisted of 397 undergraduate students (Mage = 19.17 years; 80.6% female) that attended a Canadian university. Results revealed that the MEMOS had adequate psychometric qualities in terms of factorial validity, internal consistency, convergent validity, and incremental validity. Most notably, analyses indicated that social sharing of MEAMs mediated the relationships between emotion regulation (reappraisal and suppression) and happiness. However, aspects of MEAMs (self-identification, social sharing, and coherence) did not mediate any relationship between emotion regulation and internalizing symptoms. Also, of particular interest, social sharing of and coherence in MEAMs mediated the relationships between past positive and mental health. However, aspects of MEAMs (self-identification, social sharing, and coherence) did not mediate relationships between past negative and mental health. Interestingly, mediated effects from MEAMs held despite controlling for personality traits (Extraversion and Emotional Stability). In sum, future studies need to examine why only some MEAMs, particularly the social sharing of MEAMs, matter at the intersection of emotion regulation, time perspective, and mental health in youth.
Using log variables in a learning management system to evaluate learning activity using the lens of activity theory

As the advance of learning technologies and analytics tools continues, learning management systems (LMSs) have been required to fulfil the growing expectations for smart learning. However, the reality regarding the level of technology integration in higher education differs considerably from such expectations or the speed of advances in educational technologies. This research aimed to evaluate the current activation levels and usage patterns of a LMS. A large data-set was analysed, which included the online activity information from 7940 courses. Through data pre-processing, general indicators reflecting login frequencies of the virtual campus and activity-based indicators presenting the activation patterns of diverse functions provided by Moodle were derived. Activity theory was applied to interpret the results of analysis, since it has been recognised as a powerful framework to understand phenomena encompassing interactive systems. Further, time-series investigation over three consecutive semesters allowed observation of historical changes. The results revealed considerably low use of the virtual campus with only slight changes, as well as significantly different activity patterns across course attributes and colleges. Contradictions among components in the activity system are discussed, along with the implications for improving teaching and learning with LMS in higher education.
Customer online shopping anxiety within the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use Technology (UTAUT) framework

Purpose – Few studies have investigated how anxiety operates within the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. Consequently, the purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of anxiety on the customer adoption of online shopping based on the UTAUT. Design/methodology/approach – The UTAUT’s framework was extended by proposing new casual pathways between anxiety and its existing constructs (e.g. effort expectancy (EE), performance expectancy (PE) and behavioural intentions (BI)) within the contingencies of age, gender and experience. The partial least squares technique was employed to evaluate the statistical significance of the proposed pathways by analysing 483 sets of self-administrated survey responses. Findings – The results indicate that anxiety simultaneously exerts negative direct influences on PE, EE and BI constructs. While the moderating effects of age, gender and experience on the anxiety-intention link were found to be significant, there was no evidence sugge.
Selective breeding for 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalization emission produces

Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are emitted by rodents and can signal either negative or positive affective states in social and nonsocial contexts. Our recent work has utilized selective breeding based upon the emission of 50 kHz USVs in response to standard cross species hand play—namely experimenters ‘tickling’ rats. Previous work has shown that high-tickle responsive animals (i.e., rats emitting abundant 50 kHz USVs) are gregarious and express enhanced positive emotional behaviors relative to animals exhibiting low 50 kHz USVs. The present study extends this work by examining the developmental profile of play behavior and the suppression of play behavior by predator (cat) odor in juvenile high-line and low-line animals. Results support dissociations in key play measures between these groups, with high-line animals emitting more dorsal contacts during play and low-line animals emitting more pinning behavior. For cat-odor induced play suppression, we found that high-line animals exhibit elevated suppression of play for a prolonged period compared to low-line rats. In contrast, low-line animals returned to normal levels of play just 1 day post-predator odor experience. These findings support the idea that emotional arousal may differ between these selectively bred groups, and extends previous work by demonstrating a possible influence of altered emotional learning and conditioning in these phenotypically different animals. One possibility is that high-line animals exhibit enhanced associative learning abilities leading to stronger negative contextual conditioning. These findings suggest that selection for positive or negative social–emotional phenotypes may also segregate genes that control emotional learning abilities in unanticipated ways. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Automated identification of peristaltic pressure waves in oesophageal manometry investigations using the rolling correlation technique

We have implemented the technique of rolling correlation coefficient as proposed by Buttfield and Bolton (2005 Real time measurement of RR intervals using a digital signal processor J. Med. Eng. Technol. 29 8–13) for ECG R-wave detection in the detection and timing of oesophageal peristalsis. 43 sequential patients attending for oesophageal manometry were retrospectively reviewed. Two expert reviewers visually assessed each swallow for normality of peristaltic amplitude and propagation speed. Automatic assessment was performed using rolling correlation, maximum amplitude, threshold and maximum gradient techniques of identifying onset of peristalsis. Rolling correlation was comparable with the maximum amplitude technique at identifying peristaltic pressure waves visually identified as present. Rolling correlation was most effective at correctly identifying propagation velocity as normal (698 out of 845 normally propagating waves) and highest correlation with expert visual assessment of percentage abnormal propagation for each patient (R value 0.918). In a sub-group of 11 studies assessed as displaying normal motility, rolling correlation gave lowest variation of propagation speed and highest consistency with visual assessment. The rolling correlation technique is effective and accurate at identifying oesophageal peristalsis and characterizing peristaltic propagation in manometric studies even in the presence of abnormally weak peristalsis and other confounding pressure perturbations.
Risk Factors of Active Tuberculosis in People Living with HIV/AIDS in Southwest Ethiopia: A Case Control Study

Background Determinants of active tuberculosis among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) are not well elucidated in countries with limited resources. The objective of this study was to assess distal and proximate determinants of active tuberculosis among people living with HIV/AIDS in southwest Ethiopia. Methods A case-control study was conducted from January to March, 2009 in South West Ethiopia. The study population consisted of 162 cases and 647 controls. Cases were adult people living with HIV/AIDS who developed active pulmonary tuberculosis and controls were people living with HIV/AIDS without active tuberculosis. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information on potential risk factors. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, male gender (OR=1.7; 95%CI: 1.1, 2.7), a low level of education (OR=2.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 7.1), a body mass index less than 18.5 kg/m2 (OR=4.1; 95% CI: 2.3, 7.4), hemoglobin level less than 10.0 g/dl (OR=2.8; 95%CI: 1.5, 5.2), a CD4 lymphocyte count less than 200 cells/µL (OR=9.8‘95% CI: 5.5, 17.5), a WHO clinical stage IV (OR=4.3; 95% CI: 2.6, 6.8), not taking antiretroviral treatment (OR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.9,4.9), an infection with helminthes (OR=2.2; 95% CI: 1.4, 3.4), a history of contact with a tuberculosis patient in the family (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.3), and living in a house made of mud wall (OR=3.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 7.5) were independently associated with the development of active tuberculosis in people living with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion All people living with HIV/AIDS should be screened for tuberculosis but in the presence of the risk factors mentioned above, intensified screening is recommended.
Theory of amorphous ices

Significance Glassy water is abundant, occurring in such varied circumstances as thin films condensed on interstellar dust particles and as hosts to hyperquenched protein crystals. Yet quantitative understanding of this class of materials is limited, hampered by lack of formalism needed to systematically treat long time scales and far-from-equilibrium behaviors. Here, we describe a theory to overcome some of this difficulty and apply the theory with simulation to establish the existence of distinct amorphous ices and coexistence between them. This advance allows systematic treatment of dynamics interconverting and melting these nonequilibrium solids, and thereby provides principled explanations of experiments that have probed these processes. We derive a phase diagram for amorphous solids and liquid supercooled water and explain why the amorphous solids of water exist in several different forms. Application of large-deviation theory allows us to prepare such phases in computer simulations. Along with nonequilibrium transitions between the ergodic liquid and two distinct amorphous solids, we establish coexistence between these two amorphous solids. The phase diagram we predict includes a nonequilibrium triple point where two amorphous phases and the liquid coexist. Whereas the amorphous solids are long-lived and slowly aging glasses, their melting can lead quickly to the formation of crystalline ice. Further, melting of the higher density amorphous solid at low pressures takes place in steps, transitioning to the lower-density glass before accessing a nonequilibrium liquid from which ice coarsens.
Rural to Urban Migration Is an Unforeseen Impact of Development Intervention in Ethiopia

Rural development initiatives across the developing world are designed to improve community well-being and livelihoods. However they may also have unforeseen consequences, in some cases placing further demands on stretched public services. In this paper we use data from a longitudinal study of five Ethiopian villages to investigate the impact of a recent rural development initiative, installing village-level water taps, on rural to urban migration of young adults. Our previous research has identified that tap stands dramatically reduced child mortality, but were also associated with increased fertility. We demonstrate that the installation of taps is associated with increased rural-urban migration of young adults (15–30 years) over a 15 year period (15.5% migrate out, n = 1912 from 1280 rural households). Young adults with access to this rural development intervention had three times the relative risk of migrating to urban centres compared to those without the development. We also identify that family dynamics, specifically sibling competition for limited household resources (e.g. food, heritable land and marriage opportunities), are key to understanding the timing of out-migration. Birth of a younger sibling doubled the odds of out-migration and starting married life reduced it. Rural out-migration appears to be a response to increasing rural resource scarcity, principally competition for agricultural land. Strategies for livelihood diversification include education and off-farm casual wage-labour. However, jobs and services are limited in urban centres, few migrants send large cash remittances back to their families, and most return to their villages within one year without advanced qualifications. One benefit for returning migrants may be through enhanced social prestige and mate-acquisition on return to rural areas. These findings have wide implications for current understanding of the processes which initiate rural-to-urban migration and transitions to low fertility, as well as for the design and implementation of development intervention across the rural and urban developing world.
On the Enhanced X-Ray Emission from SGR 1900+14 after the August 27 Giant Flare

We show that the giant flares of soft gamma-ray repeaters (E ~ 1044 ergs) can push the inner regions of a fall-back disk out to larger radii by radiation pressure, while matter remains bound to the system for plausible parameters. The subsequent relaxation of this pushed-back matter can account for the observed enhanced X-ray emission after the August 27 giant flare of SGR 1900+14. Based on the results of our models, we estimate that the ratio of the fluences of the enhanced X-ray emissions to that of the preceding bursts remains constant for a particular SGR with similar preburst inner-disk conditions, which is consistent with the four different burst observations of SGR 1900+14.
Joint Source Channel Coding in Broadcast and Relay Channels: A Non-Asymptotic End-to-End Distortion Approach

The paradigm of separate source-channel coding is inspired by Shannon’s separation result, which implies the asymptotic optimality of designing source and channel coding independently from each other. The result exploits the fact that channel error probabilities can be made arbitrarily small, as long as the block length of the channel code can be made arbitrarily large. However, this is not possible in practice, where the block length is either fixed or restricted to a range of finite values. As a result, the optimality of source and channel coding separation becomes unknown, leading researchers to consider joint sourcechannel coding (JSCC) to further improve the performance of practical systems that must operate in the finite block length regime. With this motivation, this thesis investigates the application of JSCC principles for multimedia communications over point-to-point, broadcast, and relay channels. All analyses are conducted from the perspective of end-to-end distortion (EED) for results that are applicable to channel codes with finite block lengths in pursuing insights into practical design. The thesis first revisits the fundamental open problem of the separation of source and channel coding in the finite block length regime. Derived formulations and numerical analyses for a source-channel coding system reveal many scenarios where the EED reduction is positive when pairing the channel-optimized source quantizer (COSQ) with an optimal channel code, hence establishing the invalidity of the separation theorem in the finite block length regime. With this, further improvements to JSCC systems are considered by augmenting error detection codes with the COSQ. Closed-form EED expressions for such system are derived, from which necessary optimality conditions are identified and used in proposed algorithms for system design. Results for both the point-to-point and broadcast channels demonstrate significant reductions to the EED without sacrificing bandwidth when considering a tradeoff between quantization and error detection coding rates. Lastly, the JSCC system is considered under relay channels, for which a computable measure of the EED is derived for any relay channel conditions with nonzero channel error probabilities. To emphasize the importance of analyzing JSCC systems under finite block lengths, the large sub-optimality in performance is demonstrated when solving the power allocation configuration problem according to capacity-based formulations that disregard channel errors, as opposed to those based on the EED. Although this thesis only considers one JSCC setup of many, it is concluded that consideration of JSCC systems from a non-asymptotic perspective not only is more meaningful, but also reveals more relevant insight into practical system design. This thesis accomplishes such by maintaining the EED as a measure of system performance in each of the considered point-to-point, broadcast, and relay cases.
Out-of-school participation patterns in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders.

PURPOSE This study examined differences in out-of-school activity participation between typically developing children and those with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD). METHOD Children with HFASD, ages 6 to 12 (N = 52), and a control group (N = 53) were assessed using the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment and the Social Responsiveness Scale. RESULTS Significant differences were seen in participation between typical and HFASD groups in number of activities in which children participate, the numbers of individuals with whom they participate, and the variety of environments in which they participate. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that out-of-school participation is significantly different for children with HFASD than for typically developing peers. Findings suggest that social impairment is related to some aspects of participation and that addressing social skills in intervention could contribute to increased participation in out-of-school activities by children with HFASD, which would contribute to their long-term mental and physical health.
Photoluminescence Intermittency from Single Quantum Dots to Organic Molecules: Emerging Themes

Recent experimental and theoretical studies of photoluminescence intermittency (PI) or “blinking” exhibited by single core/shell quantum dots and single organic luminophores are reviewed. For quantum dots, a discussion of early models describing the origin of PI in these materials and recent challenges to these models are presented. For organic luminophores the role of electron transfer, proton transfer and other photophysical processes in PI are discussed. Finally, new experimental and data analysis methods are outlined that promise to be instrumental in future discoveries regarding the origin(s) of PI exhibited by single emitters.
European-scale analysis of seasonal variability in limpet grazing activity and microalgal abundance

The film of microalgae and macroalgal propagules which coats intertidal rocks is the main food resource of limpets, the dominant grazers on exposed shores of north-west Europe. Spatial and temporal variability in feeding activity of limpets and abundance of microalgae were examined at mid-tide level across a European gradient from the Isle of Man in the British Isles to south-west Portugal. Feeding activity was assessed as the frequency of radula scrapes on wax surfaces placed on the shore. This was undertaken monthly at 2 shores at each of 4 locations, the Isle of Man, south-west England, northern Spain and south-west Portugal, over 1 yr. The abundance of the microalgal film was determined simultaneously at 3 of the 4 locations by measuring the concentration of chlorophyll a on the rock surface. The density and species diversity of limpets increased with decreasing latitude. This was mirrored by a trend of increased levels of limpet grazing, although 1 location (northern Spain) did not fit this trend. Seasonal changes in limpet grazing intensity were found at 3 of the 4 locations, characterised by elevated grazing during the summer and autumn. The seasonal variations resulted from changes in the level of foraging of individual limpets and were positively correlated with mean sea temperature in the Isle of Man and south-west England. The pattern of grazing activity was not solely a function of sea temperature. In the Isle of Man, grazing by Patella vulgata declined during the later stages of gonad development and increased following spawning. Seasonal variation in the standing stock of microalgae, measured as the concentration of chlorophyll a, was found at all 3 locations examined, the Isle of Man, south-west England and northern Spain, with greater abundance in the winter compared to summer. This pattern was consistent over both large (among locations: 100s of kilometres) and medium (between shores: 1000s of metres) scales. There were no correlations between microalgal abundance and limpet grazing activity at any location. There were significant negative correlations between chlorophyll a and maximum monthly air temperature and monthly sunshine hours. Comparison of microalgal abundance among locations showed a general decline in standing stock with decreasing latitude, but differences between specific locations varied with season. South-west England showed similar levels of microalgal abundance to the most northerly location (Isle of Man) in winter, and to the most southerly location (northern Spain) in the summer.