Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Flagellar root contraction and nuclear movement during flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

When Chlamydomonas cells are deflagellated by pH shock or mechanical shear the nucleus rapidly moves toward the flagellar basal apparatus at the anterior end of the cell. During flagellar regeneration the nucleus returns to a more central position within the cell. The nucleus is connected to the flagellar apparatus by a system of fibers, the flagellar roots (rhizoplasts), which undergo a dramatic contraction that coincides with anterior nuclear movement. A corresponding extension of the root system, back to its preshock configuration is observed as the nucleus retracts to a central position. Anterior displacement of the nucleus and flagellar root contraction require free calcium in the medium. Nuclear movement and flagellar root contraction and extension are not sensitive to inhibitors of protein synthesis (cycloheximide), or drugs that influence either microtubules (colchicine) or actin-based microfilaments (cytochalasin D). Detergent- extracted cell models contract and extend their flagellar roots and move their nuclei in response to alterations of free calcium levels in the medium. Cycles of nuclear movement in detergent-extracted models require ATP to potentiate the contractile mechanism for subsequent calcium-induced contraction. Flagellar root contraction and nuclear movement in Chlamydomonas may be causally related to signaling of induction of flagellar precursor genes or to the transport of flagellar precursors or their messages to sites of synthesis or assembly near the basal apparatus of the cell.
Determinants of physicians' communication behaviour in disability assessments

Purpose. Knowledge about the determinants of communication behaviour of physicians during face-to-face consultations with patients might increase our understanding of communication behaviour, and provide insight into how training might be able to change their communication behaviour. For physicians who conduct work disability assessment interviews, referred to as ‘social insurance physicians’, communication with patients is their most important instrument. Therefore, the aim of this study was to understand the determinants of communication behaviour of social insurance physicians, by modelling the following constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour: attitudes, social influence, self-efficacy, skills, barriers and intentions concerning their communication with claimants in medical disability assessments. Method. Cross-sectional data were collected by means of questionnaires. Analyses were performed with the LISREL maximum likelihood estimation procedure. Results. The results showed a well-fitting model in which attitudes had a significant and substantial direct effect on two intentions. Self-efficacy had a significant, but smaller direct effect on one intention. Conclusions. Empirical support was found for a model that describes intentions of social insurance physicians, especially intentions to give information and to consider personal aspects. Attitudes were the main determinants of physicians' intentions and therefore these may be a promising focus of communication skills training.
Thermoacoustic instability: model-based optimal control designs and experimental validation

Active control of thermoacoustic instability has been increasingly sought after in the past two decades to suppress pressure oscillations while maintaining other performance objectives such as low NO/sub x/ emission, high efficiency, and power density. We have developed a feedback model of a premixed laminar combustor which captures several dominant features in the combustion process such as heat release dynamics, multiple acoustic modes, and actuator effects. In this paper, we study the performance of optimal control designs including LQG-LTR and H/sub /spl infin// methods using the model with additional effects of mean heat and mean flow actuator dynamics, and input saturation. We also verify these designs experimentally using a 1 kW bench-top combustor rig and a 0.2-W loudspeaker over a range of flow rates and equivalence ratios. Our results show that the proposed controllers, which are designed using a two-mode finite dimensional model, suppress the thermoacoustic instability significantly faster than those obtained using empirical approaches in similar experimental setups without creating secondary resonances, and guarantee stability robustness.
P450 and Human Cancer

Most of the chemical carcinogens in our environment are activated mainly by a restricted number of cytochrome P450 species, P450 1A1,1A2, 2E1, and 3A. This metabolic activation of procarcinogens is a crucial part of the initial host response to the environmental exposure, since most chemical carcinogens do not show any carcinogenicity by themselves. Inter‐individual variability in the metabolic activity may thus be a key host factor to explain the differences in susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis among individuals. Recent studies on P450s in cancer etiology have provided some valuable insights into this problem.
Keeping Exceptional Children in Regular Classes

The goal of integrating exceptional children into regular classes is currently receiving favorable attention. Financial necessity and disappointing results from special or segregated classes have been instrumental in initiating this trend. An additional justification is that broadly heterogeneous classes are a means for children to develop respect for all persons and for the dignity of human life. Ability segregated classes are believed to have detrimental effects on both the feelings of exceptional children about themselves and of others toward them (Billings, 1963; Meyerowitz, 1962; Rapier, Adelson, Carey, & Croke, 1972). It is hoped that the alternative of heterogeneous classes, in which models of respect and consideration toward a variety of individuals may be observed and reinforced frequently, may develop mutual and self respect more effectively. A final, but by no means minor, purpose in having ability integrated classes is the growing awareness of the need for curricula relevant to and reflective of human variability rather than of artificial norms and averages. General education is expected to allow for the meaningful inclusion and appreciation of ethnic, racial, sexual, physical, and ability variations without judgments about which course or method of study is more desirable. Individual differences are not to be viewed as deviations from the norm but as the basis on which the content and methods of a school curricula are to be built.
Phylogenetic Patterns of Codon Evolution in the ACTIN-DEPOLYMERIZING FACTOR/COFILIN (ADF/CFL) Gene Family

The actin-depolymerizing factor/cofilin (ADF/CFL) gene family encodes a diverse group of relatively small proteins. Once known strictly as modulators of actin filament dynamics, recent research has demonstrated that these proteins are involved in a variety of cellular processes, from signal transduction to the cytonuclear trafficking of actin. In both plant and animal lineages, expression patterns of paralogs in the ADF/CFL gene family vary among tissue types and developmental stages. In this study we use computational approaches to investigate the evolutionary forces responsible for the diversification of the ADF/CFL gene family. Estimating the rate of non-synonymous to synonymous mutations (dN/dS) across phylogenetic lineages revealed that the majority of ADF/CFL codon positions were under strong purifying selection, with rare episodic events of accelerated protein evolution. In both plants and animals these instances of accelerated evolution were ADF/CFL subclass specific, and all of the sites under selection were located in regions of the protein that could serve in new functional roles. We suggest these sites may have been important in the functional diversification of ADF/CFL proteins.
In vitro biologic efficacy of sunitinib drug-eluting beads on human colorectal and hepatocellular carcinoma—A pilot study

Purpose Sunitinib drug eluting beads (DEB) are a novel anti-angiogenic bead preparation for use in transarterial chemoembolization. However, systematic studies of sunitinib DEB’s effect on cancer cells have not been reported. Herein, we assess their direct biologic efficacy against carcinoma cell lines and correlate cell viability with drug release in vitro. Materials and methods Sunitinib-HCl (10mg/mL) in Milli-Q water was mixed with LC Bead® 300–500μm (Biocompatibles UK Ltd.). Loading and release were assessed by measurement of drug UV absorbance using UV-visible spectrophotometer. Viability of human colorectal cancer (CRC, HCT116 and HT29) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, HepG2) cells upon exposure to sunitinib DEB was measured using a bioluminescent assay. Drug concentration during exposure was quantified using HPLC. Results When added to cultured HepG2 cells, sunitinib DEB rapidly inhibited viability with a significant decrease observed within 1 hour of incubation. Viability of HCT116 and HT29 cells decreased relatively slower, with significant reductions observed after 8 and 24 hours, respectively. After 24 hours there was nearly complete inhibition of all three cell lines. There was no difference in viability observed between cells treated with 5 μl, 10 μL, or 20 μL of sunitinib DEB. HPLC analysis of the cell culture supernatant demonstrated saturation of the cell medium within approximately 4 hours for each amount added, with sunitinib achieving a final concentration of 17.61 μM (SE ±1.01). Conclusions Sunitinib can be efficiently loaded to and released from LC beads, and the resulting sunitinib DEB demonstrate strong in vitro inhibition of human CRC and HCC cells.
Union Merger Support : A Tale of Two Theories

This research examines the individual decision making of the Energy and Chemical Workers’ Union rank and file members in their choice to support or oppose a three-way merger with the Paperworkers’ Union and the Communications and Electrical Workers’ Union. Two theories, one economic and one behavioral, are used to explain member voting preferences. Results demonstrate that both instrumental and image considerations need to be taken into account when predicting the outcome of a union merger vote
Randomized proteomic stratified phase III study of second-line erlotinib (E) versus chemotherapy (CT) in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (PROSE).

LBA8005 Background: Second-line therapy for advanced NSCLC patients (pts) after progression on platinum-based regimens typically employs CT or E. Improved PFS in E-treated pts is associated with EGFR sensitizing mutations. However, a test for optimizing treatment in pts with wild-type or unknown EGFR mutation status or squamous histology is of clinical value. VeriStrat (VS) is a serum protein test that assigns "good" (VSG) or "poor" (VSP) classification and has demonstrated prognostic and predictive utility. PROSE is a multicenter prospective randomized biomarker validation trial, designed to evaluate the ability of VS to predict survival in second-line NSCLC pts treated with E or CT. It is the first completed prospective randomized biomarker validation trial following the MARVEL design (Freidlin et al. JNCI. 2010). METHODS 285 pts, stratified by ECOG-PS, smoking, and blinded pretreatment VS classification, were randomized 1:1 to receive E or CT at standard doses. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and the primary hypothesis was significant interaction between VS status and treatment. Sample size was calculated based on an estimated 65%/35% VSG:VSP ratio and hazard ratio (HR) for interaction of 2.35, with a 2-sided α=0.05 and 90% power. RESULTS 285 pts were randomized and 263 (129 CT, 134 E) included in the per protocol primary analysis. 68% of pts in CT arm and 72% in E arm were classified as VSG. Analysis was performed at 226 events. The trial reached its primary objective of significant interaction between treatment and VeriStrat classification with an interaction p value of 0.037. Pts in the VSP group performed worse on E compared to CT (HR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.08-2.74); there was no significant difference in OS between treatments in the VSG group (HR: 1.09, 95% CI:0.79-1.50). 194/198 pts with histologic diagnosis had tissue available for EGFR and KRAS mutations. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that VS status is predictive of differential OS benefit for E versus CT in second line setting, complementing the result from a retrospective analysis of NCIC BR.21 where the prognostic behavior of VS was established (Carbone et al. JTO. 2012). CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION NCT00989690.
Flagellin Fusion Proteins as Adjuvants or Vaccines Induce Specific Immune Responses

ABSTRACT Vaccination is the most efficient prophylaxis against a variety of infectious diseases. New vaccination strategies rely on the incorporation of effective adjuvants, which stimulate the innate immune response and, in turn, activate the adaptive immune response. It is well established that flagellin induces inflammatory responses through the activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In order to evaluate whether flagellin can serve as a carrier for the development of adjuvants or vaccines, we prepared a flagellin-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion protein. Our results demonstrate that a flagellin-EGFP fusion protein is capable of stimulating APCs, resulting in the maturation of these cells and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, APCs pulsed with the flagellin-EGFP fusion protein effectively process and present EGFP antigens. More importantly, animals immunized with the flagellin-EGFP fusion protein developed specific anti-EGFP T-cell responses. In contrast, recombinant EGFP was not able to stimulate APCs, nor did it induce a T-cell response. Thus, recombinant-flagellin fusion proteins may be suitable carriers as adjuvants or vaccines for the development of new vaccination strategies to induce and boost immune responses against infectious diseases and cancer.
Interest zone matrix approximation

An algorithm for matrix approximation, when only some of its entries are taken into consideration, is described. The approximation constraint can be any whose approximated solution is known for the full matrix. For low rank approximations, this type of algorithms appears recently in the literature under different names, where it usually uses the Expectation-Maximization algorithm that maximizes the likelihood for the missing entries. In this paper, the algorithm is extended to different cases other than low rank approximations under Frobenius norm, such as minimizing the Frobenius norm under nuclear norm constraint, spectral norm constraint, orthogonality constraint and more. The geometric interpretation of the proposed approximation process along with its op- timality for convex constraints is also discussed. In addition, it is shown how the approximation algorithm can be used for matrix completion as well, under a variety of spectral regularizations. Its applications to physics, electrical engineering and data interpolation problems are also described.
The integration of bottom-up and top-down signals in human perception in health and disease

To extract a meaningful visual experience from the information falling on the retina, the visual system must integrate signals from multiple levels. Bottom-up signals provide input relating to local features while top-down signals provide contextual feedback and reflect internal states of the organism. In this thesis I will explore the nature and neural basis of this integration in two key areas. I will examine perceptual filling-in of artificial scotomas to investigate the bottom-up signals causing changes in perception when filling-in takes place. I will then examine how this perceptual filling-in is modified by top-down signals reflecting attention and working memory. I will also investigate hemianopic completion, an unusual form of filling-in, which may reflect a breakdown in top-down feedback from higher visual areas. The second part of the thesis will explore a different form of top-down control of visual processing. While the effects of cognitive mechanisms such as attention on visual processing are well-characterised, other types of top-down signal such as reward outcome are less well explored. I will therefore study whether signals relating to reward can influence visual processing. To address these questions, I will employ a range of methodologies including functional MRI, magnetoencephalography and behavioural testing in healthy participants and patients with cortical damage. I will demonstrate that perceptual filling-in of artificial scotomas is largely a bottom-up process but that higher cognitive functions can modulate the phenomenon. I will also show that reward modulates activity in higher visual areas in the absence of concurrent visual stimulation and that receiving reward leads to enhanced activity in primary visual cortex on the next trial. These findings reveal that integration occurs across multiple levels even for processes rooted in early retinotopic regions, and that higher cognitive processes such as reward can influence the earliest stages of cortical visual processing.
Abstract phoneme representations in the left temporal cortex: magnetic mismatch negativity study

We investigated the brain mechanisms enabling one auto-matically discriminate phoneme category irrespective of the large inter-speaker variability in the acoustic features of the voices. For this purpose, subjects were presented with 450 different speech stimuli, each uttered by a different speaker, belonging to three vowel categories, while a 306-channel magnetoencephalogram (MEG) was obtained to record the magnetic counterpart of the mismatch negativity (MMNm), elicited only when sensory memory traces for repetitive sounds are formed in the auditory cortex. Despite this wide acoustic variation, category changes elicited prominent MMNm responses, which were considerably stronger in the left than in the right hemisphere in the right-handed subjects. These results implicate the presence of long-term memory traces for vowels, which can recognize the vowel-specific invariant code enabling correct vowel percept even in the presence of realistic acoustic variation.
The association between the end tidal alveolar dead space fraction and mortality in pediatric acute hypoxemic respiratory failure*

Objective: To investigate the relationship of markers of oxygenation, PaO2/FIO2 ratio, SpO2/FIO2 ratio, oxygenation index, oxygen saturation index, and dead space (end tidal alveolar dead space fraction) with mortality in children with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Single-center tertiary care pediatric intensive care unit. Patients: Ninety-five mechanically ventilated children with a PaO2/FIO2 ratio <300 within 24 hrs of the initiation of mechanical ventilation. Interventions: None. Main Results: The end tidal alveolar dead space fraction, PaO2/FIO2 ratio, SpO2/FIO2 ratio, oxygenation index, and oxygen saturation index were all associated with mortality (p < .02). There was a small correlation between the end tidal alveolar dead space fraction and decreasing PaO2/FIO2 (r2 = .21) and SpO2/FIO2 ratios (r2 = .22), and increasing oxygenation index (r2 = .25) and oxygen saturation index (r2 = .24). In multivariate logistic regression modeling, the end tidal alveolar dead space fraction was independently associated with mortality (p < .02). Oxygenation index, oxygen saturation index, and the end tidal alveolar dead space fraction were all acceptable discriminators of mortality with receiver operating characteristic plot area under the curves ≥0.7. Conclusions: In pediatric acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, easily obtainable pulmonary specific markers of disease severity (SpO2/FIO2 ratio, oxygen saturation index, and the end tidal alveolar dead space fraction) may be useful for the early identification of children at high risk of death. Furthermore, the end tidal alveolar dead space fraction should be considered for risk stratification of children with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, given that it was independently associated with mortality.
The Crisis in Special Education Knowledge: A Perspective on Perspective.

Special education is a conglomeration of a number of sub-fields. Historically, the sub-fields have been organized around so-called categories of "exceptionality" or "disa· bility. " As such, each sub-specialty within special education has its own professional knowledge, which reflects the presumed differences among the categories of exceptionality. Nevertheless, behind the surface differences each of the sub-fields subscribes to a basic foundation of general special education knowledge. What is of interest here is this tradition of general special education knowledge, which, for convenience sake, we will refer to simply as special education knowledge. Another challenge in discussing special education knowledge is deciding on whose version to accept as the genuine article. To draw a crude analogy, asking the special education community about the nature of its professional know ledge is like asking a school of fish about the nature of water. Neither group can be depended upon for an adequate answer because these matters are so basic to them that they are largely taken for granted. Thus, bringing a number of perspectives to bear upon the subject will be helpful. The best way to do this is to consider some of the criticisms of traditional special education knowledge. There is no shortage of such criticism. Special education knowledge follows a threefold model of professional knowledge (Schein, 1972, p. 43):
The Folds of Experience, or: Constructing the pedagogy of values

This paper situates moral education in the context of Gilles Deleuze's philosophy and as embedded in lived experience qualified by three dimensions, namely critical, clinical, and creative (‘3C’). The construct of ‘3C’ education will be enriched by reference to the theoretical corpus of Nel Noddings, specifically her 2006 book Critical Lessons: What our schools should teach. The paper argues that only as embodying all three ‘C's in experience can education become genuinely moral and bring the missing element of values into quality teaching (cf. Lovat, 2006a). The novel concept ‘pedagogy of values’ is proposed, analysed and synthesized alongside Deleuze's unorthodox ‘pedagogy of the concept’.