Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Autoregressive Moving Average Model to Investigate the Stability of Dimensions of Emotional Support

USING AUTOREGRESSIVE MOVING AVERAGE MODEL TO INVESTIGATE THE STABILITY OF DIMENSIONS OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Noora Hamdan, M.A. George Mason University, 2013 Thesis Director: Dr. Timothy W. Curby This study investigated the minute-to-minute stability of dimensions of teacher Emotional Support in pre-kindergarten classrooms. Developmental theory states that the proximal processes, in this case, the teachers’ Emotional Supportive interactions, occur in the moment-to-moment interactions between a person and their environment and drive development. The present study examined the stability of those interactions, on the time scale in which they take place, to appropriately align our analytical methods with our theory of development. That is, how stable are minute-to-minute classroom Emotional Supports over time? Furthermore, when conducting observations of a lesson, raters may increasingly determine that a score on a dimension for a teacher fits as opposed to actually making independent ratings at each time point. In this way, ratings of teachers’ Emotional Support may become more stable over time as raters increasingly make up their minds. Then the question is not only how stable are the ratings but also, to what degree are ratings stabilizing over a lesson? In combination, we can better understand the experiences of children during a lesson. Participants were randomly selected from publically-funded pre-kindergarten programs where the majority of children were eligible to enter kindergarten the following school year. Data were coded from videotapes of teachers using an adaptation of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) (Pianta, La Paro, & Hamre, 2008), whereby dimensions of Emotional Support (positive climate, negative climate, teacher sensitivity, and regard for student perspectives) were coded once every minute during a language arts lesson. To address the research questions, autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models were fit to each dimension of Emotional Support. ARMA modeling is based on the notion that repeated measurements are correlated across time and may be expressed as an autocorrelation function. The autoregressive portion of the model answers the question of how stable Emotional Support dimensions are. The correlations between error variances were examined to determine if the correlations are negative which suggests that raters were increasingly making up their minds about a given rating. Findings showed that overall Emotional Support and all individual Emotional Support dimensions showed low levels of stability. Results showed that raters are becoming more consistent in their ratings of Average Emotional Support and its dimensions over time. These findings allow for a better understanding of rater effects in classroom observations. With the recent emphasis by federal agencies on the use of observation, understanding the extent of rater effects has large policy implications.
Peritoneal Defence Mechanisms and Staphylococcus Aureus in Patients Treated with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD)

Peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients due to S. aureus is associated with an adverse clinical outcome, suggesting impaired clearance of this organism by the host. The ability of peritoneal macrophages (PMO) derived from CAPD patients to take up S. aureus and mount a respiratory burst was investigated. Whilst significant activity was observed in the absence of opsonin, both parameters of phagocytosis were augmented by addition of 20% pooled human serum (PHS), complement-depleted PHS, and fibronectin. When used as sole opsonin, fibronectin resulted in a dose-related increase in chemiluminescent response by both blood neutrophils and PMO. The opsonic activity of dialysis effluent, as judged by neutrophil chemiluminescence, correlated with IgG and fibronectin content, but not with complement as assessed by C3 levels. The addition of urokinase to dialysate improved its opsonic properties whilst having no effect on the activity of PHS-20%; this would suggest that the formation of fibrin in dialysate, promoted by S. aureus, interferes with phagocytosis. This and the low IgG, complement and fibronectin levels in dialysate may explain in part the relatively poor clearance of this organism from the peritoneum.
Upregulation of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial LON protease in HAART-treated HIV-positive patients with lipodystrophy: implications for the pathogenesis of the disease

Background:HAART can provoke metabolic changes and body fat redistribution, resulting in lipodystrophy, a side effect significantly involving mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion caused by nucleosidic reverse transcription inhibitors is supposed to be a crucial mechanism in the pathogenesis of mitochondrial damages. Methods:In adipose tissue from 22 HIV-positive patients with lipodystrophy and 20 healthy controls, we analyzed gene expression by microarray analysis and real-time PCR. The most upregulated gene was further studied in the human adipocytic cell line SW872 by real-time PCR, western blot, transient transfection assays and flow cytometry. Results:We identified 18 genes differently expressed between lipodystrophy patients and controls, and focused our attention on the nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protease LON, essential in mtDNA maintenance. In SW872 cells, treatment with stavudine (d4T) doubled LON levels, in parallel with mtDNA depletion. As d4T increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) intracellular content, we measured LON in presence of deoxyribose, which causes oxidative stress but not mtDNA depletion, and observed LON upregulation. Ethidium bromide, which markedly depletes mtDNA, did not alter LON levels. The antioxidant glutathione inhibited the increase of intracellular ROS and the increase in LON caused by d4T or deoxyribose. Conclusion:LON upregulation was due to d4T-induced ROS production, rather than due to mtDNA depletion, and represents a response to an oxidative stress. Other mechanisms than mtDNA depletion thus exist that explain nucleosidic reverse transcription inhibitors toxicity. This observation provides a rationale for possible therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing intracellular ROS content in patients assuming HAART.
Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Epoxidized Palm Olein Blend

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is known to be a useful material in substituting the conventional petroleum-based polymer used in packaging, due to its biodegradability and high mechanical strength. Despite the excellent properties of PLA, low flexibility has limited the application of this material. Thus, epoxidized palm olein (EPO) was incorporated into PLA at different loadings (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt%) through the melt blending technique and the product was characterized. The addition of EPO resulted in a decrease in glass transition temperature and an increase of elongation-at-break, which indicates an increase in the PLA chain mobility. PLA/EPO blends also exhibited higher thermal stability than neat PLA. Further, the PLA/1 wt% EPO blend showed enhancement in the tensile, flexural and impact properties. This is due to improved interaction in the blend producing good compatible morphologies, which can be revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis. Therefore, PLA can be efficiently plasticized by EPO and the feasibility of its use as flexible film for food packaging should be considered.
“Silent event-related” fMRI reveals reduced sensorimotor activation in laryngeal dystonia

Objective: To study with fMRI the pattern of sensorimotor activation in patients with spasmodic dysphonia (laryngeal dystonia) compared to healthy controls. Methods: The authors performed fMRI measurements during vocal motor tasks in 12 patients with laryngeal dystonia and compared them with those of 12 healthy volunteers. Patients were scanned before (pre) and after (post) treatment with local injections of botulinum toxin (BTX). They examined two different motor tasks: simple vocalization inducing dystonia and whispering without appearance of dystonic symptoms. To avoid movement artifacts with oral motor tasks, the authors used a silent event-related fMRI approach involving noncontinuous sampling with no data acquisition during task performance. Results: They found reduced activation of primary sensorimotor as well as of premotor and sensory association cortices during vocalization in patients with laryngeal dystonia pre-BTX. This was partly observed also during the asymptomatic whispering task. BTX treatment did not result in reversal of reduced cortical activation. Conclusion: fMRI signal is reduced in sensorimotor cortices associated with movement of the affected body part in laryngeal dystonia, supporting a dystonic basis for this voice disorder.
SPATA2 promotes CYLD activity and regulates TNF‐induced NF‐κB signaling and cell death

K63‐ and Met1‐linked ubiquitylation are crucial posttranslational modifications for TNF receptor signaling. These non‐degradative ubiquitylations are counteracted by deubiquitinases (DUBs), such as the enzyme CYLD, resulting in an appropriate signal strength, but the regulation of this process remains incompletely understood. Here, we describe an interaction partner of CYLD, SPATA2, which we identified by a mass spectrometry screen. We find that SPATA2 interacts via its PUB domain with CYLD, while a PUB interaction motif (PIM) of SPATA2 interacts with the PUB domain of the LUBAC component HOIP. SPATA2 is required for the recruitment of CYLD to the TNF receptor signaling complex upon TNFR stimulation. Moreover, SPATA2 acts as an allosteric activator for the K63‐ and M1‐deubiquitinase activity of CYLD. In consequence, SPATA2 substantially attenuates TNF‐induced NF‐κB and MAPK signaling. Conversely, SPATA2 is required for TNF‐induced complex II formation, caspase activation, and apoptosis. Thus, this study identifies SPATA2 as an important factor in the TNF signaling pathway with a substantial role for the effects mediated by the cytokine.
Cancer Therapy : Preclinical SKLB 1002 , a Novel Potent Inhibitor of VEGF Receptor 2 Signaling , Inhibits Angiogenesis and Tumor Growth In Vivo

Purpose: VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) inhibitors, as efficient antiangiogenesis agents, have been applied in the cancer treatment. However, currently most of these anticancer drugs suffer some adverse effects. Discovery of novel VEGFR2 inhibitors as anticancer drug candidates is still needed. Experimental Design: In this investigation, we adopted a restricted de novo design method to design VEGFR2 inhibitors. We selected the most potent compound SKLB1002 and analyzed its inhibitory effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in vitro. Tumor xenografts in zebrafish and athymic mice were used to examine the in vivo activity of SKLB1002. Results: The use of the restricted de novo design method indeed led to a new potent VEGFR2 inhibitor, SKLB1002, which could significantly inhibit HUVEC proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation. Western blot analysis was conducted, which indicated that SKLB1002 inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2 kinase and the downstream protein kinases including extracellular signalregulated kinase, focal adhesion kinase, and Src. In vivo zebrafish model experiments showed that SKLB1002 remarkably blocked the formation of intersegmental vessels in zebrafish embryos. It was further found to inhibit a new microvasculature in zebrafish embryos induced by inoculated tumor cells. Finally, compared with the solvent control, administration of 100 mg/kg/d SKLB1002 reached more than 60% inhibition against human tumor xenografts in athymic mice. The antiangiogenic effect was indicated by CD31 immunohistochemical staining and alginate-encapsulated tumor cell assay. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that SKLB1002 inhibits angiogenesis and may be a potential drug candidate in anticancer therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(13); 4439–50. 2011 AACR.
Going beyond theory: constructivism and empirical phenomenology

The aim of the present article is to argue that any research on experience necessarily calls for a constructivist epistemological foundation. At the same time, radical constructivism (as a set of epistemological ideas) requires empirical grounding. Such a joint enterprise can be seen as the next logical step proceeding from present-day constructivist endeavours.
Cloning of Genes of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzaeInvolved in Penetration between Human Lung Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Haemophilus influenzae penetrates between epithelial cells via an unknown mechanism. A chromosomal library of nonencapsulated H. influenzae strain A960053 DNA was constructed in Escherichia coli DH5α to identify bacterial genes contributing to this paracytosis. Two E. coli clones that contained open reading frames (ORFs) homologous to HI0636 to HI0641 of H. influenzae strain Rd and that showed an increased penetration in epithelial cell layers of the human bronchial epithelial cell line NCI-H292 were identified. ORFs HI0636 and HI0638, encoding two small proteins of unknown functions, were further investigated. The clone containing ORFs HI0636 and HI0637 as well as the clone containing ORF HI0638 showed a significant increase in penetration. Disruption of HI0638 by kanamycin box insertion inH. influenzae strain A960053 resulted in loss of penetration into the epithelial cell layers. Disruption of HI0636 had no effect on penetration in this model system. Since a role for HI0637 in the paracytosis of H. influenzae is very unlikely because it encodes TrpS, we conclude that the protein encoded by ORF HI0638 may function as a paracytin, while that encoded by HI0636 may have an auxiliary function.
Psychophysiological indicators of empathy, social interaction, and attention in children with autism

Individuals with autism do not seem to respond to social situations, especially situations that, in individuals of typical development, elicit an empathic response. This study was designed to determine if heart rate could provide a means of investigating whether the social disturbance in autism is associated with specific empathy processes, general social interaction processes, or with general attention processes. Ten young male children with autism and 10 young male children of typical development (chronological age between 3-6.5 years) served as participants. The children were exposed to three auditory tones (a cry, a laugh, and a tone), while their heart rate was measured. The experiment took place in each child's home. There were three between group hypotheses formulated. If the two groups responded differently to all three stimuli, the inference would be that the children with autism have a general attention abnormality. Secondly, if the two groups differed in response to the cry and laugh stimuli but not to the tone, the inference would be that children with autism are responding differentially to stimuli that are social in nature. Finally, if children with autism differentially responded only to the cry stimulus, an empathic deficit hypothesis would be supported. It was hypothesized that children with autism would respond with heart rate acceleration (personal distress) to the cry stimulus.
A SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF EXTINCTION AT 3 MONTHS OF AGE

OF THE THESIS A Systematic Analysis of Extinction at 3 Months of Age By CHRISTIANA KIMBERLY SHAFER Thesis Director: Carolyn Rovee-Collier, Ph.D. In operant conditioning, “extinction” refers to a procedure in which reinforcement is consistently withheld after conditioned responding. The “extinction effect” is observed when learned responding declines to its baserate, or extinguishes. Evidence suggests that the original association is preserved through extinction because conditioned responding can be restored. A hallmark of extinction is that it dissipates with time, and as subjects again exhibit the conditioned response. This phenomenon, spontaneous recovery, led Pavlov (1927) to conclude that learning is permanent. Extinction manipulations have been used in research with infants to eliminate undesirable behavior, to study emotion, and as test periods in instrumental learning preparations. However, it is unknown whether the properties of extinction are the same for human infants as for human adults and nonhuman animals. In order to systematically characterize the extinction process early in ontogeny, 3month-olds were first trained using the mobile conjugate reinforcement paradigm to kick to move an overhead mobile. Once the response was acquired, the extinction was presented and spontaneous recovery was assessed over the course of the normal retention
Effect of Lumbar Stabilization and Dynamic Lumbar Strengthening Exercises in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Objective To compare the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises and lumbar dynamic strengthening exercises on the maximal isometric strength of the lumbar extensors, pain severity and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods Patients suffering nonspecific LBP for more than 3 months were included prospectively and randomized into lumbar stabilization exercise group (n=11) or lumbar dynamic strengthening exercise group (n=10). Exercises were performed for 1 hour, twice weekly, for 8 weeks. The strength of the lumbar extensors was measured at various angles ranging from 0° to 72° at intervals of 12°, using a MedX. The visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) were used to measure the severity of LBP and functional disability before and after the exercise. Results Compared with the baseline, lumbar extension strength at all angles improved significantly in both groups after 8 weeks. The improvements were significantly greater in the lumbar stabilization exercise group at 0° and 12° of lumbar flexion. VAS decreased significantly after treatment; however, the changes were not significantly different between the groups. ODQ scores improved significantly in the stabilization exercise group only. Conclusion Both lumbar stabilization and dynamic strengthening exercise strengthened the lumbar extensors and reduced LBP. However, the lumbar stabilization exercise was more effective in lumbar extensor strengthening and functional improvement in patients with nonspecific chronic LBP.
Radiation Therapy in the Treatment of Minor Salivary Gland Tumors

Purpose:Minor salivary gland cancers are rare and account for roughly 2% to 3% of all head and neck tumors. This is a retrospective review in a modern cohort of patients treated for this rare cancer with surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy. Materials and Methods:Between February 1990 and December 2010, 98 patients with cancer of the minor salivary glands were identified and treated at a single institution. The median radiation dose was 63 Gy. Outcomes assessed included local control (LC), locoregional control (LRC), and overall survival (OS). Toxicity was graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. Competing-risk analysis using the Gray test was performed, with death as the competing risk. OS was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results:With a median follow-up of 7.3 years, the 5- and 10-year LC and LRC rates were 87.9% and 83%, and 80.5% and 73.7%, respectively. Higher T stage and adenocarcinoma histology were the significant negative prognostic factors for both LC and LRC. Freedom from distant metastasis at 5 and 10 years were 83% and 63%, respectively. The median OS was 19.6 years. Overall, no grade 4 or 5 toxicities occurred, and 20% of the cohort experienced an acute grade 3 toxicity, and 6% with a grade 3 late toxicity. Conclusions:In a modern cohort treated with surgery and radiotherapy, excellent outcomes can be achieved with lower toxicity rates compared with older published series.
Accuracy of Linear Measurements of Galileos Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Normal and Different Head Positions

Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of linear measurements in dry human skulls in ideal position and different deviated positions of the skull. Methods. 6 dry human skulls were included in the study. Opaque markers were attached to alveolar bone. Buccolingual and mesiodistal distances and heights were measured in 5 different regions of either jaws using a digital caliper. Radiographic distances were measured in ideal, rotation, tilt, flexion, and extension positions of the skulls. The physical and radiographic measurements were compared to estimate linear measurement accuracy. Results. The mean difference between physical measurements and radiographic measurements was 0.05 ± 0.45. There was a significant difference between physical measurements and radiographic measurements in ideal, rotation, tilt, and extension positions (P value < 0.05). Conclusions. The accuracy of measurements in GALILEOUS CBCT machine varies when the position of the skull deviates from ideal; however, the differences are not clinically significant.
Know Your Enemy: Successful Bioinformatic Approaches to Predict Functional RNA Structures in Viral RNAs

Structured RNA elements may control virus replication, transcription and translation, and their distinct features are being exploited by novel antiviral strategies. Viral RNA elements continue to be discovered using combinations of experimental and computational analyses. However, the wealth of sequence data, notably from deep viral RNA sequencing, viromes, and metagenomes, necessitates computational approaches being used as an essential discovery tool. In this review, we describe practical approaches being used to discover functional RNA elements in viral genomes. In addition to success stories in new and emerging viruses, these approaches have revealed some surprising new features of well-studied viruses e.g., human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, influenza, and dengue viruses. Some notable discoveries were facilitated by new comparative analyses of diverse viral genome alignments. Importantly, comparative approaches for finding RNA elements embedded in coding and non-coding regions differ. With the exponential growth of computer power we have progressed from stem-loop prediction on single sequences to cutting edge 3D prediction, and from command line to user friendly web interfaces. Despite these advances, many powerful, user friendly prediction tools and resources are underutilized by the virology community.
Adolescents mothers of low income: a study of family relationships

The family is the first nucleus of social-affective influence of human being. The aim of this research is to investigate low-income adolescent’s family relationship. A semi-structured interview was applied to 25 adolescent mothers and 25 grandmothers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed according to Bardin. The results denoted that the unfavorable family relations prevailed before and during the pregnancy. After the baby’s arrival, in the perspective of adolescent mothers, family relationships become more favorable. However, the grandmothers presented favorable and unfavorable aspects. Among other factors this can be related to the life’s project idealised for their daughters. Some adolescents were financially and emotionally dependent from their original family, and this appeared to interfere in the mother-baby interaction.