Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD40 Is Constitutively Expressed on Platelets and Provides a Novel Mechanism for Platelet Activation

Abstract— CD40 is a 48-kDa phosphorylated transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the TNF receptor superfamily. CD40 has been demonstrated on a range of cell types, and it has an important role in adaptive immunity and inflammation. CD40 has recently been described on platelets but platelet activation by CD40 has not been described. In the present study, we use flow cytometry and immunoblotting to confirm that platelets constitutively express surface CD40. CD40 mRNA was undetectable, suggesting that the protein is synthesized early in platelet differentiation by megakaryocytes. Ligation of platelet CD40 with recombinant soluble CD40L trimer (sCD40LT) caused increased platelet CD62P expression, &agr;-granule and dense granule release, and the classical morphological changes associated with platelet activation. CD40 ligation also caused &bgr;3 integrin activation, although this was not accompanied by platelet aggregation. These actions were abrogated by the CD40L blocking antibody TRAP-1 and the CD40 blocking antibodies M2 and M3, showing that activation was mediated by CD40L binding to platelet CD40. &bgr;3 integrin blockade with eptifibatide had no effect, indicating that outside-in signaling via &agr;IIb&bgr;3 was not contributing to these CD40-mediated effects. CD40 ligation led to enhanced platelet-leukocyte adhesion, which is important in the recruitment of leukocytes to sites of thrombosis or inflammation. Our results support a role for CD40-mediated platelet activation in thrombosis, inflammation, and atherosclerosis.
Object pronouns in German L3 syntax: Evidence for the L2 status factor

Several studies on L3 lexicon, and recently also some on L3 syntax, have convincingly shown a qualitative difference between the acquisition of a true L2 and the subsequent acquisition of an L3. Some studies even indicate that L2 takes on a stronger role than L1 in the initial state of L3 syntax (e.g. Bardel and Falk, 2007; Rothman and Cabrelli Amaro, 2010). In this article we further investigate syntactic transfer from L1/L2 to L3 in learners at an intermediate level of proficiency in the target language. Data have been obtained from 44 learners of German as L3, testing the placement of object pronouns in both main and subordinate clauses in a grammaticality judgement/correction task (GJCT). The learners constitute two groups (both n = 22): One group has English as L1 and French as L2 and the other group has French as L1 and English as L2. This particular combination of background languages allows us to pinpoint the source of transfer, since object placement is pre-verbal in French and post-verbal in English, this being applied in both main and subordinate clauses. In target language (TL) German, however, the object placement varies between pre-verbal in the sub clause and post-verbal in the main clause. The two groups behave differently as to both acceptance and rejection of the test items (60 grammatical and ungrammatical main and sub clauses with object pronouns). This difference is significant and can be ascribed to their L2s, respectively. Our results thus show that the L2 transfers into the L3 even at an intermediate level, and on the basis of this we claim a strong role for the L2 status factor.
Who engages with moral beauty?

Aristotle considered moral beauty to be the telos of the human virtues. Displays of moral beauty have been shown to elicit the moral emotion of elevation and cause a desire to become a better person and to engage in prosocial behavior. Study 1 (N = 5380) shows engagement with moral beauty is related to several psychological constructs relevant to moral education, and structural models reveal that the story of engagement with moral beauty may be considered a story of love and connectedness; it is uniquely predictive of caring for, being empathic of, loving, and valuing benevolence toward others. Study 2 (N = 542) demonstrates that the personality trait of engaging with moral beauty moderates susceptibility to elevation. These studies suggest that encouraging students to engage with moral beauty might increase their desire to become better persons and to do good. Convergent with other research showing that moral emotions motivate moral behavior, we suggest that moral education programs increase their focus on developing engagement with moral beauty.
Applicability of American College of Radiology appropriateness criteria in a general internal medicine clinic.

OBJECTIVE The American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria for Imaging and Treatment Decisions are intended to help radiologists and referring physicians use imaging procedures appropriately and cost-effectively, but these criteria have not undergone empirical testing. To assess how readily the ACR appropriateness criteria can be applied to clinical practice, we retrospectively examined their applicability in a general ambulatory care setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS From all requests during an 8-month period for noninterventional CT, sonography, MR imaging, and nuclear medicine imaging procedures received from a general internal medicine clinic, we excluded cases for which relevant clinic notes were unavailable or incomplete. Three experienced radiologists classified cases by consensus, using data from radiology requests and clinic notes. Cases were classified as a "complete match" if the features matched a clinical condition and variant included in the ACR appropriateness criteria; as a "partial match" if the features matched a clinical condition but did not match all features of a variant; or as "unmatched. " RESULTS Of 316 cases, there were 202 complete matches (64%) and 37 partial matches (12%). Of the 77 unmatched cases (24%), 14 pertained to asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSION The ACR appropriateness criteria could be applied to 76% of the imaging procedure requests that we received from a general internal medicine clinic. These results suggest that the ACR appropriateness criteria can be applied to diagnostic imaging in a general ambulatory-care setting.
Inflammatory Mediators Increase Nav1.9 Current and Excitability in Nociceptors through a Coincident Detection Mechanism

Altered function of Na+ channels is responsible for increased hyperexcitability of primary afferent neurons that may underlie pathological pain states. Recent evidence suggests that the Nav1.9 subunit is implicated in inflammatory but not acute pain. However, the contribution of Nav1.9 channels to the cellular events underlying nociceptor hyperexcitability is still unknown, and there remains much uncertainty as to the biophysical properties of Nav1.9 current and its modulation by inflammatory mediators. Here, we use gene targeting strategy and computer modeling to identify Nav1.9 channel current signature and its impact on nociceptors' firing patterns. Recordings using internal fluoride in small DRG neurons from wild-type and Nav1.9-null mutant mice demonstrated that Nav1.9 subunits carry the TTX-resistant “persistent” Na+ current called NaN. Nav1.9−/− nociceptors showed no significant change in the properties of the slowly inactivating TTX-resistant SNS/Nav1.8 current. The loss in Nav1.9-mediated Na+ currents was associated with the inability of small DRG neurons to generate a large variety of electrophysiological behaviors, including subthreshold regenerative depolarizations, plateau potentials, active hyperpolarizing responses, oscillatory bursting discharges, and bistable membrane behaviors. We further investigated, using CsCl- and KCl-based pipette solutions, whether G-protein signaling pathways and inflammatory mediators upregulate the NaN/Nav1.9 current. Bradykinin, ATP, histamine, prostaglandin-E2, and norepinephrine, applied separately at maximal concentrations, all failed to modulate the Nav1.9 current. However, when applied conjointly as a soup of inflammatory mediators they rapidly potentiated Nav1.9 channel activity, generating subthreshold amplification and increased excitability. We conclude that Nav1.9 channel, the molecular correlate of the NaN current, is potentiated by the concerted action of inflammatory mediators that may contribute to nociceptors' hyperexcitability during peripheral inflammation.
Targeted Metabolomics of the Phenylpropanoid Pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana using Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION The phenylpropanoid pathway is a source of a diverse group of compounds derived from phenylalanine, many of which are involved in lignin biosynthesis and serve as precursors for the production of valuable compounds, such as coumarins, flavonoids, and lignans. Consequently, recent efforts have been invested in mechanistically understanding monolignol biosynthesis, making the quantification of these metabolites vital. OBJECTIVE To develop an improved and comprehensive analytical method for (i) extensively profiling, and (ii) accurately quantifiying intermediates of the monolignol biosynthetic network, using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system. METHOD A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization was developed to quantify phenylpropanoid metabolites in Arabidopsis wildtype and cinnamoyl CoA reductase1 (CCR1) deficient lines (ccr1). RESULTS Vortexing at high temperatures (65°C) enhanced release of phenylpropanoids, specifically the more hydrophobic compounds. A pH of 5.3 and ammonium acetate buffer concentration of 2.5 mM resulted in an optimal analyte response across standards. Ion suppression was estimated using standard spike recovery studies for accurate quantitation. The optimized method was used to profile Arabidopsis wildtype and ccr1 stems. An increase in hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and a decrease in the hydroxycinnamyl aldehydes and alcohols in ccr1 lines, supports a shift of flux from lignin synthesis to other secondary metabolites and phenylpropanoid derivatives. CONCLUSIONS Compared to existing targeted profiling techniques, our method is capable of quantifying a wider range of intermediates (15 out of 22 in WT Arabidopsis stems) at low in vivo concentrations (~50 pmol/g-FW for certain compounds), while requiring minimal sample preparation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation and Identification of Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Post Operative Pus Sample

Staphylococcus aureus is most frequently isolated pathogen causing bloodstream infections, skin and soft tissue infections and pneumonia. Recently, S. aureus have evolved resistance to both synthetic and traditional antibiotics. This study was carried out to isolate pathogenic S. aureus from post-operative pus sample, and VRSA was identified by evaluation of resistance patterns using conventional antibiotics. Thirty post operative pus samples were collected from nearby Hospital and species identification was confirmed by Gram staining, standard biochemical tests and PCR amplification of the nuc gene. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were carried out by MIC, MBC, DAD test and BHI vancomycin screening agar. VRSA were confirmed by PCR amplification of the vanA and vanB genes. From this study, it was observed that isolated S. aureus strains are pathogenic; 30% of strains were resistant to penicillin G, ampicillin and erythromycin; 26.67% strains were resistant to cephotaxime, gentamycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, norfloxacin, methicillin and vancomycin.
Social Emotional Adjustment and Interpersonal Problems: A Circumplex Analysis of the Weinberger Adjustment Typology

Weinberger's typological model of social-emotional adjustment was described. The model's six adjustment types were evaluated within the context of the interpersonal problems circumplex in a sample of 306 young adult college students. Diagnostic features of precise circumplex measurement were used to distinguish adjustment types. Substantive features of the interpersonal problems circumplex were used to describe differential characteristics of interpersonal dysfunction across adjustment types. Differential endorsementrates of psychological symptoms across adjustment types were also examined. The validityof the social-emotional adjustment typology was supported. Based on previous research on interpersonal problems, psychotherapy response, and attachment styles, implications for the typology regarding the development of psychopathology and psychotherapeutic interventions are discussed. We conclude that the Weinberger types represent a useful, person-centered typological model in which to integrate developmental, personality, and clinical perspectives on social-emotional adjustment.
Problems in the classification of approximants

The aim of this paper is to show that the approximant feature refers to a phonetic class which includes other subcategories of sounds, such as semi-vowels, rhotics, laterals and a subset of consonants. The consonants – due to the lack of articulatory precision – keep neither the obligatory closure for stops nor the aerodynamic characteristics required to produce a turbulent airstream, as is characteristic of fricatives. I am referring to these sounds as [[Voiced bilabial fricative] [Voiced dental fricative] [Voiced palatal fricative] [Voiced velar fricative]]. Moreover, I suggest a new definition of the approximant feature, which points out that the outflow of non-turbulent airstream is caused by either the opening of the organs or the lack of articulatory precision, or even both phenomena together.
Analysis of relationships between ultraviolet radiation (295–385 nm) and aerosols as well as shortwave radiation in North China Plain

The fraction of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to broadband shortwave (SW) radiation (FUV=UV/SW) and the influences of aerosol, precipitable water vapor content (PWV) and snow on FUV were examined using two year's worth of ground-based measurements of relevant variables in northern China. The annual meanFUV was 3.85%. Larger monthly values occurred in summer and minimum appeared in winter. Under cloudless condition, FUV decreased linearly with 500 nm and the resulting regression indicated a reduc- tion of about 26% in daily FUV per unit 500 nm, implying that aerosol is an efficient agent in lowering the ground-level UV radiation, especially when the sun is high. Given that the annual mean 500 nm is 0.82, aerosol induced reduction in surface UV radiation was from 24% to 74% when the solar zenith angle ( ) changed from 20 to 80 . One cm of PWV led to an increase of about 17% in daily FUV. One case study of snow influence on surface irradiance showed that UV and SW radiation increased simultaneously when the ground was covered with snow, but SW radiation increased much less than UV radiation. Accordingly, FUV increased by 20% for this case. Models were developed to describe the dependence of instantaneous UV radiation on aerosol optical depth, the cosine of the solar zenith angle (µ), and clearness index (Kt) under both clear and all-weather conditions.
Dysapoptosis of Osteoblasts and Osteocytes Increases Cancellous Bone Formation But Exaggerates Cortical Porosity With Age

Skeletal aging is accompanied by decreased cancellous bone mass and increased formation of pores within cortical bone. The latter accounts for a large portion of the increase in nonvertebral fractures after age 65 years in humans. We selectively deleted Bak and Bax, two genes essential for apoptosis, in two types of terminally differentiated bone cells: the short‐lived osteoblasts that elaborate the bone matrix, and the long‐lived osteocytes that are immured within the mineralized matrix and choreograph the regeneration of bone. Attenuation of apoptosis in osteoblasts increased their working lifespan and thereby cancellous bone mass in the femur. In long‐lived osteocytes, however, it caused dysfunction with advancing age and greatly magnified intracortical femoral porosity associated with increased production of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand and vascular endothelial growth factor. Increasing bone mass by artificial prolongation of the inherent lifespan of short‐lived osteoblasts, while exaggerating the adverse effects of aging on long‐lived osteocytes, highlights the seminal role of cell age in bone homeostasis. In addition, our findings suggest that distress signals produced by old and/or dysfunctional osteocytes are the culprits of the increased intracortical porosity in old age. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Support verb constructions: linguistic properties, representation, translation

Abstract This article deals with constructions such as Jean a fait une promenade or Jean a soif which contain verbs called here ‘support verbs’. These structures are known to pose immense difficulties for the translator (whether human or automatic) and part oif the purpose of this paper is to suggest representations which render their translation easier on the basis of work carried out by the author within the EC Eurotra Machine Translation project. First of all, it is argued on linguistic grounds that support verb constructions behave differently from constructions containing ‘ordinary’ verbs such as lire or ouvrir. In particular, it is claimed that the syntactic and semantic head of Jean a fait une promenade is the noun promenade and not the verb faire which is a mere carrier of tense and aspect. We then raise the question of the representation of support verb constructions for the purposes of machine translation and examine several alternative possibilities. The representations adopted below are shown to lead to simple transfer rules limited to the substitution of lexical items which do not entail complex structural changes between source and target sentences. The linguistic ideas presented here have been implemented in nine languages within the Eurotra project but most of the discussion is based on contrastive evidence between French and English.
GENDER DIFFERENCES AND THE ONLINE CLASSROOM: MALE AND FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENTS EVALUATE THEIR EXPERIENCES

There has been considerable scholarly interest in issues related to gender and the online classroom. Some evidence suggests that male and female college students experience the online environment differently. The study reported here was designed to gather information regarding this matter. The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC) included two open-ended questions on their CT s standard course evaluation form for the fall 2000 semester. These questions invited students to comment on their experiences as learners in the online classroom in as much length and detail as they wished. This report is based on an analysis of the 195 responses to these two questions. Significant differences were found between the way male and female students identified the strengths and weaknesses of the online environment on a range of questions regarding flexibility, face-to-face interaction, shy and quiet students, self-discipline, and self-motivation. The data provide compelling evidence that online courses are of .
Marketing issues for non-degree United Kingdom higher education: the case of foundation degrees

Abstract This article discusses the contribution of the foundation degree to the brand values of United Kingdom higher education. The article highlights a failure of care in the construction and promotion of this product from a marketing perspective. The article argues for clarity of purpose and a greater veracity in the claim of parity of esteem for vocational qualifications. It concludes by offering a marketing proposal for the Foundation Degree.
Second Language Reading Strategy Instruction: Its Effects on Comprehension and Word Inference Ability

ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines for Reading have brought attention to the complex array of skills which constitute L2 reading proficiency as well as to issues surrounding the development of reading proficiency. Consequently, a small but increasing number of researchers, curriculum designers, and teachers are now thinking of ways in which to help L2 readers develop such skills as making and confirming predictions, creating pre-reading expectations, identifying a text's macro-structure, and using textual redundancy, context, signalling cues, and background knowledge to enhance comprehension. One widely recommended method of improving learners' ability to comprehend L2 texts is explicit instruction in reading comprehension strategies. ' This study evaluates the effect of such instruction on intermediate-level French
Positive and Negative Feedback Mechanisms in the Neural Regulation of Cardiovascular Function in Healthy and Spinal Cord–Injured Humans

Background — We tested the hypothesis that in humans, hypertension/tachycardia and hypotension/bradycardia nonbaroreflex sequences that occur within spontaneous arterial pressure (AP) and R-R interval fluctuations are an expression of positive feedback mechanisms neurally regulating the cardiovascular system. Methods and Results — We studied 15 spinal cord–injured (SCI) subjects (8 tetraplegics and 7 paraplegics) and 8 healthy subjects. The occurrence of nonbaroreflex (NBseq) and baroreflex (Bseq) sequences, ie, hypertension-bradycardia and hypotension-tachycardia sequences, was assessed during rest and head-up tilt (HUT). The ratio between Bseq and NBseq (B/NB ratio) was also calculated. In resting conditions, the occurrence of NBseq was significantly lower (P <0.05) in tetraplegics (7.9±1.5) than in paraplegics (16.2±3.2) and normal subjects (19.0±3.5), whereas the occurrence of Bseq was not significantly different between the 3 groups (38.6±11.9 versus 45.4±6.0 versus 47.0±11.9). In tetraplegics, the B/NB ratio showed a marked, significant decrease (from 8.4±4.2 to 1.9±0.8, P <0.05) in response to HUT, whereas in normal subjects, it showed a significant increase (from 3.5±0.7 to 9.4±2.7, P <0.05). In paraplegics, the B/NB ratio did not change significantly in response to HUT (from 4.5±1.6 to 4.8±1.1). Conclusions — Our data suggest that nonbaroreflex sequences occur in humans and might represent the expression of an integrated, neurally mediated, feed-forward type of short-term cardiovascular regulation that is able to interact dynamically with feedback mechanisms of baroreflex origin.
Efficient Stacked Dependency Parsing by Forest Reranking

This paper proposes a discriminative forest reranking algorithm for dependency parsing that can be seen as a form of efficient stacked parsing. A dynamic programming shift-reduce parser produces a packed derivation forest which is then scored by a discriminative reranker, using the 1-best tree output by the shift-reduce parser as guide features in addition to third-order graph-based features. To improve efficiency and accuracy, this paper also proposes a novel shift-reduce parser that eliminates the spurious ambiguity of arc-standard transition systems. Testing on the English Penn Treebank data, forest reranking gave a state-of-the-art unlabeled dependency accuracy of 93.12.
Are Your Participants Gaming the System? Screening Mechanical Turk Workers

In this paper we discuss a screening process used in conjunction with a survey administered via Amazon.com’s Mechanical Turk. We sought an easily implementable method to disqualify those people who participate but don’t take the study tasks seriously. By using two previously pilot tested screening questions, we identified 764 of 1,962 people who did not answer conscientiously. Young men seem to be most likely to fail the qualification task. Those that are professionals, students, and non-workers seem to be more likely to take the task seriously than financial workers, hourly workers, and other workers. Men over 30 and women were more likely to answer seriously.