Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retention of Women of Color in STEM Doctoral Programs

Most research studies examine only gender or racial and ethnic identity, with little attention given to women who identify as underrepresented minorities (URM) within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); furthermore, current STEM research on women and URM focuses on reasons for departure rather than on student persistence. Therefore, the current qualitative study is important because it analyzes the factors that lead to doctoral STEM persistence, considering both gender and ethnicity. Our central research question is: what are the experiences and outcomes affecting Women of Color’s persistence in STEM doctoral programs? The following themes emerged from our study as most salient to the participant’s persistence: financial, socialization (peer and faculty), motivation (preference for long-term goals and degree completion), group affiliation and external support systems. This study makes a case for the need to integrate group affiliation and external support systems in effort to retain this population. Proposals of how this study could enhance the persistence of Women of Color in STEM doctoral programs at institutional departments and programs is based on bringing awareness to academic staff of the factors that successful Women of Color in STEM doctoral programs assert contribute to their persistence.
'Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia' as a role model? Lessons for open innovation from an exploratory examination of the supposedly democratic-anarchic nature of Wikipedia

Accounts of open source software (OSS) development projects frequently stress their democratic, sometimes even anarchic nature, in contrast to for-profit organisations. Given this observation, our research evaluates qualitative data from Wikipedia, a free online encyclopaedia whose development mechanism allegedly resembles that of OSS projects. Our research offers contributions to the field of open innovation research with three major findings. First, we shed light on Wikipedia as a phenomenon that has received scant attention from management scholars to date. Second, we show that OSS-related motivational mechanisms partially apply to Wikipedia participants. Third, our exploration of Wikipedia also reveals that its organisational mechanisms are often perceived as bureaucratic by contributors. This finding was unexpected since this type of problem is often associated with for-profit organisations. Such a situation risks attenuating the motivation of contributors and sheds a critical light on the nature of Wikipedia as a role model for open innovation processes.
Genotoxic and Antigenotoxic Activity of Acerola (Malpighia glabra L.) Extract in Relation to the Geographic Origin

Malpighia glabra L, popularly known as acerola, is considered a functional fruit and therefore is taken to prevent disease or as adjuvant to treatment strategies, since the fruit is an undeniable source of vitamin C, carotenoids, and flavonoids. Acerola is a natural source of vitamin C, flavonoids, and carotenoids. Its chemical composition is affected by genetic uniformity of the orchards and environmental factors. Considering the extensive growth of the culture of acerola in Brazil as well as its widespread use, this study evaluates the genotoxic and antigenotoxic activity of acerola in relation to geographical origin using the comet assay in mice blood cells in vitro. No acerola samples showed potential to induce DNA damage, independently of origin. Also, for antigenotoxicity activity, only the acerola sample from São Paulo reduced DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (by about 56%). The sample from Ceará showed good antioxidant activity by the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl assay, in agreement with its higher rutin, quercetin, and vitamin C levels. Additional studies with other treatment regimens are necessary to better understand the impact of the complex mixture of acerola on genomic stability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclosporine vs tacrolimus therapy for posterior and intermediate uveitis.

OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and tolerability of tacrolimus and cyclosporine therapy for noninfectious posterior segment intraocular inflammation and to evaluate their effect on peripheral blood CD4(+) T-cell phenotype and activation status. METHODS Thirty-seven patients who required second-line immunosuppression for posterior segment intraocular inflammation were enrolled in this prospective randomized trial of tacrolimus vs cyclosporine therapy. The main outcome measures were visual acuity, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy score, adverse effects, and quality of life. In addition, peripheral blood CD4(+) T-cell phenotype and activation status were evaluated by flow cytometry before treatment and at 2, 4, and 12 weeks using CD69, chemokine receptor (CCR4, CCR5, and CXCR3), and intracellular cytokine (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin 10) expression. RESULTS Thirteen patients (68%) taking tacrolimus and 12 patients (67%) taking cyclosporine responded to treatment. Cyclosporine therapy was associated with a higher incidence of reported adverse effects. Mean arterial pressure and serum cholesterol level were significantly higher at 3 months in the cyclosporine group than the tacrolimus group. No significant difference was detected with regard to effect on quality of life or CD4(+) T-cell phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Tacrolimus and cyclosporine were similar with regard to efficacy for posterior segment intraocular inflammation, but the results suggested a more favorable safety profile for tacrolimus therapy.
Work‐arounds and Artifacts During Transition to a Computer Physician Order Entry: What They Are and What They Mean

This study examined work-arounds and artifacts in the work performed by nurses and other healthcare providers when physicians transitioned to a computer physician order entry system. There were 5 types of work-arounds and artifacts identified: (1) workflow timing of events, (2) communication changes, (3) system problems, (4) learning curve, and (5) patient safety. Benefits of this study include the ability to understand how nursing work changes in the transition to a computer physician order entry system.
Efficiency of N2 Gas Flushing Compared to the Lactoperoxidase System at Controlling Bacterial Growth in Bovine Raw Milk Stored at Mild Temperatures

To prevent excessive bacterial growth in raw milk, the FAO recommends two options: either cold storage or activation of the lactoperoxidase system (LPs/HT) in milk with the addition of two chemical preservatives, hydrogen peroxide (H) and thiocyanate (T). N2 gas flushing of raw milk has shown great potential to control bacterial growth in a temperature range of 6–12°C without promoting undesired side effects. Here, the effect of N2 gas (N) was tested as a single treatment and in combination with the lactoperoxidase system (NHT) on seven raw milk samples stored at 15 or 25°C. For the ratio defined as bacterial counts from a certain treatment/counts on the corresponding control, a classical Analyse of Variance (ANOVA) was performed, followed by mean comparison with the Ryan-Einot-Gabriel-Welsch multiple range test (REGWQ). Altogether, the growth inhibition was slightly but significantly higher at 25°C than at 15°C. Except for one sample, all ratios were lower for HT than for N alone; however, these differences were not judged to be significant for five samples by the REGWQ test; in the remaining two samples, N was more effective than HT in one case and less effective in the other case. This study shows that N2 gas flushing, which inhibited bacterial growth in raw milk at 15 and 25°C for 24 and 12 h, respectively, could constitute an alternative to LPs where no cold storage facilities exist, especially as a replacement for adulterating substances.
Role of diacylglycerol activation of PKCθ in lipid-induced muscle insulin resistance in humans

Significance Muscle insulin resistance is a major factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, but the underlying cellular mechanisms are yet unclear. This study found that muscle diacylglycerol content was temporally associated with protein kinase Cθ activation and impairment of insulin signaling in human skeletal muscle. A similar relationship between muscle diacylglycerol content and protein kinase Cθ activation was observed in insulin-resistant obese and type 2 diabetic individuals. In contrast, we observed no relationship between other putative mediators of muscle insulin resistance including ceramides, acylcarnitines, or circulating adipocytokines. These data support the hypothesis that diacylglycerol activation of protein kinase Cθ and subsequent impairment of insulin signaling plays a major role in the pathogenesis of muscle insulin resistance in humans. Muscle insulin resistance is a key feature of obesity and type 2 diabetes and is strongly associated with increased intramyocellular lipid content and inflammation. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for causing muscle insulin resistance in humans are still unclear. To address this question, we performed serial muscle biopsies in healthy, lean subjects before and during a lipid infusion to induce acute muscle insulin resistance and assessed lipid and inflammatory parameters that have been previously implicated in causing muscle insulin resistance. We found that acute induction of muscle insulin resistance was associated with a transient increase in total and cytosolic diacylglycerol (DAG) content that was temporally associated with protein kinase (PKC)θ activation, increased insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 serine 1101 phosphorylation, and inhibition of insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and AKT2 phosphorylation. In contrast, there were no associations between insulin resistance and alterations in muscle ceramide, acylcarnitine content, or adipocytokines (interleukin-6, adiponectin, retinol-binding protein 4) or soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Similar associations between muscle DAG content, PKCθ activation, and muscle insulin resistance were observed in healthy insulin-resistant obese subjects and obese type 2 diabetic subjects. Taken together, these data support a key role for DAG activation of PKCθ in the pathogenesis of lipid-induced muscle insulin resistance in obese and type 2 diabetic individuals.
EFFECTS OF SOME SOIL TREATED PESTICIDES ON GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF FABA BEAN AND WHEAT PLANTS

ABDUL-GHANY O. I.SARMAMY*, SHELAN M. KHIDIR** *Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Salahaddin-Erbil, IRAQ **Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Science, University of Salahaddin-Erbil, IRAQ __________________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract— The present study was conducted during December 1, 2009 to October 1 2010 to determine the effects of Treflan, Glyphosate, Ridomil and Cyrin C, on germination, vegetative growth characteristics, nodulation (in faba bean), and nutrient status as well as pesticide residues in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Faba bean (Vicia faba) plants. Results showed that Treflan caused significant decrease in number of nodules per plant, number of branches, plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight in bean plants, and significantly reduced plant contents of potassium, sodium, zinc, manganese and calcium of bean plants. Treflan also reduced the number of tillers per plant, plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, root dry weight and plant contents of total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc and manganese in wheat plants significantly. Cyrin C reduced the plant contents of nitrogen and manganese in bean plants. Ridomil decreased number of branches per plant in bean, root dry weights of both beans and wheat plants, and reduced the plant contents of nitrogen, sodium and manganese in bean plants and increase phosphorus, and manganese contents of wheat plants significantly. Glyphosate caused significant decrease in number of tillers per plant, plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight in bean and wheat plants and increased the contents of N, P, Na and decrease Fe contents significantly in wheat plants. Treflan was reduced the wheat seed germination percentage significantly and delayed the germination to 15 days. Cyrin C caused reduction in wheat seed germination, but Ridomil and Glyphosate were increased wheat seed germination percentages. All pesticide treatments delayed bean seed germination. After three months of pesticide treatments, residues of Metalaxyl (Ridomil) and chlorpyrifos were detected in samples of bean and wheat plants. Keywords— Wheat, faba bean, Pesticides, Plant Growth.
Priapism associated with pregabalin

Priapism is a well-known cause of erectile dysfunction. There are a wide variety of causes, including hemoglobinopathy, neurological diseases, and drugs. We present a case report of an Asian man who presented with priapism that was continuous for 3 days after taking three doses of pregabalin for chronic back pain. Cavernous aspiration, phenylephrine injection, and a winter shunt all failed to achieve detumescence. The patient then presented to our institution on the 5th day of his initial presentation, and an El-Ghorab shunt was performed, after which detumescence and pain relief were achieved. We suggest that pregabalin might induce tumescence through acting on the α2δ1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the penile smooth muscle or by presynaptic inhibition of noradrenaline release. Further studies are warranted regarding the action of pregabalin and its effect on penile physiology.
Sources of Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Barley Landraces from Turkey

Powdery mildew on barley, caused by the pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei, occurs worldwide and can result in severe yield loss. Germplasm of barley, including landraces, commercial cultivars, wild relatives and breeding lines are stored in more than 200 institutions. There is a need for characterization of this germplasm in terms of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This is necessary in order to use specific accessions in breeding programs. In the present study, 129 barley landraces originated from Turkey and provided by the ICARDA genebank were tested for resistance to powdery mildew. Seedling resistance tests after inoculation with 19 differentiated isolates of B. graminis f. sp. hordei were used to postulate the presence of resistance genes. From the 129 landraces studied, plants of 19 (14.7%) of them showed resistance to infection with powdery mildew. Based on preliminary tests from these 19 landraces, 25 resistant single plant lines were selected for testing with differential powdery mildew isolates. Seven lines were resistant to all 19 isolates used. However, only one line (5583-1-4) showed resistance scores of zero against all isolates used. It is likely that this line possesses unknown, but highly effective genes for resistance. In five resistant lines it was not possible to postulate the presence of specific resistance genes. In 19 lines the presence of the genes Mlp, Mlk, Mlh, Mlg, Ml(CP), Mlat, Mla3, Mla6, Mla7 and Mla22 were postulated. These new sources of highly effective powdery mildew resistance in barley landraces from Turkey could be successfully used in breeding programs.
Clinical features and prognostic model for extranasal NK/T‐cell lymphoma

The clinical features of extranodal natural killer (NK)/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKL) that originates in extranasal sites are less well defined than those of ENKL that originates in nasal sites. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics and prognoses of patients with nasal ENKL and patients with extranasal ENKL.
Primary adenocarcinoma of ureter: A rare histopathological variant

Primary carcinoma of ureter is an uncommon malignancy. Of which, mostly are transitional cell carcinomas followed by squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas being the rarest histopathology encountered. We report a case of adenocarcinoma ureter in a middle-aged male along with its clinical scenario. A 62-year-old male, presented with complaints of lower urinary tract symptoms. Computerized tomography urogram showed a soft tissue lesion at the right ureterovesical junction. Cystoscopic biopsy reported villous adenoma. Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid scan reported nonfunctioning right kidney. He underwent laparoscopic right nephroureterectomy, and histopathology reported adenocarcinoma of the right lower third of ureter, with positive distal and close radial margins. The patient received external beam radiation to the postoperative bed and lymph nodes, and he is disease-free till date.
hnRNP U protein is required for normal pre-mRNA splicing and postnatal heart development and function

Significance We studied the physiological function of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNP U) by generating a conditional knockout mouse in which the Hnrnpu gene is deleted in the heart. We found that hnRNP U is required for normal pre-mRNA splicing and postnatal heart development and function. Mutant mice develop severe dilated cardiomyopathy and die 2 wk after birth. Phenotypic characterization of mutant hearts coupled with RNA-seq data analyses revealed that mutant hearts display multiple cardiac defects as a result of misregulated gene expression and abnormal pre-mRNA splicing. We also identified the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane protein Junctin as a splicing target of hnRNP U and provide an interesting example of alternative splicing in controlling the modification and function of proteins. We report that mice lacking the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (hnRNP U) in the heart develop lethal dilated cardiomyopathy and display numerous defects in cardiac pre-mRNA splicing. Mutant hearts have disorganized cardiomyocytes, impaired contractility, and abnormal excitation–contraction coupling activities. RNA-seq analyses of Hnrnpu mutant hearts revealed extensive defects in alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs encoding proteins known to be critical for normal heart development and function, including Titin and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta (Camk2d). Loss of hnRNP U expression in cardiomyocytes also leads to aberrant splicing of the pre-mRNA encoding the excitation–contraction coupling component Junctin. We found that the protein product of an alternatively spliced Junctin isoform is N-glycosylated at a specific asparagine site that is required for interactions with specific protein partners. Our findings provide conclusive evidence for the essential role of hnRNP U in heart development and function and in the regulation of alternative splicing.
The impact of body weight management in chronic kidney disease patients with obesity.

OBJECTIVE Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and obesity are important public health concerns. Because obesity may initiate and/or accelerate kidney damage, weight control may benefit CKD patients. DESIGN AND METHODS We examined the influence of dietary management and physical exercise in 38 obese CKD patients with or without target reduction of body weight 3% or more from baseline. RESULTS After a 2-month lifestyle intervention program, those with target body weight control had significant improvement of blood pressure control, as well as reduced lipid profiles, serum creatinine level (1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 0.8 ± 0.3; P < .001), estimated glomerular filtration rate (75.9 ± 21.2 vs. 104.9 ± 38.1; P < .001), and proteinuria (76.3% vs. 50.0%; P = .02). They had greater improvement in cardiorespiratory endurance in an 800-m running test (375.1 ± 64.7 vs. 327.1 ± 84.0 seconds; P = .001), better abdominal muscle strength and endurance in a timed sit-up test (13.6 ± 9.1 vs. 19.9 ± 9.2 number/minute; P = .005), and greater flexibility in a sit-and-reach test (18.8 ± 10.9 vs. 27.8 ± 10.9 cm; P < .001) comparing baseline and postintervention values. CONCLUSIONS A combination of dietary management and exercise were associated with improvements in health-related physical fitness, cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure and lipid control), and renal profiles in obese CKD patients. Supportive individualized programs for lifestyle change could exert beneficial effects, but long-term research with a larger patient population is needed to elucidate the optimal effective combination of dietary management and exercise.
Architectural-space exploration of approximate multipliers

This paper presents an architectural-space exploration methodology for designing approximate multipliers. Unlike state-of-the-art, our methodology generates various design points by adapting three key parameters: (1) different types of elementary approximate multiply modules, (2) different types of elementary adder modules for summing the partial products, and (3) selection of bits for approximation in a wide-bit multiplier design. Generation and exploration of such a design space enables a wide-range of multipliers with varying approximation levels, each exhibiting distinct area, power, and output quality, and thereby facilitates approximate computing at higher abstraction levels. We synthesized our designs using Synopsys Design Compiler with a TSMC 45nm technology library and verified using ModelSim gate-level simulations. Power and quality evaluations for various designs are performed using PrimeTime and behavioral models, respectively. The selected designs are then deployed in a JPEG application. For reproducibility and to facilitate further research and development at higher abstraction layers, we have released the RTL and behavioral models of these approximate multipliers and adders as an open-source library at https://sourceforge.net/projects/lpaclib/.
Emerging Co-signaling Networks in T Cell Immune Regulation

Co-signaling molecules are surface glycoproteins that positively or negatively regulate the T cell response to antigen. Co-signaling ligands and receptors crosstalk between the surfaces of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells, and modulate the ultimate magnitude and quality of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. In the past 10 years, the field of co-signaling research has been advanced by the understanding of underlying mechanisms of the immune modulation led by newly identified co-signaling molecules and the successful preclinical and clinical trials targeting co-inhibitory molecules called immune checkpoints in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancers. In this review, we briefly describe the characteristics of well-known B7 co-signaling family members regarding the expression, functions and therapeutic implications and to introduce newly identified B7 members such as B7-H5, B7-H6, and B7-H7.