Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blocking endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) accelerates thrombus development in vivo

Summary The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays an anticoagulant role by improving protein C activation. Although low levels of activated protein C (APC) constitute a thrombosis risk factor, the relationship between modulating EPCR function and thrombosis has not been addressed so far. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against murine EPCR were raised, and their ability to block protein C/APC binding was tested. The ferric chloride carotid artery injury model in mice was chosen to test the effect of anti-EPCR mAb on thrombus formation. The time to total occlusion of the vessel was analysed in three groups, given an isotype control mAb (IC), a blocking (RCR-16) or a non-blocking (RCR-20) anti-EPCR mAb. RCR-16 prevented the interaction between protein C/APC and EPCR as demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance and flow cytometry, and inhibited the activation of protein C on the endothelium. IC and RCR-20 were unable to induce such effects. In vivo, RCR-16 shortened the time to total vessel occlusion with respect to IC [13.4 ± 1.0 (mean ± SD) and 17.8 ± 3.2 minutes, respectively, p<0.001]. Occlusive thrombi lasting for more than one hour were observed in all RCR-16-treated animals, but only in 43% of IC-treated ones. Results with RCR-20 were indistinguishable from those observed with IC. For the first time, a direct relationship between blocking EPCR and thrombosis is demonstrated. Blocking anti-EPCR autoantibodies can predispose to thrombosis episodes and may constitute a new therapeutic target.
Comparison of High Purity Factor IX Concentrates and a Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in a Canine Model of Thrombogenicity

Summary A non-stasis canine model of thrombogenicity has been used to evaluate batches of high purity factor IX concentrates from 4 manufacturers and a conventional prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). Platelets, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, fibrin(ogen) degradation products and fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were monitored before and after infusion of concentrate. Changes in FPA were found to be the most sensitive and reproducible indicator of thrombogenicity after infusion of batches of the PCC at doses of between 60 and 180 IU/kg, with a dose related delayed increase in FPA occurring. Total FPA generated after 100-120 IU/kg of 3 batches of PCC over the 3 h time course was 9-12 times that generated after albumin infusion. In contrast the amounts of FPA generated after 200 IU/kg of the 4 high purity factor IX products were in all cases similar to albumin infusion. It was noted that some batches of high purity concentrates had short NAPTTs indicating that current in vitro tests for potential thrombogenicity may be misleading in predicting the effects of these concentrates in vivo.
Trends in the Genetic Influences on Smoking

Using twin pairs from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States, we estimate that 35 percent of the variance in regular smoking is due to additive genetic influences. When we disaggregate the sample by birth cohort we witness strong genetic influences on smoking for those born in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1950s, but negligible influences for those born in the 1940s and 1960s. We show that the timing of the first Surgeon General’s Report coincides with an increase in the genetic influences on regular smoking, but subsequent legislation prohibiting smoking in public places has significantly reduced these influences. These results are in line with existing gene-environment interaction theory, and we argue that variation in genetic influences across cohorts makes it difficult and potentially misleading to estimate genetic effects on health behaviors from data obtained from a single point in time.
Filters, Wrappers and a Boosting-Based Hybrid for Feature Selection

Apparatus for holding a camera and flash unit so they are separated from one another, including a frame having an upper portion for holding the flash unit and a lower portion for holding the camera, and having a pair of laterally spaced handles near the lower portion. The handles are oriented so they can be held comfortably at slightly below eye level with the upper arms extending down and braced against the body and the forearms extending upwardly. One of the handles forms a palm pad lying under the camera so that the right hand can hold the pad in the palm while the thumb and middle or forefinger rest on the camera lens to turn it for focusing, or rest on the aperture ring for changing the lens opening. The other handle, which receives the left hand, is in the form of a bar which is angled from the vertical so it can be held without cramping the photographer's hand at the wrist.
AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS IN RURAL PUNJAB

T h e prevalence of manic depressive illness the world over is generally believed to be aroimd 3-1/1000, whereas the period prevalence for all forms of depressions has been estimated at 3 per cent per annum in North American population (Lehmann, 1971). Hospital data from various centres in India have given conflicting findings. Generally tfie figures from North India have been consistently high, ranging between 22 per cent to 35 per cent (Wig, 1969—21.7 per cent; Singh, 1979—34.9 per cent) and the vast bulk of these cases being diagnosed as M D P (2.-1.9 per cent M D P and 9.07 per cent depressive neurosis) rather than depressive neuroris. In comparison the figures from South reported by Satyawati and Sunderraj (1964—4.9 per cent), Venkoba Rao (1970—6 per cent, and 12 per cent in 1978) have been relatively lower (4—12 per cent) with Raju (1980) recently reporting an overall rate of 26.7 per cent comprised of MDP 6.6. per cent and 20.1 per cent depressive neurosis. In western studies also the frequency of depression has been always noted lo be high amongst hospital patients. Ratcliffe (1964) noted that 40 per cent of males and 60 per cent of female admissions to a Scottish hospital had depression. In recent years, there has been considerable speculation as to whether these high hospital figures for depressive illness and especially for psychotic type in North India reflect a true high prevalence in the population or is it due to some
Young urban Aboriginal women entrepreneurs: social capital, complex transitions and community support

The employment pattern of young people is particularly significant for the economic, social and cultural vitality of urban Aboriginal communities. This study of young women entrepreneurs focuses upon the role of social capital in transitions to self-employment. It considers how social capital operates through networks within and between groups, has effects which are positive and negative in youth transitions, assists personal development and contributes to the community. The complex transitions of young women into self-employment occur at the same time as educational careers and family responsibilities are developing. Support for young Aboriginal people seeking self-employment is provided through a number of government-supported programmes. Focus group discussions, with young women whose businesses are predominantly in creative and cultural industries, reveal the role of social networks within Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in their development and demonstrate their commitment to giving somethi.
Comparisons of Life-History Characteristics of a Genetic Sexing Strain with Laboratory Strains of Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) from Northern Sudan

ABSTRACT A genetic sex separation strain (GSS) has been created for Anopheles arabiensis (Patton) (Diptera: Culicidae), one of the major African malaria vectors, for use in controlling wild populations of this species via the sterile insect technique (SIT). This GSS strain, “ANO IPCL1,” allows sex separation by a translocation linking a dieldrin resistance allele and the Y chromosome. Differences between ANO IPCL1 relative to wild strains might reflect its field performance and therefore are of concern. Of more immediate interest is how differences might affect production during mass rearing. Life-history parameters were measured for the ANO IPCL1 strain and the two wild strains from which it originated. Although developmental rate differences were found among them, none were large. However, a major observed variation was the very low intrinsic fertility of ANO IPCL1 because of the translocation itself. This resulted in a much lower rate of increase: ANO IPCL1 was able to double its population size, in 7.8 ± 0.4 d, whereas Dongola and Sennar strains could do so in 4.9 ± 0.5 and 5.6 ± 0.4 d. The presence of the Y-autosome translocation mainly affected the natural fertility of the males, and this will require amplification steps during mass rearing.
Nucleotide sequence of the gene for aqualysin I (a thermophilic alkaline serine protease) of Thermus aquaticus YT-1 and characteristics of the deduced primary structure of the enzyme.

Aqualysin I is an alkaline serine protease which is secreted into the culture medium by Thermus aquaticus YT-1, an extreme thermophile [Matsuzawa, H. , Hamaoki, M. & Ohta, T. (1983) Agric. Biol. Chem. 47, 25-28]. The gene encoding aqualysin I was cloned into Escherichia coli using synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides as hybridization probes. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned DNA was determined. The primary structure of aqualysin I, deduced from the nucleotide sequence, agreed with the NH2-terminal sequence previously reported and the determined amino acid sequences, including the COOH-terminal sequence, of the tryptic peptides derived from aqualysin I. Aqualysin I comprised 281 amino acid residues and its molecular mass was determined to be 28,350. On alignment of the whole amino acid sequence, aqualysin I showed high sequence homology with the subtilisin-type serine proteases, and 43% identity with proteinase K, 37-39% with subtilisins and 34% with thermitase. Extremely high sequence identity was observed in the regions containing the active-site residues, corresponding to Asp32, His64 and Ser221 of subtilisin BPN'. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned DNA (1105 nucleotides) revealed that it contains the entire gene encoding aqualysin I and one open reading frame without a translational stop codon. Therefore, aqualysin I was considered to be produced as a large precursor, which contains a NH2-terminal portion, the protease and a COOH-terminal portion. The G + C content of the coding region for aqualysin I was 64.6%, which is lower than those of other Thermus genes (68-74%). The codon usage in the aqualysin I gene was rather random in comparison with that in other Thermus genes.
Haplodeficiency of Klotho Gene Causes Arterial Stiffening via Upregulation of Scleraxis Expression and Induction of Autophagy

The prevalence of arterial stiffness increases with age, whereas the level of the aging-suppressor protein klotho decreases with age. The objective of this study is to assess whether haplodeficiency of klotho gene causes arterial stiffness and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Pulse wave velocity, a direct measure of arterial stiffness, was increased significantly in klotho heterozygous (klotho+/−) mice versus their age-matched wild-type (WT) littermates, suggesting that haplodeficiency of klotho causes arterial stiffening. Notably, plasma aldosterone levels were elevated significantly in klotho+/− mice. Treatment with eplerenone (6 mg/kg per day IP), an aldosterone receptor blocker, abolished klotho deficiency–induced arterial stiffening in klotho+/− mice. Klotho deficiency was associated with increased collagen and decreased elastin contents in the media of aortas. In addition, arterial matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and transforming growth factor-&bgr;1 expression and myofibroblast differentiation were increased in klotho+/− mice. These klotho deficiency–related changes can be blocked by eplerenone. Protein expression of scleraxis, a transcription factor for collagen synthesis, and LC3-II/LC3-I, an index of autophagy, were upregulated in aortas of klotho+/− mice, which can be abolished by eplerenone. In cultured mouse aortic smooth muscle cells, aldosterone increased collagen-1 expression that can be completely eliminated by small interfering RNA knockdown of scleraxis. Interestingly, aldosterone decreased elastin levels in smooth muscle cells, which can be abolished by small interfering RNA knockdown of Beclin-1, an autophagy-related gene. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time that klotho deficiency–induced arterial stiffening may involve aldosterone-mediated upregulation of scleraxis and induction of autophagy, which led to increased collagen-1 expression and decreased elastin levels, respectively.
Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Obesity Awareness in School Students

Background The primary aim was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the participants and its relationship to obesity awareness. Methods A cross-sectional study that included intermediate and high schools students was conducted between April 2014 and June 2015. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by the researchers and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. We used the obesity risk knowledge (ORK-10) scale to assess obesity awareness. Participants who answered ≥ 5 out of 10 questions correctly were considered to be aware. Result A total of 528 students were enrolled (mean age, 15.58 years). The mean BMI was 22.37 kg/m2, and 27.6% were either overweight or obese. The mean ORK-10 score was 3.15 and 25.4% were considered to be aware. Compared to those who were non-aware, participants in the aware group were more likely to be older (P < 0.001), male (P < 0.001), attend high school (P < 0.001), eat dinner with their families (P = 0.021), eat fruit at least daily (P = 0.027), and consider obesity to be a disease (P < 0.001). Conclusion Only 25.4% of students who participated were considered to be aware about obesity. Those who were aware were more likely to be older male high school students.
Representing Nationality in China: Refiguring Majority/Minority Identities

The following statement was made by a private taxi driver as I was on my way into the city from the Beijing Capital Airport shortly before the 1991 Chinese New Year's Spring Festival. It raises many of the issues addressed in this article: I try to stay clear of politics. On New Year's Eve, I'm not going to light fireworks like everyone else, and that's how I'll show that I don't support the government. If I don't set off fireworks, all my neighbors will know that I don't give a damn about this country. I'm just going to sit at home and watch the special New Year's program on TV. They'll have a lot of acrobats, singers, comedians, and minority dances.
Kinematic differences of elite and high-performance tennis players in the cross court and down the line forehand

This study identified and compared the full body kinematics of different skill levels in the forehand groundstroke when balls were hit cross court and down the line. Forty-three three-dimensional retro-reflective marker trajectories of six elite and seven high-performance players were recorded using an eight-camera 400 Hz, Vicon motion analysis system. The six highest horizontal velocity forehands with reliable kinematics of all participants were analysed for each specific situation (a total of 156 analysed shots). Significant differences (p < 0.01) and large effect sizes were observed between elite and high-performance players in linear velocity of the shoulder (2.0 vs. 1.2 m/s), angular velocity of the pelvis (295 vs. 168 °/s), and angular velocity of the upper trunk (453 vs. 292 °/s) at impact. The elite group showed a tendency towards higher racquet velocities at impact (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in angular displacement of the racquet, hip alignment, or shoulder alignment at the completion of the backswing; nor did angular displacement vary significantly at impact. Irrespective of the group, different shoulder, hip, and racquet angles were found at impact, depending on the situation. The results should assist coaches when striving to improve their players' forehand.
Shallow Packings, Semialgebraic Set Systems, Macbeath Regions, and Polynomial Partitioning

Given a set system $$(X, \mathcal {R})$$(X,R) such that every pair of sets in $$\mathcal {R}$$R have large symmetric difference, the Shallow Packing Lemma gives an upper bound on $$|\mathcal {R}|$$|R| as a function of the shallow-cell complexity of $$\mathcal {R}$$R. In this paper, we first present a matching lower bound. Then we give our main theorem, an application of the Shallow Packing Lemma: given a semialgebraic set system $$(X, \mathcal {R})$$(X,R) with shallow-cell complexity $$\varphi (\cdot , \cdot )$$φ(·,·) and a parameter $$\epsilon > 0$$ϵ>0, there exists a collection, called an $$\epsilon $$ϵ-Mnet, consisting of $$O\bigl ( \frac{1}{\epsilon } \,\varphi \bigl ( O\bigl (\frac{1}{\epsilon } \bigr ), O(1)\bigr ) \bigr )$$O(1ϵφ(O(1ϵ),O(1))) subsets of X, each of size $$\Omega ( \epsilon |X| )$$Ω(ϵ|X|), such that any $$R \in \mathcal {R}$$R∈R with $$|R| \ge \epsilon |X|$$|R|≥ϵ|X| contains at least one set in this collection. We observe that as an immediate corollary an alternate proof of the optimal $$\epsilon $$ϵ-net bound follows.
The family life of Ralph Josselin, a seventeenth century clergyman. An essay in historical anthropology

Ralph Josselin, vicar of Earls Colne in Essex from 1641 to his death in 1683, kept for almost forty years a remarkably detailed account of his life-his mental and emotional world as well as his activities. Few diaries from this period afford such a rounded picture of a family from so many aspects. Alan Macfarlane, a historian and lecturer in social anthropology at Cambridge University, explores through the diary Josselin's life as a farmer, businessman, Puritan clergyman, neighbor, husband, and father, providing a unique view of seventeenth-century life from the inside.
Tracer measurements during long-term circulation of the Rosemanowes HDR geothermal system

Circulation experiments have been in operation for over two years in the artificially stimulated hot dry rock (HDR) doublet of the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) research facility in Cornwall, England. During that period tracer tests have been run at intervals using inert and reactive compounds. Initially, the results of the inert tracer investigations showed that the active volume (indicated by modal and median volumes) of the circulating system was dormant. Then, after a period of sustained oscillation, notable increases in active volume were observed which depended on both the subsequent flow rate changes and circulation time. these dynamic changes had almost reached optimum values when a downhole pump was introduced in the production well. The drawdown in the production well caused a reduction of the modal volume, whilst the median volume remained almost the same. Since then, the active volume has remained unchanged and irresponsive to circulation time and flow rate. The results of the reactive tracer tests confirm increasing chemical reaction with increasing circulation time and correlate qualitatively with the opening of newer and hotter pathways within the reservoir. However, repeated production logs throughout the circulation have identified flow paths that have depleted thermally; a discrepancy that can more » be explained by the geometry of the system and the preferential downward reservoir growth. « less
Colon Cancer Mutation: Prognosis/Prediction–Response

To address the question that Zaanan and colleagues have asked, we have generated Kaplan–Meier (K-M) curves for the time-to-recurrence (TTR) end point to determine the magnitude of benefit from oxaliplatin treatment by mismatch repair (MMR) status in patients from National Surgical Adjuvant Breast
Wer treibt Sport im geteilten und vereinten Deutschland? Eine quantitative Analyse sozio-ökonomischer Determinanten des Breitensports

Als gesellschaftliches Subsystem ist der Breitensport Teil einer sozialen Dynamik, die in Deutschland nicht nur von einer allgemeinen Individualisierung beeinflusst zu sein scheint, sondern insbesondere durch den Prozess der deutschen Wiedervereinigung bestimmt wird. Der vorliegende Beitrag analysiert die quantitative Entwicklung des aktiven Sports in Deutschland zwischen 1986 und 1999 im wesentlichen auf Basis von Querschnittsauswertungen der Daten des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP). Scheinen die deskriptiven Ergebnisse noch Hinweise auf zunehmende Individualisierungseinflusse und auf eine wachsende Angleichung zwischen den alten und den neuen Bundeslandern zu liefern, konnen die anschliesend vorgenommenen multivariaten Regressionsschatzungen diesen Befund nicht bestatigen. So wird auf der einen Seite in Westdeutschland die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass Individuen Sport treiben, nach wie vor eindeutig durch die Hohe des verfugbaren Einkommens, das Alter, das Geschlecht, die Nationalitat und den Bildungsstatus bestimmt. Auf der anderen Seite deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass auch ein Jahrzehnt nach der Vereinigung nach wie vor originar ostdeutsche Determinanten die Teilnahme am aktiven Sport in den neuen Landern bestimmen, die nur unzureichend durch das hier geschatzte und fur Westdeutschland erklarungsstarke Modell erfasst werden.
Characterization of dynamic 3-D PET imaging for functional brain mapping

Methods for optimizing the acquisition, reconstruction and analysis of positron emission tomography (PET) images for functional brain mapping have been investigated. The scatter fraction and noise-equivalent count rate characteristics were measured for the ECAT 951/31R PET scanner operating in septa-extended two-dimensional (2-D) and septa-retracted three-dimensional (3-D) modes. The 3-D mode is shown to provide higher signal-to-noise images than the 2-D mode at specific activities less than 30 kBq/ml. To enable increased temporal resolution in dynamic 3-D PET activation studies, a parallel version of the 3-D reconstruction algorithm was developed. Implementation of the reprojection algorithm on an 88 processor i860 supercomputer resulted in a more than tenfold increase in reconstruction speed compared to a single i860 processor system. An investigation of the optimal duration for imaging brain activations was undertaken in 12 normal subjects using repeated H/sub 2//sup 15/O slow infusions and a visually presented lexical decision task. The significance of change in regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) was determined using statistical parametric maps for images acquired during stimulation, immediately after stimulation, and commencing 1 min after cessation of the stimulus. Regions of CBF change were detected in all three images. Dynamic 3-D, or four-dimensional (4-D), PET activation scanning is shown to be practical and likely to further improve the sensitivity of PET for detection of subtle regional CBF changes in functional brain mapping research.