Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Impact of Nanoparticle Therapy Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages

Antiangiogenic therapies, despite initial encouragement, have demonstrated a limited benefit in ovarian cancer. Laboratory studies suggest antiangiogenic therapy–induced hypoxia can induce tumor “stemness” as resistance to antiangiogenic therapy develops and limits the therapeutic benefit. Resistance to antiangiogenic therapy and an induction of tumor stemness may be mediated by proangiogenic tumor-associated macrophages (TAM). As such, TAMs have been proposed as a therapeutic target. We demonstrate here that ovarian TAMs express high levels of the folate receptor-2 (FOLR2) and can be selectively targeted using G5-dendrimer nanoparticles using methotrexate as both a ligand and a toxin. G5-methotrexate (G5-MTX) nanoparticles deplete TAMs in both solid tumor and ascites models of ovarian cancer. As a therapeutic agent, these nanoparticles are more effective than cisplatin. Importantly, these nanoparticles could (i) overcome resistance to antiangiogenic therapy, (ii) prevent antiangiogenic therapy–induced increases in cancer stem–like cells in both murine and human tumor cell models, (iii) prevent antiangiogenic therapy–induced increases in VEGF-C, and (iv) prevent antiangiogenic therapy–induced BRCA1 gene expression. Combined, this work strongly supports the development of TAM-targeted nanoparticle therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(1); 96–106. ©2017 AACR.
A Bivariate Generalized Linear Item Response Theory Modeling Framework to the Analysis of Responses and Response Times

A generalized linear modeling framework to the analysis of responses and response times is outlined. In this framework, referred to as bivariate generalized linear item response theory (B-GLIRT), separate generalized linear measurement models are specified for the responses and the response times that are subsequently linked by cross-relations. The cross-relations can take various forms. Here, we focus on cross-relations with a linear or interaction term for ability tests, and cross-relations with a curvilinear term for personality tests. In addition, we discuss how popular existing models from the psychometric literature are special cases in the B-GLIRT framework depending on restrictions in the cross-relation. This allows us to compare existing models conceptually and empirically. We discuss various extensions of the traditional models motivated by practical problems. We also illustrate the applicability of our approach using various real data examples, including data on personality and cognitive ability.
Primate striatonigral projections: A comparison of the sensorimotor‐related striatum and the ventral striatum

The striatum receives topographic cortical inputs with the limbic lobe terminating in the ventral striatum and sensorimotor cortical regions terminating in the dorsolateral striatum. The organization of striatonigral projections originating from these different striatal territories was examined in primate by using several anterograde tracers.
Homo Ignorans

Western history of thought abounds with claims that knowledge is valued and sought. Yet people often choose not to know. We call the conscious choice not to seek or use knowledge (or information) deliberate ignorance. Using examples from a wide range of domains, we demonstrate that deliberate ignorance has important functions. We systematize types of deliberate ignorance, describe their functions, discuss their normative desirability, and consider how they can be modeled. To date, psychologists have paid relatively little attention to the study of ignorance, let alone the deliberate kind. Yet the desire not to know is no anomaly. It is a choice to seek rather than reduce uncertainty whose reasons require nuanced cognitive and economic theories and whose consequences—for the individual and for society—require analyses of both actor and environment.
Apoptosis Index and Apoptosis-Related Antigen Expression in Serrated Adenoma of the Colorectum: The Saw-Toothed Structure May Be Related to Inhibition of Apoptosis

Serrated adenoma of the colorectum is a recently proposed entity characterized by a saw-toothed structure of hyperplastic polyp and cytologic atypia of tubular adenoma. To clarify the role of apoptosis in morphogenesis of serrated adenoma, we investigated apoptotic indices and expression of apoptosis-related antigens in the tumor cells. Thirty-eight serrated adenomas were examined by the nick-end DNA labeling method and immunostained for CD95 (Fas), bcl-2, bax, and p53. Thirty-seven hyperplastic polyps, 48 tubular adenomas, and 16 sections containing normal colonic mucosa were similarly examined for comparison. The apoptotic indices in the upper and middle zones of the crypts of serrated adenomas and hyperplastic polyps were lower than those of normal colon mucosa and tubular adenomas with statistically significant differences. The CD95 expression was diffusely observed throughout the epithelium of normal crypts and tubular adenomas, whereas it was reduced in serrated adenomas and hyperplastic polyps. The bcl-2 expression was confined to the basal crypts in the latter two lesions but was diffuse throughout the neoplastic epithelium in tubular adenomas. The bax expression was increased in serrated adenomas and tubular adenomas but was decreased in hyperplastic polyps. Overexpression of p53 protein was observed in 50% of serrated adenomas, none of hyperplastic polyps, and 14% of tubular adenomas. These findings suggest that inhibition of apoptosis is caused by reduced CD95 expression in serrated adenomas and hyperplastic polyps, which may induce the characteristic saw-toothed structure in these lesions. Based on the similarities and differences between serrated adenoma and hyperplastic polyp observed in the present study, a progression from the latter to the former lesion may be postulated.
Evaluation and Mitigation of Radiation-Induced Soft Errors in Graphics Processing Units

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are increasingly attractive for both safety-critical and High-Performance Computing applications. GPU reliability is a primary concern for both the automotive and aerospace markets and is becoming an issue also for supercomputers. In fact, the high number of devices in large data centers makes the probability of having at least a device corrupted to be very high. In this paper, we aim at giving novel insights on GPU reliability by evaluating the neutron sensitivity of modern GPUs memory structures, highlighting pattern dependence and multiple errors occurrences. Additionally, a wide set of parallel codes are exposed to controlled neutron beams to measure GPUs operative error rates. From experimental data and algorithm analysis we derive general insights on parallel algorithms and programming approaches reliability. Finally, error-correcting code, algorithm-based fault tolerance, and duplication with comparison hardening strategies are presented and evaluated on GPUs through radiation experiments. We present and compare both the reliability improvement and imposed overhead of the selected hardening solutions.
Diminished expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase and ryanodine sensitive Ca(2+)Channel mRNA in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat heart.

The diabetic heart has an abnormal intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) metabolism. However, the responsible molecular mechanisms are unclear. The present study aimed to investigate mRNAs expressed in the proteins which regulate heart [Ca(2+)]i metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-adenosine triphosphatase (SR Ca(2+)-ATPase) mRNA was significantly less in the heart 3 weeks after STZ injection than that in the age-matched controls. Together with the down-regulation of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase, expression of ryanodine sensitive Ca(2+)channel (RYR) mRNA was also decreased 12 weeks after STZ injection. Insulin supplementation fully restored the decreased mRNAs expression of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase and RYR. The diminished expression and restoration with insulin supplementation of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase was further confirmed at the protein level. In contrast, expression of mRNAs coding the L-type Ca(2+)channel, Na(+)-Ca(2+)exchanger, or phospholamban were not affected 3 or 12 weeks after STZ injection. These results can be taken to indicate that the down-regulation of SR Ca(2+)-ATPase and RYR mRNAs is a possible underlying cause of cardiac dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
Influence of hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin on the extraction and biodegradation of phenanthrene in soil

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HPCD) on the aging and biodegradation of phenanthrene (PHE) in soil. Soil was spiked with PHE at 25 mgPHE/kgSOIL and HPCD at a range of concentrations from 0 to 3.5 gHPCD/kgSOIL and aged for 1, 84, and 322 d. At each time point, a variety of analyses were performed to assess the loss and aging of the PHE in the soil. Methods included determination of total PHE remaining, dichloromethane (DCM) and butan‐1‐ol (BuOH) extractions, and determination of PHE extractable by an aqueous HPCD shake extraction. Mineralization assays were also carried out to assess the availability of the PHE to a PHE‐degrading bacterial inoculum. It was found that the presence of HPCD in the soils increased PHE loss from the aged soil systems, particularly at the higher application rates. Dichloromethane and BuOH extractabilities were reduced with aging and increasing HPCD concentration, as was the amount of PHE that was extractable using an aqueous HPCD shake extraction or that was available for mineralization. The DCM and BuOH extraction yielded similar results, and both greatly overestimated the availability of the PHE to the degraders, whereas the HPCD extraction results were very similar to that of PHE biodegradation. This study indicates that cyclodextrins have potential for use as alternatives to surfactants in enhancing the desorption/solubilization and degradation of recalcitrant organic contaminants in soil.
Adiponectin Enhances IL-6 Production in Human Synovial Fibroblast via an AdipoR1 Receptor, AMPK, p38, and NF-κB Pathway1

Articular adipose tissue is a ubiquitous component of human joints, and adiponectin is a protein hormone secreted predominantly by differentiated adipocytes and involved in energy homeostasis. We investigated the signaling pathway involved in IL-6 production caused by adiponectin in both rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts and osteoarthritis synovial fibroblasts. Rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts and osteoarthritis synovial fibroblasts expressed the AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 isoforms of the adiponectin receptor. Adiponectin caused concentration- and time-dependent increases in IL-6 production. Adiponectin-mediated IL-6 production was attenuated by AdipoR1 and 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)α1 small interference RNA. Pretreatment with AMPK inhibitor (araA and compound C), p38 inhibitor (SB203580), NF-κB inhibitor, IκB protease inhibitor, and NF-κB inhibitor peptide also inhibited the potentiating action of adiponectin. Adiponectin increased the kinase activity and phosphorylation of AMPK and p38. Stimulation of synovial fibroblasts with adiponectin activated IκB kinase α/β (IKK α/β), IκBα phosphorylation, IκBα degradation, p65 phosphorylation at Ser (276), p65 and p50 translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus, and κB-luciferase activity. Adiponectin-mediated an increase of IKK α/β activity, κB-luciferase activity, and p65 and p50 binding to the NF-κB element and was inhibited by compound C, SB203580 and AdipoR1 small interference RNA. Our results suggest that adiponectin increased IL-6 production in synovial fibroblasts via the AdipoR1 receptor/AMPK/p38/IKKαβ and NF-κB signaling pathway.
MCV and MCH Values in Coronary Artery Patients with Positive Gensini Score

This study aims to research whether gensini scoring of white blood cells and their subgroups and hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Htc), erythroscyte and their computational tests are related, through retrospectively evaluating complete blood cell counts of patients who underwent coronary angiography with coronary artery disease (CAD) early diagnosis. Files of 267 patients, 113 women and 154 men over the age of 18, who came to Namik Kemal University Research and Practice Hospital in August 2011 and January 2012 and underwent coronary angiography with CAD early diagnosis, were scanned retrospectively. Patients were grouped as angio-negative (ANG) and angio-positive (APG) according to coronary angiography results. Gensini Scoring was done in APG patients according to angiography results. Hemogram values studied before coronery angiography as well as age, gender and other diseases of patients in both groups were recorded. When ANG and APG erythrocytic parameters were compared, Hb and Htc values did not differ significantly between groups while a significant difference was observed in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values. White blood cell count, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts were significantly higher in APG compared to ANG. Eosinophil and basophil values and thrombocytic parameters did not differ significantly between groups. A positive correlation was observed between Gensini Score and MCV, MCH, WBC (leukocyte), neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte. Consequently, our findings suggest that erythrocyte has a role in CAD pathogenesis like other blood cells or factors in CAD pathogenesis might affect erythrocyte morphology.
Strained Germanium quantum well pMOS FinFETs fabricated on in situ phosphorus-doped SiGe strain relaxed buffer layers using a replacement Fin process

Strained Ge p-channel FinFETs on Strain Relaxed SiGe are reported for the first time, demonstrating peak transconductance gmSAT of 1.3mS/μm at VDS=-0.5V and good short channel control down to 60nm gate length. Optimization of P-doping in the SiGe, optimized Si cap passivation thickness on the Ge, and improved gate wrap of the channel all improve device characteristics. The Ge FinFETs presented in this work outperform published relaxed Ge FinFET devices for the gmSAT/SSSAT benchmarking metric.
Reduction of mycotoxins in white pepper

A simple method for the reduction of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1), G2 (AFG2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in white pepper was studied. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to determine the effect of four variables, which included time (20–60 min), temperature (30–70°C), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) (0–1%) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (1–3%) during the washing step of white pepper. The efficacy of the method was evaluated by the determination of mycotoxins by HPLC with fluorescence detection (FD). Statistical analysis showed that the experimental data could be adequately fitted into a second-order polynomial model, with a multiple regression coefficient (R 2) in the range of 0.805–0.907 for AFG2 and AFG1, respectively. The optimal condition was 57.8 min, 62.0°C, of 0.6% (w/v) and 2.8% (v/v) for time, temperature, Ca(OH)2 and H2O2 respectively. By applying the optimum condition, the mycotoxins reduction was found to be in the range of 68.5–100% for AFB2 and AFG1 respectively.
Antifungal Triazoles and Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes Synergize To Cause Increased Hyphal Damage to Scedosporium prolificans and Scedosporium apiospermum

ABSTRACT Scedosporium prolificans and Scedosporium apiospermum (Pseudallescheria boydii) cause pulmonary and disseminated infections refractory to most currently used antifungal agents in immunocompromised patients. We therefore investigated the potential antifungal activities of the triazoles itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), and posaconazole (PSC) in combination with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) against the hyphae of these fungal pathogens. A colorimetric assay with (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) sodium salt was used for the measurement of hyphal damage as an indicator of antifungal activity. We found that the newer triazoles VRC and PSC displayed synergistic effects with PMNs against S. prolificans hyphae after 24 h (P < 0.05), whereas the effect of ITC in combination with PMNs was additive (P < 0.01). All three triazoles displayed additive antifungal activities in combination with PMNs against S. apiospermum hyphae (P < 0.05). The synergistic or additive effects that these triazoles exhibited, combined with the antifungal activities of human PMNs, may have important therapeutic implications for the management of infections due to S. prolificans and S. apiospermum.
Exploring Teacher Emotions: A Literature Review and an Experience Sampling Study

Emotions are an integral part of human li fe. Along with cognjtio n and motivation, ellloLions are considered one of the three funda mental nl.ental operations that are both interdependent and inseparable in defining hu man beings and their relationsh ip to the environment (e.g., Hargreaves, 2000; Lazarus, Coyne, & Folkman, 1984). Emotions can be defined via several psychological processes, including emotion-specific motivational tendencies, expressive behaviors, and physiologiGll processes and cognitions; however, the affective component in emotions, such as fee lings of unease and nervousness in anxiety, are considered the core element of emotions (e.g., Pekrun, 2006). Common to almost all emotion theories is the conception that emotions are incred ibly variable and evidence subtle differences, for example, in accompanying action tendencies or emotion expression (Ellsworth & Scherer, 2003); thus, the view shared by many researchers of emotio n is that broad dimensions such as positive vs. nega tive affect are not sufficient to accurately describe the occurrence of emotions (Lazarus, 1991) . Accord ingly, in th is chapter we adopt the view of distinct, discrete varied emotions like enjoyment, anxiety, or anger. For a long time, the examination of emotions was absent from academic research, with the exception of studies on students' anxiety (Zeidner, 1998) and ruscussions of emotional elements withill attri bu tion theory (Weiner, 1985). The dearth of research on emotions is even more evident in resea rch focused on teachers, which has received very little attention so far (for exceptions, see Frenzel, Goetz, Li.idtke, Pekrun, & Sutton, 2009; Frenzel, Goetz,Stephens, & Jacob, 2009; Hargreaves, 2005; Sutton & Wheatley, 2003; Zembylas, 2004) . However, teacher emotions are highly relevant for instructiona l processes, as they affect teacher behavior, shape teacherstudent relationships, and ultimately impact student outcomes. Furthermore, such emotions also are important to teachers' psychological well-being. Often ti mes discussed in thi s context is teacher burnout, w hich can be described in terms of emotional depletion (Maslach, Schau feli, & Leiter, 2001, p. 416) and is thou ght to be related to emotional experience (see the chapter by DUtT, C hang, & Carson, this volume). T hus, teacher emotions sho uld also play a cru cial role in teachers' job satisfaction and reasons for either staying in a job or leaving it prematurely.
Decreased activity with increased background network efficiency in amnestic MCI during a visuospatial working memory task

Recent studies have demonstrated the working memory impairment in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). However, the neurophysiological basis of the working memory deficit in aMCI is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore the abnormal activity during encoding and recognition procedures, as well as the reorganization of the background network maintaining the working memory state in aMCI. Using event‐related fMRI during a visuospatial working memory task with three recognition difficulty levels, the task‐related activations and network efficiency of the background network in 17 aMCI patients and 19 matched controls were investigated. Compared with cognitively healthy controls, patients with aMCI showed significantly decreased activity in the frontal and visual cortices during the encoding phase, while during the recognition phase, decreased activity was detected in the frontal, parietal, and visual regions. In addition, increased local efficiency was also observed in the background network of patients with aMCI. The results suggest patients with aMCI showed impaired encoding and recognition functions during the visuospatial working memory task, and may pay more effort to maintain the cognitive state. This study extends our understanding of the impaired working memory function in aMCI and provides a new perspective to investigate the compensatory mechanism in aMCI. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3387–3403, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ant Colony Optimizations for Initialization of Synchronous Sequential Circuits

In this paper, the problem of initializing sequential circuits is present. Achieving generation the shortest sequence able to drive the circuit to a known state, regardless of the initial state, ant colony optimization (ACO) is proposed, which has been effective in combination optimization problems. In this work, sequence generation problem is described in searching over a large vector graph, it is appropriate to ACO. We describe one form of applying a modified Max Min Ant System (MMAS) to the initialization that includes a dynamical local heuristics and a recent proposal for the pheromone updating rule to improve performance of algorithm. The experimental results for ISCAS89 benchmark sequential circuits illustrate that the algorithm can achieve better results in terms of the number of initialized flip- flops and sequence length.
Gas Actuated Micro-Jet Pump for Microfluidic System

ABSTRACT We present the results on the design, fabrication, and performance of a gas-actuated micro-jet pump for integrated micro-fluidic systems. Vacuum suction mode provided by the pump can effectively decrease the formation of air bubbles and overcome the interface tension between liquid and solid wall in the micro-fluidic systems [1]. Structurally the pump consists of a nozzle, a throat and a pump chamber, which can be fabricated with one etching step. The pump began to work at the threshold gas actuation pressure of 40kPa, and which can be actuated by a medical syringe.
Comparison of software product line test derivation methods from the reuse viewpoint

Product line test development is more complicated than test development for a single application, as the former has to deal with variability among assets (artifacts) and is carried out in two separate but related development phases, i.e. domain engineering and application engineering. Different software product test development methods provide different opportunities for reuse depending on how variability is represented in the domain test artifacts, when binding is formed and applied and also when test data are determined. This paper compares and analyzes the six major methods for the software product line test development in the literature. Through the comparison, we find out that existing software product line testing methods did not fully consider the aspects of software product line that are essential for reuse in software product line development such as variability representation, binding formation and application time and test data determination time. As the conclusion of this literature review, this paper suggests future research opportunities for software product line testing to explore.