Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The convergent validity of MMPI and Rorschach scales: an extension using profile scores to define response and character styles on both methods and a reexamination of simple Rorschach response frequency.

Past research indicated the convergence of Rorschach and MMPI scales may be a function of (a) simple Rorschach response frequency (R) or (b) complex response-character styles on both methods. In this study, new criteria were developed for defining the second assumption using F and K from the MMPI and R and Lambda from the Rorschach. Although substantially different from the factor criteria used previously (KS = .45 and .30), the new criteria still produced the expected pattern of correlations among MMPI and Rorschach scales. Averaged across 17 constructs, the new criteria produced strong validity coefficients for patients with similar styles (M composite r = .50), though they were less effective for patients with discordant styles (M composite r = -.27). It was also demonstrated that R by itself does not moderate convergent validity. Rather, statistical modeling with two sets of 300 random samples (a) demonstrated the prior findings related to R were the result of sampling error and (b) supported the general hypothesis that Rorschach and MMPI scales correlate to the extent response-character styles correlate. Implications are considered.
Administration of minocycline ameliorates damage in a renal ischemia/reperfusion injury model.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of minocycline on the renal dysfunction and injury caused by bilateral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of murine kidneys in vivo. METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were administered minocycline (45 mg/kg i.v.) or saline (0.9%, v/v, NaCl) 36 hours prior to I/R. Mice were subjected to bilateral renal ischemia (35 min) followed by reperfusion (6 hours). Serum creatinine (sCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured. Additionally, renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 was determined using real time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS Minocycline administration significantly reduced the increases in sCr and BUN caused by I/R, indicating attenuation of renal dysfunction and injury, and reduced histological evidence of renal damage caused by I/R. Minocycline administration also markedly reduced the evidence of oxidative stress (MPO activity, SOD and MDA levels), inflammation (ICAM-1 expression and MPO activity) and apoptosis (caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 expression) in mouse kidneys subjected to I/R. CONCLUSION These findings provide good evidence that minocycline can reduce the renal dysfunction and injury caused by I/R of the kidney. Its mechanism may involve suppression of apoptosis, inflammatory response and oxidative stress.
Platelet aggregation and strenuous exercise

1. Platelet aggregation in the Chandler's tube has been found to be increased in a group of normal male and female volunteers who undertook strenuous physical exercise. This coincided with acceleration of the ‘intrinsic’ blood clotting system and a rise in fibrinogen. The rise in fibrinogen occurred despite increased fibrinolysis.
An Analysis of the Energetics of Tropical and Extra-Tropical Regions for Warm ENSO Composite Episodes

Abstract This study focuses on the quantification and evaluation of the effects of ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) warmphases, using a composite of five intense El Nino episodes between 1979 – 2011 on the Energetic Lorenz Cycle for fourdistinctregionsaroundtheglobe:80°S–5°N(region1),50°S–5°N(region2),30°S–5°N(region3),and30°S–30°N (region 4), using Data from NCEP reanalysis-II. Briefly, the results showed that zonal terms of potential energy andkinetic energy were intensified, except for region 1, where zonal kinetic energy weakened. Through the analysis of theperiodinwhichhigherenergyproductionisobserved,astrongcommunicationbetweentheavailablezonalpotentialandthezonalkineticenergyreservoirscanbeidentified.Thiscommunicationweakenedthemodeslinkedtoeddiesofpoten-tial energy and kinetic energy, as well as in the other two baroclinic conversions terms. Furthermore, the results indicatethat for all the regions, the system itself works to regain its stable condition. Keywords: atmospheric energetics, Lorenz Cycle, ENSO, El Nino.
Visualization of positive pulsed streamer in supercritical carbon dioxide by Schlieren Method

This paper deals with visualization of positive pulsed streamers and arc discharge under a needle-to-plane gap in supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) by the Schlieren Method. In addition, differences in streamer branches in gas, liquid and supercritical phases of CO2 are evaluated by means of fractal dimension. The experimental results are summarized as follows: 1) a tree-like streamer growing from the tip of needle was successfully visualized. The field strength for streamer initiation and the mean velocity of the streamer are estimated as approximately 9 MV/cm and 60 km/s, respectively. Pre-breakdown phenomena in SCCO2 are divided into two processes: streamer growth and shockwave expansion. 2) Streamer branches in SC phase were found to be more complicated than in other phase of CO2. 3) Bubble formation in the streamer initiation process was not recognized in SCCO2. For dielectric breakdown, the cylindrical shockwave grows along the streamer channel. A trace of light emission is recognized near the center of the arc column with a residual image of the streamer.
Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement in Malaysian Undergraduates.

This study is an investigation of the ability of self-regulated learning (SRL) as measured by the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaires (MSLQ) to predict academic achievement among undergraduates in Malaysia. A total of 460 second-year engineering undergraduates from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia participated in the study. Academic achievement was measured by the students’ grade point average. The results show that the MSLQ is a reliable tool and SRL is a significant predictor of Malaysian undergraduates’ academic achievement. Significant relationships between SRL and academic achievement were found, nevertheless differences in the composition of significant predictor sub-scales are also found between achievement groups. Self-regulated learning, academic achievement, higher education, metacognitive learning strategies, Malaysia
Modulation of human β‐defensin‐1 (hBD‐1) in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC), monocytes, and epithelial cells by influenza virus, Herpes simplex virus, and Sendai virus and its possible role in innate immunity

hBD comprise a family of antimicrobial peptides that plays a role in bridging the innate and adaptive immune responses to infection. The expression of hBD‐2 increases upon stimulation of numerous cell types with LPS and proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, hBD‐1 remains constitutively expressed in most cells in spite of cytokine or LPS stimulation; however, its presence in human PDC suggests it plays a role in viral host defense. To examine this, we characterized the expression of hBD‐1 in innate immune cells in response to viral challenge. PDC and monocytes increased production of hBD‐1 peptide and mRNA as early as 2 h following infection of purified cells and PBMCs with PR8, HSV‐1, and Sendai virus. However, treatment of primary NHBE cells with influenza resulted in a 50% decrease in hBD‐1 mRNA levels, as measured by qRT‐PCR at 3 h following infection. A similar inhibition occurred with HSV‐1 challenge of human gingival epithelial cells. Studies with HSV‐1 showed that replication occurred in epithelial cells but not in PDC. Together, these results suggest that hBD‐1 may play a role in preventing viral replication in immune cells. To test this, we infected C57BL/6 WT mice and mBD‐1(−/−) mice with mouse‐adapted HK18 (300 PFU/mouse). mBD‐1(−/−) mice lost weight earlier and died sooner than WT mice (P=0.0276), suggesting that BD‐1 plays a role in early innate immune responses against influenza in vivo. However, lung virus titers were equal between the two mouse strains. Histopathology showed a greater inflammatory influx in the lungs of mBD‐1(−/−) mice at Day 3 postinfection compared with WT C57BL/6 mice. The results suggest that BD‐1 protects mice from influenza pathogenesis with a mechanism other than inhibition of viral replication.
Understanding breast cancer risk ‐ where do we stand in 2005?

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women and represents the second leading cause of cancer death among women (after lung cancer). The etiology of breast cancer is still poorly understood with known breast cancer risk factors explaining only a small proportion of cases. Risk factors that modulate the development of breast cancer discussed in this review include: age, geographic location (country of origin) and socioeconomic status, reproductive events, exogenous hormones, lifestyle risk factors (alcohol, diet, obesity and physical activity), familial history of breast cancer, mammographic density, history of benign breast disease, ionizing radiation, bone density, height, IGF‐1 and prolactin levels, chemopreventive agents. Additionally, we summarized breast cancer risk associated with the following genetic factors: breast cancer susceptibility high‐penetrance genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, p53, PTEN, ATM, NBS1 or LKB1) and low‐penetrance genes such as cytochrome P450 genes (CYP1A1, CYP2D6, CYP19), glutathione S‐transferase family (GSTM1, GSTP1), alcohol and one‐carbon metabolism genes (ADH1C and MTHFR), DNA repair genes (XRCC1, XRCC3, ERCC4/XPF) and genes encoding cell signaling molecules (PR, ER, TNFα or HSP70). All these factors contribute to a better understanding of breast cancer risk. Nonetheless, in order to evaluate more accurately the overall risk of breast tumorigenesis, novel genetic and phenotypic traits need to be identified.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept) for reducing the incidence of postoperative delirium after elective total hip replacement

This was a pilot, phase 2a study to assess methodological feasibility and the safety and efficacy of donepezil in preventing postoperative delirium after elective total hip replacement surgery in older people without pre‐existing dementia. The hypothesis was that donepezil would reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium.
Erosion by an Alpine glacier

The glacial way of wearing away The rate at which glaciers erode landscapes is an important but poorly constrained relationship. Herman et al. tackle this issue by considering the Franz Josef alpine glacier in New Zealand. The amount of sediment piling up at the edge of the glacier provided erosion rates, whereas remote sensing allowed for simultaneous tracking of glacial motion. The result was a nonlinear relationship, suggesting that fast glaciers are much more effective at gouging landscapes. This could explain the paradox of why long-term erosion rates are so much lower in polar regions with more permanent glaciers. Science, this issue p. 193 Erosion rate and sliding velocity have a nonlinear relationship in the Franz Josef alpine glacier. Assessing the impact of glaciation on Earth’s surface requires understanding glacial erosion processes. Developing erosion theories is challenging because of the complex nature of the erosion processes and the difficulty of examining the ice/bedrock interface of contemporary glaciers. We demonstrate that the glacial erosion rate is proportional to the ice-sliding velocity squared, by quantifying spatial variations in ice-sliding velocity and the erosion rate of a fast-flowing Alpine glacier. The nonlinear behavior implies a high erosion sensitivity to small variations in topographic slope and precipitation. A nonlinear rate law suggests that abrasion may dominate over other erosion processes in fast-flowing glaciers. It may also explain the wide range of observed glacial erosion rates and, in part, the impact of glaciation on mountainous landscapes during the past few million years.
Mutual Coupling Suppression Between Two Closely Spaced Microstrip Antennas With an Asymmetrical Coplanar Strip Wall

This letter describes an asymmetrical coplanar strip (ACPS) wall to suppress the mutual coupling between two closely spaced 5.8-GHz microstrip antennas. The ACPS wall, which is inserted vertically between the two antennas, introduces an additional coupling path to reduce the antenna coupling, occupying just a small area between the two antennas. The decoupling effect of the proposed structure is verified by the simulation and measurement. The experimental results show that the achieved isolation is better than 35 dB and reaches a maximum of 54.3 dB at 5.8 GHz, with an extremely close antenna distance of 0. 03λ0 (edge-to-edge distance). The measured patterns indicate that the proposed structure also improves the radiation of the microstrip antenna.
Poly A:U‐Induced Secretion of T‐Lymphocyte Helper Factors

In vitro exposure of mouse thymocytes to complexes of polyadenylic:polyuridylic acid (poly A:U) effected, within 6 h, the release of soluble factor(s) capable of nonspecifically enhancing IgM and IgG plaque‐forming cells (PFCs) in in vitro primary and secondary spleen cell responses to burro erythrocytes. Poly A:U stimulation was, most likely, polyclonal, since production of soluble factor(s) occurred in the absence of antigen and in serum‐free culture media. Poly A:U‐induced soluble factor(s) were not capable of substituting for T cells but were dependent on T cells for the expression of PFC enhancement. These data support the hypothesis that the mechanism of poly A:U's adjuvant action is polyclonal stimulation of T cells, causing early induction and release of nonspecific, soluble PFC‐enhancing factor(s).
Intuitive Psychology and Physics among Children with Autism and Typically Developing Children

Many studies have documented poor understanding of intuitive psychology among children with autism; however, few have investigated claims of superior understanding of intuitive physics said to be evident in this group. This study aimed to investigate the reported differential preference of intuitive psychology and intuitive physics among children with autism by employing three tasks each with a psychological and a physical condition. In order to gain a detailed developmental picture the study compared children with autism, an age matched comparison group, and typically developing preschoolers, 7-year-olds and 10-year-olds. Results demonstrated that children with autism preferred to employ physical causality when reasoning about novel physical and psychological events. Furthermore, their performance on a multiple- choice task confirmed their impairment in intuitive psychology whilst highlighting a superior ability to reason about physical phenomena in relation to all other comparison groups. The theoretical implications of this potential cognitive strength are discussed.
A Minicourse on Microlocal Analysis for Wave Propagation

This minicourse describes a microlocal framework for the linear analysis that has been useful for the global understanding of wave propagation phenomena. While it is useful to have some background in microlocal analysis since relatively sophisticated frameworks and notions are discussed and it may be easier for the reader to start with simpler cases, we in fact cover the subject from scratch. The next section, Section 2 covers the di↵erential operator aspects of totally characteristic, or b-, operators, in particular pointing out the di↵erences from the local theory, or from the global theory on compact manifolds without boundary. The basics of microlocal analysis in Section 3 are covered roughly following Melrose’s lecture notes [31] (which introduced the author himself to the subject! ), but in a generalized version. These generalizations concern both introducing the scattering algebra and allowing variable order operators. The former was first described systematically from a geometric perspective in [30] from the beginning; see [41, 37] for earlier descriptions in Rn; here it serves to have a pseudodi↵erential algebra with Fredholm properties on a non-compact space right from the outset to orient the reader. The latter was discussed by Duistermaat and Unterberger [43, 7], though not quite in the setting we are interested in. We remark that apart from solving elliptic PDEs, the elliptic scattering algebra results shown in this section also allow one to deal with the local geodesic X-ray transform [42], and were the key ingredient in showing boundary rigidity in a fixed conformal class [40]. Section 4 gives a thorough description of propagation phenomena, starting with generalizations of Hörmander’s propagation of singularities theorem [28] to the scattering algebra (where it is due to Melrose in [30]) variable order settings, and including complex absorption and radial points. These are then used to discuss the limiting absorption principle in scattering theory as well as the Klein-Gordon equation on Minkowski-like spaces. The approach of this minicourse, given the
Ex vivo expansion of natural killer cells for clinical applications.

BACKGROUND Immunotherapy with NK cells has been limited by the inability to obtain sufficient numbers of pure NK cells suitable for manipulation and expansion. The goal of this study was to isolate CD56(+) cells (CD3(-)/CD56(+), CD3(+)/CD56(+)) and expand them under culture conditions compliant with current good manufacturing practices. METHODS Magnetic cell-selection technology, using paramagnetic CD56 microbeads and cell selection columns, was used to isolate a CD56(+) population containing both CD3(-)/56(+) NK (60.6+/-10.8%) and CD3(+)/56(+) NK T cells (30.4+/-8.6%) to initiate the expansion studies. The isolated CD56(+) cells were cultured in X-Vivo10 serum-free media supplemented with 10% human AB serum and 500 U/mL recombinant human IL-2 or 500 U/mL IL-2 plus 10 ng/mL recombinant human IL-15 for 14 days. Cultures were fed fresh media and cytokines every 3-4 days, and were evaluated for cell expansion, phenotype, and cytotoxicity at the end of the culture period. RESULTS Significant expansion of CD56 cells occurred only during the second week of culture. Although an average of two log expansions was observed, there was substantial cell-expansion variability, depending on the donor, and even when the same donor was tested on different occasions. The cytotoxicity of selected and expanded CD56(+) cells at a low E:T ratio was significantly higher than the starting population, but was comparable to non-separated PBMC expanded for 2 weeks under the same conditions. IL-15 (in combination with IL-2) induced higher killing at the 1:1 E:T ratio than IL-2 alone. Since CD3 cells were not depleted upfront, the expansion of CD3(+)CD56(+) cells was 2-3 times that of CD3(-)CD56(+) cells. NK cells that express the FcgammaRIII (CD16) can mediate Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and can contribute to enhanced efficacy of MAb treatment. Under the given culture conditions, only moderate expansion of CD56(+)/CD3(-)/CD16(+) cells occurred, with the majority of cells being CD56(+)/CD3(+)/CD16(+) cells. DISCUSSION Our studies suggest that the positive magnetic cell-separation method provides a good basis for obtaining enriched CD56(+) cells but expansion conditions need to be optimized.
New variant of IBV in Poland

SIR, – We wish to report the occurrence of a new variant of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in three flocks of 30,000 Ross 308 chickens in Poland. The birds were kept in very good conditions with access to food and drinking water ad libitum. They had been vaccinated with Poulvac IB Primer (Fort
Slowly Digestible Starch: Concept, Mechanism, and Proposed Extended Glycemic Index

Starch is the major glycemic carbohydrate in foods, and its nutritional property is related to its rate and extent of digestion and absorption in the small intestine. A classification of starch into rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and resistant starch (RS) based on the in vitro Englyst test is used to specify the nutritional quality of starch. Both the RDS and RS fractions have been extensively studied while there are only limited studies on the intermediate starch fraction of SDS, particularly regarding its structural basis and slow digestion mechanism. The current understanding of SDS including its concept, measurement method, structural basis and mechanism, physiological consequences, and approaches to make SDS is reviewed. An in vivo method of extended glycemic index (EGI) is proposed to evaluate its metabolic effect and related health consequences.
Recovery and Kinetic Characteristics of Desflurane and Sevoflurane in Volunteers after 8-h Exposure, including Kinetics of Degradation Products

Background Desflurane and sevoflurane permit speedier changes in anesthetic partial pressures than do older halogenated anesthetics. The authors determined the kinetic characteristics of desflurane and sevoflurane and those of compound A [CH2 F-O-C(= CF2)(CF3)], a nephrotoxic degradation product of sevoflurane. Methods Volunteers received 1.25 minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane or sevoflurane, each administered for 8 h in a fresh gas inflow of 2 l/min. Inspired (FI) and end-tidal (FA) concentrations of anesthetic and compound A were measured during administration, and FA relative to FAO (the last end-tidal concentration during administration) during elimination. The indices of recovery were also measured. Results The ratio FI /FA rapidly approached 1.0, with values greater for sevoflurane (desflurane 1.06 +/- 0.01 vs. sevoflurane 1.11 +/- 0.02, mean +/- SD). The ratio FA /FI for compound A was approximately 0.8. The FA /FAO ratio decreased slightly more rapidly with desflurane than with sevoflurane, and objective measures indicated faster recovery with desflurane: The initial response to command (14 +/- 4 min vs. 28 +/- 8 min [means +/- SD]) and orientation (19 +/- 4 vs. 33 +/- 9 min) was quicker, and recovery was faster as defined by results of the Digit Symbol Substitution, P-deletion, and Trieger tests. Desflurane produced less vomiting (1 [0.5, 3]; median [quartiles] episodes) than did sevoflurane (5 [2.5, 7.5] episodes). The FA /FAO ratio for compound A decreased within 5 min to a constant value of 0.1. Conclusions These anesthetics have kinetics consistent with their solubilities. Sevoflurane's greater biodegradation probably increases F sub I /FA differences during anesthetic administration and decreases FA /FAO differences during elimination. The FA for compound A differs from FI by 20% (FA /FI = 0.8) because of substantial degradation. Recovery from anesthesia proceeds nearly twice as fast with desflurane than with sevoflurane. Differences in ventilation, or alveolar or tissue elimination, do not completely explain the slower recovery with sevoflurane.