Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ambidextrous Sonographic Scanning to Reduce Sonographer Repetitive Strain Injury

Many sonographers experience work-related repetitive strain injury (RSI). The primary objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and possible techniques of training sonographers who exclusively hold the transducer in the same hand to become ambidextrous as a method to reduce RSI. Five cardiac and three vascular right-handed sonographers were observed and videotaped while they performed right- and left-handed examinations. The sonographers also filled out pre- and post-session questionnaires. This study found that all the sonographers experienced RSI from scanning exclusively with their dominant hand and that they were willing to learn to perform scanning with their nondominant hand. However, aids and methods to help train sonographers to perform scanning with their nondominant hand would be required, such as arm supports, scheduling practice sessions, and demonstration of proper scanning techniques using the nondominant hand. The secondary objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic and image quality of sonograms acquired with the nondominant hand. A blinded review of the resultant sonograms found that the diagnostic and image quality of the sonograms acquired with the left and right hands were comparable.
B‐Cell Receptor‐Associated Protein 31 Regulates Human Embryonic Stem Cell Adhesion, Stemness, and Survival via Control of Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule

B‐Cell receptor‐associated protein 31 (BAP31) regulates the export of secreted membrane proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the downstream secretory pathway. Previously, we generated a monoclonal antibody 297‐D4 against the surface molecule on undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Here, we found that 297‐D4 antigen was localized to pluripotent hESCs and downregulated during early differentiation of hESCs and identified that the antigen target of 297‐D4 was BAP31 on the hESC‐surface. To investigate the functional role of BAP31 in hESCs, BAP31 expression was knocked down by small interfering RNA. BAP31 depletion impaired hESC self‐renewal and pluripotency and drove hESC differentiation into multicell lineages. BAP31 depletion hindered hESC proliferation by arresting cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and inducing caspase‐independent cell death. Interestingly, BAP31 depletion reduced hESC adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM). Analysis of cell surface molecules showed decreased expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in BAP31‐depleted hESCs, while ectopic expression of BAP31 elevated the expression of EpCAM. EpCAM depletion also reduced hESC adhesion to ECM, arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and induced cell death, producing similar effects to those of BAP31 depletion. BAP31 and EpCAM were physically associated and colocalized at the ER and cell surface. Both BAP31 and EpCAM depletion decreased cyclin D1 and E expression and suppressed PI3K/Akt signaling, suggesting that BAP31 regulates hESC stemness and survival via control of EpCAM expression. These findings provide, for the first time, mechanistic insights into how BAP31 regulates hESC stemness and survival via control of EpCAM expression. Stem Cells 2014;32:2626–2641
Long‐Term, Stable Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell‐Derived Neural Precursors Grafted into the Adult Mammalian Neostriatum

Stem cell grafts have been advocated as experimental treatments for neurological diseases by virtue of their ability to offer trophic support for injured neurons and, theoretically, to replace dead neurons. Human embryonic stem cells (HESCs) are a rich source of neural precursors (NPs) for grafting, but have been questioned for their tendency to form tumors. Here we studied the ability of HESC‐derived NP grafts optimized for cell number and differentiation stage prior to transplantation, to survive and stably differentiate and integrate in the basal forebrain (neostriatum) of young adult nude rats over long periods of time (6 months). NPs were derived from adherent monolayer cultures of HESCs exposed to noggin. After transplantation, NPs showed a drastic reduction in mitotic activity and an avid differentiation into neurons that projected via major white matter tracts to a variety of forebrain targets. A third of NP‐derived neurons expressed the basal forebrain‐neostriatal marker dopamine‐regulated and cyclic AMP‐regulated phosphoprotein. Graft‐derived neurons formed mature synapses with host postsynaptic structures, including dendrite shafts and spines. NPs inoculated in white matter tracts showed a tendency toward glial (primarily astrocytic) differentiation, whereas NPs inoculated in the ventricular epithelium persisted as nestin(+) precursors. Our findings demonstrate the long‐term ability of noggin‐derived human NPs to structurally integrate tumor‐free into the mature mammalian forebrain, while maintaining some cell fate plasticity that is strongly influenced by particular central nervous system (CNS) niches. STEM CELLS 2009;27:2414–2426
Reproductive status of cows slaughtered at the Ngaoundere Municipal Slaughter House and factors responsible for potential losses in herd productivity.

The reproductive status (RS) of 2,103 cows slaughtered at the Ngaoundere Municipal Slaughter House (NMSH) in view of highlighting potential losses resulting from the slaughtering of pregnant cows (PC) were assessed. Concurrently, 390 of the cows evaluated for RS were randomly selected for a detailed identification of the possible causes of infertility from the gross reproductive pathologies (GRP) observed in the reproductive tract. Data were collected between July and December, 2004 and analyzed using SAS program (1991). Of a sample of 2,426 animals slaughtered, 2,103 (86.6%) were cows. The prevalence of PC slaughtered was 37.3%. Majority (83%) of the cows slaughtered were below 9 years of age. The PC slaughtered (7.5 years) were significantly (p © 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Pregnant Cow, Metritis, Fetus, Ovarian inactivity, Reproductive Pathology, Cameroon
The Capsaicin Receptor TRPV1 as a Novel Modulator of Neural Precursor Cell Proliferation

The capsaicin receptor (TRPV1, transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1) was first discovered in the peripheral nervous system as a detector of noxious chemical and thermal stimuli including the irritant chili pepper. Recently, there has been increasing evidence of TRPV1 expression in the central nervous system. Here, we show that TRPV1 is expressed in neural precursor cells (NPCs) during postnatal development, but not in the adult. However, expression of TRPV1 is induced in the adult in paradigms linked to an increase in neurogenesis, such as spatial learning in the Morris water maze or voluntary exercise. Loss of TRPV1 expression in knockout mice leads to an increase in NPC proliferation. Functional TRPV1 expression has been confirmed in cultured NPCs. Our results indicate that TRPV1 expression influences both postnatal and activity‐induced neurogenesis in adulthood. Stem Cells 2014;32:3183–3195
Concise Reviews: A Stem Cell Apostasy: A Tale of Four H Words

The field of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) biology has become increasingly dominated by the pursuit and study of highly purified populations of HSCs. Such HSCs are typically isolated based on their cell surface marker expression patterns and ultimately defined by their multipotency and capacity for self‐generation. However, even with progressively more stringent stem cell separation techniques, the resultant HSC population remains heterogeneous with respect to both self‐renewal and differentiation capacity. Critical studies on unseparated whole bone marrow have definitively shown that long‐term engraftable HSCs are in active cell cycle and thus continually changing phenotype. Therefore, they cannot be purified by current approaches dependent on stable surface epitope expression because the surface markers are continually changing as well. These critical cycling cells are discarded with current stem cell purifications. Despite this, research defining such characteristics as self‐renewal capacity, lineage‐commitment, bone marrow niches, and proliferative state of HSCs continues to focus predominantly on this small subpopulation of purified marrow cells. This review discusses the research leading to the hierarchical model of hematopoiesis and questions the dogmas pertaining to HSC quiescence and purification. Stem Cells 2015;33:15–20
Self monitoring of blood glucose level among diabetic patients in Muscat, Oman: A pilot study

Introduction: Monitoring of blood glucose (BG) is an important aspect of the diagnosis and management of diabetes. Self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) of patients at home can provide patients and physicians with valuable information in the management of diabetes mellitus. Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to assess the awareness, attitude and practice of SMBG among primary care diabetic patients in Muscat region. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase 140 patients attending diabetes clinics at various health centers in Muscat region were interviewed to identify patients who practice SMBG. In the second phase a closed ended questionnaire containing 10 questions related to demographic characteristics and attitude was self administered to 50 patients recruited from the first phase to generate the data. Results: It was found that only one third of the patients use glucometer to monitor their BG at home. However, majority of the patients were aware of the significance and importance of glucose home monitoring and thus recommended the practice of SMBG to other diabetic patients. Participants acknowledged the role of pharmacist in educating and training the patient about the proper use of glucometers. Patients were convinced with the device performance and pricking finger was not a deterrent, but at the same time the frequency of BG monitoring was poor among the participants. Conclusion: Overall the participants had a positive attitude towards SMBG but there is a room for the improvement among the participants who showed poor frequency of BG monitoring. There is a need to aware and educate the Omani diabetic patients about the importance of SMBG to achieve the desired therapeutic goals.
Cluster Head Selection in Wireless Sensor Networks under Fuzzy Environment

Clustering is one of the important methods for prolonging the network lifetime in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). It involves grouping of sensor nodes into clusters and electing cluster heads (CHs) for all the clusters. CHs collect the data from respective cluster’s nodes and forward the aggregated data to base station. A major challenge in WSNs is to select appropriate cluster heads. In this paper, we present a fuzzy decision-making approach for the selection of cluster heads. Fuzzy multiple attribute decision-making (MADM) approach is used to select CHs using three criteria including residual energy, number of neighbors, and the distance from the base station of the nodes. The simulation results demonstrate that this approach is more effective in prolonging the network lifetime than the distributed hierarchical agglomerative clustering (DHAC) protocol in homogeneous environments.
Autotaxin‐LPA Axis Regulates hMSC Migration by Adherent Junction Disruption and Cytoskeletal Rearrangement Via LPAR1/3‐Dependent PKC/GSK3β/β‐Catenin and PKC/Rho GTPase Pathways

Bioactive molecules and stem cell‐based regenerative engineering is emerging a promising approach for regenerating tissues. Autotaxin (ATX) is a key enzyme that regulates lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) levels in biological fluids, which exerts a wide range of cellular functions. However, the biological role of ATX in human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) migration remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we observed that hMSCs, which were stimulated with LPA, accelerated wound healing, and LPA increased the migration of hMSCs into a wound site in a mouse skin wound healing model. In an experiment to investigate the effect of LPA on hMSC migration, ATX and LPA increased hMSC migration in a dose‐dependent manner, and LPA receptor 1/3 siRNA transfections inhibited the ATX‐induced cell migration. Furthermore, LPA increased Ca2+ influx and PKC phosphorylation, which were blocked by Gαi and Gαq knockdown as well as by Ptx pretreatment. LPA increased GSK3β phosphorylation and β‐catenin activation. LPA induced the cytosol to nuclear translocation of β‐catenin, which was inhibited by PKC inhibitors. LPA stimulated the binding of β‐catenin on the E‐box located in the promoter of the CDH‐1 gene and decreased CDH‐1 promoter activity. In addition, the ATX and LPA‐induced increase in hMSC migration was blocked by β‐catenin siRNA transfection. LPA‐induced PKC phosphorylation is also involved in Rac1 and CDC42 activation, and Rac1 and CDC42 knockdown abolished LPA‐induced F‐actin reorganization. In conclusion, ATX/LPA stimulates the migration of hMSCs through LPAR1/3‐dependent E‐cadherin reduction and cytoskeletal rearrangement via PKC/GSK3β/β‐catenin and PKC/Rho GTPase pathways. Stem Cells 2015;33:819–832
Detection of Cyber Attacks on a Water Distribution Testbed

The increasingly networking of sensors and actuators in critical infrastructures improves the flexibility, but also raises security challenges. This paper presents a strategy to detect cyber attacks on a kind of critical infrastructure, namely water distribution systems. The real operation data from the Water Distribution (WADI) testbed, a scale-down water distribution system developed by the iTrust Center for Research in Cyber Security at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, is utilized in this study. The proposed attack detection system consists of a limit value unit, a rule-based unit, and an observer-based monitoring unit. Finally, the proposed detection system is compared with other existing approaches for the WADI process in the literature, which shows the advantage of the proposed system.
A Chronology of Paleozoic Sea-Level Changes

Sea levels have been determined for most of the Paleozoic Era (542 to 251 million years ago), but an integrated history of sea levels has remained unrealized. We reconstructed a history of sea-level fluctuations for the entire Paleozoic by using stratigraphic sections from pericratonic and cratonic basins. Evaluation of the timing and amplitude of individual sea-level events reveals that the magnitude of change is the most problematic to estimate accurately. The long-term sea level shows a gradual rise through the Cambrian, reaching a zenith in the Late Ordovician, then a short-lived but prominent withdrawal in response to Hirnantian glaciation. Subsequent but decreasingly substantial eustatic highs occurred in the mid-Silurian, near the Middle/Late Devonian boundary, and in the latest Carboniferous. Eustatic lows are recorded in the early Devonian, near the Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary, and in the Late Permian. One hundred and seventy-two eustatic events are documented for the Paleozoic, varying in magnitude from a few tens of meters to ∼125 meters.
In Situ Formation of an Oxygen-Evolving Catalyst in Neutral Water Containing Phosphate and Co2+

The utilization of solar energy on a large scale requires its storage. In natural photosynthesis, energy from sunlight is used to rearrange the bonds of water to oxygen and hydrogen equivalents. The realization of artificial systems that perform “water splitting” requires catalysts that produce oxygen from water without the need for excessive driving potentials. Here we report such a catalyst that forms upon the oxidative polarization of an inert indium tin oxide electrode in phosphate-buffered water containing cobalt (II) ions. A variety of analytical techniques indicates the presence of phosphate in an approximate 1:2 ratio with cobalt in this material. The pH dependence of the catalytic activity also implicates the hydrogen phosphate ion as the proton acceptor in the oxygen-producing reaction. This catalyst not only forms in situ from earth-abundant materials but also operates in neutral water under ambient conditions.
Gender, General Theory of Crime and Computer Crime

Regarding the gender gap in computer crime, studies consistently indicate that boys are more likely than girls to engage in various types of computer crime; however, few studies have examined the extent to which traditional criminology theories account for gender differences in computer crime and the applicability of these theories in explaining computer crime across gender. Using a panel of 2,751 Korean youths, the current study tests the applicability of the general theory of crime in explaining the gender gap in computer crime and assesses the theory’s utility in explaining computer crime across gender. Analyses show that self-control theory performs well in predicting illegal use of others’ resident registration number (RRN) online for both boys and girls, as predicted by the theory. However, low self-control, a dominant criminogenic factor in the theory, fails to mediate the relationship between gender and computer crime and is inadequate in explaining illegal downloading of software in both boy and girl models. Theoretical implication of the findings and the directions for future research are discussed.
Gender, Fear of Crime, and Attitudes Toward Prisoners Among Social Work Majors in a Hong Kong University

Fear of crime has been a dominant area of criminological inquiry, yet it is has been examined only recently in a Chinese context, and it is virtually unexplored in Hong Kong. Using a sample of 170 Hong Kong college students majoring in social work, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of gender on fear of crime and their relationships to attitudes toward prisoners. In general, women reported a significantly greater fear of crime than men for all offenses except for being cheated. Fear of rape/sexual assault was found to be a significant predictor of fear of serious crimes for women but a less significant predictor of their fear of minor crimes. The shadow of the sexual assault hypothesis was supported in this study. Fear of crime had little impact on attitudes toward prisoners.
Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation and cognitive-behavioral therapy in treatment resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder

Objective: A non-negligible percentage of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) do not respond satisfactorily to treatments. Inpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has provided some relief in even refractory and chronic patients. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has also provided promising results. However, no studies have combined these two strategies. Methods: Eighteen patients with treatment resistant and chronic OCD who had been hospitalized in order to receive pharmacotherapy, inpatient CBT and rTMS were evaluated on the Yale-Brown Obsession and Compulsion Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HDRS-17). rTMS was applied every day over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 5 days in a week with parameters of 25 Hz and 1000 pulses. Results: Y-BOCS scores decreased by 59.14%; from 30.72 ± 6.12 at admission to 12.55 ± 7.44 when discharged. HDRS-17 scores decreased by 56.80%; from 18.38 ± 3.94 at admission to 7.94 ± 5.70 at discharge. The mean numbers of rTMS and CBT sessions were 23.28 ± 6.78 and 17.17 ± 5.04 respectively. Discussion: The combination of pharmacotherapy, CBT and rTMS may be effective in treatment resistant and chronic OCD in the short term.
Stem Cell Property of Postmigratory Cranial Neural Crest Cells and Their Utility in Alveolar Bone Regeneration and Tooth Development

The vertebrate neural crest is a multipotent cell population that gives rise to a variety of different cell types. We have discovered that postmigratory cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) maintain mesenchymal stem cell characteristics and show potential utility for the regeneration of craniofacial structures. We are able to induce the osteogenic differentiation of postmigratory CNCCs, and this differentiation is regulated by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and transforming growth factor‐β signaling pathways. After transplantation into a host animal, postmigratory CNCCs form bone matrix. CNCC‐formed bones are distinct from bones regenerated by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, CNCCs support tooth germ survival via BMP signaling in our CNCC‐tooth germ cotransplantation system. Thus, we conclude that postmigratory CNCCs preserve stem cell features, contribute to craniofacial bone formation, and play a fundamental role in supporting tooth organ development. These findings reveal a novel function for postmigratory CNCCs in organ development, and demonstrate the utility of these CNCCs in regenerating craniofacial structures. STEM CELLS 2009;27:866–877
Processes of Intermittency in Criminal Careers

This article explores the concept of “intermittency” and uses qualitative life history narratives with male offenders from The Stockholm Life Course Project to distinguish between two qualitatively different forms of intermittent offending. Findings suggest that one form of intermittency can be characterized by “breaks” and “pauses” in offending, where the offender for a period of time “holds up” but without attempting to commit to any long-term change in trajectory. The second form can best be understood as incomplete or aborted attempts at desistance, where attempts to change are present but not realized. Perceived or experienced failure to enter conventional roles and engage in conventional practices is highly relevant to understand these attempts. The intermittent zigzag patterns of offending observed in quantitative studies of criminal careers can thus actually entail qualitatively different life course processes of continuity and change. Implications for policy and future research are highlighted.
Structural Basis for Iron-Mediated Sulfur Transfer in Archael and Yeast Thiazole Synthases.

Thiamin diphosphate is an essential cofactor in all forms of life and plays a key role in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Its biosynthesis involves separate syntheses of the pyrimidine and thiazole moieties, which are then coupled to form thiamin monophosphate. A final phosphorylation produces the active form of the cofactor. In most bacteria, six gene products are required for biosynthesis of the thiamin thiazole. In yeast and fungi only one gene product, Thi4, is required for thiazole biosynthesis. Methanococcus jannaschii expresses a putative Thi4 ortholog that was previously reported to be a ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate synthase [Finn, M. W. and Tabita, F. R. (2004) J. Bacteriol. , 186, 6360-6366]. Our structural studies show that the Thi4 orthologs from M. jannaschii and Methanococcus igneus are structurally similar to Thi4 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, all active site residues are conserved except for a key cysteine residue, which in S. cerevisiae is the source of the thiazole sulfur atom. Our recent biochemical studies showed that the archael Thi4 orthologs use nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, glycine, and free sulfide to form the thiamin thiazole in an iron-dependent reaction [Eser, B. , Zhang, X. , Chanani, P. K. , Begley, T. P., and Ealick, S. E. (2016) J. Am. Chem. Soc. , DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b00445]. Here we report X-ray crystal structures of Thi4 from M. jannaschii complexed with ADP-ribulose, the C205S variant of Thi4 from S. cerevisiae with a bound glycine imine intermediate, and Thi4 from M. igneus with bound glycine imine intermediate and iron. These studies reveal the structural basis for the iron-dependent mechanism of sulfur transfer in archael and yeast thiazole synthases.