Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of a PZT Actuated Cantilever Waveguide Scanner Using an Aerosol Deposition Process

A new lead-zirconium-titanate (PZT) actuated scanning light source design is proposed. An Aerosol deposition process will be used to construct a high quality 5 μm thick film of PZT. The PZT actuator will induce non-linear vibrations to scan an area with a cantilever waveguide. The fabrication procedure for the design is presented. Fabrication results are discussed. A finite element analysis of the actuator pad is also presented. Fabrication steps needed for a comparison of the amplitude of actuation, resolution, and frequency of scan with previously developed Si based devices are also discussed.
Simultaneous Correction of Intensity Inhomogeneity in Multi-Channel MR Images

Intensity inhomogeneity in MR images is an undesired phenomenon, which often hampers different steps of quantitative analysis such as segmentation or registration. In this paper we propose a novel fully automated method for retrospective correction of intensity inhomogeneity. The basic assumption is that inhomogeneity correction could be improved by combining the information from multiple MR channels. Intensity inhomogeneities are simultaneously removed in a four-step iterative procedure. First, the probability distribution of intensities for two channel images is calculated. In the second step, intensity correction forces, that tend to minimize image entropies, are estimated for every image voxel. Third, inhomogeneity correction fields are obtained by regularization and normalization of all voxel forces, and last, corresponding partial inhomogeneity corrections are performed separately for each channel. The method was quantitatively evaluated on simulated and real MR brain images. The results show substantial improvement in comparison with the two state-of-the-art methods
Application of DNA typing methods and genetic analysis to epidemiology and taxonomy of Saccharomyces isolates

We have previously described differences in phenotype and virulence among clinical and nonclinical isolates of Saccharomyces. To further characterize these isolates, a comparison of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns and genetic analysis were done. The cellular DNA of each of 49 clinical and 11 nonclinical isolates of Saccharomyces was digested with the endonuclease EcoRI, and the resultant fragments were separated by electrophoresis. Sixty isolates were grouped on the basis of the presence (group B) or absence (group A) of a 3-kb band. Group A contained 43 isolates (35 clinical and 8 nonclinical isolates) in 31 discernible subgroups, and group B had 17 isolates (14 clinical and 3 nonclinical isolates) in 10 subgroups. Interestingly, six of eight known vaginal isolates were group B, with four of those six being identical. Virulence of isolates was associated with membership in group A (P = 0.03). Comparison of known members of sibling species within the genus Saccharomyces, which cannot be distinguished by standard biochemical tests, showed that S. paradoxus, S. bayanus, and S. cerevisiae could be differentiated by RFLP analysis. Genetic analysis of the isolates forming viable spores showed that most group A isolates were diploid and members of the species S. cerevisiae. Those group A and B isolates unable to form viable spores may be diploid hybrids between Saccharomyces species. The group B isolates that formed viable spores were tetraploid and may also be interspecific hybrids. Overall, clinical isolates of Saccharomyces were very heterogeneous and exhibited little clonality. RFLP pattern analysis could be a useful method of demonstrating transmission in patients with infection or between environmental sources and patients.
Examining domestic and international visits in Australia’s Aboriginal tourism

Using recent nationwide panel data, an analysis considering the factors that influence the choice of Aboriginal tourism was undertaken. Although international visit numbers were larger than domestic, the former and not the latter is found to be on a decline over time. Gender does not influence domestic visits but females among international visitors are more likely to participate in Aboriginal tourism. Evidence also shows that international marketing strategies aimed at first-time visitors and adult couples, while domestic marketing efforts towards the friends and relatives travel group are likely to work. Blending Aboriginal tourism with attractions in the natural environment and wildlife for international tourists, and for domestic visitors, incorporating it in often visited regional areas can raise participation in this tourism form.
Multiple craniotomies in the management of multifocal and multicentric glioblastoma. Clinical article.

OBJECT Multiple craniotomies have been performed for resection of multiple brain metastases in the same surgical session with satisfactory outcomes, but the role of this procedure in the management of multifocal and multicentric glioblastomas is undetermined, although it is not the standard approach at most centers. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective analysis of data prospectively collected between 1993 and 2008 in 20 patients with multifocal or multicentric glioblastomas (Group A) who underwent resection of all lesions via multiple craniotomies during a single surgical session. Twenty patients who underwent resection of solitary glioblastoma (Group B) were selected to match Group A with respect to the preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, tumor functional grade, extent of resection, age at time of surgery, and year of surgery. Clinical and neurosurgical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS In Group A, the median age was 52 years (range 32-78 years); 70% of patients were male; the median preoperative KPS score was 80 (range 50-100); and 9 patients had multicentric glioblastomas and 11 had multifocal glioblastomas. Aggressive resection of all lesions in Group A was achieved via multiple craniotomies in the same session, with a median extent of resection of 100%. Groups A and B were comparable with respect to all the matching variables as well as the amount of tumor necrosis, number of cysts, and the use of intraoperative navigation. The overall median survival duration was 9.7 months in Group A and 10.5 months in Group B (p = 0.34). Group A and Group B (single craniotomy) had complication rates of 30% and 35% and 30-day mortality rates of 5% (1 patient) and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Aggressive resection of all lesions in selected patients with multifocal or multicentric glioblastomas resulted in a survival duration comparable with that of patients undergoing surgery for a single lesion, without an associated increase in postoperative morbidity. This finding may indicate that conventional wisdom of a minimal role for surgical treatment in glioblastoma should at least be questioned.
Inactivation of Ku-Mediated End Joining Suppresses mec1Δ Lethality by Depleting the Ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibitor Sml1 through a Pathway Controlled by Tel1 Kinase and the Mre11 Complex

ABSTRACT RAD53 and MEC1 are essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes required for the DNA replication and DNA damage checkpoint responses. Their lethality can be suppressed by increasing the intracellular pool of deoxynucleotide triphosphates. We report that deletion of YKU70 or YKU80 suppresses mec1Δ, but not rad53Δ, lethality. We show that suppression of mec1Δ lethality is not due to Ku−-associated telomeric defects but rather results from the inability of Ku− cells to efficiently repair DNA double strand breaks by nonhomologous end joining. Consistent with these results, mec1Δ lethality is also suppressed by lif1Δ, which like yku70Δ and yku80Δ, prevents nonhomologous end joining. The viability of yku70Δ mec1Δ and yku80Δ mec1Δ cells depends on the ATM-related Tel1 kinase, the Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 complex, and the DNA damage checkpoint protein Rad9. We further report that this Mec1-independent pathway converges with the Rad53/Dun1-regulated checkpoint kinase cascade and leads to the degradation of the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor Sml1.
Experimental Evidence for a Link between Labor Market Competition and Anti-Immigrant Attitudes

Anti-immigrant sentiment has become central to politics in Western Democracies yet researchers disagree about its causes. Experimental studies claim to disprove the labor market competition (LMC) hypothesis of anti-immigrant attitudes because high-skilled workers should prefer low-skilled immigrants who do not compete with them, but actually prefer high-skilled immigrants. However, these studies do not account for high-skilled natives' skill specificity which protects them from immigrant competition unlike low-skilled natives. I present a survey experiment with an equal LMC treatment for all skill levels: respondents' actual occupations. The results support the LMC hypothesis: high-skilled natives are 0.27 less favorable towards immigrants in their occupation than other high-skilled immigrants (on a 1-7 scale), comparable to their preference against low-skilled immigrants (0.3 lower). I find low-skilled natives perceive all low-skilled immigration as threatening whereas high-skilled natives only feel threatened by immigration in their occupation, showing LMC contributes to anti-immigrant sentiment.
Are Korean Early Childhood Teachers Becoming More Responsive to Multicultural Children? An Analysis of Diversity Self-efficacy Data From the Korean Institute of Child Care and Education (KICCE) Survey

Korea is in transition toward becoming a multicultural society. This study assessed progress in the preparedness of Korean teachers to address diversity issues in this rapidly changing society. Analysis of diversity data from a 2011 national survey suggests that progress is being made toward making teachers more aware of developmental needs of diverse children. Moreover, data suggests that teaching experience, closer teacher-child relationships, and awareness of recent standardized curriculum may play a role in higher levels of diversity self-efficacy of early childhood educators. This study concludes with policy recommendations.
Familial Micronodular Adrenocortical Disease, Cushing Syndrome, and Mutations of the Gene Encoding Phosphodiesterase 11A4 (PDE11A)

We present the pathologic findings in the adrenal glands of 4 patients, aged 10 to 38 years, with Cushing syndrome and germline inactivating mutations of the gene PDE11A4 that encodes phosphodiesterase11A4. The gene is expressed in the adrenal cortex and catalyses the hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Two of the patients were mother and daughter; the third had no affected relative; the fourth patient inherited the mutation from her father. Three of the group, including the mother and daughter, had the same pathology, primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease, a disorder known to be caused by inactivating mutations of the PRKAR1A gene. In these cases, the adrenal glands were small and the pathologic change was deep in the cortex in which numerous pigmented micronodules developed. In the remaining patient, the glands were slightly enlarged primarily owing to a diffuse hyperplasia of the superficial cortex that extended into the epi-adrenal fat.
ASYMPTOMATIC PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM EXISTS IN NORTH INDIA: RETROSPECTIVE DATA FROM 2 TERTIARY CARE CENTERS.

OBJECTIVE Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has evolved into an asymptomatic disease in the west. In contrast, classic symptoms of PHPT have been reported to be common in the east. Here we describe clinical and biochemical profiles of patients diagnosed with PHPT between 2009 and 2012. METHODS This was a retrospective study conducted at 2 tertiary care centers in north India. All patients who underwent evaluation and surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from January 2009 to December 2012 were included. RESULTS A total of 50 patients were studied between 2009 and 2012. Among them 31 (62%) were symptomatic and 19 (38%) were asymptomatic. The mean age (SD) was 48.3 (15.8) years, and the female to male ratio was 1.9:1. None of the patients had brown tumors or bone deformities. The asymptomatic group had significantly lower median adenoma weight (0.57 vs. 3.4 g, P<.05), a higher mean age (57.3 vs. 42.8 years, P<.05), and a lower median intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level (254.5 vs. 295 pg/mL, P<.05) compared to the symptomatic group. Adenoma weight was positively correlated with baseline serum calcium, iPTH, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. CONCLUSION The asymptomatic form of PHPT was found in a significant percentage of north Indian patients in this study. Asymptomatic PHPT patients were older in age and had lower parathyroid adenoma weights and iPTH levels compared to symptomatic PHPT patients. Positive correlations were found between parathyroid adenoma weight and serum calcium, iPTH, and ALP levels.
Effects of Modeled Auditory Information on a Sequential Timing Task

Abstract The purposes of the present experiment were to determine (a) whether an auditory model enhanced relative or absolute timing, (b) the extent to which the reduced frequency presentation of the auditory model resulted in enhanced retention, and (c) the degree to which executing the timing sequence was independent of the role of the effectors in carrying out the movement sequence. Participants (N = 45) were asked to alternately press two keys on a computer keyboard in an attempt to match the goal intervals presented on the computer monitor. Groups differed in terms of the frequency with which an auditory model (100, 50, or 0 %) was presented. The results indicated that the auditory model (100 % or 50 % groups) enhanced relative timing performance and learning but not the learning of absolute timing. In addition, the 50 % group did not appear to become dependent on the auditory model. However, significant decrements in performance were seen for the 100 % group when the model was withdrawn. Last, participants were able to execute the timing sequences equally well when they reversed the hand used to execute the timing sequence. This was interpreted as strong evidence for the effector independence (Schmidt, 1975, 1988) and modularity of the timing sequence (Keele, Davidson, & Hayes, 1998).
Household food safety awareness of selected urban consumers in Jamaica

Home interviews of 110 randomly selected householders representing three distinct socio-economic groups in North Central St Andrew, an urban community in Jamaica, were conducted during January-March 1999. Respondents were interviewed about their awareness of safe food handling, risk perception, food handling practices and attitude to food safety issues. The majority of respondents reported a fairly high knowledge of safe food handling practices; however, more than one-half were unfamiliar with the correct procedure for freezing and thawing of foods. Householders were very concerned about the food they purchased for preparation at home, displayed strong concerns about sanitation of food handling establishments, food handlers practices, and the appearance of foods purchased. The majority of respondents had never contacted their local Health Department or the Ministry of Health regarding food safety concerns. Diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting and nausea were reported as the major symptoms of food-borne illness, while animal foods including dairy, beef, chicken, pork and fish/shellfish were implicated as the main source of food borne illnesses. There were no significant differences (P<0.5) observed between gender and socio-economic groups in the study, except for concern of the appearance of food and shopping options, respectively. These findings raise concerns about consumer food safety knowledge and practices in Jamaica. It is suggested that a national knowledge, awareness and practices survey should be conducted, followed by a properly designed food safety public education campaign, to enhance household food safety awareness in Jamaica.
The Integrin α1 A-domain Is a Ligand Binding Site for Collagens and Laminin*

The integrin α1β1 is a cell surface receptor for collagens and laminin. The α1 subunit contains an A-domain, and the A-domains of other integrins are known to mediate ligand binding. To determine the role of the α1 A-domain in ligand binding and the extent to which it reproduced the ligand binding activity and specificity of the parent molecule, we produced recombinant α1 A-domain and tested its ability to bind collagens and laminin. In solid phase assays, the A-domain from α1 was found to bind to collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin in a largely cation-dependent manner. The α2 A-domain, from the α2β1 integrin, also bound to these ligands, but the binding hierarchy differed from that seen for α1. This is the first demonstration of laminin binding by A-domains. Specificity of A-domain-ligand binding was further investigated using the triple-helical proteolytic fragment of collagen IV, CB3, and its subfragments, F1 and F4. α1 A-domain bound to all three fragments, while the α2 A-domain bound CB3 less well and exhibited little binding to F1 and no binding to F4. These differences mirror previous reports of distinct integrin binding sites in collagen IV and for the first time identify a limited proteolytic fragment of a ligand that contains integrin A-domain binding activity. To gain insight into the contribution that the A-domain makes to ligand binding within the whole integrin heterodimer, we measured binding constants for A-domain-collagen interactions using surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology. The values obtained were similar to those reported for intact integrin binding, suggesting that the A-domain is the major collagen binding site in the α1β1 and α2β1 integrins.
Is Incidental Renal Arteriography Justified in a Population of Patients with Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Renal artery stenosis is a consequence of generalized atherosclerosis and many specialists perform routine selective renal angiography to detect and treat renal artery stenosis. The incidence of clinically important renal artery stenosis is not well defined in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The purpose of this study was to better delineate the incidence of and the risk factors associated with renal artery stenosis, renovascular hypertension, and ischemic nephropathy incidentally discovered during angiography for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Two hundred consecutive patients undergoing angiographic evaluation of symptomatic lower extremity peripheral arterial disease were studied retrospectively. Angiograms were reviewed for the presence of renal artery stenosis (defined as ≥ 25% diameter reduction in either renal artery) and findings were then correlated to the clinical diagnosis of renovascular hypertension (> 50% renal artery stenosis and ≥ 3-drug resistive hypertension) and ischemic nephropathy (defined as > 50% bilateral renal artery stenosis, 3-drug hypertension, and creatinine ≥ 1.5). Angiographic findings were also correlated with risk factors to determine if a relationship correlated to the presence of and degree of renal artery stenosis. Data were analyzed using the Student's t test, Chi-square model, and multiple logistic regression analysis. The overall incidence of any degree of renal artery stenosis in this study population was 26% (52 patients). Only 24 (12%) patients had an incidental finding of ≥ 50% stenosis in either renal artery. Six (3%) of these patients were found to have associated renovascular hypertension. Additionally, 9 (4.5%) patients had coexistent renal insufficiency and significant renal artery stenosis; five with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis. Only one patient with end-stage renal disease had poorly controlled 3-drug hypertension. Thus definitive ischemic nephropathy was present in only one (0.5%) patient. Statistically significant risk factors associated with the presence of renal artery stenosis include hypertension (P < .001), coronary disease (P = .024), female gender (P = .010), diabetes (P = .039), aorto-iliac disease (P = .031), multiple levels of peripheral arterial disease (P < .001), and age over 60 ( P < .001). While the incidence of renal artery stenosis in patients being evaluated for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease is similar to that reported in the cardiology literature, the incidence of renovascular hypertension and ischemic nephropathy is exceedingly low (3% and 0.5%, respectively)—findings similar to data reported in the general hypertensive population. These data suggest that incidental selective renal angiography is not justified in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.
DISTORTED3/SCAR2 Is a Putative Arabidopsis WAVE Complex Subunit That Activates the Arp2/3 Complex and Is Required for Epidermal Morphogenesis

In a plant cell, a subset of actin filaments function as a scaffold that positions the endomembrane system and acts as a substrate on which organelle motility occurs. Other actin filament arrays appear to be more dynamic and reorganize in response to growth signals and external cues. The distorted group of trichome morphology mutants provides powerful genetic tools to study the control of actin filament nucleation in the context of morphogenesis. In this article, we report that DISTORTED3 (DIS3) encodes a plant-specific SCAR/WAVE homolog. Null alleles of DIS3, like those of other Arabidopsis thaliana WAVE and Actin-Related Protein (ARP) 2/3 subunit genes, cause trichome distortion, defects in cell–cell adhesion, and reduced hypocotyl growth in etiolated seedlings. DIS3 efficiently activates the actin filament nucleation and branching activity of vertebrate Arp2/3 and functions within a WAVE-ARP2/3 pathway in vivo. DIS3 may assemble into a WAVE complex via a physical interaction with a highly diverged Arabidopsis Abi-1–like bridging protein. These results demonstrate the utility of the Arabidopsis trichome system to understand how the WAVE and ARP2/3 complexes translate signaling inputs into a coordinated morphogenetic response.
Clinicopathological evaluation of biological behavior of submucosal invasive gastric carcinomas: relationship among lymph node metastasis, mucin phenotype and proliferative activity.

BACKGROUND Gastric carcinomas have been classified into the differentiated and undifferentiated type, on the basis of its tendency to gland formation. As a result of recent advances in mucin histochemistry, mucin phenotypes of gastric carcinomas have been investigated. However, no consensus on the evaluation of the grade of malignancy of early gastric carcinomas regarding mucin phenotype expression has developed. To address this issue, we evaluated the lymph node metastasis rate and proliferative activity of a submucosal invasive (sm) gastric carcinoma according to mucin phenotype expression. METHODS In resected surgical specimens from 108 patients with a single sm gastric carcinoma, the association between clinicopathological factors and lymph node metastasis was evaluated. In all cases, immunohistochemical staining with human gastric mucin, Muc-2, and CD10 and mucin histochemical staining by paradoxical concanavalin A staining were performed. The mucin phenotypes were classified into gastric-type (G-type), intestinal-type (I-type), mixed gastric and intestinal type (M-type), or a lack of mucin (LOM), using these as markers. To evaluate the cell proliferative activity of the gastric carcinoma, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining was also performed. RESULTS The rate of lymph node metastasis was higher for G-type sm carcinomas. A multivariate analysis showed that the G-type and lymphatic invasion were independent factors of lymph node metastasis. However, the PCNA-labeling index (PCNA-LI) was low for G-type carcinomas irrespective of the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis. In I-type carcinomas, PCNA-LI was significantly higher in cases that were positive for lymph node metastasis than in negative cases. CONCLUSION G-type and lymphatic invasion are independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis of an sm gastric carcinoma, and proliferative activity may be a significant parameter for lymph node metastasis in cases with I-type carcinomas.