Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Mathematical Relationship Between Latent Change Score and Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Factor Approaches: Cautions for Inferring Causal Relationship Between Variables

The present paper focuses on the relationship between latent change score (LCS) and autoregressive cross-lagged (ARCL) factor models in longitudinal designs. These models originated from different theoretical traditions for different analytic purposes, yet they share similar mathematical forms. In this paper, we elucidate the mathematical relationship between these models and show that the LCS model is reduced to the ARCL model when fixed effects are assumed in the slope factor scores. Additionally, we provide an applied example using height and weight data from a gerontological study. Throughout the example, we emphasize caution in choosing which model (ARCL or LCS) to apply due to the risk of obtaining misleading results concerning the presence and direction of causal precedence between two variables. We suggest approaching model specification not only by comparing estimates and fit indices between the LCS and ARCL models (as well as other models) but also by giving appropriate weight to substantive and theoretical considerations, such as assessing the justifiability of the assumption of random effects in the slope factor scores.
Incidence and Impact of De Novo Donor-Specific Alloantibody in Primary Renal Allografts

Background To date, limited information is available describing the incidence and impact of de novo donor-specific anti–human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (dnDSA) in the primary renal transplant patient. This report details the dnDSA incidence and actual 3-year post-dnDSA graft outcomes. Methods The study includes 189 consecutive nonsensitized, non-HLA-identical patients who received a primary kidney transplant between March 1999 and March 2006. Protocol testing for DSA via LABScreen single antigen beads (One Lambda) was done before transplantation and at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplantation then annually and when clinically indicated. Results Of 189 patients, 47 (25%) developed dnDSA within 10 years. The 5-year posttransplantation cumulative incidence was 20%, with the largest proportion of patients developing dnDSA in the first posttransplantation year (11%). Young patients (18–35 years old at transplantation), deceased-donor transplant recipients, pretransplantation HLA (non-DSA)–positive patients, and patients with a DQ mismatch were the most likely to develop dnDSA. From DSA appearance, 9% of patients lost their graft at 1 year. Actual 3-year death-censored post-dnDSA graft loss was 24%. Conclusion We conclude that 11% of the patients without detectable DSA at transplantation will have detectable DSA at 1 year, and over the next 4 years, the incidence of dnDSA will increase to 20%. After dnDSA development, 24% of the patients will fail within 3 years. Given these findings, future trials are warranted to determine if treatment of dnDSA-positive patients can prevent allograft failure.
MART-1 Is a Reliable Melanocytic Marker in Lichen Planus-Like Keratosis: A Study on 70 Cases

Recent studies have proposed that MART-1 may falsely stain clusters of intraepidermal nonmelanocytic cells in lichenoid dermatitides. This may become an issue especially in isolated lesions of lichen planus-like keratosis (LPLK), a condition also known as benign lichenoid keratosis, and one that is often mistaken clinically for a malignant cutaneous neoplasm. LPLKs are known to exhibit basal epidermal pseudonests, mimicking a regressing melanocytic lesion histologically, and often may prompt the pathologist to obtain a MART-1 stain. If MART-1 is falsely positive, it may seal an incorrect diagnosis. To determine whether or not pseudonests in LPLK decorated with MART-1, we reviewed 70 cases from our institution, stained them with MART-1 (Thermo Fisher-Lab Vision, Ab3 clone, 1:400 dilution, heat-induced epitope retrieval with 0.02M citrate buffer at pH 6.0), and evaluated them for the presence or absence of staining within pseudonests. Four cases demonstrated an occasional MART-1-positive junctional nest. In these cases, microphthalmia transcription factor was also positive, confirming a true melanocytic origin. None of the other cases showed a MART-1 pattern that would have been suspicious for a melanocytic lesion. We propose that this discrepancy between our study and prior ones may be explained by differences in staining protocols or by a very low incidence of non-specific staining. Our study suggests that MART-1 is a useful marker in differentiating melanocytic nests from pseudonests in LPLK.
In silico prediction and validation of the importance of the Entner–Doudoroff pathway in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) production by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli

The metabolic network of Escherichia coli was constructed and was used to simulate the distribution of metabolic fluxes in wild‐type E. coli and recombinant E. coli producing poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)]. The flux of acetyl‐CoA into the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, which competes with the P(3HB) biosynthesis pathway, decreased significantly during P(3HB) production. It was notable to find from in silico analysis that the Entner–Doudoroff (ED) pathway flux increased significantly under P(3HB)‐accumulating conditions. To prove the role of ED pathway on P(3HB) production, a mutant E. coli strain, KEDA, which is defective in the activity of 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐6‐phosphogluconate aldolase (Eda), was examined as a host strain for the production of P(3HB) by transforming it with pJC4, a plasmid containing the Alcaligenes latus P(3HB) biosynthesis operon. The P(3HB) content obtained with KEDA (pJC4) was lower than that obtained with its parent strain KS272 (pJC4). The reduced P(3HB) biosynthetic capacity of KEDA (pJC4) could be restored by the co‐expression of the E. coli eda gene, which proves the important role of ED pathway on P(3HB) synthesis in recombinant E. coli as predicted by metabolic flux analysis. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 83: 854–863, 2003.
Semi-supervised agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithms with pairwise constraints

Recently semi-supervised clustering has been studied by many researchers, but there are no extensive studies using different types of algorithms. In this paper we consider ag-glomerative hierarchical algorithms with pairwise constraints. The constraints are directly introduced to the single linkage which is equivalent to the transitive closure algorithm, while the centroid method and the Ward methods need kernelization of the algorithms. Simple numerical examples are shown to see how the constraints work.
Molecular determinants for the action of general anesthetics  at recombinant α2β3γ2γ‐aminobutyric acidA receptors

General anesthetics modulate the activity of ligand‐gated ion channels including the GABAA receptor. Mutational studies mainly on the benzodiazepine‐insensitive α2β1(M286W) and α6β3(N289M)γ2 GABAA receptors revealed that a serine in transmembrane domain 2 and a methionine in transmembrane domain 3 are essential for the action of most general anesthetics. We investigated whether these residues would similarly be relevant for their action at the benzodiazepine‐sensitive GABA receptor subtype, α2β3γ2. We found that not only the N265M but also the M286W mutation nearly abolished the modulatory effect of etomidate. However, the anti‐convulsant loreclezole, a structural homologue of etomidate, was inactive on the N265M mutant, but displayed normal modulatory activity on the M286W mutant. Both mutations did not affect the modulatory action of the neurosteroid alphaxalone. The direct action of alphaxalone, however, was dramatically increased in the M286W mutant to about twice the maximal GABA current but not significantly affected in the N265M mutant. These data demonstrate that the structural requirements for modulatory and direct actions of various general anesthetics are distinct. The molecular switches induced by these mutations can be exploited to identify the molecular determinants for the action of general anesthetics.
Synthesis and characterization of some metal complexes of a proton transfer salt, and their inhibition studies on carbonic anhydrase isozymes and the evaluation of the results by statistical analysis

Abstract A novel proton transfer compound (HMeOABT) + (HDPC)− (1) and its Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes (2–5) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Complex 4 has distorted octahedral conformation revealed by single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Structures of the other complexes might be proposed as octahedral according to experimental data. All compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro inhibition effects on hCA I and II for their hydratase and esterase activities. Although there is no inhibition for hydratase activities, all compounds have inhibited the esterase activities of hCA I and II. Data have been analyzed by using a one-way analysis of variance. The comparison of the inhibition studies of 1–5 to parent compounds indicates that 1–5 have superior inhibitory effects. The inhibition effects of 2–5 are also compared to inhibitory properties of the metal complexes of MeOABT and H2DPC, revealing an improved transfection profile.
A Pilot, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Phase 0/Biomarker Study on Effect of Artepillin C–Rich Extract of Brazilian Propolis in Frequent Colorectal Adenoma Polyp Patients

Objective: Brazilian propolis, a folk medicine, is used worldwide as an alternative medicine to prevent colon cancer. The objective of the study was to test in a small pilot biomarker study in a high-risk group the safety and efficacy of propolis for colon cancer prevention, which has not been evaluated in humans. Methods: Subjects with adenoma polyps recently removed from the colon were randomly assigned to a propolis group of 15 and a placebo group of 16. In a double-blind study, the propolis group received capsules containing 165 μmol artepillin C and 150 μmol other polyphenols per day for 3 months. Prior to and at the end of the experiments, their blood was analyzed using biochemical tests, and specimens from the normal-appearing sigmoid colon mucosa were biopsied endoscopically to examine the levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and mRNA expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1, and Bax. Results: Propolis extract significantly increased the mRNA level of cyclin D1 in the sigmoid colon mucosa, and the other biomarkers remained unchanged. Blood biochemical tests showed significantly higher activity of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), 143 ± 52 units/ml in the propolis group and 104 ± 38 units/ml in the placebo group (p = 0.026), at the end of the study. The increase in CPK activity in the propolis group was due to the increase of the myocardial band form of CPK. On the other hand, laxative treatment prior to endoscopic biopsy significantly increased 8-OHdG levels. Conclusions: The results from our pilot study did not provide evidence that Brazilian propolis was effective in preventing changes occurring during early stages of colon cancer. In contrast, propolis may have detrimental side effects on muscle tissue, including myocardial cells.
Influence of Depth and Retrieval Speed on Yellow Perch Barotrauma Recovery Time in Winter

Physoclistous fish are often affected by barotrauma because the swim bladder is not connected to the esophagus. Barotrauma is increasingly being used in assessing mortality in fish brought from deep water. Barotrauma is the physical damage that occurs because of the over inflation of the gas bladder resulting from a rapid decrease in ambient pressure. The two important factors influencing barotrauma effects are water depth and decompression. In this study, two experiments were conducted on yellow perch (Perca flavescens) at three depth locations on Grace Lake, Bemidji, Minnesota. Fish were measured for barotrauma recovery time (s) following capture by hook and line. Barotrauma recovery time was considered as the time for the individual to swim below the ice. Over the course of the study 88% of the individuals recovered in less than 3 seconds at 3.0 m, 72% at 4.5 m, and 37% at 6.0 m. Barotrauma recover time differed significantly by depth (p-value < 0.01). In contrast, the recovery time at the two retrieval speeds were similar (p-value = 0.86). This study will help further understand how freshwater physoclistous fish are affected by barotrauma, even at shallow depths.
Pathology of Experimental Schistosoma mansoni Infection in the Eastern Woodchuck (Marmota monax)

CJ : A lymphom atoid granuloma tosis of the lungs in young dogs. Vet Path ol 16:405-4 12, 1979 8 Moulton J E: Tumors of the respira tory system. In: T umors in Dom estic Anima ls, 2nd ed. , p. 2 19. University of Californ ia Press, Berkeley, CA, 1978 9 Nichols PW , Koss M, Lukes RJ : Lymphoma to id gran ulomatosis: a T-cell d isorder? Am J Med 72:4 67-471, 1982 10 Neer TM , Wald ron DR , Miller RI : Eosinophilic pulmonary gra nulomatosis in 2 dogs and literature review. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 22:593-599, 1986 II Postorino NC, Wheeler SL, Park RD , Powers BE, With-
REINNERVATION OF MUSCLE FIBERS IN PARTIALLY DENERVATED MUSCLES IN THEILER'S ENCEPHALO‐MYELITIS OF MICE (MOUSE POLIOMYELITIS)

It was demonstrated long ago (Mandels tamm 1882; Exner 1884, 1885) that section of one of the two nerves innervating the cricothyreoideus muscle in rabbit will produce no atrophy, whereas severing of both nerves will cause rapid wasting. These observations cannot be explained by a double innervation of the muscle fibers by nerve fibers from both the nerves (Lederer and Lemberger 1907) . Exner discussed the possibility that the denervated muscle fibers after section of one nerve are rapidly reinnervated from the residual nerve. In 1945 a number of American authors published similar results (Hines, Wehrmacher and T h o m s o n ; van Harreueld; W e i s s and E d d s ) . All these authors produced partial denervation of leg muscles in different animals by sectioning spinal nerves and noted a remarkably rapid recovery of the muscle strength. This could not be attributed to hypertrophy of the remaining innervated muscle fibers, nor to regeneration of the severed axons ( v a n Harreveld; W e i s s and E d d s ) . Similar observations have more recently heen made by a great number of authors (Frederick and Kosman 1949; Hof fman 1950; Edds and Small 1951; Morris 1953). H o f f m a n (19501, Edds (1950) and van Harreueld (1952) showed that residual motor nerve fibers in partially denervated muscles branch (so-called collateral sprouting) and reinnervate denervated muscle fibers to such a great extent that this mechanism can explain the rapid
Spatial frequencies in aesthetic website evaluations – explaining how ultra-rapid evaluations are formed

This study investigates how aesthetic website evaluations, especially those formed after very brief presentations, depend on visual information that is encoded in low- or high-spatial frequencies. A total of 92 participants took part in the experiment. The study used a 3 × 3 mixed design in which presentation time (50, 500 and 10000 ms) and spatial filtering (low-pass filtered, high-pass filtered and unfiltered stimuli) were manipulated. First, we replicate prior results from online studies of high- and low-spatial frequencies. Second, we confirm a prediction from neurocognitive models that only low-spatial frequencies are relevant to aesthetic judgements in ultra-rapid presentation modes. Third, we demonstrate that stimulus repetitions lead to an overestimation of the importance of ultra-rapid stimulus presentations. Taken together, our results highlight the utility of neurocognitive models of visual processing to explain the rapid aesthetic evaluation of websites. Practitioner Summary: Using neurocognitive models we present an approach to explain how aesthetic impressions are formed. We show that ultra-rapid judgements are connected with low- but not with high-spatial frequencies, which are neurologically processed in different visual pathways. Furthermore we identify possible methodological problems in previous studies of ultra-rapid website perception.
Macrolide Therapy for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Objective The objective of this study was to systematically review patient-reported outcomes of long-term macrolide therapy, compared with any other treatment, for adults with chronic rhinosinusitis. Data Sources EMBASE and PubMed databases were searched in October 2011. Review Methods A total of 1216 citations were screened initially by a single author, 23 full-text manuscripts were evaluated by 2 authors using structured data abstraction forms to assess for inclusion criteria and study quality, and 3 studies were included in the final review. Results This review finds that 3 prospective clinical studies have evaluated the effect of macrolide therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis. Based on the limited data, there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of long-term macrolide therapy for chronic rhinosinusitis. Conclusion Further clinical research is needed to determine whether there may be a subgroup effect based on the underlying inflammatory disease process.
Will the real ventricular architecture please stand up?

Ventricular twisting, essential for cardiac function, is attributed to the contraction of myocardial helical fibers. The exact relationship between ventricular anatomy and function remains to be determined, but one commonly used explanatory model is the helical ventricular myocardial band (HVMB) model of Torrent‐Guasp. This model has been successful in explaining many aspects of ventricular function, (Torrent‐Guasp et al. Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., 25, 376, 2004; Buckberg et al. Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., 47, 587, 2015; Buckberg et al. Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg. 47, 778, 2015) but the model ignores important aspects of ventricular anatomy and should probably be replaced. The purpose of this review is to compare the HVMB model with a different model (nested layers). A complication when interpreting experimental observations that relate anatomy to function is that, in the myocardium, shortening does not always imply activation and lengthening does not always imply inactivation.
[Bone density--reference values in German men. A study of the lumbar spine with the Lunar-DPX-densitometer].

UNLABELLED The DXA-technique is a well established method to study bone mineral density (BMD). Until now there are no reliable reference data based on the male population of Germany. QUESTION Are the data base, given by the manufacturer transferable to the male population in Germany? METHODS So a cross sectional study based on 715 healthy males with German ethnic background (age 20-89) was carried out. Comparison was made to the ap spine reference data of northern Europe. RESULTS The peak bone mass was 1,26 +/- 0,17 g/cm2 at the age of 20-24 years. After that the BMD decreases to the sixth decade (1,09 +/- 0,18 g/cm2), further on there is an increase to 1,18 +/- 0,21 g/cm2 in the ninth decade. CONCLUSION Looking at a comparable Swedish study there are no significant differences, looking at a Finnish study there are statistically significant differences in the sixth decade (t = 3,246) and seventh decade (t = 2,413). The results of our study complete the data base until now, but one should be careful to transfer the data base provided by the manufacturer.
The Efficacy of Hydroxyapatite Composite Impregnated with Amphotericin B

We investigated the efficacy of local biodegradable composites composed of hydroxyapatite-plaster of paris and either chitosan or alginate binder impregnated with amphotericin B. Antifungal activity was tested for Candida albicans using a modified disc diffusion technique for 6 weeks and compared with similarly impregnated polymethylmethacrylate. The physicochemical properties of each preparation were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antifungal activity of amphotericin B eluted from the hydroxyapatite composites was significantly greater than the polymethylmethacrylate after 7 days. The hydroxyapatite composites and the polymethylmethacrylate system sustained their antifungal activity for at least 1 month. However, after 5 weeks, the antifungal activities of the polymethylmethacrylate systems rapidly lessened, while the hydroxyapatite composites sustained their activities at a much higher level. We found no difference in antifungal activity between the hydroxyapatite composite using either the chitosan or alginate binder. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the drug release profile. The hydroxyapatite composites impregnated with amphotericin B showed superior antifungal efficacy over those loaded in polymethylmethacrylate in an in vitro study, but additional in vivo research is needed to confirm this result.
Concept Maps in IS Education for Critical Thinking Using Concept Maps to Teach and Assess Critical Thinking in IS Education Full papers

Concept maps have been widely used in education as tools for knowledge representation in both teaching and learning. Built on rigorous learning theories, concept mapping is a technique that is easy to learn and use. Therefore, concept map construction tasks can be incorporated into teaching effectively. By analyzing students’ concept maps, we can assess their learning and gain insights into their thinking processes, especially the amount and nature of critical thinking involved. In this study, we explored the feasibility and effectiveness of using concept maps in Information Systems education. Different approaches of using concept maps are experimented and discussed with respect of critical thinking. Questionnaires are designed to gauge students’ perception of and attitude toward concept mapping. Moreover, we studied the shift of students’ opinion on critical thinking before and after interventions including concept mapping. This study sheds lights on effective teaching methods to teach critical thinking using concept maps.
Safety studies of sperm agglutinating factor produced by Staphylococcus aureus as a vaginal contraceptive: in vivo studies

Sperm agglutinating factor (SAF) isolated from Staphylococcus aureus when applied at concentration 10 μg before mating completely prevented conception in the mouse. The objective of the present study was to evaluate its safety, as safety is an important concern to be addressed before a compound is selected for contraceptive use. Our results showed that SAF has a very high safety profile. Vaginal application of SAF at 10 μg to the mouse for 14 consecutive days caused no systemic toxicity and vaginal irritation as indicated by lack of effect on organ weights and histology. Moreover, no adverse effect was observed on the subsequent reproductive capability, peritnatal outcome and growth and development of the offspring. SAF (10 μg) did not irritate the skin or penile mucosa. Oral administration of 2 mg/kg body weight of SAF did not show any toxicity to reproductive and non-reproductive organs. Therefore, SAF with spermicidal activity and lack of toxicity may have the potential to become the active ingredient of a vaginal contraceptive.