Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transcranial Doppler Sonography in Studies of Mental Effort

The history of experimental psychology—likely the history of every branch of science—is intimately and symbiotically connected with innovations in technologies and techniques for measurement. Although psychology’s birth as a discipline was more about an idea (namely that mind and behavior can be studied objectively and empirically, for instance by observing how physical changes correspond to changes in experience and behavior) than about an apparatus, early advances in psychology as a science were facilitated, and in many cases catalyzed, by clever instrumentation. Often these innovations were simply novel applicants of existing technology to new scientific problems. For example, Wundt studied differences in reaction time to visual versus auditory information using a “pendulum apparatus for ‘Complication’ studies” (pictured in the online Museum of the History of Psychological Instrumentation at Monclair State University; http://chss.montclair.edu/ psychology/museum/x_073.htm). This important apparatus was basically a modified metronome. The first tachistoscope for brief presentations of visual stimuli was an apparatus that resembled a guillotine (Turtle, 1997). Mueller’s memory drum, which served for decades as the standard apparatus for studying memory for lists of items, was developed from a Ludwig-Baltzar kymograph, originally designed for the recording of blood pressure (Haupt, 2001). These and thousands of other devices found new useful life as research instruments in the study of behavior, and the scientific literature grew rapidly with findings reflecting each apparatus innovation.
Acquired antithrombin deficiency in sepsis

Antithrombin (AT) is a natural anticoagulant that plays a pivotal role in coagulation homeostasis by inhibiting thrombin and factor Xa (FXa) and, to a lesser extent, factor IXa and factor XIa (Abildgaard, 1969; Damus et al, 1973; Rosenberg & Damus, 1973; Kurachi et al, 1976). In addition to its anticoagulant function, there is increasing evidence that AT also has potent anti-inflammatory properties and is protective in animal models of sepsis (Taylor et al, 1988; Dickneite & Paques, 1993; Kessler et al, 1997; Dickneite & Leithauser, 1999; Minnema et al, 2000). Acquired AT deficiency is commonly found in sepsis and the level is predictive of outcome (Fourrier et al, 1992; Lorente et al, 1993; Martinez et al, 1999). Furthermore, recent data from randomized and non-randomized clinical studies suggests that AT replacement therapy in patients with septic shock may shorten the duration of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), reduce organ dysfunction and improve survival (Fourrier et al, 1993; Schuster & Matthias, 1995; Baudo et al, 1998; Eisele et al, 1998). In this article, we review the anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties of AT, the causes of acquired AT deficiency in sepsis and the clinical evidence supporting the use of AT replacement therapy in these patients.
Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to Investigate Water Uptake and Phase Transitions in Atmospherically Relevant Particles

In this study, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) spectroscopy is used to investigate water uptake and phase transitions for atmospherically relevant particles. Changes in the ATR-FT-IR spectra of NaCl, NH4NO3, (NH4)2SO4, Ca(NO3)2, and SiO2 as a function of relative humidity (RH) are presented and discussed. For these various particles, water can (1) become adsorbed on the particle surface; and/or (2) become absorbed in the particle structure to form a hydrate salt; and/or (3) become absorbed by the particle to form a liquid solution. Spectral features and analyses that distinguish these various processes are discussed. For the salts that do undergo a solid to liquid phase transition (deliquescence), excellent agreement is found between the measurements made here with ATR-FT-IR spectroscopy, a relatively simple, inexpensive, and readily available analytical tool, compared to more expensive, elaborate aerosol flow reactor systems using tandem differential mobility analyzers. In addition, for particles that adsorb water, we show here the utility of coupling ATR-FT-IR measurements with simultaneous quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements. This coupling allows for the quantification of the amount of water associated with the particle as a function of relative humidity (f(RH)) along with the spectroscopic data.
Risk of infectious complications in patients taking glucocorticosteroids.

The association between corticosteroid therapy and subsequent infections was calculated by pooling data from 71 controlled clinical trials. The overall rate of infectious complications was 12.7% in the 2,111 patients randomly allocated to systemic corticosteroids and 8.0% in the 2,087 controls (relative risk [RR], 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-1.9; P less than .001). The risk of infection was particularly high in patients with neurologic diseases (RR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.9-4.3; P less than .001) and less pronounced in patients with intestinal (RR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7; P = .02), hepatic (RR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.9-2.3; P = .25), and renal (RR greater than 1; P = .03) diseases. The rate was not increased in patients given a daily dose of less than 10 mg or a cumulative dose of less than 700 mg of prednisone. With increasing doses the rate of occurrence of infectious complications increased in patients given corticosteroids as well as in patients given placebo, a finding suggesting that not only the corticosteroid but also the underlying disease state account for the steroid-associated infectious complications observed in clinical practice.
Impact of oral bisphenol A at reference doses on intestinal barrier function and sex differences after perinatal exposure in rats

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical estrogen widely used in the food-packaging industry and baby bottles, is recovered in human fluids (0.1–10 nM). Recent studies have reported that BPA is hormonally active at low doses, emphasizing the debate of a risk for human health. Estrogen receptors are expressed in the colon, and although the major route of BPA exposure is food, the effects on gut have received no attention. We first examined the endocrine disrupting potency of BPA on colonic paracellular permeability (CPP), experimental colitis, and visceral sensitivity in ovariectomized rats orally exposed to 5 mg/kg/d BPA (i.e., the no observed adverse effect level), 50 μg/kg/d BPA (i.e., tolerable daily intake), or lower doses. BPA dose-dependently decreased basal CPP, with a half-maximal inhibitory dose of 5.2 μg/kg/d, 10-fold below the tolerable daily intake. This correlated with an increase in epithelial tight junction sealing, also observed in Caco-2 cells exposed to 10 nM BPA. When ovariectomized rats were fed with BPA at the no observed adverse effect level, the severity of colitis was reduced, whereas the same dose increased pain sensitivity to colorectal stimuli. We then examined the impact of perinatal exposure to BPA on intestinal permeability and inflammatory response in the offspring. In female rats, but not in male rats, perinatal BPA evoked a decrease of CPP in adulthood, whereas the proinflammatory response of colonic mucosa was strengthened. This study first demonstrates that the xenoestrogen BPA at reference doses influences intestinal barrier function and gut nociception. Moreover, perinatal exposure promotes the development of severe inflammation in adult female offspring only.
Garlic Allium sativum

Overview Garlic’s current principal medicinal uses are to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, as an antimicrobial, and as a preventive agent for cancer. The active constituents are several complex sulfur-containing compounds that are rapidly absorbed, transformed and metabolized. Pooled data from numerous randomized trials suggest that garlic lowers total cholesterol concentrations by approximately 10% and favorably alters HDL/LDL ratios. Randomized trials also support garlic’s effectiveness as a mild antihypertensive which lowers blood pressure by 5-7%. Garlic also inhibits platelet aggregation and enhances fibrinolytic activity, reducing clots on damaged endothelium. In vitro data suggest antiviral and antibacterial effects, but these have not been evaluated in controlled trials in humans. Epidemiologic data, in vitro studies and animal data suggest that garlic may help prevent some solid tumors, but no randomized trials have evaluated its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent in oncology. There are no studies evaluating its effectiveness or safety in treating children or pregnant or nursing women. Garlic is safe when eaten as food, though in some sensitive persons, it can cause gastrointestinal irritation, and of course, halitosis. Prolonged topical use has been associated with moderate burns.
Development of a gene reporter system in moderately halophilic bacteria by employing the ice nucleation gene of Pseudomonas syringae

The expression of the ice nucleation gene inaZ of Pseudomonas syringae in several moderate halophiles was investigated to establish its utility as a reporter for promoter activity and gene expression studies in these biotechnologically and environmentally important bacteria. A promoterless version of inaZ was introduced in two different restriction sites and at both orientations in a recombinant plasmid able to replicate in moderate halophiles and, in particular, within the sequence of its pHE1 part, a native plasmid of Halomonas elongata. One orientation of both recombinant constructs expressed high levels of ice nucleation activity in H. elongata and Volcaniella eurihalina cells, indicating that inaZ was probably introduced in the correct orientation downstream of putative native promoters. A recombinant construct carrying a tandem duplication of inaZ at the same orientation gave significantly higher ice nucleation activity, showing that inaZ is appropriate for gene dosage studies. The ice nucleation gene was also expressed in H. elongata and V. eurihalina under the control of Pbla (the promoter of the beta-lactamase gene of Escherichia coli) and Ppdc (the promoter of the pyruvate decarboxylase gene of Zymomonas mobilis). One of the inaZ reporter plasmids expressing high levels of ice nucleation activity under the control of a native putative promoter was also transferred in Halomonas subglaciescola, Halomonas meridiana, Halomonas halodurans, and Deleya halophila. In all cases, Ice+ transconjugants were successfully isolated, demonstrating that inaZ is expressed in a wide spectrum of moderately halophilic species.
Financial relationships in economic analyses of targeted therapies in oncology.

PURPOSE A potential financial relationship between investigators and pharmaceutical manufacturers has been associated with an increased likelihood of reporting favorable conclusions about a sponsor's proprietary agent in pharmacoeconomic studies. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between financial relationships and outcome in economic analyses of new targeted therapies in oncology. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed (last update June 2011) for economic analyses of targeted therapies (including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine-kinase inhibitors, and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors) in oncology. The trials were qualitatively rated regarding the cost assessment as favorable, neutral, or unfavorable on the basis of prespecified criteria. RESULTS Overall, 81 eligible studies were identified. Economic analyses that were funded by pharmaceutical companies were more likely to report favorable qualitative cost estimates (28 [82%] of 34 v 21 [45%] of 47; P = .003). The presence of an author affiliated with manufacturer was not associated with study outcome. Furthermore, if only studies including a conflict of interest statement were included (66 of 81), studies that reported any financial relationship with manufacturers (author affiliation and/or funding and/or other financial relationship) were more likely to report favorable results of targeted therapies compared with studies without financial relationship (32 [71%] of 45 v nine [43%] of 21; P = .025). CONCLUSION Our study reveals a potential threat for industry-related bias in economic analyses of targeted therapies in oncology in favor of analyses with financial relationships between authors and manufacturers. A more balanced funding of economic analyses from other sources may allow greater confidence in the interpretation of their results.
Knowledge Management in New Product Teams: Practices and Outcomes

This paper explores the critical practices impacting a new product team's ability to learn and succeed. By investigating the practices of 281 new product teams from around the world, several factors emerged that impact a team's ability to acquire and use knowledge to reduce cycle time and improve their probability of success. The significant factors include: (1) documentation of project information, (2) storage and retrieval systems for project information, (3) information reviewing practices, (4) vision clarity, (5) vision stability, and (6) management support of the project.
Trois essais sur les effets de la politique budgétaire dans les pays en développement

La reflexion sur l‟utilisation de la politique budgetaire comme outil de stabilisation et de relance connait un net regain d‟interet ces dernieres annees. Apres pres de trois decennies qui ont vu la dominance des idees neo-Classique, la recente crise financiere des annees 2008 a consacre le retour aux idees keynesiennes sur l‟efficacite de l‟outil budgetaire. Cette these s‟interesse a ce theme et essaie de caracteriser la politique budgetaire dans le contexte des pays en developpement et son objectif final est de preciser dans quelle mesure cet outil de politique economique serait efficace pour ces pays. Le chapitre 2 traite de la question des effets des politiques budgetaires surprises. Autrement dit, et a partir d‟une modelisation en VAR structurels, cette partie se pose la question de savoir si le budget peut etre utilise de facon surprise pour relancer une economie et quels sont les defis que pose une telle mesure dans le contexte d‟une economie en developpement. Le troisieme chapitre a partir d‟un modele de gravite analyse les relations entre la situation budgetaire dans les economies avancees ainsi que celle des pays emergents et les flux d‟investissement vers les economies a revenu intermediaire. Cette etude montre qu‟un effet d‟eviction entre pays (developpes et emergents) existe mais aussi que l‟economie mondiale tend vers un nouveau paradigme. Le dernier chapitre quant a lui etudie la cyclicite des politiques budgetaires pour un echantillon de pays d‟Afrique subsaharienne et d‟Amerique latine. La methode choisie a permis de suivre l‟evolution de la procyclicite des politiques budgetaires d‟annee en annee et de montrer que les pays en developpement surtout africains progressivement adoptent des politiques de plus en plus disciplinees et prudentes
Activation of JNK by Vanadate Induces a Fas-associated Death Domain (FADD)-dependent Death of Cerebellar Granule Progenitors in Vitro *

Apoptosis is a highly regulated process that plays a critical role in neuronal development as well as the homeostasis of the adult nervous system. Vanadate, an environmental toxicant, causes developmental defects in the central nervous system. Here, we demonstrated that vanadate induced apoptosis in cultured cerebellar granule progenitors (CGPs). Treatment of cultured CGPs with vanadate activated ERKs and JNKs but not p38 MAPK and also induced c-Jun phosphorylation. In addition, vanadate induced FasL production, Fas (CD95) aggregation, and its association with the Fas-associated death domain (FADD), as well as the activation of caspase-8. Furthermore, vanadate generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CGPs; however, ROS was not involved in vanadate-mediated MAPK activation. Vanadate-induced FasL expression was ROS-dependent but JNK-independent. In contrast, vanadate-elicited Fas aggregation and Fas-FADD association, as well as caspase-8 activation, were dependent on JNK activation but were minimally regulated by ROS generation. The hydrogen peroxide scavenger, catalase, blocked vanadate-induced FasL expression and partially mitigated vanadate-induced cell death. On the other hand, dominant negative FADD and caspase-8 inhibitor completely eliminated vanadate-induced apoptosis. Thus, JNK signaling plays a major role in vanadate-mediated activation of the Fas-FADD-caspase-8 pathway that accounts for vanadate-induced apoptosis of CGPs.
Comparison of mutations of ras oncogene in human pancreatic exocrine and endocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND Ras oncogene mutations have been found in many human cancers; however, pancreatic endocrine tumors have rarely been studied. The purpose of this study was to analyze ras mutations in pancreatic endocrine tumors and to compare these results with the incidence of ras mutations in pancreatic exocrine cancers studied in our laboratory. METHODS Ras oncogene mutations were studied in 33 foregut endocrine tumors (pancreatic 31, duodenal submucosa 2). Eleven were insulinomas, 12 gastrinomas, 2 glucagonomas, and 11 others were nonfunctioning islet cell carcinomas. Thirteen were benign and 20 were malignant. These were compared with 65 pancreatic exocrine cancers. Tumors were microdissected from paraffin-embedded sections. DNA was extracted and amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Mutations were detected by a oligonucleotide hybridization method with sequence-specific phosphorus 32-radiolabeled probes. RESULTS No ras mutations were identified among the 33 pancreatic endocrine tumors. In contrast, 51 of 65 (78.5%) pancreatic exocrine cancers exhibited a ras mutation. Fifty were K-ras mutations and one unusual tumor exhibited a N-61 ras mutation. CONCLUSIONS Ras oncogene mutations do not play a role in the tumorigenesis of pancreatic endocrine tumors.
Developmentally Expressed Ca2+-sensitive Adenylyl Cyclase Activity Is Disrupted in the Brains of Type I Adenylyl Cyclase Mutant Mice (*)

The type I Ca2+-sensitive adenylyl cyclase has been implicated in several forms of synaptic plasticity in vertebrates. Mutant mice in which this enzyme was inactivated by targeted mutagenesis show deficient spatial memory and altered long term potentiation (Wu, Z. L., Thomas, S. A., Villacres, E. C., Xia, Z., Simmons, M. L., Chavkin, C., Palmiter, R. D., and Storm, D. R.(1995) Proc. Natl Acad Sci. U. S. A. 92, 220-224). Long term potentiation in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampus develops during the first 2 weeks after birth and reaches maximal expression at postnatal day 15 with a gradual decline at later stages of development. Here we report that Ca2+-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in rat hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex increases significantly between postnatal days 1-16. This increase appears to be due to enhanced expression of type I adenylyl cyclase rather than type VIII adenylyl cyclase, the other adenylyl cyclase that is directly stimulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin. Type I adenylyl cyclase mRNA in the hippocampus increased 7-fold during this developmental period. The developmental expression of Ca2+-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in mouse brain was attenuated in mutant mice lacking type I adenylyl cyclase. Changes in expression of the type I adenylyl cyclase during the period of long term potentiation development are consistent with the hypothesis that this enzyme is important for neuroplasticity and spatial memory in vertebrates.
Development of a performance assessment of executive function: the Children's Kitchen Task Assessment.

OBJECTIVE This study developed and explored the validity of the Children's Kitchen Task Assessment (CKTA), a performance assessment of executive function. METHOD The development of the CKTA is described. Children were given the CKTA and neuropsychological assessments of executive functioning. Parents completed the Parent Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (Parent BRIEF). RESULTS Forty-nine typically developing children ages 8 to 12 years participated in this study. Interrater reliability and internal consistency were established. Preliminary evidence of discriminant validity was reflected in significant differences on neuropsychological tests and the Parent BRIEF between high- and low-scoring CKTA groups. Age-related differences in CKTA performance further supported discriminant validity. Support for concurrent validity was observed in moderate correlations with established neuropsychological tests. CONCLUSION Preliminary results suggest the CKTA is a valid performance assessment that evaluates the level of cognitive assistance children require to complete a challenging functional activity.
Study Disillusionment in Cohabiting and Married Couples : A National

Using a national sample of married (N = 752) and cohabiting (N = 323) couples, we examined the association between disillusionment and selfperceived breakup likelihood. Because disillusionment had not previously been studied in cohabiting couples, its extent and consequences for them were not known. We found considerable disillusionment in cohabiters, their mean level exceeding that of married couples. Based on a conceptual model of relationship change, we tested further whether disillusionment would predict self-perceived breakup likelihood, controlling for relationship satisfaction, commitment, and length. Furthermore, based on assumptions about barriers to leaving different types of relationships, we examined whether disillusionment’s association with breakup likelihood would be stronger in cohabiting than married couples. Results supported disillusionment’s ability to predict perceived breakup likelihood, even with rigorous controls, and the greater strength of this association in cohabiters. In addition, we found a significantly positive partner effect: Male partners’ disillusionment predicted female partners’ breakup likelihood. 1Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA Corresponding Author: Sylvia Niehuis, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1230, USA. Email: sylvia.niehuis@ttu.edu 498594 JFIXXX10.1177/0192513X13498594Journal of Family IssuesNiehuis et al. research-article2013 at TEXAS TECH UNIV LIBRARY on August 13, 2013 jfi.sagepub. com Downloaded from 2 Journal of Family Issues XX(X)
Requirement for an Intact T-Cell Actin and Tubulin Cytoskeleton for Efficient Assembly and Spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of CD4+ T cells leads to the production of new virions that assemble at the plasma membrane. Gag and Env accumulate in the context of lipid rafts at the inner and outer leaflets of the plasma membrane, respectively, forming polarized domains from which HIV-1 buds. HIV-1 budding can result in either release of cell-free virions or direct cell-cell spread via a virological synapse (VS). The recruitment of Gag and Env to these plasma membrane caps in T cells is poorly understood but may require elements of the T-cell secretory apparatus coordinated by the cytoskeleton. Using fixed-cell immunofluorescence labeling and confocal microscopy, we observed a high percentage of HIV-1-infected T cells with polarized Env and Gag in capped, lipid raft-like assembly domains. Treatment of infected T cells with inhibitors of actin or tubulin remodeling disrupted Gag and Env compartmentalization within the polarized raft-like domains. Depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton reduced Gag release and viral infectivity, and actin and tubulin inhibitors reduced Env incorporation into virions. Live- and fixed-cell confocal imaging and assay of de novo DNA synthesis by real-time PCR allowed quantification of HIV-1 cell-cell transfer. Inhibition of actin and tubulin remodeling in infected cells interfered with cell-cell spread across a VS and reduced new viral DNA synthesis. Based on these data, we propose that HIV-1 requires both actin and tubulin components of the T-cell cytoskeleton to direct its assembly and budding and to elaborate a functional VS.