Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of the cardiac neural crest with development of the coronary arteries in the chick embryo

Background: Chick coronary arteries orginate as penetrating channels from a subepithelial peritruncal ring into the wall of all three aortic coronary sinuses. Two of these capillaries develop a muscular wall and become the definitive coronary arteries. Since cardiac neural crest (CNC) contributes ectomesenchyme to the tunica media (TM) of the aortic arch vessels, we wished to learn if the CNC also contributes to the media of the coronary arteries and if CNC plays an inductive role in determining the site of aortic penetrations and influences which channels persist to hatching.
Complement or substitute? The effect of technology on student achievement in India

Using a pair of randomized evaluations, the author evaluates a computer assisted learning program designed to reinforce students understanding of material presented in class. The program was implemented in both an in school and out of school model allowing me to assess different strategies for integrating the technology into the existing schools. The effect of the program critically depends on the method of implementation. The program was a poor substitute for the teacher delivered curriculum and as a result, the in school model caused students to learn significantly less than they otherwise would have learned (-0.57 standard deviations). When implemented as a complement to the normal program in the out-of-school model, however, the program generated average gains of 0.28 standard deviations reflecting small positive (but statistically insignificant) gains by most students and large positive gains by the weakest and older students in the class (from 0.4 to 0.69 standard deviations). The results emphasize the importance of understanding how new technologies and teaching methods both interact with existing resources and differentially affect students with different needs and abilities.
Maternal nutrition and birthweight: selective review and some results of observations in Machakos, Kenya.

A selective review of maternal nutrition and birthweight is presented. Data from an observational, longitudinal study in Machakos, Kenya show that the habitual diet of pregnant women provided about 1600 kcal and 50 g of protein per day. Nevertheless the birthweight was acceptable, i.e., the mean value was 3058 g. This good reproductive performance was attributed to the fact that weight-for-height remained acceptable during pregnancy, in spite of low weight gain because of an acceptable pre-pregnant weight. However, the birthweight was found to be influenced by the mother's weight in the third month of pregnancy, her weight gain and her height.
Tuning In-Plane Fixed-Fixed Beam Resonators With Embedded Heater in CMOS Technology

This letter presents CMOS-MEMS fixed-fixed beam resonators with wide active frequency tuning range capability attributed to the axial stress modulation using embedded heaters. Two resonators, consisting of multiple metal, dielectric layers, and poly1 layers, were designed; the first resonator at 303.4 kHz, while the second at 2053 kHz, achieve the frequency tuning ranges of 35.7%-42.6%, respectively. Electrostatic transduction is achieved by embedded metal beams, and used to drive the device into resonance. The heaters, made of poly1, are embedded directly into the resonators during the CMOS process to achieve low power consumption and optimum heating efficiency. A power consumption of 900 μW/beam is achieved for the first design of 152 μm length beam, while providing a frequency tuning of 35.7%.
On the Connection between Metal Absorbers and Quasar Nebulae

We establish a simple model for the distribution of cool (~104 K) gas around L⋆ galaxies using the properties of strong Mg II absorption line systems as observational constraints. Our analysis suggests that the halos of L⋆ galaxies are filled with cool gas clouds having sizes of order 1 kpc and densities of ~10−2 cm−3. We then investigate the physical conditions of a similar ensemble of clouds situated around a central quasar. We show that the flux from the quasar gives rise to (1) extended narrow line emission on ~100 kpc scales and (2) an anisotropy in the properties of the absorbing gas arising from the geometry of the quasar radiation field. Provided that quasars reside in gaseous halos more massive than those of L⋆ galaxies, our predictions agree with the results from detections of both narrow emission line nebulae and ~100 kpc Mg II-absorbing halos around quasars, suggesting a common origin for these phenomena. We discuss the implications of our results for understanding quasar absorption line systems, quasar environments at high redshifts, and the quasar unification scheme.
How Does KCNE 1 Regulate the Kv 7 . 1 Potassium Channel ? Model-Structure , Mutations , and Dynamics of the Kv 7 . 1-KCNE 1 Complex

Yana Gofman,1 Simona Shats,2 Bernard Attali,2 Turkan Haliloglu,3,4 and Nir Ben-Tal1,* 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Tel-Aviv University, 69978 Tel-Aviv, Israel 3Polymer Research Center 4Chemical Engineering Department Bogazici University, 34342 Bebek-Istanbul, Turkey *Correspondence: nirb@tauex.tau. ac.il http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.str. 2012.05. 016
Pharmacodynamics of the long‐acting insulin analogues detemir and glargine following single‐doses and under steady‐state conditions in patients with type 1 diabetes

The pharmacodynamic characteristics of the basal insulin analogues insulin detemir (IDet) and insulin glargine (IGlar) have been examined extensively via euglycaemic clamp studies. However, differences in clamp methodology and in the analysis of clamp data between trials have led to confusion over the duration of action of these two insulins. The aim of this study was to address these ambiguities in the literature by assessing the pharmacodynamic properties of IDet and IGlar over 30 h under single‐dose and steady‐state conditions using the definitions and procedures previously standardized by Heise and Pieber in 2007.
Multiple Regions on the Escherichia coliHeat Shock Transcription Factor ς32 Determine Core RNA Polymerase Binding Specificity

ABSTRACT We have analyzed the core RNA polymerase (RNAP) binding activity of the purified products of nine defective alleles of the rpoHgene, which encodes ς32 in Escherichia coli. All mutations studied here lie outside of the putative core RNAP binding regions 2.1 and 2.2. Based on the estimatedKss for the mutant sigma and core RNAP interaction determined by in vitro transcription and by glycerol gradient sedimentation, we have divided the mutants into three classes. The class III mutants showed greatly decreased affinity for core RNAP, whereas the class II mutants’ effect on core RNAP interaction was only clearly seen in the presence of ς70 competitor. The class I mutant behaved nearly identically to the wild type in core RNAP binding. Two point mutations in class III altered residues that were distant from one another. One was found in conserved region 4.2, and the other was in a region conserved only among heat shock sigma factors. These data suggest that there is more than one core RNAP binding region in ς32 and that differences in contact sites probably exist among sigma factors.
Community-Acquired, Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Musculoskeletal Infections in Children

Background: The clinical characteristics and virulence factors related to musculoskeletal infections caused by community-acquired, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in children are not well-defined. Methods: In this retrospective study, the demographics, hospital course and outcome of children with musculoskeletal infections were reviewed from medical records and by contacting patients or their physicians. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by disk diffusion. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect genes encoding for virulence factors. Mann-Whitney, χ2 and Kaplan-Meier tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Community-acquired MRSA and community-acquired methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) caused musculoskeletal infections in 31 and 28 children, respectively. The median numbers of febrile days after start of therapy were 4 and 1 for MRSA and MSSA patients, respectively (P = 0.001). The median numbers of hospital days were 13 and 8 for the MRSA and MSSA groups, respectively (P = 0.014). At follow-up, 2 patients in the MRSA and 1 in the MSSA group had developed chronic osteomyelitis. pvl and fnbB genes were found in 87 and 90% versus 24 and 64% in the MRSA versus MSSA groups, respectively. (P = 0.00001 and 0.017). Ten patients with pvl-positive strains had complications versus no patients with pvl-negative isolates (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Febrile days and hospital days were greater in children with musculoskeletal infection caused by MRSA than in those affected by MSSA, but no significant differences were found in the final outcome. pvl and fnbB genes were more frequent in the MRSA than in the MSSA strains. The presence of the pvl gene may be related to an increased likelihood of complications in children with S. aureus musculoskeletal infections.
Phenotype–Genotype Profiles in Crohn's Disease Predicted by Genetic Markers in Autophagy-Related Genes (GOIA Study II)

Background:About 70 loci are associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD), particularly in pathways of innate immunity, autophagy, and pathogen recognition. Phenotype–genotype associations are inconsistent. Methods:CD susceptibility polymorphisms ATG16L1 rs2241880, ICAM1 rs5498, IL4 rs2070874, IL17F rs763780, IRGM rs13361189, ITLN1 rs2274910, LRRK2 rs11175593, and TLR4 rs4986790 were genotyped in a Portuguese population (511 CD patients, 626 controls) and assessed for association with CD clinical characteristics. Results:There is a significant association of CD with the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ATG16L1 (odds ratio [OR] 1.36 [1.15–1.60], P = 2.7 × 10−4 for allele G), IRGM (OR 1.56 [1.21–1.93], P = 3.9 × 10−4 for allele C), and ITLN1 (OR 1.55 [1.28–1.88], P = 4.9 × 10−6 for allele C). These SNPs are associated with ileal location (OR, respectively, 1.49, 1.52, and 1.70), ileocolonic location (OR, respectively, 1.31, 1.57, and 1.68), and involvement of the upper digestive tract (OR, respectively for ATG16L1 and IRGM, 1.96 and 1.95). The risk genotype GG in ATG16L1 is associated with patients who respond to steroids (OR 1.89), respond to immunosuppressants (OR 1.77), and to biologic therapy (OR 1.89). The SNPs in ITLN1 and IRGM are both associated with a positive response to biologic therapy. The risk for ileal, ileocolonic, and upper digestive tract locations increases with the number of risk alleles (OR for three alleles, respectively, 7.10, 3.54, and 12.07); the OR for positive response to biologic therapy is 3.66. Conclusions:A multilocus approach using autophagy-related genes provides insight into CD phenotype–genotype associations and genetic markers for predicting therapeutic responses.
Consciousness and Robot Sentience

The Real Problem of Consciousness Consciousness and Subjective Experience Perception and Qualia From Perception to Consciousness Emotions and Consciousness Inner Speech and Consciousness Qualia and Machine Consciousness Testing Consciousness Artificial Conscious Cognition Associative Information Processing Neural Realization of Associative Processing Designing a Cognitive Perception System Examples of Perception/Response Feedback Loops The Transition to Symbolic Processing Information Integration with Multiple Modules Emotional Significance of Percepts The Outline of the Haikonen Cognitive Architecture (HCA) Mind Reading Applications The Comparison of Some Cognitive Architectures Example: An Experimental Robot with the HCA Concluding Notes Consciousness Explained.
Protein folding and stability of human CDK inhibitor p19(INK4d).

P19(INK4d) is a tumor suppressing protein and belongs to a family of cyclin D-dependent kinase inhibitors of CDK4 and CDK6, which play a key role in human cell cycle control. P19 comprises ten alpha-helices arranged sequentially in five ankyrin repeats forming an elongated structure. This rather simple topology, combined with its physiological function, makes p19 an interesting model protein for folding studies. Urea-induced unfolding transitions monitored by far-UV CD and phenylalanine fluorescence coincide and suggest a two-state mechanism for equilibrium unfolding. Unfolding of p19 followed by 2D (1)H-(15)N HSQC spectra revealed a third species at moderate urea concentrations with a maximum population of about 30 % near 3.2 M urea. It shows poor chemical shift dispersion, but cross-peaks emerge for some residues that are distinct from the native or unfolded state. This equilibrium intermediate either arises only at high protein concentrations (as in the NMR experiment) or has similar optical properties to the unfolded state. Stopped-flow far-UV CD experiments at various urea concentrations revealed that alpha-helical structure is formed in three phases, of which only the fastest phase (10 s(-1)) depends upon the urea concentration. The kinetic of the slowest phase (0.017 s(-1)) can be resolved by 1D real-time NMR and accelerated by cyclophilin. It is limited in rate by prolyl isomerization, and native-like ordered structure cannot form prior to this isomerization. The two fast phases lead to 83 % native protein within the dead time of the NMR experiment. In contrast to p16(INK4a), which exhibits only a marginal stability and high unfolding rates, p19 shows the expected stability for a protein of this size with a clear kinetic barrier between the unfolded and folded state. Therefore, p19 might complement the function of less stable INK4 inhibitors in cell cycle control under unfavorable conditions.
Variation in the Protective Effect of Higher Education against Depression

Numerous studies document that higher education is associated with a reduced likelihood of depression. The protective effects of higher education, however, are known to vary across population subgroups. This study tests competing theories for who is likely to obtain a greater protective benefit from a college degree against depression through an analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and recently developed methods for analyzing heterogeneous treatment effects involving the use of propensity scores. The analysis examines how the effects of two “treatments” (at least some college education and attaining at least a four-year college degree) on latent depressive symptomology vary by background disadvantage, as indicated by having a low propensity for completing some college or attaining a four-year college degree. Results indicate that people from disadvantaged backgrounds realize a greater protective effect of higher education, either completing some college or attaining a four-year degree, against depressive symptomology than people from advantaged backgrounds. This pattern is more pronounced for people who attain at least a four-year degree than for people who complete at least some college education.
Deformation of contact surfaces in a vacuum interrupter after high-current interruptions

The molten contact surfaces, which are caused by interrupting high currents in a vacuum interrupter (VI), can be induced to form Taylor cones by electrostatic force after current zero. Moreover, the deformation caused by the Taylor cones can further enhance the local electric field at their tips, which lead to breakdowns during post-arc phases, and make the interruptions fail. The objective of this paper is to simulate how the Taylor cones are brought out, considering influences of initial shapes, electric fields. An electrohydrodynamic (EHD) model was adopted, and the interface between vacuum and liquid metal region was traced by the level-set method. The results show that the presence of a protuberance indeed can transform to a local field enhancing Taylor cone if the liquid metal surface is exposed to a large enough electric field. Besides, the threshold for Taylor cone formation decreases when temperature of electrode increases. Consequently, the possibility of breakdown in a VI after high-current interruptions increases as well.
SALIVARY ALPHA-AMYLASE DURING PREGNANCY 3 Salivary alpha-amylase during pregnancy : Diurnal course and associations with obstetric history

Diurnal patterns of salivary alpha amylase (sAA) in pregnant women have not previously been described. The current study employed ecological momentary assessment to examine the association between the diurnal sAA, obstetric history, maternal demographics, and mood during pregnancy. Saliva was self-collected by 83 pregnant women (89% White, age 25.3-43.0 years; mean gestational age 21.9 weeks, range 6-37 weeks; gravida 1-6) at home over three days. Results indicated that current pregnancy (gestational age and fetal sex) and maternal demographics were not related to diurnal sAA. In contrast, a history of previous miscarriage (Parameter = -.17; SE = .05; p < .05) was associated with an atypical diurnal pattern. Even after accounting for obstetric history, trait anxiety (Parameter = .16; SE = .04; p < .001) was associated with increased sAA over the day while chronic levels of fatigue (Parameter = -.06; SE = .03; p < .05) were associated with decreased sAA. In a separate model, we also tested the time varying covariation of sAA and mood. The effects of momentary mood were in contrast to those for trait mood. Both momentary depression (Parameter = .22; SE = .09; p < .01) and vigour/positive mood (Parameter = .12; SE = .04; p < .001) were associated with momentary increases in sAA while momentary anxiety and fatigue were not related to sAA. The findings suggest that basal sAA during pregnancy is sensitive to emotional arousal. Evaluating diurnal patterns of sAA holds promise for advancing understanding of how emotional arousal during pregnancy may affect fetal development.
Comparison of cold enrichment and U.S. Department of Agriculture methods for isolating Listeria monocytogenes from naturally contaminated foods. The Listeria Study Group

We compared the cold enrichment (CE) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) methods for isolating Listeria monocytogenes by examining 402 food samples. The food samples were collected from refrigerators of listeriosis patients as part of a multistate active surveillance project to determine the role of foods in sporadic listeriosis in the United States. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 51 food samples (13%). The USDA method was significantly better (P less than 0.001) than the CE method. The isolation efficiencies of the USDA and CE methods were 96 and 59%, respectively. Quantitation of L. monocytogenes in the food samples revealed that many food samples containing less than 0.3 CFU/g were negative as determined by the CE method but positive as determined by the USDA method.
Atrial-Selective Sodium Channel Blockers: Do They Exist?

The risk of developing severe ventricular arrhythmias and/or organ toxicity by currently available drugs used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) has prompted the development of atrial-selective antiarrhythmic agents. Until recently the principal focus has been on development of agents that selectively inhibit the ultra-rapid delayed rectifier outward potassium channels (IKur), taking advantage of the presence of these channels in atria but not ventricles. Recent experimental studies have demonstrated important atrioventricular differences in biophysical properties of the sodium channel and have identified sodium channel blockers such as ranolazine and chronic amiodarone that appear to take advantage of these electrophysiologic distinctions and act to specifically or predominantly depress sodium channel-mediated parameters in “healthy” canine atria versus ventricles. Atrial-selective/predominant sodium channel blockers such as ranolazine effectively suppress AF in experimental models of AF involving canine isolated right atrial preparations at concentrations that produce little to no effect on ventricular electrophysiologic parameters. These findings point to atrial-selective sodium channel block as a new strategy for the management of AF. The present review examines our current understanding of atrioventricular distinctions between atrial and ventricular sodium channels and our understanding of the basis for atrial selectively of the sodium channel blockers. A major focus will be on the ability of the atrial-selective sodium channel blocking properties of these agents, possibly in conjunction with IKur and/or IKr blocking properties, to suppress and prevent the reinduction of AF.
Histopathology of regression in sinclair swine model of melanoma.

BACKGROUND Detailed histopathologic studies of melanomas occurring in neonatal Sinclair miniature swine have demonstrated a remarkable similarity to human melanoma. A significant difference is the predictable, complete regression of primary and metastatic tumors that occurs in all animals by early adulthood (1 to 2 years). Prior histopathologic descriptions of regression in this model have been incomplete with regard to the time of onset and chronologic sequence of events. This lack of data makes it difficult to plan studies of regression mechanisms especially when requiring the harvesting of tumor tissue. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN By routine histologic methods, 94 tumors from 46 piglets were evaluated for the degree of regression, presence of pigment-laden macrophages, and presence of lymphocytes. One or more punch biopsies were performed on 51 tumors before excision, for a total of 256 biopsies. RESULTS Regression took place in two phases. The first phase began during the 4th week after birth; was preceded by a rapid, massive infiltration of pigment-laden macrophages; and was most active during the 2nd month. Significant numbers of lymphocytes were rarely seen in tumors during this phase of regression. In the vast majority of tumors, this initial regression activity was followed by regrowth of residual tumor usually appearing as emerging clones (intralesional transformation). The second phase of regression was characterized by asymmetrically distributed lymphocytic infiltration of the residual melanoma, and progressive regression of tumor over several months. Significant numbers of lymphocytes were not present in the majority of the tumors until the beginning of the 4th month. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that regression of melanoma in this animal model is a complex event in which the immune system participates differentially during the natural history of the disease.
Adolescents' drinking and drunkenness more likely in one-parent families and due to poor communication with mother.

OBJECTIVES Alcohol use is a relatively common behaviour, particularly among adolescents, and has become a major public health concern. This study explores the associations between family composition, the quality of adolescents' communication with parents and adolescents' recent frequent alcohol drinking and lifetime drunkenness. METHODS Data were obtained from the Slovak part of the 2005-2006 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. The sample consisted of 3,882 students (46.3% males; mean age 13.3; ± 1.6). Data on drinking alcohol in the past week, lifetime drunkenness, communication and family composition were collected via anonymous questionnaires stratified for ages 11, 13 and 15 years and following the methodology of the HBSC study. RESULTS The results showed that living in an incomplete family increased the risk of frequent drinking and drunkenness among adolescents as well as a low quality of communication between mothers and their children. Risks were higher for drunkenness than for frequent alcohol use and strongly increased by age, with the communication with parents worsening at increasing age. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show the importance of the quality of communication between parents and adolescents in preventing the hazardous alcohol use among adolescents. Preventive interventions to reduce adolescents' use of alcohol should therefore also target the quality of communication in the family.