Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Introduction to Latent Growth Model

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Latent Growth Model (LGM) to researchers in exercise and sport science. Although the LGM has several merits over traditional analysis techniques in analyzing change and was first introduced almost 20 years ago, it is still underused in exercise and sport science research. This statistical model can be applied to any repeated measures data, but it is most useful when one has an a priori hypothesis about the patterns of change. The strengths of latent growth modeling include: (a) both individual and group levels of change are estimated, (b) either a linear or a curvilinear trajectory can represent individual change, (c) occasions of measurement need not be equally spaced, (d) the statistical model can account for measurement errors, (e) the model can easily include multiple predictors or correlates of change, and (f) as in general structural equation models, statistical models are flexible and allow one to extend the basic idea in several ways, such as comparing changes between groups and examining the change in multivariate latent factors. In this paper, the basics and an extension of latent growth modeling are explained, and examples with longitudinal physical performance data are presented, along with detailed analysis procedures and considerations.
Rotavirus Genome Segment 7 (NSP3) Is a Determinant of Extraintestinal Spread in the Neonatal Mouse

ABSTRACT We used the neonatal mouse model of rotavirus infection to study extraintestinal spread following oral inoculation. Five-day-old pups were inoculated with either SA11-Cl3, SA11-Cl4, SA11-4F, RRV, or B223. By using virus detection in the liver as a proxy determination for extraintestinal spread, rotavirus strains capable of extraintestinal spread at high frequency (rhesus rotavirus [RRV]) and very low frequency (SA11-Cl4) were identified. Both strains productively infected the gastrointestinal tract. Oral inoculation of mice with RRV/ SA11-Cl4 reassortants and determination of virus titers in the gut and liver revealed that the extraintestinal spread phenotype segregated with RRV genome segment 7 to a high level of significance (P = 10−3). RRV segment 7 also segregated with the growth of virus in the gut (P = 10−5). Although infection of the gut was clearly required for tropism to the liver, there was no correlation between virus titers in the gut and detection of virus in the liver. Five days after intraperitoneal administration to bypass the gut barrier to virus spread, RRV and SA11-Cl4 both were recovered in the liver. However, only RRV was found in the liver following subcutaneous inoculation, suggesting that this peripheral site presented a similar barrier to virus spread as the gut. Sequence analysis of segment 7 from parental RRV and SA11-Cl4 and selected reassortants showed that (i) amino acid differences were distributed throughout the coding sequences and not concentrated in any particular functional motif and (ii) parental sequence was preserved in reassortants. These data support the hypothesis that NSP3, coded for by genome segment 7, plays a significant role in viral growth in the gut and spread to peripheral sites. The mechanism of NSP3-mediated tropism is under investigation.
Disruption of transient receptor potential canonical channel 1 causes incomplete cytokinesis and slows the growth of human malignant gliomas

Despite decades of research, primary brain tumors, gliomas, lack effective treatment options and present a huge clinical challenge. Particularly, the most malignant subtype, Glioblastoma multiforme, proliferates extensively and cells often undergo incomplete cell divisions, resulting in multinucleated cells. We now present evidence that multinucleated glioma cells result from the functional loss of transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) channels, plasma membrane proteins involved in agonist‐induced calcium entry and reloading of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Pharmacological inhibition or shRNA mediated suppression of TRPC1 causes loss of functional channels and store‐operated calcium entry in D54MG glioma cells. This is associated with reduced cell proliferation and, frequently, with incomplete cell division. The resulting multinucleated cells are reminiscent of those found in patient biopsies. In a flank tumor model, tumor size was significantly decreased when TRPC1 expression was disrupted using a doxycycline inducible shRNA knockdown approach. These results suggest that TRPC1 channels play an important role in glioma cell division most likely by regulating calcium signaling during cytokinesis. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
No news is not good news: Information preferences of patients with cancer

Many patients express dissatisfaction with clinicians' information‐giving. When the information is complex or potentially upsetting, clinicians may deliberately withhold information, especially if they lack the skills to handle patients' emotional reactions. Others underestimate the amount of information patients require. In this study, a heterogeneous sample of 101 patients participating in a trial assessing the benefits of receiving audio‐taped recordings of their ‘bad news’ consultations, completed a questionnaire similar to Cassileth's Information Styles Questionnaire. This questionnaire assessed patients' preferences for both general and specific information about their disease and its treatment. Of the sample, 94% expressed a desire for as much information as possible from their oncologist, be it good or bad; 4% wished for information only if it was good news and 2% declined extra information, preferring to leave things up to the doctor. Patients wanting less specific or no extra information were older and had poorer prognoses than those wanting full disclosure. Although precise information needs varied between patients, this study showed that patients with cancer in general wish to be well‐informed about diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic options and side‐effects.
Trade-offs in visual attention and the enhancement of memory specificity for positive and negative emotional stimuli

Emotional influences on memory can lead to trade-offs in memory for gist or detail and trade-offs in memory for central or peripheral aspects of an event. Attentional narrowing has often been proposed as a theoretical explanation for this pattern of findings with negative emotion. These trade-offs have been less extensively investigated with positive emotion. In three experiments, we investigate memory for specific visual details of positive and negative stimuli, examine central–peripheral trade-offs in memory, and assess the hypothesis that attentional narrowing contributes to emotional enhancement of memory specificity. We found that memory for details was enhanced by negative and positive emotion. Central–peripheral trade-offs were found in memory for negative emotional stimuli but not in memory for positive emotional stimuli. These trade-offs with negative emotion were associated with attentional narrowing at the time of encoding, as measured by eye movements. There were no attentional effects at the time of encoding found with positive emotional stimuli. Evidence was found for the attentional narrowing hypothesis of memory specificity and central–peripheral trade-offs in memory for negative emotional events. Alternative explanations for the positive emotional enhancement of memory specificity are required.
Inhibition of Insulin-induced GLUT4 Translocation by Munc18c through Interaction with Syntaxin4 in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes*

Insulin induces the translocation of vesicles containing the glucose transporter GLUT4 from an intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane in adipocytes. SNARE proteins have been implicated in the docking and fusion of these vesicles with the cell membrane. The role of Munc18c, previously identified as an n-Sec1/Munc18 homolog in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, in insulin-regulated GLUT4 trafficking has now been investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In these cells, Munc18c was predominantly associated with syntaxin4, although it bound both syntaxin2 and syntaxin4 to similar extents in vitro. In addition, SNAP-23, an adipocyte homolog of SNAP-25, associated with both syntaxins 2 and 4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Overexpression of Munc18c in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer resulted in inhibition of insulin-stimulated glucose transport in a virus dose-dependent manner (maximal effect, ∼50%) as well as in inhibition of sorbitol-induced glucose transport (by ∼35%), which is mediated by a pathway different from that used by insulin. In contrast, Munc18b, which is also expressed in adipocytes but which did not bind to syntaxin4, had no effect on glucose transport. Furthermore, overexpression of Munc18c resulted in inhibition of insulin-induced translocation of GLUT4, but not of that of GLUT1, to the plasma membrane. These results suggest that Munc18c is involved in the insulin-dependent trafficking of GLUT4 from the intracellular storage compartment to the plasma membrane in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by modulating the formation of a SNARE complex that includes syntaxin4.
Protein Kinase C-mediated Phosphorylation of the Calcium-sensing Receptor Is Stimulated by Receptor Activation and Attenuated by Calyculin-sensitive Phosphatase Activity*

The agonist sensitivity of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) can be altered by protein kinase C (PKC), with CaR residue Thr888 contributing significantly to this effect. To determine whether CaRT888 is a substrate for PKC and whether receptor activation modulates such phosphorylation, a phospho-specific antibody against this residue was raised (CaRpT888). In HEK-293 cells stably expressing CaR (CaR-HEK), but not in cells expressing the mutant receptor CaRT888A, phorbol ester (PMA) treatment increased CaRpT888 immunoreactivity as observed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. Raising extracellular Ca2+ concentration from 0.5 to 2.5 mm increased CaRT888 phosphorylation, an effect that was potentiated stereoselectively by the calcimimetic NPS R-467. These responses were mimicked by 5 mm extracellular Ca2+ and abolished by the calcilytic NPS-89636 and also by PKC inhibition or chronic PMA pretreatment. Whereas CaRT888A did exhibit increased apparent agonist sensitivity, by converting intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i) oscillations to sustained plateau responses in some cells, we still observed Ca2+i oscillations in a significant number of cells. This suggests that CaRT888 contributes significantly to CaR regulation but is not the exclusive determinant of CaR-induced Ca2+i oscillations. Finally, dephosphorylation of CaRT888 was blocked by the protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibitor calyculin, a treatment that also inhibited Ca2+i oscillations. In addition, calyculin/PMA cotreatment increased CaRT888 phosphorylation in bovine parathyroid cells. Therefore, CaRT888 is a substrate for receptor-induced, PKC-mediated feedback phosphorylation and can be dephosphorylated by a calyculin-sensitive phosphatase.
Impact of Targeted Redevelopment of Central Business District on Housing Prices in the Surrounding Neighborhoods: Evidence from Oakland, California

AbstractUsing a longitudinal data set that inventories single-family home sale transactions within 3.2 km (2 mi) of the Central District redevelopment area of Oakland, CA, this paper finds that the targeted efforts to redevelop the Central District have partially mitigated the District’s negative impact on surrounding neighborhoods. The paper examined the Central District from 1992 to 2006, a period during which the District changed in character from a business district to a mixed-use vibrant area. During the period 1992 through 2000, proximity to the Central District negatively impacted housing prices up to 1.6 km (1 mi) from the District boundary. However, the magnitude of the impact reduced in the 2001–2006 period and dissipated after 0.8 km (0.5 mi) from the District boundary, indicating that the redevelopment efforts had a positive spill-over effect on surrounding property values.
Severe Vitamin D Deficiency at Admission and Shock Reversal

We thank Angurana and Guglani et al for evincing key interest in our study on vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and septic shock. They have raised 3 issues: Effect of season on VDD: We do agree that prevalence of VDD might vary in different seasons due to the effect of sun exposure. But this possibility doesn’t affect the key results and conclusions of our study that severe VDD at admission was associated with lower rates of shock reversal—the association between VDD and shock is unlikely to change with seasons or sun exposure. Even for the prevalence of VDD, the effect of sun exposure seems to be quite modest—for example, the prevalence of VDD in tropical countries with high sun exposure is not very different from that in the temperate regions of the world. Therefore, exposure to sunlight is only one of the many factors, and not the only factor, affecting the prevalence of VDD. Sample size: Angurana and Guglani have commented on the “inadequate” sample size of our study to demonstrate the association between VDD and shock reversal. The issue of inadequate sample size and low power arises only when the results are “negative,” that is, if our study had failed to demonstrate any association between VDD and shock. But we showed that severe VDD was associated with lower rates of shock reversal, even after adjusting for confounders in a multivariable model. Low power of the study is therefore not an issue; the more pertinent issue in such scenario is the precision of the results (width of 95% confidence interval [CI]). Admittedly, the 95% CI of adjusted odds ratio (OR) is “statistically” wide— varying from 2.01 to 87.0—but the lower bound of the 95% CI (OR: 2.01) is still clinically relevant. The thumb rule of 10 events for each predictor variable is not appropriate in our study—we didn’t intend to identify 6 to 7 independent risk factors for shock reversal by performing a logistic regression model. We intended to show the strength of association between VDD and shock reversal after adjusting for potential confounders. The strength of association between these confounders and shock reversal and the statistical significance of that association were irrelevant to our study objectives. Effect of underlying chronic diseases: Concerns have been raised on the effect of underlying diseases on the prevalence of VDD. It is possible that the prevalence might be affected by chronic diseases, but the possibility seems remote for most of these conditions. Moreover, including only those with acute illnesses and excluding those with chronic diseases would severely affect the generalizability of the study. We did exclude those conditions like chronic kidney disease that are shown to influence vitamin D levels. Diagnosis in Table 3 means pneumonia (with or without other concomitant infections) versus others. For the purpose of multivariable analysis, we compared children with pneumonia with others.
Prevalence of Enuresis among Secondary School Adolescents in Enugu, Nigeria

Enuresis is an important problem among secondary school adolescents. It results in psychosocial disturbances. Knowledge ofits prevalence, types and associated factors willguide proper management.The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, types and associated factors of enuresis among secondary school adolescents in Enugu. This cross sectional study was carried out in six secondary schools in Enugu town. Self-administered pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square tests. 626 adolescents consisting 302 males and 324 females were studied. Overall prevalence of nocturnal enuresis was 15.82%. Of this, 3.7% also had diurnal enuresis. 33.3% had primary enuresis, while 66.7% had secondary enuresis. Gender had no significanteffect on this prevalence. The age range10-13 years had the highest prevalence of 17.6%. Emotional disturbance and family history of enuresis were significant predictors of enuresis.
Prevalence of "organic brain syndrome" in a Southern European population in two different time periods: The ZARADEMP Project

Background: Comparative studies of dementia in different time periods are quite limited in the international literature, but might be useful to test environmental hypotheses. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of organic brain syndrome, as a measure of dementia, in the elderly living in the same community in two different time periods and using the same methods. Methods: Representative samples of the elderly in the Zaragoza Study or ZARADEMP 0 (n= 1,080), completed the past decade, and now in Wave I of the ZARADEMP Project or ZARADEMP I (n= 4,803) were interviewed. The Geriatric Mental State (GMS) was the main case-finding instrument and the results were analysed using the AGECAT diagnostic package to generate diagnoses. Results: Adjusted, total prevalence of organic brain syndrome in individuals aged 65 years and older has not varied from the previous decade. It was 8.4% in ZARADEMP I, and 7.4% in ZARADEMP 0 (prevalence ratio, PR = 0.83; CI 0.65-1.07). Adjusted prevalence among men was lower in ZARADEMP 1(3.6%) when compared to ZARADEMP 0 (5.5%), although the differences do not reach statistically significance (PR= 0.65; CI 0.41-1.05). However, in support of the working hypothesis, the differences were more marked, and we consider they reach statistically significant proportions in the age group 80-84 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of organic brain syndrome has not increased from the previous decade. On the contrary, the prevalence tends to be lower in men, and the differences reach stastistical significance in the age group 80-84 years. New analysis using diagnostic criteria of dementia in the same sample are required to confirm these findings.
Exercise Interventions in Children and Adolescents With ADHD: A Systematic Review

Objective: Exercise has attracted attention as a potential helpful intervention in children with ADHD. Effects are emphasized on cognition, social-emotional, and motor development. Method: A systematic literature search was conducted using the electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and ERIC to analyze the efficacy of different types of exercise interventions in children and adolescents with ADHD. Seven studies examining the acute and 14 studies examining the long-term effects were included. Results: The largest effects were reported for mixed exercise programs on ADHD symptomatology and fine motor precision. However, because of the large differences in the study designs, the comparability is limited. Conclusion: At this time, no evidence-based recommendation can be formulated regarding frequency, intensity, or duration of exercise. Nevertheless, some first trends regarding the effects of certain types of exercise can be identified. When focusing on long-term health benefits in children and adolescents with ADHD, qualitative exercise characteristics might play an important role.
Heterophil Function and Resistance to Staphylococcal Challenge in Broiler Chickens Naturally Infected with Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup J

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J has a high tropism for myeloid lineage cells and frequently induces neoplastic transformation of myelocytes. The impact of congenital avian leukosis virus subgroup J infection on the function of circulating heterophils and susceptibility to staphylococcal infection was investigated. Six-week-old broiler chickens negative for exogenous avian leukosis viruses or congenitally infected with avian leukosis virus subgroup J were inoculated intravenously with 106 colony-forming units of Staphylococcus aureus, and pre- and postinoculation heterophil function was assessed. All chickens developed a leukocytosis with heterophilia after inoculation, but total leukocyte and heterophil counts were significantly higher in leukosis-negative chickens than in virus-infected chickens. Tenosynovitis was more severe in leukosisnegative chickens, and 2/10 (20%) of the virus-infected chickens had no histologic evidence of tenosynovitis. Osteomyelitis in the tibiotarsus or tarsometatarsus developed in 5/10 (50%) of the chickens in each group. S. aureus was recovered from the hock joint of 6/10 (60%) of the chickens in each group. Heterophils from all chickens exhibited similar phagocytic ability pre- and postinoculation. Heterophils from virus-infected chickens exhibited less bactericidal ability preinoculation than did heterophils from leukosis-negative chickens. However, postinoculation bactericidal ability was similar in both groups. Avian leukosis virus subgroup J provirus was present in heterophils isolated from congenitally infected chickens. Heterophils isolated from broiler chickens congenitally infected with avian leukosis virus subgroup J exhibit no significant functional deficits, and infected and uninfected chickens exhibit similar susceptibility to staphylococcal infection.
In vivo 1H‐[13C]‐NMR spectroscopy of cerebral metabolism

13C NMR spectroscopy in combination with the infusion of 13C‐labeled precursors is currently the only technique that is capable of quantitatively studying energy metabolism, neurotransmission and other metabolic pathways non‐invasively in vivo. 1H‐[13C]‐NMR spectroscopy is a high‐sensitivity alternative to direct 13C NMR spectroscopy. The development of improved NMR methods for water suppression, spatial localization, broadband decoupling, shimming and signal quantification, together with the availability of high magnetic field strengths, has made 1H‐[13C]‐NMR spectroscopy the method of choice for the detection of metabolism at a high spatial and/or temporal resolution. 1H‐[13C]‐NMR spectroscopy can now be used to discriminate glutamatergic (excitatory) and GABAergic (inhibitory) neuronal activity. The improved sensitivity allows the detection of metabolism in different tissues (e.g. gray and white matter) and potentially even in smaller structures, like cortical layers. Finally, 1H‐[13C]‐NMR spectroscopy allows the detection of energy metabolism and neurotransmission during functional activation, thereby further strengthening our understanding of the neurochemical basis of brain function. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phylogenetic ANCOVA: Estimating Changes in Evolutionary Rates as Well as Relationships between Traits

We present a new phylogenetic comparative method—phylogenetic analysis of covariance (PANCOVA)—that uses interspecific data and a phylogeny to estimate the effects of major events on both the rate of phenotypic evolution and the association between traits. It could be used, for example, to model the impact of a key innovation, colonization of a new habitat, or environmental change. The approach is optimized with maximum likelihood and is formulated under the familiar phylogenetic generalized least squares framework, which is flexible and easily extended to incorporate other factors and parameters. As an example, we explore the relationship between parental investment and relative telencephalon size in birds and contrast the results of PANCOVA with those from other phylogenetic comparative methods.
The Role of Organizational Leadership and IT Leadership in Achieving IS Success

The role of Leadership to improve IT management has been extensively discussed at both corporate and academic level. However, a model that relates both Organizational and Information Technology (IT) Leadership with the achievement of Information Systems (IS) success is not readily available. This paper discusses the preliminary findings of a study that assesses the effect of leadership on IS success. Leadership is measured at the organizational level as a component of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and at the IT level as a part of IT-Business alignment structure. Instruments to measure Leadership and IS success are devised and an empirical study within a municipal government is conducted. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is used to evaluate the proposed “IS Leadership Success” model. The preliminary results of the study empirically validated the instruments and provided support for the relationship between leadership and IS success.