Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel mutation Gly603Arg of TMPRSS6 in a Korean female with iron‐refractory iron deficiency anemia

Iron‐refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA) is a rare hereditary form of IDA with autosomal recessive inheritance. IRIDA is characterized by hypochromic microcytic anemia unresponsive to oral iron treatment, low transferrin saturation, and a high level of iron‐regulated hormone hepcidin. The genetic background of IRIDA is mutations in the TMPRSS6 gene encoding matriptase‐2 (TMPRSS6) that prevent inactivation of hemojuvelin, an activator of hepcidin transcription. We herein report a Korean female with IRIDA who was compound heterozygous for two mutations in TMPRSS6: a novel missense mutation c.1807G>C (p.Gly603Arg) in the serine protease domain and a known splicing mutation c.863+1G>T (IVS6+1G>T). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 640–642. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comprehensive framework for performance analysis of dual-hop cooperative wireless systems with fixed-gain relays over generalized fading channels

In the present contribution, we propose a comprehensive framework for the analysis of cooperative dual-hop wireless systems over generalized fading channels, which use an amplify and forward (AF) relaying mechanism with blind and semi-blind relays. In particular, the proposed framework provides either exact results or very accurate bounds for computing the moment generating function (MGF) of the end-to-end signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for various fading channel models typically encountered in real propagation environments. Furthermore, with the help of the MGF-based approach for performance analysis of wireless systems over fading channels, we will show that important performance indexes can be easily derived from the MGF. With respect to previous published articles on the matter, the main contribution of the paper is twofold: i) by relying on the properties of the Meijer-G function, either exact expressions or accurate bounds for the MGF of the end-to-end SNR are provided, and ii) the analysis encompasses the vast majority of fading channel models. Numerical and simulation results will be compared to substantiate the analytical derivation.
The multi-country transmission of sovereign and banking risk: a spatial vector autoregressive approach

ABSTRACT This paper develops a spatial vector autoregressive (SpVAR) model to investigate the transmission of sovereign, banking and corporate default risks among 11 Eurozone countries for the period January 2008–December 2013. The results show that a significant proportion of default risk variation is explained by foreign shocks. However, the cross-border sovereign–bank nexus is statistically significant, but economically moderate. Among the three sectors, shocks to the banking sector play the most critical role. On average, for the 11 countries, a foreign banking shock can explain 7%, 23% and 18% of the forecast error variance of changes in sovereign, banking and corporate credit default swap spreads respectively.
Variation among trauma centers' calculation of Glasgow Coma Scale score: results of a national survey.

BACKGROUND Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scoring is enigmatic in intubated patients. To determine if there is consensus among Level I trauma centers, a national telephone survey was conducted. METHODS Trauma registrars at state-verified or American College of Surgeons-verified Level I trauma centers were questioned about GCS scoring, recording, and reporting in patients who are intubated or intubated and pharmacologically paralyzed. RESULTS Seventy-three centers were contacted. Seventy-one use initial GCS scores for registry recording. Intubated patients are given 1 point for verbal component plus eye and motor scores at 26% of centers and a total GCS score of 3 at 23%; GCS score is estimated with "T" given for verbal component at 16%, scored as unknown at 10%, always scored as 15 at 10%, and the method of scoring is unknown at 15%. Pharmacologically paralyzed intubated patients are given a total GCS score of 3 at 34%, GCS score is estimated with "T" given for verbal component at 18%, patients are given 1 point for verbal component plus eye and motor scores at 12%, scored as unknown at 11%, always scored as 15 at 8%, and the method of scoring is unknown at 16%. CONCLUSION Wide variation in GCS scoring among Level I trauma centers was identified. Because GCS scores are used in treatment algorithms, trauma scoring, and outcome prediction (Trauma and Injury Severity Score), uniform scoring is essential and should be pursued. Use of state and national databases and outcome research may be adversely affected by the lack of consistent GCS scoring.
Stable Integration Vector for Nutrient Broth-Based Selection of Attenuated Listeria monocytogenes Strains with Recombinant Antigen Expression

ABSTRACT Recombinant Listeria monocytogenes strains induce strong cellular immune responses and may prove useful for antigen delivery for the vaccination of humans. However, the genetic systems currently available for the stable expression of recombinant antigens by L. monocytogenes rely on the use of antibiotic resistance genes. We report on a derivative, pPL2dalGlnA, of the Listeria monocytogenes pPL2 integration vector that completely lacks drug resistance genes. The selectable markers in pPL2dalGlnA are glutamine synthetase (GlnA) and alanine racemase (Dal). This novel vector was stably maintained in auxotropic L. monocytogenes strains that normally require d-alanine. The pPL2dalGlnA vector also partially restored the ability of an L. monocytogenes Δdal Δdat strain to colonize the spleens and livers of infected mice. A novel, highly attenuated strain of L. monocytogenes with quadruple deletions was also engineered by deleting the L. monocytogenes actA and plcB virulence genes from a Δdal Δdat strain. Infection of mice with recombinants of this mutant strain that express the antigen from pPL2dalGlnA were shown to elicit CD8+ T-cell responses to human immunodeficiency virus Tat. This vector system is thus useful for stable antigen expression and vaccination studies.
Childhood abuse, depression, and chronic pain.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationships among history of childhood abuse, type of pain, and depression. DESIGN Survey, consecutive sample, correlational. SETTING An interdisciplinary pain-management center in a rehabilitation hospital. PATIENTS The participants were 201 consecutive patients with chronic pain complaints, 68% women, mean age 38 years, of whom 28% complained of pain in more than three major sites, 26% had low back pain, 19% had craniofacial pain, and 25% had pain in other regions. OUTCOME MEASURES Beck Depression Inventory, Childhood History recorded presence or absence of abuse, age of onset, age when abuse was acknowledged, duration and frequency of abuse, relationship of abuser to the participant. Pain type was classified by IASP. RESULTS Patients with history of both sexual and physical abuse in childhood had more depression. The differences among abuse groups was significant (p < 0.03). The impact of childhood abuse and type of pain on depression was tested by a two-factor analysis of variance. The influence of childhood abuse was significant (p < 0.04), whereas the influence of type of pain (p < 0.76) and the interaction between type of pain and childhood abuse (p < 0.40) were not significant. CONCLUSIONS There is a positive, significant relationship between depression and history of childhood sexual and physical abuse. The influence of type of pain on depression was not significant. Prevailing research explained depression as an expected, natural consequence of chronic pain. Our research suggests that the relationship between chronic pain and depression may be attributable in part to childhood abuse history.
National Income Inequality and International Business Expansion

We examine the extent to which host country income inequality influences multinational enterprises’ (MNE) expansion strategy for foreign production investment, depending on their specific strategic objectives. Applying a transaction cost framework, we predict that national income inequality has an inverted U-shaped relationship with foreign production investment. As inequality increases, MNEs accrue lower transaction costs arising from interactions with various local actors, leading to higher probability of investment. As income inequality increases further, its effect on location attractiveness will become negative, as its attraction effect is increasingly offset by additional monitoring, bargaining, and security costs owing to the more fractious nature of high inequality societies. In addition, we suggest that the impact of income inequality is contingent on investment objectives: The inverted U-shaped relationship is stronger for efficiency-seeking investment but weaker for market-seeking and competence-enhancing investments. We find substantial support for our hypotheses through an analysis of 27 years (1986-2012) of data on Japanese MNEs’ overseas production entries.
Hormonal contraceptive use modulates the local inflammatory response to bacterial vaginosis

Objectives: To compare cervical concentrations of numerous cytokines/chemokines in women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) compared with the levels detected after BV resolution and determine if hormonal contraceptive use modulates the local inflammatory response to BV. Methods: Cervical secretions from 81 women with BV at enrollment and normal flora at one-month follow-up were analysed for 10 different cytokines/chemokines using multiplexed fluorescent bead-based immunoassays. Results: BV was associated with significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interferon-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 compared with the levels detected in the presence of normal vaginal flora. Analysis of results stratified by contraceptive practice demonstrated significantly lower levels of numerous cytokines among women with BV using hormonal contraceptives compared with those women with BV not using hormonal contraceptives. Hormonal contraceptive use was also associated with a statistically significant lesser change in TNF levels between the two study visits compared with the amount of change detected between visits among women who denied their use. Conclusions: Despite increases in the levels of both pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the lower genital tract of women with BV, the overall balance of these two types of molecules was maintained. The character of this local inflammatory response may help explain the typical absence of overt signs of inflammation among women with BV. In addition, hormonal contraceptive use was associated with significantly lower levels of the pro-inflammatory molecules TNF, interferon-γ, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor in women with BV, but did not significantly reduce the levels of IL-10, a key anti-inflammatory cytokine. These results suggest the possibility of an association between hormonal contraceptive use and altered genital tract immunity.
Transcriptional Profiling of the Arabidopsis Iron Deficiency Response Reveals Conserved Transition Metal Homeostasis Networks1[C][W]

Iron (Fe) deficiency is counteracted by a suite of responses to ensure maintenance of vital processes for which Fe is essential. Here, we report on transcriptional changes upon Fe deficiency, investigated in two Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions, Columbia (Col-0) and C24. Functional modules of the Arabidopsis Fe deficiency syndrome were inferred from clustering of Fe-responsive genes according to their coexpression. It was found that the redistribution of transition metals is an integral part of the reduction-based response to Fe starvation. The differential expression of metal transporters under the control of the FER-LIKE IRON DEFICIENCY-INDUCED TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR appeared to reflect an anticipated reaction rather than a response to the actual change in metal distribution. In contrast, the regulation of the zinc transporters ZRT/IRT-LIKE PROTEIN2 (ZIP2), ZIP3, ZIP4, and ZIP9 was dependent on the cellular zinc level, and their regulation by Fe was a secondary effect. Cellular Fe homeostasis was found to be closely coupled to Fe-related processes in the plastids. Using clustered genes as bait in gene-fishing experiments, we were able to attribute potentially important roles for gene candidates that have no previously described function in the Fe deficiency response. These results demonstrate a conceptually novel and integrative view into the regulation and interactions that allow Arabidopsis to adapt to suboptimal Fe availability.
Teacher Perceptions and Implementation of Positive Behavior Support in Urban Language Immersion Schools

Teachers at every level of schooling recognize the need for establishing a positive learning environment. Creating this type of classr oom is a worthwhile but elusive goal due to ineffective approaches to managing student b havior. This is a common challenge for teachers and schools of every kind and every le vel but may be magnified for schools with specialized missions, such as language immersi on schools. This dissertation examines teacher perceptions of a classroom management and behavior support system called Positive Behavior Su pport, or PBS, specifically within urban language immersion schools. Research question s explored include: 1) In what ways do teachers at urban, language immersion schools co mprehend, support and utilize the PBS system? and 2) How do teachers' understandings of PBS and adapted classroom management practices match (or not) the PBS goals o f the school? I surveyed lead teachers (n=28) at two language imm ersion elementary schools and completed a qualitative case-study examination of two teachers at one Spanish Immersion Elementary School (SIES); data included s emi-structured interviews, observations in classrooms and an examination of PB S documents and artifacts. Major findings from this study show that SIES teach ers are informed of, and involved with, the school’s particular version of P BS and they are confident about the actual and potential benefit PBS offers in their ow n classrooms and throughout the school. SIES teachers have (1) made a conscious ef fort to utilize the school’s implemented version of PBS, (2) prioritized the sch ool’s goals and definition of PBS, and simultaneously, (3) thought and acted in ways demon strating they had the flexibility to change the school’s approach to PBS to better fit t he r classrooms’ needs. Teachers feel PBS IN AN URBAN LANGUAGE IMMERSION SCHOOL 8 PBS has allowed them to develop better interaction with students, in particular, but also with parents and even other teachers. Finally, whi le teachers have identified a large number and type of PBS-related school improvements, they have also experienced difficulty when it comes to utilizing PBS in their unique immersion and urban contexts.
Detection of human fall in video using shadow information

This paper presents a novel algorithm for detecting human fall incidents in video clips. This algorithm can effectively differentiate between fall-down and fall-like incidents such as sitting and squatting. Normally, complex 3-D models are required to solve this issue. However, to reduce the high computational cost, we use the shadow information instead. Furthermore, this algorithm is able to efficiently work under bird's-eye view camera setting. The experimental results show that the proposed shadow-assistant approach can achieve a high detect rate and low false alarm rate from very short frame sequences, 1-10 frames, while satisfying real-time constraints.
Autoantibodies against the cell surface–associated chaperone GRP78 stimulate tumor growth via tissue factor

Tumor cells display on their surface several molecular chaperones that normally reside in the endoplasmic reticulum. Because this display is unique to cancer cells, these chaperones are attractive targets for drug development. Previous epitope-mapping of autoantibodies (AutoAbs) from prostate cancer patients identified the 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) as one such target. Although we previously showed that anti-GRP78 AutoAbs increase tissue factor (TF) procoagulant activity on the surface of tumor cells, the direct effect of TF activation on tumor growth was not examined. In this study, we explore the interplay between the AutoAbs against cell surface–associated GRP78, TF expression/activity, and prostate cancer progression. First, we show that tumor GRP78 expression correlates with disease stage and that anti-GRP78 AutoAb levels parallel prostate-specific antigen concentrations in patient-derived serum samples. Second, we demonstrate that these anti-GRP78 AutoAbs target cell-surface GRP78, activating the unfolded protein response and inducing tumor cell proliferation through a TF-dependent mechanism, a specific effect reversed by neutralization or immunodepletion of the AutoAb pool. Finally, these AutoAbs enhance tumor growth in mice bearing human prostate cancer xenografts, and heparin derivatives specifically abrogate this effect by blocking AutoAb binding to cell-surface GRP78 and decreasing TF expression/activity. Together, these results establish a molecular mechanism in which AutoAbs against cell-surface GRP78 drive TF-mediated tumor progression in an experimental model of prostate cancer. Heparin derivatives counteract this mechanism and, as such, represent potentially appealing compounds to be evaluated in well-designed translational clinical trials.
Energy-Efficiency and Accuracy of Stochastic Computing Circuits in Emerging Technologies

The continued scaling of feature sizes in integrated circuit technology leads to more uncertainty and unreliability in circuit behavior. Maintaining the paradigm of deterministic Boolean computing therefore becomes increasingly challenging. Stochastic computing (SC) processes digital data in the form of long pseudo-random bit-streams denoting probabilities and is therefore less vulnerable to uncertainty. When transient circuit variations are present, SC greatly outperforms classical binary implementations. Under these circumstances, it is impossible for binary systems to achieve arbitrarily low error rates, while SC can still trade-off precision for energy by using longer bit-streams. This makes the technique a valuable alternative to binary logic in emerging technologies with high inherent transient uncertainty. This paper assesses the feasibility of multi-stage SC and discusses energy and accuracy considerations in SC design. First, the basics of SC-circuit design are discussed. Second, we investigate three different sources of noise or uncertainty and assess their impact on SC accuracy. Third, we propose a methodological design strategy to evaluate the accuracy of general, multi-stage SC systems. The validity of this new approach is illustrated through the design of a 1D-DCT stochastic circuit, as part of a JPEG compression accelerator. Our analysis shows multi-stage stochastic computing requires very long word lengths to achieve high accuracy, resulting in low energy efficiency. Exploiting stochastic computing's transient error tolerance in emerging technologies will thus have a high energy cost.
The Effect of Ethical Leadership on Employee Social Innovation Tendency in Social Enterprises: Mediating Role of Perceived Social Capital

Although social innovation has gained prominence in policy, academic, and practitioner debates, there remains a lack of understanding of how leader aspects such as behavior and ethics contribute to fostering social innovation among employees in the social enterprise, owing primarily to a dearth of empirical research on this subject. The goal of this study is to empirically examine the effect of ethical leadership on the social innovation tendency among employees in social enterprises; also, employees' perceived social capital is hypothesized as a mediator through which the ethical leader is likely to influence their social innovation tendency. Using data collected from 189 employees associated with a variety of social enterprises, the results of structural equation modeling indicate that ethical leadership has both a direct and indirect effect on the social innovation tendency among employees, where the indirect effect of ethical leadership involves influencing the employees' perceived social capital, which subsequently influences their tendency for social innovation. Accordingly, the study offers key implications for social enterprise leaders aspiring to boost innovation in their endeavors aimed at achieving the enterprise's objective of creating positive social impact.
Collocated Electric and Magnetic Dipoles With Extremely Low Correlation as a Reference Antenna for Polarization Diversity MIMO Applications

In this letter, a magnetic dipole (M-dipole) and an electric dipole (E-dipole) are designed to form a collocated polarization-diversity-based dual-antenna system. The M-dipole is a modified shielded loop with multiple feed, and the E-dipole is a traditional λ/2 dipole. Measured results show that both radiators have ideal impedance matching and port isolation and identical omnidirectional pattern with perfect orthogonal polarization at 860 MHz. The upper bound of the envelope correlation coefficient ρemax, with the measured antenna efficiency taken into account, is only 0.018, and it is the lowest value when compared to some previous publications. Excellent effective diversity gain and channel capacity are also achieved at the operating frequency. The proposed dual-antenna system can mainly be used as a reference antenna for evaluating the performance of future collocated polarization-diversity-based multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas.
Quantifying the Effect of Antiplatelet Therapy: A Comparison of the Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA-100®) and Modified Thromboelastography (mTEG®) with Light Transmission Platelet Aggregometry

Background: Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is known to confer protection against ischemic events. Increasing numbers of patients are presenting for surgery while taking these drugs. This may lead to an increase in perioperative blood loss, particularly in those who have a heightened response to the drugs. Identifying these patients preoperatively would allow us to plan appropriate management. Methods: The antiplatelet effect of aspirin and/or clopidogrel was measured using two point-of-care monitors: the platelet function analyzer (PFA-100®; Dade, Miami, FL) and the modified thromboelastograph (mTEG®; Haemoscope Corp., Niles, IL). This was compared with optical light transmission aggregometry. Results: All people taking aspirin displayed a definitive aspirin effect on aggregometry (n = 20). Ninety percent of these were identified by modified thromboelastography (n = 18). Seventy percent were identified by the platelet function analyzer (n = 14). Fifty percent of people taking clopidogrel displayed a definitive response to the drug on aggregometry. Seventy percent of these were identified on modified thromboelastography (n = 7). None were identified by the platelet function analyzer. There was good agreement between the results of the aggregometry and modified thromboelastography in clopidogrel patients (&kgr; = 0.81). Conclusion: The search for a point-of-care monitor of platelet function has been the focus of much research. This study has shown that the modified thromboelastograph can be used for monitoring the effect of clopidogrel as well as aspirin. It potentially has a wide scope to be used for the monitoring of effectiveness of therapy as well as a possible predictor of perioperative bleeding.