Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elastic properties of the ascending aorta in patients with α1-antitrypsin deficiency (Z homozygotes)

Objective and design α1-Antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic disorder that may be a pathogenic factor in vascular aneurysms and dissection. The aim of this study was to measure the diameters of the Valsalva sinuses (VS), sinotubular junction (STJ), ascending aorta (AA) and aortic arch (AAr) and elastic properties of the AA (distensibility, stiffness and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI strain)) in AATD subjects. Patients 33 AATD subjects (all Z-homozygous, 17 male, 16 female) were examined. Aortic elastic properties, namely, distensibility and stiffness index, were calculated from the echocardiographically-derived thoracic aortic diameters and TDI strain was measured on the wall of the AA 3 cm above the aortic valve. The results were compared with those obtained in healthy controls matched for age, sex and body mass index. Results AATD subjects had larger aortic diameters (VS: 3.5±0.5 vs 3.2±0.5 cm, p<0.05; STJ 2.7±0.4 vs 2.4±0.4 cm, p<0.01; AA 3.3±0.5 vs 2.9±0.4 cm, p<0.01; AAr 2.3±0.3 vs 2.1±0.3 cm, p=0.05); greater aortic stiffness 14.9±11.9 versus 7.4±4.4 (pure numbers, p<0.005); and less aortic distensibility 2.4±1.8 versus 4.0±2.6 10−6×cm2×dyne−1, p<0.005. Peak systolic (S) and diastolic (E and A) waves of the aortic wall TDI were similar in patients and controls (S wave: 5.4±1.6 vs 5.9± 2.3 cm/s; E wave: −4.8±2.2 vs −4.5±2.2 cm/s; A wave: −6.1±2.2 vs −6.2±2.4 cm/s) while TDI strain of the aortic wall was lesser in patients than controls (−14.7±8.0% vs −28.3±7.1%, p<0.001). Conclusions AATD subjects have a larger AA with abnormal elastic properties as compared to controls. The increase in stiffness, decrease in distensibility and abnormal strain of the aortic wall may all reflect pathological changes in its elastic tissue.
Can we predict suicide and non-fatal self-harm with the Beck Hopelessness Scale? A meta-analysis

Background. Hopelessness is considered a pre-eminent risk factor for suicide and non-fatal self-harm. We aimed to quantify the ability of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) to predict these two outcomes. Method. Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and Cinahl were searched to January 2006. We included cohort studies in which the BHS was applied and patients were followed-up to establish subsequent suicide or non-fatal self-harm. Four studies provided usable data on suicide, and six studies provided data on non-fatal self-harm. Summary sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) were calculated for each study. Random effects meta-analytic pooling across studies at the standard cut-off point ([ges ]9) was undertaken and summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves constructed. Results. For suicide, pooled sensitivity was 0·80 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0·68–0·90], pooled specificity was 0·42 (95% CI 0·41–0·44), and the pooled DOR was 3·39 (95% CI 1·29–8·88). For non-fatal self-harm, pooled sensitivity was 0·78 (95% CI 0·74–0·82), pooled specificity was 0·42 (95% CI 0·38–0·45), and the pooled DOR was 2·27 (95% CI 1·53–3·37). Conclusion. The standard cut-off point on the BHS identifies a high-risk group for potential suicide, but the magnitude of the risk is lower than previously reported estimates. The standard cut-off point is also capable of identifying those who are at risk of future self-harm, but the low specificity rate means it is unlikely to be of use in targeting treatment designed to lower the rate of repetition.
Selective induction of mucin‐3 by hypoxia in intestinal epithelia

Epithelial cells line mucosal surfaces (e.g., lung, intestine) and critically function as a semipermeable barrier to the outside world. Mucosal organs are highly vascular with extensive metabolic demands, and for this reason, are particularly susceptible to diminished blood flow and resultant tissue hypoxia. Here, we pursue the hypothesis that intestinal barrier function is regulated in a protective manner by hypoxia responsive genes. We demonstrate by PCR confirmation of microarray data and by avidin blotting of immunoprecipitated human Mucin 3 (MUC3), that surface MUC3 expression is induced in T84 intestinal epithelial cells following exposure to hypoxia. MUC3 RNA is minimally detectable while surface protein expression is absent under baseline normoxic conditions. There is a robust induction in both the mRNA (first evident by 8 h) and protein expression, first observed and maximally expressed following 24 h hypoxia. This is followed by a subsequent decline in protein expression, which remains well above baseline at 48 h of hypoxia. Further, we demonstrate that this induction of MUC3 protein is associated with a transient increase in the barrier restorative peptide, intestinal trefoil factor (ITF). ITF not only colocalizes with MUC3, by confocal microscopy, to the apical surface of T84 cells following exposure to hypoxia, but is also found, by co‐immunoprecipitation, to be physically associated with MUC3, following 24 h of hypoxia. In exploration of the mechanism of hypoxic regulation of mucin 3 expression, we demonstrated by luciferase assay that the full‐length promoter for mouse Mucin 3 (Muc3) is hypoxia‐responsive with a 5.08 ± 1.76‐fold induction following 24 h of hypoxia. Furthermore, analysis of both the human (MUC3A) and mouse (Muc3) promoters revealed potential HIF‐1 binding sites which were shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation to bind the pivotal hypoxia‐regulating transcription factor HIF‐1α. Taken together, these studies implicate the HIF‐1α mediated hypoxic induced expression of mucin 3 and associated ITF in the maintenance of intestinal barrier function under hypoxic conditions. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 1616–1627, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Auto-clustering Output Layer: Automatic Learning of Latent Annotations in Neural Networks

In this paper, we discuss a different type of semi-supervised setting: a coarse level of labeling is available for all observations but the model has to learn a fine level of latent annotation for each one of them. Problems in this setting are likely to be encountered in many domains such as text categorization, protein function prediction, image classification as well as in exploratory scientific studies such as medical and genomics research. We consider this setting as simultaneously performed supervised classification (per the available coarse labels) and unsupervised clustering (within each one of the coarse labels) and propose a novel output layer modification called auto-clustering output layer (ACOL) that allows concurrent classification and clustering based on Graph-based Activity Regularization (GAR) technique. As the proposed output layer modification duplicates the softmax nodes at the output layer for each class, GAR allows for competitive learning between these duplicates on a traditional error-correction learning framework to ultimately enable a neural network to learn the latent annotations in this partially supervised setup. We demonstrate how the coarse label supervision impacts performance and helps propagate useful clustering information between sub-classes. Comparative tests on three of the most popular image datasets MNIST, SVHN and CIFAR-100 rigorously demonstrate the effectiveness and competitiveness of the proposed approach.
Simulation of DNA Damage after Proton Irradiation

Abstract Friedland, W. , Jacob, P., Bernhardt, P., Paretzke, H. G. and Dingfelder, M. Simulation of DNA Damage after Proton Irradiation. Radiat. Res. 159, 401–410 (2003). The biophysical radiation track simulation model PARTRAC was improved by implementing new interaction cross sections for protons in water. Computer-simulated tracks of energy deposition events from protons and their secondary electrons were superimposed on a higher-order DNA target model describing the spatial coordinates of the whole genome inside a human cell. Induction of DNA double-strand breaks was simulated for proton irradiation with LET values between 1.6 and 70 keV/μm and various reference radiation qualities. The yield of DSBs after proton irradiation was found to rise continuously with increasing LET up to about 20 DSBs per Gbp and Gy, corresponding to an RBE up to 2.2. About half of this increase resulted from a higher yield of DSB clusters associated with small fragments below 10 kbp. Exclusion of experimentally unresolved multiple DSBs reduced the maximum DSB yield by 30% and shifted it to an LET of about 40 keV/μm. Simulated fragment size distributions deviated significantly from random breakage distributions over the whole size range after irradiation with protons with an LET above 10 keV/μm. Determination of DSB yields using equations derived for random breakage resulted in an underestimation by up to 20%. The inclusion of background fragments had only a minor influence on the distribution of the DNA fragments induced by radiation. Despite limited numerical agreement, the simulations reproduced the trends in proton-induced DNA DSBs and fragment induction found in recent experiments.
Changing proxies for evaluating research performance: what matters to university programme heads?

ABSTRACT The tourism and hospitality research and publishing landscape have faced radical changes over the last decade. As a result, there have been calls for more holistic approaches for evaluating an academic’s research performance. Yet, updated research on the perceptions of what constitutes ‘good’ research performance remain under-studied. To address this gap, the objective of this study is to examine how current university programme heads in tourism and hospitality evaluate and define ‘good’ research performance. In doing so, this study offers insights to academics on how the goal posts are indeed shifting for performance evaluation, and provides information for programme heads to assess the relative salience of their own research targets.
The Longitudinal Effects of Resisted Sprint Training Using Weighted Sleds vs. Weighted Vests

Clark, KP, Stearne, DJ, Walts, CT, and Miller, AD. The longitudinal effects of resisted sprint training using weighted sleds vs. weighted vests. J Strength Cond Res 24(12): 3287-3295, 2010-The purpose of this study was to determine the longitudinal effects of weighted sled (WS) and weighted vest (WV) sprint training on maximum velocity sprint performance and kinematics. Twenty male collegiate lacrosse players were randomly assigned to a WS group (n = 7) towing 10% body mass, a WV group (n = 6) loaded with 18.5% body mass, or an unresisted (UR) active control group (n = 7). All subjects completed 13 training sessions over 7 weeks. Pre- and post-test measures of sprint time and average velocity across the distance interval of 18.3 to 54.9 m were used to assess sprint performance, whereas high-speed video (300 Hz) and motion-analysis software were used to analyze stride length, stride rate, ground contact time, and flight time. A 3 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance was performed for each dependent variable and revealed no significant between-group differences for any of the sprint performance or kinematic stride cycle measures. Effect size statistics suggested small improvements in 18.3- to 54.9-m sprint time and average velocity for the UR group but only trivial improvements for the WS and WV groups. With regard to sprint performance, the results indicate that WS and WV training had no beneficial effect compared with UR training. In fact, for the loads used by WS and WV in this study, UR training may actually be superior for improving sprint performance in the 18.3- to 54.9-m interval.
The Sentinel-1 Mission: New Opportunities for Ice Sheet Observations

The Sentinel satellite constellation series, developed by the European Space Agency, represents the dedicated space component of the European Copernicus program, committed to long-term operational services in a wide range of application domains. Here, we address the potential of the Sentinel-1 mission for mapping and monitoring the surface velocity of glaciers and ice sheets. We present an ice velocity map of Greenland, derived from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data acquired in winter 2015 by Sentinel-1A, the first satellite of the Copernicus program in orbit. The map is assembled from about 900 SAR scenes acquired in Interferometric Wide swath (IW) mode, applying the offset tracking technique. We discuss special features of IW mode data, describe the procedures for producing ice velocity maps, and assess the uncertainty of the ice motion product. We compare the Sentinel-1 ice motion product with velocity maps derived from high resolution SAR data of the TerraSAR-X mission and from PALSAR data. Beyond supporting operational services, the Sentinel-1 mission offers enhanced capabilities for comprehensive and long-term observation of key climate variables, such as the motion of ice masses.
Enhancement of biomass and lipid productivity by overexpression of a bZIP transcription factor in Nannochloropsis salina

Microalgae are considered as excellent platforms for biomaterial production that can replace conventional fossil fuel‐based fuels and chemicals. Genetic engineering of microalgae is prerequisite to maximize production of materials and to reduce costs for the production. Transcription factors (TFs) are emerging as key regulators of metabolic pathways to enhance production of molecules for biofuels and other materials. TFs with the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain have been known as stress regulators and are associated with lipid metabolism in plants. We overexpressed a bZIP TF, NsbZIP1, in Nannochloropsis salina, and found that transformants showed enhanced growth with concomitant increase in lipid contents. The improved phenotypes were also notable under stress conditions including N limitation and high salt. To understand the mechanism underlying improved phenotypes, we analyzed expression patterns of predicted target genes involved in lipid metabolism via quantitative RT‐PCR, confirming increases transcript levels. NsbZIP1 appeared to be one of type C bZIPs in plants that has been known to regulate lipid metabolism under stress. Taken together, we demonstrated that NsbZIP1 could improve both growth and lipid production, and TF engineering can serve as an excellent genetic engineering tool for production of biofuels and biomaterials in microalgae.
Conjugation of methotrexate to poly (L‐lysine) as a potential way to overcome drug resistance

Methotrexate (MTX) was conjugated through a carbodiimide‐catalyzed reaction to poly (L‐lysines) of various molecular sizes at a ratio of approximately one molecule per 27 lysyl residues. These conjugates were tested on cultured, Chinese hamster, ovary cells known to be drug resistant because of a deficient methotrexate transport. The cellular uptake of conjugated drug far exceeded the uptake of free drug in both drug sensitive and resistant lines. The conjugated drug inhibited the growth of the transport‐deficient cells at concentrations at which free drug had no effect. The conjugate failed to inhibit dihydrofolate reductase in vitro. This and other evidence indicate that the strong pharmacologic effect of the MTX‐poly(Lys) conjugate is due to the intracellular—presumably intralysosomal—hydrolysis of its polymeric backbone followed by the release inside the cell of an active form of MTX. This conclusion is supported by data obtained with conjugates using poly(D‐lysine) as a carrier. This optical isomer is not susceptible to common proteolytic enzymes and MTX‐poly(D‐Lys) has no growth inhibitory effect whatever on either transport proficient or deficient CHO‐cells. MTX‐poly(L‐lys) can thus be seen as a lysosome‐activated drug.
1 A crystal structures of B-DNA reveal sequence-specific binding and groove-specific bending of DNA by magnesium and calcium.

The 1 A resolution X-ray crystal structures of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) salts of the B-DNA decamers CCAACGTTGG and CCAGCGCTGG reveal sequence-specific binding of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) to the major and minor grooves of DNA, as well as non-specific binding to backbone phosphate oxygen atoms. Minor groove binding involves H-bond interactions between cross-strand DNA base atoms of adjacent base-pairs and the cations' water ligands. In the major groove the cations' water ligands can interact through H-bonds with O and N atoms from either one base or adjacent bases, and in addition the softer Ca(2+) can form polar covalent bonds bridging adjacent N7 and O6 atoms at GG bases. For reasons outlined earlier, localized monovalent cations are neither expected nor found.Ultra-high atomic resolution gives an unprecedented view of hydration in both grooves of DNA, permits an analysis of individual anisotropic displacement parameters, and reveals up to 22 divalent cations per DNA duplex. Each DNA helix is quite anisotropic, and alternate conformations, with motion in the direction of opening and closing the minor groove, are observed for the sugar-phosphate backbone. Taking into consideration the variability of experimental parameters and crystal packing environments among these four helices, and 24 other Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) bound B-DNA structures, we conclude that sequence-specific and strand-specific binding of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) to the major groove causes DNA bending by base-roll compression towards the major groove, while sequence-specific binding of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) in the minor groove has a negligible effect on helix curvature. The minor groove opens and closes to accommodate Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) without the necessity for significant bending of the overall helix. The program Shelxdna was written to facilitate refinement and analysis of X-ray crystal structures by Shelxl-97 and to plot and analyze one or more Curves and Freehelix output files.
Microneedle‐Based Transdermal Sensor for On‐Chip Potentiometric Determination of K+

The determination of electrolytes is invaluable for point of care diagnostic applications. An ion selective transdermal microneedle sensor is demonstrated for potassium by integrating a hollow microneedle with a microfluidic chip to extract fluid through a channel towards a downstream solid‐state ion‐selective‐electrode (ISE). 3D porous carbon and 3D porous graphene electrodes, made via interference lithography, are compared as solid‐state transducers for ISE's and evaluated for electrochemical performance, stability, and selectivity. The porous carbon K+ ISE's show better performance than the porous graphene K+ ISE's, capable of measuring potassium across normal physiological concentrations in the presence of interfering ions with greater stability. This new microfluidic/microneedle platform shows promise for medical applications.
Regulation of immunoglobulin E production in mice immunized with an extract of Toxoplasma gondii

Repeated infection with Toxoplasma gondii could not induce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody production. When mice were injected intraperitoneally twice over a 3-week interval with an extract of tachyzoites of T. gondii and Al(OH)3 as adjuvant, antitoxoplasma IgE antibody was produced. Antitoxoplasma IgE antibody titers were low and diminished after a short time in B10.S, BALB/c, C3H, and C57BL/6 mice. This tendency was more evident in IgE low-responder SJL mice. IgE-inducing activity of Toxoplasma antigen was weaker than those of keyhole limpet hemocyanin, ovalbumin, and an extract from Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. The antitoxoplasma IgE antibody production was enhanced by and persisted after whole-body irradiation (150 R) following secondary immunization. The enhanced antitoxoplasma IgE antibody production was suppressed by transferring spleen cells from Toxoplasma antigen-immunized mice. The suppressive effect of the spleen cells was Toxoplasma antigen specific and was removed by treatment with anti-Thy-1.2 and complement. These results indicate that the low IgE production induced by Toxoplasma antigen is the result of irradiation-sensitive and antigen-specific suppressor T cells. These findings might explain the lack of IgE antibody response in mice with Toxoplasma infection.
Research on the Impact of Job Resources and Organizational Justice on College Counselors' Working State

This research through survey on 102 college counselors at Hangzhou Xiasha Higher Education District shows that counselor's job autonomy has significantly positive correlation to their job involvement, job satisfaction, career commitment and other factors. On social support, supervisor support has a higher degree of correlation to counselor's job satisfaction and career commitment, while coworker support has a higher degree of correlation to counselor's job involvement. Increased job autonomy and supervisor support plays a more noticeable role in enhancing male counselor's job involvement. The various dimensions of organizational justice have significantly positive effect on counselor's job involvement, job satisfaction and career commitment. Based on survey analysis, this research recommends measures to improve the working state of counselors.
Cybersexual Harassment as ICTs Development Consequences: A Review

Rapid progress of information and communication technologies (ICTs) affected the evolution of sexual harassment. Cybersexual harassment can be exposed via social media but as well might be a tool for harassers to attack or stalk individuals after anonysmously. This evolution of phenomenon enter to virtual reality require changes in differenr levels: individual, enterprise and state to counter the hybrid threats. The proposed conceptual framework reflects the main vulnerable groups, consequences. These main aspects trigger for the development of ICTs in order to change organizational policies, political and security regulations.
Comparison of Age Distribution Patterns for Different Histopathologic Types of Breast Carcinoma

Background: Historically, female breast carcinoma has been viewed as an etiologically homogeneous disease associated with rapidly increasing incidence rates until age 50 years, followed by a slower rate of increase among older women. More recent studies, however, have shown distinct age incidence patterns for female breast cancer when stratified by estrogen receptor (ER) expression and/or histopathologic subtypes, suggesting etiologic heterogeneity. Materials and Methods: To determine if different age incidence patterns reflect etiologic heterogeneity (more than one breast cancer type within the general breast carcinoma), we applied “smoothed” age histograms at diagnosis (density plots) and a two-component statistical mixture model to all breast carcinoma cases (n = 270,124) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute. These overall patterns were then reevaluated according to histopathologic type, race, and ER expression. Results: A bimodal age distribution at diagnosis provided a better fit to the data than a single density for all breast carcinoma populations, except for medullary carcinoma. Medullary carcinomas showed a single age distribution at diagnosis irrespective of race and/or ER expression. Conclusions: Distinct age-specific incidence patterns reflected bimodal breast cancer populations for breast carcinoma overall as well as for histopathologic subtypes, race, and ER expression. The one exception was medullary carcinoma. Of note, medullary carcinomas are rare tumors, which are associated with germ-line mutations in the BRCA1 gene. These descriptive and model-based results support emerging molecular data, suggesting two main types of breast carcinoma in the overall breast cancer population. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1899–905)
Psoriasis therapy and the risk of skin cancers

Photochemotherapy (PUVA) and methotrexate (MTX) are treatments frequently prescribed in patients with severe psoriasis. However, both treatments have carcinogenic potential. A group of 227 patients, who had been treated with PUVA, MTX or the combination, was investigated for the presence of cancer of the skin. As a control, the partners of these patients were investigated at the same visit.