Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonspecific positivity on the Luminex crossmatch assay for anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies due to antibodies directed against the antibody coated beads

Two cases are described of previously unreported false positivity on the Luminex crossmatch assay due to non HLA specific antibodies directed against the beads. In both cases the Luminex crossmatch indicated the presence of donor specific antibodies to class II HLA antigens, which was not substantiated by the clinical scenario or other assays. We could demonstrate the non specificity of these antibodies through using the same assay in a modified form where beads were unexposed to cell lysate and therefore did not carry HLA antigens at all. These cases further serve to emphasize the absolute necessity of correlating positive results with the priming history, and confirming their relevance using other platforms.
CONTRASTING PLANT PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE IN THE NATIVE AND INTRODUCED RANGE OF HYPERICUM PERFORATUM

Abstract How introduced plants, which may be locally adapted to specific climatic conditions in their native range, cope with the new abiotic conditions that they encounter as exotics is not well understood. In particular, it is unclear what role plasticity versus adaptive evolution plays in enabling exotics to persist under new environmental circumstances in the introduced range. We determined the extent to which native and introduced populations of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) are genetically differentiated with respect to leaf-level morphological and physiological traits that allow plants to tolerate different climatic conditions. In common gardens in Washington and Spain, and in a greenhouse, we examined clinal variation in percent leaf nitrogen and carbon, leaf δ13C values (as an integrative measure of water use efficiency), specific leaf area (SLA), root and shoot biomass, root/shoot ratio, total leaf area, and leaf area ratio (LAR). As well, we determined whether native European H. perforatum experienced directional selection on leaf-level traits in the introduced range and we compared, across gardens, levels of plasticity in these traits. In field gardens in both Washington and Spain, native populations formed latitudinal clines in percent leaf N. In the greenhouse, native populations formed latitudinal clines in root and shoot biomass and total leaf area, and in the Washington garden only, native populations also exhibited latitudinal clines in percent leaf C and leaf δ13C. Traits that failed to show consistent latitudinal clines instead exhibited significant phenotypic plasticity. Introduced St. John's Wort populations also formed significant or marginally significant latitudinal clines in percent leaf N in Washington and Spain, percent leaf C in Washington, and in root biomass and total leaf area in the greenhouse. In the Washington common garden, there was strong directional selection among European populations for higher percent leaf N and leaf δ13C, but no selection on any other measured trait. The presence of convergent, genetically based latitudinal clines between native and introduced H. perforatum, together with previously published molecular data, suggest that native and exotic genotypes have independently adapted to a broad-scale variation in climate that varies with latitude.
"We have our own special language." Language, sexuality and HIV/AIDS: a case study of youth in an urban township in South Africa.

BACKGROUND Despite the fact that most South African youth know about HIV/AIDS and how it can be prevented, there is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst youth in South Africa. Generally youth do not practice safe sex, and youth sexuality is characterised by multiple sexual partners, not using condoms and transactional sex. OBJECTIVES To minimize the risk of HIV infection, it is necessary to understand youth sexuality. In this paper I explore youth sexuality with a specific focus on how language influences sexuality. METHODS I use discourse analysis and qualitative research techniques. Purposive sampling, a form of non-probability sampling was used. I interviewed seventy youth individually or in groups and used in-depth semi-structured interviews. RESULTS The use of language influences youth sexuality. Youth have developed a specialised language to talk about sex and sexuality and this language has become part of the daily discourse, so that unsafe sexual practices become norms and are justified. CONCLUSIONS The realm of language can be a creative way for peer and HIV/AIDS educators to work with youth towards creating a healthier sexuality. However, as language always occurs in a material context, it is also necessary to work towards changing the material environment, such as poverty. This environment not only facilitates the development of a particular language but it also encourages unsafe sexual practices such as transactional sex.
Organized activities as contexts of development : extracurricular activities, after-school, and community programs

R.M. Lerner, Foreword: Promoting Positive Youth Development Through Community and After-School Programs. Part 1. Social and Cultural Perspectives. J.L. Mahoney, R.W. Larson, J.S. Eccles, H. Lord, Organized Activities as Development Contexts for Children and Adolescents. D.A. Kleiber, G.M. Powell, Historical Change in Leisure Activities During After-School Hours. D.W. Osgood, A.L. Anderson, J.N. Shaffer, Unstructured Leisure in the After-School Hours. D.M. Casey, M.N. Ripke, A.C. Huston, Activity Participation and the Well-Being of Children and Adolescents in the Context of Welfare Reform. S. Pedersen, E. Seidman, Contexts and Correlates of Out-of-School Activity Participation Among Low-Income Urban Adolescents. F.A. Villarruel, M. Montero-Sieburth, C. Dunbar, C.W. Outley, Dorothy, There Is No Yellow Brick Road: The Paradox of Community Youth Development Approaches for Latino and African American Urban Youth. B. Kirshner, J. O'Donoghue, M. McLaughlin, Youth-Adult Research Collaboration: Bringing Youth Voice to the Research Process. Part 2. Developmental Processes and Outcomes. R. Larson, D. Hansen, K. Walker, Everybody's Gotta Give: Development of Initiative and Teamwork Within a Youth Program. B.L. Barber, M.R. Stone, J.E. Hunt, J.S. Eccles, Benefits of Activity Participation: The Roles of Identity Affirmation and Peer Group Norm Sharing. H. Stattin, M. Kerr, J. Mahoney, A. Persson, D. Magnusson, Explaining Why a Leisure Context Is Bad for Some Girls and Not for Others. J.E. Jacobs, M.K. Vernon, J.S. Eccles, Activity Choices in Middle Childhood: The Roles of Gender, Self-Beliefs, and Parents' Influence. S.A. O'Neill, Youth Music Engagement in Diverse Contexts. T.K. Scanlan, M.L. Babkes, L.A. Scanlan, Participation in Sport: A Developmental Glimpse at Emotion. J.L. Duda, N. Ntoumanis, After-School Sport for Children: Implications of a Task-Involving Motivational Climate. H. McIntosh, E. Metz, J. Youniss, Community Service and Identity Formation in Adolescents. J.S. Eccles, The Present and Future of Research on Activity Settings as Developmental Contexts. Part 3. Integrating Research, Practice, and Policy. K. Pittman, J. Tolman, N. Yohalem, Developing a Comprehensive Agenda for the Out-of-School Hours: Lessons and Challenges Across Cities. J. Walker, M. Marczak, D. Blyth, L. Borden, Designing Youth Development Programs: Toward a Theory of Developmental Intentionality. J. Rhodes, R. Spencer, Someone to Watch Over Me: Mentoring Programs in the After-School Lives of Children and Adolescents. D.L. Vandell, L. Shumow, J. Posner, After-School Programs for Low-Income Children: Differences in Program Quality. S.A. Gerstenblith, D.A. Soule, D.C. Gottfredson, S. Lu, M.A. Kellstrom, S.C. Womer, S.L. Bryner, After-School Programs, Antisocial Behavior, and Positive Youth Development: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Program Implementation and Changes in Youth Behavior. J. Quinn, Building Effective Practices and Policies for Out-of-School Time.
Children at risk of diabetes type 1. Treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine plus nicotinamide – Case reports

Abstract Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine (50 mg/kg/day) and nicotinamide (25 mg/kg/day) in children at risk of type 1 diabetes. This treatment was effective and harmless in experimental type 1 diabetes in mice. Patients: Nine out of seventy healthy participants of the type 1 diabetes risk study were treated. They were typified for diabetes with HLA-DQB1 and positive autoantibodies. Children with a first peak of insulin response ≤48 µU were randomly distributed in control and treated patients. Children evolution was followed with an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Control children were treated when was another risk parameter was added. During their evolution all children were treated. Results: Treatment periods differ (range: 120–16 months) because children began treatment at different times. During the treatment 4 patients recovered their parameters and the medication was suspended; 2 patients continued the treatment with favorable evolution. Two children evolved slowly with normal growth and development. One girl became diabetic because she was treated late. Conclusions: In children at risk, this treatment delays the development or remits the evolution of type 1 diabetes
An algorithm for eliminating the isolated regions based on connected area in image classification

It is well known that the results of remote sensing image classification contain many small isolated regions. These isolated regions need to be eliminated and merged into the existing classes in the post-processing. The most critical issue among all is how we could recognize the isolated regions, and what strategy we should adopt in automatic elimination. We present in this paper an algorithm for isolated regions' recognition based on connected area, in isolated region generation, we adopt an improved area filling algorithm in computer graphics. In automatic elimination, we propose a merge strategy which is based on the number of immediate pixels. Experimental results show that our recognition algorithm and merge strategy can effectively and automatically eliminate the isolated regions in the results of remote sensing image classification
Mapping of Central D2Dopamine Receptors in Man Using [11C]Raclopride: PET with Anatomic Standardization Technique

D2 dopamine receptors are of interest in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. For group comparisons of neuroreceptor distribution measured by PET on a pixel-by-pixel basis, an anatomic standardization technique is required. The aim of the present study is to build a database of normal D2 dopamine receptor distribution using [11C]raclopride and an anatomic standardization technique. In each subject, two PET measurements were performed with rapid bolus injection and with continuous infusion of [11C]raclopride. The radioactivity of the PET images were integrated in the time interval. Integrated images were normalized by the radioactivity of the cerebellum, providing a measure of the binding potential (BP) in each pixel. Each PET image was transformed into a standard brain anatomy using a Computerized Brain Atlas system. From the standardized PET images, the sample mean and the SD of the BP were calculated in each pixel. On the anatomically standardized average images for the both rapid bolus injection and continuous infusion, high BP was observed in the putamen and the caudate nucleus, whereas low BP was observed in the cerebral cortices. The BP for the thalamus and the substantia nigra were slightly higher than those for the cerebral cortices. This regional distribution is in good agreement with the distribution of D2 dopamine receptors known from in vitro studies. The anatomic standardization technique permits to build a database of the normal D2 dopamine receptor distribution in the living human brain. This technique can be applied for group comparisons on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
Monoclonal antibodies targeting the antifibrinolytic activity of activated thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor but not the anti‐inflammatory activity on osteopontin and C5a

Recently, anti‐thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) mAbs selectively inhibiting plasmin‐mediated TAFI activation were shown to stimulate fibrinolysis in vitro and in vivo, suggesting, in contrast to other findings, that plasmin‐mediated TAFI activation plays an important role in fibrinolysis regulation.
Psychometric equivalence of an English and a German online-version of the Questionnaire for the content-specific measurement of attitudes toward the computer (QCAAC)

The Questionnaire for the Content-differentiated Assessment of Attitudes toward the Computer (QCAAC) is a recently developed multi-dimensional instrument differing from most of the instruments in the field which are constructed inductively on the basis of quite heterogenous item pools. In contrast, the eight scales of the QCAAC are based on three a-priori distinctions: (1) With regard to potential manners of computer use the computer as an instrument for learning and working is differentiated from the computer as an instrument for entertainment and communication. (2) Evaluations referring to personal experience with the computer are separated from evaluations referring to the consequences for society which are attributed to the computer technology. (3) Finally, the distinction between the evaluative aspects "computer as a beneficial tool (useful technology)" and "computer as an autonomous entity (uncontrollable technology)" is adopted from Brock & Sulsky (1994). Each of the eight scales of the QCAAC relates to one of the 2 x 2 x 2 = 8 classes of beliefs that can be derived by combination of the three distinctions mentioned above. Previous studies have provided evidence for the reliability and validity of the German version of the QCAAC. The QCAAC exists in a paper-and-pencil-form as well as in an online-version, which have proven to be psychometrically equivalent. The aim of the present online study (N = 148) was to test if the reliabilities and the factorial structure of an English version of the QCAAC parallel those of the German version. Reliabilites were the same for both English and German versions, and multi-sample confirmatory factor analyses revealed no differences in the factorial structure. Thus, the assumption of psychometric equivalence of both versions was corroborated.
Acquiring semantic context for events from online resources

During the last few years, the amount of online descriptive information about places and their dynamics has reached reasonable dimension for many cities in the world. Such enriched information can now support semantic analysis of space, particularly in which respects to what exists there and what happens there. We present a methodology to automatically label places according to events that happen there. To achieve this we use Information Extraction techniques applied to online Web 2.0 resources such as Zvents and Boston Calendar. Wikipedia is also used as a resource to semantically enrich the tag vectors initially extracted. We describe the process by which these semantic vectors are obtained, present results of experimental analysis, and validated these with Amazon Mechanical Turk and a set of algorithms. To conclude, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the methodology.
ATT1: Temporal Annotation Using Big Windows and Rich Syntactic and Semantic Features

In this paper we present the results of experiments comparing (a) rich syntactic and semantic feature sets and (b) big context windows, for the TempEval time expression and event segmentation and classification tasks. We show that it is possible for models using only lexical features to approach the performance of models using rich syntactic and semantic feature sets.
Phosphorescence Oxygen Analyzer as a Measuring Tool for Cellular Bioenergetics

The “phosphorescence oxygen analyzer” and its use to monitor O2 consumption by cells and tissues are discussed in this chapter (Lo et al., 1996; Souid et al., 2003). This analytical tool assesses bioenergetics in cells undergoing apoptosis (e.g., the mitochondrial cell death pathway), in cells exposed to toxins (e.g., loss of viability) and in cells with a genetically altered energy metabolism (e.g., mitochondrial disorders) (Tacka et al., 2004a-b; Tao et al., 2007; Tao et al., 2008a). This method is applicable to suspended (e.g., Jurkat and HL-60 cells) and adherent (TU183 human oral cancer cells) cells and to fresh tissues from humans (e.g., lymphocytes, spermatozoa and tumors) and animals (e.g., liver, spleen, heart, pancreas and kidney) (Badawy et al., 2009a-b; Whyte et al., 2010; Al Shamsi et al., 2010; Al-Salam et al., 2011; Al Samri et al., 2011). The analyzer allows investigating anticancer compounds (single agents or combinations) for dosing, order of administration and exposure (Jones et al., 2009; Tao et al., 2008b; Souid et al., 2006; Goodisman et al., 2006; Tao et al., 2006a-b; Tack et al. 2004b). It can also be used to monitor reactions consuming or producing O2 (Tao et al., 2008b; Tao et al., 2009).
Reachability queries on large dynamic graphs: a total order approach

Reachability queries are a fundamental type of queries on graphs that find important applications in numerous domains. Although a plethora of techniques have been proposed for reachability queries, most of them require that the input graph is static, i.e., they are inapplicable to the {\em dynamic} graphs (e.g., social networks and the Semantic Web) commonly encountered in practice. There exist a few techniques that can handle dynamic graphs, but none of them can scale to sizable graphs without significant loss of efficiency. To address this deficiency, this paper presents a novel study on reachability indices for large dynamic graphs. We first introduce a general indexing framework that summarizes a family of reachability indices with the best performance among the existing techniques for static graphs. Then, we propose general and efficient algorithms for handling vertex insertions and deletions under the proposed framework. In addition, we show that our update algorithms can be used to improve the existing reachability techniques on static graphs, and we also propose a new approach for constructing a reachability index from scratch under our framework. We experimentally evaluate our solution on a large set of benchmark datasets, and we demonstrate that our solution not only supports efficient updates on dynamic graphs, but also provides even better query performance than the state-of-the-art techniques for static graphs.
Protein transport and processing by human HT29-19A intestinal cells: effect of interferon γ

Background—The nature of the breakdown products produced in enterocytes during epithelial transport of intact proteins may be critical in determining the functional consequences of protein absorption. Aim—(a) To measure the transepithelial transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and to identify the nature of HRP breakdown products released on the basal side of enterocytes and (b) to assess the role of interferon γ (IFNγ) on HRP transport and processing. Methods—HT29-19A intestinal cells were used to assess transepithelial transport of HRP in Ussing chambers, and the nature of breakdown products in the basal compartment was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results—(1) In control conditions, [3H]HRP equivalent fluxes (3135 (219) ng/h per cm2; mean (SEM)) comprised 50% amino acids, 40% peptides, and 10% intact HRP. Steric exclusion HPLC of the breakdown products indicated a wide range of molecular masses including a major peptide of about 1150 Da. Lysosomal aspartyl and thiol proteases were expressed but no HLA-DR surface expression was noted. (2) At 48 to 72 hours after IFNγ stimulation, [3H]HRP equivalent fluxes increased significantly (7392 (1433) ng/h per cm2) without modification of the relative proportions of amino acids, peptides, and intact HRP, and without modification of the distribution of breakdown products in HPLC. Lysosomal protease activities were not modified by IFNγ but HLA-DR expression was increased. Conclusion—Intestinal cells are able to process HRP into peptides potentially capable of stimulating the immune system. IFNγ stimulates the transport and processing of HRP thus increasing the antigenic load in the intestinal mucosa.
The Persuasive Appeal of Stigma

Stigmatized minorities may have an advantage in persuading majority group members during some face-to-face interactions due to the greater self-presentational demands such interactions elicit. In contrast to models which predict greater persuasive impact of members of ingroups, White participants were more convinced by persuasive appeals delivered by a Black interaction partner than by a White interaction partner. When interacting with a Black partner, Whites engaged in greater self-presentation, which in turn made them more susceptible to their partner's persuasive appeal (Studies 1 and 2). This persuasive benefit of stigma was eliminated when participants were exposed to the same partners making the same arguments on video, decreasing self-presentational demands (Study 2). We conclude by discussing when stigma is likely to facilitate versus impair persuasion.
Interactive Computer-tailored Nutrition Education Introduction

This paper will cover what research findings, published between 1995 and 2005, say about the effectiveness of interactive computer tailoring of nutrition education. First, we will define message tailoring and review what we know about its effectiveness in a general sense. Then, we will discuss recent evidence concerning the effectiveness of nutrition education that incorporates an interactive computer-tailored approach.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Hyperlipidemia Reduces Glomerular Injury in Rat 5/6 Nephrectomy Model of Chronic Renal Failure

The role of lipid abnormalities in the pathogenesis of focal glomerulosclerosis was investigated in the rat remnant kidney model of chronic renal failure. Rats subjected to right nephrectomy and two-thirds segmental infarction of the left kidney (5/6 nephrectomy) were treated for 10 weeks with the lipid-lowering agent clofibric add. Both serum cholesterol and urine albumin excretion were significantly reduced by cloflbric add. At 10 weeks, the percent of glomeruli with focal glomerulosclerosis was 5 ± 2% in clofibric acid-treated and 24 ± 5% in untreated 5/6 nephrectomy rats (p <0.01). Inulin clearance was greater in clofibric add-treated than in untreated 5/6 nephrectomy rats (0.28 ±0.02 versus 0.22 ±0.02 ml/min 100 g body wt, p <0.05). Body weight, kidney weight, and systemic blood pressure were not significantly altered by clofibric add. Micropuncture studies, performed in separate groups of clofibric add-treated and untreated 5/6 nephrectomy rats, demonstrated elevated single nephron glomerular filtration rates and glomerular capillary pressures 4 weeks after surgery. However, cloflbric add did not significantly alter single nephron glomerular filtration rates (95 ±2.1 nl/min in treated versus 97.0 ± 6.2 nl/min in untreated, p > 0.05) or glomerular capillary pressures (56.6 ± 1.5 mm Hg in treated versus 57.8 ±0.8 mm Hg in untreated, p > 0.05) in 5/6 nephrectomy rats. In a separate set of experiments, 5/6 nephrectomy rats were treated with the specific cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, mevinolin. Mevinolin improved serum lipid levels and reduced albnminuria in 5/6 nephrectomy rats without causing significant alterations in blood pressure. Focal glomerulosderosis was also reduced by mevinolln (11±2% versus 30±3%, p <0.01). These results suggest that lipid abnormalities may be important in the pathogenesis of focal glomerulosderosis in the rat 5/6 nephrectomy model of chronic renal failure.