Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Running head: CHC ABILITIES AND READING Revisiting the Relationships Between Broad Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Cognitive Abilities and Reading Achievement During the School-Age Years

This study examined associations between broad cognitive abilities (Fluid Reasoning [Gf], Short-Term Working Memory [Gwm], Long-Term Retrieval [Glr], Processing Speed [Gs], Comprehension-Knowledge [Gc], Visual Processing [Gv], and Auditory Processing [Ga]) and reading achievement (Basic Reading Skills, Reading Rate, Reading Fluency, and Reading Comprehension) in a nationally representative school-age sample. Findings indicate that some cognitive abilities were stronger predictors of reading achievement than previously found (e.g., Gf, Ga and Gs). Most notably, the WJ IV Gf cluster was found to be the strongest and most consistent predictor of reading achievement. A secondary analysis suggests that this effect was likely due to the new Number Series test. The results of the study suggest revisions to previous conceptualizations of the associations between the broad CHC abilities and areas of reading achievement.
Airway lipoxin A4 generation and lipoxin A4 receptor expression are decreased in severe asthma.

RATIONALE Airway inflammation is common in severe asthma despite antiinflammatory therapy with corticosteroids. Lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)) is an arachidonic acid-derived mediator that serves as an agonist for resolution of inflammation. OBJECTIVES Airway levels of LXA(4), as well as the expression of lipoxin biosynthetic genes and receptors, in severe asthma. METHODS Samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were obtained from subjects with asthma and levels of LXA(4) and related eicosanoids were measured. Expression of lipoxin biosynthetic genes was determined in whole blood, bronchoalveolar lavage cells, and endobronchial biopsies by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and leukocyte LXA(4) receptors were monitored by flow cytometry. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Individuals with severe asthma had significantly less LXA(4) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (11.2 +/- 2.1 pg/ml) than did subjects with nonsevere asthma (150.1 +/- 38.5 pg/ml; P < 0.05). In contrast, levels of cysteinyl leukotrienes were increased in both asthma cohorts compared with healthy individuals. In severe asthma, 15-lipoxygenase-1 mean expression was decreased fivefold in bronchoalveolar lavage cells. In contrast, 15-lipoxgenase-1 was increased threefold in endobronchial biopsies, but expression of both 5-lipoxygenase and 15-lipoxygenase-2 in these samples was decreased. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression was decreased in all anatomic compartments sampled in severe asthma. Moreover, LXA(4) receptor gene and protein expression were significantly decreased in severe asthma peripheral blood granulocytes. CONCLUSIONS Mechanisms underlying pathological airway responses in severe asthma include lipoxin underproduction with decreased expression of lipoxin biosynthetic enzymes and receptors. Together, these results indicate that severe asthma is characterized, in part, by defective lipoxin counterregulatory signaling circuits.
Long-Lasting Effects of Chronic Intermittent Alcohol Exposure in Adolescent Mice on Object Recognition and Hippocampal Neuronal Activity.

BACKGROUND Binge drinking is popular and highly prevalent in teenagers. However, the long-term cognitive and neurobiological consequences of such practices are not yet fully understood. In this context, we therefore assessed in mice whether a chronic intermittent alcohol (CIA) exposure in adolescence had long-term consequences on object discrimination and memory performances, emotional behaviors, brain activity, and morphology. METHODS C57BL/6JRj mice were treated with either saline or ethanol (EtOH) (2 g/kg/d, i.p., from postnatal days [PND] 30 to PND 44 every other day). The day following the last administration or later in adulthood (PND 71) mice were tested for different behavioral tests (novel object recognition, spontaneous alternation, light-dark box, elevated plus-maze, actimeter test), to assess object recognition, working memory performances, anxiety-like behavior, and locomotor activity. We also investigated neuronal activation of hippocampus, prefrontal and perirhinal cortices, and anatomical changes using immediate-early gene expression and longitudinal brain magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Our results showed that adolescent mice exposed to CIA present a critical and persistent impairment of short-term object recognition performances. By contrast, spatial working memory was not impaired, nor was anxiety-like behavior. This altered object discrimination was associated with a biphasic change in neuronal activity in the hippocampus but without morphological changes. Indeed, c-Fos expression was specifically increased in the dorsal dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus after the binge exposure, but then became significantly lower in adulthood both in the DG and the CA1 part of the hippocampus compared with adult saline pretreated mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence for adolescent vulnerability to the effects of intermittent binge EtOH exposure on object discrimination and hippocampal activity with long-lasting consequences.
Endothelial Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have a significantly increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) that is not fully explained by classic risk factors. Endothelial dysfunction is an early stage in the process of atherogenesis. Our aim was to determine whether endothelial dysfunction occurs in SLE and whether it is associated with the occurrence of classic Framingham risk factors. Methods and Results: We studied 54 women with SLE (1997 revised criteria) and 27 healthy women. Demographic and risk factor data were collected (cholesterol, triglycerides, smoking, diabetes mellitus, systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery in response to reactive hyperemia. SLE activity was assessed using SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Endothelial function was assessed by means of flow mediated dilation (FMD) on brachial artery, using B-mode ultrasonography. The statistical analysis was done using version 17.0 of the SPSS statistical packaget. The group of SLE patients was formed of 54 females, with the mean age of 45,66 ± 8,72 years. The values of FMD were 7,12 ± 4,7 % (SLE group) and 21,32 ± 3,12 % (group control), p < 0.0001. The statistical analysis showed a strong inverse correlation between FMD and SLEDAI, a moderate inverse correlation between FMD and total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. After adjustment for other factors, SLE activity was associated with 1,27% lower FMD compared with control subjects. Conclusions: Endothelial dysfunction is present in SLE patients even in the absence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, due to disease activity. Patients with SLE have endothelial dysfunction that remained significant even after adjustment for other classic CHD risk factors. Understanding the mechanism(s) of endothelial dysfunction in SLE may suggest novel strategies for CHD prevention in this context.
Neuronal activity in the monkey motor thalamus during bicuculline‐induced dystonia

Recent data suggest that a decreased basal ganglia output may occur in dystonia, resulting in an increased thalamic drive to the mesial premotor cortex. In a previous work we found that injection of the GABAA antagonist bicuculline into the rostral motor thalamus induced contralateral dystonic postures, whereas myoclonic jerks were frequent after injection into the caudal motor thalamus. In the present study, we performed electrophysiological recordings in the rostral and caudal parts of the ventrolateral thalamus of two cynomolgus monkeys before and after bicuculline injections or saline injections. Discharge frequencies of thalamic neurons were increased after bicuculline injections vs. controls. Their discharge pattern was more bursty in the caudal part in which bursts of neuronal activity were correlated with myoclonic jerks. After bicuculline injection, neurons responded more frequently and less selectively to passive limb movements in both parts of the motor thalamus. Conversely, the response to microstimulation increased after bicuculline injection, particularly in the caudal part. Our data show that acute bicuculline‐induced dystonia is associated with a reversible overactivity and disorganization of neuronal activity in the motor thalamus. Such a phenomenon might induce an overspreading of cortical activity leading to dystonia. We postulate that the distinct clinical syndromes observed after bicuculline injections into the rostral and caudal motor thalamus are due to differences both in the neuronal circuitry within each thalamic nucleus and in segregated cortical projections.
Purification, crystallization, and preliminary X‐ray studies of a bifunctional 5,10‐methenyl/methylene tetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase/dehydrogenase from Escherichia coli

A bifunctional enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of formyltetrahydrofolate to methylene‐tetrahydrofolate (5,10‐methenyltetrahydrofolate cyclohydrolase and 5,10‐methylene tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenease), has been subcloned from a cDNA library, purified to homogeneity, and crystallized. The crystals belong to space group I222, with unit cell dimensions of a= 64.5 Å b= 84.9 Å c= 146.1 Å. The crystal unit cell and diffraction is consistent with an asymmetric unit consisting of the enzyme monomer, and a specific volume of the unit cell of 3.2 Å3/Da. The crystals diffract to at least 2.8 Å resolution after flash‐cooling, when using a rotating anode x‐ray source and an RAXIS image plate detector. A 2.56 Å resolution native data set has been collected at beamline X12‐C at the NSLS. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endoscopic Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy: Results in 56 Patients

Fifty-six patients with a complete stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct were treated by endoscopically controlled intranasal dacryocystorhinostomy according to West. Forty-four patients had idiopathic stenosis and 12 had posttraumatic scarring. Revision surgery was done in 11 of these 56 cases (8 patients with a previous external Toti procedure, and 3 patients with previous endonasal surgery). Altogether, 95% of the patients were symptom-free (86%) or felt improved (9%) postoperatively. Surgical revision was successful in 82%. Of patients with an “idiopathic” stenosis, 84% were healed and an additional 11% were improved. The success rate in the 12 patients with posttraumatic stenosis was 92%. Endoscopic duct surgery is a highly successful procedure with a low complication rate, the worst complication being persistence of symptoms.
CTX Biochemical Marker of Bone Metabolism. Is It a Reliable Predictor of Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaws After Surgery? Part II: A Prospective Clinical Study

Biochemical markers of bone metabolism have been used in medicine to evaluate and provide treatment to patients with metabolic bone diseases, such as osteoporosis. Serum cross-linked C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) is a marker of osteoclast activity and is used to assess the level of bone resorption. Recently, in oral and maxillofacial surgery, it was proposed that the levels of serum CTX may predict the subsequent risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) after oral surgery procedures for patients taking oral bisphosphonates (BPs). The goal of this study was to determine whether this specific serum marker of bone resorption could preoperatively predict the risk of developing ONJ from oral BPs. We hypothesized that there is no clinical correlation between the observed preoperative serum CTX values and the risk of developing ONJ. The authors examine the scientific basis (validity) of the morning fasting serum CTX test in 163 consecutive patients who underwent various oral surgery procedures in the office. The authors also review the laboratory test results and the recommended protocol based on the test values. One hundred sixty-three patients (mean age, 75.9 years) were divided into 2 groups. Group I was the control group that consisted of 109 patients taking oral BPs who did not take the CTX test preoperatively. Group 2 consisted of 54 patients taking BPs and who elected to have the CTX test performed to assess their level of risk of developing ONJ, preoperatively. Both groups of patients were observed for a period of 8 weeks for signs and symptoms of BP-associated ONJ after surgery. The clinical data at 8 weeks and beyond revealed that there was no evidence of BP-associated ONJ in all participants. We conclude that the serum CTX is not a valid preoperative test to accurately assess the level of risk of developing ONJ and is not indicated in the oral surgery patient.
Epithelial transformations in the establishment of the blood–gas barrier in the developing chick embryo lung

The tall epithelium of the developing chick embryo lung is converted to a squamous one, which participates in formation of the thin blood–gas barrier. We show that this conversion occurred through processes resembling exocrine secretion. Initially, cells formed intraluminal protrusions (aposomes), and then transcellular double membranes were established. Gaps between the membranes opened, thus, severing the aposome from the cell. Alternatively, aposomes were squeezed out by adjacent cells or were spontaneously constricted and extruded. As a third mechanism, formation and fusion of severed vesicles or vacuoles below the aposome and their fusion with the apicolateral plasma membrane resulted in severing of the aposome. The atria started to form by progressive epithelial attenuation and subsequent invasion of the surrounding mesenchyme at regions delineated by subepithelial α‐smooth muscle actin–positive cells. Further epithelial attenuation was achieved by vacuolation; rupture of such vacuoles with resultant numerous microfolds and microvilli, which were abscised to accomplish a smooth squamous epithelium just before hatching. Developmental Dynamics 235:68–81, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
There is no alternative medicine

The term ‘alternative medicine’ is a misnomer because it suggests that there are two kinds of medicine alternative to each other. Although commonly used, the term is problematic. It escapes a meaningful definition, and ‘alternative medicine’ cannot be clearly differentiated from ‘conventional medicine’. The nature of ‘alternative’ in ‘alternative medicine’ is anything but clear. In addition, bundling all the so-called alternative therapies under one heading is misleading. Due to the purely rhetoric nature of the ‘alternativity’, there seems to be no such thing as ‘alternative medicine’ in any meaningful sense.
Engineered Proteins in Materials Research

Peptides and proteins have attracted scientific and technological interest largely because of their intriguing properties as catalysts, receptors, signalling molecules, and therapeutic agents. In attempts to understand and exploit these properties, protein engineering has been used primarily to obtain precious proteins in increased quantities, or to explore systematic alterations in protein sequence through site-directed mutagenesis. Design of protein structures de novo ("from scratch") has attracted less attention, and has been directed in the main toward studies of protein folding (Kamtekar et al., 1993). Such studies represent a key element in the current vigorous investigation of the connections between amino acid sequence and the three-dimensional structures of isolated protein chains in aqueous solution. This chapter describes protein engineering of quite another sort, in which the proteinacious nature of the product is less important than its macromolecular character.
Fermi Surface Manipulation by External Magnetic Field Demonstrated for a Prototypical Ferromagnet

We consider the details of the near-surface electronic band structure of a prototypical ferromagnet, Fe(001). Using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we demonstrate openings of the spin-orbit-induced electronic band gaps near the Fermi level. The band gaps, and thus the Fermi surface, can be manipulated by changing the remanent magnetization direction. The effect is of the order of. Delta E = 100 meV and Delta k = 0.1 angstrom(-1). We show that the observed dispersions are dominated by the bulk band structure. First-principles calculations and one-step photoemission calculations suggest that the effect is related to changes in the electronic ground state and not caused by the photoemission process itself. The symmetry of the effect indicates that the observed electronic bulk states are influenced by the presence of the surface, which might be understood as related to a Rashba-type effect. By pinpointing the regions in the electronic band structure where the switchable band gaps occur, we demonstrate the significance of spinorbit interaction even for elements as light as 3d ferromagnets. These results set a new paradigm for the investigations of spin-orbit effects in the spintronic materials. The same methodology could be used in the bottom-up design of the devices based on the switching of spin-orbit gaps such as electric-field control of magnetic anisotropy or tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance.
Health-related quality of life of adolescents with overweight or obesity in the north of Jordan.

BACKGROUND Previous studies showed that overweight and obesity in children and adolescents are associated with impaired health-related quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to describe health-related QOL among Jordanian adolescents who were overweight or obese. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study conducted among Jordanian students aged between 13 and 18 years in three educational directorates in Irbid City in the north of Jordan. Using simple random sampling, two male schools and two female schools were selected from the list of each directorate to represent all schools in north of Jordan. In each selected school, all adolescents aged 13-18 years were visited in their classes and were invited to participate in the study. Of the total number of 1561 subjects, 1433 (91.8%) agreed to participate in the study. The short-form 15-item Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.00 was used to measure health-related QOL among participants. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and interpreted according to the BMI-for-age growth charts of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. RESULTS This study included 707 boys and 726 girls; 17.6% of participants were overweight and 7.8% were obese. For boys and girls, adolescents who were overweight or obese had significantly lower average scores for psychosocial health summary scale and physical functioning scale. Female gender, age of 16-18 years, fathers' education of high school or less and unemployed fathers (for social functioning and physical functioning) were significantly associated with decreased average scores of all scales and subscales of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. CONCLUSIONS Compared with healthy adolescents, adolescents who were overweight or obese reported significantly lower health-related QOL in all domains. Girls reported greater effect of overweight and obesity on their health-related QOL.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Homocysteine Metabolism Pathway Genes: Association of CHDH A119C and MTHFR C677T With Hyperhomocysteinemia

Background— An elevated level of homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia) has been implicated as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Deficiency of dietary factors like vitamin B12, folate, and genetic variations can cause hyperhomocysteinemia. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in the Indian population is likely to be high because most Indians adhere to a vegetarian diet, deficient in vitamin B12. In the background of vitamin B12 deficiency, variations in genes involved in homocysteine metabolism might have a greater impact on homocysteine levels. Methods and Results— We genotyped 44 nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) from 11 genes involved in homocysteine metabolism and found only 14 to be polymorphic. These 14 nsSNPs were genotyped in 546 individuals recruited from a tertiary care center in New Delhi, India, and it was found that choline dehydrogenase (CHDH A119C) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T) were significantly associated with plasma total homocysteine levels (P=0.009 and P=0.001, respectively). These 2 SNPs were further genotyped in 330 individuals recruited from the same center, and the association remained significant even after increasing the sample size. Furthermore, we found the possibility of a significant interaction between vegetarian diet and the 2 polymorphisms that could explain the variation of homocysteine levels. We also genotyped all the polymorphic nsSNPs in apparently healthy individuals recruited from 24 different subpopulations (based on their linguistic lineage) spread across the country to determine their basal frequencies. The frequencies of these SNPs varied significantly between linguistic groups. Conclusion— Vegetarian diet along with CHDH A119C and MTHFR C677T play an important role in modulating the homocysteine levels in Indian population.
Quantum channels in quantum gravity.

The black hole final state proposal implements manifest unitarity in the process of black hole formation and evaporation in quantum gravity, by postulating a unique final state boundary condition at the singularity. We argue that this proposal can be embedded in the gauge/gravity context by invoking a path integral formalism inspired by the Schwinger–Keldysh like thermo-field double construction in the dual field theory. This allows us to realize the gravitational quantum channels for information retrieval to specific deformations of the field theory path integrals and opens up new connections between geometry and information theory.
Synchronization in Moving Pulse-Coupled Oscillator Networks

This paper presents the synchronization of a population of identical moving pulse-coupled oscillators (MPCOs) that are confined to move in a plane with mutual interactions, which are controlled by some pre-determined state threshold values and only take effect inside some known communication radii. The states are allowed to evolve in a nonlinear and periodical manner in accordance with a smooth, monotonically increasing and concave down function. Sufficient conditions are established for synchronization and the general effects of system parameters on the synchronization rate are further probed into. It is found that increasing signal strength causes the synchronization rate to initially decrease, then remain almost constant, then increase again until it finally decreases. Furthermore, with increasing speed modulus the synchronization rate initially decreases then increases. The synchronization rate, however, decreases with an increasing communication radius. Finally, as a real-world application, the proposed model is used to synchronize the different clocks in an ultra-wide bandwidth wireless ad hoc network.