Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rituximab therapy in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: a 2-year study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES It was postulated that in patients with membranous nephropathy (MN), four weekly doses of Rituximab (RTX) would result in more effective B cell depletion, a higher remission rate, and maintaining the same safety profile compared with patients treated with RTX dosed at 1 g every 2 weeks. This hypothesis was supported by previous pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis showing that RTX levels in the two-dose regimen were 50% lower compared with nonproteinuric patients, which could potentially result in undertreatment. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Twenty patients with MN and proteinuria >5 g/24 h received RTX (375 mg/m(2) × 4), with re-treatment at 6 months regardless of proteinuria response. PK analysis was conducted simultaneously with immunological analyses of T and B cells to ascertain the effect of RTX on lymphocyte subpopulations. RESULTS Baseline proteinuria of 11.9 g/24 h decreased to 4.2 and 2.0 g/24 h at 12 and 24 months, respectively, whereas creatinine clearance increased from 72.4 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) at baseline to 88.4 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) at 24 months. Of 18 patients who completed 24-month follow-up, 4 are in complete remission, 12 are in partial remission, 1 has a limited response, and 1 patient relapsed. Serum RTX levels were similar to those obtained with two doses of RTX. CONCLUSIONS Four doses of RTX resulted in more effective B cell depletion, but proteinuria reduction was similar to RTX at 1 g every 2 weeks. Baseline quantification of lymphocyte subpopulations did not predict response to RTX therapy.
Monochromatic multicomponent fluorescence sedimentation velocity for the study of high-affinity protein interactions

The dynamic assembly of multi-protein complexes underlies fundamental processes in cell biology. A mechanistic understanding of assemblies requires accurate measurement of their stoichiometry, affinity and cooperativity, and frequently consideration of multiple co-existing complexes. Sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation equipped with fluorescence detection (FDS-SV) allows the characterization of protein complexes free in solution with high size resolution, at concentrations in the nanomolar and picomolar range. Here, we extend the capabilities of FDS-SV with a single excitation wavelength from single-component to multi-component detection using photoswitchable fluorescent proteins (psFPs). We exploit their characteristic quantum yield of photo-switching to imprint spatio-temporal modulations onto the sedimentation signal that reveal different psFP-tagged protein components in the mixture. This novel approach facilitates studies of heterogeneous multi-protein complexes at orders of magnitude lower concentrations and for higher-affinity systems than previously possible. Using this technique we studied high-affinity interactions between the amino-terminal domains of GluA2 and GluA3 AMPA receptors. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.17812. 001
Developing a Measure of Stigma by Association With African American Adolescents Whose Mothers Have HIV

Objectives: African American urban adolescents are one of the fastest growing groups of children affected by their mother’s HIV status. These children experience HIV stigma by association with their HIV-positive mothers. Stigma may contribute to adverse outcomes for these teens. Methods: The authors describe a multistage process of scale construction, cognitive interviewing, and pilot testing to develop a measure reflecting an African American adolescent’s experience of HIV stigma when mother has HIV. Results: The resulting measure has 23 items with good reliability. An additional item suggested by qualitative data will be added to the measure and used in further testing. Conclusions: Potential uses of the measure are discussed. Intervention approaches for reducing stigma’s impact among HIV-affected African American adolescents are briefly outlined.
Creativity and urban governance

This article explores the relationship between ‘creativity’ and ‘innovation’, and the forms and practices of ‘governance’ in an urban context. It examines, in particular, the ‘double’ creativity of governance, both in terms of its potential to foster creativity in social and economic dynamics and to creatively transform its own capacities. It argues that there is no simple equation between the characteristics of a ‘creative city’ and a ‘creative’ mode of urban governance. Instead, the article advocates a multi-level approach to the dimensions of urban governance through which to identify qualities of governance activity, which, in specific contexts, have the potential to encourage creativity and innovation. The article first develops three meanings of creativity and outlines the way these are related to governance activity. A three-level approach to the interacting dimensions of governance is then presented, linking episodes, processes and cultures. This approach is then developed into an evaluative framework through which the creative potentialities of emergent properties of governance practices in specific situations can be explored. In conclusion, the article comments on the kinds of governance infrastructures which may have the capacity to release imaginative and innovative activities in city regions, the kinds of interventions which may help to transform such capacity and the imaginative resources and mobilising power which may help successful innovations to spread from experiment to ‘mainstream’.
Experimental evidence for resonant tunneling in a luttinger liquid

We have measured the low-temperature conductance of a one-dimensional island embedded in a single mode quantum wire. The quantum wire is fabricated using the cleaved edge overgrowth technique and the tunneling is through a single state of the island. Our results show that while the resonance line shape fits the derivative of the Fermi function the intrinsic linewidth decreases in a power law fashion as the temperature is reduced. This behavior agrees quantitatively with Furusaki's model for resonant tunneling in a Luttinger liquid.
The role of language in emotion: predictions from psychological constructionism

Common sense suggests that emotions are physical types that have little to do with the words we use to label them. Yet recent psychological constructionist accounts reveal that language is a fundamental element in emotion that is constitutive of both emotion experiences and perceptions. According to the psychological constructionist Conceptual Act Theory (CAT), an instance of emotion occurs when information from one’s body or other people’s bodies is made meaningful in light of the present situation using concept knowledge about emotion. The CAT suggests that language plays a role in emotion because language supports the conceptual knowledge used to make meaning of sensations from the body and world in a given context. In the present paper, we review evidence from developmental and cognitive science to reveal that language scaffolds concept knowledge in humans, helping humans to acquire abstract concepts such as emotion categories across the lifespan. Critically, language later helps individuals use concepts to make meaning of on-going sensory perceptions. Building on this evidence, we outline predictions from a psychological constructionist model of emotion in which language serves as the “glue” for emotion concept knowledge, binding concepts to embodied experiences and in turn shaping the ongoing processing of sensory information from the body and world to create emotional experiences and perceptions.
Children’s Physical Fitness and Academic Performance

Abstract Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health threat. Increased fitness may have a positive influence on cognitive performance in both adults and children. Purpose: To examine which aspects of children’s fitness assessment are associated with their performance on four different academic areas. Methods: FITNESSGRAM measures aerobic capacity, abdominal strength, upper body strength/endurance, flexibility, andtrunk lift. Gender and a socio-economic status proxy were compared with mean group performance scores across four subscales: mathematics, reading/language arts, science, and social studies of a statewide standardized academic performance test on a sample of 968 5th grade students (50.7% male; mean age = 10.6 years). Results: Achievement test scores were significantly better for children who were in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) for aerobic capacity and abdominal strength tests when compared to children who were unable to achieve the healthy zone. Children in the HFZ for upper body strength performed significantly better in math. Children in the HFZ for flexibility performed significantly better in math and science. No differences were found in academic performance when children in the HFZ for trunk lift were compared to children not in the healthy zone. When all FITNESSGRAM measures were used in a full factorial ANOVA with Body Mass Index (BMI), gender and meal program (a proxy variable for socioeconomic status) as covariates, aerobic capacity was found to be the only fitness variable consistently appearing as important. It was always significant as a main effect variable while no other main effect fitness variable achieved significance for any WESTEST subject. Two-way, three-way, and four-way interactions always included aerobic fitness and no other fitness measure was universal in these interactions. Discussion: Whereas, aerobic fitness appears universally important in academic success, additional mechanisms may be at work due to the several interactions that achieved significance. The interactions may be an indication of the importance of overall fitness in addition to aerobic fitness. These findings support the development and implementation of childhood cardiovascular risk surveillance programs that not only evaluate children’s overweight risks but also their fitness. Translation to Health Education Practice: Increased focus on ways to improve children’s fitness levels may create the need to reevaluate current policy recommendations for children’s physical education.
Design of SPR Systems with Dynamic Compensators and Output Variable Structure Control

This paper presents necessary and sufficient conditions for the following problem: given a linear time invariant plant G(s) = N(s)D(s) <sup>-1</sup> = C(sI -A)<sup>-1</sup>B, with m inputs, p outputs, p > m, rank(C) = p, rank(B) = rank(CB) = m, find a tandem dynamic controller G<sub>c</sub>(s) = D<sub>c</sub>(s)<sup>-1</sup>N<sub>c</sub>(s) = C<sub>c</sub>(sI - A<sub>c</sub>)<sup>-1</sup>B<sub>c</sub> B<sub>c</sub> + D<sub>c</sub>, with p inputs and m outputs and a constant output feedback matrix K<sub>o</sub> isin Ropf<sup>mtimesp</sup> such that the feedback system is strictly positive real (SPR). It is shown that this problem has solution if and only if all transmission zeros of the plant have negative real parts. When there exists solution, the proposed method firstly obtains G<sub>c </sub>(s) in order to all transmission zeros of G<sub>c</sub>(s)G(s) present negative real parts and then K<sub>o</sub> is found as the solution of some linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Then, taking into account this result, a new LMI based design for output variable structure control (VSC) of uncertain dynamic plants is presented. The method can consider the following design specifications: matched disturbances or nonlinearities of the plant, output constraints, decay rate and matched and nonmatched plant uncertainties
Knockdown of Dopamine D2 Receptors in the Nucleus Accumbens Core Suppresses Methamphetamine-Induced Behaviors and Signal Transduction in Mice

Background: Addictive drugs lead to reinforcing properties by increasing dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, which is composed of a core and shell regions. Neurons in the nucleus accumbens are divided into 2 subtypes based on the differential gene expression of the dopamine D1 receptors and D2 receptors. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the role of D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens core in behaviors and signal transduction induced by psychostimulant methamphetamine in mice that were microinjected with adeno-associated virus vectors containing a microRNA (miRNA) sequence for D2 receptor (adeno-associated virus-miD2r vectors) in the nucleus accumbens core. The adeno-associated virus vectors containing a miRNA sequence for D2 receptor-treated mice (miD2r mice) were assessed at a reduction in D2 receptor, but at no change in dopamine D1 receptor, in the nucleus accumbens core compared with the adeno-associated virus-Mock vectors-treated mice (Mock mice). Results: miD2r mice exhibited a reduction in hyperlocomotion that was induced by a single treatment with methamphetamine. The development of locomotor sensitization induced by repeated treatment with methamphetamine exhibited less extension in miD2r mice. In a place conditioning paradigm, the preferred effects of methamphetamine were significantly weaker in miD2r mice than in Mock mice. Furthermore, the single treatment with methamphetamine-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein in the nucleus accumbens core of miD2r mice was decreased compared with that in Mock mice. Repeated treatment with methamphetamine-induced delta FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog B accumulation in the nucleus accumbens core of miD2r mice was also attenuated. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a D2 receptor-mediated neuronal pathway from the nucleus accumbens core plays an inhibitory role in the development of reinforcing properties.
Novel joint space force guidance algorithm with laboratory robot system

Abstract This article presents the implementation of a new algorithm of force guided motions with a six axis articulated robot frequently used in research laboratories. This new approach is based on the idea of impedance control in joint space and it is implemented on a digital signal processor-based robot controller. It allows an intuitive force guidance of the robot by taking the gripper by the hand. Robot may be also guided over the singularities in this way. Behaviour of the robot is thus freely programmable in the wide range.
Service providers' use of emotional competencies and perceived workgroup emotional climate to predict customer and provider satisfaction with service encounters

We use the customer service context to examine the impact observations of other's emotional displays have on people from multiple perspectives, including customers' observations of service provider displays, service providers' observations of customer displays in response to their displays in service encounters, and service providers' observations of aggregate emotional displays in their workgroup. Emotional displays are described in terms of Goleman's notion of personal and social emotional competencies. The concept of emotional climate is used to describe individuals' observations regarding aggregate emotional displays in their workgroup. An Experience Sampling Method study of 120-service encounters show that providers' perceptions of the quality of workgroup emotional climate predicted positively their overall job satisfaction. The provider's emotional competence affected the outcome of the encounter in a complex way and predicted positively the workgroup emotional climate. The predictive nature of these results is encouraging, suggesting that a more detailed analysis would be rewarding.
Exploring Residential Mobility among Low-Income Families

While it is widely recognized that low-income families move frequently, the complexities of such transitions are not well understood. This article uses panel data from the Women’s Employment Study to examine the patterns and correlates of different forms of mobility among one sample of low-income mothers in the years following welfare reform. The analysis reveals considerable heterogeneity between movers and nonmovers and, to a lesser extent, between those who experience positive and negative moves. Most families experience positive residential transitions, yet nearly a quarter of movers are dissatisfied with their housing circumstances following a move. Multivariate analyses show that being African American, experiencing a job loss, and reporting hard drug use significantly increase the probability of experiencing negative mobility, while having a physical health problem increases the probability of dissatisfaction in the absence of mobility.
Engaging Adolescent Youth in Foster Care through Photography

Older youth in foster care are particularly vulnerable because they are poorly prepared for the transition from foster care to independent adulthood. Interventions designed to assist in this transition rarely engage youth directly; plans are made for youth rather than with them. Photographs can serve as an externalised medium for the expression of youths' personal issues and can have a positive effect on their health. Enhanced outcomes include increasing self-esteem, instilling hope, and assisting with personal and interpersonal development. The expression of these concerns, hopes, and plans via photography can bridge social and communicative distances that may exist between youth and their social worker. In this way, youth engagement is enhanced; the social worker and youth can more effectively build a helping alliance. Two of the authors, college professors, developed an intervention that utilises photography to engage adolescent youth in foster care and facilitate collaborative development of a case plan that allows youth to take an active role in planning for their future, thus supporting strengths-based practice. The main points of this article will be describing the common challenges adolescent youth in foster care experience and how photography can mitigate these common challenges and buffer against the ongoing trauma adolescent youth experience while in foster care. This intervention utilises a strengths-based, solution-focused approach to engaging the adolescents.
Conformational Dynamics at the Inner Gate of KcsA during Activation

The potassium channel KcsA offers a unique opportunity to explicitly study the dynamics of the moving parts of ion channels, yet our understanding of the extent and dynamic behavior of the physiologically relevant structural changes at the inner gate in KcsA remains incomplete. Here, we use electron paramagnetic resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the extent of pH-dependent conformational changes of the inner gate in lipid bilayers or detergent micelles. Our results show that under physiological conditions the inner gate experiences a maximal diagonal opening of ∼24 Å with the largest degree of dynamics near the pKa of activation (pH ∼3.9). These results extend the observation that the C-terminus is necessary to limit the extent of opening and imply that the inner gate regulates the extent of conformational change at the zone of allosteric coupling and at the selectivity filter.
Who Is Willing to Foster Children With Disabilities?

Children with disabilities represent a significant and increasing proportion of children in foster care. In a national sample of 304 foster mothers we identified two groups of mothers, one willing to foster children with any type of disability except HIV/AIDS (51%) (Unconditional mothers), and a second group who were more selective (49%) (Selective mothers). Unconditional mothers fostered longer, fostered more children, and had more foster children in their homes.
The prophylactic effect of acupressure (P6) on the postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients underwent thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common problem in patients recovering from anesthesia and surgery. P6 point is the acupressure point for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. We evaluated the efficacy of acupressure at the P6 point in 94 patients undergoing thyroidectomy in a randomized, prospective and placebo-controlled study. METHODS Ninety-four female patients, aged 18 to 60, scheduled for elective thyroidectomy, were randomized to have either placebo band or acupressure band (Sea-Band(R) UK Ltd., Leicestershire, England, UK) applied to the P6 point of both hands before induction of anesthesia. The acupressure bands removed 24 h later. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was evaluated 1, 6 and 24 h following surgery. In addition, the need for rescue antiemetic medication during 24 h was registered. RESULTS The incidence of postoperative nausea was lower in acupressure group at 0-1 h (16.7% vs. 39.1%; P = 0.015) and at 6-24 h (0% vs. 15.2%; P = 0.05). The need for rescue antiemetic medication was also lower at 0-1 h (4.2% vs. 23.9%; P = 0.006), at 1-6 h (6.2% vs. 20.9%; P = 0.039) and at 6-24 h (0% vs. 13%; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS In patients undergoing thyroidectomy, nausea and need of rescue antiemetic medication were reduced by acupressure at the P6 point.
Pancreatic Graft Survival Despite Partial Vascular Graft Thrombosis due to Splenocephalic Anastomoses

Thrombotic complications following pancreas transplantation are still the most common cause of nonimmunologic graft loss. The aim of this study was to analyze pancreatic graft function after partial arterial graft thrombosis and the investigation of the pancreatic arterial anatomy with regard to intraparenchymal anastomoses. We retrospectively analyzed the data for 175 consecutive pancreas transplants performed between January 2002 and October 2007. Selective Y‐graft angiography was performed in 10 and rubber‐milk injection in 5 fresh pancreas specimens. Thrombosis of one leg of the Y‐graft was diagnosed in 18 (10.3%) patients. Only one of these patients with thrombosis of the splenic artery required exogenous insulin. Sufficient graft perfusion was demonstrated in all of the remaining grafts. One graft was lost due to acute rejection. In all specimens angiography showed an excellent perfusion of the pancreaticoduodenal arcade, even after selective cannulation of the splenic artery. Arterial collaterals between the gastroduodenal, splenic artery and the superior mesenteric artery were demonstrated. Our results demonstrate that global perfusion of the pancreatic graft and sufficient graft function is sustained after the thrombotic occlusion of one branch of the Y‐graft by a complex system of intraparenchymal anastomoses. These anatomical findings may have consequences for resection strategies in pancreas surgery.
Distributed Coverage Control on Surfaces in 3D Space

This paper addresses the problem of deploying a group of networked robots on a non-planar surface embedded in 3D space. Two distributed coverage control algorithms are presented that both provide a solution to the problem by discrete coverage of a graph. The first method computes shortest paths and runs the Lloyd algorithm on the graph to obtain a centroidal Voronoi tessellation. The second method uses the Euclidean distance measure and locally exchanges mesh cells between approximated Voronoi regions to reach an optimal robot configuration. Both methods are compared and evaluated in simulations and in experiments with five robots on a curved surface.