Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Discussion IL-33 and its receptor ST2 associated with the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE To study the expression of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients, and to explore the role of IL-33 and ST2 in the pathogenesis of AR. METHOD Collected 24 cases of nasal septum deviation of patients with AR as AR group,and selected 20 patients with simple septum deviation as normal control. In addition, collected 20 cases diagnosed with AR, who accepted standardized specific immunotherapy(SIT). RESULT Immunohistochemical results found more positively stained cells of IL-33 and ST2 in AR patients than normal control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), Western-Blot detected that IL-33 and ST2 protein level were significantly higher in AR than the normal control group (P < 0.01), PCR detected that the expression of IL-33mRNA and ST2mRNA were increased in AR group compared with the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). While, the serum IL-33 levels in AR were decreased before treatment (72.37 ± 16.18) ng/L than after six months of SIT (47.35 ± 10.59) ng/L,and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION IL-33 and its receptor ST2 were highly expressed in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR, suggesting that IL-33/ST2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. Serum levels of IL-33 were significantly decreased after SIT treatment, suggesting that IL-33 may have a positive correlation with the severity of AR.
Microbiological and Histopathological Effects of Nasal Packing Containing Probiotics on Nasal Mucosa

Background:Nasal packing is frequently used after surgical interventions to prevent bleeding and synecchia formation and for the treatment of diseases such as epistaxis. One of the most morbid complications of nasal packing applications is the toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Owing to the microbiological structure of nasal mucosa, antibiotics are administered to all patients who are applied nasal packages for prevention of TSS. Aim:The aim of this study is the evaluation of microbiological and histopathological changes taking place in nasal mucosa with nasal packing containing probiotics. Methods:Three groups were formed with 6 rats in each group. The nasal packings with the same characteristics were applied to nasal cavities of rats in all 3 groups. In group 1, only nasal packs were used. Probiotics or parenteral antibiotics were not used. In group 2, parenteral antibiotics were used along with nasal packs. In group 3, nasal packs with probiotics containing Lactobacillus strains were applied. No parenteral antibiotics were used. After 3 days packages were removed and nasal cavity was irrigated with saline. Both packages and irrigation materials were analyzed for microbiological content. After scarification, nasal and paranasal structures were examined for histopathological changes. Results:In group 3 statistically the total bacteria load was significantly lower in comparison to the other groups. However, in the histopathological evaluation of the mucosa of rats in group 3, bleeding and inflammation findings were significantly higher statistically. Conclusions:It has been determined that the total microbiological load significantly decreases with the application of packing containing probiotics. So, the use of probiotics along with nasal packings is promising to prevent unnecessary use of medications.
The Effect of a Brief Salivary α-Amylase Exposure During Chewing on Subsequent in Vitro Starch Digestion Curve Profiles

There is inconsistency between current in vitro digestion methods with regard to accommodation of a (salivary) α-amylase exposure during the oral phase. The effect of a salivary α-amylase pre-exposure on subsequent in vitro starch digestion curve profiles for various foods was investigated. Foods were chewed, expectorated and the boluses left to rest for 0–15 min. During pancreatic digestion, aliquots were taken and hydrolysis curves constructed for comparison against those of the same foods comminuted with a manually-operated chopper, hence spared exposure to saliva. Hydrolysate aliquots taken at T0 (time zero) of the digestion of chewed samples contained higher levels of glucose and dextrins compared with chopped samples. Pancreatin activity immediately overwhelmed differences in sugar released due to salivary amylase activity. Within 10 min no differences were detectable between hydrolysis curves for chewed and chopped foods. Salivary amylase pretreatment does not contribute to the robustness or relative accuracy of in vitro methods.
Managing diversity through human resource management: an international perspective and conceptual framework

This paper critically reviews the literature on managing diversity through human resource management (HRM). We discuss the major issues and objectives of managing diversity and examine the state of human resource diversity management practices in organizations. Our review shows that inequality and discrimination still widely exist and HRM has focused mainly on compliance with equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action (AA) legislation. Less attention has been paid to valuing, developing and making use of diversity. Our review reveals limited literature examining how diversity is managed in organizations through effective human resource management. We develop a framework that presents strategies for HR diversity management at the strategic, tactical and operational levels. Our review also discusses the implications for practice and further research.
Comparing the effects of combined numerical and visuo- spatial psychoeducational trainings conducted by curricular teachers and external trainers. Preliminary evidence across kindergarteners.

The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of two pencil-and-paper trainings empowering numerical and visuo-spatial abilities in Italian five-year-old kindergarteners. Specifically, the trainings were respectively carried out by the curricular teacher or by an external trainer. The former received a specific training in order to use the psychoeducational programmes with her pupils, whereas the latter received a specific education about the role of numerical and visuo-spatial abilities for school achievement and she was also trained to use psychoeducational trainings in kindergarten schools. At pre-test and post-test nonverbal functions and numeracy knowledge were assessed through a battery of standardized tests. The results show that both the numerical psychoeducational programme and the visuo-spatial one are useful tools to enhance mathematical achievements in kindergarteners. However, when the trainings were proposed by the external trainer, the efficacy of the psychoeducational programmes was more significant. These outcomes seem to be related both to the expertise and the novelty effect of the external trainer on the classroom.
Sex-Dependent Expression and Activity of the ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP/ABCG2) in Liver

The breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) is an ATP-binding cassette drug efflux transporter present in the liver and other tissues that affects the pharmacological behavior of many compounds. To assess the possible role of BCRP in sex-dependent pharmacokinetics, we studied the in vivo disposition of several murine Bcrp1 substrates in male and female wild-type and Bcrp1 knockout mice. After oral administration of the antibiotic nitrofurantoin, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve in wild-type female mice was approximately 2-fold higher than in wild-type male mice. Moreover, after i.v. administration of nitrofurantoin, the antiulcerative cimetidine, the anticancer drug topotecan, and the carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), the plasma levels in wild-type female mice were all significantly higher than those in wild-type male mice. Analysis of the expression of murine Bcrp1 in several pharmacokinetically important tissues showed that only the hepatic Bcrp1 expression was higher in male mice compared with female mice. In line with this difference, the hepatobiliary excretion for nitrofurantoin and PhIP was, respectively, 9-fold higher and approximately 2-fold higher in male compared with female wild-type mice. No significant sex differences were observed in plasma levels or hepatobiliary excretion for any of the tested compounds in Bcrp1–/– mice, indicating that Bcrp1 was the main cause of the sex difference in wild-type mice. Analysis of hepatic expression of human BCRP also indicated a higher expression in men compared with women. In conclusion, sex-dependent expression of BCRP/Bcrp1 in the liver may be a cause of sex-specific variability in the pharmacokinetics of BCRP substrates, with potential impact on the clinical-therapeutic applications and toxicity risks of drugs.
Online Bellman Residual Algorithms with Predictive Error Guarantees

We establish a connection between optimizing the Bellman Residual and worst case long-term predictive error. In the online learning framework, learning takes place over a sequence of trials with the goal of predicting a future discounted sum of rewards. Our analysis shows that, together with a stability assumption, any no-regret online learning algorithm that minimizes Bellman error ensures small prediction error. No statistical assumptions are made on the sequence of observations, which could be non-Markovian or even adversarial. Moreover, the analysis is independent of the particular form of function approximation and the particular (stable) no-regret approach taken. Our approach thus establishes a broad new family of provably sound algorithms for Bellman Residual-based learning and provides a generalization of previous worst-case result for minimizing predictive error. We investigate the potential advantages of some of this family both theoretically and empirically on benchmark problems.
Evaluation of Populus and Salix Continuously Irrigated with Landfill Leachate II. Soils and Early Tree Development

Soil contaminant levels and early tree growth data are helpful for assessing phytoremediation systems. Populus (DN17, DN182, DN34, NM2, and NM6) and Salix (94003, 94012, S287, S566, and SX61) genotypes were irrigated with landfill leachate or municipal water and tested for differences in 1) element concentrations (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, B, Mn, Fe, Cu, Al, and Na) of a topsoil layer and a layer of sand in tanks with a cover crop of trees or no trees and 2) height, diameter, volume, and dry mass of leaves, stems, and roots. Trees were irrigated with leachate or water during the final 12 wk of the 18-wk study. Differences in most soil element concentrations were negligible (P > 0.05) for irrigation treatments and cover main effects. Phosphorous, K, Mg, S, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Al concentrations were greater in topsoil than sand (P = 0.0011 for Mg; P < 0.0001 for others). There was broad variation between genera and among clones for all growth traits. The treatment × clone interaction governed height, volume, and root dry mass, with (94012, SX61), (NM2, S566, SX61), and (S287, S566) exhibiting the greatest levels, respectively, following leachate application. Given the broad amount of variability among and within these genera, there is great potential for the identification and selection of specific genotypes with a combination of elevated phytoremediation capabilities and tree yield. From a practical standpoint, these results may be used as a baseline for the development of future remediation systems.
A novel GPLS-GP algorithm and its application to air temperature prediction

In this paper, a novel regression algorithm, the Generalized Partial Least Squares Gaussian Process (GPLS-GP), is developed to improve the prediction performance of regression model. Profiting from the latent variables extraction power of PLS, noise, co-linearity between independent variables and other difficult problems could be overcome successfully. More importantly, by designing generalizing variables rationally and by taking advantages of the nonlinear regression superiority of GP (Gaussian process) to calculate the inner model, the nonlinear relationship of the process could be modeled to the most extreme. The theoretical findings are fully supported by the application performed on the prediction of the mean temperature of Izmir of Turkey. It is shown, in comparison to conventional approaches (GPLS, PLS and GP), the model of GPLS-GP yields superior performance while the Root-Mean-Square-Error (RMSE) of calibration and prediction are both improved notably.
Altered DNA Methylation in Leukocytes with Trisomy 21

The primary abnormality in Down syndrome (DS), trisomy 21, is well known; but how this chromosomal gain produces the complex DS phenotype, including immune system defects, is not well understood. We profiled DNA methylation in total peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and T-lymphocytes from adults with DS and normal controls and found gene-specific abnormalities of CpG methylation in DS, with many of the differentially methylated genes having known or predicted roles in lymphocyte development and function. Validation of the microarray data by bisulfite sequencing and methylation-sensitive Pyrosequencing (MS-Pyroseq) confirmed strong differences in methylation (p<0.0001) for each of 8 genes tested: TMEM131, TCF7, CD3Z/CD247, SH3BP2, EIF4E, PLD6, SUMO3, and CPT1B, in DS versus control PBL. In addition, we validated differential methylation of NOD2/CARD15 by bisulfite sequencing in DS versus control T-cells. The differentially methylated genes were found on various autosomes, with no enrichment on chromosome 21. Differences in methylation were generally stable in a given individual, remained significant after adjusting for age, and were not due to altered cell counts. Some but not all of the differentially methylated genes showed different mean mRNA expression in DS versus control PBL; and the altered expression of 5 of these genes, TMEM131, TCF7, CD3Z, NOD2, and NPDC1, was recapitulated by exposing normal lymphocytes to the demethylating drug 5-aza-2′deoxycytidine (5aza-dC) plus mitogens. We conclude that altered gene-specific DNA methylation is a recurrent and functionally relevant downstream response to trisomy 21 in human cells.
Iterated Ontology Revision by Reinterpretation

Iterated applications of belief change operators are essen tial for different scenarios such as that of ontology evolut i n where new information is not presented at once but only in piecemeal fashion within a sequence. I discuss iterated app lications of so called reinterpretation operators that trace conflicts between ontologies back to the ambiguous of symbols and that provide conflict resolution strategies with bridgi ng axioms. The discussion centers on adaptations of the classi cal iteration postulates according to Darwiche and Pearl. T he main result of the paper is that reinterpretation operators fulfill the postulates for sequences containing only atomic tri ggers. For complex triggers, a fulfillment is not guaranteed a n indeed there are different reasons for the different postul ates why they should not be fulfilled in the particular scenario of ontology revision with well developed ontologies.
Examining the Psychological Consequences of Experiencing Awe

EXAMINING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF EXPERIENCING AWE Jennifer Ashlee Dobson Advisor: University of Guelph, 2015 Professor Ian R. Newby-Clark “Awe” refers to the feelings of wonder and amazement experienced when encountering vast and complex situations and environments that cannot be assimilated into existing knowledge structures (Keltner & Haidt, 2003). The purpose of this dissertation was to contribute to research on the consequences of experiencing awe. In Study 1, I interviewed 19 community members about memorable experiences of awe. I conducted a thematic analysis focusing on participants’ descriptions of the consequences of experiencing awe. Participants described many benefits of experiencing awe, including helping people reinterpret negative situations as positive. In Study 2, I tested the effects awe on distress related to an ongoing personal problem and on problem-solving effectiveness. Undergraduate students (n = 180) wrote about a personal problem and then watched a video intended to elicit awe, amusement, or neutral emotions. Participants then wrote a solution to the problem and rated problem-related distress. I found an indirect effect of condition on distress such that participants in the awe condition felt less distressed about their problem and this effect was mediated by awe experienced and reflection. Participants in the awe condition also wrote longer solutions, and this effect was mediated by awe experienced and reflection. However, for task-related problems, participants in the awe condition reported higher level of problem-related distress. Thus, experiencing awe appears to be beneficial when experiencing an ongoing personal problem, but not when the problem involves a task that must be accomplished. In Study 3, I tested the effects of an intervention designed to improve well-being through the induction of awe. Undergraduate students (n = 162) were randomly assigned to the awe, amusement, or control condition. Participants watched a short target emotion-eliciting video each day for five days. One week, two weeks, and four weeks after watching the first video, participants completed a questionnaire measuring subjective well-being. Participants in the awe condition who experienced high levels of awe had greater post-intervention well-being. Overall, the results of these studies provide evidence that the experience of awe is generally beneficial.
The Multi-Class Zone ITS Communication Scheme for Real-time Communications in Intersections

This paper describes the multi-class zone ITS communication scheme considering real-time and short periodical communications for vehicle safety in intersections. In our proposed scheme, an area near an intersection is categorized into the nearest area and the quasi-nearest area. Vehicles communicate with a base station every 20 ms in the nearest area. In the quasi-nearest area, vehicles communicate with the base station for safety, and also make reservations for the communication for the nearest area. For performance evaluation, a microscopic traffic flow simulator is constructed and simulation of the scheme is carried out. We assume large intersections in Japan. First, simulation results show the required frequency bandwidth for realization of the scheme. The results show that the required frequency for vehicle safety in intersections is 12.9 MHz. Second, the performance evaluation considering shadowing effects is carried out. Though the frequency bandwidth is expanded, some vehicles can not communicate periodically because of shadowing effects. Using only half of the required frequency bandwidth causes lack of the number of communication slots. As the result, vehicles which can not communicate every 20 ms come into existence.
Psychologists interpreting conversion: two American forerunners of the hermeneutics of suspicion

Because of the importance of Puritanism in its history, one of the forms taken by religious Angst at the end of the 19th century in New England was uneasiness about the psychological nature and validity of the conversion experience. Apart from William James and G. Stanley Hall, the leading psychologists who investigated this phenomenon were Edwin Starbuck and James Leuba. Each had a different personal stance with regard to the plausibility of religious belief. In practice their differences of opinion over the psychology of conversion pivoted round the role of sexuality. In the first part of the 20th century their conflicting views brought to the fore themes that were eventually given full expression 40 years later in Paul Ricoeur’s account of the ‘hermeneutics of suspicion’.
IMPLICIT SELF-STEREOTYPING UNDER EYE GAZE: THE EFFECTS OF GAZE CUES ON IMPLICIT MATH IDENTITY AMONG WOMEN

This paper argues that implicit self-stereotyping is moderated by the potential for social evaluation in that situation. It was hypothesized that implicit self-stereotyping is facilitated when social cues (i.e., gaze cues) signal social evaluation. This study examined whether gaze cues affected implicit self-stereotyping related to gender stereotypes regarding math competence. A pilot study demonstrated that just a presentation of direct-gaze cues (vs. averted-gaze cues) signaled social evaluation and social norms. The main study revealed that gender differences in math identity were more prominent under direct-gaze cues, relative to averted-gaze cues. Women showed more negative math identity than men did when they were exposed to direct-gaze cues, but not when exposed to averted-gaze cues. Moreover, these effects were particularly prominent among women with stronger implicit math-gender stereotypes and female identity. These findings improve our understanding of how and when implicit self-stereotyping occurs in social situations.
βIII-Tubulin: A novel mediator of chemoresistance and metastases in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Western societies. This poor prognosis is due to chemotherapeutic drug resistance and metastatic spread. Evidence suggests that microtubule proteins namely, β-tubulins are dysregulated in tumor cells and are involved in regulating chemosensitivity. However, the role of β-tubulins in pancreatic cancer are unknown. We measured the expression of different β-tubulin isotypes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue and pancreatic cancer cells. Next, we used RNAi to silence βIII-tubulin expression in pancreatic cancer cells, and measured cell growth in the absence and presence of chemotherapeutic drugs. Finally, we assessed the role of βIII-tubulin in regulating tumor growth and metastases using an orthotopic pancreatic cancer mouse model. We found that βIII-tubulin is highly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue and pancreatic cancer cells. Further, we demonstrated that silencing βIII-tubulin expression reduced pancreatic cancer cell growth and tumorigenic potential in the absence and presence of chemotherapeutic drugs. Finally, we demonstrated that suppression of βIII-tubulin reduced tumor growth and metastases in vivo. Our novel data demonstrate that βIII-tubulin is a key player in promoting pancreatic cancer growth and survival, and silencing its expression may be a potential therapeutic strategy to increase the long-term survival of pancreatic cancer patients.
Compact Two-Way and Four-Way Power Dividers Using Multi-Conductor Coupled Lines

In this letter, new two-way and four-way power dividers are proposed using quarter-wave long multi-conductor coupled lines. The design equations for a two-way power divider are derived by analyzing a three-conductor coupled line. Then, the structure is extended to propose a planar four-way power divider with compact size. The fabricated two-way and four-way power dividers at 2.0 GHz show an excellent performance in the insertion loss, impedance matching at all ports and isolation between output ports.