Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lactobacilli Differentially Modulate Expression of Cytokines and Maturation Surface Markers in Murine Dendritic Cells1

Dendritic cells (DC) play a pivotal immunoregulatory role in the Th1, Th2, and Th3 cell balance and are present throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, DC may be targets for modulation by gut microbes, including ingested probiotics. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that species of Lactobacillus, important members of the gut flora, differentially activate DC. Bone marrow-derived murine DC were exposed to various lethally irradiated Lactobacillus spp. and resultant culture supernatants were analyzed for IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α. Substantial differences were found among strains in the capacity to induce IL-12 and TNF-α production in the DC. Similar but less pronounced differences were observed among lactobacilli in the induction of IL-6 and IL-10. Although all strains up-regulated surface MHC class II and B7-2 (CD86), which is indicative of DC maturation, those lactobacilli with greatest capacity to induce IL-12 were most effective. Remarkably, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM12246, a poor IL-12 inducer, inhibited IL-12, IL-6, and TNF-α induction by the otherwise strong cytokine inducer L. casei CHCC3139, while IL-10 production remained unaltered. In analogous fashion, L. reuteri reduced L. casei-induced up-regulation of B7-2. These results suggest that different species of Lactobacillus exert very different DC activation patterns and, furthermore, at least one species may be capable of inhibiting activities of other species in the genus. Thus, the potential exists for Th1/Th2/Th3-driving capacities of the gut DC to be modulated according to composition of gut microflora, including ingested probiotics.
Poor concordance among nine immunohistochemistry classifiers of cell-of-origin for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: implications for therapeutic strategies.

PURPOSE The opportunity to improve therapeutic choices on the basis of molecular features of the tumor cells is on the horizon in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Agents such as bortezomib exhibit selective activity against the poor outcome activated B-cell type (ABC) DLBCL. In order for targeted therapies to succeed in this disease, robust strategies that segregate patients into molecular groups with high reliability are needed. Although molecular studies are considered gold standard, several immunohistochemistry (IHC) algorithms have been published that claim to be able to stratify patients according to their cell-of-origin and to be relevant for patient outcome. However, results are poorly reproducible by independent groups. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We investigated nine IHC algorithms for molecular classification in a dataset of DLBCL diagnostic biopsies, incorporating immunostaining for CD10, BCL6, BCL2, MUM1, FOXP1, GCET1, and LMO2. IHC profiles were assessed and agreed among three expert observers. A consensus matrix based on all scoring combinations and the number of subjects for each combination allowed us to assess reliability. The survival impact of individual markers and classifiers was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. RESULTS The concordance in patient's classification across the different algorithms was low. Only 4% of the tumors have been classified as germinal center B-cell type (GCB) and 21% as ABC/non-GCB by all methods. None of the algorithms provided prognostic information in the R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide-adriamycin-vincristine-prednisone)-treated cohort. CONCLUSION Further work is required to standardize IHC algorithms for DLBCL cell-of-origin classification for these to be considered reliable alternatives to molecular-based methods to be used for clinical decisions.
A Comparison of Two Stretching Protocols on Hip Range of Motion: Implications for Total Daily Stretch Duration

It is theorized that the total stretch time in a day is more important than the actual single stretch duration time. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 stretching protocols, keeping total stretching time equivalent. The 2 protocols were a 10-second duration stretch and a 30-second duration stretch. Although the stretch durations differed, the total stretching time over the course of a day was held constant at 2 minutes for both protocols. Participants were randomly assigned a protocol to each of their legs: subjects stretched 1 leg with the 10-second protocol and the opposite leg with the 30-second protocol. The 10-second stretch was repeated 6 times for a total of 1 minute; the 30-second protocol was repeated 2 times for a total of 1 minute. Stretching was performed twice daily (a total of 2 minutes each day) for 6 weeks. All stretching was performed to the hamstring muscles. Hip flexion measurements were recorded at pretest, 3-weeks, and 6-weeks. Subjects demonstrated significant gains in range of motion for hip flexion over the course of 6 weeks, p = 0.000. No differences existed between the 2 protocols. Range of motion gains were equal between the 2 stretching protocols. The common denominator was total stretch time for a day. Regardless of the duration of a single stretch, the key to improvement was the total daily stretch time. These findings are important as they allow clinicians and individuals to customize stretching protocols to meet individual needs.
eco-IDC: Trade Delay for Energy Cost with Service Delay Guarantee for Internet Data Centers

Cloud computing services are becoming integral part of people's daily life. These services are supported by Internet data centers (IDCs). As demand for cloud computing services soars, energy consumed by IDCs is skyrocketing. This paper studies an energy management problem - how to minimize energy cost for IDCs in deregulated electricity markets. While several existing works handle this problem by leveraging spatial diversity of electricity price, little has been done to address the temporal uncertainty in electricity price and arriving workload. This paper proposes a novel two-stage design and the eco-IDC (Energy Cost Optimization-IDC) algorithm to exploit temporal diversity of electricity price and dynamically schedule workload to execute on IDC servers through an input queue. Extensive evaluation experiments are performed to demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly reduces energy cost for IDCs, and guarantees a service delay bound for user requests.
A Theory of Reading

Reading has been studied for decades, yet no theories exist which completely explain it. In particular, a type of knowledge intensive reading, creative reading, has been practically ignored. Creative reading is the reading of texts which contain novel concepts. Nearly all reading will be creative to some degree; thus, any theory which overlooks this will be incomplete. By combining results from psychology, artificial intelligence, and education, we have produced a functional theory of the complete reading process, aimed at explaining creative reading.
Government, the Press, and the People's Right To Know

Even the most ardent defenders of a legal right to freedom of the press are likely to regard this right as having limitations; but how precisely the right should be limited is a matter of considerable disagreement. This issue is at least partly moral in character: it concerns the moral acceptability of laws which regulate or protect the activities of members of the press. I propose here to address this moral issue, and to do so within the broader framework of considering whether establishing a legal right to freedom of the press—regardless of how it might be limited—is justifiable on moral grounds. In pursuing this investigation, I will devote special attention to familiar claims about the relation between press rights on the one hand, and “the people's right to know” on the other.
Factors Associated with Life at School for Teenagers

The article presents the findings of research on the conditions and factors associated with life at school. The purpose was to evaluate school life through a descriptive transversal study conducted at nine schools in five towns in Cundinamarca Colombia during 2011. The participants included 1091 students and 101 teachers. The instruments used included variables such as the climate at school, aggression, risk and support factors, self-esteem, family functionality and subjective well-being. The Precede Proceed educational model was used to diagnose life at school. The students said the climate at school is unsatisfactory and cited the existence of aggressive behavior (verbal and physical), destruction of materials, social isolation and sexual harassment. Standard approaches are used to resolve and address conflicts. Problems are caused by difficult students, lack of respect, discipline and intolerance on the part of teachers. The classroom is where aggression occurs most often. Friends and family intervene in solving conflicts. The teachers reported that students are vulnerable to drug and alcohol consumption, and parental support is not evident. The violence is independent of the type of facility, age, social or economic level, and family background (nuclear or non-nuclear). Unlike the students, the teachers have good selfesteem, family functionality and subjective well-being.
Role of Glycine and Glyoxylate Decarboxylation in Photorespiratory CO(2) Release.

Mechanically isolated soybean leaf cells metabolized added glycolate by two mechanisms, the direct oxidation of glyoxylate and the decarboxylation of glycine. The rate of glyoxylate oxidation was dependent on the cellular glyoxylate concentration and was linear between 0.58 and 2.66 micromoles glyoxylate per milligram chlorophyll. The rate extrapolated to zero at a concentration of zero. The concentration and, therefore, the rate of oxidation of glyoxylate could be decreased by adding glutamate or serine to the cells. These substrates were amino donors for the transamination of glyoxylate to glycine. In the presence of these amino acids more CO(2) was released from added glycolate via the glycine decarboxylation reaction and less by the direct oxidation of glyoxylate.Leaves from soybean plants of various ages grown under different nitrogen regimes had glyoxylate concentrations of about 80 to 100 nanomoles per milligram chlorophyll. Using the isolated cells as a model to determine the relationships between the glyoxylate concentration and rate of its decarboxylation indicated that about 2.5% of the photorespiratory CO(2) would arise from this reaction. This percentage would not be expected to vary greatly with growth conditions.
E-Government Adoption Research: An Analysis of the Employee Perspective

This paper works toward analysing the employee's perspective of e-government adoption literature. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of current literature pertaining to electronic government research in order to observe basic trends and highlight promising lines of inquiry. Of an initial search resulting in 448 articles published in between 2000-2011, 134 were found to discuss adoption of e-government services from an employee's perspective and included in our study. Of these 134 articles, 77 reported qualitative research, 52 quantitative, and five reported activity belonging to both categories. The findings suggest that there is currently a relative lack of theoretical development and rigor in the area, and although many aspects such as job relevance, security, perceived benefits, anxiety, and perceived quality are clearly significant as far as employee's adoption is concerned, they have not been investigated to their potential, and there remains much opportunity for researchers to shape and develop the field. Restricting our analysis to theoretical constructs and their frequency may not provide a full picture of the relevance of the constructs.
The introduction of a new sixteenth-century drug: terra Silesiaca.

THE discovery of a new drug, terra Silesiaca, in the sixteenth century and the publicity and experimentation that were a part of marketing it provide an interesting insight into the medical practice and the pharmaceutical trade of that period. Various earths had long been used in medicine as alexipharmics, astringents, and absorbents. Dioscorides and Pliny the medicinal virtues reputation established "this earth of ours" cures quinsy, inner inflammations, ulcered lungs, and other inward diseases if a drachm is taken in a liquid proper to the disease. It could also be used for colic and "iliac passions". This earth helps in all diseases where sweating was important to the cure and in consumption with the spitting of blood.32
State Financial Policies and College Student Persistence: A National Study

In the context of the privatization of higher education, this study examines the possible role of state finances in promoting equal educational opportunities. Through the combined use of a national representative database and a state finance database and the application of hierarchical generalized linear modeling methods, this study found that state funding of need-based aid was positively associated with college students' chances of persistence, while findings regarding state funding on non-need-based aid are mixed and merit further research.
Elevated Thalamic Low-Voltage-Activated Currents Precede the Onset of Absence Epilepsy in the SNAP25-Deficient Mouse Mutant Coloboma

Recessive mutations in genes encoding voltage-gated Ca2+ channel subunits alter high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium currents, impair neurotransmitter release, and stimulate thalamic low-voltage-activated (LVA) currents that contribute to a cortical spike-wave epilepsy phenotype in mice. We now report thalamic LVA current elevations in a non-Ca2+ channel mutant. EEG analysis of Coloboma (Cm/+), an autosomal dominant mutant mouse lacking one copy of the gene for a synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP25) that interacts with HVA channels, reveals abnormal spike-wave discharges (SWDs) in the behaving animal. We compared the biophysical properties of both LVA and HVA currents in Cm/+ and wild-type thalamic neurons and observed a 54% increase in peak current density of LVA currents evoked at –50 mV from –110 mV in Cm/+ before the developmental onset of seizures relative to control. The midpoint voltage for steady-state inactivation of LVA currents in Cm/+ was shifted in a depolarized direction by 8 mV before epilepsy onset, and the mean time constant for decay of LVA Ca2+ currents at –50 mV was also prolonged. No significant differences were found in recovery from inactivation of LVA currents or in HVA current densities and kinetics. Our data demonstrate that a non-Ca2+ channel subunit gene mutation leads to potentiated thalamic LVA currents that precede the appearance of SWDs and that altered somatodendritic HVA currents are not required for abnormal thalamocortical oscillations. We suggest that presynaptic release defects shared by these mutants lead to postsynaptic LVA excitability increases in thalamic pacemaker neurons that favor rebound bursting and absence epilepsy.
Phase I Study of Bryostatin 1 and Gemcitabine

Purpose: Bryostatin 1 is a macrocyclic lactone with protein kinase C inhibitory activity. Gemcitabine is a nucleotide analogue with a broad spectrum of anticancer activity. Bryostatin 1 enhanced the activity of antitumor agents including gemcitabine in preclinical models. The primary objective of this phase I study was to determine the recommended doses for phase II trials of bryostatin 1 and gemcitabine. Experimental Design: Eligible patients had histologic or cytologic diagnosis of nonhematologic cancer refractory to conventional treatment; life expectancy of >3 months; normal renal, hepatic, and bone marrow function; and a Southwest Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2. Gemcitabine was administered i.v. over 30 minutes and was followed by bryostatin 1 by i.v. infusion over 24 hours on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Bryostatin 1 (μg/m2) and gemcitabine (mg/m2) doses were escalated as follows: 25/600, 25/800, 25/1,000, 30/1,000, 35/1,000, and 45/1,000, respectively. Results: Thirty-six patients (mean age, 57 years; male/female 15:21) were treated. The median number of treatment cycles per patient was 3 (range, 0-24). Four patients developed dose limiting toxicities: myalgia, 2; myelosuppression, 1; and elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase levels, 1. Ten grade 3 toxicities were observed (anemia, 2; neutropenia, 5; thrombocytopenia, 3). No treatment-related death was seen. The recommended doses for phase II trials for bryostatin 1 and gemcitabine were 35 μg/m2 and 1,000 mg/m2, respectively. Two heavily pretreated patients with breast and colon cancer experienced partial responses lasting 22 and 8 months, respectively. Eight patients had stable disease. Conclusion: The combination of bryostatin 1 and gemcitabine seemed to be well tolerated with limited grade 3 toxicity. The recommended dose of bryostatin 1 in combination with full doses of gemcitabine was 35 μg/m2.
Coupling a Single Trapped Atom to a Nanoscale Optical Cavity

Trapped and Coupled Trapped single atoms are ideal for storing and manipulating quantum information. Thompson et al. (p. 1202, published online 25 April; see the Perspective by Keller) were able to control single atoms interacting coherently with a field mode of a photonic crystal cavity. An optical tweezer was used to trap the single atom, which enabled positioning of the atom in close proximity to the photonic crystal waveguide, coupling the atom to the optical mode of the cavity. Such coupling should prove useful in quantum measurement, sensing, and information processing. A single rubidium atom is positioned in close proximity to an optical cavity so they can interact. [Also see Perspective by Keller] Hybrid quantum devices, in which dissimilar quantum systems are combined in order to attain qualities not available with either system alone, may enable far-reaching control in quantum measurement, sensing, and information processing. A paradigmatic example is trapped ultracold atoms, which offer excellent quantum coherent properties, coupled to nanoscale solid-state systems, which allow for strong interactions. We demonstrate a deterministic interface between a single trapped rubidium atom and a nanoscale photonic crystal cavity. Precise control over the atom's position allows us to probe the cavity near-field with a resolution below the diffraction limit and to observe large atom-photon coupling. This approach may enable the realization of integrated, strongly coupled quantum nano-optical circuits.
Gender differences in spousal caregiving in Japan.

BACKGROUND Gender differences in spousal caregivers and their relationship to care experiences, social demographics, and caregivers' depression were examined. METHODS A stratified random sample of 2,020 users of public long-term care insurance in a city of Osaka prefecture, Japan, participated in this study. Responses from 308 spouses (56.2% wives, 43.8% husbands) were analyzed. Variables relating to care experiences, social demographics, and caregivers' depression were compared by conducting simultaneous analyses of multiple populations. RESULTS Wives caring for husbands had higher depression scores than husbands caring for wives. Wives tended to adopt "emotional support seeking" and "willing commitment" as coping strategies for their caregiving experience. Husband caregivers used more home-care services; however, increased service use had no effect on husbands' depression. The availability of secondary caregivers reduced depression for caregivers, regardless of gender. CONCLUSIONS The effects on depression differed related to the caregiver's gender. Husbands relied more on family or home-care services when caring for their wives, whereas wives provided higher levels of care, positively accepted their role, and did not seek to share caregiving, but sought emotional support.
EXISTENCE OF PERIODIC SOLUTIONS AND HOMOCLINIC ORBITS FOR THIRD-ORDER NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

The existence of periodic solutions for the third-order differential equation ˙ x + ω 2 ˙ x = µF (x, ˙ x, ¨ x) is studied. We give some conditions for this equation in order to reduce it to a second-order nonlinear differential equation. We show that the existence of periodic solutions for the second-order equation implies the existence of periodic solutions for the above equation. Then we use the Hopf bifurcation theorem for the second-order equation and obtain many periodic solutions for it. Also we show that the above equation has many homoclinic solutions if F( x,˙ x, ¨ x) has a quadratic form. Finally, we compare our result to that of Mehri and Niksirat
Charting the Paradigm Shifts in HIV Research: The Contribution of Gender and Religion Studies

Our central aim in this lead-in piece is to chart the ways in which particular epistemological frameworks within the study of gender and religion serve to interrogate and challenge the systems of knowledge that exist in the HIV pandemic in the African and global contexts. We argue that the epistemological frameworks that gender and religion studies generate have caused significant paradigm shifts within HIV knowledge production both on the popular and academic level. These shifts have been so profound that HIV studies that do not take these areas of study seriously can and should have their credibility questioned. We wish to demonstrate our central argument by reflecting on a decade of experience in researching and teaching in the area of HIV, gender, and religion in Africa. These experiences are found in a selected number of program, research projects, and initiatives that relate to or emanate from the work of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (the Circle). These are, inter alia, Yale’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA); the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA), and a bilateral project between the Universities of Oslo and KwaZulu-Natal called “Broken Women, Healing Traditions: Indigenous Resources for Gender Critique and Social Transformation in the Context of HIV & AIDS” (the Broken Women project). While the studies have been done in Africa, the impact is global.
Toxic effects and oxidative stress in higher plants exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their N‐heterocyclic derivatives

N‐heterocyclic derivatives of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) are widespread concomitantly with their parent analogues and have been detected in air, water, sediments, and soil. Although they were shown to be highly toxic to some organisms, our understanding of their occurrence, environmental fate, biological metabolism, and effects is limited. This study evaluated toxic effects of three homocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs—phenanthrene, anthracene, fluorene) and their seven N‐heterocyclic derivates on higher terrestrial plants Sinapis alba, Triticum aestivum, and Phaseolus vulgaris. Germinability, morphological end‐points, parameters of detoxification, and antioxidant components of plant metabolism as well as lipid peroxidation were studied in acute phytotoxicity tests. Phytotoxicity of NPAHs was generally more pronounced than the effects of parent PAHs, and it significantly differed with respect to the structure of individual NPAHs. Sinapis alba and T. aestivum were more sensitive plant species than P. vulgaris. Chemicals with the strongest inhibition effect on germination and growth of plants were phenanthridine, acridine, benzo[h]quinoline, and 1,10‐ and 1,7‐phenanthroline. All tested chemicals significantly induced activities of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione‐S‐transferase) at nanomolar to low micromolar concentrations. Levels of reduced glutathione were induced by all tested chemicals except 1,10‐ and 4,7‐phenanthroline. Furthermore, fluorene, carbazole, acridine, phenanthrene, phenanthridine, benzo[h]quinoline, and 1,7‐phenanthroline significantly increased lipid peroxidation. The results of our study newly demonstrate significant toxicity of NPAHs to plants and demonstrate suitability of multiple biomarker assessment to characterize mechanisms of oxidative stress and to serve as an early warning of phytotoxicity in vivo.