Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cancer Cells Hypoxia Increases Androgen Receptor Activity in Prostate

Recent studies show that prostate cancer cells are able to survive in a hypoxic tumor environment, and the extent of tumor hypoxia correlates with poor clinical outcome. Androgen deprivation, the most common form of prostate cancer therapy, was itself shown to induce a state of transient hypoxia at the microenvironmental level. Because androgen receptor (AR) signaling plays a critical role in prostate cancer, we investigated the effect of hypoxia in regulating AR function. We found that in LNCaP prostate cancer cells, AR binding to the androgen-responsive element (ARE), prostate-specific antigen accumulation, and ARE-reporter gene activity were increased after hypoxia treatment. Hypoxia-enhanced AR function was also observed when AR was exogenously introduced into AR-null DU145 cells. Confocal microscopy and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that AR translocation to the nucleus and AR recruitment to the prostate-specific antigen promoter were facilitated after hypoxia treatment. The AR stimulatory effect seemed to be ligand-dependent because it was abrogated when cells were cultured in an androgen-depleted medium, but was restored with the addition of R1881, a synthetic androgen. The sensitivity of AR activation to R1881 was also increased after hypoxia treatment. Although concentrations of <1 nmol/L R1881 did not induce ARE reporter activity under normoxic conditions, exposure to hypoxia greatly potentiated the AR response to low levels of R1881. Collectively, our results provide compelling evidence that changes in hypoxia/reoxygenation stimulate AR trans-activation and sensitization. The AR-stimulatory effect of an unstable tissue oxygenation milieu of a tumor is likely to contribute to treatment resistance and the emergence of recurrent prostate cancer. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(10): 5121-9)
Fast and Accurate Algorithms for Re-Weighted $\ell _{1}$-Norm Minimization

To recover a sparse signal from an underdetermined system, we often solve a constrained l1-norm minimization problem. In many cases, the signal sparsity and recovery performance can be further improved by replacing the l1 norm with a “weighted” l1 norm. Without prior information about the signal's nonzero elements, the procedure for selecting weights is iterative in nature. Common approaches update the weights at every iteration using the solution of a weighted l1 problem from the previous iteration. This paper presents two homotopy-based algorithms that efficiently solve reweighted l1 problems. First, we present an algorithm that quickly updates the solution of a weighted l1 problem as the weights change. Since the solution changes only slightly with small changes in weights, we develop a homotopy algorithm that replaces old weights with new ones in a small number of computationally inexpensive steps. Second, we propose an algorithm that solves a weighted l1 problem by adaptively selecting weights while estimating the signal. This algorithm integrates the reweighting into every step along the homotopy path by changing the weights according to changes in the solution and its support, allowing us to achieve a high quality signal reconstruction by solving a single homotopy problem. We compare both algorithms' performance, in terms of reconstruction accuracy and computational complexity, against state-of-the-art solvers and show that our methods have smaller computational cost. We also show that the adaptive selection of the weights inside the homotopy often yields reconstructions of higher quality.
Dental self-care and visiting behaviour in relation to social inequality in caries experience.

OBJECTIVES To investigate associations of dental behaviour with social inequality in oral health. METHODS A random sample of 45-54 year-olds from Adelaide, South Australia was surveyed by self-complete questionnaire in 2004-05 (n = 879, response rate 43.8%). Oral examinations were performed by calibrated dentists on 709 persons (80.7% of participants). RESULTS The mean (SE) number of decayed teeth (D) was 0.4 (0.04), with 5.3 (0.2) missing teeth (M), 11.0 (0.2) filled teeth (F) and 16.6 (0.2) DMFT. The majority brushed their teeth 8 or more times per week (78.8%) and had made a dental visit within the last 12 months (63.7%). Nearly a quarter had a household income of under $30,000 (24.0%). Multivariate analysis showed a three-way interaction (p < 0.05, GLM) between income and brushing and visiting for decayed teeth, showing that the relationship between decayed teeth and dental behaviour varied across levels of income. Among those who had not made a dental visit in the last 12 months, those who brushed their teeth 8 or more times per week in the low income group had D = 0.7 (0.2) while those who brushed less often had D = 2.2 (0.5) compared to D = 0.3 (0.08) and D = 0.3 (0.2) respectively in the high income group. CONCLUSION Dental behaviour in terms of brushing and visiting was associated with social gradients in oral health for decayed teeth across income groups, with less favourable dental behaviour having a stronger negative association with oral health among lower income groups.
Why do animal eyes have pupils of different shapes?

A novel explanation of why certain pupil shapes are visually advantageous for terrestrial animals in different ecological niches. There is a striking correlation between terrestrial species’ pupil shape and ecological niche (that is, foraging mode and time of day they are active). Species with vertically elongated pupils are very likely to be ambush predators and active day and night. Species with horizontally elongated pupils are very likely to be prey and to have laterally placed eyes. Vertically elongated pupils create astigmatic depth of field such that images of vertical contours nearer or farther than the distance to which the eye is focused are sharp, whereas images of horizontal contours at different distances are blurred. This is advantageous for ambush predators to use stereopsis to estimate distances of vertical contours and defocus blur to estimate distances of horizontal contours. Horizontally elongated pupils create sharp images of horizontal contours ahead and behind, creating a horizontally panoramic view that facilitates detection of predators from various directions and forward locomotion across uneven terrain.
Time-varying lifting structures for single-tree complexwavelet transform

In this paper, we describe a single-tree complex wavelet transform method using time-varying lifting structures. In the dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DT-CWT), two different filterbanks are executed in parallel to analyze a given input signal, which increases the amount of data after analysis. DT-CWT leads to a redundancy factor of 2d for d-dimensional signals. In the proposed single-tree complex wavelet transform (ST-CWT) structure, filters of the lifting filterbank switch back and forth between the two analysis filters of the DT-CWT. This approach does not increase the amount of output data as it is a critically sampled transform and it has the desirable properties of DT-CWT such as shift-invariance and directional selectivity. The proposed filterbank is capable of constructing a complex wavelet-like transform. Examples are presented.
An Interactive Computer-Aided Instructional Strategy and Assessment Methods for System Identification and Adaptive Control Laboratory

This study describes a set of real-time interactive experiments that address system identification and model reference adaptive control (MRAC) techniques. In constructing laboratory experiments that contribute to efficient teaching, experimental design and instructional strategy are crucial, but a process for doing this has yet to be defined. This paper is an attempt towards filling this gap. Its contributions are: 1) to describe a sample set of experiments for both senior undergraduate- and graduate-level students, to strengthen their understanding of system identification and control; 2) to help instructors wishing to set up a laboratory with an interactive learning strategy; and 3) to propose a set of assessment criteria for engineering accreditation in system identification and control laboratories. A benefit of this paper for engineering educators is that it provides a roadmap for transferring complex theory problems into prototypes in the laboratory. Furthermore, the instructional strategies proposed can easily be adapted to other engineering courses.
Diffusion-, T2-, and Perfusion-Weighted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Middle Cerebral Artery Embolic Stroke and Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Intervention in the Rat

Thrombolysis of embolic stroke in the rat was measured using diffusion (DWI)-, T2 (T2WI)-, and perfusion (PWI)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An embolus was placed at the origin of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) by injection of an autologous single blood clot via an intraluminal catheter placed in the intracranial segment of internal carotid artery. Rats were treated with a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) 1 hour after embolization (n = 9) or were not treated (n = 15). Diffusion-weighted imaging, T2WI, and PWI were performed before, during, and after embolization from 1 hour to 7 days. After embolization in both rt-PA-treated and control animals, the apparent diffusion coefficient of water (ADCw) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the ischemic region significantly declined from the preischemic control values (P < 0.001). However, mean CBF and ADCw in the rt-PA—treated group was elevated early after administration of rt-PA compared with the untreated control group, and significant differences between the two groups were detected in CBF (24 hours after embolization, P < 0.05) and ADCw (3, 4, and 24 hours after embolization, P < 0.05). T2 values maximized at 24 (control group, P < 0.001) or 48 hours (treated group, P < 0.01) after embolization. The increase in T2 in the control group was significantly higher at 24 hours and 168 hours than in the rt-PA—treated group (P < 0.05). Significant correlations (r ≥ 0.80, P < 0.05) were found between lesion volume measured 1 week after embolization and CBF and ADCw obtained 1 hour after injection of rt-PA. Within a coronal section of brain, MRI cluster analysis, which combines ADCw and T2 data maps, indicated a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the lesion 24 hours after thrombolysis compared with nontreated animals. These data demonstrate that the values for CBF and ADCw obtained 1 hour after injection of rt-PA correlate with histologic outcome in the tissue, and that the beneficial effect of thrombolysis of an intracranial embolus by means of rt-PA is reflected in an increase of CBF and ADCw, a reduction in the increase of T2, and a reduction of the ischemic lesion size measured using MRI cluster analysis.
Cohesion and Coherence in Compositions in Malay and English

Empirical studies on cohesion in written discourse of native and non-native speakers of English indicate that judgments of writing quality may depend on overall coherence in content, organization, and style rather than on the quantity of cohesion (Witt & Faigley, 1981; Connor, 1984; Lindsay, 1984; Scarcella, 1984; Schneider, 1985). However, the studies concerning non-native speakers of English have not included data from the first language nor controlled the language and cultural background of ESL writers. This study examines cohesion in expository essays written in Malay and in English by native speakers of both languages and in ESL by Malaysian writers. Sample compositions evaluated holistically as "good" or "weak" in quality were submitted by Malaysian teachers of com position in Malay and by American teachers of native and non-native speakers of English. T-tests performed on the data obtained from a cohesion analysis of text (Halliday and Hasan, 1976) indicate no dif ferences in the amount of cohesion between "good" and "weak" com positions written in Malay by native speakers (20) or in English by native (20) and Malay speakers (20). "Good" compositions written in Malay have more intersentence semantic ties (e.g., reiteration and collocation) than "weak" compositions. However, "good" compositions written in English by native speakers have more intersentence syntactic ties (e.g., reference and conjunction) than "weak" compositions. The development of content in the com positions written in Malay in comparison to those written in English by native speakers indicate a crosscultural variance in conditions for quality. In addition, compositions in ESL demonstrate a developmental stage in the usage of syntactic cohesive links and the organization of material, reflecting previous writing experience in the Malay language.
Shank3-mutant mice lacking exon 9 show altered excitation/inhibition balance, enhanced rearing, and spatial memory deficit

Shank3 is a postsynaptic scaffolding protein implicated in synapse development and autism spectrum disorders. The Shank3 gene is known to produce diverse splice variants whose functions have not been fully explored. In the present study, we generated mice lacking Shank3 exon 9 (Shank3Δ9 mice), and thus missing five out of 10 known Shank3 splice variants containing the N-terminal ankyrin repeat region, including the longest splice variant, Shank3a. Our X-gal staining results revealed that Shank3 proteins encoded by exon 9-containing splice variants are abundant in upper cortical layers, striatum, hippocampus, and thalamus, but not in the olfactory bulb or cerebellum, despite the significant Shank3 mRNA levels in these regions. The hippocampal CA1 region of Shank3Δ9 mice exhibited reduced excitatory transmission at Schaffer collateral synapses and increased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic events in pyramidal neurons. In contrast, prelimbic layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex displayed decreased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic events, indicating alterations in the ratio of excitation/inhibition (E/I ratio) in the Shank3Δ9 brain. These mice displayed a mild increase in rearing in a novel environment and mildly impaired spatial memory, but showed normal social interaction and repetitive behavior. These results suggest that ankyrin repeat-containing Shank3 splice variants are important for E/I balance, rearing behavior, and spatial memory.
Prevalence of Gulf war veterans who believe they have Gulf war syndrome: questionnaire study

Abstract Objectives: To determine how many veterans in a random sample of British veterans who served in the Gulf war believe they have “Gulf war syndrome,” to examine factors associated with the presence of this belief, and to compare the health status of those who believe they have Gulf war syndrome with those who do not. Design: Questionnaire study asking British Gulf war veterans whether they believe they have Gulf war syndrome and about symptoms, fatigue, psychological distress, post-traumatic stress, physical functioning, and their perception of health. Participants: 2961 respondents to questionnaires sent out to a random sample of 4250 Gulf war veterans (69.7%). Main outcome measure: The proportion of veterans who believe they have Gulf war syndrome. Results: Overall, 17.3% (95% confidence interval 15.9 to 18.7) of the respondents believed they had Gulf war syndrome. The belief was associated with the veteran having poor health, not serving in the army when responding to the questionnaire, and having received a high number of vaccinations before deployment to the Gulf. The strongest association was knowing another person who also thought they had Gulf war syndrome. Conclusions: Substantial numbers of British Gulf war veterans believe they have Gulf war syndrome, which is associated with psychological distress, a high number of symptoms, and some reduction in activity levels. A combination of biological, psychological, and sociological factors are associated with the belief, and these factors should be addressed in clinical practice. What is already known on this topic The term Gulf war syndrome has been used to describe illnesses and symptoms experienced by veterans of the 1991 Gulf war Concerns exist over the validity of Gulf war syndrome as a unique entity What this study adds 17% of Gulf war veterans believe they have Gulf war syndrome Holding the belief is associated with worse health outcomes Knowing someone else who believes they have Gulf war syndrome and receiving more vaccinations were associated with holding the belief
The functional reanimation of paralyzed limbs

The functional reanimation of paralyzed limbs has been a longstanding goal of neural prosthetic research, but clinically successful applications have been elusive. Natural voluntary limb movement requires four major elements: actuators (i.e., motor units), sensors (i.e., somatosensory afferents), commands (i.e., cerebral cortical activity), and control (i.e., integration of the previous three elements at various levels of the neuraxis). Prosthetic equivalents of each of these elements are, as yet, primitive and often cumbersome to deploy, but new technologies promise substantial improvements for all. This article focuses on one such technology, bionic neuon (BION) modular microimplants, and its relationship to alternative and complementary technologies. The challenge remains to select and integrate them into systems that can be tailored efficiently to the widely disparate needs of patients with various patterns of weakness and paralysis.
Hearing Loss in Older Adults Affects Neural Systems Supporting Speech Comprehension

Hearing loss is one of the most common complaints in adults over the age of 60 and a major contributor to difficulties in speech comprehension. To examine the effects of hearing ability on the neural processes supporting spoken language processing in humans, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to monitor brain activity while older adults with age-normal hearing listened to sentences that varied in their linguistic demands. Individual differences in hearing ability predicted the degree of language-driven neural recruitment during auditory sentence comprehension in bilateral superior temporal gyri (including primary auditory cortex), thalamus, and brainstem. In a second experiment, we examined the relationship of hearing ability to cortical structural integrity using voxel-based morphometry, demonstrating a significant linear relationship between hearing ability and gray matter volume in primary auditory cortex. Together, these results suggest that even moderate declines in peripheral auditory acuity lead to a systematic downregulation of neural activity during the processing of higher-level aspects of speech, and may also contribute to loss of gray matter volume in primary auditory cortex. More generally, these findings support a resource-allocation framework in which individual differences in sensory ability help define the degree to which brain regions are recruited in service of a particular task.
Do talk shows cultivate adolescents' views of the world? A prolonged‐exposure experiment

The traditional cultivation approach assumes (a) a uniform message across all television genres, (b) a nonselective viewing pattern in the audience, and (c) longterm effects. This study of possible effects of daily talk shows on adolescents involved a prolonged-exposure experiment designed to evaluate effects of exposure to sequences dealing with lesbian or gay male relationships between the content of a specific genre and cultivation measures, independent of third variables. The results show that cultivation effects occurred at both first- and second-order level. However, these effects were restricted to the particular issues. No transfer effects pertaining to a general change of attitudes were observed. It is concluded that cultivation effects are limited to both the genre and issue in question. Accordingly, the identification of cultivating messages within and across different televison genres should be emphasized.
The Role of Social Class in American Voting Behavior

in the United States as in some other Anglo-American countries. ' The parties in the United States are not explicitly linked to class-organizations and do not appeal for support on the basis of class. Nevertheless, the parties are seen by the electorate as linked to specific class-interests, and undoubtedly many people vote in accordance with an image of the parties as representing their economic interests. A number of characteristics of American society and its political system undoubtedly reduce the relation of class and vote. The enormous size of the country, its division into fifty states with real degrees of sovereignty, tremendous ethnic and religious diversity, combined with the decentralized party structure, all reduce the salience of national class-divisions as the main basis for party cleavages. That national class-divisions still exist, and divide the parties even as distinctly as they do, is a measure of the degree of economic and political integration the nation has achieved. The diversity of support for the political parties has been shown by a series of studies of voting. The initial study, setting a pattern for subsequent studies both in the United States and Great Britain, was The People's Choice, a survey of voting behavior in Sandusky, Ohio, in the 1940 presidential election. ' Since this was a study of only one northern city and its environs, the regional economic and political diversity of the United States presumably did not affect voting behavior. Still, not only social class differences, but religious and rural-urban differences, were found crucially to affect the political loyalties of voters. Being in a low-income group, a Catholic, or an urban resident, all predisposed a voter toward the Democrats; being in a high-income group, a Protestant, or a rural resident predisposed a voter toward the Republicans. The consequences of "contradictory" social characteristics presumably pushing people in opposite political directions the now classic notion of "cross-pressures" were the main focus of this study. The point here is that a relatively high proportion of persons in Sandusky was was under cross-pressures, indicating that the diversity of sources of political loyalties is great in the United States. '
A conservative view of geographical education

ABSTRACT The recent debate in JGHE and on GeogNet about skills training and common first-year courses in tertiary geographical education is put in the context of a broader distinction between education and training, a distinction that has been absent from the debate, as it is from recent discussions of school results, and one which is only paid lip-service by the Dearing Report. Education, in brief, is a project which gives students the means of thinking things through in a systematic way. In this respect, it is argued, geography has a secure place in higher education, and has no need of resort to arguments about job-training.