Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Disproportionate Impact of Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease in African Americans: Getting to the Heart of the Issue

The prevalence of hypertension in African Americans is among the highest in the world. Persons in this group develop hypertension at a younger age than non‐African Americans and develop more severe complications, including stroke, cardiovascular disease, and renal failure. The factors that impart this high risk to this population remain poorly understood and, undoubtedly, environmental factors overshadow genetic predisposition. While identifying the pathophysiologic and environmental factors that contribute to ethnic disparity in disease is important, finding a long‐term solution is crucial. Steps that can have an important impact on health outcomes of African Americans are presently available. Awareness of ethnicity as a risk factor for hypertension can allow health care providers to identify persons who are likely to benefit most from early, aggressive intervention. Modifiable factors such as smoking, diet, and sedentary lifestyle, as well as undertreatment of hypertension by physicians, can be targeted immediately.
Physical and Functional Interactions among AP-2 Transcription Factors, p300/CREB-binding Protein, and CITED2*

The transcriptional co-activators and histone acetyltransferases p300/CREB-binding protein (CBP) interact with CITED2, a transcription factor AP-2 (TFAP2) co-activator. p300/CBP, CITED2, and TFAP2A are essential for normal neural tube and cardiac development. Here we show that p300 and CBP co-activate TFAP2A in the presence of CITED2. TFAP2A transcriptional activity was modestly impaired in p300+/− and CBP+/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts; this was rescued by ectopic expression of p300/CBP. p300, TFAP2A, and endogenous CITED2 could be co-immunoprecipitated from transfected U2-OS cells indicating that they can interact physically in vivo. CITED2 interacted with the dimerization domain of TFAP2C, which is highly conserved in TFAP2A/B. In mammalian two-hybrid experiments, full-length p300 and TFAP2A interacted only when CITED2 was co-transfected. N-terminal residues of TFAP2A, containing the transactivation domain, are both necessary and sufficient for interaction with p300, and this interaction was independent of CITED2. Consistent with this, N-terminal residues of TFAP2A were required for p300- and CITED2-dependent co-activation. A histone acetyltransferase-deficient p300 mutant (D1399Y) did not co-activate TFAP2A and did not affect the expression or cellular localization of TFAP2A or CITED2. In mammalian two-hybrid experiments p300D1399Y failed to interact with TFAP2A, explaining, at least in part, its failure to function as a co-activator. Our results suggest a model wherein interactions among TFAP2A, CITED2, and p300/CBP are necessary for TFAP2A-mediated transcriptional activation and for normal neural tube and cardiac development.
A relational altmetric? Network centrality on ResearchGate as an indicator of scientific impact

Social media are becoming increasingly popular in scientific communication. A range of platforms, such as academic social networking sites (SNS), are geared specifically towards the academic community. Proponents of the altmetrics approach have pointed out that new media allow for new avenues of scientific impact assessment. Traditional impact measures based on bibliographic analysis have long been criticized for overlooking the relational dynamics of scientific impact. We therefore propose an application of social network analysis to researchers' interactions on an academic social networking site to generate potential new metrics of scientific impact. Based on a case study conducted among a sample of Swiss management scholars, we analyze how centrality measures derived from the participants' interactions on the academic SNS ResearchGate relate to traditional, offline impact indicators. We find that platform engagement, seniority, and publication impact contribute to members' indegree and eigenvector centrality on the platform, but less so to closeness or betweenness centrality. We conclude that a relational approach based on social network analyses of academic SNS, while subject to platform‐specific dynamics, may add richness and differentiation to scientific impact assessment.
Differential Control of Presynaptic CaMKII Activation and Translocation to Active Zones

The release of neurotransmitters, neurotrophins, and neuropeptides is modulated by Ca2+ mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Furthermore, when neuronal cultures are subjected to prolonged depolarization, presynaptic CaMKII redistributes from the cytoplasm to accumulate near active zones (AZs), a process that is reminiscent of CaMKII translocation to the postsynaptic side of the synapse. However, it is not known how presynaptic CaMKII activation and translocation depend on neuronal activity and ER Ca2+ release. Here these issues are addressed in Drosophila motoneuron terminals by imaging a fluorescent reporter of CaMKII activity and subcellular distribution. We report that neuronal excitation acts with ER Ca2+ stores to induce CaMKII activation and translocation to a subset of AZs. Surprisingly, activation is slow, reflecting T286 autophosphorylation and the function of presynaptic ER ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). Furthermore, translocation is not simply proportional to CaMKII activity, as T286 autophosphorylation promotes activation, but does not affect translocation. In contrast, RNA interference-induced knockdown of the AZ scaffold protein Bruchpilot disrupts CaMKII translocation without affecting activation. Finally, RyRs comparably stimulate both activation and translocation, but IP3Rs preferentially promote translocation. Thus, Ca2+ provided by different presynaptic ER Ca2+ release channels is not equivalent. These results suggest that presynaptic CaMKII activation depends on autophosphorylation and global Ca2+ in the terminal, while translocation to AZs requires Ca2+ microdomains generated by IP3Rs.
VEGF expression and enhanced production by gonadotropins in ovarian epithelial tumors

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin‐binding, dimeric polypeptide with potent mitogenic effects on endothelial cells. VEGF expression has also been reported in ovarian epithelial tumors (OETs), which may be associated with gonadotropin stimulatioin. We recently reported that most OETs, including OET cell lines, express gonadotropin receptors. Here we studied VEGF mRNA expression in 141 OET and 35 benign ovarian samples using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization (ISH). We also studied VEGF production by OET cell lines under stimulation of gonadotropins. AO (serous carcinoma), low malignant potential (LMP; SV40‐transformed borderline tumor) and ML‐5 (SV40‐transformed cystadenoma) cells were examined for VEGF protein production under the regulation of gonadotropins in vitro. The biologic function of VEGF was confirmed by using bovine endothelial growth assay. Whereas VEGF was not detected in benign ovarian surface epithelium or in ovarian epithelial inclusions, it was detected in both epithelial and stromal compartments of OETs. For VEGF epithelial expression, only 5% of ovarian cystadenomas and 30% of borderline tumors were positive for VEGF detection by ISH, whereas VEGF mRNA signal was detected in 80% of ovarian carcinoma cases. This increment of VEGF expression in ovarian carcinomas was statistically significant compared with benign and borderline tumors. Within ovarian carcinomas, the percentage of VEGF‐positive cells was significantly associated with the grade of cancer but not with cancer cell types or cancer stages. Both follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulated the expression of VEFG165 in AO cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Maximal induction was obtained for FSH at dose of 40 mIU/ml and for LH at 50 mIU/ml after 48 hr of culture. Compared with the nonstimulated cells, VEGF level was significantly elevated in both LMP and AO cells after stimulation of gonadotropins. Furthermore, the induction of VEGF expression was significantly stronger in carcinoma cells than in borderline OET cells. These observations suggest that VEGF may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer and that the elevated gonadotropins, as found in menopause and in most ovarian cancer patients after surgery, could accelerate tumor growth and tumor recurrence by inducing VEGF expression in OETs. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mite-induced inflammation: More than allergy

Clinical observations have suggested that there is an association of atopic conditions with hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This relationship has been especially present in patients allergic to mites. This study was designed to review clinical and experimental evidence linking atopy, mite allergy, and hypersensitivity to aspirin and NSAIDs and discuss the possible mechanisms explaining this association. A review of the medical literature concerning the association of atopic diseases, mite hypersensitivity, and intolerance to NSAIDs using PubMed and other relevant articles is presented. NSAID-sensitive patients are frequently atopic and allergic to mites, and patients who develop oral mite anaphylaxis (OMA) show an increased prevalence of NSAID hypersensitivity. The study of atopic, mite-sensitive patients, who experience urticaria and angioedema when exposed to NSAIDs and patients with OMA suggests an interesting interaction between atopic allergy and disorders of leukotriene synthesis or metabolism. Various mechanisms that could be involved in this interaction are presented, including genetic factors, inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1, and other effects (not related to IgE sensitization) of mite constituents on the immune system. The association of mite hypersensitivity with aspirin/NSAIDs intolerance has been confirmed and provides additional clues to various nonallergic pathways that may contribute to the acute and chronic inflammatory process observed in atopic, mite-allergic, individuals. The clinical relevance of these observations is presently under investigation.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Danish families with hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer

A national study of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Danish HBOC (Hereditary Breast Ovarian Cancer) families revealed a total number of 322 mutation positive families, 206 (64%) BRCA1 and 116 (36%) BRCA2 positive families from a population of 5.5 million inhabitants. Seven hundred and twenty six mutation positive individuals were identified: 402 female BRCA1 carriers, 79 male BRCA1 carriers, 213 female BRCA2 carriers, and 32 male BRCA2 carriers by April 2006. Most of the mutations were frame shift or nonsense mutations, while large genomic rearrangements were rare. Most mutations were only identified in one family. A few mutations were detected repeatedly. In BRCA1 the most common mutations were: 2594delC in 32 families (16%), 3438G>T in 19 families (9%), 5382insC in 16 families (8%), 3829delT in 11 families (5%). In BRCA2 the most common mutations were: 6601delA in 13 families (11%), 1538del4 in 12 families (10%), 6714del4 in 10 families (9%). There was a tendency towards a higher frequency of BRCA2 mutations in West Denmark compared to East Denmark. The frequencies of specific BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were slightly different in the two regions. The mutations occurring in West Denmark have also been observed in other Scandinavian countries whereas the mutations occurring in East Denmark were more often reported from other European countries and the Baltic countries. The pattern of mutation distributions are comparable with observations from other Scandinavian and European studies and indicate that the Danish BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are a mixture of Scandinavian mutations and other European mutations including two of the Ashkenazi mutations. Even though a tendency towards founder mutations was observed most mutations were only detected once. Based on these observations we recommend that the mutation screening strategy of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Danish HBOC families comprises full screening of both genes including analysis for large genomic rearrangements.
Employment relations : individualisation and union exclusion : an international study

Introduction The Emergence of Individualisation and Union Exclusion as an Employment Relations Strategy Stephen Deery and Richard Mitchell Part I: Australia The Legal Framework for Individual Employment Agreements in Australia Andrew Stewart The Decollectivisation of Australian Industrial Relations: Trade Union Exclusion Under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth) Amanda Coulthard Reconstituting the Employment Relationship in the Australian Public Service Phillipa Weeks Changing the Dynamics of Bargaining: Individualisation and Employment Agreements in Western Australia Bill Ford The Character of Individualised Employment Arrangements in Australia: A Model of "Hard" HRM Stephen Deery and Janet Walsh Part II: Great Britain Organisational Change, Labour Flexibility and the Contract of Employment in Great Britain Simon Deakin Individualisation and Union Recognition in Britain in the 1990s William Brown Part III: Japan Individualisation of Employment Relations in Japan: A Legal Analysis Hiroya Nakakubo Trends and Developments in Japanese Employment Relations in the 1980s and 1990s Yoshifumi Nakata Part IV: New Zealand Individualising the Employment Relationship in New Zealand: An Analysis of Legal Developments Gordon Anderson The Individualisation of Employment Relations in New Zealand: Trends and Outcomes Sarah Oxenbridge Table of Cases/ Table of Legislation/ Index
The bdbDC Operon of Bacillus subtilisEncodes Thiol-disulfide Oxidoreductases Required for Competence Development*

The development of genetic competence in the Gram-positive eubacterium Bacillus subtilis is a complex postexponential process. Here we describe a new bicistronic operon, bdbDC, required for competence development, which was identified by the B. subtilis Systematic Gene Function Analysis program. Inactivation of either the bdbC or bdbD genes of this operon results in the loss of transformability without affecting recombination or the synthesis of ComK, the competence transcription factor. BdbC and BdbD are orthologs of enzymes known to be involved in extracytoplasmic disulfide bond formation. Consistent with this, BdbC and BdbD are needed for the secretion of theEscherichia coli disulfide bond-containing alkaline phosphatase, PhoA, by B. subtilis. Similarly, the amount of the disulfide bond-containing competence protein ComGC is severely reduced in bdbC or bdbD mutants. In contrast, the amounts of the competence proteins ComGA and ComEA remain unaffected by bdbDC mutations. Taken together, these observations imply that in the absence of either BdbC or BdbD, ComGC is unstable and that BdbC and BdbD catalyze the formation of disulfide bonds that are essential for the DNA binding and uptake machinery.
[Risk factors for coronary heart disease].

Cardiovascular disease remains the major cause of death in the industrialized world with dyslipidemia, hypertension and cigarette smoking leading a long list of risk factors. Recently, controversy arose from some critical articles expressing concern about the evaluation and interpretation of statistical data of epidemiologic studies. One study using covariance analysis reported an absence of the widely accepted negative association between coronary heart disease (CHD) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Also criticism was expressed regarding the cost-effectiveness of preventive measures such as the use of lipid lowering drugs on life expectancy. Because of such recent scientific controversy and discussions already taking place in the media, we have summarized in this article recent epidemiologic evidence including a meta-analysis of the major epidemiologic studies on HDL. We have directed particular attention to 3 large epidemiological studies, i.e., the Familial Atherosclerosis Treatment Study (FATS), the Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH), and the Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Study (CLAS), all of which have clearly demonstrated a desirable effect of intensive lipid lowering therapy on coronary lesions.
Tali: Local Alignment of protein Structures Using Backbone Torsion Angles

UNLABELLED Torsion angle alignment (TALI) is a novel approach to local structural motif alignment, based on backbone torsion angles (phi, psi) rather than the more traditional atomic distance matrices. Representation of a protein structure in the form of a sequence of torsion angles enables easy integration of sequence and structural information, and adopts mature techniques in sequence alignment to improve performance and alignment quality. We show that TALI is able to match local structural motifs as well as identify global structural similarity. TALI is also compared to other structure alignment methods such as DALI, CE, and SSM, as well as sequence alignment based on PSI-BLAST; TALI is shown to be equally successful as, or more successful than, these other methods when applied to challenging structural alignments. The inference of the evolutionary tree of class II aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase shows the potential for TALI in estimating protein structural evolution and in identifying structural divergence among homologous structures. AVAILABILITY http://redcat.cse. sc.edu/index.php/ PROJECT TALI/.
A CALL system using speech recognition to train the pronunciation of Japanese long vowels, the mora nasal and mora obstruents

We developed a CALL (computer-aided language learning) system for teaching the pronunciation of Japanese long vowels, the mora nasal and mora obstruents to nonnative speakers of Japanese. Long vowels and short vowels are spectrally almost identical but their phone durations differ significantly. Similar conditions exist between mora nasals and non-mora nasals, and between mora and non-mora obstruents. Our system uses speech recognition to measure the durations of each phone and compares them with distributions of native speakers while correcting for different speech rates. Results show that learners quickly capture the relevant duration cues. The amount of learning time spent on acquiring these durational skills is well within the time constraints of TJSL (teaching Japanese as a second language) curricula.
AUTHORS Lisa Brandenburg President Seattle Children ’ s Hospital Patricia Gabow Former Chief Executive Officer Denver Health Glenn Steele President and Chief Executive Officer Geisinger Health System John Toussaint Chief Executive Officer ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value

*The views expressed in this discussion paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the authors’ organizations, the Institute of Medicine, or the National Academies. The paper is intended to help inform and stimulate discussion. It has not been subjected to the review procedures of the Institute of Medicine or National Academies and is not a report of the Institute of Medicine, the National Academies, or the National Research Council.
Causal Structure Learning Algorithm Based on Streaming Features

Traditional causal structure learning algorithms rely on having full access to the full feature space throughout the learning process. However, in many real-world applications, all the features cannot be obtained in advance. We propose a causal structure learning algorithm based on streaming feature called CSBS which can effectively apply to the streaming feature space where the feature flow in one by one over time. For each incoming feature, Markov blanket is built dynamically by relevance analysis with every feature arrived and redundancy is analyzed with every relevant feature available whose Markov blanket is updated. When there is no available feature, according to the Markov blanket, we obtain the skeleton of network structure. Then we perform the greedy hill-climbing search constrained to only consider adding an edge discovered in previous skeleton to orient the edges and get the final Bayesian network structure. Experiment results show that our algorithm has superior accuracy over the state-of-the-art causal structure leaning algorithms.
INTENTIONS TO VIOLATE

this paper describes the results of a questionnaire survey which was used to apply ajzen's theory of planned behaviour (tpb) to intentions to drink and drive, speed, close follow, and overtake in risky circumstances. respondents were presented with four short written scenarios, each of which described the commission of one of the violations, and each of which was accompanied by a line drawing of the scene to reinforce the written descriptions and to ensure that all respondents' visualisations were comparable. after presentation of each scenario, respondents were asked several questions designed to measure their behavioural beliefs (bb), outcome evaluations (oe), normative beliefs (nb), motivations to comply (mc), perceived behavioural control (pbc) and intentions in respect of their commission of the violation depicted. the beliefs and referents measured with respect to each of the violations were selected on the basis of a pilot study, used to generate the three most commonly mentioned positive and the three most commonly mentioned negative behavioural beliefs. the pilot study also provided the six most frequently mentioned referents, including three who were perceived as approving, and three who were perceived as disapproving of the respondent's committing the violations. these were respondents' same- sex friends, partner, the 'typical young male driver', the police, family, and other drivers on the road. the beliefs and referents generated in the pilot study were used in the main questionnaire. details were also taken of respondents' age, sex, social class, marital status, driving experience, and accident and driving offence histories. 881 drivers from four towns were interviewed, in a quota sample stratified by age, sex, geographical area (north or south of england), and proximity to the motorway. having established in the driver behaviour questionnaire (dbq) study that the drivers who regularly commit violations tend to be young, male, drive a high mileage, and get involved in accidents, this study has gone some way towards explaining why these drivers attempt such potentially dangerous manoeuvres. remedial campaigns designed to modify drivers' antisocial behaviours will not be successful unless they are grounded in a thorough understanding of the 'poor' attitudes which lead to such behaviour. it is suggested that the tpb offers a useful way of highlighting those components of behavioural intention which lead to the commission of violations among high-risk groups such as young males, and which might be amenable to change through persuasion. for the covering abstract of this seminar see irrd 845356.