Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD133-positive tumor cell content is a predictor of early recurrence in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to demonstrate the tumorigenicity of CD133+ colon cancer cells in vitro, analyze the correlations between spheroid formation and clinicopathologic variables, and screen for overexpressed genes in CD133+ colon cancer stem cells. Moreover, the aim of this study was to establish a living tumor tissue bank using surgically resected specimens. METHODS Using LoVo cell line, we isolated CD133+ cells and performed clonogenic assay and animal experiment to test tumorigenicity of CD133+ cells. Twenty-nine surgical samples were freshly collected from 27 patients who received curative or palliative surgery, and the samples were mechanically and enzymatically dissociated into single cells. RESULTS We confirmed the enhanced tumorigenicity of CD133+ cells isolated from LoVo cell line both in vitro and in vivo. Of these 29 samples, 8 (28%) contained >3% CD133+ cells. Sphere formation was significantly higher in samples from patients with lymphatic invasion than in those without lymphatic invasion [54.5% (6/11) vs. 12.5% (2/16); P=0.033] and in samples containing >3% of CD133+ cells than in those containing ≤3% of CD133+ cells [36.4% (4/11) vs. 0% (0/16); P=0.019]. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that CD133 is a valid marker for identifying cancer stem cells from fresh surgically resected colorectal cancer tissues. Furthermore, we successfully established a living tumor tissue bank using surgically resected colorectal tissues with a viability of >70%.
The effects of Leptin and Adiponectin on Pdx1, Foxm1, and PPARγ Transcription in Rat Islets of Langerhans

Background Leptin and adiponectin are two hormones, which are released from adipocytes in order to control energy expenditure. Both hormones are also involved in glucose homeostasis through control of insulin secretion from pancreatic islets. Since Pdx1, PPARγ, and foxm1 play important roles in islets function, it is essential to understand how these genes are regulated in the islets of Langerhans. Objectives We have designed an experiment to identify the effect of leptin and adiponectin treatment on Pdx1, PPARγ, and foxm1 transcription. Materials and Methods Islets were isolated from adult male rats by collagenase and incubated with different concentrations of leptin and adiponectin for 24 hours. Next, by means of real time PCR, we evaluated the gene transcription related to a housekeeping gene. The effect of leptin and adiponectin on insulin secretion was evaluated by ELISA. Results Leptin decreased PPARγ transcription and insulin secretion, while adiponectin significantly increased Pdx1 and PPARγ transcription and insulin secretion in rat islets. The transcription of foxm1 did not change in the islet cells treated with leptin or adiponectin. Conclusions These findings indicate the possibility that Pdx1 and PPARγ transcription is a mediator of leptin and adiponectin function in control of insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis in pancreatic islets.
Cultural Influences on the Recognition of Emotion by Facial Expressions

Cross-cultural studies on the recognition of facial expressions of emotions were reanalyzed. It was found that (a) number of emotions included in the stimulus set influenced the accuracy scores; and (b) that Caucasian judges recognized emotions better than non-Caucasian ones. The latter effect may have been due to the culturally biased stimulus sets used in the studies, or to stricter display rules in non-Caucasian cultures. Correlations of the accuracy scores with Hofstede's cultural dimensions, in which number of faces and race of judges were statistically controlled, revealed that uncertainty avoidance predicted accuracy scores in the recognition of sadness and fear, suggesting that some reliable cultural differences in the recognition of emotions from facial expressions may exist.
Computational model and the human perception of emotional body language (EBL)

Emotions are undeniably a central component of human existence. In recent years, the importance of developing systems which incorporate emotions into human-computer interaction (HCI) has been widely acknowledged. However, research on emotion recognition has been dominated by studies of facial expression of emotion. In comparison, the study of EBL has received relatively little attention. Here we study the phenomena of EBL, specifically of static body postures expressing emotions, from two different perspectives. First, we have built a computational model for the recognition of four basic emotions which achieves a relatively high recognition rate (70 %). Secondly, to study perception of EBL, we examined what body parts attract the observer's attention during the perception of EBL . This is done by tracking eye movements of human subjects during the observation of static postures expressing emotions. Although invaluable information can be inferred from motion, this study will show that information about static body posture is rich enough for both automatic recognition and human perception. The present study contributes in an applicative way both to the development of automatic recognition systems of EBL and provides insight into the nature of human recognition of EBL. 12
Signal Transduction of Mechanical Stimuli Is Dependent on Microfilament Integrity: Identification of Osteopontin as a Mechanically Induced Gene in Osteoblasts

Mechanical perturbation has been shown to modulate a wide variety of changes in second message signals and patterns of gene expression in osteoblasts. Embryonic chick osteoblasts were subjected to a dynamic spatially uniform biaxial strain (1.3% applied strain) at 0.25 Hz for a single 2‐h period, and osteopontin (OPN), an Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD)‐containing protein, was shown to be a mechanoresponsive gene. Expression of opn mRNA reached a maximal 4‐fold increase 9 h after the end of the mechanical perturbation that was not inhibited by cycloheximide, thus demonstrating that mechanoinduction of opn expression is a primary response through the activation of pre‐existing transcriptional factors. The signal transduction pathways, which mediated the increased expression of opn in response to mechanical stimuli, were shown to be dependent on the activation of a tyrosine kinase(s) and protein kinase A (PKA) or a PKA‐like kinase. Selective inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) had no effect on the mechanoinduction of osteopontin even though opn has been demonstrated to be an early response gene to phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) stimulation. Mechanotransduction was dependent on microfilament integrity since cytochalasin‐D blocked the up‐regulation of the opn expression; however, microfilament disruption had no effect on the PMA induction of the gene. The microtubule component of the cytoskeleton was not related to the mechanism of signal transduction involved in controlling opn expression in response to mechanical stimulation since colchicine did not block opn expression. Mechanical stimulus was shown to activate focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which specifically became associated with the cytoskeleton after mechanical perturbation, and its association with the cytoskeleton was dependent on tyrosine kinase activity. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the signal transduction pathway for mechanical activation of opn is uniquely dependent on the structural integrity of the microfilament component of the cytoskeleton. In contrast, the PKC pathway, which also activates this gene in osteoblasts, acts independently of the cytoskeleton in the transduction of its activity.
Safety of Salvaging Impending Flap Congestion in Breast Reconstruction by Venous Supercharging of the Cephalic Vein

AbstractAutologous flap breast reconstruction is an established technique that carries a risk of vascular failure. We evaluated the safety of salvaging impending venous congestion by using the cephalic vein for supercharging autologous abdominal flaps. Our main outcome measures were flap survival, triggering or impairing lymphedema as measured by the physician or reported by the patient, and scar severity as measured by the Vancouver scar scale. We were able to save 100% of the flaps, but could not find any statistical association with or without increased lymphedema before and after the procedure. One patient reported that lymphedema worsened. The patients accepted the scars (mean Vancouver scar scale score, 5.7). In sum, using the cephalic vein to improve venous drainage of autologous breast reconstruction was safe and did not trigger or impair lymphedema, but scarring in the upper arm was unavoidable.
Dynamically Scaled Interaction for Precise, Direct 3D Manipulation

An apparatus for longitudinally cutting and grooving a continuously moving length of material. The device has at least two cutting and grooving units, each provided with separate cutting and grooving tools. The units are positioned at different vertical levels and are vertically movable in unison in the same direction to selectively place one of the units in position for operating and the other unit in position for adjustment.
Reliable Communication System using Stable Routes and the Position Based Delay Tolerant Transfer on MANETs

There are many researches and developments toward the utilization of MANETs in real case. As important challenging issues, the ensuring of each link's quality on the end-to-end pathways, and enabling the data conveyance on MANETs where the end-to-end route does not always exist can be listed. We developed the module that prevents weak links to be chosen as a route. This module decreases unexpected packet losses. Also, we introduced the protocol "position and motion direction based multi-hop delay tolerant transfer" that chooses the best intermediate node as the next data carrier. The simulation result marked high packet delivery ratio. Another noteworthy result is that the case with both position and direction information as the selection index overcomes the case only with position information
Instrumental and reactive functions and overt and relational forms of aggression

This study examined the development of adolescent self-reported instrumental-overt, instrumental-relational, reactive-overt, and reactive-relational aggression during middle school (N = 384; 12–14 years; 53% boys). Growth modeling indicated average increases in instrumental-relational aggression, and decreases in reactive-overt and reactive-instrumental aggression over time. Further, overt and relational aggression driven by reactive reasons (functions) predicted gains in aggression driven by instrumental reasons, and overt form of aggression predicted increases in relational form of aggression across time.
An investigation of Taiwanese arts students’ English learning attitudes

In Taiwan, arts students spend most of their time developing their professions, such as musical instruments, acting, dancing, and painting. With the increasing importance of English in this global village and every Taiwanese university has set English capability as one of the graduation requirements, arts students must be aware that they need to acquire a good facility with English. This study investigated the English learning attitudes of Taiwanese university students majoring in the arts such as Fine Arts, Motion Pictures, Applied Drama & Theatre, Music, and Dance. A questionnaire consisted of two parts: part one focused on basic information and relevant English activities and part two covered English learning attitudes. The results show students spent about 10.40 hours per week doing English related activities and they realized the importance of learning English with a mean score of 93.92. They were also aware of the fact that English would help them greatly in the future, and good English would be useful for their careers after graduation. However, they did not like to raise their hands and asked teacher questions in the classes. They did not feel confident to speak English in front of their teachers and classmates.
Sleep and Cognitive Failures Improved by a Three-Month Stress Management Intervention

Work-related stress is a major occupational health problem. Prominent symptoms are impaired sleep and cognitive ability. Participants (N 102) were randomized to either an intervention or a wait-list control group. Outcomes, measured at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months, were the Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, and Digit Span test. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analyses of variance. Selfreported quality of sleep improved in the intervention group. Relative to the control group, an effect size of d 0.64, CI [1.05, – 0.24], was found. For cognitive failures, an effect size of d 0.57, CI [0.90, – 0.24], was found, favoring the intervention. Gains were maintained at follow-up. Digit Span scores did not differ between groups. In conclusion, the intervention had medium effects on self-reported sleep and cognitive errors.
Characterisation of an experimental gallium nitride microwave Doherty amplifier

The efficiency of microwave power amplifiers is highly dependent upon both amplifier architecture and the active device technology employed. This paper presents for the first time the combination of gallium nitride (GaN) device technology with the now well established efficiency enhancing Doherty power amplifier (PA) architecture. The amplifier is characterised at 1.8 GHz using both single-tone and modulated excitation through the use of a purpose built multi-port, multi-stimulus measurement system. Initial measurements are very positive and show how GaN devices can be highly effective within the Doherty amplifier, even with the limitations of the simple experimental structure used. Measurements show that efficiency is successfully extended over 6dB of dynamic range, and a power density of 0.9W/mm is demonstrated, while linearity remains comparable to that observed for a GaAs Doherty.
Implications of Dynamic Touch for Human Factors/Ergonomics: Contributions from Ecological Psychology

The goal of this symposium is to illustrate how research findings from dynamic touch research (i.e., hefting and wielding of objects) within the framework of ecological psychology can have direct and valuable contributions to the field of HF/E. Ecological psychology, as developed by James J. Gibson, shares with HF/E a critical focus on the mutual relationship between person and environment, embodied in Gibson's concept of affordance (i.e., opportunity for behavior). Research in dynamic touch has shown that perceived affordances of hand-held objects are constrained by variables relevant to the task-specific control of the hand-plus-object system. Work on perception of limb position and properties of hand-held objects as well as perception by means of hand-held objects has potential applications in areas such as the design of prosthetics and hand-held tools, remote-controlled or virtual tool use, navigational/perceptual aids for the visually or somatosensory impaired, materials handling, and the design of interfaces.
Towards an Early Warning System for Forecasting Human West Nile Virus Incidence

We have identified environmental and demographic variables, available in January, that predict the relative magnitude and spatial distribution of West Nile virus (WNV) for the following summer. The yearly magnitude and spatial distribution for WNV incidence in humans in the United States (US) have varied wildly in the past decade. Mosquito control measures are expensive and having better estimates of the expected relative size of a future WNV outbreak can help in planning for the mitigation efforts and costs. West Nile virus is spread primarily between mosquitoes and birds; humans are an incidental host. Previous efforts have demonstrated a strong correlation between environmental factors and the incidence of WNV. A predictive model for human cases must include both the environmental factors for the mosquito-bird epidemic and an anthropological model for the risk of humans being bitten by a mosquito. Using weather data and demographic data available in January for every county in the US, we use logistic regression analysis to predict the probability that the county will have at least one WNV case the following summer. We validate our approach and the spatial and temporal WNV incidence in the US from 2005 to 2013. The methodology was applied to forecast the 2014 WNV incidence in late January 2014. We find the most significant predictors for a county to have a case of WNV to be the mean minimum temperature in January, the deviation of this minimum temperature from the expected minimum temperature, the total population of the county, publicly available samples of local bird populations, and if the county had a case of WNV the previous year.
ShoeSense: a new perspective on gestural interaction and wearable applications

When the user is engaged with a real-world task it can be inappropriate or difficult to use a smartphone. To address this concern, we developed ShoeSense, a wearable system consisting in part of a shoe-mounted depth sensor pointing upward at the wearer. ShoeSense recognizes relaxed and discreet as well as large and demonstrative hand gestures. In particular, we designed three gesture sets (Triangle, Radial, and Finger-Count) for this setup, which can be performed without visual attention. The advantages of ShoeSense are illustrated in five scenarios: (1) quickly performing frequent operations without reaching for the phone, (2) discreetly performing operations without disturbing others, (3) enhancing operations on mobile devices, (4) supporting accessibility, and (5) artistic performances. We present a proof-of-concept, wearable implementation based on a depth camera and report on a lab study comparing social acceptability, physical and mental demand, and user preference. A second study demonstrates a 94-99% recognition rate of our recognizers.
Quasi-experimental evaluation of a telephone-based peer support intervention for maternal depression.

AIMS To evaluate the effect of telephone-based peer support on maternal depression and social support BACKGROUND Postpartum depression is a global health concern and lack of treatment options mean many mothers are depressed beyond the first year after birth. Strong evidence has shown telephone-based peer support, provided by a mother recovered from depression, effectively improves depression outcomes. This model has not been tested with mothers with depression any time up to two years postpartum. DESIGN Quasi-experimental, one group pre-test, posttest. METHOD The study population was mothers in New Brunswick, Canada with depression up to 24 months after delivery. The sample (N = 64) was recruited between May 2011-October 2013. Peer volunteers recovered from postpartum depression were trained and delivered an average of 8·84 (Range 1-13) support telephone calls. Depression and social support outcomes were assessed at intervention mid-point (average 7·43 weeks, n = 37) and end (average 13·9 weeks, n = 34). RESULTS Mean depression significantly declined from baseline, 15·4 (N = 49), to mid-point, 8·30 and end of the study, 6·26. At mid-point 8·1% (n = 3/37) of mothers were depressed and at endpoint 11·8% (4/34) were depressed suggesting some relapse. Perceptions of social support significantly improved and higher support was significantly related with lower depression symptoms. CONCLUSION Findings offer promise that telephone-based peer support is effective for both early postpartum depression and maternal depression up to two years after delivery.
Endogenous Glucocorticoids and Bone

While the adverse effects of glucocorticoids on bone are well described, positive effects of glucocorticoids on the differentiation of osteoblasts are also observed. These paradoxical effects of glucocorticoids are dose dependent. At both physiologicaland supraphysiological levels of glucocorticoids, osteoblasts and osteocytes are the major glucocorticoid target cells. However, the response of the osteoblasts to each of these is quite distinct. At physiology levels, glucocorticoids direct mesenchymal progenitor cells to differentiate towards osteoblasts and thus increase bone formation in a positive way. In contrast with ageing, the excess production of glucocorticoids, at both systemic and intracellular levels, appear to impact on osteoblast and osteocytes in a negative way in a similar fashion to that seen with therapeutic glucocorticoids. This review will focus on therole of glucocorticoids in normal bone physiology, with particular emphasis on the mechanism by which endogenous glucocorticoids impact on bone and its constituent cells.
Sinapic Acid Affects Phenolic and Trichothecene Profiles of F. culmorum and F. graminearum Sensu Stricto

Plant-derived compounds for reducing the mycotoxin load in food and feed have become a rapidly developing research field of importance for plant breeding efforts and in the search for natural fungicides. In this study, toxigenic strains of Fusarium culmorum and F. graminearum sensu stricto were exposed to sinapic acid on solid YES media at levels close to those reported in wheat bran. Fusaria produced phenolic acids, whose accumulation was decreased by exogenous sinapic acid. Strains exposed to the lowest doses of sinapic acid showed more efficient reduction of phenolic acid production than fungi kept at higher concentrations of this compound. Fungi reduced exogenous sinapic acid, leading to the formation of syringic aldehyde. Treatment with sinapic acid led to a dramatic accumulation of its parent compound ferulic acid, presumably due to inhibition of the further conversion of this phenolic compound. Exogenous sinapic acid decreased the production of trichothecenes by fungi. Higher doses of sinapic acid resulted in more efficient reduction of mycotoxin accumulation in the media. Gene expression studies of Tri genes responsible for trichothecene biosynthesis (Tri4, Tri5 and Tri10) proved that the inhibition of mycotoxin production by sinapic acid occurred at the transcriptional level. Fusaria respond to sinapic acid by stimulation of ergosterol biosynthesis.
Cancer risk among children born after assisted conception.

n engl j med 370;10 nejm.org march 6, 2014 974 mutations in 192 Chinese patients with primary ovarian insufficiency did not identify a mutation in DMC1.4 We suggest that mutations in genes encoding proteins that regulate meiosis can result in autosomal recessive primary ovarian insufficiency in humans, although our findings await confirmation by independent groups. However, our results are consistent with the finding that Hfm1-deficient mice are infertile.5 Further investigation of HFM1 in larger series of women with primary ovarian insufficiency and in infertile men is warranted.