Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using functional transcranial Doppler ultrasonography to assess language lateralisation: Influence of task and difficulty level

Language is lateralised to the left hemisphere in most people, but it is unclear whether the same degree and direction of lateralisation is found for all verbal tasks and whether laterality is affected by task difficulty. We used functional transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (fTCD) to assess the lateralisation of language processing in 27 young adults using three tasks: word generation (WG), auditory naming (AN), and picture story (PS). WG and AN are active tasks requiring behavioural responses whereas PS is a passive task that involves listening to an auditory story accompanied by pictures. We also examined the effect of task difficulty by a post hoc behavioural categorisation of trials in the WG task and a word frequency manipulation in the AN task. fTCD was used to measure task-dependent blood flow velocity changes in the left and right middle cerebral arteries. All of these tasks were significantly left lateralised: WG, 77% of individuals left, 5% right; AN, 72% left: 4% right; PS, 56% left: 0% right. There were significant positive relationships between WG and AN (r=0.56) as well as AN and PS (r=.76) but not WG and PS (r = −0.22). The task difficulty manipulation affected accuracy in both WG and AN tasks, as well as reaction time in the AN task, but did not significantly influence laterality indices in either task. It is concluded that verbal tasks are not interchangeable when assessing cerebral lateralisation, but that differences between tasks are not a consequence of task difficulty.
Gefitinib in Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma: A Phase II Study by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B

Purpose: The Cancer and Leukemia Group B conducted a phase II study of gefitinib, an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase, in patients with previously untreated malignant mesothelioma. Experimental Design: Eligible patients had unresectable pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma, measurable disease, no prior therapy, and performance status 0-1 by Cancer and Leukemia Group B criteria. Gefitinib (500 mg p.o.) was administered once a day for 21 days. Patients underwent restaging after every two cycles. Therapy was continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: The most common grade 3 toxicities were diarrhea (16%) and nausea (12%). Of 43 patients enrolled, 1 patient (2%) had a complete response, 1 patient (2%) had a partial response, 21 (49%) had stable disease lasting two to eight cycles, 15 (35%) had progressive disease, and 5 (12%) had early deaths. One-year survival was 32% [95% confidence interval (CI), 21-50%]. Median survival and failure-free survival were 6.8% (95% CI, 3.5-10.3) and 2.6 months (95% CI, 1.5-4.0), respectively. The 3-month failure-free survival was 40% (95% CI, 25-56%). EGFR expression score by immunohistochemistry done in 28 patients was categorized as low (EGFR 1+ or 2+) or high (EGFR 3+) expression: 97% had EGFR overexpression (2+ or 3+). The median and 3-month failure-free survival were 3.6 months and 40% for those patients with low EGFR expression compared with 8.1 and 40% for those with high EGFR expression. Conclusions: Although 97% of patients with mesothelioma had EGFR overexpression, gefitinib was not active in malignant mesothelioma. EGFR expression does not correlate with failure-free survival.
Civic learning at the edge: Transformative stories of highly engaged youth

Why some young people become highly engaged in the social and political issues of a democracy and others do not is a topic of much speculation and research. This study explored how initiative is nurtured through public service and how challenging civic learning experiences are transformed into sustained civic action. Through the use of narrative inquiry, this qualitative study explored the lived experiences of a diverse and highly purposeful group of social and politically engaged college students. Fortyfour participants, nominated by civic leaders and educators in 20 states, completed questionnaires on their civic engagement experiences. Twenty-two students participated in additional semi-structured interviews. Several strands of multi-disciplinary literature offered foundational insights into understanding civically engaged youth. The first was the literature on child and adolescent development, particularly Erik Erikson’s theory of identity and initiative. Other core contributions included research on initiative by Reed Larson, youth purpose by William Damon, self-efficacy by Albert Bandura, youth moral development by James Youniss and Miranda Yates, and citizenship education by Joel Westheimer and Joseph Kahne. Results suggest that highly engaged adolescents overcome intellectual, interpersonal, and intrapersonal challenges as a result of civic involvement; benefit from adult scaffolding; and are personally transformed by demanding service experiences. They define their civic identity as a way of life rather than a collection of service activities on a resume. These purposeful youth gradually shift from external to internal motivators, discover value in small successes, and make developmental gains in other life arenas. The study found that overcoming intrapersonal challenges in real-world service environments that involve face-to-face interactions with people who are suffering were transformative to the development of initiative, purpose, and civic identity. Also important was the role that high school educators and other non-parent adult mentors played in the development of selfefficacy, a characteristic of civically engaged youth. Nine characteristics of engaged young citizens were identified. While initiative, purpose, moral reasoning, moral development, self-efficacy, critical thinking, self-reflection, ideology, and civic identity have been studied by numerous researchers, this study found a relationship between them that, through further research, may offer a new conceptual understanding of citizenship development.
Blogging as ‘Recoding’: A Case Study of the Discursive War over the Sinking of the Cheonan

This article explores how Korean bloggers, in contestation, participate in the social structure of communication and potentially transform it through their vernacular practices of decoding and recoding in the blogosphere. As a neo-liberal regime has been established, citizens practise discursive politics in a seemingly democratic and technologically advanced society that is actually a coercive-controlled communication system. Through the analysis of news blogs on the Cheonan disaster, it is suggested that a majority of bloggers are seen to utilise news media stories to gain leverage for their points of view or to provide counter-arguments against the dominant frames generated by the established news media. The critical reframing of the digital network in Korean society allows a reflexive reading of the Korean digital wave, which should be contextualised within generation politics, economic polarisation and ideological contestation. In order to avoid a nationalistic celebration of the IT power of the country, citizens' digital media practices are analysed as contributions to the democratisation of the public sphere and the enhancement of social openness and participation in the digitised arena of discursive politics.
Embedding an analytic equivalence relation in the transitive closure of a Borel relation

The transitive closure of a reflexive, symmetric, analytic relation is an analytic equivalence relation. Does some smaller class contain the transitive closure of every reflexive, symmetric, closed relation? An essentially negative answer is provided here. Every analytic equivalence relation on an arbitrary Polish space is Borel embeddable in the transitive closure of the union of two smooth Borel equivalence relations on that space. In the case of the Baire space, the two smooth relations can be taken to be closed, and the embedding to be homeomorphic. 2010 Mathematics Subject Classification 03E02 (primary); 28A05 (secondary)
Commentary: Using Mixed Methods in Research Studies - an Opportunity with Its Challenges

Changes in first and second movements in research methodology led to emergence and development of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Second movement in research methodology emerged with an objective of rectifying certain shortfalls in the first movement; however, the second movement, itself, was not exempt from some shortfalls. These have led to the emergence of the third methodological movement which resulted in the birth of mixed methods research. Researchers are finding this movement to be a new opportunity to study complex phenomenon. They are also finding that the new opportunity comes with its own challenges. Some of the currently discussed challenges among educational researchers are philosophical and epistemological aspects of mixed methods research.
The Influence of Bacterial Diet on Fat Storage in C. elegans

Background The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as an important model for studies of the regulation of fat storage. C. elegans feed on bacteria, and various strains of E. coli are commonly used in research settings. However, it is not known whether particular bacterial diets affect fat storage and metabolism. Methodology/Principal Findings Fat staining of fixed nematodes, as well as biochemical analysis of lipid classes, revealed considerable differences in fat stores in C. elegans growing on four different E. coli strains. Fatty acid composition and carbohydrate levels differ in the E. coli strains examined in these studies, however these nutrient differences did not appear to have a causative effect on fat storage levels in worms. Analysis of C. elegans strains carrying mutations disrupting neuroendocrine and other fat-regulatory pathways demonstrated that the intensity of Nile Red staining of live worms does not correlate well with biochemical methods of fat quantification. Several neuroendocrine pathway mutants and eating defective mutants show higher or lower fat storage levels than wild type, however, these mutants still show differences in fat stores when grown on different bacterial strains. Of all the mutants tested, only pept-1 mutants, which lack a functional intestinal peptide transporter, fail to show differential fat stores. Furthermore, fatty acid analysis of triacylglycerol stores reveals an inverse correlation between total fat stores and the levels of 15-methylpalmitic acid, derived from leucine catabolism. Conclusions These studies demonstrate that nutritional cues perceived in the intestine regulate fat storage levels independently of neuroendocrine cues. The involvement of peptide transport and the accumulation of a fatty acid product derived from an amino acid suggest that specific peptides or amino acids may provide nutritional signals regulating fat metabolism and fat storage levels.
Towards a Formal Verification of a Multi-factor Authentication Protocol Using Automated Theorem Provers

We present a proposal for a new multi-factor authentication scheme through the use of biometrics and smart-cards. Targeted to the Brazilian court system, which is being redesigned, the main goals of this protocol are to provide adequate division between authentication and authorisation services, as well as, the existence of different roles for improved security and management. In addition, we formalised the protocol into a first-order logic model and verified it with an automated theorem prover. Our main contributions are the design of the protocol and the usage of a methodology including design, verification, implementation and deployment of a protocol of nation-wide scale.
SAS-1 Is a C2 Domain Protein Critical for Centriole Integrity in C. elegans

Centrioles are microtubule-based organelles important for the formation of cilia, flagella and centrosomes. Despite progress in understanding the underlying assembly mechanisms, how centriole integrity is ensured is incompletely understood, including in sperm cells, where such integrity is particularly critical. We identified C. elegans sas-1 in a genetic screen as a locus required for bipolar spindle assembly in the early embryo. Our analysis reveals that sperm-derived sas-1 mutant centrioles lose their integrity shortly after fertilization, and that a related defect occurs when maternal sas-1 function is lacking. We establish that sas-1 encodes a C2 domain containing protein that localizes to centrioles in C. elegans, and which can bind and stabilize microtubules when expressed in human cells. Moreover, we uncover that SAS-1 is related to C2CD3, a protein required for complete centriole formation in human cells and affected in a type of oral-facial-digital (OFD) syndrome.
Averaging analysis approach for stability analysis of speed-sensorless induction motor drives with stator resistance estimation

In this paper, the stability property of speed-sensorless induction motor drives with stator resistance estimation is analyzed using the averaging analysis technique. Explicit stability conditions are then derived to clarify analytically when the instability may occur and how the regressor vectors used in the estimation and the integral adaptation gains should be designed to assure stability. The derived stability conditions also reveal that the coupling between the speed and the stator resistance estimation loops is the main cause of instability and that stabilization of each individual estimation loop is necessary but insufficient to guarantee stability. Instead of the conventional regressor vectors that are shown to make the estimation unstable in some regenerative regions, two new regressor vectors are introduced to achieve stability for the whole operating conditions. Moreover, investigation of the persistently exciting (PE) conditions points out theoretically the loss of identifiability of the rotor speed and the stator resistance at no loads and at zero frequency operations. Validity of all the analytical results is verified by simulation and experiment.
Histones have high affinity for the glomerular basement membrane. Relevance for immune complex formation in lupus nephritis

An effort has been made to integrate insights on charge-based interactions in immune complex glomerulonephritis with nuclear antigen involvement in lupus nephritis. Attention was focussed on the histones, a group of highly cationic nuclear constituents, which could be expected to bind to fixed anionic sites present in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). We demonstrated that all histone subfractions, prepared according to Johns (4), have a high affinity for GBM and the basement membrane of peritubular capillaries. Tissue uptake of 125I- labeled histones was measured by injecting 200 micrograms of each fraction into the left kidney via the aorta and measuring organ uptake after 15 min. In glomeruli isolated from the left kidneys, the following quantities of histones were found: f1, 13 micrograms; f2a (f2al + f2a2), 17 micrograms; f2b, 17 micrograms; and f3, 32 micrograms. Kinetic studies of glomerular binding showed that f1 disappeared much more rapidly than f2a. The high affinity of histones (pI between 10.5 and 11.0; mol wt 10,000-22,000) for the GBM correlates well with their ability to form aggregates (mol wt greater than 100,000) for comparison lysozyme (pI 11, mol wt 14,000), which does not aggregate spontaneously bound poorly (0.4 micrograms in isolated glomeruli). The quantity of histones and lysozyme found in the isolated glomeruli paralleled their in vitro affinity for a Heparin-Sepharose column (gradient elution studies). This gel matrix contains the sulfated, highly anionic polysaccharide heparin, which is similar to the negatively charged heparan sulfate present in the GBM. Lysozyme eluted with 0.15 M NaCl, f1 with 1 M NaCl, and f2a, f2b, and f3 could not be fully desorbed even with 2 M NaCl; 6 M guanidine-HCl was necessary. Two further findings of great relevance for the concept of induction of immune complex glomerulonephritis by histones were: (a) glomerular-bound histone was accessible for specific antibody given intravenously; and (b) prior binding of histones promoted glomerular deposition of anionic antigens, as could be shown with ssDNA fragments. These data justify the proposal that glomerular deposition of histones can induce immune complex formation, start an inflammatory process, and produce tissue damage.
HBXIP functions as a cofactor of survivin in apoptosis suppression

Survivin is an anti‐apoptotic protein that is overexpressed in most human cancers. We show that survivin forms complexes with a cellular protein, hepatitis B X‐interacting protein (HBXIP), which was originally recognized for its association with the X protein of hepatitis B virus (HBX). Survivin–HBXIP complexes, but neither survivin nor HBXIP individually, bind pro‐caspase‐9, preventing its recruitment to Apaf1, and thereby selectively suppressing apoptosis initiated via the mitochondria/cytochrome c pathway. Viral HBX protein also interacts with the survivin–HBXIP complex and suppresses caspase activation in a survivin‐dependent manner. Thus, HBXIP functions as a cofactor for survivin, and serves as a link between the cellular apoptosis machinery and a viral pathogen involved in hepatocellular carcinogenesis.
Recombinant Pfs25 protein of Plasmodium falciparum elicits malaria transmission-blocking immunity in experimental animals

Pfs25 is a sexual stage antigen of Plasmodium falciparum that is expressed on the surface of zygote and ookinete forms of the parasite. Monoclonal antibodies directed against native Pfs25 can block completely the development of P. falciparum oocysts in the midgut of the mosquito vector. Thus, this 25-kD protein is a potential vaccine candidate for eliciting transmission-blocking immunity in inhabitants of malaria endemic regions. We have synthesized, by secretion from yeast, a polypeptide analogue of Pfs25 that reacts with conformation- dependent monoclonal antibodies, and elicits transmission-blocking antibodies when used to immunize mice and monkeys in conjunction with a muramyl tripeptide adjuvant. Our results suggest the further evaluation of recombinant DNA-derived Pfs25 in transmission-blocking vaccination studies in humans.
Pathways of Assimilative Sulfur Metabolism inPseudomonas putida

ABSTRACT Cysteine and methionine biosynthesis was studied inPseudomonas putida S-313 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Both these organisms used direct sulfhydrylation of O-succinylhomoserine for the synthesis of methionine but also contained substantial levels of O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (cysteine synthase) activity. The enzymes of the transsulfuration pathway (cystathionine γ-synthase and cystathionine β-lyase) were expressed at low levels in both pseudomonads but were strongly upregulated during growth with cysteine as the sole sulfur source. In P. aeruginosa, the reverse transsulfuration pathway between homocysteine and cysteine, with cystathionine as the intermediate, allows P. aeruginosa to grow rapidly with methionine as the sole sulfur source. P. putida S-313 also grew well with methionine as the sulfur source, but no cystathionine γ-lyase, the key enzyme of the reverse transsulfuration pathway, was found in this species. In the absence of the reverse transsulfuration pathway, P. putida desulfurized methionine by the conversion of methionine to methanethiol, catalyzed by methionine γ-lyase, which was upregulated under these conditions. A transposon mutant of P. putida that was defective in the alkanesulfonatase locus (ssuD) was unable to grow with either methanesulfonate or methionine as the sulfur source. We therefore propose that in P. putida methionine is converted to methanethiol and then oxidized to methanesulfonate. The sulfonate is then desulfonated by alkanesulfonatase to release sulfite for reassimilation into cysteine.
Comparison between two‐ and three‐dimensional quantitative coronary angiography bifurcation analyses for the assessment of bifurcation lesions: A subanalysis of the TRYTON pivotal IDE coronary bifurcation trial

Three‐dimensional (3D) quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) provides more accurate measurements by minimizing inherent limitations of two‐dimensional (2D) QCA. The aim of this study was to compare the measurements between 2D and 3D QCA analyses in bifurcation lesions.
The Controllability in Intimate Relationships Scale

We present the development and validation of a new measure to assess perceptions of community and social contexts (macro contexts) linked to controllability in relationships. The Controllability in Intimate Relationships Scale measures a person’s perceived situation regarding power, resources, and independence. This measure is a first step toward assessing links between macro contexts and control in intimate partner violence. Analyses conducted on the sample of 241 college students and community members included analysis of variance, Cronbach’s α, standard error of measurement, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Results showed good reliability and model fit. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Keldysh effective action theory for universal physics in spin-1/2 Kondo dots

We present a theory for the Kondo spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ effect in strongly correlated quantum dots. The theory is applicable at any temperature and voltage. It is based on a quadratic Keldysh effective action parametrized by a universal function. We provide a general analytical form for the tunneling density of states through this universal function for which we propose a simple microscopic model. We apply our theory to the highly asymmetric Anderson model with $U=\ensuremath{\infty}$ and describe its strong-coupling limit, weak-coupling limit, and crossover region within a single analytical expression. We compare our results with a numerical renormalization group in equilibrium and with a real-time renormalization group out of equilibrium and show that the universal shapes of the linear and differential conductance obtained in our theory and in these theories are very close to each other in a wide range of temperatures and voltages. In particular, as in the real-time renormalization group, we predict that at the Kondo voltage the differential conductance is equal to $2/3$ of its maximum.
Robustness of Two Methods for Segmenting Salient Features in Screening Mammograms

The performance of two image segmentation methods are compared according to robustness of the segmentation to image distortion. This criterion is crucial for temporal analysis of screening mammograms where natural changes in the breast plus inherent deformation of soft tissue during image acquisition result in severe image registration problems. A method based on minimum spanning trees (MST) is found to be more robust to the distortions studied than a method based on adaptive pyramids (AP). Although segmentation leads to great differences in segmentation in distorted images for many components of low saliency, salient components (those of primary interest) are found to be segmented consistently regardless of distortion.