Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutional Effectiveness : the Integration of Program Review, Strategic Planning, and Budgeting Processes in Two California Community Colleges

Problem. Effective institutional planning is vital to the ability of community colleges to deliberately respond to external and internal pressures to increase accountability and demonstrate institutional effectiveness. A significant indicator for assessing the effectiveness of a program review process is the use of the outcomes for other institutional purposes such as research, planning, and resource allocation—in other words, informed decision making. In the past, program review, planning, and budgeting processes for the most part have been independent functions or limited in their integration within an institution. The literature provides theories of integration, but little has been written about how these theories are successfully implemented. Method. This multiple case study describes, compares, and contrasts how two California community colleges connect program review to institutional planning and decision-making processes. Utilizing a qualitative research design, data gathered over a 4-year period included interviews and focus groups of administrators, faculty, staff, and students, on-site observations of various planning and budgeting processes, and extensive document analysis. The research objectives were to (a) examine how program review outcomes are integrated into the planning and budget processes and (b) determine the critical components of a successful integration process. Results. Each college has its own way of integrating academic planning and decision-making processes. Each institution has its own leadership style and unique culture that are determining factors in integration. However, the more skillful, stable, and trustworthy the leadership and the more open, flexible, data-informed, and collaborative the culture, the more integration-friendly an institution will be. Strong, authentic shared-governance models provide a balanced distribution of power that engenders greater participation— power with, not power over. Conclusions. Integration of program review outcomes, strategic planning, and budgeting increases the effectiveness of colleges. These components are more effective when leadership and institutional culture are considered and over-laid on the institutional structure, which affects organizational behavior. This study provides a new contextual model and lens to view the integration process holistically, including the major processes in relationship to the institutional culture and how that relationship can enhance the effectiveness of the organization.
Robust signal-structure reconstruction

This paper focuses on the reconstruction of the signal structure of a system in the presence of noise and nonlinearities. Previous results on polynomial time reconstruction in this area were restricted to systems where target specificity was part of the inherent structure, [5]. This work extends these results to all reconstructible systems and proposes a faster reconstruction algorithm along with an improved model selection procedure. Finally, a simulation study then details the performance of this new algorithm on reconstructible systems.
Involvement of pigment globules containing multiple melanosomes in the transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes

The mechanism of melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes has not been fully clarified. We now show a route of melanosome transfer using co-cultures of normal human melanocytes and keratinocytes. Substantial levels of melanosome transfer were elicited in co-cultures of melanocytes and keratinocytes separated by a microporous membrane filter. The melanocyte dendrites penetrated into the keratinocyte layer through the filter and many pigment globules were observed in keratinocytes. Electron microscopic observations revealed that melanosomes incorporated in keratinocytes were packed in clusters enclosed by a double membrane. Numerous pigment globules budded off from melanocyte dendrites and were released into the culture medium. Those pigment globules were filled with multiple melanosomes and a few mitochondria but no nuclei. When those globules were added to the culture medium of keratinocytes, they were incorporated and showed double membrane-enclosed melano-phagolysosomes consistent with the structures obtained from the co-culture system. In contrast, when individual naked melanosomes isolated from melanocytes were added to keratinocytes, they were also phagocytosed by keratinocytes but were enclosed by a single membrane in a manner distinct from the co-culture system. These results suggest a novel mechanism of melanosome transfer, wherein melanosomes are packed in membrane globules that bud off from melanocyte dendrites, where they are released into the extracellular space and then phagocytosed by keratinocytes.
Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase in Insects

Background: Endoparasitoid wasps inject venom proteins at oviposition to alter host immunity. Results: The venom of Leptopilina boulardi, but not of a related species, contains an active extracellular SOD. Recombinant SODs inhibit the Drosophila host phenoloxidase activity. Conclusion: An extracellular SOD is secreted and active in an insect fluid. Significance: SODs may be used as immune suppressive virulence factors by parasitoid wasps. Endoparasitoid wasps inject venom proteins with their eggs to protect them from the host immune response and ensure successful parasitism. Here we report identification of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) transcripts for both intracellular SOD1 and extracellular SOD3 in the venom apparatus of two Leptopilina species, parasitoids of Drosophila. Leptopilina SODs show sequence and structure similarity to human SODs, but phylogenetic analyses indicate that the extracellular SODs are more related to cytoplasmic vertebrate SODs than to extracellular SODs, a feature shared by predicted insect extracellular SODs. We demonstrate that L. boulardi SOD3 is indeed secreted and active as monomeric glycosylated forms in venom. Our results also evidence quantitative variation in SOD3 venom contents between closely related parasitoid species, as sod3 is 100-fold less expressed in Leptopilina heterotoma venom apparatus and no protein and SOD activity are detected in its venom. Leptopilina recombinant SOD3s as well as a mammalian SOD in vitro inhibit the Drosophila phenoloxidase activity in a dose-dependent manner, demonstrating that SODs may interfere with the Drosophila melanization process and, therefore, with production of cytotoxic compounds. Although the recombinant L. boulardi SOD3 quantity needed to observe this effect precludes a systemic effect of the wasp venom SOD3, it is still consistent with a local action at oviposition. This work provides the first demonstration that insect extracellular SODs are indeed secreted and active in an insect fluid and can be used as virulence factors to counteract the host immune response, a strategy largely used by bacterial and fungal pathogens but also protozoan parasites during infection.
Application of Energy-Based Power System Features for Dynamic Security Assessment

This paper presents a novel approach to enable frequent computational cycles in online dynamic security assessment by using the terms of the transient energy function (TEF) as input features to a machine learning algorithm. The aim is to train a single classifier that is capable of classifying stable and unstable operating points independent of the contingency. The network is trained based on the current system topology and the loading conditions. The potential of the proposed approach is demonstrated with the New England 39-bus test power system model using the support vector machine as the machine learning technique. It is shown that the classifier can be trained using a small set of data when the terms of the TEF are used as input features. The prediction accuracy of the proposed scheme was tested under the balanced and unbalanced faults with the presence of voltage sensitive and dynamic loads for different operating points.
Fc receptors.

Recent advances in the structural analysis of the genes and proteins for immunoglobulin Fc domain receptors have provided a molecular characterization of this complex family. The wide cellular distribution of these receptors and their functional heterogeneity are reflected in the diversity of molecules which bind antibody and immune complexes. The detailed analysis of the IgG and IgE Fc receptors has indicated that these molecules have evolved from a common precursor through gene duplication. Similarities among these receptors, in both structure and function have emerged. Thus, the Fc receptors provide an example of a class of molecules in which conserved domains are combined with divergent sequences to yield a diversity of function.
Hyperventilation-Induced Nystagmus in Patients With Vestibular Schwannoma

Main Objective To determine the utility of the hyperventilation test (HVT) in the diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma (VS). Study design A retrospective analysis of hyperventilation-induced nystagmus (HVIN) in 45 patients with unilateral VS. Setting A tertiary referral center. Patients Forty-five patients with VS; 30 patients with chronic vestibular neuritis; 20 healthy subjects with normal hearing and without symptoms or a history of vertigo, migraine, or neurological diseases (control group). Interventions Audiological and vestibular examination; “side-stream” measurement of end-tidal CO2 pressure (PEtCO2) to standardize the procedure; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) centered on the cerebellopontine angle. Main outcome measures An analysis of HVIN, its patterns, and its appearance threshold via the measurement of PEtCO2 correlations with the tumor size. Results HVIN was observed in 40 of 45 cases (88.9%) in the schwannoma group and in 12 of 30 cases (40%) in the chronic vestibular neuritis group; HVIN was not observed in the control group (0/20 cases) (p < 0.001). In the schwannoma group, HVIN was evoked at a mean PEtCO2 value of 16.5 ± 1.15 mm Hg. The hypofunctional labyrinth was identified with high sensibility and specificity through caloric test, head shaking test, and head thrust test. The excitatory pattern, which included HVIN with slow phases that beat toward the hypofunctional side, and the paretic pattern, which included HVIN with slow phases that beat toward the hypofunctional side, were not significantly associated with VS size (19.04 ± 10.56 mm for the excitatory pattern and 19.06 ± 11.01 mm for the paretic pattern). The difference in the VS size in HVIN+ (19.05 ± 10.60 mm) and HVIN− (8.40 ± 2.19 mm) cases was significant (p = 0.009). Conclusions A 60-second hyperventilation event causes metabolic changes in the vestibular system and reveals a latent vestibular asymmetry. The presence of an excitatory pattern is the major criterion that suggests VS in patients with signs of unilateral vestibular deficit.
Regulatory T cells contribute to rosuvastatin-induced cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury

ObjectivesCD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in the prevention of various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders by suppressing immune responses. The beneficial effect of statins on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) depends in part on their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. We aimed to determine whether Tregs contribute to statin-induced cardioprotection against myocardial IRI. MethodsThirty-two rats were divided into four groups: sham, ischemia-reperfusion (IR), rosuvastatin (RSV)/IR, and mevalonic acid (MVA)+RSV/IR. Myocardial IR was induced by a 30-min coronary occlusion, followed by a 48-h reperfusion. RSV (5 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 18 h before IR. The rats were killed after 48-h reperfusion. Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) was measured by ELISA, infiltration of inflammatory cells in myocardium by hematoxylin and eosin staining, expression of FoxP3 protein by western blotting, accumulation of Tregs in myocardium by immunohistochemical examination, and infarct size by TTC staining. ResultsSignificant elevation in serum cTnI, enlarged infarct size, and marked infiltration of inflammatory cells in myocardium were observed in the IR group. The administration of RSV significantly reduced the serum cTnI level, attenuated the accumulation of inflammatory cells, decreased infarct size, and increased the FoxP3 expression and Treg accumulation in myocardium compared with the IR group. The combination of RSV and MVA pretreatment partially abolished the anti-inflammatory and infarct size-limiting effects and completely reversed Treg accumulation in myocardium induced by RSV. The accumulation of inflammatory cells was negatively correlated with FoxP3 expression and Treg accumulation in the ischemic myocardium. ConclusionRSV pretreatment was associated with more Treg accumulation, less inflammatory response, and myocardial injury, suggesting that such cardioprotection against IRI was partially mediated by Treg-negative modulation of inflammation response, probably through the HMG-CoA reductase pathway.
CO Dehydrogenase Genes Found in Metagenomic Fosmid Clones from the Deep Mediterranean Sea

ABSTRACT The use of carbon monoxide (CO) as a biological energy source is widespread in microbes. In recent years, the role of CO oxidation in superficial ocean waters has been shown to be an important energy supplement for heterotrophs (carboxydovores). The key enzyme CO dehydrogenase was found in both isolates and metagenomes from the ocean's photic zone, where CO is continuously generated by organic matter photolysis. We have also found genes that code for both forms I (low affinity) and II (high affinity) in fosmids from a metagenomic library generated from a 3,000-m depth in the Mediterranean Sea. Analysis of other metagenomic databases indicates that similar genes are also found in the mesopelagic and bathypelagic North Pacific and on the surfaces of this and other oceanic locations (in lower proportions and similarities). The frequency with which this gene was found indicates that this energy-generating metabolism would be at least as important in the bathypelagic habitat as it is in the photic zone. Although there are no data about CO concentrations or origins deep in the ocean, it could have a geothermal origin or be associated with anaerobic metabolism of organic matter. The identities of the microbes that carry out these processes were not established, but they seem to be representatives of either Bacteroidetes or Chloroflexi.
Fibromyalgia beyond reductionism. Heart rhythm fractal analysis to assess autonomic nervous system resilience

Objectives: The prevailing linear reductionist medical model seems unable to explain complex multisymptomatic illnesses such as fibromyalgia (FM) and similar maladies. Paradigms derived from the complexity theory may provide a coherent framework for these elusive illnesses. Along these lines is the proposal that FM represents a degradation of our main complex adaptive system (the autonomic nervous system, ANS), in a failed effort to adjust to a hostile environment. Healthy complex systems have fractal structures. Heart rate fractal-like variability reflects resilient ANS performance. Our aim was to measure the heart rate variability (HRV) fractal scaling index in FM patients and to correlate this index with clinical symptoms. Method: We studied 30 women with FM and 30 controls. All participants filled out questionnaires assessing the severity of FM. The HRV fractal scaling index was estimated during 24 h using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Results: The fractal scaling index alpha-1 was higher in FM patients than in controls (mean ± sd: 1.22 ± 0.10 vs. 1.16 ± 0.09; p = 0.031). There was a positive correlation between the fractal scaling index alpha-1 and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for depression (Spearman’s ρ = 0.36, p = 0.04). Conclusions: The heart rate fractal exponent alpha-1 is altered in FM patients, suggesting a rigid ANS performance. This tangible non-linear finding supports the notion that FM may represent a degradation of our main complex adaptive system, namely the ANS.
Slotline-Based Balanced Filter With Ultra-Wide Stopband and High Selectivity

Slotline-based balanced filter with ultra-wide stopband is proposed in this brief. The proposed balanced filter integrates split-ring slotline resonators (SRSRs) and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-type slotline structures, which not only increase the selectivity, but also enhance suppression in a stopband range of 7.1 times as large as center frequency. The SRSRs are implemented by two symmetrically folded stepped-impedance resonators and used as a second-order resonant circuit to obtain high-selectivity bandpass response. Moreover, the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-type slotline structure enhances harmonic rejection significantly. The fabricated balanced filter demonstrates an insertion loss of 1.07 dB @ <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${f} _{0}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> (3.5 GHz), a differential-mode (DM) stopband suppression of 20 dB @ up to 7.1 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${f} _{0}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, a common-mode (CM) suppression of 40.5 dB over the passband. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, with maintaining competitive in-band performances, the proposed balanced filter achieves the widest stopband suppression.
Migration and development in Mexico.

I think that it is too simplistic to argue that emigration or immigration is good or bad. As with many socioeconomic phenomena both activities generate trade-offs for the individuals communities and countries involved. The negative flavor that pervades much of the migration and development literature is often rooted in the expectation that emigration and remittances would be a panacea for development. This does not mean that there are no benefits to emigration only that measured against exaggerated expectations emigration falls short. (excerpt)
Biochemical characterization of rat colonic mucins secreted in response to Entamoeba histolytica

Invasion of the colonic mucosa by Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites is preceded by colonic mucus depletion. The aim of our studies was to determine whether E. histolytica caused a differential secretion of mucin species in a rat colonic loop model. Mucus secretion in response to amoebae was followed by release of acid-precipitable 3H-glucosamine metabolically labelled glycoproteins and in vitro labelling of glycoprotein secretion with NaB3H4. The secretory response consisted of high-Mr goblet cell mucins and an increase in the secretion of low-Mr nonmucin glycoproteins as determined by Sepharose 4B column chromatography. High-Mr mucins subfractionated by Cellex-E (ECTEOLA) ion-exchange chromatography demonstrated a minor neutral and a major acidic mucin (greater than 98%) species. Marked differences between the neutral and acidic mucin species were indicated by immunogenicity and amino acid compositions. Thin-section histochemistry of rat colons confirmed secretion of neutral and acidic mucins in response to E. histolytica and demonstrated secretory activity from goblet cells from both the crypts and interglandular epithelium. E. histolytica mucus secretagogue activity was generalized and may function to deplete the host's protective mucus layer, facilitating invasion by the parasites.
APOBEC3G: an intracellular centurion

The intrinsic antiretroviral factor APOBEC3G (A3G) is highly active against HIV-1 and other retroviruses. In different cell types, A3G is expressed in high-molecular-mass (HMM) RNA–protein complexes or low-molecular-mass (LMM) forms displaying different biological activities. In resting CD4 T cells, a LMM form of A3G potently restricts HIV-1 infection soon after virion entry. However, when T cells are activated, LMM A3G is recruited into HMM complexes that include Staufen-containing RNA granules. These complexes are probably nucleated by the induced expression of Alu/hY retroelement RNAs that accompany T-cell activation. HMM A3G sequesters these retroelement RNAs away from the nuclear long interspersed nuclear element-derived enzymes required for Alu/hY retrotransposition. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exploits this ‘window of opportunity’ provided by the loss of LMM A3G in activated CD4 T cells to productively infect these cells. During HIV virion formation, newly synthesized LMM A3G is preferentially encapsidated but only under conditions where Vif is absent and thus not able to target A3G for proteasome-mediated degradation. Together, these findings highlight the discrete functions of the different forms of A3G. LMM A3G opposes the external threat posed by exogenous retroviruses, while HMM A3G complexes oppose the internal threat posed by the retrotransposition of select types of retroelements.
Axon and Myelin Morphology in Animal and Human Spinal Cord

Characterizing precisely the microstructure of axons, their density, size and myelination is of interest for the neuroscientific community, for example to help maximize the outcome of studies on white matter (WM) pathologies of the spinal cord (SC). The existence of a comprehensive and structured database of axonal measurements in healthy and disease models could help the validation of results obtained by different researchers. The purpose of this article is to provide such a database of healthy SC WM, to discuss the potential sources of variability and to suggest avenues for robust and accurate quantification of axon morphometry based on novel acquisition and processing techniques. The article is organized in three sections. The first section reviews morphometric results across species according to range of densities and counts of myelinated axons, axon diameter and myelin thickness, and characteristics of unmyelinated axons in different regions. The second section discusses the sources of variability across studies, such as age, sex, spinal pathways, spinal levels, statistical power and terminology in regard to tracts and protocols. The third section presents new techniques and perspectives that could benefit histology studies. For example, coherent anti-stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) imaging can provide sub-micrometric resolution without the need for fixation and staining, while slide scanners and stitching algorithms can provide full cross-sectional area of SC. In combination with these acquisition techniques, automatic segmentation algorithms for delineating axons and myelin sheath can help provide large-scale statistics on axon morphometry.