Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation in form of circle of willis: Some anatomical and embryological considerations

This work is based on a study of 62 circles of Willis (circulus arteriosus cerebri) from patients dead from diverse causes. We have described the wide diversity of variations found to be present in the arterial vessels that form the circle, we presented the frequency of the different variations, and finally we discuss the possible ontogenic cause of these variations.
A comparative study of driving performance in metropolitan regions using large-scale vehicle trajectory data: Implications for sustainable cities

ABSTRACT Volatile driving, characterized by hard accelerations and braking, can contribute substantially to higher energy consumption, tailpipe emissions, and crash risks. Drivers’ decisions to maintain speed, accelerate, brake rapidly, or jerk their vehicle are largely constrained by their unique regional and metropolitan contexts. These contexts may be characterized by their geography, roadway structure, traffic management, driving population, etc. This study captures how people generally drive in a region using large-scale vehicle trajectory data, implying how energy is consumed and how emissions are produced in regional transportation systems. Specifically, driving performance in four U.S. metropolitan areas (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Atlanta) is compared, taking advantage of large-scale behavioral data (78.7 million seconds of speed records), collected by in-vehicle global positioning systems (GPSs) as part of regional surveys. Comparative analysis shows significant regional differences in terms of volatile driving and time spent to accelerate, brake, and jerk the vehicle during daily trips. Correlates of higher volatility are also explored, e.g., battery electric vehicles show low volatility, as expected. This study proposes a novel way to compare regional driving performance by successfully turning GPS driving data into valuable knowledge that can be applied in practice by developing regional driving performance indices. The new indices can also be used to compare regional performance over time and to imply the levels of sustainability of regional transportation systems. This study contributes by proposing a way to extract useful information from large-scale driving data.
MediaEval 2013: Social Event Detection, Retrieval and Classification in Collaborative Photo Collections

present a framework to detect social events, retrieve associated photos and classify the photos according to event types in collaborative photo collections as part of the MediaEval 2013 benchmarks. We incorporate various contextual cues using both a constraint-based clustering model and a classification model. Experiments based on the MediaEval Social Event Detection Dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Incidence of myocardial infarction among Swedish and immigrant smoking women: Can physical activity modify the risk? An epidemiological study on the Malmö Diet and Cancer study

Background: Sweden has shown a decreasing tendency in the incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), except among middle-aged women. The incidence among middle-aged immigrant women is less explored. Aim: To determine if foreign-born women have a higher risk of MI as compared to women born in Sweden. Furthermore, to examine if physical activity (PA) modifies the risk of MI regardless of immigration status and smoking habits. Methods: The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study was used for analyses. A total of 16,776 women aged 45–73 years participated. The mean follow-up time was 13.8±4 years. Results: Mean age was 57.4±7.9 years. No difference was found in incidence of MI between Swedish and immigrant women (p=0.72). For current smokers among Swedish women, the relative risk (RR) with no/low PA was 2.93 (95% CI 2.07–4.14) and with moderate/high PA, the RR was 2.21 (95% CI 1.61–3.03) with no/low PA-never smoker as the reference group. Among immigrant smoking women, the RR with no/low PA was 4.56 (95% CI 1.62–12.8) and with moderate/high PA, the RR was 3.27 (95% CI 1.21–8.84) with no/low PA-never smoker as the reference group. Conclusions: PA reduces the risk of MI in non-smokers as well as in smokers, regardless of immigration status. Furthermore, PA was even more beneficial for women born outside Sweden. Against this background, immigrant women ought to get special consideration and attention from both caregivers and public health workers.
Teacher research informing policy: An analysis of research on highly qualified teaching and NCLB

One stipulation of President Bush’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act is that every classroom in America will be instructed by a highly qualified teacher. To date, however, no one has satisfactorily captured what it means to be highly qualified. Common sense tells us that America’s best teachers are smart about the content areas they teach and how they teach students, but what other factors have helped to define highly qualified teachers within NCLB? The purpose of this inquiry is to investigate how the definition of a highly qualified teacher written into NCLB captures what researchers know about effective or highly qualified teachers.
PCM1–JAK2-fusion: a potential treatment target in myelodysplastic–myeloproliferative and other hemato-lymphoid neoplasms

Importance of the field: Activating mutations of the JAK2 gene are of tumorigenic significance in myeloproliferative neoplasms. Translocations involving the JAK2 locus are of oncogenic importance in acute leukemias, myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases and T-cell lymphomas. JAK2 locus gains, which are recurrent in Hodgkin's- and primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, are also efficient mechanisms of JAK2 activation. Recently, specific drugs blocking JAK2 have been developed and are currently in clinical trials. Areas covered in this review: We discuss possible mechanisms of deregulation and the significance of pericentriolar material 1 (PCM)1–JAK2 fusion/t(8;9)(p21-23;p23-24) in hematolymphoid neoplasms. Such cases show morphological (myeloproliferaton, eosinophilia, myelofibrosis) and clinical (striking male predominance, aggressive course) similarities. Since increased JAK2 oligomerization and tyrosine kinase domain activation is the probable oncogenic mechanism in this instance, such patients are promising candidates for JAK2 inhibitor therapy. What the reader will gain: The reader will gain important insights considering PCM1–JAK2 fusion in hematologic malignancies. Take home message: JAK2 is a tyrosine kinase with oncogenic potential in hematologic malignancies. It can be activated by point mutations, translocations and amplifications. Beyond malignancies associated with JAK2 point mutations, those associated with translocations might be suitable for tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which merits prospective evaluation.
An exploratory method for estimating the changing speed of epidemic waves from historical data.

BACKGROUND Historical data are necessary to establish long-term trends in disease incidence but pose analytical problems since their accuracy and reliability may be poorly specified. METHODS A robust measure of the spatial velocity, R(0A), of epidemic waves from space-time series is proposed using binary data. The method was applied to the historical records of influenza morbidity for the island of Iceland over a 61-year period of influenza seasons from 1915-16 to 1975-76. RESULTS The onset of influenza waves tended to speed up over the period studied and the three pandemic waves associated with viral shifts in influenza A [Spanish influenza H1N1 (1918-19), Asian influenza H2N2 (1957-58) and Hong Kong influenza H3N2 (1968-69)] spread more rapidly around the island and struck earlier in the influenza season than did inter-pandemic waves, even when the latter were equally intensive as measured by total number of cases and case incidence. DISCUSSION The potential for using R(0A) in a real-time context is explored using French influenza data. CONCLUSIONS The new measure of wave velocity appears to be applicable to those historical time series where breakdown into regional or local areas is available. The study is being extended to (i) other countries where similar influenza time series are available and (ii) to other diseases within Iceland.
Instructional Differentiated Accountability of Teachers: Implications for Educational Practice

This action research determined the level of instructional differentiated accountability of teachers. It utilized the non-experimental quantitative research design utilizing the descriptive technique, and included 100 students in Ramon Magsaysay Central Elementary School, Digos City Division, Department of Education, Philippines. This study was conducted during second semester of school year 2016-2017. Results showed the following: overall level of differentiated accountability of teachers is high; high level of classroom culture and environment; high level of instructional tools and materials; high level of lesson planning and delivery; high level of higher order and questioning discourse; average level of student engagement, average level of rigorous tasks and assessment, and high level of differentiated instruction. An advocacy program which will focus on the implications for educational practice may be designed in order to address the concern of the students.
USP46: a new piece of the memory puzzle?

Long‐term potentiation (LTP) and long‐term depression (LTD) are crucial for synaptic plasticity, and are driven by AMPA receptor (AMPAR) trafficking. Recent findings indicate that the ubiquitin–proteasome system, the main protein degradation machinery of the cell, plays a significant role in memory formation by regulating the induction and maintenance of LTP. Although previously suggested as a possibility, deubiquitination of mammalian AMPARs had not been demonstrated, and the search for an enzyme that mediates the processes continued. This Editorial Highlight discusses the relevance of a study published in the current issue of Journal of Neurochemistry, in which the authors Huo and collaborators now identified ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 46 (USP46) as a specific AMPAR deubiquitinase.
[Antibodies to N-homocysteinylated albumin in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

INTRODUCTION Hyperhomocysteinemia is known to predispose to atherosclerosis and occurs more commonly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than in the general population. It has been shown that elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) results in protein N-homocysteinylation and production o autoantibodies against N-homocysteinylated (N-Hcy) proteins. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate whether anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies occur in patients with SLE and identify factors that determine these antibodies in such population. Patients and methods. In 50 subjects with SLE and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, we determined serum IgG antibodies to N-Hcy-albumin using an in-house enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Patients had higher plasma tHcy and C-reactive protein (CRP) than controls, while serum folate and witamin B12 were lower in patients. Levels of anti-N-Hcy-albumin were higher in patients with SLE than in controls (medians: 0.31; vs. 0.19; p < 0.0001). In SLE patients, levels of anti- N-Hcy-albumin antibodies correlated with tHcy (r = 0.83; p <0.0001), CRP (r = 0.33; p = 0.02) and the duration of the disease (r = 0.3; p = 0.04). Seropositivity to anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies was more frequent in SLE patients than in controls (50% vs. 10%; p < 0.001). In SLE patients tHcy and CRP concentrations, along with the duration of the disease were independent predictors of anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies level. There were no associations between a type or levels of antinuclear antibodies patent's, or age with anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Compared with healthy controls, in SLE patients levels of anti-N-Hcy-albumin antibodies are significantly higher and are largely determined by tHcy, CRP and the disease duration. This novel autoimmune response might contribute to increased risk of vascular events in SLE patients.
Unmet need for personal assistance services: estimating the shortfall in hours of help and adverse consequences.

OBJECTIVES Perceived unmet need for personal assistance services (PAS) in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs and its association with reduced hours of help received and with adverse consequences due to lack of help are examined for adults aged 18 and older using data from the 1994-1997 National Health Interview Survey on Disability. METHODS A two-part multivariate regression model of the probability of PAS use and hours of help received was developed to control for need level, living arrangements, and other characteristics that may differ between persons with met and unmet needs and to determine the shortfall in hours associated with unmet need. RESULTS Individuals with unmet need for personal assistance with two or more of the five basic ADLs have a shortfall of 16.6 hours of help per week compared with those whose needs are met. The relative shortfall is twice as great for persons who live alone as for those who live with others. People who live alone and have unmet needs fare worse than people with unmet needs who live with others, and both groups are more likely than those whose needs are met to experience adverse consequences, including discomfort, weight loss, dehydration, falls, burns, and dissatisfaction with the help received. DISCUSSION Overall, just 6.6% of needed hours are unmet among the 3.3 million people needing help in two or more ADLs. We estimate the annual cost of eliminating unmet need among persons with incomes under 300% of the Supplemental Security Income level between 1.2 and 2.7 billion dollars for those living alone and from 2.2 to 7.1 billion dollars for those living with others.
Novel Roles of Cytoplasmic ICP0: Proteasome-Independent Functions of the RING Finger Are Required To Block Interferon-Stimulated Gene Production but Not To Promote Viral Replication

ABSTRACT The immediate-early protein ICP0 from herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) plays pleiotropic roles in promoting viral lytic replication and reactivation from latency. Most of the known actions of ICP0 occur in the nucleus and are thought to involve the E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of its RING finger domain, which targets proteins for degradation via the proteasome. Although ICP0 translocates to the cytoplasm as the infection progresses, little is known about its activities in this location. Here, we show that cytoplasmic ICP0 has two distinct functions. In primary cell cultures and in an intravaginal mouse model, cytoplasmic ICP0 promotes viral replication in the absence of an intact RING finger domain. Additionally, ICP0 blocks the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), a key transcription factor of the innate antiviral response, in a mechanism that requires the RING finger domain but not the proteasome. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of a proteasome-independent function of the RING finger domain of ICP0. Collectively, these results underscore the importance of cytoplasm-localized ICP0 and the diverse nature of its activities. IMPORTANCE Despite ICP0 being a well-studied viral protein, the significance of its cytoplasmic localization has been largely overlooked. This is, in part, because common experimental manipulations result in the restriction of ICP0 to the nucleus. By overcoming this constraint, we both further characterize the ability of cytoplasmic ICP0 to inhibit antiviral signaling and show that ICP0 at this site has unexpected activities in promoting viral replication. This demonstrates the importance of considering location when analyzing protein function and adds a new perspective to our understanding of this multifaceted protein.
Studies of acidosis in the ischaemic heart by phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance.

1. Phosphorus-nuclear-magnetic-resonance measurements were made on perfused rat hearts at 37 degrees C. 2. With the improved sensitivity obtained by using a wide-bore 4.3 T superconducting magnet, spectra could be recorded in 1 min. 3. The concentrations of ATP, phosphocreatine and Pi and, from the position of the Pi resonance, the intracellular pH (pHi) were measured under a variety of conditions. 4. In a normal perfused heart pHi = 7.05 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- S.E.M. for seven hearts). 5. During global ischaemia pHi drops to 6.2 +/- 0.06 (mean +/- S.E.M.) in 13 min in a pseudoexponential decay with a rate constant of 0.25 min-1. 6. The relation between glycogen content and acidosis in ischaemia is studied in glycogen-depleted hearts. 7. Perfusion of hearts with a buffer containing 100 mM-Hepes before ischaemia gives a significant protective effect on the ischaemic myocardium. Intracellular pH and ATP and phosphocreatine concentrations decline more slowly under these conditions and metabolic recovery is observed on reperfusion after 30min of ischaemia at 37 degrees C. 8. The relation between acidosis and the export of protons is discussed and the significance of glycogenolysis in ischaemic acid production is evaluated.
Association between increased estrogen status and increased fibrinolytic potential in the Framingham Offspring Study.

BACKGROUND Although extensive evidence indicates that estrogen is responsible for the markedly decreased cardiovascular risk of premenopausal women, the mechanism through which estrogen might exert its protective effect has not been adequately explained. Since thrombosis is now recognized to play an important role in the onset of cardiovascular disease, we investigated the relation between estrogen status and fibrinolytic potential, a determinant of thrombotic risk. METHODS AND RESULTS We determined levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) antigen and tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) antigen in 1431 subjects from the Framingham Offspring Study. Fibrinolytic potential was compared between subjects with high estrogen status (premenopausal women and postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy) and low estrogen status (men and postmenopausal women not receiving hormone replacement therapy). In all comparisons, subjects with high estrogen status had greater fibrinolytic potential (lower PAI-1 levels) than subjects with low estrogen status. First, postmenopausal women receiving estrogen replacement therapy had lower levels of PAI-1 than those not receiving therapy (13.0 +/- 0.5 versus 19.5 +/- 1.0 ng/mL, P < .001). Second, premenopausal women had lower levels of PAI-1 than men of a similar age (14.8 +/- 0.6 versus 20.3 +/- 0.8 ng/mL, P < .001); this sex difference diminished when postmenopausal women not receiving hormone replacement therapy were compared with men of a similar age (19.6 +/- 0.7 versus 21.1 +/- 0.7 ng/mL, P = .089). Third, premenopausal women had markedly lower levels of PAI-1 antigen than postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen therapy (14.8 +/- 0.6 versus 19.5 +/- 1.0 ng/mL, P < .001). The between-group differences observed for TPA antigen were similar to those for PAI-1 antigen. CONCLUSIONS Each of these comparisons indicates that the cardioprotective effect of estrogen may be mediated, in part, by an increase in fibrinolytic potential. These findings might provide at least a partial explanation for the protection against cardiovascular disease experienced by premenopausal women, and the loss of that protection following menopause.
Coefficients of SH-wave conversion into SV- and P-waves by the crystal layer

Scattering of SH-wave in a crystalline layer bounded by isotropic media is considered. Computation of reflected and transmitted waves is performed by means of the transfer matrix method. Wave amplitudes are represented by elements of the transfer matrix. The transfer matrix of elastic waves in anisotropic layer is found by the method of symmetric polynomials of the sixth order. Dependence of the reflected and transmitted through the crystal SH-waves, SV- and P-waves on the angles of incidence is investigated.
GABA Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Epilepsy

Abstract: The lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were measured in 27 patients with epilepsy, another three epileptic patients with status epilepticus and three epileptic patients with chronic cerebellar ataxia. The mean lumbar CSF GABA levels of the 27 patients with epilepsy were not significantly different from those of normal controls. Six of these 27 patients who had daily partial complex and partial motor seizures showed significantly low CSF GABA levels as did the six other patients, three each with status epilepticus and chronic cerebellar ataxia. These findings suggest that some epileptic patients have impaired brain GABAergic neurons.
An ultra-sensitive ∆R/R measurement system for biochemical sensors using piezoresistive micro-cantilevers

Piezoresistive micro-cantilevers are interesting bio-sensing tool whose base resistance value (R) changes by a few parts per million (∆R) in deflected conditions. Measuring such a small deviation is always being a challenge due to noise. An advanced and reliable ∆R/R measurement scheme is presented in this paper which can sense resistance changes down to 6 parts per million. The measurement scheme includes the half-bridge connected micro-cantilevers with mismatch compensation, precision op-amp based filters and amplifiers, and a lock-in amplifier based detector. The input actuating sine wave is applied from a function generator and the output dc voltage is displayed on a digital multimeter. The calibration is performed and instrument sensitivity is calculated. An experimental set-up using a probe station is discussed that demonstrates a combined performance of the measurement system and SU8-polysilicon cantilevers. The deflection sensitivity of such polymeric cantilevers is calculated. The system will be highly useful to detect bio-markers such as myoglobin and troponin that are released in blood during or after heart attacks.
Changes of Flexibility and Security in Northeast Asian Labor Markets and their Social Impact: Analysis on a Questionnaire Survey on the Employees' Perceptions

: In this paper, we attempt to clarify the social consequences of the changes in the Northeast Asian labor market based on the results of a questionnaire survey on changes in ﬂexibility and security, which was carried out among workers in Japan, China, and Korea. In particular, we analyzed the reality of institutional development in employment, income, vocational training, and work-life balance in the labor market in three Northeast Asian countries by estimating the adaptation range of institutions in labor market. Furthermore, we attempted to undertaken an international comparative analysis on perceptions about work, leisure, and work-life balance under the institutions.