Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The fucose sulfate polymer of egg jelly binds to sperm REJ and is the inducer of the sea urchin sperm acrosome reaction.

The sea urchin sperm cell is an advantageous model for studying ligand-mediated exocytosis. Sperm can be obtained in vast quantities and induced to undergo exocytosis of the acrosomal vesicle with great synchrony. During sea urchin fertilization, egg jelly (EJ) triggers the sperm acrosome reaction (AR) which is required for sperm binding and fusion with the egg. Uncertainty exists as to the exact biochemical nature of the AR inducer. The following study was performed in an attempt to clarify the nature of the inducer. EJ from individual females (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) was analyzed on SDS-PAGE gels. Each female had a unique composition of EJ macromolecules, but all females possessed the previously described fucose sulfate polymer (FSP). Two electrophoretic isotypes of FSP were discovered; 87% of females had only one isotype and 13% had both. Both FSP isotypes bound to the REJ protein (receptor for egg jelly) purified from sperm. The two FSP isotypes had almost equal potency in inducing the AR. EJ was fractionated by DEAE chromatography in 6 M urea/4% beta-mercaptoethanol. All AR-inducing activity coeluted with FSP. FSP, purified by trypsin digestion followed by dialysis, was twice as active as the non-trypsin-digested control at inducing the AR. EJ was digested with proteinase K, boiled in detergent and beta-mercaptoethanol, and subjected to sucrose density gradient sedimentation. The FSP and AR activity had superimposable sedimentation patterns. Purified FSP had no associated peptide component. Sperm from individual males differed in the concentration dependency of purified FSP to induce the AR. The data indicate that the 138/82 kDa EJ glycoproteins, previously thought to act as AR inducers, do not appear to be involved in triggering the AR. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that FSP is the only inducer of the AR of this sea urchin species.
Interventricular interaction as a possible mechanism for the presence of a biphasic systolic velocity profile in normal left ventricular free walls

Background: In normal subjects, systolic longitudinal regional velocity profiles (SVP) (measured both based on pulsed or tissue Doppler) have a non-uniform pattern. SVP from the right ventricle (RV), the septal (Sep) and the inferior wall are similar in shape and tend to be monophasic. Their shape differs markedly from the lateral wall (LW), the posterior wall and the anterior wall, which are biphasic. We studied the hypothesis that the double-peaked SVP in the left ventricular free walls are caused by interventricular interaction. This might have additional implication in understanding the measurements of the timing of SVP maxima in pathology as, for example, used to determine intraventricular dyssynchrony in heart failure. Methods: 38 healthy individuals underwent a standard echo examination and a tissue Doppler study. SVP from the RV, Sep and LW basal segments were acquired in an apical four-chamber view. The amplitude and timing of the peak velocities were measured. If a double peak was present, the amplitude and timing of the dip was calculated. Results: RV and Sep had a single systolic velocity peak, while the LW had two peaks with a clear dip between both peaks. The first peak in the LW was the earliest event in the cycle (119 (19) ms) followed by the peak Sep (123 (20) ms; p = 0.34). Peak RV velocity occurred at the same time as the dip in the LW (200 (30) vs 203 (30) ms, respectively; p = 0.53). Conclusion: Our study suggests that the biphasic SVP in the free walls is probably caused by interventricular interaction. Therefore the timing of maxima on SVP should be used with great caution when looking for intraventricular dyssynchrony as the peaks are influenced by RV function.
Effect of Dry- and Wet-Milling Processes on Chemical, Physicochemical Properties and Starch Molecular Structures of Rice Starches

Rice starches from low amylose (Pathum Thani 1), medium amylose (RD 7) and high amylose (Leuang 11) varieties prepared from dry- and wet-milling processes were investigated. Dry-milled rice starches contained significantly (p<0.05) higher amounts of damaged starch than wet-milled rice starches in all rice varieties. The scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of starch granules confirmed that damaged starches occurred from the dry-milling process more than from the wet-milling process. The enthalpy required to gelatinize dry-milled rice starches (8.11-9.53 J/g) from all rice varieties was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of wet-milled rice starches (9.24-12.48 J/g). The peak viscosity (257.75353.80 RVU) and final viscosity (248.64-391.00 RVU) of dry-milled rice starches measured by Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of wet-milled rice starches. Rice starch molecular weight distributions obtained by size-exclusion chromatography with RI and multiangle laser light scattering detection (SEC-RI-MALLS) showed that dry-milled rice starch samples contained lower amounts of the high molecular weight portion of starch (amylopectin) than wet-milled samples. The molecular weight of both amylopectin from dry-milled rice starches (0.95-1.7 ∞ 10 7 Da) was lower than that of wet-milled rice starches (1.11-1.90 ∞ 10 7 Da), suggesting that the dry-milling process caused a higher degree of starch fragmentation than the wet-milling process.
The Introduction of a Woman‐Held Record into a Hospital Antenatal Clinic: The Bring Your Own Records Study

Summary: We report the introduction of a woman‐held record into an antenatal clinic in a NSW teaching hospital using a randomized controlled trial. In 1997, 150 women were randomized to either retaining their entire antenatal record through pregnancy (women‐held group) or to holding a small, abbreviated card, as was standard practice (control group). A questionnaire was distributed to women to measure sense of control, involvement in care and levels of communication. Availability of records at antenatal visits was also measured. Women in both groups were satisfied with their allocated method of record keeping, however, those in the women‐held group were significantly more likely to report feeling in ‘control’ during pregnancy. Women in the control group were more likely to feel anxious and helpless and less likely to have information on their records explained to them by their caregiver. The number of records available at each clinic was similar in both groups.
A locus on chromosome 11p with multiple restriction site polymorphisms.

We have discovered and characterized a new polymorphic locus on chromosome 11p, D11S12, defined by an arbitrary genomic DNA segment cloned in the plasmid pADJ762. Four different polymorphic restriction sites with minor allele frequencies greater than 5% are revealed by Southern hybridization of this probe and its derivatives to digests of human DNAs. These include two MspI sites, a TaqI site, and a BclI site. The frequencies of the common haplotypes at this locus have been determined in a Utah population. Significant linkage disequilibrium has been demonstrated to exist between some pairs of polymorphic sites. A molecular map of this region has been determined, and the polymorphic sites have been localized. Comparison of physical separation with degree of linkage disequilibrium reveals an interesting case where an MspI site and a TaqI site that are separated by 6.8 kilobases (kb) show a greater degree of disequilibrium with each other than they do with two polymorphic sites located between them. One of the two interior sites is a BclI site that is approximately 0.2 kb away from the TaqI site but shows the same degree of disequilibrium with the TaqI site as with the MspI site 6.7 kb away. Although there is significant linkage disequilibrium at this locus, there are four major haplotypes with frequencies of 5% or greater, and the polymorphic information content (PIC) of this locus is . 64.
Mitigation of connector damage during disengaging DC loads using polymeric arc suppressor

Although connectors are generally not designed to disconnect electrical loads under power, in some circumstances they are mated and unmated under load. For instance, during repairs, diagnostic procedures, or when blown fuses are replaced under short circuit conditions. At dc system voltage levels significantly higher than the minimum arc voltage of metals such hot-disconnections may impact the reliability of the connection, the electrical distribution system, and automotive safety. Gassing polymers mounted onto connector terminals may reduce the damage resulting from disconnections under dc loads, and therefore enable connector designs with occasionally (forward running) arcing terminals. The authors discuss the effects of different types of gassing polymers on arc extinction and connector damage of standard automotive connectors.
Factors determining the rate of disappearance of sperm from the ejaculate after vasectomy

The relative importance of age and frequency of coitus in determining the time needed for the semen count to become negative after vasectomy was studied in a group of 831 men. Irrespective of the frequency of coitus, there was a highly signifcant positive correlation between a patient's age and the time taken to become aspermic. This has implications for general practice: the older patient should be warned that he will take longer than a younger man to become sterile.
The development of false-belief understanding in Japanese children: Delay and difference?

Three experiments investigated the development of Japanese children’s false-belief understanding. In Experiment 1, children’s mastery of two standard false-belief tasks was considerably later and slower than typically reported, with the full development between 6 and 7 years. Experiments 2 and 3 tested Japanese 6-to 8-year-olds on interpersonal transfer tasks where a relocated item was a person who changed locations with and without their own intention. Children’s judgments on the main character’s belief about this person’s whereabouts were not influenced by the protagonists’ different mental states included in the tasks; children’s justifications referred not to the people’s belief or desire but primarily to their behaviors and social rules. Results suggest that Japanese children show not only a delay in false-belief understanding but a cultural difference in reasoning about human action as attributing it to behavioral and situational cues, rather than to individuals’ mental states.
The Digitization of Healthcare: Boundary Risks, Emotion, and Consumer Willingness to Disclose Personal Health Information

As healthcare becomes increasingly digitized, the promise of improved care enabled by technological advances inevitably must be traded off against any unintended negative consequences. There is little else that is as consequential to an individual as his or her health. In this context, the privacy of one's personal health information has escalated as a matter of significant concern for the public. We pose the question: under what circumstances will individuals be willing to disclose identified personal health information and permit it to be digitized? Using privacy boundary theory and recent developments in the literature related to risk-as-feelings as the core conceptual foundation, we propose and test a model explicating the role played by type of information requested (general health, mental health, genetic), the purpose for which it is to be used (patient care, research, marketing), and the requesting stakeholder (doctors/hospitals, the government, pharmaceutical companies) in an individual's willingness to disclose personal health information. Furthermore, we explore the impact of emotion linked to one's health condition on willingness to disclose. Results from a nationally representative sample of over 1,000 adults underscore the complexity of the health information disclosure decision and show that emotion plays a significant role, highlighting the need for re-examining the timing of consent. Theoretically, the study extends the dominant cognitive-consequentialist approach to privacy by incorporating the role of emotion. It further refines the privacy calculus to incorporate the moderating influence of contextual factors salient in the healthcare setting. The practical implications of this study include an improved understanding of consumer concerns and potential impacts regarding the electronic storage of health information that can be used to craft policy.
Kearney Foundation Fellowship Final Report Summary Fellowship Recipient’s Name: Dori Chandler Project Title: Minimally Invasive Monitoring of Grassland Carbon Inputs in a Long Term Nitrogen Addition Experiment Mentor Professors Name: Dr. Susan Trumbore and David LeBauer

Introduction: Nitrogen (N) pollution affects many of California’s ecosystems and the amount of N that is delivered to these ecosystems will continue to increase. Plant growth is strongly dependent on nitrogen availability. Many previous studies have seen this, yet most of these studies have focused on the response of plants under experimental conditions to high rates of N over a few years [1]. This research investigates plant response to a range of deposition rates after ten years of N addition. The goal of this research was two-fold: to better understand long term affects of low rates of N deposition in California on carbon (C) inputs, as well as to investigate non-destructive methods to estimate NPP from greenness in these long term plots.
Human remains from Zhirendong, South China, and modern human emergence in East Asia

The 2007 discovery of fragmentary human remains (two molars and an anterior mandible) at Zhirendong (Zhiren Cave) in South China provides insight in the processes involved in the establishment of modern humans in eastern Eurasia. The human remains are securely dated by U-series on overlying flowstones and a rich associated faunal sample to the initial Late Pleistocene, >100 kya. As such, they are the oldest modern human fossils in East Asia and predate by >60,000 y the oldest previously known modern human remains in the region. The Zhiren 3 mandible in particular presents derived modern human anterior symphyseal morphology, with a projecting tuber symphyseos, distinct mental fossae, modest lateral tubercles, and a vertical symphysis; it is separate from any known late archaic human mandible. However, it also exhibits a lingual symphyseal morphology and corpus robustness that place it close to later Pleistocene archaic humans. The age and morphology of the Zhiren Cave human remains support a modern human emergence scenario for East Asia involving dispersal with assimilation or populational continuity with gene flow. It also places the Late Pleistocene Asian emergence of modern humans in a pre-Upper Paleolithic context and raises issues concerning the long-term Late Pleistocene coexistence of late archaic and early modern humans across Eurasia.
Development of virtual platelets implementing the functions of three platelet membrane proteins with different adhesive characteristics.

AIM Computer simulation is a new method for understanding biological phenomena. In this report, we developed a simple platelet simulator representing platelet adhesion under blood flow conditions. METHODS We generated virtual platelets based on the functions of three key adhesive proteins: glycoprotein (GP) Ibα, GPIIb/IIIa and collagen receptors. The adhesive force between GPIbα and von Willebrand factor (VWF) was set to increase in association with increments in the fluid shear stress. GPIIb/IIIa acquires an adhesive force to bind with ligands only when platelets are activated following multiple GPIbα stimulation by VWF or collagen receptors. RESULTS Upon perfusion over the area of virtual endothelial injury, the virtual platelets adhered and became activated to form platelet thrombi. A total of 286/mm(2) of activated platelets was found to have accumulated downstream of the flow obstacle within 30 seconds, with 59/mm(2) platelets adhering upstream. The results obtained with the virtual model were consistent with those for real platelets in human blood in the presence of similarly shaped flow obstacles. CONCLUSIONS Our computer platelet simulator, which employs the functions of three key platelet membrane proteins, shows similar findings for adhesion in the presence and absence of blood flow obstacles.
Lack of commensal flora in Helicobacter pylori-infected INS-GAS mice reduces gastritis and delays intraepithelial neoplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Transgenic FVB/N insulin-gastrin (INS-GAS) mice have high circulating gastrin levels, and develop spontaneous atrophic gastritis and gastrointestinal intraepithelial neoplasia (GIN) with 80% prevalence 6 months after Helicobacter pylori infection. GIN is associated with gastric atrophy and achlorhydria, predisposing mice to nonhelicobacter microbiota overgrowth. We determined if germfree INS-GAS mice spontaneously develop GIN and if H pylori accelerates GIN in gnotobiotic INS-GAS mice. METHODS We compared gastric lesions, levels of messenger RNA, serum inflammatory mediators, antibodies, and gastrin among germfree and H pylori-monoinfected INS-GAS mice. Microbiota composition of specific pathogen-free (SPF) INS-GAS mice was quantified by pyrosequencing. RESULTS Germfree INS-GAS mice had mild hypergastrinemia but did not develop significant gastric lesions until 9 months old and did not develop GIN through 13 months. H pylori monoassociation caused progressive gastritis, epithelial defects, oxyntic atrophy, marked foveolar hyperplasia, dysplasia, and robust serum and tissue proinflammatory immune responses (particularly males) between 5 and 11 months postinfection (P<0.05, compared with germfree controls). Only 2 of 26 female, whereas 8 of 18 male, H pylori-infected INS-GAS mice developed low to high-grade GIN by 11 months postinfection. Stomachs of H pylori-infected SPF male mice had significant reductions in Bacteroidetes and significant increases in Firmicutes. CONCLUSIONS Gastric lesions take 13 months longer to develop in germfree INS-GAS mice than male SPF INS-GAS mice. H pylori monoassociation accelerated gastritis and GIN but caused less severe gastric lesions and delayed onset of GIN compared with H pylori-infected INS-GAS mice with complex gastric microbiota. Changes in gastric microbiota composition might promote GIN in achlorhydric stomachs of SPF mice.
Group Cost-Sensitive Boosting for Multi-Resolution Pedestrian Detection

As an important yet challenging problem in computer vision, pedestrian detection has achieved impressive progress in recent years. However, the significant performance decline with decreasing resolution is a major bottleneck of current state-of-the-art methods. For the popular boosting-based detectors, one of the main reasons is that low resolution samples, which are usually more difficult to detect than high resolution ones, are treated by equal costs in the boosting process, leading to the consequence that they are more easily being rejected in early stages and can hardly be recovered in late stages as false negatives. To address this problem, we propose in this paper a new multi-resolution detection approach based on a novel group cost-sensitive boosting algorithm, which extends the popular AdaBoost by exploring different costs for different resolution groups in the boosting process, and places more emphases on low resolution group in order to better handle detection of hard samples. The proposed approach is evaluated on the challenging Caltech pedestrian benchmark, and outperforms other state-of-the-art on different resolution-specific test sets.
“You Have to Hunt for the Fruits, the Vegetables”: Environmental Barriers and Adaptive Strategies to Acquire Food in a Low-Income African American Neighborhood

This qualitative study sought to understand food acquisition behaviors and environmental factors that influence those behaviors among women in a low-income African American community with limited food resources. We drew on in-depth interviews with 30 women ages 21 to 45 years recruited from a community health center in Chicago, Illinois. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Emergent themes revealed that women identified multiple environmental barriers—material, economic, and social-interactional—to acquiring food in an acceptable setting. In response, they engaged in several adaptive strategies to manage or alter these challenges, including optimizing, settling, being proactive, and advocating. These findings indicate that efforts to improve neighborhood food environments should address not only food availability and prices but also the physical and social environments of stores.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Stressor Criterion

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was officially introduced into psychiatric nomenclature in 1980, when it was incorporated into DSM-III. There is as yet little empirical research on the validity of the diagnosis/Literature on disasters, civilian and wartime, and on more ordinary stressful life events does not support the view that extreme stressors form a discrete class of stressors in terms of the probability of psychiatric sequelae or the distinctive nature of subsequent psychopathology. Extraordinary stressors are like more ordinary stressful events with respect to their complex differential effects upon individuals. Personal characteristics and the nature of the social environment modify the likelihood and form of the response of individuals to all types of stressors.
Aplicación de la minería de textos. Análisis de patentes.

1 Dpto. de Organizacion de Empresas. Escuela Universitaria de Ingenieria de Vitoria-Gasteiz. Universidad del Pais Vasco. Calle Nieves Cano 12, 01006. Vitoria-Gasteiz. javier.gavilanes@ehu.es, rosamaria.rio@ehu.es. 2 Dpto. de Organizacion de Empresas. Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieria de Bilbao. Universidad del Pais Vasco. Calle Alameda Urquijo s/n, 48013. Bilbao. ernesto.cilleruelo@ehu.es 3 Dpto. de Organizacion de Empresas. Escuela Universitaria de Estudios Empresariales de Bilbao. Universidad del Pais Vasco. Calle Elcano 21, 48008. Bilbao. gaizka.garechana@ehu.es
Attention and social functioning in children with malformations of cortical development and stroke

Attention and social functioning and their interrelationships have not been routinely examined in children with early brain insult (EBI). This study aimed to describe attention and social functioning in children with two types of EBI: malformations of cortical development (MCD) and stroke. Children diagnosed with MCD (n = 14, 6 males) or stroke (n = 14, 8 males) aged 8 to 14 years (M = 12 years 11 months) completed neuropsychological assessments to examine attention processes. Primary caregivers completed a questionnaire to assess executive components of children's attention and teachers completed a questionnaire to measure children's social functioning. Brain scans (MRI or CT) were coded by a pediatric neuroradiologist. Higher rates of impairments in attention and social function were found in children with EBI compared with normative expectations. Children with MCD experienced more global and clinically significant levels of impairment than children with stroke; though impairments were present in both groups. A strong association between executive components of attention and social function was observed. In addition, complex attention processes were associated with social function. The findings emphasize the reciprocity between attention, behavior and social outcomes, and the vulnerability of social function following EBI.