Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-Level Phenomenal Vision Despite Unilateral Destruction of Primary Visual Cortex

GY, an extensively studied human hemianope, is aware of salient visual events in his cortically blind field but does not call this "vision. " To learn whether he has low-level conscious visual sensations or whether instead he has gained conscious knowledge about, or access to, visual information that does not produce a conscious phenomenal sensation, we attempted to image process a stimulus s presented to the impaired field so that when the transformed stimulus T(s) was presented to the normal hemifield it would cause a sensation similar to that caused by s in the impaired field. While degradation of contrast, spatio-temporal filtering, contrast reversal, and addition of smear and random blobs all failed to match the response to a flashed bar s(f), moving textures of low contrast were accepted to match the response to a moving contrast-defined bar, s(m). Orientation and motion direction discrimination of the perceptually matched stimuli [s(m) and T(s(m))] was closely similar. We suggest that the existence of a satisfactory match indicates that GY has phenomenal vision.
E2F4 Function in G2 Maintaining G2-arrest to Prevent Mitotic Entry with Damaged DNA

Mammalian cells undergo cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage through multiple checkpoint mechanisms. One such checkpoint pathway maintains genomic integrity by delaying mitotic progression in response to genotoxic stress. Transition though the G2 phase and entry into mitosis is considered to be regulated primarily by Cyclin B1 and its associated catalytically active partner Cdk1. While not necessary for its initiation, the p130 and Rb-dependent target genes have emerged as being important for stable maintenance of a G2 arrest. It was recently demonstrated that by interacting with p130, E2F4 is present in the nuclei and plays a key role in the maintenance of this stable G2 arrest. Increased E2F4 levels and its translocation to the nucleus following genotoxic stress results in down-regulation of many mitotic genes and as a result promote a G0-like state. Irradiation of E2F4-depleted cells leads to enhanced cellular DNA double-strand breaks that may be measured by comet assays. It also results in cell death that is characterized by caspase activation, sub-G1 and sub-G2 DNA content, and decreased clonogenic cell survival. Here we review these recent findings and discuss the mechanisms of G2 phase checkpoint activation and maintenance with a particular focus on E2F4.
Studies on a stable, mild diabetes induced by streptozotocin in rats.

A stable, mild diabetes in rats maintained on a normal laboratory diet was induced by a single i.p. injection of streptozotocin. Irreversible damage of the pancreatic islet B cells was complete by 3 days after treatment and plasma immunoreactive insulin was undetectable throughout the remaining 12-week period of investigation. The diabetes was characterized by hyperglycaemia of over 30 mM and a constant elevation of plasma alanine and branch-chain amino acids throughout the 12 weeks. In contrast to severe diabetes, plasma free fatty acids rose only gradually from normal values to reach 1.5 mM by week 12, ketone bodies were only slightly elevated (0.7 mM maximum) and liver glycogen was maintained throughout at around 30% of the normal, fed value. Starvation for up to 40 h caused only slight changes (in contrast with non-diabetic animals) and in particular no changes in free fatty acid or ketone bodies were found. These metabolic results are discussed in relation to the mechanisms thought to control those processes.
Physiological Characterization of Dicarboxylate-Induced Pleomorphic Forms of Bradyrhizobium japonicum

When Bradyrhizobium japonicum I-110 was transferred into medium containing 40 mM succinate or 40 mM fumarate, over 90% of the bacteria acquired a swollen, pleomorphic form similar to that of bacteroids. The induction of pleomorphism was dependent on the carbon substrate and concentration but was independent of the hydrogen ion and sodium ion concentration. Cell extracts of rod-shaped and pleomorphic cells contained enzymes required for sugar catabolism and gluconeogenesis. Variations in these enzyme profiles were correlated with the carbon source used and not with the conversion to the bacteroid-like morphology. Rod-shaped cells cultured on glucose or 10 mM succinate transported glucose and succinate; however, the pleomorphic cells behaved similarly to symbiotic bacteroids in that they lacked the ability to transport glucose and transported succinate at lower rates than did rod-shaped cells.
Creating social impact with sport events

All over the world, sport events are seen as significant tools for creating positive social impact. This is understandable, as sport events have the power to attract enthusiastic participants, volunteers and to reach large audiences of visitors and followers via (social) media. Outbursts of excitement, pleasure and feelings of camaraderie are experienced among millions of people in the case of mega events. Still, a fairly large section of the population does not care that much for sports. Some may experience road blocks, litter and noise disturbance from the events. Sport events generally require investments, often from local or national authorities. Concerned citizens rightfully point at alternative usage of public money (e.g. schools, health care). Thrills and excitement are good things, but does that warrant public money being spent on? Or is there a broader social significance of sport events? Can sport events help alleviate societal issues (like cohesion, inequality and non-participation), do they generate a social impact beyond what spectators experience during the event? In this report the authors have aimed to describe the state of play as regards the evidence for the occurrence of a social impact from sport events and the strategies that are required to enhance social impact from sport events. For the report, an extensive scan of the literature was performed and input was collected from a key group of international experts.
The Enhanced Tumorigenic Activity of a Mutant Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Common in Human Cancers Is Mediated by Threshold Levels of Constitutive Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Unattenuated Signaling*

Deregulation of signaling by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common in human malignancy progression. One mutant EGFR (variously named ΔEGFR, de2-7 EGFR, or EGFRvIII), which occurs frequently in human cancers, lacks a portion of the extracellular ligand-binding domain due to genomic deletions that eliminate exons 2 to 7 and confers a dramatic enhancement of brain tumor cell tumorigenicity in vivo. In order to dissect the molecular mechanisms of this activity, we analyzed location, autophosphorylation, and attenuation of the mutant receptors. The mutant receptors were expressed on the cell surface and constitutively autophosphorylated at a significantly decreased level compared with wild-type EGFR activated by ligand treatment. Unlike wild-type EGFR, the constitutively active ΔEGFR were not down-regulated, suggesting that the altered conformation of the mutant did not result in exposure of receptor sequence motifs required for endocytosis and lysosomal sorting. Mutational analysis showed that the enhanced tumorigenicity was dependent on intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity and was mediated through the carboxyl terminus. In contrast with wild-type receptor, mutation of any major tyrosine autophosphorylation site abolished these activities suggesting that the biological functions of ΔEGFR are due to low constitutive activation with mitogenic effects amplified by failure to attenuate signaling by receptor down-regulation.
DDX6 and its orthologs as modulators of cellular and viral RNA expression

DDX6 (Rck/p54), a member of the DEAD‐box family of helicases, is highly conserved from unicellular eukaryotes to vertebrates. Functions of DDX6 and its orthologs in dynamic ribonucleoproteins contribute to global and transcript‐specific messenger RNA (mRNA) storage, translational repression, and decay during development and differentiation in the germline and somatic cells. Its role in pathways that promote mRNA‐specific alternative translation initiation has been shown to be linked to cellular homeostasis, deregulated tissue development, and the control of gene expression in RNA viruses. Recently, DDX6 was found to participate in mRNA regulation mediated by miRNA‐mediated silencing. DDX6 and its orthologs have versatile functions in mRNA metabolism, which characterize them as important post‐transcriptional regulators of gene expression. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:659–678. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1237
Dissociative experiences and dissociative minds: Exploring a nomological network of dissociative functioning

ABSTRACT In this study, the psychometric properties of the Dissociative Experiences Scale–II (DES-II) were tested in a sample of Italian adults, and a nomological network of dissociative functioning based on current psychodynamic research was examined. A total of 794 participants (55% females) ranging in age from 18 to 64 completed the DES-II and other measures of theory of mind, alexithymia, attachment style, and empathy. The Italian translation of the DES-II showed high internal consistency, adequate item-to-scale homogeneity, and good split-half reliability. A single-factor solution including the 8 items of pathological dissociation (DES-T) adequately fit the data. Participants who reported higher levels of dissociative experiences showed significantly lower scores on theory of mind and empathy than other participants. They also showed significantly higher scores on alexithymia, preoccupied attachment, and fearful attachment. Results of the study support the view that people who suffer from severe dissociative experiences may also have difficulties mentalizing and regulating affects and that they may feel uncomfortable in close relationships because they have a negative view of the self. This can inform clinical work with dissociative individuals, who could benefit from therapies that consider their potential problems with mentalization, empathy, affect regulation, and attachment.
Cellular Fatty Acid Composition of Streptococcus mutans and Related Streptococci

The cellular fatty acid composition of 18 strains of Streptococcus mutans and 17 isolates of related streptococci were examined by gas-liquid chromatography. The cultures could be divided into two distinct groups on the basis of their fatty acids. The first group, which included S mutans and S salivarius, contained palmitic (16:0), octadecenoic (18:1), stearic (18:0), eicosenoic (20:1), and eicosanoic (20:0) acids. The presence of the two 20-carbon fatty acids distinguished S mutans and S salivarius from all of the other species. Two of the S mutans cultures were further distinguished by the presence of 19-carbon and 21-carbon cyclopropane acids. The second group included S sanguis, S mitis, S uberis, and a culture of Lancefield group C streptococci. The percentages of the major acids (16:0, 18:1, and 18:0) found in these species were essentially identical. A culture of Lancefield group E streptococci contained large amounts of 16:1 and 18:1 and small amounts of two unidentified acids which were not present in any of the other cultures.
Immunccytochemical Localization of Angiotensinogen in Rat Brain: Dependence of Neuronal Immunoreactivity on Method of Tissue Processing

There is disagreement between laboratories on the presence and location of angiotensinogen immunostaining in neuronal cells. We examined this issue by using different antisera and histological procedures to stain for angiotensinogen in brains from normal, colchicine‐treated and nephrectomized rats. Five different antisera from three laboratories were used to stain sections of paraffin‐embedded tissue, frozen sections and Vibratome sections of cerebral cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, brainstem and cerebellum. All five antisera and all three tissue treatments were effective in showing angiotensinogen staining in glial cells, with the most intense staining being achieved in Vibratome sections. All five antisera gave identical results. Neuronal staining was also found with all antisera but mostly in paraffin‐embedded sections, with occasional light staining in frozen sections. No neuronal staining was observed in Vibratome sections. Neuronal staining was frequently perivascular, tended to have a more variable anatomical localization, and to occasionally lack bilateral symmetry in coronal sections. These results provide an explanation for the disagreement between laboratories on the presence and location of angiotensinogen immunostaining in neuronal cells. Taken together with the limited concordance between published sites of angiotensinogen and angiotensin II staining, and the recent demonstration by hybridization in situ of a specifically glial cell localization of angiotensinogen mRNA, our own results suggest a need for caution in the interpretation of neuronal staining with anti‐angiotensinogen antisera.
[Study on the relationship of the haplotypes of programmed cell death 1 gene and ultraviolet history with systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship of gene polymorphisms of programmed cell death 1 gene (PDCD1) and ultraviolet history with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) among the Han population in the southern region of yangtze river in China. METHODS With a case control design, a total of 159 SLE cases and 159 controls were enrolled in this study, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PDCD1 gene were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). With the aid of the logistic regression model, the effect of gene polymorphism, environmental factor and the interaction between gene and environment were fitted under the recessive, dominant, additive and codominant mode, respectively. RESULTS Three models were screened as the optimal models under the additive mode and one model under the dominant mode, according to the lowest value of Akaike's Information Criteria (AIC). After the control of age and gender, it was found that the frequency of ultraviolet exposure was higher in cases than in controls with significant difference under all models (P<0.05). For the haplotypes composed of the alleles of PD1.2, PD1.5 and PD1.6, there was significantly higher frequency of G-T-A haplotype (0.1196 vs 0.0363) and lower frequency of A-C-A haplotype (0.4746 vs 0.5399) in cases than that in controls (P<0.05) under the additive mode, and the G-T-A haplotype was associated with an increased risk for SLE (OR=4.319), while A-C-A haplotype was shown as a protective factor for SLE (OR=0.571). Moreover, interaction between A-C-G haplotype and ultraviolet exposure, which was related to an increased risk for SLE (beta5=1.182, Z=2.2898, P<0.05, OR=3.261), was also found under this mode. Additionally, the frequency of G-C-G haplotype was higher in cases than that in controls (0.1287 vs 0.0361) under the dominant mode with statistically significant difference (P<0.05, OR=4.332). CONCLUSION Authors' results indicate that ultraviolet exposure, G-T-A or G-C-G haplotype and interaction between A-C-G and ultraviolet exposure may be associated with genetic susceptibility to SLE in Han population in the southern region of yangtze river in China under certain genetic modes.
Unravelling first‐generation pedigrees in wild endangered salmon populations using molecular genetic markers

There is increasing interest in the use of molecular genetic data to infer genealogical relationships among individuals in the absence of parental information. Such analyses can provide insight into mating systems and estimations of heritability in the wild. In addition, accurate pedigree reconstruction among the founders of endangered populations being reared in captivity would be invaluable. Many breeding programs for endangered species attempt to minimize loss of genetic variation and inbreeding through strategies designed to minimize global co‐ancestry, but they assume a lack of relatedness among the founders. Yet populations that are the target of such programs are generally in serious demographic decline, and many of the available founders may be closely related. Here we demonstrate determination of full and half‐sib relationships among the wild founders of a captive breeding program involving two endangered Atlantic salmon populations using two different approaches and associated software, pedigree and colony. A large portion of the juveniles collected in these two rivers appear to be derived from surprisingly few females mating with a large number of males, probably small precocious parr. Another group of potential founders, obtained from a local hatchery, clearly originated from a small number of full‐sib crosses. These results allowed us to prioritize individuals on the basis of conservation value, and are expected to help minimize loss of genetic variation through time. In addition, insight is provided into the number of contributing parents and the mating systems that produced this last generation of endangered wild Atlantic salmon.
Microstructure evolution of zinc oxide films derived from dip-coating sol–gel technique: formation of nanorods through orientation attachment

ZnO:Al thin films with Al incorporation of 0–20 at. % were deposited through the sol–gel technique. Such a film undergoes a significant microstructure development, from columnar to granular structures and then nanorod arrays with increasing Al content. The important role of Al incorporation level in the microstructure evolution was determined using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. At low Al level, the transition from columnar to granular grains can be attributed to the coarsening barrier resulting from the introduction of Al into the matrix. However, oriented structures of ZnO nanorod arrays are formed at a high Al level. TEM investigation reveals that a nanorod with smooth morphology at the top and rough morphology at the bottom has a single-crystalline wurtzite structure, which is the aggregation of nanoparticles of a few nanometers in size formed through the orientation attachment mechanism followed by epitaxial growth on the aggregated particles. Finally, the physical properties of the ZnO films with different degrees of Al concentration are discussed. Such detailed microstructure studies may aid the understanding of the doping effect process on the growth of a film, which is essential to altering its physical or chemical properties.
SDZ RAD, a new rapamycin derivative: pharmacological properties in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND This report describes the preclinical pharmacological profile of the new rapamycin analog, SDZ RAD, i.e., 40-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-rapamycin. METHODS The pharmacological effects of SDZ RAD were assessed in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models, which included an autoimmune disease model as well as kidney and heart allotransplantation models using different rat strain combinations. RESULTS SDZ RAD has a mode of action that is different from that of cyclosporine or FK506. In contrast to the latter, SDZ RAD inhibits growth factor-driven cell proliferation in general, as demonstrated for the in vitro cell proliferation of a lymphoid cell line and of vascular smooth muscle cells. SDZ RAD is immunosuppressive in vitro as demonstrated by the inhibition of mouse and human mixed lymphocyte reactions and the inhibition of antigen-driven proliferation of human T-cell clones. The concentrations needed to achieve 50% inhibition in all of these assays fall into the subnanomolar range. SDZ RAD is effective in the in vivo models when given by the oral route in doses ranging between 1 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day. When compared with rapamycin, the in vitro activity of SDZ RAD is generally about two to three times lower; however, when administered orally, SDZ RAD is at least as active in vivo as rapamycin. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, SDZ RAD is a new, orally active rapamycin-derivative that is immunosuppressive and that efficiently prevents graft rejection in rat models of allotransplantation. SDZ RAD has therefore been selected for development for use in combination with cyclosporine A to prevent acute and chronic rejection after solid organ allotransplantation.
Closure mechanisms of laryngeal vestibule during swallow.

This study examined the temporal effects of bolus volume on closure of the laryngeal vestibule at the arytenoid to epiglottic base and the mobile portion of the epiglottis, the temporal relationships between these levels of airway closure and cricopharyngeal opening for various bolus volumes, and the mechanisms responsible for these two levels of airway protection during deglutition. Closure of the laryngeal vestibule progressed inferiorly to superiorly at all bolus volumes. Duration of closure of the airway at the arytenoid to epiglottic base increased systematically with bolus volume, as did the duration of descent of the epiglottis below horizontal. Closure at the arytenoid to epiglottic base occurred earlier in relation to maximal laryngeal elevation as bolus volume increased. In contrast, descent of the epiglottis to horizontal and the temporal relationship between closure of the airway at the arytenoid to epiglottic base and cricopharyngeal opening were independent of bolus volume. These findings indicate a tightly organized neural program for some pharyngeal swallow events with systematic variability with volume in other pharyngeal events, possibly modulated by afferent input from the periphery. The neuromuscular mechanisms responsible for closure of the airway at the arytenoid to epiglottic base and at the mobile epiglottis appear to be quite different. Closure at the arytenoid to epiglottic base is apparently under direct neural control by active anterior tilting of the arytenoid cartilage and posterior projection of the epiglottic base as the larynx elevates, whereas epiglottic downward movement to closure is the biomechanical effect of hyolaryngeal movement, downward bolus movement, and tongue base retraction. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Distributed Leadership for Social Justice: Exploring how Influence and Equity are Stretched over an Urban High School

Although leadership for social justice and distributed leadership have separately garnered a great deal of interest among educational administration scholars, no studies have explored the possible conceptual and empirical links between these important and promising areas of inquiry. This study draws from extant literature to suggest an exploratory conceptual framework designed to investigate distributed leadership practice for social justice; it then explores the efficacy of the framework using data from an ethnographic study of leadership practice conducted in an urban high school in the southeastern United States. Findings suggest that the framework has potential for explaining social justice leadership practice as the context-specific and situation-bound work of formal and informal leaders throughout an organization.