Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IκB Kinase β Is Required for Activation of NF-κB and AP-1 in CD3/CD28-Stimulated Primary CD4+ T Cells

Engagement of the TCR and CD28 coreceptor by their respective ligands activates signal transduction cascades that ultimately lead to the activation of the transcription factors NFAT, AP-1, and NF-κB, which are required for the expression of cytokines and T cell clonal expansion. Previous studies have demonstrated that in mature T cells, activation of AP-1 and NF-κB is dependent on protein kinase C θ, suggesting the existence of a common signaling pathway. In this study, we show that in human primary CD4+ T cells, exposure to the cell-permeable IKKβ inhibitor PS-1145 or genetic ablation of IKKβ abrogates cell proliferation and impairs the activation of NF-κB and AP-1 transcription factors in response to engagement of CD3 and CD28 coreceptor. In addition, we show that stimulation of T cells in the absence of IKKβ activity promotes the time-dependent and cyclosporine-sensitive expression of negative regulators of T cell signaling leading to a hyporesponsive state of T cells.
Impedance matching based cross-layer architecture for cognitive networks

One of the main challenges faced by communication field is the efficient utilization of precious resources (e.g., spectrum). To handle this issue, Cognitive Networks (CNs) are proposed with flexible adaptation and dynamic adjustment to the heterogeneous environment. In CNs, cross-layer design that relies on the interaction and cooperation of nonadjacent layers is a potential way to alleviate and cope with the unique issues created by traditional layered architecture. Nevertheless, the existing cross-layer designs server to highlight specific shortcomings of the layered architecture and are always protocol stack centric, paying little attention to the unified platform of various cross-layer schemes. To deal with the coexistence problem, this paper concentrates on the compatibility of cross-layer schemes and depicts a novel Impedance Matching based cross-layer Architecture (IMclA) for communication and networking. The architecture abstracts the scenarios of time-varying and error-prone surroundings as source impedances, and regards the diverse cross-layer strategies as specific load impedances that match in accordance with the source impedances. IMclA provides a universal platform for implementing cross-layer strategies in CNs, with detailed design of handshake mechanism for control signals. Moreover, a matching algorithm with low complexity is illustrated. For evaluation, we focus on the queue manner of the impedances in terms of efficiency and fairness that have a profound influence on the overall system performance and stability. Simulation results, demonstrating the operating and processing time of impedance matching approach based on M/G/1 model, show that the system sojourn time could reach a preferable value as the priority numbers increase to a high degree.
A Longitudinal, Observational Study with Many Repeated Measures Demonstrated Improved Precision of Individual Survival Curves Using Bayesian Joint Modeling of Disability and Survival

Background/Study Context: It has not been previously demonstrated whether Bayesian joint modeling (BJM) of disability and survival can, under certain conditions, improve precision of individual survival curves. Methods: A longitudinal, observational study wherein 754 initially nondisabled community-dwelling adults in greater New Haven, Connecticut, were observed on a monthly basis for over 10 years. Results: In this study, BJM exploited many monthly observations to demonstrate, relative to a separate survival model with adjustment, improved precision of individual survival curves, permitting detection of significant differences between survival curves of two similar individuals. The gain in precision was lost when using only those observations from intervals of 6, 9, or 12 months. Conclusion: When there are many repeated measures, BJM of longitudinal functional disability and interval-censored survival can potentially increase the precision of individual survival curves relative to those from a separate survival model. This may facilitate the identification of significant differences between individual survival curves, a useful result usually precluded by the large variability inherent to individual-level estimates from stand-alone survival models.
Environmental estrogen stimulation of growth and estrogen receptor function in preneoplastic and cancerous human breast cell lines.

BACKGROUND DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are widespread in the ecosystem, can mimic estrogen-mediated cell activities. Thus, they can potentially interfere with many physiologic processes. We compared the effects of organochlorines belonging to the DDT and PCB families, alone and in combination, for their ability to influence the estrogen receptor-mediated activities in preneoplastic breast epithelial cells and breast cancer cells. METHODS Multiple assay systems requiring functional estrogen receptor were employed to test estrogen-like activity of organochlorine ligands. Two-sided statistical tests were used to compare the data. RESULTS p,p'-DDT, the predominant form of DDT in the environment, is a more potent estrogen than o,p'-DDT (P<.001), although it is less effective than o,p'-DDT in inhibiting the binding of estradiol (natural estrogen) to estrogen receptor. Among the PCBs, Heptachlor is estrogenic (in transient reporter assays; P< or =.001), whereas Aroclor 1221 and Aroclor 1254, both individually and in combination, are only weakly estrogenic. CONCLUSION p,p'-DDT is the most effective organochlorine in regulating estrogen receptor-mediated cellular responses. In estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, p,p'-DDT evokes responses by itself and enhances the responses in collaboration with estradiol or o,p'-DDT.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: clinical review.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are effective antidepressant agents. They are increasingly and effectively used in a number of other psychiatric and non-psychiatric medical syndromes. Their potential for serious toxicity (i.e., hypertensive reaction) is far less than original reports suggest, and newer reversible substrate-specific MAOIs may offer even less toxicity. The author reviews the pharmacology, mechanism of action, clinical indications, and dosing strategies of MAOIs. The common MAOI side-effects (hypotension, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, daytime sedation, myoclonus, and hypertensive episodes) are described and management techniques suggested. Recent clinical developments involving MAOIs are outlined.
High performance 65 nm SOI technology with enhanced transistor strain and advanced-low-K BEOL

A high performance 65 nm SOI CMOS technology is presented. Dual stress liner (DSL), embedded SiGe, and stress memorization techniques are utilized to enhance transistor speed. Advanced-low-K BEOL for this technology features 10 wiring levels with a novel K=2.75 film in selected levels. This film is a SiCOH-based dielectric optimized for stress to enable integration for enhanced performance. The resulting technology delivers pFET and nFET AC switching on-current of 735 muA/mum and 1259 muA/mum respectively, at an off-current of 200 nA/um (Vdd=1.0 V), and 6% reduction in interconnect delay. Process yield is demonstrated on a SRAM cell with size of 0.65 mum2
Compact Layout of DT-MOS Transistor With Source-Follower Subcircuit in 90-nm CMOS Technology

This letter proposes a compact layout of the dynamic threshold-voltage MOS (DT-MOS) transistor using foundry 90-nm CMOS technology. Adopting the subcircuit of source follower, the proposed DT-MOS transistor could be operated at voltage as low as 0.7 V. Measurement results demonstrate the 80% improvement of current drive capability and the 60% improvement of transconductance compared to traditional devices. This letter demonstrates an excellent device with compact layout for low-voltage operation by using nanometer CMOS technology.
The relationship between histopathology and age factor in patients who were operated for renal masses.

OBJECTIVE Renal neoplasms have a predilection to occur in older patients and they are often malignant. They may have different structural characteristics according to age groups. In our study, we have investigated age-related demographic characteristics of the patients who were operated because of suspected malignant renal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 2010 and 2014, 129 patients were treated surgically for suspected malignant renal masses at our institution. These cases had undergone open radical, open partial, and laparoscopic radical nephrectomies. Patients were divided into two groups based on their ages and evaluated accordingly as Group 1 (≤50 years) and Group 2 (>50 years). Groups were compared based on their clinical and pathological features. RESULTS Group 1 and Group 2 consisted of 29 (22.4%) and 91 (77.6%) patients, respectively. The mean age of younger patients was 43.1 years (23-49 years), with a male to female ratio of 19/10, while the average tumor size was 57.6 mm (20-120 mm). Twenty-four patients (83%) had a malignant pathology and five patients (17%) had a benign pathology. Clear cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 67% of the patients in both groups. There was no significant difference with respect to age and tumor size of male and female patients in the younger age group, while younger female adults tended to have a more benign pathology than their male counterparts (40% and 5%, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION There was no significant difference with respect to gender, tumor size, laterality, and surgical and pathologic features between younger and older patients. An organ- sparing approach should be strongly considered when treatment for renal tumors in young females is performed because of a potentially higher incidence of a benign pathology of renal masses.
Acoustic-Distortion Products: Separation of Sensory from Neural Dysfunction in Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Human Beings and Rabbits

Because distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) provide a noninvasive measure of outer hair-cell (OHC) activity, they should provide a unique and sensitive indicator of the effects of agents that damage hearing. Using DPOAE methods, the present study was designed to assess the relative contributions of the cochlea's outer hair cells to some common sensorineural diseases, including Meniere's disease, acoustic neuroma, and noise-induced, hereditary, and sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss. Parallel evaluations of DPOAEs were performed under essentially identical conditions in rabbit models of several of the human disorders, including noise-induced hearing loss, endolymphatic hydrops, and cochlear neurectomy. Animal studies were performed to assess the proficiency of DPOAEs to track a developing sensorineural deficit as well as to compare patterns of DPOAE dysfunction between clinical and experimental forms of peripheral hearing loss. Detailed measures of DPOAEs were collected in the stimulus-frequency and intensity domains as “audiograms” and response/growth or input/output functions, respectively. The outcome of analyses of both human beings and animals supported the notion that DPOAE testing is sensitive to sensory-cell disease. Thus, in combination with conventional audiometry, DPOAE measures permit a distinction between the relative contribution sensory and neural components of the cochlea make to hearing deficits.
Stacked SiO2/Si Nanonail Array Fabricated by Spacer Technology for Biomedical Applications

This paper reports well-controlled nanonail array with Si bodies and stacked SiO2 heads for biomedical nano-extractions and protein localizations. The nanonails with well controlled dimensions are fabricated by multi-crossed spacer technology which we have developed. The nail bodies with the minimum diameter of 24 nm and nailheads with 11 nm tip-radius are successfully achieved. 100 nm spacing and 1.2 mum nail height are also obtained. Nano water droplets are observed to condense at the hydrophilic nailheads in environment-scanning electron microscope. Fluorescent test shows that fluorescein solution is only dipped at the nailheads, while the hydrophobic Si is immune. The stacked nanonails are also used for protein capture after chemical decorations.
Biology of Human Epidermal Langerhans Cells: Cell Cycle Studies

Langerhans cells (LC) are considered to play an important role in the initiation of the immune response in the skin. This study was performed to analyse the kinetics of LC in normal human epidermis. Using flow cytometry (FCM), we have applied three methods to estimate LC DNA distribution: FCM DNA measurement in LC‐enriched suspensions (70‐90% purity). FCM‐correlated analysis of DNA and OKT6‐positive cells in original epidermal cell suspensions, and staining of LC‐enriched suspensions by the Feulgen technique on microscopic slides and counter labelling of contaminating keratinocytes with anti‐keratin antiserum to eliminate them from the LC DNA estimation. All three methods clearly showed that human LC are a cycling cell population, and it was suggested that LC may represent a stable, self‐reproducing cell population in normal epidermis.
The physiological cost and enjoyment of Wii Fit in adolescents, young adults, and older adults.

BACKGROUND Active video games (exergames) increase energy expenditure (EE) and physical activity (PA) compared with sedentary video gaming. The physiological cost and enjoyment of exergaming in adolescents, and young and older adults has not been documented, nor compared with aerobic exercise. This study compared the physiological cost and enjoyment of exergaming on Wii Fit with aerobic exercise in 3 populations. METHODS Cardiorespiratory and enjoyment measurements were compared in 14 adolescents, 15 young adults, and 13 older adults during handheld inactive video gaming, Wii Fit activities (yoga, muscle conditioning, balance, aerobics), and brisk treadmill walking and jogging. RESULTS For all groups EE and heart rate (HR) of Wii Fit activities were greater than handheld gaming (P < .001) but lower than treadmill exercise (P <or= .001). Wii aerobics elicited moderate intensity activity in adolescents, young adults, and older adults with respective mean (SD) metabolic equivalents of 3.2 (0.7), 3.6 (0.8), and 3.2 (0.8). HR during Wii aerobics fell below the recommended intensity for maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness. Group enjoyment rating was greater for Wii balance and aerobics compared with treadmill walking and jogging (P <or= .05). CONCLUSIONS Wii Fit appears an enjoyable exergame for adolescents and adults, stimulating light-to-moderate intensity activity through the modification of typically sedentary leisure behavior.
Clients', therapists', and observers' agreement on the amount, temporal location, and content of psychotherapeutic change and its relation to outcome

Abstract Clients', therapists', and observers' identification of change was studied in 27 therapeutic processes, and agreement on the amount, temporal location, and content of change was related to outcome. Results show that clients reported more changes in successful therapies. Client–therapist temporal match of change moments was low irrespective of outcome. Results from all three perspectives were consistent in that manifestation of new behaviors and emotions was the most representative content of change among all therapies. Meanwhile, client–therapist agreement on the frequency of grouped change indicators reported was associated with positive outcome, whereas client–observer agreement was related to negative outcome. Therapists and observers agreed in both successful and nonsuccessful therapies. The relationship between agreement and therapeutic outcome is discussed in relation to each dimension of analysis.
60,000 Disaster Victims Speak: Part II. Summary and Implications of the Disaster Mental Health Research

Abstract On the basis of the literature reviewed in Part I of this two-part series (Norris, Friedman, Watson, Byrne, Diaz, and Kaniasty, this volume), the authors recommend early intervention following disasters, especially when the disaster is associated with extreme and widespread damage to property, ongoing financial problems for the stricken community, violence that resulted from human intent, and a high prevalence of trauma in the form of injuries, threat to life, and loss of life. Meeting the mental health needs of children, women, and survivors in developing countries is particularly critical. The family context is central to understanding and meeting those needs. Because of the complexity of disasters and responses to them, interagency cooperation and coordination are extremely important elements of the mental health response. Altogether, the research demands that we think ecologically and design and test societal- and community-level interventions for the population at large and conserve scarce clinical resources for those most in need.
A review of blood product usage in a large emergency department over a one-year period

Objectives To establish blood product usage and wastage within a UK emergency department (ED). Methods A retrospective case note review of patients presenting to the ED requiring blood products. Results Between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2007, 770 transfusion requests were identified, representing 3209 units of blood products. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most frequent indication for blood product request. 39.5% (1204 units) of blood products ordered were transfused, 47.8% (1458 units) recycled (including 53.4%; 1260 units; of red cell concentrate; RCC), 3.2% (97 units) wasted and 9.5% (289 units) unaccounted for. Median age of recipients was 65 (IQR 46–78) years and 56% of all transfusions were given to patients over 60 years old. Conclusion Patients receiving blood products are elderly. Up to half of all requested products are recycled having not being used for the indication for which they were requested, and 3% of blood products are wasted. With an ageing population and limited blood product availability, transfusion requests should be more carefully considered.
Infant Carrier-Related Falls: An Unrecognized Danger

Objective: Our objective was to describe young children injured through the use of infant carrier car seats, comparing them with children injured through other fall mechanisms. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of children 18 months or younger with a fall mechanism of injury presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care level 1 pediatric trauma center from August 2004 to December 2005. The primary outcome measure of the study was to determine the pattern of injuries sustained by infants falling from infant carrier seats. Results: Eight hundred three children were identified. There were 62 patients (7.7%) with infant carrier falls with a mean age of 4.4 months. Of these patients, 87.1% were not buckled into their carriers. Infant carrier-related falls resulted in 22 hospitalizations (35.5%), including 6 pediatric intensive care unit admissions (9.7%). Thirteen patients in the group with infant carrier-related falls sustained intracranial injuries (ICIs; subdural hematoma, 8; epidural hematoma, 3; cerebral contusion, 1; and subarachnoid hemorrhage, 1); 1 patient required a craniotomy. Ten patients had isolated skull fractures, and 11 of the 13 patients with ICIs also had skull fractures. The 62 carrier patients were compared with 741 children with other fall mechanisms. The carrier group had more ICIs (P < 0.001) and hospitalizations (P < 0.001). When carrier injuries were compared with falls down stairs, there were more ICIs (13/62 vs. 2/68, P = 0.002) resulting from carrier injuries. Conclusions: Falls from infant carriers are common, often involve children unbuckled in their car seats, and represent a significant source of morbidity. Injury prevention measures such as education and manufacture labeling may be effective strategies.
Investigating the Relationship Between DSGE and SVAR Models

DSGE models often contain variables for which data is not observed when estimating. Although DSGE models generally imply that there is a finite order SVAR in all the variables this may no longer be true for SVARs just in observable variables, and so there is a VAR-truncation problem. The paper examines this issue. It looks at five different studies using DSGE models that appear in the literature. Generally it emerges that the truncation issue is probably not that important, except possibly in small open economy models with external debt. Even when there is no truncation problem in VARs which control the dynamics) the structural impulse responses from both models may be different due to differing initial responses. It is shown that DSGE models incorporate some strong restrictions on the nature of SVAR models and these would need to employed for the two approaches to give the same initial estimates.
Determinants of labour’s income share in the era of financialisation.

Numerous studies have analysed the decline in the labour share of income, but only few have linked it to the increase in financialisation. The process of financialisation can roughly be described as an increasing importance of the financial sector that had an impact on the distribution between wages and profits, on the one hand, and retained earnings and financial income in the form of dividends and interests, on the other hand. This article seeks to explore the relationship between financialisation and labour’s share of income using a time-series cross-sectional dataset of 13 countries over the time period from 1986 until 2007. The results suggest that there is indeed a relationship between increasing dividend and interest payments of non-financial corporations and the decline of the share of wages in national income. Other factors that can account for the decline relate to globalisation and a decrease in the bargaining power of labour.
Vibrio harveyi Adheres to and Penetrates Tissues of the European Abalone Haliotis tuberculata within the First Hours of Contact

ABSTRACT Vibrio harveyi is a marine bacterial pathogen responsible for episodic epidemics generally associated with massive mortalities in many marine organisms, including the European abalone Haliotis tuberculata. The aim of this study was to identify the portal of entry and the dynamics of infection of V. harveyi in the European abalone. The results indicate that the duration of contact between V. harveyi and the European abalone influences the mortality rate and precocity. Immediately after contact, the epithelial and mucosal area situated between the gills and the hypobranchial gland was colonized by V. harveyi. Real-time PCR analyses and culture quantification of a green fluorescent protein-tagged strain of V. harveyi in abalone tissues revealed a high density of bacteria adhering to and then penetrating the whole gill-hypobranchial gland tissue after 1 h of contact. V. harveyi was also detected in the hemolymph of a significant number of European abalones after 3 h of contact. In conclusion, this article shows that a TaqMan real-time PCR assay is a powerful and useful technique for the detection of a marine pathogen such as V. harveyi in mollusk tissue and for the study of its infection dynamics. Thus, we have revealed that the adhesion and then the penetration of V. harveyi in European abalone organs begin in the first hours of contact. We also hypothesize that the portal of entry of V. harveyi in the European abalone is the area situated between the gills and the hypobranchial gland.