Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Back To The Future: On Predicting User Uptime

Correlation in user connectivity patterns is generally considered a problem for system designers, since it results in peaks of demand and also in the scarcity of resources for peer-to-peer applications. The other side of the coin is that these connectivity patterns are often predictable and that, to some extent, they can be dealt with proactively. In this work, we build predictors aiming to determine the probability that any given user will be online at any given time in the future. We evaluate the quality of these predictors on various large traces from instant messaging and file sharing applications. We also illustrate how availability prediction can be applied to enhance the behavior of peer-to-peer applications: we show through simulation how data availability is substantially increased in a distributed hash table simply by adjusting data placement policies according to peer availability prediction and without requiring any additional storage from any peer.
Flow (Shear Stress)–Induced Endothelium-Dependent Dilation Is Altered in Mice Lacking the Gene Encoding for Dystrophin

Background —Dystrophin has a key role in striated muscle mechanotransduction of physical forces. Although cytoskeletal elements play a major role in the mechanotransduction of pressure and flow in vascular cells, the role of dystrophin in vascular function has not yet been investigated. Thus, we studied endothelial and muscular responses of arteries isolated from mice lacking dystrophin (mdx mice). Methods and Results —Carotid and mesenteric resistance arteries 120 &mgr;m in diameter were isolated and mounted in vitro in an arteriograph to control intraluminal pressure and flow. Blood pressure was not affected by the absence of dystrophin. Pressure-induced (myogenic), phenylephrine-induced, and KCl-induced forms of tone were unchanged. Flow (shear stress)–induced dilation in arteries isolated from mdx mice was decreased by 50% to 60%, whereas dilation to acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside was unaffected. NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester–sensitive flow dilation was also decreased in arteries from mdx mice. Thus, the absence of dystrophin was associated with a defect in signal transduction of shear stress. Dystrophin was present in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, as shown by immunolocalization, and localized at the level of the plasma membrane, as seen by confocal microscopy of perfused isolated arteries. Conclusions —This is the first functional study of arteries lacking the gene for dystrophin. Vascular reactivity was normal, with the exception of flow-induced dilation. Thus, dystrophin could play a specific role in shear-stress mechanotransduction in arterial endothelial cells. Organ damage in such diseases as Duchenne dystrophy might be aggravated by such a defective arterial response to flow.
Identifying evaporation fractionation and streamflow components based on stable isotopes in the Kaidu River Basin with mountain–oasis system in north‐west China

Based on stable isotopes in stream water, groundwater, and meltwater in the Kaidu River Basin, NW China, we estimated the evaporation enrichment of stable oxygen isotopes in different types of water and separated the contribution of each streamflow component in river run‐off. Our results indicated that δ18O and δ2H in stream water did not vary with altitude regularly but with seasons, with low concentrations in spring and high concentrations in summer. However, the seasonal variations of δ18O and δ2H in groundwater were not as obvious. The mean evaporation enrichment was between 26% and 44% for δ18O. Of the various water types under investigation, we found glaciers were influenced the most, showing an evaporation enrichment of 44%, followed by oasis groundwater (37%), stream water (36%), and mountain groundwater (26%). Overall, meltwater and groundwater were the predominant streamflow components, with their contributions were governed by temperature, and varied both temporally and specially. In the oasis region, groundwater was the predominant contributor (64% in spring, 50% in summer, and 66% in autumn), whereas in the mountains, groundwater was the dominant in spring (53%) and autumn (51%), and meltwater contributed the most in summer (52%). Precipitation contributed less than 15% to the streamflow.
Characterization of visna virus envelope neuraminic acid

Visna virus particles inhibit influenza virus hemagglutination in an assay for neuraminic acid-containing viruses. Pretreatment of visna virus with neuraminidase abolished hemagglutination inhibition activity but did not significantly affect attachment, infectivity, or virus-induced cell fusion in sheep choroid plexus cell monolayers.
Proteinase-3 Induces Procaspase-3 Activation in the Absence of Apoptosis: Potential Role of this Compartmentalized Activation of Membrane-Associated Procaspase-3 in Neutrophils12

In the present study, we provide evidence that procaspase-3 is a novel target of proteinase 3 (PR3) but not of human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Human mast cell clone 1 (HMC1) and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) mast cell lines were transfected with PR3 or the inactive mutated PR3 (PR3S203A) or HNE cDNA. In both RBL/PR3 and HMC1/PR3, a constitutive activity of caspase-3 was measured with DEVD substrate, due to the direct processing of procaspase-3 by PR3. No caspase-3 activation was observed in cells transfected with the inactive PR3 mutant or HNE. Despite the high caspase-3 activity in RBL/PR3, no apoptosis was detected as demonstrated by an absence of 1) phosphatidylserine externalization, 2) mitochondria cytochrome c release, 3) upstream caspase-8 or caspase-9 activation, or 4) DNA fragmentation. In vitro, purified PR3 cleaved procaspase-3 into an active 22-kDa fragment. In neutrophils, the 22-kDa caspase-3 activation fragment was present only in resting neutrophils but was absent after apoptosis. The 22 kDa fragment was specific of myeloid cells because it was absent from resting lymphocytes. This 22-kDa fragment was not present when neutrophils were treated with pefabloc, an inhibitor of serine proteinase. Like in HMC1/PR3, the 22-kDa caspase-3 fragment was restricted to the plasma membrane compartment. Double immunofluorescence labeling after streptolysin-O permeabilization further showed that PR3 and procaspase-3 could colocalize in an extragranular compartment. In conclusion, our results strongly suggest that compartmentalized PR3-induced caspase-3 activation might play specific functions in neutrophil survival.
Significance of neo-angiogenesis and immuno-surveillance cells in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

Background: Neo-angiogenesis is an essential process in physiological and pathological conditions. However, it is a complex process. Several studies demonstrated that intra-tumoural microvessel number is a significant predictor of metastasis and clinical outcome in many tumours, including oral malignancies. The immuno-surveillance cells, mast cells and eosinophils are implicated in the biological behaviour of tumours. Nevertheless, their function in tissues is uncertain. Mast cells are involved in homeostatic regulation of blood vessels as well as host defence. In some malignancies, high mast cell density has been found to correlate with favourable prognosis. However, others reported unfavourable associations. Tumour associated tissue eosinophilia is a well-known phenomena. It has been associated with good and poor prognosis. However, the role of eosinophils in tumours remains controversial. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the prognostic value of microvessel, mast cell and eosinophil densities in the context of clinico-pathological parameters and survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Materials and Methods: Anti-CD105 and anti-tryptase monoclonal antibodies were utilized to highlight and count microvessels and mast cells respectively in 81 cases of tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Eosinophils were demonstrated using carbol chromotrope histochemical stain. The densities were counted per mm2 and correlated with patients’ outcome and other clinico-pathological parameters using non-parametric tests and student’s t-test. Clinically, the cases were divided into 4 main groups depending on survival time, lymph-node or distant metastasis. Results: The 5 year survival was significantly lower in patients with a low mast cell density than those with a high density (p=0.006, Kruskal-Wallis test). The survival group-A demonstrated significantly higher mast cell and microvessel numbers than group-D (p=0.007, student’s t-test) respectively. Patients with well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma had significantly higher numbers of mast cells when compared to patients with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.05, student’s t-test). The lymph node involvement correlation between the survival group-A and survival group-D was also significant (p=0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusion: Data from this study indicates that accumulating mast cells in tumours play a part in inhibiting tumour progression and is potentially angiogenic in tumours.
Psychometric Properties of the Bulgarian Translation of the Spence Childrens Anxiety Scale

The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Bulgarian translation of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) in a community sample of adolescents (N=700), aged 13 to 17 years, in Bulgaria. In addition to the SCAS, all participants completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). The internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha=0.92) and the validity of the Bulgarian translation of the SCAS was excellent. The SCAS total scores correlated significantly with the CES-DC and the SDQ total scores. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed the same six-factor structure as the original SCAS. The SCAS proved to be a reliable and valid measure of anxiety symptoms among adolescents in Bulgaria.
Survival of freeze-dried Lactobacillus acidophilus immobilized in kappa-carrageenan gel.

can settle in the intestinal tracts and constitute an important part of the indigenous microflora of man and higher animals (Gomes and Malcata, 1999). It exerts a protective role by suppression of pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines and acts as a probiotic (Bergey and Holt, 1994; Gilliland and Speck, 1977; Sandine, 1979). On account of the disturbance of the proliferation and growth of L. acidophilus caused by antibiotic intake, digestive disorders, and abnormal and abusive food habits, dietary supplement of live L. acidophilus to maintain or ameliorate intestinal health might be beneficial and has been recommended (Brennan et al., 1983; Gilliland et al., 1978). Since the number of active cells in dried products is low (Brennan et al., 1983), attemps to improve the viability of L. acidophilus in commercial dehydrated products are required. Immobilized cells have been suggested for many industrial applications (Norton and Voillemard, 1994). Advantages of immobilized cell technology include continuous utilization, prevention of interfacial inactivation, stimulation of production and excretion of secondary metabolites, retention of plasmid-bearing cells, protection against a turbulent environment, etc. (Anselmo and Navais, 1992; de Backer et al., 1992; Melzoch et al., 1994; Nath and Chand, 1996). On the other hand, cell concentration could be effectively enhanced, and the survival and process efficiency could also be increased by the application of immobilized cells during operation (Champagne et al., 1994; Groboillot et al., 1994). Culture dehydration was normally carried out by freeze-drying which might bring about impairment to cells due to the freezing and succeeding treatment (Castro et al., 1996; Champagne et al., 1991; Heckly, 1978). This might also result in a decrease in culture survival during the subsequent storage (Bozoglu et al., 1987; Brennan et al., 1986). Cell immobilization has been examined extensively in the freeze-drying and storage thereafter of lactic acid bacteria, and significant improvement in survival could be obtained and cell concentration of dried samples could be raised (Champagne et al., 1992, 1996a; Kim et al., 1988; Maitrot et al., 1997; Yoon et al., 1995). Damage to cells caused by low-temperature and freezing might also be reduced by the application of cell immobilization (Champagne et al., 1992; Kearney et al., 1990). On the other hand, cell immobilization of lactic acid bacteria by gel entrapment could effectively increase their tolerance to bile acid and gastric juice, and promote their survival and activity in human intestinal tracts (Lee and Heo, 2000; Sun and Griffiths, 2000). The objective of this research was to increase the survival and cell concentration of L. acidophilus in freeze-drying by the use of k-carrageenan immobilization, and to study the protective effect of cell immobiSurvival of freeze-dried Lactobacillus acidophilus immobilized in k-carrageenan gel
Effectiveness of Audit Committee and Firm Financial Performance in Nigeria: An Empirical Analysis

Audit Committee role is very important to the protection of shareholders and other stakeholders interests. This research study explores the influence of audit committee effectiveness on firm's performance using four characteristics: independence, financial expertise, size, and meetings of the audit committee. The performance measures were Return on Equity (ROE), Return on Asset (ROA) and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE). Twenty- five (25) manufacturing firms were selected and from which data were collected for the period (2004-2011). Empirical analysis was carried out using regression and correlation. The result of the analysis showed a positive significant relationship between independence and financial expertise of the audit committee and ROA, ROE and ROCE. However, the size and meetings of audit committee showed no significant relationship with all performance variables. This study therefore recommends that the audit committee should be made more effective by ensuring that members are made up of independent non-executive directors and also ensure that more members with financial expertise especially accounting expertise be drafted into the audit committee and lastly ensure that audit committee meetings are tailored towards relevant issues that enhance the financial performance of the firm.
Mechanistic Insights into the Cure of Prion Disease by Novel Antiprion Compounds

ABSTRACT Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Identification of possible therapeutic tools is important in the search for a potential treatment for these diseases. Congo red is an azo dye that has been used for many years to detect abnormal prion protein in the brains of diseased patients or animals. Congo red has little therapeutic potential for the treatment of these diseases due to toxicity and poor permeation of the blood-brain barrier. We have prepared two Congo red derivatives, designed without these liabilities, with potent activity in cellular models of prion disease. One of these compounds cured cells of the transmissible agent. The mechanism of action of these compounds is possibly multifactorial. The high affinity of Congo red derivatives, including compounds that are ineffective and are effective at the cure of prion disease, for abnormally folded prion protein suggests that the amyloidophylic property of these derivatives is not as critical to the mechanism of action as other effects. Congo red derivatives that are effective at the cure of prion disease increased the degradation of abnormal PrP by the proteasome. Therefore, the principal mechanism of action of the Congo red analogues was to prevent inhibition of proteasomal activity by PrPSc.
p53-Mediated Oxidative Stress and Tubular Injury in Rats with Glycerol-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Background/Aims: p53 is a transcriptional factor that responds to severe cell damage promoting the transcription of proapoptotic and prooxidant genes. In this study, we evaluated the role of p53 activation in glycerol-induced acute kidney injury (Gly-AKI). Methods: Rats were treated with p53 inhibitor (pifithrin-α) in the moment we injected glycerol. Renal function, renal histology (HE), TUNEL labeling, cleaved caspase-3 staining, renal p53, Bax, PUMA, Bcl-2, p21 and survivin expressions, renal lipid and DNA oxidative markers, and the expression of antioxidant enzymes (Mn-SOD, HO-1, and NAD(P)H:quinone-oxidoreductase-1) were evaluated. Results: Gly-AKI rats showed an increased renal expression of phosphorylated-p53. The p53 inhibitor attenuated renal impairment and significantly reduced tubular injury. The expression of the oxidative markers was significantly reduced in treated rats. Proapoptotic and prooxidant proteins Bax and PUMA were overexpressed in Gly-AKI rats and reduced in treated rats. On the contrary, antiapoptotic Bcl-2, p21, and survivin showed a tendency to increase in treated rats. The antioxidant enzymes’ expression remained elevated or increased in treated rats. Conclusion: On the whole, p53 inhibition was protective in the short term. The oxidative stress subsided and the transcription tipped toward prosurvival genes; consequently tubular injury was attenuated in treated rats.
Antenatal Factors Associated With Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) is a common cause of hemiplegic cerebral palsy in children. The diagnosis of PAIS is based on cerebral imaging. The objective of our study was to determine prenatal risk factors associated with PAIS. Methods— A retrospective case–control study was nested in the whole population of Burgundy, France, from January 2000 to December 2007. Case patients were confirmed by review of brain imaging and medical records. Three control subjects per case were randomly selected from the study population by sex, term, place, and year of birth. Results— PAIS was confirmed in 32 patients and its incidence was one per 4400 live births. In comparison to control subjects, clinical conditions significantly associated to cases were gestational diabetes (16.1% versus 4.2%; P=0.04), fetal heart rate abnormalities (35.5% versus 10.9%; P=0.001), and meconium-stained liquor (40% versus 12%; P<0.001). At the limit of statistical significance were found maternal smoking before (39.3% versus 22.9%; P=0.08) and during pregnancy (32.1% versus 16.7%; P=0.07), cord abnormalities (29% versus 14.1%; P=0.06), and cesarean delivery (28.1% versus 14.6%; P=0.08). In the multivariate analysis, maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.1–8.8; P=0.04) was the only risk factor significantly associated with PAIS. Conclusions— This study is the first to identify maternal smoking during pregnancy as an independent prenatal risk factor of PAIS. Additional prospective studies are needed to confirm this result and to investigate the role of maternal smoking in fetal and neonatal thrombogenesis.
Collet United States Sites of Refuge : Refugees , Religiosity , and Public Schools in the

In this article the author examines public schools in the United States as sites where immigrants and refugees express their religious identities as part of their integration processes. In particular, the author examines the schools as “sites of refuge” for refugee students. Although public schools provide refugees with opportunity for study without regard to race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion (areas of potential persecution under the 1951 UN Convention Regarding the Status of Refugees), owing to their liberal and secular nature they necessarily put constraints on the degree to which students may exercise their particularistic cultural identities. Religion is an area in which such constraints are often most apparent. The article analyzes Will Kymlicka’s theory of polyethnic group rights as a possible framework for both understanding migrant ethnic cultures and integration processes generally, as well as a defense for providing accommodations for the religious identities and religious expressions of immigrant and refugee students. With conditions, the author believes that, by guaranteeing the right to refugee students’ societal culture, polyethnic rights comprise a viable framework for supporting immigrants and refugees in their integration into the United States. However, the framework works only to the degree that it is consistent with and advances liberal ends, including student autonomy and freedom. Bowling Green State University Corresponding Author: Dr. Bruce A. Collet, Assistant Professor, Social Foundations of Education, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403-0001 Email: colleba@bgsu.edu at OhioLink on November 6, 2014 epx.sagepub. com Downloaded from 190 Educational Policy 24(1)
A new specimen of Shuvuuia deserti Chiappe et al., 1998, from the Mongolian Late Cretaceous with a discussion of the relationships of alvarezsaurids to other theropod dinosaurs

A partial skeleton of an immature individual of the alvarezsaurid mononykine theropod Shuvuuia deserti from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Tögrögiin Shiree locality of southern Mongolia exhibits a number of features, most importantly in the manus, pes, and caudal series, previously unknown for this taxon and all other alvarezsaurids. The well-preserved and articulated right hand of this new specimen confirms the presence of manual digits II and III among alvarezsaurids. The nearly complete tail of the new specimen indicates that previous calculations for the number of caudal vertebrae in mononykines (i.e., 25 or 26 vertebrae) underestimated this number by at least 10 elements. Complete and articulated pedal digits I (hallux) provide additional morphological information, which when added to new data from other skeletal regions strengthens the diagnosis of Shuvuuia deserti. Competing hypotheses for alvarezsaurid phylogenetic relationships have depicted these taxa either within Aves, or as nonavian theropods. These hypotheses are briefly summarized, and in particular, a critical evaluation of the character evidence in support of the ornithomimoid affiliation of this theropod clade is provided. We demonstrate that the evidence in support of this latter hypothesis is largely unsubstantiated.
The Reasons for the Recent Decline in Young Driver Licensing in the United States

Objective: This survey examined why a substantial percentage of young adults currently do not have a driver's license and the future plans of this group concerning obtaining a license. Method: A questionnaire was developed to examine several issues related to an individual's decision not to obtain a driver's license. An online survey was conducted, yielding useable responses from 618 persons aged 18 to 39 without a driver's license. Results: The top 8 reasons for not having a driver's license were as follows: (1) too busy or not enough time to get a driver's license (determined by personal priorities), (2) owning and maintaining a vehicle is too expensive, (3) able to get transportation from others, (4) prefer to bike or walk, (5) prefer to use public transportation, (6) concerned about how driving impacts the environment, (7) able to communicate and/or conduct business online instead, and (8) disability/medical/vision problems. Of the respondents, 22% indicated that they plan to never obtain a driver's license. On the other hand, 69% expect to get a driver's license within the next 5 years. Young adults without a driver's license—in comparison with the general population of the same age—tend to have less education and higher unemployment. However, the present study was not designed to investigate whether there is a causal relationship or the direction of the effect if there were such a relationship.