Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of proliferating dendritic cell precursors in mouse blood

While it has been known that dendritic cells arise from proliferating precursors in situ, it has been difficult to identify progenitors in culture. We find that aggregates of growing dendritic cells develop in cultures of mouse blood that are supplemented with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) but not other CSFs. The dendritic cell precursor derives from the Ia-negative and nonadherent fraction. The aggregates of developing dendritic cells appear at about 1 wk of culture, with 100 or more such clusters being formed per 10(6) blood leukocytes. The aggregates can be dislodged and subcultured as expanding clusters that are covered with cells having the motile sheet-like processes ("veils") of dendritic cells. By about 2 wk, large numbers of single, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-rich dendritic cells begin to be released into the medium. Combined immunoperoxidase and [3H]thymidine autoradiography show that the cells that proliferate within the aggregate lack certain antigenic markers that are found on mature dendritic cells. However, in pulse- chase protocols, the [3H]thymidine-labeled progeny exhibit many typical dendritic cell features, including abundant MHC class II and a cytoplasmic granular antigen identified by monoclonal antibody 2A1. The progeny dendritic cells are potent stimulators of the mixed leukocyte reaction and can home to the T-dependent areas of lymph node after injection into the footpads. We conclude that mouse blood contains GM- CSF-dependent, proliferating progenitors that give rise to large numbers of dendritic cells with characteristic morphology, mobility, phenotype, and strong T cell stimulatory function.
Federal, state, and district level English language learner program entry and exit requirements: Effects on the education of language minority learners.

Identification of a language minority learner for placement in a program for English Language Learners (ELLs), and the length of the support program, may have a significant effect on the student’s academic achievement. Widespread anecdotal evidence suggests that criteria used to make placement decisions vary widely across the U.S. This study systematically examines related federal laws and guidance, as well as published entry and exit criteria for ELL programs for the 10 states and 10 districts in the U.S. with the largest enrollment of ELLs. For the majority of placement decisions, a measure of English language proficiency is used. Very few states and districts rely on multiple sources of information for these decisions. The ramifications of these findings are discussed in light of the language and content demands of the mainstream classroom.
Uniform Convergence of a Nonlinear Energy-Based Multilevel Quantization Scheme

A popular vector quantization scheme can be constructed by centroidal Voronoi tessellations (CVTs) which also have many other applications in diverse areas of science and engineering. The development of efficient algorithms for their construction is a key to the successful applications of CVTs in practice. This paper studies the details of a new optimization-based multilevel algorithm for the numerical computation of CVTs. The rigorous proof of its uniform convergence in one space dimension and the results of computational simulations are provided. They substantiate recent claims on the significant speedup demonstrated by the new scheme in comparison with traditional methods.
Surveyor: A System for Generating Coherent Survey Articles for Scientific Topics

We investigate the task of generating coherent survey articles for scientific topics. We introduce an extractive summarization algorithm that combines a content model with a discourse model to generate coherent and readable summaries of scientific topics using text from scientific articles relevant to the topic. Human evaluation on 15 topics in computational linguistics shows that our system produces significantly more coherent summaries than previous systems. Specifically, our system improves the ratings for coherence by 36% in human evaluation compared to C-Lexrank, a state of the art system for scientific article summarization.
Students' accounts of school-performance stress: a qualitative analysis of a high-achieving setting in Stockholm, Sweden

The aim of the study is to examine students' experiences of school performance as a stressor. Accounts of school-performance stress at both the individual level and in relation to group mechanisms are studied through qualitative interviews with eighth-grade students in a high-performing school in Stockholm, Sweden (n=49). Using qualitative content analysis, three overarching themes emerged. Students' aspirations include accounts of students whose own high standards are a source of stress, in particular among girls. High performance as a part of their identity is a recurring topic, as well as striving for high marks for the future. External expectations comprise students' views of parents' and teachers' expectations. Generally, students feel that parents are supportive and have reasonable expectations. Students often compare themselves with high-performing siblings, which may be seen as a way of meeting indirect parental expectations. Few students mention teachers' expectations as a source of stress. The high-performing context shows that respondents bear witness to an ‘MVG culture’ meaning that many students aim for the highest possible marks. Girls in particular tend to drive up stress levels by talking to each other about pressure at school. Students also compare themselves with each other, which is experienced as competitive and stressful.
The Functional Topography of the Arabidopsis Genome Is Organized in a Reduced Number of Linear Motifs of Chromatin States[C][W]

A computational study of combinations of histone modifications and DNA features was developed to determine a high-resolution landscape of Arabidopsis chromatin states. The linear topography across the genome revealed the existence of chromatin motifs. This work provides a basis for studies on gene expression, e.g., bivalent H3K27me3/H3K4me3-containing regions, DNA replication, and epigenetics. Chromatin is of major relevance for gene expression, cell division, and differentiation. Here, we determined the landscape of Arabidopsis thaliana chromatin states using 16 features, including DNA sequence, CG methylation, histone variants, and modifications. The combinatorial complexity of chromatin can be reduced to nine states that describe chromatin with high resolution and robustness. Each chromatin state has a strong propensity to associate with a subset of other states defining a discrete number of chromatin motifs. These topographical relationships revealed that an intergenic state, characterized by H3K27me3 and slightly enriched in activation marks, physically separates the canonical Polycomb chromatin and two heterochromatin states from the rest of the euchromatin domains. Genomic elements are distinguished by specific chromatin states: four states span genes from transcriptional start sites (TSS) to termination sites and two contain regulatory regions upstream of TSS. Polycomb regions and the rest of the euchromatin can be connected by two major chromatin paths. Sequential chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated the occurrence of H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 in the same chromatin fiber, within a two to three nucleosome size range. Our data provide insight into the Arabidopsis genome topography and the establishment of gene expression patterns, specification of DNA replication origins, and definition of chromatin domains.
Safer sex: Lessons from the male sex industry†

Discerning the complex factors influencing male sex work is an important element of understanding HIV transmission. The present study examines a sample of London-based masseurs and street workers' ideas concerning their sexual encounters, their partners and their role in society. Unsafe sex is associated with (1) a lack of perception of control in the sexual encounter, (2) attractive clients, and (3) loving relationships with non-clients. The ways in which personal needs and stigma influence sexual practices and the men's sense of identity are considered. For some of the men, unsafe sex demarcates a sphere containing a type of intimacy that is absent from their working life. Since working life is associated with negative social judgements, the importance of this separate sphere is heightened. The findings call into question models of health behaviour that are built on individualist, reason-based tenets and highlight the importance of social and emotional factors in safer sexual behaviour. The implications of the findings for prevention programmes and future research are discussed.
The Decline of North American Industry

SUMMARY While the US has not suffered significant falls in either absolute industrial employment or output during the post-war period it has experienced a relative decline in manufacturing, commerce and finance. This decline is documented and three policy responses to industrial decline are discussed: non-tariff protectionism, bail-outs and labour cost reductions. SUMMARY Data are presented to show the relative decline in the Canadian manufacturing sector since 1960. The evolution of Canadian industrial policy in the post-war period is described and it is argued that the design of industrial policy instruments makes them ineffective for dealing with industrial decline. RESUMENLa declinacion de la industria norteamericana: I Estados Unidos Aunque Estados Unidos no sufrio caidas significativas en el producto o empleo industrial en terminos absolutos, las manufacturas, la construccion y las finanzas experimentaron una declinacion relativa. Se proporcionan datos sobre este proceso y se examinan tres politicas para enfrentar el descenso industrial: proteccionismo no tarifario, subsidios y reducciones en los costos laborales. RESUMENLa declinacion en la industria norteamericana: II Canada Se presentan datos para ilustrar la declinacion relativa que sufre el sector manufacturero canadiense desde 1960. Se describe la evolucion de la politica industrial del pais en la postguerra y se argumenta que los instrumentos disenados para implementarla la hacen ineficiente para enfrentar la declinacion industrial. SOMMAIRELe declin de l'industrie Nord-Americaine: I les Etats Unis Alors que les Etats Unis n'ont pas ete affectes par des chutes significatives de leurs productions ou de l'emploi dans le domaine industriel strict dans la periode de l'apres-guerre, ils ont neanmoins experimente un declin relatif dans l'industrie, le commerce et la finance. Ce declin est analyse et trois reponses politiques sont envisagees: le protectionnisme non-tarifaire, les diminutions des garanties et des couts salariaux. SOMMAIRELe declin de l'industrie Nord-Americaine: II le Canada Presentation de donnees destinees a prouver le declin relatif du secteur industriel depuis 1960. L'evolution de la politique industrielle canadienne dans la periode de l'apres-guerre est analysee, et l'auteur affirme que la structure meme de la politique industrielle rend cette derniere inefficace dans la lutte contre ce declin.
Further ex vivo evidence supporting higher aspirin dosing in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes.

Aspirin remains the cornerstone antiplatelet agent for primary and secondary prevention in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), a disease associated with heightened platelet reactivity, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation.1,2 Patients with DM are at a greater risk of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke resulting from thrombotic event occurrence than are patients without diabetes. Because reactive platelets play a central role in the genesis of thrombotic events, the antiplatelet effects of various antiplatelet therapy regimens have been a focus of ex vivo investigations in this high-risk population. The current guidelines recommend aspirin (75 to 162 mg QD) for primary prevention in men aged >50 years and women aged >60 years with diabetes at increased cardiovascular risk (10-year risk >10%). Despite these recommendations, the clinical efficacy of the widely used low-dose aspirin regimen (75 to 81 mg QD) to treat the patient with diabetes remains a major source of controversy, and the optimal dose is unknown.3 Article see p 180 Previous investigations have examined the dose-related effects of aspirin on platelet reactivity. In stable patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), low-dose aspirin did not inhibit platelet function in a significant number, despite highly effective blockade of its primary platelet target cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). 4,5 The ASPECT (Aspirin-Induced Platelet Effect) study, a double-blind, double-crossover, William design investigation of 81, 162, and 325 mg QD aspirin administered as single doses for 4 weeks, each over a 12-week period, was the largest serial pharmacodynamic investigation of the dose-related effects of aspirin on platelet function in patients with CAD.4 It was clearly demonstrated in the ASPECT study that aspirin inhibited platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists other than arachidonic acid in a dose-dependent manner; significant effects were observed for collagen- and shear-induced aggregation …
The impact of alcohol marketing on youth drinking behaviour: a two-stage cohort study.

AIM To examine whether awareness of, and involvement with alcohol marketing at age 13 is predictive of initiation of drinking, frequency of drinking and units of alcohol consumed at age 15. METHODS A two-stage cohort study, involving a questionnaire survey, combining interview and self-completion, was administered in respondents' homes. Respondents were drawn from secondary schools in three adjoining local authority areas in the West of Scotland, UK. From a baseline sample of 920 teenagers (aged 12-14, mean age 13), in 2006, a cohort of 552 was followed up 2 years later (aged 14-16, mean age 15). Data were gathered on multiple forms of alcohol marketing and measures of drinking initiation, frequency and consumption. RESULTS At follow-up, logistic regression demonstrated that, after controlling for confounding variables, involvement with alcohol marketing at baseline was predictive of both uptake of drinking and increased frequency of drinking. Awareness of marketing at baseline was also associated with an increased frequency of drinking at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate an association between involvement with, and awareness of, alcohol marketing and drinking uptake or increased drinking frequency, and we consider whether the current regulatory environment affords youth sufficient protection from alcohol marketing.
A radial base neural network approach for emotion recognition in human speech

Lal Hussain1*,2, Imran Shafi3, Sharjil Saeed2, Ali Abbas2, Imtiaz Ahmed Awan2, Sajjad Ahmed Nadeem2, Syed Zaki Hassan Kazmi2, Saeed Arif Shah2, Saqib Iqbal2, Bushra Rahman4 1*Quality Enhancement Cell, The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, City Campus, 13100, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan 2Department of Computer Science & IT, The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, City Campus, 13100, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan 3Faculty of Computing & Technology, Abasyn University, Islamabad, Pakistan 4North Suffolk Cardiology, Stony Brook Medicine, 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Long-term Effect of Glimepiride and Rosiglitazone on Non-conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Metformin-treated Patients Affected by Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial

We evaluated the effect of glimepiride plus metformin and rosiglitazone plus metformin on glucose, and on cardiovascular risk parameters such as lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and homocysteine (HCT) in patients with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Ninety-nine patients in the multicentre, randomized, double-blind study took metformin (1500 mg/day) plus glimepiride (2 mg/day) or rosiglitazone (4 mg/day) for 12 months. Changes in body mass index, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), Lp(a) and HCT were primary efficacy variables. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG) and homeostasis model assessment index were also used to assess efficacy. On average, HbA1c decreased by 9.1% and 8.1%, FPG decreased by 7.3% and 10.9%, and PPG decreased by 7.6% and 10.5%, respectively, in the glimepiride and rosiglitazone groups after 12 months. Patients receiving rosiglitazone experienced more rapid improvement in glycaemic control than those on glimepiride, and showed a significant improvement in insulin resistance-related parameters. There was a statistically significant decrease in basal homocysteinaemia in glimepiride-treated patients (−27.3%), but not in rosiglitazone-treated patients. Rosiglitazone plus metformin significantly improved long-term control of insulin resistance-related parameters compared with glimepiride plus metformin, although glimepiride treatment was associated with a slight improvement in cholesterolaemia, not observed in the rosiglitazone-treated patients, and with significant improvements in non-traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as basal homocysteinaemia and plasma Lp(a) levels.
Responsividade e exigência: duas escalas para avaliar estilos parentais

The aim of this study was to translate and adapt two scales of parental responsiveness and demandingness to Portuguese (Brazil). According to these scales levels, it is possible to categorize four parenting styles. The scales were administred to 378 adolescents of both sexes and showed satisfactory reliability coefficients (alpha between 0,70 and 0,83). Analysis of variance indicated that perceived mothers demandingness was greater than fathers for both sexes, but girls observed higher levels of parental demandingness than boys. Both males and females attributed higher scores of responsiveness to their mothers than to their fathers, but girls scored higher on mothers responsiveness than boys. No significant differences between sexes were found for fathers level of responsiveness. The frequency of parenting styles observed in this sample was 13,3% (authoritarian), 36,7% (authoritative), 14,5% (indulgent) and 35,5% (negligent), suggesting that, in this culture, parents migth not be as permissive as usually believed.
Childhood and Adolescent Mobility and Adult Relations With Parents

This study addresses three questions: Does earlier family mobility have long-term effects on later parent-adult offspring relations? Do differences in parenting behaviors and family social capital account for these effects? Does the family structure in which a move occurs matter? The author investigates these issues using 17-year longitudinal data from two generations. The results suggest that frequency of family mobility has no effects on parent-adult child relations. Instead, it appears that age at mobility matters most. Adult sons who moved during adolescence and during both childhood and adolescence have poorer relationships with their mothers and fathers. Earlier mobility, though, generally has no associations with an adult daughter’s relationship with her parents. For sons and daughters, moves that occur in divorced households are the most difficult on later parent-adult child relations. Some, but not all, of the long-term effects of family mobility are because of differences in parenting between movers and nonmovers.
The Role of Childhood Emotional Abuse in Disordered Eating

ABSTRACT This study explored the role of childhood emotional abuse (CEA) both as a predictor of disordered eating and as a moderator of the effects of childhood neglect (CN), physical abuse (CPA), and sexual abuse (CSA). Self-esteem, anxiety, and depression were included in the model as potential mediators. A nonclinical group of 1,283 undergraduate students completed measures assessing disordered eating behaviors, psychopathology, self-esteem, and abusive childhood experiences. Anxiety and self-esteem mediated the relationship between CN and eating pathology, while CPA and CSA were inconsistently related to disordered eating. Rather than exerting moderating effects, CEA had a direct unmediated effect on eating pathology. The close relationship between eating disorders and nonphysical forms of childhood abuse is discussed.
The Measured Self-Esteem of Children from Broken, Rejected, and Accepted Families

Three groups of children - those with divorced parents, those from intact but rejected families, and those from intact and accepted families - were evaluated for self-esteem levels on the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale. Contrary to current clinical impressions, children with divorced parents were not found to evidence self-esteem levels lower than those of intact-accepted families. Children from intact-rejected families, however, evidenced self-esteem levels significantly lower than those of the two other groups.
The barrier effect of conflict with superiors in the relationship between employee empowerment and organizational commitment

The author proposes the idea that conflict with superiors has a barrier effect in the positive relationship between employee empowerment and organizational commitment. Superiors with higher authority rankings set and pursue organizational goals and values to which employees with lower authority rankings are expected to become committed. Conflicts with those superiors may hinder empowered employees to develop or maintain high levels of organizational commitment. A questionnaire survey among 91 secondary school teachers in The Netherlands provides empirical support for this suggestion. The moderator effect of conflict with superiors that was proposed and found in this study suggests that psychological empowerment in the workplace interacts with other employee experiences in its effects on an employee's commitment to the organization.
Effect of Spaced Repetitions on Amnesia Patients' Recall and Recognition Performance

This study examined the effects of repetition and spacing of repetitions on amnesia patients' recognition and recall of a list of words. Like controls, amnesia patients recognized items better when repetitions were spaced compared with when they were massed. This finding was attributed to the additional rehearsal that distributed presentations typically encourage. Amnesia patients also showed normal spacing effects in a recall task, suggesting that they were able to benefit from the variable encoding that spaced repetitions allow to establish additional retrieval cues. However, even though instructions to encode repeated items in a variable manner enhanced massed presentations to the point where spacing no longer produced an advantage for the normal controls, it did not have a similar effect for the amnesia patients. This led to the conclusion that amnesia patients cannot take advantage of strategically provided opportunities to enhance their variable encoding of interitem associations. Instead, it is suggested that the automatic activation of different aspects of items and interitem associations is responsible for the spacing effect in their recall.