Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung epithelial cell (A549) interaction with unopsonized environmental particulates: quantitation of particle-specific binding and IL-8 production.

The A549 cell line was used to model in vitro the interaction of alveolar epithelium with environmental particulates. Confocal and electron microscopy demonstrated A549 binding and internalization of titanium dioxide (TiO2), iron oxide (Fe2O3), concentrated ambient air particulates (CAPs), and the fibrogenic particle alpha-quartz. Flow cytometry allowed quantitation of particle binding by measuring increased right angle light scatter (RAS) (TiO2) [40 micrograms/mL], Fe2O3 [100 micrograms/mL], alpha-quartz [200 micrograms/mL], or CAPs [40 micrograms/mL] fold increase RAS: 8.1 +/- 0.9, 4.3 +/- 0.4, 2 +/- 0.1, 1.6 +/- 0.1, respectively). With this quantitative assay, binding of particle was found to be calcium-dependent for TiO2 and Fe2O3 (% inhibition, 61.0 +/- 1.9, 40.0 +/- 5.6, respectively), while alpha-quartz binding was calcium-independent. A panel of polyanionic ligands known to inhibit scavenger-type receptors was used to identify binding mechanisms for environmental particulates. Both heparin and polyinosinic acid (polyI), but not the control polyanion chondroitin sulfate, caused marked inhibition of particulate binding by A549 cells (e.g., TiO2 [40 micrograms/mL] binding; polyI, heparin, and chondroitin sulfate: 73.8 +/- 3.5, 75.5 +/- 6.0, 7.5 +/- 6.7% inhibition, respectively; mean +/- SE, n > or = 4), indicating that scavenger receptor(s), albeit those distinct from the heparin-insensitive acetylated-LDL receptor, mediate particulate binding. The particulates ability to stimulate interleukin (IL-8) production in A549 cells was also tested. alpha-quartz, but not TiO2 or CAPs, caused a dose-dependent production of IL-8 (range 1-6 ng/mL), demonstrating a particle-specific spectrum of epithelial cell cytokine (IL-8) response. The results suggest that lung epithelial cell interaction with environmental particles is mediated by distinct receptors and can lead to particle dependent cytokine responses.
Obese melanocortin-4 receptor-deficient rats exhibit augmented angiogenic balance and vasorelaxation during pregnancy

While obesity is a major risk factor for preeclampsia, the mechanisms linking obesity and hypertension during preeclampsia remain unclear. Hypertension in preeclampsia is associated with placental ischemia‐induced release of antiangiogenic soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase (sFlt‐1) into the maternal circulation, which antagonizes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promoting endothelial dysfunction. Haploinsufficiency, defined as loss of one copy of a gene via a mutation, of the melanocortin‐4 receptor (MC4R) is the most common cause of monogenetic obesity in humans. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of genetic obesity on angiogenic balance, endothelial function, and blood pressure in pregnant MC4R+/− and MC4R+/+ rats. At gestational day (GD) 18, body weight and total body fat mass were greater in MC4R+/− than MC4R+/+ rats. On GD 19, plasma sFlt‐1 was not significantly different between groups. Interestingly, circulating VEGF was greater in the obese rats with the source being adipose tissue and not the placenta. Wire myography showed in third‐order mesenteric arteries that sensitivity (logEC50) to endothelial‐dependent and nitric oxide donor‐induced vasorelaxation was greater in MC4R+/− versus MC4R+/+. Mean arterial blood pressure was similar between groups. In conclusion, under normal pregnant conditions, genetically obese pregnant animals have greater angiogenic balance and dependency of vasorelaxation on nitric oxide signaling protecting against the development of hypertension. However, we speculate that, in the face of reduced uterine perfusion, a rise in circulating placental factors that target and reduce nitric oxide bioavailability exposes the susceptibility of genetically obese animals to greater hypertension in pregnancy.
Molecular Approaches Toward Targeted Cancer Prevention with Some Food Plants and Their Products: Inflammatory and Other Signal Pathways

In recent years, there has been growing interest in cancer prevention by food plants and their products. Although several plant parts have potentials for chemoprevention and other therapeutic use, their molecular mechanisms of action are not always well understood. Extensive research has identified several molecular targets that can potentially be used for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer. In this review, we accumulate evidences of modulating abilities of some dietary plants and their products on several signaling pathways, including the inflammatory and apoptotic ones, which may be targeted for cancer therapy. We have mainly focused on several phytochemicals like resveratrol (red grapes and peanuts), allicin (garlic), lycopene (tomato), indole-3-carbinol (cruciferous vegetables), vitamin C (citrus fruits), [6]-gingerol (ginger), emodin (aloe), natural antioxidant mixture (spinach), beta carotenoids (carrots), sulphoraphane (mustard), ellagic acid (pomegranate), myrecitin (cranberry), carnosol (rosemary), vanillin (vanilla) and eugenol (cloves). They act through one or more signaling pathways like nuclear factor kappa B, cyclooxygenase-2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, Akt, mitogen activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated kinase, Bcl-2, caspases, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, matrix metalloproteinase 2/9, and cyclin D1. Critical knowledge on these compounds and their signaling pathways may help in formulation of effective anticancer drugs.
Trust in Different Advertising Media

Trust has been investigated by behavioral and social scientists from different disciplines. Despite the interdisciplinary research, studies of advertising trust are not abundant in the literature, though both academic and trade investigations have incorporated and measured the construct. This study was conducted to examine consumer trust in different advertising media and the relationship of that trust to media credibility. Results indicate that (1) advertising media are neither especially trusted nor distrusted by consumers; (2) there is variation in consumer trust across different advertising media; (3) trust in specific ad media is differentially associated with education and income; and (4) trust in advertising media and media credibility are correlates, though trust in advertising is distinct and separate from the credibility construct.
Preferential encoding of behaviorally relevant predictions revealed by EEG

Statistical regularities in the environment guide perceptual processing; however, some predictions are bound to be more important than others. In this electroencephalogram (EEG) study, we test how task relevance influences the way predictions are learned from the statistics of visual input, and exploited for behavior. We developed a novel task in which participants are simply instructed to respond to a designated target stimulus embedded in a serial stream of non-target stimuli. Presentation probabilities were manipulated such that a designated target cue stimulus predicted the target onset with 70% validity. We also included a corresponding control contingency: a pre-designated control cue predicted a specific non-target stimulus with 70% validity. Participants were not informed about these contingencies. This design allowed us to examine the neural response to task-relevant predictive (cue) and predicted stimuli (target), relative to task-irrelevant predictive (control cue) and predicted stimuli (control non-target). The behavioral results confirmed that participants learned and exploited task-relevant predictions even when not explicitly defined. The EEG results further showed that target-relevant predictions are coded more strongly than statistically equivalent regularities between non-target stimuli. There was a robust modulation of the response for predicted targets associated with learning, enhancing the response to cued stimuli just after 200 ms post-stimulus in central and posterior electrodes, but no corresponding effects for predicted non-target stimuli. These effects of target prediction were preceded by a sustained frontal negativity following presentation of the predictive cue stimulus. These results show that task relevance critically influences how the brain extracts predictive structure from the environment, and exploits these regularities for optimized behavior.
The Transition to Christianity and Modernity among Indigenous Peoples

In recent decades many anthropological studies have suggested new approaches to conversion in order to grasp the connections between local Christianities and modernities. However, the relationship between conversion in indigenous societies and modernity remains problematic. The notion of transformation is often used as an ideological concept, which gives little information on the nature of the process of conversion, which is organized by complex processes of transitions and continuities. A better understanding of the various forms of indigenous Christianity is crucial to the development of an anthropology of Christianity.
Understanding L2 Motivation: On with the Challenge!

and his associates could be developed (1-3; 5; 8; 20-24). In a paper in the last issue of The Modern Language Journal (7), I attempted to elaborate on the educational aspect of L2 motivation by bringing together classroom-specific motives in a three-level construct, and concluded the article by stating that it was "intended to be part of a discussion that will hopefully result in a more clearly defined and elaborate model of motivation in foreign language learning" (p. 283). It was therefore a very pleasant surprise to see in the same issue a response article by Gardner and Tremblay, in which the authors responded to three recent papers on L2 motivation, by Crookes and Schmidt, Oxford and Shearin, and myself. I am grateful to Professor Gardner for joining the discussion; I feel it is a particular honour to have my work commented on by him in such detail.
An improved model for evaluating blocking probability in generalized connectors

The authors present an improved model for evaluating blocking probability in generalized connectors. The new model extends an earlier result to allow more flexibility in specifying traffic fanout characteristics and network routing algorithms. Included as special cases are both the previous model and Pippenger's (1975) exact model for blocking in connectors. Equations are derived for computing the blocking probability for the class of series-parallel networks. They investigate the accuracy of the approximation by comparing the blocking probability computed using the equations with measured simulation data. <<ETX>>
Dynamics of the Hadley circulation in an axisymmetric model undergoing stratification periodic forcing

Abstract. The time-dependent response of the Hadley circulation to a periodic forcing is explored via a simplified nonlinear axisymmetric model. Thermal forcing towards a given equilibrium potential temperature drives the model atmosphere. The vertical stratification of this temperature is forced to become periodically neutral with a period t0. Simulations performed with values of t0 ranging from 10 to 90 days exhibit stronger circulation compared to the results of a constant thermal forcing experiment. As the period increases, a transition occurs first from a stationary regime, obtained when forcing is constant, to a periodic (and possibly quasi-periodic) regime, and then to an intermittent regime, albeit one with a strong periodic component. The stream-function response to periodic forcing is generally a periodic oscillation, with two main frequencies dominating: one with a period equal or close to the forcing period and another with a period that is half of the forcing period. The former is dominant for values of t0 larger than 30 days, whereas the latter is prevalent for t0 smaller than 30 days. The periodic oscillations obtained in this model may be associated with the periodic oscillations observed in the tropical regions. In this case the periodic charge and discharge of moisture in the tropical atmosphere, with consequent change of stratification, may be linked to those oscillations. In the model, at forcing periods of over 63 days the response of the stream function periodically enters into a quasi-intermittent regime, exhibiting high-frequency chaotic oscillations that are modulated by the slow timescale of forcing. Sensitivity experiments for model parameters and configuration were performed to check whether results obtained are still valid under different conditions. Although for small changes of parameters the results are still valid, when parameters depart from the prescribed ones, we can observe change in the Hadley circulation dynamics.
Bayesian reasoning with ifs and ands and ors

The Bayesian approach to the psychology of reasoning generalizes binary logic, extending the binary concept of consistency to that of coherence, and allowing the study of deductive reasoning from uncertain premises. Studies in judgment and decision making have found that people’s probability judgments can fail to be coherent. We investigated people’s coherence further for judgments about conjunctions, disjunctions and conditionals, and asked whether their coherence would increase when they were given the explicit task of drawing inferences. Participants gave confidence judgments about a list of separate statements (the statements group) or the statements grouped as explicit inferences (the inferences group). Their responses were generally coherent at above chance levels for all the inferences investigated, regardless of the presence of an explicit inference task. An exception was that they were incoherent in the context known to cause the conjunction fallacy, and remained so even when they were given an explicit inference. The participants were coherent under the assumption that they interpreted the natural language conditional as it is represented in Bayesian accounts of conditional reasoning, but they were incoherent under the assumption that they interpreted the natural language conditional as the material conditional of elementary binary logic. Our results provide further support for the descriptive adequacy of Bayesian reasoning principles in the study of deduction under uncertainty.
Are East African Pastoralists Truly Conservationists?1

Controversy exists among anthropologists, conservation biologists, and development workers as to whether the concept of the “ecologically noble savage” is a myth. Central to this debate are the problem of how to identify conservationist behavior and the issue of whether sound management of common property is likely to evolve. While social scientists have documented instances of restraint in the use of resources, those who adopt an evolutionary perspective are challenged to identify the selective mechanisms whereby such altruistic conservation acts might be maintained in a population. Here a game‐theoretical approach is used to analyze the case of pastoralist grazing reserves. We demonstrate that under some conditions conservation can be the result of narrow self‐interest and there is no collective‐action problem. However, the range of these conditions is much broader for wealthy individuals, and thus the wealthy may also find it advantageous to coerce others into conserving. In conclusion, we propose an extension of the definition of conservation that is of greater generality for use in nonforaging populations and incorporates the essential political element of how conflicts over resource use are resolved.
Explaining acculturation in a communication framework: An empirical test

A much speculated about, but not fully validated, role of communication in acculturation was tested in this study. The relationships between three sociological variables—occupational status, ethnic network, and family—and acculturation level are explained in a communication framework. The validity of the theoretical framework was tested in the form of a path model. The results generally indicated that significant portions of the effects of the three exogenous variables on an immigrant's acculturation level are mediated by intercultural and ethnic communication activities. Facilitating effect of intercultural communication and damaging effect of ethnic communication were more noticeable in the advanced stage of immigration. The study also tested a procedure for assessing acculturation level based on the cultural distance between an immigrant's original culture and the culture being assimilated. The procedure uses two cultural criterion groups and discriminant analysis.
Establishment of a Cell-Based Assay for Screening of Compounds Inhibiting Very Early Events in the Cytomegalovirus Replication Cycle and Characterization of a Compound Identified Using the Assay

ABSTRACT To simplify the detection of infectious human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), we generated a cell line that produced luciferase in a dose-dependent manner upon HCMV infection. Using this cell line, we identified anti-HCMV compounds from a diverse library of 9,600 compounds. One of them, 1-(3,5-dichloro-4-pyridyl)piperidine-4-carboxamide (DPPC), was effective against HCMV (Towne strain) infection of human lung fibroblast cells at a 50% effective concentration of 2.5 μM. DPPC also inhibited the growth of clinical HCMV isolates and guinea pig and mouse cytomegaloviruses. Experiments using various time frames for treatment of the cells with DPPC demonstrated that DPPC was effective during the first 24 h after HCMV infection. DPPC treatment decreased not only viral DNA replication but also IE1 and IE2 expression at mRNA and protein levels in the HCMV-infected cells. However, DPPC did not inhibit the attachment of HCMV particles to the cell surface. DPPC is a unique compound that targets the very early phase of cytomegalovirus infection, probably by disrupting a pathway that is important after viral entry but before immediate-early gene expression.
Inhibition of Uncoupling Protein 2 Attenuates Cardiac Hypertrophy Induced by Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice

Background: Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is critical in regulating energy metabolism. Due to the significant change in energy metabolism of myocardium upon pressure overload, we hypothesize that UCP2 could contribute to the etiology of cardiac hypertrophy. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to pressure overload by using transverse aortic constriction (TAC), and then received genipin (a UCP2 selective inhibitor; 25 mg/kg/d, ip) or vehicle for three weeks prior to histologic assessment of myocardial hypertrophy. ATP concentration, ROS level, and myocardial apoptosis were also examined. A parallel set of experiments was also conducted in UCP2-/- mice. Results: TAC induced left ventricular hypertrophy, as reflected by increased ventricular weight/thickness and increased size of myocardial cell (vs. sham controls). ATP concentration was decreased; ROS level was increased. Apoptosis and fibrosis markers were increased. TAC increased mitochondrial UCP2 expression in the myocardium at both mRNA and protein levels. Genipin treatment attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and the histologic/biochemical changes described above. Hypertrophy and associated changes induced by TAC in UCP2-/- mice were much less pronounced than in WT mice. Conclusions: Blocking UCP2 expression attenuates cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload.
Concept mapping assessment in a problem-based medical curriculum

Background: In the problem-based learning (PBL) medical curriculum at the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain, students construct concept maps related to each case they study in PBL tutorials. Aim: To evaluate the interrater reliability and predictive validity of concept map scores using a structured assessment tool. Methods: We examined concept maps of the same cohort of students at the beginning (year 2) and end (year 4) of the pre-clerkship phase, where PBL is the main method of instruction. Concept maps were independently evaluated by five raters based on valid selection of concepts, hierarchical arrangement of concepts, integration, relationship to the context of the problem, and degree of student creativity. A 5-point Likert scale was used to evaluate each criterion. Interrater reliability of the instrument was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and predictive validity was measured by testing the correlations of concept map scores with summative examination scores. Results: The ICC of the concept map scores in year 2 was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.67–0.81) and in year 4 was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.59–0.77). Overall concept maps scores of year 4 students were significantly higher compared with year 2 students (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.5). The relationship between the students’ scores in concept maps and their scores in summative examination varied from no to mild correlation. Conclusion: The interrater reliability of concept map scores in this study is good to excellent. However, further studies are required to test the generalizability and validity of assessment using this tool.
Experience and Education

Experience and Educationis the best concise statement on education ever published by John Dewey, the man acknowledged to be the pre-eminent educational theorist of the twentieth century. Written more than two decades after Democracy and Education(Dewey's most comprehensive statement of his position in educational philosophy), this book demonstrates how Dewey reformulated his ideas as a result of his intervening experience with the progressive schools and in the light of the criticisms his theories had received. Analysing both "traditional" and "progressive" education, Dr. Dewey here insists that neither the old nor the new education is adequate and that each is miseducative because neither of them applies the principles of a carefully developed philosophy of experience. Many pages of this volume illustrate Dr. Dewey's ideas for a philosophy of experience and its relation to education. He particularly urges that all teachers and educators looking for a new movement in education should think in terms of the deeped and larger issues of education rather than in terms of some divisive "ism" about education, even such an "ism" as "progressivism. " His philosophy, here expressed in its most essential, most readable form, predicates an American educational system that respects all sources of experience, on that offers a true learning situation that is both historical and social, both orderly and dynamic.
Fiber Loop Ringdown Sensor for Potential Real-Time Monitoring of Cracks in Concrete Structures: An Exploratory Study

A fiber loop ringdown (FLRD) concrete crack sensor is described for the first time. A bare single mode fiber (SMF), without using other optical components or chemical coatings, etc., was utilized to construct the sensor head, which was driven by a FLRD sensor system. The performance of the sensor was evaluated on concrete bars with dimensions 20 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm, made in our laboratory. Cracks were produced manually and the responses of the sensor were recorded in terms of ringdown times. The sensor demonstrated detection of the surface crack width (SCW) of 0.5 mm, which leads to a theoretical SCW detection limit of 31 μm. The sensor's response to a cracking event is near real-time (1.5 s). A large dynamic range of crack detection ranging from a few microns (μm) to a few millimeters is expected from this sensor. With the distinct features, such as simplicity, temperature independence, near real-time response, high SCW detection sensitivity, and a large dynamic range, this FLRD crack sensor appears promising for detections of cracks when embedded in concrete.